Chapter Summaries

Shiraishi Yoshijo discussed the Daimyo’s fears of the ninja villages and secretly prepared an attack on Konoha, while Orochimaru disguised as the Kazekage arrived for the Chunin Exams. The matches began with Sasuke still absent, and Orochimaru anticipated using Gaara to test him before the invasion disrupted the tournament.

• The Land of Fire and Land of Water Daimyo recognized their growing conflict with their ninja villages and hoped a marriage alliance with Shiraishi Yoshijo would deter them.
• The Kazekage arrived in Konoha, and Shiraishi Yoshijo suggested Sunagakure might be assessing Konoha and colluding with Orochimaru.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo privately revealed that he had arranged for ninja forces to enter Konoha through underground Space-Time Teleportation Arrays and attack from within and without.
• Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen about wearing his Hokage robes before Hiruzen opened the Chunin matches.
• Orochimaru noticed Sasuke was missing and considered using Gaara, a Jinchuriki, to test Sasuke once the second match began.

Guiyuan overwhelmed Naruto in their Chunin Exam match and summoned a heavily armored centipede called Number One, revealing Peach Country’s terrifying military weapon to the spectators. The chapter left the arena filled with poisonous mist as the Land of Fire’s Daimyo learned the weapon’s price and destructive capabilities.

• Guiyuan threatened to kill Naruto, and Naruto charged him despite Sakura and Shino’s warnings about his taijutsu.
• Guiyuan dodged Naruto’s kunai and sent him flying with a single punch, then let him get back up.
• Naruto used Shadow Clone Technique twice, but Guiyuan quickly destroyed his clones and questioned Naruto’s unusually large Chakra reserves.
• Guiyuan summoned a gigantic centipede and activated its steel armor and blades, stunning the spectators.
• The Land of Fire Daimyo asked Shiraishi Yoshijo about Number One’s price, and Shiraishi Yoshijo described its battlefield power before the centipede sprayed poisonous mist across the arena.

Naruto fought Guiyuan’s giant centipede with Shadow Clones and a mistakenly summoned Gamakichi, but was badly wounded and declared defeated. He refused to surrender and insisted on continuing the fight, leaving Genma Shiranui to step aside as the spectators reacted to his determination.

• Sakura urged Naruto to surrender as Guiyuan’s centipede sprayed poisonous mist and destroyed Naruto’s Shadow Clones.
• Naruto summoned Gamakichi instead of Gamabunta, and Gamakichi hid from the centipede while encouraging Naruto to fight.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones could not pierce the centipede’s armor, and the centipede struck him into the ground, leaving a deep wound across his abdomen.
• Genma Shiranui declared Kawai Gui the winner, but Naruto rose and insisted that he had not lost and would become Hokage.
• Genma Shiranui allowed the fight to continue as Sakura and the other spectators urged or cheered Naruto on, and Geng Hua shouted his support.

Naruto drew on the Nine-Tails' Chakra to fight Guiyuan after being badly wounded, and the two battered each other in a fierce battle. Naruto managed to stand while Guiyuan could not, so Genma Shiranui declared Naruto the winner.

• The spectators cheered Naruto on, while Guiyuan grew resentful that Geng Hua was supporting his opponent.
• Naruto called on the Nine-Tails' Chakra, which emerged around him and began healing his abdominal wound.
• Naruto and Guiyuan traded attacks, and Guiyuan used his Inch Punch to injure Naruto's internal organs.
• Naruto recovered enough to keep fighting, and the two continued battling until they both fell heavily wounded.
• Naruto struggled back to his feet while Guiyuan could not move, so Genma Shiranui declared Naruto the winner.

Shiraishi Yoshijo stopped Naruto after his victory over Guiyuan, healed him, and carried Guiyuan back to the stands. As Sasuke failed to appear for his match against Gaara, the officials postponed it, while Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about the threats gathering around Konoha.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo knocked Genma Shiranui aside, grabbed Naruto's broken arm, healed him, and sent him safely into the viewing stands before taking Guiyuan back to his seat.
• The officials waited for Sasuke to face Gaara, but Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered that Sasuke be disqualified when he failed to appear.
• Orochimaru argued that Sasuke should be allowed to settle the match with Gaara, and Sarutobi Hiruzen postponed the match.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned the disguised Kazekage about his insistence on Sasuke, then worried about Orochimaru, Sunagakure, and Shiraishi Yoshijo threatening Konoha.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo treated Guiyuan's injuries and told him to fight dirty if he lacked the fate of a protagonist.

