Chapter Summaries

Naruto gave Kazahana Koyuki a kunai and a paper crane so he could locate her if danger arose, while she chose to remain in Konoha despite his warning. Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji arrived for dinner, and Neji immediately grew wary of Naruto as Hanabi excitedly asked Kazahana for an autograph.

• Naruto warned Kazahana Koyuki to leave Konoha before the Chunin Exams and the coming danger, but she said Sandayu could manage the Land of Snow.
• Naruto gave Kazahana a marked kunai and a paper crane that would let him sense where she was if she tore it in an emergency.
• Kazahana carefully tucked away both gifts, and Karin's jealousy eased as she recognized Naruto's concern as friendly.
• Hanabi arrived with Hinata and Neji, announcing that they had come for dinner.
• Neji eyed Naruto warily, while Hanabi recognized Kazahana Koyuki as Princess Gale and asked for her autograph.

Naruto and his companions began the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams in the Forest of Death. After entering, Team 7 set out to hunt the Kusagakure team before making for the central Tower.

• Hanabi accepted Naruto's head pat while refusing Kazahana Koyuki's, and Hinata went to prepare dinner.
• At the Forest of Death, Mitaraishi Anko explained the rules, distributed consent forms, and started the five-day exam.
• Team 7 entered the forest and regrouped in a secluded thicket.
• Naruto told Sakura and Sasuke they would target the Kusagakure team first, then head toward the Tower and confront other teams along the way.
• Naruto used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to track the Kusagakure team, and Team 7 followed him through the forest.

Team 7 ambushed Kusagakure’s remaining team in the forest, killing two Grass ninja in the opening attack. Sakura’s fight with Grass Ninja C remained unresolved.

• The Grass ninja complained about Konoha taking Karin and discussed their desperate need to pass the exam.
• Grass Ninja C urged his teammates to recover and seek a weaker team before warning them that someone was approaching.
• Team 7 launched a surprise attack, and Naruto decapitated the first Grass ninja with Yasohinokami.
• Sasuke trapped Grass Ninja B with fire techniques and burned him to death.
• Sakura attacked Grass Ninja C with kunai, but the outcome of their fight was not shown.

Team 7 defeated three Kusagakure ninja, and Naruto urged Sakura to kill the unconscious survivor; she did so, then received his support and warning that more battles lay ahead. Naruto’s Shadow Clone found a scroll on Grass Ninja C, leaving the team with a scroll to examine.

• Sakura dodged Grass Ninja C’s attack and knocked him unconscious with a chakra-enhanced punch.
• Naruto warned Sasuke not to burn enemies so completely that any scrolls they carried would be destroyed.
• Naruto handed Sakura a kunai and told her to finish off Grass Ninja C, and she killed him with three kunai.
• Naruto reassured Sakura that hesitation was normal but told her she would face more fights, while Sasuke silently agreed.
• Naruto sent out a Shadow Clone, which found a scroll on Grass Ninja C’s body.

Team 7 and Team 10 defeated three Amegakure ninja and took their Earth Scroll before heading to join the other Konoha teams. Naruto sensed Orochimaru approaching and left a disguised shadow clone to confront him, while the real teams continued onward.

• Naruto led Team 7 to Team 10's battlefield, where Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji had cornered three Amegakure ninja.
• Naruto and Sasuke killed the restrained Rain Ninja, and Naruto killed the third after Ino released her control; Shikamaru retrieved the Earth Scroll.
• Naruto sensed that Team 8 and Neji's trio were nearing each other, so Shikamaru decided both teams should move toward their rendezvous point.
• Naruto sensed Orochimaru nearby, left a disguised shadow clone behind, and led the teams onward.
• Orochimaru arrived and faced Naruto's clone, which claimed it could stop him.

Naruto’s shadow clone held Orochimaru back with precise Wind and Lightning Release attacks, revealing a level of chakra control that unsettled the Sannin. Orochimaru tried to seize Naruto’s body, and the chapter ended as his great white snake lunged for Naruto’s neck.

