Chapter Summaries

Xue Ge joined Ameyuri in rescuing people as the Forest of Death’s snake rampage continued, while Orochimaru declared the second exam over for sixteen survivors. Just as Xue Ge’s group faced five giant snakes, a blond man arrived and destroyed them in an instant.

• Xue Ge chose to save people and persuaded Ameyuri to come with him, despite her warning that they might face each other in the third exam.
• Jiraiya crushed a giant snake and introduced himself to Kisame, Asuma, Ameno, and Guy.
• Orochimaru told Killer B, Shisui, Han, and Kari that exactly sixteen survivors remained and that they had passed the second exam.
• Xue Ge, Ameyuri, Kakashi, Karura, Muzi, and Aoba Yamashiro reunited and prepared to fight five giant snakes.
• A blond man arrived in a flash and crushed all five snakes’ heads before asking whether he was late.

After sixteen Genin survived the second exam, Hiruzen explained that the third exam would serve as a public contest of the villages’ strength and influence. He sent the candidates to rest before the third exam, scheduled for the following morning.

• Hiruzen and the village representatives reviewed the sixteen candidates who passed, noting the casualties and how many each village had advanced.
• Princess Lilan joined the representatives to visit the surviving candidates, while the Genin gathered in the hall and discussed the upcoming elimination rounds.
• Hiruzen entered with the representatives and examiners, congratulated the candidates, and announced that they would rest the next day before assembling at eight the following morning.
• Hiruzen explained that the joint exams promoted relations and developed Genin, but also acted as a proxy battlefield where candidates’ performances could affect their villages’ prestige and share of missions.
• Hiruzen urged the candidates to give everything in the third exam, while reminding them that friendship came first.

Orochimaru and Lin Yi studied the mutated giant snakes and connected their growth to Xue Ge’s unusual chakra, prompting Orochimaru to consider testing whether it could evolve kekkei genkai. That night, Orochimaru woke Xue Ge and asked him to come along for an experiment.

• Orochimaru and Lin Yi moved the laboratory equipment to Konoha Hospital and examined the mutated snakes.
• Lin Yi found that the snakes’ cells had grown larger and more numerous while their former vitality had disappeared.
• Orochimaru suspected that Xue Ge’s chakra had caused the snakes’ growth and wondered whether Xue Ge might be descended from the Uzumaki Clan.
• Orochimaru brought out a two-tomoe Sharingan and considered using Xue Ge’s chakra to evolve kekkei genkai.
• Orochimaru visited Xue Ge at night and asked him for help, and Xue Ge agreed to go with him.

Orochimaru anesthetized Xue Ge and collected samples from him, planning to prepare for a Cursed Seal transplant before Xue Ge’s upcoming exam. Lin Yi shared information she had copied from Danzo’s office, and Orochimaru began preparing the transplant while insisting that she protect Xue Ge’s experimental records.

• Orochimaru told Xue Ge that the snakes in the Forest of Death had been his and promised to handle the aftermath as he anesthetized him.
• After Xue Ge lost consciousness, Orochimaru collected tissue and plasma while Lin Yi assisted and explained that Xue Ge treated her with care because he cared about children.
• Orochimaru asked Lin Yi about her reports to Danzo, and she gave him a transcription of information concerning Xue Ge’s teacher.
• Orochimaru praised Lin Yi and reminded her to conceal everything about Xue Ge from Danzo in exchange for meeting her research needs.
• Orochimaru asked Lin Yi to bring the materials he had prepared so he could begin preparing for Xue Ge’s Cursed Seal transplant.

Shikaku Nara explained the lethal knockout rules for the third round and announced the first-round pairings. Xue Ge and Karura entered the arena for the opening match.

• Shikaku Nara told the sixteen Genin that they would fight in a knockout tournament where lethal force was allowed, though he would stop matches when death or serious injury was imminent.
• Shikaku Nara announced the eight first-round matchups, including Xue Ge against Karura, Asuma Sarutobi against Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy against Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Asuma resolved to test himself against Kakashi, while Guy enthusiastically promised not to hold back against Kisame.
• Ameno grew frightened when she drew Ameyuri Ringo, but she decided she still wanted to try fighting.
• Kakashi revealed he had borrowed Hatake Sakumo's sword and was saving it for the final, while Shisui hinted that he had a surprise of his own.
• Xue Ge and Karura walked into the arena as the first match was about to begin.

