Chapter Summaries

Ye Feng attended the Chunin preliminaries, where the sixteen Genin were set to compete for eight places in the final matches. As the first fight unfolded, Akimichi Dingyuan seemed to have the advantage over Hyuga Junin, but his chakra-heavy attacks left him at risk of losing if the match dragged on.

• The chief examiner explained the preliminaries and announced that the villages’ Kage and senior officials would watch the final matches.
• The screen paired Hyuga Junin with Akimichi Dingyuan, while the other competitors moved to the viewing platform.
• Fujiwara Inomura told Ye Feng that the Third Hokage had arrested several people, including two Jonin, after the attempted assassination; he then explained the incident to Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Shinichi, Nara Shikahira, and Yamanaka Keiko.
• Akimichi Dingyuan enlarged his right hand and attacked Hyuga Junin, who dodged and maneuvered toward him.
• Dingyuan used the Human Bullet Tank to put distance between them, but Fujiwara Inomura warned that Dingyuan would lose if his chakra ran out before he could defeat Junin.

Hyuga Junin defeated Akimichi Dingyuan after their attacks left both fighters injured, and the next match revealed that Kuru could resist Yamanaka Keiko’s mind technique. Kuru stopped his punch just short of Keiko and declared her defeated, returning to the platform after his apparent victory.

• Akimichi Dingyuan used Shadow Clone Technique clones to launch faster Human Bullet Tanks at Hyuga Junin, who countered with Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin.
• Hyuga Junin rose after the collision while Akimichi Dingyuan failed to stand, so the chief examiner declared Hyuga Junin the winner.
• Yamanaka Keiko used Mind Body Switch Technique on Kuru, but his powerful mind forced her technique to fail.
• Kuru shattered Keiko’s kunai with his hands and charged her with blue chakra surrounding him.
• Kuru stopped his fist just short of Keiko’s face, declared that she had lost, and returned to the raised platform.

After the Chunin Ninja Exams’ finalists were decided, Ye Feng used a free day to leave Konoha with Minato Namikaze and search for a wild beast to raise as a summoning beast. Shimura Danzō ordered assassins to follow them and try to capture Ye Feng alive, while Ye Feng and Minato reached a primeval forest to begin their search.

• Ye Feng, Uchiha Shinichi, Kakashi Hatake, Yugito Nii, Leimu, Kuru, Hyuga Junin, and Nara Shikahira advanced to the finals, scheduled for three days later.
• Ye Feng cooked a celebratory dinner for his friends and invited Might Duy, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Killer B, and Yugito Nii.
• Ye Feng decided to raise his own summoning beast and persuaded Minato Namikaze to accompany him outside Konoha in exchange for a meal.
• Ye Feng told the Third Hokage he needed wild animal blood samples for research, and Minato’s assurances helped them obtain permission to leave the village.
• Shimura Danzō sent two Blood Moon squads to follow Ye Feng and Minato, ordered them to find a chance to kill them, and instructed them to capture Ye Feng alive if possible.
• Ye Feng and Minato arrived at a primeval forest in the Land of Fire, where Ye Feng began considering which beast to raise.

Ye Feng and Minato Namikaze faced an ambush by six Root ninja sent by Danzo. Ye Feng redirected their combined Fire and Wind Release into a tornado that killed two attackers, while the four survivors remained.

• Ye Feng sensed six masked ninja following them and told Minato Namikaze to leave before returning with Flying Thunder God when the attackers struck.
• Minato Namikaze pretended to go catch a beast, and the two Blood Moon Squad leaders debated whether the chance to ambush Ye Feng was a trap before ordering their men forward.
• The six ninja surrounded Ye Feng and demanded he come with them, while Minato Namikaze returned and accused Danzo of ambushing Konoha ninja.
• The blue Demon Mask leader attacked Ye Feng, but Minato Namikaze deflected his strike as the others launched combined Fire and Wind Release.
• Ye Feng controlled the wind to turn the attack into a tornado of fire and wind, killing two Root ninja and sending the remaining four dodging for safety.

Ye Feng and Minato Namikaze defeated a Root squad sent to ambush them, and Ye Feng secretly took the surviving squad leader to Orochimaru. After finding no more attackers, Ye Feng spotted a horned blue wolf fighting a bear to protect its newly hatched pup.

• Ye Feng unleashed a fire-and-wind tornado, then killed a Root ninja with a single punch as Minato Namikaze stopped the squad leader from escaping with a Rasengan.
• The two remaining Root ninja killed themselves, while Minato Namikaze sealed away the five bodies and Ye Feng claimed the unconscious squad leader.
• Ye Feng bet Minato Namikaze that Shimura Danzō would keep his position, then took the survivor to Orochimaru and ordered him kept alive.
• Ye Feng and Minato Namikaze searched for more threats and suitable beasts, and Ye Feng discovered a blue horned wolf battling a bear near its newborn pup.

