Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō planned to kill Tsunade, seize power in Konoha, and exploit the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, while Kakashi Hatake sought a way to increase his chakra. Shihui Aburame received an achievement reward and the chapter ended with Tsunade asking whether he would take the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō discussed killing Tsunade and dividing control of the Uchiha Clan, but Danzō insisted on a safer plan and proposed joining forces with Sunagakure to attack Konoha.
• Shimura Danzō revealed that a Wood Release experiment subject had survived and was in Konoha, prompting Orochimaru to agree to kill Fourth Kazekage Rasa and take his place before using the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams to approach Sasuke Uchiha.
• At Training Ground 1, Naruto Uzumaki practiced Tree Climbing while Sasuke Uchiha trained in genjutsu, and Kakashi Hatake wondered how to increase his chakra capacity.
• Shihui Aburame received a Jun Strength Gu for Shimura Danzō's achievement and discussed Kakashi Hatake's chakra problem, briefly considering the Hero Water and Zero-Tails Shinnō as possible sources.
• A week later, Tsunade asked Shihui Aburame whether he planned to take the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Tsunade told Shihui Aburame that Team 7 would enter the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams and suggested he learn the Rasengan from Jiraiya. Shihui and Tsunade bet on his placing first, and Kakashi Hatake later gave Team 7 registration forms for the exams in two months.

• Tsunade explained that Konoha would host the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams with Sunagakure and urged Shihui Aburame to train for the next two months.
• Tsunade suggested Shihui learn the Rasengan when Jiraiya returned, and Shihui agreed.
• Shizune reported that Sunagakure had accepted Konoha's requirements to lead the exams and make Konoha the main venue.
• Shihui Aburame and Tsunade bet that if he took first place, Tsunade would reward him; if he lost, he would give her ten bottles of nectar wine.
• Shihui Aburame told Kakashi Hatake that Team 7 would enter the exams, and Kakashi gave Shihui, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha registration forms.

Tsunade sent Jiraiya to teach Team 7 the Rasengan while he traveled to investigate Kubisaki Castle. Jiraiya found the Shusaki Giant Lizard’s summoning scroll, but discovered there was only one beast, leaving his search for the prophecy’s summoning clan unresolved.

• Tsunade asked Jiraiya to teach Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Shihui Aburame the Rasengan before the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Jiraiya agreed to train them on the way to Kubisaki Castle.
• Jiraiya demonstrated the Rasengan and began teaching its stages; after Naruto Uzumaki struggled with chakra control, Shihui Aburame suggested a larger Human Rasengan, and Jiraiya took Naruto aside to develop it.
• Shihui Aburame learned the Rasengan within two days, Sasuke Uchiha advanced to practicing with a water balloon, and Naruto Uzumaki formed a chakra layer but could not make it rotate.
• Jiraiya entered Kubisaki Castle and found the Shusaki Giant Lizard’s Summoning Scroll, but learned that the castle held only one summoning beast, not the clan he sought.

Uchiha Itachi returned to Konoha and gave Tsunade intelligence about the Akatsuki, revealing the organization’s members and raising concern over Pain’s possible Rinnegan. The chapter ended with Tsunade reviewing the report while Itachi admitted he had never seen Pain fight.

• Jiraiya gave Sasuke Uchiha the Shusaki Giant Lizard summoning scroll, and Sasuke signed it using the name Masashi Kishimoto.
• Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Shihui Aburame returned to Konoha, where Jiraiya reported that Shihui had learned the Rasengan.
• Tsunade discussed the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams with Shihui, then learned from Shizune that Uchiha Itachi had requested a meeting.
• Tsunade and Shihui met Uchiha Itachi at the Uchiha Clan compound, where they saw Sasuke training and heard that Kisame Hoshigaki had accompanied Itachi.
• Uchiha Itachi gave Tsunade a scroll detailing the Akatsuki’s members, including Pain, Konan, Zetsu, Kakuzu, Sasori, Hidan, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Deidara.
• Tsunade asked about Pain’s possible Rinnegan, and Uchiha Itachi said he was unsure because he had never seen Pain fight.

