Chapter Summaries

Lin Guang returned to Konoha, reported his Kirigakure mission to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and received advice on how he could have handled the aftermath better. After Mei Terumi was confirmed as Mizukage, Lin Guang collected the mission reward and split it equally with Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō, then reminded them to prepare for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Lin Guang returned to Konoha with Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō, and the three split their leftover mission funds equally.
• Lin Guang told Hiruzen Sarutobi how he had helped Mei Terumi in Kirigakure, and Hiruzen advised him that he should have apologized to the Land of Water Daimyō.
• Lin Guang turned in the mission at Anbu Headquarters as the Intelligence Division reported that Mei Terumi had been appointed Mizukage by the Land of Water Daimyō.
• Lin Guang collected the reward and divided the 1.5 million ryo equally among himself, Satō Maji, and Hyūga Jō.
• Lin Guang reminded Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to study for the Chunin Ninja Exams, which were due to begin the following week.

Naruto visited Lin Guang and boasted about his mission in the Land of Waves, while Lin Guang urged him to prepare for the Chunin Ninja Exams. At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto met Lin Guang’s teammate Satō Maji, and the two bonded over Naruto’s stories.

• Naruto woke Lin Guang and recounted Team 7’s encounter with Zabuza Momochi and Haku in the Land of Waves.
• Lin Guang warned Naruto that the Chunin Ninja Exams were near and that he needed to study for the written test.
• Naruto went to the academy to ask Iruka-sensei for study books, but Iruka drove him out without any.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto met Satō Maji, who introduced himself as Lin Guang’s teammate.
• Naruto boasted to Satō Maji about fighting Haku and helping Kakashi defeat Zabuza, and the two exchanged names and became acquainted.

Lin Guang and Naruto headed to the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Naruto protected Konohamaru from Kankuro and Temari. They continued to the written test and met Satō Maji.

• Lin Guang woke Naruto early, and the two went to the Chunin Ninja Exams venue.
• Lin Guang spotted Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi following them and agreed to let the children come along if they could keep up.
• Konohamaru ran into Kankuro, who grabbed him, and Naruto knocked Kankuro's hand away to free him.
• Temari left with Kankuro, while Lin Guang told Naruto that another powerful chakra presence had been nearby.
• Lin Guang and Naruto reached the written-test classroom and greeted Satō Maji.

Lin Guang and his companions encountered Gaara’s team and other candidates before the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Naruto and Satō Maji showed their confidence. The group reached the exam room after Sasuke exposed the genjutsu barrier, and Neji Hyuga recognized Lin Guang, Hyūga Jō, and Satō Maji’s strength.

• Satō Maji explained that he and Naruto had met at Ichiraku and become friends, while Lin Guang introduced Naruto to Hyūga Jō.
• Gaara told Temari and Kankuro that their late arrival was unavoidable, warned them about Lin Guang’s danger, and reminded them of their mission in Konoha.
• Two disguised ninja harassed Rock Lee and Tenten outside the exam room, but Sasuke identified their genjutsu barrier and Rock Lee revealed his taijutsu by stopping them.
• Hyūga Jō exchanged glances with Neji Hyuga, and Neji spoke with Lin Guang before saying that Jō might now be strong enough to defeat him.
• Neji called Satō Maji average and noted Naruto’s chakra, prompting Satō Maji to release a powerful aura until Lin Guang calmed him.

Lin Guang stopped Satō Maji from starting a fight before the Chunin Ninja Exams, then watched Rock Lee defeat Sasuke Uchiha with taijutsu. Red Turtle interrupted Rock Lee before he could use a forbidden technique, leaving the reason for the turtle’s appearance unclear.

• Lin Guang subdued Satō Maji and stopped him from fighting Neji Hyuga, telling him to wait for the exams.
• Lin Guang and his friends headed to register, then followed Satō Maji’s hearing and Hyūga Jō’s Byakugan to a fight between Sasuke Uchiha and Rock Lee.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan and attacked Rock Lee, but Lee’s speed and taijutsu overwhelmed him.
• Rock Lee knocked Sasuke down and prepared to bind him with his bandages, but Red Turtle stopped the technique with a throwing dart.
• Rock Lee apologized to Red Turtle for nearly using his forbidden technique, while Lin Guang wondered who the unfamiliar turtle was.

