Recaps

Konoha and Sunagakure opened the third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams with speeches and an announcement of the preliminaries. After the candidates declined to withdraw, the first matchup was drawn: Sasuke Uchiha versus Akado Yoroi.

• Konoha’s spectators filled the arena as Sarutobi and Rasa took their places in the viewing stands.
• Sarutobi delivered a lengthy address, followed by Rasa’s brief speech about Sunagakure’s participation in the exams.
• Hayate took over the proceedings and asked whether any candidates wished to withdraw; no one did.
• The equipment drew Sasuke Uchiha and Akado Yoroi as the first opponents.
• Akado Yoroi glanced at Sasuke from beside Misumi Tsurugi.

Sasuke faced Akado Yoroi in the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Yoroi attacked with brass knuckles and Sasuke countered with Moonlight. As the duel continued, Yoroi’s chakra flared and Sasuke sensed he had become stronger.

• Sasuke stepped into the arena, and Akado Yoroi followed to face him.
• Rasa asked Sarutobi who would win, and Sarutobi predicted that Sasuke’s talent and hard work would give him the advantage.
• Hayate began the duel, and Akado Yoroi charged Sasuke with brass knuckles.
• Sasuke dodged Yoroi’s first swing, blocked his follow-up with Moonlight’s scabbard, then drew his sword.
• Yoroi’s chakra spread through his body, and Sasuke sensed that his opponent had become a little stronger.

Sasuke defeated Akado Yoroi, and several other preliminary matches ended in victories for Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba. The next match paired Naruto with Misumi Tsurugi, who entered determined to prove himself, while Naruto greeted the referee before the fight began.

• Sasuke used a lightning-fast strike with Moonlight to defeat Akado Yoroi, then assured Gekko Hayate that he had only caused superficial injuries.
• Shikamaru defeated Kin by using the shadows cast by her bell strings, and Shino defeated Zaku Abumi by having insects seal his chakra.
• Kiba and Akamaru found and attacked Kankuro, winning after Kankuro's puppet Crow failed to move.
• The match screen named Naruto Uzumaki and Misumi Tsurugi as the next contestants, and Misumi resolved to defeat Naruto despite Orochimaru's warning.
• Naruto entered the arena and greeted Gekko Hayate, who warned him not to cozy up to the referee.

Naruto defeated Misumi Tsurugi, then publicly declared that he would find the true mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' Attack and answer for the victims. His speech left the arena stunned, while Gaara watched with anger and confusion.

• Misumi Tsurugi charged Naruto and cut his cheek with a kunai, and Naruto struck back with a kick that sent him crashing into the arena wall.
• Naruto healed Misumi with a few drops of his blood, then told him the Nine-Tails was not responsible for the attack and that someone else was behind it.
• Naruto addressed the arena, promising to bring back the mastermind and give everyone an account for what happened in the Nine-Tails' Attack.
• Sasuke realized Naruto had lowered his guard because he sensed Misumi's hatred and had used the match to speak to the crowd, while Gaara struggled to understand why Naruto defended the monster.
• Hiruzen wiped away a tear as Hayate declared Naruto the winner and urged him to leave the arena.
• Naruto departed without questioning Misumi further, leaving Misumi bewildered and watching him with complicated emotions.

Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga faced each other in the tournament, revealing how much Neji had grown through Guy’s training. After Hinata defeated him, Neji looked to Guy and began sending chakra toward the Eight Gates.

• Naruto accepted encouragement from Sasuke, Kiba, and Akamaru before the next match was announced.
• The tournament paired Hinata Hyuga against Neji Hyuga, and Neji’s teammates urged him to fight without holding back.
• Neji attacked with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, but Hinata countered with her own Eight Trigrams Formation and unusual blue-green chakra.
• Hinata’s counterattack knocked Neji from the formation and sealed several of his chakra points, which he unsealed himself.
• Neji exchanged a look with Guy and began directing chakra toward the Eight Gates.

Hinata defeated Neji in the Chunin Exams after using her Byakugan to repel and attract him, while Neji surrendered after exhausting himself with the Eight Gates. The spectators reacted to the extraordinary strength of both fighters, and Baki was stunned by Hinata’s abilities.

