Chapter Summaries

Mirai defeated and killed Xinchuan Changshou in the preliminary round, advancing alongside Wan Cheng to the third exam. As Mirai joined the others upstairs, Wan Cheng wondered why he had refused to fight him.

• Dongqiao Cheng began the match, and Mirai and Xinchuan Changshou immediately attacked each other.
• Mirai used Spiral Nine Shadows to confuse Xinchuan Changshou and overwhelm him with shifting figures.
• Mirai shattered Xinchuan Changshou’s defense with a powerful punch, killing him before he hit the ground.
• Dongqiao Cheng declared Mirai and Wan Cheng the winners who had advanced to the third exam.
• Wan Cheng watched Mirai leave and wondered why Mirai had refused to fight him.

Mirai warned Luoqi and Qiu Yi to stay cautious, then spoke with Uchiha Itachi before the second match was announced. Takeuchi Koji refused to fight Itachi, leaving Hujia Shiyang to decide whether to face Koji.

• Mirai warned Luoqi and Qiu Yi that the exam could be deadly and urged them to be careful.
• Mirai joked with Uchiha Itachi about his eyes and cautioned him about the other examinees.
• Dongqiao Cheng announced that Uchiha Itachi, Takeuchi Koji, and Hujia Shiyang were grouped for the next match.
• Takeuchi Koji refused to fight Uchiha Itachi, so Dongqiao Cheng called Hujia Shiyang into the arena.
• Dongqiao Cheng urged Hujia Shiyang to decide whether to refuse Takeuchi Koji, and Koji laughed at his hesitation.

Wu Naihao defeated Hu Jiayang in the second battle by overwhelming him with Earth Style techniques. Hu Jiayang surrendered after being struck by several earth spears.

• Hu Jiayang chose to fight Wu Naihao rather than exercise his veto right.
• Wu Naihao blocked Hu Jiayang's shuriken with an Earth Wall and kept him at a distance.
• Wu Naihao attacked with a Stone Pillar, then pierced Hu Jiayang with several Earth Spears.
• Hu Jiayang surrendered, and Wu Naihao stopped his attack.
• Mirai noted Wu Naihao's skill with ninjutsu and his large chakra reserves.

After Takeuchi Hiroshi defeated Lake Toya, the next exam matches were arranged, and Qiu Yidao chose to fight Sakaguchi Teruaki rather than use his veto. Qiu Yidao opened with his Human Bullet Tank, but Sakaguchi Teruaki dodged his attacks as the battle continued.

• Takeuchi Hiroshi won against Lake Toya, and Uchiha Itachi also qualified for the third exam.
• Dongqiao Cheng announced the draw, pairing Sun Xiangzhe with Sakaguchi Teruaki and Qiu Yidao with the remaining opponent.
• Sakaguchi Teruaki vetoed his match against Sun Xiangzhe, leaving Qiu Yidao to face him.
• Qiu Yidao declined to use his veto and entered the arena to fight Sakaguchi Teruaki.
• Qiu Yidao used the Human Bullet Tank, but Sakaguchi Teruaki dodged his initial charge and punch.

Qiu Yidao defeated Sakaguchi Zhaomingguang with successive enlarged-arm attacks, qualifying for the third exam alongside his teammates. As the final three candidates prepared to compete, Luoqi unexpectedly refused to fight Shangge, leaving him confused.

• Qiu Yidao dodged Sakaguchi Zhaomingguang's attacks and survived his Fierce Wind Palm.
• Qiu Yidao enlarged his right and left arms in turn, knocking Sakaguchi Zhaomingguang unconscious.
• Dongqiao Cheng stopped the match and announced Qiu Yidao's victory and the qualifiers.
• Dongqiao Cheng announced that Luoqi, Shangge, and Cang Yan would compete in the final round.
• When Luoqi and Shangge drew each other, Luoqi raised his hand to refuse the match before Shangge could do so.

