Chapter Summaries

Ōnoki’s anger at Hagoromo was cut short when he injured his back, and Iwagakure discovered that Kitsuchi had survived Hagoromo’s attack. Ōnoki admitted defeat and withdrew, leaving Jiraiya and Hagoromo to expect Iwagakure’s representatives at later negotiations.

• Ōnoki struggled to attack Hagoromo until he threw out his back, and Han let him go while Iwagakure’s medical-nin treated him.
• Ōnoki learned that Kitsuchi was alive because his heart was on the right side of his chest, and he taunted Hagoromo for missing.
• Hagoromo threatened to go to Iwagakure headquarters and kill Kitsuchi, while Jiraiya stepped between him and the wary Stone Shinobi.
• Neji, Yutoshi, and Akimichi Chōza arrived as Ōnoki admitted Iwagakure’s defeat and said the village would send someone to Konoha for negotiations.
• Jiraiya assured Hagoromo that Ōnoki would honor the surrender to avoid making Iwagakure a laughingstock.

After Konoha’s victory over Iwagakure, Hagoromo planned to rescue Karin Uzumaki and other Uzumaki descendants in Kusagakure. He left the returning troops to investigate the Grass Village, while Sasori and Deidara argued on the abandoned Iwagakure front.

• Jiraiya arranged for Fugaku and Hagoromo to lead the troops back to Konoha while he and Choza stayed behind.
• Hagoromo recalled Karin Uzumaki’s potential and decided to bring her and her mother back from Kusagakure.
• Sasori confronted Deidara for getting lost and avoiding the Iwagakure front until after Ōnoki had surrendered.
• Konoha’s troops marched through Kusagakure despite its objections, and Hagoromo left the column after asking Fugaku to continue leading it.
• Hagoromo moved stealthily toward Kusagakure, wary that the Uzumaki descendants might have brought their clan’s sealing techniques with them.

Hagoromo rescued Karin Uzumaki from her confinement in Kusagakure and brought her to Fugaku and the Konoha forces. He left Kusagakure devastated by an explosion, while Fugaku reacted with disbelief and vowed to protect the Uzumaki descendant.

• Hagoromo entered the hut and found Karin frightened, cold, and marked by bite wounds.
• Hagoromo offered to take Karin away, then used a Black Thread to make her unconscious and carried her out of Kusagakure.
• After reaching the village outskirts, Hagoromo destroyed half of Kusagakure with the Great Spiraling Ring and headed toward the Konoha forces.
• Hagoromo arrived at the Konoha forces the next morning with Karin, and Fugaku learned she was a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan.
• Fugaku insisted Konoha would protect Karin, while Hagoromo considered the importance of her Uzumaki bloodline and sealing abilities.

Hagoromo discussed Karin Uzumaki’s condition and training with Hiruzen Sarutobi, while they considered threats to Konoha and Uchiha Itachi’s plan to infiltrate an organization. The chapter ended as Inoichi Yamanaka began the usual interrogation procedures on Karin.

• Hagoromo warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Karin was not ready to shoulder the responsibilities of an Uzumaki, then agreed to take her as his disciple.
• Hagoromo urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to keep Jiraiya in the village because a powerful figure had gathered missing-nin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Hagoromo that Uchiha Itachi had defeated Orochimaru and received permission to go undercover in the organization.
• Hagoromo informed Hiruzen Sarutobi that an Iwagakure medical-nin knew the Mystical Palm Technique, which Hiruzen suspected had leaked through Root.
• Inoichi Yamanaka began Konoha’s standard interrogation procedures on Karin Uzumaki.

After Neji’s battlefield mission, Hagoromo reviewed his growing Chakra reserves and considered how he might develop new bloodline abilities. He brought Neji home to stay with him, then reunited him with Naruto and the others at the training ground, where Naruto asked to graduate and Hagoromo refused.

• Hagoromo reviewed the Chakra rewards from Neji’s kills and noted that his reserves had exceeded 120,000.
• Hagoromo considered the new Bloodline entry on his panel and concluded that developing Kekkei Genkai would require further training.
• Hagoromo met Neji leaving the Hyuga Clan Compound and offered to let him stay at his place.
• Hagoromo and Neji went to the training ground, where Naruto and the others noticed that Neji had become stronger after facing real enemies.
• Naruto asked Hagoromo to let him graduate, but Hagoromo refused and said Naruto needed to grow older and mature further.

Hagoromo told Naruto and his students about Karin Uzumaki’s painful experiences in Kusagakure, prompting them to debate whether they should retaliate and what it meant to trust comrades in battle. He promised Naruto that Karin would meet them in a few days, and took his students out to eat.

• Hagoromo reassured Naruto about his growth and told his students he would bring a new friend, Karin Uzumaki, to meet them.
• Naruto learned that Karin was from his mother’s clan and wanted to visit her immediately, but Hagoromo explained that he could not yet.
• After hearing about Karin’s experiences in Kusagakure, Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji vowed to smash the village, while Shikamaru warned them about the consequences.
• Neji explained why he had once obeyed his master’s order to retreat, and Hagoromo told the students that trusting a comrade could also show how much that person mattered.
• Hagoromo canceled training and took his students out for a meal, promising Naruto they would meet Karin in a few days.

