Recaps

Naruto met the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myōboku, where Kurama revealed his own Sage Fox Mode and the toads examined it. Gamamaru shared a fragment of a future in which Kurama was absent, leaving Minato and Kushina quietly concerned as Fukasaku was told to teach Naruto the toads’ senjutsu.

• Jiraiya realized Naruto had been summoned to Mount Myōboku and took Hinata there with him.
• Kurama manifested a tiny chakra form and spoke with Gamamaru, who asked about the new senjutsu tradition.
• Naruto activated Sage Fox Mode, astonishing Fukasaku and Shima because he showed no visible absorption of natural energy.
• Jiraiya and Hinata arrived and waited while Naruto spoke with the toads.
• Gamamaru said he had seen a future in which Kurama was nowhere to be found, alarming Naruto before Kurama reassured him it was only a dream fragment.
• Gamamaru instructed Fukasaku to teach Naruto Mount Myōboku’s senjutsu.

Gamamaru arranged for Naruto and Hinata to train at Mount Myōboku, then revealed to Jiraiya a Prophecy in which Naruto said he and the Nine-Tails would inevitably fight. The chapter left Jiraiya uncertain about what the vision meant, as Gamamaru clarified that he did not mean the Nine-Tails would necessarily be Naruto’s enemy.

• Gamamaru told Shima to train Hinata at Mount Myōboku and sent Fukasaku to begin Naruto’s training.
• The Nine-Tails remained hidden while Gamamaru and Jiraiya pretended to sleep, then woke Jiraiya by knocking him off the floor.
• Gamamaru explained that Hinata was Hamura’s descendant and that the Nine-Tails’ power had helped awaken her bloodline.
• After the Nine-Tails left, Gamamaru told Jiraiya that he had dreamed Naruto say he and the Nine-Tails would inevitably fight, though Naruto needed power first.
• Jiraiya questioned whether the Nine-Tails might become an enemy, but Gamamaru said that was not what he meant.

Naruto and Hinata began training in toad Senjutsu at Mount Myōboku while events unfolded across Konoha and the surrounding villages. Jiraiya returned with news that Konan was searching for him, and the joint Chunin Exams’ third exam drew near.

• Naruto and Hinata chose to train at Mount Myōboku, where the Nine-Tails assured Naruto that Hinata’s Tenseigan would be safe and offered to teach Kushina and Minato a Jutsu.
• Temari took Gaara to visit Kankuro again, while she and Baki wondered whether Gaara’s behavior had changed because of Shukaku.
• Rock Lee completed his recovery training with Neji under Might Guy, who then called Tenten over to train.
• Kabuto followed Shirakumo while looking for a chance to carry out Orochimaru’s orders, and Kakashi provided cover at a secluded training site.
• The Third and Tsunade discussed a report about Konan searching for Jiraiya with a group of women, and Jiraiya returned and identified her as an Akatsuki member.
• Jiraiya said Konan’s search presented a useful opportunity to discuss something as the third exam of the joint Chunin Exams approached.

Konoha escorted the disguised Fourth Kazekage and the Fourth Mizukage toward the village under restrictions on their armed escorts, as dignitaries arrived for the Three-Village Joint Chunin Exams. The Third Hokage watched the guests gather and noted that the exams would begin the next day.

• Hyuga Hiashi met the disguised Orochimaru at the Fire-Wind border and explained that the Mizukage had requested limits on the Kazekage's armed escort; Orochimaru agreed to bring only selected companions.
• Kakashi Hatake told Karatachi Yagura at the Fire-Water border that the Kazekage had agreed to the same escort restrictions, and Yagura chose Ao and another ninja to accompany him.
• Ao questioned Kakashi about Sasuke Uchiha and the recent attack on Yagura, while Kakashi said Konoha was concerned for its ally's safety.
• Izumo Kamizuki identified arriving dignitaries at Konoha's gate as the village secured their routes and guarded the event.
• The Third Hokage watched the arriving guests and reflected that the exams would begin the next day.

As Konoha hosted the third round of the Three-Village Joint Chunin Exams, the visiting dignitaries and spectators gathered while Gaara left the hospital after ordering Baki to protect the unconscious Kankuro. At Mount Myōboku, Hinata returned to Konoha without Naruto, who remained in meditation after grasping an unknown state.

