Chapter Summaries

Killer B struggled to reach Starrk, whose relentless Cero and energy wolves threatened to drain him before he could land a hit. The Raikage joined B despite not being fully healed, and the two prepared to face Starrk’s wolf pack together.

• Killer B charged Starrk through a barrage of Cero, using his chakra tentacles to shield himself and anchor his body in a pit.
• Killer B emerged underground to ambush Starrk, but Starrk anticipated him and blasted the ground apart with another volley of Cero.
• Killer B and the Eight-Tails realized Starrk’s attacks could exhaust their chakra before they reached him.
• Starrk split off a pack of enormous energy wolves and sent them after Killer B.
• The Raikage arrived beside Killer B, knocked a wolf away, and said he could still fight despite not fully recovering.

Konoha increased security at the Chunin Exams while Ibiki and Kabuto watched Kidomaru’s disguised group and suspected a larger attack was coming. Kabuto also told Ibiki about Naruto and Sasuke’s encounter with a Rock Ninja unit and Kyoka Suigetsu, leaving Konoha to await the Hokage’s response.

• Konoha doubled the personnel guarding the tower after Sasuke reported Kidomaru, while the disguised group quietly waited among the examinees.
• Ibiki told Kabuto that Kidomaru’s mocking glances suggested he expected events to unfold and that Konoha could only wait for the hidden enemy to act.
• Ibiki confirmed that Orochimaru was likely behind the attack and that Kidomaru’s group were his subordinates.
• Kabuto told Ibiki about Naruto and Sasuke’s encounter with a Rock Ninja unit and Kyoka Suigetsu in the Forest of Death.
• Ibiki reacted with alarm, and Kabuto said he had already sent the intelligence to the Hokage.

Minato decided to investigate Naruto’s report that Aizen might be alive and involved in the Chunin Exams, while Sarutobi warned him that Las Noches could be behind the incident. The chapter ended with Minato preparing to head to the Forest of Death as the Five Kage meeting remained in Sarutobi’s hands.

• Konoha’s elders questioned Kabuto’s report that Aizen was alive, but Minato said Konoha could not ignore the possibility.
• Minato announced that he would personally verify the report in the Forest of Death, and Sarutobi agreed to handle the Five Kage meeting.
• After the meeting, Sarutobi privately discussed Kyoka Suigetsu with Minato and noted Minato’s and Jiraiya’s lingering feelings toward Aizen.
• Sarutobi warned that Orochimaru and suspected Rock Ninja forces might be involved in the Chunin Exams, and suggested Las Noches could be behind the incident.

The Third Hokage prepared Konoha for a possible crisis while Minato traveled through the Forest of Death and was attacked by Gin Ichimaru. Recognizing Gin as a survivor of the Battle of Rock Peak, Minato confronted him about Las Noches’ opposition to the Ninja World.

• The Third Hokage warned himself that Orochimaru and Las Noches would have to reveal their plans while he could still protect Konoha.
• Minato left Konoha with Anbu members and Hokage guards as the village and Chunin Exam grounds strengthened their defenses.
• Gin Ichimaru attacked Minato with Shinso, but Minato evaded the strike with a clone.
• Minato recognized Gin as the man from the Battle of Rock Peak, and Gin recalled that Aizen had once praised Minato’s potential.
• Minato sensed Gin’s extraordinary control of his power and asked why Las Noches still opposed the Ninja World after Aizen’s death.

Gin explained Las Noches’ plan to replace the ninja villages’ rule, but Minato rejected his offer and opposed his goal of dismantling the ninja system. Gin attacked Minato and then turned his extended blade on the Hokage’s guards as they launched a counterattack.

• Minato questioned why Las Noches continued fighting after Aizen’s death, and Gin said it intended to replace the ninja villages with Las Noches’ rule and grant people power.
• Minato rejected Gin’s offer, insisting that people would not accept being controlled and that they could never agree on dismantling ninja power.
• Gin attacked Minato with Shinso, but Minato escaped using the Flying Thunder God technique, narrowly avoiding a fatal wound.
• Minato warned the Anbu and Hokage guards to retreat, but they had already launched Forbidden Techniques and Fire Style attacks at Gin.
• Gin used Shinso: Blade Dance Chain to send out a barrage of extending blades and destroy most of the incoming attacks.

