Chapter Summaries

Kawaki Aoba helped Sunagakure defeat the Dark Organization ninja, then encountered Kirigakure ninja in the forest and overcame their leader, Jiang Shilang. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro arrived to question the captured Kirigakure ninja about why they had come.

• Temari was wounded fighting the Dark Organization ninja, but Kawaki Aoba guided Gaara and Kankuro's attacks and helped her regain the initiative until the enemies were trapped.
• Kawaki Aoba encouraged Gaara at the desert-forest boundary, and Gaara returned to Sunagakure with renewed resolve.
• Kankuro reported seeing Kirigakure ninja in the forest, so Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro prepared to investigate; after meeting resistance, the Kirigakure group retreated.
• Jiang Shilang ordered his Kirigakure ninja to attack Kawaki Aoba, who blocked their assault with Armament Haki and defeated Jiang Shilang with a punch.
• Kawaki Aoba trapped the fleeing Kirigakure ninja in an earthen prison, and Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro arrived and resolved to learn why they had come.

Kawaki Aoba helped Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara defeat a group of attackers threatening Sunagakure, but the Kazekage remained suspicious of him. At the others’ urging, Kawaki Aoba agreed to stay in the village, and they went out together to eat.

• Jiang Shilang revealed that Kirigakure had sent his team to search for a Tailed Beast vessel near Sunagakure, and Gaara silently realized the vessel was himself.
• Kawaki Aoba and the Sunagakure ninja were ambushed by powerful outsiders, and Kawaki Aoba and Temari pursued and defeated the fleeing attackers while Gaara subdued enemies left behind.
• Temari reported the victory to the Kazekage and credited Kawaki Aoba, but the Kazekage accused him of having ulterior motives and rebuked Gaara for joining the battle.
• Kawaki Aoba defended Gaara and said he planned to leave, but Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara urged him to stay, and the Kazekage reluctantly gave him another chance.
• Temari, Kankuro, Gaara, and Kawaki Aoba went to a restaurant together, where Temari suggested having drinks and Kankuro teased her about not knowing how to drink.

Saki’s jealousy led him to challenge Kawaki Aoba with several Elite Jonin, but Kawaki Aoba and Temari defeated them. As Kawaki Aoba and Temari followed a different presence toward Gaara’s room, assassins broke in and attacked Gaara.

• Saki rejected Temari’s refusal, threatened Kawaki Aoba, and later challenged him outside the village with several Elite Jonin.
• Kawaki Aoba fought off Saki and his allies, and Temari joined him to help defeat them.
• After returning to Sunagakure, Kawaki Aoba sensed someone watching them and followed the presence with Temari toward Gaara’s room.
• Several assassins broke into Gaara’s room and attacked him with shuriken and Wind Release techniques.

Kawaki Aoba and Temari rescued Gaara from assassins, then investigated who had targeted him as Gaara suspected the Kazekage. After training revealed how Sunagakure treated Gaara as an ominous person, Kawaki Aoba enlisted Temari and Kankuro to improve the village’s view of him, and Temari warned that Kirigakure spies and possibly bribed Sunagakure ninja posed a threat.

• Kawaki Aoba and Temari defeated the assassins attacking Gaara, and Sunagakure doubled its patrols while they investigated.
• Gaara told Kawaki Aoba that he believed the Kazekage had ordered the assassination, and Kawaki Aoba questioned the wounded Saki, who mentioned rumors of people plotting against the Kazekage.
• Gaara cooked breakfast and endured a training exercise in which other ninja treated him as their target, while Kawaki Aoba observed his improving reactions.
• Temari explained that Sunagakure regarded Gaara as an ominous person, so Kawaki Aoba asked Kankuro to help change people’s opinion of his brother.
• Kawaki Aoba, Temari, and Kankuro began planning how to show Gaara’s value, and Temari revealed that Kirigakure spies were in the village and some Sunagakure ninja might have been bought off.

