Recaps

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death for the second Chunin Exam and were attacked by Orochimaru disguised as a Kusagakure ninja. Naruto and Sasuke fought back against him, but the battle remained unresolved as Sasuke threw a shuriken to block Orochimaru’s path.

• Naruto made a shadow clone to prepare insurance before Team 7 entered the Forest of Death with a Heaven Scroll.
• After hearing screams in the forest, Team 7 discussed using a password to identify impostors, but Naruto spotted a hollow bamboo tube and blasted the ground with a Rasengan, killing two hidden Kusagakure ninja.
• Orochimaru appeared disguised as a Kusagakure ninja, carrying an Earth Scroll, and overwhelmed Sakura with his killing intent.
• Naruto unleashed hundreds of shadow clones with Rasengans, but Orochimaru easily fought through them and summoned giant pythons.
• Sasuke and Naruto destroyed the pythons with a Fireball Jutsu and a Big Ball Rasengan, then charged at Orochimaru together.
• Sasuke threw four kunai and a shuriken to intercept Orochimaru as Naruto advanced toward him.

Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to defeat Orochimaru, though the imperfect jutsu left Orochimaru’s belongings behind and sent him naked to a marked explosive trap. Team 7 reached the tower with both scrolls, where Iruka appeared after Naruto activated them.

• Sasuke and Sakura were trapped by Orochimaru, who revealed his identity and lunged at Sasuke before Naruto teleported him away with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Naruto explained that the jutsu could transport only one thing at a time and revealed that Orochimaru had been sent to an explosive mark hidden in the Ninja Academy’s septic tank.
• An ANBU ninja reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi that naked Orochimaru had blown up the Ninja Academy’s septic tank.
• Team 7 traveled to the tower with the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and, after reading the writing on the wall, Naruto opened both scrolls and summoned Iruka.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke reported their encounter with Orochimaru, and Hiruzen Sarutobi learned Naruto had escaped him using the Flying Thunder God Technique. The Chunin Ninja Exams continued, and Naruto prepared for the Preliminary Exams.

• Naruto and Sakura gave Iruka Orochimaru's clothes and Sound Ninja forehead protector, and Sasuke confirmed they had fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death.
• Iruka reported the encounter to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mitaraishi Anko, telling them Naruto had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport Orochimaru away.
• Kakashi heard Team 7's account, and the leaders pieced together how Naruto's technique had led to Orochimaru's naked explosion in the Ninja Academy cesspit.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi kept news of Orochimaru's return under control, and the Chunin Ninja Exams continued despite the private rumors spreading.
• Gekko Hayate took over as referee for the Preliminary Exams, while Kabuto Yakushi forfeited and left without meeting Sasuke.

The Chunin Exam preliminary matches continued as Naruto gave Tenten tactical advice and then overwhelmed Kiba with hundreds of Shadow Clones. The chapter ended as Hinata and Neji were called to fight, leaving Naruto visibly shaken by the matchup.

• Sasuke defeated Yoroi, Shino defeated Zaku, and Kankuro defeated Misumi in the opening matches.
• Sakura and Ino knocked each other unconscious in a draw, while Temari defeated Tenten after Naruto's advice helped Tenten gain an early advantage.
• Shikamaru defeated Kin, and Naruto faced Kiba as Kurenai predicted Kiba would win.
• Naruto summoned hundreds of Shadow Clones and defeated Kiba and Akamaru without seriously injuring them.
• Hinata was matched against Neji, and Naruto's smile froze when he saw the pairing.

Hinata faced Neji in the Chunin Exams and found the resolve to fight him despite his claims that her fate and the Hyuga Clan’s divisions could not be changed. Naruto intervened when Neji threatened her, and Hinata was carried away injured as Naruto struggled with his feelings.

• Neji told Hinata she was not suited to be a ninja and argued that people could not escape the fate they were born into.
• Hinata rejected Neji’s judgment, declared that she wanted to change through her own efforts, and began fighting him with the Gentle Fist.
• Naruto cheered Hinata on, strengthening her resolve as Neji repeatedly struck her and sealed her chakra.
• Hinata rose despite her injuries and told Neji that the clan’s division had made him suffer too, provoking him to charge at her.
• Naruto appeared in front of Hinata, while Might Guy, Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Gekko Hayate restrained Neji.
• Naruto caught Hinata as she collapsed, carried her to a stretcher, and remained troubled as medical ninja took her away.

