Chapter Summaries

Naruto watched Baki kill Gekko Hayate and questioned whether Konoha deserved his help as he weighed two ways to bring peace to the world. After returning home, he overcame his lust for Karin and embraced his promise to protect her.

• Naruto left Karin asleep and reached the Sand shinobi quarters in time to witness Baki kill Gekko Hayate, choosing not to intervene.
• On Hokage Rock, Naruto discussed Konoha’s coming destruction with his inner selves and the Nine-Tails, weighing world unification against a federation and wondering whether to save the villagers.
• Good Naruto suggested that Naruto would save the Third Hokage, prompting Naruto to reconsider when reminded of the old man’s connection to his Sexy Technique.
• Naruto returned to Karin and, after his lust gave way to affection, promised to protect her before falling asleep beside her.

Hinata and Neji began their Chunin Exam match while Naruto watched the disguised Orochimaru and the masked red-haired Uzumaki beside him. Hinata revealed she could launch chakra-shaped senbon that remained intact after leaving her chakra, shocking the spectators as the match intensified.

• Naruto, Karin, Sasuke, and Hinata traveled to the arena, where Naruto encouraged Hinata and learned Sasuke believed his Sage Mode training had made him strong enough to fight anyone.
• Naruto warned Sasuke that the Fourth Kazekage was likely Orochimaru in disguise and told him to watch the masked red-haired Uzumaki for powerful sealing and space-time techniques.
• Naruto gave Sasuke a marked kunai so he could reach Sasuke and the Third Hokage quickly if trouble began.
• Genma Shiranui started the match between Hinata and Neji, and the two activated their White Eyes and exchanged Gentle Fist attacks.
• Hanabi, Hiashi, and Hizashi watched Hinata fight, while Hiashi remarked that she was strong even without her Tenseigan.
• Hinata leaped away from Neji and threw chakra-shaped senbon that stayed intact after separating from her chakra, startling Neji, Orochimaru, and the spectators.

Hinata fought Neji in the Chunin Exams but lost after he countered her Rotation with a clone and a surprise attack. Naruto comforted her afterward, then embraced her in front of the spectators, leaving Hinata embarrassed and delaying the next match.

• Hinata attacked Neji with chakra senbon and Twin Lion Fists, but he blocked her assault with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
• Hinata refused Neji's demand to use her evolved White Eye, and Neji tricked her with a clone before striking her with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Genma Shiranui declared Neji the winner, and Neji helped Hinata recover after the match.
• Naruto reassured Hinata that losing did not matter, then embraced her when she worried he was disappointed.
• Genma Shiranui's cough broke up Naruto and Hinata's embrace, and the embarrassed Hinata returned with Naruto to the waiting area.

Sasuke fought Gaara in the Chunin Exam finals, triggering Gaara’s loss of control and Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha. As the invasion began, Naruto pursued Gaara toward Konoha Back Mountain while Sasuke confronted Orochimaru beside the Third Hokage.

• Kankuro forfeited to Shino, and Shikamaru defeated Temari before surrendering due to low chakra.
• Naruto told Sasuke to confront the masked boy if trouble arose and said he would handle Gaara, while Sasuke entered the match against Gaara.
• Sasuke overwhelmed Gaara with his speed and Chidori, then used Sage Mode to break free when Gaara’s sand arm trapped him.
• Orochimaru revealed himself as the disguised Fourth Kazekage, took the Third Hokage hostage, and ordered the Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja to attack Konoha.
• Sasuke used the Body Flicker Technique to attack Orochimaru, but Kabuto’s genjutsu and the Sound Four’s barrier trapped Sasuke and the Third Hokage.
• The Nine-Tails woke Naruto and urged him to pursue Gaara, so Naruto chased Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro toward Konoha Back Mountain using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Naruto pursued Gaara and fought him as Gaara transformed with Shukaku, while Temari and Kankuro confronted their treatment of their younger brother. After Naruto and Gaara’s final clash, they saw each other’s childhoods and encountered the tailed beasts within them, where Shukaku angrily noticed that the Nine-Tails was not sealed.

