Chapter Summaries

Ayato demonstrated Gale Palm and Lightning Release techniques while encouraging Naruto to develop a Wind Release Chakra Mode. After Kakashi explained Chidori, Ayato mastered it immediately, leaving Sasuke impressed and Kakashi astonished.

• Ayato left Sakura to practice Water Walking by the river and found Naruto complaining that Kakashi had taught Sasuke a more impressive technique.
• Ayato demonstrated an enhanced Gale Palm, and Sasuke explained how Naruto’s stamina could make the technique useful for him.
• Ayato showed Naruto his lightning armor and suggested Naruto pursue a Wind Release Chakra Mode, prompting Naruto to commit to learning it from Kakashi.
• Kakashi questioned whether Naruto could master the technique, and Ayato said the effort could still improve Naruto’s Chakra control.
• Kakashi began teaching Chidori to Sasuke and Ayato, but Ayato quickly formed the technique after Kakashi’s explanation.
• Kakashi encouraged Sasuke not to be discouraged by Ayato’s speed, and Sasuke said he was used to Ayato’s talent.

Ayato discussed Naruto’s training and the coming turmoil with Kakashi, then continued developing his ninjutsu. After Sakura mastered Water Walking, Ayato questioned Kurama about sensing malice and teased it about Naruto’s whiskers.

• Ayato explained that Naruto could train with many Shadow Clones because of the Nine-Tails, and warned Kakashi that a prophecy foretold chaos in the ninja world.
• Ayato practiced the Lightning Cutter and Rasenshuriken, suspecting that his Rasenshuriken remained incomplete.
• Sakura told Ayato she had mastered Water Walking and asked to try both Genjutsu and another path before choosing; Ayato directed her to Kakashi for instruction.
• Ayato entered Naruto’s inner space and asked Kurama whether ordinary people’s spiritual energy could be sensed as malice; Kurama said its ability was not one a ninja could master.
• Ayato teased Kurama about Naruto’s whiskers and suggested the Nine-Tails had influenced Naruto’s birth, leaving Kurama to wonder whether Naruto looked more pleasing than before.

Ayato had Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura face Gato’s hired ninja to prepare them for the realities of being shinobi. After confronting Zabuza and White, Ayato split the spoils from Gato’s death with them and left with enough valuables to secure his finances.

• Ayato told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that they had to kill the hostile ninja Gato hired, and all three entered the fight while Ayato and Kakashi watched.
• Kakashi summoned Shadow Clones to finish the remaining enemies and told Ayato not to interfere.
• Ayato encountered Zabuza and White, who planned to kill Gato, and negotiated to split the valuables with them.
• Ayato and Zabuza’s group carried out the operation against Gato’s men, then Zabuza and White left with their share.
• Ayato sealed the valuables they could not carry and used Flying Thunder God to return to Naruto’s mark.

After the battle at the unfinished bridge, Ayato helps Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura understand the value of their victory and accept the Land of Waves residents’ gratitude. The team returns to Konoha, while Ayato begins considering a new direction for developing his perception.

• Ayato praises Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for defeating the attackers and protecting the bridge, then sends them to receive the residents’ cheers.
• Ayato confirms to Kakashi that he learned Flying Thunder God, and Kakashi reflects on the technique and what he has learned from the mission.
• Ayato realizes that Void State may rely on sensing Natural Energy rather than Chakra and decides to explore that possibility.
• Naruto asks the residents to bury the defeated attackers, and the group later leaves the Land of Waves after the bridge is named Naruto Bridge.
• Kakashi dismisses the team after they return to Konoha, and Ayato heads home with Naruto.

Ayato reflected on his lingering killing intent while continuing to improve his abilities, then watched Ino train and considered their families’ plans for their future. He confessed his love to Ino, and she returned it.

• Ayato recalled that the Third Hokage believed only Ayato himself could free his heart from the lasting effects of killing.
• Ayato arrived at Asuma’s team and chose to wait while Ino finished training.
• Ino hurried to Ayato after training, and the two teased each other about their relationship and the families’ agreement about their future.
• Ayato remembered that Ino had rejected the Yamanaka Clan’s request for one of their future children to take its surname, though Ayato had not minded the idea.
• Ayato confessed that he loved Ino, and Ino tearfully told him she loved him most.

