Chapter Summaries

Naruto comforted Sasuke after his despair over being too weak to defeat Itachi and promised not to interfere in their personal grudge. Team 7 reached the Central Tower with Kabuto’s help and met Kiba, Hinata, and Shino outside.

• Sasuke begged Naruto to promise he would flee if they encountered Itachi, and Naruto reluctantly agreed.
• Sasuke told Naruto not to search for him if he was ever as good as dead, then brushed the remark off as a joke.
• Naruto healed Sasuke, and Team 7 traveled toward the Central Tower before hearing distant screams that Naruto suspected came from Gaara.
• Team 7 prepared an ambush for Kabuto, but he gave them a Heaven Scroll and left to find his missing teammates.
• Team 7 reached the Central Tower and met Kiba, Hinata, and Shino outside.

Anko sensed Orochimaru through her Cursed Seal and confronted him in the Forest of Death, but he easily defeated her and revealed he had returned to pursue an Uchiha bloodline. Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached the central tower and summoned Iruka from their scrolls.

• Anko felt her sealed Cursed Seal flare and rushed into the Forest of Death to investigate.
• Orochimaru appeared before Anko and admitted he had returned to find a suitable vessel.
• Anko attacked Orochimaru and attempted the Forbidden Technique: Twin Snake Struggle, but he stopped her with one blow.
• Orochimaru left Anko alive and said he had come for the Uchiha bloodline; Anko set off to inform Lord Hokage.
• Orochimaru's two subordinates questioned why he let Anko go, and he replied that it made things more interesting.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura opened the Heaven and Earth Scrolls in the central tower and summoned Iruka.

After passing the written exam, Team 7 gathered with the other qualifying teams in the Central Tower arena, where the Hokage and the Jonin representatives appeared. Kakashi noticed Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, while Orochimaru watched Sasuke in disguise and judged his strength for Sixth Brother.

• Iruka congratulated Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto on passing the written exam and spoke at length about becoming a Chunin, while Naruto fell asleep.
• Anko told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had infiltrated the village and likely placed the Cursed Seal of Heaven on Sasuke, but Hiruzen decided the exam would continue.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke entered the Central Tower arena and joined the other qualifying teams, including Gaara’s team and the teams of Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee.
• The Third Hokage and the exam’s representatives appeared, including Kakashi and Orochimaru disguised as a Sound Ninja representative.
• Guy mistook Naruto’s stunned reaction for admiration, while Kakashi recognized Sasuke’s Cursed Seal and Orochimaru watched Sasuke with interest.

As the Chunin Exam preliminaries began, Kabuto withdrew and Sasuke hid the pain from his Cursed Seal while worrying about Naruto. The matchups were announced, and Sasuke was chosen to fight Akado Yoroi first.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the remaining contestants would fight one-on-one preliminary matches, and Gekko Hayate explained the rules.
• Kabuto Yakushi withdrew, leaving twenty qualifiers to be paired for ten matches.
• Kakashi warned Sasuke not to use the Sharingan or hand seals because the Cursed Seal could consume his body.
• Sasuke concealed his worsening shoulder pain from Naruto, while a thought about finding someone to replace him took root in his subconscious.
• The electronic screen announced Sasuke Uchiha versus Akado Yoroi as the first match.

Sasuke Uchiha fought Akado Yoroi while suppressing the Cursed Seal’s backlash and chakra-draining ability. He won with a midair combo, then collapsed into Naruto’s arms as the arena prepared for the second match.

• Gekko Hayate announced Sasuke Uchiha and Akado Yoroi as the first match, and Akado Yoroi began draining Sasuke’s chakra by touching him.
• Sasuke struggled to fight while containing the Cursed Seal, but Akado Yoroi pinned him down and drained his chakra.
• Naruto’s shout renewed Sasuke’s resolve, and Sasuke used a burst of speed to kick Akado Yoroi into the air.
• Sasuke followed with Shadow Dance Leaf and a Lion Combo, knocking Akado Yoroi unconscious and winning the match.
• Sasuke collapsed after Gekko Hayate declared him the winner, and Naruto caught him before he hit the ground.
• Gekko Hayate began drawing contestants for the second match.

