Recaps

Naruto returned to Konoha with Jiraiya and headed to meet the Third Hokage, while Gaara discovered that Shukaku wanted to eat fish. Shukaku enjoyed Gaara’s Pacific saury, and Gaara left the Sealing Space after taking back the empty plate.

• Naruto returned home with Jiraiya, and they set off to see the Third Hokage.
• Hikoneko warned Naruto not to pick up Jiraiya’s bad habits, and Jiraiya hurried Naruto toward the Hokage Building.
• Kushina explained the Three Ninja Evils to Naruto, while Minato reassured Kushina and Kurama privately wished he had a partner.
• Shukaku asked Gaara for Pacific saury, and Gaara brought a plate into the Sealing Space.
• Shukaku split off a tiny body to eat the fish, then returned the empty plate to Gaara.

Naruto and Jiraiya returned to Konoha, where Sarutobi discussed Tsunade as a possible Hokage before revealing evidence linking Danzo and Hanzo to the Akatsuki. Jiraiya learned that his former students founded the organization and resolved to confront them, while Sarutobi questioned whether he would go alone.

• Naruto and Jiraiya arrived in Konoha and greeted Sarutobi in the Hokage's office.
• Jiraiya suggested bringing Tsunade back to serve as Hokage, and Sarutobi briefly considered the idea.
• Sarutobi showed Jiraiya a Root letter documenting Danzo's agreement with Hanzo concerning Nagato's Rinnegan and Amegakure.
• Jiraiya became furious when he realized Danzo had targeted his former students and said he would find them to learn the truth.
• Sarutobi told Jiraiya that Nagato and his companions had founded the Akatsuki and that its location was Amegakure.
• Sarutobi asked Jiraiya whether he truly intended to go alone.

After learning that the Akatsuki was tied to the attack on Konoha, Naruto and Jiraiya were tasked with bringing Tsunade back while the village gathered intelligence. Naruto reassured Jiraiya and planned to train so he could face the Akatsuki later, then asked Hashirama about Tsunade and resolved to work toward becoming Hokage after her.

• Naruto asked Jiraiya and Sarutobi about the Akatsuki’s connection to the village attack, and Sarutobi told Jiraiya to bring Tsunade back with Naruto while Konoha gathered intelligence.
• Naruto comforted Jiraiya and promised to join him in confronting the Akatsuki once he grew stronger, and Jiraiya agreed to go with him.
• Naruto and Jiraiya joked about visiting the hot springs, where Naruto’s standing could help Jiraiya get in.
• Naruto asked Hashirama what Tsunade was like, and Hashirama described her as a good, outgoing person who liked cards and dice.
• Naruto accepted that Tsunade would become Hokage before him and planned to train with Sasuke, Hinata, and the others after bringing her back.

Hinata went out at night to search for Naruto, and the two reunited after his return. Hinata explained that her Tenseigan had given her the ability to fly, while Jiraiya quietly left them alone and reflected on his own lonely path.

• Hinata left the Hyuga courtyard at night, and Hanabi watched her go while resolving to become stronger herself.
• Naruto and Jiraiya walked home from the hot springs when Jiraiya mistook Hinata's blue-green light in the sky for a shooting star.
• Naruto greeted Hinata as she landed, and they reunited hand in hand.
• Hinata told Naruto that the Hyuga Clan's ancient records identified her eyes as the Tenseigan and that she had been flying to train and check whether he had returned.
• Naruto hugged Hinata and promised not to stay away so long again, while Jiraiya gave them privacy and reflected on the people who needed him.

Naruto told his friends that Tsunade would likely become the next Hokage and promised he would return to visit them while away. Karin revealed that the interrupted Chunin Exams still needed a final ranking contest, leaving Naruto to wait before departing.

• Naruto discussed Tsunade’s likely appointment as Hokage with his friends, and Shikamaru explained that Naruto might have been a candidate if he were older.
• Karin teased Naruto about visiting Hinata and secretly resolved to behave rather than challenge him.
• Karin told Naruto that the Chunin Exams had not finished because several participants still needed to compete for final placements.
• Karin announced that she had become a Chunin, joining Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Gaara, Shikamaru, and Sakura among the newly promoted.
• Hayate was tasked with deciding the rankings, and Sakura withdrew from the contest because her opponents were far stronger.

