Chapter Summaries

The second Chunin Exam began in the Forest of Death, where Hoshi checked on Naruto and his teammates. After Sasuke killed three Cloud Genin who attacked them, Naruto and Sakura recoiled at his brutality, leaving the team divided.

• Anko announced the Forest of Death rules, and the examinees began the five-day scroll hunt.
• Hoshi arrived to tease Anko, then used Sage Mode to locate Naruto and his teammates in the forest.
• Sasuke warned Naruto and Sakura to get down, then surprised and killed the Cloud Genin captain from behind.
• Sasuke killed the captain's two teammates when one attacked and the other tried to flee, then found that their scroll matched his team's.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke for killing the Cloud Genin, and Sasuke defended his actions as necessary in a fight to the death.
• Sakura and Naruto's reactions exposed a rift within the team.

Hoshi discovered that Indra’s Chakra was affecting Sasuke and worsening his anger, but he chose not to intervene directly. Sasuke and Naruto fought until Kimimaro, Haku, and Shin arrived and Haku froze them, while Sakura stood protectively between them and the newcomers.

• Hoshi entered Sage Mode and sensed Indra’s Chakra influencing Sasuke’s unstable behavior.
• Naruto and Sakura urged Sasuke to calm down, but Sasuke insulted them and left Sakura in tears.
• Naruto punched Sasuke, and the two began brawling while Sakura begged them to stop.
• Haku used Ice Release: Ice Coffin Technique to freeze Naruto and Sasuke.
• Sakura drew a Kunai and stood in front of Naruto and Sasuke as Kimimaro, Haku, and Shin approached.
• Haku smiled at Sakura and remarked that dealing with Naruto and Sasuke must be difficult.

Haku and Kimimaro rescued Naruto and Sasuke from the Ice Coffin and treated them after their fight, while Sakura misunderstood Haku’s relationship with them. The group then encountered Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in the Forest of Death, and Shin assigned the others to help Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura face them.

• Kimimaro shattered Haku’s Ice Coffin with his Explosive Fist, freeing Naruto and Sasuke.
• Haku scolded Naruto and Sasuke for fighting, then treated their injuries while Sakura misread the situation and learned Haku was a boy.
• Shin warned the group that someone was approaching, and a desperate cry for help ended in a sudden scream and silence.
• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro emerged from the forest, and Gaara threatened Naruto and Sasuke as bloodstained sand floated from his gourd.
• Shin offered for Haku, Kimimaro, and himself to hold off Temari and Kankuro, leaving Naruto and the others to face Gaara.

Gaara attacked Naruto and Sasuke with growing waves of sand while they struggled to cooperate, and Haku offered Sakura a chance to learn Medical Ninjutsu. Naruto and Sasuke finally began working together, ending with Naruto summoning thousands of shadow clones to strike at Gaara.

• Kankuro bristled at Shin's dismissive attitude, while Temari warned Gaara against unnecessary trouble, but Gaara attacked Naruto and Sasuke with a towering wave of sand.
• Haku moved Sakura out of danger and offered to teach her Medical Ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital after the exam.
• Kankuro prepared to show Kimimaro and Shin the power of Sunagakure puppets as Gaara's expanding sand waves forced Naruto and Sasuke to keep dodging.
• Naruto and Sasuke spoke in unison, recognized their renewed understanding, and coordinated an attack to draw Gaara's attention.
• Sasuke's Ninja Tools distracted Gaara while Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and filled the forest with thousands of clones.

Shin restrained Kankuro and Temari while Sasuke and Naruto fought Gaara. Sasuke trapped Gaara in heated Sand Armor, and Naruto broke through it and struck Gaara, leaving him with a bloody nose.

• Shin knocked Kankuro down and restrained Temari, telling them to watch the fight.
• Gaara dispersed Naruto's shadow clones with Sand Hail, and Sasuke used the scattered sand to pull his Ninja Tools around Gaara.
• Sasuke bound Gaara's Sand Armor with steel wires and used Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique to heat it until it nearly ceramicized.
• Naruto and his clones punched the hardened Sand Armor, breaking it open and exposing Gaara.
• Naruto struck Gaara in the face, shattering another layer of Sand Armor and giving Gaara a nosebleed.

Gaara partially transformed into the One-Tail and lost control, but Hoshi silenced Shukaku and Gaara fled with Temari and Kankuro. The Chunin Exam’s second stage ended with Kimimaro’s group, Neji’s team, and Gaara’s group reaching the tower, while Gaara remained haunted by the mysterious voice.

