Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Sasuke counted the money Haku had given Naruto, teased each other, and traded massages while Sakura trained and Kakashi supervised her. The team traveled back to Konoha, where Naruto and Sasuke looked forward to eating at Juxia Tower.

• Naruto and Sasuke counted their money and discovered Haku had given Naruto one hundred million in silver-tael banknotes.
• Naruto stopped massaging Sasuke, who eventually subdued him and offered him the money to continue; Sakura's training distracted them until Sasuke sent her away.
• Sasuke acted jealous about Haku's gift, and Naruto teased him before punishing him with a breath-stealing kiss.
• The next morning, Sasuke covered his swollen lip with a mask and blamed a mosquito as Kakashi prepared the team to leave for Konoha.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi reached Konoha at sunset, and Naruto offered to treat Sasuke to dinner at Juxia Tower.

Naruto revealed to Kakashi that he had mastered the Rasengan, prompting Kakashi to arrange individual training for Team 7, including teaching Sasuke the Chidori. Kakashi then took Naruto to find Jiraiya at a hot spring, while Naruto left Kakashi with a ticket to the women's section.

• Naruto showed Kakashi his Rasengan and learned Kakashi would train Sakura and teach Sasuke a lightning technique suited to the Sharingan.
• Naruto told Sasuke that Kakashi would teach him the Chidori, and Sasuke agreed to meet Kakashi for training the next day.
• Naruto reassured Sasuke that he had arranged a path for him to grow stronger and explained that Sakura would also receive individual training.
• Kakashi took Naruto to the Imperial Grade No. 7 Hot Spring to find Lord Jiraiya, whom Sasuke had nicknamed the Pervy Sage.
• Naruto bought tickets for both of them, entered the men's section, and left Kakashi holding the women's ticket.
• Kakashi entered the changing room and used the Transformation Technique.

Jiraiya took Naruto to Low Mountain and told him a disguised story about his parents, testing how he would respond to the village that had mistreated him. Naruto made clear he would not forgive Konoha, then returned to the Uchiha Compound while Jiraiya reflected on the village’s choices and Kurama continued bonding with Naruto.

• Jiraiya carried Naruto to Low Mountain and told him a story about a factory director, his wife, and their neglected child, Dogdan.
• Naruto argued that Dogdan would have reason to destroy the factory after being treated like vermin, and rejected the idea that he should protect it for his parents’ sake.
• Naruto told Jiraiya that evil causes brought evil consequences, leaving Jiraiya to recall the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and worry about the village’s treatment of the Uchiha.
• Naruto left for the Uchiha Clan Compound to see Sasuke, while Jiraiya wondered whether the Third, Danzo, and the Council of Elders would face the consequences of their choices.
• Naruto admitted he had been prepared to defend himself with Kurama’s chakra if Jiraiya tried to capture him, then spoke with Kurama about their bond and teased him about taking human form.

Naruto returned to the Uchiha Compound, where Sasuke confronted him about spending the afternoon with Kakashi at the hot springs. After Naruto explained himself and reassured Sasuke of his affection, they went inside to share the meal Sasuke had prepared.

• Naruto reached the Uchiha Compound and greeted Little Impure, the crow guarding the territory.
• Sasuke stopped Naruto at the door and demanded an explanation for his long hot-spring outing with Kakashi.
• Naruto recounted his adventures, and Sasuke's anger eased as he teased Naruto and refused to inspect his memories.
• Naruto told Sasuke he loved him for his kindness, trust, and support, and they embraced beneath the moon.
• Naruto and Sasuke entered the living room, where Naruto praised Sasuke's cooking after tasting the meal.

Naruto replaced his right eye with the Kamui Mangekyo and learned to use its intangibility and spatial abilities. He collected remains from the Uchiha graveyard and other Konoha cemeteries, then entered the Nara residence and headed for Older Sister Little Deer's bedroom.

• Naruto removed his right eye, implanted the Kamui Mangekyo, and healed the socket with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Naruto activated Kamui, explored its intangibility and spatial movement, and learned to control its uses through mental power.
• Naruto traveled to the Uchiha graveyard, collected remains from nearly three thousand graves, and recorded the names on the packets.
• Naruto collected remains from Konoha's Memorial Stone cemetery and the burial grounds of several great clans, then stored them in his system space.
• Naruto used Kamui to enter the Nara residence and headed toward Older Sister Little Deer's bedroom.