Gaara joined Naruto for the ranking matches, while Temari packed up his leftover Pacific saury. At the arena, Hayate explained the matches would determine placements by lottery, and Shikamaru and Sakura agreed to compete for sixth place after initially forfeiting.

• Gaara set off for the arena with Naruto, while Temari packed his leftover Pacific saury to take away.
• Hayate's ranking match drew a small audience of relatives, clan members, ANBU, and Root, including Itachi and Izumi.
• Hiashi and Fugaku silently glared at each other from the stands as their families watched.
• Hayate announced that the matches would determine rankings and that the contestants would draw lots.
• Shikamaru and Sakura offered to forfeit, but Hayate suggested they compete for sixth place, and both agreed.

Hayate set the seven-person tournament bracket, and the draw gave Gaara a bye while Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, and Karin were paired off. Shikamaru and Sakura began the first duel, leaving the other matches to come.

• Hayate explained the drawing-stick rules, and Gaara drew number five to advance directly to the top three.
• Kakashi and Might Guy drew attention from female ANBU members, who whispered about their closeness until Kakashi silenced them with a glare.
• Sasuke drew number one, Naruto number four, Karin number two, and Hinata number three, setting up Sasuke against Karin and Naruto against Hinata.
• Hinata asked Naruto to take their match seriously, and Naruto insisted that he always did.
• Hayate sent Shikamaru and Sakura into the Arena to begin the tournament, and they stopped talking when he started the duel.

Shikamaru used traps, shadow techniques, and Karin’s chili powder to overcome Sakura in their arena battle. Sakura surrendered, leaving Shikamaru the winner despite the strain his tactics put on him.

• Shikamaru used kunai, a fake Explosive Tag, and a smoke bomb to draw Sakura into his Shadow Possession Jutsu, but she dodged his attack.
• Shikamaru trapped Sakura with Shadow Sewing Technique while Sakura tried to break free with Earth Release and genjutsu.
• Shikamaru released chili powder from a hidden tool, and Sakura surrendered after inhaling it and coughing uncontrollably.
• Hayate cleared the powder, and Shikamaru gave Sakura a towel as she questioned his tactics.
• Karin explained how pungent powder could counter Kiba’s keen sense of smell, leaving Kiba lamenting that such a weapon existed.

Sasuke and Karin began their match, with Sasuke using his Sharingan, lightning, and sword to break Karin’s Adamantine Sealing Chains. After he snapped the fifth chain, Karin revealed a hidden sealing trap and ten more chains, catching Sasuke as the formation weakened his Lightning Chakra Mode.

• Shikamaru returned to his seat after his match, and Hayate announced Sasuke and Karin as the next contestants.
• Itachi discovered that Izumi had coated his dango with concentrated lemon juice, then accepted a bag of normal chocolate dango from her.
• Kakashi and Tenzo discussed the match while Yugao caught Kakashi stealing her popcorn and struck him over it.
• Sasuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and lightning-enhanced sword technique, then broke Karin’s first five Adamantine Sealing Chains as she tried to establish an Eight Trigrams Formation.
• Karin revealed ten hidden chains and a larger sealing trap that spread runes over Sasuke and weakened his Lightning Chakra Mode.

Karin defeated Sasuke with her Adamantine Sealing Chains, then kissed him, triggering his Mangekyō Sharingan. The match ended with Karin victorious, while Fugaku learned from Hiashi what had happened between the two.

• Karin used hidden sealing techniques and her Adamantine Sealing Chains to disable Sasuke's Lightning Chakra Mode and restrain him.
• Karin declared Sasuke defeated, then kissed him after shielding them both from the spectators with her chains.
• Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, and Izuna cut off the dōjutsu power feeding its formation.
• Hayate announced the end of the match, and Karin led a dazed Sasuke away from the arena.
• Fugaku asked Hiashi what he had seen through his Byakugan, and Hiashi told him the explosive news.

