Recaps

Naoki Senju used a Water Mirror Jutsu to cheat through the first exam while Ibiki Morino tightened the pressure with a risky tenth question. After many teams withdrew, the remaining candidates passed and learned the second round would take place in the Forest of Death the next morning.

• Naoki Senju woke from a nap, then used Water Release, Water Mirror Jutsu to copy answers from a candidate by the window.
• Ibiki Morino signaled the proctors to ease up, though several more teams were eliminated for clumsy cheating.
• Ibiki Morino announced that answering the tenth question incorrectly would permanently bar a team from future exams, while withdrawing would eliminate the whole team.
• Candidates withdrew during the countdown until only ten teams remained, including four from Konoha, two from Sunagakure, three from Kirigakure, and one from Amegakure.
• Ibiki Morino revealed that the first nine questions tested candidates' ability to protect intelligence and explained that the tenth tested courage under uncertainty.
• Ibiki Morino congratulated the remaining candidates and announced that the second round would begin in the Forest of Death at ten the next morning.

Kakashi Hatake explained the second exam’s scroll rules, then Naoki Senju’s team entered the Forest of Death and was ambushed by Amegakure and Kirigakure genin. Neji used Rotation to block a senbon attack, while Kirigakure’s Hidden Mist Technique began to cover the battlefield.

• Kakashi Hatake arrived an hour late, introduced himself as head examiner, and explained that teams had to collect a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll and reach the central tower within five days.
• Naoki Senju’s team received a Heaven Scroll, while Kakashi watched Gaara and the Sunagakure contingent closely.
• Naoki Senju led Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji into the Forest of Death and recognized that enemy teams had already surrounded them.
• Amegakure genin attacked with Rain Shower Senbon, and Neji used Gentle Fist: Rotation to shred most of the incoming senbon.
• Kirigakure genin followed with the Hidden Mist Technique, setting up an attack through the mist.

Team 3 defeated Kirigakure’s ambush, collected both required scrolls, and qualified for the third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams. Meanwhile, Kakashi stopped Gaara’s killing spree, and the growing military tension at the Land of Fire’s border led Ōnoki and the Hokage to exchange letters for the first time.

• Neji Hyuga spotted the Kirigakure and Amegakure teams through the mist, and Rock Lee and Tenten attacked the Kirigakure genin.
• Naoki Senju revealed that he had taken an Earth Scroll from the Amegakure team, giving Team 3 both required scrolls.
• Gaara killed two examinees and injured a third before Kakashi intervened and gave Temari a Heaven Scroll.
• Seven teams, including Team 3 and Gaara’s team, advanced to the third round, which was scheduled for a month later.
• Reconnaissance ninja from other villages gathered along the Land of Fire’s border, and Ōnoki received a letter from the Hokage.

Ōnoki and Kitsuchi decided to keep Iwagakure poised to profit from either Konoha’s or Kumogakure’s defeat as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared Konoha’s defenses on multiple fronts. A month later, the Chunin Ninja Exams began, and Orochimaru launched the Konoha Crush Plan.

• Ōnoki asked Kitsuchi whether Iwagakure should accept Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer to secretly attack Kumogakure, and Kitsuchi advised delaying a decision while moving troops toward the Land of Lightning.
• Ōnoki put Kitsuchi in overall command of Iwagakure’s operation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Jiraiya to the Land of Earth border and planned to lure Kumogakure’s forces deeper into the Land of Fire before cutting their supply lines.
• The third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams began, and Kankuro conceded to Neji after a brief exchange.
• The Fourth Kazekage praised Konoha’s candidates while Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Sunagakure warily and Orochimaru prepared to act.
• Orochimaru began the Konoha Crush Plan.

Orochimaru launched his attack on Hiruzen Sarutobi during the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Mei Terumi tried to use the chaos to seize the opportunity to attack Konoha. Orochimaru trapped Mei inside a barrier and began fighting his former teacher, leaving the master-disciple battle underway.

• Orochimaru sent venomous snakes into the stands, causing chaos and drawing Konoha's forces away from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Mei Terumi ordered Chōjūrō and Ao to begin Kirigakure's plan to attack Konoha with Water Release.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had replaced the Fourth Kazekage and rejected Mei Terumi's offer to work together.
• The Sound Four raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around Mei Terumi, trapping her on the battlefield.
• Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi fought inside the barrier, and Orochimaru struck Hiruzen in the neck with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.

