Chapter Summaries

Sakura used the Hell Viewing Technique against Hinata, but Hinata quickly broke free, so Sakura conceded the match. As Hinata advanced, two newcomers appeared in the arena.

• Sakura reflected on how Kurenai Yuhi had taught her combat experience and the Hell Viewing Technique.
• Sakura caught Hinata in the Hell Viewing Technique and moved in to attack before Hinata could recover.
• Hinata broke free, reactivated her Byakugan, and prepared to continue fighting.
• Sakura conceded, and Shiranui Genma announced Hinata as the winner.
• A tall masked Chunin and a shorter boy wearing an Uchiha Gunbai appeared back-to-back in the arena.

Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara began their fifth match, while Kakashi Hatake reunited with Might Guy in the stands. The fight opened with Gaara releasing sand from his gourd and Sasuke preparing to meet him.

• Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke Uchiha arrived just before Sasuke’s scheduled match, and Shiranui Genma announced that the fourth match had ended.
• Sasuke entered the arena, pleased with his month of training, and Gaara descended from the stands to face him.
• Kakashi learned about the earlier matches from Sakura before Might Guy greeted him as his lifelong rival.
• Gaara challenged Sasuke and pulled the stopper from the gourd on his back, releasing sand.
• Sasuke sensed Gaara’s ominous presence, narrowed his eyes at the drifting sand, and declared, “Here I come!”

Sasuke used a burst of speed inspired by Rock Lee to overwhelm Gaara, while explaining his newly named Thick Eyebrow Style Taijutsu. Rock Lee took Sasuke’s performance as motivation to work harder and pursue his rivals.

• Gaara sent sand toward Sasuke, but Sasuke dodged it and charged at him.
• Sasuke struck Gaara and appeared behind him to prepare another blow before Gaara could react.
• Sasuke explained that his speed and Thick Eyebrow Style Taijutsu were inspired by Rock Lee.
• Rock Lee was moved by Might Guy’s words and vowed to work harder to surpass Neji Hyuga, Uzumaki Naruto, and Sasuke Uchiha.

Might Guy encouraged Rock Lee with an intense training challenge while Kakashi kept his distance, and Sasuke continued battering Gaara’s Sand Armor. Realizing he could not keep up the prolonged assault, Sasuke committed to a new attack as the fight continued.

• Might Guy promised Rock Lee five hundred laps or two thousand push-ups after his injuries healed, and the two embraced in tears.
• Kakashi watched Might Guy and Rock Lee, then moved five meters away to avoid them.
• Sasuke repeatedly struck Gaara, wearing down his Sand Armor and aggravating Gaara.
• Sasuke realized his speed and stamina would not last, and decided to stop dragging out the fight.
• Sasuke used Phoenix Sage Fire Flower Jutsu, sending several flaming Shuriken toward Gaara.

Sasuke tested Gaara's sand defense, then unleashed a Great Fireball and began forming Chidori. Kakashi defended his decision to teach Sasuke the dangerous technique, and Sasuke prepared to attack from the arena wall.

• Sasuke sent flaming shuriken at Gaara, whose sand blocked them, then used a Great Fireball Technique.
• Might Guy questioned Kakashi about teaching Sasuke a dangerous move, and Kakashi said he trusted Sasuke's character and potential.
• Kakashi compared Sasuke's training with Guy's decision to teach Rock Lee the Eight Inner Gates.
• Sasuke gathered lightning in his right hand until Chidori formed, then pressed closer to the arena wall.

Sasuke charged Gaara with a lightning technique and broke through his sand defense, stabbing him in the chest. The arena fell silent as Kankuro and Temari saw Gaara wounded.

• Sasuke rushed toward Gaara with lightning gathered in his right hand.
• Gaara enclosed himself in a massive sphere of sand rather than trying to dodge.
• Sasuke's lightning attack tore through the sand sphere and pierced Gaara's right chest.
• Sasuke's hand stopped less than a centimeter from Gaara's heart, and Temari cried out his name.

Sasuke struck Gaara through the sand sphere, but Gaara’s rampaging Tailed Beast Chakra formed a sand claw that sent Sasuke crashing into the arena. Gaara began transforming inside the sphere, leaving Kankuro and Temari fearful that he was losing control.

• Sasuke saw blood flowing from the crack in Gaara’s sand sphere and believed his attack had hit a vital spot.
• A claw of sand formed from the sphere and struck Sasuke, hurling him dozens of meters across the arena.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi looked suspiciously at Rasa, while Rasa avoided explaining the Kazekage’s actions.
• Temari warned Kankuro that Gaara’s Tailed Beast Chakra was running wild and that he was nearing a half-human, half-beast form.
• Inside the sphere, Gaara muttered about his mother, Yashamaru, pain, and tearing his opponent apart as the left side of his body mutated with fangs, red eyes, and living sand.

