Chapter Summaries

After learning the truth about Itachi, Sasuke nearly succumbed to despair, but Naruto and Sakura helped him face his feelings and accept their support. Sasuke regained his resolve, and Su Yu asked him to reconsider why he wanted to become stronger.

• Naruto and Sakura urged Sasuke not to let grief and guilt consume him, reminding him that Itachi had cared for him and that they would stand by him.
• When Sasuke could not say how he felt about Itachi, Naruto punched him and challenged him to stop running from his feelings.
• Sasuke broke down, apologized to Itachi, and released the grief and guilt he had kept buried since the clan massacre.
• Naruto offered Sasuke a hand, and Sasuke accepted it before insisting that he was not a coward; Sakura and Kakashi showed their relief.
• Su Yu reappeared and asked Sasuke how he now felt about why he wanted to become stronger.

After Kakashi questioned Su Yu about his knowledge and power, Su Yu told him not to approach as Konoha’s representative. The next day, Su Yu told Naruto that Jiraiya had returned and brought him to meet his father’s teacher, only for Naruto to find Jiraiya peeping into the women’s hot spring.

• Sasuke and Sakura accepted Su Yu’s offer to train them in three days, while Kakashi stayed behind to ask Su Yu who he was and how he knew so much.
• Su Yu warned Kakashi that he would not tolerate anyone in Konoha crossing him, and Kakashi left after agreeing to meet him only as Naruto’s teacher or in a personal capacity.
• Su Yu told Naruto that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha and was his father’s teacher, then asked Naruto if he wanted to meet him.
• Su Yu brought Naruto to a hot spring, where Naruto saw Jiraiya peeping into the women’s bathing area and realized he was his grandmaster.
• Jiraiya fell from the wall after hearing someone cough beside him.

Jiraiya caught Naruto and Su Yu near the bathhouse and learned that Naruto was Minato’s son, while Su Yu’s knowledge and mysterious origins made him suspicious. Jiraiya demanded that Su Yu come before the Hokage, but Naruto stood by his friend as Jiraiya prepared to force the issue.

• Jiraiya fell from the wall after Naruto and Su Yu caught him peeping, then tried to excuse himself by calling it research for Icha Icha Paradise.
• Naruto recognized Jiraiya as his father’s teacher, and Jiraiya realized Naruto was Minato’s son.
• Naruto told Jiraiya that Su Yu had revealed his identity and return to Konoha, prompting Jiraiya to question Su Yu’s background.
• Su Yu refused Jiraiya’s demand to explain himself to the Hokage, and Jiraiya threatened to take him there by force.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto to step aside, but Naruto firmly chose to stand with Su Yu.

Su Yu created an isolated space so Naruto and Jiraiya could spar, and Naruto overwhelmed Jiraiya with his Shadow Clones and clever tactics. Jiraiya was knocked to the ground after Naruto used the Transformation Technique to ambush him, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Su Yu stretched the space around them into an open battlefield and warned Jiraiya not to underestimate Naruto.
• Naruto summoned twenty Shadow Clones and sent them charging at Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya used his Wild Lion's Mane Technique, but Naruto's unusually durable clones broke free and struck him hard.
• Jiraiya coated the clones in oil and burned them with Flame Bullet Barrage, making them disappear in smoke.
• Naruto used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as a kunai, had a Shadow Clone throw him, and kicked Jiraiya from behind.
• Jiraiya crashed to the ground after realizing Naruto had tricked him.

Naruto and Jiraiya fought until Jiraiya’s flames trapped Naruto, prompting Naruto to draw on Kurama’s chakra and reveal he could remain conscious with three tails. Jiraiya learned that Naruto and Kurama were friends and became increasingly wary of Su Yu’s mysterious strength.

• Jiraiya and Naruto fought evenly in Taijutsu before Jiraiya pulled back and chose to attack with Ninjutsu.
• Jiraiya used Fire Release: Flame Bullet Barrage, surrounding Naruto with a sea of fire as Su Yu warned him to use Sage Mode.
• Naruto called on Kurama, who lent him chakra, and Naruto’s three-tailed aura extinguished the flames.
• Jiraiya panicked at Naruto’s transformation and asked Su Yu to restrain him, but Naruto remained conscious and said he was friends with Kurama.
• Su Yu said he had persuaded Kurama to help Naruto, leaving Jiraiya to suspect Su Yu was powerful enough to rival a Tailed Beast.