Orochimaru summoned the First Hokage and Second Hokage with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu after Mei Terumi joined the fight against him and Hiruzen Sarutobi. The two revived Hokage prepared to fight Hiruzen, leaving him facing an overwhelming threat.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi countered Orochimaru’s sneak attack with Earth Release and Fire Style, while Mei Terumi intervened with Water Release to extinguish Orochimaru’s flames.
• Orochimaru summoned a snake to attack Mei Terumi, but she drove it back with Lava Release after her Boil Release forced Orochimaru to evade.
• Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to raise three coffins, but Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted the coffin marked Fourth.
• Orochimaru released the First Hokage and Second Hokage, who recognized the forbidden technique and realized they would have to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Orochimaru completed the Impure World Reincarnation of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, who overwhelmed Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the barrier. As Hiruzen was brutally beaten, Mei Terumi looked for a way out, while Naoki Senju observed that Orochimaru had used an outdated, weakened version of the jutsu.

• Orochimaru completed the Impure World Reincarnation and took control of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
• Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose blows could not overcome their immortal bodies.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to strike Orochimaru, but Tobirama Senju's clone countered his Fire Style with Water Release.
• Hashirama Senju closed in and battered Hiruzen Sarutobi with powerful punches, leaving him dazed and badly injured.
• Mei Terumi abandoned her attack and tried to find a way out of the barrier.
• Naoki Senju noted that Orochimaru had used an outdated version of the Impure World Reincarnation.

Tsunade led Konoha's defense against the invading Sound, Sand, and Mist ninja while Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju inside the barrier. As Hiruzen broke free of Hashirama's Wood Release, Naoki Senju decided the time had come to remove him and summoned a Wood Golem.

• Tsunade organized Konoha's shinobi to defend the village, evacuate its people, and fight the invading ninja.
• Kakashi and Tsunade fought Kirigakure Ninja, with Tsunade killing an Anbu attacker using the Silent Killing Technique.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju pressed Hiruzen Sarutobi with Wood Release and Water Release attacks until Hiruzen broke free using his Adamantine Staff.
• Orochimaru asked Hiruzen Sarutobi why life existed and whether it could be reborn as Hashirama's branches caught him.
• Naoki Senju decided Hiruzen Sarutobi had served his purpose and used Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique.

Naoki Senju broke the Four Violet Flames Formation and trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi, who chose to use the Reaper Death Seal as his Anbu fought to buy him time. The Shinigami seized Hiruzen’s soul, while Orochimaru watched with excitement and wondered whether he could master the power himself.

• Naoki Senju used the Wood Human Technique to tear apart the Four Violet Flames Formation and seize Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru stopped the First and Second and marveled at Naoki’s Wood Release, while Hiruzen despaired over his approaching death and ruined reputation.
• Hiruzen sent Enma back to the Summoning World, then created shadow clones as Naoki’s wooden human attacked and the Anbu tried to intervene.
• The wooden human crushed one of Hiruzen’s shadow clones, and its branches killed Anbu who climbed it to reach Naoki.
• Hiruzen cast the Reaper Death Seal, and the Shinigami seized his soul as Orochimaru became excited by the unfamiliar power.

Naoki Senju and Orochimaru outmaneuvered Hiruzen Sarutobi, who died after the Shinigami tore away his soul. Naoki then ordered the Four Violet Flames Formation to shrink around the Shinigami, beginning a new battle.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to seal Orochimaru with the Reaper Death Seal, but Orochimaru and Naoki Senju revealed that they had used Shadow Clones to evade him.
• The Sound Four returned unharmed and raised the Four Violet Flames Formation to trap the Shinigami inside the barrier with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Naoki Senju challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi over the deaths of the Uchiha and Senju clans, and Hiruzen admitted that Konoha had wronged the Senju.
• Naoki Senju demanded Danzo's head, and Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that the Konoha High Command had signed a resolution to dissolve Root, blaming its actions on Danzo.
• The Shinigami took Hiruzen Sarutobi's final wisp of soul, and Naoki Senju ordered the barrier to shrink so the Shinigami could not escape.

Naoki Senju and Orochimaru tried to bind the Shinigami with the Uzumaki cord and a sealing jutsu, but its soul-shriek incapacitated Orochimaru and the Sound Four, freeing it. Meanwhile, Naruto found Gaara amid the chaos of the Konoha Crush and led him through the fleeing crowd.