• Gaara’s Clay Doll shattered, and he partially transformed into the One-Tail as he threatened Naruto and Sasuke.
• Temari tried to calm Gaara by reminding him of Rasa’s orders, but Shukaku continued to overwhelm his reason.
• Hoshi appeared behind Gaara and threatened him, causing Shukaku to fall silent and Gaara to regain control briefly.
• Gaara charged toward Shin and Kimimaro, who dodged, then escaped into the forest with Temari and Kankuro.
• After the five-day exam stage ended, Kimimaro’s group reached the Central Tower first, followed by Neji’s team and Gaara’s group.
• Gaara sensed Shukaku’s fear of Hoshi’s voice and wondered who its owner was.

After the second exam, Gaara told Baki that a mysterious voice had frightened Shukaku into calming down, leading Baki to suspect Hayate Hoshi was behind it. Baki ordered the others to investigate Hoshi before the final exam and warned Yugito that Hoshi might still be alive.

• Anko ended the second exam, announced that the final exam would take place in a month, and the teams returned to their lodgings.
• Gaara visited Baki and explained that a voice had threatened him, causing the monster inside him to settle down in fear.
• Baki connected Gaara's account to the legendary Konoha Silver Moon, Hayate Hoshi, and warned that his Transparency Release could endanger their plan.
• Baki ordered Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to investigate Hayate Hoshi's whereabouts in Konoha during the month before the final exam.
• Baki told Yugito that he suspected Hayate Hoshi was still alive, and Yugito reacted with grave concern.

Baki’s report that Hayate Hoshi might still be alive prompted Yugito, Black Zetsu, and Obito to investigate and suspend Akatsuki’s plans. During the month before the third exams, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura began separate training, with Naruto sent to train under Minato or Hoshi while Kakashi focused on Sasuke.

• Baki told Yugito that reports suggested Hayate Hoshi was still alive, and Yugito arranged to send a secret message to Cloud Village.
• Leiming received Yugito’s report and brought it to Black Zetsu, who ordered Obito to investigate Hoshi and told Nagato to put Akatsuki’s original plan on hold.
• Sunagakure and Cloud Village teams spent the month before the third exams searching Konoha for information about Hoshi but found almost nothing.
• Sakura asked Kakashi to teach her Medical Ninjutsu, and Kakashi agreed that it suited her skills.
• Kakashi recommended that Naruto train with Minato or Hoshi while he trained Sasuke in Lightning Release, and Naruto encouraged Sasuke to make the most of their training.

Naruto met Jiraiya after catching him peeping into the women's bath and became his disciple after learning of Jiraiya’s ties to Hoshi, Tsunade, and Kakashi. Jiraiya began Naruto’s training by having him sign the Mount Myōboku summoning contract.

• Naruto kicked Jiraiya into the women's bath after catching him peeping.
• Jiraiya introduced himself as the Toad Sage and explained that he knew Kakashi and was a close friend of Hoshi.
• Naruto believed Jiraiya was as strong as Hoshi and agreed to become his disciple.
• Jiraiya summoned a giant toad carrying a Scroll and told Naruto to sign it to make a contract with Mount Myōboku.
• Naruto signed his name on the Scroll without hesitation.

Team 7 trained for a month before the third Chunin Exam began, and the twenty-one contestants were assigned their matchups. Yugito noticed a family that seemed familiar, then looked up from the arena and realized she was facing the distant Hokage Rock.

• Sakura quickly learned Medical Ninjutsu, Sasuke learned Chidori, and Naruto learned summoning and began training in the Rasengan.
• The third Chunin Exam began in Konoha as contestants, spectators, and dignitaries filled the arena.
• Rasa met Minato, and Yugito explained that the Raikage had stayed behind after learning that Killer B had been located.
• Shinku announced the random matchups, including Naruto versus Kankuro, Sakura versus Cloud B, and Neji versus Gaara, while Tenten received a bye.
• Yugito spotted a blond woman with a black-haired man and two children, then looked up and found herself facing Hokage Rock.

Yugito discovered that Hayate Hoshi was alive in Konoha, prompting Akatsuki to cancel its plan to destroy the village. As the Third Exam continued, Choji lost to Shin, and Shikamaru prepared to face Temari.

