Chapter Summaries

As the Chunin Ninja Exams approached, Yamanaka Tohru trained Team 7 while Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi prepared Konoha’s defenses for the arrival of several villages. Anko reunited with her old friends in Konoha, while Orochimaru secretly visited the Third Hokage’s home and left without speaking to him.

• Yamanaka Tohru improved Naruto and Sasuke’s Chakra control and taught Sakura Medical Ninjutsu, which she quickly mastered.
• Kakashi told Hatake Sakumo that Kirigakure would attend the exams, and Sakumo assigned Kakashi and the Uchiha to defend Konoha’s interior while the Hyuga guarded its outskirts.
• Anko arrived in Konoha with Otogakure, and Guy welcomed her before Kakashi helped arrange a reunion with their old friends.
• Anko, Kurenai, Asuma, Guy, Kakashi, and Yamanaka Tohru gathered at a dango shop and shared a lively evening together.
• Orochimaru sneaked into the Sarutobi Clan compound, watched the Third Hokage through a window, then left without knocking.

With the Chunin Ninja Exams approaching, Yamanaka Tohru and Tsunade explained their plan to turn a controlled explosion into a chance to promote Konoha’s Medical Ninja system. Later, Tohru learned that Hyuga Hiashi had asked Orochimaru to investigate a child whose Byakugan was declining as the Kurama Clan’s Kekkei Genkai emerged.

• Hatake Sakumo gathered Jiraiya, Tsunade, Yamanaka Tohru, and Kakashi to discuss the Explosive Tags planted in Konoha decades earlier.
• Yamanaka Tohru explained that Tsunade would use Katsuyu to protect civilians during a controlled detonation while he led medical treatment, publicly demonstrating the value of Medical Ninjas.
• Jiraiya agreed to handle Iwagakure and Kakuzu while Tohru and Tsunade focused on rescuing civilians, provided the villagers could be kept safe.
• Yamanaka Tohru visited Orochimaru and found him with Hyuga Hiashi, who had asked for information about the Kurama Clan’s Kekkei Genkai.
• Hyuga Hiashi revealed that a child in the Hyuga Clan had developed the Kurama Clan’s Kekkei Genkai as his Byakugan began to decline after the Caged Bird seal was removed.

Yamanaka Tohru and Orochimaru prepared to protect Naruto and the other Genin from Iwagakure during the Chunin Exams. The written test began, and the candidates used various ninja techniques to cheat as Ibiki tested their adaptability and teamwork.

• Yamanaka Tohru told Orochimaru he suspected a problem with the Byakugan and asked him to protect Naruto and the others during the written test in case Iwagakure attacked.
• Orochimaru agreed to intervene only if Jonin became involved or the Genin were badly outnumbered, while Yamanaka Tohru planned to watch for Ōnoki detonating Explosive Tags early.
• Yamanaka Tohru, Hatake Sakumo, and Kakashi discussed village security, and the next day Kakashi encouraged Team 7 before the Chunin Exams began.
• Team 7 met Team 3 at the examination-room entrance, where Rock Lee confessed to Sakura and Sasuke identified Neji Hyuga as the Hyuga Clan's top graduate.
• Ibiki announced the written-test rules, and the Genin used techniques including insects, puppets, the Byakugan, and the Nine-Tails' senses to copy answers.
• The written test ended with Naruto submitting answers, while Ibiki disqualified only candidates whose cheating he caught five times.

Ibiki tested the Genin’s resolve with a seemingly impossible tenth question, then declared those who stayed had passed the first exam. Yamato began the second exam by leading the teams into the Forest of Death, where he warned them that people could die.

