Chapter Summaries

Shin Uchiha arranged for Gekko Hayate to take time off from proctoring the chunin exams and avoided Tsunade’s attempt to keep him away from Mei Terumi. Naruto and his team returned to Konoha, where Shin praised their growth and suggested Naruto and Sasuke enter the upcoming exams.

• Tsunade agreed to give Gekko Hayate time off and have Uzuki Yugao take his place.
• Tsunade told Shin Uchiha that Mei Terumi was staying beside her and warned him not to sneak off to meet her.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kakashi, celebrating their homecoming.
• Shin Uchiha greeted the team, praised their growth, and heard Kakashi report that the Land of Waves had become Konoha’s vassal.
• Shin suggested that Naruto and Sasuke enter the upcoming chunin ninja exams, and Sasuke immediately asked Kakashi to sign him up.

Sasuke persuaded Team 7 to enter the chunin ninja exams, while Shin Uchiha also committed Team 10 to participate. After Shin left, Naruto revealed that he had agreed to the exams without knowing what they were.

• Sasuke asked to enter the chunin ninja exams, and Kakashi said the whole team had to agree.
• Naruto and Karin Uzumaki agreed to participate, and Kakashi said he would report Team 7's registration to the Hokage.
• Shikamaru reluctantly agreed to enter with Choji and Ino, and Shin Uchiha asked Kakashi to register Team 10.
• Shin Uchiha vanished, and Kakashi sighed about another chunin ninja exam.
• Naruto asked Kakashi what the exams were, surprising the others because he had already signed up.

Hinata Hyuga trained with Kurenai Yuhi and spoke about wanting to grow strong enough to help Shin Uchiha. Shin told them the Chunin Ninja Exams had begun, and Hinata pledged to perform well, knowing he would watch.

• Hinata Hyuga practiced the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms while Kurenai Yuhi urged her not to overwork herself.
• Hinata told Kurenai she wanted to become strong enough to help Shin, and Kurenai described how Shin had once killed more than ten Jōnin with one slash.
• Shin arrived, stopped Kurenai from attacking him, and told her and Hinata that the Chunin Ninja Exams had begun.
• Kurenai praised Hinata's strength, and Hinata credited Tsunade and Kurenai for her training.
• Hinata asked Shin to watch the exams, and he agreed before she promised to make him see her in a new light.

Shin Uchiha left Hinata in the care of Kiba and Shino, then responded to Nonō’s summons at the orphanage. After Kabuto praised Nonō’s care for the children, he told Shin that Nonō seemed happy with her life, and Shin affirmed that he had spared her the torment of spy work.

• Shin Uchiha warned Hinata to stay safe during the Chunin Exams and asked Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame to protect her.
• At the Konoha Orphanage, Yakushi Nonō treated an injured child, who gave her a feather he had risked climbing to find.
• Kabuto Yakushi praised Nonō for caring for the orphans and credited her with saving his life; Shin agreed that she had changed many lives.
• Nonō explained that she had summoned Shin because Kabuto had important intelligence to report, then left to make tea.
• Kabuto told Shin that he had kept his promise and that Nonō seemed happy; Shin said he would not make her endure the torment of being a spy.

Kabuto Yakushi told Shin Uchiha that Orochimaru planned to launch the Konoha Crush during the Chunin Exams, likely to find a vessel and investigate what he sensed was wrong with Konoha. Kabuto gave Shin scrolls containing the latest versions of two forbidden techniques but chose to remain with Orochimaru to gain strength to protect Nonō and the orphanage.

• Kabuto explained that he had intercepted most intelligence about Konoha, leaving Orochimaru unaware of Shin's strength and the village's current power.
• Kabuto said Orochimaru had perfected Living Corpse Reincarnation and likely came to Konoha seeking a better vessel.
• Kabuto revealed Orochimaru had previously sensed something wrong with Konoha and that this might be connected to his plan with Sunagakure.
• Kabuto handed Shin scrolls containing the latest versions of Impure World Reincarnation and Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• Shin offered to let Kabuto return and take over Nonō's Orphanage, but Kabuto said he would stay with Orochimaru to learn more and grow strong enough to protect what he cherished.

