Chapter Summaries

Naruto struggled to open the Third Gate, so Kakashi arranged for Jiraiya to guide him. Meanwhile, Sasuke emerged from nearly twenty days of training with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and a fully formed armored giant.

• Naruto opened the first two Inner Gates and failed to open the Third, and Kakashi explained that Naruto's exceptional strength and recovery made breaking through his limits harder.
• Kakashi told Naruto to return the next day to meet a new guide, and Naruto later attacked Jiraiya while he was spying on an open-air bathhouse.
• Jiraiya revealed that Kakashi had asked him to train Naruto, but Naruto showed that he already knew the Rasengan and could enlarge it into a Big Ball Rasengan.
• At Grass Lizard Swamp, Sasuke removed his eye bandages after nearly twenty days and manifested a massive armored Susanoo wielding a Black Flame blade and a Purple Electricity sword.
• Sasuke's Three Tomoe Sharingan transformed into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

The Chunin Exams finals began in Konoha, with Sakura setting out determined to win despite her parents’ worries. After the Third Hokage’s opening address, the first match ended when Kankuro forfeited to Aburame Shino.

• Sakura reassured Haruno Mebuki and Haruno Kizashi that she would not give up and would defeat her opponent.
• The seven examinees entered the packed arena, though Sasuke, Naruto, and the Otogakure contestant had not arrived.
• Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, interrupted the Third Hokage’s lengthy address and urged him to begin the matches.
• Shiranui Genma announced Kankuro versus Aburame Shino as the first match.
• Kankuro surrendered without using his full strength, and Shiranui Genma declared Aburame Shino the winner.

Shikamaru surrendered after outmaneuvering Temari, making her the winner, and Sakura prepared to face Gaara. Sasuke did not attend the finals, but wished Sakura luck before setting off with a cold killing intent in his scarlet eyes.

• Naruto arrived just in time for the finals and told Kakashi that Jiraiya's training had helped him open four of the Eight Inner Gates.
• Shikamaru trapped Temari but surrendered, and Temari was declared the winner of their match.
• Shiranui Genma announced that Gaara would face Sakura, and Ino encouraged Sakura while warning her that Sasuke was still hers to win over.
• Sakura searched the crowd for Sasuke, then steadied herself and faced Gaara in the arena.
• Sasuke emerged from the Uchiha Clan Compound, wished Sakura luck, and walked away with scarlet eyes and a chilling killing intent.

Sakura confronted Gaara about his killing, then began their third Chunin Exams match while Orochimaru and the Third Hokage exchanged veiled remarks. Elsewhere, Sasuke killed Yamanaka Fu and set off for another target.

• Gaara threatened to kill Sakura and said that killing was the only way he could feel alive, but Sakura reminded him that his mother had loved him.
• Shiranui Genma started the match, and Sakura attacked Gaara with a barrage of concealed weapons as he raised a sand wall.
• Orochimaru urged the Third Hokage to choose a successor, and the Third Hokage rejected his concern.
• Sasuke visited the Yamanaka Flower Shop and revealed that he had come to kill Yamanaka Fu.
• Sasuke pierced Yamanaka Fu's heart, burned him with Black Flame, and headed toward his next location.

Sakura used powerful Water Release and a sudden burst of speed to break through Gaara’s defenses and injure him. Gaara delighted in the pain and unleashed his killing intent, while Maki began to doubt whether the Kazekage had judged Konoha correctly.

• Sakura’s Water Dragon Bullet clashed evenly with Gaara’s sand, and Gaara raised a sand barrier against the falling water.
• Asuma explained that Sakura had used the Second Hokage’s Water Dragon Bullet, and he and Kurenai marveled at Team 7’s training and inherited skills.
• Sakura dodged Gaara’s sand attacks, accelerated with the Fourth Hokage’s Body Flicker Technique, and punched through his Armor of Sand.
• Gaara rose with blood at the corner of his mouth and welcomed the pain before erupting with killing intent.
• Maki, Kankuro, and Temari were shocked that Sakura had injured Gaara, and Maki questioned the Kazekage’s decision as he looked toward the Fourth Kazekage.

Sakura used a combination of Earth Release, Water Release, and the Rasengan to break through Gaara’s defenses and leave him badly injured. Gaara refused to admit defeat and began to lose control, prompting Baki and Orochimaru to consider starting their plan early.