Ayato learned that Ino and her teammates would take part in the Chunin Exams, then encountered Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari after they arrived in Konoha. As the exams approached, Ayato considered the coming Konoha Crush Plan and resolved to change what he could.

• Ayato massaged Ino after training, and she told him that Asuma had said their team would participate in the Chunin Exams.
• Ayato gave Ino a Black Rod that would alert him if she needed help, then walked with her through Konoha.
• Ayato and Ino found Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura facing Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari, who had come to Konoha for the exams.
• Ayato defused Kankuro's quarrel with Konohamaru, and Gaara recognized Ayato's strength before leaving with his siblings.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and the others said they would work toward becoming Chunin and catching up to Ayato.
• Ayato escorted Ino home, then thought about Orochimaru's plan and resolved to intervene in the coming Konoha Crush.

Ayato waited at the Forest of Death’s central tower, reflected on the Chunin Exams, and realized Orochimaru might attack Sasuke and Naruto. When Orochimaru cornered them in the forest, Ayato arrived and intervened, leaving the fight unresolved but protecting the team.

• Ayato reviewed the first-stage exam papers and learned how Ino had helped Sakura, Naruto, and possibly Sasuke, while Shikamaru had answered nearly every question correctly.
• Ayato recalled Anko’s connection to Orochimaru and suspected his instinctive disgust came from the curse mark, then resolved to reveal Orochimaru’s presence and rally Konoha’s forces.
• Orochimaru attacked Sasuke and Naruto in the Forest of Death, overwhelmed them with snakes, and grabbed Naruto to inspect the seals on his body.
• Ayato used a Flying Thunder God Mark on Naruto to appear and strike Orochimaru with a Rasengan, then rushed to protect Sakura from Orochimaru’s escaping head.
• Orochimaru redirected his attack toward Sasuke, but Ayato pierced his neck with Chidori Sharp Spear before he could reach him.

Ayato failed to stop Orochimaru from placing a cursed seal on Sasuke, but drove the rogue ninja away after a fierce encounter. He carried Sasuke off to prepare treatment for the seal.

• Orochimaru’s small snake bit Sasuke and left a cursed seal on his neck despite Sasuke cutting it down.
• Ayato and Team 7 watched Orochimaru emerge from his headless body, then learned Orochimaru had targeted Sasuke and recognized Ayato’s techniques.
• Orochimaru admitted he had achieved his objective and retreated, warning that Sasuke would eventually seek him out.
• Ayato told Team 7 that Orochimaru was the Third Hokage’s former disciple and a powerful rogue ninja, then praised the team for their actions.
• Ayato healed Sasuke’s bite wounds, saw that the cursed seal remained, and carried Sasuke away to prepare treatment.

Ayato sealed the cursed seal on Sasuke, who rejected its power, while Naruto and Sakura guarded the cave from approaching Sound Ninja. Naruto held off the attackers with Shadow Clones and Wind Style: Gale Palm, leaving the Sound Ninja Trio unable to reach Sasuke.

• Ayato explained the cursed seal’s dangers to Sasuke, who chose to have it sealed rather than accept its power.
• Ayato used Eight Trigrams Sealing and Four Symbols Sealing to restrict the cursed seal on Sasuke.
• Sakura reflected on how far Naruto and Sasuke had advanced and considered focusing on Medical Ninjutsu, while Naruto sent Shadow Clones to find food.
• Naruto sensed approaching enemies when one of his Shadow Clones was destroyed, and Sakura prepared traps to protect the cave.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones and Wind Style: Gale Palm to counter the Sound Ninja Trio’s attacks and keep them from reaching Sasuke.

Ayato reported Orochimaru’s return and his plan to target Sasuke to the Third Hokage, who refused to suspend the Chunin Exams and explained Konoha’s defense strategy. The Third Hokage began quietly preparing the village for an attack while Ayato returned to the exam grounds.

• Naruto defeated the Sound Ninja Trio with Ayato’s version of Gale Palm, and Dosu surrendered their Scroll after seeing Sasuke emerge unharmed.
• Ayato left a Shadow Clone to guard the Central Tower and went to report his encounter with Orochimaru to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage rejected Ayato’s suggestion to suspend the Chunin Exams, citing Orochimaru’s likely response and the visiting daimyos’ importance to Konoha.
• Ayato recalled Konoha’s defense strategy: eliminate the enemy’s Surprise Attack Squad, evacuate noncombatants, then mobilize the village to fight.
• Ayato urged the Third Hokage to keep his Flying Thunder God kunai close, and the Third Hokage ordered the Anbu Captain to clear evacuation routes and monitor the Sound Ninja and Orochimaru.

