Chapter Summaries

The third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams began with Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga selected for the opening match. As Genma Shiranui finished explaining the rules, Naruto and Neji faced each other and exchanged predictions about the fight.

• Ten Genin gathered in silence, while Sakura felt uneasy and Dosu prepared to kill Sasuke during the day's matches.
• Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, took his seat beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, who announced the start of the third round.
• Genma Shiranui sent the other eight Genin to the waiting room and told Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga to stay for the first match.
• Sakura wished Naruto luck, while Sasuke and Shino nodded to him before leaving for the waiting room.
• Genma explained that the match would end when he intervened, and Naruto and Neji prepared to fight.
• Naruto called their matchup fate, and Neji declared that Naruto would lose.

Naruto and Neji began their match, trading Shadow Clone attacks and Gentle Fist counters before Naruto struck Neji with a kick and punch. Naruto followed with a Wind Blade, but Neji used the Hyuga Clan’s Rotation to block it, leaving both fighters ready to continue.

• Genma Shiranui started the match, and Naruto charged Neji while creating more than a dozen Shadow Clones.
• Neji used his Byakugan and Gentle Fist to identify and eliminate several of Naruto’s clones, but Naruto concealed himself among them and rushed in.
• Naruto landed a kick on Neji’s crossed arms and punched him in the abdomen, sending him skidding across the ground.
• Naruto launched a Wind Blade at Neji, who spun with Rotation and blocked the attack without serious injury.

Naruto dismissed Neji’s Rotation and challenged his belief that fate set everyone’s limits. He launched a coordinated attack with Shadow Clones and Wind Style, and Neji responded with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms as their clash continued.

• Hiashi and Hanabi watched Neji demonstrate Rotation, while Tenten expected him to defeat Naruto and Hinata watched with a complicated expression.
• Neji argued that fate fixed people’s limits and said Naruto could not surpass his own potential.
• Naruto mocked Neji’s belief in fate and rushed forward with Shadow Clones and Wind Style: Great Breakthrough.
• Neji assumed the Gentle Fist stance and struck the chakra points of several approaching Naruto clones with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

Naruto shattered Neji’s Rotation with a Rasengan, then deliberately diverted the attack and defeated him with a close-range strike. Neji lay unable to rise and asked Naruto why he had spared him.

• Neji planned to defend, conserve chakra, and wait for Naruto to tire, but Naruto’s stamina far exceeded his expectations.
• Naruto used his earlier attacks to maneuver Neji into the air, then appeared above him with a Rasengan.
• Neji used Rotation against the Rasengan, but Naruto’s attack broke through the barrier and sent the onlookers into alarm.
• Naruto shifted the Rasengan’s path at the last moment, striking the ground beside Neji instead of killing him.
• Naruto lunged through the dust and hit Neji in the abdomen and face, knocking him down and leaving him unable to stand.
• Neji met Naruto’s gaze and quietly asked him why.

Naruto defeated Neji and challenged his belief that fate controlled his life, leaving Neji confused and reconsidering his convictions. The crowd celebrated Naruto’s victory as Kakashi and Guy praised his strength.

• Neji asked Naruto why he had spared him, and Naruto said Hinata treated Neji like a brother.
• Naruto told Neji to reject fate and believe that people could shape their own paths, leaving Neji uncertain about his beliefs.
• Genma Shiranui declared Naruto Uzumaki the winner, and the arena erupted in cheers.
• Choji, Ino, Kiba, Hinata, and the others celebrated Naruto’s victory, while Hinata worried as medical staff carried Neji away.
• Might Guy praised Naruto’s strength, and Kakashi credited Naruto’s talent and diligence.

Naruto defeated Neji and reflected on Konoha’s decline as he left the arena. Temari and Shikamaru entered the next match, with Shikamaru unexpectedly choosing to fight on his own.

• Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, watched Naruto with interest while Gaara reacted fiercely to his presence.
• Naruto’s victory over Neji shocked the spectators, and Hiashi went to the medical room intending to resolve matters with Neji.
• Naruto dismissed the crowd’s cheers as he left the arena, hoping the Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja would not disappoint him.
• Genma Shiranui called Temari and Shikamaru for the second match, and Temari leapt into the arena.
• Shikamaru remembered a conversation with his father and surprised Naruto and the others by jumping down to fight willingly.

Naruto congratulated his teammates after defeating Neji and exchanged a brief, pointed conversation with Sasuke before Temari and Shikamaru began their match. Temari seized control with a relentless series of Wind Release attacks, while Naruto explained how her tactics had put Shikamaru on the defensive.

• Sakura and Shino congratulated Naruto on winning his match against Neji.
• Naruto asked Sasuke if he was ready, and Sasuke answered that he was.
• Sasuke met Gaara's murderous gaze without backing down, while the spectators anticipated the coming Gaara-versus-Sasuke match.
• Genma Shiranui started the second match, and Temari attacked Shikamaru with her Three-Star Fan and Wind Release jutsu.
• Naruto told the others that Temari's seamless transitions between basic techniques had let her take the initiative and leave Shikamaru struggling to respond.