• Neji opened the first five of the Eight Gates and pressed Hinata back with a barrage of powerful attacks.
• Hinata used Repulsion to block Neji’s shock waves, then used Attraction to pull him toward her.
• Hinata stopped Neji with Repulsion, and Neji surrendered; Gekko Hayate declared Hinata the winner.
• Naruto checked Hinata’s bruised arm and told her to use her eyes’ power against dangerous opponents.
• Rasa questioned how Hinata and Neji could be considered genin, while Baki stared in shock at Hinata’s control of attraction and repulsion.

After the arena was repaired, Sakura and Ino faced each other in the next match. Sakura trapped Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique in a genjutsu, and Ino surrendered, leaving Sakura the winner.

• Hayate oversaw the arena’s rapid repair, and the next-round draw paired Sakura with Ino.
• Sakura told Ino not to hold back, while Ino recalled their rivalry and resolved to fight seriously.
• Sakura and Ino exchanged Kunai blows before both began using their signature techniques.
• Sakura’s Cherry Blossom Dance genjutsu distorted Ino’s perceptions as Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique reached Sakura.
• Sakura stood over the disoriented Ino, who surrendered to Gekko Hayate and complimented Sakura’s genjutsu.

Kakashi followed Baki to the restroom, unaware that the man was actually Orochimaru using a White Zetsu disguise. Orochimaru returned to the stands and confirmed the attack was ready, leaving the invasion to begin once Gaara gave the signal.

• After Gaara and Rock Lee were matched, Baki left for the restroom and Kakashi followed him, suspicious of his behavior.
• Kakashi waited beside Baki's stall, while Orochimaru wondered whether Kakashi had seen through his disguise.
• Orochimaru escaped to an underground base, revealed himself, and explained that White Zetsu Number Two had taken his place as Baki.
• Orochimaru planned to use Gaara's transformation into Shukaku as the signal for Sunagakure and Otogakure to attack Konoha.
• White Zetsu Number Two returned to Rasa and assured him the preparations were complete, and Rasa said they would wait for Gaara's signal.

Rock Lee and Gaara began their Chunin Exam match, with Gaara using sand to control the arena and Lee showing off his strength by removing his leg weights. As Gaara escalated his attacks, Lee prepared to use the Eight Gates.

• Rock Lee entered the arena with an enthusiastic pose, and Gaara rode a flowing sand pathway down from the stands.
• Gaara attacked by forming a giant hand of sand beneath Lee, but Lee shattered the arena floor and dodged into the air.
• Lee threw off his leg weights, scattering Gaara's sand hands and crashing the weights into the arena floor.
• Gaara increased his chakra and spread more sand across the battlefield, making it harder for Lee to move and fight.
• Lee put distance between himself and Gaara, met Might Guy's eyes, and let chakra surge through his body as he prepared to use the Eight Gates.

Rock Lee opened more of the Eight Gates and severely injured Gaara, but his own body gave out before he could finish the fight. Gaara became possessed by Shukaku, and Rasa declared war on Konoha as Orochimaru revealed himself beside him.

• Rock Lee opened the Gate of Life and attacked Gaara, whose cracked body revealed that he was not a clone.
• Gaara trapped Rock Lee in sand and began Sand Burial, but Rock Lee opened the Gates of Pain and Limit and burst free with a powerful counterattack.
• Rock Lee struck Gaara repeatedly with the Reverse Lotus, but sand caught his foot and made him fall as his strength ran out.
• Might Guy conceded for Rock Lee, while Gaara, wounded and mentally overwhelmed, fell unconscious as Shukaku’s chakra emerged and possessed him.
• Sarutobi questioned Rasa about Gaara, and Rasa declared that Sunagakure was at war with Konoha.
• A barrier sealed off the stands, and Baki revealed himself as Orochimaru and greeted Sarutobi.

Orochimaru and Rasa’s plan to kill Sarutobi and invade Konoha began as Orochimaru’s barrier trapped them with the Hokage. As a genjutsu spread through the arena and Shukaku threatened to emerge, Shikamaru asked Naruto to deal with the tailed beast, while Hashirama and Minato learned that Sunagakure had declared war on Konoha.