Ayato decided to do everything he could to save the Third Hokage and considered how strength and Konoha’s survival would affect his future. After Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji reached the Central Tower, an overcrowded second round led to a playoff, where Sasuke won his match before Ino was paired against Sakura.

• Ayato resolved to help save the Third Hokage, while deciding he needed to become stronger before pursuing his ambitions for Konoha.
• Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji reached the Central Tower with both scrolls, and Ayato welcomed them after they summoned him.
• Naruto and Team 7 arrived, and Shikamaru told them that Naruto’s speech had helped too many contestants pass the first round.
• Hayate Gekko announced a playoff to reduce the number of contestants, and Sasuke defeated Iou Kinzoku with Lion's Barrage.
• Shino and Kankuro won their matches, and the next pairing announced was Yamanaka Ino versus Haruno Sakura.

Ino defeated Sakura by using Ayato’s mental attack technique, then learned how it could affect future battles. After Tenten lost to Temari, Naruto entered the arena to face Kiba.

• Ino and Sakura began their match, and Ino’s improved strength gave her the advantage in close combat.
• Ino feinted with the Mind Body Switch Technique before using the Mind Body Transmission Technique to stun Sakura and win.
• Ino explained her technique to Sakura and her teammates, while Ayato warned her to use it carefully and avoid opponents with strong mental power.
• Temari’s Wind Release countered Tenten’s Ninja Tools, giving Temari a decisive matchup advantage.
• Naruto entered the arena to fight Kiba, who felt relieved that his opponent was not Gaara.

Naruto defeated Kiba using Ayato’s Gale Palm, while Hinata lost badly to Neji in the next match. Ayato urged Kurenai to guide Hinata toward reconnaissance and medical ninjutsu, then warned Might Guy about Gaara’s Sand Coffin before Rock Lee’s fight.

• Naruto outlasted Kiba, who exhausted himself and admitted defeat.
• Hinata gave Naruto medicine for his wounds, then treated Kiba as well.
• Neji defeated Hinata without mercy, and Naruto vowed to avenge her.
• Ayato warned Might Guy about Gaara’s Sand Coffin and urged him to surrender if Rock Lee faced grave danger.
• Ayato told Kurenai that Hinata should pursue a noncombat ninja specialty, suggesting reconnaissance, medical work, and Chakra Scalpel.

Sakura chose to pursue Medical Ninjutsu after Ayato explained its potential, while the Chunin Exams continued and the third-round matchups were announced. That night, Ayato reflected on his detachment from the world and resolved to fully integrate into it so he could overcome his stagnation.

• Ayato explained the demands of Medical Ninjutsu, and Sakura decided to learn it after hearing about Tsunade’s strength; Kakashi confirmed Ayato’s claims.
• Might Guy surrendered on Rock Lee’s behalf when Gaara’s sand threatened him, saving Lee’s leg, while Shikamaru won and Choji lost their matches.
• The third-round matchups were drawn, including Naruto versus Neji, Sasuke versus Gaara, and Ino versus Shino; Ino resolved to train hard for her fight.
• Ayato left home for a nighttime walk, visited places and people connected to him, and considered how little he felt attached to the world.
• Ayato returned home, decided to overcome his stagnation by fully integrating into the world, and fell asleep on the roof.

Ayato reunited with Jiraiya, warned him that the Third Hokage’s age and workload left him vulnerable to Orochimaru, and discussed Naruto’s altered seal. As the Third Round Exam approached, Ayato finally erased his last trace of killing intent and broke through.

• Ayato sensed Jiraiya near a bathhouse and tricked him into being mistaken for a peeper before reuniting with him.
• Ayato told Jiraiya about his experiences, including Orochimaru, and urged him to watch over the aging Third Hokage.
• Jiraiya agreed to keep an eye on the Third Hokage and learned that Ayato had already altered Naruto’s seal.
• Ayato told Jiraiya he was close to a breakthrough, then fled when Jiraiya asked him to help escape if he was caught gathering material.
• On the eve of the Third Round Exam, Ayato erased his last trace of killing intent and achieved the breakthrough he had anticipated.

