Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru defeated Naruto and Sasuke, then attacked Sakura, but Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin arrived and stopped his flames. Kimimaro fought Orochimaru while Karin sensed that Orochimaru’s real body was somewhere else.

• Orochimaru’s phantom split into multiple figures, overwhelmed Naruto, sealed the Nine-Tails inside him, and left Sasuke unable to maintain his Sharingan.
• Orochimaru sent a huge blast of flame toward Sakura, but a cold breeze and Haku’s Condensed Ice Wall shielded her.
• Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin arrived, and Kimimaro challenged Orochimaru for disrupting the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Orochimaru charged at Kimimaro, who cut him in two with a bone blade, but the halves became two Orochimarus that knocked Kimimaro back.
• Karin identified an empty spot as the location of Orochimaru’s real body.

Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin fought Orochimaru, whose ability to manipulate light and create deceptive doubles made him difficult to target. Haku evacuated Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura with a massive Ice Release technique, then joined the battle at Karin’s direction.

• Kimimaro struck Orochimaru with Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, but Orochimaru escaped his wounds by emerging from another body and revealed his interest in studying Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin.
• Karin sensed Orochimaru’s real location as Kimimaro continued fighting him, while Haku warned Sakura to leave and prepared to help the injured Sasuke and unconscious Naruto.
• Haku used Ice Release: Ice Age to freeze a vast area of the Forest of Death, then sent Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura sliding across the ice to safety.
• Sasuke marveled at Haku’s power before collapsing unconscious alongside Naruto, while Sakura looked back at the frozen forest in shock.
• Karin assessed Orochimaru’s tricks and ordered Haku to use Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, prompting Haku to join Kimimaro’s fight.

Karin, Kimimaro, and Haku fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, but Uya intervened before the battle could continue. After ending the fight with a single punch that sent Orochimaru flying, Uya left the others behind.

• Haku covered the area with mirrors, while Karin ensnared Orochimaru with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Kimimaro and Haku combined their wide-area attacks, but Orochimaru survived by emerging from a snake.
• As the fighters prepared to clash again, Uya appeared and shattered the ice and bone spikes throughout the forest.
• Uya praised Karin, Kimimaro, and Haku, then punched Orochimaru and sent him flying into the distance.

After Uya drove Orochimaru away, Anko regained her composure and the Chunin Ninja Exams continued. Uya vanished after sensing something, while Hinata’s team witnessed Gaara slaughter three Takigakure ninja in the Forest of Death.

• Anko arrived, learned Orochimaru was gone, and told the Anbu and Chunin examiners that the exams should continue.
• Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin left to resume the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Anko invited Uya to watch from the tower.
• Uya sensed something in the distance and disappeared before Anko could follow him.
• Hinata, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka came upon Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari facing a team from Takigakure.
• Gaara trapped the three Takigakure ninja in sand and crushed them with Sand Burial as Hinata’s team watched.

Hinata confronted Gaara after he attacked her team and used her Gentle Fist to break his sand and send him flying. Gaara recovered and unleashed Quicksand Waterfall Flow, leaving Hinata at the center of the attack as the chapter ended.

• Gaara attacked Hinata, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame with a massive wave of sand after Kankuro obtained the Heaven Scroll.
• Hinata shattered the sand wave, then told Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame to go ahead while she faced Gaara.
• Hinata used Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm to blast through Gaara's sand and send him flying, cracking his Sand Armor.
• Gaara rose, enraged, and activated Quicksand Waterfall Flow, turning the surrounding ground into surging sand.
• Kiba Inuzuka, Kankuro, and the others retreated into trees while Hinata remained at the center of Gaara's attack.

Hinata used Uya’s improved Rotation Strike to break through Gaara’s strongest defense and wound him. As Temari and Kankuro stared in shock, Kankuro feared that the monster inside Gaara was about to emerge.

