Chapter Summaries

Naruto offered Orochimaru information about the Sharingan’s advancement and its connection to the Rinnegan in exchange for protecting Karin and sharing his cell research. Orochimaru was tempted by the deal but remained suspicious of Naruto.

• Naruto told Orochimaru that the Sharingan and Rinnegan were connected through evolution and explained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Naruto said the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan formed when biological brothers’ Mangekyō Sharingan fused, and that it was a step toward awakening the Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru believed most of Naruto’s claims and became eager to obtain Sasuke’s and Uchiha Itachi’s eyes.
• Naruto asked Orochimaru to protect Karin until he left Konoha and to share his cell research when Naruto later brought Sasuke to the Land of Fields.
• Orochimaru considered Naruto’s offer tempting but still suspected that something about Naruto’s explanation was wrong.

Naruto struck a deal with Orochimaru to protect Karin in exchange for Orochimaru's cell research results, promising to retrieve her within three months. After Orochimaru and Karin left, Naruto arranged for Sasuke and Sakura to rest while he planned their next steps in the second exam.

• Orochimaru accepted Naruto's deal to protect Karin and share his cell research results in exchange for Naruto bringing Sasuke to the Land of Fields and answering Orochimaru's questions.
• Naruto reassured Karin that he would come for her within three months, and Karin chose to trust him and go with Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru asked Naruto whether he thought the plan to destroy Konoha would succeed, and Naruto questioned whether Konoha could be destroyed so easily.
• Orochimaru and Karin disappeared, and Naruto relaxed after the tense negotiation ended.
• Naruto created two Shadow Clones to carry the unconscious Sasuke and Sakura to a resting place while he waited for Sasuke's Cursed Seal flare-up to pass.

Naruto sheltered the unconscious Sasuke and Sakura in a hollow tree while he recovered from the mental strain of fighting Orochimaru. Elsewhere, Orochimaru encountered Mitaraishi Anko, stirred her memories and Cursed Seal, then left with Karin.

• Naruto estimated Sasuke would need up to a day to recover and decided to wait for him before going to the tower.
• Naruto carried Sasuke and Sakura to a hollow tree, checked them for injuries, set warning traps, and rested to recover his chakra and mental energy.
• Teams continued fighting through the Forest of Death to obtain the correct scrolls, with Gaara's team and Team Guy among the strongest contenders.
• Orochimaru met Mitaraishi Anko and provoked her memories of their past, triggering her Cursed Seal.
• Orochimaru left the encounter with Karin after spending little time with Anko.

Naruto rested in the Forest of Death while the Sound Ninja team searched unsuccessfully for Sasuke. Sakura woke and learned that she and Sasuke were safe, but Sasuke later awakened under the Cursed Seal’s influence, feeling powerful and eager to fight.

• Kin, Zaku, and Dosu searched the Forest of Death for Sasuke but found no trace of Team 7.
• Sakura woke, called for Sasuke, and asked Naruto what had happened; Naruto reassured her and concealed the truth about Karin and Sasuke’s neck markings.
• Sasuke awoke early the next day with black chakra markings, and Sakura feared for him.
• Naruto questioned whether Sasuke was all right and stayed ready to restrain him.
• Sasuke claimed he felt great and demanded to know where the Grass Ninja was so he could thank him, revealing his blood-red eyes and murderous intent.

Naruto used the Nine-Tails Chakra to stop Sasuke from being overwhelmed by the Cursed Seal, and Sasuke regained control after enduring its backlash. After a brief rest and a meal, Team 7 set off for the Central Tower.