Naruto explained to Sakura that Shikamaru was testing Temari and setting up a single decisive attack. Shikamaru outmaneuvered Temari, who conceded, and Genma Shiranui declared him the winner.

• Shino and Naruto told Sakura that Shikamaru was studying Temari’s attacks and needed one opening for a decisive strike.
• Naruto explained that Shikamaru was using false information and Temari’s intelligence to bait her.
• Shikamaru extended his shadow through gaps in the wall and used a miniature parachute to lure Temari into his trap.
• Shikamaru took control of Temari and made her swing her Three-Star Fan toward his head before stopping her.
• Temari conceded, and Genma Shiranui announced Shikamaru Nara as the winner of the match.

Sasuke faced Gaara in the third match while Naruto reassured Sakura that Sasuke would avoid Lee’s fate. As Sand and Sound forces prepared to attack Konoha, Sasuke launched a fierce assault on Gaara, aiming to build his reputation while helping the Sand Ninja’s plan.

• Shikamaru returned to the waiting room after winning his match, where Sakura and Shino congratulated him.
• Sasuke and Gaara entered the arena, drawing the crowd’s attention as the third match began.
• Sakura asked Naruto whether Sasuke could beat Gaara, and Naruto reassured her that Sasuke would not be badly injured like Lee.
• Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja forces approached Konoha while spies hid inside the village, and Orochimaru watched from the stands disguised as the "Fourth Kazekage."
• Sasuke used Lightning Release, Lee’s copied Taijutsu, and ninjutsu to overwhelm Gaara’s defenses and keep the spectators cheering.

Sasuke dominated Gaara until Gaara began preparing for his One-Tail transformation, while Naruto’s preparations helped set the invasion into motion. The chapter ended as Yakushi Kabuto’s genjutsu signaled the start of the war.

• Sasuke used his enhanced speed and taijutsu to wear down Gaara’s Sand Armor while spectators cheered.
• Gaara’s anger grew, and he unleashed the Desert Wave Technique, enclosing himself in a massive sphere of sand as Temari and the other Sand Ninja feared he was transforming too soon.
• Sasuke retreated to the arena wall and prepared to act while Naruto watched from the waiting room, confident that he had prepared for the Absolute Barrier.
• Yakushi Kabuto cast the Temple of Nirvana Technique from the stands, prompting Konoha’s Jonin and Chunin to recognize that the invasion had begun.

The Sand and Sound Ninja launched the Konoha Crush, prompting battles to erupt across the village while Orochimaru confronted the Third Hokage inside a barrier. Naruto focused on protecting civilians and officials, then teamed up with Sasuke to secure the nobles as he prepared to pursue his own plans.

• Baki and the Sand Ninja joined the Sound Ninja attack, while Orochimaru revealed himself to the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Kakashi, Guy, Genma Shiranui, and other Konoha Jonin clashed with Baki as Kankuro and Temari gathered near Gaara's sand sphere.
• Sand and Sound forces invaded Konoha, and a giant serpent smashed through the village walls.
• Naruto sent Sakura and Shino to protect the villagers, then confirmed that Hinata was with Hyuga Hiashi and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kakashi ordered Naruto and Sasuke to protect the visiting officials and escort the Daimyo to safety.
• Naruto and Sasuke reached the officials' platform, where Naruto quickly defeated two Sound Ninja.

As Konoha was attacked by the allied Sound and Sand Ninja, Naruto escorted officials and nobles toward safety before slipping away to the Uzumaki Clan Mask Storage Hall. He found and took the Death God Mask, leaving its future use undecided.

• Jiraiya held the main gate against the attackers while Konoha's defenders struggled across the village to protect civilians.
• Naruto and Sasuke killed attackers and escorted the genjutsu-sleeping officials and nobles toward a rear shelter.
• Naruto left a Shadow Clone with Sasuke and secretly headed for the Uzumaki Clan Mask Storage Hall.
• Naruto sensed the Death God Mask among the stored masks and took it.
• As Naruto prepared to leave, he stopped and looked back.

Naruto collected the masks from the hall and headed to steal the Scroll of Sealing during Konoha’s invasion. On the way, Yakumo Kurama’s genjutsu trapped him, and a huge castle appeared in the illusion.

• Naruto wondered what the remaining masks could reveal about the supernatural forces in the world, then took every mask from the hall.
• Naruto set off to steal the Scroll of Sealing from the Third Hokage’s residence while Konoha was engulfed in battle around Shukaku.
• Naruto sensed an unfamiliar presence and realized he had been caught in a powerful genjutsu.
• Naruto identified Yakumo Kurama as the likely caster and considered how Ido could amplify her control over the senses.
• A huge castle appeared in the illusion, and Naruto regarded it with caution.