Shin Uchiha promised Kabuto Yakushi that he would always have a place at his side, while warning Yakushi Nonō to protect the Orphanage during the coming Chunin Exams. After Shin left, Kabuto urged Nonō to consider Shin as a romantic partner and protector for herself and the children.

• Shin Uchiha promised Kabuto Yakushi shelter as long as Kabuto never betrayed him, and Kabuto reaffirmed his loyalty.
• Shin warned Yakushi Nonō that the Chunin Exams could bring danger and offered his help if the Orphanage faced trouble.
• After Shin left, Kabuto asked Nonō whether she and Shin had a romantic relationship, and she denied it emphatically.
• Kabuto told Nonō that turmoil was coming and argued that Shin could protect her and the Orphanage as a responsible partner.

Kabuto Yakushi urged Nonō to seek Shin Uchiha's protection, while Shin investigated a powerful chakra source hidden beneath a volcano. He drew Roshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, out of the mountain and demanded that he stop resisting.

• Kabuto Yakushi suggested that Nonō become Shin's partner so Shin could protect her and the orphanage, but she dismissed the idea and left.
• Uchiha Shi reported finding a huge mass of chakra inside a volcano but could not locate its source.
• Shin used his Byakugan to spot a hidden entrance beneath the magma and suspected that Roshi was inside.
• Shin used Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide to force Roshi out of the mountain.
• Roshi attacked with Lava Release, but Uchiha Shi blocked the magma with an Earth-Style Wall.
• Shin activated his eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and warned Roshi to stop resisting or he would give the Four-Tails a new place to sleep.

Shin Uchiha confronted Roshi after the Four-Tails jinchūriki flew into a rage, then defeated him with Susanoo. Shin emerged from the battlefield carrying the unconscious Roshi, while Uchiha Shi watched.

• Roshi grew enraged and cloaked himself in Four-Tails chakra, but Shin Uchiha told Uchiha Shi to stand back and flew to face him.
• Shin deflected Roshi’s magma attacks and summoned a full armored Susanoo after Roshi unleashed Lava Release: Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• The Four-Tails recognized Shin’s Susanoo and warned Roshi to flee, so Roshi turned and tried to escape.
• Shin brought Susanoo’s foot down on Roshi, then emerged from the dust holding the unconscious and badly singed jinchūriki.

Shin Uchiha released Roshi into Uchiha Shi’s care, then advised Tsunade to have the Third Hokage lead Konoha’s response to Orochimaru and Sunagakure. As the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Tsunade invited Shin to watch his students take the first test.

• Shin Uchiha left Roshi unconscious with Uchiha Shi, telling him to watch over him until he woke.
• Tsunade told Shin that Anbu had found the Fourth Kazekage Rasa’s body, confirming that Orochimaru had likely impersonated him.
• Shin explained that Rasa and Orochimaru had planned the Konoha Crush, and urged Tsunade to let the Third Hokage lead Konoha’s response while the Sarutobi clan watched Sunagakure and Otogakure.
• Mei Terumi said she would help Tsunade personally, though Kirigakure would stay out of the conflict.
• When the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Tsunade showed Shin the first test site with the Telescope Technique, and Shin agreed to watch his students.

Shin Uchiha watched the Chunin Ninja Exam participants gather, while Naruto Uzumaki and his friends arrived and reunited with their classmates. Sasuke Uchiha then asked Kabuto Yakushi for basic information about people in Konoha, leaving Kabuto relieved that he would not have to reveal anything classified.

• Shin Uchiha watched the participants, and Shizune explained that the oddly dressed group was from Otogakure.
• Naruto Uzumaki entered with Sasuke and Karin, and Sakura rushed to greet Sasuke before arguing with Ino.
• Shikamaru and Choji greeted Sasuke, Naruto, and their unfamiliar teammates, then Kiba joined them with Hinata and Shino.
• Kabuto Yakushi impressed the young participants by showing off his information cards.
• Sasuke asked Kabuto for basic information on people from Konoha, and Kabuto agreed while keeping top-secret details undisclosed.

Sasuke asked Kabuto Yakushi about Uchiha Itachi and Shin Uchiha, but Kabuto refused to reveal classified information about Shin and redirected the group to intelligence about the ninja villages. After an Otogakure shinobi beat Kabuto, Ibiki Morino arrived and announced the first stage of the chunin exams, while Shin watched the scene and joked with Tsunade.

