Chapter Summaries

Kitahara Kaede tracked down Team 7, intending to ensure Second Pillar received Orochimaru’s Heavenly Cursed Seal. He arrived as Team 7 faced a disguised Kusagakure shinobi, with Second Pillar injured and Naruto readying a Rasengan.

• Kitahara Kaede reasoned that Orochimaru needed the Chunin Exams as cover to attack the Third Hokage, but still worried that events might go wrong.
• Kitahara Kaede destroyed a giant snake and used his Flying Thunder God marks to locate Uzumaki Naruto.
• Kitahara Kaede teleported toward Team 7, intending to let Orochimaru place the Heavenly Cursed Seal on Second Pillar.
• Kitahara Kaede found Team 7 confronting a Kusagakure shinobi whose disguise was dissolving.
• Second Pillar clutched his shoulder and screamed in pain while Uzumaki Naruto faced the opponent with a Rasengan and the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s chakra leaking around him.

Orochimaru, disguised as a Kusagakure ninja, defeated Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura in the Forest of Death and planted a Cursed Seal on Sasuke. He offered Sasuke power for revenge against Uchiha Itachi, then sensed someone approaching.

• Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura encountered a Kusagakure ninja who overwhelmed them, sealed Naruto's Nine-Tailed Demon Fox chakra, and left Sakura unable to treat Sasuke's Cursed Seal reaction.
• The Kusagakure ninja revealed himself as Orochimaru and praised Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan while coveting his body.
• Sasuke realized he had underestimated Orochimaru, and feared the Cursed Seal could let Orochimaru take over his body.
• Orochimaru urged Sasuke to survive the Cursed Seal and prove himself in the Chunin Exams by defeating three Otogakure ninjas, offering power for revenge against Uchiha Itachi.
• Orochimaru dismissed Naruto's abilities compared with Minato Namikaze, then noticed someone nearby and called them out.

Kitahara Kaede confronted Orochimaru in the Forest of Death and revealed strength far beyond Orochimaru’s intelligence report. After using their Taijutsu exchange to sharpen his own skills, Kaede ended the fight with a lightning-fast sword attack, leaving Orochimaru facing an unseen strike.

• Kitahara Kaede arrived as Orochimaru threatened Naruto, Sakura, and the badly injured Second Pillar, then challenged Orochimaru instead of stalling for reinforcements.
• Kaede cut down Orochimaru’s Hidden Shadow Snake Hands with his sword and dispelled the pressure of Orochimaru’s killing intent with a single step.
• Orochimaru and Kaede traded Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and fought at high speed, while Kaede repeatedly read Orochimaru’s movements and used the battle to hone his Taijutsu.
• After the fight paused at night, Kaede announced that their game was over and used Thunder Breathing, First Form, Thunderclap and Flash to strike at Orochimaru.

Kitahara Kaede drove Orochimaru away after Orochimaru placed a Cursed Seal on Sasuke, then sealed Anko’s Cursed Seal outbreak at the Central Tower. The Third Hokage kept the Chunin Ninja Exams underway and ordered everyone to wait for the remaining examinees.

• Kitahara Kaede’s sword struck Orochimaru’s substitute snake skins, and Orochimaru fled after realizing how powerful Kaede was.
• Kitahara Kaede told Sakura and Naruto to protect the unconscious Sasuke and let them know Orochimaru had placed a Cursed Seal on him.
• Kitahara Kaede went to the Central Tower, where Gaara had already arrived and Anko was suffering from her Cursed Seal.
• Kitahara Kaede used the Sealing Evil Technique to suppress Anko’s Cursed Seal, then told the Third Hokage that Orochimaru had targeted Sasuke.
• The Third Hokage ordered the Chunin Ninja Exams to continue and told the gathered ninjas to wait at the Central Tower.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Itachi, and others reacted to Kitahara Kaede’s account of Orochimaru’s escape and his remarks about Orochimaru, Naruto, and Sasuke. The diary then revealed a video of Sasuke three years later, facing Deidara and Uchiha Tobi.

• Tsunade read that Kitahara Kaede had driven Orochimaru away with one sword strike and wondered how he had grown so strong so quickly.
• Jiraiya confirmed that Orochimaru had appeared, while Kakashi marveled at Kitahara Kaede’s strength and Danzō feared him.
• Kitahara Kaede described Orochimaru’s survival skills and Cursed Seal, leading Itachi to worry that Otsutsuki Indra might take Sasuke’s body.
• Kitahara Kaede mocked Naruto and Sasuke’s intelligence and recounted Sasuke’s confusing encounter with Deidara.
• A new video showed Sasuke three years later, targeted by Deidara and Uchiha Tobi, who called himself Uchiha Madara.