Naruto and Sasuke met Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in Konoha, where Naruto teased them and learned Gaara’s name. After the Sand siblings left, Naruto and Sasuke went to Juxia Tower, and Naruto reflected on the coming Chunin Ninja Exams and Itachi’s return.

• Naruto and Sasuke encountered Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, and Naruto teased them about being sisters and claimed Sasuke was his girlfriend.
• Gaara introduced himself as Gaara of the Sand Waterfall and warned that love did not exist before he and his siblings departed.
• Naruto dismissed Sasuke’s suspicions about the Sand siblings’ visit, and the two left together for Juxia Tower.
• Sasuke grew upset at villagers’ insults toward Naruto, while Naruto said they would not get away with it for many more years.
• Naruto collected fifty million silver taels from Juxia Tower and considered the approaching Chunin Ninja Exams, Itachi’s return, and contacting Snake Aunt.

Naruto wrestled with the coming separation from Sasuke while the Hokage summoned Konoha’s jonin instructors to select teams for the Chunin Ninja Exams. The exams were set to begin in seven days, and Naruto and Sasuke began a training-ground spar to test Sasuke’s progress.

• Naruto disguised his worry by saying he felt guilty about taking a large dividend, then treated Sasuke’s injured hand with the Mystical Palm Technique and warned him to limit his use of Chidori.
• A messenger Ninja Hawk summoned Konoha’s jonin instructors, and Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether their genin teams were ready for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Kakashi recommended Team 7, Might Guy recommended Team 3, Kurenai recommended Team 8, and Asuma recommended Team 10.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the exams would begin in seven days if no students withdrew.
• Kakashi and Guy argued about their teams’ readiness, while Kurenai and Asuma urged Guy to prepare his students for competitors from other villages.
• Naruto and Sasuke arrived at a secluded Training Ground in the Uchiha Fiefdom, where Sasuke prepared to show Naruto the results of his ten days of training.

Naruto fought Sasuke, then used the Super Beeper to ask Orochimaru to steer Sasuke away from Konoha and secretly give him a path to greater power. He ended the night accepting that he could only prepare for what was coming.

• Sasuke activated his one-tomoe Sharingan and attacked Naruto with Chidori, but Naruto countered with a kick and the Front Lotus, injuring himself in the process.
• Naruto apologized for his dangerous technique and admitted he felt guilty that his presence had hindered Sasuke’s growth; Sasuke forgave him and helped clean his wound.
• Naruto contacted Orochimaru and sent him two domesticated Hashirama cell serums and a jar containing three-tomoe Sharingan.
• Naruto asked Orochimaru to crush Sasuke’s squad during the Chunin Ninja Exams, give Sasuke the Cursed Seal of Heaven, and convince him that Orochimaru could provide the power he sought.
• Naruto explained that he wanted Sasuke to leave Konoha and secretly receive a Hashirama cell serum because Sasuke would refuse Naruto’s help if he knew about it.
• Naruto declined to hear Orochimaru’s other plans for the exams and ended their conversation, resolving to prepare for what was coming.

Naruto replaced the letter inside Sasuke’s cherished Amethyst Bracelet with a heartfelt confession, anticipating that they would soon part. The next day, Kakashi told Team 7 that he had recommended them for the joint Chunin Ninja Exams, which would begin in Konoha in seven days.

• Naruto quietly removed Sasuke’s Amethyst Bracelet while he slept and wrote him a long letter confessing his love and hoping they could reunite without ever parting again.
• Naruto sealed the letter inside the bracelet, returned it to Sasuke’s wrist, and kissed his forehead before leaving.
• Sakura met Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi at Team 7’s meeting point after pursuing intensive training and becoming a trainee at the Ninja Hospital.
• Kakashi announced that Konoha would host joint Chunin Ninja Exams with other nations in seven days and had recommended Team 7 to participate.
• Naruto eagerly welcomed the chance to face other genin, while Kakashi warned that the dangerous exams could include chunin or jonin disguised as genin.

