Recaps

Naruto persuaded Zabuza Momochi and Haku to trust him and hide in Konoha until he became Hokage. At the Forest of Death, Naruto provoked Mitaraishi Anko and used her thrown kunai to test a disguised Orochimaru, who caught it with his tongue.

• Naruto offered Zabuza Momochi and Haku a safe home in Konoha if they helped him and kept their identities hidden until he became Hokage.
• Zabuza Momochi agreed to trust Naruto, and Haku happily supported his decision.
• Sasuke and Sakura found Naruto in Konoha and told him they had learned the time and place for the next exam.
• At the Forest of Death, Mitaraishi Anko introduced the second exam, and Naruto mocked her mannerisms.
• Naruto jumped into Anko's thrown kunai, then watched as a disguised Orochimaru caught it with his tongue.

Naruto watched Anko Mitarashi explain the second exam, then used his injury to draw Hinata into a private meeting and reassure her that he would stay in Konoha. He left the encounter resolved to purge Konoha of its hidden threats.

• Anko Mitarashi confronted Naruto, but a female ninja from Hidden Grass Village appeared behind her and returned her kunai after catching it with her tongue.
• Naruto alerted Anko Mitarashi to the female ninja’s unusual ability, while the stranger claimed the smell of blood had excited her.
• Anko Mitarashi announced a five-day wilderness exam in which teams had to obtain both a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll and reach the central tower together.
• Naruto went to a secluded spot and waited for Hinata, who brought him ointment for the wound he had deliberately sustained.
• Naruto thanked Hinata, told her he would stay in Konoha because she was there, and resolved to purge the village’s corruption.

Naruto warned Hinata about Gaara and comforted her before the second Chunin Exam began. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura crossed the Forest of Death cautiously, but on the second day Orochimaru found them.

• Naruto’s wound healed rapidly when the Nine-Tails’ chakra leaked out, and he warned Hinata to avoid Gaara during the exam.
• Naruto embraced Hinata and promised to destroy the world if anything happened to her, making her flee in embarrassment.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death and advanced slowly to avoid danger and other teams.
• After a day without encountering opponents, the team found severed limbs and broken legs in the forest.
• On the second day, Sakura worried that Sasuke was acting strangely, while Naruto dismissed her concerns.
• A female ninja from Kusagakure emerged from the woods and revealed herself as Orochimaru, who had come looking for Naruto’s team.

Naruto fought Orochimaru while Sakura was knocked unconscious and Sasuke remained unresponsive. Elsewhere, Orochimaru confronted Shimura Danzō about Yamato, and Danzō revealed that Yamato was with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Naruto regained control of his body and threw kunai at the Kusagakure ninja, who summoned a giant snake that swallowed him.
• Sakura charged at the Kusagakure ninja to protect Sasuke, but her long tongue struck her unconscious.
• Naruto used Shadow Clone Technique inside the snake and burst his way out, drawing Orochimaru's interest.
• Orochimaru appeared before Shimura Danzō, demanded to know where Yamato was, and explained that he had returned to Konoha to find the Wood Release ninja.
• Danzō revealed that Yamato was with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Zabuza Momochi revealed that Naruto had hired him to test whether Shimura Danzō was working with Orochimaru. In the Forest of Death, Naruto confronted Orochimaru and trapped him in a massive Explosive Tag attack, but Orochimaru survived by emerging from a giant snake.

• Orochimaru questioned Shimura Danzō before escaping his hideout, then transformed back into Zabuza Momochi after reaching the river.
• Zabuza Momochi recalled how Naruto had asked him and Haku to conceal their identities and help expose Shimura Danzō's possible alliance with Orochimaru.
• Naruto had told Zabuza Momochi to pose as Orochimaru and mention Yamato to gain Shimura Danzō's trust, and Zabuza accepted the paid job.
• In the Forest of Death, Naruto surrounded Orochimaru with shadow clones and detonated 1,562 Explosive Tags as Orochimaru dodged through the blasts.
• Orochimaru summoned a giant snake to withstand the remaining explosions, then crawled out of its head and remarked that the Third Hokage had supplied Naruto with many Explosive Tags.

Naruto used the fake Sasuke and a bargain over Karin to make Orochimaru leave, securing the Earth Scroll and a promise that Orochimaru would bring Karin to him. Sakura woke up safely but still wanted to know where Sasuke was.

