Chapter Summaries

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.

Kimimaro dominated Gaara in their Chunin Ninja Exams match, following Haruma’s order to prolong the fight. Gaara unleashed an enormous sand attack that engulfed the arena and nearby stands, forcing Yamato to intervene.

• Kimimaro and Gaara began their match while Karin tended to the unconscious Sasuke in the contestants' lounge.
• Kimimaro shattered Gaara’s Sand Armor and repeatedly sent him flying as Gaara tried to control the battlefield with sand.
• Haruma left the lounge, ordering Haku to keep watch until Zabuza arrived, while concealed Anbu numbers increased around the stands.
• Gaara erupted in rage and unleashed Quicksand Waterfall Flow, which engulfed the arena and the spectator stands beside Kimimaro.
• Yamato stepped onto the railing and used Wood Release: Four-Pillar Adamantine to stop the sand from killing spectators.

Sunagakure and Otogakure launched an assault on Konoha during the Chunin Exams, while Zabuza’s Kirigakure team protected civilians and Kakashi sent the Genin after the fleeing Sand Ninja. The Kazekage held Sarutobi hostage inside a barrier until a mysterious Rinnegan wielder appeared and killed five Anbu.

• Kiba’s Akamaru detected the disguised infiltrators, and Kabuto ordered them to cast genjutsu on the spectators and attack the Konoha Genin.
• The Kazekage captured Sarutobi and revealed that the alliance was a pretense, then addressed him as his former student.
• Baki held Kimimaro off while Temari and Kankuro helped the injured Gaara escape from the arena.
• Zabuza ordered his Kirigakure team to free civilians from genjutsu and avoid joining the battle between Sunagakure and Konoha.
• Kakashi assigned Naruto, Sakura, and the other Genin an A-rank mission to pursue the fleeing Sand Ninja.
• A mysterious orange-haired man with a Rinnegan appeared above the arena after killing five Anbu, and Sarutobi and the Kazekage recognized his eyes.

Orochimaru attacked Konoha and revealed his goal to destroy the village in order to provoke war and shake the Shinobi World out of peace. As Sarutobi faced his former student inside the barrier, Haruma guarded the barrier’s Sound Ninja while battles raged throughout Konoha.

• Mei Terumi and Shisui recognized the significance of Haruma’s Rinnegan, while Fugaku suspected Haruma was the same person as the mysterious figure who had used the Sharingan.
• The Kazekage revealed himself as Orochimaru and confronted Sarutobi inside the barrier.
• Sand Ninja, Sound Ninja, and giant pythons attacked Konoha, while Jiraiya, Ibiki Morino, and other defenders fought to protect the village and its children.
• Haruma killed Anbu who approached the barrier and guarded the Cursed Seal Four as Sarutobi and Orochimaru prepared to fight.
• Orochimaru told Sarutobi that he wanted to destroy Konoha to provoke another war, believing conflict would produce powerful ninja and revive the stagnant Shinobi World.

Sarutobi attacked Orochimaru, but the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama quickly drove him into retreat. Haruma watched from outside the barrier, intent on preserving his plan to blame the Akatsuki and keep his identity secret.

• Sarutobi launched a powerful combination of Fire, Wind, and Earth techniques at Orochimaru, who praised the attack without defending himself.
• Tobirama stopped Sarutobi’s swamp with a lake and attacked him with water techniques, while Hashirama smashed the fireball apart with his fists.
• Sarutobi blocked Tobirama’s rain with an Earth-Style Wall, but Hashirama punched through it and forced him to leap away.
• Outside the barrier, Haruma watched the two reanimated Hokage and considered them tools he would eventually add to his collection.
• Zabuza and his squad gathered and protected the civilians, while Suigetsu questioned whether the mysterious man was Haruma and Kimimaro affirmed his faith in their boss.
• Haruma chose not to let his squad watch the battle, determined to preserve his plan for Sarutobi’s death, Orochimaru’s sealed hands, and shifting suspicion onto the Akatsuki.

Sarutobi defeated the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama with explosive tags and sealed their souls using the Reaper Death Seal. He then trapped Orochimaru with Enma’s help and began sacrificing his life to stop him.

• Sarutobi and Enma fought Hashirama and Tobirama while the Sound Ninja strained to maintain the barrier.
• Sarutobi used an explosive-tag ambush to knock the reanimated Hokage into place, then sealed their souls with the Reaper Death Seal.
• Hashirama and Tobirama briefly regained their clarity, apologized to Sarutobi, and praised his leadership before their bodies crumbled to ash.
• Orochimaru drew the Kusanagi Sword and attacked Sarutobi, confident that his injured former teacher could no longer stop him.
• Sarutobi grabbed Orochimaru’s shoulders as Enma held the sword in place, and Orochimaru realized Sarutobi’s life force was rapidly draining.

