Chapter Summaries

Sakura broke free of Ino’s mind technique, and their match ended in a draw. In the next match, Tenten revealed Sasori’s powerful armor after Temari’s wind attack struck her, and Temari surrendered.

• Kakashi told Naruto and Sakura that Sasori had stood motionless throughout his fight, and the next match was announced as Sakura versus Ino.
• Sakura forced Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique out of her body, but both girls exhausted their chakra and fell, ending their match in a draw.
• Tenten launched her Twin Rising Dragons against Temari, but Temari countered her weapons and struck her with Ninja Art: Sickle Weasel.
• Sasori released a pulse of chakra, and a scroll transformed Tenten into an armored fighter with golden wings.
• Temari admitted defeat, and Genma Shiranui declared Tenten the winner.

Tenten struggled with Sasori’s intervention in her match until Anyo explained the grief behind his protectiveness, and she returned to thank him. Naruto then faced Bumblebee in a bell-snatching match, where the masked Ninja patiently tested and guided him as Kakashi began to recognize something familiar.

• Tenten left the arena upset that Sasori’s Puppet had made her victory feel unearned, and Anyo entered her Soul Space to explain why Sasori feared her being hurt.
• Tenten learned that Sasori’s parents had died on the Battlefield when he was young, then returned to the Training Ground and thanked him.
• Shikamaru defeated the female Ninja from Otogakure, and Naruto began his match against Bumblebee.
• Bumblebee tied a Bell to his waist and challenged Naruto to take it, then evaded Naruto’s attacks without striking back.
• Naruto used the Shadow Clone Technique to surround Bumblebee with eight clones, while Kakashi watched the masked Ninja’s movements and sensed that he was familiar.

Naruto fought Minato, unleashed the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and pushed their duel to a draw before Minato honored their agreed condition. The chapter ended with Naruto unconscious but holding Minato’s bell, making him the winner.

• Naruto used feints, clones, and the Naruto Barrage to attack Minato, but Minato evaded the finishing blow and defeated Naruto’s clones.
• Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Harem Technique, but Minato countered with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and struck him with a sealing attack.
• The Nine-Tails recognized Minato’s chakra and lent Naruto power, transforming him with an orange-red Chakra Cloak and allowing him to overwhelm Minato.
• Anyo entered Minato’s puppet as Naruto’s body neared its limit, and Minato used a wind-and-fire attack before both fighters’ final blows left them unconscious.
• Minato sat up and declared that Naruto had won because he had taken the bell, which Naruto still held in his left hand.

Anyo defeated Kiba Inuzuka by countering his and Akamaru’s attacks, then watched Neji Hyuga defeat Hinata Hyuga after Naruto encouraged her to keep fighting. Neji lost control after the match, and four jonin restrained him as Hinata was carried away with severe internal injuries.

• Anyo entered the arena and told Kiba Inuzuka that bringing Akamaru would leave him with almost no chance of winning.
• Kiba and Akamaru attacked Anyo with Fang Over Fang, but Anyo used sensory suppression, genjutsu, and Transformation Technique to deceive them and knock Kiba unconscious.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Anyo whether they had met before, then watched as Hinata Hyuga faced Neji Hyuga in the next match.
• Neji pressured Hinata to give up, but Naruto urged her to believe in herself; Neji eventually won after Hinata repeatedly rose and continued fighting.
• Neji charged at Hinata in anger after she acknowledged his suffering, so Genma, Guy, Kakashi, and Kurenai Yuhi restrained him while a stretcher carried away the badly injured Hinata.

Rock Lee lost to Gaara after opening the Fifth Gate, and the elimination rounds ended with ten finalists selected. As the finalists received their matchups for the finals a month later, Anyo was caught in a genjutsu attack in Konoha.

• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and used Reverse Lotus against Gaara, but Gaara's defense held and his sand crushed Rock Lee's hand and foot.
• Rock Lee stood again through muscle memory, and Might Guy rushed down to catch him; Anyo said only Tsunade might be able to heal his injuries.
• The remaining matches ended, and Sasuke, Naruto, Blackarachnia, Megatron, Shino, Shikamaru, Tenten, Neji, Gaara, and the no-name Sound Ninja advanced.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the finals would begin in one month, and the finalists drew matchups including Naruto versus Megatron and Sasuke versus Gaara.
• After parting from the others, Anyo walked through Konoha until a genjutsu altered his surroundings and trapped him inside a giant tree.

