Chapter 67 of Naruto opens Sasuke's preliminary duel against Yoroi, a fight complicated by Kakashi's ban on the cursed seal and resolved when Sasuke debuts a taijutsu move borrowed from Rock Lee.
Main Characters (4)
Summary
As the arena clears and the remaining contestants file up to the observation deck, Sasuke faces off against Yoroi. Kakashi draws him aside with a firm caution: if the cursed mark flares to life during the bout, the officials will call the match and take Sasuke into custody. The warning bites hard, because rousing his Sharingan tends to awaken the seal alongside it. Both Sasuke and a watching Orochimaru wonder how the boy intends to fight around such a crippling restriction.
Key Events
With his dōjutsu ruled out, Sasuke begins the exchange relying purely on close-quarters strikes, which hands Yoroi exactly the opening he needs; the older shinobi latches onto him and starts draining his chakra. Recognizing that a drawn-out contest will sap him beyond any chance of victory, Sasuke launches the Lion Combo, an airborne barrage he built from Rock Lee's Front Lotus, to break Yoroi's hold and turn the fight.
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Notes
The installment is chapter 67 of the series, collected in volume 8 as part of the Chūnin Exams storyline, first appearing in Japan in 2001. Viz Media published it under the alternate title Unholy Gifts!.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't Sasuke use his Sharingan against Yoroi?
In "A Heretical Ability!!", Kakashi warns Sasuke that if his cursed seal flares up during the match, officials will stop the fight and take him into custody, and since activating the Sharingan tends to awaken the seal, Sasuke has to fight without it.
How does Yoroi gain the advantage over Sasuke?
With his Sharingan ruled out, Sasuke relies purely on close-quarters strikes, which gives Yoroi the opening he needs to latch onto him and begin draining his chakra.
How does Sasuke turn the fight against Yoroi?
Sasuke breaks Yoroi's hold by launching the Lion Combo, an airborne taijutsu barrage he built from Rock Lee's Front Lotus, turning the match in his favor.
What alternate title did Viz Media use for this chapter?
Viz Media published this chapter under the title "Unholy Gifts!"
What arc and chapter number is "A Heretical Ability!!"?
"A Heretical Ability!!" is chapter 67 of the Naruto manga, collected in volume 8 during the Chunin Exams arc.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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