Volumes 1–10

Complete listed story — includes the ending

Naruto, Volume 1

Chapter 1
Once upon a time, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox devastated the shinobi village of Konohagakure, and was only stopped when the village's leader, the Fourth Hokage, gave up his life to seal it within the body of an infant. Twelve years later, a young orphan boy named Naruto Uzumaki regularly pulls pranks and is constantly causing trouble around the village. The villagers dislike him for it, but having no parents or friends, Naruto craves even negative attention.

One day, Naruto paints all over the Hokage Monument, leading to the current village leader, the Third Hokage, to come and see. Naruto is eventually brought back to class at the Academy by his teacher, Iruka Umino. At class, Iruka has each student perform the Transformation Technique in preparation for the class's final exam tomorrow, but Naruto instead uses the Sexy Technique.

After class, Iruka has Naruto clean up his earlier mess, before deciding to treat Naruto to ramen later that night. There, Iruka asks why Naruto would perform the prank, and Naruto announces his own plans to become Hokage, even though he is incapable of performing even the most basic of techniques. At the final exam, Naruto is unable to use the Clone Technique and Iruka subsequently fails him. Afterwards, a more sympathetic instructor, Mizuki, tells him an apparent secret, while the Third Hokage talks to Iruka about how Iruka also lost his parents in the Nine-Tails attack, and that he relates to Naruto that way.

That night, Naruto manages to steal the Scroll of Seals, believing that if he can learn one of its secret techniques, he will finally be allowed to continue on to the ranks of the ninja. After successfully stealing the scroll, a search is placed on Naruto, and he is caught by Iruka after only learning one technique. Realising that Naruto has been tricked, Iruka protects him from Mizuki's attack, Mizuki planning to take the scroll for himself.

To sway Naruto to his side, Mizuki tells Naruto the truth: Naruto is the boy that had the Nine-Tails sealed inside of him, and that a decree was placed preventing anyone from talking about it, barring Naruto from learning about it. He goes on to explain that the villagers hate him for the monster he contains and that Iruka, his parents having been killed by the Nine-Tails, must hate him the most. Mizuki attempts to kill Naruto, but Iruka blocks the attack, revealing his own past to Naruto. Overwhelmed, Naruto flees into the woods.

Iruka and Mizuki confront each other while Naruto listens behind a tree. Mizuki berates Iruka, claiming Naruto will use the scroll to get revenge. Iruka says this is not the case as he does not blame Naruto for the beast's actions, before acknowledging him as his friend. Having finally made a friend, Naruto reveals himself and uses his newly mastered Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to defeat Mizuki, while the Third Hokage calls off the search. Amazed by the complicated technique Naruto has learned, Iruka officially makes Naruto a ninja in training and puts faith in him becoming Hokage.

Chapter 2
While preparing for his life as a ninja, Naruto Uzumaki meets the young Konohamaru in the middle of an attempt on the Third Hokage 's life. When he fails, Konohamaru asks to train under Naruto, hoping that his Sexy Technique will be enough to defeat the Third and become Hokage. Planning to become Hokage himself, Naruto asks why he would want the title. Konohamaru explains that, as the Third's grandson, people only identify him as such and not by his name. He hopes that, by becoming Hokage, people will acknowledge him, not because he's the grandson of the latter.

Knowing what Konohamaru is going through, Naruto agrees to train him. Ebisu, Konohamaru's tutor, believes the " Nine-Tails boy" is a bad influence and attempts to stop their training. Konohamaru uses his perfected Sexy Technique to try and get rid of Ebisu, but it has no effect. Naruto follows up with his Harem Technique, which affected Ebisu and a proof he's also a pervert. Seeing that he still has much to learn, Konohamaru breaks off his student-teacher relationship with Naruto, as depending on Naruto's help to become Hokage would mean he is unfit for the position.

Chapter 3
Naruto Uzumaki, having finally passed his graduation exam, heads to the ninja academy to be put into three man squads. He ends up paired with Sakura Haruno, a girl Naruto has a crush on, and Sasuke Uchiha, the person Naruto considers to be his rival. After Sakura shows disappointment at being paired with Naruto, and only happy about being paired with Sasuke, Naruto devises a plan. During lunch Naruto ambushes Sasuke and ties him up, then uses the Transformation Technique to turn into Sasuke. Approaching Sakura as Sasuke, Naruto goes about finding what she thinks of him. Interrupted by having to go to the bathroom (right before he can get a kiss from Sakura), Sasuke manages to get free. Sasuke passes Sakura and she pesters him about their time together a few moments earlier. She then goes about insulting Naruto, and makes fun of him having no parents. Sasuke retorts angrily, saying she makes him sick. Deciding she has been too mean to Naruto, she decides she should try and be nicer to him from now on.

Chapter 4
The newly-formed Team 7 is given the jōnin instructor, Kakashi Hatake. To help them get to know each other, they all share something about themselves; Naruto wants to be Hokage; Sasuke wants to kill a certain someone; Sakura blushes before revealing that she likes Sasuke, but openly states she hates Naruto; Kakashi, despite it being his idea, refuses to tell them anything about himself, instead suggesting that they are all hopeless.

Before they can officially be made genin and thus ninja, Team 7 must take part in a survival test. Kakashi advises they do not eat beforehand and gives them until the next day to prepare. He then shows up late. Team 7 is tasked with getting one of the two bells he keeps on his person. Whichever two members get a bell will get lunch and be made into a genin while the third is sent back to the Academy with an empty stomach. Determined to take a bell for himself, Naruto attacks Kakashi. He is easily stopped, by Kakashi. Kakashi suggests that they may have potential after all.

Chapter 5
Sasuke and Sakura go into hiding, planning to ambush Kakashi when an opportunity presents itself. Naruto takes a direct approach and confronts Kakashi, planning to immediately take one of his two bells so that he can have something to eat. Kakashi repels Naruto's attacks with little effort, all without interrupting his reading of an Icha Icha book. Kakashi warns Naruto to avoid showing his blind spot to an enemy and attacks with One Thousand Years of Death that sends Naruto crashing into a nearby lake. Frustrated by the ease with which he is being defeated, Naruto creates a number of shadow clones to overpower Kakashi. The clones capture and attack Kakashi, only to discover that Kakashi is another of Naruto's shadow clones.

Chapter 6
Naruto gets into a fight with his shadow clones, believing that one of them is Kakashi in disguise. This is not the case, to his disappointment, Kakashi having merely switched places with one of the clones. Naruto is quickly cheered up when he sees a bell lying on the ground. He goes to pick it up, but is tied to a tree before he can do so. Kakashi appears and lectures him about obvious traps. Sasuke takes Kakashi's preoccupation to attack, but finds that this is also a trap. His location exposed, Sasuke flees. Sakura, worried about Sasuke, goes looking for him, but falls prey to one of Kakashi's genjutsu. Kakashi tracks down Sasuke, remarking that he is the only one left.

Chapter 7
Determined to prove himself better than Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke attacks Kakashi. Unlike the other two, Kakashi has difficulty with Sasuke, needing to close the Icha Icha book he was reading so that he can avoid Sasuke's attacks. When Sasuke uses the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, Kakashi is forced to stop playing around and immobilises Sasuke. Naruto, meanwhile, frees himself from Kakashi's trap and tries to steal some lunch. He is, however, caught by Kakashi red-handed. Kakashi calls Team 7 together and states that there's no need for the three go back to the Academy, however he advises them to give up on becoming ninja.

