Chapter Summaries

Cang entered the separate dimension and confronted the weakened Small Ten-Tails, which he subdued using Isshiki’s inherited presence and his own power. He sealed the beast into a deeper sleep until he was ready to restore it and claim Isshiki’s legacy.

• Cang found the Small Ten-Tails near death after Isshiki had drained most of its essence during their battle.
• Cang used Isshiki’s presence to intimidate the Ten-Tails, then threatened it with a black sphere when it tried to resist.
• Cang considered restoring the Ten-Tails by feeding it energy or letting it merge with the God Tree during Infinite Tsukuyomi, but recognized that either path posed difficulties.
• Cang sealed the Ten-Tails’ consciousness with the power of Causality and left it sleeping in the separate dimension.
• Cang declared that he would take Isshiki’s legacy and walked away.

Cang confronted Amado in Isshiki’s dimension, where they negotiated an uneasy alliance centered on Otsutsuki research and information about the Sage of Six Paths. Amado revealed Isshiki’s warning to the remaining Inner Circle members, while Cang left to continue his plans as Amado learned his name: Uchiha Sou.

• Cang sensed Amado in Isshiki’s dimension, and Amado said he had waited there using his knowledge of the dimension’s coordinates.
• Amado explained that he had come to observe Cang and study what he would do, and Cang considered killing him as a potential threat.
• Amado predicted that Cang planned to wait for the Infinite Tsukuyomi, seize the Chakra Fruit, and reach the level of the Six Paths.
• Cang spared Amado and offered to let him research Cang, the Ten-Tails, and the fruit in exchange for all his information about the Sage of Six Paths; Amado accepted the arrangement.
• Amado told Cang that Isshiki’s lingering soul had urged the remaining Inner Circle members to endure and wait, and advised Cang to deal with them.
• Before leaving the dimension, Cang told Amado his name was Uchiha Sou; Amado repeated it and then vanished.

Cang returned to Angkor Fortress, reported Isshiki’s defeat, and shared the Otsutsuki power he had absorbed with his followers. After strengthening and healing them, he ordered everyone to prepare for war in three days.

• Cang returned to Angkor Fortress, where his followers gathered to hear the battle’s losses and Isshiki’s forces were reported wiped out or missing.
• Cang ordered doubled compensation for the dead and care for their families and orphans.
• Cang shared Isshiki’s remaining power, healing Zhi Li and granting Uchiha Hikari and Shisui their Mangekyō Sharingan while strengthening the other recipients.
• Uchiha clansmen, White Fang, Uzumaki survivors, and bloodline-limit ninja received enhanced vitality, Chakra, or abilities from Cang.
• Cang ordered everyone to rest and recover for three days before preparing for the final war.

After recovering from his battle with Isshiki, Cang monitored the Ninja World's response to the Eastern Sea disturbance while preparing to seize the Chakra Fruit when the full moon brought the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Konoha, Akatsuki, and Kirigakure dismissed the disturbance as an undersea earthquake, leaving Cang's plans unnoticed.

• Cang finished recovering and refining Isshiki's origin power, growing closer to the Kekkei Mōra threshold.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura learned from Kakashi that the Chunin Exams would begin in a month or two, and Naruto vowed to enter.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed reports of the Eastern Sea disturbance and remained doubtful of the undersea earthquake explanation.
• Pain and Konan discussed the distant chakra fluctuation, but Pain decided Akatsuki would stay focused on the Tailed Beasts and the Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Mei Terumi accepted Kirigakure's earthquake assessment and ordered elite teams to counter rising pirate activity.
• Cang learned from Kagami that the villages had dismissed the disturbance, ordered continued secret monitoring of Akatsuki, and resolved to claim the Chakra Fruit at the full moon.

Cang learned that the villages were preparing for Konoha’s Chunin Exams and ordered Zhi Li to track Orochimaru without confronting him. As the exam drew near, Kakashi taught Naruto to manage Chakra among his Shadow Clones, and Naruto began practicing with three clones.

• Zhi Li told Cang that Konoha had invited Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure to the Chunin Exams and reported that Orochimaru had been seen near Sunagakure.
• Cang ordered Zhi Li to keep watching Orochimaru from a distance and avoid interfering.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Sunagakure’s candidate list, discussed Gaara’s danger with Iruka, and told him to notify the jonin instructors to prepare.
• Kakashi warned Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke that the Chunin Exams were near and explained how Naruto’s Shadow Clones divided his Chakra.
• Naruto created three Shadow Clones to test Chakra distribution, and each clone found it had more strength than when Naruto made a hundred.