• Naruto unleashed the Nine-Tails Chakra and warned Sasuke that he needed to control the Cursed Seal’s power.
• Sasuke regained his composure and suppressed the Cursed Seal, but cried out as its markings retreated and burned his neck.
• Sakura tried to help Sasuke, but Naruto told her to let him handle the pain himself.
• Sasuke recovered, and Sakura wiped his sweat while Naruto checked that he was all right.
• Naruto hunted food, and Team 7 ate before heading toward the Central Tower with Naruto leading.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached the Central Tower after defeating an ambush team, then opened their scrolls to summon Iruka. Iruka confirmed they had passed the second round and taught them the Hokage’s Chunin Insights before they proceeded to the final stage.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura defeated a team that had ambushed them near the Central Tower, leaving their opponents badly injured but alive.
• The team entered the Central Tower and found the hall empty, so Naruto had Sasuke hand over both mission scrolls.
• Naruto opened the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll, summoning Iruka from within them.
• Iruka confirmed that Team 7 had passed the second round and explained that he had come to deliver a message and teach them the Chunin Insights.
• Iruka lectured Team 7 on the qualities needed to become a Chunin, emphasizing that strength alone was not enough.

Naruto told Kakashi how Orochimaru had attacked, marked Sasuke with a Cursed Seal, and taken Karin, while explaining that the Nine-Tails Chakra had forced Orochimaru to retreat. Kakashi accepted Naruto’s account and urged him to be careful with that power, leaving Sasuke and Sakura focused on Naruto’s abilities.

• Iruka congratulated Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura on passing the second round and left them to wait in the Central Tower.
• Naruto asked Iruka to bring Hatake Kakashi to their room, and Kakashi arrived within an hour.
• Naruto told Kakashi that he had used the Nine-Tails Chakra against Orochimaru, who had placed a Cursed Seal on Sasuke and taken Karin.
• Kakashi largely believed Naruto’s explanation and did not press him about using the Nine-Tails Chakra.
• Kakashi warned Naruto to be careful and not rush, while Sasuke and Sakura reacted to the reminder of Naruto’s power.

Kakashi took Sasuke away to seal the Cursed Seal on his neck while Naruto and Sakura stayed behind to rest. As the second exam continued, Team 8 and Team 10 also reached the Central Tower and passed.

• Naruto agreed with Kakashi that power had to be controlled and recognized the danger of using chakra stronger than the Five-Tails' under his current condition.
• Kakashi persuaded Sasuke to let him deal with the Cursed Seal and reassured him that he could continue the exam afterward.
• Kakashi led Sasuke to a secluded area to use Sealing Jutsu, while Naruto and Sakura returned to their rooms to rest.
• Naruto learned that two teams had passed before his, likely Gaara's team and Team Guy, and wondered how many more would qualify.
• The fighting in the Forest of Death intensified as teams tried to steal the scrolls they needed or eliminate rivals.
• Team 8 and Team 10 collected the required scrolls, reached the Central Tower, and passed the second round.

After seven teams passed the second exam, the Third Hokage approved preliminary matches to narrow the 21 candidates before the third exam. Yakushi Kabuto withdrew, leaving the candidates to prepare for the elimination round.

• Team 8, Team 10, Yakushi Kabuto's team, and the other successful teams reached the Central Tower, bringing the total to seven teams and 21 people who passed.
• Kakashi suppressed Sasuke's Cursed Seal, and Sasuke later rejoined Naruto and Sakura while Naruto waited for the Konoha Crush Plan.
• After the second exam ended, the Third Hokage and Gekko Hayate gathered the candidates and announced a preliminary round to reduce their numbers.
• Yakushi Kabuto forfeited, claiming he could not continue because of his injuries.

Yakushi Kabuto withdrew from the Chunin Ninja Exams as Otogakure and Sunagakure’s plan moved toward its next stage, and the preliminary matchups began. Sasuke Uchiha was assigned to fight Yoroi Akado first, while Naruto watched from the stands and considered his own plans.