Kakashi used the Evil Sealing Method to seal Sasuke’s Cursed Seal of Heaven, leaving Sasuke unconscious. A mysterious young girl appeared in the shadows and praised Kakashi’s progress.

• Shino Aburame and Zaku began the second individual match while Kakashi took Sasuke away to deal with his Cursed Seal.
• Kakashi brought Sasuke to a restricted, ruined building and prepared a Sealing Jutsu with nine Kunai, ink, and Sealing Formulas.
• Kakashi performed the Evil Sealing Method, enclosing the Cursed Seal of Heaven within six black seals on Sasuke’s shoulder.
• Sasuke fainted after the painful sealing, and Kakashi prepared to lift him and put his shirt back on.
• A young girl’s voice came from the shadows and praised Kakashi for mastering Sealing Jutsu.

Orochimaru confronted Kakashi over Sasuke but left after seeing the Evil Sealing Method, while Kakashi took Sasuke away. Shino defeated Zaku in the second individual match, and the third match was drawn: Misumi Tsurugi versus Kankuro.

• Orochimaru appeared and told Kakashi he had come for Sasuke, then left after noticing the Evil Sealing Method on Sasuke’s shoulder.
• Kakashi dismissed his Lightning Blade, considered how outmatched he was, and carried Sasuke away.
• Shino used insects to block Zaku’s arm air tubes, then knocked him down when he refused to concede.
• Gekko Hayate announced Shino Aburame as the winner, and Neji used his Byakugan to inspect Shino’s insect-control technique.
• Gekko Hayate drew Misumi Tsurugi versus Kankuro for the third match, and Kankuro went down to fight.

Misumi Tsurugi lost to Kankuro after mistaking his puppet for him, and Sakura Haruno faced Ino Yamanaka in the next match. Their clash triggered a childhood flashback about making mud figures, and they prepared to resume their rivalry.

• Kankuro defeated Misumi Tsurugi by countering his attack with a puppet.
• Kakashi told Sakura Haruno and Naruto that Sasuke was safe in Konoha Hospital under ANBU protection.
• Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka began their match by trading shuriken and Taijutsu attacks.
• Ino changed a punch into a slap that struck Sakura, leaving them staring at each other.
• Sakura remembered Ino teaching her to make figures from mud, and the two declared they would settle their rivalry as Konoha Genin.

Sakura and Ino fought to a draw, and Tenten began her match against Temari. Temari revealed her Wind Release could counter Tenten’s weapons, but Tenten launched her Twin Rising Dragons technique as the fight continued.

• Sakura and Ino fought until neither could stand, and Gekko Hayate declared their match a draw.
• The Electronic Screen selected Temari versus Tenten, and both contestants entered the arena.
• Naruto recognized that Temari’s giant fan likely meant she was a Wind Release user, while Neji and Rock Lee defended Tenten’s abilities.
• Tenten opened with Shuriken, but Temari used Wind-Attribute Chakra Surround to redirect them without opening her fan.
• Tenten hurled weapons from a scroll, but Temari opened her fan to one star and scattered them with a gust of wind.
• Tenten produced two more scrolls, formed Hand Seals, and began the Twin Rising Dragons technique.

Tenten lost to Temari, and Naruto healed her with the Mystical Palm Technique while making sure Guy saw his skill. Shikamaru defeated Kin Tsuchi, and the next match was set as Naruto against Kiba.

• Temari defeated Tenten with her Wind Release tornado, and Neji carried the unconscious Tenten back to the viewing platform.
• Naruto healed Tenten with the Mystical Palm Technique and revealed that Sakura and Ino had already woken up but were pretending to sleep.
• Naruto planned for Guy to ask for help treating Rock Lee's future injuries, while Shikamaru was paired with Kin Tsuchi.
• Shikamaru trapped Kin Tsuchi with the Shadow Imitation Technique and knocked her unconscious against the wall.
• The screen selected Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka, and Kiba celebrated the matchup with Akamaru.

Naruto faced Kiba Inuzuka in the seventh individual match and surprised the spectators by turning his Transformation Technique into a convincing Siberian tiger that struck Kiba down. After Kiba and Akamaru powered up with Soldier Pills, Naruto produced a sealed ball and announced that it was Kiviak, a polar delicacy.