Lin Guang and his friends registered for the Chunin Exams, where Kabuto Yakushi revealed he knew about Lin Guang’s reputation and tried to disclose his mission record. Lin Guang stopped him with a threat, leaving the gathering tense but preventing the other teams from learning how strong his squad was.

• Might Guy punched Rock Lee for using dangerous moves, then hugged him as they cried together, so Lin Guang led his friends away to register.
• At the registration area, Kabuto Yakushi introduced himself to Team 7 and recognized Lin Guang and the other Genin by name.
• Kabuto showed the group his information cards and described Rock Lee’s improved Taijutsu and Gaara’s completed B-rank mission.
• Kabuto began to reveal Lin Guang’s mission record, but Lin Guang threatened to kill him if he continued, prompting Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to draw their weapons.
• Kabuto backed down, and Lin Guang signaled Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to put their weapons away.

Lin Guang protected Naruto from the other examinees before Ibiki Morino began the Chunin exam’s written test. Naruto and Satō Maji struggled with the questions, while Hinata tried to help Naruto, and the test continued under strict anti-cheating rules.

• Naruto loudly declared that he would beat the other candidates, drawing their hostility toward him and his teammates.
• Dosu Kinata charged at Naruto, but Lin Guang struck him down with a single palm strike.
• Ibiki Morino introduced the first exam, warned the candidates against fighting, and assigned them numbered seats for the written test.
• Naruto and Satō Maji found the questions difficult, while Hinata Haruno and other candidates used their skills to answer or cheat.
• Hinata Hyuga shifted her paper so Naruto could see her answers, but an examiner disqualified a man and his teammates for cheating too obviously.

Ibiki Morino forced the candidates to choose whether to risk answering the tenth question or withdraw from the Chunin Exams. As Satō Maji weighed the cost of risking his future, Naruto boldly refused to give up, leaving the candidates to face the question.

• Naruto worried that he might be eliminated after peeking at Hinata Hyuga's paper, while Lin Guang was relieved that Naruto had not been caught.
• Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yuhi discussed Ibiki Morino's reputation for psychological torture and interrogation.
• Ibiki Morino told the candidates that withdrawing meant failing the exam, while answering incorrectly would permanently bar them from future Chunin Exams.
• Lin Guang chose to risk answering the tenth question, while Satō Maji considered how failure could end his hopes of advancing beyond the ANBU.
• As many candidates withdrew, Satō Maji started to raise his hand, but Naruto spoke first and declared that he would never give up on becoming Hokage.

Naruto and the other candidates passed Ibiki Morino’s written exam by refusing to withdraw, then learned that the second exam would take place in the Forest of Death. Lin Guang, Hyūga Jō, and Satō Maji entered the forest and settled by a stream, where Lin Guang asked Maji if he wanted to make money during the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Naruto declared that he would never give up, and Ibiki Morino announced that all remaining candidates had passed.
• Ibiki Morino explained that the written exam tested candidates’ ability to gather intelligence and endure pressure, while Naruto and Satō Maji boasted to the others.
• Lin Guang and Hyūga Jō left the exam room, and Lin Guang asked Jō what the second exam would test.
• The candidates were taken to the Forest of Death, where Anko Mitarashi explained the five-day Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll mission and started the exam.
• Lin Guang, Hyūga Jō, and Satō Maji spent two hours in the forest without encountering another team and stopped to grill fish by a stream.
• Lin Guang asked Satō Maji whether he wanted to make money during the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Lin Guang and his teammates confronted Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro in the Forest of Death, and the fight exposed the strength of Hyūga Jō and Satō Maji. The battle continued with Lin Guang still watching from the sidelines.

• Lin Guang proposed stealing other teams’ scrolls and selling them back, then revealed he had sensed a powerful ninja nearby.
• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro emerged, and Gaara admitted that they had taken another team’s scroll and killed its members.
• Kankuro sent his puppet Crow after Lin Guang, but Hyūga Jō destroyed it with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palms.
• Gaara attacked Hyūga Jō with sand shuriken, which Jō deflected with Rotation while Satō Maji watched and ate.
• Temari used Wind Release: Sickle Weasel against Satō Maji, who cut through the wind attack and forced her back.
• Kankuro realized that Satō Maji was formidable and wondered whether Lin Guang was even stronger, while Lin Guang continued observing the fight.