• Kazahana Koyuki praised Konoha’s lavish viewing stand as Kurenai Yuhi welcomed her, while Asuma Sarutobi attended the Land of Fire officials.
• Sakura, Shino, and Kiba joined Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji among the spectators and discussed how dangerous the earlier exam rounds had been.
• Temari warned Gaara that it was nearly time to leave, and Gaara ordered Baki to stay behind and protect the unconscious Kankuro.
• Hinata said goodbye to Minato and Kushina at Mount Myōboku and returned to Konoha while Naruto continued meditating.
• Naruto had mastered most of Mount Myōboku’s senjutsu and remained in an unexplained state that the toad sages did not understand.

Hinata returned to Konoha as the Chunin Ninja Exams were about to begin, but Sasuke and Naruto were still missing. At the arena, Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage provoked Karatachi Yagura and the Third Hokage, leaving the assembled leaders and guards on edge.

• Hinata arrived at the exam arena and told Karin that Sasuke might be with Kakashi, but Karin pointed out that Kakashi was already on the viewing platform.
• The Third Hokage and Kakashi noted that Sasuke and Naruto had not arrived as the exam approached its start.
• Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage and Karatachi Yagura took seats beside the Third Hokage, creating the appearance that Konoha was flanked by the other villages.
• Kabuto scanned the spectator stands, noticed few familiar faces, and quietly left when he sensed something was wrong.
• Orochimaru and Karatachi Yagura traded insults until the Third Hokage repeatedly intervened, while their guards grew tense.

The third Chunin Exam began with Sasuke Uchiha and Neji Hyuga facing off in the opening match. They resumed a duel from a year earlier with a clash of Chidori and Rotation, leaving the crowd stunned.

• The Third Hokage welcomed the guests, while Gekko Hayate and Genma Shiranui explained the third Exam's one-on-one rules and the arena's protections.
• As Sasuke Uchiha seemed absent, Neji Hyuga sensed his arrival, and Sasuke appeared in a swirl of leaves just before the match began.
• Sasuke and Neji exchanged brief questions about Naruto and the earlier delay before the referees announced their match.
• Sasuke and Neji collided using Chidori and Rotation, shaking the arena and startling the spectators.
• Hinata explained that the opening techniques resumed the duel Sasuke and Neji had left unfinished a year earlier.

Sasuke and Neji fought at full strength, each keeping a dangerous trump card in reserve. Sasuke used hidden wires and fire to trap Neji in Rotation, then unleashed Suzaku as the battle continued.

• Sasuke and Neji agreed to hold back their life-threatening or difficult-to-control trump cards and began fighting with the Sharingan and Byakugan activated.
• Neji struck Sasuke with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, then deflected Sasuke’s shuriken, fireballs, and chakra sabre with precise bursts of chakra.
• Hiashi recognized that Neji had advanced Rotation into a technique that could deflect attacks without slowing his movement.
• Sasuke revealed that the ninja tools Neji had deflected were attached to steel wires, then used Dragon Fire Technique to surround Neji with a net of flames.
• Neji used Rotation to defend himself, while Sasuke completed his hand seals and summoned the firebird Suzaku.

Neji endured Sasuke’s Suzaku and vanished in its explosion, then burst from underground to strike Sasuke with a technique that injected natural energy. Sasuke escaped with a wound to his arm, but Neji revealed that enough natural energy could end the fight, leaving Sasuke wary of the technique’s effects.

• Sasuke launched Suzaku at Neji, and the firebird’s flames grew hot enough to alarm the spectators and referees.
• Suzaku exploded, but Neji disappeared from the sky, confusing Sasuke and alarming Hanabi and Hiashi.
• Neji erupted from the ground beneath Sasuke and thrust two chakra-filled fingers at his face.
• Sasuke used Lightning Flash Body Flicker to escape, but Neji’s strike punctured his right arm.
• Neji explained that he had injected natural energy along with chakra, warning that enough of it could end the fight.

Neji revealed that his natural-energy strike could petrify Sasuke, who sacrificed the use of his right arm and answered with layered fire and lightning defenses. Neji then unleashed a massive purple chakra fist that blasted Sasuke into the barrier, leaving Hiashi shaken by the technique.

• Sasuke realized Neji’s strike caused petrification and accepted that his right arm was likely lost, then resumed fighting with his left hand.
• Hinata explained that Neji had used a shadow clone while his real body hid underground, fooling Sasuke’s Sharingan and the referees.
• Sasuke rushed Neji while using one-handed seals to surround himself with fire and lightning defenses designed to counter Gentle Fist.
• Neji retreated and formed a strange stance before using God! Empty! Strike! to send a gigantic purple chakra fist at Sasuke.
• The blast hurled the badly injured Sasuke into the barrier, and Hiashi recognized the technique with excitement.

