Chapter Summaries

Gaara defeated Sasuke, then tried to kill him after the match until Kimimaro intervened and stopped the sand attack. Sasuke was carried away, confused by the Otogakure group’s intentions, while Aizen and Gin discussed the situation.

• Gaara defeated Sasuke, and the referee declared him the winner.
• Gaara ignored the referee’s order to stop and sent sand blades toward the injured Sasuke.
• Kimimaro appeared in the arena and shattered the sand blades before they could reach Sasuke.
• Kimimaro left the arena, and the referee warned Gaara that another attack would cost him his examinee qualification.
• Medical ninja carried Sasuke away, and he saw Kidomaru watching him with a cruel smile.
• Gin told Aizen that Kimimaro had honored his wishes, and Aizen said Konoha would have no time to focus on them.

After Sasuke lost to Gaara, medical ninjas warned that his shattered right arm might suffer lasting damage, though Naruto hoped Tsunade could heal it. Hinata prepared to fight Jin Ling as Neji anxiously urged her to withdraw if she was in danger, while Aizen watched and wondered what Minato would think of the Hyuga Clan.

• Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru gathered around Sasuke after his match, and Naruto tried to cheer him up.
• A medical ninja revealed that Sasuke's right arm bones were nearly completely shattered and that his overuse of damaging ninjutsu might leave lasting harm.
• Naruto suggested that Tsunade could heal Sasuke, and the medical ninja encouraged him not to lose hope.
• Neji warned Hinata to stop her match if she could not continue, and Tenten teased him about how much he cared for her.
• Hinata entered the arena to face Jin Ling, while Neji watched nervously and Aizen wondered how Minato would react to the Hyuga Clan.

Kimimaro saved Second Pillar from Gaara during the Chunin Exams, while battles between Las Noches and the Five Great Nations left Kirigakure devastated. The chapter ended with an unidentified Las Noches fighter heading toward Konoha and survivors emerging from a ruined canyon.

• Gaara returned to the Sand Ninja group and warned Temari and Kankuro not to fight Kimimaro if they encountered him.
• Kimimaro told Kidomaru that he had saved Second Pillar to prevent Lord Aizen's mission from failing, and agreed to keep a lower profile.
• Mei Terumi and Ao found that their battle against the Las Noches monster had ended, with Zabuza and Haku alive but badly wounded and many Kirigakure ninja dead.
• Mei declared Kirigakure an irreconcilable enemy of Las Noches and ordered contact with the other four Kage.
• A battered Las Noches fighter headed toward Konoha, saying he would leave the ninjas for later after receiving Lord Aizen's message.
• Several figures crawled out from beneath the dust in a ruined crimson canyon.

Ōnoki survived his battle with Ulquiorra and concluded that Las Noches was trying to stop Iwagakure from reaching the Five Kage Summit, warning that Konoha was the real target. Meanwhile, the Raikage destroyed the last of the energy wolves obstructing the Cloud Ninja, but Killer B wondered what their vanished attacker intended.

• Kitsuchi found Ōnoki alive, but Ōnoki rebuked him for assuming Ulquiorra had fled because he was too weak to continue fighting.
• Ōnoki suspected Ulquiorra had deliberately delayed Iwagakure to clear the way for an attack on Konoha and ordered his ninja to depart immediately.
• Darui and Samui struggled to escape the energy wolves pursuing the Cloud Ninja, while Samui urged them to report the Raikage's attack.
• The energy wolves suddenly stopped pursuing the Cloud Ninja and dissolved, leaving Samui and Darui to wonder if the Raikage had won.
• The Raikage destroyed the remaining wolves with Lariat while protected by the Eight-Tails' chakra, and Killer B questioned why their attacker had vanished and left the wolves behind.

After the Raikage and Killer B survived their clash with Las Noches, Konoha mobilized in response to an attack on the Fifth Hokage. Danzo began investigating Las Noches and ordered surveillance of the Konoha Military Police Force, while Lilynette raced back toward Konoha after completing her mission.