• Temari tried to hold Naruto back, but he dodged her attacks and used Flying Thunder God to reach the recovered Gaara.
• Naruto and Gaara fought while Shikamaru, Sakura, Temari, and Kankuro agreed to a temporary truce; Temari urged Kankuro to apologize for calling Naruto a monster.
• Naruto and Gaara transformed with the Nine-Tails and Shukaku, and Gaara used Shukaku’s Sealing Jutsu to absorb Naruto’s first Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Temari and Kankuro resolved to accept and protect Gaara despite their father’s wishes, while Naruto and Gaara continued their battle.
• Naruto and Gaara collided with their strongest attacks, saw each other’s childhood memories, and found themselves facing the tailed beasts inside them.
• The Nine-Tails mocked the caged and chained Shukaku, who flew into a rage after noticing that the Nine-Tails had no seal.

Naruto helped Gaara reconcile with Shukaku, freed Shukaku’s seal, and encouraged Gaara to trust his family and make friends. As Gaara left with Temari and Kankuro, he began to accept them as his siblings, while Naruto and the others learned that Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage and impersonated him.

• Naruto introduced himself to Shukaku, who revealed his name and warmed to Naruto after hearing that Kurama was his best friend.
• Naruto helped Gaara reconsider Yashamaru’s actions, and Gaara accepted Naruto’s offer of friendship.
• Naruto persuaded Gaara and Shukaku to agree to share Gaara’s body peacefully, then released Shukaku’s seal.
• Shukaku gave his remaining chakra to Nine-Tails, leaving himself and Gaara exhausted; Nine-Tails took Naruto out of the Tailed Beast Space.
• Naruto told Temari and Kankuro that Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage and impersonated him to manipulate the Sand ninja.
• Temari and Kankuro took Gaara home, and Gaara apologized to them before calling them his big sister and big brother.

Sasuke reached the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation and fought Orochimaru’s masked ally while the Third Hokage escaped and began battling Orochimaru. Across Konoha, the defenders counterattacked, and Hinata revealed the Tenseigan’s overwhelming power before the Third Hokage and Orochimaru resumed their fight.

• Sasuke confronted Orochimaru and fought the masked boy, using his Sharingan, fire techniques, and Chidori while learning that the boy could use Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• The Third Hokage escaped Orochimaru’s hostage grasp, then exchanged several powerful techniques with him inside the formation.
• Kakashi sent Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun after Naruto while Konoha’s clans and jonin mobilized against the Sand and Sound invaders.
• Shizuka Uchiha awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan’s ice power, froze the attackers at the Uchiha compound, and joined Fugaku in defending Konoha.
• Hinata activated her Tenseigan and used Eight Hundred Body Strike to destroy the approaching invaders, astonishing her family and drawing the attention of Konoha’s elite.
• Orochimaru charged the Third Hokage again after they discussed Hinata’s strength, and their battle resumed.

Sasuke fought the masked Uzumaki boy while Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to battle the Third Hokage. Sasuke sealed Tobirama with the boy’s Adamantine Sealing Chains and waited for Naruto to arrive, just as Naruto confronted Orochimaru.

• Sasuke summoned Garaga, and the masked boy summoned Yuta, who revealed that he and other rebels had escaped the Dark Land.
• Sasuke used Sage Mode to sever the masked boy’s right arm, then evaded his attempts to touch him with a sealing technique.
• Kakashi and Guy discussed Konoha’s remaining battles as an explosion erupted at Konoha Back Mountain, where Naruto and Gaara were fighting.
• Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, and they attacked the Third Hokage alongside Orochimaru.
• Sasuke redirected the masked boy’s sealing touch onto Tobirama, then brought the sealed Second Hokage to the Third Hokage and said Naruto could bypass the barrier with Flying Thunder God.
• Orochimaru urged Sasuke to join him, but Sasuke refused, and Naruto’s voice challenged Orochimaru as he threatened to kill him.