• The Sound Four raised a chakra-fueled barrier around Sarutobi, Orochimaru, and Rasa, and Sarutobi told Kakashi to begin the operation.
• Sarutobi attacked Orochimaru with Enma transformed into the Gold-Banded Staff, but Rasa blocked the strike with gold dust and explained their plan to kill the Hokage and throw Konoha into panic.
• Orochimaru launched Wood Release cuttings as Sarutobi and Kakashi prepared to fight him and Rasa.
• A large-scale genjutsu spread through the arena, but ANBU and genjutsu specialists began freeing themselves and others from its effects.
• Shikamaru woke Choji by claiming his potato chips had been stolen, then asked Naruto to draw away the emerging Shukaku.
• Tobirama told Hashirama and Minato that Sunagakure and Orochimaru had declared war on Konoha and brought the One-Tail; Hashirama asked whether Sarutobi was in danger.

Shikaku organized Konoha’s defenses while Naruto confronted the newly awakened Shukaku, who mocked Kurama. Naruto summoned a towering Wood Human infused with Kurama’s chakra, leaving Shukaku shaken as the battle began.

• Shikaku took command of Konoha’s response and assigned fighters to defend the village and stop the invading Sand and Sound ninja.
• Shukaku awakened, celebrated his freedom, and taunted Kurama through the screen in Naruto’s Sealing Space.
• Naruto approached Shukaku, dodged his Violent Wind Bullet, and revealed Kurama’s chakra taking shape behind him.
• Naruto promised to beat Shukaku for Kurama and decided to draw him away from the spectators and villagers.
• Naruto used Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique to summon a towering Wood Human wrapped in a Wood Dragon, making Shukaku tremble.

Naruto and Hashirama defeated Shukaku after he tried to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb inside Konoha, and Gaara awakened as Shukaku returned to his seal. Hinata carried the injured Naruto and Gaara to the infirmary, where Naruto closed his eyes to rest.

• Naruto used the Wood Human to drag Shukaku, who shed and regrew his head before preparing a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Hashirama summoned Sage Art: Wood Release: True Tree Thousand Hands and battered Shukaku, then removed Gaara from Shukaku's belly as the seal took effect.
• Shukaku returned to his Sealing Space and Gaara awakened; Naruto and Gaara lay injured together in the grove, where a sparrow nuzzled Gaara.
• As the invasion began, Hinata noticed the enormous wooden statue and flew to Naruto, while Sasuke fought giant snakes in the arena.
• Hinata carried Naruto and Gaara to the infirmary, where Hizashi placed them on adjacent beds and Hinata stayed beside Naruto.

Konoha’s defenders defeated the invasion across all four streets while Kakashi and Sarutobi fought Orochimaru and Rasa inside the barrier. Orochimaru’s stand-in escaped with the Sound Four, leaving Rasa surrounded as the Thousand-Armed Kannon appeared.

• Might Guy, Gamahiro, Kurenai, Asuma, and Izumi fought off the attackers on East and West Streets, then Izumi directed the Uchiha to rescue villagers and repair damage.
• Itachi incapacitated the invaders on North Street with genjutsu, captured them, and left to support the Hokage.
• Tenzo used Deep Forest Emergence to overwhelm the attackers on South Street, ending the street battles in Konoha’s favor.
• Kakashi broke Orochimaru’s sword and severed his arm, while Sarutobi kept Rasa occupied; Orochimaru’s weak Wood Release revealed that he was a White Zetsu stand-in.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda, but Kakashi killed the giant snake with his Lightning Blade and Mangekyō; Orochimaru then fled underground with the Sound Four and other White Zetsu.
• The barrier dispersed, Shukaku vanished as the Thousand-Armed Kannon appeared, and Fugaku and Itachi exchanged a smile while Rasa remained alone in the stands.

Naruto woke in Konoha’s infirmary and Hinata cared for him while he recovered from his illness. The chapter ended with Sasuke offering to bring dinner to Fugaku at the infirmary and check on Naruto.

• Naruto woke at dusk, assured Hinata that he was feeling better, and ate porridge she had brought him.
• Neji watched Hinata feed Naruto and silently fumed, while Gaara slept as Temari kept vigil beside him.
• Temari reflected that Sunagakure had been decisively defeated and that Konoha was allowing her to care for Gaara under surveillance.
• Sarutobi assigned Fugaku to watch Temari and Gaara because Gaara was a jinchūriki.
• At home, Sasuke told Mikoto about defeating the giant snakes, then volunteered to take Fugaku dinner and check on Naruto.