Kakashi's team decided to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Orochimaru prepared to treat Kimimaro and set out to intercept the Fourth Kazekage. The chapter ended with Kimimaro moved to tears by the possibility that Orochimaru saw him as family, as seven days passed.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura agreed to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Kakashi left to report their decision to the Hokage.
• Orochimaru gave Kabuto a medicine made with Hashirama cells and Hidan's immortality gene cells to treat Kimimaro's illness.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto to prepare for their trip to intercept and kill the Fourth Kazekage in three days, while Sakon, Kidomaru, and the others headed toward Konoha.
• Orochimaru visited the imprisoned Hidan, taunted him, and extracted a large quantity of blood essence for his research.
• Kabuto injected Kimimaro with the medicine and suggested Orochimaru wanted him to recover because he saw him as family; Kimimaro cried at the thought.
• Seven days passed.

During the seven days before the Chunin Ninja Exams, Naruto turned Juxia Tower’s promotion into a huge success, then went with Sasuke and Sakura to the exam venue. There, after Naruto provoked the assembled ninja, he discovered Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji had been transformed into girls.

• Naruto used Juxia Tower’s advertisements and discounts to attract visiting ninja, earning a fortune over seven days while Sasuke helped count the money.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura passed three security checkpoints and entered the exam building, where Naruto mocked the intimidating-looking ninja in the lobby.
• Sakura tried to stop Naruto from provoking the crowd, while Sasuke sensed a threatening presence behind him but saw nothing when he turned around.
• On the second floor, Naruto and his teammates found two disguised Chunin barring a classroom and knocking Tenten to the floor.
• Naruto recognized that Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji had been transformed into girls and stared in astonishment at Neji.

Naruto reunited with the other rookie teams before Sasuke encountered Rock Lee and Neji at the Chunin Exam classroom. Neji dismissed Sasuke’s strength and left with Lee and Tenten, while the Genin entered to wait for the exam.

• Naruto greeted Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Kiba, Hinata, and Shino, and Ino asked him where Sasuke was.
• Ino shoved Naruto toward Shikamaru while rushing to Sasuke, and Sakura punched Ino for grabbing at him.
• Sasuke tried to enter the classroom, but Rock Lee blocked the guards’ attacks and introduced himself to Sasuke.
• The guards’ genjutsu was exposed, and the Genin began entering the classroom.
• Rock Lee introduced Neji as last year’s top rookie, and Neji said Sasuke was weaker than Lee before leaving with Lee and Tenten.

Naruto and his classmates entered the Genin assembly classroom, where Naruto provoked the gathered ninja and nearly got them attacked. After his teammates restrained him and talked the others down, Kabuto Yakushi appeared beside them.

• Neji dismissed Sasuke's strength, while Rock Lee declared his love for Sakura and Tenten dragged him away.
• Naruto's group entered the crowded assembly classroom and noticed Genin from Konoha and several other villages, including Gaara.
• Naruto insulted the assembled ninja and threatened them, earning a furious response and a flood of system points.
• Sakura, Ino, and Kiba restrained Naruto while Shikamaru, Hinata, and the others claimed he was having another breakdown.
• Kabuto Yakushi approached the group, and Naruto suspected Orochimaru was also in the village.

During the Chunin Exams’ written test, Naruto waited for Shikamaru to pass him answers while the examinees used various methods to cheat. Sakura finished quickly, but Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique suddenly took control of her consciousness.

• Kabuto provoked the Sound trio, but Ibiki stopped their fight and warned them that they could be disqualified.
• Ibiki explained the written exam rules, and Shikamaru promised Naruto he would pass him the answers.
• The proctors separated the teams, and Naruto discovered the questions were far beyond the school syllabus.
• The examinees began using a variety of tricks to cheat while Naruto waited and Sakura rapidly answered the test.
• Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique on Sakura, sending her consciousness into confusion.

Ino and Naruto helped their teammates cheat on the written exam, while Naruto used a Yamanaka technique to send his answers to Sasuke. When Ibiki introduced a final question that could bar failed candidates from future exams, Naruto appeared to give up but instead declared that he would continue, earning a huge surge of shock points.

• Ino copied Sakura's test answers and passed them to Shikamaru and Choji, while Shikamaru used the Shadow Imitation Technique to make Naruto fill in his paper.
• Naruto sent his answers to Sasuke with the Yamanaka Secret Technique, and Neji used his Byakugan to inspect Sasuke's paper.
• Ibiki announced the final question and warned that a wrong answer would prevent candidates from taking the Chunin Ninja Exams again, prompting many teams to withdraw.
• Naruto raised his hand, making the other candidates think he was giving up, then shouted that he would take the exam even if he remained a genin for life.
• Naruto declared that standing by his own words was his ninja way, dispelling the room's pressure and earning millions of shock points.

