Recaps

Karin met Hiruzen Sarutobi to seek permission to join Konoha, with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha accompanying her. Hiruzen gave her written tests, including a question about the Will of Fire, and sent Naruto and Sasuke to prepare for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Kakashi Hatake told Karin, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to meet Karin about joining Konoha.
• Kakashi brought the three of them to the Hokage Office, where Karin asked Hiruzen for permission to join the village.
• Hiruzen asked Karin what she could offer Konoha, and she said she was a sensory ninja who could analyze enemy abilities.
• Hiruzen gave Karin test sheets with calculations, mission scenarios, and a question about the Will of Fire.
• Hiruzen told Naruto and Sasuke to prepare for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

Jiraiya met Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha outside the Hokage Building, confirmed Karin could stay, and invited Sasuke to join Naruto’s training. They headed to the riverside so Jiraiya could assess Naruto’s Rasengan and teach both boys.

• Naruto Uzumaki suggested finding Luo Mang, but Sasuke Uchiha stopped him because Luo Mang was busy.
• Jiraiya appeared, and Naruto Uzumaki introduced him to Sasuke Uchiha as his teacher.
• Jiraiya told Sasuke Uchiha that Karin could stay in the village and suggested the two spend time together, embarrassing Sasuke.
• Jiraiya invited Sasuke Uchiha to join Naruto’s lesson, and Sasuke eagerly accepted.
• Jiraiya led Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha toward the riverside, planning to assess Naruto’s Rasengan and teach them about finesse and the Sharingan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Karin into Konoha after assessing her knowledge and intelligence skills, then assigned Kakashi Hatake to help her study at the Ninja Academy. Karin was placed under Iruka's temporary tutoring, where she learned she would have to take another test.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Karin to Konoha but warned her to remain loyal, and arranged for her to share a room with Sasuke Uchiha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Kakashi Hatake to take Karin to the Academy for study materials and arrange another test after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• After Kakashi Hatake and Karin left, Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on recent good fortune and worried over Shimura Danzō's betrayal.
• Kakashi Hatake brought Karin to the Ninja Academy and asked Iruka to tutor her in its curriculum.
• Iruka agreed to assess Karin's knowledge before deciding where to begin, and Karin realized she faced another exam.

At Luo Mang’s home, Tsunade opposed Sakura Haruno’s relationship with Luo Mang, while his Diary entries made her even angrier. Tsunade left in a fury with Konan following, and Sakura Haruno and Luo Mang went to see them off.

• Tsunade said she did not approve of Sakura Haruno and Luo Mang’s relationship, and Luo Mang wrote insulting guesses about her in his Diary.
• Tsunade and Konan read Luo Mang’s Diary, and Konan suspected Tsunade might have feelings for him.
• Sakura Haruno told Tsunade she loved Luo Mang and asked her to support them, but Tsunade warned her that Luo Mang might use and abandon her.
• Konan urged everyone to let Sakura Haruno and Luo Mang work out their feelings, and Luo Mang praised her in his Diary while insulting Tsunade again.
• Tsunade cracked her stool and the floor beneath it, then stormed out with Konan following; Sakura Haruno and Luo Mang went to see them off.

After Tsunade and Konan left, Sakura Haruno kissed Luo Mang and promised to persuade her teacher to accept their relationship. As he repaired the damage Tsunade had left behind, Luo Mang wondered why Konan had come and worried about how far the changed timeline might diverge.

• Sakura Haruno held Luo Mang's hand and promised to convince Tsunade to let them spend time together.
• Sakura Haruno kissed Luo Mang, learned that he had not kissed Hinata Hyuga, and left happily after they exchanged good-night wishes.
• Luo Mang found cracks in the table, chair, and floor where Tsunade had sat, and began repairing them.
• Luo Mang wondered whether Konan had come seeking his prophecies and considered what Obito Uchiha might have learned from the Diary's video.
• Luo Mang recalled seeing Shimura Danzō's elephant summon fighting Gamabunta and worried that the changed events could exceed what he could handle.