Naruto reflected on his need to grow stronger and learned that he had accidentally used Flying Thunder God Movement to reach Hinata. After the preliminary matches ended, the Chunin Exam finalists drew their matchups, and Naruto realized that his interference had changed the bracket.

• Naruto told Kakashi that he wanted to become stronger, and Kurama explained that Naruto had used Flying Thunder God Movement to reach Hinata.
• Naruto explained the new technique to Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, shocking Kakashi and intensifying Sasuke’s resolve to gain power.
• Dosu Kinuta defeated Choji Akimichi, and nine contestants advanced to the final stage of the Chunin Exams.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the official matches would take place in one month, and Mitaraishi Anko drew the contestants’ matchup numbers.
• The new bracket paired Naruto with Shikamaru Nara, Kankuro with Shino Aburame, Temari with Neji Hyuga, and Sasuke with Dosu Kinuta before the winner faced Gaara.
• Naruto recognized that the altered matchups were a result of the butterfly effect, while Gaara eyed Sasuke as a potential target.

Naruto visited the hospitalized Rock Lee with Ino and suggested that Tsunade might be able to heal him. He challenged Neji’s belief that a person’s fate was fixed, leaving Neji stunned by his words.

• Naruto bought flowers and fruit before visiting Rock Lee, and Ino joined him, calling their trip a date.
• Naruto and Ino found Tenten, Neji, and Might Guy at Rock Lee’s bedside and learned that Lee’s injuries were severe.
• Naruto said Tsunade might be able to heal Rock Lee, though Neji pointed out that no one knew where she was.
• Neji dismissed Naruto as too weak to challenge Gaara, and Naruto replied that the future could still be changed despite a person’s birth status.
• Neji froze after hearing Naruto repeat an idea that echoed his own words from his fight with Hinata.

Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport Jiraiya from a hot spring district to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s office, hoping to bring him back to the village before Hiruzen’s possible death. Jiraiya arrived naked, and Naruto went to the Hokage Building carrying his clothes and scroll.

• Ino took Naruto on a ramen date to learn how he had become stronger, but Naruto guessed she was asking on Shikamaru’s behalf and left after telling her he would not lose in their Chunin Ninja Exams match.
• Naruto wandered through Konoha and found Jiraiya peeping on a women’s bathhouse.
• Naruto distracted Jiraiya and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport him naked to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s office.
• Hiruzen recognized Jiraiya and asked him to come inside, while Jiraiya transformed into a toad after hearing Naruto knock.
• Naruto told Hiruzen that he had caught Jiraiya peeping and asked whether the old man had subdued him.

Naruto questioned Jiraiya about Orochimaru, then trained while wondering whether Hiruzen would survive the coming conflict. Ino took Naruto on a date, and he returned home to find Jiraiya sick after drinking expired milk.

• Naruto mocked Jiraiya as the Pervy Sage and asked whether he planned to harm Konoha like Orochimaru; Jiraiya and Hiruzen discussed Orochimaru's arrival after Naruto left.
• Naruto trained with Shadow Clones and asked Kurama whether Hiruzen would die and whether he could see the chakra his parents had left inside him.
• Ino invited Naruto on a date, and Naruto spent the day carrying her shopping bags and joining her activities.
• Naruto returned home and found Jiraiya drinking milk from an expired carton, after which Jiraiya's stomach began to hurt.

Naruto trained with Jiraiya, summoned Gamahiro, and refused to use Kurama’s chakra, choosing to grow strong alongside his friend. After a month of training, Naruto entered the third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams at Kikyo Castle, where his match against Shikamaru began.

• Jiraiya asked Naruto about the two kinds of chakra within him, and Naruto said he did not want to use Kurama’s power because he considered Kurama a friend.
• Naruto performed the Summoning Jutsu and summoned Gamahiro, who offered to answer his call and then returned to Mount Myoboku.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to place a mark on Tsunade, but Naruto refused and left Jiraiya speechless with a remark about flowers and cow dung.
• Naruto trained with Jiraiya for a month and improved enough that he would no longer be quickly defeated by Zabuza Momochi.
• At Kikyo Castle, the eight remaining examinees assembled for the third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Naruto was matched against Shikamaru Nara.
• Genma Shiranui began the first match between Naruto and Shikamaru.