• Gaara’s sand attacked as Sakura hid in smoke, then Sakura struck from behind with Water Release: Kunai Barrage.
• Sakura trapped Gaara in a swamp with Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld, preventing him from manipulating the ground beneath him.
• Sakura used Konoha Style Willow to restrain Gaara and hit his chest with a Rasengan, shattering his Armor of Sand and sending him flying.
• Sakura told Gaara to admit defeat, but he insisted he would not lose as blood and sand ran from his wounds.
• Kankuro, Temari, and Baki realized Gaara was about to go berserk, and Baki and Orochimaru considered starting their plan early.

Gaara began losing control in the arena as Yakushi Kabuto’s genjutsu and Orochimaru’s attack triggered the invasion of Konoha. Elsewhere, Sasuke, disguised as Yamanaka Fu, manipulated Aburame Torune and headed with him toward Danzo.

• Shukaku urged Gaara to give in to slaughter, and Gaara’s sand covered his body as he began transforming into a monster.
• Yakushi Kabuto cast the Temple of Nirvana Technique, putting the spectators to sleep, while Orochimaru revealed himself to the Third Hokage and an explosion struck the viewing platform.
• Sand erupted from the arena as Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, and other shinobi prepared to defend the villagers and confront Gaara.
• Aburame Torune watched the invasion begin, and Sasuke, disguised as Yamanaka Fu, used his Sharingan to make Torune accept a false intelligence report.
• Sasuke persuaded Torune to take him to Danzo, then reflected that the invasion would also involve the roots beneath Konoha.

During the Konoha Crush, Sasuke infiltrated the Root Base and used a genjutsu to steal Shisui's Eye from Shimura Danzō before killing the Root guards. The chapter left Sasuke facing a figure reforming from gray paper ash.

• Shimura Danzō sent hundreds of Root ninjas to rescue villagers only when they were in danger, hoping they would credit him and support his bid to become Fifth Hokage.
• Sasuke and Aburame Torune entered the Root Base as its forces departed, leaving Danzō with only a small guard detail.
• Aburame Torune presented Sasuke's trapped Sharingan, which released a genjutsu that briefly disoriented Danzō.
• Danzō broke the genjutsu, but Sasuke struck with Purple Electricity, gouged out Shisui's Eye, and tore Danzō's body apart.
• Sasuke killed Aburame Torune and the remaining Root ninjas with Purple Electricity, then turned toward a humanoid figure gathering from paper ash.

Sasuke attacked Danzo to take what he wanted, revealing that he had the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and had taken Shisui's Eye. After exploiting Danzo's Izanagi and paralyzing him with Purple Electricity, Sasuke pierced Danzo through the chest.

• Sasuke tore out Danzo's right eye to seize Shisui's Eye, then revealed himself as Uchiha Sasuke.
• Danzo tried to redirect Sasuke's hatred toward Uchiha Itachi, but Sasuke said he wanted to kill Danzo because Danzo stood in his way.
• Sasuke revealed his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and Danzo realized Sasuke had taken Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Fugaku's eyes on the night of the massacre.
• Sasuke waited for Danzo's Izanagi to run out, then attacked with Purple Electricity and weapons he had secretly positioned behind Danzo.
• Sasuke tore off Danzo's right arm and pierced his chest with the Futsu-no-Mitama sword.

Sasuke defeated Danzo and escaped his Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing Technique, then raided Root’s laboratory for Sharingan, First Hokage Cells, research materials, and Uchiha remains. He left the Root base before its forces could catch him, planning to get the Scroll of Sealing from the Hokage Building.

• Sasuke revealed that he had anticipated Danzo’s abilities and fatally wounded him.
• Danzo activated the Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing Technique, but Sasuke escaped and dropped a huge black cauldron over him.
• Sasuke took Danzo’s arm and headed for Root’s biological laboratory using information from Aburame Torune’s mind.
• Sasuke killed the researchers, collected First Hokage Cells, research materials, Sharingan, and Uchiha corpses, then burned the laboratory.
• Sasuke failed to find the Scroll of Sealing, sensed Root’s main force arriving, and fled toward the surface.

During the Konoha Crush, Kakashi and Might Guy fought Shukaku while Naruto refused the Nine-Tails’ offer of power, and Sasuke stole the Scroll of Sealing from the empty Hokage Building. After the Third Hokage died and Orochimaru was carried away, Sasuke left Konoha, whose invasion had caused devastating casualties.