• Ibiki announced that anyone who withdrew would fail with their teammates, while anyone who answered the tenth question incorrectly would never take the Chunin Ninja Exams again.
• Many Genin withdrew until Naruto raised his hand and declared that he would not back down, restoring the resolve of those who remained.
• Ibiki revealed that staying had been the test and announced that the remaining Genin had passed the first exam.
• Yamato arrived as the second exam’s proctor, and Naruto recognized him as his uncle’s former student; Shikamaru explained that Yamato had undergone a First Generation Cells transplant alongside Suzune.
• Yamato handed out the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and led the Genin into the depths of the Forest of Death, warning them that people could die.

The Konoha Genin formed an alliance in the Forest of Death, then split into teams to pursue shinobi from other villages. Team 7 was ambushed by Iwagakure Genin, and Kurotsuchi confronted Naruto after identifying him as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Hinata proposed that the Konoha teams work together, and the Genin agreed after revealing that all their scrolls were Earth Scrolls.
• The teams split up to investigate shinobi from other villages, with Team 7 heading after an Iwagakure squad.
• A hidden woman followed Naruto while Orochimaru watched her depart and remarked that Remote had been right about Iwagakure.
• The Iwagakure Genin recognized Naruto and attacked him, but Sasuke and Sakura helped him fend them off.
• Sasuke spotted Kurotsuchi hiding nearby with his Sharingan, and she revealed that she knew Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought Kurotsuchi, a powerful Iwagakure shinobi sent to kill Naruto for being a Jinchuriki. The trio coordinated a fire-and-wind attack that hit her, but Kurotsuchi split her body in two as the fireball struck.

• Sasuke warned Naruto and Sakura that Kurotsuchi was exceptionally strong, and Naruto's Shadow Clones were swept away by her Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique.
• Kurotsuchi introduced herself as the Third Tsuchikage's disciple and explained that she had come to eliminate the enemy village's Jinchuriki.
• Naruto used moving afterimages to kick Kurotsuchi, and she recognized the technique as one connected to Yamanaka Tohru.
• Sasuke devised a plan in which he and Sakura would distract Kurotsuchi while Naruto teleported to an afterimage for a coordinated attack.
• Sakura briefly caught Kurotsuchi in genjutsu, allowing Naruto to teleport as Sasuke's Great Fireball and Naruto's Great Breakthrough combined into a massive fireball.
• Kurotsuchi was struck by the fireball but formed Hand Seals and split her body in two.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Kurotsuchi, who survived their combined attack using the Split Technique and nearly defeated them. Orochimaru intervened, captured Kurotsuchi, and left her unconscious as Naruto and Sasuke learned who had saved them.

• Kurotsuchi reappeared after surviving Naruto and Sasuke's Great Fireball Technique with the Split Technique, though her strength had been reduced.
• Naruto used the Nine-Tails' One-Tail Tailed Beast Cloak to fight Kurotsuchi while Sasuke watched her movements and helped Naruto dodge.
• The Nine-Tails told Naruto that a familiar Konoha shinobi was nearby, so Naruto stopped trying to avoid Kurotsuchi's attacks.
• Orochimaru revealed himself, causing Kurotsuchi to flee after recognizing him as one of the legendary Konoha Sannin.
• Orochimaru caught Kurotsuchi, restrained her with a Great Snake, and made her unconscious with a bite to the neck.
• Sasuke explained Orochimaru's identity to Naruto and named Tsunade and Jiraiya as the other Sannin.

After learning that Orochimaru had protected Naruto from an Iwagakure Elite Jonin, Shikamaru deduced that the remaining Iwagakure Genin would continue hunting Naruto. Team 7 and Team 10 formed an alliance, and Shikamaru planned their formation and tactics before they set out.

• Orochimaru finished searching the Forest of Death, confirmed Naruto was safe, and carried Kurotsuchi away.
• Sakura arrived with Team 10, and Sasuke explained how Orochimaru had intervened after Naruto and Sasuke fought Kurotsuchi.
• Shikamaru deduced that Orochimaru had likely left and that Iwagakure's Genin would keep targeting Naruto.
• Team 7 and Team 10 agreed to travel together under Shikamaru's lead, with his condition that they receive first choice of any scrolls they found.
• After Naruto and Sasuke recovered, Shikamaru assigned everyone positions, asked Ino to maintain a mental link and sense for nearby Genin, and led the group onward.