• Orochimaru unrolled a demon mask, a cypress fan, and a red knotted cord, and Naoki Senju used the cord to provoke the Shinigami inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Naoki Senju reinforced the binding with the Four Symbols Seal while the Sound Four activated Cursed Seal State Two to keep the barrier stable.
• The Shinigami unleashed a soul-shriek that knocked Orochimaru and the Sound Four unconscious, causing the Four Violet Flames Formation to dissipate.
• The freed Shinigami remained behind, furious and ready to feast, leaving Naoki Senju fearing they were in trouble.
• As the battle spread through Konoha, Temari and Kankuro searched for the missing Gaara while avoiding Konoha ninja.
• Naruto spotted Gaara amid the panicked crowd, grabbed his hand, and urged him to stay close as they escaped.

Naruto befriended Gaara and promised to take him to Ichiraku Ramen. Meanwhile, Naoki Senju used Sage Art to seal the Shinigami phantom and told Orochimaru that the Shinigami had been created by the Uzumaki Clan using a demon and the soul-slaying sword Futsunomitama.

• Naruto led Gaara away from the fighting and introduced himself, claiming Sasuke's achievements as his own.
• Naruto recognized Gaara's loneliness and invited him to eat at Ichiraku Ramen, and Gaara moved closer to him because he sensed a fellow monster.
• The Shinigami phantom incapacitated nearly every ninja nearby and began tearing at Naoki Senju's soul.
• Naoki Senju used Sage Mode to see the phantom and sealed it beneath the Gate of the Great God.
• Naoki Senju called Orochimaru over to discuss taking the Shinigami's sword.
• Naoki Senju explained that the Uzumaki Clan had created the Shinigami using a demon sealed by Hiōgi and the soul-slaying Kusanagi Sword Futsunomitama.

Naoki Senju and Orochimaru competed for the soul-cutting Kusanagi Sword Futsunomitama, and Naoki won it through rock, paper, scissors. Orochimaru subdued the sword and handed it over, while warning Naoki that he would need more Uzumaki hair to keep it sealed and usable.

• Naoki Senju and Orochimaru disagreed over who would claim Futsunomitama and settled the dispute with rock, paper, scissors, which Naoki won.
• Orochimaru summoned a snake and used dying ninja as sacrifices to lure Futsunomitama into devouring their souls.
• Orochimaru wrapped an Uzumaki hair cord around Futsunomitama's hilt, temporarily sealing the invisible blade, and gave it to Naoki Senju.
• Orochimaru explained that the cord would last two to four years and that Naoki would need hair from three or four Uzumaki Clan members to use the sword freely.
• Orochimaru began considering how to leave Konoha, knowing Tsunade would not let him go unpunished.

After Konoha’s battle, Tsunade treated the wounded and learned that Orochimaru had killed the Third Hokage, while new reports revealed threats from multiple fronts. With most of Konoha’s ninja supporting her, Tsunade was set to become the Fifth Hokage as the village faced Kirigakure’s advance.

• Tsunade ordered the wounded treated and told Kakashi that Konoha’s defenses were arranged, while warning him to watch for Kirigakure’s main force in the Land of Fire.
• A messenger reported that Sunagakure and Kirigakure’s ninja inside Konoha had been eliminated, but Orochimaru had killed the Third Hokage and Konoha had suffered heavy casualties.
• Tsunade ordered all Konoha ninja to hunt Orochimaru at any cost, publicly naming him as the Third Hokage’s killer.
• Naoki Senju killed a Sunagakure Chunin with Futsunomitama, while Orochimaru departed with the remaining demon masks and the Shinigami’s phantom.
• Konoha detained the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Kankuro, and Temari; reports said Jiraiya had repelled Iwagakure temporarily, Konoha and Kumogakure were at a stalemate, and Kirigakure’s main force had entered the Land of Fire.
• With support from most of Konoha’s ninja, Tsunade was expected to assume office as the Fifth Hokage.

Tsunade became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage as Naoki Senju and Shikaku Nara discussed how to counter Kirigakure’s forces entering the Land of Fire. Naoki ordered Shikaku to prepare a plan that would make Kirigakure believe the Nine-Tails was rampaging, leaving Naoki to handle the beast.

• Naoki Senju dressed Tsunade in the Hokage robe and hat before her inauguration ceremony.
• Tsunade appeared before Konoha’s villagers and ninja and declared herself the Fifth Hokage.
• Naoki Senju asked Shikaku Nara how to draw out Kirigakure’s elite troops, who had crossed into the Land of Fire.
• Naoki proposed making the Nine-Tails rampage to lure Kirigakure, and Shikaku warned that the plan could spiral out of control.
• Naoki ordered Shikaku to complete preparations within three days and said he would handle the Nine-Tails.

Jiraiya weighed Iwagakure’s movements while reinforcing Konoha’s front against Kumogakure. In Konoha, Gaara’s violent transformation began as Anbu moved to take him away, and Tsunade and Naoki watched the plan to extract Shukaku unfold.

• Jiraiya learned that Tsunade had become Fifth Hokage and Orochimaru had been declared a missing-nin, then ordered reinforcements sent to the front against Kumogakure.
• Jiraiya’s scouts reported that Kitsuchi and Iwagakure’s forces were moving toward the Land of Lightning, but Jiraiya remained cautious about a possible feint.
• Anbu ordered Gaara, the Sunagakure Genin and One-Tail Jinchuriki, to come with them, and Naruto tried unsuccessfully to stop them.
• Gaara’s chakra ran wild, and he transformed into a tanuki-like form as his sand attacked the Anbu.
• The Anbu detonated explosive tags on Gaara, but his transformation continued until Might Guy kicked him away from the Anbu.
• Tsunade and Naoki Senju watched the battle from the Hokage’s office as the plan to extract Shukaku began.

Gaara awakened Shukaku, who rampaged through Konoha after Might Guy defeated him. Naruto attacked to avenge Guy, while Tsunade and Naoki Senju watched the destruction and prepared their next step.

• Might Guy battered Gaara until Gaara used the Feigning Sleep Technique to let Shukaku take over.
• Shukaku emerged, attacked Konoha with Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullets, and vowed to kill Gaara.
• Tsunade watched the destruction from her office and urged Naoki Senju to proceed with their plan, warning him about the damage costs.
• Naruto Uzumaki saw Might Guy get swatted away and summoned a massive number of shadow clones to attack Shukaku.
• Shukaku sensed Kurama's chakra in Naruto's clones, while Kurama resented being unable to escape his seal and having his chakra taken by a Wood Release user.

Naruto’s shadow clones failed to stop Shukaku, who began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb to destroy Konoha. Naoki Senju intervened, forced the bomb into Shukaku’s mouth with a Wood Release golem, and dragged the recovering One-Tail away; Kirigakure spies then reported that Konoha might be planning to make Naoki a jinchūriki.

• Naruto used shadow clones to approach Shukaku, but Shukaku’s sealing jutsu and Wind Release destroyed them before they could reach him.
• Naruto taunted Shukaku and tried to figure out where Gaara had gone as Shukaku began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Naoki Senju called Shukaku’s attention away long enough to rescue Naruto, then summoned a Wood Release golem.
• Naoki’s golem forced Shukaku’s nearly completed Tailed Beast Bomb into his mouth, where it exploded and badly injured him.
• Naoki controlled the golem to drag the recovering Shukaku out of Konoha as witnesses spread news of the battle.
• Kirigakure spies reported to Mei Terumi that Konoha might be planning to seal the One-Tail inside Naoki Senju.

Naoki Senju fought Shukaku outside Konoha and subdued him with Wood Release after the tailed beast’s sand techniques failed. Naoki broke Shukaku free from Gaara, but Shukaku’s escape was stopped by the Four Violet Flames Formation as Tsunade and the Sealing Squad arrived.

• Shukaku woke and attacked Naoki Senju’s wooden giant, using Sand Waterfall Funeral and Sand Binding Coffin to reshape the battlefield.
• The wooden giant broke free of Shukaku’s sand, and Naoki bound him with Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique while draining his chakra.
• Naoki used Three-Tails’ chakra to weaken Shukaku, then repeatedly applied Five Elements Seal Release to Gaara until Shukaku broke free.
• Shukaku tried to flee but was stopped by the Four Violet Flames Formation as Tsunade arrived with the Sealing Squad.
• Naoki explained Shukaku’s weakened size, and Tsunade refused to become his Jinchūriki, upsetting Shukaku by calling him ugly.

Naoki Senju sealed Shukaku inside himself and ordered Gaara killed, leaving Sunagakure vulnerable. At Amegakure, “Madara Uchiha” urged Pain to attack Konoha early and capture several tailed beasts.

• Naoki Senju sealed Shukaku with the Four Symbols Seal, despite Shukaku’s attempt to interfere with the seal.
• After three hours, Naoki Senju completed the sealing and gained Shukaku’s Magnet Release ability as his chakra grew.
• Tsunade asked what they should do with Gaara, and Naoki Senju ordered him killed and his body sent to Sunagakure.
• Naoki Senju planned to visit Sunagakure after repelling attacks from Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure.
• At Amegakure, “Madara Uchiha” told Pain that Konoha had taken the One-Tail and proposed attacking early to seize the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and Nine-Tails and destroy Konoha.