Naruto Uzumaki defeated Shikamaru Nara in the first match of the third stage, revealing a powerful Wind Release Rasengan technique. After Kankuro forfeited the second match, Shino Aburame advanced, and Temari was set to face Neji Hyuga next.

• Naruto rushed Shikamaru, disrupted his Shadow Imitation Technique, and struck him with a punch.
• Naruto unleashed Wind Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan attacks, forcing Shikamaru to evade and hide in a crater using the Transformation Technique.
• Shikamaru caught Naruto's Shadow Clone with the Shadow Imitation Technique, but Naruto appeared behind him with a kunai and won the match.
• Genma Shiranui declared Naruto the winner, and Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Naruto and Shikamaru.
• Kankuro forfeited his match against Shino Aburame, advancing Shino; Temari's match against Neji Hyuga was next.

Neji defeated Temari, and Sasuke dominated Gaara with his speed and Chidori until Gaara began to transform. Orochimaru revealed himself and launched the Konoha Crush Plan, leaving Hiruzen trapped inside a barrier as chaos erupted at the exams.

• Neji Hyuga defeated Temari by sealing her chakra points, then Hyuga Hiashi called him away.
• Sasuke Uchiha used his enhanced speed to overwhelm Gaara and pierced his sand defense with Chidori.
• Gaara began to transform, prompting Kakashi to realize he was a Jinchuriki.
• Four Sound Ninja raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the disguised Kazekage revealed himself as Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru announced his plan to kill Hiruzen and crush Konoha as disguised ANBU put the crowd under genjutsu.

Naruto and Sasuke pursued Gaara after he lost control, while Sakura and Ino followed with Pakkun. Gaara transformed into a miniature Shukaku and attacked the two, leaving them facing a more dangerous fight.

• Naruto caught up with Sasuke and attacked Gaara's group, while Sasuke stayed behind to fight Temari and trapped her in a genjutsu.
• Kakashi sent Sakura to assist Naruto and Sasuke; Shikamaru stayed behind to protect the others, and Asuma arrived to rescue him.
• Pakkun tracked Naruto and Sasuke with Sakura and Ino, then distracted them by discussing Sakura's shampoo.
• Gaara transformed into his Possession Form, threw Kankuro into a tree, and attacked Naruto and Sasuke as they arrived.
• Naruto was sent crashing into a tree, while Sasuke used Chidori to sever Gaara's tail before Gaara transformed into a miniature Shukaku.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Gaara after Naruto’s massive clone attack awakened Shukaku. Naruto restrained the tailed beast with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and Sasuke forced Gaara awake, leaving both Naruto and Gaara collapsed from exhaustion.

• Naruto created thousands of Shadow Clones and overwhelmed Gaara with Ultra-Big Ball Multiple Rasengan.
• Gaara used the Feign Sleep Technique, allowing Shukaku to emerge and attack Naruto and Sasuke.
• Naruto refused Kurama’s offer of chakra and unleashed Adamantine Sealing Chains to restrain Shukaku.
• Naruto told Sasuke to wake Gaara, and Sasuke pierced Shukaku with Chidori, striking Gaara’s shoulder and waking him.
• Shukaku returned to Gaara, who fell to the ground exhausted, while Naruto collapsed after using too much strength.
• Sasuke hurried toward the fallen Naruto across the ruined forest.

After the Third Hokage died defending Konoha, Naruto and Jiraiya prepared to search for Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage. The chapter also showed Gaara beginning to change after his fight with Naruto and Sasuke.

• Sasuke chose not to pursue Gaara and carried the exhausted Naruto back to Sakura and Ino.
• Gaara wondered how Naruto had found people by his side, apologized to Temari and Kankuro, and thanked them for helping him.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sacrificed himself with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to take their souls and Orochimaru's arms.
• Naruto mourned Hiruzen Sarutobi and spoke with Kurama about the coming search for Tsunade.
• Jiraiya visited Naruto and told him they were leaving on a mission to find the Fifth Hokage, while Naruto responded without enthusiasm.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki infiltrated Konoha while Naruto traveled with Jiraiya, who tried to cheer him up. Naruto sensed the approaching Akatsuki members, and the chapter ended with Jiraiya facing them outside Naruto’s room.

• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki entered Konoha by hypnotizing the guards with genjutsu.
• Naruto told Jiraiya that he understood becoming Hokage meant earning everyone’s acknowledgment, then argued with him over his savings.
• Jiraiya left Naruto at an inn to pursue a tailor shop owner, while Naruto reflected on Itachi Uchiha’s strength and his upcoming encounter with Sasuke.
• The Nine-Tails warned Naruto that Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were nearby, and Naruto opened his door to find them facing Jiraiya.
• Naruto saw the tailor shop owner asleep on the floor and teased Jiraiya for returning so quickly.

Jiraiya and Naruto continued their search for Tsunade after Itachi and Kisame escaped, and Naruto warned that Orochimaru might seek her help. In Tanzaku Town, Tsunade and Shizune encountered Orochimaru, who revealed his injured arms and exposed Tsunade’s fear of blood.

• Jiraiya summoned the stomach of a great toad to trap Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, but Itachi escaped by blasting through the wall with Amaterasu.
• Sasuke arrived seeking Itachi, and Might Guy accidentally kicked Jiraiya while rushing to protect Naruto and Sasuke.
• Jiraiya and Naruto set out for Tanzaku Town to find Tsunade, and Naruto agreed to train with Jiraiya after they found her.
• Naruto suggested that Orochimaru might also seek Tsunade’s help, prompting Jiraiya to hurry toward Tanzaku Town.
• Tsunade and Shizune met Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, and Orochimaru showed Tsunade his bloodied, injured arm.
• Shizune shielded Tsunade as Kabuto realized that the legendary medical master suffered from hemophobia.

Naruto and Jiraiya interrupted Orochimaru’s attempt to recruit Tsunade, but Orochimaru and Kabuto escaped. At an inn, Jiraiya asked Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage, and Naruto declared that he would become an even greater Hokage than her.

• Orochimaru offered to let Tsunade see the two people most important to her if she helped him, and revealed his plan to use the First and Second Hokage against Sarutobi.
• Naruto attacked Orochimaru and Kabuto with a Rasengan, while Jiraiya trapped Orochimaru in a swamp and joined the fight.
• Orochimaru escaped after shedding his skin, and Kabuto used Yin Healing Wound Destruction to survive Naruto’s Rasengan before fleeing.
• Jiraiya, Naruto, Tsunade, and Shizune went to an inn, where Jiraiya asked Tsunade to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade refused the appointment, and Naruto introduced himself and vowed to become a Hokage more outstanding than her.

Tsunade challenged Naruto to a bet: if he could take her necklace, she would acknowledge his dream of becoming Hokage and give him the necklace. Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to win, leaving Tsunade asking how he had appeared in front of her.

• Tsunade learned Naruto's name and that Kakashi had taught him the Rasengan.
• Tsunade challenged Naruto to take her necklace, wagering that he would remain a Genin if he lost.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto to use the Flying Thunder God Technique on Tsunade, but Naruto refused, and Jiraiya fainted after imagining Tsunade in a bunny outfit.
• Tsunade fought Naruto with one hand and repeatedly knocked him down while criticizing his straightforward attacks.
• Naruto suddenly appeared before Tsunade with the Flying Thunder God Technique and took her necklace.
• Tsunade asked Naruto what ninjutsu he had used to reach her so quickly.

Naruto explained his new Flying Thunder God Movement technique to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune, then refused Shizune’s request to return Tsunade’s necklace and urged Tsunade to face the future. He left Tsunade reconsidering her grief and began wondering whether other fictional worlds could exist beyond their own.

• Naruto described Flying Thunder God Movement and explained how it differed from the mark-based technique, impressing Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune.
• Naruto reflected that Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi were still nearby and that he might have to fight them.
• Shizune asked Naruto to return Tsunade’s necklace, but Naruto refused and said the past could not be changed while the future could still be saved.
• Tsunade overheard Shizune leave Naruto’s room and, unable to sleep, found renewed resolve in Naruto’s words about resisting fate.
• Naruto and the Nine-Tails discussed whether other worlds existed, and Naruto wondered if someone could cross the dimensional barrier to visit Awen’s world.

Tsunade rejected Orochimaru’s offer to use Impure World Reincarnation and joined Jiraiya in fighting him to protect Konoha. Naruto and Shizune faced Guren, whose Crystal Release clone wounded Shizune before Naruto destroyed it.