• Hinata repelled Gaara’s Quicksand Waterfall Flow with Rotation and launched the improved Rotation Strike.
• Gaara summoned the Shield of Shukaku to stop Hinata’s chakra spear.
• Temari realized the spear’s rotation was drilling through Gaara’s sand defense.
• Hinata’s chakra spear pierced the Shield of Shukaku and struck Gaara through the shoulder.
• Kankuro saw Gaara bleeding and warned that the monster was coming out.

Gaara’s severe injuries triggered Shukaku’s uncontrolled transformation during the Chunin Ninja Exams, leaving Hinata and the others facing the tailed beast. Uya appeared to protect them, and Shukaku froze in fear at seeing him.

• Gaara’s injuries and despair caused Shukaku to take over his consciousness and emerge in the Forest of Death.
• Konoha’s observers panicked as Shukaku appeared amid the destruction in the exam grounds.
• Shukaku prepared to strike Hinata, Kankuro, Temari, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and the others.
• Uya appeared beside Hinata and reassured her as Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame recognized him.
• Shukaku left his raised claw motionless and inwardly wept at seeing Uya again.

Uya stopped Shukaku from attacking Hinata, and the beast retreated after Uya said he had beaten him twice before. Hinata and the other teams continued toward the tower, where she met Kimimaro’s group, while Karin remained jealous of Uya’s recognition of Hinata.

• Uya calmly addressed Shukaku, who raised a claw but then nodded and vanished back into Gaara.
• Uya told Hinata that Shukaku feared him because he had beaten him twice, then praised her for doing well.
• Uya disappeared, and Hinata left for the central tower with Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame while Temari and Kankuro found the unconscious Gaara.
• Kimimaro’s group reached the tower first, followed closely by Hinata’s group, after the teams completed the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Kimimaro respectfully greeted Hinata at the tower, while Karin quietly resented that Uya had acknowledged Hinata as his disciple.

Gaara learned from Baki that Uya had killed the Third Kazekage and could destroy Sunagakure, leaving Gaara frightened of the man. After the second Chunin Exam ended, the remaining Genin gathered for the third-round preliminaries, where Sasuke was matched against Karin Uzumaki.

• Baki explained that the One-Tail feared Uya because Uya had suppressed it before, and warned Gaara never to provoke him.
• Gaara, Kimimaro, and Temari were shaken by Baki's claim that Uya could easily destroy Sunagakure.
• Sasuke and Naruto woke after days unconscious, obtained the required scrolls, and entered the tower as the last participants to pass the second exam.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed the assembled Genin, and Gekko Hayate announced preliminaries because too many candidates remained.
• Gekko Hayate paired Sasuke Uchiha against Karin Uzumaki, prompting Sakura to worry and consider asking Sasuke to forfeit.

Sasuke faced Karin in the Chunin Ninja Exams, determined to win despite having already been overwhelmed by Kimimaro and Haku. Uya arrived to watch the match, prompting Karin to abandon her plan to go easy on Sasuke as the fight began.

• Sasuke dismissed Sakura and stepped forward to fight Karin, while Gekko Hayate sent everyone else to the viewing stands.
• Uya suddenly appeared beside Anko in the stands, unnoticed until Anko greeted him, and he told Gekko Hayate to continue the match.
• The assembled shinobi and Genin greeted Uya with respect, while Neji silently resolved to defeat Hinata and prove himself worthy of Uya's attention.
• Karin became serious after seeing Uya, realizing she could no longer afford to go easy on Sasuke.
• Sasuke raised his kunai and warned Karin that he would fight seriously.

Karin Uzumaki defeated Sasuke in the first round with her Adamantine Sealing Chains and overwhelming strength, leaving him unconscious and the spectators stunned. Gekko Hayate declared Karin the winner, while Uya’s training was credited for her power.