• Sasuke asked Kabuto Yakushi for information on Uchiha Itachi and Shin Uchiha, drawing the attention of Naruto and the others.
• Kabuto denied having information on Shin, then hinted that Hinata Hyuga knew him best, making her blush.
• Neji Hyuga argued that Kabuto was either incompetent or had ulterior motives, and Tenten agreed that they should keep their distance.
• Kabuto discussed the ninja villages, but an indignant Otogakure shinobi stepped forward and beat him up.
• Ibiki Morino arrived, reprimanded the Otogakure shinobi and others, and announced the first stage of the chunin exams.
• Shin Uchiha watched the scene and asked Tsunade if she had put Ibiki in charge to turn the exam room into an interrogation room.

Shin asked Tsunade about the absent village leaders, and she explained that the Third Hokage was representing her at the exams. Asuma then proudly announced that he had invited the Land of Fire's Daimyo to watch the final round, believing he had protected Konoha's funding.

• Tsunade said Ibiki's interrogation training tested the stress tolerance Chunin needed to lead Genin on missions.
• Shin asked why Tsunade was not accompanying Kazekage Rasa and Mizukage Mei Terumi, and Tsunade said she had sent the Third Hokage in her place.
• Asuma approached Tsunade to report that he had invited the Daimyo to the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Asuma explained that the Daimyo had agreed to attend the final round and boasted that he would ensure Konoha received proper funding.
• Asuma noticed Kurenai looking tenderly at Shin, but he kept his irritation to himself and continued praising his own accomplishment.

Kakashi explained that Konoha had become financially independent from the Daimyo's Palace, leaving Asuma stunned after he had proposed an alliance with them. As Nawaki declared his determination to become Hokage even if he remained a genin, Tsunade asked Shizune to tell him she might return his necklace if he performed well in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Shin Uchiha asked Kakashi to explain Konoha's relationship with the Daimyo's Palace to Asuma.
• Kakashi told Asuma that Konoha's businesses now covered its expenses and that the Daimyo's Palace was secretly targeting them.
• Kurenai Yuhi mocked Asuma for acting without understanding the situation, and Tsunade told him to host the arriving daimyo and seek help from his clan.
• Shizune noticed Nawaki standing in the crystal ball, and Nawaki declared that he would become a Hokage everyone admired even if he remained a genin forever.
• Tsunade recalled Nawaki's wish to follow their Grandfather and Second Grandfather and asked Shizune to offer him the return of his necklace if he performed well in the exams.

Tsunade assigned Kojiro Shimamura to help Anko oversee the Chunin Exams' Forest of Death round and criticized Kakashi for neglecting his potential. She encouraged Kakashi to resume Hatake Swordsmanship and told the gathered mentors they could visit the exam site at the forest's center, where Guy planned to explain the next round's rules.

• Shizune left to retrieve Tsunade's cherished necklace for Nawaki, who had asked for it since his resurrection.
• Tsunade ordered Kojiro Shimamura to assist Mitaraishi Anko in the Forest of Death and gave him authority to take over if Anko neglected her duties.
• Shin Uchiha told Tsunade that Kojiro had reached mid-Kage level and explained that Kakashi could become even stronger now that his Sharingan was fully integrated.
• Tsunade rebuked Kakashi for wasting his talent, urged him to take up Hatake Swordsmanship, and told him to read fewer of Jiraiya's dirty novels.
• Tsunade allowed the mentors to visit only the examination site at the Forest of Death's center, and Guy said he had arranged to reach the contestants through the Heaven and Earth Scrolls' Summoning Technique.

Tsunade asked Shin Uchiha to watch over Nawaki in the Forest of Death in case Orochimaru targeted him. Before reaching the forest, Shin found Orochimaru’s victims, and Mitaraishi Anko confirmed Orochimaru had infiltrated the Chunin Ninja Exams and urged that the exams be suspended.

• Tsunade asked Shin Uchiha to protect Nawaki from Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, and Shin agreed.
• Shin invited Kurenai Yuhi to lunch, then found several faceless corpses and summoned Mitaraishi Anko and her team.
• Anko recognized Orochimaru’s Face Copying Technique and reacted with anger toward her former teacher.
• Anko confirmed the victims were Chunin Ninja Exam participants killed by Orochimaru and proposed suspending the exams to screen everyone.