Rocky challenged Cang Yan in the fourth match and faced his Earth Tempering Technique, which hardened Cang Yan’s arms against sword strikes. Rocky was forced onto the defensive as Cang Yan pressed his attack.

• Rocky provoked Cang Yan into accepting the fourth match, and Dongqiao Cheng announced the fight.
• Cang Yan used the Earth Tempering Technique to turn both hands black and charged at Rocky.
• Rocky dodged Cang Yan’s punch and thrust his sword at his throat, but Cang Yan blocked the blade with his hardened hand.
• Rocky slashed Cang Yan’s arm without injuring him and realized the technique strengthened his defenses.
• Cang Yan attacked with renewed confidence while Rocky evaded him and refused to back down.

Rocky fought Cang Yan, whose Earth Dragon Spear wounded Rocky’s thigh. Rocky countered with kunai and trapped the injured Cang Yan with the Yamanaka Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique, leaving Cang Yan unable to move.

• Rocky evaded Cang Yan’s punches while Cang Yan held back after Rocky’s sword nearly cut off his beard.
• Cang Yan cornered Rocky and struck his thigh with Earth Release: Earth Dragon Spear.
• Rocky threw his sword at Cang Yan to interrupt his next technique, but Cang Yan knocked it aside and prepared another Earth Dragon Spear.
• Rocky threw three kunai, cutting Cang Yan’s chest and piercing his right leg.
• Rocky used the Yamanaka Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique to seize control of Cang Yan’s body.

Rocky defeated Cang Yan in the fourth match by using the shadow imitation technique to make Cang Yan threaten himself, then advanced in the qualification competition. Mirai treated Rocky’s injuries and found that he would need to stay in bed for a while.

• Rocky explained that Cang Yan could only copy his movements, then pulled a kunai from his foot and raised it to his neck.
• Cang Yan surrendered, and Dongqiao Cheng knocked the kunai away before declaring Rocky the winner.
• Mirai treated Rocky as Medical Ninjas carried Cang Yan away, and Rocky taunted his defeated opponent.
• Mirai pressed Rocky’s injured limbs when Rocky complained, then examined him and said his bones and tendons were fine but he needed bed rest.

Mirai treated Rocky’s injured leg, then Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that the official selection matches would take place in a month. The candidates would learn their opponents and have time to prepare before the third exam.

• Mirai removed the Dragon Diagram Spear from Rocky’s leg and treated his wound with help from the medical staff.
• Hosokawa Morihiro praised Mirai’s medical skills, and Mirai left Rocky in his care.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen gathered the candidates who had qualified for the third exam and announced that the official selection matches would be held in a month.
• Wu Nihao asked why the matches were delayed, and Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that the extra time would let Konoha notify distinguished guests and ninja leaders.
• Mirai asked whether the candidates would learn their opponents in advance, and Sarutobi Hiruzen said the match order would soon be decided.
• Wu Hao questioned whether candidates who had skipped the qualification matches had an advantage, and Sarutobi Hiruzen replied that concealed strength and luck were part of the competition.

The candidates drew numbers to determine the official selection matchups, and Mirai was paired with Shangri-La while Uchiha Itachi was paired with Li Xiangzhe. As the candidates discussed their opponents and the knockout format, Wu Nihao questioned whether only one person could become a Chunin.

• Dongqiao Cheng had the seven candidates draw numbered slips, and Morivisa recorded the results and announced four matches.
• Mirai smiled at Shangri-La after learning they would face each other, while Shangri-La worried about fighting him.
• Li Xiangzhe eagerly told Uchiha Itachi he looked forward to their match, and Uchiha Itachi agreed.
• Qiu Yidao told Mirai he expected his opponent to run away, and Wu Nihao encouraged everyone to eat well and try to win.
• Wu Nihao asked whether the knockout matches meant only one candidate would become a Chunin.

