Recaps

Haruma and the Kirigakure team stayed in the former Uchiha compound while waiting for the other Chunin Exam participants to arrive. After Haruma tricked Naruto into paying for the team’s ramen, the others learned again that Haruma’s frightening power came with a fierce protectiveness over his money.

• Haruma told Sakura that he had eaten at Ichiraku Ramen years earlier, and Sai watched him closely.
• Zabuza reported that the Third Hokage had arranged for the visiting team to stay in the former Uchiha compound until the other exam participants arrived.
• Haruma persuaded Naruto to treat Sasuke’s comrades to ramen, then led the Kirigakure team out before Naruto could limit the offer to one bowl.
• Sai explained that Naruto had been tricked into paying everyone’s bill and lent him his wallet, which Naruto agreed to repay with his mission reward.
• Suigetsu questioned Haruma’s stinginess, and Haruma’s threatening aura silenced the team before he revealed that they were all burdened by debts to him.

Haruma returned to the abandoned Uchiha compound, arranged for Kakuzu to bring Hidan away from Amegakure after the exams, and prepared for the Chunin Exams with Kirigakure's team. When the examiners' classroom filled, Kabuto recognized Haruma's voice and suspected he was Dafuweng.

• Haruma revisited his old courtyard, contacted Kakuzu through the Magic Lantern Body Technique, and told him to bring Hidan far from Amegakure and Obito and Nagato after the exams.
• Haruma slept at the Uchiha compound after laying formations, while Kakuzu agreed to prepare for the mission and bring its funds.
• During the week before the exams, Haruma's group made Naruto and the others pay for meals and shopping, while Zabuza and Kimimaro stole money from closed shops at night.
• Haruma and the other five members of Kirigakure's exam team arrived at the exam classroom, where Kabuto described Haruma's record of 1,846 D-rank missions and no higher-ranked missions.
• Haruma greeted Kabuto, who recognized his voice from his lord's base and wondered whether Haruma was Dafuweng.

Haruma and the other Genin passed Ibiki’s written test through a mix of cheating and luck, then entered the Forest of Death for the second exam. Haruma split his group into teams and went into the forest with Suigetsu and Chōjūrō, where Suigetsu pushed to hunt other teams for practice.

• Shikamaru and Sakura discussed how unusually strong the Kirigakure Genin were after Team 7’s earlier encounter with Haruma’s group.
• During Ibiki’s written test, Sasuke copied answers with his Sharingan, Haku and Suigetsu used ice to cheat, Chōjūrō read answers from his glasses, and Haruma and Kimimaro left their papers blank.
• Ibiki announced that all remaining examinees had passed, and he took note of the blank papers submitted by Naruto, Kimimaro, and Haruma.
• At the Forest of Death, Anko explained the five-day survival test and had the Genin sign consent forms before entering.
• Haruma assigned Kimimaro, Sasuke, and Haku to one team, kept Suigetsu and Chōjūrō with him, and entered the forest with them.
• Suigetsu displayed his Heaven Scroll openly and asked to attack nearby teams to practice with the Explosive Blade, but Haruma called the idea embarrassing.

Anko recognized Orochimaru’s forbidden technique on three murdered Grass Ninja and rushed into the Forest of Death, where Orochimaru attacked Kimimaro, Haku, and Sasuke. The trio fought back with coordinated attacks, and Haku’s massive ice spear shattered Orochimaru’s earthen defense.

• Kimimaro led Haku and Sasuke toward the tower while Haruma stayed behind to watch the forest.
• Anko examined three dead Grass Ninja, recognized Orochimaru’s technique, and ordered the Anbu alerted before entering the forest.
• Orochimaru attacked Kimimaro’s trio with a powerful gale, then revealed his Kage Level presence and summoned a giant snake to engage Kimimaro.
• Haku trapped Orochimaru inside a dome of ice mirrors, and Sasuke joined him in attacking with fire and ice needles.
• Haku formed Ice Release: Execution by Spear, which struck and shattered the earthen walls Orochimaru had raised around himself.

Sasuke and Haku battled Orochimaru until Kimimaro arrived and hesitated when Orochimaru claimed Fugo had ordered the attack. Kimimaro chose to protect Sasuke despite the risk of defying his lord, but a mysterious repulsive force hurled Orochimaru away just as he reached Sasuke.