• Kiba Inuzuka celebrated being matched against Naruto, while Naruto inferred that the Inuzuka Clan's techniques were based on canine traits.
• Naruto transformed into a Siberian tiger, and his realistic appearance astonished the spectators.
• Kiba used the Four Legs Technique to attack from behind, but Naruto struck him with a fast tiger-paw swipe and sent him flying.
• Kiba and Akamaru swallowed Soldier Pills, turning Akamaru's fur red and boosting their strength.
• Naruto ended his transformation, took out a sealed black ball, and said he was about to eat Kiviak.

Naruto defeated Kiba with the overpowering stench of Kiviak, but the proctors and instructors discovered the food's effects when Baki crushed a sealed Kiviak in their midst. Naruto's shadow clone escaped their anger by reminding them that his real body had gone to find Sasuke and was still needed for the preliminaries.

• Kiba and Akamaru attacked Naruto, but Naruto's shadow clones overwhelmed them while the opened Kiviak's stench forced Kiba to surrender.
• Gekko Hayate declared Naruto the winner and demanded to inspect the Kiviak, so Naruto handed over a sealed one and left a shadow clone behind as his real body ran off to find Sasuke.
• Baki crushed the Kiviak, splattering its contents over the gathered Jonin and proctors and sending them vomiting.
• Naruto's shadow clone explained how Kiviak was eaten, provoking the Jonin to threaten him.
• Naruto's clone warned that destroying it could leave Naruto absent when the preliminaries ended, causing Anko, Hayate, Baki, and the others to pause.

Naruto secretly removed Sasuke from a guarded sanatorium and brought him to the Uchiha Clan Compound, drawing Orochimaru’s attention. After checking that Sasuke was safe, Naruto lured Orochimaru toward the forest within the Uchiha Fiefdom.

• Naruto received a surge of system points after leaving the competition grounds, then used the Telescope Technique to locate Sasuke.
• Naruto bypassed six ANBU guards with the Flying Thunder God, removed Sasuke’s IV needles, and carried him away while leaving a transformed clone in his place.
• Orochimaru spotted the apparent kidnapping, checked Sasuke’s location, and discovered Naruto had taken him to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Naruto laid Sasuke on a bed in Itachi’s Boudoir, made a Wood Release Clone to guard him, and went to the rooftop to wait for Orochimaru.
• Naruto beckoned Orochimaru toward the Uchiha Fiefdom’s forest, then raced there; Orochimaru confirmed Sasuke was safe and followed.

Naruto drew Orochimaru away from Sasuke and confronted him, revealing his confidence and setting a Flying Thunder God Formation around them. Orochimaru recognized the markings just as Naruto formed a Chidori, and their fight was about to begin.

• Naruto deliberately left a trail through the Uchiha Fiefdom to draw Orochimaru away from Sasuke.
• Naruto saw through Orochimaru's Transformation Technique and claimed he was pursuing Sasuke as a girlfriend.
• Orochimaru revealed his little-girl form and drew the Kusanagi Sword from his mouth.
• Orochimaru charged Naruto, but Naruto spread twenty Flying Thunder God Talismans and formed a barrier that stopped him.
• Orochimaru recognized the markings on the talismans as Naruto formed a Chidori.

Naruto trapped and subdued Orochimaru with a mobile Flying Thunder God Formation, then revealed himself as Sixth Brother. Orochimaru recognized Naruto as the figure he had been searching for and stared at him in awe.

• Naruto surrounded Orochimaru with Flying Thunder God Talismans, and Orochimaru identified the technique as the Flying Thunder God Formation.
• Naruto explained that Chakra Threads let him move the talismans and keep Orochimaru inside the formation as he escaped.
• Naruto intercepted Orochimaru's attempt to flee and pinned him down with Chidori, shocking him with the mobile formation.
• Orochimaru tried to kill Naruto with his Kusanagi Sword, but Naruto did not dodge and asked whether Orochimaru would kill Sixth Brother himself.
• Naruto recited an ethereal verse, and Orochimaru recognized him as Sixth Brother and gazed at him in a trance.

Naruto proved to Snake Aunt that he was the Sixth Brother she remembered, then brought her to his hidden space to share a drink. He revealed she was the space’s first guest, and she reacted with flustered excitement.