Ayato’s Void State breakthrough let him perceive Natural Energy, inspect and repair his body, and discover that he possessed two connected souls. He found an unexplained mark on his soul before returning to the outside world, still bewildered by what it meant.

• Ayato’s Void State advanced, allowing him to see Natural Energy and greatly extending his perception, but he decided to postpone learning Sage Mode until after the Third Round Exam.
• Ayato examined his chakra and body, found hidden injuries and undeveloped Fire affinity, then used Lightning Release and medical Chakra to repair his injuries.
• Ayato discovered two connected souls within himself and realized that the original Ayato’s soul had no independent consciousness.
• Ayato concluded that his two souls explained his unusually strong and rapidly growing spiritual power, then noticed a mysterious mark on his soul that he could not understand.
• Ayato opened his eyes in the outside world, confused by the breakthrough and the revelations about his souls and the mark.

Ayato watched the Chunin Exams’ Third Round begin while monitoring Konoha’s preparations for the expected attack. He left the chapter considering Danzo a threat and watching Naruto face Neji in the opening match.

• Ayato arranged for Sinai to carry a Flying Thunder God kunai, then went with Ino to the exam arena.
• Ayato spoke with Hinata about her possible path into medical treatment and told Kiba that Akamaru should shape his combat style.
• Ayato noticed Dosu was absent and watched the veiled Kazekage, whom he knew was Orochimaru, while Konoha continued evacuating civilians.
• Ayato reflected on Root’s refusal to act and resolved to deal with Shimura Danzō when he gained power.
• After a delay, the Third Round Exam began with Naruto Uzumaki facing Neji Hyuga.

Naruto fought Neji in the arena, using shadow clones and Ayato’s Gale Palm before Neji countered with powerful Hyuga techniques. After Naruto spoke with Neji about the Caged Bird Curse Mark, he drew on the Nine-Tails’ chakra, formed Wind Armor, and defeated Neji.

• Naruto attacked Neji with shadow clones using Ayato’s Gale Palm, but Neji fought back with the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation.
• Neji struck Naruto with Pressure Point Strikes and revealed his Caged Bird Curse Mark while arguing with Naruto.
• Naruto drew on the Nine-Tails’ chakra and formed red Wind Armor, astonishing Ayato, the Third Hokage, and the spectators.
• Naruto broke through Neji’s Rotation with Wind Armor and defeated him without further injury.

Shikamaru forfeited to Temari, and Sasuke faced Gaara as the Chunin Exams continued. Orochimaru’s Konoha Crush Plan began during their fight, leaving Ayato to mobilize across Konoha and hunt the invading ninja.

• Shikamaru outmaneuvered Temari but surrendered, claiming he had too little Chakra to continue.
• Genma announced Kankuro’s victory by default when Dosu failed to appear, then started Sasuke and Gaara’s match.
• Gaara unleashed his killing intent against Sasuke, while Ayato watched and considered the fighters’ strengths.
• Ayato recognized Orochimaru’s attack when a Genjutsu and explosions struck the arena, and hidden Otogakure ninja emerged.
• Ayato sent Ino to Sinai and the civilian shelter, then left to respond to threats across Konoha.
• Ayato drew the Ink Shadow Sword and used his sensory range and Flying Thunder God Marks to begin hunting the hostile ninja.

Ayato helped defend Konoha by rescuing civilians and eliminating Sound ninjas while the village’s forces repelled the invasion. He arrived at the main arena and found the Four Violet Flames Formation still active, with Jiraiya outside it beside the two sages.

• Ayato killed two Sound ninjas threatening civilians and directed a Konoha Chunin to escort the survivors to shelter.
• Civilians at the shelter learned Ayato’s name and praised him, while Sinai and Ino felt proud and worried for him.
• Ayato used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to defeat a fleeing Sound ninja, then received word that his Shadow Clones had cleared their areas.
• Tenzō used Wood Release to protect Konoha’s wall and restrain a giant python while the Anbu attacked the invaders.
• Hyena and the ninja hounds ambushed the retreating enemies with smoke bombs and Fang Passing Fang.
• Ayato used Flying Thunder God to reach the main arena, where he saw the Four Violet Flames Formation still standing and Jiraiya outside it with Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku.