Recaps

Naruto Uzumaki overwhelmed Kankuro with shadow clones and taunts until Kankuro surrendered, giving Naruto the match victory. As Kankuro left the arena, Luo Mang wondered when Hinata Hyuga would fight and who her opponent would be.

• Kankuro used his puppet to release poison gas, dispersing Naruto Uzumaki's first wave of clones.
• Naruto Uzumaki summoned many more shadow clones, and they overcame Kankuro's poison and battered him while he controlled his puppet.
• Luo Mang watched with Sakura Haruno and thought about Hinata Hyuga's upcoming match, while Sasuke Uchiha and Karin complained about Naruto's taunting.
• Kankuro chose not to use his explosive tags and surrendered to Naruto Uzumaki.
• The judge declared Naruto Uzumaki the winner, and Kankuro left the arena.

As Sasuke Uchiha prepared to face Gaara, Naruto Uzumaki challenged him to win so they could meet again in a later match. The second-to-last match ended before it began when Baki forfeited on Gaara’s behalf, fearing he might lose control.

• Naruto Uzumaki received cheers after his victory, and Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him to the Daimyo as Konoha’s loyal jinchuriki.
• Karin offered Sasuke Uchiha a chance to replenish his energy by biting her, but Sasuke declined and prepared for his match against Gaara.
• Naruto Uzumaki urged Sasuke Uchiha not to lose, and they agreed to settle their rivalry in a later match.
• Gaara declared that he would kill Sasuke Uchiha, alarming Temari, Kankuro, and Baki.
• Baki forfeited Gaara’s match before it began, stunning the arena.

Baki forfeited Gaara’s match against Sasuke Uchiha, saying his student was unwell, and the spectators wondered why the contest had been called off. Hiruzen Sarutobi then introduced Hinata Hyuga’s upcoming match and hinted at a new competition format.

• Baki announced that Gaara would forfeit, and Gaara closed his eyes rather than face Sasuke Uchiha.
• The spectators and young ninja reacted to the cancellation, while Luo Mang waited for Hinata Hyuga’s match.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Baki’s decision, and Baki reassured Temari that protecting her was more important than competing.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and told the Daimyo that Hinata Hyuga’s match would use a special way to compete.

Hiruzen Sarutobi announced an arena challenge centered on Hinata Hyuga and revealed that her evolved eyes were called the Tenseigan. Hinata entered the arena to a growing crowd’s cheers, and Luo Mang was struck by how much her appearance and bearing had changed.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that failed exam participants and spectators aged seventeen or younger could challenge Hinata Hyuga, with the exam winners going last.
• Naruto Uzumaki, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Sasuke Uchiha expressed interest in challenging Hinata, while Luo Mang watched and hoped nobody would be hurt.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi invited Hinata Hyuga into the arena as the spectators’ anticipation rose.
• Hinata Hyuga stepped onto the grounds in a gray training outfit, her pale purple eyes drawing amazement from Luo Mang, the spectators, and the nobles.

Hinata Hyuga impressed the crowd with her transformation and increased chakra, while Luo Mang considered what had enabled her awakening. As Hiruzen Sarutobi invited challengers to the arena, Kankuro volunteered after Baki explained that Sunagakure wanted Hinata to defeat one of their ninja and showcase her strength.

• The spectators praised Hinata Hyuga, and Neji Hyuga remarked that her chakra had multiplied several times, prompting Luo Mang to reflect on her unusually pure Byakugan.
• Hinata Hyuga smiled and waved to Luo Mang, while Sakura Haruno clung to his arm and Ino Yamanaka and Tenten watched them from behind.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi invited eligible participants to challenge one another and offered to teach a C-rank ninjutsu to those who performed well.
• Temari declined to enter the arena, and Baki told her and Kankuro that one of them should challenge Hinata so she could demonstrate her strength.
• Kankuro volunteered to take the challenge, while Temari reacted angrily to his remark about her.

In hiding after their failed plan, Shimura Danzō confronted Orochimaru over his betrayal and the loss of his ambitions. Orochimaru showed him a report about Hinata Hyuga’s evolved Byakugan, leaving Danzō intrigued by a possible new scheme.

