Chapter Summaries

Kakashi ate a Meat Chop that made him convulse, and Naruto hurled the Undying Totem at him in an attempt to save him. Sasuke declared Kakashi dead, while Naruto insisted he was only asleep and would wake soon.

• Kakashi sneaked food from the Whirlpool Squad and ate a Meat Chop that looked suspiciously like one of Naruto's special items.
• Kakashi collapsed and convulsed, and Naruto noticed a flashing sign of death above him.
• Naruto's Shadow Clones dispersed after eating several servings each, and Naruto hurled the Undying Totem at Kakashi.
• Whirlpool Stark warned Naruto that he might have smashed Kakashi to death.
• Sasuke checked Kakashi's pulse and declared him dead, leaving Sakura distraught.
• Naruto told Sakura and Sasuke that Kakashi was only asleep and would wake soon.

Kakashi revived after the Undying Totem activated, and Team 7 continued training as Sasuke developed new Lightning Release techniques. Sasuke grew much faster, while Kakashi wondered whether the team was straying from the path he had intended.

• Kakashi woke beside the powder left by the Undying Totem, found himself healed, and wondered whether seeing his father had been a dream.
• Sakura rejoiced that Kakashi was alive, while Sasuke decided not to run away and peeked at Whirlpool Stark's notebook.
• Sasuke read the line, “My life has been like walking on thin ice. Do you think I can still make it to the other shore?” and praised it without understanding Whirlpool Stark's notes.
• Naruto confirmed that the totem worked, then practiced with his Great Iron Gate while Kakashi rested and remembered Obito and Rin.
• During Team 7's training, Sasuke learned Lightning Release: Chidori and developed Three Thousand Lightning Movements and Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Bodies.
• Kakashi was astonished by Sasuke's new techniques, while Naruto kept practicing with a gate panel by the river.

Team 7 returned to Konoha after a month away, where the villagers reacted fearfully to Naruto and the Third Hokage signed off on their mission. The chapter ended with a furious, bandaged old man in a wheelchair berating Naruto, who did not recognize him.

• Naruto rode the Great Iron Gate home while singing, irritating Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura.
• Team 7 reached Konoha, and gate guards hurried into the village to spread news of their return.
• Naruto greeted the guards cheerfully, while Kakashi led the team toward the Hokage Building to report their mission.
• Villagers fled or shut themselves away when they saw Naruto, hoping the Nara family and Hyuga clan would deal with him.
• The Third Hokage accepted Kakashi's mission scroll and ordered the reward retrieved.
• A furious old man in a wheelchair called Naruto the Whirlpool Brat and threatened to kill him, leaving Naruto confused about who he was.

Medical Ninja rushed to treat Danzo after his Wind Release injuries worsened, while Naruto mistakenly blamed Orochimaru and nearly provoked Danzo to death. After Team 7 received its mission payment, Naruto used his share to request an S-Rank mission investigating supposed Sunagakure spies in the village.

• Medical Ninja treated Danzo as his Wind Release injuries reopened, and Kakashi and the Third Hokage recognized the wounds as resembling Naruto's technique.
• Naruto worried that Danzo might die before Sasuke could take revenge, then incorrectly concluded Orochimaru had attacked him as part of the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Naruto loudly asked who had used Wind Release to injure Danzo, causing Danzo's blood pressure to spike until he passed out.
• The Third Hokage ordered Naruto to stop disturbing the Medical Ninja, and they rushed Danzo to the hospital.
• Kakashi divided Team 7's mission payment among its members, and Naruto used his share to request an S-Rank mission investigating suspected Sunagakure spies for a month.

Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke left the Hokage Building after the Third Hokage suggested Team 7 take the Chunin Exams, which Sasuke called the Sect Competition. Tenten, Neji, and Rock Lee joined them for a meal, and Naruto’s casual greeting immediately angered Neji.

• Naruto regretted forgetting to ask the Third Hokage about viewing the Sealing Scroll, while Kakashi hoped he could see his departed loved ones again.
• Kakashi parted from Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke using a Body Flicker, and Sakura realized the Third Hokage had said they would take the Chunin Exams.
• Sasuke called the Chunin Exams the Sect Competition, and the Big Fox mocked Konoha as unworthy.
• Sasuke mused about walking on thin ice, prompting Sakura to admire him and Naruto to wonder where he had learned the line.
• Tenten invited Naruto and the others to eat with her, Neji, and Rock Lee, and gave Sasuke the nickname Thin Ice Brother.
• Naruto greeted Neji as his brother-in-law, making Neji’s anger rise.

