Recaps

The examiners reviewed how Konoha teams Kabuto Yakushi’s and Shikamaru Nara’s had passed the second round by taking and trading scrolls. Jiraiya arrived battered but announced the exams would proceed, while Hiruzen accepted his defeat and entrusted Konoha’s future to Jiraiya.

• The examiners learned that Kabuto Yakushi’s team had taken an Anbu examiner’s Human Scroll and traded scrolls with Shikamaru Nara’s team.
• The examiners discovered that Shikamaru’s team had ambushed the lone Amegakure ninja and then struck Kabuto’s team, letting both Konoha teams pass.
• Naruto remembered how Shikamaru had planned fights for him at the Ninja Academy.
• Jiraiya appeared injured, told the examiners that everything was settled, and said the Chunin Ninja Exams would continue as usual.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on his fight and entrusted Konoha’s changes and Naruto’s future to Jiraiya.

Sasuke recovered in the Forest of Death and set up a plan to wait at the Central Tower entrance and take the Scrolls of any remaining teams. As teams gathered nearby, the Sound Ninja Trio and another team watched from hiding, hoping to use one group as bait to draw Sasuke away.

• An injured man confronted an Amegakure ninja leaving Konoha and ordered him to tell his allies to lure Jiraiya away within two months.
• Sasuke woke after recovering inside the Tsukuyomi Barrier, ate breakfast Karin had prepared, and learned Hinata had been watching the Central Tower.
• Sasuke and Karin joined Hinata at the tower, where Sasuke explained they would wait at the entrance and take Scrolls from teams trying to pass.
• Sasuke asked Karin and Hinata to search for examiners in the forest because he suspected something was wrong with the Exam.
• On the third night, a team neared the tower but hid rather than face Sasuke, unaware that the Sound Ninja Trio and another team were watching them.
• The Sound Ninja Trio decided the approaching team would make useful bait to draw Sasuke away from the entrance.

Sasuke used a genjutsu to expose and capture suspicious teams gathered near the tower, then entered with Hinata and Karin to complete the Second Exam. After their scrolls released Naruto’s chakra into them, Naruto appeared and congratulated them on passing.

• Sasuke set the surrounding forest ablaze and attacked the teams hiding near the tower, making them believe he was killing them.
• Sasuke dispelled the genjutsu, and the Anbu restrained the Sound Ninja and the disguised Kumogakure team for investigation.
• Sasuke told Dosu he had trapped the teams in the genjutsu as soon as they saw him, then went to the tower with Hinata and Karin.
• Hinata and Sasuke supplied the Heaven Scroll and Human Scroll, and all three opened their scrolls together to pass the exam.
• The scrolls released Naruto’s chakra into Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin, and Naruto appeared to congratulate them.

Naruto revealed that the Exam’s Scrolls marked candidates and team leaders with chakra seals so he could monitor them, while Kakashi explained that enemies of Konoha had infiltrated the Exam. After the Second Exam ended, six teams gathered at the arena, and Kabuto realized the elimination of the Otogakure team had disrupted Orochimaru’s plans.

• Naruto explained to Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin that opening the Scrolls marked candidates and summoned team leaders with surveillance seals.
• Kakashi told the team that Orochimaru and other threats had infiltrated the candidates, and Naruto urged them to continue the Exam as usual.
• Anko reported that no teams remained in the Forest of Death capable of passing, so Jiraiya scheduled the third Exam preliminaries for the next morning.
• On the fourth day, six teams assembled at the Third Exam Arena, where the four Konoha teams outnumbered the teams from Sunagakure and Kirigakure.
• Kabuto realized that the Otogakure team’s elimination had prevented Orochimaru from entering the arena as a team leader and derailed his own plans to investigate Sasuke.

Kabuto’s team entered the tower with Shikamaru’s team, leaving Kabuto unable to withdraw from the exams as planned. Jiraiya announced the preliminary matches and their results, ending with Karin surprised to receive a bye.

• Shikamaru invited Kabuto’s team to finish the exam together after they completed their scroll set, and both teams entered the tower.
• Jiraiya announced one-on-one preliminary matches to select ten participants for the Third Match, while Gekko Hayate explained that two candidates would receive byes.
• The candidates questioned the two byes, and Jiraiya recalled that he and Naruto had decided on the drawing procedure over ramen with Kakashi.
• Gekko Hayate announced the matchups, including Sasuke Uchiha versus Akato Yoroi and Shikamaru Nara versus Temari.
• Karin and Neji Hyuga received byes, and Karin stared at her blank slip in surprise.

