Recaps

Shihōin Naraku reviewed his new abilities after drawing Shukaku’s chakra and absorbing two blades, then was ordered to protect Naruto Uzumaki on his first mission outside the village. Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, and Tazuna departed for the Land of Waves.

• Shihōin Naraku confirmed that Kurikara’s weight adapted to him and learned his mental strength made him immune to genjutsu, including Kotoamatsukami and Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Shihōin Naraku considered selling a signed copy of Icha Icha Paradise to Jiraiya, then admitted he had skipped work for a week while training.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shihōin Naraku to protect Naruto Uzumaki during the Land of Waves mission and told him to prioritize bringing Naruto home if danger arose.
• Shihōin Naraku accepted the assignment, and Hiruzen Sarutobi warned him to avoid causing a commotion on the trip.
• Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, and Tazuna left Konohagakure for the Land of Waves, where their mission was to deal with petty thugs.

Shihōin Naraku discovered that Zabuza Momochi had vanished after a battle in the Land of Waves, and he and Kakashi Hatake let Team 7 continue the bridge-protection mission without their help. Kakashi then faked an injury, leaving Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to handle the threats themselves.

• Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha dealt with ambushing thugs as Kakashi Hatake's team traveled to the Land of Waves, while Zabuza Momochi never appeared.
• Shihōin Naraku sent ANBU to investigate and learned that Gato had been killed in a battle and Zabuza Momochi had disappeared.
• Shihōin Naraku told Kakashi Hatake that Zabuza had left and that only weak thugs and low-level Ninja remained in the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi Hatake led Team 7 in protecting civilians building the bridge and clearing out attacks from thugs and low-level Ninja.
• Kakashi Hatake pretended to be badly injured, leaving Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to plan how to complete the mission.

Naruto Uzumaki and his teammates completed the bridge mission, and the Land of Waves celebrated the newly finished Great Naruto Bridge as Konoha prepared to secure it. Back in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s leadership discussed Sunagakure’s decision to bring the One-Tail Jinchuriki to the chunin exams, while Shihōin Naraku warned that Sunagakure might act out of desperation.

• Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno improved their chakra control while Kakashi Hatake and Shihōin Naraku watched over their training.
• Shihōin Naraku explained that the bridge would extend Konoha’s influence, and Konoha arranged to station ninja there after Kirigakure failed to intervene.
• The bridge was completed, the people of the Land of Waves named it the Great Naruto Bridge, and Kakashi Hatake’s team returned to Konoha as garrison personnel headed to the bridge.
• Shihōin Naraku returned to the ANBU base and canceled the ANBU ninja’s time off, prompting Tenzo to ask Yamanaka Tsuki if she had reported them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisers debated why Sunagakure was sending the One-Tail Jinchuriki to the chunin exams, and Shihōin Naraku recommended increased surveillance of the Sand ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved surveillance of the One-Tail Jinchuriki but ordered the others left alone, then felt an unexplained unease as he looked over Konoha.

Orochimaru killed Fourth Kazekage Rasa and several Sunagakure Anbu Ninja, then headed toward Konoha as the village prepared to host the chunin ninja exams. As the exams approached, Shihōin Naraku inspected Konoha’s barrier while Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Kimimaro Kaguya watched the village from a nearby mountain.

• Orochimaru killed Fourth Kazekage Rasa and several Sunagakure Anbu Ninja in a desert canyon, while Kimimaro Kaguya’s illness worsened and Kabuto Yakushi helped with the ambush.
• Orochimaru praised Kabuto’s training under Naraku and looked forward to returning to Konoha to face his former teacher.
• Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi recommended their teams for the chunin ninja exams, and Konoha selected eighty-seven participants.
• Iruka-sensei objected to Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno taking the exams so soon, but Kakashi defended their readiness.
• Shihōin Naraku checked that the Barrier Team stayed alert as visitors poured into Konoha for the exams.
• Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Kimimaro Kaguya watched Konoha from a mountain as Orochimaru imagined the village destroyed.

Shihōin Naraku investigated Konoha’s sealed No. 0 Training Ground and discovered Shimura Danzō’s secret research base. Meanwhile, the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams began in the Forest of Death as Jiraiya considered returning to Konoha.

• Naruto Uzumaki’s speech ended the first round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and the candidates began the second round in the Forest of Death under Mitaraishi Anko’s supervision.
• Shihōin Naraku spotted Orochimaru disguised as a Kusagakure Ninja but left without exposing him, and Orochimaru noticed Naraku had been watching.
• Jiraiya heard that Sunagakure had brought the One-Tail Jinchuriki to the exams and considered visiting Konoha before becoming distracted by a beautiful woman.
• Shihōin Naraku entered the abandoned No. 0 Training Ground and evaded the guards by using Observation Haki to locate their ambushes.
• Shihōin Naraku found Shimura Danzō’s hidden laboratory, where Yashiro Ao and researchers were conducting Wood Release research and keeping several Sharingan in vessels.

