Chapter Summaries

After returning to Konoha, Naruto and Sasuke encountered visiting Sand Village Genin, including Gaara, and Naruto bluffed them into backing down. Kakashi recommended Team 7 for the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Sasuke repeatedly named Naruto as stronger than himself, drawing the attention of the other examinees and Neji Hyuga.

• Kakashi left Team 7 after returning to Konoha, and Sasuke challenged Naruto before Naruto distracted him by playing ninja games with Konohamaru.
• Kankuro grabbed Konohamaru, so Naruto intervened, and Sasuke joined the confrontation before Gaara stopped Sasuke's attack.
• Naruto warned Gaara, Kankuro, and their companion not to cause trouble, then privately admitted he had only been bluffing about being able to disqualify them from the exams.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that he had recommended them for the Chunin Ninja Exams, and the three arrived at the Ninja Academy the next morning.
• When a thick-browed boy questioned Sasuke's strength, Sasuke pointed to Naruto as the stronger one, drawing attention from the gathered examinees.
• Neji Hyuga recognized Naruto and walked away after making a strange remark, while Naruto decided he would settle the score with him.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura qualified as Team 7 for the Chunin Ninja Exams and began Morino Ibiki’s written test. Naruto focused on Hinata instead of the exam, asked her to join Team 7, and accepted her offer to share her answers.

• Naruto challenged the other examinees, then joined Sasuke and Sakura in reaching Classroom 301, where Kakashi confirmed their team qualified for the exam.
• Kakashi praised Naruto’s abilities, while Naruto privately thought he only wanted to take the exam to accompany Hinata.
• Morino Ibiki explained the written exam’s scoring and cheating rules, and Sasuke realized the test was meant to assess intelligence-gathering skills.
• Naruto asked Hinata to join Team 7, and she blushed without giving him a clear answer.
• Hinata offered Naruto her answers, and Naruto pretended to copy them while writing that she smelled like lilies.

Naruto defended himself after a proctor accused another candidate of cheating, drawing the examiners’ attention away from the rest of the room. The written exam ended with many candidates still in, and Morino Ibiki announced a hidden question as the first stage entered its final phase.

• Hinata showed Naruto her test paper, and he praised her handwriting and skill before a proctor interrupted them by accusing another candidate of cheating.
• Naruto challenged the proctor for frightening Hinata, prompting the Chunin examiners to focus their attention on him.
• Other candidates, including Sasuke, Neji Hyuga, and Shino, used their abilities to copy answers while Naruto wrote on his own paper.
• Naruto reassured Hinata and continued answering as the other Genin benefited from the examiners’ diverted attention.
• Morino Ibiki ended the exam and announced that the test had nine major questions and one hidden question.

Naruto used Morino Ibiki’s warnings about the tenth question to make other Genin withdraw, while reassuring Hinata that he would support her. Ibiki revealed that the ordeal tested perseverance, and everyone who remained in the room passed the first exam.

• Morino Ibiki announced that refusing the tenth question would eliminate a team, while answering incorrectly would permanently bar the Genin from the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto comforted and teased Hinata, then asked questions that heightened the examinees’ fear of the final test.
• As Genin withdrew in panic, Morino Ibiki realized Naruto was deliberately helping him scare away competitors.
• Naruto challenged Ibiki to add more questions, drawing hostile attention from the remaining examinees before reassuring Hinata with a confident smile.
• Morino Ibiki declared that everyone still seated had passed and explained that the test measured intelligence-gathering and perseverance.

The examinees passed Morino Ibiki’s first Chunin Exam test, and Anko Mitarashi announced that she would oversee the next test. After leaving, Naruto met Zabuza Momochi and Haku in secret to collect supplies, while Zabuza accused Naruto of stealing Kado’s fortune.

• Morino Ibiki explained that the tenth question tested the examinees’ courage and willingness to face danger with their teammates.
• Anko Mitarashi burst into the examination room, introduced herself as the second test’s examiner, and dismissed the examinees.
• Morino Ibiki found Naruto’s paper filled with observations about Hinata and became alarmed by Naruto’s cryptic answer about someone coming to Konoha Village.
• Naruto met three disguised Hidden Rain Village ninja in a secluded forest, collected sacks of supplies, and paid them.
• Zabuza Momochi and Haku revealed themselves, and Zabuza accused Naruto Uzumaki of taking Kado’s property after their earlier mission.

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.