Karin drew Sora and avoided fighting, while Sasuke quickly defeated Akato Yoroi with a precise Lightning Release-enhanced kick. The second match began with Temari cautiously facing Shikamaru, whose abilities she did not know.

• Karin drew Sora, and Neji complained that his own draw had kept him from fighting; Tenten and Rock Lee prepared for their matches.
• Gekko Hayate announced the first match between Sasuke Uchiha and Akato Yoroi and explained the rules.
• Sasuke struck Akato Yoroi down almost instantly with a controlled Lightning Release-enhanced kick, winning the match.
• Baki assessed Sasuke as a formidable opponent, while Ino cheered for him and Karin viewed her as a threat.
• Temari and Shikamaru began the second match, and Temari cautiously considered whether Shikamaru was hiding his strength.

Shikamaru outmaneuvered Temari with the Shadow Imitation Technique but conceded because his injuries left him unable to continue, giving Temari the victory. As the next match began, attention shifted to Gaara.

• Temari hesitated at Shikamaru’s laid-back behavior, then attacked with her Three-Star Fan and sent him flying with a powerful gust of wind.
• Shikamaru used the wind to create distance and pretended to prepare a Fire Release technique, prompting Temari to rush behind him and strike with her Iron Fan.
• Shikamaru revealed that he had trapped Temari with the Shadow Imitation Technique and forced her to mirror his movements.
• Shikamaru conceded because his injuries left him unable to stand, and Tsunade carried him to the Medical Room.
• Gekko Hayate declared Temari the winner, and the examinees entered for the third match as everyone focused on Gaara.

Tsunade reassured Jiraiya that her treatment for her hemophobia was working, though she privately resolved to address the problem herself. In the third-round match, Gaara trapped Kirigakure's Akechi Ichi in sand and continued crushing him even after the fight was effectively over.

• Tsunade told Jiraiya she had tested a memory-sealing treatment for her hemophobia, then privately sighed that she needed to solve her own problem before helping others.
• Jiraiya received his shadow clone's memories and reacted awkwardly while Naruto watched him.
• Karatachi Gui revealed that Gaara was the Fourth Kazekage's son, prompting Akechi Ichi to abandon his prepared taunts and flatter him.
• The Nine-Tails warned Naruto to keep an eye on Gaara, whose killing intent left Naruto wondering who Gaara was targeting.
• Gaara trapped Akechi Ichi in sand after he mentioned Gaara's father, then used Sand Binding Coffin and kept crushing him as Gekko Hayate tried to stop the match.

Gaara defeated Akechi Ichi, and Rock Lee began his match against Kankuro with a devastating opening kick. The chapter ended as the bandages fell from Kankuro’s puppet, leaving it unclear whether he had switched places with it in time.

• Gekko Hayate declared Gaara the winner after Gaara released Akechi Ichi, and Tsunade went to give the injured contestant emergency treatment.
• Naruto, Kushina, Minato, and the Nine-Tails discussed Gaara’s apparent restraint and his strange behavior.
• Rock Lee made an exuberant entrance and faced Kankuro, while Guy warned him that Kankuro’s bandaged puppet was suspicious.
• Rock Lee struck Kankuro with Konoha Dynamism, sending him crashing into a wall and appearing to knock him unconscious.
• Baki stopped Temari from entering the arena and reminded her that Kankuro might have switched places with his puppet.
• The bandages fell from Crow as Temari and Gaara watched, uncertain whether Kankuro had managed to hide inside it.

Rock Lee fought Kankuro’s puppets after knocking Kankuro unconscious, overcoming their hidden traps with powerful Taijutsu. He damaged Crow and drove Black Ant into the arena floor, while Naruto stopped Gekko Hayate from intervening.

• Rock Lee struck Kankuro into the wall, but Crow activated and attacked him with hidden blades, injuring his right leg as he smashed the puppet into the wall.
• Crow used Chakra Threads to control the unconscious Kankuro, who announced a supposed Human Puppet Technique and summoned Black Ant.
• Black Ant attacked Rock Lee with spinning blades, but Rock Lee turned a missed punch into a Konoha Battle Axe and slammed the puppet into the floor.
• Naruto blocked Gekko Hayate when Hayate prepared to intervene, while Rock Lee landed in a handstand and spectators marveled at his Taijutsu.