Naruto and the other examinees passed Ibiki’s written exam and gathered at Juxia Tower for a lavish lunch before heading to the Forest of Death. The chapter ended as the group arrived at the forest’s warning-covered entrance for the second exam.

• Naruto declared that he would take the Chunin Exam no matter what, and Ibiki announced that all the examinees had passed.
• Naruto invited Sasuke, Sakura, and Shikamaru to eat at Juxia Tower, persuading many other examinees to spend their savings on a meal as well.
• Sasuke asked Shikamaru whether he had passed Naruto the exam answers, and Shikamaru admitted Naruto had asked him to help because Sasuke might fail.
• Naruto earned another 700,000 from the examinees’ lunch orders at Juxia Tower.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Shikamaru returned to the assembly point and followed a Chunin examiner to the Forest of Death.

Naruto and Sasuke's team entered the Forest of Death for the second chunin exam, where Orochimaru began tracking them to test Sasuke. Naruto detected Orochimaru's surveillance and used Mind's Eye to locate the approaching attackers.

• Mitaraishi Anko explained the second-round rules, and Sakura collected Team 7's Earth Scroll.
• Team 7 entered the Forest of Death, while three disguised ninja were ordered to find Naruto, Sasuke, and the redheaded teammate.
• Orochimaru revealed she planned to separate Team 7 and keep Sasuke's teammates alive as she tested Sasuke.
• Naruto detected Orochimaru's surveillance, slipped away from Sasuke and Sakura, and used Mind's Eye to see three chakra signatures racing toward them.

Naruto pretended to be swallowed by a giant python so his scream would distract Sasuke, but Snake Aunt attacked Sasuke and Sakura with a wind technique and overwhelming killing intent. Sasuke broke free by stabbing his own thigh, then fled into the woods while Sakura called for Naruto.

• Naruto sensed the approaching chakra and pretended to be swallowed by one of Snake Aunt's giant pythons.
• Snake Aunt sent her other pythons after Naruto and rode one toward Sasuke and Sakura.
• Naruto's scream distracted Sasuke as Snake Aunt blasted him and Sakura with Wind Release: Directional Great Breakthrough.
• Snake Aunt's killing intent paralyzed Sasuke and Sakura, and she approached Sasuke with kunai.
• Sasuke stabbed his thigh to break free, kicked Sakura out of the way, and dodged Snake Aunt's kunai.
• Sakura realized Sasuke had separated from her and called for Naruto as she worried that Sasuke was in danger.

Snake Aunt overwhelmed Sasuke during the Chunin Ninja Exams and branded him with the Cursed Seal of Heaven, promising him power to pursue Itachi. Sasuke was left in agony, tempted by the strength she offered and bound by her demand for his body after Itachi's death.

• Sasuke escaped Snake Aunt's Giant Python and realized he was facing an enemy far stronger than himself.
• Snake Aunt seized Sasuke and provoked him by comparing his strength unfavorably to Uchiha Itachi.
• Sasuke charged Snake Aunt in a rage, but she easily threw him aside and offered to help him unlock the Uchiha bloodline's power.
• Snake Aunt bit Sasuke's shoulder and activated the Cursed Seal of Heaven, causing crimson markings to spread across his body as he screamed in pain.
• Snake Aunt offered to train Sasuke if he earned her approval in the Chunin Ninja Exams, demanding that his body belong to her after Itachi died.

After Sasuke collapsed from the emotional strain of his conflict over Itachi, Naruto escaped the dead python and rushed to heal him. Sasuke woke in anguish, and Naruto resolved to support him without taking away his right to choose.

• Sasuke rejected Snake Aunt’s offer, struggled with his competing feelings, awakened a third tomoe, and passed out.
• Naruto watched through the Telescope Technique but stayed hidden because Sasuke had asked him not to interfere in his hatred for Itachi.
• Sakura found the dead python and helped Naruto escape, then told him Sasuke was in danger.
• Naruto and Sakura found Sasuke, and Naruto healed his leg with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Sasuke woke and broke down in tears as Naruto reflected on how he could protect Sasuke while respecting his choices.