Chunin Exams

Lore & Background

The Chunin Exams are a major event where ninja teams from every village complete missions requested by the villagers. During the exams, Orochimaru, a wanted criminal, invades Konoha. The Third Hokage subsequently sacrifices his life to disable Orochimaru from permanently performing jutsus using his hands. Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, declines the title of Fifth Hokage and searches with Naruto for Tsunade, whom he chooses to become Fifth Hokage instead. Tsunade is also a member of the Sannin.

In Their Own Story

The story takes a turn when Sasuke leaves the village: Tsunade sends a group of ninja, including Naruto, to retrieve Sasuke, but Naruto is unable to persuade or force him to come back. Naruto and Sakura do not give up on Sasuke; Naruto leaves Konoha to receive training from Jiraiya to prepare himself for the next time he encounters Sasuke, while Sakura becomes Tsunade's apprentice.

Reader's Guide

The arc begins with Team 7—Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno—under the elite ninja Kakashi Hatake. After several missions, including a major one in the Land of Waves, Kakashi allows Team 7 to take the Chunin Exams. During the exams, Orochimaru invades Konoha. The Third Hokage sacrifices his life to disable Orochimaru from permanently performing jutsus using his hands. Jiraiya declines the title of Fifth Hokage and searches with Naruto for Tsunade, whom he chooses to become Fifth Hokage instead. After Sasuke attempts and fails to kill his older brother Itachi, he joins Orochimaru, hoping to gain from him the strength needed to kill Itachi. Tsunade sends a group of ninja, including Naruto, to retrieve Sasuke, but Naruto is unable to persuade or force him to come back. Naruto leaves Konoha to receive training from Jiraiya, while Sakura becomes Tsunade's apprentice.

Did You Know?

• The Chunin Exams are a ninja exam that enables genin to advance to a higher rank and take on more difficult missions.
• During the exams, Orochimaru, a wanted criminal, invades Konoha.
• The Third Hokage sacrifices his life to disable Orochimaru from permanently performing jutsus using his hands.
• Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, declines the title of Fifth Hokage and searches with Naruto for Tsunade, whom he chooses to become Fifth Hokage instead.
• After the exams, Sasuke joins Orochimaru, hoping to gain the strength needed to kill his older brother Itachi.