Rock Lee defeated Kankuro after surviving poison and opening the fourth gate, while Sasori learned his puppet had been destroyed and changed course toward Konoha. The chapter ended with Naruto declaring Lee the winner and bringing Tsunade to treat the fallen fighters.

• Rock Lee chased Kankuro around the arena, unaware that poison from Kankuro's blade was taking effect.
• Kankuro trapped Rock Lee inside the Ibuse puppet and sent the Crow puppet's blades toward it.
• Rock Lee opened the fourth gate, broke out of Ibuse, and smashed the Crow puppet before Kankuro could be killed by another attack.
• Sasori learned that his remotely controlled puppet had been destroyed and ordered Deidara to head for Konoha immediately.
• Rock Lee asked whether he had won, and Naruto declared him the victor before bringing Tsunade to treat him and Kankuro.

Gaara attacked Rock Lee, then explained his outburst as worry over his injured brother Kankuro and apologized. After the arena was repaired, Naruto was assigned to referee the remaining matches, and Hinata prepared to face Karatachi Gui.

• Gaara sent a blade of sand at Rock Lee, but Gekko Hayate intercepted it before it could hit him.
• Gaara threatened Baki and the Konoha group before Temari calmed him, and Jiraiya stopped him from leaving without an explanation.
• Gaara apologized to Guy, Neji, and the others, while Baki and Temari also apologized and explained that Gaara had been upset about Kankuro.
• Tsunade took the badly injured Kankuro to the hospital, and Jiraiya appointed Naruto to help Gekko Hayate referee the remaining matches.
• After examiners repaired the arena, Karatachi Gui and Hinata entered for the next match, and Naruto wished Hinata good luck.

Hinata defeated Karatachi Gui with the Gentle Fist, but a strange chakra erupted from him after his chakra points were sealed. The Nine-Tails recognized it as Isobu’s chakra, revealing that Gui was the Three-Tails’ jinchūriki.

• Karatachi Gui attacked Hinata with Water Release, shuriken, and clones, but her Byakugan let her evade and counter his techniques.
• Jiraiya and the Third Hokage noted Gui’s strong fundamentals but questioned why he used only basic techniques.
• Hinata broke through Gui’s Water Formation Wall and struck all sixty-four of his chakra points with the Gentle Fist, sending him crashing to the ground.
• Gui struggled to rise and murmured about being the son of Karatachi Yagura before an unusual surge of chakra enveloped him in a dark tortoise shell.
• The Nine-Tails identified the chakra as Isobu’s, and Minato and Kushina realized Gui was the Three-Tails’ jinchūriki.

Hinata defeated Karatachi Gui after he unleashed Isobu’s chakra and attacked her with a powerful Water Dragon Bullet. As Gui lamented his lack of talent and his father’s neglect, Gaara began to struggle with Shukaku’s influence in the spectator section.

• Minato and the Nine-Tails realized that Isobu had willingly given Karatachi Gui some of its chakra and was not controlling him.
• Gaara became distressed in the Sunagakure spectator section, and Baki tried to soothe Shukaku before Gaara could go berserk.
• Karatachi Gui’s chakra surged, and he attacked Hinata with Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet.
• Hinata used Kakashi’s Lightning Blade to pierce Gui’s chakra cloak, strike his shoulder, and stop his jutsu.
• Isobu’s chakra faded as Hinata’s sealed Gui’s chakra points, and Gui wondered why his father ignored him despite all his efforts.

Hinata defeated Karatachi Gui, and Taki Metsu revealed his skill by beating Ino while secretly retrieving a damaged core. Afterward, Kabuto Yakushi and Tenten’s match ended quickly.

• Hinata defeated Karatachi Gui, who realized he had been used to draw attention away from Taki Metsu.
• Taki Metsu entered the arena to face Ino, while Naruto and the others cheered for her.
• Taki Metsu used a Water Formation Wall to hide himself as he retrieved a damaged core from Kankuro's Crow puppet debris.
• Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique exposed four monsters in Taki Metsu’s mind, and she fled as he struck her with shuriken and won.
• Asuma told Ino that Taki Metsu had likely used a genjutsu, and Kabuto Yakushi’s match against Tenten ended quickly.

Kabuto noticed that the exam contestants were unusually strong and deliberately withdrew from the spotlight after Tenten defeated him. Once the Preliminaries ended, the Third Match lineup was announced, setting up several major rivalries for a month later.