Rasa considered Orochimaru’s proposal to disrupt the Chunin Exams and weaken Konoha, agreeing only to keep Sunagakure ready to assist if an opportunity arose. Cang ordered his agents to observe events without intervening, while Pain declined to involve Akatsuki.

• Rasa, Granny Chiyo, and Baki discussed Konoha’s invitation and Sunagakure’s financial troubles before Orochimaru arrived with a plan to attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams.
• Orochimaru offered Sunagakure a share of Konoha’s resources and missions in exchange for helping create chaos, and Rasa agreed to consider the plan while keeping the village’s involvement limited.
• Granny Chiyo proposed sending Gaara to the exams as a deterrent, and Rasa approved.
• Kagami Uchiha told Cang that Sunagakure had sent a team led by Gaara and that Orochimaru had infiltrated the Land of Fire to target Second Pillar and the Third Hokage; Cang ordered him to watch without acting.
• Konan asked Pain whether Akatsuki should act during the exams, and Pain said they would stay focused on the Tailed Beasts.

Rasa secretly gathered gold to help Sunagakure and weighed the risks of his alliance with Orochimaru, but Orochimaru killed him and took his identity. Orochimaru headed toward Sunagakure to attend the Chunin Exams as Rasa, while the village remained unaware that its Kazekage was dead.

• Rasa traveled alone to a hidden gold vein and gathered gold dust for Sunagakure’s depleted funds.
• Rasa considered his dangerous cooperation with Orochimaru and dismissed the chakra disruption caused by Orochimaru’s tiny sand snakes as fatigue.
• Orochimaru ambushed Rasa in the desert after the snakes disrupted his chakra, then killed him with the Kusanagi Sword.
• Orochimaru revealed that he wanted Rasa’s identity, transformed to look like the Kazekage, and took the gold dust.
• Baki prepared the team roster for the trip to Konoha as Temari trained, Kankuro adjusted his puppet, and Gaara watched the darkening sky, unaware that Rasa would not return.

Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, brought the Sunagakure delegation to Konoha for the joint Chunin Exams and prepared to target Sasuke in the Forest of Death. Jiraiya returned to the village after tracking a possible sign of Orochimaru, and both men sensed the other's presence as the exams approached.

• Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, entered Konoha with Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara and attended a welcoming banquet with Hiruzen and the village leaders.
• Orochimaru excused himself from the banquet and told Baki to lead the team while he handled the rest of his plans.
• Orochimaru reviewed intelligence about Sasuke, the exam arrangements, and Anbu patrols, anticipating Sasuke's entry into the Forest of Death and planning to place a cursed seal on him.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha after months of searching for Orochimaru and headed toward the Hokage Building to report a suspected sighting in the Land of Fire.
• Jiraiya sensed a familiar presence near the western quarters but continued on, while Orochimaru recognized that Jiraiya had returned and prepared for the next day's events.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha after hearing Orochimaru might threaten the joint Chunin Exams and learned that Naruto was Minato and Kushina’s son. He decided to stay near Naruto and began looking after him, leaving the story with Naruto receiving an anonymous breakfast and discovering kindness in the village.

• Jiraiya warned Hiruzen that Orochimaru might exploit the joint Chunin Exams to infiltrate Konoha, and he agreed to remain in the village.
• Jiraiya saw Naruto being stopped by an Anbu and learned from Hiruzen that Naruto was Minato’s son, though Naruto did not know who his parents were.
• Hiruzen explained that Naruto lived alone and was isolated, and Jiraiya admitted he had avoided returning because he feared facing Minato’s death.
• Jiraiya decided to stay in the empty room across from Naruto’s apartment, partly to watch over him in case Orochimaru targeted the Jinchuriki.
• The next morning, Jiraiya left Naruto a hot meal and a note warning him not to wander at night, and Naruto was delighted to find it.

Jiraiya met Naruto while keeping watch over him for the Third Hokage, and their awkward encounter grew into a warm evening together. After sharing a meal, Jiraiya agreed to teach Naruto ninjutsu starting the next day.

• Naruto exposed Jiraiya peeping into the Happiness Bathhouse, then knocked him unconscious with the Sexy Technique and hid him from the pursuing women.
• Naruto admitted he had seen Jiraiya leave a boxed meal in his mailbox, and Jiraiya explained that the Third Hokage had asked him to look after him.
• Jiraiya told Naruto about the Three Ninja and said that living alone was different from choosing to be alone.
• Jiraiya went home with Naruto, bought groceries, and cooked ramen while Naruto told him he wanted to become Hokage.
• Jiraiya agreed to teach Naruto real ninjutsu the next day and thought Naruto might surpass Minato.