The observers watched Sasuke battle Deidara while Obito appeared as the goofy Tobi, confusing them with his behavior and name. Sasuke endured Deidara’s aerial explosives in Cursed Seal State 2, and the fight continued as he threatened Deidara with two enormous darts.

• Obito appeared in the image as Tobi, and the observers realized the scene took place before Sasuke and Tobi’s later partnership.
• Deidara attacked Sasuke with Clay Bombs, while Sasuke demanded to know where Itachi was and quickly saw through Deidara’s clay techniques.
• Deidara’s Clay Figures pursued Sasuke into the forest and exploded, but Sasuke escaped with a Substitution Technique.
• Deidara trapped Sasuke with homing Clay Bombs and land mines, forcing him into Cursed Seal State 2 to survive the blasts.
• Deidara destroyed one of Sasuke’s wings, but Sasuke sent two enormous darts toward him as Deidara prepared another C2 bomb.

Second Pillar outmaneuvered Deidara in the minefield, but Deidara escaped and recalled how Uchiha Itachi recruited him by defeating him with Genjutsu. Jiraiya reconsidered whether Kitahara Kaede's jokes about Itachi's illusions could be true.

• Second Pillar used the Kusanagi Sword as a foothold, cut off the Clay Dragon's wing, and stabbed Deidara's arms with a giant dart.
• Second Pillar escaped the exploding minefield with snakes while Deidara's Clay Dragon crashed into the mines.
• Hatake Kakashi praised Second Pillar's combat instincts, and Uchiha Itachi was pleased with his performance.
• Deidara recalled how Uchiha Itachi, Sasori, and Kisame Hoshigaki had come to recruit him, and how Itachi defeated him with Genjutsu.
• Jiraiya remembered Kitahara Kaede's jokes about Itachi manipulating Kisame and began to suspect they might be true.

Deidara used C4 Karura against Second Pillar, but Second Pillar survived by seeing the chakra bombs with his Sharingan and dispelling the apparent death as genjutsu. As Second Pillar asked Deidara where Uchiha Itachi was, others reflected on the long history of conflict between the Senju and Uchiha clans.

• Deidara unleashed C4 Karura, spreading invisible bombs that seemed to turn Second Pillar to ash.
• Tobi explained that the tiny bombs destroyed living creatures from within at the cellular level.
• Second Pillar pierced Deidara with a Chidori and revealed that his apparent death had been genjutsu.
• Tsunade described how generations of conflict with the Uchiha had led the Senju to develop ways to resist Uchiha genjutsu.
• Hatake Kakashi confirmed that the Sharingan could see chakra-infused bombs, while Second Pillar asked Deidara where Uchiha Itachi was.

Sasuke fought Deidara through Genjutsu and explosive attacks, then identified that Lightning Release neutralized Deidara’s Earth Style bombs. The battle left both fighters exhausted, with Sasuke’s combat instincts earning Itachi’s approval.

• Deidara used C4 Karura against Sasuke, believing his Genjutsu countermeasures would let him win.
• Sasuke escaped the C4 attack with Cursed Seal State 2, while Deidara mistakenly believed he had reduced Sasuke to ash.
• Sasuke revealed that he had used Genjutsu to deceive Deidara and explained that Lightning Release stopped the nano bombs from detonating.
• Sasuke described how he had tested his theory by studying Deidara’s hand seals, Chidori Senbon, and the landmines.
• Itachi watched Sasuke’s tactical fight with satisfaction and hoped he could become a better Savior who could revive the Uchiha Clan.

Second Pillar faced Deidara’s ultimate self-destruction and escaped by hiding inside Manda before using space-time ninjutsu. The video ended with Second Pillar alive but badly wounded, while Tsunade and Uchiha Itachi learned more about Deidara’s motives and abilities.

• Deidara demanded to know what Second Pillar would have done if his landmine had exploded, then became enraged when Second Pillar ignored his art and asked where Uchiha Itachi was.
• Deidara released the mouth in his chest, fed it clay, and detonated himself in a ten-kilometer blast.
• Tsunade recognized Deidara as a former Iwagakure prodigy and understood that he had taken the Uchiha brothers’ indifference toward his art as a personal insult.
• Uchiha Itachi assessed Deidara’s techniques and concluded that advance knowledge and preparation could counter his explosions, though he worried about Second Pillar surviving the blast.
• Hozuki Suigetsu saw Manda die after Second Pillar escaped from inside the summoned snake, which Second Pillar had controlled with Sharingan Genjutsu.
• Second Pillar told Hozuki Suigetsu that he and Manda had been caught in Deidara’s blast before he escaped through space-time ninjutsu, leaving him badly wounded.