Naruto and Hinata prepared to face each other in the Arena while friends, family, and hidden observers gathered to watch. The chapter ended just before their match began, with everyone speculating about who would win.

• Fugaku returned to his seat after speaking with Hiashi, and Mikoto kept quiet about Sasuke's encounter with Karin.
• Karin whispered to Hinata after returning to the children's table, while Naruto tried to cool Hinata's flushed face.
• Yugao watched Naruto and Hinata walk to the Arena and reflected on their relationship and the Hyuga Clan's efforts to change its traditions.
• Naruto noticed the crowd of onlookers and silently complained that so many people had come just to watch him and Hinata.
• Hayate asked Naruto and Hinata if they were ready, and both warmed up as Karin, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Ino discussed the likely winner.

Naruto and Hinata fought in the arena, revealing Naruto’s Sage Mode and Hinata’s powerful Tenseigan abilities. Their battle left the arena wrecked and the spectators astonished as they continued trading devastating attacks.

• Hayate retreated from the arena, and Hinata activated her blue Byakugan and attacked Naruto with a repulsive chakra blast.
• Naruto entered Sage Mode, dodged Hinata’s attack, and closed the distance before countering her with his Golden Chakra Fox Claw.
• Hinata repelled Naruto’s attack, but Naruto struck her with a senjutsu-enhanced Rasengan; Hinata recovered and blasted Naruto away at close range.
• Naruto used Sage Art: Advent of a World of Trees, and Hinata cut through the advancing trees with a golden beam.
• Hayate and the spectators watched in shock as Hiashi admitted he did not understand Hinata’s evolving eyes and recognized the Tenseigan’s immense power.

Naruto and Hinata fought an exhausting final clash that wrecked the arena, with Naruto remaining on his feet after Hinata's Tenseigan chakra faded. Hinata admitted defeat and pretended to collapse into Naruto's arms, leaving him to comfort her as she quietly planned dinner.

• Watching Naruto and Hinata battle, Gaara asked Shukaku for chakra, but Shukaku refused and told him his seal could not withstand it.
• Naruto and Hinata gathered their remaining strength for final attacks: Naruto formed a gigantic Rasengan while Hinata concentrated her blue-green and golden chakra into a cutting strike.
• Their attacks collided in a massive explosion, and Ino, Karin, and Gaara protected nearby spectators from the blast.
• After the dust cleared, Hinata's Tenseigan chakra had dissipated while Naruto's Tailed Beast Cloak remained, so Hinata told Naruto she had lost.
• Hinata closed her eyes and leaned as if she were about to fall, and Naruto caught her and praised her strength while she thought about inviting him to barbecue.

After Naruto and Hinata’s fight, the competitors drew lots for the next matches, and Gaara asked Karin to improve the seal containing Shukaku. The chapter left Gaara heading into the arena to face Naruto, while Karin planned to work on his seal later.

• Yugao teased Hayate about Naruto and Hinata’s fight, then urged him to resume refereeing the remaining matches.
• Naruto and Karin declined to rest, and Hayate had them draw lots; Naruto drew number two, Karin drew number three, and Gaara drew number one.
• Gaara asked Karin to improve the sealing technique containing the tailed beast inside him, and she agreed to try.
• Karin found Sunagakure’s sealing technique unusually harmful and said she needed more time to improve it.
• Gaara walked toward the arena to face Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto and Gaara fought in the arena, where Naruto’s Wood Release and Sage abilities overwhelmed Gaara’s sand techniques. The duel ended with Naruto catching Gaara after declaring victory, and Gaara appeared to accept the defeat with relief.

• Kushina wondered whether Gaara had Uzumaki blood, while Kurama imagined Shukaku cowering from him until Hashirama startled him.
• Gaara opened the duel with a powerful sand attack, but Naruto blocked it with Wood Release and evaded Gaara’s sand spears.
• Gaara lifted himself into the air with sand, then recalled his first meeting with Naruto and warned him before using Sand Burial.
• Naruto summoned a Wood Human that tore apart Gaara’s shrinking sand pyramid, then declared that he had won.
• Naruto caught Gaara as he fell from the air, and Temari sighed with relief.