Tsunade agreed to help Uchiha Itachi stage an attack on Team 7 so he could maintain his cover while secretly protecting Konoha. Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki attacked the team, Sasuke Uchiha awakened a second tomoe while fighting his brother, and Shihui Aburame stopped Sasuke from pursuing them as new Gu rewards appeared.

• Uchiha Itachi told Tsunade that the Akatsuki planned to capture the Nine-Tails and asked her to help stage an attack on Team 7.
• Tsunade agreed, and the next day Shihui Aburame trained at Training Ground 1 while Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki prepared to attack.
• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked Kakashi Hatake as Uchiha Itachi confronted Sasuke Uchiha and immobilized Naruto Uzumaki.
• Sasuke Uchiha fought Itachi, endured his genjutsu, and awakened a second tomoe while protecting Naruto Uzumaki.
• Might Guy and the others intervened, and Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki withdrew after Kisame clashed with Guy.
• Shihui Aburame knocked out Sasuke Uchiha before he could pursue Itachi, then received the White Elephant Primeval Strength Gu and saw Sasuke's Slow Steps Gu reward unlocked.

After the attack by Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, Shihui Aburame told Uchiha Mikoto that Itachi had joined Akatsuki to hunt the tailed beasts, then resumed training and visited Team 10. The chapter ended with Shihui reassuring Karin that she and Chihori would soon be able to become Konoha ninja.

• Shizune treated Kakashi Hatake and confirmed Sasuke Uchiha was unharmed after Shihui Aburame knocked him unconscious, while Might Guy took Naruto Uzumaki to train.
• Shihui Aburame brought Sasuke home and told Uchiha Mikoto that Uchiha Itachi had joined Akatsuki, whose objective was the tailed beasts.
• Tsunade told Shihui Aburame to train for the Chunin Ninja Exams, and he left the Hokage's office for the Forest of Death.
• During Team 10's training, Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi worked together to defeat Asuma Sarutobi, who praised their teamwork.
• Ino Yamanaka asked Shihui Aburame for his opinion, and he praised her performance and fixed her hair, leaving her flustered.
• At the tree house, Shihui Aburame told Karin that she and Chihori would soon be able to become Konoha ninja, delighting Karin.

Shihui Aburame and his teammates arrived for the Chunin Ninja Exams, where Rock Lee challenged Shihui and Kabuto Yakushi sized up the candidates. Ibiki Morino began the difficult written test, leaving Naruto Uzumaki overwhelmed by the questions.

• Shihui Aburame set out for the exams with Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, then met Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and others at the Ninja Academy.
• Rock Lee confessed to Sakura Haruno, was rejected, and challenged Shihui Aburame before Tenten and Neji Hyuga led him toward the exam room.
• Shihui Aburame and the others passed a Genjutsu test at the stairs and entered the classroom, where Kabuto Yakushi introduced himself and assessed Shihui, Sasuke, and Naruto.
• Ibiki Morino explained the written exam rules and handed out the papers, and Naruto Uzumaki struggled to answer the difficult questions.

During the Chunin Exams, Team 7 passed the written test and entered the Forest of Death, where Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki collected the missing scroll. Orochimaru attacked them, and Shihui Aburame identified him as one of the Konoha Sannin before Orochimaru challenged him to fight.

• Shihui Aburame used the Heart Sound Gu to help Hinata Hyuga with two exam questions, and she blushed after hearing his private thought that she was cute.
• Ibiki Morino announced the tenth-question test, and the Genin who stayed in the room passed the first stage; Mitaraishi Anko then explained the Forest of Death rules.
• Sasuke Uchiha secured a Heaven Scroll for Team 7, and Shihui Aburame used his kikaichū to guide the team to opponents whose scrolls Naruto Uzumaki claimed.
• Orochimaru appeared disguised as a Kusagakure kunoichi, summoned a giant python, and attacked Team 7.
• Sasuke Uchiha awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, while Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke fought Orochimaru and Shihui Aburame remained unaffected by his killing intent.
• Shihui Aburame recognized Orochimaru as a former Konoha Sannin, and Orochimaru asked what he could do.

Shihui Aburame fought Orochimaru during the Chunin Ninja Exams, revealing overwhelming strength but failing to defeat him before he escaped. Afterward, Kakashi Hatake considered withdrawing Team 7, but Shihui argued they should continue and led the team to the tower.

• Naruto Uzumaki attacked Orochimaru's snakes while Shihui Aburame struck Orochimaru with powerful techniques, including an attack that summoned a white elephant phantom.
• Orochimaru survived Shihui's attacks by using substitution techniques and shedding his skin, then announced that he would meet Shihui and Sasuke Uchiha again.
• Mitaraishi Anko arrived, but Orochimaru escaped after her Cursed Seal caused her to collapse; Shihui healed her, and Kakashi Hatake learned that Orochimaru had targeted Shihui and Sasuke.
• Kakashi Hatake proposed withdrawing Team 7 from the Chunin Ninja Exams, but Shihui argued that continuing would draw Orochimaru out of hiding, and Anko offered to protect them.
• Shihui led Team 7 to the tower, where they entered without incident.

Tsunade learned that Orochimaru had appeared in the Forest of Death and might be targeting Shiki and Sasuke, while Shihui Aburame reached the tower with his team and gained the Light Rainbow Gu. After five days of searches failed to find Orochimaru, the second round ended and Tsunade opened the preliminaries with thirty Genin remaining.

• Kakashi Hatake told Tsunade that Orochimaru had been spotted in the Forest of Death and was interested in Shiki and Sasuke, prompting her to summon Shiki.
• Shihui Aburame and his team reached the tower first, where Umino Iruka congratulated them and Shihui Aburame received the Light Rainbow Gu.
• Tsunade warned Shihui Aburame about Orochimaru's Cursed Seals, and he suggested studying them for possible use by Konoha ninja.
• Tsunade informed Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had returned, and he agreed to help stop him if he appeared again.
• After five days, the second round ended with thirty Genin remaining, and Tsunade announced the preliminaries before the third round.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries produced several unexpected matchups and victories, including Shihui Aburame’s decisive win over Kankuro. Tsunade ended the round and prepared the fifteen winners to draw for the finals.

• Kabuto Yakushi withdrew, and Sasuke Uchiha defeated Dosu with Genjutsu and his Lightning Fire Sword.
• Gaara crushed Akado Yoroi with sand, while Ino Yamanaka defeated Sakura Haruno and gained a Male Beauty Gu for Shihui Aburame.
• Rock Lee, Naruto Uzumaki, Temari, and Hinata Hyuga won their matches, and Kurama Yakumo, Shino Aburame, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Kiba Inuzuka, Aburame Torune, and Zaku also advanced.
• Shihui Aburame used Light Rainbow Gu to smash Kankuro and his puppet Crow, then forced Kankuro to surrender after damaging Black Ant.
• Tsunade announced that the fifteen winners would draw for the finals, with the person who drew number fifteen receiving a bye.

The finalists drew their matchups, pairing Shihui Aburame with Gaara, and Kakashi Hatake arranged training for Team 7 before Tsunade took Shihui aside. Tsunade told him to stay close to her for the month, then assigned him Konoha’s administrative work while promising to gather information on Gaara.

• Ibiki Morino oversaw the draw, which paired Sasuke Uchiha with Naruto Uzumaki, Temari with Shikamaru Nara, Kiba Inuzuka with Hinata Hyuga, and Shihui Aburame with Gaara.
• The remaining matchups included Rock Lee against Neji Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka against Zaku, and Aburame Torune against Kurama Yakumo, while Shino Aburame drew a bye.
• Tsunade announced that the finals would begin in one month, and Kakashi Hatake arranged training for Team 7, offering Naruto Uzumaki the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and the others the Shadow Clone Technique.
• Uzuki Yugao summoned Shihui Aburame to Tsunade, who warned him to stay near her to avoid Orochimaru and offered to teach him the Shadow Clone Technique herself.
• Tsunade assigned Shihui Aburame to handle Konoha’s affairs during the month and said she had sent Anbu to gather information on Gaara.
• Shihui Aburame trained at home while Tsunade rested, and Shizune returned from the busy hospital and prepared dinner.

Shihui Aburame helped Tsunade with Hokage duties, learned the Shadow Clone Technique, and uncovered a mission report about the Dragon Vein that inspired him to consider traveling to Rōran to grow stronger. After a month of work and study, he visited Hinata Hyuga at training and praised her progress ahead of the Chunin Exams finals.

• Shihui Aburame filled in for Shizune at the Hokage Building, sorted documents, and learned the Shadow Clone Technique from Tsunade.
• Tsunade assigned Shihui Aburame materials on Konoha's organization and secret mission reports, including one about Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, and Shibi Aburame sealing the Dragon Vein at Rōran.
• Shihui Aburame considered traveling to Rōran to use the Dragon Vein's power and gain time to cultivate, then spent a month studying Konoha's operations.
• Tsunade gave Shihui Aburame a day off before the Chunin Exams finals, while she wondered whether Orochimaru had fled or was planning something.
• Hinata Hyuga practiced Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms at Training Ground 7, and Shihui Aburame praised her increased strength.

Shihui Aburame visited Ino Yamanaka, gave Tsunade red carnations, and learned that Gekko Hayate had been killed. As the Chunin Ninja Exams finals began the next morning, Shihui encountered Hanabi Hyuga with Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata Hyuga, whose wary look left the meeting tense.

• Shihui Aburame visited Ino Yamanaka's flower shop, where she gave him red carnations to present to Tsunade and remembered that he liked red.
• Shihui Aburame told Tsunade to be cautious about Sunagakure and Orochimaru after she revealed that Gekko Hayate had been found dead, but she refused to attend the finals using a Shadow Clone.
• Tsunade kept Shihui Aburame's carnations after Shizune explained that red carnations could signify admiration as well as respect.
• Shihui Aburame visited Chihori and Karin, shared lemonade and snacks with them, and then returned to the old Senju residence.
• On the morning of the finals, Shihui Aburame met Hanabi Hyuga, who stood with Hinata Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi, and Hiashi briefly looked wary.

Hanabi Hyuga teased Shihui Aburame about becoming her brother-in-law before he and Hinata Hyuga attended the Chunin Ninja Exams finals. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha began the first match, and Sasuke gained the upper hand after Naruto removed his weighted restraints.

• Hanabi Hyuga offered to distract Hyuga Hiashi, then persuaded Shihui Aburame to promise her snacks after the exams.
• Shihui Aburame and Hinata Hyuga joined Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara in the stands before the finals began.
• Tsunade welcomed the spectators, and Genma Shiranui announced the rules and named Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha as the first match.
• Sasuke Uchiha dodged Naruto Uzumaki's opening kick and struck him with lightning, but Naruto revealed that he had been wearing heavy weights.
• Naruto Uzumaki attacked at high speed, but Sasuke Uchiha tracked him with the Sharingan and knocked him to the ground with a combo.
• Might Guy urged Naruto Uzumaki to release his restraints as Kakashi Hatake watched the fight.

Naruto Uzumaki defeated Sasuke Uchiha in a brutal Chunin Ninja Exams match after opening the fifth gate, while Sasuke revealed Konoha's White Fang's swordsmanship. Shikamaru Nara then surrendered to Temari, leaving the next match between Shihui Aburame and Gaara still to come.

