Chapter Summaries

Naruto recovered from Dosu’s devastating attack by drawing on the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, terrifying Dosu and shocking the spectators. The battle continued as Kankuro and Temari watched in disbelief, unaware that Gaara stood beside them.

• Dosu used Resonating Tremor to damage Naruto’s internal organs, leaving him crumpled on the ground.
• Naruto’s Chakra surged and healed his injuries, revealing a monstrous shadow that startled Dosu and alarmed Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Naruto rose with beastlike eyes, fangs, and visible orange Chakra, then fixed Dosu with overwhelming malice.
• Dosu recalled the powerful Konoha genin and wondered whether even stranger fighters were among them.
• Hinata watched Naruto while eating chips, and Kankuro and Temari reacted in disbelief without noticing Gaara beside them.

Naruto’s Nine-Tails power surged during his fight with Dosu, letting him smash Dosu’s arm device and hurl him into the arena wall. The spectators recognized the power as the Nine-Tails, while Gaara reacted with excited kinship toward Naruto.

• Gaara watched Naruto’s transformation with disbelief and excitement, feeling that he had found someone like himself.
• Might Guy identified Naruto’s power as the Nine-Tails, but stayed silent when Rock Lee asked for an explanation.
• Naruto declared that he would become Hokage and charged at Dosu with greatly increased speed and strength.
• Naruto shattered Dosu’s arm device and sent him flying into the arena wall, embedding him there.
• Neji and Hanabi examined Naruto’s physicalized Chakra, and Hyuga Hiashi confirmed that it came from the Nine-Tails.

Naruto and Dosu fought in the arena, and Dosu used Naruto’s reckless attacks and Resonating Tremor to drive him into a wall. Naruto survived and staggered toward Dosu, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Dosu realized he was outmatched in strength and speed and tried to find a way to avoid defeat.
• Naruto repeatedly attacked Dosu, who baited him into charging once more.
• Dosu dodged Naruto’s attack with the Donkey Roll and struck him with Resonating Tremor at maximum power, sending him into the wall.
• Dosu believed he had won, but Naruto crawled out of the wall with the Nine-Tails’ Chakra gone.
• Naruto got up and staggered toward the badly wounded Dosu.

Naruto defeated Dosu but fainted from overexertion, and Shikamaru was pushed into the arena to face Temari. Hinata worried that Naruto’s collapse could leave no one to stop Gaara if he unleashed the One-Tail.

• Naruto knocked Dosu unconscious, and Shiranui Genma declared him the winner before Naruto collapsed.
• Sakura rushed to Naruto, and medical staff confirmed he had fainted from overexertion and would recover with rest.
• Hinata collected her winnings from Naruto’s match and bet all of them on Temari winning the second match.
• Shiranui Genma announced Shikamaru and Temari’s match, and Temari jumped into the arena with her Three-Star Fan.
• Shikamaru hesitated to fight until Kiba Inuzuka shoved him from the stands, sending him tumbling into the arena.
• Hinata laughed as Shikamaru landed in the arena, thinking he could not escape his fate even without Naruto.

Shikamaru struggled against Temari’s long-range attacks in the Chunin Exams, realizing that her fan and careful spacing left him with few chances to win. The battle continued as he searched for a way to avoid being worn down.

• The spectators complained as Temari watched Shikamaru lie in the arena, curious about what he would do.
• Shikamaru got to his feet and decided he had to fight rather than surrender and bring trouble to his village.
• Shikamaru used the Shadow Binding Jutsu, but Temari evaded it and stayed beyond its maximum range.
• Temari attacked with Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique, forcing Shikamaru to retreat while she maintained her distance.
• Shikamaru recognized that Temari’s Three-Star Fan strengthened her attacks and realized that dodging them was draining his stamina.

Shikamaru tried to avoid fighting Temari while she teased him, and the match took on the air of a flirtatious exchange. After thinking for a while, Shikamaru looked up with a slight smile, leaving his plan unrevealed.

• Temari taunted the sweating Shikamaru and urged him to stop dragging out the match.
• Shikamaru said he hated conflict and had no desire to fight, prompting Temari to call him spineless.
• Shikamaru argued that intelligence mattered in ninja battles and paused to think while Temari let him.
• Hinata observed that the two seemed to be showing off their affection rather than fighting.
• After a long pause, Shikamaru raised his head with a slight smile.