Jiraiya stayed with Naruto and trained him in Chakra control before teaching him the Summoning Jutsu. After Naruto repeatedly summoned tadpoles, Jiraiya pushed him to jump from a cliff, where Naruto summoned Gamakichi and proved he could call on the power within him.

• Jiraiya remembered his promise to watch over Naruto and stayed the night in Konoha.
• Jiraiya began training Naruto in tree-climbing, water-walking, Chakra control, and simple ninjutsu, while Naruto shared his dream of becoming Hokage.
• More than a month later, Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and showed Naruto the Summoning Jutsu.
• Naruto repeatedly summoned tadpoles, and Jiraiya explained that Naruto lacked access to the great power inside him.
• Jiraiya challenged Naruto to jump from a cliff, and Naruto summoned Gamakichi to catch him above the river.
• Naruto celebrated his success with Jiraiya, who remembered Minato's faith in his son.

Before the Chunin Exams, Jiraiya trained Naruto to learn the Rasengan, pushing him through its stages until he finally mastered it. Naruto ended the chapter determined to pass the exam and protect the people important to him.

• Jiraiya showed Naruto the Rasengan and challenged him to master it before the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto practiced rotating Chakra in water balloons until he burst one by piercing its rubber with the swirling water.
• Naruto struggled for days to damage a tougher rubber ball, then told Jiraiya he wanted to protect Iruka-sensei, Sakura, and Sasuke.
• Naruto burst the rubber ball and began practicing how to compress and stabilize the spinning Chakra in his hand.
• After three days without sleep, Naruto formed a Rasengan on the evening before the exam, and Jiraiya praised him.
• Naruto vowed to pass the Chunin Exams, while Jiraiya remembered another blond student who had dreamed of becoming Hokage.

Naruto and his teammates began the Chunin Exams, where he struggled with the written test while other examinees used their abilities to cheat. When the tenth question tested their resolve rather than their knowledge, Naruto convinced Choji to stay, and the chapter ended with the team passing and Gaara renewing his interest in Sasuke.

• Naruto met Sasuke and Sakura at the Ninja Academy and watched Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari enter after Gaara stared at Sasuke and called him “Second Pillar.”
• In Room 301, Yakushi Kabuto shared intelligence about the examinees and warned that Gaara's former teammates had died.
• Morino Ibiki began the written test, and Naruto realized he could not answer the questions while Sasuke and other examinees covertly copied answers.
• Ibiki announced that examinees who refused the tenth question would be eliminated, while those who answered incorrectly would lose the right to take the exams again; several teams left.
• Naruto stopped Choji from giving up, declaring that he would become Hokage even if he remained a Genin forever, and Shikamaru helped Choji return to his seat.
• Ibiki revealed that everyone who stayed had passed, announced the second exam at the Forest of Death, and Gaara told Sasuke he hoped they would meet again.

Team 7 survived Orochimaru’s attack in the Forest of Death, with Naruto sealed and Sasuke marked by the Cursed Seal of Heaven. After Rock Lee helped Sakura protect them, the team reached the tower and passed the second stage, while Orochimaru watched from the forest.

• Anko explained the Forest of Death rules, and Team 7 entered with the Earth scroll.
• Sasuke exposed an impostor disguised as Naruto, who transformed into Orochimaru and revealed the real Naruto inside a snake.
• Orochimaru overwhelmed Team 7, placed a Five Elements Seal on Naruto, and gave Sasuke the Cursed Seal of Heaven before leaving them unconscious.
• Sakura hid Naruto and Sasuke in a hollow tree, and Rock Lee arrived to help her guard them.
• Three days later, Team 7 reached the central tower and Iruka told them they had passed.
• Orochimaru watched the tower from a tree and said the Chunin Exams had only just begun.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries determined who would advance to the main tournament as the examinees fought one-on-one elimination matches. Naruto defeated Kiba, and nine contestants qualified for the tournament a month later.

• Anko announced the preliminary rules, and Sasuke defeated Yoroi Akado after his cursed seal erupted.
• Kankuro defeated Tsurugi Misumi, while Sakura and Ino drew and were both eliminated; Temari defeated Tenten, and Dosu defeated Choji.
• Aburame Shikuroo defeated Zaku, and Neji defeated Hinata despite her refusal to surrender.
• Naruto defeated Kiba with his Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Naruto Combo, while Shikamaru forced Kin Tsuchi to concede.
• Gaara defeated Rock Lee, who broke his leg and was carried away by Guy.
• Anko announced that Second Pillar, Kankuro, Temari, Dosu, Aburame Shikuroo, Neji, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Gaara advanced to the main tournament, scheduled for a month later.