After Naruto defeated Guiyuan, Shikamaru forfeited his match against Yakumo and described his dream of a leisurely life with a family. The chapter ended with Guiyuan insisting Shikamaru would need many wives as the future head of the Nara clan, enraging Kankuro and Temari.

• Geng Hua and Yakumo praised Naruto's determination, while Shikamaru spoke with Haku about his clothing and clan customs.
• Guiyuan explained that Naruto's growing strength and enormous Chakra had overwhelmed his time-limited forbidden technique.
• Genma Shiranui postponed Sasuke and Gaara's match and announced Shikamaru versus Yakumo, but Shikamaru forfeited.
• Shikamaru described his dream of an easy life, a government job, three wives, children, and retirement spent playing shogi or Go.
• Kankuro and Temari criticized Shikamaru's dream, while Guiyuan said he would need at least twenty wives as the future head of the Nara clan.

After Geng Hua defeated Dosu Kinata, Shiraishi Yoshijo discussed marriage alliances with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and was rebuffed over Peach Country’s family reputation. He proposed disguising the recruitment of men for Peach Country as tourism, and the Daimyo began considering how smaller nations could supply them.

• Geng Hua defeated Dosu Kinata by binding him with Wood Release, forcing him to concede.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo suggested a marriage alliance between Geng Hua and the Land of Fire Daimyo’s daughter, but the Daimyo rejected the idea because of Peach Country’s family scandals.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Water criticized Shiraishi Yoshijo’s children, while Shiraishi explained that Peach Country’s shortage of men had left many of his daughters unmarried.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo proposed that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire help bring men to Peach Country under the pretense of sightseeing and tourism.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Fire accepted the idea and eyed the rulers of smaller nations as potential sources of men.

Shiraishi Yoshijo negotiated a human-trafficking deal with the Land of Fire and Water Daimyos, offering Peach Country’s weapons and technology as payment. Meanwhile, Sasuke faced Gaara in the arena and sent him flying with a punch that broke his Sand Armor.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo persuaded the Land of Fire's Daimyo to sell people to Peach Country through him, and the Water Country's Daimyo joined the deal.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo offered Peach Country's weapons, airships, warships, and technology as payment, and the Daimyos agreed to accept some money as well.
• Yakumo defeated Kin Tsuchi by trapping her senses in an illusion, leaving spectators to suspect Otogakure had thrown the match.
• Kakashi and Sasuke arrived late, and Genma Shiranui let Sasuke fight after explaining that his match had been postponed.
• Gaara attacked Sasuke with his sand, but Sasuke moved at high speed and punched him hard enough to crack his Sand Armor and send him flying.

Sasuke overwhelmed Gaara with his speed but failed to break through Gaara’s sand defense, while Shiraishi Yoshijo’s forces and Danzo’s disguised Otogakure ninja prepared attacks on three fronts around Konoha. The chapter ended with Sasuke confronting Gaara’s sand sphere as Gaara formed hand seals inside it.

• Kakashi questioned Shiraishi Yoshijo’s motives and reflected on the powerful Lightning Release scroll Shiraishi had given him.
• Sasuke used his speed to seize Gaara, strike him with a knee, and kick him across the arena as Uchiha Mikoto watched from the stands.
• Anbu patrolled outside Konoha as Shiraishi Yoshijo’s ninja emerged near the village and Danzo’s disguised Otogakure ninja moved within it, setting up a three-front attack.
• Gaara formed a sand sphere around himself, and Sasuke’s attacks failed to break through its defense.
• Sasuke dodged the sand spears with his Sharingan and struck the sphere, then heard Gaara forming hand seals inside.

Sasuke pierced Gaara’s sand defense with Chidori, while Orochimaru launched the invasion of Konoha and trapped Sarutobi Hiruzen in a barrier. As the village fell into chaos, Sasuke pursued Gaara, and Shiraishi Yoshijo watched from the stands without revealing his intentions.

• Sasuke used Chidori to pierce Gaara’s sand ball, drew blood, and saw a monstrous eye inside it.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo dispelled the guards’ Genjutsu, knocked them unconscious, and ordered Hayaka to protect the Daimyos.
• Orochimaru took Sarutobi Hiruzen hostage as the Sound Four sealed them on the rooftop, while Sound and Sunagakure forces invaded Konoha.
• Genma Shiranui warned Sasuke that the Chunin Exams had become a real battle, but Sasuke chased after Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo allowed Uchiha Mikoto to leave with guards, then watched as Orochimaru revealed himself to Sarutobi Hiruzen and declared that he had won the war.

