Recaps

Naruto’s group confronted Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro outside the Tower, and Naruto ordered his teammates to subdue the Sand siblings while he fought Gaara. After a burst of speed let him knock Gaara into the Forest of Death, Naruto defeated and bound him, while the battle with Temari and Kankuro continued outside.

• Gaara and his siblings met Naruto’s group outside the Tower, and both sides briefly clashed before pulling back.
• Naruto identified Kankuro and his siblings, assigned Gaara to himself, and ordered the others to capture Temari and Kankuro and eliminate the remaining Sand Ninja.
• Naruto removed his Weighted Bands, rushed past Gaara’s sand defense, and kicked him into the Forest of Death.
• Sasuke attacked Kankuro with flaming shuriken, Temari deflected them, and Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique on Temari as Lee moved to attack Kankuro’s puppet.
• The Nine-Tails taunted Shukaku through Gaara’s seal, worsening Gaara’s distress as he fought Naruto.
• Naruto used Wind Pressure Pull to scatter Gaara’s sand, bound him with scrolls, and carried him back while Gaara continued to struggle.

After Naruto discovered Hanabi had disguised herself as Karin, he confronted her and took her to Hinata for correction. Left alone with her sister, Hanabi urged Hinata to team up and become more proactive about winning Naruto over.

• Naruto used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura and realized the person disguised as Karin was Hanabi, who had hidden Karin and taken her place.
• Naruto made Hanabi apologize to Karin and decided she should stay with Hinata for the next few days.
• Hinata apologized to Naruto and Karin, while Karin revealed Hanabi had bought her a new pair of glasses.
• After Naruto and Karin left, Hanabi told Hinata she needed to make the first move with Naruto and proposed that they team up.

Hiashi urged Neji to ask Might Guy to teach him the Eight Gates Formation so he could get stronger and strike Naruto, while Jiraiya visited Naruto and offered to make him his disciple. Naruto recognized Jiraiya as the old pervert caught near the women’s baths and slammed the door in his face.

• Hiashi and Neji overheard Hinata and Hanabi discussing how to win Naruto over, and both grew furious with Naruto.
• Hiashi suggested Neji ask Might Guy to teach him the Eight Gates Formation, and Neji agreed to become Guy’s disciple if necessary.
• Jiraiya arrived at Naruto’s home and asked if Naruto wanted to become his disciple.
• Naruto shielded Karin from Jiraiya, called him an old pervert, and rejected his claims of fame.
• Naruto slammed the door on Jiraiya and accused the Third and Fourth Hokage of being up to no good too.

Jiraiya dreamed that Naruto respectfully became his disciple, then woke and tried to bring him and Karin ramen as a peace offering. Karin and Kazahana Koyuki shut him out, while Orochimaru watched and judged Jiraiya for failing to care for Minato's son.

• Jiraiya dreamed Naruto apologized and formally accepted him as a master, but woke alone in his house.
• Jiraiya decided to keep his distance from Naruto, then went to Ichiraku Ramen and bought breakfast for Naruto and Karin.
• Karin tried to shut the door on Jiraiya, and Kazahana Koyuki threatened to complain to Konoha's Third and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
• Jiraiya pulled his foot from the door as Karin and Kazahana Koyuki slammed it shut, leaving him outside with the ramen.
• Orochimaru watched from a nearby window and privately condemned Jiraiya for recognizing Naruto as Minato's son yet failing to look after him.

Hana Inuzuka recruited Naruto and Shikamaru to help Kiba court Kohan, the granddaughter of Cat Granny, and Sasuke joined after learning who Kohan was. The group sought advice from girls who understood romance, but Hinata could not join because Hiashi had scheduled special training for her before the chunin exams.

• Hana Inuzuka dragged Naruto and Shikamaru to meet Kohan, whose family’s love of cats conflicted with the Inuzuka Clan’s dog traditions.
• Naruto and Shikamaru persuaded Sasuke to help by revealing that Kohan was Cat Granny’s granddaughter.
• Sasuke agreed to join the matchmaking effort, eager to see Kiba’s romance unfold.
• Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sasuke invited Hinata, Ino, and Sakura to join their group.
• Ino and Sakura accepted, but Hiashi declined Hinata’s invitation so she could train for the third round of the chunin ninja exams.

Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Sasuke debated how to handle celery and bitter melon before realizing Shino and his father, Shibi Aburame, were dining nearby. Shibi reflected on Naruto’s parentage, Konoha’s treatment of him, and the hope that the younger generation would renew the village.

• Naruto comforted Kiba, who asked whether he would eat celery cooked by Ino or Hinata, and Naruto said he would try some for their sake.
• Shikamaru argued that indulging a child’s dislikes could be unhelpful, while Sasuke suggested juicing celery and bitter melon for a quick, unpleasant drink.
• Naruto asked Shino how to make celery and bitter melon edible, and Shino replied that any preparation was fine.
• Kiba, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Naruto noticed Shino and his father, Shibi Aburame, at a nearby table, and Shibi greeted them.
• Shibi recognized Naruto as Minato’s son and hoped Naruto’s friendship would bring Shino more liveliness.
• Shibi worried about Konoha’s handling of the Demon Fox rumors and hoped Naruto and his peers would bring new life to the village.

Neji faced Hinata in the Chunin Exam preliminaries, having let go of his old resentment and choosing to give her a genuine fight. Hinata surprised him with Naruto’s lightning technique and her Twin Lion Fists, and their battle continued as Naruto watched for danger.

• Gekko Hayate announced that one injured Rain Ninja would not compete, leaving twenty contestants in the preliminaries.
• Neji recalled how learning the truth about his father’s death had ended his resentment toward Hinata, and he resolved to fight her seriously.
• Gekko Hayate started the match, and Hinata charged Neji with Divine Vacuum Attack: Fierce Lightning Flash.
• Neji dodged and counterattacked, but Hinata used Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists to deflect his strike and hit back.
• Neji blocked Hinata’s follow-up, and the two fighters clashed before pulling apart.
• Kakashi asked Naruto about the lightning technique, and Naruto explained that he had created it and taught it to Hinata; the two Hyuga continued trading blows.

Hinata fought Neji in a close Gentle Fist match, but Neji's experience and newly learned Eight Gates training helped him maintain the advantage and win. Naruto and his Shadow Clone rushed into the arena afterward to carry both fighters back, where Naruto healed Hinata.

• Hinata and Neji exchanged Gentle Fist strikes, with Neji gradually gaining control of the fight.
• Might Guy told Asuma that Neji had become his disciple and could reliably open the second gate of the Eight Gates Formation.
• Guy revealed that Neji had activated the first gate at the start of the match, and Asuma wondered if Naruto's earlier victory had made Neji take the fight too seriously.
• Neji defeated Hinata after several more minutes of fighting.
• Naruto and his Shadow Clone carried Hinata and Neji back to the viewing area, where Naruto healed Hinata and Neji was left beside Rock Lee.

Danzo prepared to seize the Hokage position by arranging Hiruzen’s death during Orochimaru’s Konoha Crush Plan. Meanwhile, Naruto infiltrated the Root Base and began a covert search for Danzo.

• Danzo donned the ceremonial robe intended for Minato and imagined becoming the Fifth Hokage after Orochimaru killed Hiruzen.
• Danzo recalled how he had rebuilt Root using Shimura clan children and recruits from Konoha’s clans, binding them with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
• Naruto used the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique to enter the Root Base through an underground blind spot while a shadow clone attended the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Naruto used the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to map the base, created thirty shadow clones, and sent them to locate Danzo as he began sweeping the facility.

Naruto infiltrated Root and hunted Danzo, who retreated behind a locked door and left Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū to confront him. Naruto overwhelmed both men and used a Wood Clone to evade Torune’s venomous insects, leaving them bound to the wall.

• Naruto silently killed a Root guard with an ice blade and continued searching for Danzo.
• After a Shadow Clone was poisoned by Aburame Torune’s insects, Naruto used Wood Release to create a Wood Clone and tracked the clone’s last location.
• Naruto found Shimura Danzō with Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū; Danzo ordered the two to kill him and withdrew behind a door.
• Naruto reversed Torune’s insect swarm with a powerful gust of wind and slammed Torune and Fū against a wall.
• As Torune’s insects spread toward Naruto, Naruto’s body turned to wood, leaving lengths of wood wrapped around both men’s necks and pinning them to the wall.