The Chunin Exam finals began with Naruto defeating Neji, Sasuke swiftly defeating Dosu, and several other matches ending in victories or surrender. Rock Lee fought Gaara despite his broken legs and was gravely injured, leaving the matches suspended as Gaara questioned why Lee kept fighting.

• Naruto overcame Neji's Gentle Fist by unleashing the Nine-Tails' Chakra and defeated him, then offered him a hand that Neji refused.
• Sasuke defeated Dosu with Chidori, but his Cursed Seal activated before he left the arena.
• Aburame Shikuroo forced Kankuro to surrender after insects devoured his puppet, and Shikamaru surrendered to Temari after trapping her with his shadow.
• Rock Lee fought Gaara despite his unhealed injuries, opened the Eight Inner Gates, and managed to strike Gaara before Gaara broke both of Lee's legs and his right hand.
• Guy stopped Gaara from crushing Lee further and carried Lee away for treatment as the match was suspended; Naruto and Sasuke watched, and Gaara wondered why Lee kept moving.

Sasuke fought Gaara in the second round, pierced his sand defenses, and awakened the Cursed Seal after Gaara trapped him. Gaara began transforming into Shukaku as Orochimaru revealed himself to the Third Hokage, leaving Sasuke facing the enormous beast.

• Genma Shiranui announced that Sasuke would face Gaara, and the two began their match in the arena.
• Sasuke used Chidori to pierce Gaara's sand defenses and wound his shoulder, prompting Gaara to attack with a massive wave of sand.
• Gaara bound Sasuke and prepared to kill him, but Sasuke's Cursed Seal erupted and let him break free and batter Gaara.
• Gaara's sand formed a crushing sphere around Sasuke, but Sasuke escaped with Chidori as his Chakra ran low.
• Gaara began transforming into Shukaku, and Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, told the Third Hokage that the One-Tail was emerging.

Orochimaru trapped the Third Hokage while the invasion plunged the arena into chaos and Shukaku rampaged. Naruto and Sasuke brought Shukaku down, but the battle continued as Sasuke lay exhausted beside Sakura.

• Orochimaru revealed himself and sealed the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Sand ninja attacked Konoha, while Yakushi Kabuto used the Temple of Nirvana Technique to put the audience to sleep.
• Shukaku wrecked the arena, and Naruto rescued Sasuke and Sakura before facing the beast with Shadow Clones.
• Naruto distracted Shukaku while Sasuke struck Gaara’s sand shell with Chidori, causing Shukaku to collapse into sand.
• Gaara fell unconscious and Sasuke collapsed from exhaustion as Sakura tended to him; Sasuke murmured that it was not over yet.

Orochimaru launched the Konoha Crush and trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation with the resurrected First and Second Hokage. Hiruzen sacrificed his life to seal the Hokage and Orochimaru’s hands, but Orochimaru escaped, and Hiruzen died after entrusting Naruto to Jiraiya.

• Orochimaru revealed himself as the disguised Fourth Kazekage and began the Konoha Crush as Sound and Sand ninja attacked the arena.
• Tayuya, Jirobo, Kidomaru, and Sakon and Ukon trapped Hiruzen and Orochimaru in the Four Violet Flames Formation, where Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hashirama and Tobirama attacked Hiruzen under Orochimaru’s control, and Hiruzen summoned Enma to help him fight back.
• Hashirama and Tobirama briefly resisted Orochimaru’s control and let Hiruzen use the Reaper Death Seal to pull out their souls and seize Orochimaru’s hands.
• Orochimaru escaped by using the Orochimaru-Style Body Replacement Technique, while Hiruzen’s sealing jutsu killed him.
• Hiruzen died in Jiraiya’s arms after asking him to look after Naruto.

After the Third Hokage died defending Konoha, the village’s shinobi drove back the remaining Sand forces and began caring for the wounded and rebuilding. Jiraiya comforted Naruto and passed on the Will of Fire, while the survivors faced the losses and dangers still ahead.

• Jiraiya mourned beside the Third Hokage, while Naruto watched from the ruins and struggled to understand what had happened.
• Shikamaru stalled Baki by explaining that Orochimaru had impersonated the Kazekage, and Baki ordered the Sand ninja to withdraw.
• Lee joined Guy against the remaining Sand ninja, Neji led the Hyuga in protecting the wounded, and Kankuro and Temari carried the injured Gaara away.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that the Third Hokage had passed on the Will of Fire, and Naruto vowed to become Hokage and carry it forward.
• Sasuke asked Kakashi about removing his cursed seal, Sakura and Ino reunited, and Shikamaru returned home after protecting his comrades.
• Neji and Hinata made peace as Konoha’s people began rebuilding, while Jiraiya looked toward Orochimaru’s escape and the dangers ahead.