• Sasuke used a fire attack against Orochimaru while stalling for Haku to prepare a technique, but Orochimaru escaped underground and caught Sasuke with a Binding Technique.
• Kimimaro pulled Orochimaru from underground, and Haku struck him with ice needles as Kimimaro revealed his full-power bone form.
• Orochimaru's disguise was torn away, and Kimimaro recognized him but hesitated to attack because he feared harming his lord's relationship with Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru claimed Fugo had ordered him to test Sasuke, then stretched his neck past Kimimaro and charged through Sasuke's flames.
• Kimimaro chose to pursue Orochimaru even if he would have to atone to his lord, but a powerful repulsive force blasted Orochimaru away from Sasuke.
• A familiar, languid voice greeted Orochimaru from the dust.

Haruma arrived to confront Orochimaru after the latter attacked Kimimaro’s group and used Haruma’s name to deceive them. As Haruma overwhelmed Orochimaru with his presence and revealed knowledge of his plans, Orochimaru wondered whether Haruma could foresee the future.

• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji reacted to the distant battle and worried about facing powerful enemies during the exam.
• Kankuro and Temari urged Gaara to collect the required scrolls and reach the tower, but Gaara stopped and turned toward a disturbance behind them.
• Suigetsu and Chōjūrō headed toward Gaara’s position while Suigetsu demolished trees to attract other teams’ attention.
• Kabuto searched for Orochimaru and, seeing the commotion, guessed that Orochimaru had caused it.
• Haruma appeared before Orochimaru, stopped Kimimaro from apologizing, and told him to trust his own judgment when Haruma was absent.
• Haruma confronted Orochimaru over attacking his subordinates and disclosed that he knew Orochimaru sought an Uchiha body, leaving Orochimaru questioning whether Haruma could foresee events.

Haruma arranged compensation from Orochimaru and revealed that he could heal injuries to the body and soul, hinting that Orochimaru might need his help. He told Sasuke that Itachi was far beyond his current strength and named the price for locating or capturing him, leaving Sasuke determined to earn the money.

• Haruma rejected Orochimaru's Earth Scroll as compensation, then accepted his promise to send a generous gift after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Haruma replenished Kimimaro's chakra and told Orochimaru that his healing methods could treat even soul injuries.
• Haruma told Sasuke that Itachi had defeated Orochimaru three years earlier and offered to reveal Itachi's location for one hundred million or bring him back for one billion.
• Haruma left the forest with Kimimaro, and Haku told Sasuke he could earn money through private jobs outside mission hours.
• Sasuke thanked Haku after realizing private work could help him save enough to learn Itachi's location.

Haruma left Sasuke and Kimimaro behind to investigate trouble while Suigetsu fought Gaara’s team in the forest. Suigetsu’s explosive attacks and liquid body overwhelmed Gaara’s defenses, but the fight remained unresolved after a massive blast.

• Haruma told Kimimaro to collect the scrolls and head for the tower without killing the teams they encountered, then vanished toward a disturbance.
• Suigetsu confronted Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari, and quickly clashed with Gaara using Shibuki and explosive tags.
• Gaara counterattacked with sand techniques, but Suigetsu evaded the sand chains and survived the Sand Hail by liquefying his body.
• Suigetsu tied Shibuki to his waist with an iron chain, then wrapped Gaara’s sand sphere in explosive tags and detonated them at close range.
• The blast hurled Suigetsu, Temari, and Kankuro away, while Chōjūrō braced himself and watched the explosion.

Haruma stopped Suigetsu from provoking Gaara into a Tailed Beast release, then intimidated Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro into backing down. Haruma and his companions continued toward the tower, leaving the Sand siblings shaken and afraid.

• Gaara transformed and attacked Suigetsu with sand, but Haruma appeared and halted the fight before Suigetsu could detonate the explosive tags around the pit.
• Haruma scolded Suigetsu for causing trouble and warned him not to interfere with his plans again.
• After Haruma began leaving, Gaara called after him and prepared to attack despite Temari and Kankuro urging him to stop.
• Haruma released killing intent that froze Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro with terror, scattering Gaara's sand.
• Haruma, Suigetsu, and Chōjūrō headed for the tower while Temari and Kankuro collapsed, wondering who Haruma was.

Haruma gathered Karin and brought her to the tower, where he assigned her to Haku’s squad, while Sarutobi refused Anko’s plea to cancel the Chunin Exams despite the threat of Orochimaru. Afterward, Haruma arranged for Fugaku, Mei Terumi, and Ao to escort the young exam participants home and hinted that he planned to visit the Akatsuki.