• Shimura Danzō blamed Orochimaru and others for the failed plan while fuming over becoming a hunted Missing-nin.
• Orochimaru mocked Danzō for deceiving himself and dismissed his anger as futile.
• Orochimaru offered Danzō a file, and Danzō reluctantly opened it.
• Shimura Danzō read that Hinata Hyuga’s Byakugan had evolved and that she had defeated Neji Hyuga, while Orochimaru watched for his response.

Orochimaru used reports of Hinata Hyuga’s evolved Byakugan to stir Shimura Danzō’s interest while planning to exploit the distraction to capture Sasuke Uchiha. News of the new eyes and Konoha’s internal damage reached Kumogakure and Iwagakure, leaving the Fourth Raikage preparing to confront Konoha while Iwagakure chose caution.

• Orochimaru told Shimura Danzō that Hinata Hyuga’s Byakugan had evolved, hoping Danzō would target her and draw attention away from Orochimaru’s attempt to capture Sasuke Uchiha.
• Shimura Danzō questioned how Orochimaru obtained the intelligence, and Orochimaru said spies from small villages had reported it after the Chunin Exams began.
• The Fourth Raikage learned that Hinata Hyuga’s Byakugan had evolved and regretted that Kumogakure had failed to abduct her years earlier.
• The Fourth Raikage heard that Konoha had suffered severe internal damage and decided to demand an explanation for Yugito Nii’s capture and Killer B’s injuries.
• Mabui agreed to send a formal notice before the Fourth Raikage visited Konoha, while Iwagakure decided to avoid confrontation and consider a discreet visit.

Hinata Hyuga defeated Kankuro with ease, surprising the spectators and prompting Hyuga Hiashi to describe her training to the Daimyo. Ino Yamanaka accepted that Sakura Haruno knew about Luo Mang and Hinata’s relationship, but remained suspicious of Luo Mang’s appeal.

• Hinata Hyuga beat Kankuro with Taijutsu, and Kankuro admitted defeat as the crowd reacted in surprise.
• Baki and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged knowing looks, while the Daimyo asked about Hinata Hyuga’s training.
• Hyuga Hiashi praised Hinata’s hard work and told the Daimyo how she had trained to adapt to her eyes’ abilities.
• The Daimyo asked for Hinata to demonstrate her eyes’ abilities, and Hyuga Hiashi agreed while criticizing Sunagakure.
• Hinata Hyuga smiled at Luo Mang, and Sakura Haruno told Ino Yamanaka she had accepted his relationship with Hinata.
• Ino Yamanaka stopped questioning Sakura Haruno but resolved to watch Luo Mang closely and figure out his appeal.

Sasuke Uchiha challenged Hinata Hyuga to a sparring match, hoping to prove the strength of the Sharingan. Hinata absorbed his Great Fireball Technique and sent it back at him, leaving the arena stunned as Sasuke dodged.

• After no one else volunteered, Sasuke Uchiha asked Luo Mang for permission to challenge Hinata Hyuga, and Luo Mang agreed.
• Sasuke Uchiha entered the Competition Arena, exchanged courtesies with Hinata Hyuga, and began the match.
• Sasuke Uchiha used Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, but Hinata Hyuga absorbed the fireball with her purple-eyed power.
• Sasuke Uchiha attempted to use shuriken, but Hinata Hyuga returned the absorbed Great Fireball at him.
• Sasuke Uchiha activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and dodged the returning attack as the spectators watched in astonishment.

Hinata Hyuga defeated Sasuke Uchiha by draining his Chidori chakra from a distance and repelling his kunai, revealing the power of her evolved Byakugan. The Chunin Ninja Exams concluded with Hinata in first place, followed by Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, and the four were promoted to Chunin.

• Hinata Hyuga used a distant chakra-absorbing ability to drain Sasuke Uchiha's Chidori and stop his attack.
• Sasuke Uchiha continued fighting with kunai, but Hinata Hyuga repelled them and outlasted him until he admitted defeat.
• Hinata Hyuga swayed from the strain after winning, while the onlookers and Hiruzen Sarutobi reacted to her abilities.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ended the remaining matches, and the exam rankings placed Hinata Hyuga first, Naruto Uzumaki second, Sasuke Uchiha third, and Sakura Haruno fourth.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Hinata Hyuga before the four ranked students were promoted to Chunin.