• Orochimaru restrained Naruto and used the Five Elements Seal to suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra.
• Orochimaru discovered that the Sasuke by the river was a shadow clone, and Naruto refused to reveal Sasuke's location unless Orochimaru brought him Karin.
• Naruto demanded the Earth Scroll as proof of good faith, and Orochimaru left it before departing to find Karin.
• Naruto checked on the unconscious Sakura and celebrated his gains, including Orochimaru's promise to find Karin.
• Sakura woke up, praised Naruto for driving Orochimaru away, and asked where Sasuke was.

Anko investigated the brutal deaths of three Hidden Grass Genin and suspected Orochimaru had returned to Konoha, while Naruto used Zabuza and Haku to pursue his plans during the Chunin Exams. Orochimaru found Karin and confronted Haku over Sasuke, then decided he wanted all three young shinobi.

• Anko found three Hidden Grass Genin with erased faces, suspected Orochimaru, and entered the Forest of Death to investigate.
• Zabuza avoided Anko and told Haku to follow Naruto’s marks and bring Sasuke, while Naruto learned Danzo seemed unconcerned about Orochimaru and might want him to kill Hiruzen.
• Naruto lied to Sakura about being separated from Sasuke and joined her search, while secretly keeping watch over her.
• Orochimaru rescued the injured Karin from a black bear and brought her to the meeting place, where Haku offered to trade her for Sasuke.
• Orochimaru rejected the trade and attacked, so Haku used Ice Release to shield himself and Sasuke; Orochimaru decided he wanted Karin, Sasuke, and Haku.

Haku delivered Danzo Shimura’s ultimatum to Orochimaru, forcing him to trade Karin for Sasuke while Naruto’s plan unfolded. Haku and Zabuza took Karin away, and Orochimaru woke Sasuke and attacked him as Naruto regrouped with his allies.

• Haku told Orochimaru that Root would not interfere with his actions in Konoha if he handed over Karin, but Danzo would drive out the Sound and Sand Ninja if he refused.
• Orochimaru suspected Kabuto had betrayed him, then released Karin and accepted the trade for Sasuke.
• Haku dispelled the Ice Rock Dome and escaped with Karin while Zabuza withdrew; Orochimaru removed the needles that had knocked Sasuke out.
• Orochimaru woke Sasuke and attacked him to test whether he was a suitable vessel.
• Naruto met Haku and Zabuza, revealed that he had coached Haku’s tactics, and said he had given Sasuke to Orochimaru because Orochimaru would eventually die.
• Karin demanded to know who Naruto’s group was, and Naruto ordered her gagged and taken to his home, declaring her his companion.

Naruto kept Sakura away while Orochimaru tested Sasuke, then found Sasuke injured and sheltering under the effects of Heaven's Curse Mark. After Kabuto Yakushi failed to find them, Naruto left Sakura and Sasuke hidden in a tree hollow and followed Kabuto to gather information.

• Naruto distracted Sakura from returning to the riverbank while Sasuke was being tested by Orochimaru.
• Naruto and Sakura returned to the riverbank, where Naruto found Sasuke unconscious with Heaven's Curse Mark and a Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Naruto carried Sasuke to a hidden tree hollow, where Sakura tended to him and vowed to become stronger.
• Kabuto Yakushi searched the area but failed to find the hidden hollow and decided to wait for Sasuke at the tower.
• Naruto gave the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll to Sakura, then followed Kabuto Yakushi after nightfall.

Naruto interrupted Gaara’s attack on Hinata and fought him while Team 8 confronted Temari and Kankuro. With Gaara threatening to kill them all, Naruto looked toward the Earth Scroll and claimed he had a way to escape.

• Hinata, Shino, and Kiba Inuzuka watched Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro kill three Hidden Waterfall Village Genin and take their Earth Scroll.
• Naruto spotted Hinata and Gaara, realized events had diverged from what he expected, and rushed in when Gaara attacked Hinata.
• Naruto used Shadow Clone Technique to distract Gaara and protect Hinata, while Gaara’s sand blocked Naruto’s attacks and destroyed his clones.
• Shino and Kiba Inuzuka broke away from their fights with Temari and Kankuro and joined Naruto beside Hinata.
• Naruto scolded Shino and Kiba Inuzuka for leaving Hinata to face Gaara, then noticed the Earth Scroll as Gaara threatened to kill them all.

Naruto used the threat of opening an Earth Scroll to hold Gaara’s team at bay, while Kabuto watched and assessed him. Hinata’s Byakugan exposed Kankuro’s puppet disguise, and Naruto pulled the wire to open the scroll.