Naruto helped defeat Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha, while the First Hokage sealed himself and Tobirama away and stripped Orochimaru of his arms. As Naruto and Sasuke searched the village, Itachi and Kisame recovered the sealed tailed-beast chakra before Pain contained the Nine-Tails’ chakra with Planetary Devastation.

• Naruto joined Sasuke and the Third Hokage, then revealed that Orochimaru had likely received help entering Konoha from someone inside the village.
• Naruto defeated the reincarnated First Hokage with Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, after which the First Hokage sealed Tobirama and himself and took Orochimaru’s arms.
• Orochimaru escaped with Kabuto and the Sound Four, while the masked youth evaded Sasuke; Naruto and Sasuke then went to check on the Third Hokage and patrol Konoha.
• The Third Hokage told Naruto and Sasuke he planned to retire and had already chosen his successor.
• Itachi and Kisame used Samehada to absorb Shukaku’s sealed chakra, but Pain arrived and contained the freed Nine-Tails’ chakra with Planetary Devastation.

Konoha mourned its fallen heroes as the Third Hokage announced Tsunade would succeed him, while Jiraiya arranged to take Naruto out of the village to find her. Before leaving, Naruto warned Sasuke that Itachi might return to Konoha, then headed to say goodbye to Hinata.

• Naruto and Karin attended the memorial service with their friends, where Naruto struggled to hide his hatred of Danzo.
• The Third Hokage announced that Tsunade would become the Fifth Hokage, and Jiraiya secured permission to take Naruto to find her while keeping him safe from Akatsuki.
• Jiraiya told Naruto they would leave the morning after tomorrow, and Naruto planned to say goodbye to Hinata, Karin, and Sasuke.
• Naruto warned Sasuke that Itachi might return to Konoha to gather intelligence for Akatsuki, and Sasuke said he would act carefully if they met.
• Naruto left Sasuke and headed toward the Hyuga Clan to see Hinata.

Naruto left Konoha with Jiraiya to find Tsunade and began learning to master the techniques he already knew. Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame arrived to capture Naruto, and Kakashi revealed that he also had a Mangekyō Sharingan as the confrontation began.

• Hiashi gave Naruto money for the journey, and Naruto promised Hinata and Hanabi that he would return safely and bring Hanabi a present.
• Hinata asked Jiraiya to look after Naruto, and Naruto embraced her before leaving Konoha with Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya told Naruto to focus on mastering his existing techniques, beginning with Rasengan practice using shadow clones.
• Itachi and Kisame arrived in Konoha seeking Naruto, but Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma recognized them and confronted them with Sasuke.
• Kakashi warned the others about Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, assigned Sasuke, Kurenai, and Asuma to fight Kisame, and revealed his own Mangekyō Sharingan.

Itachi and Kisame attacked Konoha while searching for Naruto, but Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and Sasuke confronted them. Sasuke pursued Itachi and learned why his brother had accepted blame for the Uchiha Clan massacre; Itachi left after promising to believe in Sasuke and Naruto’s dream of peace.

• Itachi revealed that he had come to find Naruto and tried to leave with Kisame, but Guy arrived and fought Kisame alongside Kurenai and Asuma while Kakashi faced Itachi.
• Sasuke used Sage Mode to overpower Itachi’s Great Fireball, and Kakashi and Sasuke forced Itachi to use Amaterasu before Kakashi absorbed the flames with Kamui.
• Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan left him injured, so Guy accompanied Sasuke in pursuit of Itachi and Kisame beyond Konoha.
• Sasuke and Guy caught up with the fugitives, then split up to fight them; Guy opened the sixth gate to battle Kisame while Sasuke chased Itachi into a forest.
• Sasuke challenged Itachi over abandoning the family and taking blame for the Uchiha Clan massacre, and Itachi explained that he had acted to protect the clan’s reputation and those who wanted peace.
• Sasuke told Itachi that he and Naruto would bring peace and welcome him home, and Itachi praised their progress before leaving with the Body Flicker Technique.

