Chapter Summaries

Hinata reflected on her role in Sunagakure’s devastation and decided to postpone judging herself. As Tsunade summoned her back to Konoha, Hinata contacted Hyuga Hiashi, intending to act like a filial daughter.

• Hinata watched Sunagakure’s recovery and calmly questioned how her actions had changed her, then chose to judge herself only after events had settled.
• Gaara sent ten squads to pursue the Cloud Ninja, but only nine returned, and his standing in Sunagakure fell as people blamed his decisions for the losses.
• Temari and Gaara grew distant from Hinata after she refused to pursue the Cloud Ninja who had stolen the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tsunade’s letter offered condolences and ordered Hinata and Shikamaru to return to Konoha after the Joint Chunin Exam ended.
• Hinata planned to retrieve Urashiki’s body for Orochimaru in exchange for the Hyuga Clan’s remaining payment, while keeping Urashiki’s other eye as leverage.
• Hinata activated the Tenseigan, connected to the Artificial Satellite above Konoha, and greeted Hyuga Hiashi.

Hinata warned Hyuga Hiashi that the Hokage suspected the Hyuga Clan’s secret medicine came from Orochimaru, and they discussed how to protect the clan amid the growing conflict over Impure World Reincarnation. Hinata planned to return to the clan soon, while the Hyuga prepared to watch the other powers and develop their strength.

• Hyuga Hiashi told Hinata that he knew about Orochimaru’s attack on Sunagakure and believed the Hokage had little time to focus on the Hyuga Clan.
• Hinata warned that the Hokage suspected the clan’s secret medicine came from Orochimaru, and Hiashi agreed to handle matters at home carefully.
• Hinata explained that she had helped Orochimaru control six Kage, easing Hiashi’s concerns about his strength.
• Hiashi and Hinata agreed to conclude their deal with Orochimaru, keep a trump card against him, and watch Black Zetsu and Obito for signs they might offer Sasuke’s eyes.
• Hinata and Hiashi discussed how the Five Great Shinobi Villages might pursue Impure World Reincarnation, creating chaos that could benefit Akatsuki.
• Hinata told Hiashi she would return in the next day or two, then said goodnight and went to bed.

Hinata returned to Konoha and reflected on how war, village economies, and imperfect rules shaped shinobi life. She considered Gaara’s uncertain standing in Sunagakure before arriving home, where she resolved to bring her clan along with her.

• Hinata returned to Konoha and observed that the village remained peaceful while shinobi and Anbu guarded the borders against trouble spilling over from Sunagakure.
• Hinata reflected on how shinobi depended on missions and conflict for survival, while sound rules could help civilians live safely.
• Hinata thought about Karin’s past and how the shinobi way of life helped create tragedies and hatred.
• Hinata considered that Sunagakure’s higher-ups had weakened Gaara’s standing and that Deidara’s death might prevent Gaara from gaining recognition by defending the village.
• Hinata returned to the Hyuga residence, felt reassured by home, and decided she wanted to bring her clan along with her.

Hinata brought Urashiki’s corpse back to Konoha and discussed its secrets with Hyuga Hiashi, who remained wary of Orochimaru. Hinata used her Tenseigan ability to deliver the corpse directly to Orochimaru, who awoke thrilled to receive an Otsutsuki.

• Hinata returned from outer space with Urashiki’s corpse, and Hyuga Hiashi examined its powerful chakra and vitality.
• Hinata explained her Natural Energy cultivation, while Hiashi worried about letting Orochimaru study the Otsutsuki.
• Hiashi decided to keep one of Urashiki’s eyes and send the corpse to Orochimaru.
• Hinata tested a new use of her All-Knowing, All-Powerful dojutsu and sent Urashiki’s corpse to Orochimaru’s future location.
• Urashiki’s corpse crashed onto Orochimaru’s bed, and Orochimaru recognized him as an Otsutsuki and became excited.

Hinata enjoyed her peaceful life at home while Tsunade and Shizune discussed the escalating crisis after Sunagakure’s collapse and the spread of Impure World Reincarnation. Tsunade recognized that Konoha’s intervention could ignite a great war and postponed consulting Shikaku until morning.

• Hinata settled the Hyuga Clan’s payment, returned to her room, and enjoyed a bath while reflecting on her comfortable life.
• Tsunade and Shizune remained at the Hokage Building, where Tsunade condemned Orochimaru for using Impure World Reincarnation to intensify conflict among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Tsunade reviewed the locations of the jutsu’s three copies and learned that Kumogakure and Iwagakure were mobilizing while Kirigakure guarded its borders.
• Shizune reported that Sunagakure’s losses left it unable to spare shinobi, and Tsunade concluded that the village could not help stabilize the situation.
• Tsunade explained that Konoha’s intervention could turn the brewing conflict into a great war, then decided to call Shikaku the next day.