Lin Guang’s team defeated Gaara’s team, took their Earth Scroll, and agreed to collect payment after the Chunin Ninja Exams. After hearing a powerful Wind Release attack nearby, Lin Guang led his teammates south to investigate.

• Gaara used Quicksand Waterfall, but Lin Guang froze the ground across a wide area and trapped Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
• Lin Guang demanded their scrolls or payment, and Temari agreed to pay three hundred thousand ryo for an Earth Scroll.
• Lin Guang took an Earth Scroll from Kankuro and let Gaara’s team go, while Temari reprimanded Kankuro and Gaara mentioned their secret mission.
• Lin Guang explained that earning money was incidental and that he had accepted a minor blemish to lessen others’ envy of him.
• Lin Guang heard a destructive Wind Release attack to the south and led his team to investigate, warning them that its user might be as strong as he was.

Team 7 fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, but his killing intent overwhelmed Sasuke and he planted a Cursed Seal on him. Lin Guang and his companions arrived as Orochimaru turned to face them.

• Hyūga Jō spotted Team 7 in trouble, and Lin Guang led his group toward them.
• Orochimaru overwhelmed Sasuke with his killing intent and attacked Sasuke and Sakura while Naruto was blown away and swallowed by a giant snake.
• Naruto escaped the snake with Multiple Shadow Clones, returned to help Sasuke and Sakura, and joined Sasuke in fighting Orochimaru.
• Sasuke bound Orochimaru with threads and struck him with Dragon Fire, but Orochimaru re-formed and revealed his identity.
• Orochimaru bit Sasuke and planted a Cursed Seal on him just as Lin Guang and his companions arrived.

Lin Guang confronted Orochimaru after finding Sasuke weakened and Naruto missing, and drove Orochimaru away with powerful Ice Release techniques. The team regrouped with Naruto and a replacement Earth Scroll, but Sasuke remained unconscious with a suspected toxic cursed seal.

• Lin Guang had Hyūga Jō and Satō Maji search for the missing Naruto while he stayed with Sakura and Sasuke to face Orochimaru.
• Lin Guang killed Orochimaru's summoned snake with Ice Release and pierced Orochimaru with ice thorns, but Orochimaru escaped by shedding his body through a snake.
• Lin Guang detonated the ice around Orochimaru, sensed his chakra disappear, and reassured Sakura that he had left.
• Satō Maji returned carrying Naruto, and Lin Guang gave Sakura an Earth Scroll to replace the one Orochimaru had taken.
• Hyūga Jō reported that Naruto had fainted from exhausting his surface chakra and that Sasuke might have a toxic cursed seal.

Lin Guang’s team protected Team 7 overnight, then Satō Maji defeated three Sound Ninja who ambushed them. After Sasuke woke with Orochimaru’s curse mark and increased strength, Lin Guang hurried to report Orochimaru’s appearance to the Hokage.

• Lin Guang and his teammates kept watch over Team 7 through the night while Sasuke and Naruto recovered.
• Hyūga Jō spotted Dosu Kinata, Zaku, and Kin outside their shelter, and Lin Guang sent Satō Maji to confront them.
• Satō Maji used his sword’s back to knock out all three Sound Ninja and took their scroll.
• Sasuke woke with Orochimaru’s curse mark and realized his strength had greatly increased, while Sakura urged him to let Kakashi examine him.
• Lin Guang left with Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to report Orochimaru’s appearance to the Hokage.

Lin Guang reported Orochimaru’s infiltration of the Chunin Exam to Hiruzen Sarutobi, then took Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to Ichiraku Ramen. Team 7 also passed the second round and met them at the restaurant.

• Lin Guang’s team reached the Central Tower, handed in their scrolls, and passed the second round; Satō Maji said he had left a matching pair of scrolls for Naruto’s team.
• Lin Guang told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had attacked him and escaped two Ice Release killing attacks, and Hiruzen ordered him to watch the Sunagakure ninja during the exam.
• Lin Guang reunited with Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō outside the Hokage Building, praised Maji’s training, and invited them to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura passed the second round after summoning Iruka with their scrolls, then arrived at Ichiraku Ramen and met Lin Guang’s team.