Naruto began training to form the Rasengan faster under Jiraiya while pursuing his goal of surpassing Minato. Meanwhile, Seven Sins Uzumaki told Orochimaru how to address his sealed arms and collected the bodies of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Nawaki Senju as payment.

• Sasuke returned to Guy after both he and Guy failed to catch their opponents, and they headed back to Konoha.
• Jiraiya helped Naruto choose the Rasengan and Flying Thunder God as his main techniques and explained that he needed to improve his Rasengan speed and reactions.
• Naruto created a hundred shadow clones and trained for six hours, struggling with exhaustion but renewing his determination to surpass Minato.
• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Tsunade might be able to heal his arms, and Seven Sins Uzumaki explained that the First Hokage had sealed them with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
• Orochimaru gave Seven Sins Uzumaki the bodies of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Nawaki Senju, and learned his name as he departed.

Naruto found Tsunade in a Tanzaku Town casino and argued with her over her refusal to become the Fifth Hokage. Their dispute turned into a fight, but Tsunade stopped attacking after Naruto declared his dream of bringing peace and challenged him to a bet over her necklace.

• Naruto searched Tanzaku Town for Tsunade after hearing Jiraiya had failed to find her.
• Naruto entered a casino, found Tsunade gambling with Shizune, and told her Konoha wanted her to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade refused the position and insulted the Hokage, prompting Naruto to challenge her convictions and argue with her.
• Shizune told Jiraiya that Orochimaru had offered to restore Tsunade's brother Nawaki and Dan in exchange for healing his arms.
• Naruto and Tsunade fought outside the tavern, and Tsunade's attacks revealed her overwhelming strength.
• Tsunade stopped fighting and bet her grandfather's necklace that Naruto could prove he would bring peace to the world.

Naruto fought Tsunade, won her necklace, and was gravely wounded, forcing Tsunade to overcome her fear of blood to save him. At the boundary between life and death, Naruto met Minato and Kushina and drew on his hopes and promises to return to his body.

• Naruto attacked Tsunade with shadow clones and Rasengans while Tsunade explained how she recognized his Flying Thunder God Mark and described Minato’s training.
• Tsunade used Mountain-Crushing Earth-Splitting to destroy Naruto’s clones, but Naruto tricked her with a shadow clone and seized her necklace before her strike pierced his chest.
• Tsunade froze at the sight of Naruto’s blood until Jiraiya urged her to overcome her hemophobia, and she healed Naruto with help from the Nine-Tails and his two personalities.
• Naruto met Minato and Kushina in his consciousness space, learned he was near death, and resolved to return through his will to live.
• Naruto focused on his loved ones, promises, and unfinished goals, then passed through a gate of light as Minato and Kushina hoped he would survive.
• Kushina questioned Minato about Anko and Karin Uzumaki appearing in Naruto’s memories, and Minato privately feared what Kushina might do when she learned more.

Naruto recovered from his near-fatal injuries and confessed his love to Anko, who accepted him but asked him to keep their relationship secret until he achieved his dream. Tsunade explained how she revived his consciousness and hinted that Orochimaru was connected to Anko's presence.

• Naruto told Anko he loved her and wanted to be with her despite already having Hinata, and Anko kissed him and admitted she loved him too.
• Anko asked Naruto to keep their relationship secret so it would not jeopardize his chance to become Hokage, and Naruto eventually agreed after Jiraiya and Tsunade urged him to consider his dream and Hinata.
• Jiraiya warned Naruto that he would have to earn Hinata's forgiveness, and Naruto apologized to Anko for not considering her feelings.
• Naruto asked how he had awakened, and Jiraiya explained that Tsunade had used a dangerous technique to revive his consciousness after helping the Nine-Tails heal his body.
• Tsunade said she had guessed why Anko was there and pointed to Orochimaru.