Hinata sparred with Sage Hyuga Hiashi while Tsunade and Shikaku Nara investigated Orochimaru’s role in the turmoil. They concluded Orochimaru was likely targeting the Byakugan in Kirigakure.

• Hyuga Hiashi dragged Hinata into an early-morning spar and beat her using only basic Gentle Fist exchanges.
• Tsunade summoned Shikaku Nara, who reported that Shikamaru’s account confirmed their suspicions about the Hyuga Clan, though they lacked grounds to act.
• Shikaku reasoned that Hinata’s presence in Sunagakure had been coincidental and that the Sand Village Collapse Plan was unrelated to the Hyuga Clan.
• Shikaku and Tsunade identified the Raikage’s goal as gathering the Impure World Reincarnation and questioned what Orochimaru wanted in return.
• Tsunade concluded that Orochimaru was likely pursuing Kirigakure’s Byakugan after Sasuke left his side and disappeared.

Tsunade and Shikaku Nara concluded that Konoha could not remain outside the growing conflict over Impure World Reincarnation, while suspecting Orochimaru had a secret deal with the Hyuga Clan and might be seeking the Tailed Beasts' power. Tsunade sent Shikaku and the older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho to Kirigakure to help protect the technique, investigate Orochimaru, and stop Kumogakure.

• Shikaku Nara dismissed Tsunade's guess that Orochimaru wanted Kirigakure's Byakugan, reasoning that Living Corpse Reincarnation made a perfect host more useful to him.
• Shikaku connected Orochimaru's secret medicine for the Hyuga Clan to a possible transaction tied to history from a thousand years ago.
• Tsunade and Shikaku considered whether Orochimaru wanted the Tailed Beasts' power and agreed that Konoha could not stay uninvolved as Kumogakure and Iwagakure pursued Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tsunade decided to contact the Mizukage and send an elite squad to Kirigakure to protect Impure World Reincarnation and prevent Kumogakure from taking it.
• Shikaku volunteered to lead the mission, and Tsunade approved sending the older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.

Hinata caught up with Sakura and Ino over tea, then reflected on how understanding chakra could help her develop her eye techniques. She returned to the Hyuga residence lost in thought and collided with someone at the gate.

• Hinata learned that Sakura had made major progress in both Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.
• Hinata teased Ino and Sakura by claiming Shikamaru and Temari were secretly dating, and the three girls spent the afternoon gossiping about other couples.
• Hinata considered how Sakura’s talents and possible inner personality related to Yin-Yang Release and how ninjutsu training could help her master her own techniques.
• Hinata wondered whether the original Hinata’s soul still existed and imagined the benefits of having a second personality to help with training.
• Hinata reached the Hyuga residence while deep in thought and collided with an inattentive person.

Hinata reflected on chakra, Natural Energy, and how to create a soul-linked Nascent Soul that could grow alongside her. She decided to cultivate it by adding soul energy and vitality to her Sealed Space while absorbing Natural Energy.

• Hinata blamed Tokuma Hyuga for their collision, then suspected she had unconsciously used an ability that slowed him.
• Hinata recorded her theories about chakra, ninjutsu, and the shared principles behind powerful techniques.
• Hinata decided that vitality, rather than Yin-Yang Release alone, was the key to creating her Nascent Soul.
• Hinata reasoned that Natural Energy in her Sealed Space could provide vitality and sustain her life.
• Hinata resolved to absorb Natural Energy and slowly add soul energy and vitality to her Sealed Space in a form other than chakra.

Hinata waited for Orochimaru’s research on Urashiki so she could refine her training plan, while Orochimaru studied Urashiki’s cells and considered how they could help him evolve the Byakugan. Orochimaru revealed that a body was gestating inside Karin and planned to keep assisting the Hyuga Clan until it matured.

• Hinata finished recording a training idea, decided to wait for Orochimaru’s research results, and tried to pass the time by studying ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru examined Urashiki’s body and concluded that its extraordinary vitality reflected the kind of bodily evolution Hinata had undergone.
• Orochimaru considered resurrecting Urashiki with Impure World Reincarnation but rejected the idea because Urashiki might break free of his control.
• Orochimaru stored Urashiki’s body and resolved to retrieve the other eye so he could use Urashiki’s cells to transform a Byakugan into a Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru observed Karin, whose body was gestating his intended new body, and planned to test Urashiki’s cells on Kirigakure’s Byakugan before the new body matured.
• Orochimaru decided to keep helping the Hyuga Clan refine medicine while he waited for his new body.

