Recaps

Sasuke encountered Kidomaru and learned that a larger force connected to Las Noches was testing him and Naruto, while Gaara and other examinees faced deadly attacks in the Forest of Death. As evidence mounted that dozens of candidates had been killed, Konoha investigated Orochimaru’s return and the Raikage prepared to visit the Chunin Exams.

• Sasuke found a dying Kusagakure ninja, accepted his request to deliver two scrolls to Gui Zhi, and fought Kidomaru, who recognized Sasuke as an Uchiha before defeating him.
• Aizen ordered Kidomaru to test Sasuke and instructed him to have Kimimaro test Naruto, while Sasuke resolved to learn what Kidomaru and Las Noches were.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched Gaara kill three Kirigakure ninja with his sand after Kankuro and Temari fought them.
• Orochimaru confronted Anko, removed her curse mark, and tried to recruit her, but Anko rejected him and vowed to kill him.
• Aizen told Orochimaru that Naruto and Sasuke’s strange fluctuations suggested gods existed and that he had not reached the pinnacle of power.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji discovered that many teams had been killed, withdrew from the exam, and reported that the attackers had collected scrolls from at least fourteen teams.
• Sasuke’s team reached the tower after forcing Kirigakure examinees to surrender, and a proctor warned them that nearly forty candidates might have been deliberately killed.
• Starrk and Lilynette met Kaname Tosen near Death Tower, while the Raikage ordered Killer B to prepare for their trip to Konoha and consult the Tsuchikage through Darui.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached the Chunin Exam tower after a battle with reanimated Iwagakure ninja and learned that Aizen and Las Noches were moving against the Five Kage. Yammy confronted Mei Terumi, while Ulquiorra blocked Ōnoki’s path to Konoha and explained Aizen’s ambition.

• Rasa ended Sunagakure’s understanding with Iwagakure, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura found Suigetsu in the Forest of Death and invited her to travel with them.
• Aizen sent reanimated Iwagakure ninja against Naruto and Sasuke, and Yan Shou’s detachment fought them while struggling against its control.
• Naruto and Sasuke survived the battle, and Kabuto revealed Aizen’s identity before warning Naruto to leave the exams, and Naruto chose to continue.
• Kyoka Suigetsu asked Aizen to let her recruit Naruto and Sasuke, while Aizen dispatched Las Noches members to intercept the approaching Five Kage.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached the tower, where Gaara threatened Sasuke and Naruto challenged him.
• Yammy intercepted Mei Terumi’s party, defeated Ao and Zabuza, and faced Mei as she vowed to kill him.
• Ulquiorra blocked Ōnoki’s route to Konoha and said Aizen had sought to bring forth a new species beyond humanity.

Starrk and Gin fought the Cloud and Konoha forces while Las Noches revealed its plan to overthrow the ninja system. Minato escaped Gin as Aizen withdrew, and Sasuke faced Gaara at the Chunin Exams while fear left him unable to fight back.

• Ōnoki and Kitsuchi tried to coordinate the Rock Ninja against Ulquiorra, while Starrk and Lilynette confronted Darui and Samui before the Fourth Raikage arrived.
• Starrk released Los Lobos and fought the Raikage and Killer B, who risked themselves to protect the Cloud Ninja as the battle left them badly wounded.
• Ibiki and Kabuto connected Kidomaru’s group to Orochimaru and warned Konoha’s leaders about Aizen and Kyoka Suigetsu, prompting Minato to investigate the Forest of Death.
• Gin attacked Minato and revealed Las Noches intended to replace the ninja villages’ rule by giving people power, then killed several Anbu who tried to stop him.
• Minato summoned Fukasaku and Shima, entered Sage Mode, and briefly bound Gin, but Gin healed, broke the golden chains, and explained Las Noches’ plan to create more monsters.
• Minato retreated with Fukasaku’s help as Aizen appeared and said he intended to use the existing Kage in his plans, then left with Gin and Suigetsu.
• Naruto narrowly defeated Omoi and Kurotsuchi beat Mist Hunter before Sasuke faced Gaara, whose sand overwhelmed him as memories of Gaara killing Mist Ninja left him frozen.

As the Chunin Exams continued, Sasuke lost to Gaara and was left with severe injuries while Las Noches’ attacks drew the other villages toward Konoha. Kakashi’s search for Gin ended with Pakkun sensing a terrifying presence, and Sakumo began to suspect Aizen might be involved.

• Sasuke used speed, feints, and Chidori against Gaara, but Gaara’s sand overwhelmed him and broke his right arm before Kimimaro stopped Gaara from attacking again.
• After Sasuke was carried away, a medical ninja warned that his injuries could cause lasting harm, while Gaara warned Temari and Kankuro to avoid Kimimaro.
• Mei Terumi declared Kirigakure an enemy of Las Noches, and Ōnoki, the Raikage, and other leaders responded to attacks and threats as the villages gathered in Konoha.
• Minato prepared Konoha’s defenses and a barrier while Sakumo and Dai joined the effort, and Kakashi and Might Guy tracked Gin’s scent to the tower.
• Pakkun led Kakashi, Guy, Sakumo, and Dai to the arena stands, then recoiled in terror and warned them to flee from the presence he sensed.
• Sakon appeared from Sasuke’s body in the infirmary, restrained him, and said he had come to show him the truth of the world.
• Pakkun confirmed Gin’s trail ended where he disappeared, and Kakashi suspected space-time ninjutsu while Sakumo and Dai considered whether Aizen was involved.