Chapter Summaries

Minato told Jiraiya that Naruto had befriended Kurama and was the Child of Prophecy, prompting Jiraiya to offer him a chance to learn summoning at Mount Myōboku. Naruto became interested in the toads after hearing how large and powerful they could be.

• Minato assured Jiraiya that Naruto and Kurama were friends and that Naruto would soon be able to fight alongside the Nine-Tails.
• Jiraiya joked that Naruto might be the Child of Prophecy, and Minato confirmed that Kurama had identified Naruto as the one foretold by the Sage of Six Paths.
• Jiraiya said he would consult the Great Toad Sage and asked whether Naruto had a summoning contract or wanted to study at Mount Myōboku.
• Minato brought Naruto out from behind the couch, and Jiraiya offered to teach him about summoning beasts and Senjutsu.
• Naruto warmed to the idea of contracting with toads after Jiraiya said Mount Myōboku had toads as large as the Nine-Tails.

Naruto signed Mount Myōboku’s Summoning Scroll and tried the Summoning Technique, using a huge amount of chakra. Instead of a giant battle toad, he summoned the Great Toad Sage, leaving Jiraiya and Minato alarmed as Naruto reached toward him.

• Jiraiya summoned Gamachu and obtained Mount Myōboku’s Summoning Scroll for Naruto.
• Naruto signed the scroll in blood, and Jiraiya discovered that his thumb had healed almost instantly.
• Minato moved Naruto, Jiraiya, and Gamachu to the Back Mountain so Naruto could safely try the Summoning Technique.
• Naruto gathered a vast amount of chakra and summoned the Great Toad Sage.
• Minato and Jiraiya rushed to stop Naruto from reaching for the Great Toad Sage.

Minato invited Jiraiya to stay with his family so he could watch over Naruto and assess his strength. At Guy’s training ground, Zabuza warned Tenten, Neji, and Lee about Naruto’s team and advised them to give up if they faced Naruto in the Chunin Exam finals.

• Minato brought Naruto and Jiraiya home and invited Jiraiya to stay with the family, which Jiraiya accepted.
• At the Root Base, Ya-ya told Tenzo that Itachi wanted to see him, and Itachi handed Tenzo Lord Hokage’s plan concerning Orochimaru.
• At Guy’s training ground, Zabuza and Haku watched Guy train while Lee, Tenten, and Neji arrived after the second Chunin Exam.
• Zabuza described Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata’s abilities to Tenten and the others.
• Zabuza advised them to give up if they faced Naruto and said that defeating his teammates would also be difficult.

On the morning of the Chunin Ninja Exams' final round, Gaara waited eagerly for a chance to fight Naruto while his siblings and Baki prepared to go to the venue. The chapter ended with Jiraiya waking Naruto at home.

• Konoha passersby discussed the final round and compared Gaara's imposing presence to wild boars.
• Gaara stroked a sparrow in a tree, then went with Kankuro back to the Sand ninja team's lodgings.
• Baki told Gaara to conserve his energy because their operation would begin within days, and Gaara replied that he knew.
• Gaara told Temari that he had killed Kankuro, then threatened to really kill him when Kankuro returned and spoke up.
• Temari and Baki led the Sand team toward the exam venue as Gaara said he wanted Naruto not to disappoint him.
• Jiraiya gently woke Naruto at home.

Naruto arrived at Konoha Arena with Karin and reunited with Sasuke, Hinata, and other examinees as the crowd gathered for the exam. The examinees assembled while Sarutobi and Rasa exchanged remarks in the stands, and Sarutobi remained wary of Orochimaru’s whereabouts.

• Jiraiya left with Tenzo after Tenzo arrived to take him somewhere, and Gamachu closed the door and resumed Jiraiya’s housework.
• Naruto and Karin spotted Hinata and Sasuke outside Konoha Arena, where Sasuke drew attention from the crowd with his confident entrance.
• Naruto called Sasuke “Boar Slayer,” prompting the crowd to laugh until Sasuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and silenced them.
• Naruto led Team 7 into the exam venue, where twenty-two examinees had gathered, including sixteen from Konoha.
• Rasa told Sarutobi that Konoha deserved its reputation as a cradle of genius, and Sarutobi praised the examinees while wondering where Orochimaru was.
• Naruto greeted Yugao and Hayate, then told Kiba that Jiraiya had taught him a lot; Akamaru looked ready to surrender before the exam began.

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.