Chapter Summaries

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki confronted Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Anko Mitarashi in Konoha. After deciding to retreat, Itachi used Tsukuyomi on Naruto, trapping him in a world beneath a Blood Moon.

• Kisame Hoshigaki offered to handle Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, but Itachi Uchiha took charge.
• Sasuke Uchiha attacked Itachi, who easily defeated him and mocked his weakness.
• Kisame Hoshigaki blocked Sasuke's Phoenix Sage Fire Technique with Samehada, which absorbed its chakra.
• Itachi Uchiha chose to avoid a fight with Konoha ANBU and targeted Naruto Uzumaki with Tsukuyomi.
• Naruto Uzumaki found himself bound to a cross in Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi World as Itachi stood before him with a ninja blade.

Naruto Uzumaki’s memories of a century-long future surfaced inside Itachi Uchiha’s Tsukuyomi, revealing why he had returned to the past and what had become of Sasuke. Naruto asked Itachi to help collect the tailed beasts so he could change the future, and offered to heal him with Yang Release.

• Naruto Uzumaki’s immense spiritual energy overwhelmed Itachi Uchiha’s Tsukuyomi, unsealing memories of his long life and his journey back in time.
• Naruto told Itachi that Kurama had given up its chakra to extend his life, and that he had known Itachi through Sasuke.
• Naruto revealed that he had been sent back by Orochimaru to prevent a future of invasion, civil war, and a devastated ninja world.
• Naruto described Sasuke’s troubled life and admitted that he had failed to listen when Sasuke urged him to unify the ninja world.
• Naruto promised to protect Sasuke this time and asked Itachi to collect the tailed beasts with him.
• Itachi expressed concern that he had little time left, and Naruto offered to use Yang Release to heal him.

Naruto Uzumaki used Yang Release to ease Itachi Uchiha’s illness and tried to persuade him to stay alive for Sasuke’s sake. Before leaving the Tsukuyomi Space, Naruto asked to speak with Kurama, knowing the technique would seal his memories again.

• Naruto Uzumaki asked Itachi Uchiha to live for Sasuke’s sake, but Itachi refused to abandon his purpose of helping Sasuke grow stronger.
• Naruto used Yang Release to restore some of Itachi’s vitality and ease the strain on his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Itachi asked about Uchiha 'Madara', and Naruto identified the masked man as Obito Uchiha and said he would handle him.
• Naruto asked Itachi to let him speak with Kurama before dispelling the Tsukuyomi Space, since his memories would likely be sealed afterward.

Inside Itachi Uchiha’s Tsukuyomi Space, Naruto Uzumaki showed Kurama memories of their future together and asked him to guide him. Kurama accepted their bond, and they planned to help Naruto recover the memories that would be sealed when they left.

• Naruto Uzumaki summoned the sealed water prison and greeted Kurama, who was startled by Naruto’s size and knowledge of the Yin Nine-Tails.
• Naruto asked Kurama to bump fists and promised not to force him to become a partner, but Kurama doubted his sincerity.
• Naruto tempted Kurama by mentioning that Shukaku would soon come to Konoha, and Kurama reluctantly reached out to receive Naruto’s memories.
• Kurama watched memories of their future and cried as he realized how much he had sacrificed for Naruto.
• Naruto asked Kurama to teach him, and they agreed to train in the Eight Gates Formation and Sage Arts after leaving the Tsukuyomi Space.

After Naruto Uzumaki and the Nine-Tails shared memories in Itachi Uchiha’s Tsukuyomi, Naruto’s future memories were sealed again when they returned to reality. The Nine-Tails resolved to earn Naruto’s trust and help him grow, while Naruto recovered from the mental strain.

• Naruto Uzumaki gave the Nine-Tails a seed of Yang Release and asked Itachi Uchiha to end the Tsukuyomi.
• Itachi Uchiha ended the illusion, and both Naruto Uzumaki and Itachi Uchiha returned to their bodies after only an instant had passed.
• Itachi Uchiha realized the Yang Release had improved his illness and eyesight, then left with Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Sasuke Uchiha and Anko Mitarashi stopped pursuing Itachi Uchiha and helped Naruto Uzumaki as his memories were sealed and his headache eased.
• Naruto Uzumaki mistook the concerned Nine-Tails for a schemer, while the Nine-Tails decided to earn his trust and guide him toward using its power.