Gaara’s transformation receded as Temari and Kankuro took him away, and Baki announced the start of the Konoha Crush Plan. Sasuke pursued Gaara while the attack plunged Konoha into chaos.

• Gaara’s mutation began to fade after Baki, Temari, and Kankuro reached the arena, leaving him weak and wounded.
• Baki declared that the Konoha Crush Plan had begun as fireworks exploded overhead.
• Sasuke saw that most spectators had fallen under Genjutsu and that Kakashi and Might Guy were under attack.
• Kankuro and Temari fled with Gaara, and Sasuke chased after them despite Shiranui Genma’s attempt to stop him.
• Summoned beasts charged toward Konoha as Sand Ninja infiltrators began moving through the village.

Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage launched the Konoha Crush Plan and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi. After revealing himself, he challenged his former teacher’s loss of ambition, while Hiruzen defended the village’s future.

• Sand Ninja gathered into squads and rushed toward Konoha’s vital hubs.
• The Fourth Kazekage revealed the Konoha Crush Plan to Hiruzen Sarutobi as Aoba Yamashiro was struck by kunai.
• The Kazekage used a Body Flicker Technique to seize Hiruzen Sarutobi and take him to a rooftop.
• The Kazekage revealed himself as Orochimaru and withdrew the kunai from Hiruzen Sarutobi’s throat.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said he had devoted himself to Konoha and that the village had successors.

Orochimaru explained that he had attacked Konoha to stir the ninja world and pursued his battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation. As the stands descended into chaos, a black figure flew over Sakura and crashed into the arena.

• Orochimaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he intended to make the ninja world turn again through Konoha’s destruction.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi vowed to defeat Orochimaru and purge the traitor from their ranks.
• Four of Orochimaru’s subordinates raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his Hokage robes and prepared to fight, while Orochimaru threatened to bring down Konoha.
• Sakura opened her eyes as a black figure flew over her and crashed into the arena, shouting, “I~ strike~ ah~!”

Sakura woke during the attack at the arena, where Kakashi and Might Guy protected her and assigned her an A-rank mission to pursue Sasuke and bring him back. As Sakura set out with Hinata and Shikamaru, Shino also left to pursue Kankuro.

• Kakashi used his Sharingan Genjutsu to stop two attackers from reaching Sakura, and Might Guy kicked them away.
• Kakashi reprimanded Sakura for losing focus, then ordered her to wake Shikamaru, Hinata, and another teammate and follow Sasuke to bring him back.
• Sakura accepted the A-rank mission and woke Hinata and Shikamaru under Kakashi and Might Guy's protection.
• Shino Aburame slipped past an attacker and left the arena to pursue Kankuro, whom he wanted to punish for humiliating him.

Kakashi summoned Pakkun to track Sasuke and sent Sakura, Hinata, and Shikamaru after him while he and Might Guy held off the enemies. Pakkun led the group through a hole in the wall, leaving them pursuing Sasuke as Kakashi and Might Guy stayed behind.

• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and asked Sakura for something belonging to Sasuke so Pakkun could follow his scent.
• Pakkun identified Sasuke’s scent on Sakura’s kunai and teased her about liking Sasuke.
• Kakashi and Might Guy opened a hole in the wall to bypass the enemies blocking the exit.
• Kakashi told Sakura, Hinata, and Shikamaru to pursue Sasuke while he and Might Guy dealt with the enemies.
• Pakkun led Sakura, Hinata, and Shikamaru away, tracking Sasuke without stopping to sniff the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to stay out of his battle with Orochimaru while Kakashi and Might Guy guarded against other threats. Orochimaru then hinted that he would reveal the results of his experiments, leaving the confrontation poised to escalate.

• Hinata observed Kakashi and Might Guy holding back and considered why they had not intervened more forcefully.
• An inexperienced Anbu ninja ignored his captain and touched the Four Violet Flames Formation, whereupon he was burned and fell from the rooftop.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to stand by and support the fight without interfering further.
• Orochimaru asked whether Hiruzen feared the Anbu would hold him back, and Hiruzen silently faced his former student.
• Orochimaru said he had not yet shown Hiruzen the results of his work over the years.

Orochimaru revealed a youthful face beneath his disguise and prepared to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi, who vowed to stop him. Meanwhile, Shikamaru’s group reached the forest in pursuit of Sasuke and paused to plan their next move.