Mirai returned home after qualifying for the third Chunin Exam, which would take place in a month. He reunited with his family and watched Ino practice chakra control.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that the judges would assess the candidates as a whole, so winning a match did not guarantee promotion and losing did not rule it out.
• Uchiha Itachi challenged Mirai to meet him in the final, and Mirai agreed.
• Mirai returned to the flower shop and learned that Ino was training in the backyard to become a Chunin.
• Mirai watched Ino practice controlling leaves with chakra, and Ino noticed him and ran over excitedly.

Mirai praised Inoue’s chakra control and told her he had passed the exam, then took her to visit the injured Rocky at Konoha Hospital. He informed Rocky that his elimination match against Wan Cheng would be held in a month and warned him not to underestimate his opponent.

• Mirai praised Inoue’s chakra control and told her he had passed the exam.
• Mirai explained that the next exam would take place in a month and said Sai and Rocky would also compete.
• Mirai asked Inoue to choose a flower for Rocky, and she picked one for their hospital visit.
• Inoue gave Rocky the flowers, and he thanked her as he prepared to arrange them.
• Mirai told Rocky his match against Wan Cheng was third and warned him to take the opponent seriously.

Mirai prepared for the third exam by considering Shangri-La and studying how to counter Wan Cheng’s air-pressure control, while reviewing his own abilities. He resolved to improve his ninjutsu proficiency before facing his upcoming opponents.

• Mirai advised Rocky to practice hiding in the shadows after his discharge and promised to train with him in practical combat.
• Mirai returned with Inoue to prepare for the third exam and judged that Shangri-La did not require special preparation.
• Mirai reviewed Wan Cheng’s unusual ability to control air pressure and considered using his Wind, Lightning, and Earth styles against him.
• Mirai recognized that his varied techniques could handle many situations but remained wary of Uchiha Itachi’s concealed, balanced abilities.
• Mirai decided to train techniques he already knew and checked their current proficiency levels.

Mirai honed his techniques and fought repeated drills with Rocky and Qiu Yidao as they prepared for the official selection matches. On the eve of the matches, all three said they were ready to compete.

• Mirai raised his Naraku proficiency to 100% in two days by applying what Uchiha Itachi had taught him.
• Mirai completed his Earth Dragon Spear training in seven days with Sarutobi Hiruzen's guidance, learning to create nine swift, silent stone spears.
• After Rocky recovered, Mirai held one-on-one and two-on-one combat drills with Rocky and Qiu Yidao, learning to anticipate Rocky's Shadow Imitation Technique.
• Mirai used Takeuchi Koji-style techniques in training to help Qiu Yidao prepare to face Takeuchi Koji.
• On August 5, 1953, Mirai asked Rocky and Qiu Yidao if they were ready for the official selection matches, and both said they were in peak condition.

On the way to the third Chūnin Exam, Fengbo Dengxuan brought Naruto out dressed to resemble Minato and wanted Konoha to learn about Naruto’s life. After villagers insulted Naruto, Naruto said he still wanted to become Hokage.

• Fengbo Dengxuan dressed Naruto in a Hokage robe, styled his hair like Minato’s, and took him to the exam venue.
• Villagers whispered about Fengbo Dengxuan and Naruto, then questioned why Naruto had the Namikaze surname.
• A villager accused Naruto of being the demon fox and urged Fengbo Dengxuan not to trust him.
• Fengbo Dengxuan angrily dismissed the villagers and told Naruto he could destroy Konoha if he hated them.
• Naruto said he did not hate the villagers and would not give up on becoming Hokage over something trivial.

Naruto and Minato Namikaze headed to the Chunin Selection Exam, where Naruto was matched against Neji Hyuga. Elsewhere in the arena, Qiu Yidao struck Takeuchi Koji with Partial Expansion, Right Hand, only for Koji to turn out to be a mud substitute.

