Recaps

After Kamiaka Hieimon withdrew from Team 13, Hongshi faced Hinata Hyuga in the first preliminary match and pretended to lose after boosting her chakra. Hinata qualified for the third exam, while Hongshi lay unconscious in the arena.

• Hongshi pressured Kamiaka Hieimon into withdrawing, leaving twenty contestants for the preliminary matches.
• Gekko Hayate announced that the matches would decide who qualified for the third exam, and Mitarashi Anko drew Hongshi against Hinata Hyuga.
• Hinata attacked Hongshi with Gentle Fist, and Hongshi secretly used Spirit Transformation Technique to increase her chakra.
• Hinata unleashed Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, and Hongshi pretended to be badly injured and lose consciousness.
• Gekko Hayate declared Hinata the winner, and she qualified for the third exam.

Sasuke defeated Ino after she used the Mind Body Switch Technique to take control of him, and Yuhan overwhelmed Rock Lee with water techniques before healing his injuries. The chapter ended with Rock Lee asking Yuhan out and Yuhan warning him not to say anything else.

• Sasuke rejected Ino’s invitation to eat together and attacked her with fire techniques, but Ino used a substitution and then the Mind Body Switch Technique to possess him.
• Ino surrendered after Gekko Hayate refused to end the match while she controlled Sasuke, and Sasuke won when Ino released the technique.
• Yuhan used a Water Clone and Water Prison against Rock Lee, who opened the Third Gate and escaped.
• Rock Lee removed his leg weights, opened the Fourth Gate, and used the Reverse Lotus against Yuhan’s water man.
• Yuhan summoned five water men, and Rock Lee fought them until Gekko Hayate declared him unable to continue.
• Yuhan healed Rock Lee, who asked her to go out with him, and she threatened to ruin his other leg if he kept talking.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries continued, and Neji defeated Gaara by exploiting the weakness of his sand armor and sealing his chakra. Neji collapsed from his injuries, but Hongshi healed him, while Gaara was left unconscious with a Four Symbols Seal on his hand.

• Dosu, Temari, Shikamaru, Shino, and Sakura won their matches against Choji, Tenten, Kin, Zaku, and Naruto, respectively.
• Kiba used Akamaru and Fang Over Fang to defeat Kankuro and win his match.
• Yuhan told Shikamaru that water could make Gaara’s sand heavy, while Neji tested Gaara’s defenses with his Byakugan and Gentle Fist techniques.
• Neji used blood to weigh down Gaara’s Sand Armor, then struck his pressure point and paralyzed him before defeating him with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
• A Four Symbols Seal appeared on Gaara’s hand as he fell unconscious, while Hongshi and Naruto pretended to be unconscious beside him.
• Neji collapsed from his wounds, and Hongshi healed him with powerful medical ninjutsu after Yuhan failed to stop his bleeding.

After the Hokage’s office questioned Yuhan about her rapid rise as a ninja and Hongshi’s forbidden techniques, Hongshi secretly read Danzo’s memories to learn where the First’s scroll was hidden. The Third then assigned Team 13 and Team Guy an A-rank escort mission, putting Yuhan in command as they prepared to leave in three days.

• Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo questioned Yuhan about her short training period, her victory over Rock Lee, and Hongshi’s techniques.
• Konohamaru burst into the office and demonstrated the Harem Technique, distracting the Hokage and the others.
• Hongshi froze everyone except himself and Yuhan, then used Mind Layer Diving to break through Danzo’s mental defenses and discover the location of the First’s scroll.
• After the others left, Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Team 13 an A-rank escort mission because Orochimaru had infiltrated the village and the jonin had to remain on defense.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi joined Team 13 with Team Guy and appointed Yuhan as mission commander, setting their departure for noon three days later.

Hongshi captured the Three-Tails after boiling its lake, defeating it with Nuclear Release and then healing and sealing it. He left the Three-Tails unconscious and palm-sized, but framed Akatsuki for the attack before escaping, prompting Mei Terumi to order an investigation.