Kawaki Aoba infiltrated a Kumogakure camp, killed its leader, and returned to Sunagakure with a prisoner whose interrogation revealed a Kumogakure–Kirigakure alliance. The Kazekage tasked Kawaki Aoba with leading a mission against the Kirigakure shinobi, and his squad prepared to attack their fortified valley camp after nightfall.

• Kawaki Aoba disguised himself as a villager, infiltrated the Kumogakure camp, killed its leader, captured a prisoner, and returned to Sunagakure.
• Baki and Kawaki Aoba interrogated the prisoner and learned that Dodai, Mabui, Xili, and Kanbalang had been sent by Kumogakure and Kirigakure.
• The Kazekage reprimanded Baki over Kawaki Aoba, then ordered Kawaki Aoba to lead a team against the Kirigakure shinobi as a test.
• Kawaki Aoba prepared for the mission, spoke with Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara, and set out with a volunteer squad.
• Kawaki Aoba's scouts found Kirigakure and Kumogakure shinobi guarding a trapped valley camp, so he planned a coordinated surprise attack for nightfall.

Kawaki Aoba led Sunagakure’s attack on Kirigakure’s camp, defeated the allied resistance from Kirigakure and Kumogakure, and returned with prisoners. After deciding to leave Sunagakure, he changed course when Konoha invited them to the Chunin Exams, and Baki agreed to accompany the group.

• Kawaki Aoba led Sunagakure’s squad through Kirigakure’s defenses, where Dodai and Mabui arrived with Kumogakure forces and fought him.
• Kawaki Aoba knocked Mabui away and stopped Dodai’s attempted breakout; Temari, Gaara, Kankuro, and Baki arrived with reinforcements, and Baki’s forces captured Kirigakure’s ninja.
• After returning to Sunagakure, Kawaki Aoba received little recognition from the Kazekage, while Baki praised his performance and saw him off.
• Temari and Gaara expressed their reluctance to see Kawaki Aoba leave, but he said he wanted to explore the world and find new challenges.
• A Konoha ninja invited Sunagakure to the Chunin Exams, and Kawaki Aoba, Temari, and Gaara agreed to go with Baki as their instructor.

Kawaki Aoba returned to Konoha to warn Sarutobi Hiruzen that Orochimaru planned to strike during the Chunin Exams, but Hiruzen remained confident. After meeting Naruto and encouraging Team 7, Kawaki Aoba decided to watch for Orochimaru’s movements as the exams approached.

• Kawaki Aoba left Sunagakure early and fought off Kusagakure ninja Kanbei Ichiro and Fujino when they tried to stop him on the road to Konoha.
• At the Hokage Building, Kawaki Aoba confronted Yakushi Kabuto, blocked his attack, and continued waiting for a chance to speak with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Kawaki Aoba warned Sarutobi Hiruzen that Orochimaru might attack during the Chunin Exams, but Hiruzen said Konoha was prepared and summoned Kakashi.
• Kawaki Aoba visited Naruto at training, treated him to ramen, and encouraged Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to support one another during the exams.
• Kawaki Aoba decided to secretly monitor Orochimaru, while Orochimaru plotted to use the Chunin Exams as the opportunity to carry out his plan.

Kawaki Aoba uncovered Orochimaru’s plot to use infiltrators during the Chunin Exams, then fought off a group of Konoha ninjas who tried to kill him. Kakashi reported the attack to Sarutobi Hiruzen, while Kawaki Aoba’s request to examine the Forest of Death remained pending.

• Kawaki Aoba discovered that suspicious examinees had received human-skin masks from a mysterious person, then asked Kakashi to help him become a chief examiner for the Forest of Death.
• Naruto visited Kawaki Aoba to discuss the upcoming exam, and Kawaki Aoba reassured him that he had applied to proctor its third stage.
• Kawaki Aoba was ambushed outside his residence and defeated the attackers, identifying their assault as an Orochimaru-directed plot.
• Kakashi arrived with a patrol squad, ordered the captured Konoha ninjas taken for treatment and interrogation, and believed Kawaki Aoba’s account.
• Kakashi went to the Hokage Building to report the attack, and Sarutobi Hiruzen opened the door to meet him.