• The Raikage and Killer B recovered from their injuries, blamed Las Noches for the attack, and decided Kumogakure would get involved because they suspected the group was targeting Konoha.
• Kakashi and Might Guy hurried to the Hokage Building, worried about the crisis surrounding the Five Kage Summit and the Chunin Exams participants.
• A Root ninja told Danzo that Las Noches had attacked the Fifth Hokage and that she was gathering jonin to pursue the enemy in the Forest of Death.
• Danzo decided to investigate Las Noches, ordered the Hokage's guards' failure recorded, and commanded Root to monitor the Konoha Military Police Force.
• Lilynette flew toward Konoha, pleased that she had completed Aizen's assigned mission.

Starrk and Lilynette returned from their mission, while Konoha’s leaders argued over Minato’s plan to act against Las Noches. The chapter ended with Might Duy visiting Sakumo at his secluded home.

• Starrk thanked Lilynette for realizing that Aizen had not sent them to kill their targets, and she proudly accepted his praise.
• Danzo challenged Minato’s decision, arguing that a Hokage should protect Konoha rather than act on speculation, while Homura, Koharu, and Sarutobi defended the plan.
• Sarutobi told Danzo that the decision had been made and that they needed to support Minato; Danzo said he understood and left.
• Might Duy entered Sakumo’s house, and the two old acquaintances greeted each other.

Dai told Sakumo that Las Noches had attacked the Fifth Hokage, and the two agreed to act to protect the village. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Might Guy discussed using the Five Kage Summit to track Las Noches, but Konoha’s plans were thrown into disarray when the other Kage’s guards arrived.

• Dai visited Sakumo, who thanked him for Might Guy’s friendship with Kakashi and apologized for not asking why he had come.
• Dai told Sakumo that Las Noches members had attacked the Fifth Hokage and forced the Hokage to retreat.
• Dai urged Sakumo to help defend the village, and Sakumo agreed that they had to act against Las Noches.
• In the Forest of Death, Kakashi told Might Guy that Konoha could use the Five Kage Summit to locate Las Noches and have the Kage strike together.
• Might Guy raised the possibility that the other Kage might distrust Konoha, and Kakashi was surprised by his insight.
• The arrival of the other four Kage’s guards in Konoha disrupted the Fifth Hokage’s preparations as the village faced several confusing threats.

Kakashi and Might Guy prepared to track the Las Noches member who had driven back the Hokage, but Pakkun’s reaction to the enemy’s scent revealed how terrifying their target was. Pakkun recognized the danger and agreed they had a serious problem.

• Kakashi questioned Might Guy’s unexpectedly perceptive assessment, then Guy insisted they search for the enemy together rather than let Kakashi go alone.
• Guy explained that he had noticed the scrap of clothing the Hokage gave Kakashi and knew Kakashi was best suited to track its owner.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and the other ninja dogs, then gave Pakkun the cloth to identify the enemy’s location.
• Pakkun recoiled from the cloth’s scent and warned Kakashi and Guy that its owner had an incredibly terrifying aura.
• Pakkun told Kakashi that they had run into a huge problem.

Kakashi and Might Guy followed Pakkun's trail toward the Forest of Death's tower, while Sakumo and Duy discussed the Hokage's plan to capture a powerful Las Noches opponent. As Konoha's forces moved to respond, ninja teams from the other four villages arrived in Konoha.

• Pakkun sensed the dangerous target near the tower in the Forest of Death, and Kakashi asked him to lead the way.
• Sakumo and Duy searched for the attacker but had found no trail, and Duy explained that the Hokage had entrusted tracking the opponent to Kakashi.
• Duy told Sakumo that the Hokage planned to capture the Las Noches opponent, whose threat he compared to Barragan.
• Sakumo agreed with Duy that they wanted to learn why Las Noches continued following Aizen's will.
• Ninja teams from the other four villages arrived in Konoha as its forces headed toward the Forest of Death.

Samui and Darui arrived at Konoha with news that the Raikage had been attacked and asked for help, while the other Kage concealed their own suspicions about Las Noches. Sarutobi ordered the village to admit the delegations and raise security; as they entered, the Raikage suddenly appeared and rebuked Samui.

