Recaps

Ruri clashed with Gekko Hayate after Hayate grew jealous of his friendship with Uzuki Yugao and attacked him with two companions. Ruri effortlessly countered Hayate’s first strike, but Hayate revealed that it had been a Shadow Clone and launched a coordinated attack from behind.

• Gekko Hayate confronted Ruri for arriving late to the Third Hokage’s summons and spending time with Uzuki Yugao.
• Uzuki Yugao defended Ruri and told Hayate that they were only friends, then promised to protect Ruri.
• Hayate ordered his two companions to help him teach Ruri a lesson and charged with his sword using the Crescent Moon Dance.
• Ruri used Leaf Great Whirlwind to knock Hayate’s sword aside and attack him, only to discover that Hayate had used a Shadow Clone.
• Hayate appeared behind Ruri, formed two more clones, and surrounded him for another attack.

Ruri defeated Gekko Hayate and his two allies after they attacked him, using Rotation, Mountain Crusher, and the Flame-Flame Fruit’s fire to overcome their techniques. He confronted the fallen Gekko Hayate, while Uzuki Yugao watched in shock.

• Gekko Hayate attacked Ruri with two Shadow Clones using Dance of the Crescent Moon, but Ruri’s Rotation dispelled the clones and knocked him into a wall.
• One of Gekko Hayate’s allies trapped Ruri’s feet in sticky liquid while the other charged with a summoned hammer.
• Ruri used Eight Trigrams: Mountain Crusher to knock the hammer-wielding ninja away.
• Ruri used Fire Stream to burn away the sticky liquid and free his feet.
• Ruri glared at the slime-spitting ninja, then rebuked the fallen Gekko Hayate for thinking the three of them could defeat him.

Ruri defeated Gekko Hayate and reassured Uzuki Yugao that he held no grudge before returning home to Momokusa Harukawa. He told her about his mission to remain in the village for the Chunin Ninja Exams before heading to the front lines afterward.

• Ruri warned Gekko Hayate that he would spare him for Konoha's sake and left after defeating him.
• Uzuki Yugao apologized for Gekko Hayate, and Ruri told her he did not take the fight to heart.
• Ruri bought snacks and instant noodles for Momokusa Harukawa on his way home.
• Ruri told Momokusa Harukawa that he would compete in the Chunin Ninja Exams before going to the front lines.
• Ruri began preparing braised fish and vegetable soup for Momokusa Harukawa.

Ruri hosted Momokusa Harukawa for dinner, and they shared a meal and talked about Harukawa's plans to join the Anbu after graduating. They sat in the yard together and watched shooting stars cross the sky.

• Ruri asked Momokusa Harukawa if she would graduate from the Ninja Academy next year, and Harukawa said she planned to find Ruri in the Anbu.
• Ruri told Harukawa that Uchiha Itachi was expected to graduate that year and might also join the Anbu.
• Ruri served Harukawa braised fish and vegetable soup, which Harukawa enjoyed.
• After dinner, Momokusa Harukawa washed the dishes, and Ruri brought beef jerky for them to snack on in the yard.
• Momokusa Harukawa pointed out a group of shooting stars, and Ruri looked up at them with her.

Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa watched a meteor shower, then spent the night at Ruri’s home before preparing for the next day’s Chunin Ninja Exams. Ruri trained in the Ring while on duty at the Anbu, and the chapter ended as the exams were about to begin.

• Ruri explained to Momokusa Harukawa that meteors followed their own paths, and she asked to spend the night at his home.
• Ruri let Momokusa Harukawa sleep in his bedroom while he slept on the sofa.
• The next morning, Momokusa Harukawa made breakfast, warned Ruri to be careful during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and left for school with a rice ball he gave her.
• Ruri went to the Anbu, watched the village from the surveillance room, then entered the Ring and began his daily training.
• Ruri spent the day training in the Ring, and the following day’s Chunin Ninja Exams arrived.

Ruri arrived at the crowded Chunin Ninja Exams grounds and found Akagimaru skipping school to sell goods, including a copy of Icha Icha Paradise. Asuma Sarutobi caught Akagimaru and dragged him back to class, while Ruri headed toward the exams.

• Ruri surveyed the busy examination grounds and compared the event to the Olympics.
• Ruri found Akagimaru selling household goods, toys, and books after skipping school to earn money.
• Akagimaru sold a copy of Icha Icha Paradise to a man who stopped at his stall.
• Asuma Sarutobi found Akagimaru and explained that he had tracked him down after he missed class.
• Asuma Sarutobi dragged Akagimaru back to school, and Akagimaru urged Ruri to take first place in the exams.

