Recaps

Asuma Sarutobi defied Hiruzen Sarutobi and set out to join the Daimyo’s Guard Corps, only to learn that Konoha had made him a Special Jōnin and provided a letter supporting his appointment. In spring, Naruto Uzumaki arrived at the Ninja Academy entrance exam determined to beat Sasuke and take first place.

• Asuma Sarutobi argued with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who warned him that the Daimyo’s Guard Corps could become a target in Konoha’s struggle with the Daimyo.
• Asuma ran away from home to join the Guard Corps, and Anbu caught up with him and delivered a Special Jōnin appointment scroll and a letter to the Daimyo.
• Asuma understood that Hiruzen had arranged the appointment and letter to protect and support him, thanked his father, and continued toward his goal.
• In early April, Kushina Uzumaki brought six-year-old Naruto Uzumaki to the Ninja Academy entrance exam.
• Naruto declared that he would beat Sasuke and take first place.

Naruto and the other children gathered for the Ninja Academy entrance examination, while Iruka explained that this year's class had been pre-screened for an elite education program. The examination began with a shuriken test, and Naruto declared he would beat Sasuke.

• Kushina encouraged Naruto before joining the parents who went inside to watch the examination.
• After their parents left, Naruto joined Choji, Shikamaru, and Fang, while Sasuke watched them from a distance.
• Iruka and Mizuki discussed the candidates' prominent family backgrounds and the Academy's new elite education system.
• Iruka greeted the children and explained that the first examination was a ten-throw shuriken test requiring at least sixty points.
• Naruto and the other candidates followed Iruka to the training ground, where Naruto vowed to beat Sasuke.

At the Ninja Academy entrance exam, Naruto watched as the children competed in a shuriken test, and Sasuke Uchiha earned the highest score so far. The parents praised Sasuke as the little brother of the genius Uchiha Itachi, while Naruto waited for his own chance to face Sasuke.

• Kushina cheered for Naruto from the stands as parents recognized him as the Hokage's son, and Hiashi watched him with his Byakugan.
• Iruka began the entrance exam's shuriken test, and the first group earned scores ranging from 10 to 77 points.
• Fang scored 81 points, setting the highest mark before Sasuke's group was called.
• Sasuke threw ten shuriken in quick succession and scored 96 points, astonishing Iruka and the watching parents.
• Fugaku said Sasuke's score was merely all right compared with Itachi's skill, while the parents praised Sasuke as Itachi's talented little brother.

Naruto took the Ninja Academy entrance exam after Sasuke and Karin impressed the spectators with high shuriken scores. The chapter ended as the Fifth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, appeared as a judge and Naruto recognized his father.

• Sasuke finished his shuriken test, scored 96 points, and received praise from his parents.
• Iruka called Naruto, Karin, Shino, Rock Lee, and Choji to take their turn, and Naruto reunited with Karin.
• Karin scored 96 points, matching Sasuke, while Naruto scored 93 and briefly felt disappointed.
• Iruka announced one-on-one sparring matches judged by Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and Nara Shikaku, with Minato Namikaze as the opponent.
• Minato appeared beside Iruka, and Naruto cried out in surprise when he saw his father.

Karin Senju faced Minato Namikaze in the Ninja Academy entrance exam and revealed exceptional taijutsu and chakra control. She ended the chapter by using Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison against him.

• Minato introduced the exam, and Iruka announced that Karin Senju would fight first because she had the highest shuriken score.
• Karin attacked Minato with shuriken and taijutsu, while Fugaku and Hiashi watched with Nara Shikaku.
• Hiashi activated his Byakugan and recognized that Karin was using Strength of a Hundred.
• Minato praised Karin's skill and told her that Uzumaki Kuming had mastered Strength of a Hundred at her age and could knock down a Chunin.
• Karin recalled her admiration for Kuming, resolved not to lose, and trapped Minato's position with Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison.

Karin Senju surprised the Ninja Academy examiners by using multiple Wood Release techniques during her test, though they noted her lack of combat experience. After Minato ended her test, Sasuke Uchiha was called as the next candidate.