Naruto's group and the other teams fought to collect the two scrolls needed to pass the Forest of Death exam. By dusk on the fifth day, the qualified teams had gathered at the finish, where Naruto recognized the Iwagakure Genin who had discussed Kurotsuchi's attempt to kill him, but Shikamaru stopped him from confronting them.

• Ino sensed Rain Ninja approaching, and Shikamaru ordered the group to hide and attack; they defeated the three Rain Ninja and took an Earth Scroll.
• Over the next three days, Naruto's group fought four teams but failed to find a Heaven Scroll, so they set a trap near the finish.
• As the exam neared its end, teams targeted Genin from smaller villages; Team 8 and Team 3 each obtained a scroll, and Naruto's group defeated an Iwagakure team that entered their trap.
• A Kirigakure team and three Iwagakure teams also secured scrolls, and the teams with both scrolls reached the finish by dusk on the fifth day.
• Naruto recognized the Iwagakure Genin and wanted to attack them, but Shikamaru pointed out that the Hokage, Tsuchikage, Pakura, and Ao were present and urged him to wait for the third exam.

Hatake Sakumo secretly arranged the third-round draw after noticing Naruto’s tension, and the elimination matches began. Ino defeated Sakura, then Sasuke faced a Kirigakure Genin wielding Nuibari, with the outcome still undecided.

• Hatake Sakumo ordered an Anbu Ninja to tell Gekko Hayate to rig the draw, assigning several Konoha Genin opponents from Iwagakure.
• Shikamaru won his match easily, and Ino defeated Sakura by using the Mind Body Switch Technique.
• Sasuke began his match against a Kirigakure Genin who pierced his Great Fireball Technique with Nuibari.
• Ōnoki recognized Nuibari as one of Kirigakure’s long blades, while Sasuke activated his Sharingan and prepared to fight seriously.

Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba, and Tenten fought in the Chūnin Exam matches, with Sasuke and Naruto winning while Kiba and Tenten lost. Meanwhile, Ibiki gave up interrogating Kurotsuchi, leaving Yamanaka Tohru without the information he had hoped to obtain.

• Sasuke used the Body Flicker Technique to defeat the Kirigakure youth, while Kakashi and the other spectators discussed how he had learned it.
• Naruto overwhelmed an Iwagakure Genin with Shadow Clones and won, while Ao questioned whether Naruto was using the Nine-Tails' Chakra.
• An Iwagakure Genin separated Kiba from Akamaru and trapped Akamaru, forcing Kiba to surrender.
• Tenten used an Explosive Tag to attack an Iwagakure Genin, and the blast left both of them barely conscious; Neji and Rock Lee followed them to Konoha Hospital.
• Ibiki told Yamanaka Tohru that he had failed to get information from Kurotsuchi, whose brain seal had also thwarted Tohru's attempt to read her memories.

Yamanaka Tohru returned to the Third Exam after deciding Iwagakure was unlikely to attack, and Hinata lost to Neji after refusing to give up. Naruto vowed to avenge Hinata, while Lee began fighting Gaara, whose sand defense countered Lee’s speed.

• Yamanaka Tohru told Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma that Iwagakure was unlikely to act after he captured an important figure.
• Hinata fought Neji with determination but was knocked unconscious, and Neji was declared the winner.
• Naruto rushed to Hinata and promised Neji he would beat him in the next exam, prompting Neji to accept the challenge.
• Lee faced Gaara, attacked at high speed, and initially overwhelmed Gaara’s sand defense.
• Gaara used Shukaku’s Chakra to form two Sand Eyes, allowing his sand to track Lee and counter his speed.

Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates and pushed Gaara to the brink, but Gaara survived his final attack and won the match. After the third stage ended, Gekko Hayate announced the thirteen Genin who advanced and a one-month break before the next stage.

• After Might Guy gave permission, Rock Lee opened the First Gate, prompting Ao and the others to discuss the Eight Gates Formation and Might Duy’s defeat of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
• Lee broke through Gaara’s sand defenses, opened more gates, and battered him with a series of attacks.
• Gaara used Shukaku’s Chakra to reach the ground and survive Lee’s final attack, then Gekko Hayate declared him the winner.
• Konoha’s Medical Ninjas carried Lee away, and Might Guy followed them to Konoha Hospital after Yamanaka Tohru reassured him.
• Gekko Hayate announced the thirteen Genin who advanced and a one-month break before the next stage of the exam.

After Kakashi assigned training for the month, Naruto sought out Jiraiya to become his student. Jiraiya tested him with Iron Arm Toad, but Naruto defeated him with the Harem Technique and left him unconscious.

• Kakashi sent Naruto to train with Yamanaka Tohru, assigned Sasuke to train with him, and offered Sakura medical ninjutsu lessons with Nohara Rin.
• Yamanaka Tohru arranged for Naruto to find Jiraiya at a hot spring inn because he was too busy to train him himself.
• Naruto found Jiraiya peeping from a bathhouse roof and agreed to test whether he qualified as Jiraiya's student.
• Jiraiya summoned Iron Arm Toad, whose defenses held off Naruto and his shadow clones.
• Kurama advised Naruto to target Jiraiya, so Naruto used the Harem Technique and caused Jiraiya to collapse from a nosebleed.

Naruto became a contractor of Mount Myōboku and learned the Summoning Technique from Jiraiya. After summoning Gamabunta and revealing that he was Kushina's son, Naruto gained Gamabunta's support, while Fukasaku considered meeting him.

• Naruto defeated Jiraiya with the Harem Technique, and Jiraiya agreed to teach him the Summoning Technique in exchange for seeing it daily.
• After consulting Kurama, Naruto signed Mount Myōboku's Summoning Contract, awakening the Great Toad Sage briefly.
• Naruto practiced the Summoning Technique and summoned several toads, including Scroll Toad, Gama Dragon, Gama-Tada, and the Iron Arm Toad.
• Naruto borrowed Kurama's Chakra and summoned Gamabunta, who recognized Kushina's name and offered to help him as his little brother.
• Gamabunta told Fukasaku and Shima that Minato's son had become a contractor, and Fukasaku considered visiting Naruto while Naruto showed Jiraiya his progress.

Sasuke began learning Chidori from Kakashi while Konoha's leaders prepared for Ōnoki's planned attack during the upcoming exams. Ōnoki realized Konoha might have captured Kurotsuchi and decided to proceed with the attack while attempting to rescue her.

• Kakashi showed Sasuke Chidori and its advanced variations, and Sasuke recognized the Lightning Release technique as a good fit for him.
• Uchiha Fugaku, Hatake Sakumo, and Yamanaka Tohru discussed Kurotsuchi's resistance to interrogation, then Tsunade told them to treat her as a hostage and focus on the coming exams.
• Yamanaka Tohru outlined how he would seal most of the buried Explosive Tags, while the others planned to handle Ōnoki, Kakuzu, and Iwagakure's Five-Tails.
• Hatake Sakumo asked where Shisui was, prompting Yamanaka Tohru to leave; Uchiha Fugaku reassured Sakumo that Shisui's absence would not affect the plan.
• Ōnoki learned that Kurotsuchi was missing and suspected Yamanaka Tohru had captured her in the Forest of Death.
• Ōnoki ordered his forces to carry out the plan and use the resulting chaos to find and rescue Kurotsuchi.