Luo Mang returned to his pocket world, received a disappointing fortune as a reward for correctly guessing Konan’s purpose, and wrote in his Diary about Tsunade. Jiraiya read the entry, discovered that Konan was in Konoha, and wondered how he would face her.

• Luo Mang retreated to his pocket world after dealing with the situation at home and reflected on Sakura Haruno’s kiss and Konan’s visit.
• Luo Mang correctly guessed that Konan had come because of the Diary and received a vast fortune as his reward, which left him furious.
• Luo Mang calmed down, resolved to keep a low profile, and wrote that Tsunade might have fallen for him.
• Jiraiya sensed the Diary’s energy and began reading Luo Mang’s entry after returning from teaching Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.
• Jiraiya learned that Konan was in Konoha and considered how he should act if they met, then dismissed Luo Mang’s claim about Tsunade.

Luo Mang visited Hinata Hyuga in the hospital and fed her the breakfast he had made. Hinata said she would try to convince her father to let her see Luo Mang after her discharge, and reaffirmed that she would accept his relationship with Sakura.

• Luo Mang prepared an extra serving of breakfast and went to visit Hinata at the main hospital.
• Hinata welcomed Luo Mang and asked him to feed her the breakfast he had brought.
• Hinata asked whether she could visit Luo Mang after her discharge, and said she would convince her father.
• Hinata told Luo Mang that Hanabi had told her about Sakura, and Luo Mang assured her that he would not mistreat either of them.
• Hinata agreed to get along with Sakura, and Luo Mang continued feeding her.

Hinata Hyuga accepted Luo Mang’s relationships with other women and asked him to kiss her, but Hanabi Hyuga interrupted them and confronted him. Hanabi discovered Luo Mang had already fed Hinata breakfast, while Hinata happily defended him and shared how gentle he had been.

• Hinata Hyuga told Luo Mang she would accept him having other women as long as he did not abandon her, and he finished feeding her breakfast.
• Hinata asked Luo Mang to kiss her, and they leaned toward each other before Hanabi Hyuga opened the door and interrupted them.
• Hanabi rushed at Luo Mang, protesting that he should keep his hands off her sister, while curious onlookers gathered outside the open door.
• Luo Mang moved Hanabi aside and closed the door, ending the crowd’s view; Hinata then told Hanabi to stop making trouble.
• Hanabi explained she had brought Hinata breakfast, but Hinata said Luo Mang had already fed her and described his kindness, making Hanabi grow angry.

Luo Mang and Hinata Hyuga kissed in front of Hanabi Hyuga, who kept accusing him of tricking her sister. Hanabi then declared that she loved Luo Mang and wanted to be with him, leaving Hinata visibly angry.

• Hanabi Hyuga interrupted Luo Mang and Hinata Hyuga and refused to leave, claiming she needed to protect her sister.
• Luo Mang kissed Hinata Hyuga, and they continued despite Hanabi's protests until she tried to stop them.
• Hinata asked Hanabi to stop arguing, while Hanabi privately decided to expose Luo Mang as a fiend who had deceived her sister.
• Hanabi told Hinata that she liked Luo Mang and asked her to give him up, making Hinata glare at her with pale purple light in her eyes.

Hanabi Hyuga pretended to confess her love for Luo Mang, hoping to reveal his true character to Hinata, but Hinata accepted the confession and welcomed her as a potential partner. After Luo Mang left, Hinata questioned Hanabi and mistook her scheme for difficulty accepting Luo Mang’s desire to build a harem.

• Hanabi Hyuga declared that she liked Luo Mang and challenged Hinata Hyuga to let her be with him.
• Hinata Hyuga accepted Hanabi’s claim, warning her not to stir up trouble, and Hanabi agreed despite her hidden plan.
• Hanabi bowed to Luo Mang and asked him to take care of her, while he suspected she was pretending.
• Luo Mang left after exchanging a meaningful look with Hinata, who watched Hanabi closely.
• Hinata asked Hanabi what she was really after, then advised her to accept that Luo Mang might seek other women and build a harem.