Naruto, Volume 2

Chapter 8
Kakashi points out that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura have all failed to capture a bell because they were working by themselves. Had they worked together, they might have succeeded. Teamwork has been the point of the exercise, the prospective ninja meant to set aside the fact that one of them would be returning to the Academy in order to complete the mission. Seeing how they completely missed this point, it leaves Kakashi with little to no hope, but he agrees to give them another chance after lunch so long as Sasuke and Sakura do not give any food to Naruto. When Kakashi leaves, Sasuke and Sakura defy his orders by giving Naruto some of their food, needing him to be at his best if they are to work together. Kakashi suddenly appears and informs them that all three of them have passed, ensuring that the team's cohesion is of more importance than following orders.

Chapter 9
After Team 7 completes an uneventful, D-rank mission of finding a stray cat, Naruto demands that the Third Hokage give them a more interesting assignment. The Third agrees to give them the C-rank task of escorting a man named Tazuna to his home in the Land of Waves. After leaving Konoha, they are attacked by the Demon Brothers, who quickly seem to kill Kakashi before turning their attention to Naruto.

Chapter 10
Before the Demon Brothers can kill Naruto, Sasuke steps in and stops them. They turn their attention to Tazuna, so Sakura comes to his defence. Before the brothers can land an attack, Kakashi appears and neutralises them, having only pretended to be killed so he could see who their target was. As it becomes obvious that protecting Tazuna is going to be more complicated than the C-rank mission they were assigned, Kakashi considers going home. Naruto, angry with himself for freezing up, demands that they complete the mission no matter how complicated it may become, vowing to never step down from a challenge.

Chapter 11
Team 7 agrees to continue protecting Tazuna. Since they are risking their lives for him, Tazuna tells them about why he lied about the mission. The Land of Waves has fallen under the control of a man named Gatō, who has reduced the country to poverty in order to continue his illegal import and export business. Tazuna hopes that, by building a bridge that will connect the Land of Waves with the mainland, he will be able to free the country from Gatō's control, which Gatō intends to stop by killing Tazuna. He adds that he had wanted to pay for the B-rank mission that this will be, but could only afford a C-rank. As soon as they arrive in the Land of Waves they are attacked by Zabuza Momochi, a skilled assassin.

Chapter 12
Knowing that Zabuza will be a tough opponent, Kakashi uncovers his Sharingan eye. Intending to defeat the famous "Kakashi of the Sharingan", Zabuza coats the area in a thick mist so that he can attempt to kill Tazuna without anyone noticing. As Zabuza appears within Team 7 's ranks and prepares to strike Tazuna, Kakashi stops him. This Zabuza turns out to be a water clone, and another Zabuza quickly attacks Kakashi. This Kakashi is also a water clone, having used his Sharingan to copy Zabuza's technique.

Chapter 13
As Kakashi holds Zabuza at knife point, Zabuza reveals that it is just another water clone. The real Zabuza appears and kicks Kakashi into a nearby lake, where he proceeds to trap Kakashi with his Water Prison Technique. Because he must remain with Kakashi to maintain the prison, Zabuza creates another water clone to deal with Tazuna and the rest of Team 7. Kakashi instructs them to flee, but Naruto, remembering his earlier vow to not run away from difficult situations, attacks the water clone.

Chapter 14
Defying Kakashi 's orders to run, Naruto attacks Zabuza 's water clone despite knowing how dangerous Zabuza is. He creates a number of shadow clones to overwhelm Zabuza, but the water clone easily parries them all. As the clones fall back, Naruto throws a fūma shuriken to Sasuke. Seeing what Naruto is up to, Sasuke throws the shuriken at the real Zabuza, ignoring the water clone. Zabuza easily catches it, only to realise that there is a second shuriken hiding in the shadow of the first. He dodges it, but as it goes passed him the second shuriken turns into Naruto.

Chapter 15
Zabuza is forced to release Kakashi in order to avoid Naruto's attack. Enraged by Naruto 's actions, Zabuza tries to attack him, but is stopped by Kakashi. Kakashi congratulates Team 7 on their success and promises to start pulling his own weight. Zabuza attacks Kakashi with his Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique, and Kakashi instantly copies it with his Sharingan. As the two identical techniques collide, Zabuza prepares another attack, only to realise that Kakashi is mimicking everything he does. Kakashi attacks with Zabuza's own Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, something Zabuza had only been thinking of doing. After landing the attack Kakashi prepares to finish off Zabuza, but a masked boy beats him to it, seemingly to kill Zabuza.

Chapter 16
Kakashi checks Zabuza 's pulse and, not being able to find one, concludes that the masked boy has killed him. Suspecting that the boy is a Kirigakure hunter-nin, Kakashi allows him to do as he wishes, telling Team 7 that it is the job of hunter-nin to track down and eliminate missing-nin like Zabuza. Naruto is angry that someone so young could kill someone as dangerous as Zabuza, but Kakashi informs him that it is something he will need to get used to. The boy leaves with Zabuza's body and Kakashi promptly collapses, having been left exhausted from overuse of his Sharingan. He is taken to Tazuna 's home to rest. Kakashi later wakes up, and is surrounded by the genin, Tazuna and Tsunami (Tazuna's daughter). He states that he will recover from his use of the Sharingan in about a week. It is then Sakura questions him about the youth in the mask. Kakashi explains the hunter-nin, such as the youth, are part of the Anbu, the most elite and secretive shinobi within the Kirigakure. A shinobi's body, even in death, contains the secrets of their respective village, such as ninjutsu, chakra, as well as the ingredients of any drugs or special medicines used on them. Even dōjutsu, such as the Sharingan are valuable to an enemy. As such, in the case of a ninja betraying their village, the hunter-nin are dispatched, eliminate the missing-nin and dispose of their remains without any trace. Meanwhile, the boy revives Zabuza, having only pretended to kill him to save him from Kakashi.

Chapter 17
Kakashi is suspicious about how the battle with Zabuza ended. He explains that hunter-nin usually, after killing the target, destroy the body immediately - on the spot. He turns to Sakura and asks her how the masked boy disposed of Zabuza's remains. Sakura answers that she doesn't know, since they only saw him take the missing-nin's corpse with him. Kakashi points out that while he did, all he needed to take with him as proof to confirm Zabuza's death was his head. He tells Team 7 that Zabuza may still be alive. Everyone is shocked to hear this. Naruto and Sakura ask Kakashi how he could be sure, as he himself checked that he was dead. Kakashi states that while he made sure of it, he also explains that a death-like state could provide a rather convincing illusion. This is especially when the masked youth "killed" Zabuza with senbon, which are a type of acupuncture needle. Hunter-nin are required to have intimate and thorough knowledge of human physiology. While senbon are potentially deadly, they can be used to inflict non-mortal injuries. Considering this, the boy was probably saving Zabuza by putting him in a temporary death-like state. In case he is right, Kakashi decides to start training Team 7 to improve their chakra control for another encounter with Zabuza.