Lin Guang treated Iruka and his teammates to a meal before the Third Round Preliminary Round began. He defeated Kankuro decisively and watched Sasuke struggle against Akado Yoroi, planning to leave after his friends' matches.

• Lin Guang introduced Satō Maji and Hyūga Jō to Iruka, then paid for their meal at Teuchi's shop.
• The Second Round Exam ended with twenty-four genin qualifying, and the Third Round Preliminary Round began.
• Lin Guang faced Kankuro, dodged his Three Great Puppets, and destroyed them with Ice Release.
• Kankuro surrendered, and Gekko Hayate declared Lin Guang the winner.
• Sasuke faced Akado Yoroi while Lin Guang found the match uninteresting and planned to leave after his teammates and Naruto competed.

Hyūga Jō defeated Shino Aburame quickly, and Satō Maji overwhelmed Rock Lee with a powerful Konoha Whirlwind. Naruto then began his match against Kiba Inuzuka by flooding the arena with shadow clones, leaving Kiba flustered as their fight continued.

• Hyūga Jō used his Rotation, Eight Trigrams Formation Palm, and Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm to defeat Shino Aburame in less than a minute.
• Satō Maji fought Rock Lee without a sword and blocked Rock Lee's Konoha Whirlwind with his bare hand.
• Satō Maji revealed that he had learned and trained Konoha Whirlwind with guidance from an ANBU captain, then kicked Rock Lee into a wall and won.
• Might Guy carried the unconscious, severely injured Rock Lee to the hospital while Satō Maji returned to the stands.
• Naruto faced Kiba Inuzuka, activated the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and charged as Kiba became flustered.

After Naruto defeated Kiba Inuzuka, Lin Guang reassured him and took him to a bathhouse, where they encountered Jiraiya. Lin Guang told Jiraiya that Orochimaru had appeared in Konoha, leaving Jiraiya alarmed and eager to learn more.

• Naruto defeated Kiba Inuzuka with his improvised Naruto Combo, and Lin Guang helped him leave the arena.
• Lin Guang encouraged Naruto and learned that Naruto had mastered Wind Release: Vacuum Wave but had forgotten to use it in the fight.
• Lin Guang and Naruto went to a bathhouse, where they found Jiraiya peeping into the women's bath and claiming he was gathering material for a new work.
• Jiraiya summoned a huge toad, which blasted Naruto into the bathhouse with a jet of water.
• Lin Guang told Jiraiya that Orochimaru had appeared in Konoha, and Jiraiya released his Summoning Technique and pressed him for details.

Jiraiya invited Lin Guang and Naruto to learn ninjutsu, then had them sign a summoning contract and taught them the Summoning Technique. Naruto summoned only a tadpole, while Lin Guang’s first attempt ended in a huge cloud of smoke.

• Jiraiya warned Lin Guang that Orochimaru would stop at nothing to achieve his goals and invited him to train alongside Naruto.
• Lin Guang told Naruto that Jiraiya would teach them powerful ninjutsu, and the two went to meet him at the small waterfall.
• Jiraiya had Lin Guang and Naruto sign the Summoning Scroll and taught them the hand seals for the Summoning Technique.
• Naruto tried the technique and found a tadpole on his head, prompting Jiraiya to laugh at him.
• Lin Guang performed the Summoning Technique, producing an enormous cloud of smoke.

Lin Guang summoned Gamaken during training, then impressed Jiraiya with his ability to learn Wind Release techniques immediately. Jiraiya began teaching him more ninjutsu while Naruto practiced the Summoning Technique nearby.

• Lin Guang summoned Gamaken, who spoke with Jiraiya and the children before returning to Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya praised Lin Guang's talent and sent Naruto to practice the Summoning Technique while he taught Lin Guang ninjutsu.
• Lin Guang told Jiraiya that he had Wind, Water, and Ice chakra natures and listed the techniques he had learned.
• Jiraiya demonstrated Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, and Lin Guang used it to lift the entire waterfall.
• Jiraiya taught Lin Guang Gale Palm, explaining how it could boost the speed and force of thrown weapons.