Ye Feng killed the brown bear that had mortally wounded a wolf-like beast and rescued her cub, whom he named Garurumon. After burying the mother, Ye Feng told Minato Namikaze that his unfamiliar power was natural energy, leaving Minato eager to learn Sage Mode from Jiraiya.

• Ye Feng reached the cave and killed the brown bear with a blast of true qi, shocking Minato Namikaze, who sensed that the power was unlike chakra.
• Ye Feng carried the cub out of the cave and brought her to her dying mother, promising to keep her safe.
• The wolf-like beast nudged her cub before dying, and Ye Feng named the cub Garurumon as he held her.
• Minato Namikaze helped Ye Feng place the mother's body in a grave, which Ye Feng filled and reinforced with true qi.
• Minato Namikaze asked about Ye Feng's power, and Ye Feng called it natural energy and described it as a form of Sage Mode.
• Minato Namikaze resolved to ask Jiraiya to teach him Sage Mode the next time they met.

After returning to Konoha, Minato Namikaze reported that five Root ninja had attacked him and Uchiha Yefeng, but the Third Hokage avoided promising to punish Shimura Danzō. The Third Hokage confronted Danzō with the evidence and summoned the Advisors, leaving them to debate the assassination attempt and Minato's strength.

• Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Yefeng returned to Konoha after placing Flying Thunder God Marks near the main gate.
• Minato Namikaze showed the Third Hokage the bodies of five Jonin and identified them as probable Root ninja.
• The Third Hokage kept the bodies and dismissed Minato Namikaze without ordering Shimura Danzō's arrest.
• The Third Hokage summoned Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō to his office.
• Shimura Danzō denied knowing the attackers and claimed someone had imitated Root's uniforms and Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
• The Third Hokage told the Advisors that Minato Namikaze had killed three attackers while two had killed themselves.

The Third Hokage punished Shimura Danzō lightly for the Root attack on Uchiha Yefeng and ordered him to reveal withheld names. Minato Namikaze met Jiraiya, who explained the Third Hokage’s history with Danzō and urged Minato to become the next Hokage if he wanted change.

• The Third Hokage sentenced Shimura Danzō to a year of confinement and warned him to disclose every name he had withheld.
• Shimura Danzō sent a subordinate to find Blood Shadow and determine whether he was alive or dead.
• Minato Namikaze startled Jiraiya at a Hot Spring bathhouse, then met him by a river and explained the Root attack and the Third Hokage’s response.
• Jiraiya told Minato Namikaze that the Third Hokage’s guilt over their past made him lenient toward Shimura Danzō, and said he and Tsunade had left Konoha after arguing with him.
• Jiraiya advised Minato Namikaze to grow stronger and become the next Hokage if he wanted to change things.

Minato Namikaze resolved to pursue the Fourth Hokage position after Jiraiya encouraged him, while Ye Feng visited Inuzuka Clan Fengyu's family to seek help for Garurumon. Fengyu's mother found no serious problem with Garurumon and went to feed her, leaving Ye Feng alone with Fengyu and her suspicious father.

• Jiraiya encouraged Minato Namikaze to seek the Hokage position and promised to handle Orochimaru, so Minato Namikaze resolved to become the Fourth Hokage.
• Ye Feng carried the listless Garurumon to Inuzuka Clan Fengyu's home, where Fengyu greeted him happily and her father eyed him with jealousy.
• Ye Feng charmed Fengyu's mother with compliments while Fengyu's father resolved to keep her away from him.
• Ye Feng explained Garurumon's history to Fengyu and her parents, and Fengyu's mother examined the pup and said she was likely weak from not eating.
• Fengyu's mother left to get animal milk for Garurumon, while Ye Feng remained in the room under Fengyu's father's wary stare.

Ye Feng cared for Garurumon for two days and brought her to the Chunin Ninja Exams official matches because she would not leave his arms. The Third Hokage opened the matches, and Hatake Sakumo appeared as Chief Examiner to welcome the competitors.

• Fengyu's mother gave Ye Feng sealed bottles of animal milk for Garurumon, and he stayed for dinner at Fengyu's home.
• Ye Feng spent two days feeding and caring for Garurumon as she grew attached to him and shied away from everyone else.
• Ye Feng brought Garurumon to the exam venue, where Minato Namikaze, Fujiwara Inomura, and the other participating ninja gathered.
• The Third Hokage and the Third Raikage arrived, and the Third Hokage declared the official matches underway.
• Hatake Sakumo appeared in the arena, introduced himself as Chief Examiner, and welcomed the competing ninja.