• Gekko Hayate approved Yakushi Kabuto’s withdrawal, and Kabuto left the Central Tower as Naruto and Baki recognized the significance of his departure.
• Gekko Hayate started the preliminary matchup draw, and the electronic screen paired Sasuke Uchiha with Yoroi Akado.
• Naruto noted that the contestants who passed the second exam were unchanged and expected the matchups to follow the same pattern as before.
• Naruto wished Sasuke luck as Sasuke went down to the arena, while the three Sound Ninja watched him with murderous intent and Gaara showed interest in the Uchiha.
• Naruto joined Sakura and the other Konoha Genin in the stands as Kiba called him over.

Naruto joined the other Konoha Genin after their teams passed the second round and urged them to rest before the preliminaries. Sasuke began his match against Yoroi Akado, briefly faltered when his Cursed Seal hurt, then recovered and struck Yoroi hard enough to send him crashing into a wall.

• Naruto greeted Kiba, Shikamaru, Ino, Hinata, and the others, who discussed their teams passing the second round.
• Naruto told the newly qualified Genin to rest, while Kiba and the girls praised Sasuke before his match.
• Moonlight Hayate started the fight between Sasuke and Yoroi Akado, and Yoroi charged while boasting that he would win in ten moves.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan, briefly stiffened from pain in his neck, and blocked Yoroi's opening kick.
• Sasuke dodged Yoroi's follow-up strike, punched him in the stomach, and kicked him into the wall.

Sasuke defeated Akado Yoroi almost instantly in the first match of the Chunin Selection Exam, drawing attention from the other contestants and spectators. Kankuro won the second match, and the third match began with Zaku facing Shino Aburame.

• Akado Yoroi surrendered when Sasuke stopped a hand strike just before it hit him, and Gekko Hayate declared Sasuke the winner.
• Kiba Inuzuka, Ino, Sakura Haruno, and the other spectators reacted to Sasuke's overwhelming victory while Naruto considered the Cursed Seal on Sasuke's neck.
• Might Guy praised Sasuke's performance and challenged Kakashi over whose students would fare better in the exam.
• Kankuro defeated another member of Yoroi's team with his puppet and won the second match.
• Zaku began the third match against Shino Aburame, Team 8's strongest member.

Shino Aburame defeated Zaku with his Parasitic Insects, and the preliminary matches continued with Shikamaru defeating Kin and Temari defeating Tenten. Choji entered the arena to face Dosu, but the chapter ended before their match began.

• Shino Aburame trapped Zaku with Parasitic Insects, drained his chakra, and won the third match.
• Shikamaru outmaneuvered Kin with his intelligence and Shadow Possession Jutsu to advance.
• Temari blocked Tenten's weapon barrage with her Three-Star Fan and defeated her with a powerful attack.
• Asuma Sarutobi persuaded Choji to fight Dosu by promising him barbecue and other food, and Choji leaped into the arena.

Dosu defeated Choji with a close-range sound attack, and the seventh match paired Naruto Uzumaki against Kiba Inuzuka. Naruto prepared to hold back against his confident opponent as their friends disagreed over whether Kiba stood a chance.

• Dosu stunned Choji with a full-volume sound attack at close range and won the sixth match.
• Asuma carried unconscious Choji from the arena, while Naruto noted that Dosu had been strong enough to hold back.
• The match board announced Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka, and Kiba eagerly challenged Naruto to fight seriously.
• Naruto landed before Kiba and resolved to limit his strength so Kiba could lose with some dignity.
• Ino and Shikamaru expected a close fight, but Sakura, Hinata, and Shino insisted that Kiba had no chance against Naruto.

Naruto easily countered Kiba and Akamaru’s opening attack, showing the spectators how much stronger he was. Kiba recognized Naruto’s strength and realized Naruto had held back, while Naruto did not press his advantage.

• Sakura and Shino predicted Naruto would defeat Kiba, while Shikamaru watched to judge Naruto’s abilities.
• Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari paid closer attention to Naruto because he reminded them of Gaara’s presence.
• Kiba used the Four Legs Technique and had Akamaru transform into his Beast Human Clone before they charged Naruto from both sides.
• Naruto identified the real Kiba, overpowered his guard, and used Wind Style: Great Breakthrough to wound the clone and knock both figures down.
• Kiba acknowledged that Naruto had nearly defeated them and had deliberately held back.