Naruto, Volume 3

Chapter 18
To improve their chakra control, and thus the effectiveness of their techniques, Kakashi teaches Team 7 how to climb trees. Naruto fails completely, Sasuke can only make it halfway up, and Sakura is able to make it to the top on her first try. After repeated failures, Naruto asks Sakura for tips. Meanwhile, Zabuza recovers from his fight with Kakashi. Gatō approaches him intending to kill him for his failure, but is stopped by Haku, who breaks Gatō's arm in punishment for even considering touching Zabuza. Zabuza assures Gatō that he will finish the job in a week's time.

Chapter 19
Because she has nothing to gain from additional chakra control training, Sakura escorts Tazuna around the Land of Waves and sees the poverty the country has been reduced to because of Gatō 's control. Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke continue trying to climb trees. Despite his earlier failures, Naruto is catching up to Sasuke. Concerned that Naruto will beat him, Sasuke asks that he share whatever advice Sakura had given him earlier. Naruto refuses, and the two begin a competition that keeps going even while Team 7 is having dinner with Tazuna and his family. When Inari, Tazuna's grandson, becomes upset by their efforts, Tazuna explains how Inari and the rest of the country lost hope in their freedom.

Chapter 20
Years earlier, Inari met a man named Kaiza, a visitor to the Land of Waves. The two grew close and Inari came to consider Kaiza as a father. Sometime later, when a heavy storm season threatened to break a dam which would flood the country, Kaiza risked his life to seal the dam, in the process becoming the country's hero. When Gatō arrived in the country and began his monopoly over all forms of industries, Kaiza stood up to him and was executed for his actions. Inari and the rest of the country lost hope. Naruto, determined to save the country and prove to Inari that hope still exists, leads to resume his training.

Chapter 21
Naruto, while resting from all the training he has done, is awoken by Haku. Unaware that he is the masked boy he met during the fight with Zabuza, Naruto explains that he was training to get stronger. Haku remarks that people become truly strong when they're protecting someone precious to them, something that Naruto can agree with. They part ways and Naruto continues his training, finally managing to climb to the top of the tree.

Chapter 22
Naruto returns to Tazuna 's home after an intense day of training. Frustrated by all that Naruto is putting himself through, Inari yells at Naruto that he is too happy to free the Land of Waves from Gatō. Naruto tells him to grow up, and Inari storms out. Kakashi approaches Inari and tells him about Naruto's background; how he grew up without family or friends, but chose to not feel sorry for himself and solve problems his own way. The next day, the rest of Team 7 leaves Naruto behind so that he can rest and escort Tazuna to the bridge he is building. There they are met by Zabuza and Haku.

Chapter 23
Two of Gatō 's henchmen attack Tazuna 's home, planning to kidnap his daughter, Tsunami in order to force Tazuna to stop building the bridge. They prepare to kill Inari, but Tsunami promises to kill herself if they attempted to harm him. Touched by the bravery of his mother, his grandfather, and Team 7, Inari stands up for himself and tries to stop the kidnappers. Before they can cut them down, Naruto suddenly appears to save Inari and defeat them both. He congratulates Inari for the courage it took to risk his life to save his mother, and then leaves to join the rest of his team.

Chapter 24
Sasuke and Haku begin fighting. Although Haku is a skilled opponent, Sasuke is able to make good use of what he learned during his training and pushes Haku to his limits. Irritated that Sasuke is doing so well, Haku uses his trump card: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. Sasuke is trapped in a prison of ice, leaving him open to Haku's attacks. Kakashi attempts to come to his aid but is stopped by Zabuza. With Sasuke apparently doomed, Naruto appears and lands a sneak attack on Haku.

Chapter 25
Zabuza tries to kill Naruto but is stopped by Haku, who asks that he be allowed to fight him by himself. Zabuza agrees. Naruto, planning to help Sasuke, enters the ice prison, in the process becoming trapped just like Sasuke. The two try to attack Haku but their efforts are quickly neutralised because of Haku's extreme speed. Haku asks that they stop trying to escape since he has no interest in killing them. He will if he needs to if it means preserving his dreams of being useful to Zabuza. Worried about what will happen to Naruto and Sasuke, Kakashi prepares to fight Zabuza so that he can provide assistance.

Chapter 26
Zabuza attacks Kakashi before he has a chance to reveal his Sharingan. Kakashi blocks the attack but Zabuza is unconcerned, having learned from their previous encounter. Haku had watched their battle and realised that the Sharingan's apparent mind reading abilities were only an illusion. To avoid falling prey to the same trick twice, Zabuza coats the area in a thick mist to reduce visibility and also fights with his eyes closed, both factors making it impossible for the Sharingan to hypnotise him. Kakashi having lost his advantage, Zabuza takes the opportunity to try and kill Tazuna. Kakashi appears before Tazuna at the last second to block the attack.

Chapter 27
Sasuke and Naruto are becoming exhausted by Haku 's relentless attacks. However, the attacks are becoming increasingly less successful, with Sasuke slowly being able to not only follow Haku's fast movements but to react and avoid the attacks entirely. Realising that this is because Sasuke has awakened his own Sharingan eyes, Haku moves to kill Naruto so that he will have an easier time fighting Sasuke. Meanwhile, Kakashi has been badly wounded by Zabuza. Zabuza points out that he will soon die just like Sasuke and Naruto, but Kakashi has faith in them in their survival. Elsewhere, Naruto finds that Sasuke has used himself as a shield against Haku's attack. Naruto asks why Sasuke would do that, but Sasuke does not know why. He laments that he did not have a chance to kill his brother before seeming to die. Enraged by the loss of Sasuke, Naruto vows to kill Haku.

Naruto, Volume 4

Chapter 28
In his anger, Naruto unknowingly taps into the chakra reserves of the Nine-Tails. Kakashi senses this and, worried that the seal that keeps the fox sealed within Naruto has been broken, decides it is time to finish his battle with Zabuza. When he sees that Naruto's mysterious chakra source also heals all the damage he has sustained, Haku tries to flee. In one quick motion, Naruto avoids one of Haku's attacks and catches Haku. He then punches Haku in the face, sending him flying and shattering his ice prison. Naruto charges to deliver the finishing blow, and Haku turns to face his death, revealing that the mask he has been wearing in the entire battle has been broken.

Chapter 29
Seeing Haku 's face for the first time and recognising him as the boy he met a few days earlier, Naruto stops himself from killing Haku. Assuming that he is being shown mercy, Haku reminds Naruto that he killed Sasuke. He goes on to add that sparing his life is rude since his life no longer has meaning because he has lost to Naruto and, in turn, lost his usefulness to Zabuza. Because Zabuza is the only person to have enter found value in Haku's existence, Haku swore to live his life as Zabuza's tool. Meanwhile, Kakashi takes advantage of the damages he has received so far. Knowing that Zabuza is covered in his blood, Kakashi summons a pack of ninken to follow his own scent and restrain Zabuza.

Chapter 30
With Zabuza immobilised, Kakashi prepares his Lightning Cutter so that he can finally put an end to Zabuza's schemes. Elsewhere, Haku asks Naruto to kill him. Believing that death is the only way Haku will find happiness, Naruto charges at him just as Kakashi charges at Zabuza. Sensing his master's danger, Haku blocks Naruto's attack and disappears. Using himself as a human shield, Haku takes the full force of the Lightning Cutter, at the same time releasing Zabuza from the ninken. With the last of his strength, Haku grabs Kakashi to prevent him from escaping.