• Tsunade left her room and went with Jiraiya and Naruto to meet Orochimaru outside Tanzaku Town.
• Tsunade refused to join Orochimaru, rejected his offer to revive Nawaki and Dan, and vowed to protect Konoha as the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya attacked Orochimaru, while Naruto and Shizune were intercepted by Guren and Kabuto Yakushi went to aid Orochimaru.
• Kabuto Yakushi helped Orochimaru summon Manda as Jiraiya and Tsunade summoned Gamabunta and Katsuyu.
• Guren used Crystal Release against Naruto and Shizune, and her crystal clone slashed Shizune before Naruto shattered it with a Wind Release Rasengan.

Naruto and Shizune fought Guren while Tsunade and Jiraiya battled Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi. Naruto defeated Guren, but Kabuto rescued her as the enemy group fled, and Tsunade decided to return to Konoha and become Fifth Hokage; Naruto remained worried that Sasuke would soon leave the village.

• Guren attacked Naruto and Shizune with Crystal Dragons, and Naruto destroyed them with golden Chakra chains.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God Movement to appear before Guren and strike her with a Rasengan, sending her falling from the sky.
• Shizune caught Naruto as he fell, then slapped him after he accidentally pressed her to the ground.
• Naruto prepared to finish off the wounded Guren, but Kabuto Yakushi summoned a giant snake that swallowed her and escaped underground.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya defeated Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, who fled with Guren, and Tsunade decided to return to Konoha as Fifth Hokage.
• Naruto traveled back toward the village with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Tonton while worrying that Sasuke would soon leave Konoha.

Naruto worried about the Rasenshuriken’s harmful side effects until Kurama urged him to seek help, and Tsunade noticed water-nature chakra in his technique. At the Hot Spring Village, Naruto began training his water-nature transformation, then was shocked when Tsunade entered the bath.

• Kurama called Naruto out for brooding and explained that experience grew through interaction with others, prompting Naruto to ask Tsunade and Jiraiya for advice.
• Naruto demonstrated his Wind Release Rasengan, and Tsunade spotted traces of water-nature chakra in it.
• Tsunade advised Naruto to train his water-nature transformation, and Jiraiya suggested practicing at the Hot Spring Village.
• At the hot springs, Jiraiya taught Naruto to gather water-nature chakra in his palms and strike the surface without disturbing it, while Naruto’s attempts sent up explosive splashes.
• Jiraiya left the bath, and Tsunade entered a few minutes later, leaving Naruto startled.

Tsunade helped Naruto improve his Water-Nature Chakra control before she, Naruto, Jiraiya, and Shizune continued their journey to Konoha. Once they arrived, Naruto told Tsunade that Kakashi was unconscious in the hospital after being struck by Itachi Uchiha’s genjutsu.

• Tsunade joined Naruto in the hot spring and guided him in controlling his Water-Nature Chakra, helping him make much smaller splashes.
• Jiraiya saw Tsunade and Naruto leave the mixed bath together, misunderstood what had happened, and grieved when Naruto explained that Tsunade had only helped with his training.
• Shizune told Jiraiya, Naruto, and Tsunade that Tsunade’s debt collectors had found them, but Tsunade dismissed the concern.
• Tsunade, Naruto, Jiraiya, and Shizune traveled back to Konoha, where the villagers gathered to welcome Tsunade.
• Naruto saw Sasuke in the crowd and asked Tsunade to help Kakashi, who was unconscious in the hospital after Itachi Uchiha’s genjutsu.

Tsunade healed Kakashi and examined Rock Lee, warning him that his injuries left his future as a ninja uncertain. Sasuke challenged Naruto to measure their strength, then remained unmoved when Naruto defeated him and warned him about Orochimaru.

• Tsunade healed Kakashi, then examined Rock Lee and explained how severe his injuries were after Naruto left the ward.
• Naruto returned to find Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke gone, but Sasuke waited outside the hospital to challenge him.
• Sasuke and Naruto fought at the training ground, where Naruto broke free of Sasuke's genjutsu and gained the advantage in close combat.
• Sasuke's Great Fireball Jutsu and Chidori failed to overcome Naruto's Wind Release Rasengan, and the impact knocked Sasuke to the ground.
• Naruto warned Sasuke that Orochimaru wanted to take over his body, but Sasuke did not change his mind.