Sasuke Uchiha searched the Ninja Cat Clan’s warehouse and found ninjutsu scrolls and training notes that could help him grow stronger before facing Itachi Uchiha again. After Sasuke and Naruto Uzumaki left, Granny Cat noticed scrolls were missing, and an appended exchange revealed that Itachi had secretly swapped several of them.

• Anko Mitarashi hurried to the Hokage Residence to report Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki’s infiltration.
• Granny Cat led Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki into the warehouse, where Sasuke searched the Uchiha Clan’s stored supplies.
• Sasuke found Dragon Flame Release Song, Shisui Uchiha’s Body Flicker Technique notes, Clone Great Explosion, and the clan’s Sharingan training notes.
• Sasuke left with Naruto, determined to train and eventually take revenge on Itachi Uchiha.
• Granny Cat noticed that scrolls were missing, and Itachi later admitted he had taken a Great Fireball scroll and replaced several scrolls with other materials.

Naruto and Sasuke showed Kakashi the results of their half-month of training, while Naruto revealed new Chakra weapons and continued to distrust Kurama’s attempts to help him. Kakashi was pleased with their progress and took them out for ramen.

• Naruto and Sasuke fought using Shadow Clones and the Body Flicker Technique, which Sasuke had mastered during his training.
• Sasuke used Uchiha Style: Solar Eclipse Dance, but Naruto blocked its flaming blades with his Spiral Shield.
• Naruto introduced the Spiral Dance Umbrella, a solid Chakra weapon he had developed with help from Kurama’s Chakra.
• Naruto accused Kurama of trying to trick him into opening the seal, while Kurama lamented that Naruto no longer trusted it.
• Sakura was surprised by how much stronger Naruto and Sasuke had become, and Kakashi took them out for ramen.

Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki sparred to test their new techniques while Kakashi Hatake supervised. Might Guy interrupted their fight to stop what he thought was a dangerous sword attack, leaving Sasuke confused about the supposed danger.

• Sasuke Uchiha asked Naruto Uzumaki to spar, and Kakashi Hatake agreed to stop them if either was in danger.
• Sasuke and Naruto exchanged attacks with Sasuke's chakra blade and Naruto's Spiral Dance Umbrella, which could become a shield and fire the Rasengan Impact Wave.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan and used his Body Flicker Technique to get behind Naruto and prepare a sword strike.
• Might Guy separated them with Leaf Hurricane, claiming he had rescued Sasuke from a potentially lethal attack.
• Sasuke remained confused because Naruto had repeatedly countered his flame attacks with the Rasengan Impact Wave.

Might Guy interrupted Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha’s fight, then brought Team Guy to train for the joint Chunin Exams. Kakashi Hatake led Team Seven away, leaving both teams aware that Naruto and Sasuke would be dangerous opponents in the exams.

• Might Guy apologized for interrupting Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, and they agreed to fight again after Naruto completed a new technique called the Great Spiraling Ring.
• Kakashi Hatake introduced Might Guy, who called Kakashi his lifelong rival and explained that he had brought Team Guy to train for the joint Chunin Exams.
• Kakashi refused Guy’s request for a match and took Team Seven to Ichiraku Ramen before their afternoon mission.
• Naruto Uzumaki recognized Neji Hyuga as strong, and Sakura Haruno recalled that Ao’s Byakugan had endangered Team Seven; Naruto agreed to return the eye to the Hyuga Clan and investigate its history.
• Sasuke Uchiha asked Naruto to learn more about the Hyuga Clan’s old conflict with Kumogakure, while Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee sensed Naruto and Sasuke’s strength.
• Might Guy called Naruto and Sasuke the beasts of the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Kakashi Hatake left Team Seven at Ichiraku Ramen Shop to answer the Third Hokage’s summons, and the genin encountered three Sand Shinobi outside. Naruto Uzumaki recognized the red-haired boy as someone important, while Nine-Tails urged him to kill the unknown stranger.

• Naruto Uzumaki wrote down Sasuke Uchiha’s newly learned ninjutsu as Team Seven ate ramen and Kakashi Hatake complained about the cost.
• Tenzo arrived with the Third Hokage’s summons, and Kakashi left before paying for the meal.
• Sasuke Uchiha rushed outside after hearing Kankuro taunt Konoha’s shinobi and snapped the neck of his puppet.
• Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno found Sasuke facing Kankuro, Temari, and the red-haired Sand Shinobi carrying a gourd.
• Naruto Uzumaki sensed the red-haired boy was important, while Nine-Tails insisted he was a dangerous enemy and Shukaku called Nine-Tails a dumbass.