• Samui demanded that Konoha help Kumogakure find the missing Raikage, but Izumo and Kotetsu said they were awaiting the Hokage's instructions.
• Ōnoki, Rasa, and Mei Terumi exchanged wary looks and suspected that Las Noches had attacked their delegations too.
• Mei Terumi questioned Ōnoki and Rasa about trouble on their journeys, while Ōnoki privately decided Iwagakure should hide its attack.
• Sarutobi ordered the village to admit the delegations and placed the Konoha Military Police Force on A-rank alert.
• Izumo and Kotetsu opened the gates and said the Hokage wanted the Kage to discuss the Raikage's rescue together.
• The Raikage appeared behind Samui and told her that he did not need Konoha to rescue him, then criticized her words as damaging Kumogakure's dignity.

The Raikage and Killer B arrived at Konoha for the Five Kage Summit, while Aizen realized Minato Namikaze had found the tower’s location. Aizen and Gin entered a spatial void to investigate Minato’s intentions.

• The Raikage and Killer B emerged from the forest, and Ōnoki taunted them about their battered condition.
• The Raikage traded insults with Ōnoki, then reassured Samui and Darui that he and Killer B were unharmed.
• Izumo and Kotetsu welcomed the gathered shinobi, and the four villages entered Konoha under their Kage’s leadership.
• Aizen suspected Minato Namikaze had discovered their location and asked Gin whether he had exposed their tracks.
• Aizen opened a spatial rift, and he, Gin, and Kyoka Suigetsu stepped through to learn what Minato intended.

Minato Namikaze led Konoha’s Sealing Squad in the Forest of Death while they prepared a barrier, but he questioned whether their preparations matched the enemy’s true objective. He left the squad facing the danger of protecting the Chunin Exam candidates without knowing where the enemy would strike.

• Minato sensed a strange spatial fluctuation below the tower, prompting the Sealing Squad to suspect Las Noches before he dismissed it as possibly his imagination.
• Mikawa questioned whether the enemy would target the Forest of Death and warned that Konoha might be vulnerable without Minato there.
• Minato defended Mikawa’s concern and admitted their current preparations might be useless if the enemy intended to invade the village.
• Mikawa suggested placing a barrier outside the village, but Minato said they could not determine the enemy’s objective and might be targeting the Chunin Exam candidates.
• Mujusuke proposed canceling the exams, but Minato explained that escorting the candidates through the enemy-held forest could expose them to a costly attack.

Minato and his allies prepared a sealing barrier to protect the village, knowing that failure could damage his standing as Hokage. Hidden above them, Aizen and Gin watched and discussed keeping Aizen’s identity concealed until he had confirmed certain matters.

• Mikawa worried that the village might be invaded and that Minato would be blamed for not leading its defense, but Minato said the village’s safety mattered more than who became Hokage.
• Mikawa declared that he believed only Minato could bring peace, and Minato thanked him before urging everyone to finish the barrier seal.
• Minato recalled the destruction caused by Aizen and Uchiha Tokino at the Battle of Rock Peak and resolved to keep the fighting away from the village.
• Aizen and Gin watched Minato’s group from the clouds and concluded that the villagers were acting on mistaken information.
• Gin suggested that Aizen reveal himself to shock the villagers and strengthen Las Noches’ reputation, but Aizen said the time was not right because he still needed to confirm certain matters.

Might Duy and Hatake Sakumo arrived at the tower after Minato summoned them to face the threat from Las Noches. Sakumo reacted intensely when Minato identified Gin Ichimaru as someone who had followed Aizen, then asked what tasks Minato had prepared for him and Duy.

• Might Duy and Hatake Sakumo climbed the tower walls and appeared before Minato and the sealing squad.
• Minato apologized for summoning Sakumo, who said the people of Las Noches were enemies he had to confront and settle a personal grudge with.
• Sakumo asked whether the Leaf had found the enemy, and Minato said they had not tracked them but had recovered a fragment that he hoped Kakashi could analyze.
• Minato revealed that the man he had encountered was Gin Ichimaru, who had once followed Aizen, causing Sakumo's chakra to surge.
• Sakumo acknowledged Minato's preparations and asked what assignments he and Duy would receive.

Kakashi and Might Guy discovered that the Las Noches enemy was likely hiding inside the tower, where Minato was preparing a sealing barrier and the Chunin Exams were underway. Realizing the children could be in danger, they hurried toward the tower to warn Minato.