After Sasuke escaped Deidara’s explosion by sacrificing Manda, the observers reflected on the battle and Minato focused on the masked man posing as Uchiha Madara. Kitahara Kaede learned the second Chunin Exam results and joined the surviving examinees as the Third Hokage explained the third exam’s purpose.

• Tsunade and Jiraiya celebrated Manda’s death, while Uchiha Itachi and Seventh Hokage Naruto considered how Sasuke had survived and why he later summoned Aoda.
• Hatake Kakashi weighed how to counter Deidara’s explosions, and Minato Namikaze focused on the masked man impersonating Uchiha Madara and suspected a major conspiracy.
• Kitahara Kaede heard that Gaara had set a record by completing the second exam in ninety-seven minutes without injury.
• Mitaraishi Anko gave Kitahara Kaede the pass list, which named twenty-four examinees, including Hyuga Keiko, Soten Genryu, and their new teammate.
• Kitahara Kaede joined the surviving Genin in the arena as the Third Hokage explained that the Chunin Exams were meant to promote peace and serve as a controlled contest between allied nations.

Kitahara Kaede announced a screening round of Chunin Exam combat matches, and Kabuto withdrew. Second Pillar was paired with Akado Yoroi and prepared to fight while struggling to control the Cursed Seal.

• Kitahara Kaede explained that half the remaining candidates would be eliminated in combat, and Kabuto announced his withdrawal.
• The Third Hokage recalled Kabuto’s ties to Root and Orochimaru, then ordered Kitahara Kaede to stop Sasuke if his power went out of control.
• Kitahara Kaede explained the combat rules and announced Second Pillar versus Akado Yoroi as the first match.
• Second Pillar resolved to use the Cursed Seal’s power to grow strong enough to defeat Uchiha Itachi, then planned to ask Kakashi to seal it after the fight.
• Sakura reacted with shock and worry as Second Pillar and Akado Yoroi accepted the match.

Second Pillar fought Akado Yoroi while unable to safely use chakra because of his Cursed Seal, but his training let him win with taijutsu and a sword strike. Hatake Kakashi took him away to have the seal restrained, and Kitahara Kaede called the next match.

• Hatake Kakashi warned Second Pillar not to use the Sharingan because the Cursed Seal could kill him.
• Akado Yoroi absorbed Second Pillar’s chakra during their fight, and the Cursed Seal flared up as Second Pillar endured the pain.
• Second Pillar suppressed the spreading seal, identified Akado Yoroi’s chakra-draining technique, and cut off one of his arms with the Kusanagi.
• Kitahara Kaede declared Second Pillar the winner and ordered the Medical Corps to take Akado Yoroi away.
• Hatake Kakashi took Second Pillar to have his Cursed Seal sealed, while Kitahara Kaede announced the match between Zaku and Aburame Shino.

Hatake Kakashi restrained Second Pillar’s Cursed Seal, then confronted Orochimaru when he appeared in the Central Tower. Second Pillar rejected Orochimaru’s appeal to his desire for revenge, and another voice challenged Orochimaru as the confrontation began.

• Hatake Kakashi used the Sealing Evil Technique to suppress Second Pillar’s Cursed Seal and told him to seek help if it became unstable.
• Orochimaru appeared in an Otogakure Jonin uniform, and Hatake Kakashi drew his blade and warned him to stay away from Sasuke.
• Orochimaru sensed that Hatake Kakashi had reached Kage Level and questioned why he had sealed Second Pillar’s Cursed Seal.
• Second Pillar remained unmoved by Orochimaru’s offer, reasoning that Orochimaru himself had lost to Uchiha Itachi.
• An unseen speaker shouted at Orochimaru for daring to show up in front of them.

Kitahara Kaede and Kakashi drove off Orochimaru’s Shadow Clone and warned Sasuke that Orochimaru had targeted him. At the Chunin Exam, Hinata’s words enraged Neji, and the Jonin stopped him before he could strike her, leaving him consumed by resentment over the Hyuga clan’s Main and Branch Family system.

• Kitahara Kaede arrived to help Kakashi confront Orochimaru, who vanished after saying he had only come to see Sasuke.
• Kitahara Kaede warned Sasuke to be careful, then returned with Kakashi to watch the Chunin Exam matches.
• Kakashi and Guy discussed Neji, Hinata, and Hyuga Keiko’s abilities as Neji gained the upper hand against Hinata.
• Hinata told Neji that he was the one tormented by the Main and Branch Family system, and Neji charged at her in anger.
• Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, and Kitahara Kaede restrained Neji, who accused them of giving Hinata special treatment and raged against his fate as a Branch Family member.