• Haruma rescued Karin from the Forest of Death and brought her to the tower, where he recommended her sensory abilities to Haku for his squad.
• Haruma left Suigetsu with the others and returned to Konoha, warning him not to cause trouble.
• Anko urged Sarutobi to cancel the Chunin Exams because she believed Orochimaru was in Konoha, but Sarutobi insisted the exam continue and promised to investigate.
• Haruma told Fugaku and Mei Terumi that they and Ao would escort the young participants after the exams, then said he planned to expand his operations with the Akatsuki.
• Fugaku told Mikoto that Haruma wanted him to travel to Konoha next month, and Mikoto comforted him with tea.

The third exam’s preliminary round began with one-on-one matches, and Uchiha Haruma faced Zaku Abumi of Otogakure. After Kimimaro intimidated Zaku, Haruma killed him instantly, leaving referee Gekko Hayate stunned as he waited to announce the result.

• Gekko Hayate announced that the third exam would take place in a month and that the overcrowded field required preliminary matches.
• Kiba Inuzuka said Akamaru sensed frightening enemies among the Sunagakure and Kirigakure teams, while Hinata noticed Haruma and blushed at his smile.
• Sarutobi asked Kakashi about Haruma’s influence over the Kirigakure team, then quietly gave special orders to an Anbu.
• The first matchup paired Zaku Abumi with Uchiha Haruma, and Kimimaro nearly killed Zaku with a sudden kunai threat before Haruma sent him away.
• As Zaku prepared to use Decapitating Air, Haruma killed him so quickly that Gekko Hayate could not intervene.
• Haruma asked Gekko Hayate to announce the result, but the stunned referee struggled to respond.

Uchiha Haruma intimidated the Chunin Exam spectators, assured Orochimaru that Kirigakure would not interfere with his plan, and then offered to treat Hinata after she was injured by Neji. The chapter ended with Kurenai and Kakashi unsure whether to trust him as Hinata urgently needed treatment.

• Gekko Hayate announced Haruma as the winner after he killed the Sound Ninja, and Guy told Kakashi that Haruma's speed exceeded his own.
• Orochimaru met Haruma on Hokage Rock and asked why he had come to Konoha; Haruma promised that Kirigakure would watch and not disrupt Orochimaru's plan.
• Haruma returned to the tower and saw the injured, unconscious Hinata being carried by the medical team.
• Haruma examined Hinata with his Sharingan and offered to treat her, but Kurenai grabbed his hand and Kakashi hesitated to decide whether he could be trusted.

Haruma finished treating Hinata and watched as Rock Lee began his match against Gaara. The fight left Lee struggling against Gaara’s sand, while Guy explained that Lee could only use taijutsu.

• Haruma treated Hinata, and she woke up feeling better with her chakra flow restored.
• Suigetsu teased Haruma about Haku, then was shocked with electricity until he apologized.
• Gekko Hayate announced Rock Lee versus Gaara, and Lee entered the arena with Guy and Tenten cheering him on.
• Zabuza reported that Konoha had arranged preliminary matchups to protect its genin, and Haruma and Sarutobi silently recognized each other’s calculations.
• Gaara’s sand blocked Lee’s attacks, seized his ankle, and hurled him into a wall.
• Guy told Sakura that Lee had no talent for ninjutsu and could only use taijutsu.

Rock Lee removed his leg weights and overwhelmed Gaara with his speed and Taijutsu, but Gaara survived the Front Lotus with a sand substitution and turned the fight around. Lee’s Lotus left him unable to dodge Gaara’s attacks, while Might Guy watched, ready to intervene.

• Might Guy gave Rock Lee permission to remove his leg weights, and the weights smashed deep craters into the arena floor.
• Rock Lee used his newfound speed to break through Gaara’s sand defenses and land a series of blows.
• Rock Lee bound Gaara with his bandages and performed the Front Lotus, but Gaara’s body turned out to be a sand substitution.
• Gaara formed hand seals and attacked Lee with sand, forcing him to scramble around the arena.
• Kakashi explained that the Lotus was a forbidden Taijutsu technique whose backlash left Lee unable to dodge, and Might Guy prepared to intervene.

Haruma watched Rock Lee lose to Gaara despite opening five gates, then reviewed the finals roster and received Hinata, Might Guy, Kakashi, and Naruto at the Uchiha compound. Hinata thanked Haruma for saving her, and Might Guy pleaded with him to examine Rock Lee and see if he could be treated.