Kurenai confronted the masked Anyo but let him leave after he claimed to be a Takigakure Genin, while he resolved to reunite with her only when he could offer her a stable home. At Konoha Hospital, Minato defeated Ebisu and agreed to train Naruto for a month.

• Kurenai used genjutsu on Anyo, but he revealed he was blind and recognized her; Mabui arrived after Anyo summoned her for help.
• Kurenai asked whether Anyo was a Takigakure Genin, and he confirmed it before leaving with Mabui; he later explained that he did not want to make Kurenai suffer through another separation.
• Kakashi introduced Ebisu as Naruto's special-training teacher, but Naruto objected and said he wanted someone stronger to train him.
• Minato offered to help train Naruto, and Ebisu challenged him after accusing him of trying to poach a student.
• Minato defeated Ebisu in a minute, and Kakashi told Naruto that Minato was stronger than himself; Naruto agreed to train with Minato.

Anyo met Orochimaru in a hot spring and learned about his plans to attack Konoha during the main tournament. Their discussion ended in a tense clash over who could change the world.

• Anyo brought Mabui to a hot spring, where she briefly watched him bathe before leaving.
• Orochimaru arrived in a new female body, and Anyo warned that his soul might eventually become incompatible with it.
• Orochimaru lunged at Anyo to steal his blood, but senjutsu-infused water weakened him and stopped the attack.
• Orochimaru explained that he planned to impersonate the Kazekage and attack Sarutobi during the tournament while summoning beasts caused chaos in Konoha.
• Anyo refused to shoulder the hardest parts of Orochimaru's plan, and they argued over their ambitions as Orochimaru's killing intent rose.

Minato taught Naruto Wind Release while Jiraiya and Kakashi investigated Minato’s resemblance to the Fourth Hokage. Anyo agreed to help Orochimaru during the coming operation, and Jiraiya joined Naruto’s training by passing down the toad summoning contract, leaving Minato convinced that Jiraiya had recognized him.

• Minato began teaching Naruto the Great Breakthrough after discovering Naruto’s wind nature, while Kakashi and Jiraiya watched from a distance.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the foreign genin teaching Naruto resembled Minato, and Jiraiya decided to observe him for a few days.
• Anyo agreed to follow Orochimaru’s orders during the coming operation if Orochimaru defeated Hiruzen Sarutobi without injury and settled their grudge.
• Anyo instructed Mabui to send the Kazekage outfit and give Baki the plan, then teased Mabui about what she was thinking.
• After Naruto struggled to perform Wind Release, Jiraiya emerged and proposed teaching him alongside Minato.
• Jiraiya taught Naruto how to sign the toad summoning contract, and Minato realized Jiraiya must have recognized him.

Jiraiya learned that Minato had survived and heard about the masked man who released the Nine-Tails, while Anyo’s reunion with Yugao revealed his control over Sunagakure and left Yugao asking to join his organization.

• Minato told Jiraiya that a Sharingan-wielding masked man released the Nine-Tails during Kushina’s childbirth and that Anyo had saved his soul after the Reaper Death Seal killed him.
• Jiraiya told Minato that Akatsuki was searching for Tailed Beasts and promised to protect Naruto.
• Mabui told Anyo that Baki had been killed with a single sword strike, and Anyo tackled her to avoid an attack through the door.
• The masked attacker revealed herself as Yugao, who recognized Anyo as her captain and joyfully embraced him.
• Yugao questioned Anyo about Mabui and Sunagakure, and Anyo revealed that Sunagakure was under his control.
• Mabui explained Anyo’s organization to Yugao, who removed her mask and asked to join because she trusted him.

Anyo told Yugao about his plan, and she joined the Zero Organization, hoping to leave Konoha with him. After Sasori took command of the Sand Ninja, he prepared them to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan despite Baki's death.

• Yugao told Anyo she wanted to kill Orochimaru, and Anyo encouraged her to find an opportunity while explaining why Sarutobi kept her at a distance.
• Yugao said she had joined the Anbu to wait for Anyo and insisted on leaving Konoha with him; Mabui welcomed her into the Zero Organization.
• Anyo promised to write a story for girls with Yugao as its protagonist, and Yugao eagerly accepted.
• Sasori told Anyo he had been training Tenten for the Chunin Ninja Exams, then agreed to take over command of Sunagakure's operation.
• Sasori asserted his authority over the Sand Ninja, explained the Konoha Crush Plan, and ordered them to follow his battle plans while the Kazekage attended the exams.

Anyo forfeited his match against Naruto, then the Chunin Finals postponed Sasuke’s bout with Gaara while Shikamaru was pushed into the arena to face Tenten. The chapter ended with Shikamaru unwillingly facing Tenten after her month of training under Sasori.

• Anyo forfeited his match against Naruto before they fought, and Naruto won after urging him to reconsider.
• Anyo said the Shinobi World would not exist much longer as he left the arena, while the Kazekage and Sarutobi discussed the next match.
• Sarutobi postponed Sasuke’s match against Gaara after the Kazekage argued that officials had come to see the Uchiha Clan’s sole survivor fight.
• Naruto shoved Shikamaru into the arena for his match, where he faced Tenten, who had trained under Sasori for a month.

Shikamaru outmaneuvered Tenten but forfeited because Sasori had poisoned him, and Blackarachnia also forfeited, advancing Neji. As Anyo and Sasori prepared to begin their plan, Gaara was allowed to fight Sasuke, who arrived with Kakashi just as Genma was about to announce his forfeit.

• Shikamaru used Tenten's steel wires to catch her with the Shadow Possession Jutsu, but conceded because the poison had drained his chakra, giving Tenten the win.
• Sasori forfeited Blackarachnia's match, advancing Neji and provoking an angry reaction from the spectators.
• Gaara demanded to fight Sasuke before carrying out Anyo and Sasori's plan, and Anyo agreed after hearing his reasons.
• Shino Aburame won by default when the Otogakure genin failed to arrive, while the crowd chanted for refunds.
• Gaara insisted that he would wait for Sasuke, and Kakashi arrived with Sasuke in a dramatic entrance as the spectators cheered.

Sasori forced Gaara to use the Feigning Sleep Technique, releasing Shukaku and launching the invasion of Konoha. With Hiruzen trapped by the Sound Four and Shukaku attacking the arena, Might Guy stepped forward and activated the Eight Gates.

• Sasuke pierced Gaara’s sand defense with the Lightning Blade, but Sasori appeared and knocked Sasuke unconscious with a sand claw.
• Sasori overpowered Gaara and ordered him to use the Feigning Sleep Technique; Temari reminded Gaara of Yashamaru, and Gaara obeyed, falling asleep and releasing Shukaku.
• Shukaku emerged and attacked the Duel Arena while the disguised Kazekage seized Hiruzen and the Sound Four trapped him inside a barrier.
• Kakashi and Might Guy confronted Kabuto, then defended the arena from Shukaku’s Wind Release: Air Bullet with Water Release.
• Might Guy activated the Eight Gates Released Formation and prepared to face Shukaku.

Guy used the Seventh Gate to defeat Shukaku and throw him out of the Duel Arena while Anyo and Sasori moved to watch Orochimaru fight Sarutobi. Orochimaru summoned Hashirama and Tobirama, but Sarutobi trapped them and Orochimaru with the Reaper Death Seal, leaving the struggle unresolved.

• Guy opened the Seventh Gate, countered Shukaku’s Air Bullets, struck him, and hurled him out of the Duel Arena.
• Anyo and Sasori found a concealed vantage point as Orochimaru revealed himself and confronted Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama and Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation, and the two attacked Sarutobi while their minds were suppressed.
• Anyo explained to Sasori that Orochimaru weakened the reincarnated Hokage to control them, and warned that Hashirama had been stronger than Sasori in life.
• Jiraiya and Minato arrived to defend Konoha’s breached border against the Sand and Sound forces.
• Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to absorb Hashirama’s and Tobirama’s souls and seize Orochimaru.

Sarutobi died after sealing Orochimaru’s hands, and Sasori led Sunagakure’s retreat from Konoha while rescuing Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. As the wounded Orochimaru was carried away, an unseen attacker struck at him with a deadly blade.

• Sarutobi and Orochimaru fought over Orochimaru’s soul, and Sarutobi sealed Orochimaru’s hands before dying.
• Anyo told Sasori to order Sunagakure’s forces to retreat, and Sasori signaled the withdrawal from his airborne fortress.
• Sasori flew to Gaara’s battle site and blocked Might Guy from attacking Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
• Kakashi confirmed Sarutobi’s death, and Sasori left with the three Sand ninja.
• The Sound Four carried Orochimaru toward Konoha’s border, where an unseen attacker’s blade locked onto him.