Naruto had Whirlpool Stark enchant Sasuke’s sword, which Sasuke renamed the Mystic Heavy Ruler, before Kakashi announced that the Chunin Exams would begin the next day. Kakashi and Naruto teased Sasuke as “Thin Ice Brother,” leaving him furious and mortified.

• Naruto gave Sasuke the enchanted Kubikiribōchō, which gained increased weight, neck damage, chakra restoration, and slight healing abilities.
• Sasuke renamed the blade the Mystic Heavy Ruler and enthusiastically swung it while showing off his new hairstyle.
• Kakashi told Team 7 that he had submitted their Chunin Exam roster and that the first written test would begin the next day.
• Kakashi called Sasuke “Thin Ice Brother” and invited him to inspect the exam venue, embarrassing Sasuke because the nickname had spread through Konoha.
• Naruto and Kakashi mocked Sasuke’s nickname together, while Sakura protested and Sasuke threatened to kill them.

Sasuke nearly attacked Gaara and the other Sunagakure ninja after Gaara called him Thin Ice Brother, but Naruto and Kakashi restrained him. Konohamaru declared his admiration for Naruto and asked to follow him, while Ebisu tried to stop them.

• Kankuro released Konohamaru after Sasuke demanded it, and Konohamaru hid behind Sasuke.
• Gaara left with Kankuro and Temari after challenging Konoha's Thin Ice Brother to meet him at the Chunin Exams.
• Sasuke erupted in anger and tried to attack the departing Sunagakure ninja, but Naruto pinned him down while Kakashi intervened.
• Konohamaru recognized Naruto, hugged his leg, and asked to follow him so he could become strong.
• Ebisu warned Konohamaru to stay away from Naruto, but Naruto helped the boy up and prepared to defy the Third Hokage's order.

Naruto’s Konoha Door Art Taijutsu Style inspired Konohamaru to steal the Third Hokage’s doors and use them as weapons. The Third Hokage realized Naruto had influenced his grandson and was left reeling as Konohamaru proudly asked what he thought of the style.

• Sakura went home to study while Sasuke and Naruto returned to the Training Grounds to practice.
• Naruto showed Konohamaru his Door Art, and Konohamaru imitated the style on his way home.
• The Third Hokage found the doors missing from his house and discovered Konohamaru swinging one at the Training Grounds.
• Konohamaru charged at the Third Hokage with the door, tripped, and accused his grandfather of setting an ambush.
• Konohamaru admitted Naruto had taught him the style, leaving the Third Hokage shocked and struggling to catch his breath.
• Konohamaru checked that the Third Hokage was all right, then proudly asked what he thought of his Konoha Door Art Taijutsu Style.

Kakashi led Team 7 to the Chunin Exams, only for Naruto and Sasuke to arrive in bizarre outfits that drew attention from the other villages. As the exam began, Hinata recognized Naruto, while the examiners struggled to identify him and Sasuke.

• Kakashi told Team 7 to dress formally for the Chunin Exams and waited for them the next afternoon.
• Naruto arrived in homemade Iron Man armor and Sasuke wore a hooded robe with a huge sword, prompting Kakashi to despair over their appearances.
• Kakashi led Team 7 to the exam venue, where onlookers mistook Naruto and Sasuke for puppets and their handlers.
• Naruto and Sasuke entered the venue under the names Uchiha Xiao Yan and Whirlpool Iron Man, drawing Shikamaru's attention.
• Hinata recognized Naruto and ran over to greet him, while examiners searched for Naruto and Second Pillar without recognizing them.

During the Chunin Exams’ written test, Naruto realized that examinees caught cheating five times would be eliminated and deliberately framed Yakushi Kabuto to disrupt the room. Ibiki Morino counted two cheating instances against Kabuto, while Naruto’s antics left the exam room increasingly chaotic.

• Naruto and Sasuke filled their test papers with irrelevant answers, while Sakura mistakenly assumed they knew the solutions.
• After an examinee and his teammates were eliminated for cheating, Naruto inferred the five-instance rule and targeted Yakushi Kabuto.
• Naruto shot a densely written note that broke Kabuto’s glasses, then reported him to Ibiki Morino for cheating.
• Ibiki marked Kabuto for one instance of cheating, and Naruto reported him again while insulting him.
• Kabuto protested that Naruto had framed him, but Ibiki stopped the argument and marked him for a second instance of cheating.