At the Chunin promotion ceremony, Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he would step down as Hokage because of his declining health. He proposed that Konoha’s residents choose between Tsunade and Jiraiya by voting, leaving the village facing an unexpected public election.

• Luo Mang and Ino Yamanaka discussed having grilled meat with their friends after the ceremony ended.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he was stepping down and named Tsunade and Jiraiya as the candidates for the next Hokage.
• Luo Mang wondered how Hiruzen Sarutobi’s survival and the changes around him would affect the future.
• Tsunade privately vowed to make life difficult for someone if she became Hokage, while Jiraiya was pleased that Hiruzen Sarutobi had survived and doubted he would be selected.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed that each Konoha resident cast one vote for Tsunade or Jiraiya on chakra paper, and the Daimyo and other nobles approved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Konoha would hold an open vote to choose the next Hokage, and the crowd discussed their candidates. After the Chunin Ninja Exams ended, Luo Mang reunited with his friends and waited with them for Hinata Hyuga before they headed out for grilled meat.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that villagers could vote for the next Hokage at a station outside the Hokage Building, with voting open for five days.
• Ino Yamanaka said she would vote for Tsunade, while Luo Mang declined to choose between Tsunade and Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared the Chunin Ninja Exams officially over, and Luo Mang reunited with Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and the others.
• Sakura Haruno told Luo Mang that Hinata Hyuga had asked them to wait so she could join their get-together.
• The group discussed dinner and settled on grilled meat after Tenten and Karin objected to Naruto Uzumaki's ramen suggestion.

Luo Mang and the others waited nearly an hour for Hinata Hyuga, then left for a barbecue restaurant when she did not appear. Hinata had been prevented from meeting them by Hyuga Hiashi, who tried to dissuade her from loving Luo Mang by arguing that their status and backgrounds did not match.

• Luo Mang, Tenten, Ino Yamanaka, and Naruto Uzumaki waited for Hinata Hyuga outside the Chunin Exams arena as the night grew late and they grew hungry.
• Luo Mang guessed that Hinata could not come, apologized to the others, and led them to a barbecue restaurant.
• Hyuga Hiashi stopped Hinata from leaving the Chunin Ninja Exams lounge to meet Luo Mang and argued that she should yield to Hanabi Hyuga and focus on becoming clan head.
• Hinata told Hyuga Hiashi that she had never wanted to lead the clan and that she and Hanabi had agreed they could both be with Luo Mang.
• Hyuga Hiashi tried to convince Hinata that Luo Mang was unworthy because he was an orphan without standing and had not been promoted to Chunin.

Luo Mang was dragged out of bed by Naruto Uzumaki to supervise training with Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin. After Sasuke and Naruto argued over their exam match, Hinata Hyuga arrived and apologized for missing their gathering the previous day.

• Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin knocked on Luo Mang's door to ask him to train with them, and Naruto Uzumaki persuaded Luo Mang to come along.
• At the riverside, Sasuke Uchiha demanded a rematch with Naruto Uzumaki, who had defeated him in the exams.
• Luo Mang urged Sasuke Uchiha to learn from his loss, and Karin supported his advice.
• Luo Mang agreed to watch Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha spar and help them address their weaknesses.
• Hinata Hyuga arrived, apologized for missing the previous day's gathering, and greeted everyone.

Hinata Hyuga reunited with Luo Mang and explained the special training she had negotiated with her father. She showed him that her awakened eyes could bring a paper crane to life.

• Hinata visited Luo Mang, and Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Karin left them alone to talk.
• Hinata apologized for missing him and said Hyuga Hiashi had agreed to let her visit Luo Mang four times a month in exchange for more special training.
• Hinata hugged Luo Mang, and the two sat together beneath a tree to talk about her training.
• Hinata explained that her father had taught her the Hyuga clan's taijutsu while they waited for her eyes' abilities to awaken.
• Hinata used her purple eyes to animate a folded paper crane, which flapped its wings and perched on her shoulder.