• Karin Senju used Wood Release to escape Minato's wooden pillars, astonishing the spectators and other candidates.
• Minato threw shuriken at Karin, and she blocked them with a Wood Locking Wall.
• When Minato tested her reaction again, Karin raised another Wood Locking Wall instead of responding to the shuriken near her feet.
• The examiners praised Karin's talent and potential while noting her weak combat instincts, and Minato ended her test.
• Karin returned to the sidelines, and Iruka announced that Sasuke Uchiha was the next candidate.

Sasuke Uchiha faced Minato in the practical exam and displayed strong combat instincts, precise weapons skills, and the Great Fireball Technique. Minato ended the match after getting behind Sasuke, while the judges praised his performance and Fugaku remained unimpressed.

• Sasuke stepped forward, greeted Minato respectfully, and began the exam by throwing Smoke Bombs and shuriken.
• Sasuke recognized Minato's Substitution Technique and charged in with a series of kunai attacks and a kick.
• After Minato tossed him into the air, Sasuke formed Hand Seals and fired the Great Fireball Technique, then used another Smoke Bomb.
• Sasuke prepared wire-linked shuriken, but Minato appeared behind him and ended the exam, praising his traps and calling him a prodigy.
• Nara Shikaku and Hyuga Hiashi praised Sasuke's abilities, while Fugaku said he was not yet good enough.

Naruto Uzumaki began his practical assessment against his father, Minato, and surprised the audience with Earth Style and coordinated attacks. As Naruto pressed his assault, Kushina watched proudly, convinced his potential would shock everyone.

• Sasuke Uchiha finished his assessment with high marks and watched Naruto prepare for his turn.
• Naruto entered the field as spectators discussed his status as the Fifth Hokage's son, prompting Kushina to urge him to give his all.
• Naruto charged Minato immediately, and Minato caught his fist before noticing that Earth Style had covered his hand.
• Naruto broke free, created a Shadow Clone, and attacked Minato from two directions.
• Mikoto asked Kushina about Naruto's Earth Style, and Kushina praised his potential without explaining its source.

Naruto used Earth Style fueled by the Tailed Beast’s Chakra during his assessment against Minato, alarming the judges until they concluded Kushina’s expertise had kept his power under control. The examination ended at dusk, with Naruto judged the strongest candidate so far and Hinata also noted as a promising prospect.

• Naruto attacked Minato with a Shadow Clone and Earth Rising Spear, forcing Minato to use the Flying Thunder God to evade the jutsu.
• Hiashi identified that Naruto had used the Tailed Beast’s Chakra, and the judges feared the seal was weakening and the beast’s power was leaking out.
• Minato ended Naruto’s assessment, and Kushina joined her smiling son after the fight.
• The judges decided Naruto’s power was under control because Kushina understood his condition and had expertise in Fuinjutsu.
• The remaining students completed their assessments, with Hinata impressing the judges by activating her Byakugan in battle.
• The examination finished at dusk, and the judges considered Naruto the most outstanding candidate so far.

During the Ninja Academy entrance physical, Kushina Uzumaki discovered that Hinata Hyuga had numerous hidden injuries and suspected Hiashi Hyuga’s training methods were harming her. Kushina confronted Hiashi and Minato Namikaze with Hinata’s report, leaving Hiashi speechless.

• The examinees completed their physical examinations, and Kushina found several hidden injuries on Hinata Hyuga.
• Kushina reviewed the reports and decided Hinata’s injuries needed to be discussed with Hiashi and Minato.
• Kushina brought Hinata’s report to the Hokage’s office, where Hiashi, Minato, Uchiha Fugaku, and Nara Shikaku were ranking candidates.
• Kushina asked Fugaku and Shikaku to leave, then gave Hiashi Hinata’s report and accused him of training her too harshly.
• Hiashi read the report, listened to Kushina’s reprimand, and began to respond before falling silent.

Hiashi arranged for Hinata to recover and train at Minato and Kushina’s home on school days, while Konoha finalized the Ninja Academy exam rankings. Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kuming’s caravan reached the Land of Tea and was ambushed by bandits, whom he ordered Kakashi and the others to eliminate.

• Kushina identified Hinata’s hidden injuries and told Hiashi to change her training routine; Hiashi asked Minato and Kushina to care for Hinata on school days, and Minato agreed.
• Minato, Hiashi, Fugaku, and Nara Shikaku set the exam rankings, placing Naruto first, Karin Senju second, and Sasuke third; the results were posted at the Ninja Academy.
• Uzumaki Kuming’s tour group reached the Land of Tea after several months of travel.
• Bandits blocked Kuming’s thirteen-cart caravan with a fallen tree and killed a driver who tried to warn the others.
• Kuming ordered Kakashi, Uchiha Itachi, Obito, and Rin to kill the bandits and hurry toward Aoba Town.