Hinata and the Hyuga elders assessed the escalating struggle over Impure World Reincarnation in Kirigakure and considered how to keep the conflict from spreading to Konoha. The Great Elder asked Hyuga Hiashi how the turmoil should end.

• Hinata attended Hyuga Hiashi's meeting and listened as the elders reviewed the conflict in the Land of Water.
• The Great Elder praised the protection Hinata's growing reputation had brought Hyuga branch-family shinobi, while Hinata smugly accepted the credit.
• Hizashi Hyuga reported that Orochimaru seemed intent on joining forces with Iwagakure, and the elders discussed his potential role in the conflict.
• Hyuga Hiashi predicted Orochimaru might help Hidden Stone Village obtain Kirigakure's Impure World Reincarnation before Hidden Cloud Village intercepted them, deepening the rivalry between the villages.
• Hizashi warned that the conflict could spread across the Shinobi World or be ended through mediation, and the Great Elder asked Hyuga Hiashi how the turmoil should end.

Hyuga Hiashi argued that Konoha should avoid the Shinobi World conflict and focus on protecting its own interests, then raised that position at Tsunade’s Jonin meeting. Tsunade challenged his reasoning over Orochimaru and Akatsuki, leaving their disagreement unresolved.

• Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder agreed that the Hyuga Clan should pressure Konoha from within rather than involve itself in the wider conflict.
• Hyuga Hiashi assigned Hinata homework to explain the clan’s plan, though Hinata admitted to herself that she had not listened to the meeting.
• Tsunade called a Jonin meeting to discuss the turmoil and prepare Konoha to prevent Kumogakure and Iwagakure from obtaining the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hyuga Hiashi argued that Konoha should stay out of the conflict and let other villages investigate Orochimaru.
• Tsunade countered that inaction could let Akatsuki benefit from conflict among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Hyuga Hiashi opposed Tsunade’s proposal to unite the Five Great Shinobi Villages against Akatsuki, arguing that Konoha should focus on strengthening itself and exploit the other villages’ divisions. Tsunade reconsidered her priorities and turned to Hinata for her opinion, while Hinata remained clueless about the Hyuga Clan’s plans.

• Hyuga Hiashi argued that Akatsuki’s known members and the Tailed Beasts did not justify draining Konoha’s strength or trusting the other villages to form an alliance.
• Tsunade suspected the Hyuga Clan knew about the Shinobi World’s hidden history and might be pursuing its own goal.
• Hyuga Hiashi cited Akatsuki’s repeated defeats by Hinata to question how great a threat the organization posed.
• Tsunade concluded Konoha should investigate the Hyuga Clan’s aims while Shikaku Nara continued examining Orochimaru’s schemes in the Land of Water.
• Tsunade asked Hinata what she thought, and Hinata wondered why everyone kept bringing her into the discussion.

At a Jonin meeting, Hinata backed Hiashi Hyuga’s proposal, and Tsunade ended the meeting without calling for a vote. Hizashi Hyuga explained that Tsunade was testing the Hyuga Clan’s stance and how many Konoha shinobi would support them as the conflict became more open.

• Tsunade singled out Hinata at the Jonin meeting, and Hinata reluctantly agreed with Hiashi Hyuga’s proposal.
• Tsunade approved Hiashi Hyuga’s proposal and adjourned the meeting without holding a vote.
• Hinata returned to the Hyuga residence with Hiashi Hyuga and Hizashi Hyuga, while Hiashi went to rest without calling a clan meeting.
• Hizashi Hyuga told Hinata that Tsunade had used her answer to end the meeting and was testing the Hyuga Clan’s attitude toward Konoha.
• Hizashi Hyuga explained that the clan’s growing openness would reveal which Konoha shinobi supported them.

Hinata learned that the Hyuga Clan was not secretly building a faction to seize power, and she was relieved that the clan’s strength would support her future. In the Land of Water, Orochimaru set his operation against Ao in motion by involving Kumogakure and Iwagakure.

• Tsunade concluded that the Hyuga Clan’s secret medicine and training were not part of a plan to seize power, while Hinata realized the clan’s goals centered on strength or eternal life.
• Hinata relaxed after deciding that the Hyuga Clan’s ambitions would not threaten her comfortable life as its young lady.
• Hizashi Hyuga was pleased by Hinata’s concern for the clan and decided to speak with Neji about his recent worries.
• In a cave in the Land of Water, Orochimaru told Kabuto Yakushi that their true target was Ao of Kirigakure and his Byakugan, not a choice between Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to notify the Cloud Ninja and Stone Ninja that the operation could begin, then told him to withdraw.