• Shukaku attacked the arena stands with a Drilling Air Bullet and began forming a Tailed Beast Ball, forcing Kakashi, Sakura, Naruto, and Genma to protect the spectators.
• Naruto rejected the Nine-Tails’ offer and opened four Gates, but Might Guy struck Shukaku first and sent it crashing across the arena.
• Kakashi saw that Guy’s students had restrained Kankuro and Temari and that Baki had fallen, then rallied Sakura to keep fighting Shukaku.
• Sasuke entered the deserted Hokage Building, burned through the barrier, took the Scroll of Sealing, and left the other documents behind.
• The Third Hokage died and Orochimaru’s hands were sealed and his soul shattered as the Four Violet Flames Formation collapsed.
• Sasuke watched Orochimaru being carried away, said goodbye to Konoha, and vanished.

Konoha mourned the Third Hokage and faced uncertainty as Jiraiya agreed to seek Tsunade and bring Naruto and Sakura along. Sasuke remained missing, while Itachi and his companion left Konoha without learning anything useful about him or the Jinchuriki.

• Utatane Koharu led Konoha's memorial for the Third Hokage, and Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto paid their respects.
• Naruto and Sakura asked Kakashi about Sasuke's disappearance, and Kakashi admitted he did not know where Sasuke was.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura told Jiraiya that Danzo had died and asked him to become Hokage, but Jiraiya offered to find Tsunade instead.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi he would take Naruto to find Tsunade, and Kakashi asked him to bring Sakura and search for Sasuke as well.
• Jiraiya left Konoha with Naruto and Sakura, while Uchiha Itachi and his companion arrived, searched unsuccessfully for the Jinchuriki and Sasuke, and departed.

In Hell Valley, Sasuke studied the Flying Raijin Jutsu and experimented with using his weapons and a chakra crystal as teleportation coordinates. He sensed someone approaching the valley entrance.

• Sasuke continued studying the Flying Raijin Jutsu after setting aside the parts of the Scroll of Sealing he could not understand.
• Sasuke teleported less than twenty meters to a marked kunai, taking fifteen seconds and deciding the technique was too slow.
• Sasuke used Kagutsuchi and Futsu-no-Mitama as Flying Raijin coordinates, teleporting a hundred meters with shorter activation times.
• Sasuke formed a Purple Glazed Dagger from crystallized lightning chakra and tested it as another teleportation coordinate, but found the chakra drain too great.
• Sasuke sensed someone approaching the entrance to Hell Valley.

Sasuke encountered Oyashiro En in Hell Valley and learned that the Uchiha had imprisoned the Chinoike Clan with a barrier formed by the Sword of Totsuka and Yata Mirror. He realized the artifacts were the ones Uchiha Itachi later obtained and had used to free Oyashiro En and Chino.

• Sasuke met Oyashiro En in Hell Valley, where the Chinoike survivor warned him to leave.
• Oyashiro En attacked Sasuke with his Ketsuryūgan, but Sasuke reflected its blood-manipulating effect with a Sharingan genjutsu and immobilized him.
• Sasuke spared Oyashiro En and questioned him about Chino and the clan's escape from Hell Valley.
• Oyashiro En explained that a gate and a second barrier had trapped the Chinoike Clan until both disappeared about five years earlier.
• Sasuke recognized the barriers as the Sword of Totsuka and Yata Mirror and concluded that Uchiha Itachi had taken the artifacts after freeing the clan.

Sasuke spoke with Oyashiro En after defeating him, invited him to consider working together, and left Hell Valley to prepare to hunt Orochimaru in the Land of Fields. He also took the gate that had once carried the Yata Mirror, seeking clues to its defensive power.

• Sasuke asked Oyashiro En whether he had sensed the barrier's chakra source, and Oyashiro En said he had not.
• Sasuke offered to leave Oyashiro En alone to mourn his wife and proposed a future business partnership, but Oyashiro En said he could not trust an Uchiha.
• Sasuke told Oyashiro En to find him in Otogakure and calmly hinted that Orochimaru would soon be gone; Oyashiro En said he would consider the proposal.
• Sasuke removed the steel gate at Hell Valley and stored it in a scroll, hoping to learn more about the Yata Mirror's defense.
• Sasuke left for the Land of Fields to draw Orochimaru out and prepare to kill him.