Naruto used a Wood Clone and the voices of captured Root operatives to trick Shimura Danzō into opening his door, then attacked him. The chapter left Naruto’s fingers hooked into Danzō’s right eye socket as Danzō screamed in pain.

• Naruto trapped Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū with a Wood Clone, sealed their Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals, and erased their memories.
• Naruto spared Torune and Fū, loosened their restraints, and imitated Fū’s voice to lure Shimura Danzō to the door.
• Danzō suspected the voice outside and sent a Wind Blade through the door, but Naruto blocked it with his Ice Sword.
• Danzō saw Naruto’s fox mask and Ice Release sword, then decided to kill him after exposing the Sharingan on his right arm.
• Naruto spatially jumped onto the fallen door and drove his chakra-coated fingers into Danzō’s right eye socket.

Naruto stole and sealed Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan from Danzo, then fatally impaled him with an ice blade. As Danzo’s body was destroyed, he invoked Izanagi to escape death.

• Naruto gouged Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan from Danzo’s right eye and sealed it in a scroll.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to evade Danzo and prepared to kill him, while Danzo tried to identify his attacker.
• An ice blade pierced Danzo’s chest and erupted into spikes that tore through his organs and body.
• Danzo endured the wounds and called upon Izanagi, determined not to die before becoming Hokage.

Naruto discovered that Danzo’s Izanagi restored his right eye even though Naruto had sealed the original, and attacked again to take it back. Meanwhile, Orochimaru revealed himself, seized Third as a hostage, and the arena fell under a mass genjutsu.

• Danzo revived through Izanagi with his right eye and body restored, while Naruto found the stolen eye still inside his sealing scroll.
• Danzo attacked Naruto with Wood Release: Violent Spear Tree, but Naruto’s Spiraling Ring annihilated the wooden assault.
• Naruto sent four wood clones after Danzo to seize his restored eye, and Danzo countered with Wind Release: Sexy~ Sun Bro (Vacuum Great Sphere).
• Gaara lost control of Shukaku’s chakra during his fight with Naruto’s shadow clone, while Orochimaru used the commotion to reveal himself and take Third hostage.
• Orochimaru brought Third onto the arena roof, and Magic Illusion: Temple of Nirvana Technique put most spectators and several ninja to sleep.

The Konoha Crush Plan began as Otogakure and Sunagakure forces attacked the village during the Chunin Exam, while Orochimaru trapped the Third Hokage on the rooftop. Konoha's defenders fought to protect civilians and the Hokage as a giant summon advanced on the village walls.

• Might Guy, Kakashi, and Sakura broke free of the feather genjutsu and helped Konoha's ninja and civilians recover.
• Otogakure ninja and disguised Sunagakure forces launched a coordinated assault, while Konoha's jonin and awakened younger ninja organized a defense.
• Naruto's shadow clone knocked Gaara down, then Naruto went to protect Hinata and the others while another clone guarded Kazahana Koyuki.
• Orochimaru revealed himself on the rooftop, and the Sound Four trapped him and the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, burning an ANBU who tried to enter.
• Elite Sunagakure ninja summoned a Three-Headed Giant Snake to attack Konoha's walls, while Gekko Hayate faced Baki to protect Genma Shiranui.

Kakashi and Might Guy faced Kabuto and three Sound Ninja while Hiashi used Sunagakure’s invasion as cover for his purge of the Hyuga elders. On the rooftop, Orochimaru wounded his own hand and released the Third, then admitted that he had an objective, leaving its nature unclear.

• Kabuto and three Sound Ninja blocked Kakashi and Might Guy from reaching the rooftop, and Kakashi recognized that the masked ANBU was not who he claimed to be.
• Hiashi ordered the Hyuga Branch Family to reinforce the Third, then blamed Sunagakure infiltrators for the deaths of the elders he and Neji had killed.
• Hiashi rallied the Hyuga clan to search for Sand Ninja and framed the invasion as a chance to defend their compound and Byakugan.
• Orochimaru stabbed his own hand, released the Third, and watched Naruto lead the rookies in resisting the attackers.
• The Third questioned Orochimaru’s motives, and Orochimaru agreed that he had an objective without revealing what it was.

Orochimaru explained that he wanted to force change in Konoha through chaos, prompting Hiruzen to resolve to stop him. On the battlefield, Gaara charged Naruto while Temari blocked Shikamaru from helping, and Shikamaru agreed to fight her seriously.