Orochimaru tricked Iwagakure and Kumogakure while he abducted Ao from the Land of Water, leaving Kirigakure to defeat the invading forces and reclaim the stolen Impure World Reincarnation. At the Hyuga residence, the clan leaders concluded that the villages’ losses would intensify covert conflict over the technique, whose ability to restore the dead made it a path to immortality.

• Ao discovered Orochimaru waiting in a valley and was overwhelmed after Orochimaru attacked his team.
• Orochimaru abducted the unconscious Ao after killing his three teammates, while Mei Terumi focused Kirigakure’s forces on defending against him.
• Kirigakure nearly wiped out the invading Cloud Ninja and Stone Ninja and surrounded the Stone Ninja who had stolen the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hyuga Hiashi and the clan leaders discussed how the villages’ losses and competing claims over the Impure World Reincarnation would fuel covert conflict.
• Hizashi Hyuga warned that Kirigakure would remain in turmoil, as the technique’s power to restore the dead gave shinobi a route to immortality.

Hinata warned Hyuga Hiashi that Naruto’s Asura chakra might unconsciously influence people’s wills, and she explained how spiritual energy and chakra could enable that influence. Hiashi took the warning seriously and agreed to keep the Hyuga Clan cautious around Naruto.

• After the clan meeting, Hinata asked Hyuga Hiashi to avoid contact with Naruto and restrain the Hyuga Clan members.
• Hinata explained that powerful spiritual energy could affect other people’s perceptions and compared Naruto’s influence to Shisui Uchiha’s Kotoamatsukami.
• Hinata told Hyuga Hiashi that Naruto carried Asura’s chakra and might influence people, while Indra’s ocular power made him less susceptible.
• Hyuga Hiashi grew grave as Hinata explained that even the Rinnegan might not fully resist the influence, and he agreed to act cautiously.

Jiraiya and Naruto returned to Konoha after nearly three years away, while Hinata visited Orochimaru’s secret base to witness Karin give birth to Urashiki’s child. The baby was a girl, and Orochimaru became absorbed in examining her as Hinata left, planning to remember his neglect and settle the score later.

• Jiraiya and Naruto arrived at Konoha’s gate, where Izumo and Kotetsu recognized them and welcomed them back.
• Hinata used All-Knowing, All-Powerful to reach Orochimaru’s secret base and wait while he helped Karin give birth.
• Orochimaru emerged with Karin and Urashiki’s newborn daughter, and Hinata teased him about the child being a girl.
• Orochimaru examined the baby and speculated that she had inherited some of Urashiki’s power, while showing little interest in Hinata.
• Hinata left after writing down Orochimaru’s neglect, intending to make him repay the debt later.

Hinata defeated Naruto in Kakashi’s Team 7 bell test by exploiting his eagerness to learn about Sasuke, then claimed Kakashi had offered to buy the team dinner. Naruto turned on Kakashi, leaving him surrounded by over a thousand Shadow Clones as Hinata escaped.

• Hinata concluded that Orochimaru was wise to use appearances to manipulate people and said they were alike.
• Kakashi gave Hinata one Bell and set her against Naruto in a test at the Seventh Training Ground.
• Hinata tricked Naruto by promising to investigate Sasuke, then defeated him with Gentle Fist Style—Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Hinata told Naruto she knew nothing about Sasuke, then declared herself the winner of the test.
• Hinata announced that Kakashi was treating Team 7 to dinner, prompting Naruto to summon over a thousand Shadow Clones against him.
• Hinata dispelled her Shadow Clone and left Kakashi surrounded by Naruto’s clones.

Naruto reunited with Hinata and Kakashi, showed how much he had grown, and enjoyed a meal at Ichiraku Ramen. Later, Hinata and Kakashi discussed whether to restore Team 7, while Hinata weighed the role Naruto and the Original Story would play in her plans for Akatsuki and Nagato.

• Naruto ate six bowls of ramen with Hinata and Kakashi, and Hinata reflected on how much his skills had improved during his training with Jiraiya.
• Hinata told Naruto to visit his home, where Konohamaru had helped clean up, and Team 7 went their separate ways after the meal.
• Hinata climbed Hokage Rock, where Kakashi joined her and asked whether she planned to return to Team 7 and take missions.
• Hinata considered that working with Naruto could interfere with Akatsuki's plans, though she no longer needed his influence to clear Kaguya Otsutsuki's name.
• Hinata reflected that Nagato wanted peace and could not cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, making the circumstances of his inevitable death important.