Chapter 88 closes the preliminary rounds and announces the month-long break before the finals, but the calm is broken when Orochimaru dispatches Kabuto to reach the hospitalized Sasuke.
Main Characters (4)
Summary
With the preliminary matches wrapped up, Kakashi slips away to look in on Sasuke. The Third Hokage lays out the plan for the survivors, telling them the finals will take place a month later as a set of individual duels. The interval gives each fighter room to heal and to study the strengths they have just watched their rivals display.
Key Events
Orochimaru, unsettled by how much good Naruto's presence does Sasuke, decides the sooner the two are pried apart the better, and resolves to stain Sasuke in his own colours. He tells Kabuto to abduct Sasuke, or to kill him, leaving the choice up to his subordinate. Kabuto infiltrates the hospital room and slays every Anbu standing guard, then presses a scalpel to Sasuke's throat, only for Kakashi to arrive in time to halt him.
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Notes
The Viz edition titles the chapter What About Sasuke…?!. It runs in Volume 10 as part of the Chūnin Exams arc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Naruto chapter 88, "Sasuke…?!"?
In this chapter, Kakashi checks on the hospitalized Sasuke while the Third Hokage announces a one month wait before the Chunin Exams finals. Meanwhile, Orochimaru sends Kabuto to kill or abduct Sasuke, but Kakashi arrives just in time to stop him.
Why does Orochimaru want Sasuke separated from Naruto?
Orochimaru grows uneasy at how much good Naruto's presence does for Sasuke, so he decides the two must be pulled apart quickly and resolves to stain Sasuke in his own colours instead.
What does Kabuto do when he infiltrates the hospital?
Kabuto kills every Anbu guarding Sasuke's room and presses a scalpel to Sasuke's throat, only for Kakashi to arrive in time to halt him.
What is announced about the Chunin Exams finals in this chapter?
The Third Hokage tells the surviving contestants that the finals will be held a month later as individual one on one duels, giving each fighter time to heal and study their rivals' strengths.
What is the Viz Media title for this chapter, and where does it appear?
Viz titles chapter 88 "What About Sasuke…?!" and collects it in Volume 10 as part of 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
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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:
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