Hyuga Neji defeated Hyuga Hinata, while Kitahara Kaede urged him not to blame her for the Hyuga clan’s system. Rock Lee challenged Gaara in the final match, but his Front Lotus failed to break through Gaara’s defense, leaving the outcome in Gaara’s favor.

• Kitahara Kaede declared Hyuga Neji the winner and reminded him that Hinata cared for him as a brother.
• Hyuga Keiko treated the badly injured Hinata with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Kitahara Kaede announced the final match between Gaara and Rock Lee, and Second Pillar watched with his Sharingan.
• Rock Lee removed his leg weights, increasing his speed enough to strike Gaara through his sand defense.
• Rock Lee used the Front Lotus, but pain briefly stiffened him and Gaara escaped with the Substitution Technique.
• Kitahara Kaede judged that Rock Lee had lost his chance to win because his body could not withstand the Lotus.

Rock Lee opened the Eight Inner Gates and pushed Gaara to the brink, but Kitahara Kaede stopped Gaara from crippling him and declared Gaara the winner. Rock Lee was carried away with serious but treatable injuries, leaving his future prospects uncertain.

• Rock Lee opened the Third and Fourth Gates, revealing his hidden strength and shocking the spectators.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and struck Gaara with the Hidden Lotus, but Gaara’s sand protected him while Rock Lee’s muscles tore apart.
• Gaara used Sand Coffin to seize Rock Lee, but Kitahara Kaede cut through the chakra controlling the sand and declared Gaara the winner.
• Gaara backed down after seeing Kitahara Kaede’s threatening expression, while Might Guy persuaded Rock Lee to stop fighting.
• The Medical Corps carried Rock Lee away and found that his torn muscles and broken bones were serious but treatable.

After the preliminary matches ended, the Third Hokage set the official finals for a month later and announced the first four pairings. Kitahara Kaede returned home and reflected in his diary on the exam, Orochimaru’s escape, and Hyuga Neji’s future sacrifice for Hinata.

• Kitahara Kaede listened as the Third Hokage announced that the official matches would begin in a month, then learned the first four pairings, including Uzumaki Naruto versus Hyuga Neji and Second Pillar versus Gaara.
• Hatake Kakashi reported that Orochimaru had appeared while he was helping Sasuke seal the Cursed Seal, and the Jonin discussed Orochimaru’s return with the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage wondered why Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had all returned to Konoha, then told everyone to stay vigilant and dismissed them.
• Kitahara Kaede returned home, where Kitahara Yoshiko quietly supported him, and later wrote in his diary about the exam and Hyuga Neji’s eventual choice to die protecting Hyuga Hinata.

Hyuga Hiashi dismissed the elders’ demands to punish Hyuga Neji for defeating Hinata, and Neji later learned from the Diary that he would die protecting her. He rejected that predicted fate and resolved not to become another scapegoat.

• Main Family elders demanded that Hyuga Hiashi punish Neji for injuring Hinata, but Hiashi closed the matter and told Neji he had done nothing wrong.
• Hyuga Keiko treated Neji’s bruised knees and left him to rest.
• Neji read the Diary and learned that he would die protecting Hinata, which conflicted with his anger toward the Main Family and his complicated feelings about her.
• Neji recalled his father’s death for the Main Family and clenched his fists, refusing to accept a future in which he became a scapegoat.

Jiraiya resolved to kill Orochimaru, while Tsunade, Minato Namikaze, and Naruto considered the diary’s revelations about the Hyuga clan and the future. Naruto rejected the claim that Neji had been a scapegoat, and the diary turned to Sasuke’s Cursed Seal and Orochimaru’s plan to lure him.

• Jiraiya judged Orochimaru’s caution and decided to wait for the right moment to kill him.
• Tsunade read about the Hyuga clan’s Main Family and Branch Family system, while Minato Namikaze worried that Hizashi Hyuga would die in place of Hyuga Hiashi during the coming war.
• Minato Namikaze connected the Chunin Exams to Orochimaru’s Konoha Collapse Plan and vowed not to let Orochimaru escape again.
• Naruto recalled Neji’s sacrifice and angrily rejected the diary’s description of him as a scapegoat.
• Kitahara Kaede’s diary described Orochimaru using Sasuke’s Cursed Seal to tempt him and joked that Sasuke would get carried away after gaining power.