Shikamaru tried to find a way past Temari’s powerful wind techniques, using explosive tags and a series of thrown weapons to obscure and distract her. After running out of weapons, he retreated fully into the wall’s shadow, leaving his next move unclear.

• Temari used the upgraded Great Scampering Spleen Technique, grazing Shikamaru’s left arm with its wind blades.
• Shikamaru circled Temari and threw explosive-tagged kunai, whose blast raised dust that blocked her vision.
• Shikamaru threw more weapons and a strange object, but Temari cleared the dust and deflected the incoming projectiles.
• Shikamaru continued circling and throwing weapons until he ran out, and Temari called him cowardly and boring.
• Shikamaru said nothing and stepped farther back into the shadow cast by the wall.

Shikamaru used the sun and a floating object to extend his Shadow Imitation Technique and catch Temari despite the distance between them. After gaining control of her, he began explaining how his preparations and knowledge of the surroundings had won the fight.

• Temari realized Shikamaru's shadow was extending through the shadow of a floating object and dodged its reach.
• Temari tried to knock the object out of the sky, but the dazzling sunlight caused her to close her eyes.
• Shikamaru caught Temari with the Shadow Imitation Technique while she was distracted.
• Shikamaru made Temari throw away her Three-Star Fan and explained that he had used smoke and dust from his explosive-tagged kunai to set up his plan.

Shikamaru explained how he used sunlight, dust, and strategically placed kunai and shuriken to extend his shadow and trap Temari. He forced her to walk toward him while the spectators watched, and Hiruzen recognized Shikamaru’s potential.

• Shikamaru explained that sunlight and dust had concealed the kunai and shuriken he used to extend his shadow.
• Temari realized Shikamaru’s shadow had reached her by connecting through the shadow behind her.
• Shikamaru walked toward Temari, forcing her to mirror his movements under the Shadow Imitation Technique.
• Kiba Inuzuka cheered for Shikamaru while Akamaru barked, and Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka discussed his chances.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the match and considered the potential of the new generation of ninja.

Shikamaru surrendered to Temari after realizing he could not win without risking his life. He left the arena, explaining that he had already done his best and did not want to prolong the fight.

• Shikamaru released Temari from his shadow restraint and surrendered the match.
• Shiranui Genma confirmed Temari of the Sand Ninja as the winner.
• Temari asked Shikamaru why he gave up, and he said his chances were slim and the exam was not worth risking his life.
• Shikamaru reflected that surrendering earlier might have saved effort, then returned to the stands with his head lowered.

Kankuro and Shino Aburame began their third-round match, with Kankuro holding back to preserve his Chakra for the village’s larger plan. Shino challenged Kankuro’s hesitation and released a swarm of insects, leaving the fight poised to begin in earnest.

• Temari returned to the stands after seeing Shikamaru leave, and Kankuro asked if she was all right.
• Kankuro and Shino Aburame entered the arena for the third match as Hinata and the others cheered.
• Kankuro prepared Crow but decided to conserve his Chakra and keep his trump card in reserve.
• Shino noticed Kankuro’s hesitation, and Kankuro taunted him before Shino said he would not hold back.
• Shino swept his sleeves and released countless tiny insects.

Kankuro fought Shino Aburame with his Crow puppet and insect swarm, then conceded because neither could gain an advantage and he wanted to preserve his strength for the village’s plan. Shino won the match but suspected Kankuro had held back, leaving open the possibility of a future clash.

• Kankuro used Crow to pressure Shino Aburame while Shino formed an insect wall to block the puppet’s attacks.
• Kankuro decided that continuing the stalemate was pointless and conceded the match.
• Shiranui Genma confirmed Shino Aburame’s victory, while Ino compared Kankuro’s personality to Shikamaru’s.
• Spectators in the betting area shouted that the match had been fixed.
• Shino watched Kankuro leave and said he believed the puppet master had not shown his full strength.

After the third match ended, a wealthy spectator ordered an investigation into the sun-hatted girl's identity. Hinata and Sakura entered the arena for the next match, while Hyuga Hiashi and Hanabi watched from the stands.

• The defeated fighter left after warning that he would remember the insult and wanted to settle matters properly next time.
• A potbellied man ordered his subordinate to investigate the sun-hatted girl, who had won two suitcases in the betting area.
• Shiranui Genma announced Hinata versus Sakura as the next match, drawing attention because both fighters were women.
• Sakura leaped into the arena, and Hinata walked down to the battlefield with calm, dignified poise.
• Hanabi told Hyuga Hiashi that it was Hinata's turn, and Hiashi predicted that Hinata would beat the civilian ninja.