• Sasuke charged Karin, but she used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to keep him at a distance.
• Karin unleashed a storm of chains that trapped Sasuke’s clone, but Sasuke appeared behind her and attacked.
• Karin sensed Sasuke’s approach and met his punch with her own, shattering his arm and sending him flying into the stands.
• Kakashi caught Sasuke, but Karin’s punch still damaged the stands, and Hiruzen recognized her strength as Tsunade’s Monstrous Strength.
• Sasuke passed out, and Gekko Hayate announced Karin as the winner of the first round.

Uya stopped Temari’s attack from injuring Tenten, and the act resolved his lingering sense of alienation from the Shinobi World. As the final transformation of his soul began, Uya sensed and expelled a fragment of Kaguya Otsutsuki’s will, but he could not yet erase it.

• Uya watched Karin defeat Sasuke with one punch, then saw Kimimaro’s opponent forfeit, Haku defeat a Sound Ninja, Sakura and Ino draw, and Temari overwhelm Tenten.
• Uya froze the ninja tools about to strike Tenten, then turned them to powder and declared Temari the winner.
• Tenten returned to the stands confused about why Uya had saved her, while Uya realized he could simply be himself in this world.
• Uya’s remaining fused Rinnegan and Tenseigan power merged with his soul, beginning its final transformation beyond the Six Paths Level.
• Uya sensed Kaguya Otsutsuki’s scattered will within chakra, expelled the fragment from his body, and found that he could not yet erase it.

Uya understood that Princess Kaguya’s immortality came from the strength of her will and continued his final transformation. In the seventh match, Hinata faced Neji and resolved to stop holding back after seeing Uya’s encouragement.

• Uya realized Princess Kaguya could be killed once he reached her level, while her scattered will struggled to gather and escape the ninja.
• The seventh preliminary match was announced as Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga, drawing the attention of the Jonin and spectators.
• Neji entered the fight hoping to prove himself worthy of recognition, while Hinata activated her Byakugan and defended against his attacks.
• Hinata saw Uya smiling in the stands and decided not to disappoint him, resolving to fight Neji seriously.
• Neji mistook Hinata’s passive defense for weakness and prepared to increase his attack speed to win quickly.

Hinata defeated Neji with her powerful Rotation Strike, accidentally blasting a hole through the tower and leaving the arena stunned. Uya comforted her, and the chapter ended with Rock Lee and Gaara drawing the final match.

• Neji recognized Hinata's Rotation, then realized she had transformed it into a more powerful technique called Rotation Strike.
• Hinata's Rotation Strike shattered Neji's defense and injured his arm before she barely redirected it into the tower, blasting a huge hole through the structure.
• Hinata apologized timidly, and Uya praised her, patted her head, and brought her back to the stands.
• The spectators marveled at Hinata's strength, while Hiruzen Sarutobi looked older as he smoked his pipe.
• Uya comforted Hinata until she calmed down, then Rock Lee and Gaara fought the final match and drew, with Lee opening the Fifth Gate.

After Rock Lee’s defeat left him gravely injured and unable to continue as a ninja, Uya healed him instantly. The medical team confirmed Rock Lee was completely recovered, while Uya disappeared without explanation.

• Rock Lee’s Eight Gates power impressed Neji Hyuga and the arena spectators, though Gaara defeated him.
• Hinata asked Uya if he was leaving, and Uya said he had one more thing to do before vanishing into the arena.
• The medical team told Might Guy and Naruto that Rock Lee’s injuries were beyond treatment and that he could no longer be a ninja.
• Might Guy begged for help, and Uya touched Rock Lee’s forehead before saying he was fine and leaving.
• The medical ninja examined Rock Lee and discovered that his internal injuries had been completely healed, astonishing Might Guy, Naruto, and the medical team.

Uya healed Rock Lee’s severe injuries and returned to Amegakure while Orochimaru recovered from Uya’s punch and planned for the Chunin Exams’ official matches. Sasuke Uchiha followed a mysterious voice in search of power and disappeared from Konoha.