• Orochimaru removed the Fourth Kazekage's hat and told Hiruzen he wanted to see whether Konoha's destruction would make the village change or leave it with a final burst of brilliance.
• Hiruzen condemned Orochimaru for treating the village and its people like toys and test subjects, then vowed to end his twisted curiosity.
• Gaara, further overtaken by Shukaku, defeated Genma Shiranui and charged at Naruto, who turned to meet him head-on.
• Shikamaru tried to use the Shadow Imitation Technique to create an opening for Naruto, but Temari's gust of wind disrupted it.
• Temari challenged Shikamaru to fight her without holding back, and he accepted as they prepared to begin their rematch.

Naruto grievously wounded Danzo, stole his newly restored Mangekyō Sharingan, and escaped when Danzo activated the Reverse Four Symbols Seal. Danzo then appeared again in the hollow left by the sealing technique.

• Naruto used Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs to impale Danzo, and his Shadow Clone removed Danzo’s right Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Danzo activated Izanagi again, restoring his body and the eye, but Naruto let the technique take effect.
• Danzo tore open his clothes and activated the Reverse Four Symbols Seal to destroy himself and Naruto.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape to the hall, where Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū were still alive.
• Shimura Danzō appeared from the hollow created by the Reverse Four Symbols Seal.

Naruto stopped Danzo from activating the Reverse Four Symbols Seal again, took his Sharingan, and killed him before leaving to check on Karin and Big Yellow. In Konoha, Gamabunta arrived to confront the rampaging Three-Headed Brown Giant Snake.

• Danzo used Izanagi to return after the Reverse Four Symbols Seal had seemingly erased him, then tried to activate the seal again when he saw Naruto.
• Naruto gouged out Danzo’s restored Sharingan and used the Evil Sealing Method to destroy the emerging seal formula.
• Naruto stabbed Danzo, refused to reveal his identity, and left a Shadow Clone behind before heading home to check on Karin and Big Yellow.
• The Three-Headed Brown Giant Snake rampaged through Konoha as the village’s attacks failed to stop it.
• Gamabunta descended onto the snake’s central head.

Jiraiya arrived at Konoha’s besieged battlefield in a theatrical costume, pinned the three-headed giant snake with Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro, and lifted the defenders’ spirits. As he confronted the crisis, the resurrected Hashirama and Tobirama learned Jiraiya’s age and heard that Tsunade still looked young, leaving Hashirama delighted by news of his granddaughter.

• Gamabunta, Gamaken, and Gamahiro pinned the three-headed giant snake with their weapons.
• Jiraiya announced his entrance in theatrical fashion, startling both sides of the battle before his arrival encouraged Konoha’s defenders.
• Jiraiya recalled that he had learned theatrical tricks and bought his costume while trying to find a way to grow closer to Naruto.
• Hashirama and Tobirama noticed Jiraiya, and Hiruzen told them that Jiraiya was fifty-one.
• Hiruzen explained that Tsunade’s Yin Seal had preserved her youthful appearance, and Hashirama happily celebrated his granddaughter’s well-being.

Naruto's Wood Clone raced toward the rooftop where the former Hokage confronted Orochimaru, prompting questions about Naruto's identity and abilities. After Hashirama guessed Naruto might be Tsunade's child, the clone dispelled itself, and the real Naruto arrived with Flying Thunder God to catch its Wooden Sword.

• Naruto's Wood Clone led Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Neji through the battlefield toward the Four Violet Flames Formation, while Hiruzen identified him as Naruto Uzumaki.
• Hashirama and Tobirama discussed Naruto's Uzumaki heritage, and Orochimaru taunted Hiruzen for failing to protect him.
• Tobirama sensed that the Naruto below was a clone, and Hashirama recognized it as a Wood Clone.
• Hashirama speculated that Naruto might be Tsunade's child because he had blond hair and Wood Release.
• Naruto's Wood Clone dispelled itself, and the real Naruto used Flying Thunder God to catch its Wooden Sword.

Orochimaru taunted Naruto with news about his parents, then attacked Jiraiya by recounting Naruto’s lonely childhood and the times Jiraiya had failed to support people who needed him. The chapter ended with Orochimaru mocking Jiraiya for being unable to get past two girls to visit Naruto.

• Orochimaru told Naruto that he knew who Naruto’s parents were.
• Jiraiya arrived in Sage Mode and ordered Orochimaru to stop, but Orochimaru mocked him for never visiting Naruto.
• Orochimaru described Naruto’s mistreatment in Konoha and accused Jiraiya of abandoning him to a miserable childhood.
• Orochimaru berated Jiraiya for failing to support Tsunade’s medical-ninja proposal, while Dan Katō had stood by her.
• Orochimaru recalled Jiraiya’s absence during Kushina’s childbirth and the Nine-Tails’ attack, which led to deaths and devastation in Konoha.
• Orochimaru mocked Jiraiya for recently failing to get inside Naruto’s home with the ramen he had brought.

Orochimaru exposed Naruto's painful childhood and tried to turn him against Jiraiya, but Naruto's friends gathered around him in support. Naruto revealed that he knew Orochimaru could not resurrect the Fourth Hokage, ended their confrontation, and summoned a massive wooden golem.

• Orochimaru described Naruto's lonely childhood, leaving Jiraiya and the Third burdened by guilt.
• Ino, Hinata, Sasuke, Sakura, and the other young shinobi gathered around Naruto to show their support.
• Orochimaru offered to resurrect Naruto's mother if Naruto used his power to kill Jiraiya.
• Naruto identified Orochimaru's offer as Impure World Reincarnation and explained that the Fourth Hokage's soul was trapped in the Reaper's stomach.
• Naruto declared that their game was over and unleashed the Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique, raising a thirty-meter wooden humanoid in the arena.

Naruto fought Orochimaru’s reanimated Hokage with Wood Release while Jiraiya and the Third Hokage faced their own opponents. Naruto defeated and sealed the reanimated Hashirama, while the Third struggled against Tobirama and Mito, and Jiraiya gained the upper hand over Orochimaru and Rasa.

• Naruto restrained Gaara with Wood Release, then used his wood golem to break the Four Violet Flames Formation and battle the reanimated Hashirama’s smaller wood golem.
• Ino led Hinata and the others away as Orochimaru summoned Rasa, Mito Uzumaki, and Kushina Uzumaki; Rasa targeted Jiraiya, while Mito and Tobirama attacked the Third Hokage.
• Naruto’s Armored Wood Golem cut the reanimated Hashirama’s golem in half with a wind-coated wooden blade, and Naruto bound Hashirama with a sealing scroll and sealed him away.
• The Third Hokage fought Tobirama and Mito with Enma but suffered several wounds as their attacks wore him down.
• Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and fought Orochimaru and Rasa, overwhelming both with his enhanced abilities and Sage Arts.

Naruto faced Kushina Uzumaki after Orochimaru summoned her to distract him, and she urged him to become Hokage. Naruto helped her release herself from Impure World Reincarnation, while Orochimaru lost control of her and Jiraiya seized the opening to attack.

• Naruto surveyed Konoha's widespread battles as its clans and young genin fought the invading Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja under Shikaku's direction.
• Kushina told Naruto she was happy to see him and urged him to become Hokage before closing her eyes and waiting for release.
• When Kushina did not begin to disappear, Naruto realized she was reluctant to part from him and guided her through the hand seals for Impure World Reincarnation: Release.
• Orochimaru felt his control over Kushina disappear, and Jiraiya attacked him with Sage Art: Goemon.
• Rasa used Gaara's remaining sand to shield Orochimaru from Jiraiya's flames.

Rasa recovered his gold dust and joined Orochimaru in facing Jiraiya’s powerful Sage Art attack. Meanwhile, Naruto sent Kushina to protect Karin behind Kage Rock and moved to stop Baki from taking the sleeping Gaara.

• Rasa complained to Orochimaru about his missing gold dust, and Orochimaru returned the sealing scroll containing it.
• Rasa summoned his gold dust and formed a massive cube as Jiraiya charged with a senjutsu-infused Rasengan.
• Naruto noticed Baki freeing Gaara from the Wood Locking Technique and decided to stop him.
• Naruto asked Kushina to go to Karin behind Kage Rock, and she agreed to protect her.
• Baki freed Gaara, but Naruto appeared before him with his Wooden Sword and told him to sleep.