Konan secretly watched Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten after the boys struggled with their losses in the Chunin Ninja Exams. After Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga left, Luo Mang encountered Tenten alone in the forest and began talking with her.

• Konan wandered into the forest and hid in a tree to watch Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten discuss fate and their losses.
• Rock Lee rejected Neji Hyuga’s claim that his lack of ninjutsu talent made him destined to lose and ran off to prove himself.
• Might Guy arrived, learned Rock Lee had left, and hurried after him, while Neji Hyuga soon left as well.
• Tenten stayed behind alone and wondered whether to leave the training ground.
• Luo Mang appeared, asked Tenten why she was alone, and laughed when she explained that the others had left.

Luo Mang agreed to spar with Tenten after they discovered neither had special training to do. As Tenten tested her skills against him, Luo Mang assessed her weaknesses while Konan left the area, still questioning whether he could become powerful enough to change the shinobi world.

• Tenten asked Luo Mang why he was not training with his teacher, and he said his teammates were busy, leaving him with nothing to do.
• Tenten suggested that they train together, and Luo Mang agreed to spar with her so he could assess her abilities.
• Konan watched them from a tree, decided the spar would reveal little about Luo Mang's true strength, and left to pretend to meet him by chance.
• Tenten opened the spar by throwing six shuriken, and Luo Mang blocked every one with a wooden stick.
• Tenten rushed into close combat, and Luo Mang mostly blocked her attacks while judging her taijutsu as weak and poorly taught.

After finishing Tenten’s training, Luo Mang encountered Konan, who had been delayed by a meeting with Jiraiya. Konan arrived to meet him and found him with a sweaty, disheveled Tenten.

• Tenten lost a sparring match against Luo Mang, who helped her up and gave her advice.
• Konan ran into Jiraiya, and they awkwardly discussed his past care for her and her reason for visiting Konoha.
• Konan told Jiraiya she wanted to see the Byakugan and speak with Konoha’s Hokage about trade, then continued toward Luo Mang.
• Konan heard Tenten praising Luo Mang and became displeased as she approached them.
• Luo Mang noticed Konan, called out to her, and asked what she and Tenten were doing.

Konan approached Luo Mang and Tenten during their training, but Luo Mang distrusted her excuse and led Tenten away. After writing about Konan in his Diary, he noticed she had stopped following them and continued training with Tenten.

• Tenten mistook Konan for Luo Mang’s sister, and Konan claimed she had been wandering because Tsunade was busy.
• Konan teased Luo Mang about Sakura and offered to give him and Tenten guidance, but Luo Mang took Tenten’s hand and left.
• Luo Mang wrote in his Diary that he suspected Konan had sought him out deliberately, and Konan read the entry and decided not to follow him.
• Luo Mang realized he had been holding Tenten’s hand, and Tenten shyly said she did not mind.
• Luo Mang suggested that he and Tenten finish their training, and Tenten agreed.

Luo Mang headed to the Chunin Ninja Exams with Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Karin, and Hinata Hyuga to support the contestants. Along the way, they met Might Guy and his students, and Naruto declared that he would win first place.

• Luo Mang left home with the young contestants and wished Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga luck in their matches.
• Naruto Uzumaki announced that he intended to take first place, while Sasuke Uchiha mocked him and the two began bickering.
• The group walked toward the exam arena, with Sakura Haruno beside Luo Mang and Sasuke Uchiha holding hands with Karin.
• They encountered Might Guy, Tenten, Neji Hyuga, and Rock Lee on their way to the venue.
• Might Guy asked Luo Mang how his month of rest and training had gone, and Naruto Uzumaki answered that he was doing well and would win first place.

Luo Mang and the others checked the Chunin Exams match list, which included both the main bouts and exhibition matches, before heading into the arena to find seats. Hinata Hyuga's opponent remained unknown, while Neji Hyuga was assigned Choji Akimichi for an exhibition match.