Sarutobi forced Rasa to make Sunagakure a subordinate village of Konoha, and Rasa returned to announce the defeat while Gaara and his siblings remained behind. Naruto showed Gaara around Konoha and helped him settle in, leaving Gaara determined to earn money to live near Naruto.

• Sarutobi offered Rasa a choice between sending half of Sunagakure's missions to Konoha and making Sunagakure a subordinate village, and Rasa accepted the latter after Sarutobi threatened to destroy the village.
• Rasa left Konoha with the imprisoned Sand shinobi, while Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro stayed behind; Rasa later announced Sunagakure's new status, shocking the shinobi world and angering the daimyo of the Land of Wind.
• Naruto took Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro on a tour of Konoha, showing them the Hokage Building, several places he frequented, and the Fourth Training Ground.
• Naruto showed the siblings their apartment and explained that they could take missions to afford a different place to live.
• Gaara asked whether he could rent a place near Naruto's home and decided to take missions so he could earn enough money to move closer to him.

Mei Terumi led Kirigakure’s diplomatic delegation to Konoha to seek stronger ties and possibly bring Zabuza back. Meanwhile, Jiraiya took Naruto to Mount Myōboku to begin his Sage Mode training.

• Mei Terumi told Chōjūrō that Kirigakure needed greater strength and contact with the outside world, and hoped to discuss relations with Konoha and find a chance to bring Zabuza back.
• Mei Terumi and the delegation reached Konoha, where Izumo Kamizuki checked their pass and arranged for an escort.
• Tenzo arrived and led Mei Terumi’s delegation toward the Hokage Building.
• Jiraiya prepared Naruto for a stay at Mount Myōboku, explaining that Sage Mode training would require a quiet environment.
• Jiraiya used the Reverse Summoning Technique to travel to Mount Myōboku, and Naruto followed after saying goodbye to Konoha.

Naruto and Jiraiya met the sages of Mount Myōboku, where Naruto apologized for summoning the Great Toad Sage. Jiraiya then shared intelligence about a masked man and the secretive Akatsuki, whose existence Mei Terumi also reported at Konoha’s conference.

• Gamakichi led Naruto and Jiraiya toward the sages, and Gamabunta carried them the rest of the way.
• Naruto introduced himself to Gamabunta, who took him and Jiraiya to the sages’ house.
• Fukasaku greeted Naruto and warned him not to summon the Great Toad Sage again.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that a masked man had been seen in Iwagakure and had taken a young man who was now part of an organization called Akatsuki.
• Mei Terumi told the Konoha conference that the masked Mangekyō Sharingan user had taken a Kirigakure ninja who wielded a Ninja Blade, and that he had joined Akatsuki.

Naruto arrived at Mount Myōboku and faced Sage Shima’s feast of wriggling bugs, while Minato explained that he had secretly used Flying Thunder God to avoid eating such food. Jiraiya recounted how hunger had once driven him to try the sages’ cooking, leaving Naruto still unable to stomach it.

• Sage Shima welcomed Naruto and recalled Minato’s visits and his praise for her cooking.
• Naruto saw the dishes of steamed bugs and green caterpillar soup and nearly vomited, so Jiraiya blamed his discomfort on the ride and his full stomach.
• Naruto shouted at Minato through their link, and Kushina questioned Minato about whether he had eaten bugs before kissing her.
• Minato admitted that he had secretly transported the food out of his bowl with Flying Thunder God whenever the sages looked away.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that the sages had once prevented him from leaving, and he tried a bug skewer after days without food.

Naruto woke at Mount Myōboku and recoiled when Fukasaku explained that the insect he was using to clean windows was also eaten there. Minato, Kushina, Hashirama, and Kurama agreed that Kurama would intervene so Naruto could avoid eating insects, leaving Kurama reluctantly accepting the task.

• Naruto woke from a nightmare and greeted Fukasaku, who showed him a Cleansing Insect and explained its uses.
• Naruto hid beneath his covers and called on his family and Kurama because he did not want to eat bugs.
• Minato proposed finding someone senior to the sages who could forbid Naruto from eating insects without causing offense.
• Kushina, Minato, and Hashirama identified Kurama as the oldest suitable candidate and urged him to help Naruto.
• Kurama reluctantly agreed to intervene after Hashirama offered him all the fruit he could eat during Naruto's training.