• Gaara threatened to kill Naruto, Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, while Temari urged them to hand over the Heaven Scroll.
• Naruto threatened to open the nearby Earth Scroll, and Gaara’s team hesitated as he claimed it would explode.
• Kabuto realized Naruto was bluffing about the scroll’s contents but admired how he used uncertainty to intimidate his opponents.
• Kankuro approached the Earth Scroll with a puppet disguised as himself, intending to test the danger while staying hidden.
• Naruto ordered Hinata to use the Byakugan, and she revealed that the apparent Kankuro had no chakra pathways.
• Naruto recognized the figure as a puppet and yanked the wire, tearing open the Earth Scroll.

Naruto defeated Gaara’s team by triggering the Genjutsu hidden in the Earth Scroll, then let Hinata, Shino, and Kiba head for the tower while he pursued the group. Kabuto tried to stop Naruto from attacking Temari and Kankuro, but Temari revealed that the Fourth Kazekage, Lord Rasa, had been killed.

• Naruto’s group tricked Gaara into being incapacitated by the Genjutsu on the Earth Scroll, and Temari and Kankuro fled with him.
• Naruto carried Hinata out of Temari’s wind attack, then teased Kiba while Shino recognized Naruto and Hinata’s closeness.
• Hinata told Naruto that her team had secured both scrolls on the first day, and Naruto urged her, Shino, and Kiba to go to the tower.
• Naruto pursued Temari and Kankuro through the forest as Kabuto followed, hoping to find Sasuke.
• Kabuto stopped Naruto from rushing at the hidden siblings and advised him to avoid a fight.
• Temari revealed that the Fourth Kazekage, Lord Rasa, had been killed, leaving Kabuto stunned.

Naruto tricked Kabuto Yakushi into abandoning his plan to attack Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro and escorting him to Sasuke. After reaching the tower, Naruto discovered that Orochimaru had placed an Earth Seal on Sasuke in addition to the Heaven's Curse Mark.

• Naruto overheard Temari and Kankuro discussing the Fourth Kazekage's death, while Kabuto Yakushi considered silencing them.
• Gaara awakened, and Temari and Kankuro concealed the Kazekage's death from him.
• Naruto told Kabuto that Sasuke needed medical help, persuading him to leave the three Sand siblings alone and follow Naruto.
• Naruto's Shadow Clones revealed themselves after Kabuto left, showing that Naruto had used them to deceive him.
• Kabuto examined Sasuke in the tree hollow, confirmed he was not in mortal danger, and escorted Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke to the tower.
• Naruto found an Earth Seal on Sasuke's chest and realized Orochimaru had implanted it alongside the Heaven's Curse Mark.

Sasuke suffered through Orochimaru planting both the Heaven's Curse Mark and the Earth Seal, leaving him in critical condition. Naruto summoned Iruka, who took Sasuke to Kakashi while Naruto stayed behind with Sakura.

• Sakura noticed the curse marks on Sasuke and pressed Naruto to explain them.
• Sasuke fought Orochimaru in his consciousness, where Orochimaru planted the Earth Seal and taunted him about surpassing Naruto.
• Naruto realized Orochimaru had placed two dangerous marks on Sasuke and feared Sasuke might not survive.
• Naruto summoned Iruka by unsealing the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll and urgently asked him to get Sasuke to Kakashi.
• Iruka carried Sasuke away to find Kakashi and ordered Naruto to stay behind, while Naruto reassured Sakura.

The Third Hokage agreed to Rasa’s proposal to replace the Chunin Exams’ third-round duels with a three-person team melee in seven days. In the Ninja Hall, Gaara woke from Naruto’s Genjutsu and realized he was surrounded by the exam participants and the Hokage and Kazekage.

• Mitaraishi Anko reported that Orochimaru had returned to Konoha and was targeting Sasuke, but the Third Hokage chose to continue the exams while Kakashi went to check on his student.
• Rasa persuaded the Third Hokage to change the third round into a three-person team melee scheduled for seven days later.
• At the Ninja Hall, Mitaraishi Anko explained that Gaara had passed the second round while unconscious, and the chapter recounted how Naruto’s actions helped Neji Hyuga’s and Shikamaru Nara’s teams advance.
• Mitaraishi Anko released Gaara from the Genjutsu, and Gaara woke shouting Naruto Uzumaki’s name before realizing he was in the Ninja Hall with the Third Hokage and his father, the Fourth Kazekage.