Chapter 31
Haku, dead, is holding Kakashi in place. Naruto, having gone looking for Haku after his sudden disappearance, finds him in this position just as Zabuza is about to slice through his body to get to Kakashi. Kakashi avoids the attack and protects Haku's body before staging a counter assault. Sakura, seeing that Naruto is okay, asks about Sasuke. When Naruto doesn't respond, she suspects the worst. Because she cannot leave Tazuna 's side, she asks that he accompany her to Sasuke's body.

Chapter 32
Kakashi destroys Zabuza 's arms, preventing him from attacking further. Seeing that Zabuza will no longer be able to assassinate Tazuna, Gatō appears with a group of thugs to finish the job himself. Noticing Haku's body and remembering when Haku broke his arm, Gatō defiles his corpse. Although this makes Naruto mad, he is even angrier about the fact that Zabuza does not seem to care. Zabuza reminds him that both he and Haku were ninja: tools of battle. They have no emotions or attachments. Naruto explains that this was not true of Haku as he cared deeply for Zabuza. Knowing that Naruto is right, Zabuza cries for never appreciating Haku. Hoping to repent, Zabuza takes a kunai with his mouth and charges through the thugs to reach Gatō. He decapitates Gatō and that collapses from the combined attacks of Gatō's forces.

Chapter 33
Sasuke wakes up, having only been put into a deathlike state by Haku. Sakura tells Naruto the good news, who is glad that Haku was able to stay true to his desire to not kill anybody. With Gatō dead, his thugs consider pillaging the Land of Waves to replace the paycheck they will not be getting. Just then, Inari, along with the villagers appears to finally protect their country. After Naruto and Kakashi contribute some of their own shadow clones, the thugs are scared off and went running way. As Zabuza 's life fades, he asks Kakashi to take him to Haku's body as a request. As he dies, Zabuza regrets that he will not be able to join his most loyal follower. The two are then buried beside each other on a high land overlooking the country, and when Tazuna completes the bridge two weeks later, Team 7 goes home to Konoha.

Chapter 34
After Team 7 returns from a mission, Kakashi is summoned away. Naruto tries to spend time with Sakura and Sakura tries to spend time with Sasuke, but both are unsuccessful. Although disappointed, Naruto notices that he is being followed. He forces Konohamaru to reveal himself, and Konohamaru congratulates Naruto's detection skills, unaware that he was doing a terrible job of staying hidden. Seeing Sakura, who is moping from being turned down by Sasuke, Konohamaru assumes that she is Naruto's girlfriend. She tries to attack him for this mistake and, while fleeing, Konohamaru runs into two foreigners. Elsewhere, the Third Hokage informs Kakashi and Konoha 's other jōnin that the Chūnin Exams are about to begin.

Chapter 35
Irritated that Konohamaru had run into him, Kankurō tries to beat him up. He is stopped by Sasuke. Elsewhere, Konoha 's jōnin enter the members of Team 7, Team 8, and Team 10 into the Chūnin Exams against Iruka Umino 's objections. Recognising that Sasuke may pose a challenge, Kankurō prepares to fight him but is stopped by Gaara. Sakura asks why three Sunagakure ninja are in Konoha. They explain that the Chūnin Exams are an opportunity to advance in rank before departing, leaving the members of Team 7 intrigued. Another team watches from a tree nearby.

Chapter 36
Kakashi informs Team 7 that they have the opportunity to enter the Chūnin Exams. He gives any and all of them the choice not to participate before leaving. Although Naruto and Sasuke are enthusiastic, Sakura is worried that she will not be able to keep up with the other competitors. Nevertheless, Team 7 heads to the sign-up location together the next day and finds the members of Team Guy being bullied by two genin. Recognising that things are not as they seem, Sasuke begins to fight one of the genin but they are stopped by Rock Lee, a member of Team Guy who had only moments earlier appeared defenceless. Lee asks Sakura to be his girlfriend, but she turns him down before leaving. The two genin, actually chūnin in disguise, remark that this exam's competitors seem promising. Lee follows Team 7 to challenge Sasuke.

Naruto, Volume 5

Chapter 37
Naruto, angry that Lee only wants to fight Sasuke, tries to prove himself by attacking Lee. He is quickly defeated. Impressed by Lee's abilities, Sasuke agrees to fight him. When he is left unable to keep up with Lee's movements, Sasuke suspects it is some sort of ninjutsu or genjutsu and so activates his Sharingan. Because Lee is using taijutsu, the Sharingan does not help since Sasuke lacks the physical training to replicate Lee's attacks. Lee prepares to use his Front Lotus on Sasuke but is stopped by Ningame.

Chapter 38
Lee apologises to Ningame for trying to use a forbidden technique on Sasuke. Team 7 assumes that Ningame, a tortoise, is Lee's teacher, but are proven wrong with the surprise appearance of Might Guy. When Guy finds out what Lee tried to do he punches Lee, confusing Team 7, and then hugs Lee in a tearful embrace, further confusing them. Guy and Lee leave, and Sasuke is upset that he was defeated so easily. They continue on to the exam site where they are met by Kakashi. Kakashi congratulates Sakura on deciding to participate, as genin must join in teams of three. He did not tell her this for fear that she would participate solely to benefit Sasuke. They enter the examination hall.

Chapter 39
Team 7 is stunned to find that they are only three of over a hundred genin looking to become chūnin. They mingle with the members of Team 8 and Team 10, members of the same Academy graduating class, but the fact remains that they are mere rookies in comparison to the other examinees. They are befriended by Kabuto Yakushi, who gives them advice and intel on the exams and its participants. Although this is meant to intimidate them, Naruto loudly promises that he will defeat all of them.

Chapter 40
Naruto earns angry looks for his words. Team Dosu takes the opportunity to attack Kabuto for underselling Otogakure during his explanation of the Chūnin Exams. To prevent the situation from escalating, the exam proctors, led by Ibiki Morino, appear and settle things down. Revealing that the first phase of the exams will be a written test, much to Naruto's dismay, the genin are assigned seats. They are instructed to answer ten questions within half an hour. If anyone is caught cheating too often they will be disqualified, as will the rest of their team. The entire team will also be disqualified if any one member fails to pass the test, much to the dismay of Sasuke and Sakura.

Chapter 41
Naruto realises that he can't answer a single one of the nine questions that are given. Although Sakura is able to, she recognises that the exam is far too difficult for the average genin. Combining this with the fact that they will not be disqualified until they are caught cheating five times, Sasuke and the other participants (except for Naruto) realise that the true object of the test is to gather information without being caught. As the examinees begin using their abilities to look at others' papers, some are eliminated. Naruto begins to grow worried when Hinata, who is sitting next to him, offers to let him copy off her paper.

Chapter 42
Concerned that Hinata will be disqualified for helping him, Naruto turns down the opportunity to copy her paper. He places all hope for passing on the tenth question, which will be given towards the end of the exam. After the cheating continues for a while and additional examinees are eliminated, the tenth question is given.