Shihōin Naraku infiltrated Shimura Danzō’s base and found records of Konoha’s Wood Release experiments, along with evidence of Danzō’s attempts to implant Hashirama Senju’s cells and Sharingan. After returning to Konoha, he warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had returned and might be working with Sunagakure, and Hiruzen began issuing orders to prepare for the threat.

• Shihōin Naraku searched Shimura Danzō’s base and discovered documents showing that Konoha’s leaders had backed a deadly Wood Release experiment.
• Shihōin Naraku found preserved arms implanted with Hashirama Senju’s cells and Sharingan, then took the experimental records as evidence.
• Shihōin Naraku received reports about the skinned Kusagakure examinees and Sunagakure’s One-Tail Jinchuriki before bringing the intelligence to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Shihōin Naraku told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had returned and might be conspiring with Sunagakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi resolved to stop Orochimaru, approved comprehensive surveillance of the Sand shinobi in Konoha, and began giving Shihōin Naraku further instructions.

After Orochimaru’s return was confirmed, Konoha prepared for an attack while keeping the Chunin Ninja Exams underway. Shihōin Naraku checked on the exam and wondered whether Naruto and Sakura would reach the Trial Tower without Kabuto Yakushi’s help.

• Mitaraishi Anko reported that Orochimaru had returned after fighting her in the Forest of Death.
• Shikaku Nara announced Hiruzen Sarutobi’s orders to continue the exams, cancel leave for Chunin and higher-ranked ninja, and tighten village preparations.
• Shimura Danzō chose to wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death rather than warn or help his old friend.
• Shihōin Naraku visited Mitaraishi Anko in the Trial Tower and learned that five teams had arrived.
• Shihōin Naraku watched Genin hiding near the tower and wondered whether Naruto and Sakura could advance without Kabuto Yakushi.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries began after twenty-one candidates passed the Forest of Death, and Sasuke Uchiha was assigned to fight Akadō Yoroi. Shihōin Naraku confronted Orochimaru in a quiet standoff and warned Sasuke not to use his Sharingan, leaving Sasuke determined to win without it.

• Naruto Uzumaki and his teammates reached the Trial Tower with both scrolls just before the deadline, and Shihōin Naraku noticed Sasuke Uchiha's Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the Chunin Exams and announced preliminaries to reduce the number of candidates, while no genin withdrew.
• Mitaraishi Anko warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Sasuke Uchiha's Cursed Seal could flare up, but Hiruzen let Sasuke continue and told Anko to intervene if necessary.
• Kakashi Hatake quietly left to prepare, and Shihōin Naraku blocked Orochimaru, disguised as the Otogakure instructor, from following him.
• Genma Shiranui announced Sasuke Uchiha would fight Akadō Yoroi, an Otogakure spy, and Shihōin Naraku warned Sasuke not to use his Sharingan.
• Sasuke Uchiha accepted the warning and resolved to win the match without using his Sharingan.

The preliminaries continued as Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki won their matches, while Hinata Hyuga lost to Neji Hyuga and was rushed to the hospital. The chapter ended as Rock Lee and Gaara prepared to fight.

• Shihōin Naraku reassured Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno that Sasuke Uchiha would beat Akadō Yoroi, and Sasuke won by adapting Rock Lee's taijutsu.
• Kakashi Hatake took the exhausted Sasuke away for treatment after the match.
• Naruto Uzumaki defeated Kiba Inuzuka by using a fart to overwhelm his enhanced sense of smell.
• Hinata Hyuga lost to Neji Hyuga, was seriously injured, and was taken to the hospital after Shihōin Naraku treated her.
• Rock Lee and Gaara prepared for their match.

After Rock Lee was gravely injured fighting Gaara, Shihōin Naraku prepared to treat him while warning Might Guy that recovery was uncertain. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi continued preparing their invasion plan, with Sunagakure forces infiltrating the Land of Fire ahead of the third round.

• Gaara defeated Rock Lee by breaking his left arm and leg after Rock Lee used the Eight Gates Formation, and Might Guy intervened before the injuries became worse.
• Shihōin Naraku examined Rock Lee, warned that he might never be able to be a ninja again, and took him to Konoha Hospital.
• Shihōin Naraku told Might Guy that Rock Lee could recover but would need dangerous, lengthy surgery, and Might Guy went to speak with Rock Lee.
• Choji Akimichi won the final preliminary match against a Konoha genin who was secretly Orochimaru's spy, while Dosu advanced by bye.
• Kabuto Yakushi reported that Sunagakure had begun infiltrating the Land of Fire and that Orochimaru's hidden base was stocked with supplies.

