Chapter Summaries

Aizen sat with Kyoka Suigetsu in Las Noches and explained that he had no intention of giving up the opportunity the Hogyoku had brought him in this world. He asked Suigetsu to stay in the outside world, and she ended by asking him to explore it with her.

• Kyoka Suigetsu appeared beside Aizen and complained that he had not visited her for a long time.
• Aizen reassured Suigetsu that she and the Hogyoku were both important to him, and she settled into his embrace.
• Suigetsu asked whether Aizen could find a way back, but Aizen said he would not abandon the opportunity to be in this world.
• Aizen revealed the glowing Hogyoku and told Suigetsu to be kinder to it after she made it dim with her cold stare.
• Aizen asked Suigetsu to stay in the outside world, and she asked him to accompany her around it.

Suigetsu agreed to remain by Aizen’s side, and Aizen allowed her to stay in this world. When Gin visited, Suigetsu recognized him as the boy from the past and confronted him with a terrifying vision of his own burned, chained body.

• Aizen accepted Suigetsu’s request to accompany him as he explored the world.
• Aizen told Suigetsu she could remain in this world, and she chose to stay by his side.
• Gin reported that Starrk, Lilynette, and Tosen had recovered well after receiving the Hollow serum.
• Aizen reminded Gin that power was necessary to protect the person he cared about, and Gin admitted he depended on Aizen.
• Suigetsu recognized Gin and accused him of plotting, then showed him a hellish vision of a burned figure who looked exactly like him.

Aizen explained that the Hollows could evolve when driven into life-or-death despair and revealed why he had sent Kimimaro and the others to Konoha's Chunin Exams. He ordered Gin to inform Starrk and Barragan that they would stop hiding and search the world for the person who made Aizen feel threatened.

• Kyoka Suigetsu showed Gin a terrifying vision of Hell before Aizen stopped her and Gin apologized for his past mistakes.
• Aizen told Gin that Shigeki-ji Go had discovered Hollows evolved through negative emotions and life-or-death despair, not high-pressure training alone.
• Gin realized Aizen had sent Kimimaro and the others out to face danger and push their Hollows to evolve.
• Aizen ordered Gin to inform Starrk and Barragan that they would reveal their tracks and search the world for the person who threatened Aizen.
• Gin left to carry out Aizen's orders, and Kyoka Suigetsu questioned Aizen's decision to reveal their whereabouts as he assured her they had seized the initiative.

Kakashi and Might Guy discussed their teams’ chances as the Chunin Exams began, with Kakashi warning that some foreign examinees were unusually strong. At the exam venue, Lee and his teammates joined the gathered ninjas, where Lee eagerly anticipated facing opponents despite being there for a written test.

• Kakashi saw Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura off to the Chunin Exams and wished Team 7 success.
• Might Guy challenged Kakashi to their 247th battle, but Kakashi declined and asked whether Guy’s team was ready for the exams.
• Kakashi warned Guy that other villages had sent formidable ninja, some stronger than ordinary Chunin-level opponents.
• Might Guy realized he had forgotten to give Neji and the others a pre-exam intelligence briefing, while Kakashi said they could analyze their own opponents.
• Lee and his teammates arrived at the exam venue, where Lee excitedly eyed the gathered examinees and the girl in a qipao reminded him they were taking a written exam.

Neji warned Hinata to stay safe during the Chunin Exams, while revealing his resolve to protect her. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura then reached the building and challenged the examinees blocking its entrance with a genjutsu.

• Lee ignored Tenten as he eagerly watched the gathered examinees, and Neji asked Tenten to look after him during the written test.
• Neji approached Hinata and warned her to be careful, while insisting she observe the boundary between the Main Branch and the Branch Family.
• Tenten teased Neji about caring for Hinata, and Neji privately resolved to protect his little sister at any cost.
• Sasuke called out the genjutsu keeping examinees from entering the building, and Naruto encouraged the threatening examinee to clear their way.

Naruto and Sasuke confronted a group of intimidating ninja outside the Chunin Exams, while Sakura, Neji, Tenten, Ino, and Shikamaru watched. Just as a bald ninja attacked Naruto, a heavy impact and cloud of dust interrupted the confrontation.

• Naruto challenged the fierce-looking ninja who warned him to leave, and promised Sakura he would protect her.
• Sasuke told Sakura he would protect her too, prompting Naruto to resentfully glare at him.
• Tenten and Neji watched the standoff, while Ino and Shikamaru discussed the exam and their chances of placing first.
• A bald ninja flashed toward Naruto and threw a punch, but a heavy impact outside the building raised dust and distracted everyone.

During the Chunin Exams, Rock Lee revealed his strength by stopping a powerful punch, then awkwardly asked Sakura out. As the exam field settled into a farce, a group of Otogakure shinobi watched Naruto and agreed to focus on the exam rather than target the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki for now.

• Gaara warned Kankuro that Sasuke would be troublesome, and Temari urged Kankuro to take Konoha and the Uchiha Clan seriously.
• Rock Lee caught the bald ninja’s punch and introduced himself to Sakura by asking her on a date.
• Naruto challenged Lee over Sakura, but Sakura rejected Lee because of his thick eyebrows and green jumpsuit.
• The bald ninja broke free and warned the Genin to stop chatting, while Sasuke wondered how Lee had approached unnoticed and injured the man’s hand.
• Sakon and the other Otogakure shinobi mocked Naruto, but one of them said they should focus on completing the Chunin Exams and leave the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki alone for now.

The Chunin Exams began as Konoha’s rookies gathered and entered the first written examination. Meanwhile, Minato investigated the discovery of faceless Oborogakure corpses and ordered heightened security after Nawaki warned that the killers might be using their faces to infiltrate the candidates.

• Konoha’s twelve rookies reunited in the corridor, where Naruto chatted with Kiba and Shikamaru noticed a dangerous-looking Sand Ninja carrying a gourd.
• The examinees entered a classroom, and Ibiki Morino introduced himself as the proctor for the first written examination.
• Minato learned from Nawaki Senju that several faceless corpses found in Konoha Forest were identified as Oborogakure examinees.
• Minato ordered Nawaki to alert the Military Police Force and strengthen security while he notified the Anbu.
• Nawaki suggested the attackers had stolen the victims’ faces to infiltrate the Chunin Exams, so Minato ordered a check of the candidate roster for Oborogakure ninja.

Minato ordered an investigation into the erased Oborogakure candidate while Nawaki left the Hokage’s office, and Danzo suspected Orochimaru was behind the incident. As Konoha’s factions went on alert, Orochimaru returned through a spatial rift with Aizen and admitted he wanted to kill someone.

• Minato ordered his subordinates to check whether any Oborogakure ninja had registered for the Chunin Exams and told Nawaki he would rely on him.
• Danzo identified Orochimaru as the likely culprit behind the erased candidate’s face and ordered Root Base deployed throughout Konoha.
• Danzo rejected his subordinate’s suggestion to fabricate charges against Nawaki and vowed to make Root an impregnable force.
• A black rift opened above Konoha, and several figures emerged as Orochimaru said he had returned.
• Aizen asked Orochimaru whether returning to his homeland in a new form made his feelings complicated, and Orochimaru replied that he wanted to kill someone.

Aizen and Orochimaru sent members of Las Noches to observe the Chunin Exams while warning them not to reveal themselves. As they dispersed across Konoha, the second stage of the exams began in the Forest of Death.

• Aizen told Orochimaru and the others that their main purpose was to observe Kimimaro and the others, and Orochimaru agreed to wait while focusing on Hollow research.
• Aizen ordered Gin and the others to observe the power of ninjas, then vanished; Orochimaru left to visit former test subjects.
• Gin invited the group to explore, while Kaname Tosen departed alone and Starrk chose to travel freely with Lilynette.
• Yammy decided to stay with Ulquiorra, who warned the others not to expose their identities or cause trouble for Aizen.
• The Chunin Exam candidates entered the Forest of Death stage, and Naruto eagerly looked forward to showing what he could do.

Naruto deliberately provoked the other examinees so they would come looking for Team 7, hoping to collect an Earth Scroll and reach the tower quickly. As Team 7 entered the Forest of Death, Anko warned them that Naruto had drawn plenty of resentment and that dangerous candidates from other villages were present.

• Naruto's boast drew hostile attention from the Sound Ninja and Gaara's group, and Gaara said he intended to contact Second Pillar during the exam.
• Naruto told Sakura that he had provoked the other examinees to make them come to Team 7, while Sasuke backed the plan and vowed to defeat anyone who challenged them.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke to see who would defeat more enemies, then added that the loser could not pursue Sakura, prompting Sakura to beat him up.
• Naruto, bruised, followed Sakura and Sasuke toward the Forest of Death as the second-stage exam began.
• Anko Mitarashi confronted Team 7 and warned them that Naruto had stirred up resentment and that several dangerous candidates from other villages were competing.

Team 7 entered the Forest of Death determined to win first place after Anko encouraged their confidence. Afterward, Ibiki told Anko that Oborogakure ninja had been found murdered nearby, and she suspected Orochimaru was responsible.

• Naruto and Sasuke declared that Team 7 would take first place, and Anko urged them to race toward victory.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death, bickering as they went.
• Anko sensed someone nearby and threw her leftover skewers at Ibiki, who had appeared on the branch.
• Ibiki told Anko that several Oborogakure ninja had been killed and their faces melted away.
• Anko identified Orochimaru's Vanishing Facial Copy Technique as the likely cause, and Ibiki said the Fifth had ordered them to stop the enemy from sabotaging the Chunin Exams.

Anko and Ibiki were ordered to search the Forest of Death for Orochimaru, while Anbu, Root Base, and the Konoha Military Police Force converged on the area. Unaware that Las Noches had arrived, Senju Nawaki continued to mislead Konoha’s investigation so Kimimaro and the others could proceed through the Chunin Exams and face Aizen’s intended trial.

• Ibiki told Anko that the Fifth Hokage had ordered cooperation with the Konoha Military Police Force, led by Senju Nawaki, and they entered the Forest of Death to search for enemy activity.
• Anbu led by White Tiger rushed toward the Forest of Death to find Orochimaru, while White Tiger privately worried that Nawaki might connect with Root Base.
• Root Base ninja also headed for the Forest of Death, with both they and Anbu racing to find Orochimaru first.
• Senju Nawaki’s forces lagged behind because he was deliberately misleading Konoha’s investigation to help Kimimaro and the others pass the Chunin Exams.
• Aizen had sent Kimimaro and the others to Konoha so they would face extreme pressure at the exams and potentially break through the Hollow’s shackles.
• Senju Nawaki remained unaware that Las Noches had arrived in Konoha.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death and decided to hunt for a scroll and eliminate rival teams before heading to the tower. Kimimaro reunited with the other members of his group and ordered them to eliminate as many exam teams as possible without exposing themselves.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura heard a scream and realized battles had begun in the Forest of Death.
• Naruto proposed finding opponents and taking a scroll before going to the tower, and Sasuke agreed.
• Sakura reluctantly joined Naruto and Sasuke as they headed toward the sound of the battle.
• Kidomaru nearly struck Kimimaro when he appeared behind him, but stopped after recognizing him.
• Kimimaro warned the group not to expose their whereabouts to Konoha's forces.
• Kimimaro ordered the others to eliminate as many exam teams as possible without revealing their identities.

Kimimaro ordered Sakon, Ukon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo to avoid exposing Las Noches as they attacked other examinees. Meanwhile, Starrk and Lilynette explored the human world, and Starrk promised they could remain together by serving Lord Aizen.

• Kimimaro warned the group that excessive violence or actions that disgraced Las Noches would bring punishment.
• After Kimimaro and his followers left, Ukon proposed assassinating the remaining examinees, and Sakon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo agreed.
• Starrk explained to Lilynette that they were in another world, not the human world where Soul Society was located.
• Lilynette said she loved the vibrant world and feared being separated from Starrk again.
• Starrk comforted Lilynette and promised that serving Lord Aizen would let them stay together.

Starrk and Lilynette entered the Forest of Death to assess the ninjas and find a way to help Lord Aizen. They watched Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji defeat three Mist Ninja and search for the scroll they needed.

• Starrk proposed that he and Lilynette contribute to Lord Aizen by seeing the power of the ninjas, and they rushed into the Forest of Death.
• Shikamaru drew three Mist Ninja’s attacks while Ino and Choji prepared a coordinated counterattack.
• Ino immobilized the lead Mist Ninja with the Mind Body Switch Technique, and Shikamaru caught the other two with the Shadow Imitation Technique.
• Choji struck the immobilized Mist Ninja with the Human Bullet Tank, knocking all three down and leaving them unable to fight.
• Shikamaru recovered while Ino and Choji checked the Mist Ninja for their Earth Scroll, unaware that Starrk and Lilynette watched from a tree.

Starrk and Lilynette watched Shikamaru’s team and decided to follow them to learn how ninjas operated, while Starrk vowed to protect Aizen’s plans from future threats. Elsewhere in the Forest of Death, Gaara killed several people and went searching for the Second Pillar as Kaname Tosen observed him and sensed something strange within the boy.

• Starrk told Lilynette that future enemies of Aizen might emerge among the ninjas and recalled Ichigo Kurosaki’s role in Aizen’s previous defeat.
• Starrk and Lilynette decided to follow Shikamaru’s team and study how ninjas operated.
• Gaara used Sand Binding Coffin to kill several people, then said he wanted to find the Second Pillar and kill him.
• Temari and Kankuro followed Gaara into the forest, and Temari reminded Kankuro that Gaara was still their little brother.
• Kaname Tosen watched Gaara’s group depart, sensed something strange within Gaara, and vanished.

Tsunade drank herself unconscious while mourning someone believed to be gone, and Jiraiya found her and cared for her. After a mysterious figure took the yellowed paper and it was burned, Tsunade awoke to the ashes and reacted with grief and anger, while Aizen and a woman appeared above the Forest of Death.

• Tsunade drank in her residence, poured out the remaining liquor, and collapsed asleep while grieving for someone she thought was gone.
• Jiraiya arrived to invite Tsunade to Naruto’s exam, found her unconscious, and put her to bed.
• Jiraiya noticed a yellowed sheet of paper, lamented that its owner had completely left them, and departed.
• A mysterious tall figure picked up the paper and drank from a half-full bottle after Jiraiya left.
• Tsunade awoke, found the paper had been burned to ashes, and struck the corridor in grief and anger.
• Aizen and a woman in a kimono appeared above the Forest of Death, and she asked whether he was all right.

Aizen prepared to begin a full-scale invasion once Kimimaro and the others’ test results arrived, while Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke rested in the Forest of Death during the Chunin Exams. Sasuke left their shelter to keep watch and practiced with his blade atop a tree.

• Aizen told Kyoka Suigetsu that he could not alter people’s thoughts, then said he would begin a full-scale invasion after Kimimaro and the others’ test results came in.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke ate a wild boar Sasuke had killed after Naruto’s noise had scared away a team they were tracking.
• Sakura scolded Naruto for disrupting their attempt to take the team’s scrolls and for interfering when Sasuke faced the boar.
• Sasuke left the tree hollow to watch the surroundings, then climbed a tree and practiced swinging his white short blade.

Sasuke practiced swordsmanship in the forest while Gin Ichimaru, Yammy, and Ulquiorra watched and discussed his talent. Their observation was interrupted when a fleeing ninja was struck by a bone spear, leaving the figures to watch as Aizen’s intended experiment approached.

• Sasuke practiced basic sword slashes with White Fang beneath the night sky.
• Gin Ichimaru and Yammy discussed Sasuke’s talent, while Ulquiorra compared him unfavorably to Uchiha Itachi’s experience with slaughter.
• Gin Ichimaru said the approaching person was the subject Lord Aizen intended to experiment on, and Ulquiorra agreed to observe.
• A disheveled ninja fled through the bushes as Sasuke watched from a tree.
• A bone spear pierced the fleeing ninja’s right lung and pinned him to the ground.