Naruto learned that Temari and Kankuro had never resented Gaara, then mediated a chance for the siblings to reconnect. He faced Karin in the arena and endured her attacks behind layers of Wood Locking Walls until her exploding talismans enraged him and he summoned a towering Wood Human.

• Naruto shared his senses with Temari, allowing her to recognize their mother's chakra on Gaara.
• Temari explained that she and Kankuro had feared Gaara but never hated him, and Naruto asked whether she wanted another chance to speak with him.
• Gaara opened his eyes to look at Temari as Naruto left for his match against Karin.
• Naruto blocked Karin's attacks with Wood Locking Walls while casually eating potato chips, frustrating her and amusing the spectators.
• Karin attached explosive talismans to her chains, and Naruto inhaled the clouds of strange smoke they released.
• Naruto erupted from the smoke atop a giant Wood Human, while Karin feared her brother was about to get violent.

Jiraiya prepared to take Naruto to the Land of Hot Water after Root found clues to Tsunade's whereabouts, which mostly led to gambling establishments. The pair left Konoha and set off on Naruto's Number Five Mech, with Jiraiya dozing as Naruto followed the road toward their destination.

• A Root ninja gave Jiraiya information showing that Tsunade had been seen at several major gambling establishments.
• Jiraiya packed for the journey and waited for Naruto to return from shopping with Hinata.
• After dinner, Jiraiya told Naruto they were leaving to find Tsunade in the Land of Hot Water.
• Jiraiya showed Izumo Kamizuki the mission document from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Izumo let them leave Konoha.
• Naruto summoned and enlarged his Number Five Mech, invited Jiraiya aboard, and set off toward the Land of Hot Water.

Naruto and Jiraiya reached the Land of Hot Water, where Naruto bought seven unusual masks and Jiraiya found a lead on the legendary big spender. The lead pointed to Tsunade, who was gambling at a casino and had just broken a table when a Woman in Black arrived.

• Naruto stayed with Jiraiya overnight, while Minato reflected that Jiraiya might leave after they found Tsunade and had secretly marked him with a Flying Thunder God Formula.
• Naruto and Jiraiya reached the Land of Hot Water, and Naruto bought seven white masks without eyeholes.
• Jiraiya asked the shopkeeper about the legendary big spender and learned that a gambler had seen one at a casino in the eastern neighborhood.
• Tsunade gambled at the casino, celebrated a win, and accidentally broke the table with her hand.
• A Woman in Black carrying emergency food found Tsunade and exclaimed over the broken table.

Tsunade gambled away more than 150,000 ryo and fled the casino with Shizune before meeting Jiraiya and Naruto. At a tavern, Jiraiya began telling Tsunade about Konoha’s recent dealings with Sunagakure and Kirigakure and an organization they had investigated.

• Shizune confronted Tsunade for gambling away nearly all their money, and the dealer revealed Tsunade owed 150,000 ryo.
• Tsunade carried Shizune away without paying, claiming she was going to move funds around.
• Naruto approached Tsunade in a mask, but Jiraiya stopped him and Tsunade recognized him as Minato’s son.
• Tsunade invited Jiraiya, Naruto, Shizune, and Tonton to a tavern and asked Jiraiya why he had come.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that Sunagakure had become Konoha’s subordinate village and that Kirigakure had shared information about an organization with Konoha.

Jiraiya told Tsunade about the Akatsuki and asked her to return to Konoha as its next Hokage, but she refused and called anyone who wanted the title an idiot. Naruto challenged her, and Tsunade agreed to fight him, promising to become Hokage if he won.

• Jiraiya confided in Tsunade about the Akatsuki, his former students, and the aging Sarutobi before asking her to return to Konoha.
• Tsunade rejected Jiraiya's request to become Hokage and argued with Naruto after calling aspiring Hokage idiots.
• Hashirama and Tobirama watched Tsunade from the Sealing Space and understood that her losses had shaped her views on dreams and the Hokage title.
• Naruto insisted that pursuing his dream was worthwhile, and Tsunade challenged him to a fight with her return as Hokage at stake.
• Jiraiya paid the tavern owner and followed Tsunade, Naruto, and Shizune outside for the fight.