Orochimaru confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen during the attack on Konoha, then revealed that he was using the destruction to make events move. As Shiraishi Yoshijo dismissed the Chunin Exam children from the battlefield, Geng Hua protested his father’s role in the attack, and Shiraishi’s killing intent erupted.

• Orochimaru released Sarutobi Hiruzen and explained that he wanted to use Konoha’s destruction to make the world move, though Hiruzen suspected Shiraishi Yoshijo had influenced him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru began fighting, trading Ninjutsu while taunting each other.
• Nara Shikaku brought the nine Chunin Exam children to Shiraishi Yoshijo, who told them the exams were over and ordered them back to the academy.
• Geng Hua questioned why Shiraishi was not helping Konoha, and Shiraishi revealed that he had planned the attack and used Orochimaru.
• Shiraishi challenged Geng Hua’s concern for Konoha and asked whether he was truly his son, then unleashed violent killing intent.

Shiraishi Yoshijo discovered that Senju Geng Hua had sided against him and nearly broke the boy with his killing intent before sending the children away. Meanwhile, Orochimaru summoned Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama to fight Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose shame deepened as they realized how much had changed in Konoha.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo unleashed his killing intent after learning Senju Geng Hua had taken someone else's side, causing Geng Hua and the others to collapse in fear.
• Hayaka stopped Shiraishi Yoshijo from harming Geng Hua, and Shiraishi searched the boy's memories before ordering Nara Shikaku to take the children away by airship.
• After Shiraishi Yoshijo vanished, Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen resumed their battle, revealed their true attire, and prepared to fight seriously.
• Orochimaru used Kuchiyose no Jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation to summon Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, while Sarutobi Hiruzen prevented a third coffin from emerging.
• Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama recognized that they were not in Konoha and questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen, who stood speechless with shame over what had happened.

Orochimaru began his fight with Sarutobi Hiruzen using the resurrected Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama. Meanwhile, Shiraishi Yoshijo confronted Jiraiya over his influence on Geng Hua and left furious when Jiraiya refused to embrace hatred.

• Orochimaru activated the talismans in Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, then sent them to attack Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the resurrected brothers exchanged attacks, while Shiraishi Yoshijo watched from outside the barrier and questioned how the battle would end.
• Jiraiya arrived at Konoha on a giant toad, and Shiraishi Yoshijo confronted him over allegedly misleading Geng Hua.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo pursued Jiraiya to a forest and accused him of encouraging Geng Hua to turn against Peach Country.
• Jiraiya admitted he hated Shiraishi Yoshijo but said he would not become extreme and still believed peace could come.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo mocked Jiraiya as an old simp and told him he had accomplished nothing.

Shiraishi Yoshijo challenged Jiraiya’s faith in peace and the prophesied savior before returning to find Sarutobi Hiruzen sealing Orochimaru. Hiruzen died after taking away Orochimaru’s ability to use Ninjutsu, and Orochimaru escaped with the Sound Four as Konoha’s pursuit faltered.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo told Jiraiya that human desire made lasting peace impossible and warned that the prophesied savior might only face a world-ending crisis.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo returned to the spectator platform and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal against Orochimaru.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo’s sudden appearance distracted Sarutobi Hiruzen, allowing Orochimaru to pull back most of his soul before Hiruzen sealed his arms and Ninjutsu.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen died, and Shiraishi Yoshijo vanished rather than risk being linked to Orochimaru.
• The Sound Four helped Orochimaru retreat, while Kidomaru trapped pursuing Anbu with a spiderweb technique.
• Kabuto Yakushi and Baki withdrew after Orochimaru escaped, ending the fighting around the arena.

After Orochimaru’s attack left Sarutobi Hiruzen dead, Konoha mourned and rallied around the Will of Fire while Shiraishi Yoshijo recognized that Hiruzen’s death had strengthened the village. As Konoha’s leaders pushed Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage and Sunagakure surrendered, Jiraiya resisted the appointment by pointing to Tsunade.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo watched the Daimyos berate their guards and judged that Konoha’s defeat had weakened the Land of Fire without yet making Peach Country’s rise too dangerous.
• Naruto arrived as Gaara was about to kill Sasuke, fought him to a standstill, and helped inspire Gaara to apologize to Temari and Kankuro before they left.
• After Orochimaru and Sunagakure’s forces retreated, Konoha’s jonin mourned Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Shiraishi Yoshijo realized that Hiruzen’s death had rekindled the Will of Fire among them.
• Kakashi and Uzuki Yugao visited the Memorial Stone, Jiraiya recalled his lost bonds, and Naruto learned from Iruka why people risk their lives to protect those they love before Konoha held Hiruzen’s funeral.
• Uchiha Itachi volunteered to travel to Konoha after hearing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had died, while Sunagakure surrendered to Konoha after its allies abandoned it.
• Konoha’s advisors asked Jiraiya to become the Fifth Hokage, but he objected that Tsunade was still among the Sannin, angering Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Jiraiya urged Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to make Tsunade Hokage, arguing that she could ease Konoha’s conflicts with Shiraishi Yoshijo and strengthen the village. They approved a secret mission for Jiraiya to persuade Tsunade to return, and he asked to take Naruto with him.