Sasuke and Neji fought through their chakra reserves until Sasuke revealed that he had prepared Kirin by harnessing the storm clouds. Neji conceded before Sasuke could unleash it, ending the match with Neji’s defeat.

• Neji struck Sasuke with successive Divine Empty Strikes, while Sasuke realized Neji was running low on chakra and struggled to withstand the attacks.
• Sasuke’s Blazing Wind Mantle shattered under Neji’s third strike, leaving him badly injured on the ground as Neji prepared to finish the match with a kunai.
• Neji noticed chakra gathering in Sasuke’s raised hand and asked what technique he had prepared.
• Sasuke identified the technique as Sage Art: Lightning Release, Kirin, explaining that it drew power from the storm clouds overhead.
• Neji considered whether he could survive the attack, then discarded his kunai and helped Sasuke up.
• Neji told Genma Shiranui and Gekko Hayate that he had lost.

Sasuke defeated Neji in the first round after revealing a powerful final attack, though he and Neji were both puzzled by Sasuke’s sudden chakra surge. As the injured Sasuke was treated, Orochimaru recognized his exceptional potential, while the Third Hokage and Karatachi Yagura discussed their young competitors.

• Neji conceded to Sasuke, and Genma Shiranui announced Sasuke as the winner as Kazahana Koyuki led the spectators in applause.
• Neji questioned Sasuke about the final lightning attack and his increased chakra, and Sasuke said a surge had unexpectedly welled up inside him that morning.
• Medical personnel examined Sasuke and treated his fractures while Naruto and Sakura watched from the doorway.
• Orochimaru admired Sasuke’s apparent final strike and wondered whether he could surpass Sasuke by taking over his body, then dismissed the thought.
• The Third Hokage praised Konoha’s young men, and Karatachi Yagura defended his child, Karatachi Gui, saying he had been working hard.

Temari dominated Tenten with her wind techniques, but Tenten used a summoned turtle and a hidden setup to catch her off guard. Meanwhile, Kabuto continued toward Konoha's prison as Shikamaru noticed masked figures at the Viewing Stand.

• Rock Lee enthusiastically cheered for Tenten while Hinata and Karin talked about Karin's feelings for Sasuke.
• Kabuto noticed Konoha's streets were unusually empty but continued toward the prison.
• Temari repeatedly deflected Tenten's ninja tools and pressed her advantage in their match.
• Tenten summoned a large turtle shell to block Temari's wind, then concealed her position and set a trap.
• Shikamaru spotted masked cloaked figures at the back of the Viewing Stand as Temari realized something was above her.

Temari defeated Tenten after countering her surprise attack with her summoned weasel, while Rock Lee rescued the unconscious Tenten before she struck the ground. The next match began between Taki Metsu and Rock Lee, who asked for time to remove his training weights.

• Tenten used her turtle and an Explosive Tag to attack Temari, but Temari's summoned weasel blocked her strike and wounded her with wind blades.
• Rock Lee carried the unconscious Tenten to the Medical Unit, and Genma Shiranui declared Temari the winner.
• Temari found the Explosive Tag attached to the turtle and grew wary of Tenten's skill.
• Neji confirmed that Tenten's injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and reassured Karin that Sasuke was also fine.
• Genma Shiranui announced the match between Taki Metsu and Rock Lee, and Rock Lee asked for more time to remove his weights.

Rock Lee removed his weights and equipment before beginning his match against Taki Metsu, who was secretly Kakuzu. Lee’s opening assault failed to break through Kakuzu’s hardened defense, and he realized he would need to use his full strength.

• Rock Lee removed his leg weights, wrist guards, shuriken, and tool pouch before tossing the equipment aside.
• Rock Lee broke the sound barrier as he charged and struck Kakuzu with a rapid pair of kicks.
• Kakuzu blocked Lee’s kicks with hands reinforced by Earth Release, then grabbed Lee’s leg and tried to slam him down.
• Rock Lee flipped Kakuzu and drove him into the arena floor, but found his body harder than steel.
• Rock Lee recalled Neji’s warning about Taki Metsu’s enormous chakra and multiple chakra sources, and decided not to hold back.

Rock Lee used the relaxed, unpredictable fighting style Naruto helped him develop to overwhelm Kakuzu in the Chunin Ninja Exams. Neji and Hinata explained that Lee’s extreme training had ingrained his movements so deeply that fighting while relaxed let him unleash his Taijutsu in a style they called the Mad Fist.