• Hongshi learned the Three-Tails' location from Orochimaru's memories and sent a Shadow Clone to the lake in the Land of Water.
• Hongshi boiled the lake with a Thermonuclear Orb, absorbed the Three-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb, and blasted the beast with Nuclear Heavy Fist.
• Hongshi healed the unconscious Three-Tails with Nuclear-Powered Susanoo and sealed it down to palm size.
• Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chōjirō arrived, and Hongshi transformed into Tobi and claimed he had come to avenge his dead lover.
• Hongshi blamed Akatsuki for collecting jinchūriki to make nuclear weapons, escaped with Flying Thunder God, and Mei Terumi ordered an investigation.

Hongshi escorted Kazahana Koyuki and the film crew toward the Land of Snow while enduring severe seasickness and training the other genin at sea. As the crew filmed, Koyuki performed with conviction, and Sandayu began to explain his connection to the Land of Snow before Rock Lee and Hongshi interrupted him with a swimming race.

• Kazahana Koyuki resisted the trip to the Land of Snow and fled on horseback, but Team 3 caught her and returned her to the film crew.
• The genin boarded the ship, and Hongshi became violently seasick before using water-walking techniques to travel beside it and catch fish.
• Hongshi taught the genin to glide across the sea and helped Neji and Tenten begin applying chakra nature transformations to their techniques.
• During a film shoot, Hongshi and Rock Lee cried over Shishimaru's scene, disrupting filming until Neji knocked them into the sea.
• Sandayu began telling Yuhan why Koyuki resisted going to the Land of Snow, but Rock Lee challenged Hongshi to a swimming race.

The Snow ninja trio attacked the film crew on the iceberg to capture Kazahana Koyuki, but Yuhan, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee thwarted the kidnapping. Hongshi was dragged away by Fubuki Kakuyoku, leaving the battle split across the iceberg.

• Hongshi and Team Guy fought an ice-throwing snowball battle, while the Snow ninja trio watched and planned to capture Kazahana Koyuki.
• The film crew began shooting on the iceberg, and Yuhan and the others noticed three armored extras approaching Kazahana Koyuki after the director called cut.
• Nadare Rōga, Tōu Tōkuma, and Fubuki Kakuyoku revealed themselves and tried to seize Kazahana Koyuki, but Neji, Tenten, and Yuhan protected her.
• Rock Lee attacked Fubuki Kakuyoku as Tenten brought Kazahana Koyuki to safety, while Hongshi charged Nadare Rōga with another giant ice snowball.
• Nadare Rōga summoned an ice whale that knocked Hongshi away, and Fubuki Kakuyoku bound him with steel cables and dragged him off.

Yuhan and Neji struggled against the Chakra Armor users while Rock Lee rescued Hongshi and fought Fubuki Kakuyoku. Zabuza arrived with the Titanic Pirates, captured Kazahana Koyuki, and left Yuhan and Neji unconscious as he escaped toward the Land of Snow.

• Yuhan told Tenten to get everyone aboard while he and Neji continued fighting Nadare Rōga and Fuyukuma Mizore.
• Rock Lee pursued Hongshi, then used the Reverse Front Lotus to break Fubuki Kakuyoku’s armor barrier and overpower her.
• Zabuza arrived and separated Rock Lee and Fubuki Kakuyoku with a Water Release technique before revealing that he led the Titanic Pirates.
• Zabuza told Rock Lee that his crew had captured Kazahana Koyuki and that she carried the Hexagonal Crystal sought by Kazahana Dōtō.
• Zabuza revealed that Yuhan and Neji had been defeated, then escaped using Water Body Flicker as Rock Lee charged him.
• Hongshi urged Rock Lee to save Yuhan and Neji.

Hongshi and his companions learned that Kazahana Koyuki was the Land of Snow’s princess and set off to help her reclaim it, while Jack (Zabuza) held Koyuki captive and sought the Hexagonal Crystal. In Konoha, Hongshi tried to give Sakura the Three-Tails to increase her chakra, but she sealed it after he tricked her into thinking Sasuke and Ino were on a date.