• Kabuto recognized that Orochimaru's plan had changed and intended to stay unnoticed, but Tenten defeated him and left him badly injured.
• Shirakumo trapped Choji with Earth Release and won the final preliminary match, while Naruto watched and asked Kurama whether he recognized Shirakumo.
• The Third Hokage and Jiraiya explained the upcoming Third Match and announced the draw for the matches one month later.
• Neji was thrilled to draw Sasuke as his opponent, while Tenten worried that Temari's Wind Release would counter her ninja tools.
• Kakuzu drew Rock Lee, Hinata drew Gaara, and Karin drew Shirakumo, prompting the contestants to consider their upcoming opponents.

After the Exam, Naruto and his companions went to visit Rock Lee while Gaara went with Temari to see Kankuro. Elsewhere, Itachi reported that Sasori’s infiltration had failed, and Pain considered Orochimaru’s plan to lure Jiraiya away from Konoha.

• Gekko Hayate explained that five contestants would advance from one-on-one matches to a five-way battle, while examiners could also promote candidates based on their performance.
• Gaara agreed to go with Temari to visit Kankuro, and Naruto noted that Gaara’s unusual behavior and murderous intent had caused no trouble.
• Minato asked Naruto to tell Jiraiya how to activate the formulas Naruto had planted on the candidates, and Naruto joined his companions as they went to check on Rock Lee.
• A crow delivered Itachi’s report that Sasori’s infiltration had failed, and Itachi told Kisame to report that the identity for their impersonation was ready.
• Konan brought an Amegakure ninja to Pain with Orochimaru’s message, but a sealing jutsu erupted from the ninja and Pain blasted him away with Shinra Tensei.
• Pain identified the trap as Orochimaru’s warning and considered luring Jiraiya away from Konoha within the coming month.

Konan agreed to handle Jiraiya while Pain postponed acting, and news spread that Konoha planned an alliance among three major shinobi villages. As people and factions reacted to the announcement, a Konoha operative reported that the rumors had reached a small village; the chapter ended with Naruto and his friends gathering at a barbecue restaurant.

• Konan told Pain she would arrange the others’ work and handle Jiraiya, and Pain agreed to wait.
• Kazahana Koyuki learned Uchiha Izumi had left the Land of Snow and resisted traveling to Konoha, but Sandayu insisted they honor the invitation.
• Rumors spread that Konoha would hold a joint Chunin Exam and announce an alliance among three major shinobi villages, prompting factions to head toward Konoha.
• A small-village leader sent an operative to investigate the alliance rumors, while a Konoha undercover ninja reported that the village had been informed.
• Naruto lamented that Ichiraku Ramen lost the group’s restaurant vote, while Shikamaru noticed Rock Lee eagerly waiting for something besides the meat.

Naruto gathered the exam participants to celebrate Rock Lee’s release from the hospital, and they discussed how they would prepare for the upcoming matches. The gathering ended with the group discovering that Konoha’s villagers saw the Chunin Exams as a public demonstration of the village’s strength, a change Naruto knew Jiraiya had arranged.

• Rock Lee complained about missing the rest of the Preliminaries, and Tenten reminded him that the gathering celebrated his release from the hospital.
• Naruto toasted Lee and everyone who had reached the third round, while Shikamaru asked Neji and Sasuke about their plans for the remaining month.
• Neji and Sasuke played down the need for special training, and their posturing led Rock Lee to doubt his own plan to train with Might Guy.
• Hinata said she would do special training with Naruto, and the others dropped their objections when they saw how happy she was.
• The owner recognized the guests as Chunin Exam contestants, and the customers praised them as representatives of Konoha.
• Shikamaru wondered why the exams seemed to have become more than a selection test, while Naruto understood that Jiraiya had arranged the village publicity.

After Rock Lee went berserk from liquor-filled chocolate at the barbecue restaurant, Neji gained access to the Hyuga Clan’s secret archive, and Sasuke asked Kakashi for more training after facing Orochimaru. Sasuke then entered Kakashi’s home and froze at the sight of unexpected visitors.

• The barbecue restaurant owner gave the group liquor-filled chocolates, and Rock Lee suddenly became wild and had to be restrained.
• Naruto and Hinata took Rock Lee home while Shikamaru stayed behind to deal with the restaurant’s wreckage.
• Neji visited Hyuga Hiashi, who confirmed the Caged Bird Seal had been removed and opened the clan’s secret archive to him.
• Sasuke told Kakashi that he wanted to become stronger after realizing Orochimaru had not fought at full strength, and Kakashi agreed to discuss special training.
• Sasuke entered Kakashi’s home and was startled to find other people there.

Naruto used his newly developed Genjutsu: Heart-Revealing Technique to bring Hinata into his Inner World so she could meet his parents. He explained how the genjutsu worked and warned that he had to stay with her as her senses sank deeper into it.

• Naruto reassured a nervous Hinata that they were alone and prepared to use his new genjutsu.
• Naruto touched Hinata's forehead and guided her through a dark imagined tunnel while she followed his chakra.
• Naruto told Hinata to open her eyes after the technique succeeded, revealing his warm, white Inner World.
• Hinata recognized the space as Naruto's Inner World and asked about meeting his parents.
• Naruto conjured a red scarf to show Hinata that he could create objects in his Inner World.
• Naruto warned Hinata that the genjutsu could blur reality and said he needed to remain with her throughout it.

Naruto introduced Hinata to Kurama, who recalled memories of family life with a future Hinata and welcomed her into Naruto’s life. The scenery in Naruto’s Inner Space then revealed Minato and Kushina, and Kushina warmly greeted Hinata as Naruto’s girlfriend.

• Hinata asked Naruto about making things appear, and Kurama appeared to greet her while remembering his future life with Hinata, Boruto, and Himawari.
• Kurama told Hinata to take good care of Naruto, then disappeared so the couple could reunite with Naruto’s parents.
• Naruto’s Inner Space revealed Minato and Kushina, and Kushina eagerly hugged Hinata until Minato reminded her to ease up.
• Kushina introduced herself and Minato as Naruto’s parents and called Hinata Naruto’s girlfriend, making Hinata blush intensely.

Hinata formally met Naruto's parents, and Kushina welcomed her as family. Naruto laid out his plans for meeting Jiraiya and Hinata's family, while his parents encouraged him to handle his responsibilities and keep training; the chapter ended with the four of them sharing a family conversation in Minato and Kushina's old home.

• Hinata learned that Minato was the Fourth Hokage and spoke with him and Kushina.
• Kushina took Hinata aside, offered advice about Naruto, and told her to call her Mom.
• Naruto told Minato he planned to find Jiraiya, deliver the Sealing Formulas, speak with Hinata's family about an engagement, and address Neji's seal and the Hyuga family issue.
• Minato reminded Naruto to train and pursue his goal of becoming Hokage, and Naruto promised to become the greatest Hokage.
• Kushina transformed their surroundings into her and Minato's old home and gathered the family to talk.
• The Nine-Tails watched the happy family in Naruto's Inner World, smiling without realizing it.

Naruto and Hinata visited Jiraiya after becoming engaged, but their meeting began with an embarrassing discovery at the women's bathhouse. After Naruto demonstrated his sealing formula, Jiraiya offered to teach them the Summoning Technique.

• Naruto left the Hyuga estate after Hiashi agreed to his engagement with Hinata, and Hinata joined him to seek out Jiraiya.
• Naruto and Hinata teleported behind the women's bathhouse and caught Jiraiya peeping; Hinata covered Naruto's eyes and pulled him away.
• Naruto mocked Jiraiya as the Pervy Sage, and Jiraiya defended his writing before the group moved to a secluded training ground.
• Naruto demonstrated his Sealing Jutsu, and Jiraiya deduced that its activation range ended at the village's limits.
• Jiraiya offered to repay Naruto by teaching him and Hinata, then proposed the Summoning Technique.

Jiraiya taught Naruto and Hinata the Summoning Technique and had them sign Mount Myōboku’s toad pact. Naruto was reverse-summoned to Mount Myōboku, where the Great Toad Sage greeted him as Kurama.

• Jiraiya explained the Summoning Technique and helped Naruto and Hinata sign the Mount Myōboku toad pact Scroll.
• Jiraiya taught Hinata how to prepare her chakra and told Naruto to try the summoning seals.
• Naruto performed the Summoning Technique and vanished from Jiraiya and Hinata’s sight.
• Naruto appeared above Mount Myōboku, where Gamabunta offered to take him to the Great Toad Sage.
• The Great Toad Sage awakened, recognized Naruto, and greeted him as Kurama.