Chapter Summaries

Kakashi recommended Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for the Chunin selection exam, and Naruto invited them to a movie before it began. At the theater, Sakura’s hoped-for outing with Sasuke was thwarted by an aisle between their seats, while Naruto sat beside a disguised woman who seemed familiar.

• Kakashi gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura application forms for the Chunin selection exam and told them to submit them by the following afternoon.
• Naruto told Sakura and Sasuke about Gaara, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten, and he and Sasuke looked forward to fighting each other.
• Naruto invited Sasuke and Sakura to watch The Adventures of Princess Gale, and they went with him to the cinema.
• Sakura discovered that an aisle separated her seat from Sasuke’s, while Naruto sat farther forward beside a masked woman in disguise.
• Naruto noticed the woman’s familiar fragrance, then turned his attention to the movie as it began.

Naruto and his friends met the star Fujikaze Yukie after watching her film, but she rejected their requests for autographs and insisted she would never return to the Land of Snow. Sandayu resolved to get her there anyway, believing it was their only hope.

• Naruto watched The Great Adventure of Princess Gale and excitedly recognized the disguised Fujikaze Yukie outside the theater.
• Naruto chased Fujikaze Yukie and asked for her autograph, but she tore his poster, crushed his pen, and dismissed him and Sakura.
• Sakura criticized Fujikaze Yukie, while Naruto recovered and said he would still get Princess Gale’s autograph someday; Sasuke left after reminding them the Chunin Ninja Exams were tomorrow.
• Fujikaze Yukie told Sandayu she would absolutely not go to the Land of Snow, and Sandayu resolved to make her go because he believed it was their only hope.

Team 7 encountered Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee outside the Chunin Ninja Exams classroom, then uncovered a genjutsu meant to test the examinees. Rock Lee challenged Sasuke to a fight as Naruto and Sakura continued toward registration, leaving Sasuke to face him with the deadline approaching.

• Sakura worried that her weakness would hold Naruto and Sasuke back during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Naruto met Tenten, Neji Hyuga, and Rock Lee outside Classroom 301, where two disguised ninjas were turning away examinees.
• Sasuke recognized the genjutsu that made the second-floor classroom appear to be on the third floor, and Sakura identified the deception aloud.
• Rock Lee and Tenten restrained the disguised ninjas, who later revealed themselves as Konoha Jonin Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
• Rock Lee challenged Sasuke to a match, and Sasuke activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan while Naruto and Sakura headed toward registration.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached Classroom 301 to take the Chunin Ninja Exams after Sasuke defeated Rock Lee in a spar and Naruto stopped the fight. Inside, they reunited with their classmates, and Sakura and Ino immediately began arguing over Sasuke.

• Sasuke adapted to Rock Lee's taijutsu and caught him in Sharingan genjutsu, but Naruto interrupted before Rock Lee could continue the fight.
• Might Guy appeared, scolded Rock Lee, and became stunned when Naruto repeated Kakashi's acorn joke about him.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that the exam required teams of three and praised them for choosing to take it.
• Ino embraced Sasuke, prompting Sakura to argue and fight with her while Sasuke slipped away.
• Kiba arrived with Akamaru, Shino, and Hinata, and Hinata shyly greeted Naruto.

Naruto took the Chunin Exams’ written test and, after consulting Kurama about the changing timeline, confidently answered every question. He passed the first round and advanced to the dangerous second exam in the Forest of Death.

• Naruto drew the other examinees’ attention with a loud declaration, but Ibiki Morino interrupted the brewing confrontation and began the first exam.
• Naruto asked Kurama for help, but Kurama told him to trust his intelligence and handle the test himself.
• Naruto realized he could use what he knew about Orochimaru and his own abilities, then returned to the exam and began writing.
• Ibiki Morino and Hinata suspected Naruto had cheated after seeing his answers, while Ino stopped preparing to help him.
• Naruto passed the written exam and advanced to the second round at Training Ground 44, where the danger was real.

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.