Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Neji used Water Breathing’s Eleventh Form: Nagi to nullify Sōshi Uzumaki’s attacks and defeat him in the first match. The spectators applauded as Genma Shiranui declared Neji the winner.

• Hyuga Neji used Nagi to disperse Sōshi Uzumaki’s Thunderstorm Dragon and nullify his successive attacks.
• Hyuga Hiashi recognized Nagi as a powerful defense, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze were shocked when Sōshi activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Sōshi Uzumaki charged Neji, but his blade’s lightning dispersed and Neji’s defense knocked the blade aside.
• Hyuga Neji used Surface Slash and stopped his blade at Sōshi’s neck, winning the match.
• Genma Shiranui announced Hyuga Neji as the winner, and the stands erupted in applause.

Rock Lee faced Kimimaro Kaguya in the Chunin Exam, while Hyuga Neji secretly asked Kimimaro Kaguya to spare his teammate. Rock Lee opened the Gate of Opening and slammed Kimimaro Kaguya into the arena, leaving the outcome of the match unresolved.

• Hyuga Neji warned Rock Lee that Kimimaro Kaguya was a dangerous counter to his taijutsu, but Rock Lee insisted on giving the match everything he had.
• Hyuga Neji asked Kimimaro Kaguya to hold back and not kill Rock Lee, then left to meet the clan members planning to flee Konoha.
• Sōshi Uzumaki complained to Jugo about losing to Hyuga Neji and expected Kimimaro Kaguya to finish his match quickly.
• Rock Lee and Kimimaro Kaguya traded taijutsu blows, and Kimimaro Kaguya overpowered Rock Lee with superior strength and technique.
• Might Guy told Rock Lee to remove his leg weights and permitted him to use his special move.
• Rock Lee opened the Gate of Opening, launched Kimimaro Kaguya into the air with Shadow of the Dancing Leaf, and drove him into the ground with Front Lotus.

Rock Lee fought Kimimaro Kaguya with the Eight Gates Formation, but Kimimaro’s bone-based defenses and counterattacks kept him from winning. As Kimimaro launched a volley of finger bones, Rock Lee opened the Fourth Gate to deflect them.

• Rock Lee’s Front Lotus failed to defeat Kimimaro Kaguya, whose bones absorbed the impact and protected him from injury.
• Kimimaro Kaguya used Dance of the Clematis to counter Rock Lee’s taijutsu, wounding him with bone spikes as they fought at close range.
• Rock Lee refused to surrender and opened the Third Gate, then used Reverse Lotus to batter Kimimaro in the air.
• Chiyu explained to Sōshi Uzumaki and Jugo that the Eight Gates damaged Rock Lee’s body and warned that opening more gates would greatly increase his power.
• Kimimaro Kaguya pierced Rock Lee’s calf, then fired Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets; Rock Lee opened the Fourth Gate and knocked the finger bones away.

Rock Lee lost to Kimimaro Kaguya after opening the fifth gate, while Naruto Uzumaki defeated Shino Aburame. As Gaara and Sasuke Uchiha fought outside Konoha, Chiyu launched the operation, and Orochimaru trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.

• Kimimaro Kaguya activated his Cursed Seal and survived Rock Lee’s True Reverse Lotus, then defeated him after Genma Shiranui stopped the match.
• Might Guy caught the unconscious Rock Lee, and medical ninjas carried him away for treatment.
• Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo left to meet Hyuga Neji as Naruto Uzumaki beat Shino Aburame with Wind Release.
• Chiyu cast the Temple of Nirvana Technique, signaling the Hidden Sand Ninja to begin their invasion while Gaara and Sasuke Uchiha fought outside Konoha.
• Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, seized Hiruzen Sarutobi and took him to a rooftop, where Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo raised the Four Violet Flames Formation.

During the Konoha Crush, Gaara awakened Shukaku, and Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya fought to keep the tailed beast away from the village while Orochimaru battled Hiruzen Sarutobi. Chiyu watched the invasion unfold and waited to reveal a cruel truth to Minato Namikaze.

• Chiyu’s Temple of Nirvana Technique began the Konoha Crush as Orochimaru brought Hiruzen Sarutobi to the roof and the Sound Four raised the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hidden Sand Ninja invaded Konoha, and Gaara transformed into Shukaku before using the Feigning Sleep Technique to awaken the tailed beast’s consciousness.
• Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and Gamaken to battle Shukaku, while Shikaku Nara evacuated the arena spectators.
• Chiyu watched the battle and monitored Sōshi Uzumaki’s situation, intending to wait until Minato Namikaze had done everything he could for Konoha before revealing the truth.
• On the roof, Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, taunted Hiruzen Sarutobi about watching Konoha face destruction as Shukaku fought nearby.