Team Seven confronted the Hidden Sand siblings before the Chunin Exams, and Sasuke and Naruto’s exchange with Gaara exposed his disturbing willingness to kill Kankuro. Gaara ultimately withdrew the sand, leaving the siblings alive and confused about why he had obeyed Sasuke.

• Sasuke returned Kankuro’s damaged puppet and challenged him after Kankuro threatened him.
• Gaara stopped Kankuro, apologized for his companion, and then accepted Sasuke’s suggestion that he kill Kankuro as an apology.
• Naruto offered to spare Kankuro if Gaara answered questions, but Gaara chose to attack his brother instead.
• Temari revealed that Kankuro was Gaara’s older brother and begged Gaara not to kill him.
• Naruto pointed out that Gaara had followed Sasuke’s suggestion, prompting Gaara to withdraw the sand and question why he had obeyed.

Team Seven learned that they had been entered in the Chunin Exams, which began the next day, and discussed the dangerous opponents and other Konoha teams who would compete. The chapter ended with Kakashi warning them not to underestimate their peers as Naruto and Sasuke bickered.

• Temari thanked Team Seven for saving Kankuro, and Sasuke and Naruto traded taunts with Gaara before the Sand siblings left.
• Genin from other villages arrived in Konoha, and the Third Hokage confirmed the Chunin Exam candidates, including Team Seven.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that he had signed them up and warned them that the exams could cost them their lives.
• Naruto and Sasuke compared the exams to past missions, while Naruto noted that Gaara seemed especially dangerous.
• Kakashi told Team Seven that other Konoha teams, including those of Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hinata, would also participate and warned them not to underestimate their classmates.

Team Seven submitted their Chunin Exam applications after Sasuke Uchiha exposed the entrance guards' test. Rock Lee challenged Naruto Uzumaki to earn a fight with Sasuke, but Naruto's ominous warning made Lee back down until the exams.

• Sasuke Uchiha kicked Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki aside after they tried to stop Team Seven at the entrance.
• Sakura Haruno rejected Rock Lee's offer to date him, and Lee announced that he wanted to challenge Sasuke.
• Sasuke told Rock Lee to defeat Naruto Uzumaki first, and Lee accepted the challenge.
• Naruto warned Rock Lee that his fight could prevent Team Guy from taking the Chunin Exams and intimidated him with his killing intent.
• Rock Lee abandoned the challenge for now and said he would face Naruto during the Chunin Exams.

Naruto Uzumaki and his classmates gathered for the Chunin Exams, where tensions over the Yamanaka Clan and Naruto’s sealed memories surfaced. After Kabuto Yakushi showed them the other examinees’ records, Naruto and Sasuke recognized how dangerous their opponents were.

• Rock Lee doubted himself after Naruto warned him about the Chunin Exams, while Tenten defended his hard work.
• Ino Yamanaka approached Sasuke, but he rejected her, and Sakura Haruno and Naruto warned Ino to stay away from Team Seven.
• Naruto reunited with Shikamaru, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino, and touching Hinata’s forehead triggered pain as his body tried to undo his memory seal.
• Kabuto Yakushi introduced the Ninja Info Cards, and Sasuke was shaken by Gaara’s mission record and the examinees’ strength.
• Naruto told Sasuke that Kabuto was stronger than the other examinees, while Kakashi Hatake overheard their cautious battle rules.

Naruto Uzumaki and the Nine-Tails struggled to answer the written exam, then Naruto decided to wait for the final question. When Ibiki Morino threatened him and Hinata Hyuga, Naruto threw a shuriken that pierced Ibiki’s jacket and struck the blackboard.

• Ibiki Morino began the written exam, and Naruto Uzumaki realized the questions were difficult while candidates cheated around him.
• The Nine-Tails explained that the exam tested whether candidates would risk answering the tenth question, then offered to help Naruto with the answers in exchange for taijutsu training.
• Naruto and the Nine-Tails managed to solve only two questions, so Naruto chose to wait for Ibiki to announce the tenth question rather than withdraw.
• Hinata Hyuga offered Naruto a look at her paper, but he refused and told her he had wagered his future on the final question.
• Ibiki threw a shuriken between Naruto and Hinata, and Naruto caught it and threw it back, piercing Ibiki’s jacket and embedding it in the blackboard.

Naruto Uzumaki and the others passed the written exam, then entered the Forest of Death for the scroll battle. As Team Seven prepared for the dangerous second stage, Orochimaru targeted Sasuke Uchiha and ordered Dosu to test their strength.