• Sandayu revealed that Kazahana Dōtō had killed Kazahana Sōsetsu, driven Koyuki away, and ruled the Land of Snow with the help of snow ninja and Chakra Armor.
• Hongshi and his companions used a block of ice and Water Release to travel across the sea toward the Land of Snow.
• Jack (Zabuza) took the Hexagonal Crystal from Koyuki and ordered that she be locked up with the people from the ship.
• Hongshi told Sakura that the Three-Tails could increase her chakra, then suggested preparing a pot and seasonings.
• Hongshi made Sakura believe Sasuke and Ino were on a date, and Sakura used the Eight Trigrams Seal on the Three-Tails.

Yuhan laid out a plan for the rebel army and Hongshi to defeat Kazahana Dōtō’s forces, while Hongshi’s clone brainwashed Dōtō and Gato into serving him. The plan stalled when Kazahana Koyuki revealed herself and began teaching the villains how to act.

• Yuhan told Kazahana Kinji that Tenten and Kamiaka Hieimon had infiltrated the technology unit, Hongshi would handle the Titanic Pirates, and the rebel army would fight the Snow Ninja.
• On the airship, Kazahana Dōtō welcomed Gato’s plan to gain the Hexagonal Crystal, while Zabuza brought in Kazahana Koyuki, Tenten, and Kamiaka Hieimon.
• Hongshi’s clone appeared before Kazahana Dōtō and used Mental World to make Dōtō pledge the Land of Snow to Hongshi; Gato and Jack also agreed to follow him.
• After Hongshi’s clone vanished, Kazahana Koyuki reminded Dōtō, Gato, and Jack that she had witnessed everything, and Jack prepared to kill her.
• Kazahana Koyuki said she was an actress and taught Gato, Jack, and Dōtō acting techniques, derailing their battle plans.

Neji discovered that Hongshi’s experimental chakra medicine had set Rock Lee ablaze, then learned Tenten had brought stolen Chakra Armor for the rebels’ coming attack. The rebels began their assault on Kazahana Dōtō, with Hongshi sent to confront the Titanic Pirates and Neji’s team assigned to hold off Dōtō and the Snow Ninja Trio.

• Neji broke into Hongshi’s house and found him injecting Rock Lee with an experimental chakra medicine that made Lee’s body blaze with fire chakra.
• Rock Lee fought Neji at increased speed for nearly twenty minutes, then realized the flames had burned off all his clothes and fled in embarrassment.
• Neji questioned Hongshi about the medicine, which Hongshi admitted was a half-finished chakra refill agent based on Orochimaru’s research.
• Tenten arrived as a Shadow Clone and gave Neji a scroll of Chakra Armor parts that she and Hieimon had stolen and assembled.
• Yuhan distributed the single-use armor among the fighters, and Neji learned that Kazahana Dōtō had the Hexagonal Crystal and planned to travel to the treasure’s entrance.
• The rebels launched their attack, sending Hongshi after the Titanic Pirates while Neji’s Team 3 prepared to distract Dōtō and the Snow Ninja Trio; Hongshi immediately crashed through a wall and tripped.

Yuhan and the rebels ambushed Kazahana Dōtō’s train, while Konoha’s Rock Lee, Neji, and Tenten fought to disrupt the Snow ninja’s forces and rescue Kazahana Koyuki. Tenten freed Koyuki, but Sandayu was mortally wounded as the battle continued.

• Yuhan attacked Kazahana Dōtō’s train, and Rock Lee drove Nadare Rōga into a fight on the sea.
• Kazahana Kinji and Sandayu led the rebels’ charge, while Yuhan deflected the train’s barrage of kunai and Neji fought Fubuki Kakuyoku.
• Yuhan and the rebels clashed with Tōkuma, Kazahana Dōtō, and the armored Snow ninja as Tōkuma’s ice bear caused heavy casualties.
• Kazahana Koyuki tried to stab Kazahana Dōtō, but the dagger broke against him before Tenten revealed herself and rescued Koyuki during an explosion aboard the train.
• Sandayu shielded Koyuki, was struck in the back by a kunai, and gave her his katana before collapsing in her arms.

