The opening round of Naruto's Chūnin Exam match against Kiba, who dismisses his former classmate as an easy win. Kiba and Akamaru overwhelm Naruto early, but a hidden transformation swap reveals a craftier fighter than anyone expected.
Main Characters (3)
Summary
Recalling how hopeless a student Naruto had been, Kiba boasts that beating him will take no effort. He and Akamaru, allowed to fight together as a pair, come at Naruto so quickly and fiercely that they catch him off guard. Refusing to be treated as beneath them, Naruto shrugs off the assault as feeble.
Key Events
Kiba flings a smoke bomb to rob Naruto of his sight while Akamaru moves in for the strike. Once the haze lifts, Akamaru appears to be standing over a beaten Naruto.
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Notes
The dog trots back to Kiba, then abruptly sinks its teeth into him, revealing itself as Naruto in disguise while a shadow clone pins down the true Akamaru. The onlookers are struck by how cleverly Naruto has played the round. The chapter belongs to Volume 9 within the Chūnin Exams arc and was released in Japan on May 7, 2001. Viz published it as Naruto's Coming-of-Age…!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the Naruto chapter "Naruto's Growth…!!"?
In "Naruto's Growth…!!", Naruto faces Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru in the first round of the Chunin Exam finals, getting overwhelmed early before revealing a hidden transformation trick that turns the tables.
How does Kiba try to defeat Naruto early in the fight?
In "Naruto's Growth…!!", Kiba throws a smoke bomb to blind Naruto while Akamaru moves in for the strike, and once the smoke clears, Akamaru appears to be standing over a beaten Naruto.
What trick does Naruto use to turn the fight around?
In "Naruto's Growth…!!", Naruto disguises himself as Akamaru and uses a shadow clone to pin down the real Akamaru, so that when the "dog" bites Kiba, it turns out to be Naruto in disguise.
How do onlookers react to Naruto's tactic in this chapter?
In "Naruto's Growth…!!", the onlookers are struck by how cleverly Naruto has played the round against Kiba and Akamaru.
What arc and volume does "Naruto's Growth…!!" belong to?
"Naruto's Growth…!!" is chapter 75 of the Naruto manga, part of the Chunin Exams arc, collected in volume 9, and published in Japan in May 2001. Viz titled it "Naruto's Coming-of-Age…!!"
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Naruto's Growth…!!? The Naruto Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
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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