• Naruto Uzumaki passed Ibiki Morino's written exam and agreed to train in the Eight Gates Formation as payment to the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto Uzumaki accidentally blasted Anko Mitarashi back when she crashed into the examination room, prompting her to threaten him before the next stage.
• Hinata Hyuga thanked Naruto Uzumaki for helping her during the written exam, while Sasuke Uchiha teased Naruto about her feelings.
• Anko Mitarashi explained the Heaven and Earth Scroll Battle, and Team Seven signed the survival consent form before entering the Forest of Death.
• Orochimaru decided to pursue Sasuke Uchiha and told Kabuto Yakushi to have Dosu test Team Seven's strength.

Team Seven entered the Forest of Death, where Naruto Uzumaki’s overwhelming attacks killed three Amegakure Genin before a dangerous Kusagakure woman confronted them over their scrolls. The woman swallowed her Earth Scroll and sent a giant snake at Team Seven, which Naruto destroyed with a Rasengan Punch.

• Sakura Haruno discussed securing food and water, but Naruto Uzumaki demonstrated that his ninjutsu could hunt.
• Naruto Uzumaki used Rasengan Punch to destroy the surrounding forest and accidentally kill three Amegakure Genin; Team Seven then decided to seek weaker teams for an Earth Scroll.
• A Kusagakure woman attacked Team Seven with a powerful gale, which Naruto Uzumaki broke with Rasengan Impact Wave.
• The Kusagakure woman revealed her Earth Scroll, swallowed it, and declared that one of them had to die for the scroll battle to count.
• The Kusagakure woman sent a giant snake at Team Seven, and Naruto Uzumaki blew it apart with Rasengan Punch.

Team Seven fought a Kusagakure woman who marked Sasuke with a curse before revealing herself as Orochimaru. As Sasuke awakened his Three Tomoe Sharingan, the Nine-Tails urged Naruto to extract the curse mark’s natural energy so he could learn senjutsu.

• Shikamaru and Ino considered investigating the battle nearby, while Shino warned that insects sensed danger and Team Guy rushed toward the fighting.
• Naruto and Sasuke battled the Kusagakure woman as Naruto fought off her summoned snakes and Sasuke wounded her with the Body Flicker Technique and Chidori.
• Sasuke struck the woman down and burned the surrounding snakes with Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, but she revived from a discarded skin and bit his neck.
• The woman left Sasuke with a curse mark, and his Sharingan transformed into a Three Tomoe Sharingan as he cried out in pain.
• The Nine-Tails told Naruto to use Sealing Art: Devour to extract natural energy from Sasuke’s curse mark and learn senjutsu.

Naruto absorbed natural energy from Sasuke’s Curse Mark and entered a brief Sage of Six Paths Mode, overwhelming Orochimaru before the transformation faded. He left Orochimaru alive and demanded the Earth Scroll, while Orochimaru used a substitution technique to recover.

• Naruto pressed his palm against Sasuke’s Curse Mark and absorbed its natural energy, with the Nine-Tails adding Yang Release and chakra.
• Naruto transformed into Sage of Six Paths Mode, and his immense chakra alarmed Anko, Gaara, Team Eight, and Team Guy across the Forest of Death.
• Naruto sensed Orochimaru and struck him with a kick and an elbow, leaving him badly injured and unable to resist.
• Naruto’s transformation ended after ten seconds, and he asked Orochimaru for the Earth Scroll instead of killing him.
• Orochimaru spat out the Earth Scroll and another version of himself, using the Orochimaru-Style Substitution Jutsu to recover.

Naruto explained that Orochimaru had tried to place a mark on Sasuke and take his body, then Team Seven collected the scrolls and continued through the Forest of Death. After rescuing Karin from a bear, the team argued over whether to help her, and Naruto postponed the decision until after they ate.

• Naruto told Sakura and Sasuke that Orochimaru was dangerous and had tried to mark Sasuke so he could take his body.
• Sakura collected Orochimaru’s Earth Scroll, giving Team Seven the scrolls needed to head for the Central Tower.
• Team Guy discussed Naruto’s brief but overwhelming Sage of Six Paths Mode, while Neji considered developing Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
• Karin ran to Team Seven for help while a bear chased her, and Sakura comforted her after they rescued her.
• Sasuke urged the team to leave Karin behind, while Sakura pleaded to wait for her teammates; Naruto suggested they eat first and decide afterward.