Chapter Summaries

Naruto defeated Neji in a sparring match, though Neji injured his chakra pathways by forcing one last attack. While healing him, Hagoromo helped Neji recognize that he had been driven by fear of disappointing his teacher and urged him to rediscover what he wanted beyond changing his destiny.

• Naruto and Neji fought on the training ground, and Naruto won after both landed powerful blows.
• Hagoromo healed Neji’s injured chakra pathways while Hinata explained to Naruto how Neji had hurt himself.
• Neji admitted to Hagoromo that he had wanted to win because he feared disappointing him.
• Hagoromo told Neji that Naruto had found his direction and encouraged Neji to seek goals beyond his resentment of the Main Family.
• Neji resolved to find what he had once wanted to do and began to feel less constrained by Hyuga rules around Hagoromo.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji continued their nature transformation training while Hagoromo searched for Black Zetsu. At a meeting with Hiruzen and Jiraiya, Hagoromo learned that the Great Toad Sage could no longer see the future clearly after the disturbance at the former Land of Whirlpools.

• Naruto and Sasuke struggled to learn new nature transformations while Neji trained intensely, and Shikamaru urged them not to rush.
• Hagoromo sensed no sign of Black Zetsu and left the training ground after Shisui summoned him to meet Hiruzen.
• Hagoromo met with Hiruzen and Jiraiya, who had returned to Konoha and praised Hagoromo for stopping the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Jiraiya said Sage Fukasaku had found boundless vitality beneath the devastated Land of Whirlpools, where plants might flourish in the coming years.
• Jiraiya revealed that the Great Toad Sage could no longer see the future clearly and that a blinding white light had obscured it.

Hagoromo discussed Jiraiya’s ominous prophecy with Hiruzen, who arranged extra protection and quietly suspected Hagoromo might be involved. Later, Hagoromo taught his students about performing Ninjutsu with simplified or no hand seals, leaving Naruto and Sasuke wary that the other would use the technique for a sneak attack.

• Jiraiya told Hiruzen that the Great Toad Sage’s vague prediction pointed toward Konoha, and said he would stay in the village rather than go to Amegakure.
• Hiruzen arranged for Anbu to patrol near Hagoromo’s training ground, then asked him about Naruto and the others’ progress.
• Hiruzen watched Hagoromo leave and privately resolved to risk his life to buy him time if Hagoromo was the one involved.
• Hagoromo taught his class that skilled shinobi could simplify hand seals or perform Ninjutsu without them, citing the First and Second Hokage.
• Naruto and Sasuke realized that one-handed hand seals could help them attack at an unexpected moment, and each suspected the other would try it.

Hagoromo met Jiraiya for drinks and discussed Naruto, Jiraiya's investigation, and Hagoromo's growing influence in Konoha. After Jiraiya left him with the bill, Hagoromo decided to seek Minato's help improving his Sealing Jutsu so he could study the Yin Seal.

• Jiraiya asked Hagoromo about Naruto, but admitted he still could not bring himself to see him.
• Jiraiya said he was tracking an organization that had recently become more active, then left Hagoromo to pay the izakaya bill.
• Jiraiya privately wondered why the Third Hokage seemed interested in Hagoromo and noted how much Hagoromo's strength and influence had grown.
• Hagoromo went to ask his master about the Yin Seal, realizing he needed more medical knowledge and stronger Sealing Jutsu to study it.
• Hagoromo decided to visit Naruto's home and ask Minato to compile a scroll on Sealing Jutsu.

Hagoromo read Uzumaki Ashina’s sealing-jutsu book, then watched Naruto defeat Sasuke and checked on his disciples’ training. He took them to the forest to hunt for a barbecue and hot pot picnic.

• Hagoromo studied a book by Uzumaki Ashina that Minato had obtained from the Hokage Building.
• Naruto beat Sasuke in a match and won their wager, but realized his extra assignments might help Sasuke improve his grades.
• Hagoromo teased Naruto about the wager, then suggested a harsher set of rules for their next match.
• Hagoromo asked his disciples about their progress and praised Hinata’s use of Chakra Nature Transformation with Gentle Fist and Inch Force.
• Hagoromo invited his disciples to hunt in the forest for their picnic, and they eagerly headed out.

Hagoromo studied the basics of Sealing Jutsu at home and mastered the Finger-Carving Seal in under two hours. At school, he joined Iruka’s plan to prepare guidance for graduating students, then began a new class.

• Hagoromo reviewed a basic sealing textbook, practiced the Finger-Carving Seal, and learned it after repeated attempts.
• Hagoromo arrived early at school and found Iruka preparing advice for students about to graduate.
• Hagoromo offered to help Iruka with the guidance project and said Iruka would receive the credit.
• Hagoromo reflected on learning Sealing Jutsu from its foundations and studied the Evil Sealing Method and the Five Elements Seal.
• Hagoromo greeted his students as they returned from their two days off.

Hagoromo received a Purification Potion and decided to give it to Sasuke, then discussed improving ninja training with Hiruzen and learned that Kumogakure had invited Konoha to its next Chunin selection. The chapter left Hiruzen and Hagoromo considering the invitation, with the participating villages and costs established but no decision described.

• After class, Hagoromo received 800 Chakra and a Purification Potion that could purify organ-based Kekkei Genkai and potentially cause ancestral reversion.
• Hagoromo chose Sasuke as the potion’s recipient because he hoped it might help Sasuke awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan without losing someone he cared about.
• Hagoromo proposed to Hiruzen that ninja training include accounts from ordinary ninja who had steadily become capable, and Hiruzen agreed to have experienced ninja cooperate with him.
• Hiruzen told Hagoromo that Jiraiya had left the village to search for Tsunade, following Hiruzen’s assignment.
• Hiruzen told Hagoromo that Kumogakure had invited Konoha, Iwagakure, and several smaller villages to its next Chunin selection, with Kumogakure covering candidates’ expenses.

Hiruzen assigned Hagoromo and Kakashi to lead Konoha's team to the Chunin Ninja Exams in Kumogakure, where he would also meet with the Fourth Kazekage. At the training ground, Sasuke drank Hagoromo's purification potion, and Naruto showed off his newly learned Earth Release.

• Hiruzen explained that Kumogakure would pay examinees' travel costs to promote its image and demonstrate the strength of its next generation.
• Hiruzen told Hagoromo that he and Kakashi would lead Konoha's team, and that he had invited the Fourth Kazekage to attend.
• Hagoromo agreed to go, while Hiruzen said Jiraiya would return to help protect Konoha during his absence.
• At the training ground, Hagoromo gave Sasuke a purification potion and told him to report any changes; Naruto asked for one but learned it would not help him.
• Naruto demonstrated Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage by swimming through the ground, and Hagoromo pulled him out and cautioned him against treating Ninjutsu as a game.

Before departing to lead a team at the Four Great Nations Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, Hagoromo assessed his disciples and gave them new training rewards. He planned to be away for about two months, leaving a Shadow Clone to teach and Sansan to watch over the children.

• Hagoromo praised his disciples’ holiday sparring assessment and noted that they had all been holding back, while Sasuke’s left eye had advanced to Mitsudomoe.
• The system awarded the disciples Chakra and training rewards, including improved techniques, a Chakra potion, and a Byakugan purification potion.
• Hagoromo gave Choji the second stage of Gluttony Form and told him to pass the formula to his father; he instructed Hinata to drink her potion and train with Neji.
• Hagoromo told Naruto and Sasuke to continue nature transformation training and said he might let them sign a Summoning Contract with Sansan after he returned.
• Naruto learned Hagoromo expected to be away for about two months, with a Shadow Clone teaching the class and Sansan watching over the disciples.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's party traveled to Kumogakure for the Chunin Ninja Exams, he reviewed intelligence about Kirigakure's Bloody Mist rule and Zabuza's failed assassination attempt. He ordered the party to hurry onward while Kakashi was left thinking about his past connection to Kirigakure.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the exam participants and discussed how Iwagakure and Sunagakure had sent ordinary Genin rather than village geniuses.
• Kakashi delivered intelligence from Kirigakure, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hagoromo concluded that the village was engulfed in chaos and darkness under its extreme rule.
• Hagoromo reported that Zabuza had failed to assassinate the Land of Water's daimyo, who was protected by a Kirigakure Kekkei Genkai user.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Kakashi to keep monitoring Kirigakure and told the party to advance at full speed toward Kumogakure.
• Hagoromo noticed Kakashi seemed distracted and suspected he was remembering Kirigakure and Rin Nohara's connection to the Three-Tails.

Hagoromo and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s party arrived at Kumogakure, where the guards tried to inspect them and a confrontation broke out. Dodai intervened and welcomed them into the village, though tensions remained after Kakashi restrained the guard captain and Hiruzen mocked him.

• Hagoromo joked with Kakashi, who returned to reading Icha Icha Paradise.
• Hagoromo and Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at Kumogakure with the Konoha delegation.
• A Kumogakure guard demanded to inspect the delegation, provoking anger and tension among both groups.
• Dodai arrived, dismissed the guard, and greeted Hiruzen, then reacted with surprise when Hagoromo introduced himself.
• The guard captain drew his sword, so Kakashi held a kunai to his throat while Dodai apologized for his behavior.
• Hiruzen brushed off the incident with a pointed remark about the captain’s master, and Dodai escorted the Konoha party into Kumogakure.

Hagoromo and the Konoha delegation arrived in Kumogakure, where Karui and Omoi attacked him before Samui made them apologize. Dodai then escorted the visitors onward, while Hagoromo was left disappointed that the confrontation ended so quickly.

• Dodai led Hagoromo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the others through Kumogakure as villagers watched and speculated about their arrival.
• At the visitors’ lodgings, Karui and Omoi rushed Hagoromo with swords, but he blocked them and broke Karui’s blade.
• Dodai apologized for his students’ actions, while Karui challenged Hagoromo and Samui arrived to demand an apology.
• Omoi and Karui apologized to Hagoromo, who remarked that only their swords had been hurt, then Omoi led Karui away.
• Samui departed, and Dodai continued escorting the Konoha delegation inside as Hagoromo lamented that the show had been unsatisfying.

Samui disciplined Karui and Omoi after they confronted Hagoromo, while Hiruzen and Kakashi teased Hagoromo back at his lodgings. At the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, Killer B learned his students had ambushed Hagoromo and seemed to be considering action despite his confinement.

• Samui pressed a kunai to Karui's forehead, then ordered Karui and Omoi to return to the Valley of Clouds and Lightning and stay with Killer B.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi teased Hagoromo about his age and slapped him when he joked about being long-lived, while Kakashi watched with amusement.
• Killer B wrote in his notebook as the Eight-Tails urged him to rest, and guards continued watching him under the Fourth Raikage's orders.
• Karui told Killer B that Hagoromo had destroyed her sword, and Omoi admitted that they had ambushed Hagoromo but failed.
• Killer B calmly promised to replace their swords, then walked away as the Eight-Tails warned him not to act rashly; Killer B replied, "You fool~ I'm Killer B!"

Hagoromo reflected on Rasa’s weakened condition while Hiruzen told the Kazekage he had no plans for the Chunin Exams and had invited him to watch a show. Meanwhile, Ōnoki considered the Raikage’s intentions and resolved to help eliminate Konoha’s emerging genius if the opportunity arose.

• Hagoromo suspected that Rasa had weakened himself by using Magnet Release to produce gold dust, while Kakashi told him the elimination rounds would begin without a written exam.
• Rasa asked Hiruzen where his last disciple was, and Hiruzen said Hagoromo had gone out because he disliked the atmosphere.
• Hiruzen told Rasa he had made no plans and had invited him mainly to watch a show, leaving the Kazekage confused.
• Ōnoki asked Kitsuchi about the Raikage’s proposed Jonin contest and told him to participate if asked.
• Ōnoki recalled Deidara’s disappearance and Konoha’s history of producing powerful shinobi, then decided he would support the Raikage in crushing Konoha’s new genius.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other Kage exchanged barbs before watching the Chunin Exam elimination round unfold in Kumogakure. The round ended with Sunagakure and Iwagakure losing teams rapidly, leaving Sunagakure with only one team.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the venue with Hagoromo and his Kage guard squad, where the Fourth Raikage A praised Hagoromo as an extraordinary disciple.
• Ōnoki mocked Hiruzen Sarutobi and later Rasa, while Hiruzen and Rasa answered calmly and avoided a confrontation.
• Kumogakure Genin defeated a Sunagakure ninja, prompting Ōnoki to sneer at Rasa.
• A replay showed Aburame clan Genin and their teammates defeating an Iwagakure team with a beast, Fire Style, and a swarm of insects.
• The elimination round continued as teams from every village were eliminated, and Sunagakure was reduced to one team before the bell signaled the end.