Orochimaru revealed himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi and explained that he planned to make his former teacher die as a hero during the Konoha Crush. As they fought inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage, leaving Hiruzen shocked.

• Orochimaru removed his Kazekage disguise and told Hiruzen that he intended to give him a heroic death while keeping his past deeds hidden.
• Hiruzen and Orochimaru prepared to fight as Sakon and the others raised a second barrier around themselves inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hiruzen attacked Orochimaru with tile shuriken and Earth Style techniques combined with Fire Style, but Orochimaru emerged unharmed.
• Orochimaru challenged Hiruzen's claim to uphold the Will of Fire and summoned the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, with Impure World Reincarnation.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to judge Hiruzen Sarutobi’s leadership and reveal his past actions. After hearing the Hokages condemn him for straying from the Will of Fire, Orochimaru prepared to free Hiruzen from his desires.

• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation and explained that he wanted them to judge Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru embedded memory-revealing kunai in Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju while Hiruzen Sarutobi attacked him with Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Hashirama Senju condemned Hiruzen Sarutobi for experimenting on children and mistreating shinobi and the Fourth Hokage’s family.
• Tobirama Senju told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had become too attached to his position and reputation and had strayed from the path.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s treatment of Minato Namikaze and rejected his claim that his actions were for Konoha.
• Orochimaru declared that the two Hokage had judged Hiruzen Sarutobi to be wrong and said he would soon free him from his desires.

Orochimaru began his fight against Hiruzen Sarutobi, using reanimated Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju while revealing that Chiyu had given him Uchiha Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan. As the Konoha Crush unfolded and Danzo sent Root after Minato Namikaze, Hyuga Neji prepared to leave Konoha with clan members seeking freedom from oppression, but Hyuga Hiashi confronted them.

• Orochimaru erased Hashirama Senju’s and Tobirama Senju’s consciousness, revealed his Sharingan to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and made the two Hokage attack him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with ninjutsu, while worrying that Orochimaru had yet to join the battle.
• Danzo ordered Ryoma and Umaru to lead Root ninja to the examination venue and kill Minato Namikaze.
• Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo met Hyuga Neji, who prepared to leave Konoha with fourteen Hyuga Clan members and rebuild the clan without oppression.
• Hyuga Hiashi confronted Hyuga Neji and the others as they were about to depart.

Hyuga Neji confronted Hyuga Hiashi as he led fifteen Branch Family clansmen away to establish a new Hyuga Clan. After learning that their Caged Bird Seals had been removed, Hiashi decided they had to be killed, and Neji prepared to fight.

• Hyuga Hiashi blocked Hyuga Neji and his clansmen from leaving, while Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo posed as Hidden Sound Village ninja.
• Hyuga Neji accused the Main Family of treating the Branch Family as tools and declared his group the true Hyuga Clan.
• Hyuga Hiashi offered to improve the Branch Family's situation if they returned, but none of the clansmen accepted.
• Hyuga Neji reminded Hyuga Hiashi that his father had died protecting him, yet the Branch Family's treatment had never changed.
• Hyuga Hiashi activated the Caged Bird Seal, but it had no effect because Hyuga Neji's teacher had removed the seals from Neji and the fourteen clansmen.
• Hyuga Hiashi resolved to kill the group to keep the seal-removal method secret, and Hyuga Neji drew his sword to face him.

Hyuga Neji declared that he and his companions would break away from the Hyuga Clan and free the Branch Family from the Caged Bird Seal, but the newly arrived clansmen refused to join them. As the battle began, Neji and Sōshi Uzumaki faced Hyuga Hiashi and devised a plan to get past his Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.

• Hyuga Neji invited the Branch Family ninja to join his new, equal Hyuga Clan and offered to remove their Caged Bird Seals, but none dared to accept.
• Neji allowed his companions to return to their relatives if they wished, but they chose to fight for their freedom, confirming to Neji that he had chosen the right people.
• Hyuga Hiashi ordered the clan ninja to attack, and Neji defended against his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms with a ninja blade.
• Sōshi Uzumaki explained the Branch Family's Byakugan blind spot and sent Kimimaro Kaguya and Jugo to help Neji's companions target the Main Family ninja.
• Sōshi attacked Hiashi with Thunder Breathing techniques, but Hiashi deflected them with Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
• Hyuga Neji rejected Sōshi's suggestion to break Hiashi's defense the way they had broken Neji's, and proposed that they coordinate on a different plan.

Hyuga Neji and Sōshi Uzumaki worked together to break Hyuga Hiashi’s Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, while Kimimaro Kaguya and Jugo overwhelmed the Hyuga Main Family fighters. Neji led his group toward Konoha’s outskirts after promising Branch Family members he would remove their Caged Bird Seals if they joined his new clan.