Naruto and Jiraiya sparred until Jiraiya used a Big Ball Rasengan, which made Naruto eager to learn his father’s technique. Su Yu returned them to the hot spring and began to show Naruto something about the Rasengan.

• Jiraiya summoned Fukasaku and Shima and entered Sage Mode to face Naruto.
• Naruto and Jiraiya exchanged powerful attacks, and Naruto used a chakra hand from underground to knock Jiraiya off balance and throw him.
• Jiraiya formed a five-meter Sage Art: Big Ball Rasengan and told Naruto that Minato had created it.
• Naruto ended the spar and asked Jiraiya to teach him the Big Ball Rasengan.
• Su Yu transported Naruto and Jiraiya back outside the hot spring, then raised his hand to show Naruto something.

Su Yu demonstrated that he could use the Rasengan and Wood Release, then agreed to teach Naruto the Rasengan. Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed Su Yu’s mysterious origins and overwhelming strength, leaving Hiruzen shocked to learn that Su Yu had used the First Hokage’s Wood Release.

• Su Yu formed a Rasengan, surprising Jiraiya, who wondered whether Su Yu had a connection to Minato.
• Su Yu used Wood Release to grow a towering tree, and Naruto asked him to teach the Rasengan during their month together.
• Jiraiya left Naruto and Su Yu, while Naruto reflected on his growing strength and renewed determination to become Hokage.
• Jiraiya met Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked what he knew about Su Yu; Hiruzen said Su Yu had appeared in Konoha recently and was stronger than him.
• Jiraiya warned Hiruzen against moving against Su Yu and revealed that he had personally seen Su Yu use the First Hokage’s Wood Release.

Su Yu began planning a month of special training for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, recommending paths tailored to Sasuke and Sakura. The chapter ended with Sakura struggling to choose between Medical Ninjutsu and Illusion Techniques.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others failed to reach a conclusion about the source of Su Yu's Wood Release.
• Su Yu took Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to a forest clearing and outlined their Taijutsu and individual training.
• Su Yu recommended that Sasuke pursue awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan and develop his Lightning Release, explaining Itachi's eye techniques.
• Su Yu proposed using an illusion with Sasuke's memories temporarily sealed to stimulate his Mangekyō Sharingan awakening without harming anyone.
• Su Yu told Sakura she had talent in both Medical Ninjutsu and Illusion Techniques, and Sakura hesitated over which path to choose.

Sakura chose to learn illusion techniques, and Su Yu explained how the Kurama Clan’s five-senses Kekkei Genkai could evolve into Yin Release, allowing its user to create reality. He demonstrated the power by conjuring a catastrophic storm that destroyed a forest, leaving Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto awestruck.

• Sakura chose illusion techniques so she could fight alongside her teammates, and Su Yu introduced her to the Kurama Clan’s Kekkei Genkai.
• Su Yu explained that the Kekkei Genkai could control an enemy’s five senses but was rare to master and risked exhausting the user’s mental energy.
• Su Yu said the ability could evolve into Yin Release, which could create tangible things, injure enemies, and repair teammates’ wounds.
• Su Yu explained that Yin Release was connected to the Sage of Six Paths, prompting Sasuke and Naruto to recognize the legendary figure.
• Su Yu demonstrated the evolved ability by creating lava, lightning, and tornadoes that devastated a forest, leaving Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto stunned.

Su Yu trained Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, while a White Zetsu clone reported Su Yu’s powers to Tobi and Hiruzen watched the forest’s destruction from afar. Sakura completed her physical training and Naruto advanced his Rasengan practice, while Sasuke awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan in both eyes after reliving his family’s deaths in an illusion; Su Yu planned to teach him Chidori while he recovered.