Naruto urged Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Anko to let him seek Orochimaru’s cooperation, believing Orochimaru’s research could help them oppose Akatsuki. Tsunade agreed to take Naruto to meet Orochimaru, but Kabuto arrived with a request to move the meeting up to tomorrow.

• Naruto argued that Orochimaru could become an ally if Konoha provided what he wanted, and said Orochimaru’s experiments would no longer require human test subjects with his help.
• Tsunade agreed to take Naruto to meet Orochimaru after two days, while Shizune reported that an unnamed man was staying in the city and arranged a visit with him in three days.
• After Jiraiya and Tsunade left Naruto’s room, Naruto and Anko kissed and became physically intimate as Anko worried about Naruto’s recovery.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade discussed their hopes and fears about Naruto persuading Orochimaru, and Tsunade said she trusted Naruto enough to stake everything on him.
• Kabuto Yakushi emerged from hiding and told Tsunade that Orochimaru wanted to meet her as soon as possible, asking whether she could come tomorrow.

Tsunade refused to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to see Dan and Nawaki, but still planned to meet Orochimaru and heal his hands for Naruto’s sake. Meanwhile, Akatsuki prepared to seal Shukaku’s chakra, while Nagato absorbed the Nine-Tails’ chakra and learned that Naruto had become a powerful perfect Jinchuriki.

• Kabuto Yakushi revealed that Orochimaru was suffering from the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and Tsunade agreed to meet him the next day to discuss healing his hands.
• Jiraiya urged Tsunade to abandon her desire to bring Dan and Nawaki back; she agreed not to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu but still intended to negotiate with Orochimaru for Naruto’s sake.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki returned to the Akatsuki base with chakra from Shukaku and the Nine-Tails, where Pain announced that the organization would seal Shukaku’s chakra.
• Nagato absorbed the Nine-Tails’ chakra, restoring his body and life force, and told Tobi he felt more confident about their plans.
• Tobi warned Nagato that Naruto Uzumaki had become a perfect Jinchuriki with strength near Kage level, and admitted he could not use his Space-Time Ninjutsu to capture him.

Nagato learned that Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata posed major obstacles to Akatsuki’s plans, then began sealing Shukaku’s chakra while Itachi confronted Tobi and exposed him as Obito Uchiha. Itachi revealed that he had come to eliminate Obito himself and caught him between Tsukuyomi and the power of a crow’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Tobi gave Nagato intelligence on Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga, and said he had a plan to obtain the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and began the Nine Dragons Sealing Technique to absorb Shukaku’s chakra as the Akatsuki members sent out clones to guard the ritual.
• Itachi went to the Back Mountain and confronted Tobi, identifying him as Obito Uchiha through Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan and Obito’s history.
• Obito admitted his identity and explained his grief and anger over Rin’s death, while Itachi described how he had reasoned out the truth.
• Obito attacked Itachi, but Itachi used a crow bearing a Mangekyō Sharingan to catch him off guard and began casting Tsukuyomi.
• Itachi revealed that he was not a clone and had come to eliminate Obito, whom he considered Konoha’s greatest threat.

Itachi failed to kill Obito, who stole Shisui's eye and forced Itachi to flee to the Land of Earth. Meanwhile, Naruto and Anko found Tsunade, learned Jiraiya was faking his despair to get closer to her, and heard that Orochimaru wanted to meet them ahead of schedule.

• Obito escaped Itachi's Kotoamatsukami, impaled the crow, took Shisui's eye, and drove Itachi away with his techniques.
• Itachi deduced that Obito's White Zetsu cells gave him a sage body and decided to hide in the Land of Earth while planning to recover Shisui's eye.
• Naruto and Anko found Jiraiya lamenting that Tsunade had gambled away part of his savings, but Naruto recognized that Jiraiya was exaggerating to attract her attention.
• Naruto and Anko visited Tsunade, who admitted she had feelings for Jiraiya but was not ready to move on from her past.
• Tsunade told Naruto that Kabuto Yakushi had delivered Orochimaru's request for an early meeting, and Naruto agreed to meet him the next day and try to bring him to their side.