Kakashi warned Sarutobi Hiruzen that Orochimaru might strike during the Chunin Exams, prompting Konoha to prepare covert patrols and appoint Kawaki Aoba as a chief examiner. As Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro arrived in Konoha, Naruto clashed with them before sharing ramen with Kawaki Aoba, while Temari wondered when she would see him again.

• Kakashi told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Kawaki Aoba's warning about danger during the Chunin Exams seemed credible, and Sarutobi ordered Kakashi and Might Guy to form a guard unit with Anbu support.
• Kakashi told Might Guy that Orochimaru might have returned, then informed Kawaki Aoba that Sarutobi had approved him as a chief examiner.
• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro arrived in Konoha, where Naruto confronted them and Sasuke struck Kankuro's puppet before Baki stopped the gathering from escalating.
• Naruto told Kawaki Aoba about the Sand ninja while they ate ramen, and Kawaki advised Naruto to train rather than boast about defeating them.
• At the inn, Temari asked why she had not seen Kawaki Aoba and blushed when Kankuro teased her; Baki told the three to remain there while he met Konoha's leaders.

Kawaki Aoba watched the Chunin Exam unfold, recognized Orochimaru disguised among the guards, and learned that the Hokage had replaced the planned second exam with an immediate trial in the Forest of Death. He became a co-chief examiner with Mitarashi Anko and prepared to watch for Orochimaru’s next move.

• Gaara reflected on how Kawaki Aoba had changed his emotions and deepened the bond between him, Temari, and Kankuro, while Kawaki waited for the exams and planned to stop Orochimaru from cursing Sasuke.
• Kawaki Aoba spoke with Mitarashi Anko and Kakashi outside the Hokage Building as Ibiki Morino’s written exam ended; Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the other remaining candidates passed.
• Kawaki Aoba spotted Orochimaru disguised as a guard, but kept quiet to avoid making him flee before the right moment.
• The Hokage canceled the planned indoor second exam and sent the candidates directly to the Forest of Death, disrupting Orochimaru’s preparations.
• Mitarashi Anko introduced Kawaki Aoba as co-chief examiner, and he urged the candidates to give their all while hoping Orochimaru would reveal an opening.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura prepared for the Forest of Death while Kakashi warned them about Orochimaru and urged them to prioritize survival. Kankuro discussed Gaara’s plans, and Kawaki Aoba questioned whether the examinees were ready as the danger of the exam loomed.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura discussed the Forest of Death and agreed to stay alert, while Naruto insisted he would face any danger.
• Kankuro warned Gaara to watch Second Pillar because Orochimaru was interested in him, but Gaara dismissed Kankuro’s advice and rejected the idea of establishing a base.
• Kawaki Aoba asked Kakashi why the Hokage had changed the plan, and Kakashi suspected it was meant to disrupt plans while warning that Orochimaru might have schemes in the forest.
• Might Guy and Kakashi discussed how to protect the examinees and agreed that Orochimaru’s strength and tactics demanded caution.
• Kakashi warned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to flee if they encountered Orochimaru and to prioritize their safety in the forest.
• Kawaki Aoba suggested special training for the examinees, but Kakashi said it was too late and that they had to learn through actual combat.

As the examinees prepared to enter the Forest of Death, Team 7 checked its equipment while the proctors discussed watching for Orochimaru. Kakashi suspected Orochimaru might be targeting Sasuke’s Sharingan but warned that he could have other objectives, leaving the danger ahead uncertain.