• White Zetsu told Tobi that Su Yu had destroyed his clone while demonstrating powerful abilities, and Tobi decided to leave Su Yu alone for now.
• Sasuke completed basic Taijutsu training in seven days, and Sakura finished in ten after repeatedly pushing herself past her limits.
• Su Yu restored Sakura’s strength, and she punched Naruto for celebrating too loudly after he burst a rubber ball with chakra.
• Su Yu taught Naruto the next Rasengan step: spinning chakra in one hand while keeping a balloon intact.
• Sasuke awoke with three tomoe in both eyes after experiencing his family’s murder in Su Yu’s illusion, and Su Yu told him to recover before learning Chidori.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura demonstrated the techniques they had trained over the past month. Sasuke revealed his Mangekyō abilities, while Su Yu restored Sakura after her exhausting display.

• Naruto kept practicing the Rasengan and, by the last day of the month, used it to topple a large tree.
• Sasuke demonstrated Chidori, cutting through five trees with his Sharingan-enhanced charge.
• Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi to burn a tree and shape the black flames; Su Yu had removed the Mangekyō's side effects.
• Sakura used her Yin Release technique to create flames, rocks, and lightning, then nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
• Su Yu reassured Naruto and Sasuke that Sakura was fine and sent her a ball of green light to restore her strength.

After a month of training under Su Yu, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the Chunin Ninja Exams’ final stage, where Orochimaru prepared to continue his Konoha Crush plan. Naruto’s first match was announced against Neji, who faced him with growing fear and doubt about fate.

• Su Yu ended Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura’s month of special training, and they celebrated with ramen.
• Orochimaru, disguised as Kazekage Rasa, decided to proceed with his plan to attack Konoha despite fearing Naruto’s power.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura headed to the final stage, and Naruto told them the Nine-Tails had identified Gaara as a fellow jinchūriki.
• Sasuke warned Naruto about Neji’s Byakugan and Gentle Fist, while Naruto said he had promised Hinata he would beat Neji.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi began the final stage, and Gekko Hayate announced Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga as the first match.
• Neji entered the arena feeling afraid of Naruto and questioning whether fate could be changed.

Naruto confronted Neji's belief that the Caged Bird Seal made his life unchangeable, overpowering Neji's Rotation with a tremendous punch and challenging him to face reality. Neji resumed his defense, and Naruto charged at him with a Rasengan as Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the technique.

• Naruto revealed his anger at Neji's fatalism after seeing the Caged Bird Seal branded on Neji's forehead.
• Neji used Rotation to block Naruto's punch, but the blow drove him and his spinning defense nearly ten meters backward.
• Neji explained the Branch Family's seal and how his father died in place of Hyuga Hiashi, then insisted that his own fate was inescapable.
• Naruto argued that Neji was using fate as an excuse to run away and pointed to Hinata's determination despite her suffering.
• Neji activated Rotation again as Naruto formed a Rasengan and charged at him; Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the technique.

Naruto defeated Neji by breaking through Rotation with the Rasengan, then promised to help free the Hyuga Branch Family from the Caged Bird Seal. After Hiashi decided to tell Neji the truth about his father’s sacrifice, the arena was repaired and Sakura’s match against Dosu began.

• Naruto drove his Rasengan through Neji’s Rotation, creating a crater and leaving Neji too injured to continue.
• Naruto told Neji not to dismiss hard work and promised to help abolish the Caged Bird Seal if he became Hokage.
• Gekko Hayate declared Naruto the winner, and medical personnel carried Neji from the arena.
• Hyuga Hiashi recalled that Hizashi had chosen to die in his place to protect Konoha, then left to tell Neji the truth.
• Naruto rejoined Sasuke and Sakura in the stands as Earth Release ninja repaired the arena.
• Gekko Hayate announced Sakura Haruno versus Dosu, while Dosu focused on impressing Orochimaru and underestimated Sakura.

Sakura used her newly learned Illusion Technique Domain to overcome Dosu’s sound-based attack and trap him in an arena of splitting earth and pursuing flames. Dosu fought back and charged toward her, leaving their match unresolved.

• Ino worried that Dosu would seriously hurt Sakura, but Sakura entered the arena confident in her month of training with Su Yu.
• Dosu rushed Sakura and unleashed Resonating Echo Drill beside her ear, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.
• Sakura endured the sound waves, retreated, and used an Illusion Technique to clear their effects.
• Sakura expanded her Illusion Technique Domain, making the ground split and flames appear to chase Dosu as spectators and ninja watched in astonishment.
• Dosu used sonic blasts to shatter the flames, but Sakura surrounded him with more; he broke through them and charged toward her.