Yugao attacked Orochimaru to avenge Gekko Hayate, but Orochimaru used the Nine-Tails’ chakra to escape. After Anyo treated Yugao’s injuries, he planned Sunagakure’s diplomatic recovery and agreed with Sasori on peace envoys.

• Yugao tried to kill Orochimaru for causing Gekko Hayate’s death, but Orochimaru’s chakra cloak blocked her strike.
• Orochimaru unleashed a giant chakra hand that wounded Yugao and let him escape with the Sound Four.
• Anyo recognized the Nine-Tails’ chakra in Yugao’s wounds and healed her with senjutsu chakra.
• Anyo told Yugao to avoid Orochimaru’s power in a future encounter, then promised to write the illustrated heroine as soon as he could.
• Anyo advised Sasori to restore diplomatic relations, appoint himself Fifth Kazekage, and propose an Allied Nations Treaty; Sasori suggested sending a team led by Might Guy from Konoha.

After the battle, Anyo prepared to travel to Sunagakure while Orochimaru sought treatment for his sealed hands. As Konoha mourned Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya confronted Anyo about his connection to Orochimaru and asked whether he wanted to become Hokage.

• Anyo decided to travel to Sunagakure with Might Guy's team after Sasori finished negotiating with Konoha, while Mabui returned with Sasori and Yugao considered leaving the Anbu.
• Orochimaru returned to his base in poor condition, and Kabuto Yakushi said only one person could treat his injury, prompting Orochimaru to order him to find her.
• Anyo worked on a new book as rain fell over Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi's funeral approached.
• Anyo restored Minato's weakened soul and warned him not to fight with the damaged puppet.
• Jiraiya visited Anyo, accused him of helping Orochimaru's invasion, and asked whether he wanted to be Hokage.

Anyo rejected Jiraiya’s suggestion that he become Hokage and urged Minato to recover his Soul Power. Later, Anyo intervened when Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki attacked Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma, and Kurenai recognized his mysterious blade as the one that had saved her before.

• Anyo refused to become Hokage, and Jiraiya said he would take Naruto to find Tsunade in two days.
• Anyo told Minato to practice the Spirit Transformation Technique while recovering his Soul Power.
• Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma spotted two suspicious visitors near a dessert shop, then Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma confronted them.
• The visitors revealed themselves as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, and the four began fighting.
• Anyo sent his concealed Supreme Edge to rescue Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma, wounding Kisame and forcing Itachi and Kisame to retreat.
• Kurenai Yuhi recognized Anyo’s blade from the Konoha Defense War and ran toward a part of the village.

Kurenai Yuhi confronted Anyo after recognizing him in Konoha, and they reunited at her home. Anyo revealed his weakened condition and past hardships, while Kurenai confessed her lasting love for him and asked him to be with her.

• Kurenai Yuhi searched for Anyo and threatened to stab herself until he appeared and stopped her with a blade.
• Kurenai Yuhi embraced Anyo, reproached him for hiding from her, and went home with him.
• Anyo told Kurenai Yuhi about his years of hardship, his reconstructed body, temporary blindness, and near-total loss of chakra.
• Kurenai Yuhi accepted Anyo's condition and told him she wanted to protect him, then confessed that she had loved him since childhood.
• Anyo admitted he would not remain faithful to one person, but Kurenai Yuhi said she still wanted a future with him and invited him to love her.

After spending the night with Kurenai Yuhi, Anyo discovered that her chakra had been converted into senjutsu chakra and strengthened him. Kurenai recovered and shared a meal with him, ending the chapter by realizing he could grow stronger just by sleeping with someone.

• Anyo examined the changes in his body and found that chakra from Kurenai Yuhi had become senjutsu chakra, giving him roughly Chunin-level strength.
• Anyo sensed that Kurenai had lost only a small amount of chakra and that she was gradually recovering.
• Kurenai Yuhi slept through the day, then woke in the evening to find Anyo had prepared a feast.
• Anyo told Kurenai about his newfound chakra and how their union had strengthened him.
• Kurenai Yuhi remarked that Anyo could get stronger just by sleeping.