Chapter 43
Before revealing what the tenth question is, Ibiki explains that anyone who gets the question wrong will not only be disqualified but will be unable to participate in the Chūnin Exams ever again. Anyone concerned by this is given the opportunity to leave, though the rest their team must leave also. While some participants are busy forfeiting, Sakura worries that Naruto, who will most certainly answer the question incorrectly, will not drop out so as not to inconvenience her and Sasuke, in the process dooming himself to an eternity as a genin. Just as she is about give up for him, Naruto proclaims that he will not back down even if he must fail. Inspired by his confidence, nobody else leaves. Ibiki then allows them all to pass on to the second phase.

Chapter 44
Ibiki explains that, in addition to intelligence-gathering skills, this written test, specifically the tenth question, was designed to test participants' willingness to face the unknown. Since all present chose to risk their futures to answer the tenth question, they have what it takes to become chūnin. After he congratulates them, Ibiki allows Anko Mitarashi, the proctor for the second phase, to guide the remaining genin to the Forest of Death.

Chapter 45
Naruto announces that he is not intimidated by the so-called " Forest of Death ", and Anko cuts his cheek to punish his cheekiness. She explains that the second phase of the Chūnin Exam will require the genin teams to obtain both an earth scroll and a heaven scroll upon entering the forest and make it to the building in its centre within five days. Each team will be given one scroll, necessitating that they somehow take the second scroll from another team. After everybody signs consent forms releasing Konoha from responsibility in case of their deaths, the twenty-six teams of three are granted entry to the forest.

Naruto, Volume 6

Chapter 46
Soon after entering the Forest of Death, Naruto breaks away from the rest of Team 7 to go to the bathroom. When he returns he is immediately attacked by Sasuke. Sakura is shocked, but Sasuke explains that this Naruto is missing the scratch on the cheek he received from Anko and must be an impostor. The ninja removes his disguise and tries to take their scroll by force, but he is injured by Sasuke and forced to retreat. Once finding the real Naruto, Sasuke decides that they should have a password only they will know in case they are separated again. Sasuke's suggested password is very long, leaving Naruto to request something simpler. Before they can modify the code, the three are attacked by another ninja and separated. Sasuke finds Sakura, who confirms her identity by reciting the password. Naruto locates them soon afterwards and also repeats the password without error. Sasuke once again attacks him, pointing out that the real Naruto would never have remembered such a complex password.

Chapter 47
Still separated from Team 7, Naruto is attacked and swallowed by a giant snake. To escape, he creates a number of shadow clones, bursting through the snake from the inside. Meanwhile his teammates are taunted by the enemy ninja who has the scroll that Team 7 needs to pass the second phase of the Chūnin Exams. He consumes the scroll, forcing Sasuke and Sakura fight him if they want it. Sensing how dangerous the ninja is, the two try to flee but are easily followed. As the ninja and his snake allies begin to attack, Naruto appears and draws the ninja's attention.

Chapter 48
Fearful that the ninja will kill them all, Sasuke offers to give the ninja their scroll in exchange for their lives. Naruto attacks Sasuke and takes the scroll from him, believing he is an impostor since the real Sasuke would never give up so easily. Even if he is the real Sasuke, Naruto points out that there's no guarantee the ninja would spare them. The ninja agrees, summoning a snake to attack Naruto. As Naruto is batted around Sasuke pleas for Naruto to give up. Naruto, using the strength of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, quickly defeats the snake as it turns its attention towards Sasuke. Naruto mockingly asks if Sasuke has been hurt.

Chapter 49
Exam proctors find the dead bodies of three Kusagakure ninja. Anko recognises the work as that of Orochimaru and races into the Forest of Death to try and capture him. Meanwhile, Orochimaru, disguised as a Kusa ninja, recognises that Naruto is the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. He seals off Naruto's access to the fox, takes his scroll, and throws him aside. Sakura catches him while Sasuke, inspired by Naruto's previous success, stages a counterattack. Using his Sharingan, Sasuke is able to defeat Orochimaru. As a reward for his skills, Orochimaru destroys their scroll and brands Sasuke with a cursed seal before leaving.

Chapter 50
The pain from the application of the cursed seal causes Sasuke to lose consciousness. With Naruto similarly incapacitated, Sakura wonders what she is supposed to do. Elsewhere, Anko travels through the Forest of Death and locates Orochimaru. She attacks him and tries to kill him by sacrificing her own life, but stops at the last moment when she realises she was not attacking the real Orochimaru. He advises against so innocently using the techniques he taught her and tells her of his interest in Sasuke. He warns her against ending the exams prematurely before leaving, saying that to do so would not be in Konoha 's best interests.

Chapter 51
Sakura tends to the still unconscious Sasuke and Naruto. When she hears something approaching she turns around suspecting an enemy, but it is only a squirrel. She nevertheless makes it a point to scare the squirrel away, so that it can avoid the traps set for the enemy. Soon afterwards, Rock Lee finds the squirrel and save it from an explosive tag that has been applied to its back. At the same time, Sakura is confronted by three Sound ninja that express an interest in fighting Sasuke. Sakura asks why Orochimaru gave Sasuke a cursed seal, but they do not answer, in fact being surprised to learn of their master's earlier actions. They attack her, avoiding the traps that Sakura indirectly revealed by scaring away their squirrel-bomb, but she is saved by Lee.

Chapter 52
Wishing for Sakura to be his girlfriend, Lee vows to defeat her attackers or die trying. Knowing that he can end the battle by using the forbidden Front Lotus, Lee thinks upon his master 's stipulations for using the technique: to never use it unless protecting someone precious. Confident that Sakura qualifies, Lee attacks Dosu with the Front Lotus, but Dosu, with Zaku 's assistance, survives the attack and strikes Lee.

Chapter 53
Dosu 's attacks disorient Lee, but he persists in trying to protect Sakura. When he is no longer able to stand he collapses, and Sakura tries to defend him along with Sasuke, and Naruto. Meanwhile, Team 10 watches the battle and contemplates intervening. They watch as Sakura is captured by Kin Tsuchi, who restrains her by grabbing her hair and taunts her for being more concerned with her appearance than her ninja skills. Knowing Kin is right and tired of always needing others' help, Sakura pulls out a kunai and then cuts her hair off to free herself, surprising the observing Ino and Kin.

Chapter 54
Sakura, no longer concerned for her own safety, launches an attack against Team Dosu. Although she makes dexterous usage of several basic ninjutsu, she is ultimately forced to resort to biting and other physical attacks. Seeing Sakura's determination, the nearby Ino thinks back to her childhood with Sakura; how the two used to be good friends. After Ino helped, Sakura gained some much-needed self-confidence, they parted ways so that their friendship would not interfere with their competition as rival ninja and love-interests for Sasuke. Seeing that Sakura is beating her in both aspects, Ino forces her teammates on Team 10 to come to Sakura's rescue.

Naruto, Volume 7

Chapter 55
Sasuke is still unconscious and sees himself young, wishing he had been stronger when his clan was massacred. Chōji doesn't want to fight Team Dosu, but changes his mind when he's called fat. Ino tells Sakura to keep a watch on Naruto and Sasuke. Chōji charges at Zaku, who fails to damage him. Dosu tries to intervene but is immobilised by Shikamaru. Ino takes over Kin and threatens to kill her unless her teammates surrender their scroll and leave. Zaku attacks Ino in Kin's body, injuring her. He announces that they're not there to take the exam. Shikamaru's technique ends just as Neji and Tenten arrive. Neji says Dosu will pay for knocking out their teammate, but then notes he won't have to. Sasuke awakes, with the cursed seal on his body and asks Sakura who hurt her. Zaku says he did.