• Might Guy warned the examinees that the Forest of Death was dangerous, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura discussed observing the other teams before choosing a direction.
• Kankuro urged Gaara to cooperate with the other Sunagakure examinees, but Gaara insisted he needed no one’s help and would rely only on his own strength.
• Kakashi told Kawaki Aoba to watch suspicious examinees in case Orochimaru was using them, and he and Might Guy discussed setting up warning devices around the forest.
• Naruto asked Sakura about her medical supplies, and Sasuke told them to stop chatting and check their equipment; Naruto and Sakura then inspected their gear.
• Kankuro warned Gaara that Konoha’s ninja seemed strong, but Gaara dismissed the concern and said he would do what he wanted.
• Kawaki Aoba asked whether Orochimaru’s main target was Sasuke, and Kakashi said the Sharingan was a likely interest but other objectives remained possible.

As the examinees prepared for the Forest of Death, Kakashi, Might Guy, and the young ninja discussed Orochimaru's threat, survival, and how to handle the exam's dangers. The teams made plans for finding scrolls and regrouping if separated, while Gaara chose to wait and see what happened.

• Might Guy and Kakashi vowed to oppose Orochimaru and protect the examinees, especially Sasuke, while Naruto promised to fight Orochimaru if he targeted Sasuke.
• Kankuro asked Gaara whether they should exploit a possible attack, but Gaara told him not to act rashly and later agreed to seek concealed places.
• Kawaki Aoba asked Kakashi how to help weaker examinees and navigate the forest, and Kakashi said they would need to rely mainly on their own judgment.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura discussed finding scrolls quickly and guarding against other examinees who might try to steal them.
• Kankuro worried about losing his way in the forest, and Gaara replied that he would not get lost.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura agreed to return to a predetermined meeting place if they became separated.

Before the Forest of Death exam began, the ninja discussed threats, survival, and their responsibility to protect the examinees. Once the examinees entered, Naruto rushed ahead excitedly while Sasuke and Sakura warned him to be careful.

• Kankuro asked Gaara how they should handle ninjas from other villages, and Gaara said he would attack anyone who provoked him.
• Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kawaki Aoba discussed staying alert and warning examinees about the forest's dangers, including poisonous plants and animals.
• Naruto offered to protect Sakura, but Sakura said she could look after herself, and Sasuke told them to focus on their plans for the forest.
• Kankuro suggested finding water and keeping a low profile, but Gaara dismissed both ideas as unnecessary for him.
• After Mitarashi Anko announced the start, the examinees entered the Forest of Death, and Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kawaki Aoba prepared for danger.
• Naruto ran ahead excitedly, while Sasuke and Sakura called for him to slow down; Naruto stopped and said he understood.

Naruto and Sasuke led the examinees against a swarm of spiders in the Forest of Death, locating and destroying their nest. The examinees survived the attack, while Gaara’s team kept their distance and Orochimaru waited for Sasuke to tire so he could seize him.

• Kankuro asked Gaara whether they should investigate the fighting, but Gaara chose to change their route; Temari persuaded him to observe from a distance in case the spiders became a threat.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to fight the spiders while Sakura treated an injured examinee, and Naruto and Sasuke urged the group to find the nest.
• An examinee noticed the spiders were coming from one direction, and Sasuke led the others toward their nest.
• Orochimaru watched Sasuke and told Yakushi Kabuto he would wait until Sasuke was exhausted before taking him; Mitarashi Anko suspected Orochimaru was nearby and discussed preparing traps with Kawaki Aoba.
• Naruto and Sasuke struck the spider nest with Rasengan and Chidori, and the examinees joined the assault until they eliminated all the spiders.
• Naruto celebrated their victory, while Sasuke warned that the Forest of Death still held dangers and the injured examinees thanked the group.

Yakushi Kabuto lured a wolf pack toward Naruto and the other examinees, and Naruto and Sasuke led the fight against them. As the wolves increasingly targeted Sasuke, Mitarashi Anko and Kawaki Aoba suspected Orochimaru was manipulating the battle and watched to see whether Sasuke could manage on his own.