• Might Guy and Naruto learned that Uya had instantly healed Rock Lee, and they gained new respect for him.
• Orochimaru discussed his recovery and the upcoming Chunin Exams with Kabuto, warning him that he could not be killed even while weakened.
• Uya returned to Amegakure to focus on the final transformation of his soul as Konoha settled in for the night.
• Sasuke Uchiha brooded over his weakness in the Uchiha Clan’s ancestral hall, then followed a mysterious voice promising him power.
• Konoha discovered the next day that Sasuke Uchiha had disappeared, leaving Orochimaru surprised and suspicious.

Tsunade learned that Orochimaru planned to target Konoha during the Chunin Exams but chose not to intervene. As the official exams began, Orochimaru arrived disguised as the Kazekage, while Uya remained absent and Kimimaro prepared to face Gaara.

• Uya hinted to Tsunade that the Third Hokage might not have long to live and explained Orochimaru's plan, but Tsunade decided not to go to Konoha.
• A month later, the official third round of Konoha's Chunin Exams began before an audience of visiting dignitaries and ninja.
• Kimimaro told Karin and Haku to stay calm and be ready to engage the One-Tail if it went berserk, following Uya's instructions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi searched for Uya among the reserved seats but found that he had not arrived.
• Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage after killing the real Kazekage, arrived and exchanged barbed remarks with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Genma Shiranui announced the first match between Gaara of the Sand Waterfall and Kaguya Kimimaro.

Kimimaro fought Gaara in the Chunin Ninja Exams arena as Gaara used Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, while the Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja launched the Konoha Crush. Orochimaru revealed himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi and prepared to kill his former teacher as the invasion spread through Konoha.

• Gaara blocked Kimimaro’s Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets, then used Sand Burial to drag him underground.
• Kimimaro escaped with Dance of the Seedling Fern, pierced Gaara’s shoulder, and fought him again after Gaara began Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
• An Anbu Ninja cast the Temple of Nirvana Technique, and the Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja began their surprise attack on Konoha.
• Uya watched the invasion from the arena, while Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, took Hiruzen Sarutobi hostage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Orochimaru’s plan as giant snakes entered Konoha, and Orochimaru stabbed his own palm before announcing that Hiruzen’s life would end there.

As Konoha descended into chaos, Uya discovered that Sasuke and Kabuto were both missing and went to question Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi. He suspected Black Zetsu was behind their disappearances, then left while Orochimaru and Hiruzen continued their fight.

• Kimimaro fought Gaara out of the arena and into Konoha, where Gaara began releasing more of the One-Tail's chakra, and Haku and Karin followed them.
• Uya sensed that Sasuke and Kabuto were absent from Konoha and went to the rooftop where the Four Violet Flames Formation trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru.
• Uya walked through the barrier unharmed, startling the Sound Ninja and the Anbu, then asked Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi when Sasuke had disappeared and where he had gone.
• Orochimaru said Sasuke had vanished about a month earlier and Kabuto had disappeared a few days earlier, while Hiruzen said he did not know what had happened.
• Uya suspected Black Zetsu was behind the disappearances, told Orochimaru and Hiruzen to carry on, and vanished through the barrier.

Uya witnessed Hiruzen Sarutobi use the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru and sensed Princess Kaguya’s will within the summoned Shinigami. Their mental powers clashed, knocking out people across Konoha and beyond, while Karin sensed the disturbance and wondered why Lord Uya was involved.

• After leaving the Uchiha shrine, Uya watched Orochimaru suppress Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had trapped them both inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• As Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal, Uya recognized a trace of Kaguya Otsutsuki’s will within the Shinigami.
• The Shinigami turned toward Uya and attacked him with mental energy, and Uya countered with his own power.
• The clash’s mental shock dispersed the Four Violet Flames Formation and knocked out nearly everyone in Konoha, while Kakashi and Might Guy struggled to stay conscious.
• Far away, Gaara collapsed during his fight with Kimimaro, and Karin sensed Uya’s immense power near Konoha before wondering why Lord Uya was involved.