Hinata entered the arena slowly for her match against Sakura, leaving Sakura convinced she was nervous while Hinata considered how to respond. The friendly match was about to begin, with Hinata still maintaining her shy persona.

• Neji felt his heart pound as Hinata entered the arena, while Kiba asked Shino why she had taken the stairs and walked so slowly.
• Shikamaru called women troublesome and angered Ino, who intimidated him until he stammered out excuses.
• Choji watched Ino confront Shikamaru and wondered why his potato chips were so hot.
• Sakura welcomed Hinata and encouraged her to fight seriously, saying she herself would not take the match very seriously.
• Hinata realized Sakura mistook her slow entrance for stage fright, then nodded shyly while wondering whether to put on a proper performance.

Hinata and Sakura prepared to fight in the fourth match as their classmates speculated about the outcome. Shikamaru judged that Sakura could not defeat Hinata, though he had not yet finished explaining his assessment.

• Shiranui Genma announced the start of the fourth match.
• Hinata took the opening stance of the Gentle Fist while Sakura settled into a casual stance and focused on her opponent.
• Kiba, Choji, Ino, and Shikamaru discussed who would win; Ino tentatively favored Sakura.
• Shikamaru said Sakura could not defeat Hinata and began to explain his judgment.

Shino Aburame argued that Hinata’s strength and resilience made her the likely winner against Sakura, though he mistakenly believed he understood Hinata’s true nature. After briefly enjoying the group’s agreement, he was brought back to reality when Ino Yamanaka forgot his name.

• Shino Aburame said Hinata’s Hyuga training, strength, and inner resilience gave her an advantage over Sakura.
• Kiba Inuzuka admitted he had not paid much attention to Hinata despite training with her for a long time.
• The group agreed with Shino Aburame’s assessment, and he felt pleased that his small dream had come true.
• Ino Yamanaka called Shino “what’s-his-name” and reminded him that the match was about to begin.

Shino Aburame enjoyed his first chance to display his presence as Sakura and Hinata began their fight. Sakura pressed the attack, but Hinata calmly evaded and endured, leaving the exchange unresolved as Sakura anticipated her next move.

• Shino Aburame felt satisfied after his Presence Experience Card expired and planned to keep finding chances to show off.
• Sakura opened the fight by throwing Kunai and Shuriken at Hinata, then rushed in with a Kunai.
• Hinata dodged Sakura's close-range slash with a backbend and avoided being struck.
• Sakura continued attacking, while Hinata endured the assault without losing her composure.
• Sakura swept Hinata into a backward flip and punched toward where Hinata would land.

Sakura struck Hinata with a powerful punch, sending her flying, but Hinata got back up and reassured the spectators. Hyuga Hiashi noted that Hinata had not yet used her Byakugan, leaving the duel unresolved.

• Sakura caught Hinata as she landed from her previous move and punched her several meters away.
• Hinata rolled across the ground, then shakily stood up despite her torn clothes and dirtied face.
• Sakura and the spectators felt relieved when Hinata got back to her feet.
• Hanabi worried that Hinata might lose, and Hiashi told her that Hinata had not yet used the Byakugan.

Hinata continued her match against Sakura, activating her Byakugan and forcing Sakura to rethink her strategy. As the fight resumed, Hinata charged first and Sakura dodged her opening palm strike.

• Neji watched Hinata from the stands, unable to reconcile her current performance with the beating she had given him.
• Hinata recovered from Sakura's punch, formed a hand seal, and activated her Byakugan.
• Sakura recognized that Hinata's Byakugan would expose her tricks and that she could not match Hinata in raw strength.
• Hinata charged Sakura and struck with a palm, but Sakura dodged aside.

Hinata intensified her attacks against Sakura, who realized she was close to losing and decided to use her trump card. Sakura began casting a genjutsu, and Hinata suddenly felt alone in an empty arena.

• Hinata decided to pursue the Chunin title while privately preferring the rank of Special Jōnin.
• Hinata increased the speed and force of her strikes, putting Sakura under mounting pressure.
• Sakura judged that she was nearing defeat and chose to use her carefully mastered backup plan before she ran out of strength.
• Sakura formed hand seals and met Hinata’s gaze, making Hinata perceive that Sakura and everyone else in the arena had vanished.