Hinata Hyuga gave Luo Mang a chakra-powered Paper Crane so they could exchange messages, then revealed that she and Hanabi had agreed to divide their time with him between Saturdays and Sundays. The awkward conversation ended with Luo Mang asking Hinata to explain her eye abilities.

• Hinata Hyuga showed Luo Mang that her Paper Crane could fly and use its chakra mark for reconnaissance.
• Hinata Hyuga gave Luo Mang the Paper Crane and explained how they could use it to send messages to each other.
• Hinata Hyuga said she planned to make another Paper Crane for Hanabi so they could coordinate their schedules.
• Luo Mang asked what Hinata and Hanabi had discussed, and Hinata revealed that she got Saturdays while Hanabi got Sundays.
• Luo Mang recovered from his surprise and asked Hinata to resume explaining the abilities she gained from her eyes.

Jiraiya and Kakashi reported on suspected spies and Sunagakure’s request for closer cooperation while Hiruzen Sarutobi considered Hinata Hyuga’s safety. An Anbu member delivered Hiruzen a letter that visibly unsettled him, and Hiruzen dismissed the others before quietly questioning the messenger.

• Jiraiya complained that Hiruzen had turned a selection into a vote and recruited Kakashi to help tally it.
• Kakashi reported that suspected spies from other villages had fled during the Preliminaries and that most Konoha investigators had gone missing.
• Kakashi told Hiruzen that Sunagakure wanted closer cooperation, and Hiruzen asked Jiraiya to learn what they proposed.
• An Anbu member delivered Hiruzen a tightly wrapped letter, and Hiruzen reacted with visible shock after reading its first word.
• Hiruzen sent Jiraiya and Kakashi away, then silently questioned the Anbu member, whom he remembered as a former Root operative.
• The Anbu member said he had no verbal message, and Hiruzen let him leave.

Hiruzen Sarutobi received a remorseful letter from Shimura Danzō asking to return to Konoha, then got a meeting request from Kumogakure at the same location. As he planned to use the meetings to secure Danzō's return, another village sent a third letter.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi read Shimura Danzō's letter, in which Danzō apologized and asked to meet about returning to Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi considered the political obstacles to Danzō's return and decided he could not tell Jiraiya and Tsunade yet.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received a letter from the Fourth Raikage inviting him to discuss cooperation at the same location Danzō had named.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to have Danzō guard him during the Raikage meeting and use the arrangement to justify bringing Danzō back.
• An Anbu member delivered a third letter from Eye Shadow Village, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi stunned by the succession of invitations.

Jiraiya and Kakashi met with Baki to discuss Sunagakure’s request for protection and the resources it could offer Konoha. After the meeting, Kakashi reminded Jiraiya that they still had an assignment: checking tickets.

• Baki counted his savings and concluded that Sunagakure had little to offer Konoha besides Gaara, a possible marriage alliance, and valuable resources.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi arrived at Baki’s guest quarters, where Baki nervously asked what brought them there.
• Baki explained Sunagakure’s crisis and offered medicinal ingredients that neutralized poison and specially formulated poisons in exchange for cooperation.
• Jiraiya and Kakashi recognized the value of Sunagakure’s poisons, while Jiraiya considered using them with puppets and explosives.
• As Jiraiya prepared to return to his inn, Kakashi told him their next assignment was checking tickets, leaving Jiraiya shocked.

Luo Mang and Hinata Hyuga parted after a romantic day together, with Hinata confessing her feelings and kissing him. On his way home, Luo Mang encountered Sakura Haruno, who was preparing for a celebration of her chunin promotion.

• Luo Mang told Hinata Hyuga it was time to head back, and Hinata said Hanabi Hyuga would keep him company while she trained the next day.
• Hinata Hyuga hugged Luo Mang, confessed that meeting him was the greatest blessing of her life, and kissed him goodbye.
• Luo Mang watched Hinata leave, then headed through Konoha, thinking about how to handle Hanabi Hyuga and paying little attention to the rumored vote.
• Luo Mang ran into Sakura Haruno, who invited him to her house, but he declined to meet her parents so soon.
• Sakura Haruno explained that her family had kept her home for a promotion banquet and that she was shopping to prepare for it.