Yamanaka Tohru and Orochimaru examined a Hyuga child whose awakened Kurama Clan kekkei genkai caused powerful genjutsu and whose Byakugan bloodline had disappeared. Unable to explain how the bloodline was suppressed, they brought Little Lin to inspect the child.

• Hatake Sakumo purged spies from Konoha and had Anbu remove Explosive Tags buried beneath populated areas.
• Hyuga Hiashi invited Orochimaru to investigate the Hyuga child, and Tohru joined him at the clan grounds.
• The child's genjutsu trapped Tohru and Orochimaru in visions of their deepest fears, but Tohru dispelled it and freed Orochimaru.
• Tohru examined the child and found no trace of Byakugan bloodline, only powerful mental energy.
• Orochimaru suggested asking the Ten-Tails for answers, so Tohru woke Little Lin and carried him to the child.

Little Lin explained that the Hyuga Clan child’s Byakugan had grown stronger after the Caged Bird was removed, draining his bloodline potential, and Yamanaka Tohru sealed the child’s rampaging mental energy. After leaving the child with Hyuga Hiashi, Yamanaka Tohru took Orochimaru to Otogakure, where Orochimaru began studying the child’s blood.

• Little Lin explained that the child’s Byakugan had not disappeared but had grown stronger, exhausting the potential of his Otsutsuki Clan bloodline, and said it probably could not recover after he manifested a second Kekkei Genkai.
• Yamanaka Tohru told Orochimaru that the child’s expanding mental energy could cause a psychological scar or a second personality, then sealed the rampaging energy inside the child’s mind.
• The child woke after Yamanaka Tohru released his soul, and Yamanaka Tohru and Orochimaru left the room together.
• Yamanaka Tohru explained the child’s condition to Hyuga Hiashi and reminded him that the Hyuga Clan’s main- and branch-family system had been abolished.
• Yamanaka Tohru teleported to Otogakure with Orochimaru, who examined the child’s blood and then retrieved preserved White Zetsu Cells from a cabinet.

Yamanaka Tohru, Orochimaru, and Little Lin discovered that combining Hyuga and Tsunade’s blood produced Chakra resembling Kaguya’s, which could help Tohru awaken the Rinnegan after further refinement. They postponed gathering the necessary blood until after the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Ao returned to Kirigakure and reported what he had learned in Konoha to Mei Terumi.

• Orochimaru tested White Zetsu Cells and Yamanaka Tohru’s blood on a Hyuga child’s blood, but only Tsunade’s blood triggered unusual Chakra.
• Little Lin identified the Chakra as resembling Kaguya’s, added Yin-Yang Release, and created a miniature Truth-Seeking Orb.
• Yamanaka Tohru and Little Lin concluded that the Chakra came from combining the Hyuga and Senju bloodlines and could help Tohru awaken the Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru offered to use his IOUs to obtain Tsunade’s blood, and the group agreed to wait until after the Chunin Ninja Exams to gather blood and begin production.
• Yamanaka Tohru teleported back to Konoha with Orochimaru and Little Lin, while Ao returned to Kirigakure and reported to Mei Terumi, emphasizing Rock Lee’s Eight Gates Formation.

Mei Terumi and Rasa prepared to exploit the coming conflict between Iwagakure and Konoha, while Sasuke and Naruto returned to the village after training. The chapter ended with Kushina welcoming Jiraiya back to Minato's home.

• Mei Terumi learned that Kurotsuchi had ambushed Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and sent Ao, Utakata, and two Elite Jonin to watch the conflict and intervene for Kirigakure's benefit.
• Pakura deduced that Iwagakure was preparing to act against Konoha, and Rasa decided to attend the next Chunin Ninja Exams while Pakura guarded Sunagakure.
• Sasuke sparred with Kakashi, who judged that Sasuke could fight a Special Jonin but still lacked combat experience.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Jiraiya and brought him to Minato's home.
• Kushina ignored Naruto's greeting, bowed to Jiraiya, and welcomed him home.