Hongshi prepared his forces aboard the Titanic, rescued and recruited thirteen children from Orochimaru’s experiments, and then flew to the battlefield in the Land of Snow. He arrived just in time to kick Kazahana Dōtō out of the air as the rebels faced defeat.

• Hongshi discussed Gato’s plans for the Land of Snow, then accidentally let Jack repeatedly strike his head before blasting him away with a Nuclear Bomb Kick.
• Hongshi learned that thirteen rescued children had recovered, gave them names, and assigned Gato and Hieimon to help train them with twenty Shadow Clones.
• After a snowflake-shaped firework signaled the battle’s start, Hongshi jumped from the ship, fell into the sea, and used Water Release: Water Glide to reach shore.
• Sandayu’s death strengthened the rebels, and Tenten and Yuhan defeated Tōkuma by destroying his Chakra Furnace and binding him.
• Kazahana Dōtō overwhelmed Yuhan’s fire attack with two ice dragons, but Hongshi arrived and kicked him out of the air before declaring himself Leeroy Jenkins.

Hongshi, Rock Lee, and Neji defeated Kazahana Dōtō’s allies in the battle, but Dōtō escaped with the Hexagonal Crystal to unlock the treasure. Hongshi pursued him with Kazahana Koyuki and the film crew following behind.

• Hongshi’s five-nature attack overloaded his Chakra Armor, but he used Earth and Wind Release techniques to break Kazahana Dōtō’s armor and knock him down.
• Kazahana Koyuki warned Hongshi that Dōtō had taken the Hexagonal Crystal, so Hongshi pursued him on an Earth Train while the film crew followed in a car.
• Rock Lee defeated Nadare Rōga after a seal-covered body shielded him from Nadare’s final attack, then took Nadare’s clothes.
• Neji used two Shadow Clones and a combined lightning-and-fire Rotation to break Fubuki Kakuyoku’s Chakra Armor.

Yuhan and the rebels advanced on Kazahana Castle while Hongshi helped Kazahana Koyuki activate her father’s hidden geothermal heater, transforming the Land of Snow into the Land of Spring. After the rebels captured Snow Castle, Hongshi ended the escort mission and encouraged Koyuki to rule the country herself.

• Yuhan treated the wounded and joined the rebels as Kazahana Kinji led them toward Kazahana Castle.
• Kazahana Koyuki placed the Hexagonal Crystal in the pedestal, activating the geothermal heater and melting the iceberg.
• Rock Lee and Neji arrived and attacked Kazahana Dōtō, while sunlight revealed Kazahana Sōsetsu’s recording for Koyuki.
• Kazahana Koyuki understood her father’s wishes and decided what she needed to do as the Land of Snow became the Land of Spring.
• A firework signaled that Kazahana Kinji had captured Snow Castle, and Hongshi told Koyuki to rule the country and visit him in Konoha when she was ready.

After the Land of Snow’s victory, Kazahana Koyuki renamed it the Land of Spring and assigned her new government key diplomatic and military tasks. Meanwhile, Yuhan turned Hongshi and his companions’ water-training into a new film, while a hidden clone of Hongshi remained active in Snow Castle.

• Hongshi, Yuhan, and Rock Lee mourned Hieimon at his grave before the Konoha party departed by ship, leaving Kazahana Koyuki behind.
• Hongshi, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee trained across the sea as Yuhan and the director watched; Yuhan staged a mock battle with them for a sequel film.
• Kazahana Koyuki told Kazahana Kinji and Sandayu that the Land of Snow would become the Land of Spring, appointing Sandayu foreign minister and Kinji great general and protector.
• Kazahana Koyuki ordered Sandayu to travel to Konoha for the Chunin Ninja Exams and establish diplomatic ties, while Kinji was sent to the Land of Iron to buy metal ore.
• Hongshi’s nuclear clone sneezed while studying blueprints with Hieimon in Snow Castle’s classified archives.