Orochimaru prepared for the Konoha Crush Plan while Naruto Uzumaki slipped away from training and Jiraiya returned to Konoha. Shihōin Naraku reunited with his former teacher over drinks and asked whether he intended to teach Naruto.

• Orochimaru told Kabuto Yakushi to keep the Sunagakure delegation from noticing anything suspicious and ordered him to kill anyone who did.
• Naruto Uzumaki complained that Kakashi Hatake was giving Sasuke Uchiha special training, defeated Ebisu with the Sexy Jutsu, and wandered into the hot-spring district.
• Shihōin Naraku reviewed Rock Lee's medical record and concluded that Lee's recovery looked promising.
• Shihōin Naraku found Jiraiya watching Naruto sleep, and the two reunited before going for drinks.
• At the tavern, Shihōin Naraku asked Jiraiya whether he had found the Child of the Prophecy and whether he planned to take Naruto as a student.

Shihōin Naraku asked Jiraiya about Tsunade’s attempt to learn Sage Mode at Shikkotsu Forest and learned that she had failed to master it. After their long drinking session, Jiraiya discovered that Naraku had left him with the bill.

• Shihōin Naraku told Jiraiya that he would kill Orochimaru if he threatened Konoha, then asked whether Jiraiya had seen Tsunade recently.
• Jiraiya said he had seen Tsunade once and explained that he was avoiding Hiruzen Sarutobi to keep from being pressured into becoming the Fifth Hokage.
• Shihōin Naraku asked whether Tsunade had studied Sage Mode at Shikkotsu Forest, and Jiraiya confirmed that she had tried but failed to master it.
• Jiraiya suggested Naraku ask the Katsuyu Sage or Tsunade for guidance, while Naraku said he was too busy to study there for now.
• Shihōin Naraku and Jiraiya drank and talked until well past midnight, then Naraku left without Jiraiya noticing.
• Jiraiya prepared to leave and discovered that Naraku had left him to pay the tavern bill.

Zabuza Momochi and Haku trained against Deva Path Pain before joining Akatsuki’s meeting, where Zetsu reported a looming attack on Konoha involving Sunagakure, Otogakure, and Orochimaru. Deva Path Pain asked Uchiha Itachi whether Konoha would be destroyed, and Itachi answered no.

• Deva Path Pain and Konan watched Zabuza Momochi and Haku finish a punishing training fight, then ordered them to continue training the next day.
• Konan and Deva Path Pain proposed that Zabuza Momochi join Uchiha Itachi’s team as a full member, with Haku accompanying them as a trainee.
• Akatsuki members gathered for a meeting, where Zetsu reported Sunagakure’s forces assembling near Konoha, the Fourth Kazekage preparing to travel there, Otogakure troop movements, and Orochimaru’s involvement.
• Hidan and Kakuzu welcomed the prospect of going to Konoha, but Deva Path Pain silenced them and asked Uchiha Itachi whether Konoha would be destroyed.
• Uchiha Itachi answered that Konoha would not be destroyed.

Akatsuki decided to stay out of Orochimaru’s planned war against Konoha, while Deva Path Pain ordered Samehada stored rather than sold or given to Zabuza Momochi. As the Chunin Ninja Exams’ official matches approached, Orochimaru’s forces gathered near Konoha and the village prepared for the event, with Might Guy bringing the still-recovering Rock Lee to watch.

• Uchiha Itachi warned Akatsuki that Konoha would withstand Orochimaru’s attack, and Deva Path Pain decided Akatsuki would not join the war.
• Zetsu revealed that he had recovered Samehada after Shihōin Naraku burned Kisame Hoshigaki, and Kakuzu and Zabuza Momochi each showed interest in the sword.
• Deva Path Pain ordered Samehada put away, ending Akatsuki’s meeting without deciding who would claim it.
• Orochimaru’s Sunagakure and Otogakure forces assembled at a secret base near Konoha while the village prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams’ official matches.
• Might Guy brought the recovering Rock Lee to the exam arena, where the crowds and visiting dignitaries awaited the matches.

As Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara’s match began, Orochimaru’s Sand and Sound forces launched an invasion of Konoha during the Chunin Exam. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Rasa were engulfed in smoke as disguised attackers struck the spectators, and the operation began.