Chapter 56
Sakura notes the Cursed Seal on Sasuke 's body. Sasuke says he feels great, and that he understands that he's an avenger, so he must gain power at whatever cost. He turns his attention to Team Dosu. Shikamaru gets apprehensive and rushes Ino to leave Kin 's body, which she does. Dosu is scared by Sasuke's chakra, but Zaku ignores it and attacks Sasuke. He thinks he landed a hit, but Sasuke is behind him, hitting him hard with one arm. Dosu notes to himself how fast Sasuke was, especially since he carried Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke attacks with a Fire Release technique, which Zaku defends against, but is hit by the shuriken hidden inside the flames. Sasuke reaches Zaku and breaks his arms. Ino notes that Sasuke's chakra is very different from when they were at the Academy. Sakura remembers Orochimaru 's words. When Sasuke turns to face Dosu, Sakura stops him, thinking he's not acting like himself. The Cursed Seal of Heaven recedes, and Sasuke falls tired. Dosu surrenders his team's scroll, saying Sasuke is strong. He says he'll retreat for the time being, needing to find something out, but if they should cross paths again, he won't back down. He picks up Zaku and Kin, and Sakura asks about Orochimaru and his intentions with Sasuke. Dosu says he doesn't know, wondering as well. Neji ponders about Sasuke's abnormal chakra.

Chapter 57
Naruto finally wakes up. Believing that Orochimaru is still around, he warns everyone to hide, but is surprised to find that, not only is Orochimaru gone, but that the members of Team 10 and Team Guy are here and that Sakura has cut her hair. Ino offers to even out Sakura's hair and everyone rests from the encounter with Team Dosu. Meanwhile, Anko returns to the building in the centre of the Forest of Death to report on her failure to apprehend Orochimaru. Before she can speak with the Third Hokage on the matter, one of her assistants brings her a security tape from ten hours earlier: a genin team that completed the second phase in only ninety-seven minutes.

Chapter 58
Anko observes that, in addition to completing the second phase in only ninety-seven minutes, Gaara did so without even getting a speck of dust on him, something that would be almost impossible for even veteran ninja. Ten hours earlier, Team 8 had already acquired their second scroll and was proceeding to the second phase's ending destination. Along the way they came across Team Shigure facing off with the Three Sand Siblings. Despite not knowing if each other had the scroll they needed, Shigure attacked Gaara, but Gaara's Shield of Sand protected him from any injury.

Chapter 59
Shigure 's attack was unable to penetrate Gaara 's Shield of Sand, which Kiba noted smelled of blood. Gaara proceeded to capture Shigure and crush him to death, using one of Shigure's umbrellas to prevent any blood from getting on him. Shigure's teammates forfeited their scroll in exchange for their own lives, but Gaara killed them in the same way that he killed Shigure. His blood-lust still not satisfied, Gaara attempted to kill the hiding Team 8 too, but was convinced to spare them by his siblings. Team 8 considers themselves fortunate to have survived an encounter with Gaara.

Chapter 60
Four days after the second phase of the Chūnin Exams began, Team 7 has recovered from their battles with Orochimaru and Team Dosu. With the phase almost over and the team still in need of a second scroll, Naruto considers opening the scroll they already have so that they can forge a second. He is stopped by Kabuto, who, having taken part in the exams several times before, warns that anyone that opens the scroll before the second phase is over is rendered unconscious. Naruto thanks him for intervening. Having been separated from his team, Kabuto begins to leave to go and find them when Sasuke asks to fight him.

Chapter 61
Because they needed another scroll, and because Kabuto was alone, Sasuke believes that defeating him would be their best chance to finish the second phase. Since Sasuke paid him a courtesy by explaining this instead of outright attacking him, Kabuto offers an alternative. He explains that other teams that are just now finishing are heading for the building in the centre of the Forest of Death with a false sense of security and tired after four days in the forest. Thus, if Sasuke and his team waits near the building, they may be able to take a scroll from one of the opposing teams. Kabuto then accompanies them to the building but finds that they are trapped in a genjutsu, victims of another team with the same idea.

Chapter 62
Team Oboro surrounds Team 7 and Kabuto with their mist clones. Although the clones are apparently able to attack their enemies, all counter-attacks pass through them. With his Sharingan, Sasuke realises that the clones are only an illusion and thus are not actually able to attack, the hiding members of Team Oboro merely synchronising their own attacks with that of the clones. Intending to make this a battle of clones, Naruto creates a group of shadow clones that fight the mist clones through out the night. Later that morning, when Team 7 and Kabuto appear exhausted, Team Oboro reveals themselves so that they can take a scroll. The real Sasuke, Sakura, and Kabuto then confront them, having switched places with disguised shadow clones during the night so that they could rest.

Chapter 63
Surrounded, Team Oboro creates haze clones to try and avoid attack. While Team 7 is preoccupied with determining where the real members of Team Oboro are, Team Oboro tries to finish them off. Kabuto is badly injured while protecting Naruto, but he creates an opening for Naruto to defeat Team Oboro. Team 7 takes the scroll they need and goes to the exam destination point. Kabuto regroups with his team and they part ways, Team 7 entering the building through a different door. Kabuto's team reports to Orochimaru on Sasuke 's development and Kabuto effortlessly heals his injuries. Team 7, having passed, are instructed to finally open their two scrolls.

Naruto, Volume 8

Chapter 64
Team Kakashi open their heaven and earth scrolls, and Iruka Umino is summoned. He informs them that this test was to determine if they could perform their missions correctly. He then goes on to tell them the motto of the chūnin written by the Hokage. The Hokage decides to continue on with the third stage of the exam despite the appearance of Orochimaru.

Chapter 65
The seven remaining genin teams line up to be briefed on the final test. The Hokage goes on to explain the true reason behind different countries taking the exam together. Hayate Gekkō appears and tells the group about a preliminary to the third stage of the test in order to cut down their numbers even further. Kabuto abandons the exam.

Chapter 66
Hayate Gekkō explains that from now on the battles will be one on one. Kabuto's team is revealed to be working under Orochimaru. Sakura encourages Sasuke to give up but he refuses. He also tells Naruto that he wants fight with him. The jōnin take notice of Sasuke's condition and decide to step in if it worsens. Sasuke is chosen to fight in the first match along with Yoroi Akadō from Kabuto 's team.

Chapter 67
Sasuke and Yoroi prepare to fight and the rest of the participants go upstairs to observe. Kakashi takes this opportunity to warn Sasuke not to use his cursed seal, stating that if he activates it the match will end and Sasuke will be detained. Since he cannot use his Sharingan without inadvertently activating the cursed seal, Sasuke and the watching Orochimaru wonder how he will handle this handicap. When the match starts Sasuke resorts to taijutsu, which gives Yoroi ample opportunity to grab Sasuke and absorb his chakra. Knowing that a prolonged battle will leave him exhausted and thus unable to win, Sasuke uses his Lion Combo, a technique based off Rock Lee 's Front Lotus, on Yoroi.