• Yugito recognized Tsunade and realized that Hayate Hoshi had survived and was living in Konoha with her and their children.
• Obito received Yugito's memories and reported Hoshi's survival to Black Zetsu, who told Nagato to cancel the attack on Konoha.
• Black Zetsu ordered Obito to control Yugito, bring her back, release the Cloud Village ninja, and avoid interfering with Sunagakure's actions.
• Haku and Hinata won their tournament matches, and Shin defeated Choji by kicking him out of the ring.
• Asuma promised to treat Choji to barbecue after the exam, and Shikamaru prepared to fight Temari while considering surrender.

Shikamaru, Naruto, and several other Konoha genin won their matches, while Tsunade decided she wanted to take Sakura as her disciple. Sasuke and Rock Lee’s fight escalated as Lee opened the Fifth Gate and Sasuke prepared to counter with Chidori, while Rasa resolved to carry out the Konoha Crush plan.

• Shikamaru forfeited after cornering Temari, and Naruto defeated Kankuro with Multiple Shadow Clones.
• Kimimaro eliminated Kiba, Shino defeated Ino, and Sakura narrowly beat a Cloud Genin with Yin Healing Wound Destruction.
• Tsunade told Hoshi she wanted to take Sakura as her final disciple, and Hoshi approved.
• Rock Lee removed his weights and fought Sasuke at full speed, impressing the spectators and alarming Rasa about Konoha’s young fighters.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and announced his Reverse Lotus, while Sasuke activated his Sharingan and gathered lightning to use Chidori.

Sasuke defeated Rock Lee in the previous match, and Neji then faced Gaara, countering his sand techniques with the Byakugan and Gentle Fist. Neji began striking Gaara’s sand sphere with Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms.

• Hoshi explained that Sasuke’s Sharingan and Chidori gave him the advantage over Rock Lee, and the match ended with Sasuke standing and Lee badly injured.
• Haku took Sasuke and Rock Lee for medical treatment and later reported that neither would suffer major aftereffects.
• Kurenai announced the match between Neji Hyuga and Gaara, and Gaara immediately attacked with Sand Waterfall.
• Neji used Rotation to deflect Gaara’s sand attacks, then used the Byakugan to evade an underground strike and charged at Gaara.
• Gaara formed a spiked sand sphere with Desert Wave, but Neji’s Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm knocked away its spikes.
• Neji launched Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms against Gaara’s exposed sand sphere.

Neji shattered Gaara’s sand defense, but Gaara transformed into the One-Tail and triggered the Konoha Crush as Rasa launched his attack on Minato and the arena. Obito forced Yugito to abandon the alliance, leaving Rasa and Baki trapped in a failed invasion while Konoha’s forces began evacuating the spectators.

• Neji broke Gaara’s sand sphere with the Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms, but Gaara unleashed enough Chakra to transform into the One-Tail.
• Rasa began the Konoha Crush by attacking Minato with a Gold Dust Tsunami as Sunagakure ninja moved against Konoha’s Anbu.
• Obito controlled Yugito, who fired a Signal Flare before attacking the Anbu and fleeing Konoha, revealing that Cloud Village had abandoned the plan.
• Rasa and Baki realized Sunagakure had been betrayed and redirected the Gold Dust toward the arena stands to create an escape route.
• Minato ordered wartime status, and Konoha’s Anbu raised an Earth Flow Rampart while young genin helped evacuate the spectators.
• Rasa formed a Gold Dust Prism and sent it crashing toward the Earth Flow Rampart.

Hayate Hoshi stopped and shattered Rasa’s Gold Dust Prism, forcing Shukaku back into Gaara and destroying the Sunagakure forces’ hopes of victory. Minato offered Rasa a chance to surrender, but Rasa chose to cover Baki and the others’ retreat.

• Hayate Hoshi halted the Gold Dust Prism with a sword strike, then shattered it into fragments with countless sword lights.
• An old man recognized Hoshi as Konoha Silver Moon, and the spectators cheered as they realized he had saved them.
• Hoshi warned Shukaku against causing trouble, and Shukaku retreated into Gaara’s body.
• Sakumo and Kagetsu reported to Minato that the joint Sunagakure and Cloud Village forces had been defeated and more than 270 enemy soldiers captured.
• Minato offered Rasa amnesty if he surrendered, but Rasa ordered Baki to take Gaara and the others away while he covered their retreat.

After the Konoha Crush ended in Konoha’s victory and Rasa’s death, Sunagakure accepted an alliance that made it dependent on Konoha. In Amegakure, Nagato argued to launch Akatsuki’s plan, but the masked man persuaded him to wait three more years.