• Shihōin Naraku and Shikaku Nara reviewed Konoha’s defenses and prepared for a possible attack while the exam began.
• Shihōin Naraku watched Shimura Danzō in the Root base as the exam matches proceeded.
• Naruto Uzumaki defeated Neji Hyuga, while Kankuro forfeited and Dosu failed to appear, giving Choji Akimichi a win by default.
• Shikamaru Nara fought Temari, used his tactics to impress her, then conceded as his chakra ran low.
• Sasuke Uchiha used Chidori to injure Gaara, who briefly revealed the presence of One-Tail Shukaku.
• The Temple of Nirvana Technique put spectators to sleep, then Sand shinobi and Sound Ninja attacked as smoke engulfed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Rasa.

Sand shinobi and Sound ninja launched a coordinated attack on Konoha while Shikaku Nara organized the village’s defenses and searched for Shihōin Naraku. Naraku appeared at Root’s base and told Shimura Danzō he had come to execute him by order of Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaving Danzō in disbelief.

• Sand shinobi and Sound ninja attacked Konoha from within and without, while three enormous three-headed snakes charged toward the east, west, and north gates.
• Shikaku Nara ordered the village’s forces to hold their positions and counterattack, then learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi might have been taken hostage and that Naraku was missing.
• Konoha ANBU attacked one of the giant snakes, but its enhanced body resisted their explosives as Sand shinobi struck the defenders.
• Shihōin Naraku infiltrated Root’s base, where Shimura Danzō waited for news of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death.
• Naraku surprised Danzō with a sword attack, then announced that he had come to execute him by order of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Shimura Danzō denied that Hiruzen would order his execution, insisting their friendship would protect his life.

Shihōin Naraku overwhelmed Shimura Danzō’s Root forces, killing the attackers before Danzō could finish preparing for battle. Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune prepared to combine their abilities against Naraku, while Danzō’s next move remained uncertain.

• Shimura Danzō ordered Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune to buy him time as he prepared his Sharingan and arm for battle.
• Shihōin Naraku walked through a barrage of hidden weapons without being struck, then killed two attackers with Kurikara.
• Naraku redirected two ninja’s Fire Release and used Hinokami Kagura: Blue Heaven to burn them to ash.
• Naraku killed the last attacker with Lightning Release: False Darkness after forming just one hand seal.
• Aburame Torune released his rinkaichū, and Yamanaka Fū prepared to use the Mind Body Switch Technique while Torune tried to force Naraku back.

Shihōin Naraku burned through Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū’s coordinated attack, destroying Root’s base in a massive explosion. He survived the blast and resumed fighting Shimura Danzō, ending the chapter by severing Danzō’s Sharingan-covered right arm.

• Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune coordinated a Mind Clone Technique and insect attack against Shihōin Naraku, but Naraku unleashed Fire Release: Incineration and burned their assault away.
• Naraku’s flames and shock wave destroyed Root’s base and blasted a huge crater through the ground, while the eruption startled fighters across Konoha.
• Naraku climbed from the rubble, found Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū dead, and wondered where Shimura Danzō had gone.
• Shimura Danzō attacked Naraku with wind-based techniques, but Naraku dodged and deflected the attacks with Kurikara.
• Naraku hurled a wind release shuriken back at Danzō, severing his Sharingan-covered right arm.

Shihōin Naraku fought Shimura Danzō amid the ruins of the base, repeatedly killing him as Izanagi brought him back to life. After Danzō used Kotoamatsukami twice, Naraku still appeared to be unaffected, and the battle continued.

• Shihōin Naraku beheaded Shimura Danzō, but Danzō revived with Izanagi and attacked with a Wind Release projectile.
• Shihōin Naraku struck Danzō through the heart and beheaded him again, forcing him to revive twice more and unleash a fire technique.
• Shimura Danzō trapped Naraku in a Sharingan genjutsu and stabbed him, but Naraku was an illusion and cut Danzō in half.
• Shimura Danzō used Kotoamatsukami, but Shihōin Naraku kept moving and severed Danzō's throat.
• Shimura Danzō revived and activated Kotoamatsukami again as blood spattered across the ground.

After his tenth resurrection, Shimura Danzō questioned why Kotoamatsukami had failed against Shihōin Naraku and tried several techniques to defeat him. The fight ended with Danzō catching fire when he reached for Kurikara.

• Shimura Danzō asked why Kotoamatsukami had not worked, and Shihōin Naraku said he was immune to genjutsu.
• Shihōin Naraku attacked, but Shimura Danzō blocked Kurikara with a Wood Release technique and summoned Baku to pull Naraku toward its mouth.
• Shihōin Naraku transformed into flames, burned Baku, and escaped the suction and Danzō’s wind attack.
• Shimura Danzō used a Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique, but Shihōin Naraku blocked it with an Earth-Style Wall.
• Shimura Danzō reached for Kurikara, and flames erupted from the sword, igniting his arm and spreading across his body.