• Orochimaru tore off his apparent face and revealed a rosy, youthful one, shocking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared that he would keep Orochimaru from harming the shinobi world, and Orochimaru said he would kill his former teacher.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi attacked with Roof Tile Shuriken Jutsu, but Orochimaru blocked the tiles with Earth Release: Earth Wall.
• Pakkun led Hinata, Sakura, and Shikamaru to the edge of a vast forest while they pursued Sasuke.
• Shikamaru stopped the group and suggested they gather to discuss a battle plan.

Shikamaru organized the pursuit team into a formation to track Sasuke while guarding against traps and pursuers. When Hinata detected several people approaching from behind, Shikamaru stayed back to identify them as the others continued onward.

• Shikamaru assigned Pakkun to lead with his sense of smell and Hinata to scout behind them with her Byakugan.
• Shikamaru put Sakura second so she could try to bring Sasuke back, while he took the middle position to handle emergencies.
• Pakkun warned that Sasuke's group was moving quickly, so Shikamaru's team hurried after them in formation.
• Hinata sensed several people catching up from behind, and Shikamaru told the others to continue while he checked whether they were allies or enemies.
• Sakura worried about Shikamaru but suppressed her concern as the team moved on amid the chaos in Konoha.

Shikamaru split from Hinata and Sakura to mislead the seven pursuers and buy them time to retrieve Sasuke. As he hurriedly prepared false tracks and traps, Temari and Kankuro carried the badly injured Gaara through the forest.

• Shikamaru assured Pakkun and Hinata that he could stall the pursuers, then stayed behind as Hinata caught up with Sakura.
• After Hinata and Sakura disappeared, Shikamaru worried about their mission and decided to erase their tracks and lay a false trail.
• Shikamaru planned to lead the pursuers away, gain distance, and prepare traps before they could return to the real trail.
• With the enemy close behind, Shikamaru quickly made several arrangements and roughly erased the remaining tracks.
• Temari and Kankuro raced through the forest carrying Gaara, recognizing that Sasuke had left him in a dire state and that they were the only ones likely to help him.

The chapter examined Rasa’s choices as Kazekage and his strained relationship with Gaara, describing how he treated his son as the Sand Ninja’s ultimate weapon. It left Rasa’s later attempt to explain himself to Gaara as difficult to accept, even after Gaara became Kazekage.

• The Sand Ninja higher-ups planned for Gaara to unseal the One-Tail in Konoha and cause greater damage.
• Rasa obeyed the decision to make Karura the One-Tail’s vessel and later ordered Yashamaru to test Gaara and kill him if he could not control the beast.
• Yashamaru used Karura’s name to test Gaara, and his death deepened Gaara’s trauma.
• Rasa raised Gaara as the Sand Ninja’s ultimate weapon and doubted that Gaara could become Fifth Kazekage.
• During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Ōnoki helped explain Rasa’s past actions to Gaara, who said he understood Rasa only after becoming Kazekage.

Temari and Kankuro fled through the forest with Gaara as Sasuke pursued them, eager to uncover the power behind Gaara’s altered state. Kankuro stayed behind to delay Sasuke, and Gaara began to stir at his siblings’ actions.

• Temari and Kankuro raced through the forest with Gaara while Sasuke pursued them.
• Kankuro told Temari to take Gaara and escape while he held Sasuke back.
• Temari agreed to leave after warning Kankuro to return, and Gaara’s heart stirred as he watched them.
• Sasuke caught up with Kankuro and grew frustrated that he was blocking the way to Gaara.
• Kankuro became angry at Sasuke despite knowing he was outmatched.

Sasuke confronted Kankuro but was interrupted by Shino Aburame, who offered to handle him. Sasuke left to pursue Gaara while Shino stayed behind to settle his score with Kankuro.

• Kankuro took the bandage-wrapped puppet Crow from his back and challenged Sasuke to settle their unfinished business.
• Sasuke prepared to fight Kankuro, then noticed Shino Aburame standing nearby.
• Shino told Sasuke to chase after Gaara and leave Kankuro to him.
• Sasuke asked if Shino could handle Kankuro alone, and Shino said he had a score to settle with him.
• Sasuke accepted Shino's offer and continued after Gaara.

Sasuke continued pursuing Gaara while Shino confronted Kankuro, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru began their battle. Hiruzen's attacks failed to catch Orochimaru, who then struck an Earth Clone and realized his teacher had evaded him.

• Sasuke moved on to pursue Gaara, while Kankuro turned back to face Shino Aburame and his swarm of insects.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru exchanged probing attacks before beginning to fight in earnest.
• Hiruzen used a Great Fireball followed by a Water Dragon Bullet, but Orochimaru escaped the attacks with a substitution.
• Orochimaru appeared behind Hiruzen and attacked with Shadow Snake Hands.
• Orochimaru's snakes struck Hiruzen's Earth Clone, which crumbled into mud.