• Hyuga Neji slowed Hyuga Hiashi’s Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven with a water vortex, and Sōshi Uzumaki weakened it further with lightning.
• Hyuga Neji thrust his sword into the weakened technique, and Sōshi Uzumaki used Thunderclap and Flash: Godspeed to halt it and send Hyuga Hiashi crashing through a wall.
• Jugo and Kimimaro Kaguya defeated Hyuga Main Family ninja while many Branch Family fighters deliberately held back.
• Hinata Hyuga and Hanabi Hyuga arrived, and Hyuga Hiashi ordered two remaining fighters to seek reinforcements and told Hanabi to leave.
• Hyuga Neji promised to remove the Caged Bird Seals of Branch Family members who joined his new clan, then led his group toward Konoha’s outskirts.

Hyuga Neji and his clansmen escaped Konoha with help from Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo, while Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya battled Shukaku. The Hyuga group headed for the Hidden Sound Village, and Chiyu noticed someone had finally made a move during the fight.

• Hyuga Hiashi pursued Hyuga Neji, but Kimimaro Kaguya used Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Clematis to block the Hyuga ninja and let Neji escape.
• Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo caught up with Hyuga Neji, and the group left Konoha to rendezvous with Raiga Kurosuki and the others.
• Sōshi Uzumaki contacted Chiyu, who told them to leave with Raiga Kurosuki and find Yahiko at the Hidden Sound Village.
• Hyuga Neji set aside his attachment to Konoha and led his fourteen clansmen toward the Hidden Sound Village.
• Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Gamabunta, and Gamaken attacked Shukaku, and Minato Namikaze blasted open Shukaku's head to reveal Gaara.
• Shukaku blew Minato Namikaze away and began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb as his head regenerated, while Chiyu noticed that someone had finally made a move.

Minato Namikaze thwarted a Root ambush and diverted Shukaku’s Tailed Beast Bomb away from Konoha, but lost his chance to awaken Gaara. As Minato fought Aburame Ryoma and the Root ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Danzo’s men attacking the Hokage and realized the betrayal he had repeatedly excused.

• Minato Namikaze’s Flying Thunder God Kunai were drawn away by Umaru’s Magnet Release, while Aburame Ryoma and Root ninja ambushed him as Shukaku prepared a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Minato Namikaze killed one attacker and escaped another’s Kunai using a Flying Thunder God formula he had placed on the first Root ninja, but suffered a deep chest wound.
• Minato Namikaze used Flying Thunder God Guiding Thunder to send Shukaku’s Tailed Beast Bomb outside Konoha, but Shukaku regenerated his head and broke free of Gamaken.
• Aburame Ryoma and the Root ninja attacked Minato Namikaze again, while Umaru used Sand Iron to restrict his movements; Minato asked Jiraiya to hold Shukaku back as he dealt with them.
• Orochimaru taunted Hiruzen Sarutobi over Danzo’s actions, and Hiruzen saw Aburame Ryoma’s group attacking Minato Namikaze and was shaken by Danzo’s betrayal.

Chiyu interrupted Minato Namikaze's fight with Root and confronted him over his treatment of Miyuki and Naruto. He then put Minato under genjutsu to reveal the truth, while Shukaku's rampage kept Jiraiya occupied.

• Orochimaru exposed Danzo's actions, prompting Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to condemn him and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Minato Namikaze used Flying Thunder God marks on Root ninja to regain mobility and kill most of his attackers.
• Chiyu killed Umaru, revealed his identity to Minato Namikaze, and refused to tell him where Miyuki was.
• Chiyu accused Minato Namikaze of choosing Konoha over Miyuki and Naruto and challenged Jiraiya over what he had concealed.
• Chiyu controlled Shukaku with genjutsu, then placed Minato Namikaze under genjutsu to show him the truth.

After Chiyu’s genjutsu revealed Konoha’s treatment of Naruto and Miyuki, Minato confronted Jiraiya and rejected Chiyu’s offer to destroy the village. Minato vowed to stop Chiyu, and the two began another high-speed clash.

• Chiyu’s genjutsu showed Minato how Konoha’s leaders had treated Naruto and Miyuki, leaving him devastated and furious.
• Minato demanded the truth from Jiraiya, who admitted that the events were real and that he had known about them.
• Minato told Jiraiya he no longer trusted him or Konoha, but refused to join Chiyu in destroying the village and said he would stop him.
• Minato asked where Miyuki was and vowed to protect her and Naruto, while Chiyu refused to reveal her location without her consent.
• Minato attacked with Flying Thunder God Kunai, but he and Chiyu traded rapid strikes without either landing a hit.
• Chiyu unleashed Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Sixfold, and Minato continued teleporting away as their speed battle intensified.

Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and helped defeat Shukaku, freeing Gaara as Baki withdrew with him. On the rooftop, Hiruzen Sarutobi began the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru and the reanimated Hokage, determined to protect Konoha and help Minato become its pillar again.

• Jiraiya summoned Fukasaku Toad, Shima Toad, and Gamahiro, then entered Sage Mode while the toads fought Shukaku.
• Jiraiya, Fukasaku Toad, and Shima Toad used Sage Art: Goemon to melt Shukaku’s sand, and Gamabunta, Gamahiro, and Gamaken immobilized him and exposed Gaara.
• Jiraiya woke Gaara and reinforced his seal, causing Shukaku to dissolve, while Baki intercepted Gaara and announced that Sunagakure would withdraw.
• Minato Namikaze ordered the Anbu to pursue the Sand Village Jinchuriki, while Orochimaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Minato had changed and erased Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju’s emotions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma, made two Shadow Clones, and prepared the Reaper Death Seal as Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju attacked him in Tobirama’s darkness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sealed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju but failed to defeat Orochimaru, who mortally wounded him and explained why he had turned against Konoha. As Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze continued fighting Chiyu, Chiyu reversed their sound-based genjutsu and forced the summoned toads to retreat.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to remove Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju's souls, breaking their technique and sealing them inside his Shadow Clones.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi attacked Orochimaru with Enma, but Orochimaru evaded the Reaper Death Seal and pierced Hiruzen Sarutobi with the Kusanagi Sword and sharp bones.
• Orochimaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Konoha's distrust had shaped his path and pointed to Minato Namikaze's hatred of Hiruzen and the village.
• Fukasaku Toad and Shima Toad used Sage Art: Frog Call to trap Chiyu in a genjutsu while Jiraiya fought him.
• Chiyu used Sage Art: Illusionary Mirror Heaven and Earth Change to reflect the genjutsu, incapacitating Fukasaku Toad and Shima Toad before Jiraiya sent them back to Mount Myōboku.

Chiyu overwhelmed Konoha’s defenders with his Complete Body Susanoo while Orochimaru ended the Reaper Death Seal and escaped. After Hiruzen Sarutobi died and Chiyu departed, Minato Namikaze prepared to settle accounts with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

• Chiyu broke Fukasaku Toad and Shima Toad’s frog song, then summoned his Complete Body Susanoo and resisted Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya’s attacks.
• Chiyu blocked Konoha’s ninjutsu with Kenmyōren and struck the village with lightning and flames from Daitoren and Kōtoren, causing considerable damage.
• Orochimaru withdrew from fighting Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Hiruzen’s failing Reaper Death Seal allowed the Death God to devour his soul along with Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju’s souls.
• Orochimaru and his group dispelled the Four Violet Flames Formation and retreated, while Chiyu taunted Minato Namikaze and flew away from Konoha.
• Minato Namikaze ordered Anbu to restrain Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, then announced that he would settle accounts.

Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara surrendered to Konoha’s forces after Baki revealed that Orochimaru and Chiyu had deceived Sunagakure. Minato Namikaze discovered Danzo had escaped and confronted the detained Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, declaring that he alone would lead Konoha’s reforms.

• Baki told Temari and Kankuro that Orochimaru and Chiyu had used Sunagakure and that the real Kazekage might be dead.
• Kakashi and the Konoha jonin surrounded Baki’s group, and Baki agreed to surrender with Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara as prisoners.
• Minato Namikaze found the Root base empty, with its records gone and a secret passage leading outside Konoha, and concluded that Danzo had escaped.
• Minato Namikaze detained Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura and told them they would face trial for their actions while he was unconscious.
• Utatane Koharu tried to raise Naruto’s situation, but Minato Namikaze struck her aside and declared himself Konoha’s sole authority, vowing to reform the village.

Minato Namikaze ordered Konoha to prepare for war against Sunagakure, imprison Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and erase the other Hokage faces. Jiraiya sought Naruto Uzumaki’s help, but learned Naruto knew the truth about Konoha and supported Minato’s actions, leaving Jiraiya shaken by his own failures.

• Minato Namikaze declared that Konoha would go to war with Sunagakure, ordered Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura imprisoned, and demanded that the other Hokage faces be destroyed.
• Jiraiya went to find Naruto Uzumaki, hoping Naruto could persuade Minato to stop.
• Naruto Uzumaki rejected Jiraiya’s plea and said Minato’s harsh treatment of Konoha was deserved.
• Naruto Uzumaki revealed that Uncle Chiyu had told him the truth on the day of the Uchiha Clan incident and that he had spent years pretending to accept Konoha.
• Naruto Uzumaki confronted Jiraiya about his failures, and Jiraiya silently accepted that he had failed.