Sakura defeated Dosu with repeated lightning strikes, and the next match began with Sasuke facing Gaara. Sasuke stunned the arena by blitzing past Gaara’s sand and knocking him down, leaving Kakashi doubting his own teaching.

• Sakura struck Dosu with lightning until he collapsed unconscious, and Gekko Hayate declared her the winner.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reconsidered how much Su Yu’s training had changed Sakura, while Sakura reunited with Naruto and Sasuke.
• Sasuke and Gaara entered the arena for their match as spectators eagerly watched the last Uchiha face the Sand ninja.
• Gaara sent a massive wave of sand at Sasuke, but Sasuke ran along the wall and kicked him from behind before the sand could protect him.
• Kakashi watched Sasuke’s speed and felt dejected about how much Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke had improved under Su Yu in just one month.

Sasuke overwhelmed Gaara with his speed and strikes, driving him to raise his Sand Defense and prepare a powerful technique. The chapter ended as Sasuke formed Kakashi’s Chidori to break through the shell.

• Lee watched Sasuke’s speed and strength with dismay, while Guy noticed Lee’s distress.
• Gaara recovered from Sasuke’s first blow and attacked him with waves of sand, but Sasuke dodged and struck him in the face, cracking his Sand Armor.
• Gaara gathered his chakra-infused sand into Absolute Sand Defense as Temari and Kankuro realized he had abandoned their mission.
• Gaara formed a Sand Eye above the shell and prepared a technique while its spikes wounded Sasuke’s face and blocked his attacks.
• Sasuke chose Chidori over Amaterasu and formed the lightning technique, leaving Kakashi stunned.

Sasuke pierced Gaara’s sand shell with Chidori, drawing blood and provoking a monstrous sand claw before Gaara emerged, shaken but still human. As a genjutsu put most of the spectators to sleep, the surviving ninja gathered and learned that Orochimaru was behind the attack.

• Sasuke used his three-tomoe Sharingan to dodge Gaara’s sand spikes and pierce the shell with Chidori, wounding Gaara’s shoulder.
• A huge sand claw reached through the hole and nearly crushed Sasuke’s hand, but he escaped and glimpsed a beastly eye inside the shell.
• The sand shell collapsed, revealing a bloodied and shaken Gaara, while Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and Sasuke realized the Tailed Beast had not emerged.
• Kabuto Yakushi disguised as an Anbu member helped trigger the Temple of Nirvana Technique, sending most spectators into a deep sleep.
• Kakashi, Might Guy, Naruto, Sakura, Temari, and Kankuro resisted the genjutsu, and a familiar voice told Kakashi that Orochimaru was behind it.

Su Yu revealed that Orochimaru and Sunagakure had launched the Konoha Crush Plan as Sound Ninja attacked the spectators. Orochimaru abducted Hiruzen Sarutobi and trapped him inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, where he exposed his disguise as the Kazekage.

• Su Yu told Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura that Orochimaru's subordinates were behind the disturbances and that Sasuke could counter Orochimaru.
• Sound Ninja attacked the spectators, and Naruto and Sakura quickly defeated them.
• Su Yu explained that Orochimaru had joined forces with Sunagakure to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan, prompting Kakashi and the others to look toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Kazekage.
• Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, arranged for Namiashi Raidō to be incapacitated and seized Hiruzen Sarutobi while Sand Ninja blocked the Anbu.
• The Sound Four trapped Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, and Orochimaru revealed his identity to Hiruzen.

Orochimaru attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi as Sand Ninja invaded Konoha and a three-headed snake smashed through its wall. At the arena, Naruto defeated Kabuto, while Sasuke intercepted Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara as they tried to escape.

• Sand Ninja ambushed Konoha's guards while a giant three-headed snake broke through the village wall.
• Orochimaru slashed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Sound Ninja disguised as spectators blocked Kakashi and the others from reaching them.
• Naruto struck Kabuto with a Rasengan, and Kabuto collapsed when his chakra stopped responding.
• Temari and Kankuro tried to take Gaara to a prearranged location while Baki confronted Gekko Hayate.
• Sasuke appeared before Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara with a lightning attack as they attempted to leave.