• Naruto recited a Daoist scripture passage, convincing Snake Aunt of his identity as Sixth Brother.
• Snake Aunt embraced Naruto, and he took her with him into his private space-time dimension.
• Naruto showed Snake Aunt the bottles of wine he had brewed and shared rice wine with her.
• Naruto explained that he had created the space through his affinity for Space-Time Ninjutsu and told her she was its first guest.
• Snake Aunt blushed when Naruto said even Sasuke had never been there.

Naruto revealed his identity to Snake Aunt and spent time discussing the world and the universe with her in the Kamui Dimension. Meanwhile, Sasuke watched Gaara and Rock Lee fight through the Wood Release Clone’s projection, unaware of how much stronger Rock Lee could become.

• Naruto explained to Snake Aunt that he had revealed his identity because she would eventually discover his connection to Sasuke.
• Naruto and Snake Aunt toasted to their dreams and talked about subjects ranging from villages to the universe.
• The Wood Release Clone healed Sasuke’s mind with the Mystical Palm Technique and showed him the arena matches using the Projection Technique.
• Sasuke watched Gaara and Rock Lee fight, first marveling at Gaara’s automatic sand defense and then recognizing Rock Lee’s Lotus technique.
• The Wood Release Clone wondered how Sasuke would react when Rock Lee removed his seal and opened five gates of the Eight Gates Released Formation.

Sasuke and Naruto's Wood Release Clone watched Rock Lee battle Gaara through the Telescope Technique as Lee pushed his Taijutsu to its limits. Lee lost despite opening five gates and using Reverse Lotus, but he stood again after losing consciousness, driven by his resolve to prove his Ninja Way.

• Sasuke and the Wood Release Clone watched Gaara's sand overwhelm Rock Lee after Lee's Lotus struck a Sand Clone.
• Might Guy revealed that Lee could use only Taijutsu, then gave him permission to remove the weights on his legs.
• Lee's weights smashed craters into the arena floor, and his sudden speed let him land repeated blows on Gaara's Sand Armor.
• Lee opened five gates and used Reverse Lotus, but Gaara's gourd shielded him from the final impact.
• Gaara used Sand Burial to crush Lee's right arm and leg, and Guy intervened as Lee collapsed unconscious.
• Lee stood again after Gaara left, and Naruto explained that Lee's obsession and resolve kept him upright despite being unconscious.

Naruto cared for Sasuke as he recovered, while Sasuke used what he learned from Rock Lee's fight to prepare for Gaara. Naruto also parted from Snake Aunt after promising not to interfere with her plans, and the chapter ended with Sasuke beginning three days of rest and treatment.

• Naruto's Wood Release Clone showed Sasuke Rock Lee's fight and explained how bloodline abilities like the Sharingan gave their users an advantage.
• Naruto's Wood Release Clone cooked congee for Sasuke, who privately wished they could spend their lives together despite the Cursed Seal of Heaven on his shoulder.
• Naruto promised Snake Aunt he would build her a great laboratory and would not restrict her plans, and she agreed to spare the Third Hokage's life before leaving.
• Naruto returned to Sasuke with congee and learned the Third-Round Finals would pit Sasuke against Gaara and Naruto against Neji Hyuga in about a month.
• Sasuke identified speed as Gaara's weakness and planned to seek Kakashi-sensei's training, but Naruto told him to rest for three days while he treated his injuries.

Might Guy asked Naruto to treat Rock Lee, whose injuries threatened to end his career as a ninja, and Naruto agreed in exchange for her unconditional obedience sworn on her Ninja Way. Naruto then planned to heal Hinata Hyuga before treating Lee at the Ninja Hospital.

• After Sasuke left to train with Kakashi, Naruto confronted Might Guy, who had been watching him.
• Might Guy explained Rock Lee's severe injuries and said treatment carried only a fifty percent chance of recovery, with death as a possible outcome.
• Naruto questioned what he would gain by risking his training to help Lee, then agreed to try after Might Guy pledged to obey him unconditionally on her Ninja Way.
• Naruto told Might Guy that he needed to heal Hinata Hyuga first and asked her to have hospital staff reconnect Lee's torn muscle tissue.
• After Might Guy left, Naruto changed clothes and headed to the Ninja Hospital.