Luo Mang considered how his arrival had changed the future and decided to use veiled diary entries to warn its readers. Konan read his suspicions about the altered events and wondered what the changes meant for the coming crisis.

• Luo Mang returned to his pocket world and worried that Orochimaru, Shimura Danzō, and Hinata Hyuga’s Tenseigan could change the future in unpredictable ways.
• Luo Mang wrote in the Diary that events had diverged from the future he foresaw, including Hiruzen Sarutobi surviving and Shimura Danzō defecting.
• Konan read Luo Mang’s entry and reasoned that he feared an unknown crisis involving aliens and future saviors Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Luo Mang added that Konan had appeared earlier than expected and seemed to have come to inspect him.
• Luo Mang stopped writing, deciding that subtle warnings were safer than revealing he knew others could read his Diary.

Itachi concluded that he could no longer rely on the Diary to learn about the threat to the Shinobi World, so he focused on investigating Obito Uchiha. Obito arrived to take Itachi after the Eight-Tails and hinted at a mission involving Konoha, leaving Itachi suspicious of his true plan.

• Itachi worried that the Diary might no longer reveal useful information and decided to investigate Obito Uchiha directly.
• Obito arrived and told Itachi that Cloud Shadow Village planned to visit Konoha, possibly to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi about Hinata Hyuga.
• Obito said he would accompany Itachi to capture the Eight-Tails and suggested they might also take the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
• Itachi agreed to go, then asked why they were capturing the tailed beasts.
• Obito claimed collecting the tailed beasts would benefit the Shinobi World but refused to explain further, and Itachi doubted him.

Luo Mang wrote that Obito Uchiha would start the Fourth Shinobi World War, revealing to Jiraiya and Kakashi that Obito might still be alive. Kakashi recognized Obito’s name and learned how he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving him determined to understand Obito’s fate and the power of his own eye.

• Luo Mang decided to warn people about the coming Fourth Shinobi World War and began writing in his diary again.
• Jiraiya read Luo Mang’s predictions about the war and wondered which village would start it.
• Luo Mang named Obito Uchiha as the one who would start the war, and Kakashi recognized the name from Obito’s grave.
• Luo Mang described how Madara saved Obito and how Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing Nohara Rin’s death.
• Kakashi reviewed what he knew about Kamui and wondered whether his own Sharingan had a different ability, then resolved to meet Obito.

Uchiha Itachi learned from the diary that Obito Uchiha intended to carry out Infinite Reading, a genjutsu meant to cover the Shinobi World and fulfill Madara Uchiha’s wishes. The diary then revealed a video of Obito Uchiha fighting Kakashi Hatake in the Kamui Dimension.

• Uchiha Itachi read that Obito Uchiha had taken up Madara Uchiha’s plan to cast Infinite Reading and create a dream world where Rin could return.
• Uchiha Itachi wondered how the plan would work and what Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha hoped to gain from it.
• Luo Mang stopped writing after deciding he had revealed enough to make the diary’s readers wary and give Kakashi Hatake hope that Obito Uchiha might be saved.
• The others became alert to Obito Uchiha, suspecting he had controlled the Nine-Tails and might be plotting to capture the tailed beasts.
• The diary displayed a video titled “Battle in the Kamui Dimension, Obito Uchiha VS Kakashi Hatake!”

A video showed Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake confronting each other in the Kamui Dimension, where Obito tried to exploit Kakashi’s guilt and draw him into a dream world. Kakashi rejected the genjutsu and prepared to fight Obito as a voice declared their ninja sparring match underway.

• The video showed Kakashi Hatake attacking Obito Uchiha with Lightning Blade but stopping before killing him.
• Obito Uchiha taunted Kakashi about his guilt over Rin Nohara and revealed that he had known why Rin had died.
• Obito Uchiha offered Kakashi a world of dreams, showing him visions of Obito and Rin, but Kakashi cut through the genjutsu.
• Kakashi Hatake recalled his students, declared that Obito’s only future was death, and took a fighting stance.
• Obito Uchiha matched Kakashi’s stance as Minato Namikaze’s voice announced the start of their ninja sparring match.