Chapter 68
While using the Lion Combo on Yoroi, Sasuke 's cursed seal starts to activate. Fearing disqualification, he suppresses it and defeats Yoroi, impressing everyone watching, particularly Orochimaru. Kakashi takes Sasuke away to seal off the cursed seal, disappointing Sasuke since he wants to see the other matches. Shino Aburame and Zaku Abumi are selected for the second match.

Chapter 69
With Zaku 's arms still damaged from his earlier fight with Sasuke, Shino suggests that he forfeit since they will only be damaged further. Not wanting his pity, Zaku uses his one good arm to shoot blades of wind at Shino from the tubes in the palms of his hands. Meanwhile, Kakashi seals off Sasuke's cursed seal. Orochimaru approaches him and tells him it is useless, as Sasuke's Sharingan will become his no matter what Kakashi does. Kakashi asks about his Team Dosu, but Orochimaru no longer has an interest in them. Zaku realises that he has become boxed in by Shino's bugs. Since he cannot destroy all of them with one arm, he unslings his other arm to attack. When he starts to shoot air from his palms his arms detonate and sever, the tubes having been blocked off with bugs. Shino defeats him.

Chapter 70
Kakashi contemplates fighting Orochimaru by himself, but realises that it would only result in his death. Orochimaru leaves, promising to take Sasuke at a later date. After having Sasuke taken care of, Kakashi returns to the preliminaries, assuring Sakura that Sasuke will be fine. Kankurō and Misumi Tsurugi are paired for the next match. Misumi quickly restrains Kankurō and threatens to break his neck if he doesn't surrender. When Kankurō refuses, Misumi does as he warned, only to find that he has broken the neck of a puppet. Kankurō takes advantage of Misumi's close proximity to the puppet to capture him and crush him despite Misumi's attempts to give up, winning the match. Sakura and Ino are selected for the fourth match.

Chapter 71
Sakura and Ino think back on their childhoods together and how, when they amicably ended their friendship, they agreed they would become rivals that would not show each other any sympathies. Intending to stay true to their promise, both relocate their forehead protectors to their forehead, removing any possibility of mercy by fighting as Konoha ninja and not old friends. The two exchange blows and Sakura punches Ino in the face, making Ino happy that Sakura is taking things seriously.

Chapter 72
Sakura and Ino continue exchanging blows. Being at par with each other, neither is able to gain the upper hand, so both soon grow tired. Sakura berates Ino for being too focused on her appearance and beauty rather than her kunoichi skills, and Ino apparently snaps at her insults, cutting her hair and throwing it to the ground. Desperate, Ino tries to use her Mind Body Switch Technique to force Sakura to forfeit, despite knowing how inaccurate it is and that she will be left defenceless if she misses. Sakura dodges the attack and appears to have won, but finds that she is immobilised by the strands of Ino's cut hair which have been infused with chakra to form a binding rope. Ino is revealed to only have pretended to snap and to use the Mind Body Switch Technique in order to lead Sakura into the trap. She uses the Mind Body Switch Technique again knowing it cannot miss and succeeds on gaining control of Sakura's body.

Naruto, Volume 9

Chapter 73
Having gained control of Sakura 's body, Ino tries to make Sakura forfeit the match. Naruto yells to Sakura not to give up, prompting Inner Sakura to appear and force Ino out of Sakura's mind. Although confused by what had happened, Ino lacks the energy to try again. Kakashi presumes that Ino's lack of chakra was a factor in Sakura's liberation, but also takes note of Sakura's strong will to not lose. Ino and an equally exhausted Sakura charge at each other to exchange final blows, resulting in a double knock out. Hayate decides that neither of them will pass to the next round. They are taken aside to recover while the fifth match between Temari and Tenten commences. When they wake up, they decide to resume their friendship but will continue to compete for Sasuke 's affection. Meanwhile, Temari defeats Tenten easily and swiftly, with all of Tenten's projectile weapons being rendered useless against her wind techniques.

Chapter 74
Shikamaru and Kin Tsuchi are selected for the sixth match. Shikamaru immediately tries to catch Kin with his shadow, but she dodges and retaliates by throwing senbon at him. He avoids them only to be distracted by a sound behind him. He finds that there are bells attached to the senbon which, in turn, are attached to strings that Kin can use to ring them from a distance. She attacks him with another volley, but then finds she is paralysed, Shikamaru having snuck his shadow over to her via the strings' shadows. Shikamaru throws a shuriken at Kin, who, forced to copy his movements, does the same. As they both lean back to dodge, Kin hits her head on the wall, not having realised how close she was. Shikamaru wins, and Naruto and Kiba Inuzuka are chosen for the seventh match.

Chapter 75
Kiba, remembering what a terrible student Naruto was, claims that their fight will be an easy victory. He and his dog Akamaru, a permitted tool of battle, immediately attack, surprising Naruto by their speed and ferocity. Determined to not be looked down upon, Naruto writes off Kiba's attacks as pathetic. Kiba throws a smoke bomb to block Naruto's vision while Akamaru attacks him. When the smoke clears Akamaru stands beside a defeated Naruto. Akamaru returns to Kiba but immediately bites him, being Naruto in disguise while a shadow clone restrains the real Akamaru. The observers are impressed by Naruto's tactics.

Chapter 76
Kiba tosses a pill to Akamaru, giving him the strength to escape the shadow clone 's grasp. Kiba then turns Akamaru into a copy of himself, making them equally formidable and leaving Naruto unable to determine which is the real Kiba. They both double-team Naruto, but Naruto is unwilling to give in with everyone's eyes now upon him. Kiba taunts his hopes of victory and attacks again. Naruto turns himself into another Kiba to try and confuse Kiba and Akamaru. Kiba, with his superior sense of smell, attacks the Kiba he believes to be the fake, but the Kiba turns into Akamaru after being hit.

Chapter 77
Thinking he has made a mistake, Kiba attacks the second Kiba, assuming it is Naruto in disguise but it turned out to be the real Akamaru. When Kiba attacks Naruto, the first look-a-like, Naruto turns himself into Akamaru to turn them against each other. With Akamaru incapacitated, Naruto prepares to finish the battle. Kiba quickly appears behind Naruto in an effort to gain revenge but Naruto farts. With his heightened sense of smell, Kiba is disoriented, leaving him open for the Naruto Uzumaki Combo. Naruto is declared the winner, shocking all of his former classmates who, like Kiba, used to think he was an untalented idiot.

Chapter 78
Kiba is carried away to recover. Before leaving, he pleads with Hinata to forfeit if she is matched against Gaara or Neji Hyūga. Hinata and Neji are paired together for the eighth preliminary match, and Hinata does not take Kiba's advice. Cousins, Neji and Hinata are members of separate houses of the Hyūga clan, which Neji resents. He ridicules Hinata for being weak and thus undeserving of her superior standing within their family and tells her to give up. He analyses her personality shortcomings and deems her a failure, which almost brings her to tears. Upset by Neji's words, Naruto encourages Hinata to defeat him.

Chapter 79
Inspired by Naruto 's confidence in her, Hinata sheds the fears she had had only moments earlier. While Neji is surprised by Hinata's newfound determination, he maintains that Hinata will lose. The two Hyūga begin trading Gentle Fist -style blows, a form of combat that causes internal injuries. Hinata is able to block some of Neji's attacks and land a couple of attacks herself. However, Neji reveals that since the beginning of their fight he has been cutting off Hinata's chakra points, making her attacks ineffective. Despite this, Hinata refuses to give up.