Naruto challenged the new rule barring teams without three members, while Sasuke returned and restored Team 7’s eligibility for the Chunin Ninja Exams. The chapter ended with Naruto declaring that all three members of Team 7 were present, as Kakashi stood beside them.

• The Third Hokage announced that only three-person teams could enter the third round, which would now be a chaotic team battle instead of one-on-one duels.
• Naruto reasoned that Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, had changed the rules and accelerated his plan; he was relieved that Hinata would not have to fight Neji.
• Kabuto Yakushi withdrew from the exam, causing his two teammates to be eliminated with him.
• Sasuke entered the hall with Kakashi, and Naruto noticed that Sasuke was physically struggling but determined to continue.
• Kakashi’s memory revealed that he had used the Evil-Sealing Method to restrain Sasuke’s Cursed Seals and promised to teach him a lightning technique if he could suppress them.
• Naruto declared that Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno were all present and that Team 7 could continue.

After the Third Hokage explained the political purpose of the Chunin Ninja Exams, Naruto learned the third round would be a team battle in seven days and searched Konoha for a teacher to help him prepare. He left Ebisu chasing after him and continued looking for the master fate had chosen.

• The Third Hokage told the Genin that the exams were a showcase of village and national strength, then announced a three-person team melee would begin in seven days.
• Naruto urged Sakura to train, then met Haku, who reported that Karin had moved into Naruto’s house and gave him the deed and key to the bathhouse he had bought.
• Naruto gave Haku money to look after Karin and Zabuza, then wandered through Konoha searching for someone.
• Ebisu confronted Naruto and offered to tutor him, but Naruto rejected him and ran off with Ebisu following and calling after him.

Naruto searched for the Pervy Sage and found him peeping at the bathhouse Naruto owned. After the Sage knocked Ebisu unconscious, Naruto revealed he had read the Sage’s book and tried to persuade him to teach him, but the Sage walked away until Naruto produced a Konoha Village Peeping Map.

• Naruto rejected Ebisu’s offer to guide him and searched for the Pervy Sage instead.
• Naruto and Ebisu found a white-haired man peeping into Naruto’s bathhouse, and the man summoned an orange toad that knocked Ebisu unconscious.
• Naruto recognized the man as the Pervy Sage, showed him the bathhouse deed, and complained that he had injured Naruto’s hired bodyguard.
• Naruto told the Sage he had read his book and recalled how he had used his date with Hinata to persuade Kakashi to lend it to him.
• Naruto asked the Sage to teach him in exchange for peeping at his bathhouse, but the Sage tried to leave.
• Naruto stopped the Sage by showing him the Konoha Village Peeping Map.

Naruto used his detailed Konoha peeping map to impress the Toad Sage, who discovered the Five Elements Seal disrupting Naruto’s chakra and revealed himself as Jiraiya. Jiraiya promised to teach Naruto powerful ninjutsu, but became distracted by the map and its unfinished blue-dot locations.

• Naruto led the Toad Sage to a rooftop peeping spot and gave him a powerful telescope to watch a woman bathing.
• The Toad Sage praised Naruto’s intelligence-gathering talent and urged him to consider becoming a spy, but Naruto insisted he wanted to learn powerful ninjutsu.
• The Toad Sage examined Naruto’s unstable chakra, found the Five Elements Seal added to the Nine-Tails’ seal, and used Five Elements Unsealing to remove it.
• The Toad Sage revealed that his name was Jiraiya and promised to teach Naruto powerful ninjutsu and killing techniques.
• Jiraiya studied Naruto’s map, accepted Naruto’s lie about the blank area near the Hyuga Main House, and grew eager to complete the map’s blue-dot locations, including Anko Mitarashi and Kurenai Yuhi.

Orochimaru questioned Kabuto’s loyalty after hearing that Sunagakure knew of the Fourth Kazekage’s death, then discovered the report was false. Meanwhile, Jiraiya decided to take Naruto as his disciple but refused Ebisu’s request to help defend Konoha from Orochimaru.

• Orochimaru questioned Kabuto about his history with Danzo, then told him to watch Sasuke and keep Danzo’s forces away from him.
• Kabuto told Orochimaru that Sunagakure had learned of the Fourth Kazekage’s death, and Orochimaru sent him to watch Sasuke.
• Orochimaru interrogated Sunagakure ninja and found that they knew nothing about the Fourth Kazekage’s death, making him suspect Kabuto had betrayed him.
• Jiraiya watched Naruto sleep and decided to take him as his disciple.
• Ebisu told Jiraiya that Orochimaru had returned and asked him to help protect Konoha, but Jiraiya refused and asked Ebisu not to reveal his return to the Third Hokage.