After the first Chunin Exam stage, Naruto and his group secretly beat up other villages’ genin while their team-leading jōnin went to complain to the Third Hokage. The four were arrested and brought before the Third Hokage, who was already dealing with the complaints.

• Ibiki Morino tried to calm angry jōnin from other villages, who accused Konoha of rigging the exam and mistreating their genin, but they headed to the Hokage Building to demand an explanation.
• Naruto used the Light Gate to take Sasuke, Sakura, and Konohamaru around attacking isolated genin from other villages, while insisting they avoid using Chakra or weapons.
• Sakura protested that they had beaten up thirteen people, but Naruto crossed more names off his note and led the group after Kankuro.
• More than twenty Konoha jōnin arrested Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Konohamaru and brought them to the Hokage Office, with Kakashi Hatake leading the arrest team.
• The Third Hokage confronted the group after other villages’ jōnin had complained that a blond Konoha examinee had accused genin of cheating and attacked them.

After the Third Hokage protected Naruto from the other villages and agreed to let him learn a ninjutsu, Team 7 entered the Forest of Death for the second Chunin Exam. Naruto and Sasuke set off to target the Sound Ninja teams, hoping to find Orochimaru.

• The Third Hokage blamed Whirlpool Stark’s actions on him personally, protected Naruto, and promised Naruto a ninjutsu from the Sealing Scroll if he caused no more trouble.
• Team 7 arrived at the Forest of Death, where only ten teams had advanced and many examinees watched Naruto with hostility.
• Shikamaru privately asked Naruto not to hit his face if they met in the exam, but Naruto denied responsibility for the trouble.
• Red Bean began the second exam, and Naruto teased her about eating too many Dango.
• After Sakura collected her scroll, Naruto and Sasuke raced toward the Sound Ninja teams, with Sakura clinging to Sasuke’s back when she could not keep up.

Naruto killed Zaku with the Great Iron Gate, then returned to find that an impostor had been exposed as Orochimaru. Orochimaru countered Naruto’s Light Gate attack, and Sasuke charged him after judging his strength to be no less than Kakashi’s.

• Zaku tried to attack Naruto’s puppet, but Naruto appeared with the Great Iron Gate and crushed him.
• The two remaining Sound ninja fled in opposite directions, and Naruto chased them through a Light Gate.
• Naruto returned to the group, where Sasuke and Sakura attacked the blood-covered figure after realizing he was an impostor.
• The impostor revealed himself as Orochimaru, and Naruto tried to strike him with the Great Iron Gate.
• Orochimaru kicked Naruto back through the Light Gate and used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, damaging Naruto’s weighted gear before Naruto healed.
• Sasuke told Sakura to protect herself and charged Orochimaru, judging his strength to be no less than Kakashi’s.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, using improvised attacks and the Mystic Heavy Ruler to withstand his tricks. Naruto escaped from a giant snake with explosives and returned through a Light Gate as the battle continued.

• Naruto spat phlegm at Orochimaru, then used Netherite Alloy Knuckle Dusters when Orochimaru transformed into mud and escaped his attack.
• A giant snake swallowed Naruto while Orochimaru used Earth Release: Headhunter Technique against Sasuke.
• Sasuke dodged Orochimaru’s feint, counterattacked with the Mystic Heavy Ruler, and activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Naruto planted TNT and a self-destructing Whirlpool Ziggs inside the snake, then returned through a purple Light Gate as explosions rang out.

After Orochimaru marked Sasuke with the Cursed Seal, Sasuke realized Orochimaru wanted to possess him and decided to use the power for himself. The team prepared to leave, but Sasuke stopped to take a leak before Naruto opened the Light Gate.

• Sasuke collapsed after Orochimaru bit his neck, and Sakura helped him up.
• Naruto and Sakura checked on Sasuke, who sensed that Orochimaru had left something inside him and noticed his Chakra had increased.
• Sasuke concluded that Orochimaru wanted to possess him, and Naruto confirmed it while offering to stop the plan.
• Sasuke activated the Cursed Seal and declared he would not let Orochimaru succeed, while Naruto accepted that Sasuke could use its power.
• Naruto prepared to open the Light Gate, but Sasuke broke away from Sakura and went into the woods to pee.

