Recaps

Naruto took Gaara away from the fighting and invited him to Ichiraku Ramen, while Naoki Senju dealt with Danzo's remains. Black Zetsu and Obito Uchiha agreed that Naoki had to be killed, though Obito left Nagato to decide whether the Akatsuki would attack Konoha.

• Naruto led Gaara to safety, introduced himself as a genius, and invited him to Ichiraku Ramen.
• The Shinigami phantom's attack knocked out nearly every ninja nearby, leaving Naoki Senju as its first target.
• Naoki ordered Danzo's remaining Sharingan sealed in the Anbu archives and his body hung at the Konoha Gate for three days.
• Black Zetsu told Obito Uchiha to order the Akatsuki to kill Naoki and offered the White Zetsu as support.
• Obito refused to act personally and left Nagato to decide whether the Akatsuki would attack Konoha.

Naoki Senju attacked Danzo with Futsunomitama, while the Chunin Ninja Exams began with a truth-and-lie door test. The examinees saw the first genin eliminated and rushed toward the other door, where a Sunagakure genin discovered trouble.

• Jiraiya learned that Tsunade had become the Fifth Hokage and Orochimaru had been branded a high-ranking missing-nin.
• Naoki Senju wounded Danzo with Futsunomitama, whose strikes caused soul-deep pain despite leaving only shallow wounds behind.
• Danzo stumbled as Naoki Senju struck him repeatedly in nonfatal areas.
• Kotetsu Hagane announced that examinees had to identify the real door by asking one question of two guards, one truthful and one lying.
• Oboro of Amegakure asked Izumo Kamizuki whether the right door was correct, chose it, and was eliminated when it proved to be a wall.
• Several genin rushed toward the right door, and the first Sunagakure genin to reach it reacted with alarm when he touched it.

Naoki Senju saved Konan from her Explosive Tags and considered how her Paper Release could serve as a strategic resource for Konoha's Anbu. Meanwhile, Danzo used Kotoamatsukami on a Wood Clone of Naoki, who revealed the deception and stabbed him.

• Naoki Senju decided to save Konan, valuing her Paper Release and considering how to reserve its training for Anbu.
• Naoki Senju stopped Team Guy in an open area for lunch, while Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka watched his apparently blank behavior.
• Inoichi Yamanaka entered Naoki Senju's body and discovered that no spirit was there, then reassured Kakashi that Naoki was safe and Danzo was about to suffer.
• Danzo, believing Kotoamatsukami had controlled Naoki, ordered him to take Kakashi's Sharingan.
• Naoki Senju stabbed Danzo and revealed that the controlled figure had been a Wood Clone.

Konoha battled the invading forces while Tsunade organized its defense, and the Akatsuki discussed Konoha’s victories and plotted against Naoki Senju. Naoki’s pursuit of Nagato continued as Nagato realized his identity had been exposed.

• Tsunade directed Konoha’s Chunin, Genin, and Jonin to fight the invaders and evacuate villagers as floodwater overwhelmed the village.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Pain discussed Mei Terumi’s capture and Konoha’s victories, including its capture of the Fourth Raikage and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shikaku Nara dragged Kakashi to the Hokage Building and assigned him to instruct Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Naoki Senju used Wood Release to block the Third Kazekage’s iron sand attack while Sasori of the Red Sands sent iron sand spikes at him from behind.
• Itachi Uchiha chose to remain with the Akatsuki for the moment, while its members planned to lure their target outside Kumogakure and use Itachi’s genjutsu.
• Naoki’s Wood Clones kept pursuing Nagato, who panicked when Naoki revealed that he knew Nagato’s true identity.