• Kakashi and Might Guy followed Pakkun’s scent trail and grew concerned that it led to the place where Minato was setting up a barrier seal.
• Pakkun confirmed that the enemy’s scent came from inside the tower, and Kakashi warned the group to stay alert.
• Kakashi and Guy realized Minato and the exam participants might be near the enemy, while Minato, Sakumo, and Dai reached the same suspicion.
• Guy urged Kakashi to warn Minato because children were still inside the tower, and the two set off with Pakkun.

Kakashi and Might Guy reached the tower with Pakkun and found Minato, Sakumo, Dai, and the sealing team preparing a seal. Pakkun reported that Gin’s scent had vanished from inside the tower, leaving Minato to establish a barrier while Dai and Sakumo investigated.

• Kakashi and Might Guy rushed to the tower after Pakkun tracked Gin’s scent there.
• Kakashi and Might Guy were shocked to find their fathers, Sakumo and Dai, with Minato atop the tower.
• Kakashi warned Minato that Pakkun had followed Gin’s trail to the tower and that the group might have been discovered.
• Pakkun sensed that Gin’s scent had grown fainter and concluded that he was no longer inside the tower, though his trail ended abruptly.
• Minato asked Dai and Sakumo to investigate the spot with Pakkun while he set up a barrier.

Kakashi, Might Guy, Dai, and Sakumo followed Pakkun through the tower to track Gin, while Gin and Aizen watched them from above. Pakkun found a frightening scent and urged Kakashi to flee, leaving the group facing an unknown danger.

• Gin realized Konoha had picked up his trail, and Aizen remarked that the ninja were trying to trap him with a barrier.
• Pakkun led Dai, Might Guy, Kakashi, and Sakumo through the tower toward Gin’s last known foothold.
• The group reached the stands overlooking the Chunin Exams arena, where Kakashi asked Pakkun to confirm the scent.
• Gin and Aizen watched the group and discussed the possibility that Pakkun might detect Aizen’s presence.
• Pakkun recoiled in terror and warned Kakashi to get out of there at once.

Kakashi and his companions withdrew after Pakkun became terrified, while Naruto noticed Kakashi and worried over Sasuke. In the infirmary, Sasuke despaired over his injured arm until Sakon emerged from his body and threatened him.

• Pakkun trembled in terror, so Kakashi, Sakumo, and Dai left the area with him.
• Naruto spotted Kakashi hurrying away and told Sakura, who grieved over Sasuke; Naruto looked toward the infirmary and murmured Sasuke's name.
• Sasuke lay in the infirmary, numb from losing control of his injured left arm, and called himself useless.
• Sakon emerged from Sasuke's body, restrained him, and mocked him for being afraid of Kidomaru.
• Sakon pressed a hand against Sasuke's face and asked him to guess what he would do to him.

Sasuke confronted Sakon in the medical room and demanded to know why he had come, while Sakon said he wanted Sasuke to see the truth of the world. Elsewhere, Pakkun recovered from a terrifying scent and warned Kakashi and the others that tracking its source had brought them into a deadly presence.

• Sakon restrained the exhausted Sasuke and questioned why he could remain calm.
• Sasuke accused Sakon and Kidomaru of killing examinees and reasoned that Sakon had a purpose for keeping him alive.
• Sakon separated himself from Sasuke and said he had come to show him the truth of the world.
• Kakashi set Pakkun down in a concealed corner and asked what he had found.
• Pakkun said the scent had felt like a god of death had stopped nearby and warned that they would all have died if its source had been there.

Pakkun confirmed that Gin Ichimaru’s trail ended where he had vanished, and Kakashi concluded he likely used space-time ninjutsu. The group suspected Gin had met Aizen, prompting Sakumo to insist that Aizen was dead and reveal his deep hatred of him.

• Pakkun said the scent of someone he had encountered was powerful enough to rival Great Sage Tengu, then confirmed Gin Ichimaru’s trail ended at the place where he disappeared.
• Sakumo asked the group to consider how Gin had vanished without leaving a trace, and Kakashi suggested space-time ninjutsu.
• Kakashi reasoned that Gin had met someone even more frightening than himself and asked who it could have been.
• Dai and Sakumo suspected Aizen, but Sakumo insisted Aizen had died long ago.
• Sakumo clenched his fist and said he would never forget Aizen, even in death.