• Naruto laughed, and the villagers wondered if he was connected to the fox before Minato Namikaze took him to the exam.
• The Third and the Kazekage agreed it was time to begin, and Hayate Gekko announced the official selection matches.
• Minato Namikaze announced that Naruto would face Neji Hyuga first, while the other contestants left the arena.
• Mirai's prediction proved correct as Takeuchi Koji struggled against Qiu Yidao's physical attacks, prompting Koji's mother to worry and his younger brother to reassure her.
• Qiu Yidao used Partial Expansion, Right Hand, and struck Takeuchi Koji, whose body broke apart and turned into mud.

Wu Hao used Earth Release techniques to trap Qiu Yidao, then defeated his Human Bullet Tank with a strange black sludge technique. Qiu Yidao conceded, but the sludge continued to harden around him and cause pain.

• Qiu Yidao used Earth Flow River, but Wu Hao’s footwork let him avoid the attack and counter with Earth Release: Rock Pillar Prison.
• Qiu Yidao broke free with Expansion Jutsu and charged at Wu Hao using Human Bullet Tank, deflecting Wu Hao’s Dragon Diagram Spears.
• Wu Hao used Melting Release: Clay Swamp to trap Qiu Yidao in a pit of black sludge and stop his spinning charge.
• Uchiha Qi guessed that Wu Hao’s strange technique might be a bloodline limit after Mirai asked about it.
• Qiu Yidao pulled himself out with Partial Expansion Jutsu, conceded, and found that the sludge was hardening around him and causing piercing pain.

After Qiu Yidao forfeited, Uchiha Qi won the first match, and the second match began between Uchiha Itachi and Nikka Tetsuji. The two exchanged taijutsu until Itachi changed tactics and launched a Fireball Jutsu at Tetsuji.

• Qiu Yidao voluntarily forfeited, and Uchiha Qi stopped attacking and was declared the winner.
• Medical Ninjas treated both contestants while Ino asked whether Brother Justice had lost and Lingqiu reassured her about Mirai.
• Dongqiao Cheng announced the second match between Nikka Tetsuji and Uchiha Itachi, and both fighters entered the arena.
• Nikka Tetsuji attacked with the Soft Fist, but Uchiha Itachi used his Sharingan and taijutsu to block his strikes.
• Uchiha Itachi created distance, formed hand seals, and sent a Fireball Jutsu toward the pursuing Nikka Tetsuji.

Sun Xiangzhe used Return to Heaven and the Gentle Fist against Uchiha Itachi, who studied the Hyuga techniques while fighting. Itachi revealed that Sun Xiangzhe had fallen for an illusion and left him restrained with a kunai at his throat.

• Sun Xiangzhe used Return to Heaven to defend against Uchiha Itachi’s Great Fireball Technique, while Itachi watched with interest.
• Uchiha Itachi threw kunai as Sun Xiangzhe closed in, and Sun Xiangzhe taunted him into staying within the Eight Trigrams range.
• Sun Xiangzhe struck Uchiha Itachi with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and believed he had won.
• Ono asked Lingqiu why Uchiha Itachi stood motionless, and Lingqiu suggested he was under an illusion.
• Sun Xiangzhe realized his apparent victory was an illusion and found Uchiha Itachi restraining him with a kunai at his throat.

Uchiha Itachi defeated Zhezhi with an illusion, and the third match began between Wan Cheng and Rocky. Rocky’s opening attack was deflected by Wan Cheng’s powerful airflow, which hurled him into the arena wall and left him facing another attack.

• Uchiha Itachi explained that he had caught Zhezhi in an illusion when Zhezhi focused all his attention on him, and Zhezhi admitted defeat.
• Dongqiao Cheng announced Uchiha Itachi as the winner, and the audience applauded both fighters.
• Mirai warned Rocky to surrender if he could not hold out, and Rocky promised to be careful before entering the arena.
• Dongqiao Cheng started the match between Wan Cheng and Rocky, and Rocky threw kunai while charging toward his opponent.
• Wan Cheng deflected Rocky’s kunai with a violent airflow, swept Rocky into the arena wall, and reached toward him again.