Naruto fought Tsunade to prove his strength and his dream of becoming Hokage, but seeing her blood triggered her fear and forced her to stop. Hashirama used his chakra to comfort her, and Tsunade awoke with much of her terror eased.

• Jiraiya reassured Shizune that Naruto could fight Tsunade and might help her change.
• Naruto and Tsunade exchanged powerful blows, and Tsunade learned Naruto had awakened Wood Release on his own.
• Naruto used Sage Mode and struck Tsunade with a Rasengan, leaving her arm bleeding.
• Tsunade's fear of blood overwhelmed her, and she admitted defeat.
• Hashirama took control of Naruto's body, held Tsunade's hand, and soothed her with his chakra until much of her terror faded.

Tsunade reunited with Hashirama inside Naruto, agreed to return to Konoha, and learned the village would pay her debts. That night, Jiraiya revealed he was leaving to find his former students in Amegakure, and Tsunade asked him to come back soon.

• Hashirama confirmed his identity to Tsunade, who agreed to return to Konoha with Naruto.
• Tobirama arranged for Konoha to pay Tsunade’s debts and told Naruto to remind her to gamble less.
• Jiraiya declined Tsunade’s offer to become her chief adviser, and the group rode Number Five Mech to a wooden house Naruto built.
• Tsunade asked Jiraiya if he had to leave for Amegakure to find his former students, and he admitted he was going.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade to tell Naruto he was sorry if he died before keeping his promise, and Tsunade asked him to come back soon.

Jiraiya left for the Land of Rain to gather intelligence, upsetting Naruto despite Tsunade and Minato’s reassurances. Tsunade returned to Konoha and agreed to become Hokage, while Naruto resolved to train harder and Jiraiya remained away.

• Jiraiya left Naruto’s Small Wooden House for the Land of Rain, and Naruto discovered his absence the next morning.
• Tsunade told Naruto that Jiraiya had gone to gather intelligence, then returned with him to Konoha.
• Naruto parted from Tsunade and went to Hokage Rock, where Minato reassured him that Jiraiya could be rescued if he ran into trouble.
• Naruto accepted Jiraiya’s choice, vowed to work twice as hard, and shouted that he would defeat the big bad guys and become Hokage.
• Tsunade reported Jiraiya’s departure to Sarutobi and agreed to become Hokage, leaving the handover ceremony date to him.

Team 7 trained at Training Ground 4 while Kakashi sparred with Sasuke and told them the Fifth Hokage's handover ceremony would take place that afternoon. The group attended the crowded ceremony, where Sasuke looked for his brother but learned that Root and ANBU would not openly appear.

• Sasuke trained against Karin's chains without chakra, while Naruto and Hinata sparred under Kakashi's watch.
• Kakashi sparred with Sasuke for fifteen minutes, and they fought to a draw without using their Mangekyō abilities.
• Kakashi told Team 7 that the Fifth Hokage's handover ceremony was happening that afternoon and that Hokage Rock would later be expanded.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin through the ANBU-controlled passage to the front rows of the crowded ceremony.
• Sasuke searched for his brother, and Kakashi explained that Root and ANBU would not openly attend, while a crow watched from a nearby tree.

Jiraiya entered Amegakure to find Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko, but learned that the village was now ruled by Lord Kami and Lady Angel. Pain and Konan discovered his arrival, and Pain went to confront him.

• Jiraiya traveled through the rain-soaked Land of Rain and overheard residents praising Lord Kami and Lady Angel.
• Jiraiya questioned an izakaya owner, who warned him to leave Amegakure because he was an outsider.
• Jiraiya claimed he was a writer, drank one bottle of liquor, and left with the other two.
• Konan appeared beside Pain and asked what he was watching.
• Pain identified the visitor as Jiraiya-sensei, then went to meet him as five others followed.