Obito persuaded Pain to have the Akatsuki target Naoki Senju after the war instead of attacking Konoha, and then learned that Konoha’s enemies were already falling into Naoki’s trap. He ordered Black Zetsu to track Naoki and prepare to recover the Three-Tails.

• Pain rejected Obito’s proposal to attack Konoha, citing the Akatsuki’s limited strength and his own weakened condition.
• Obito evaded Pain’s Shinra Tensei and proposed that the Akatsuki commit its forces to killing Naoki Senju after the war.
• Pain accepted the plan, citing Naoki’s Three-Tails, Wood Release, and responsibility for Kakuzu’s death.
• Obito returned to his cave, removed his mask, and complained about Nagato to Black Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu told Obito that Kirigakure’s forces had fallen into Naoki’s trap and that Iwagakure was the Akatsuki’s largest client.
• Obito ordered Black Zetsu to track Naoki Senju and prepare for the mission to recover the Three-Tails.

Naoki Senju arranged to use Sora and the Nine-Tails’ chakra to stage a rampage that would lure Kirigakure, then joined Tsunade in moving against Root. At Root’s base, Danzo defied the Hokage’s order to surrender as Kakashi arrived to escort him.

• Naoki Senju decided to make the Nine-Tails the bait for his plan, reasoning that his attempt to seize its power could explain a rampage.
• Naoki Senju ordered Konoha researchers to increase the Nine-Tails Chakra in Sora, despite warnings that Sora might not survive it.
• Naoki Senju told Tsunade it was time to settle scores at home, and she resolved to act against Root.
• Tsunade’s Anbu surrounded Root and ordered its ninja to surrender and Danzo to appear before the Hokage.
• Danzo refused to submit, claiming Root was conducting a classified mission, while Kakashi appeared and urged him to come along.

Kakashi confronted Danzo under Tsunade’s orders to bring him back, and the two nearly led Anbu and Root into battle. Danzo avoided fighting by revealing that Root had planted explosive tags around Konoha and threatened to destroy the village if Root was dismantled.

• Kakashi introduced himself as Konoha’s new Anbu commander and ordered Danzo to come with him.
• Danzo refused to surrender Root, while Kakashi invoked Tsunade’s orders and threatened to take necessary measures.
• Kakashi and Danzo prepared to fight as Anbu, Root, and the gathered clan heads took up positions, but Danzo called for a discussion.
• Danzo told Kakashi that explosive tags had been planted at key locations around Konoha, including the Hokage Building, the hospital, and the school.
• Kakashi accused Danzo of endangering Konoha, and Danzo threatened to bury the village alongside Root if Tsunade tried to destroy it.

Danzo tried to steal Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan, but Kakashi awakened its Kamui ability and tore apart Danzo’s left arm. As the fighting spread between the Anbu and Root, Danzo revealed the Sharingan-covered arm he had kept sealed and prepared to attack Kakashi again.

• Danzo refused to let Tsunade dismantle Root, and Kakashi’s Sharingan transformed into a Mangekyō as he collapsed from pain.
• Danzo lunged for Kakashi’s left eye, but Kakashi instinctively used Kamui and tore apart Danzo’s left arm.
• Danzo escaped Kamui’s range and ordered the Root ninja to hold off the Anbu and clan members while he prepared his sealed arm.
• Kakashi allowed the clan heads to fight their own Root-affiliated clansmen, and the Anbu began gaining the advantage.
• Danzo’s Root ninja opened the seal on his right arm, revealing it covered in Sharingan, and Danzo announced that he would take Kakashi’s eye.

Kakashi fought Danzo after discovering that he had implanted ten Sharingan in his arm, and he appeared to kill him with Lightning Blade. Danzo revived through Izanagi and attacked with renewed strength, leaving Kakashi to counter with Kamui.

• Kakashi condemned Danzo for using the Sharingan and planting explosive tags, then prepared to fight him.
• Kakashi trapped Danzo with Earth-Style Walls and pierced his heart with Lightning Blade, apparently killing him.
• Kakashi called for Root ninja to surrender, and many were subdued while others continued resisting because they knew Danzo was alive.
• Danzo reappeared unharmed after using Izanagi, sacrificing one Sharingan, and attacked Kakashi with Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere.
• Kakashi dodged Danzo's wind attacks, then used Kamui to distort the space around Danzo.