Xue Ge faced Karura in the first exam match and urged her not to give up, reminding her of the Kekkei Genkai she had been developing. Karura awakened her power and prepared to show him what she could do.

• Pakura recognized Xue Ge as the Genin who had helped kill a Kumogakure Jonin squad, and Hiruzen confirmed that he was not yet eight.
• Xue Ge and Karura began their match, and he easily broke through her Fire Release and shuriken attacks.
• Xue Ge stopped himself from striking Karura when he realized she was not even trying to defend herself, then urged her not to give up.
• Xue Ge told Karura that he had seen her developing a Kekkei Genkai and insisted that she had already awakened it.
• Karura gathered her resolve, surrounded herself with orange-red flames, and told Xue Ge to remember that he had asked for this.

Xue Ge fought Karura as she revealed and wielded her newly awakened Scorch Release, drawing Pakura’s astonished recognition from the stands. After Xue Ge’s attack wounded Karura, she transformed her vortex of flames into a storm of fiery senbon, leaving him preparing to dodge.

• Karura released orange-red flames and used Scorch Release: Ghost Lantern to cancel Xue Ge’s Great Breakthrough, then attacked with Flame Flying Wings.
• Xue Ge shattered the fiery wings with a Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere and advanced, but Karura’s Flame Vortex Wall erupted from the ground and forced him back.
• Pakura confirmed that Karura had Scorch Release and realized Karura might inherit her legacy.
• Xue Ge increased the pressure with his chakra threads as Karura resolved to keep fighting and used the Flame Vortex Wall to defend against his aerial approach.
• Xue Ge pierced the wall with Strangling Line: Impalement, wounding Karura’s shoulder and thigh, and Karura reshaped the flames into fiery senbon with Scorch Release: Flame-Burst Fireworks.

Xue Ge survived Karura’s devastating Scorch Release ultimate and won their genin match. Karura revealed the name of her final technique, Dragon Head Jewel, before Shikaku Nara announced Xue Ge’s victory and advancement from the first group.

• Xue Ge blocked Karura’s Scorch Release flames with a Rasengan and sacrificed his prosthetic limbs to shield himself.
• Karura expanded her Flame Vortex Wall and formed a powerful Scorch Release technique while Xue Ge pursued her.
• Karura launched Dragon Head Jewel, and Xue Ge escaped its enormous blast with the Body Flicker Technique.
• Karura ran out of strength, and Xue Ge held his fingers at her neck to end the match.
• Karura asked Xue Ge what he thought of her ultimate move, and he praised its power before she named it Dragon Head Jewel.
• Shikaku Nara raised Xue Ge’s arm and declared that Waterbird River Xue Ge advanced from the first group.

Xue Ge defeated Karura in a brief, destructive match, and Pakura offered to train Karura after recognizing their shared kekkei genkai. Because the arena was badly damaged, Shikaku postponed the second match until two that afternoon.

• Xue Ge and Karura finished their match, leaving the arena badly damaged by their ninjutsu.
• Pakura recognized Karura's techniques and invited her to become her student; Karura eagerly agreed.
• Xue Ge rejoined the Konoha genin, where Muzi, Shisui, Kakashi, and Asuma discussed his victory and their upcoming matches.
• Shikaku announced that the second match was postponed until two that afternoon so Konoha could repair the arena.

Killer B defeated Aburame Ryoma in the afternoon match, advancing from the second group. Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi then faced each other for the third match, but their fight had not yet begun.

• Killer B and Aburame Ryoma exchanged the Seal of Confrontation and began their match.
• Killer B overwhelmed Ryoma with his speed, strength, and lightning-enhanced swords, and Shikaku Nara stopped him just before the blades struck Ryoma's neck.
• Shikaku Nara declared Killer B the winner and advanced him from the second group.
• Dodai praised Killer B and predicted that he would win the combat tournament, while Hiruzen welcomed the challenge.
• Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi exchanged the Seal of Confrontation and spoke about their old rivalry before preparing to fight.

Asuma pushed Kakashi with an all-out burst of speed and Wind Release, revealing a new technique that shattered Kakashi’s Kunai and forced him to retreat. Xue Ge noticed that Asuma was smiling as he fought, and the match remained unresolved.

• Kakashi defeated Asuma in close combat, slamming him into the ground with a scissor-leg maneuver.
• Asuma recalled his long-standing rivalry with Kakashi and resolved not to lose, then intensified his Kunai attacks until he cut off a lock of Kakashi’s hair.
• Asuma lit a cigarette, drew his twin Chakra Blades, and asked Kakashi to use the blade on his back, but Kakashi declined.
• Asuma overwhelmed Kakashi with a fierce flurry of attacks and used Wind Release to form his Jade Blade, shattering Kakashi’s Kunai.
• Kakashi blocked Asuma’s next strike with another Kunai, retreated, and threw Shuriken as Asuma pressed his attack; Xue Ge and Muzi noticed Asuma was smiling.

Kakashi defeated Asuma in their match after using clones and a hidden Earth Release technique to evade Asuma’s explosive attack, then ending the fight with Chidori. Asuma accepted the loss but vowed to catch up to Kakashi.

• Kakashi and Asuma fought with Shadow Clones, and Asuma used Dust Cloud Technique and Ash Pile Burning to engulf his opponents in an explosion.
• Kakashi revealed that the opponents Asuma had fought were Shadow Clones and used Headhunter Jutsu to seize Asuma from underground.
• Asuma cut at his own ankles to escape Kakashi’s grip, but Kakashi emerged first and charged with Chidori, shattering Asuma’s twin knuckle blades.
• Kakashi stopped Chidori before striking Asuma, and Asuma acknowledged that he had lost.
• Asuma made the Seal of Reconciliation and promised to catch up to Kakashi, who agreed to wait for him.

Ameyuri Ringo brutally defeated Ameno in their Chunin Exam match, leaving her seriously wounded and unconscious. Baki vowed to face Ameyuri later, while Xue Ge warned Shisui and Kakashi that she was dangerous and meant them harm.

• Shikaku praised Kakashi after his match with Asuma, and Muzi scolded Asuma for risking his ankle.
• Ameyuri Ringo entered the arena for her match against Ameno, and Baki urged Ameno to forfeit because he feared Ameyuri would go too far.
• Ameno chose to fight, but Ameyuri struck her in their first exchange and left her unconscious with a severe cross-shaped chest wound.
• Baki rushed to check Ameno and threatened to defeat Ameyuri in a later match, while Ameyuri gleefully challenged him.
• Pakura and Ao argued over Kirigakure's brutality, and Xue Ge warned Shisui and Kakashi to be careful around Ameyuri.

Shisui defeated Han in the fifth match by layering genjutsu until he could place a kunai at Han’s throat. The sixth match began with Might Guy facing Kisame.

• Shisui and Han formed the Seal of Confrontation, and Han charged at Shisui.
• Shisui used several genjutsu, but Han repeatedly broke free and pressed his attack.
• Shisui layered a Sharingan genjutsu over the others, leaving Han unaware as Shisui moved behind him and held a kunai to his throat.
• Shikaku declared Shisui the winner, while Kitsuchi and Hiruzen discussed Shisui’s Three-Tomoe Sharingan and Konoha’s talent.
• Might Guy and Kisame entered the arena for the sixth match.

Might Guy and Kisame Hoshigaki faced off in the tournament, trading blows until Guy removed his leg weights and overwhelmed Kisame with his speed. Guy caught Kisame in the Front Lotus and drove him headfirst toward the ground.

• Guy and Kisame introduced themselves before beginning their match.
• Guy and Kisame exchanged attacks, with Guy's strength and Taijutsu giving him a slight advantage.
• Guy removed the heavy iron weights from his legs and warned Kisame that he would speed up.
• Guy struck Kisame with a rapid sequence of attacks and launched him into the air.
• Guy wrapped Kisame with his bandages and began the Front Lotus.

Might Guy and Kisame fought fiercely in the arena, with Guy’s taijutsu initially overwhelming Kisame before Kisame used Water Release to keep him at a distance. As Kisame pressed his advantage, Guy opened the Gate of Healing to push beyond his limits.

• Guy slammed Kisame into the arena floor, but Kisame escaped the blow with a Water Clone Technique.
• Kisame attacked with the Great Waterfall Technique and Water Shark Bullet Technique, while Guy dodged and countered with kicks.
• Kisame used successive Water Release attacks to keep Guy at a distance, gradually wearing him down.
• Guy leaped into the air and opened the second of the Eight Gates, the Gate of Healing.

Might Guy opened the Gate of Life and overwhelmed Kisame with his speed and strength, finishing him with a crushing kick that sent him into the arena wall. After the battle, Shisui reminded Xue Ge and Kakashi that Guy had been saving his final move for them.

• Guy opened the third gate, the Gate of Life, and shattered Kisame’s Water Fang Bullet with the force of his wind pressure.
• Guy struck Kisame repeatedly, breaking through his Water Release and battering him through the air with a barrage of kicks.
• Guy charged Kisame and delivered his final kick, smashing Kisame and his sword into the arena wall.
• Killer B, Gari, Han, Baki, Ameyuri, and the other spectators reacted in shock to Guy’s strength, while Muzi noticed the strain the technique placed on his body.
• Shisui told Xue Ge and Kakashi that Guy had originally been saving his final move for them, leaving both of them sweating nervously.

Might Guy defeated Kisame with the Eight Gates Released Formation, forcing the first round to pause while the arena was repaired. That night, Pakura thanked Xue Ge for helping a Sunagakure shinobi awaken a kekkei genkai, while Orochimaru discovered that Xue Ge’s cells had extraordinary compatibility with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and wanted more experimental material.

• Might Guy knocked Kisame unconscious, and Shikaku Nara declared Guy the winner of Group Six.
• The arena was damaged, so the competition paused and Group Seven’s match was postponed until the following morning.
• Xue Ge reviewed the day’s fighters from Hokage Rock and worried about how powerful Might Guy’s final move was.
• Karura brought Pakura to meet Xue Ge, and Pakura thanked him for helping a Sunagakure shinobi awaken a kekkei genkai and saving its wielder’s life.
• Orochimaru found that Xue Ge’s cells were compatible with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and resolved to obtain more experimental material without Danzo finding out.

Orochimaru considered using Xue Ge’s cells to catalyze the evolution of a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. After waking in the hospital, Kisame reflected on his loss to Guy and resolved to prepare for their next fight.

• Orochimaru wondered whether Xue Ge’s Kekkei Genkai could catalyze the Sharingan’s evolution and decided to try it despite the risk of ruining the eye.
• Kisame regained consciousness in Konoha Hospital, where Ameyuri told him that Guy had beaten him and that he had performed well.
• Ameyuri teased Kisame about Guy’s age and said she wanted to fight Xue Ge, while Kisame asked about the second-round matchups.
• Ameyuri left after telling Kisame to rest and asking him to cheer her on in her match the next day.
• Kisame reviewed Guy’s speed, strength, and chakra, then resolved to develop long-range ninjutsu and build up his chakra before facing him again.

The final two matches of the first round ended with Baki advancing after Muzi conceded and Gari defeating Aoba Yamashiro with his Explosion Release. The eight advancing contestants were named, and the second round was set to begin that morning.

• Muzi conceded to Baki, who advanced without fighting.
• Gari shattered Aoba Yamashiro's Great Fireball with Landmine Fist and countered his close-range attacks by exploding on contact.
• Kitsuchi and Hiruzen discussed Gari's rare kekkei genkai and Iwagakure's interest in developing his abilities.
• Aoba Yamashiro conceded after Gari countered his ninjutsu, ending the first round.
• Xue Ge, Kakashi Hatake, Shisui Uchiha, Might Guy, Ameyuri Ringo, Baki, Gari, and Killer B advanced to the top eight, and the second round was scheduled to begin that morning.