• Kankuro reported that the Konoha examinees had defeated the spiders, while Gaara and his team continued onward.
• Orochimaru ordered Yakushi Kabuto to make things harder for Sasuke, and Kabuto released a scent that attracted ferocious wolves.
• Naruto and Sasuke attacked the wolves from opposite sides as Sakura prepared medical supplies and the other examinees joined the fight.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto to steer the wolves toward Sasuke, and Kabuto used ninjutsu to intensify the attack on him.
• Naruto sent his Shadow Clones to help Sasuke, while Mitarashi Anko and Kawaki Aoba suspected Orochimaru was behind the assault and chose to wait.

Sasuke and Naruto defeated the wolves in the Forest of Death, while Orochimaru plotted to place a curse mark on Sasuke. Kawaki Aoba intercepted Orochimaru, and as they faced off, Sasuke heard the battle and started toward them before Yakushi Kabuto stopped him.

• Sasuke and Naruto fought together to kill the wolves, while Temari and Kankuro watched and Gaara dismissed the Konoha examinees as insignificant.
• After the wolves were defeated, Sakura handed out stamina-restoring pills, and the examinees rested before continuing through the forest.
• Orochimaru told Yakushi Kabuto that he wanted to bring Sasuke to his side, then quietly approached Sasuke to place a curse mark on him.
• Kawaki Aoba spotted Orochimaru and flew in to stop him; the two argued over Sasuke's will and Orochimaru's pursuit of power before Orochimaru attacked with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
• Sasuke heard the battle and moved to investigate, but Yakushi Kabuto stopped him.

Sasuke confronted Yakushi Kabuto over his loyalty to Orochimaru while Kawaki Aoba fought Orochimaru to stop him from taking Sasuke. The battle escalated as Orochimaru charged Kawaki Aoba with a sword.

• Yakushi Kabuto blocked Sasuke from joining the fight and warned him not to interfere with Orochimaru's plan, but Sasuke insisted he would protect Kawaki Aoba.
• Orochimaru attacked Kawaki Aoba with Fire Release and Wind Release techniques, while Kawaki Aoba countered with a Water Wall and Lightning Release attacks.
• Orochimaru admitted he wanted Sasuke for his potential, and Kawaki Aoba rejected his plans to control him.
• Sasuke questioned Yakushi Kabuto's loyalty to Orochimaru, but Kabuto said Orochimaru had given his existence meaning and dismissed Sasuke's faith in Naruto and peace.
• Orochimaru threatened Kawaki Aoba, then charged at him with a sword after Kawaki Aoba refused to back down; Kawaki Aoba drew his weapon to meet him.

Kawaki Aoba and Sasuke joined forces against Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto, who used Impure World Reincarnation to summon powerful shinobi. Sasuke gained the upper hand against Kabuto, while the battle against the summoned shinobi continued.

• Kawaki Aoba fought Orochimaru, while Sasuke broke away from Yakushi Kabuto and rushed to help him.
• Sasuke and Kawaki Aoba agreed to fight together, but Orochimaru summoned several shinobi with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Kawaki Aoba attacked one summoned shinobi with Lightning Release: Chidori, while Sasuke targeted another with Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
• Sasuke fought Kabuto, used his Sharingan to read his attacks, and forced him onto the defensive.
• Kabuto countered with Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet, but Sasuke evaded the attack and mocked him.

Sasuke rejected Orochimaru’s attempt to mark and recruit him, showing that his Sharingan and strength had grown. After Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto withdrew, Sasuke reaffirmed his resolve to train and avenge his clan while Kawaki Aoba warned him not to lose himself in his pursuit of power.

• Gaara chose to watch Orochimaru and Kawaki Aoba’s fight for the moment, despite Temari urging the group to help.
• Orochimaru rushed toward Sasuke to force a curse mark on him, but Sasuke’s evolved Sharingan let him evade the attack and counter with ninjutsu.
• Sasuke refused Orochimaru’s offer of power and Uchiha Clan secrets, insisting he would pursue revenge by his own strength.
• Gaara warned Sasuke about Orochimaru’s schemes, and Orochimaru left with Yakushi Kabuto after Sasuke rejected him again.
• Sasuke said he would keep seeking power and avenge his clan, while Kawaki Aoba urged him not to lose himself.