Uzumaki Kuming sensed the bandits’ unusual Chakra but trusted Kakashi, Obito, Itachi, and Rin to handle them. The Konoha ninjas defeated most of the attackers, while the bandit leader and three stronger men surrounded themselves and realized they faced two Uchiha.

• Kurama warned Kuming that several bandits had unusually strong Chakra, but Kuming said Kakashi and the others could handle them and used Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to watch the road.
• Pockmarked Face attacked fleeing passengers with a saber, but Itachi deflected it with a Kunai and began taking down the bandits with shuriken.
• Obito attacked the bandit leader from above, but the leader dodged and trapped him between rising stone walls.
• Kakashi used Chidori to shatter the walls and save Obito, who joined him with his three-tomoe Sharingan.
• Itachi and Rin defeated most of the bandits, leaving the leader and three stronger men surrounded by the four Konoha ninjas.
• A surviving bandit warned Pockmarked Face that the attackers were powerful, and the leader recognized that two of them belonged to the Uchiha Clan.

Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Itachi, Obito, and Rin Nohara fought bandits attacking a convoy, but two bandits transformed under the power of strange Cursed Seals. After Kakashi killed them, Uzumaki Kuming captured the fleeing bandit leader and covered him in Cursed Seals.

• Kakashi Hatake ordered Obito, Uchiha Itachi, and Rin Nohara to attack the surrounded bandits, and the team dodged stone spikes thrown through the flames.
• Rin Nohara caught a stone spike and launched Wind Style and Water Style attacks at the bandits.
• The bandit leader hurled two companions into Rin's torrent, where they emerged covered in Cursed Seals and overwhelmed by strange Chakra.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized that the Cursed Seals were supplying the two bandits with power, and Kakashi Hatake killed both with Chidori.
• Uzumaki Kuming stopped the fleeing bandit leader and covered his body in black Cursed Seals.

Uzumaki Kuming discovered that Orochimaru’s Cursed Seals could hold Senjutsu and headed to Aoba Town to meet him. There, Kuming approached Orochimaru and Yahiko, leaving both men surprised by his arrival.

• Uzumaki Kuming found a Cursed Seal on the bandit leader, questioned him about it, and killed him after deciding to seek out Orochimaru.
• Uzumaki Kuming sensed Orochimaru and a familiar but unexpected Chakra in Aoba Town and led the caravan there.
• Uzumaki Kuming told Uchiha Itachi and the others to find lodging, then vanished to meet someone.
• Orochimaru sat in a teahouse with Yahiko, who spotted Uzumaki Kuming approaching and reacted in disbelief.
• Orochimaru recognized Uzumaki Kuming and wondered how he had arrived, then noticed that Yahiko seemed to know him.

Uzumaki Kuming met Yahiko in Aoba Town and grew suspicious of his mission after receiving a secret message from Orochimaru. Kuming followed them into the forest, where Yahiko gathered Akatsuki allies and Orochimaru summoned three coffins to prepare for a fight.

• Kuming met Yahiko and Orochimaru at a teahouse, but Yahiko refused to explain his mission and left with Orochimaru.
• A white snake delivered Orochimaru's scroll to Kuming, bearing the single message, "Money."
• Kuming suspected Akatsuki planned to take control of Aoba Town, then used his Mind's Eye of the Kagura to follow Yahiko and Orochimaru out of town.
• Yahiko and Orochimaru stopped in the forest, where a masked figure with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan and a Venus flytrap-like creature joined them.
• Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to raise three coffins, while Yahiko called Kuming out and declared the spot would be his grave.

Yahiko explained that he planned to destroy the great nations and shinobi villages to create a new order, and demanded that Uzumaki Kuming die for his cause. Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation brought back Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, leaving Kuming facing the two weakened Hokage as the other Akatsuki members held back.