Shihōin Naraku reclaimed Kurikara after killing Shimura Danzō eleven times, then confronted him over his attempt to force Naraku into Root. Danzō tried to use the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, but Naraku stopped him and killed him.

• Shihōin Naraku reclaimed Kurikara, while Shimura Danzō’s repeated deaths left his Sharingan exhausted and his right eye blind.
• Shihōin Naraku told Shimura Danzō he hated him for trying to force him into Root and for transferring Shihōin Harumoto to the front lines after the clan refused.
• Shimura Danzō defended his actions as service to Konoha and revealed the sealing formula for his Reverse Four Symbols Seal.
• Shihōin Naraku used Conqueror’s Haki to interrupt the technique and cut off Shimura Danzō’s head.

Shihōin Naraku emerged from the destroyed Root base and rushed to defend Konohagakure as the invasion intensified. After destroying the giant snake at the East Gate, he learned Sunagakure had breached the South Gate and raced there to confront them.

• Shihōin Naraku confirmed Shimura Danzō was dead, left intelligence beside his corpse, and climbed out of the collapsed Root Organization Base.
• Shihōin Naraku surveyed the attacks on Konohagakure and changed course toward the East Gate after sensing the battle there.
• Jiraiya arrived at the West Gate and crushed the Three-Headed Brown Giant Snake with his enormous toad.
• Shihōin Naraku destroyed the enhanced giant snake at the East Gate with Fire Fist and ordered the remaining defenders to join him in reinforcing the South Gate.
• Shihōin Naraku discovered that Sunagakure ninja had breached the South Gate and raced toward them with Kurikara drawn.

Shihōin Naraku single-handedly stopped the Sunagakure vanguard from breaking through Konoha’s south gate, unleashing devastating attacks that destroyed the gate and surrounding area. After Konoha reinforcements arrived, he sat atop a mound of corpses and told Yamanaka Tsuki they had been slow.

• Sunagakure’s elite ninja broke through the south gate defenses and charged into Konoha.
• Shihōin Naraku attacked the vanguard with Kurikara and Hinokami Kagura, killing the attackers who had breached the line.
• The remaining Sand shinobi charged Shihōin Naraku with wind, weapons, poison, and sand, but he countered with flames, lightning, and wind that devastated the battlefield.
• Yamanaka Tsuki led Konoha reinforcements to the ruined south gate, where they found a vast crater and Shihōin Naraku seated atop a heap of corpses.
• Yamanaka Tsuki asked whether Shihōin Naraku was all right, and he replied that the reinforcements had been slow.

Shihōin Naraku defeated the Sunagakure force at the south gate, then sensed that Kimimaro Kaguya was still alive inside the barrier and might change Orochimaru’s fight with Hiruzen Sarutobi. At the exam venue, a massive blast shook the battlefield, and Orochimaru openly confirmed that he intended to destroy Konoha.

• Shihōin Naraku ordered Yamanaka Tsuki to pursue the wounded Sunagakure ninja and sent other teams to reinforce the exam venue.
• Shihōin Naraku used Observation Haki to sense the battle inside the barrier and discovered the gravely ill Kimimaro Kaguya lying nearby.
• Shihōin Naraku realized Kimimaro Kaguya might help Orochimaru and abruptly left Yamanaka Tsuki in charge of defending the south gate.
• Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy fought alongside Konoha’s reinforcements while protecting civilians from falling debris.
• A tremendous blast shook the exam venue, and Hiruzen Sarutobi accused Orochimaru of causing it.
• Orochimaru declared that he intended to destroy Konoha.

Kakashi Hatake fought Kabuto Yakushi at the exam venue while Shihōin Naraku defeated Sunagakure’s main force outside Konoha. Konoha reinforcements arrived and revealed that Naraku had handled more than a hundred enemy shinobi alone.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi attacked Orochimaru on the shaking roof, restarting their battle as the tremors from Naraku’s fight rocked the exam venue.
• Kakashi Hatake recognized Kabuto Yakushi beneath his disguise, and the two fought to a draw.
• Might Guy offered to help Kakashi, but Kakashi told him to face other enemies.
• Kabuto Yakushi spotted something unexpected and fled just as fresh Konoha troops arrived and joined the battle.
• A Konoha shinobi told Kakashi that Naraku had defeated Sunagakure’s force of more than a hundred shinobi and sent the remaining troops to reinforce the exam venue.