Naruto confronts the Nine-Tails in a dream and proposes a pact to reunite it with the other tailed beasts, then begins learning the Summoning Technique from Jiraiya. His summon unexpectedly calls several enormous toads and leaves him towering above Konoha.

• Naruto meets the Nine-Tails inside his seal and proposes gathering all nine tailed beasts within three years.
• Naruto offers to reunite the Nine-Tails with its siblings if it shares its chakra, but the fox demands that he break the seal; Naruto cannot, and the Nine-Tails roars him awake.
• Jiraiya takes Naruto to a secluded area and teaches him the Summoning Technique using the toad contract scroll.
• Naruto signs the contract beneath Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze's names, then performs the Summoning Technique.
• Naruto summons Gamabunta, Gamaken, Gamahiro, Gamayū, and Gamami, creating a huge disturbance and appearing high above Konoha Village.

Naruto summoned all Five Toads of Mount Myoboku, and the Third Hokage sent them back after Jiraiya fled. The Hokage then promised Naruto a box from his parents if he became a Chunin, revealing that it contained the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Naruto summoned Gamabunta, Gamaken, Gamahiro, Gamayū, and Gamami, while Jiraiya secretly slipped away.
• Gamabunta questioned Naruto, and Naruto told him that he had summoned the five toads himself.
• The Third Hokage arrived and ordered the toads to return to Mount Myoboku, ending the commotion.
• The Third Hokage took Naruto aside and said his parents had left him a box that he would receive after becoming a Chunin.
• The Third Hokage revealed that the box contained the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Naruto thought about placing a mark on Hinata.

Naruto fantasized about where to place the Flying Thunder God Formula on Hinata, then set out to win over rivals and classmates ahead of the Chunin Ninja Exams. After bribing several of them, he considered how to deal with the harder candidates, including Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and Shino.

• Naruto ignored the Third Hokage while imagining possible places to mark Hinata, until the Hokage shook him out of his fantasy.
• Naruto declared that he would become a Chunin and ran off to find Choji Akimichi, whom he persuaded to go easy on him by buying him barbecue.
• Naruto bought a rose for Hinata at a flower shop and tried to manipulate Ino Yamanaka into following his orders during the exams by promising to reveal Sasuke's secret.
• Naruto won over Kiba Inuzuka with high-grade soldier pills and treated Tenten to weapons from Konoha's largest weapons shop.
• Naruto judged Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Kiba Inuzuka, and Tenten easy to persuade, but recognized that Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and Shino would be harder to handle.

Naruto acquired the Eight-Foot Magatama Sword and welcomed Karin as family, offering her his Konoha Village forehead protector. He revealed that he wanted Haku to use the sword to cut off Danzo Shimura’s arm.

• Tenten left with a handcart full of weapons, and Naruto collected the Eight-Foot Magatama Sword from the weapon shop owner.
• Naruto returned home and gave Haku the sword, then learned Karin had been waiting to speak with him.
• Naruto showed Karin the bite marks on her arm and explained that Hidden Grass Village had exploited her and her mother for their healing abilities.
• Naruto offered Karin his Konoha Village forehead protector and promised that Konoha Village would be her home and his family.
• Naruto insisted that Haku use the sword to cut off Danzo Shimura’s arm.

Naruto tried to bring Haku, Zabuza, and Karin into new lives in Konoha, while warning them that Danzo Shimura stood in their way. After Hidden Grass Village ninja abducted Karin and forced her to heal their wounded, she declared herself a Konoha Villager, and Naruto appeared to protect her.

• Naruto told Haku, Zabuza, and Karin that Danzo Shimura was their greatest obstacle to establishing a family in Konoha, and urged Haku to practice swordsmanship.
• Naruto took Karin around Konoha’s shopping district, where Hidden Grass Village ninja watched them and planned to abduct her.
• A Hidden Grass Village ninja disguised as Kakashi lured Naruto away, but Naruto used a shadow clone and stayed behind.
• Hidden Grass Village ninja seized Karin and took her to a secluded estate, where they forced her to heal their wounded by letting them bite her.
• When a Hidden Grass Village Chunin questioned Karin about her Konoha forehead protector, Karin declared, “I am a Konoha Villager!”
• Naruto appeared at the estate and told Karin to leave the rest to him.