• Yahiko confronted Uzumaki Kuming and revealed his plan to destroy every country and shinobi village in pursuit of peace.
• Uzumaki Kuming rejected Yahiko’s demand and drew the Heavenly Feather Blade as Orochimaru attacked with the coffins.
• Lightning Arrows shattered the coffin lids, while Zetsu and the masked Mysterious Man withdrew and Yahiko moved away from the fight.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, while the third summoned figure faded away.
• Tobirama recognized the jutsu he had developed, and Kuming realized that both Hokage had been resurrected in weakened forms.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and controlled Tobirama to fight Uzumaki Kuming. After Tobirama’s Water Release struck Kuming, Orochimaru revealed that Kuming was Konoha’s Fourth Hokage, and Kuming rose unharmed and prepared to continue.

• Orochimaru introduced himself to Hashirama and Tobirama and explained that he had learned the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Orochimaru forced Tobirama to charge Uzumaki Kuming, and Kuming cut Tobirama in half with one strike before his body regenerated.
• Tobirama warned Kuming that physical attacks could not undo the reincarnation jutsu, then hit him with Water Release: Water Severing Wave.
• Orochimaru told Hashirama and Tobirama that Kuming was Konoha’s Fourth Hokage, surprising them both.
• Kuming stood up with Lightning Style Chakra covering him and said he had retired as Fourth Hokage and that Tobirama’s next attacks would not hit him.

Uzumaki Jiuming fought Orochimaru’s reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama, using his speed and Fuinjutsu to defeat Tobirama before Hashirama freed himself from Orochimaru’s control. Akatsuki fled the battle, leaving Jiuming alone as he acknowledged that he and Yahiko would be enemies when they met again.

• Tobirama unleashed a massive Water Style attack while Hashirama concealed a Wood Release assault beneath it, but Jiuming sensed the vines and struck the water with Lightning Release.
• Jiuming used Lightning Armor to get behind Tobirama and stab him with the Heavenly Feather Blade, spreading Fuinjutsu markings from the wound.
• Orochimaru released Tobirama from Impure World Reincarnation before Jiuming could complete the seal, while Hashirama recognized Jiuming and asked about Uzumaki Mito.
• Jiuming transformed into a golden Chakra Cloak as Hashirama broke free of Orochimaru’s control and praised him before Impure World Reincarnation ended.
• The Mysterious Man escaped with Yahiko, and Zetsu had already fled; an explosion then destroyed Hashirama’s forest and its flower bud.
• Jiuming watched Yahiko’s retreat and quietly accepted that they would be enemies when they met again.

After returning safely from the battle, Uzumaki Kuming took Itachi and the others from Aoba Town toward the Land of Water to investigate Akatsuki. On the way, they visited the ruins of Uzushio Village, where a crowd of hopeful treasure hunters searched through the remains.

• Itachi waited anxiously for Kuming in Aoba Town until Kuming returned carrying bags of gifts, and Itachi embraced him.
• Kuming gave Kakashi and the others specialty tea and snacks, then spent two days sightseeing with the group before they left Aoba Town.
• After meeting Yahiko and Orochimaru, Kuming decided to investigate Akatsuki's plans in the Land of Water and considered recruiting Kisame for Konoha.
• Kuming led Itachi and the others overland through the Land of Fire and the former Land of Whirlpools toward the Land of Water.
• Kuming and his group arrived at Uzushio Village's ruined ancestral homeland and saw a crowd searching the rubble for valuable relics.

Uzumaki Kuming, Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi Hatake, and Obito watched treasure hunters search the ruins of Uzushio Village, where a boy’s discovery of Jade Marrow sparked a deadly confrontation. The boy and five men died in an explosive trap, leaving Obito stunned beside the crater.

• Uzumaki Kuming explained that businesses around Uzushio Village’s ruins could eventually grow into a new town.
• A boy emerged from the ruins holding Jade Marrow, and five middle-aged treasure hunters tried to take it from him.
• Obito moved to help the boy, but Kakashi stopped him, and Uchiha Itachi warned that the discovery was suspicious.
• The boy revealed himself as a shinobi and swiftly knocked down the men surrounding him, then demanded their valuables.
• One man stabbed the boy, but the boy’s explosive tag detonated and killed him and the five treasure hunters.
• Kakashi raised an earthen wall to shield the group, while Obito stared in shock at the crater left by the blast.

Uzumaki Kuming opened a hidden underground passage beneath the Uzushio ruins and discovered the Uzumaki Clan’s true chamber of inheritance, filled with secret techniques. He left Kakashi, Obito, and the others guarding the entrance while he explored the chamber.