Gin killed the Anbu ninja who attacked him, leaving Minato to face him alone after ordering the survivors to return to Konoha with the intelligence and their fallen comrades. Minato questioned whether Gin’s disregard for ninja lives reflected Aizen’s beliefs, and Gin suggested that Aizen might not think the same way.

• Gin’s extending blade shattered the incoming ninjutsu and killed an Anbu ninja, then more than a dozen Anbu collapsed from their wounds.
• Minato arrived and ordered the remaining Anbu and Hokage guards to return to Konoha with the intelligence and the fallen comrades’ bodies.
• After the others left, Minato confronted Gin about his disregard for the lives of the ninja he had killed.
• Minato asked whether Aizen shared Gin’s beliefs, and Gin replied that Aizen might not be like him.

Minato confronted Gin Ichimaru over his attack on the people, but Gin’s extended Shinso kept him on the defensive. Minato summoned Fukasaku and Shima to help him, and the Toad Sages narrowly avoided Gin’s strike.

• Gin told Minato that Captain Aizen would have spared the people only because they were too weak to matter, then prepared to fight seriously.
• Minato declared that he would not let Gin escape, and Gin attacked him with Shinso.
• Minato used his space ninjutsu to dodge as Gin extended and swung Shinso through the forest, cutting down scores of trees.
• Minato decided he needed Sage Mode and summoned Fukasaku and Shima.
• Gin slashed at the Toad Sages, and Fukasaku and Shima leaped aside just in time.

Minato faced Gin, a member of Las Noches who had once followed Aizen, with Fukasaku and Shima at his side. After Fukasaku deflected Gin’s first attack, he and Minato prepared to use Sage Mode.

• Gin questioned Minato about the technique that had evaded his slash, while Minato asked Fukasaku and Shima for help.
• Fukasaku sensed danger from Gin, and Minato revealed that Gin was a member of Las Noches who had once followed Aizen.
• Fukasaku and Shima recalled their fear of Aizen, while Gin mocked them as mere frogs and threatened to kill the sages.
• Gin sent Shinso toward Fukasaku and Shima, but Fukasaku used Frog Strike Palm to knock the blade aside.
• Fukasaku warned that Gin would try another attack and told Minato they would have to use Sage Mode; Minato agreed.

Minato gathered natural energy while Gin explained that he served Las Noches, which he considered far beyond the Ninja World’s system. Minato entered a golden chakra state, vowed to unite the Five Kage against Las Noches, and launched a surprise attack on Gin, who prepared to counter with Shinso.

• Fukasaku and Shima warned Minato to keep gathering natural energy while they dealt with Gin, and Fukasaku questioned why Gin opposed the Ninja World.
• Gin said he did not consider himself a ninja and claimed Las Noches could grant even civilians power beyond the Kage level.
• Minato activated a golden chakra form and told Fukasaku he would reunite the Five Kage to plan against Las Noches.
• Minato charged at Gin, threw specially made Kunai, and used them to appear beside Gin with an enormous Big Ball Rasengan.
• Gin vanished from Minato’s strike and reappeared before him, drawing Shinso and calling out, “Shoot to kill, Shinso!”

Minato and Gin continued their deadly fight, each revealing techniques that made the other difficult to track. As Gin unleashed Kamishini no Yari, Minato barely dodged its nearly imperceptible strike, while an unknown observer watched from above the Forest of Death.

• Gin used Sonído to escape Minato's Big Ball Rasengan, and Minato and Fukasaku sensed that Gin had used a space-time technique.
• Minato and Gin prepared to fight in earnest, while Fukasaku and Shima promised to seek an opening to help Minato.
• An unknown figure watched Minato's Sage Mode battle from above the Forest of Death and recognized Jiraiya's Sage Mode.
• Minato formed four golden chains to track Gin's movements as Gin prepared Kamishini no Yari.
• Gin's strike pierced a tree behind Minato, but Minato dodged it through Sage Mode perception, leaving him and the two sages shocked by the sword's speed.