• Jiraiya condemned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu for how Konoha had treated Tsunade, recounting the losses and burdens that had driven her away.
• Jiraiya argued that Tsunade as Hokage could protect Konoha’s interests with the Daimyo, reconcile the village with Shiraishi Yoshijo and Peach Country, and improve its military and medical strength.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu warmed to the proposal but questioned whether Tsunade would return and whether Shiraishi Yoshijo would let her leave.
• Jiraiya agreed to travel to Peach Country in secret to persuade Tsunade and asked to bring Naruto, claiming Naruto’s power could help determine whether the mission succeeded.
• Utatane Koharu accepted Jiraiya’s plan and left him responsible for convincing Tsunade.

Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai confronted Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki after spotting them in Konoha. Itachi revealed the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan and trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi.

• Kakashi noticed Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki at a dessert shop, then sent Asuma and Kurenai to follow them while Sasuke went home and secretly visited the Uchiha clan compound.
• Kakashi arrived as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki fought Asuma and Kurenai, and the two sides exchanged attacks.
• Uchiha Itachi told Kakashi that he and Kisame had come to find something, then used a Shadow Clone and water-based attacks to catch Kakashi off guard.
• Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai regrouped after the clone exploded, and Kakashi warned them about Uchiha Itachi's strength and the danger of his Sharingan.
• Uchiha Itachi activated Tsukuyomi, trapping Kakashi in a crimson world and stabbing him with a long blade.

Kakashi endured Itachi’s Tsukuyomi before Guy drove Itachi and Kisame away from the village. Jiraiya persuaded Naruto to join him on a research trip by promising to teach him a ninjutsu stronger than Chidori.

• Itachi trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi and subjected him to what felt like three days of repeated stabbing, though only a moment passed in reality.
• Kakashi told Kurenai that Itachi had overwhelmed him, and Itachi revealed that the Akatsuki sought the Third Director’s legacy rather than Sasuke.
• Guy arrived, rescued Kakashi, and instructed Kurenai and Asuma to avoid looking into the Sharingan; Kurenai took Kakashi to the Medical Team while Asuma covered Guy.
• Itachi stopped Kisame from fighting and the two left before Anbu reinforcements arrived.
• Jiraiya convinced Naruto to accompany him on a research trip by claiming he knew a ninjutsu stronger than Chidori, and Naruto rushed home to pack.

Jiraiya took Naruto out of Konoha, while Itachi and Kisame tracked them to an inn. Sasuke reached Naruto just as Itachi confronted him, and Sasuke attacked his brother with Chidori.

• Jiraiya and Naruto left Konoha, and Itachi and Kisame watched them from a nearby cliff.
• Sasuke learned that Itachi was in Konoha looking for Naruto and followed Naruto's trail out of the village.
• Jiraiya left Naruto at an inn to train after a woman lured him away with a honey trap.
• Itachi and Kisame confronted Naruto at the inn, and Itachi greeted Sasuke when he arrived.
• Sasuke accused Itachi of murdering the Uchiha clan and charged at him with Chidori.

Sasuke confronted Itachi, but Itachi easily overwhelmed him while Jiraiya intervened to protect Naruto from Itachi and Kisame. The brothers’ fight continued in the corridor, leaving Sasuke pinned and helpless before Itachi.

• Itachi redirected Sasuke’s Chidori into the wall and crushed Sasuke’s wrist as Naruto tried to intervene, while Kisame drained Naruto’s Chakra with Samehada.
• Jiraiya arrived with a toad, rescued Naruto, and confronted Itachi and Kisame after revealing that Itachi had used Genjutsu to lure him away.
• Itachi reflected on his distrust of others and his hopes that Sasuke would learn to think for himself and see through deception.
• Sasuke insisted that only he could kill Itachi, refused Naruto’s help, and charged at his brother despite being repeatedly knocked down.
• Kisame stopped Jiraiya from interfering, and Itachi pinned Sasuke against the wall after striking him and making him cough up blood.