Hongshi established the Nuclear Ninja Village in the Land of Spring, assigning his allies roles in its defense, training, research, and administration. After Hieimon defeated Captain Jack in a sparring fight, Kakuhei declared that governing through technology mattered more than governing through force.

• Hongshi used Sage Art: Earth Release: Village Construction Jutsu to create the Nuclear Ninja Village and named his nuclear clone Kakuhei, its First Nuclear Shadow.
• Kakuhei assigned the Gotei 13 to training, Captain Jack and Kazahana Dōtō's team to defense, Hieimon to ninja tool research, and Gato and Red Beard to finance and interior affairs.
• Captain Jack attacked the exhausted Kakuhei, but Hieimon stepped in and caught the Kubikiribōchō with his bare hands.
• Hieimon used Nuclear Release techniques and lightning armor to block Captain Jack's attacks and overwhelm him with rapid slashes.
• Kakuhei said governing through technology mattered more than governing through force as the thirteen children watched the fight.

Gaara transformed into Shukaku and killed Dosu Kinuta, while Gekko Hayate overheard Kabuto and Baki discussing Orochimaru and Sunagakure’s plan to seize Sasuke and Hongshi. Baki nearly killed Hayate, but Hongshi appeared after healing his wounds and sealed his mind to keep him unconscious.

• On a full-moon night at Kikyo Castle, Gaara transformed into Shukaku and crushed Dosu Kinuta, who had tried to kill him for Orochimaru’s promised Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Gekko Hayate overheard Kabuto and Baki reveal their alliance and plan to seize Sasuke and Hongshi, then realized Baki had detected him.
• Baki fought Hayate, who used his recovered strength to wound Baki with his sword techniques, but Baki trapped his katana and struck him with Wind Release: Wind Blade.
• Hayate escaped using a smoke bomb, collapsed in the forest with severe wounds, and was healed by a Four Symbols Seal formula on his chest.
• Hongshi appeared, said Hayate could not yet interfere with Orochimaru’s plan, and sealed Hayate’s mind to keep him unconscious.

Hongshi and his companions returned to Konoha after filming their movie, where Sakura revealed how much she had grown during a month of training with Hongshi’s Shadow Clone. The group learned that Dosu had been killed and Hayate was comatose, then discussed the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams matches as Naruto and Jiraiya reunited with them.

• Hongshi and the others returned to Konoha after their sea voyage ran long because they filmed the second Hongshi Ninja Scroll movie.
• Sakura met the group and showed her stronger, changed appearance; she and the others learned that Hieimon had died in the Land of Spring.
• Sakura told Neji that Dosu Kinuta had been killed and Hayate-sensei was in a coma, prompting Neji to voice his suspicions.
• Naruto and Jiraiya arrived, and Hongshi impressed Jiraiya with an elaborate alternative introduction before the two decided to go to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Sakura told Naruto that Hongshi had trained her with a Shadow Clone for a month and revealed the four exam matches, including a three-way battle between Yuhan, Hinata, and Kiba.

At the Chunin Exams, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Kazekage discussed the contestants as Konoha prepared for a possible attack by Orochimaru. Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha began the first match, revealing Sakura’s new elemental skills and improved fighting style.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konoha jonin to stay alert while Inoichi Yamanaka investigated the comatose Gekko Hayate.
• The Fourth Kazekage arrived, discussed Yuhan and the Land of Spring with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and noticed Hongshi sleeping in the stands.
• Genma Shiranui announced Sakura Haruno versus Sasuke Uchiha as the first match, and the two began fighting.
• Sasuke Uchiha attacked with Fire Style, but Sakura Haruno blocked the flames with an Earth-Style Wall and countered with Water Release.
• Kakashi suspected Hongshi had changed Sakura’s fighting style, while Danzo recognized the large scroll on Sakura’s back as the First’s scroll.

Inoichi discovered that Orochimaru, Otogakure, and Sunagakure planned to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Sasuke and Sakura fought in the arena. Sakura defeated Sasuke with Wood Release and left him seriously injured, and Hongshi declared his mission to beat Sasuke was one-twelfth complete.

