Chapter Summaries

Izayoi secured the Heaven and Earth scrolls, then headed toward Seventh Squad to prevent Orochimaru from taking Sasuke Uchiha. As Orochimaru attacked the team with overwhelming killing intent, Naruto Uzumaki rallied and unleashed hundreds of shadow clones, leaving Orochimaru surprised by his Chakra.

• Hinata sympathized with Karin, and Izayoi told her he could only protect the people close to him.
• Shino Aburame confirmed that Karin's group had the Scroll of Heaven, and Izayoi entrusted him with it and their Scroll of Earth.
• Izayoi sent Hinata and Shino Aburame to the Central Tower and went to Seventh Squad, intending to keep Sasuke Uchiha in the Hidden Leaf Village.
• Orochimaru, disguised as a Grass Ninja, swallowed the Scroll of Earth and unleashed killing intent that overwhelmed Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno.
• Naruto Uzumaki stood up, inspiring Sasuke Uchiha to awaken his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, then created three hundred shadow clones and began a Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

Naruto Uzumaki unleashed a devastating Wind Release attack against Orochimaru, but Orochimaru sealed Naruto’s chakra and overwhelmed him and Sasuke Uchiha. Just as Orochimaru prepared to place the Heaven Curse Mark on Sasuke, Izayoi arrived and struck him with a powerful punch.

• Naruto Uzumaki’s Wind Release destroyed the clearing and blew away his shadow clones, shocking Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno.
• Orochimaru emerged unharmed, bound Naruto with snakes, and struck him with the Five Elements Seal while Sasuke attacked.
• Sasuke freed Naruto and tried to escape with him, but Naruto’s sealed, chaotic chakra left him unable to repeat his powerful technique.
• Naruto refused to abandon Sasuke and charged Orochimaru, allowing Orochimaru to trap both of them with swampy ground and giant snakes.
• Orochimaru prepared to place the Heaven Curse Mark on Sasuke, but Izayoi appeared and punched him away.

Izayoi joined Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki against Orochimaru, who was trying to place a Cursed Seal on Sasuke. Izayoi’s Gaia Energy Cannon created a massive fire tornado that drew the attention of the ninja forces in the Death Forest.

• Izayoi pulled Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki out of the swamp and identified their attacker as Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru rushed the group, but Izayoi intercepted him while Sasuke Uchiha attacked with the Great Dragon Fire Technique.
• Orochimaru used clones and a python to ambush Sasuke Uchiha, but Izayoi cut through the attack with Wind Release and rescued him.
• Izayoi engulfed Orochimaru in flames, then warned Sasuke Uchiha to retreat before launching the Gaia Energy Cannon.
• The blast formed a towering fire tornado, and the ninja forces in the Death Forest suspected someone was fighting Orochimaru.

Izayoi used his self-developed Fire Tornado to drive off Orochimaru and helped Seventh Squad escape the Death Forest. After Orochimaru’s return stirred alarm in Hidden Leaf Village, the Chunin Exams continued, and the second exam ended five days later.

• Izayoi rescued Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki after Orochimaru survived the Fire Tornado and escaped the Death Forest.
• Izayoi reunited with Sakura Haruno and reassured Seventh Squad that Orochimaru had not followed them, warning Sasuke Uchiha to stay on Central Street after the exam.
• Izayoi revealed that the Fire Tornado was an unfinished byproduct of his Ultimate Technique, astonishing Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Izayoi confirmed Orochimaru had abandoned his attempt to place a Cursed Seal on Sasuke Uchiha, then parted ways with Seventh Squad and met Hinata and Shino Aburame at the Central Tower.
• Seventh Squad obtained a Scroll of Heaven, reached the Central Tower, and reported Orochimaru’s return to Iruka Umino’s Shadow Clone.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly sent ninja and Anbu to search for Orochimaru while keeping the Chunin Exams running, and the second exam ended five days later.

The Third Exam preliminary round began after Yakushi Kabuto withdrew, leaving twenty-three examinees to compete for places in the Main Tournament. Dosu Kinata defeated Choji Akimichi, and the next match paired Sasuke Uchiha against Zaku Abumi as Orochimaru watched from the stands.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the purpose of the Third Exam, and Hayate Gekko announced the rules for its preliminary matches.
• Yakushi Kabuto withdrew, leaving twenty-three examinees and one bye as the random matchups began.
• Dosu Kinata defeated Choji Akimichi by trapping him against a wall and striking him with a Sound Wave Fist.
• Izayoi recognized Orochimaru among the Hidden Sound Village Jonin, and Orochimaru noticed Izayoi watching him.
• The screen matched Sasuke Uchiha against Zaku Abumi, and Sasuke told Naruto Uzumaki that he wanted to fight him too.

Sasuke Uchiha defeated Zaku Abumi by outsmarting his sound-wave attacks and striking with a Fireball Jutsu. Hinata Hyuga then faced Kin Tsuchi, whose jealousy turned into a desire to hurt her, as the match was about to begin.

• Zaku Abumi used air pressure and sound waves to attack Sasuke Uchiha, but Sasuke endured the assault and created two shadow clones.
• Sasuke Uchiha used a Fireball Jutsu to engulf Zaku Abumi, and Hayate Gekko extinguished the flames before medical ninja carried Zaku away.
• The match list paired Hinata Hyuga against Kin Tsuchi, and Red Yuhi and Izayoi encouraged Hinata before she entered the hall.
• Sasuke Uchiha warned Hinata Hyuga to watch for Kin Tsuchi's weapons and devices, and Hinata confidently acknowledged him.
• Kin Tsuchi grew jealous of Hinata Hyuga and imagined cutting her hair and slashing her face, while Hinata's Byakugan veins bulged as her expression sharpened.

Hinata defeated Kin Tsuchi with lightning-fast Gentle Fist strikes, showcasing a speed technique taught by Izayoi. Kankuro then outwitted and easily defeated Tsurugi Misumi by fighting through his disguised puppet, Crow.

• Hinata used Lightning Release Chakra Stimulation Cells to rush Kin Tsuchi and strike her down with the Gentle Fist.
• The observers reacted to Hinata's speed, and Might Guy explained the technique to Tenten and Rock Lee.
• Sasuke Uchiha told Kakashi Hatake that Izayoi had taught the technique to him and Hinata, while Kakashi and Orochimaru grew more curious about Izayoi's strength.
• Tsurugi Misumi bound Kankuro, only to discover he had been attacking Kankuro's puppet Crow in disguise.
• Kankuro emerged from Crow's bandages and used the puppet to defeat Tsurugi Misumi with ease.

The preliminaries continued as several matches ended, culminating in Naruto Uzumaki defeating Kiba Inuzuka with Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. The screen then revealed that Izayoi would face Rock Lee next.

• Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno exhausted themselves in a battle of fundamentals and both failed to qualify for the Main Tournament.
• Temari defeated Tenten, and Shikamaru Nara immobilized Sawano Genichi, who conceded.
• Minako conceded her match against Neji Hyuga without fighting.
• Naruto Uzumaki surrounded Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru with shadow clones, then hurled them through the air with Great Breakthrough.
• The Guidance Jonin caught Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru, and Hayate Gekko declared Naruto Uzumaki the winner.
• The screen displayed Izayoi VS Rock Lee as the next match.

Izayoi faced Rock Lee in the Chunin Exam preliminaries, and Lee removed his heavy leg weights to fight at full strength. The match began with Izayoi blowing Lee away with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, while the watching ninjas prepared for the battle to continue.

• Rock Lee eagerly accepted his match against Izayoi, and Might Guy encouraged him to show the power of youth.
• Izayoi handed Hinata the camera, then asked her to reward him if he won before using Body Flicker to enter the arena.
• Izayoi told Rock Lee to remove his weights, and Might Guy gave Lee permission to do so.
• Rock Lee dropped his weights, cracking the floor and stunning the examinees and Jonin with their impact.
• Hayate Gekko began the match, and Rock Lee immediately attacked Izayoi with Leaf Whirlwind.
• Izayoi blocked Lee's kick with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and blew him toward the wall, prompting Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake to activate their Sharingan.

Izayoi and Rock Lee fought an escalating taijutsu match, with Izayoi revealing powerful lightning chakra control and Chidori Stream. The chapter ended as Rock Lee opened the Third Gate, unleashing the full power of the Eight Gates Formation.

• Rock Lee attacked Izayoi with rapid strikes and Konoha Great Whirlwind, but Izayoi blocked and countered without moving from his spot.
• Izayoi and Rock Lee exchanged increasingly fast blows as Izayoi used Kagura's perception and Lightning Release Chakra Stimulation Cells to keep pace.
• Rock Lee, encouraged by Might Guy, removed his hand bandages and prepared to use the forbidden Lotus technique against Izayoi.
• Rock Lee tried to seize Izayoi, but Izayoi surrounded himself with Chidori Stream, shocking Lee away and drawing astonishment from the jonin.
• Izayayo used Chidori Stream to strike Rock Lee into a wall, then urged him to reveal his true strength.
• Rock Lee opened the Third Gate, the Gate of Life, as green energy erupted around him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with a countdown to the launch of the spaceship, the Astraeus, carrying the first human mission to colonize Mars.
• The launch is successful, and the crew begins their journey.
• A mysterious anomaly is detected, causing concern among the crew and mission control.

Character Developments

• Dr. Amelia "Ame" Stone: The mission's geologist, Ame struggles with claustrophobia and anxiety, exacerbated by the confined spaceship environment and the anomaly.
• Captain James "Jim" Ripley: The mission's captain, Jim remains calm and composed under pressure, focusing on the crew's safety and the mission's success.
• Dr. Leo Zola: The mission's biologist, Leo shows signs of stress and tension, hinting at a possible secret or past issue.

Significant Themes

• Space Exploration and Discovery: The crew's journey to Mars represents humanity's reach for the stars and the unknown.
• Isolation and Confinement: The spaceship's confined environment highlights the psychological challenges of long-duration space missions.
• Trust and Leadership: Jim's leadership is tested, and the crew's trust in him is challenged by the anomaly and Ame's anxiety.

Character Interactions

• Ame and Jim have a tense interaction when Ame's anxiety causes her to question Jim's decisions, straining their professional relationship.
• Leo and Ame share a moment of understanding and support, bonding over their shared stress and tension.
• Jim, Ame, and Leo have a crucial conversation about the anomaly, revealing their differing opinions and concerns about the situation.

Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and charged Izayoi, who answered with a Storm Release technique called Judgement. Izayoi’s laser overwhelmed Lee’s Reverse Lotus, but Kakashi cut through the beam and Hayate rescued the unconscious Lee as the rest of it blasted a massive hole through the hall.

• Rock Lee opened the Fourth Gate and attacked Izayoi at overwhelming speed, but Izayoi evaded him with the Substitution Technique.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and launched himself toward Izayoi, who formed the Super Hurricane Combination Sphere by combining lightning and water transformations.
• Izayoi fired Judgement as Rock Lee used Reverse Lotus, and the laser beam overpowered Lee’s attack.
• Kakashi Hatake cut through the beam before it struck Rock Lee, and Hayate Gekko caught the unconscious Lee.
• The remaining beam struck the floor, shaking the Central Tower and leaving a huge black hole in the hall.

Izayoi defeated Rock Lee with Storm Release: Judgement, and the Chunin Exam preliminaries ended with eleven contestants advancing. After the contestants drew their Main Tournament matchups, Izayoi and Hinata celebrated together, but his attempt to take artistic photos of her ended when she fainted from embarrassment.

• Rock Lee lost consciousness after Izayoi defeated him with Storm Release: Judgement, and medical ninja carried him away for treatment.
• The preliminaries concluded after Gaara defeated Akado Yoroi, leaving eleven examinees to advance to the Main Tournament.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced the one-month preparation period, and the drawing paired Izayoi with Gaara while Shino Aburame received the bye.
• Red Yuhi treated Eighth Squad to dinner, and Hinata later went to Izayoi's house to develop photographs with him.
• Izayoi gave Hinata revealing outfits and asked to take artistic photos; after posing for one picture, Hinata became overwhelmed and fainted.

After Hinata avoided him following the artistic photos incident, Izayoi took Hanabi on a secret trip outside the Hidden Leaf Village and traveled with her toward Sakura Street. They reached the city after more than a week of sightseeing, growing closer along the way.

• Hinata sent Hanabi to tell Izayoi she would be training with Hyuga Hiashi, and Hanabi asked Izayoi to take her traveling during summer break.
• Izayoi bought supplies and film rolls, then used the Body Flicker Technique to take Hanabi out of the Hidden Leaf Village without permission.
• Hanabi's guard failed to keep up with them and reported their departure to Hyuga Hiashi, who accepted it and trusted Izayoi to protect his daughter.
• Izayoi and Hanabi visited towns and scenic spots, took photos, and continued toward Sakura Street, where Karin was staying.
• During the journey, Hanabi and Izayoi shared daily routines, massages, naps, and playful teasing, becoming closer before arriving at Sakura Street.

Izayoi welcomed Karin back to the villa, left Hanabi in her care, and charged a basement full of Akatsuki-cloaked puppets as a gift for Akatsuki and Danzo. He asked Karin what she wanted for her future, and after she chose to become a ninja, he took her and Hanabi to see the cherry blossoms.

• Izayoi arrived at the villa with Hanabi, reunited with Karin, and introduced the two girls to each other.
• Izayoi left Hanabi with Karin and went downstairs to charge nearly a hundred puppets, intending them as a grand gift for Akatsuki and Lord Danzo.
• Izayoi asked Karin about her recovery and future, and Karin chose to become a ninja.
• Izayoi promised to help Karin and Hanabi become powerful kunoichi, then carried Hanabi on his shoulders as they went with Karin to see the cherry blossoms.

Izayoi returned to Konoha with Hanabi and reunited with Hinata before the Main Tournament began. After Dosu Kinata forfeited, Hinata and Temari entered the first match, beginning their fight with fierce resolve.

• Izayoi returned to Konoha with Hanabi and prepared for the Main Tournament while Karin promised to practice the technique he had left for her.
• Hinata visited Izayoi after a month apart, admitted no jealousy aloud, and went with him to the tournament plaza.
• Genma Shiranui announced that Dosu Kinata had forfeited, advancing Naruto Uzumaki and setting Hinata Hyuga against Temari in the first match.
• Temari and Hinata exchanged taunts and prepared to fight as Hanabi and the other contestants watched.
• Genma Shiranui started the match between Hinata Hyuga and Temari.

Hinata defeated Temari with her Gentle Fist and advanced, while Kankuro forfeited his match against Shikamaru. Gaara made a striking entrance for the next fight, and Izayoi stunned the arena by flying toward the exam ground.

• Temari attacked Hinata with Wind Release, but Hinata countered her techniques and blocked her Great Sickle Weasel Technique with Rotation.
• Hinata struck Temari through her fan, sealed her chakra with a Gentle Fist attack, and won the match.
• Hinata returned to the stands and saw that Kankuro had forfeited, allowing Shikamaru to advance automatically.
• Gaara appeared in the arena by gathering sand around himself, drawing the spectators' attention.
• After Shikamaru warned Izayoi about Gaara, Izayoi rose into the air and flew toward the arena, leaving the contestants and spectators stunned.

Izayoi revealed his ability to fly and used a newly fused three-nature secret technique against Gaara in the Chunin Exams. As the blast engulfed Gaara and shook the arena, the Konoha Crush Plan began.

• Izayoi flew into the arena, astonishing the spectators and ninja, before Genma Shiranui began his match against Gaara.
• Gaara attacked with Sand Binding Coffin, but Izayoi escaped into the air and struck Gaara's sand defense with a water-based energy sphere.
• Izayoi combined lightning, water, and fire transformations into the secret technique Narukōhō and hurled its destructive cyan light pillar at Gaara.
• Gaara used False Sleep Technique and transformed himself and the surrounding sand to withstand the strike, while Genma Shiranui fled toward the wall.
• Narukōhō exploded across the plaza, and attackers, a Three-Headed Snake, and a sleep-inducing feather genjutsu marked the start of the Konoha Crush Plan.

During Konoha’s sudden attack by Sand and Sound, Izayoi used disguised Shadow Clones and Human Puppets to collect corpses and test whether puppets could earn perks by defeating enemies. After confirming they could, he sent the strongest puppets toward Root.

• As Konoha’s Anbu and clans moved to protect the Hokage and evacuate civilians, Izayoi deployed 301 cloaked puppets and used Ranmaru’s Red Eye to conceal them.
• Izayoi’s puppets searched Central Street for corpses, taking dead ninjas and finishing off severely injured Sand and Sound ninjas while preserving their hearts.
• A Human Puppet killed a Shimura Clan ninja and dropped a Green Perk for Izayoi, prompting him to test whether puppet kills could trigger drops.
• After puppets killed several Sand and Sound ninjas and produced a Blue Perk, Izayoi confirmed that Human Puppets could obtain perks by defeating enemies.
• While Jiraiya remained unaware of the puppets, Izayoi’s Shadow Clone withdrew the strongest ones from Central Street and sent them toward Izayoi at Root.

Izayoi infiltrated Root’s underground base and drew Danzo Shimura and his forces into a battle, while Danzo recognized Izayoi’s Rinnegan and ordered Root to attack. Izayoi repelled Root’s coordinated ninjutsu, but a Root member’s Mind Body Switch Technique reached him as the chapter ended.

• Izayoi destroyed a surveillance device at Root’s hidden entrance and entered the underground base.
• After Fuu Yamanaka identified Izayoi as an Akatsuki member with purple ripple-patterned eyes, Danzo Shimura ordered Root to surround and kill him.
• Izayoi sent Kurosuki Raiga and the other Human Puppets toward Root while he advanced toward Danzo.
• Root trapped Izayoi inside a Four Violet Flames Formation and attacked with a barrage of elemental and combined ninjutsu.
• Izayoi rose above the Underworld Swamp and used Shinra Tensei to blast away the attacks, but Root’s Mind Body Switch Technique then struck at him.