Kankuro challenged Naruto to a Puppet Technique showdown, mistaking him for a Konoha Puppet Master. Naruto entered the arena carrying a golden statue, and the fight began with Kankuro attacking him with Crow.

• Kankuro eagerly challenged Naruto to prove Sunagakure's Puppet Technique was unmatched.
• Naruto entered the arena and pulled out a human-height golden Undying Totem, making the spectators think he was a Puppet Master.
• Kakashi told the Konoha jonin that the statue was probably Naruto's weapon, while the Third Hokage worried about Konohamaru's future and took more pills.
• Hayate Gekko ordered the contestants to form the Confrontation Seal, and Kankuro released Crow from its bandages.
• Naruto rushed at Kankuro with the statue, and Kankuro launched Crow's limbs at him, triggering an explosion.

Naruto brutally beat Kankuro with an Undying Totem during their arena match, leaving the spectators horrified. Kankuro instead thanked Naruto, believing he had discovered the true essence of Puppet Technique.

• Naruto used an Undying Totem to repeatedly smash Kankuro, while Hayate Gekko kept his distance and the spectators watched in fear.
• The Third Hokage told Naruto to stop, and Hayate Gekko eventually got Naruto’s attention after the totem broke and healed Pikachu.
• Kankuro stood up with his clothes and puppets destroyed, then bowed to Naruto and thanked him for teaching him the true essence of Puppet Technique.
• Gaara angrily called Kankuro a disgrace, while Kakashi worried Naruto had led another student astray.
• Rock Lee and Guy Sensei cried over Kankuro’s gratitude, and Naruto returned to the spectator seats as Kankuro thanked him along the way.

Sasuke overwhelmed Tenten in the Chunin Exam with an enormous supply of ninja tools and trapped her with steel wires. Tenten surrendered, and Sasuke revealed that he still had dozens of Sealing Scrolls left.

• The Konoha examiners formed a barrier around Sasuke and Tenten as they threw ninja tools across the arena.
• Naruto cheered Sasuke on from the stands while Sakura spoke quietly with Hinata.
• Sasuke unleashed tens of thousands of shuriken from multiple Sealing Scrolls and used steel wires to redirect them toward Tenten.
• Sasuke covered the arena with shuriken and wires, leaving Tenten with nowhere safe to move.
• Tenten surrendered and asked how many scrolls Sasuke had, and he showed her dozens still tucked beneath his clothes.

Naruto tried to comfort Hayate Gekko, whose tears intensified after Naruto made an ill-chosen remark, before Hayate left the Chunin Exams grounds. Meanwhile, Jiraiya returned to Konoha and received an enthusiastic welcome from villagers who hoped he would deal with Naruto, then headed toward a bathhouse to gather material.

• Naruto misunderstood Hayate Gekko's distress and tried to console him, but his remarks made Hayate cry harder.
• Hayate Gekko spoke with the Third Hokage and left the Chunin Exams grounds; a scarred-face Konoha Jonin replaced him as examiner for Gaara and Rock Lee's match.
• Naruto watched Gaara and Rock Lee fight, grew bored, and sank his consciousness into the Sealing Space to tease the Fox Spirit.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha, where villagers and ninjas welcomed him with praise and gifts while hoping he would discipline Naruto.
• Jiraiya left the crowd and went toward a bathhouse, taking out a Miniature Telescope to gather material.

Naruto and Sasuke discussed the power of X Breaks the Sky until Hinata, suspicious of their closeness, confronted Naruto. Meanwhile, Kakashi discovered that the bite on Sasuke’s neck was Orochimaru’s curse mark and sensed dangerous Chakra inside him.

• Naruto and Sasuke debated whether the ninja world could produce a Dou Di, while Naruto wondered if Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan could grant wishes.
• Hinata and Sakura-ge approached Naruto and Sasuke, and Hinata questioned Naruto about standing so close to Sasuke.
• Naruto took Hinata aside to explain his relationship with Sasuke, while Sakura-ge tried to justify warning Hinata and Sasuke went to read beside Kakashi.
• Sasuke told Kakashi that a snake had bitten his neck, but Kakashi recognized the wound as Orochimaru’s curse mark.
• Kakashi used his Sharingan to examine Sasuke and found cold, sinister Chakra inside him that could make Sasuke’s Chakra go berserk.