Naruto defeated Kiba in the seventh match, stopping his strongest technique with his bare hands. Kiba conceded, and Naruto advanced as the Konoha Jonin watched his power closely.

• Kiba sensed that Naruto had been holding back but chose to unleash his full strength.
• Kiba and Akamaru attacked Naruto with the Inuzuka Clan's Secret Technique: Fang Over Fang.
• Naruto stopped the spinning attack with his bare hands and immobilized both Kiba and Akamaru.
• Kiba conceded, and Naruto released him and Akamaru.
• Gekko Hayate announced Naruto Uzumaki as the winner of the seventh match.

Naruto easily defeated Kiba and drew the attention of the other Genin, Jonin, and Gaara. While the Third Hokage believed Naruto would become a loyal protector of Konoha, Naruto had already decided to abandon the village and rebuild the shinobi world from the ground up.

• Asuma watched Naruto defeat Kiba with ease and recognized how formidable Naruto had become.
• Kakashi praised Naruto, Guy celebrated his students, and the Third Hokage privately imagined Naruto following in Minato’s footsteps and perhaps becoming Hokage.
• Naruto rejected his former plan to stay in Konoha and change it from within, deciding instead to tear down the corrupt village and rebuild.
• Neji recognized Naruto as a powerful rival, while Gaara watched him with growing bloodlust that Baki feared might become a rampage.
• Naruto sensed the many gazes on him but ignored them, and Ino praised his strength and found herself increasingly impressed.

Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura were matched against each other in the Chunin Exams, where Sakura used her genjutsu skill and greater combat experience to gain an early advantage. The match’s outcome appeared settled almost as soon as it began, with Ino unaware that Sakura had already misled her.

• The screen announced Yamanaka Ino versus Haruno Sakura, and the former friends welcomed the matchup as the best possible outcome.
• Naruto wished Sakura luck, and Sakura and Ino entered the arena as Choji cheered for Ino.
• Gekko Hayate started the match, and Sakura subtly began influencing Ino with genjutsu.
• Kakashi, Asuma, Guy, Baki, and the other Jonin noticed Sakura’s technique, while Ino remained unaware of it.
• Sakura’s genjutsu and combat experience gave her a decisive advantage from the opening moments.

Sakura defeated Ino with a genjutsu feint, and the preliminary round narrowed to four Genin. Naruto urged Hinata to forfeit after the draw matched her against Neji, but others questioned his request.

• Sakura tricked Ino into believing her Mind Transfer Jutsu had succeeded, then defeated her under genjutsu.
• Sakura explained her tactic to Ino, who accepted the loss and congratulated her.
• The preliminary round narrowed to Gaara, Lee, Neji, and Hinata.
• The screen matched Neji against Hinata, leaving Hinata pale and Neji cold.
• Naruto urged Hinata to forfeit, while Hinata and others challenged his request.

Hinata refused Naruto and her teammates’ advice to forfeit her match against Neji, resolving to fight him herself. After Naruto encouraged her, she faced Neji in the arena, and their Byakugan clash began.

• Kiba and Shino warned Hinata that Neji was dangerous and urged her to forfeit, while Naruto also tried to dissuade her.
• Hinata told Naruto she had to fight Neji, and Naruto accepted her decision and promised to support her.
• Naruto patted Hinata’s head and urged her to give it her all, leaving Hinata flustered but more determined.
• Hinata entered the arena and took the Gentle Fist stance as Sakura, Ino, and Kiba cheered for her.
• Neji urged Hinata to give up, but she declared she would fight to the end and defeat him.
• Gekko Hayate started the match, both Hyuga activated their Byakugan, and Neji lunged at Hinata.