• As a child, Rock Lee trained relentlessly and told Naruto he dreamed of becoming an outstanding ninja through Taijutsu alone.
• Naruto took Lee and their friends out for a day of fun, then explained that Lee’s rigid training was keeping him from tapping into his body’s potential.
• In his match against Kakuzu, Lee opened the third gate, escaped Kakuzu’s grip, and then relaxed before launching a rapid, unpredictable attack.
• Lee’s blows overwhelmed Kakuzu, who could only harden himself with Earth Release and endure the beating.
• Neji and Hinata explained to Karin that Lee’s relaxed, seemingly wild movements drew on his deeply ingrained training, and Neji named the style the Mad Fist.

Rock Lee was overwhelmed by Kakuzu’s Wind Release but secretly used Sage Mode and the sixth gate to launch a final counterattack. His Azure Wolf punch pierced Kakuzu’s chest, leaving both fighters’ fates uncertain.

• Kakuzu used a hidden Mask to unleash Wind Release: Pressure Damage, catching Rock Lee in the expanding storm despite Lee’s attempt to retreat.
• The Third Hokage considered intervening, but Karatachi Yagura and Orochimaru argued that the battle should continue, and the Hokage sat back down.
• After the windstorm faded, Genma Shiranui found Rock Lee badly wounded, and Kakuzu rushed to kill him before the referees could intervene.
• Rock Lee vanished from Kakuzu’s knife-hand strike and hit Kakuzu from behind at tremendous speed.
• Rock Lee revealed his sixth gate and briefly activated Sage Mode, then drove his Azure Wolf punch through Kakuzu’s back and chest.

Rock Lee defeated Kakuzu with a punch that destroyed one of his hearts, but the lingering chakra forced Kakuzu to flee and tear out another damaged heart. Neji recognized the power of Lee’s Sage Taijutsu: Azure Wolf as Lee was taken away unconscious.

• Rock Lee punched through Taki Metsu’s chest, and the referees rushed to stop the fight when they feared he had been killed.
• Kakuzu revealed that one of his hearts had been destroyed and tried to attack Rock Lee, but the chakra left by the punch made him collapse in pain.
• Kakuzu used a prepared clone to escape the arena, then pulled out a Mask monster whose heart had been shattered by the lingering chakra.
• Kakuzu considered abandoning the mission after realizing that staying in the arena could have exposed him and cost him more hearts.
• Neji praised Rock Lee’s Azure Wolf technique and watched with concern as Lee was carried away unconscious.

After Kakuzu’s match was ruled a loss, Gaara and Hinata began the fourth round, but Gaara urged her to leave Konoha and warned that she would die if she stayed. The match was interrupted by news that the Land of Fire’s Daimyo had gone missing.

• Karatachi Yagura accepted Taki Metsu’s loss after he left the arena, and Rock Lee was declared the winner.
• The referees began the fourth round between Gaara and Hinata while Karin and Hanabi worried about Hinata.
• Gaara told Hinata to leave Konoha, but she refused to abandon the exam.
• Gaara said Hinata had chosen to die, and the Kage turned their attention to an arriving Konoha ninja.
• A Konoha ninja informed the Third Hokage that the Land of Fire’s Daimyo had gone missing.

Gaara lost control in the arena, and his sand protected Hinata while spreading toward the spectators and officials. He rejected Shukaku’s restraint and prepared to unleash an even greater attack on everyone, including the Three Kage’s Viewing Stand.

• Gaara’s sand stopped obeying his attacks and blocked Hinata’s techniques while he argued with an unseen presence.
• Gaara drew on a vast store of chakra, and the arena shook as sand surged toward the Viewing Stand.
• The Third Hokage learned that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was missing and moved to leave, while Orochimaru decided to act ahead of schedule.
• Gaara’s sand battered the Viewing Stand’s barrier and attacked Genma Shiranui and Gekko Hayate as they tried to intervene.
• Gaara trapped Hinata behind a wall of sand, rejected Shukaku’s warnings, and declared that he wanted destruction and slaughter.
• Gaara unleashed a greater wave of sand toward the Konoha spectators, Kazahana Koyuki, the Land of Fire officials, and the Three Kage’s Viewing Stand.

Gaara unleashed a sandstorm that attacked the Chunin Exam spectators, while Konoha's shinobi struggled to protect them and the infiltrators' plans unraveled. The chapter ended with the Fourth Kazekage holding the Third Hokage hostage as the Fourth Mizukage and Kakashi fought, revealing a coordinated attack on Konoha.