Naruto used Kurama’s dislike of bugs to avoid eating Mount Myōboku’s food, but his scheme left Jiraiya eating the porridge instead. After finishing it, Jiraiya asked the sages to begin Naruto’s Sage Mode training.

• Shima prepared bug-filled porridge for Naruto, and Fukasaku suggested taking him out to experience Sage Mode.
• Naruto claimed Kurama would cut ties with him if he ate bugs, and Kurama appeared to attack the porridge before Naruto blocked his chakra beam.
• Naruto brought sealed food from his room, and Shima gave the porridge to Jiraiya instead.
• Jiraiya recognized Naruto’s scheme and reluctantly ate the porridge while Naruto made himself millet porridge.
• Jiraiya went to the bathroom after finishing the meal, then asked Fukasaku and Shima to start Naruto’s Sage Mode training.

Naruto began Sage Mode training on Mount Myōboku and absorbed natural energy with startling ease. He emerged with new markings and golden eyes, leaving Jiraiya and Fukasaku speechless.

• Fukasaku explained the dangers of toad oil and warned Naruto that losing control of natural energy could turn him to stone.
• Fukasaku applied toad oil to Naruto and guided him as he sensed and absorbed natural energy.
• Naruto described the natural energy as friendly and beautiful while he continued absorbing it for a full minute without changing.
• A surge of natural energy rushed toward Naruto, and Fukasaku tried to stop him with his staff.
• Naruto caught Fukasaku’s staff and revealed Sage Mode markings, golden eyes, and a red ring in his pupils.

Naruto entered Sage Mode on Mount Myōboku, and Fukasaku brought him before the Great Toad Sage to check his condition. The Great Toad Sage confirmed Naruto was safe but still needed training, then fell asleep again as Naruto’s Sage Mode faded when the toad oil wore off.

• Naruto revealed he felt well after entering Sage Mode, and Fukasaku noticed his state differed from Mount Myōboku’s usual Sage Mode.
• Fukasaku took Naruto and Jiraiya to see the Great Toad Sage, who woke when Naruto entered the chamber.
• The Great Toad Sage recognized Naruto, hinted at prophecy and nature’s recognition, and confirmed Naruto had learned Sage Mode but had not mastered it.
• Jiraiya asked whether Naruto was the Child of Prophecy, but the Great Toad Sage fell asleep before answering.
• Fukasaku began training Naruto in Senjutsu, and Naruto’s Sage Mode faded as the toad oil wore off.

Mei Terumi visited Zabuza in Konoha's Root headquarters and invited him to return to Kirigakure, revealing that Yagura had died after breaking free of genjutsu. Zabuza accepted, but chose to leave Haku in Naruto Uzumaki's care while Haku enjoyed a meal in Konoha.

• Mei Terumi entered Zabuza's cell with Chōjūrō and Tenzo and told him that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was dead.
• Mei Terumi asked Zabuza to return to Kirigakure and help change the Bloody Mist Village, and promised to nurture any surviving Yuki Clan members.
• Zabuza claimed the Yuki Clan had no survivors, then accepted Mei Terumi's invitation and said the Kubikiribōchō was now a Konoha brat's trophy.
• Zabuza asked Tenzo to tell Naruto Uzumaki that he was sorry for the trouble and was leaving Haku in Naruto's care.
• Haku sensed that Zabuza was leaving as he held the bracelet Zabuza had bought him, then enjoyed grilled Pacific saury with his older brother and sister.

Naruto completed his Senjutsu Rasengan training on Mount Myōboku, and he and Jiraiya prepared to leave after Jiraiya received leads on the Akatsuki. In the sealing space, Hashirama poisoned himself by tasting his own cooking, but Kurama and Kushina revived him.

• Fukasaku pushed Jiraiya to train his perception while Naruto practiced the Senjutsu Rasengan, damaging the ground and injuring his hand.
• Fukasaku called an end to training, and Jiraiya said he had received leads on the Akatsuki and was ready to leave with Naruto.
• Shima served Jiraiya and Naruto a lavish farewell meal, leaving Jiraiya stunned by her ability to cook normal food.
• Hashirama prepared suspicious pork rib soup in the sealing space, tasted it, and collapsed while foaming at the mouth.
• Kurama and Kushina spent ten minutes trying to revive Hashirama, who woke up and mistakenly thought his cooking had let him communicate with the dead.