Uchiha Shinichi fought Yugito Nii in the first match of the main tournament, where her Two-Tails chakra gave her the advantage. After Shinichi defended against several attacks with a trick shuriken and the Rasengan, he revealed Chidori, surprising Ye Feng and Kakashi Hatake.

• Hatake Sakumo announced the tournament bracket and said the winner would receive one wish granted by their Kage.
• Uchiha Shinichi faced Yugito Nii and attacked first with Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, which Yugito Nii tore apart using Two-Tails chakra.
• Uchiha Shinichi's transforming shuriken cut Yugito Nii, but her wound quickly healed as she unleashed a chakra tail and claw attacks.
• Uchiha Shinichi dodged Yugito Nii's chakra tail and blocked her claws with the Rasengan before pulling away.
• Uchiha Shinichi formed Chidori, surprising Ye Feng and Kakashi Hatake.

Uchiha Shinichi lost to Yugito Nii after exhausting himself in a fierce fight, and Uchiha Yefeng began his match against Hyuga Junin. Ye Feng used Tai Chi to counter the Hyuga’s Gentle Fist and left Junin struggling to keep up.

• Uchiha Shinichi’s Chidori failed to break through Yugito Nii’s chakra shield, and he lost when her claws stopped before his eyes.
• Uchiha Shinichi and Yugito Nii left the field as the spectators applauded their fight.
• Uchiha Yefeng and Hyuga Junin began the next match, with Ye Feng telling Yugito Nii that Garurumon would be safe.
• Hyuga Junin activated his Byakugan and attacked with Gentle Fist, but Ye Feng caught his first strike and later deflected his palms with Tai Chi.
• Hyuga Hiashi stood up in astonishment as Ye Feng countered Gentle Fist, then Ye Feng swept Junin off his feet and struck him in the chest.

Hyuga Junin surrendered to Ye Feng after learning from their exchanges, and Kakashi Hatake faced Leimu in the next match. Kakashi injured Leimu with an Explosive Tag, but Leimu activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode and attacked at high speed, leaving Kakashi barely able to track him.

• Hyuga Junin improved by fighting Ye Feng, then surrendered when Hatake Sakumo stopped their unsanctioned lesson.
• Hyuga Hiashi sent for the head of the Hyuga Clan because Ye Feng's encounter with Junin could affect the clan's future.
• Kakashi Hatake and Leimu began their match, with Kakashi pressing the attack and forcing Leimu to defend cautiously.
• Kakashi Hatake used kunai and an Explosive Tag to burn Leimu's right arm, then urged him to surrender.
• Leimu activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode and attacked Kakashi Hatake with lightning and bursts of speed.
• Kakashi Hatake barely blocked Leimu's strike and managed to track his rapid movements.

Kakashi Hatake defeated Leimu in a brutal match, and Ye Feng confirmed that both fighters would recover, though Kakashi could not compete again soon. Kuru then gained the upper hand against Nara Shikahira, who trapped him with his Shadow Imitation Technique and prepared to finish the match.

• Kakashi Hatake endured Leimu's attacks, landed a Rasengan, and won after both fighters were badly wounded.
• Hatake Sakumo declared Kakashi Hatake the winner, and medical personnel carried Kakashi Hatake and Leimu away unconscious.
• Ye Feng examined both fighters and found that neither was in life-threatening danger, though Leimu needed a long recovery and Kakashi could not fight in the next match.
• Kuru evaded Nara Shikahira's shadows and pelted him with weapons, driving him into a corner as spectators threw objects into the arena.
• Nara Shikahira drew Kuru into a large patch of shade, caught him with the Shadow Imitation Technique, and prepared to slam his head against the wall.

Kuru defeated Nara Shikahira with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Ye Feng faced Yugito Nii in the next match. Yugito’s Partial Tailed Beast Transformation pushed Ye Feng into opening the Third Gate, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Kuru activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, broke Nara Shikahira’s control, and defeated him with a punch.
• Yugito Nii entered the Combat Arena to fight Ye Feng, who left Garurumon with Minato Namikaze before joining her.
• Yugito Nii transformed into her partial Tailed Beast state and attacked Ye Feng with claws and volleys of Fire Rat Balls.
• Ye Feng emerged unharmed from Yugito Nii’s flames, but her growing speed and chakra use eventually left bloody scratches on his back.
• Ye Feng drove Yugito Nii back and opened the Third Gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation.