Sarutobi struggled to extract Orochimaru’s soul while Enma held him in place, as Konoha’s forces contained the invasion and Haruma’s allies carried out their plans. The chapter ended with Fugaku infiltrating the Hokage Building and seemingly placing the Hokage Advisors under genjutsu.

• Sarutobi kept Orochimaru trapped in his jutsu despite his worsening injuries, while Enma held the Kusanagi Sword in place and prevented Orochimaru from escaping.
• Kakashi and Hiashi assessed the battlefield; Kakashi sent Anbu to deal with Orochimaru’s summons and planned to return with Jiraiya.
• Hiashi recognized Fugaku’s figure as a Shadow Clone and chose to submit to Haruma to protect the Hyuga Clan.
• Mei Terumi asked Fugaku about his mission, and Fugaku said the targets were under control and that he needed an opportunity to switch places with his real body.
• Fugaku entered the Hokage Building, where the three Anbu guarding Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had been incapacitated, and a scarlet gleam flashed in the Advisors’ eyes.

Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal to take Orochimaru’s hands before dying, but Haruma intervened when Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru. Haruma revealed his Rinnegan and used Shinra Tensei to blast everyone away, leaving his intentions and Jiraiya’s fate unresolved.

• Jiraiya abandoned his attempt to reach Naruto and hurried to the arena after learning that a Rinnegan wielder had appeared during Sarutobi and Orochimaru’s battle.
• Sarutobi sealed Orochimaru’s hands with the Reaper Death Seal, then died from his wounds as Orochimaru cursed him and ordered the Sound Ninja to retreat.
• Jiraiya arrived, found Sarutobi dead, and threatened to imprison Orochimaru, while Orochimaru concluded that Haruma could foresee the future and would help him.
• Haruma descended to assist Orochimaru in exchange for a substantial gift from Kabuto, then identified himself to Jiraiya only by using Shinra Tensei.
• Haruma’s repulsive force shattered the surrounding landscape and hurled Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and the others away from him.

Haruma left Konoha after securing the four Hokage’s remains and making arrangements for his allies. He secretly gave Fugaku and Shisui two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving them stunned by his gift.

• Orochimaru fled Konoha with the Cursed Seal Four and wondered whether Haruma had already anticipated his next move.
• Haruma emerged from the Uzumaki ruins with a mask and celebrated collecting the remains of four Hokage for Impure World Reincarnation.
• Haruma told Mei Terumi and the others to remain in Konoha until the Third Hokage’s funeral, then planned to visit the company’s branch office alone.
• Fugaku asked about Haruma’s Rinnegan, and Haruma dismissed his chances of awakening one while refusing to explain how he could change his eyes back.
• Haruma gave Kimimaro Yang Release Chakra to slow his illness, left Fugaku a scroll, and departed Konoha at night.
• Fugaku and Shisui opened the scroll at the Uchiha Shrine and found two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan.

Haruma ambushed Hidan and discovered that Hidan's ritual could not harm him, while Haruma's blood remotely killed Jirobo. Haruma left Hidan stunned and recognized the killing potential of Hidan's ability.

• Haruma attacked Hidan outside the restroom with ice and fire, but Hidan survived and gradually healed from his wounds.
• Hidan fought Haruma with his scythe, and Haruma deduced that Hidan healed without chakra before overpowering him with a punch.
• Hidan used his blood to perform a Jashin ritual and stabbed himself repeatedly, but Haruma remained unharmed.
• At Orochimaru's base, Kabuto examined Orochimaru's arms when Jirobo suddenly collapsed and died.
• Haruma sensed Jirobo's death through the Flying Thunder God Mark and realized that Hidan's ritual could kill someone remotely using Haruma's blood.

Haruma defeated Hidan, took his place in Akatsuki, and joined Kakuzu at a hidden base. At an Akatsuki meeting, Haruma claimed that an impostor posing as Nagato had taken Kakuzu’s mission funds, leaving the members alarmed and Konan demanding answers.

• Kakuzu arrived during Haruma and Hidan’s fight, and Haruma said Hidan’s abilities were unimpressive.
• Haruma swiftly dismembered Hidan, put on his Akatsuki uniform, and disguised himself as Hidan while Kakuzu packed Hidan into a body bag.
• Haruma and Kakuzu settled into a hidden base near the Bounty Station, where Haruma examined Hidan before giving up and Kakuzu reviewed maps and bounty information.
• Black Zetsu told the Akatsuki that Orochimaru had attacked Konoha disguised as the Kazekage, killing Sarutobi and suffering severe injuries.
• Black Zetsu reported that a mysterious person with the Rinnegan had appeared in Konoha, and Kakuzu asked Nagato whether he had recently been in Amegakure.
• Haruma claimed that Nagato had visited the Land of Fire and taken Kakuzu’s mission funds, prompting Konan to urgently question Kakuzu about the money.