Naruto entered the castle within Yakumo Kurama’s genjutsu to confront its caster and escape the illusion. He found Yakumo painting him in a Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak, and she asked what color he thought his soul was.

• Naruto asked Kurama how to escape the genjutsu, and Kurama said he would have to find the caster and make them dispel it or kill them.
• Naruto entered the castle and followed a dark corridor deeper into Yakumo Kurama’s illusory domain.
• Naruto found Yakumo painting a scene of him wearing a red Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak.
• Yakumo turned toward Naruto and asked what color he thought his soul was.

Naruto questioned Yakumo Kurama about the strange world she had pulled him into, but she became fascinated by his soul and attacked when he refused to reveal his secrets. Naruto struggled to evade her powerful illusions without access to chakra, while Yakumo’s inability to analyze him remained unexplained.

• Naruto asked Yakumo Kurama why she had brought him into the world, and she described the unusual colors she saw in his soul.
• Naruto said souls had no color and asked Yakumo to let him leave, but she insisted she would discover his secrets herself.
• Yakumo attacked Naruto with a violent gust of wind, and he found he could not sense chakra or use ninjutsu.
• Yakumo summoned blazing fireballs above Naruto, forcing him to dodge as he considered the dangers and possible limits of her genjutsu.
• Yakumo had previously tried to analyze Naruto, but a blood-red power covered her canvas whenever she approached anything essential about him.

Naruto fought Yakumo Kurama in her illusion, but Ido emerged and seized control of his senses. Kurama suppressed Ido, and Naruto awoke in his inner world with Kurama and the cowering creature before him.

• Yakumo Kurama used her control of the illusion to attack Naruto with changing terrain and environmental hazards.
• Naruto charged Yakumo, cut through her defenses, and reached her before Ido took control of her body.
• Ido emerged from Yakumo and entered Naruto, trapping him in darkness and taking control of his senses.
• Kurama suppressed Ido's power, freeing Naruto and drawing him into the familiar inner sewer.
• Naruto found Kurama beside a horned, blue-faced creature cowering in a corner.

Naruto confronted Ido in his mental world, where the Nine-Tails’ presence left the creature terrified, and he destroyed it, gaining a small increase in mental strength. He returned to Satomi Hill Villa and found Yakumo Kurama nearby, while the surrounding Kurama Clan ninja lay unconscious.

• Naruto mocked Ido’s claim that it was Yakumo Kurama and accused it of hiding Yakumo’s memories and killing her parents.
• Ido realized Naruto could read its memories and sensed that Naruto could destroy it.
• Naruto bound Ido with golden threads and compressed it until it exploded and vanished.
• Naruto thanked the Nine-Tails and left his mental world.
• Naruto woke near Satomi Hill Villa, found several Kurama Clan ninja unconscious, and saw Yakumo Kurama.

After regaining her memories and learning that Ido had been part of herself, Yakumo asked Naruto to help her, saying she could trust no one else. Naruto tried to steer her toward trusting Konoha again, but Yakumo revealed she knew his hatred of the village, prompting him to prepare to attack her.

• Yakumo introduced herself to Naruto and confessed that her recovered memories had overturned everything she believed about herself.
• Yakumo asked Naruto for help and voiced her fear that the monster she had blamed might appear again.
• Naruto suggested Yakumo return to her clan and trust Kurenai, but Yakumo accused them and the Third Hokage of trying to kill her.
• Naruto argued that Konoha could accept Yakumo now that Ido was gone, but she said she could only trust him.
• Yakumo claimed Naruto was like her and hated Konoha, making Naruto tense and ready to strike.

Naruto confronted Yakumo after learning that she had glimpsed his secret plan to leave Konoha. Yakumo asked him to take her with him, and Naruto began weighing the risk of keeping her secret against the value of her genjutsu talent as an ally.

• Naruto threatened Yakumo and demanded to know how she had learned about his plans.
• Yakumo explained that she had seen fragments of his memories through Ido, including his name and decision to leave Konoha.
• Yakumo promised not to reveal what she knew and asked Naruto to take her with him when he left Konoha.
• Naruto was shocked by Yakumo's request but considered making her an ally because of her powerful genjutsu abilities.

Naruto agreed to help Yakumo Kurama leave Konoha after she insisted she accepted the risks, but he planned to place a safeguard on her first. He promised to return within ten days, then left to handle urgent matters elsewhere in the village.

• Naruto weighed Yakumo's potential as a future ally against the risks of trusting her and decided to accept her request.
• Naruto warned Yakumo that leaving Konoha could be dangerous, and Yakumo said she would rather leave than remain somewhere she felt rejected and unsafe.
• Naruto told Yakumo he would place a safeguard on her before they left, and she agreed to wait for him.
• Yakumo said she could alter the unconscious relatives' memories with genjutsu to keep them from causing a commotion.
• Naruto promised to return within ten days, left Yakumo in hiding, and rushed toward the place where he had left the nobles and officials.