Ye Feng overwhelmed Yugito Nii, but his attempt to stabilize her failed and the Two-Tails, Matatabi, emerged in the Combat Arena. He struck Matatabi during her attack on the spectators, but she remained active and kept him from counterattacking.

• Ye Feng opened the Third Gate and drove Yugito Nii back, but she refused to surrender and drew more of the Two-Tails' chakra.
• Killer B warned Yugito Nii that she could not control Matatabi, and Ye Feng tried to stabilize her with true qi.
• Matatabi emerged and began gathering a huge fireball aimed at the spectator stands, so the Third Hokage ordered a barrier and the spectators evacuated.
• Hatake Sakumo, Minato Namikaze, and Fujiwara Inomura prepared to stop the fireball as Uchiha Yefeng appeared above Matatabi and struck her head into the ground.
• Matatabi's fireball exploded, but she survived and attacked Ye Feng with her tails and claws while he dodged her blows.

Ye Feng defeated Yugito Nii after the Two-Tails took control of her, and the Third Hokage declared him the winner so the Chunin Ninja Exams could continue. Ye Feng then faced Kuru, who was stunned when Ye Feng caught his full-strength punch with one hand.

• Ye Feng used Matatabi's tail to hurl the Two-Tails into the arena wall, and the battle ended with Yugito Nii unconscious but alive and Ye Feng exhausted.
• The Third Raikage confirmed Yugito Nii's seal was intact, and the Third Hokage declared Ye Feng the winner and ordered the Chunin Ninja Exams to continue.
• After the other participants returned, Ye Feng declined to explain the battle and agreed to fight Kuru.
• Kuru activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode and attacked, but Ye Feng dodged his strikes until Kuru demanded that he stop holding back.
• Kuru unleashed a full-strength punch, and Ye Feng caught it with one hand without moving.

Ye Feng defeated Kuru in the Chunin Ninja Exams and was summoned by the Third Hokage, who offered him a reward for taking first place. Ye Feng asked to avoid routine missions so he could focus on training, prompting Shimura Danzō to criticize him.

• Ye Feng overwhelmed Kuru with the Eight Gates Released Formation, and Hatake Sakumo sent the injured Kumogakure ninja for treatment.
• The Third Hokage announced that Uchiha Shinichi, Hyuga Junin, Nara Shikahira, and the recovering Kakashi Hatake had passed the Chunin Ninja Exams and been promoted.
• The Third Hokage summoned Ye Feng and offered him one request for winning the exams.
• Ye Feng asked to be exempt from assigned missions so he could spend more time training, while remaining available for missions he chose or village emergencies.
• Shimura Danzō called Ye Feng selfish, and Ye Feng argued that Konoha had enough ninjas to handle its current workload.
• Shimura Danzō objected to Ye Feng's disrespectful tone toward a village Advisor.

Ye Feng confronted Shimura Danzō over his hostility and explained how he had fought the Two-Tails, while the Third Hokage accepted Ye Feng’s request for more time before taking on higher-ranked missions. The Third Hokage concluded that Ye Feng was not responsible for the Two-Tails’ disappearance and promoted him to Jonin for his performance.

• Ye Feng rebuked Shimura Danzō for threatening him, and the Third Hokage stopped their argument and agreed to give Ye Feng more time to grow.
• The Third Hokage and the Advisors questioned Ye Feng about his actions during the Two-Tails fight, and Ye Feng said he had kept it occupied while the smoke obscured the arena.
• The Third Hokage and the Advisors found Ye Feng’s account plausible, while Shimura Danzō remained suspicious but offered no evidence.
• The Third Hokage concluded that the Two-Tails Jinchūriki had likely caused the beast to return to its seal and praised Ye Feng for keeping it occupied.
• The Third Hokage promoted Ye Feng to Jonin because his strength had reached that level.

The Third Hokage made Uchiha Yefeng a Jonin despite the Advisors’ objections, intending to use his strength to protect Konoha and keep the Uchiha Clan in check. Back home, Ye Feng revealed that he had sealed away some of Matatabi’s chakra and wondered how to use it without transforming his arm.

• The Third Hokage finalized Ye Feng’s Jonin appointment, overruling Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
• The Third Hokage explained that Ye Feng could match the powerful Kumogakure participants and said Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze would watch over him.
• Ye Feng returned home and examined the scroll containing chakra he had taken from Matatabi during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Ye Feng threatened Matatabi into keeping the stolen chakra secret, then urged her to treat Yugito Nii as a friend and return to her.
• Matatabi went back into Yugito Nii, whom Ye Feng found unconscious but not seriously injured.
• Ye Feng considered using the Two-Tails chakra to create more Shadow Clones for cultivation, but worried that his arm might become monstrous.