Sasuke transplanted Shisui's Mangekyo, prepared Izanagi as a safeguard, and decided to kill Orochimaru to claim his research. Meanwhile, Jiraiya trained Naruto and Sakura to add elemental nature transformation to their Rasengan, leaving them to begin developing new techniques.

• Sasuke transplanted Shisui's Mangekyo into his forehead and set a Transcription Seal to activate Izanagi after his death.
• Sasuke examined the differences between Shisui's Kotoamatsukami eyes and decided Orochimaru was too unpredictable to control, choosing instead to kill him and take his research.
• Sasuke entered the Land of Fields to seek out Orochimaru as Jiraiya, Naruto, and Sakura searched the Land of Fire for Tsunade.
• Jiraiya reviewed chakra nature and shape transformation with Naruto and Sakura, then demonstrated his Great Flame Rasengan.
• Jiraiya assigned Naruto and Sakura to infuse their Rasengan with elemental nature transformation, and they began training.

Kurama Yakumo and Kurama Yoshikawa arrived in Tanzaku Town, where they encountered Tsunade fighting Naruto and Sakura after refusing Jiraiya’s request to become the Fifth Hokage. After the fight ended with a three-day Rasengan wager, Yakumo decided to stay so she could speak with Tsunade before returning to Konoha.

• Jiraiya asked Tsunade to return to Konoha and become the Fifth Hokage, but she refused and insulted the Hokage.
• Naruto and Sakura confronted Tsunade, and their argument escalated into a fight.
• Kurama Yakumo and Kurama Yoshikawa heard the battle and went to investigate, but Yoshikawa stopped Yakumo from attacking when he recognized Tsunade.
• Tsunade fought Naruto and Sakura, then ended the conflict by wagering that they complete the Rasengan’s nature transformation within three days.
• Yakumo asked Yoshikawa to remain in Tanzaku Town for three days so she could ask Tsunade questions and return with Jiraiya’s group.

After learning Sasuke’s location, Orochimaru sent six Otonin to capture him and bring him to the Land of Fields. Sasuke agreed to go with them, but first defeated Guren in a challenge.

• Orochimaru learned that Sasuke was in the Land of Fields and ordered Kimimaro, Guren, and four other Otonin to capture him.
• Kimimaro and the others surrounded Sasuke, and Sasuke agreed to go with them to see Orochimaru.
• Guren challenged Sasuke to test whether he deserved to be Orochimaru’s chosen Vessel.
• Sasuke defeated Guren after carefully holding back, and Kimimaro told the group to continue on to Orochimaru.

Sasuke confronted Orochimaru in his hideout and was swallowed by the White-Scaled Giant Snake, while Tsunade warned Naruto and Sakura that Orochimaru could use Sasuke as a vessel. Sasuke’s Mangekyo Sharingan awakened just before he was swallowed, leaving his plan and fate unresolved.

• Kimimaro brought Sasuke to Orochimaru, who dismissed the Sound Ninja Six and demanded that Sasuke become his vessel.
• Sasuke pierced Orochimaru with Chidori Sharp Spear, cut down his white snakes, and forced him to reveal the White-Scaled Giant Snake.
• Sasuke used Lightning Armor and Kagutsuchi to slice the White-Scaled Giant Snake into three pieces, but Orochimaru’s anesthetic gas immobilized him and the snake swallowed him.
• Tsunade told Naruto and Sakura that Sasuke was near the Land of Fields and explained Orochimaru’s reincarnation technique.
• Naruto and Sakura reaffirmed their trust in Sasuke, then watched an eagle seize and swallow a venomous snake as they worried about him.
• Sasuke’s Sharingan changed into a new pattern just before the White-Scaled Giant Snake swallowed him.

Yakushi Kabuto awoke from five days of unconsciousness and learned that Orochimaru was with Sasuke, apparently beginning the reincarnation ritual. Inside Orochimaru’s alternate dimension, Sasuke revealed his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and turned the tables on him.

• Yakushi Kabuto awoke in Otogakure’s laboratory, recovered enough to move, and learned he had been unconscious for five days.
• Kabuto heard that Orochimaru was with Sasuke and went to wait outside the silent room, believing the reincarnation ritual was underway.
• Orochimaru trapped Sasuke in his alternate dimension and began wrapping him in flesh snakes, boasting that he would take Sasuke’s body.
• Sasuke unleashed a sea of flames that incinerated the flesh around him and revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Orochimaru panicked at Sasuke’s powerful Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan as Sasuke declared that he had been treating Orochimaru as prey.