• Konoha’s forces defeated the Cloud Village and Sunagakure invasion, and Hayate Hoshi’s return shocked the major ninja villages.
• After Rasa died, Chiyo and Ebizo returned to help Sunagakure, with Ebizo serving as Kazekage and Chiyo training Gaara and the others.
• At Temari’s suggestion, Sunagakure sent Konoha alliance terms, and Minato approved the alliance.
• Black Zetsu warned Nagato that Hayate Hoshi had returned, while Nagato insisted Akatsuki was strong enough to act.
• The masked man urged Nagato to delay Akatsuki’s plan for three years, and Nagato accepted the deadline.

Nagato resolved to oppose Obito and Black Zetsu’s plans, while they began preparing an Impure World Reincarnation army. Hoshi set out with Orochimaru to recruit Jugo, leaving Konoha to strengthen his own faction before the Fourth Shinobi World War.

• After Obito and Black Zetsu left, Nagato told Konan that his health was failing and vowed not to let anyone use Akatsuki’s dream; Konan promised to stand by him.
• In an underground cave, Obito and Black Zetsu discussed Nagato’s defiance and decided to build their own faction, potentially reclaiming Nagato’s eyes.
• Black Zetsu told Obito to search Danzo’s memories for Impure World Reincarnation, and Obito recovered the jutsu’s records from the Scroll of Seals.
• Black Zetsu planned to have White Zetsu search for powerful shinobi corpses and sent Obito to ask Hiruko to improve the jutsu or create bodies; he also ordered Obito to watch Second Pillar and seek a chance to recruit him.
• Hoshi decided to use the remaining three years before the Fourth Shinobi World War to strengthen his camp and chose Jugo as his first target.
• After informing Minato and Tsunade, Hoshi summoned Orochimaru, and the two left Konoha for Tenbin Village.

Hoshi brought Kimimaro and Orochimaru to Tenbin Village to find Jugo, a boy born able to absorb Natural Energy. They found Jugo rampaging in a cave, and Hoshi’s presence intensified the Natural Energy around him, leaving Jugo more violent as he broke free of Kimimaro’s restraint.

• Hoshi led Kimimaro and Orochimaru to Tenbin Village, where a villager said the monster responsible for the village’s tragedy lived in the nearby mountains.
• The three reached Jugo’s cave, ignored his warning to stay away, and entered as he attacked them in a rampage.
• Kimimaro restrained Jugo with a Bone Whip, while Orochimaru recognized that Jugo could absorb Natural Energy but could not control it.
• The Natural Energy gathered around Hoshi intensified Jugo’s rampage, causing his body to turn grayish-brown and rock-like.
• Jugo swelled in size and broke Kimimaro’s Bone Whip, prompting Kimimaro to prepare to fight him.

Kimimaro defeated Jugo in battle, but Hoshi healed him and Orochimaru explained that Natural Energy—not an uncontrollable urge to kill—was the source of his violence. Kimimaro offered to help restrain Jugo, and Jugo joined Konoha’s camp.

• Jugo transformed under the influence of Natural Energy and attacked Kimimaro with his Cursed Seal powers.
• Kimimaro pierced Jugo with his Bone Drill, leaving him gravely wounded as he returned to human form.
• Jugo said he wanted to die to atone for killing the people of Tenbin Village, and Kimimaro asked Hoshi to save him.
• Hoshi healed Jugo with Sage Mode Chakra, and Orochimaru explained that Jugo’s violence came from Natural Energy his body could not withstand.
• Kimimaro promised to restrain Jugo if necessary, and Jugo clasped his hand and joined Konoha’s camp.

Three years after gathering powerful shinobi and improving Impure World Reincarnation, Obito and Black Zetsu attended Akatsuki’s meeting, where Nagato launched the Tailed Beast Capture Plan. The teams received targets for the first six beasts, while Obito and Black Zetsu prepared to search for the Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails.

• Obito told Black Zetsu that Hiruko had improved Impure World Reincarnation and cloned Hashirama and Tobirama’s bodies before Obito killed him for trying to escape his control.
• Obito and Black Zetsu joined Nagato and the others for Akatsuki’s second meeting after their rings summoned them.
• Nagato announced that Akatsuki was ready to begin capturing the Tailed Beasts and assigned teams to pursue the One-Tail, Two-Tails, Five-Tails, and Six-Tails.
• Nagato tasked Obito and Black Zetsu with searching for the Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails, and said the group would seal each captured beast together.
• After the meeting, Black Zetsu agreed to loosen Akatsuki’s arrangements in Kumogakure, while Obito told him to monitor the organization’s members with White Zetsus and use Impure World Reincarnation to control them if needed.