• Gaara's sand attacked the spectators and contestants, and Neji pulled Karin out of the way while Shirakumo shielded himself with Earth Release.
• Sound and Sand infiltrators in Anbu disguises realized their main force had not arrived, while Hyuga Hiashi approached them disguised as a helpless spectator.
• Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma protected the Viewing Stand, and Asuma explained that Gaara might be the person behind the Sandstorm attacks in the Land of Wind.
• The Daimyo's disappearance alarmed the Land of Fire officials, while spectators blamed Sunagakure and Konoha's protection failed to prevent casualties among critics.
• The Three Kage's Viewing Stand exploded; the Fourth Kazekage took the Third Hokage hostage as Kakashi fought the Fourth Mizukage.

Orochimaru revealed himself after trapping the Third Hokage in the Four Violet Flames Formation and explained that he intended to destroy Konoha. As Gaara’s power ravaged the village, Orochimaru restrained his former teacher and declared that Konoha’s history was about to end.

• Orochimaru seized the Third Hokage and took him to the roof while Kakashi fought Karatachi Yagura and four Sound Ninja revealed themselves.
• At Orochimaru’s command, the Sound Four raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around him and the Third Hokage, while giant snakes attacked Konoha’s residential buildings.
• The Third Hokage announced that Sunagakure and Kirigakure had betrayed the alliance, prompting Orochimaru to reveal his identity.
• Orochimaru dismissed the gathered faction leaders as useless hostages and said that overwhelming power mattered more than political relationships.
• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Gaara’s unleashed power would destroy Konoha and that he still had more plans to carry out.

Sasuke sensed an unseen watcher in the Medical Room as Black Zetsu discovered that Indra’s chakra had awakened in him and then detected a chakra resembling Hamura’s. In the arena, Hinata severed Gaara’s arm, while Jiraiya revealed himself to Orochimaru and trapped them inside a doubled Four Violet Flames Formation, declaring that he would kill him.

• Sasuke woke in the Medical Room, sensed someone watching him, and left when a chakra blast sounded outside.
• Black Zetsu watched Sasuke and realized Indra’s chakra had awakened in him, though Sasuke’s Sharingan still had three tomoe.
• Black Zetsu sensed chakra resembling Hamura’s and connected it to the Hyuga Clan.
• Hinata’s golden slash severed Gaara’s right arm while saving Gekko Hayate and Genma Shiranui from the sandstorm.
• Orochimaru recognized that Jiraiya had impersonated the Third Hokage, and Jiraiya’s allies formed a second Four Violet Flames Formation around them.
• Jiraiya declared that he would kill Orochimaru, and the Messenger Toad told Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki that it had begun.

Hinata forced Gaara to retreat after Temari intervened, then stopped Temari from pursuing him as Sasuke and Neji gave chase. Temari was suddenly transported to the Forest of Death tower, where an invisible force pinned her alongside Kankuro, Baki, and others.

• Hinata taunted the wounded Gaara, but Shukaku's interference prevented him from attacking her directly.
• Temari stood between Gaara and Hinata, urged Gaara to retreat, and reminded him that she was his older sister.
• Gaara left using the Body Flicker Technique, and Sasuke and Neji pursued him toward the forest.
• Hinata struck Temari with an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, preventing her from stopping Sasuke and Neji.
• Temari was transported to the Forest of Death tower, where an overwhelming pressure immobilized her and others, including Kankuro and Baki-sensei.

Baki, Temari, Kabuto, and others were trapped inside a Sealing Barrier as Jiraiya revealed that Konoha had prepared to counter the invasion. Jiraiya and Orochimaru remained sealed together, and Orochimaru summoned two coffins with Impure World Reincarnation.

• Baki discovered that Kankuro’s wounds had reopened under the pressure of the Sealing Barrier, while Kabuto realized the exam scroll had transported them to the Tower.
• Temari told Baki that Gaara had launched an early attack, and Kabuto concluded that Konoha had been prepared to strike regardless.
• Jiraiya activated Flying Thunder God: Suppression, transporting marked people into the Tower and activating Naruto’s prepared Sealing Formula.
• Orochimaru saw that Konoha’s forces were containing the invasion and realized his plan had been countered, while Jiraiya kept him trapped in the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Orochimaru declared that Konoha would still be destroyed and summoned two coffins with Impure World Reincarnation.