• Inoichi searched Hayate's mind and revealed Orochimaru's alliance with Otogakure and Sunagakure and their plan to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen ordered Konoha's noncombatants evacuated and instructed the Jonin and Anbu to prepare for battle after learning Gaara was the One-Tail Jinchuriki.
• Inoichi warned the Jonin that impostors had infiltrated the arena, and Kakashi and Guy confirmed that at least thirty apparent Anbu were enemies.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan and Chidori to attack Sakura, but Sakura countered with Wood Release: Cherry Blossom Impact Fist.
• Sasuke crashed into Sakura's wooden fist, suffered serious injuries, and was carried away by the medical team as Hongshi said his mission was one-twelfth complete.

Sakura revealed her Wood Release and defeated her opponent, while the Chunin Exam matches continued until Yuhan noticed a genjutsu and ended his fight against Hinata and Kiba. A Sound Ninja invasion began, but Konoha's forces counterattacked quickly; Gaara ignored the plan and flew toward Sakura to challenge her.

• Sakura used Wood Release as the Three-Tails' jinchūriki, impressing the spectators and winning her battle.
• Neji defeated Shino, and Temari won after Shikamaru trapped her and then surrendered.
• Yuhan fought Hinata and Kiba, then knocked them out after Inoichi warned him to end the match and he spotted signs of an infiltration.
• A genjutsu put many spectators to sleep, and masked Sound Ninja attacked the arena, but Konoha's Anbu, jonin, and chunin quickly fought back and protected the civilians.
• Baki ordered Gaara to use the Feigning Sleep Technique, but Gaara ignored him, flew toward Sakura, and launched Sand Shower.

Orochimaru launched an attack on Konoha during the exams, while his forces abducted Yuhan and Hongshi amid the fighting. Sakura battled Gaara and Temari, and after Gaara crushed her with Sand Binding Coffin, she spoke with a slight smile.

• The Kazekage declared the attack, and Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized him as Orochimaru.
• Tayuya revealed herself and used her flute to incapacitate Genma Shiranui before abducting Yuhan.
• Neji protected Sakura and Hongshi from Gaara, Temari, Sakon, and Ukon, but Sakon and Ukon carried Hongshi away.
• Neji chased after the kidnappers while Sakura stayed behind to fight Gaara and Temari.
• Sakura used Wood Release to defend against Gaara’s sand, but Gaara and Temari shattered her barrier and Gaara crushed her with Sand Binding Coffin; Sakura then spoke with a slight smile.

Hongshi trained Sakura to develop Wood Release, but repeated attempts left her temporarily transformed into wood. After Sakura discovered how to balance her body and will, she succeeded and spent the next twenty days developing Wood Release techniques alongside Genjutsu.

• Hongshi brought Sakura to their old training ground and explained that she could attempt to create Wood Release by combining Earth, Water, and Yang chakra.
• Sakura repeatedly produced small plants but suffered strange wooden transformations, which Hongshi reversed with his chakra rod and the Preta Path.
• After three days of failure, Hongshi and Sakura consulted the First's scroll, then went to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal.
• Teuchi's remarks about putting one's will into ramen inspired Sakura to realize that Wood Release required balance between the body and the will.
• Sakura successfully grew a thick tree, then trained for twenty days to combine Wood Release with Genjutsu.

Sakura trapped Gaara and Temari with Wood Release and Genjutsu while Orochimaru began his attack on Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation. Hiruzen prepared to face Orochimaru, who summoned someone with Impure World Reincarnation.

• Sakura caught Gaara and Temari in Cherry Blossom Genjutsu, bound them with Great Tree Binding, and put them to sleep.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had killed the Kazekage and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage's viewing stand.
• Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Yuhan and Hongshi arrived, and Tayuya and the others erected the Four Violet Flames Formation around Orochimaru, Hiruzen, Hongshi, and Neji.
• Neji tried to attack Tayuya through the barrier, then used Wind Release with Gentle Fist to counter Orochimaru's Great Breakthrough, but Hongshi caught him as he was blown backward.
• Hiruzen blocked Orochimaru's wind with an earthen wall and prepared to fight, but Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation.