Chapter Summaries

Hinata persuaded Tsunade to return to Konoha, while Naruto objected to her becoming Hokage. As the group neared the village, Tsunade hesitated, and Jiraiya promised to help her face the challenges ahead.

• Hinata used a plea and threats to persuade Tsunade to return to Konoha, though Tsunade said she had only agreed to visit.
• Naruto objected to Tsunade becoming Fifth Hokage, and Hinata claimed she would become a Chunin after defeating him in the Chunin Exam.
• Hinata, Naruto, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Tsunade rested overnight in Tanzaku City and set out for Konoha the next morning.
• Near Konoha, Hinata, Naruto, and Shizune stayed at an inn while Jiraiya and Tsunade talked at an izakaya.
• Jiraiya warned Tsunade about the work and dangers awaiting her in Konoha and promised to help; Tsunade mentioned her condition, and Jiraiya suggested becoming Hokage might improve it.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and declared that she would become the Fifth Hokage, while Hinata worked to win her favor and stir up the village’s advisors. Tsunade agreed to help Hinata confront Kakashi after handling her official duties.

• Hinata treated Tsunade and Shizune to Konoha snacks and invited them, Jiraiya, and Naruto to dinner at Jiraiya’s expense.
• Tsunade surveyed Konoha from the Hokage Building Rooftop and announced that she would rule the village as the Fifth Hokage.
• Hinata challenged Utatane Koharu’s attempt to change the subject and invited both Hokage Advisors to dinner, but they declined.
• Mitokado Homura announced that Hinata had officially become a Konoha Chunin after the Joint Chunin Exam results were released.
• Hinata asked Tsunade to help her secure a Jonin position, and Tsunade agreed to deal with Kakashi Hatake after finishing her proper business.

Hinata registered as a Chunin, rejected her ugly vest, and sold it back to the village before joining Team Ten for a celebratory barbecue. She compared Team Ten’s close-knit atmosphere with Team 7’s, while Kakashi was left with an ominous feeling at home.

• Hinata completed her Chunin registration, refused to wear the vest, and sold it to the registration clerk for eighteen hundred ryo.
• Hinata met Shikaku Nara and Shikamaru, and Shikamaru invited her to celebrate his promotion with Team Ten.
• Shikamaru, Hinata, and Shikaku finished the paperwork, after which Shikaku went home and Hinata joined Shikamaru on the way to the barbecue restaurant.
• Hinata greeted Asuma, Ino, and Choji, then teased Asuma about the practicality of ninja clothes and said she envied Team Ten’s camaraderie.
• Kakashi sneezed while reading at home and wondered why he had an ominous feeling.

Hinata returned to the Hyuga Clan after spending the afternoon with Ino and told Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder that she had built a good relationship with Tsunade. The Great Elder explained that the clan had to choose how to navigate Konoha’s factional politics, leaving the Hyuga Clan’s future dependent on siding with the Hokage or joining forces with other clans.

• Hinata and Ino talked about Tsunade and their friends’ training, while Hinata speculated that Sasuke would eventually defect to Orochimaru for power.
• Hinata returned to the Hyuga Clan, where Tokuma told her that Hyuga Hiashi was waiting.
• Hinata told Hiashi and the Great Elder that she got along well with Tsunade and had invited Tsunade and Jiraiya to dinner.
• The Great Elder described Konoha’s Hokage, shinobi clan, and Root factions and explained that the Hyuga Clan had to choose how to secure its survival.
• Hinata declared that the Hyuga were the strongest shinobi clan in the Shinobi World, and the Great Elder praised her ambition.

Hinata’s father and the Hyuga Clan elder discussed her role as heir and the clan’s political ties, but her money-focused attitude undercut their serious advice. At dinner with Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Naruto, Hinata’s reputation as sweet and adorable collapsed after Tsunade heard about her past behavior.

• Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder considered Hinata’s growing prestige and urged her to act like the main family heir, while Hinata complained that their praise lacked originality and benefits.
• Hinata met Tsunade, Shizune, Jiraiya, and Naruto for dinner and ordered nearly everything on multiple menu pages.
• Jiraiya plotted to leave early so Hinata would be stuck with the bill, while Hinata boasted about her wealth and then dodged promising to lend her friends money.
• Tsunade suggested playing cards and recalled Jiraiya and Naruto’s stories about Hinata’s history with Sasuke and Kakashi.
• Tsunade learned that Hinata had beaten Sasuke after overeating and had spread many of the bad stories about Kakashi, causing Hinata’s sweet image to collapse.

After dinner, Hinata fought Sasuke in the forest and realized he was preparing to leave Konoha. Sasuke walked away into the darkness, saying he might leave that night.

• Tsunade teased Hinata at dinner, while Jiraiya drank himself unconscious and was left behind to pay the bill.
• Hinata noticed she was being followed and met Sasuke, who asked her to fight him before he left.
• Hinata defeated Sasuke with her newly developed Heavenly Spin Bomb, though the technique left her dizzy and nauseous.
• Hinata asked Sasuke if he had decided to leave Konoha and told him one meal could bring them back to how things were.
• Sasuke walked into the darkness and said he might leave that night.

Hinata worried that Konoha had not noticed Sasuke’s defection and struggled with whether to report it and pursue him. Naruto searched for Sasuke without realizing he had left, while Hinata stayed home and ultimately chose not to take Naruto on a mission.

• Hinata reflected that Sasuke might be safer training under Orochimaru than remaining in Konoha, where powerful elders could fear his awakening.
• Hinata returned to the Hyuga residence, tucked Hanabi into bed, and slept beside her.
• Hinata woke after eight and wondered why Konoha had not reacted to Sasuke’s disappearance, unaware that Tsunade had not yet taken up her Hokage duties.
• Naruto searched Sasuke’s house and usual training spots but found no trace of him, then went to train alone.
• Hinata agonized until nearly noon over whether to reveal Sasuke’s defection, then ate a hearty meal and decided against taking Naruto on missions.

Hinata spent a peaceful day while Sasuke’s defection went unnoticed, until Naruto discovered he was missing and told Tsunade. Tsunade ordered Naruto to gather Hinata and Shikamaru for a pursuit squad, but Hinata knew Sasuke had already been gone for nearly twenty-four hours.

• Hinata relaxed beneath a cherry tree and kept Sasuke’s disappearance to herself as the day passed without anyone noticing he had defected.
• Naruto searched Konoha for Sasuke with Shadow Clones, then went to the Hokage Building and informed Tsunade that Sasuke was missing.
• Tsunade concluded Orochimaru had taken Sasuke and ordered Naruto to find Hinata and Shikamaru to form a pursuit squad.
• Naruto barged into Hinata’s courtyard and told her to come help retrieve Sasuke, but Hinata questioned the point of pursuing him after so long.

Hinata joined Shikamaru’s team to investigate Sasuke’s disappearance, but she was shocked when Shikamaru decided they should infiltrate the Land of Rice and investigate Otogakure. The group set out confident in their strength, leaving Hinata to realize Shikamaru had taken her boast about defeating Orochimaru seriously.

• Hinata changed into Kaguya Otsutsuki's Robe, packed snacks, and met Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, Rock Lee, and Kiba at Konoha Gate.
• Shikamaru explained that the team’s main objective was to investigate the enemy and assigned Hinata and Kiba to keep watch.
• Hinata claimed she had defeated Orochimaru, and Shikamaru took her boast as evidence that they could handle a dangerous mission.
• Shikamaru announced that the team would travel to the Land of Rice to investigate Otogakure, alarming Hinata.
• Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Naruto, and the others voiced confidence in the team’s strength, while Hinata realized they expected her to face Orochimaru.

Hinata led Naruto and the others toward the Land of Rice to rescue Sasuke, while privately worrying that her boast about defeating Orochimaru had become a real mission. After the group rested and discussed Otogakure, Shikamaru proposed using Naruto’s power to infiltrate the village and bring Sasuke back.

• Hinata and the five others raced through the forest toward the Land of Rice, with Akamaru helping them detect traps and scout.
• Hinata stopped the group at dawn to rest, assigned everyone tasks, and agreed with Shikamaru that they should have a picnic by the river.
• Shikamaru said they should gather information in a town and explained that Otogakure’s relationship with the Land of Rice might be strained.
• Hinata assured Shikamaru that Sasuke was probably safe for now, since Orochimaru likely wanted the power of his Sharingan.
• Shikamaru proposed borrowing Naruto’s power to infiltrate Otogakure and rescue Sasuke, leaving Hinata dumbfounded by his confidence.

Hinata and Shikamaru’s team pursued Sasuke into the Land of Rice and planned how to locate Orochimaru’s hidden Otogakure. They settled on investigating local horror legends and disappearances, while Kiba and Akamaru prepared to gather information from the gangs.

• Hinata assessed the team’s strength against Orochimaru’s forces and reassured Shikamaru that they still had a chance to defeat him.
• Kiba reported smelling blood nearby, and Shikamaru led the team toward the Land of Rice to gather information and find Sasuke.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to scout a nearby town and sent Kiba and Akamaru ahead to investigate its layout.
• Shikamaru reasoned that Otogakure might be hidden near places associated with frightening legends caused by mysterious disappearances.
• Kiba returned with a map of the town and information about its inns and gangs, and Hinata asked him and Akamaru to investigate disappearances in the gangs’ territory.
• Shikamaru directed the others to disguise themselves, gather information in town, and meet at the Hot Spring Inn that night.

Hinata investigated a town in the Land of Rice and concluded that its gangs were connected to Orochimaru and concealed disappearances. After sharing her findings, the team split up to pursue separate leads, with Hinata taking Naruto and Rock Lee deeper into the country to search for Otogakure.

• Hinata disguised herself as a fat man, gathered information at a tavern, and suspected the town's gangs supplied Orochimaru with people for experiments while concealing disappearances through gang wars.
• Hinata struggled to keep her disguises and expenses secret while bathing and eating at the inn, then met with Shikamaru, Naruto, Choji, and Rock Lee to compare intelligence.
• Shikamaru said his findings also linked the gangs to Orochimaru and proposed splitting the team into two groups.
• Shikamaru stayed behind with Choji and Kiba to investigate the gangs, while Hinata took Naruto and Rock Lee deeper into the Land of Rice to search for Otogakure, with a three-day deadline.

Hinata’s team entered the Land of Rice to investigate Otogakure, while Tsunade learned of their mission and dispatched Jiraiya and others to bring them back safely. Hinata then encountered Dosu, a rogue ninja from Otogakure, and the chapter left her facing him.

• Hinata persuaded the group to investigate for only three days, but Naruto insisted he would not return without Sasuke.
• Hinata, Naruto, and Rock Lee entered the Land of Rice, while Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba investigated local criminal gangs.
• Tsunade learned from Genma Shiranui and Namiashi Raidō that Orochimaru’s subordinates had attacked them and might have taken Sasuke in a barrel.
• Shizune brought Tsunade word that Hinata’s team had crossed into the Land of Rice, prompting Tsunade to summon Jiraiya, Kakashi, Might Guy, and Asuma.
• Tsunade ordered Jiraiya to bring the six ninja back safely, and Jiraiya reassured her that Hinata could handle herself.
• In the Land of Rice, Hinata found Dosu tied to a tree and recognized him as an Otogakure rogue ninja.

Hinata and the others interrogated Dosu and learned Otogakure’s location and the identities of its strongest defenders. They prepared to head there, but Dosu feared they would kill him despite his cooperation.

• Hinata, Naruto, and Rock Lee forced Dosu to reveal that Otogakure lay in a hidden valley about fifty li to the north.
• Hinata reunited with Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba, and Dosu gave them details about Otogakure’s forces and Orochimaru’s secret bases.
• Shikamaru judged Otogakure manageable if Naruto could use his power, and Naruto urged the group to go.
• Choji asked whether they should kill Dosu, and Dosu protested that they had promised to let him go if he shared information.

Hinata’s group found Otogakure with Dosu’s help, then Hinata persuaded Kurama to lend them his power by claiming she was descended from Hamura Otsutsuki and warning him about the Ten-Tails. After they bumped fists, their chakra mingled, revealing Hinata’s genuine affection despite Kurama’s lingering wariness.

• Shikamaru had Dosu lead the group to Otogakure, where Hinata confirmed Orochimaru and Sasuke were inside and let Dosu go.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to reach Kurama and asked to borrow his power against a powerful enemy.
• Hinata claimed her ancestor Hamura had entrusted her with saving the Shinobi World and warned Kurama that someone planned to revive the Ten-Tails.
• Kurama agreed to help if Naruto lost consciousness first, since distrust could make Naruto’s chakra reject Kurama’s power.
• Hinata called Kurama her comrade and bumped fists with him, allowing their chakra to mingle and revealing her sincere affection.

Hinata persuaded Naruto to trust the Nine-Tails, then let it take control of his body to attack Otogakure. After the Nine-Tails’s Tailed Beast Bomb left Orochimaru and his surviving allies exposed, Hinata prepared to fight Orochimaru alongside the Nine-Tails and sent the others after Kabuto Yakushi and Kimimaro.

• Hinata told Naruto that the Nine-Tails had agreed to help, and Naruto chose to trust it and rescue Sasuke.
• Hinata knocked Naruto unconscious and used her chakra to let the Nine-Tails take control of his body.
• At Hinata’s suggestion, the Nine-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Otogakure before she could stop it.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to confirm that Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Kimimaro, and Sasuke had survived the blast.
• Orochimaru emerged with Sasuke, and Hinata ordered him to hand Sasuke over before assigning the others to fight Kabuto Yakushi and Kimimaro.

Hinata and the Nine-Tails fought Orochimaru while Shikamaru, Choji, Rock Lee, and Kiba tried to stop Kimimaro and Kabuto from escaping with Sasuke. After the Nine-Tails overwhelmed Orochimaru with a Tailed Beast Bomb, Hinata left the fox to finish him and rushed to help against Kimimaro.

• Orochimaru used his Body Replacement Technique to recover, while Kabuto fled with unconscious Sasuke and Shikamaru's group moved to intercept them.
• Kimimaro fought Shikamaru, Choji, Rock Lee, and Kiba, using his bone techniques to hold them off as Kabuto escaped.
• The Nine-Tails blasted Orochimaru into the ruins, then fired a Tailed Beast Bomb that Orochimaru partly blocked with Triple Rashomon.
• Orochimaru survived the explosion and sent a sea of snakes against the Nine-Tails, but the fox destroyed them with a chakra shockwave.
• Hinata told the Nine-Tails to handle Orochimaru and rushed to help Shikamaru's group against Kimimaro, who had activated Curse Mark Stage 1.

Hinata joined the fight against Kimimaro and battled him after he activated Curse Mark Stage 2. She used Sage Chakra and the Nine-Tails’ chakra to counter his bone techniques, and their clash continued as she sought experience against an evenly matched opponent.

• Shikamaru told Hinata that the group might have died without the Nine-Tails’ help, and Hinata urged him to treat her to a meal before charging Kimimaro with an Air Palm.
• Hinata’s attack blasted Kimimaro across the ground, and he recognized her as an enemy of Orochimaru.
• Kimimaro activated Curse Mark Stage 2, and Hinata told Kiba and Rock Lee to leave the fight to her.
• Hinata and Kimimaro exchanged taijutsu, with Kimimaro’s experience and lethal attacks pushing Hinata onto the back foot.
• Kimimaro fired Ten Finger Nukes, but Hinata’s Heavenly Spin deflected the bone projectiles.
• Kimimaro charged with Dance of the Larch, and Hinata used Heavenly Spin again to meet his attack.

Jiraiya, Kakashi, Asuma, Might Guy, and Pakkun rushed toward Otogakure after sensing a huge explosion and suspected Hinata had unleashed the Nine-Tails. The Nine-Tails defeated Orochimaru, and Hinata killed Kimimaro, leaving the others to arrive at the ruined village.

• Pakkun tracked the group toward Otogakure, and Jiraiya and the others hurried after Hinata, Rock Lee, and their companions.
• The group saw a white beam and heard a massive explosion, leading Kakashi and Jiraiya to suspect the Nine-Tails had attacked Otogakure.
• A second round of explosions shook the ground, and the group rushed toward the village, believing Orochimaru might still be alive.
• The Nine-Tails defeated Orochimaru, who fled, while Kimimaro continued fighting Hinata beside the ruins of Otogakure.
• Kimimaro attacked Hinata with Dance of the Clematis Vine and declared his loyalty to Orochimaru, but Hinata blasted him apart with a combined Chakra Rays attack.

After defeating Orochimaru at Otogakure, Hinata received a small portion of Nine-Tails’ chakra and began planning to gather power from the other Tailed Beasts. The team searched the ruins for intelligence, but Hinata could not find Eight-Tails’ Horn, and Naruto remained determined to rescue Sasuke.

• Nine-Tails withdrew its chakra from Naruto, gave Hinata a small portion of its power, and let Naruto collapse.
• Hinata decided she could gather chakra from the Tailed Beasts by acting as the Child of Prophecy.
• Hinata encouraged Naruto to help search Otogakure’s ruins for information that could help them defeat Orochimaru and rescue Sasuke.
• Shikamaru told Hinata he suspected she could have stopped Sasuke and promised to keep quiet about what he knew.
• Hinata searched beneath the rubble with her Byakugan but could not find Eight-Tails’ Horn.