• Luo Mang greeted Tenten and told Neji Hyuga that Hinata Hyuga was fine and would probably attend the exams.
• Naruto Uzumaki bonded with Might Guy and Rock Lee, then caught up with Luo Mang and the others as they headed to the venue.
• Luo Mang and the others read the match list: Sasuke Uchiha faced Gaara, Naruto Uzumaki faced Kankuro, Sakura Haruno faced Temari, and Shino Aburame faced Shikamaru Nara.
• Sasuke Uchiha spotted an exhibition match list that included Neji Hyuga versus Choji Akimichi, and Tenten congratulated Neji.
• Luo Mang noticed that Hinata Hyuga's opponent was listed as a question mark, then urged everyone to find seats.
• Ino Yamanaka called to the group from the arena seats, and Luo Mang and the others went over to join her.

At the Chunin Ninja Exams, Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the exhibition matches with Neji Hyuga facing Choji Akimichi. Choji swallowed a Blue Refining Pill and attacked in a spiked Human Bullet Tank, leaving Neji’s palm pierced as he prepared for another charge.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed the visitors and the Daimyo before announcing the exhibition matches.
• Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi entered the arena for the opening match.
• Choji considered Neji’s Byakugan and Gentle Fist, then swallowed a Blue Refining Pill and used the Multi-Size Technique with a spiked chain.
• Neji Hyuga dodged Choji’s Human Bullet Needle Tank but pierced his palm while striking it aside.
• Choji bounced off the wall and charged at Neji again.

Choji Akimichi used the Red Pill to enter Butterfly Mode, forcing Neji Hyuga to dodge his powerful attacks as the exhibition match continued. Hiruzen Sarutobi received praise from the Daimyo while the spectators watched the spectacle.

• Choji Akimichi’s Human Bullet Tank attack wore down both fighters, but Neji Hyuga waited for the medicine’s effects to fade and prepared to counterattack.
• Neji Hyuga opened the box and took out the Red Pill, and Choji Akimichi swallowed it and transformed into Butterfly Mode.
• Choji Akimichi used the Multi-Size Technique and attacked from the air, while Neji Hyuga rapidly dodged his blows.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as the Daimyo praised Konoha and the exhibition match.

After Neji Hyuga defeated Choji Akimichi in the Exhibition Match, Shino Aburame waited for his official match against Shikamaru Nara. Shikamaru never entered the arena, and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he had forfeited due to a leg injury, advancing Shino.

• Neji Hyuga defeated Choji Akimichi after Choji slowed from the effects of the Red Pill.
• Shino Aburame and Shikamaru Nara were called for the first official match, while Sakura Haruno prepared for her upcoming bout with Temari.
• Shino Aburame waited in the arena, but Shikamaru Nara did not appear after several minutes.
• Shikaku Nara left to investigate, then returned and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Shikamaru had hurt his leg and chosen to forfeit.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Shino Aburame as the winner and advanced him to the next round.

After Shikamaru Nara forfeited for unexplained “special circumstances,” Sakura Haruno prepared to face Temari in the next match. Before the referee started the fight, Temari revealed her interest in Luo Mang and suggested she and Sakura might become sisters, leaving Sakura angry and the match just beginning.

• Shikamaru Nara forfeited, confusing the spectators and Yamanaka Jingye, while Shikaku Nara helped divert attention from the explanation.
• Luo Mang encouraged Sakura Haruno to do her best and avoid serious injury before she entered the arena.
• Sakura Haruno and Temari took their places for the next match as Ino Yamanaka cheered Sakura on.
• Temari asked Sakura about her relationship with Luo Mang, and Sakura warned her that they were together and Temari had no chance.
• Temari hinted that she and Sakura might become sisters, angering Sakura, and the referee announced the start.

Sakura Haruno fought Temari in the Chunin Exam, turning the match around by using her strength to break through Temari’s ranged attacks. She unleashed Tsunade’s Monster Strength, and the fight remained unresolved as her blow shattered the ground.

• Temari used her fan to send whirlwinds at Sakura Haruno, who dodged and tried to attack with shuriken.
• Sakura Haruno leaped into the air and struck the ground, disrupting Temari’s approach before sending her flying with a punch.
• Sakura Haruno charged Temari and traded heavy blows with her iron fan as the Daimyo and Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Sakura’s hard work.
• Temari teased Sakura Haruno about Luo Mang and suggested she leave him, making Sakura’s attacks grow more forceful.
• Sakura Haruno called out Monster Strength and struck the ground, but Temari dodged the blow as it split the platform open.

Sakura Haruno defeated Temari with a burst of Monster Strength, while Hiruzen Sarutobi told the Daimyo he planned to step down and intended to nominate Tsunade as his successor. After the match, Ino Yamanaka learned that Luo Mang was dating both Sakura Haruno and Hinata, with Sakura aware of the arrangement.

• Sakura Haruno shattered the arena floor and defeated Temari, who slipped as she searched for steady footing.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the Daimyo that he planned to step down and suggested Tsunade as his successor.
• Sakura Haruno was declared the winner, celebrated by the crowd, and exchanged a pleased look with Luo Mang.
• Tsunade watched Sakura Haruno’s performance, noted areas for improvement, and grew annoyed when Sakura looked toward Luo Mang instead of her.
• Ino Yamanaka teased Luo Mang about Sakura Haruno, then was stunned when he said he was dating both Sakura Haruno and Hinata, and that Sakura knew.

Luo Mang’s companions argued over his relationships after Tenten accused him of womanizing, while Ino Yamanaka teased him and challenged his interest in Tenten. The group settled back to watching the arena as footsteps approached.

• Tenten called Luo Mang a womanizer, and Naruto Uzumaki said outsiders had no right to judge his relationships.
• Ino Yamanaka suggested Luo Mang had taken a liking to Tenten, prompting Rock Lee to criticize him and Sasuke Uchiha to defend him.
• Luo Mang stopped Sasuke and traded barbs with Ino Yamanaka, who insisted she was still growing and asked whether he had designs on Tenten.
• The others moved away from Luo Mang and Ino Yamanaka’s argument and watched Ninja repair the arena while Sakura Haruno and Temari left for treatment.
• Ino Yamanaka argued that Luo Mang had no taste, but nearby footsteps interrupted his reply.

Sakura Haruno returned to Luo Mang and dismissed Ino Yamanaka’s warnings about his interest in other women, choosing to spend time with him. Ino continued questioning Sakura’s decision, but Tenten tried to end the discussion as the group turned its attention back to the matches.

• Sakura Haruno arrived, and Luo Mang invited her to sit beside him.
• Ino Yamanaka accused Luo Mang of teasing her and pursuing Tenten, then urged Sakura to break up with him.
• Sakura Haruno felt jealous but decided she would accept Luo Mang’s other relationships as long as he treated her well.
• Ino Yamanaka questioned whether Luo Mang had put Sakura under mind control, while Tenten urged her to stop criticizing Sakura in front of them.
• Naruto Uzumaki and Karin praised Sakura Haruno’s performance, and Sakura thanked them before asking everyone to watch the next match.

Naruto Uzumaki prepared to face Kankuro in the Chunin Exams, determined to prove himself and win. The match began with Naruto using the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

• The referee announced Naruto Uzumaki and Kankuro as the next contestants, and Naruto eagerly left the stands for the arena.
• Baki warned Kankuro to surrender if he could not win, stressing that Sunagakure could not afford to lose its Kazekage’s children.
• Naruto waved to the spectators and declared that he would win the match and become Hokage, while the crowd doubted his abilities.
• Naruto told Kankuro that he had mastered his ninjutsu during special training and challenged him to show his strength.
• The referee started the match, and Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.