Chapter Summaries

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.

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.