Chapter 80
Neji does not understand why Hinata would continue to fight when she can no longer hope to win. Naruto continues to encourage her, so Hinata continues to attack Neji. Glad to have Naruto's attention at long last, Hinata strikes Neji despite knowing her attacks are not doing anything. Neji inflicts increasingly worse internal injuries upon Hinata, prompting Hayate Gekkō to try and end the match. Naruto stops him, giving Hinata a chance to speak. She tells Neji that, although he claims she suffers as the heiress of the Hyūga clan, he suffers more for only being a member of the clan's branch family. Neji tries to kill her but is stopped by the attending jōnin. When Hinata collapses, Naruto comes to her side, who catches a brief glimpse of him before losing consciousness. Neji then criticises Naruto for his pointless cheering and then states once someone becomes a failure, they will always be a failure.

Chapter 81
Naruto tries to attack Neji for being so merciless to his own cousin. He is stopped by Lee, who states that this is not the right time for a clash between a "genius" and a "failure". Hinata is rushed away to have her injuries healed. Naruto takes some of her spilled blood and swears upon it in front of everyone that he will defeat Neji. As the participants of the ninth match are being picked, the four remaining contestants ready themselves. Gaara and Lee are selected and both enter the arena, glad to have the chance to fight each other.

Naruto, Volume 10

Chapter 82
Lee attacks Gaara. By manipulating the sand he keeps stored in the gourd on his back, Gaara is able to block all of Lee's attacks. Seeing that Lee will not get anywhere as he currently is, Guy tells Lee to "take them off". Lee complies, removing his ankle weights. The observers doubt the likelihood that their removal will make much of a difference, but find that, when dropped, the weights create large craters in the ground. Lee's speed is greatly increased, allowing him to attack Gaara before his defences have a chance to respond.

Chapter 83
The Sunagakure representatives are shocked that Lee has managed to strike Gaara. After Lee lands some additional blows they begin to grow concerned, as Gaara is becoming increasingly more interested in the fight. Gaara reveals that his body is coated in a layer of sand which has absorbed the impact of Lee's attacks. Knowing that there is nothing he can do about this defence, Lee opts to attack in such a way that not even Gaara's armour can protect him. Lee uses Front Lotus on Gaara, but during a brief series of pain, gives Gaara the chance to escape his grasp.

Chapter 84
With Lee 's movements being slowed after using the Front Lotus, Gaara attacks him. Watching Lee at Gaara's mercy, Guy thinks back on Lee's childhood and how, despite his horrid ninjutsu and genjutsu skills, Lee dreamed of being a splendid ninja. Guy encouraged him to put his determination to good use in mastering taijutsu. Having succeeded in this goal, Lee suddenly dodges Gaara's attacks.

Chapter 85
Guy reveals that Lee is able to open the Eight Gates. Kakashi reprimands him, stating that to teach Lee such a dangerous technique is foolish. Lee opens the first five gates, removing several natural limits on the body that ordinarily keep the user from harming themselves. Lee's speed and strength are drastically increased, allowing him to use the Reverse Lotus. He assaults Gaara, whose sand defences are completely unable to react.

Chapter 86
Lee attacks Gaara with his Reverse Lotus. Gaara turns the gourd on his back into sand at the last moment, acting as a shield that absorbs most of the impact. With Lee unable to move after the attack, Gaara, using his sand, methodically breaks Lee's limbs as punishment for thinking he could defeat him. Since Lee is unable to defend himself, Guy steps in. Confused that Guy would come to Lee's aid, Gaara relents and is declared the winner. However, although Lee has lost consciousness, he stands to continue the fight. Seeing Lee's continuing wish to prove his skills, Guy is moved to tears.

Chapter 87
Medics take Lee away to tend to his injuries. After a brief examination, they inform Guy that the damage Lee sustained is too severe to be healed and that Lee will likely never again be able to operate as a ninja. Devastated that Lee's dreams have been shattered because of an attack he taught him, Guy is sad at Lee's injuries. He leaves the arena so that the final match between Dosu Kinuta and Chōji Akimichi can take place. As Dosu prepares to enter the arena, he thinks about how he finally figured out that Orochimaru 's true goal was not to have Team Dosu kill Sasuke but to have them unknowingly test Sasuke's abilities which explains as to why Orochimaru went ahead and gave Sasuke a cursed seal instead of killing him with Dosu silently remarking that he will not fulfil Orochimaru's wish and that he will win this match to fight Sasuke. Having prior experience with Dosu's sound-based attack, Chōji tries to use his techniques to block out the sound's effect on his ears. This only provides Dosu with an amplified medium for his soundwaves, knocking Chōji out and winning him the match much to the dismay of Team Asuma. Dosu then silently vows that he will teach Orochimaru that he is no guinea pig. With the final match over, Hayate then announces that the trials for the Round 3 test have been completed.

Chapter 88
With the preliminaries over, Kakashi leaves to check on Sasuke. The Third Hokage informs the finalists that they will compete in a month's time in a series of one-on-one matches. During this time they can recover from the past few days and prepare for their opponents, having had a chance to see everyone's abilities. Meanwhile, Orochimaru is concerned about Naruto 's positive influence over Sasuke and as such the faster they tear both Naruto and Sasuke apart, the better with Orochimaru adding that he must dye Sasuke in his colours. He then instructs Kabuto to kidnap Sasuke for him, or kill Sasuke; whichever Kabuto prefers. Kabuto goes to Sasuke's hospital room and kills all of his Anbu bodyguards. As he holds a scalpel to Sasuke's neck, Kakashi appears and stops him.

Chapter 89
Kakashi tries to detain Kabuto to find out about his relationship with Orochimaru. After restraining Kabuto, one of the dead Anbu gets up and flees, but not before revealing himself as the real Kabuto, Kakashi having captured a reanimated corpse that only looks like Kabuto. Meanwhile, the first round matches of the Chūnin Exams finals are determined; Naruto will fight Neji, then Gaara versus Sasuke, then Shino against Kankurō. Shikamaru will fight Dosu, and the winner of that match will fight Temari. The Third Hokage assures them all that they do not need to win their matches to advance in rank, only that they prove themselves worthy of chūnin -ship. They disperse and Naruto, needing additional training if he is going to defeat Neji, seeks out Kakashi. Intending to train Sasuke, Kakashi offers Ebisu as an alternative.

Chapter 90
Believing Ebisu to be a pervert, Naruto tries to refuse his training. Not wanting to be embarrassed in front of Kakashi, Ebisu bribes Naruto to keep quiet. Kakashi explains that Naruto's weakest point are his basic ninja skills, which Ebisu can help with. Ebisu explains that Naruto wastes too much chakra when performing jutsu, tiring him out faster and leaving his jutsu less effective. It is only because he has so much chakra that this has never been a problem. They leave Kakashi to go train at the hot springs. After preventing Naruto from spying on the bathing women, Ebisu instructs Naruto in how to improve his chakra control by walking on water. While Naruto struggles to do this, Ebisu spots another man spying on the women. He tries to stop the man, but is knocked out by the man's toad.