Minato and the Toad Sages discovered that Gin’s attacks came from his extending sword and devised a trap to seal him. They impaled Gin with their combined attacks, but his voice suggested the ambush might not have finished him.

• Minato and Fukasaku realized Gin’s sword could extend invisibly and cut down trees from a distance.
• Minato and Fukasaku prepared a coordinated assault while Gin challenged them to show their plan.
• Minato attacked Gin with a Big Ball Rasengan as Fukasaku and Shima used Frog Strike Palm, but Gin’s sword pierced what appeared to be Minato.
• Minato revealed himself beneath Gin and bound him with golden chains using Four Gold Sealing.
• Fukasaku and Shima struck the immobilized Gin with Tongue Battle Slash and Water Blade, impaling him.
• Minato, Fukasaku, and Shima thought they had won, but Gin remarked that he had been ambushed because he let his guard down.

Gin confronted Minato and revealed Las Noches’s plan to give humans access to power, arguing that they would choose it over their ninja identities. After breaking Minato’s sealing chains and displaying overwhelming strength, Gin declared that Las Noches aimed to liberate the world by using humanity as a resource to create more monsters.

• Gin healed his wounds instantly while bound by Minato’s Four Gold Sealing and told Minato that he did not consider himself human.
• Gin said Las Noches would offer power to anyone who wanted it, but Minato argued that its power could not replace the ninja way.
• Gin snapped Minato’s golden chains with sheer strength and released an immense aura that overwhelmed Minato and the toads.
• Fukasaku urged Minato to retreat, and Minato asked Gin what Las Noches wanted.
• Gin said Las Noches intended to liberate the world from the ninja system and use humanity to create more monsters.

Minato and Fukasaku decided to retreat from Gin after recognizing that Las Noches threatened to destabilize the Ninja World. Gin let Minato escape, then discussed the mission with Aizen, whose plans for the Five Great Ninja Villages remained unclear.

• Fukasaku warned Minato that Las Noches could give civilians ninja-level strength and throw the Ninja World into chaos.
• Minato chose to retreat and vowed to kill Gin Ichimaru and avenge the Konoha ninja who had died by his hand.
• Fukasaku blocked Gin's Kamishini no Yari with Frog Call Wall, allowing Minato to escape, then disappeared in a puff of smoke to evade Gin's attack.
• Gin said killing Minato would be difficult and explained that the mission was not intended to kill the Five Kage.
• Aizen emerged from the forest and said he planned to use the existing Kage in his arrangements, while Gin asked whether he cared about the villages only for resources to create an army of Hollows.

Aizen and Gin joined Suigetsu to watch the Chunin Exam matches after Aizen ordered his forces to stop hindering the Five Kage's arrival. In the arena, Sasuke struggled against Gaara's relentless sand as Naruto and the others watched.

• Suigetsu told Aizen that Naruto and Sasuke had shown remarkable qualities during the Chunin Exams and invited him to watch Sasuke's match.
• Aizen opened a spatial void and left with Gin and Suigetsu, ordering Gin to let the forces hindering the Five Kage return and to observe the Kage and Kimimaro's group.
• Naruto narrowly defeated Omoi in the first match, and Kurotsuchi overwhelmed Mist Hunter in the second.
• Sasuke faced Gaara, who restrained himself while his sand attacked Sasuke and left him struggling.
• Naruto urged Sasuke to attack, while Sakura scolded Naruto and Omoi and Karui watched the match and predicted Sasuke would lose.

Sasuke fought Gaara in the arena, but his fear of Gaara’s killing power left him unable to react to a sudden attack. Gaara’s sand closed in as he declared Sasuke should prepare to die.

• Gaara’s sand struck Sasuke and slammed him into the arena wall, while Kurotsuchi watched and declared her intention to win honor for Iwagakure.
• Shikamaru questioned why Sasuke seemed restrained, and Sakura explained that she, Naruto, and Sasuke had witnessed Gaara brutally kill Mist Ninja in the Forest of Death.
• Gaara raised his head, recalled that he had nearly lost control, and told Sasuke he could sense his fear.
• Gaara sent a mass of sand toward Sasuke from behind, and Sasuke froze as memories of Gaara’s killing made him believe he would die.
• Gaara told Sasuke to prepare to die as the sand attack approached.

Naruto's shout snapped Sasuke out of his apparent daze and prompted him to face Gaara head-on. Sasuke used the Sharingan and Lightning Style: True Chidori to launch a rapid attack, leaving the spectators stunned as the fight continued.

• Naruto shouted at Sasuke, who awakened his Sharingan and dodged Gaara's sand attacks.
• Naruto urged Sasuke to stop retreating and defeat Gaara, while Sasuke resolved to overcome him before pursuing his deeper goal.
• Sasuke charged Gaara with White Fang, and Gaara raised a huge wall of sand to stop him.
• Sasuke used Lightning Style: True Chidori to boost his speed and race through the arena.
• Neji, Rock Lee, Karui, and Omoi reacted with shock to Sasuke's speed and technique.

Sasuke struggled to penetrate Gaara’s sand defense while Aizen, Gin, and Kyoka Suigetsu secretly discussed Sasuke’s hidden potential and plans to test his desire for power. The chapter ended as Sasuke’s thrown kunai changed direction through collisions, revealing a clever attack on Gaara.

• Sasuke repeatedly attacked Gaara but could not break through his sand defense.
• Aizen, Gin, and Kyoka Suigetsu watched the match while concealed, and Kyoka Suigetsu discussed recruiting Sasuke for Las Noches after he learned the truth about himself.
• Aizen said Kidomaru would test Sasuke’s desire for power and agreed to let Kyoka Suigetsu proceed with her plans.
• Sasuke threw kunai and began forming hand seals as Gaara sent a giant sand hand toward him.
• Sasuke’s kunai struck one another and changed trajectories toward Gaara, surprising the spectators.

Sasuke’s kunai attack failed to get past Gaara’s sand, so he tried to overwhelm him with the Dragon Flame Jutsu. Gaara’s Sand Waterfall broke through the flames and trapped Sasuke in a Sand Binding Coffin, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Sasuke used precise kunai throws, but Gaara’s sand blocked every attack.
• Sasuke unleashed the Dragon Flame Jutsu as Gaara sent a Sand Waterfall crashing toward him.
• Gin praised Sasuke’s strategy, while Aizen said he lacked the strength to make it work and told Kyoka Suigetsu to intervene after Kidomaru and the others acted.
• Gaara broke through Sasuke’s weakening flames and trapped him in a Sand Binding Coffin, leaving the onlookers wondering whether the match was decided.

Sasuke, bound by Gaara’s sand, provoked him into losing control and revealed that he had hidden nearby in disguise. Sasuke struck Gaara with Chidori, but Gaara’s sand began engulfing Sasuke as his body started to break apart, while Aizen told Suigetsu that Sasuke’s weakness would make it easier for him to act.

• Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kurotsuchi watched as Gaara bound Sasuke in sand and declared him unworthy of pity.
• Sasuke insulted Gaara as a coward who used killing to flee from reality, provoking Gaara into striking the arena floor and threatening to kill him.
• Sasuke’s apparent body crumbled inside the sand, revealing that he had transformed into a kunai and hidden nearby before rushing at Gaara.
• Sasuke pierced Gaara’s chest with Chidori, but Gaara clutched his head and cried that he had been hurt.
• Gaara’s sand surged around Sasuke’s arm and began spreading over his body as Gaara’s own body shed sand.
• Aizen told Suigetsu that Sasuke’s weak power would make it easier for Suigetsu to act.

Sasuke exhausted himself dodging Gaara’s sand and was unable to turn the fight around. Gaara caught him with Sand Binding Coffin and broke his right arm, leaving the battle’s outcome clear.

• Temari worried that Sasuke had injured Gaara, while Kankuro feared the consequences if Gaara lost control.
• Gaara unleashed waves of sand as Sasuke repeatedly used Chidori to break free and evade.
• Gin and Aizen predicted that Sasuke’s run was about to end, and Neji told Lee that Sasuke had run out of chakra and lost.
• Gaara caught Sasuke with sand and used Sand Binding Coffin, twisting and breaking Sasuke’s right arm.
• Sakura cried out for Sasuke as the examinees realized that Gaara’s sand had something strange about it.