• Naruto’s shadow clone attacked Orochimaru with Wind Release through a twig, slicing apart several trees as Orochimaru narrowly dodged.
• Orochimaru concealed his identity as a Takigakure ninja and sent a small white snake to sneak behind Naruto’s shadow clone.
• Naruto’s shadow clone struck the snake with a precise Lightning Release attack and recognized Orochimaru’s plan to sneak or escape.
• Orochimaru offered Naruto the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, then attacked with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.
• Naruto’s shadow clone cut apart the snakes and thrust the twig into Orochimaru, who shed his body and lunged at Naruto’s neck as a great white snake.

Naruto’s Shadow Clone outwitted Orochimaru, who escaped the Forest of Death and vowed to target Naruto again. After Naruto reunited with his allies, their groups searched for the scroll they still needed, while Hanabi learned that Karin slept beside Naruto and held his hand at night.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone cut Orochimaru’s serpentine body before vanishing, revealing that Orochimaru had been deceived.
• Orochimaru emerged from his snake body, reassessed Naruto as a dangerous and valuable target, and vanished into the Forest of Death.
• Naruto reunited with Team 8, Neji, and the others, learned from his Shadow Clone’s memories that Orochimaru had pursued them, and continued moving.
• Naruto’s four squads began sweeping the forest for the Heaven Scroll they needed to enter the Tower.
• Hanabi asked Karin whether she slept in Naruto’s bed, and Karin explained that Naruto gave her the bed and held her hand while they slept.
• Hanabi activated her Byakugan and pressed Karin to confirm that Naruto liked holding her hand.

Hanabi attacked Karin after discovering she had held Naruto’s hand, then asked whether Karin knew the Transformation Technique. Meanwhile, Konoha’s Genin hunted down a group of Sunagakure Genin, who fled toward Gaara’s squad hoping to survive.

• Hanabi used the Gentle Fist to seal Karin’s chakra points, then asked whether she had learned the Transformation Technique.
• The Konoha 12 ambushed nine Sunagakure Genin and scattered them, leaving six to flee into the forest.
• Kiba, Shino, and Choji led the pursuit while Konoha’s Genin picked off the fleeing Sand Ninja one by one.
• The remaining Sunagakure Genin followed Kankuro’s mark toward Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, hoping they would protect them.

Gaara killed the wounded Sunagakure ninjas who begged him for help, while Naruto and the Konoha team watched from the forest. Naruto ordered his companions to retreat, leaving Gaara alive to disrupt Konoha later.

• Wounded Sunagakure ninjas ran into Gaara's clearing and pleaded with Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara to save them from Konoha pursuers.
• Gaara trapped the Sunagakure ninjas with Sand Binding Coffin and crushed them with Sand Burial.
• Naruto and the Konoha team witnessed Gaara's attack from the edge of the clearing.
• Naruto signaled the Konoha team to withdraw, and Shikamaru led them away cautiously.
• Naruto watched Gaara briefly before retreating into the forest, intending for Gaara to disrupt Konoha.

Naruto led his team away from a dangerous Sand Ninja, explaining that protecting their comrades mattered more than fighting for the exam. At the Tower, the group prepared to ambush other teams seeking entry, and Anko recognized their plan while warning them to avoid excessive casualties.

• Naruto explained to Kiba and the others that the red-haired Sand Ninja was dangerous and that retreating protected their comrades.
• Naruto’s group reached the Tower, set up camp, arranged watches, and cooked while waiting outside.
• Anko arrived and questioned why the group had not entered the Tower, and Naruto revealed two Heaven Scrolls.
• Naruto explained that the group was waiting for other teams to bring them the scrolls they needed.
• Anko understood their ambush plan, warned Naruto not to cause too many casualties, and left with two skewers of Three-Color Dango.

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.