• Uzumaki Kuming activated a massive seal beneath the ruins, opening a passage underground and stopping gold diggers from rushing inside.
• Uzumaki Kuming ordered Kakashi, Obito, and the others to guard the entrance, then descended as candles lit along the passage.
• Kakashi and Obito blocked the gold diggers from following Uzumaki Kuming and warned them not to approach.
• Uzumaki Kuming used Fuinjutsu and the Summoning Technique to open a sealed stone door without triggering the Cursed Seals in the chamber.
• Uzumaki Kuming found shelves of scrolls and Golden Plates and realized the chamber held the Uzumaki Clan’s true inheritance, which had been hidden behind a decoy story.

Uzumaki Kuming recovered a trove of Uzumaki Fuinjutsu from the ruins of Uzushio Village and stored it safely at Mount Myoboku. While traveling by ship with his companions, he explained that he had learned Chibaku Tensei from a Golden Plate, leaving them stunned.

• Kuming transported Uzumaki Clan scrolls and Golden Plates to Mount Myoboku, where Gamabunta promised to guard them but nearly let an ember hit the collection.
• Kuming protected the techniques with a barrier and Shadow Clones, then left the ruins of Uzushio Village with Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Itachi for the Land of Water.
• Obito Uchiha suffered from seasickness during the voyage, while Kuming and Itachi studied Golden Plates.
• Itachi asked why Chibaku Tensei, said to be an ability of the Rinnegan, had a written method, and Kuming explained how ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai worked.
• Kuming revealed that he had learned Chibaku Tensei from the Golden Plate, shocking Kakashi, Itachi, Obito, and Rin.

Uzumaki Kuming explained how he had learned Chibaku Tensei as he traveled toward the Land of Water, while Kisame Hoshigaki escorted six Kirigakure intelligence operatives toward the Land of Fire under secret orders to kill them if they were intercepted. The team came under attack near the border, leaving Kisame's mission and the operatives' fate unresolved.

• Uzumaki Kuming told Kakashi Hatake that his status as Kurama's Jinchuriki let him master the Yin-Yang Release needed for Chibaku Tensei.
• Suikazan Fuguki ordered Kisame Hoshigaki to escort six intelligence operatives into the Land of Fire and prevent their information from being captured by any means.
• Kisame met the operatives, including a cheerful blonde girl who showed interest in him, but he kept his distance and led the team toward the border.
• After several days of travel, Kisame and the operatives rested on an island near the Land of Water border before preparing to cross into the Land of Fire.
• As the team continued through the woods, an ambush began with kunai and a burst of fire striking the two Mist Ninja at the rear.

Kisame killed his Mist teammates to keep them from being captured, then leapt from a cliff after the young woman he had mortally wounded showed him compassion. Ibiki Morino found the survivors and was confronted by a red-haired young man whose appearance shocked him.

• Kisame realized someone had betrayed the Mist mission and stayed behind to cover the others’ retreat.
• Kisame killed the wounded Mist Ninja and planted an explosive tag beside the body before rejoining the group.
• When the group reached a cliff, Kisame killed his two comrades and fatally wounded the young woman, who asked why he had done it and told him he must have had a hard life.
• Kisame lost hope in Kirigakure and leapt from the cliff as Ibiki Morino and the Konoha Ninja arrived.
• Ibiki Morino examined the Mist Ninja bodies and heard a voice ask about a deal; he turned and recognized the red-haired young man beside him.

Uzumaki Jiuming arrived after Kisame escaped and rescued a wounded Kirigakure kunoichi who had been left for dead. He took her with him as a cook for his disciple, hoping she would help him turn Kisame.

• Uzumaki Jiuming reached Ibiki Morino after Kisame fled and learned there had been a confidential deal with the Land of Water's leaders.
• Uzumaki Jiuming healed the dying Mist kunoichi with his Chakra and told Ibiki Morino to keep his healing ability secret.
• The kunoichi defended Kisame and tried to kill herself, but Uzumaki Jiuming stopped her.
• Uzumaki Jiuming promised not to harm her or demand Kirigakure information and asked her to cook for his disciple.
• The kunoichi agreed, then fainted from blood loss as Uzumaki Jiuming took her with him.