• Rock Lee used the Reverse Lotus against Gaara but lost, and Haruma left the arena while Might Guy and Naruto stayed with the injured Lee.
• Zabuza brought the finals roster to the Uchiha compound, where Sasuke learned he would face Naruto, Kimimaro would face Gaara, Suigetsu would face Haku, and Haruma would face Temari.
• Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Might Guy, Hinata, and Naruto arrived at the compound the next morning to see Haruma.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke, but Kimimaro stopped him from making a scene while Haruma was still asleep.
• Hinata thanked Haruma for treating her injuries, and Might Guy bowed and asked him to examine Rock Lee for a chance of recovery.

Haruma told Might Guy and Naruto that Tsunade could heal Rock Lee and revealed where to find her, while Kakashi grew suspicious of Haruma’s motives. Haruma later explained to his team that he had chosen not to heal or recruit Rock Lee, recalling how Kimimaro’s injuries had once prompted him to retaliate against the Land of Lightning.

• Might Guy and Naruto asked Haruma to heal Rock Lee, but Haruma said he could not safely repair the chakra pathways severed throughout Lee’s body.
• Haruma said Konoha’s Princess Tsunade could treat Rock Lee and told them she might be near the gambling houses in Tanzaku Town.
• Naruto and Might Guy left hopeful that Tsunade could save Rock Lee, while Kakashi privately questioned Haruma’s unexpected helpfulness.
• Suigetsu asked Haruma why he would not recruit Rock Lee, and Haruma said Lee would not betray his village or comrades.
• Haruma’s team recalled that he had healed Kimimaro after a mission left him gravely wounded, then traveled to the Land of Lightning, stole its legacy, blamed Obito, and killed more than a dozen Special Jōnin.

Haruma healed Karin’s scars and kept the Collection Squad’s routine, then lured Naruto into paying for a lavish meal by promising to teach him a powerful ninjutsu. At the compound’s training ground, Haruma revealed the technique was the Rasengan.

• Karin offered to help heal Rock Lee, but Haruma healed her lingering bite scars instead, and she thanked him.
• Karin ran errands and learned Tsunade’s Super Strength Technique and C-rank sealing jutsu while Zabuza collected meal reimbursements from the Hokage Building.
• Haruma persuaded Naruto to treat him in exchange for a powerful ninjutsu, and Naruto spent his own money along with Sakura’s and Sai’s.
• Kakashi joined Haruma, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai on the way to the compound after secretly following them.
• Haruma restored the damaged training ground with Earth Release: Flowing Castle, then announced that he would teach Naruto the Rasengan.

Haruma demonstrated the Rasengan to Naruto and revealed that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Naruto confronted the Third Hokage, who confirmed the truth, while Kakashi was assigned to teach Naruto the Rasengan.

• Haruma demonstrated the Rasengan's power and offered to teach it to Naruto, explaining that Kakashi's teacher had invented it.
• Haruma revealed that Naruto's parents were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, and said Kakashi and Konoha's leaders had known the truth.
• Naruto rushed to question the Third Hokage, while Kakashi confronted Haruma and then hurried to the Hokage Building.
• Kakashi reported Haruma's revelation to the Third Hokage, who ordered Naruto watched and assigned Kakashi to teach him the Rasengan.
• Naruto burst into the Third Hokage's office and asked if Minato was his father, and the Third Hokage confirmed that he was.

Naruto learned that his parents had sealed the Nine-Tails inside him, and Sarutobi and Yamato stopped him from transforming before placing him under guard. Meanwhile, Haruma abducted Hinata and Hanabi and summoned Hiashi to Hokage Rock, where Hiashi recognized him as the terrifying figure from three years earlier.

• Naruto learned that his parents had been heroes and sealed the Nine-Tails inside him, then began to radiate malice as he recalled the village's rejection.
• Sarutobi tried to calm Naruto, and Yamato used a sealing formula to knock him unconscious before Kakashi carried him to the medical department.
• Sarutobi ordered Anbu to guard Naruto and stop anyone from Kirigakure, while Haruma discussed Naruto's Uzumaki heritage with Karin.
• Haruma's group abducted Hinata and Hanabi and left Hiashi a note directing him to meet alone atop Hokage Rock.
• Hiashi found his daughters asleep and unharmed beside Haruma and Zabuza, then recognized Haruma as the masked figure from three years earlier.

Naruto struggled with the truth he had learned, but Jiraiya encouraged him to keep moving forward and grow stronger. A month later, the joint Chunin Exams began in Konoha, with Sarutobi, Mei Terumi, and the Kazekage presiding as Fugaku and Shisui stood among Kirigakure’s guards.

• Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi visited Naruto, who remained withdrawn until they urged him to train for the finals against Sasuke.
• Jiraiya arrived and told Naruto that his parents’ sacrifice and the peace they protected could help him become strong.
• A month later, Sarutobi welcomed Mei Terumi and the Kazekage to Konoha for the joint Chunin Exams.
• Fourteen contestants from Konoha, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure entered the arena as the three Kage took their seats.
• Hiashi watched Fugaku and Shisui serve as Mei Terumi’s bodyguards and told Hinata and Hanabi to stay beside him.

Temari surrendered to Haruma before their match could begin, and he advanced while the spectators complained. Sarutobi tried to learn about Haruma, but Fugaku mocked Konoha for driving the boy into hiding; Haruma then returned to the lounge, where the next matchup was announced.

• As Gekko Hayate started the countdown, Temari surrendered to Haruma, then collapsed from the pressure of facing him.
• Gekko Hayate declared Haruma the winner, while the spectators grumbled that the match had ended before it began.
• Sarutobi praised Haruma to Mei Terumi and asked Fugaku why Konoha had never noticed the boy's talent.
• Fugaku said Haruma had hidden his abilities after seeing what happened to Shisui and Itachi, leaving Sarutobi with no rebuttal.
• Haruma returned to the lounge and lay on a bed Karin had prepared while Naruto watched from a corner.
• Gekko Hayate announced the next match: Naruto Uzumaki versus Sasuke Uchiha.

Naruto and Sasuke fought in the Chunin Ninja Exam arena, where Sasuke initially dominated with taijutsu and fire techniques while Naruto refused to give up. Naruto’s shadow clones surprised Sasuke, but Sasuke cleared them and launched a fireball at Naruto in midair, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Naruto challenged Sasuke to a serious fight, and Sasuke dismissed him as a weak opponent.
• Sasuke dodged Naruto’s attacks and battered him with a Lion Combo, but Naruto refused to surrender.
• Sasuke used Great Dragon Fire Technique, seemingly burning Naruto, before realizing he had struck a shadow clone.
• Naruto attacked Sasuke with Multiple Shadow Clones, but Sasuke scattered them with Blast Wave Wild Dance.
• Sasuke caught Naruto in midair with a kunai feint and fired a Fireball Technique at him as Sakura and Kiba watched anxiously.

Naruto and Sasuke continued their Chunin Ninja Exams match, with Sasuke gaining the upper hand and Naruto refusing to surrender despite his injuries. The chapter ended with Sasuke preparing to strike as Naruto struggled to keep fighting.

• Naruto surprised Sasuke with an underground attack, landing an uppercut before Sasuke activated his Sharingan and drew a kunai.
• Sasuke wounded Naruto in their close-range exchange and warned him to give up, but Naruto stood again and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
• Naruto tried to form a Rasengan, but Sasuke disrupted his focus, cut his forehead protector, and struck him with a Fire Dragon Bullet.
• Sasuke asked Gekko Hayate to announce the result and turned away, but Naruto forced himself up and declared he would not give up.
• Gekko Hayate let the match continue, and Sasuke gripped his kunai and told Naruto that talent mattered more than hard work.

Naruto drew on the Nine-Tails’ chakra to heal and strengthen himself, forcing Sasuke to fight harder despite his dwindling reserves. Sasuke resolved to end the match with Chidori as Naruto prepared a Rasengan.

• In the contestants’ lounge, Haruma said Sasuke’s victory was not certain, while the others expected Naruto to lose.
• Naruto entered his mental world and called on the Nine-Tails for power as Sasuke charged at him.
• The Nine-Tails’ chakra surrounded Naruto, healed his injuries, and let him summon more than a hundred stronger Shadow Clones.
• Naruto’s clones pressured Sasuke, who spent chakra on his Sharingan and attacks while trying to find the real Naruto.
• Sasuke broke through the clones, saw Naruto’s completed Rasengan and a red tail of chakra, and decided to finish the fight with Chidori.

Naruto defeated Sasuke in the second match after using the Sexy Jutsu to distract him, then landing a punch while avoiding a direct Rasengan strike. Gekko Hayate announced Naruto as the winner, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

• Naruto and Sasuke leapt toward each other, preparing to clash with the Rasengan and Chidori.
• Naruto's final clone transformed into a naked woman, distracting Sasuke long enough for Naruto to avoid a direct collision.
• Sasuke's Chidori struck the ground, and Naruto punched him unconscious instead of hitting him with the Rasengan.
• Kakashi, Haruma, Karin, Mei Terumi, Sarutobi, Fugaku, Shisui, Iruka, and the spectators reacted to Naruto's unexpected victory.
• Gekko Hayate announced Naruto Uzumaki as the winner of the second match, and the spectators cheered.