After the elimination round, the Fourth Raikage proposed a combat display by the Kage guards to entertain the audience during the three-hour rest. Ōnoki chose Kitsuchi to face Sunagakure’s Baki, and the two prepared to fight as Hagoromo expected Kitsuchi to win.

• The Fourth Raikage suggested that the Kage guards put on combat displays while the Genin rested, and Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed after Ōnoki and Rasa accepted.
• Samui fired a signal flare, and stone platforms emerged from the mountainside to form an arena for the demonstrations.
• Ōnoki sent Kitsuchi down to the arena and then chose the Kazekage’s guard as his opponent.
• Rasa ordered Baki to fight Kitsuchi, and Baki descended to the arena using Wind Release.
• Hagoromo assessed the fighters’ abilities and judged that Kitsuchi would probably defeat Baki.

Baki fought Kitsuchi in a brutal match, but Kitsuchi’s Earth Release overwhelmed him despite Baki’s desperate attempts to break through. Sunagakure admitted defeat just before Kitsuchi’s final blow struck.

• Baki opened the match with poisoned shuriken and wind attacks, but Kitsuchi blocked them with Earth Release walls and trapped him in a cage of rock spears.
• Kitsuchi collapsed the ground with Earth Release: Split Earth Turning Palm, injuring Baki as he escaped a giant stone hand.
• Kitsuchi unleashed Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique, and Baki carved only partway through the closing rock formations with his Vacuum Great Sickle Weasel.
• The rock formations crashed together, leaving Baki badly injured but still unwilling to admit defeat.
• Kitsuchi raised his Rock Fist, and Sunagakure called the match and admitted defeat before the blow landed.

After Kitsuchi defeated Baki, the Kage prepared for the next match between Kumogakure and Konoha. Hagoromo entered the arena with a devastating landing, leaving the valley shaking.

• Kitsuchi spared the injured Baki, and Kumogakure medics arrived to treat him.
• Ōnoki criticized Rasa’s underhanded scheme, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Raikage agreed to proceed after the arena was cleared.
• Kumogakure’s squad used Lightning Release to clear the damaged arena, and the Fourth Raikage named Killer B as their fighter.
• Hagoromo stopped Kakashi and Shisui from volunteering and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he would enter the match.
• Hagoromo landed feetfirst in the arena, shattering the ground and shaking the valley.

Hagoromo faced Killer B in the next match and taunted him about ostracizing the whole village, provoking Killer B into attacking. After trading several attacks, Hagoromo activated Hazy Moon Sage Mode and matched Killer B’s Lariat head-on, leaving Killer B’s arm aching and numb.

• Hagoromo asked Killer B whether he had ostracized the whole village, and the remark embarrassed the Fourth Raikage and Samui.
• Killer B attacked with his seven Ninja Blades and Tailed Beast Chakra tentacles, but Hagoromo dodged and countered with Yang Release Armament and Twin Barrage Rasengan.
• Killer B used Lightning Release: False Darkness, and Hagoromo blocked it with Earth Flow Rampart before dodging the tentacles that followed.
• Hagoromo activated Hazy Moon Sage Mode and charged Killer B, who met him with a lightning-coated Lariat.
• Hagoromo gained the upper hand in their collision, leaving Killer B’s arm aching and numb.

Hagoromo continued battling Killer B while Ōnoki considered killing him, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to confront the Tsuchikage and threaten Iwagakure. The chapter left the Kage facing the possibility of a wider war, with Konoha’s forces already positioned at Moon Wheel Gorge.

• Hagoromo attacked Killer B with Sage Art wind blades and a succession of elemental techniques, but Killer B and the Eight-Tails defended against them.
• Ōnoki recognized Hagoromo’s Sage Mode and considered striking him with Dust Release, but feared Hiruzen Sarutobi’s retaliation if he failed to kill him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approached Ōnoki with Kakashi and Shisui and warned that he would sacrifice himself to protect his disciple.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi threatened to sweep through the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls and flatten Iwagakure if anything happened to Hagoromo.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Konoha’s forces were stationed at Moon Wheel Gorge, while Asuma Sarutobi and Shikaku commanded them.