Haruma and Kakuzu reached the Fire Temple to kill Chiriku, and Haruma slaughtered a group of monks before confronting the abbot. Chiriku attacked them, but Haruma denied killing the monks and blamed his bloodied scythe.

• Nagato told Konan to keep the plan moving and ordered more teams to help Kakuzu and Hidan gather funds.
• Haruma and Kakuzu arrived at the Fire Temple to target Chiriku, a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
• Haruma destroyed the temple's barrier and gates, then used his scythe to decapitate more than a dozen monks.
• Chiriku emerged, saw the dead monks, and attacked Haruma and Kakuzu with his Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder technique.
• Haruma dodged Chiriku's attacks, denied killing the monks, and pointed to his bloodied scythe as he claimed the blade was responsible.

Haruma, posing as Hidan, killed Chiriku with Wood Release and left with Kakuzu to pursue another target. In Konoha, Jiraiya planned to find Tsunade and train Naruto while Shikaku raised suspicions that the Hokage Advisors were being controlled; a white carrier pigeon flew toward the village.

• Haruma summoned Thousand Trees True Hands and crushed Chiriku's temple, killing him while Kakuzu preserved the body for the bounty.
• Haruma and Kakuzu left the mountain, with Haruma embracing his role as Hidan and declaring that the Shinobi World's fate was up to him.
• Kirigakure's group departed Konoha after the funeral, and Naruto and Sasuke said goodbye without fighting.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi and Shikaku that he would seek Tsunade to become Hokage and would take Naruto with him to train.
• Shikaku warned that Mito and Koharu were approving proposals involving Kirigakure unusually easily, and he and Kakashi suspected genjutsu involving the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.
• A white carrier pigeon flew toward Konoha.

Konoha learned that the Fire Temple had been destroyed, while Shisui’s team guarded the mutilated Hidan and prepared to lure Orochimaru back. In Yugakure, Haruma and Kakuzu began building a bizarre Jashin cult as they waited for Itachi and Kisame to join them.

• Mito told the Jonin team leaders that the Fire Temple had been destroyed and that Chiriku was presumed dead, prompting Asuma Sarutobi to volunteer to collect his remains.
• Shisui brought Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Haku, and Karin to an underground base, where they found Hidan nailed to a cross and fed him to keep him alive.
• Kimimaro agreed to guard Hidan so he could not reattach his body and escape, while Shisui explained that they were to track Tsunade and invite Orochimaru back for research.
• Haruma told Kakuzu that he planned to expand Hidan’s Jashin cult in Yugakure, using a cat image as Jashin’s symbol.
• Haruma and Kakuzu expected Itachi and Kisame to join their group and decided to wait in Yugakure while developing the cult.

Asuma's squad investigated Chiriku's murder and headed for a bounty station, while Itachi and Kisame arrived in Yugakure and joined Haruma and Kakuzu for a major mission in the Land of Lightning. Itachi questioned Haruma about the attack on Konoha, but Haruma's killing intent made clear how vast the gap between them was.

• Asuma's squad examined the ruined Fire Temple, and Shikamaru urged Asuma to request reinforcements if they found the enemy.
• Asuma decided to take the squad to the nearest Bounty Station to gather information about Chiriku's stolen body.
• Kisame told Itachi he remained in Akatsuki because he wanted to be Itachi's partner, despite Kirigakure abandoning its Bloody Mist policies.
• Itachi and Kisame reached Yugakure, where Haruma confronted Kisame over his insult to Lord Jashin before Itachi stopped them from fighting.
• Haruma announced that their combined teams would pursue a lucrative target in the Land of Lightning, though neither Itachi nor Kakuzu knew who it was.
• Itachi asked Haruma why he had attacked Konoha, and Haruma warned him against speaking insolently as his killing intent overwhelmed him.

Asuma’s squad encountered Haruma and the Akatsuki while heading toward Yugakure to recover Chiriku’s body. Haruma overwhelmed Asuma in their opening exchange, but the others launched a coordinated counterattack.

• Asuma, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and Shikamaru learned that Chiriku’s body had been taken to a Bounty Station outpost near Yugakure and continued toward it while awaiting reinforcements.
• Izumo sensed three powerful people nearby, but the squad saw Haruma, Uchiha Itachi, Obito Uchiha, and Kakuzu approaching with Kisame also present, making their numbers unclear.
• Haruma exposed the squad by cutting down a tree and announced that they would be offerings to Lord Jashin; Kisame, Kakuzu, and Itachi watched from the forest entrance.
• Asuma attacked Haruma with a blade of chakra, but Haruma blocked the strike and forced Asuma to one knee with a powerful scythe blow.
• Haruma pressed his attack, and Izumo, Kotetsu, and Shikamaru launched the Syrup Capture Field, Twin Blade Slash, and Shadow Imitation Technique together.