Ruri entered the Chunin Ninja Exams alone, passed the written test with a perfect score, and waited as the first round ended. He remained among the eighty-eight candidates who advanced to the next stage.

• Ruri entered the exam venue alone after refusing the Third Hokage’s suggestion to join another team.
• Stone Ninja mocked Ruri for being so young, but he ignored them and took his seat for the written test.
• Inoichi Yamanaka began the exam, and Ruri finished in under ten minutes before leaving the room.
• Ruri used his Byakugan to observe the candidates while he waited outside.
• The examiners announced Ruri’s perfect score, and twelve of the hundred candidates were eliminated.
• A ninja wearing a green vest entered the examination room as the first round concluded.

Ruri entered the Forest of Death alone with a Heaven Scroll and fought off a team that tried to steal it. After taking their Earth Scroll, he spotted more ninjas approaching and planned to use the test to demonstrate Konoha’s strength.

• Shikaku Nara announced that the second test required teams to collect one Heaven Scroll and one Earth Scroll and reach the destination within three days.
• Shikaku gave Ruri a Heaven Scroll because he was competing alone, and Ruri raced into the Forest of Death as other teams followed.
• When three ninjas tried to take Ruri’s scroll, he knocked them unconscious with a palm strike and a pair of Rasengan.
• Ruri searched the defeated ninjas, took their Earth Scroll, and saw many more ninjas approaching through the forest.
• Ruri considered how he could use the incoming opponents to prove Konoha’s strength.

Ruri drew ninja from several villages to the finish by claiming he held both scrolls, then prepared to face them in the clearing. He left the scrolls on the ground as the exhausted pursuers emerged from the Forest of Death.

• Ruri announced that he had both the Earth Scroll and Heaven Scroll, then ran toward the finish.
• Ninja from several villages followed Ruri, suspecting his speed and stamina as they chased him through the forest.
• Ruri checked the pursuers with his Byakugan and said he was ready for the fun part.
• Ruri reached the clearing, tossed both scrolls onto the ground, and watched the other ninja emerge.
• An Iwagakure ninja complained that Ruri had made them chase him, while another ninja asked what had boosted his stamina.

Ruri taunted the ninja who had chased him and revealed that he had lured them together so he could deal with them all at once. The assembled ninja laughed and questioned whether he was delusional or capable of backing up his boast.

• Ruri mocked the exhausted ninja pursuing him while appearing calm and unworn out.
• The ninja noticed the two scrolls Ruri had set down and discussed taking them before continuing their competition.
• Ruri explained that he had slowed down to gather the ninja and planned to deal with them all at once because he was pressed for time.
• The gathered ninja laughed at Ruri, with some saying he had gone mad and others wondering whether he could prove his strength.

Ruri defended his scroll from ninja trying to steal it, using his techniques to repel the attackers. He charged an Earth Release user after the ninja blocked his Fire Fist with a raised rock.

• A ninja rushed to grab Ruri's scroll, but Ruri kicked him away with Leaf Great Whirlwind.
• The other ninja charged Ruri, and he burned several with Fire Fist as some dodged.
• Ruri summoned dozens of Shadow Clones, which drew Ruowu and attacked the enemies.
• Ruri fought a ninja with Ruowu, then used Fire Fist against him.
• The ninja blocked Ruri's Fire Fist with Earth Release: Earth Shore Return, and Ruri charged toward the raised rock.

Ruri overwhelmed the enemy ninjas with his techniques and gathered their scrolls after rendering them unable to fight. He left them piled together in a small mountain of bodies.

• Ruri used the Body Flicker Technique and a Rasengan to incapacitate a ninja who had blocked his Fire Fist.
• Ruri struck nearby enemies with Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms, then sent more attackers flying with Eight Trigrams Rotation.
• Ruri summoned ten Shadow Clones, and he and the clones used Rotation together to knock down the remaining ninjas.
• Ruri knocked out the few ninjas who had escaped Rotation and searched the defeated group for scrolls.
• Ruri tossed the ninjas into a pile and stacked them into a small mountain of bodies.

Ruri gathered all thirty scrolls and waited at the finish of the second Chunin Ninja Exam, where two Chunin found him beside a mountain of defeated ninjas. He passed the exam and suggested that the third exam was unnecessary, while a ninja rushed to tell the Third Hokage that the results were out.

• Ruri collected scrolls from the defeated ninjas and piled them up at the finish.
• Two Chunin arrived and were shocked by the piles of scrolls and ninjas.
• Ruri told the Chunin that he had gathered all thirty scrolls and had passed the exam.
• Ruri walked away and asked whether there was any need for the third exam.
• A ninja entered the Hokage's office and told the Third Hokage that the exam results were out.

Ruri Hyuga defeated every participant in the Chunin Ninja Exams’ second round, prompting the Third Hokage to summon him. Ruri went to the Hokage’s office without fear and sat down to meet him.

• A ninja told the Third Hokage that Ruri Hyuga had defeated all the exam participants in the Forest of Death and taken their scrolls.
• The Third Hokage ordered the ninja to bring Ruri to his office, wondering whether the boy had gone mad.
• The ninja found Ruri and escorted him to the Hokage’s office while Ruri reflected on the importance of showing his strength.
• Ruri entered the office, and the Third Hokage invited him to sit down.
• Ruri thanked the Third Hokage and sat on the sofa.

Ruri explained to the Third Hokage that he wanted to fight on the front lines to see where his parents had died. The Third Hokage promoted him to Jonin and ordered him to leave with reinforcements the day after tomorrow.

• The Third Hokage confronted Ruri for defeating all the Genin during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Ruri said he had ended the fights quickly because he wanted to fight on the front lines.
• Ruri told the Third Hokage he wanted to see the place where his parents had died in battle.
• The Third Hokage agreed to send Ruri to the front lines with Kakashi and the others the day after tomorrow.
• Ruri assured the Third Hokage that the Genin he defeated had suffered only minor injuries.
• The Third Hokage promoted Ruri to Jonin and ordered him to depart with reinforcements the day after tomorrow.

After defeating every contestant in the Chunin Exams, Ruri accepted the Third Hokage’s surprise promotion to Jonin and prepared to leave for the front lines. News of the seven-year-old’s promotion spread through Konoha and beyond, while his family celebrated and Itachi resolved to train harder.

• Ruri thanked the Third Hokage for promoting him to Jonin and agreed to leave for the front lines with Captain Kakashi and the others the day after tomorrow.
• The Third Hokage watched Ruri leave and hoped the gifted boy would not turn to evil.
• News of Ruri’s victory and promotion spread through Konoha and the ninja world.
• Mei Ling Hyuga told Hizashi Hyuga the news, and they planned to celebrate Ruri’s achievement.
• Uchiha Itachi heard that Ruri had become a Jonin, then resumed training harder as he prepared to apply for early graduation.

After Ruri Hyuga became a Jonin, news of his promotion spread quickly through the village and drew reactions from people who knew him. Aunt Meiling brought him home to celebrate with her and Uncle Hizashi.

• Hyuga Hiashi learned of Ruri's promotion and praised him while holding Hinata.
• Momokusa Harukawa heard that Ruri had become a Jonin, celebrated his achievement, and worried that she had fallen further behind him.
• Danzo heard the news at the Root base and anticipated that Ruri would eventually come to him.
• Ruri returned home and found Aunt Meiling waiting to invite him to celebrate at her home with Uncle Hizashi.

Ruri told Hizashi Hyuga and Mei Ling Hyuga that he would leave for the front lines in two days, hoping to see where his parents died in battle. His aunt and uncle accepted his decision and insisted that he stay with them until he departed.

• Hizashi Hyuga praised Ruri, and Mei Ling Hyuga served him and Neji Hyuga a family meal.
• Ruri told Hizashi Hyuga and Mei Ling Hyuga that he had received the Third Hokage’s permission to go support the front lines.
• Ruri said he wanted to see the place where his parents died in battle, and Mei Ling Hyuga hugged him and urged him to return alive.
• Ruri promised he would survive, then helped Mei Ling Hyuga clear the table.
• Hizashi Hyuga and Mei Ling Hyuga insisted Ruri stay with them for the next two days, while Ruri wondered what the battlefield would be like.

Ruri spent the morning with Momokusa Harukawa after leaving home, and learned that Uchiha Itachi's early graduation assessment was taking place that day. The two headed to the Ninja Academy to watch it.

• Mei Ling Hyuga gave Ruri a seaweed rice roll before he left home without breakfast.
• Ruri met Momokusa Harukawa while walking through town, and they talked about his promotion to Jonin.
• Momokusa Harukawa told Ruri that Uchiha Itachi's early graduation assessment was that day.
• Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa went to the Ninja Academy to watch Itachi's assessment.

Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa attended Uchiha Itachi’s early graduation assessment at the Ninja Academy. The assessment began with Itachi facing a Chunin, and he noticed Ruri watching from the stands.

• Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa arrived at the Ninja Academy to watch Itachi’s assessment.
• Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa joined Reika Hyuga and the others in the crowded assessment grounds.
• The examiner explained that Itachi would pass by lasting ten minutes against a Chunin or defeating the opponent.
• Itachi’s assessment began as Ruri watched and onlookers debated whether Itachi could win.
• Reika Hyuga cheered for Itachi, who spotted Ruri beside her and smiled.

Uchiha Itachi began his match against the mild-mannered Wangwang, who opened with a sudden barrage of thrown weapons. After struggling to keep up, Itachi activated his two-tomoe Sharingan.

• Wangwang introduced himself to Uchiha Itachi and praised him before the match began.
• Wangwang launched a surprise Ruowu at Itachi, who dodged the attack.
• Ruri, Momokusa Harukawa, and Linghua Hyuga criticized Wangwang for ambushing Itachi.
• Wangwang darted between the trees and attacked Itachi with a rapid stream of Ruowu and Shuriken.
• Itachi opened his eyes to reveal a pair of Sharingan, each with two tomoe.

Uchiha Itachi used his newly awakened Two-Tomoe Sharingan to see through Wangwang’s hidden Chakra Threads and evade his attacks. After calling out Wangwang’s Anbu fighting style, Itachi charged into close-quarters combat.

• Ruri recognized that Itachi had advanced to a Two-Tomoe Sharingan and identified the examiner’s use of Chakra Threads as an Anbu fighting method.
• Momokusa Harukawa asked Ruri whether the examiner was an Anbu ninja, and Ruri said early graduation would not be easy.
• Itachi used his Sharingan to track and evade Wangwang’s Ruowu while disrupting their flight paths with his own weapons.
• Itachi accused Wangwang of relying on cheap attacks against an Uchiha and charged at him with two Ruowu.
• Wangwang smiled at Itachi’s decision to fight at close quarters.

Uchiha Itachi fought an Anbu ninja in a rapid Taijutsu exchange, using his two-Tomoe Sharingan to fend off every attack. Ruri and the watching ninja were astonished by how long the six-year-old had held his own.

• Uchiha Itachi drew his short sword and charged the Anbu ninja, choosing to meet his Taijutsu head-on.
• Uchiha Itachi and the Anbu ninja exchanged blows at high speed, while the Anbu ninja threw a Shuriken and tried to use a silver thread against him.
• Uchiha Itachi dodged the Shuriken and blocked the Anbu ninja's attacks, prompting the ninja to realize that Itachi had awakened a two-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Ruri wondered why Uchiha Itachi was still matching the Anbu ninja in Taijutsu and judged that the opponent was at Jonin level.
• The watching ninja marveled that Uchiha Itachi had lasted two minutes against the Anbu ninja and compared him to the Hyuga Clan's young genius.

Uchiha Itachi faced an Anbu ninja who had set a steel-wire trap, but Itachi revealed that he had anticipated the plan and turned it against him. The Anbu ninja ended up bound and unable to move.

• Momokusa Harukawa told Ruri she believed Itachi would outlast the Anbu ninja, while Uchiha Fugaku praised his son’s strength.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized that the Anbu ninja was setting a trap and watched him complete a cage of concealed steel wires.
• The Anbu ninja taunted Itachi and activated the wires, expecting them to restrain him.
• The wires instead bound the Anbu ninja’s hands, waist, and neck, leaving him unable to move.

Uchiha Itachi defeated the Anbu Ninja examiner by subtly redirecting his kunai and passed the assessment. Shimura Danzō took notice of Itachi before leaving, while Ruri and Momokusa Harukawa watched the victory.

• Ruri, Momokusa Harukawa, and Linghua Hyuga were shocked that six-year-old Uchiha Itachi had countered the Anbu Ninja's tactics.
• Shimura Danzō watched Itachi and considered him a threat, while worrying that Ruri might be even more concerning.
• Uchiha Itachi explained that he had used shuriken to alter the trajectories of the Anbu Ninja's kunai.
• The inspector declared that Uchiha Itachi had won and passed the assessment.
• Shimura Danzō left after saying Itachi had caught his attention, and Momokusa Harukawa congratulated Ruri on Itachi's victory.