Shin Uchiha reassured Mitaraishi Anko about the missing-nin threat, sent her report to the Fifth Hokage, and distracted her with dango before the second exam. At the Forest of Death entrance, Nawaki met Naruto Uzumaki and introduced himself as Senju Nawaki.

• Shin Uchiha refused to cancel the second exam and told Mitaraishi Anko to report the situation to the Fifth Hokage before overseeing it.
• Shin used Space-Time Ninjutsu to send Anko's report to the Hokage Office.
• Shin shared three-color dango with Anko, who hurried to the Forest of Death after realizing the exam was about to begin.
• At the Forest of Death entrance, Naruto Uzumaki approached Nawaki, who introduced himself as Senju Nawaki.

Naruto and Nawaki bonded over their shared dream of becoming Hokage, and Nawaki revealed that he was Tsunade’s brother and Shin Uchiha’s brother-in-law. Orochimaru arrived for the second exam, recognized Nawaki as someone he had seen die, and wondered whether Danzo had made a clone of him.

• Naruto asked Nawaki why he had never seen him before, and Nawaki explained that he had been recovering from injuries before recently returning to pursue his dream of becoming Hokage.
• Naruto and Nawaki declared themselves rivals, while Sasuke reminded Karin that Senju was the surname of the First and Second Hokage.
• Naruto introduced Karin and Sasuke to Nawaki, who revealed that Shin Uchiha was his brother-in-law and that his sister was Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin were shocked by Nawaki’s revelation, and Sasuke realized Tsunade might explain why Shin still served in Konoha despite the Uchiha Clan’s departure.
• Orochimaru arrived and recognized Nawaki as the boy he remembered dying on the battlefield, then suspected that Shimura Danzō’s laboratory might have created a clone from Nawaki’s cells.

Orochimaru recognized Nawaki in the Chunin Exams and suspected that the resurrected shinobi could help him perfect his immortality technique. He followed Nawaki into the Forest of Death, unaware that Shin Uchiha was monitoring him.

• Orochimaru judged Nawaki to be the same person he had once taught and decided to capture him to study his apparent resurrection.
• Orochimaru hid when Mitaraishi Anko arrived at the Forest of Death and began organizing the exam teams.
• Mitaraishi Anko explained the rules, and the teams signed waivers, collected their scrolls, and entered the forest.
• Orochimaru suppressed his presence and planned to seize Nawaki inside the forest, away from Konoha's immediate notice.
• Shin Uchiha appeared at the Forest of Death Tower, sensed Orochimaru near Anko, and monitored the forest while criticizing her for not detecting him.

Nawaki met his former teacher Orochimaru in the Forest of Death and urged him to return to Konoha, unaware that Orochimaru had been following him after discovering his identity. The chapter left Orochimaru considering Nawaki’s earnest offer.

• Shin Uchiha realized Orochimaru had abandoned his pursuit of Sasuke to follow Nawaki, then headed toward Nawaki after finishing his dango.
• Nawaki entered the Forest of Death alone and planned to ambush other teams near the tower to collect their scrolls.
• Nawaki stopped at a river to drink, where Orochimaru appeared and greeted him.
• Nawaki happily reunited with Orochimaru and explained that his sister and brother-in-law had healed him after his long sleep.
• Orochimaru admitted he had defected from Konoha by choice, and Nawaki offered to ask his sister, the Fifth Hokage, to revoke Orochimaru’s missing-nin status.

Orochimaru tried to persuade Nawaki to join an experiment that could awaken Wood Release, but Nawaki refused because he felt responsible for preserving the Senju Clan. He concluded that revitalizing the clan depended on safely growing its numbers, not gaining a single powerful ability.

• Orochimaru invited Nawaki to visit his bases and offered to help him awaken Wood Release through an experiment.
• Nawaki was tempted by the offer after Orochimaru said he had refined the experiment and reduced its mortality rate.
• Nawaki refused to leave Konoha, explaining that he and Tsunade were the last members of the Senju Clan's direct bloodline.
• Nawaki kept Shin Uchiha's training plan and the family's secrets from Orochimaru.
• Nawaki told Orochimaru that the Senju Clan's survival depended on increasing its members, and that his priority was to grow up, marry, and have children.