• Naruto Uzumaki opened the Eight Gates Released Formation and used the Reverse Lotus against Sasuke Uchiha, but the Kubisaki Lizard interrupted the attack.
• Sasuke Uchiha used Konoha's White Fang's swordsmanship with the Lightning Fire Sword to keep Naruto Uzumaki at bay.
• Naruto Uzumaki opened the fifth gate and knocked Sasuke Uchiha unconscious, then collapsed from exhaustion as Genma Shiranui declared him the winner.
• Shihui Aburame received the Ghost Cry Gu reward for completing the Ultimate Class achievement.
• Temari chased Shikamaru Nara around the arena, but he surrendered after running out of chakra.

Hinata Hyuga defeated Kiba Inuzuka, and Shiki Aburame fought Gaara, breaking through his defenses and injuring him. As Gaara’s killing intent rose and the Konoha Crush Plan faltered, Antelope informed Tsunade that Shimura Danzō had taken Yamato.

• Hinata Hyuga used Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists to defeat Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru, and Kiba surrendered.
• Shiki Aburame opened his match against Gaara with powerful Gu attacks, then used Lightning Wings Gu to take to the air.
• Gaara trapped Shiki Aburame in sand, but Shiki broke free and used Light Rainbow Gu to charge into him, injuring him through his defenses.
• Temari and Kankuro realized Gaara might go berserk, jeopardizing the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Antelope told Tsunade that Shimura Danzō had been found and had taken Yamato.

Tsunade left to confront Shimura Danzō after he abducted Yamato, while Shihui Aburame defeated Gaara and triggered the invasion plan. The chapter ended with Orochimaru trapping Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation and summoning three coffins with Impure World Reincarnation.

• Tsunade received Shimura Danzō's note demanding that she meet him alone at Hokage Rock to save Yamato, and she left after asking Hiruzen Sarutobi to explain her absence to the Kazekage.
• Shihui Aburame used Ghost Cry Gu to disrupt Gaara, then endured Sand Burial and defeated him with a punch and a kick.
• Gaara lost control and transformed into the One-Tail as Orochimaru revealed himself, held Hiruzen Sarutobi at kunai-point, and started the invasion with Kabuto Yakushi's genjutsu.
• Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy fought the attacking Jonin while Shikamaru Nara organized the students to help those in the stands and notify Naruto and Sasuke.
• Orochimaru trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation and summoned three coffins using Impure World Reincarnation.

Shimura Danzō tried to force Tsunade to support his bid for Hokage, but she knocked him unconscious and ordered his arrest. At the Chunin Ninja Exams, Shihui Aburame stopped Gaara’s Shukaku transformation, earned a new Gu, and reunited with Tsunade as the Sunagakure siblings prepared to surrender.

• Shimura Danzō claimed Orochimaru and Rasa had joined forces to attack Konoha and demanded Tsunade back him as the next Hokage.
• Tsunade struck Danzō unconscious, ordered Antelope to seal and imprison him, and sent the Anbu to search for Yamato.
• Shukaku attacked Shihui Aburame, who evaded its blows and used Gaara’s vulnerability to end the Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Shihui Aburame awakened Gaara and earned All-Out Effort Gu after Gaara’s feelings softened toward Temari.
• Tsunade hugged Shihui Aburame, then ordered Temari and Kankuro to bring Gaara back to the village.
• Gaara apologized to Temari as the siblings accepted that Sunagakure had to surrender.

After Orochimaru’s attack killed Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade took command of Konoha and negotiated a truce with Sunagakure. Shihui Aburame returned home after the battle, unlocked a new Gu reward, and cared for an exhausted Tsunade.

• Tsunade learned Orochimaru had disguised himself as Rasa, then found Hiruzen Sarutobi dead on the platform and ordered his body prepared for burial.
• Tsunade realized Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju, while Shizune arrived after helping capture Baki.
• Tsunade negotiated a reconciliation agreement with Baki and the Sunagakure ninja, ending the Konoha Crush Plan and suspending the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Shihui Aburame visited the infirmary and confirmed Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were recovering, then explained the One-Tail and Jinchūriki to his friends.
• Shihui Aburame unlocked the Flying Bone Shield Gu achievement, returned to the Senju residence, and cooked for Tsunade after she came home exhausted.