Uchiha Itachi joined the Akatsuki and received the codename Suzaku, while Pain accepted him despite suspecting he had another purpose. Back in Konoha, Sasuke learned that Itachi would be publicly declared a missing-nin for a mission and sought reassurance from Hagoromo.

• Uchiha Itachi arrived at the Akatsuki headquarters, where Konan escorted him to meet Pain after Obito and Zetsu confronted him.
• Pain accepted Uchiha Itachi into the Akatsuki, named him Suzaku, and gave him the organization's cloak.
• Uchiha Itachi marked his Konoha forehead protector and recalled that Orochimaru had advised him to join by claiming he was tired of war.
• Konan warned Pain that Uchiha Itachi had another purpose, but Pain said the Akatsuki needed capable members and that he would handle any trouble himself.
• Uchiha Fugaku told Sasuke that Konoha would announce Itachi's defection to support a mission, and Sasuke ran to find his teacher.
• Hagoromo reassured Sasuke that Itachi was carrying out a long mission and could not use his Konoha identity.

Sasuke worried about Itachi after learning his brother had left on a classified mission, but Hagoromo urged him to trust Itachi’s strength and accept that every ninja made their own choices. Meanwhile, Hagoromo agreed to accompany Jiraiya to negotiations with the surrendered Stone and Sand forces, and Sasuke’s friends reassured him at the training ground.

• Sasuke asked Hagoromo about Itachi’s mission, but Hagoromo refused to reveal its classified details and encouraged Sasuke to trust his brother.
• Shisui arrived to summon Hagoromo to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who told him that the Land of Wind had surrendered and Rasa had spoken for Sunagakure.
• Hiruzen told Hagoromo that Jiraiya wanted him present at negotiations with Iwagakure, and Hagoromo agreed to go to the Land of Waterfalls when the time came.
• Sasuke returned to the training ground and sat lost in thought, prompting Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others to ask what was wrong.
• Naruto told Sasuke that becoming a ninja meant facing things himself and respecting everyone’s choices, and Shikamaru agreed with him.

Sasuke accepted that Itachi had chosen his mission, while Naruto encouraged him to keep working hard. Hagoromo woke Karin Uzumaki from her dream, assured her she could choose her own future in Konoha, and took her to meet the companions he had described.

• Naruto urged Sasuke to do his best, and Sasuke agreed.
• Hagoromo thanked Inoichi, then entered Karin’s hospital room and used chakra to wake her from the dream she had created.
• Hagoromo introduced himself and told Karin that she was safe in Konoha and could choose to live there as an ordinary person.
• Karin asked to stay with Hagoromo, and he told her about Naruto, Sasuke, and his other disciples as possible companions.
• Karin said she wanted to meet them, changed into ordinary clothes bearing the Uzumaki Clan crest, and left with Hagoromo.

Dodai tried to keep the Fourth Raikage focused on traveling to Konoha to sign an alliance, while Hagoromo’s students took Karin around the village and learned that Neji was training under Might Guy. At Konoha’s gate, Killer B kept complaining as the Fourth Raikage approached in anger, and Samui showed no sign of stopping him.

• Dodai reminded the Fourth Raikage that Konoha had defeated Iwagakure and Sunagakure, and the Raikage agreed to wait until after signing the alliance before confronting Killer B.
• Naruto and the others took Karin around Konoha, shared three-color dango with her, and promised Hagoromo they would look after her.
• Naruto asked Hagoromo who was training Neji, and Hagoromo explained that he had assigned Neji to Might Guy to develop his taijutsu.
• Hagoromo invited the group to a meal and said he would have Neji join them.
• At Konoha’s gate, Killer B complained impatiently to Hagoromo while the Fourth Raikage shouted at him from a distance, and Samui moved aside instead of intervening.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and met the Fourth Raikage's delegation at the gate, where she knocked Killer B unconscious after he made a crude remark. At the Hokage's office, she asked Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Uzumaki Clan member he had mentioned.

• The Fourth Raikage A confronted Killer B as he tried to run, and the brothers fought at the Konoha gate.
• Tsunade arrived with Shizune and Tonton, insulted the Kumogakure group, and knocked Killer B into the ground when he commented on her body.
• Tsunade recognized Hagoromo as Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple and pulled him along as she led the group inside.
• At the Hokage's office, Tsunade asked Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Uzumaki Clan member, while Hagoromo eyed Tonton and imagined roasting her.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and asked to take Karin as her disciple, but Hagoromo refused after explaining Karin’s difficult past and need for companionship. Tsunade then challenged Hagoromo’s disciples, offering to take one of them as her student if she beat their teacher.

• Hagoromo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Fourth Raikage had been settled in Killer B’s former quarters, and Hiruzen began making arrangements.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Hagoromo to take Tsunade to Karin, whom he revealed was already Hagoromo’s disciple.
• Hagoromo explained Karin’s Earth and Water natures and sensed her potential to develop Wood Release.
• Tsunade asked Hagoromo to give Karin up so she could take her as a disciple, but Hagoromo refused and told her about Karin’s experiences.
• Hagoromo introduced Tsunade to Naruto and the other disciples as their senior aunt, and Naruto praised Hagoromo’s strength.
• Tsunade offered to take one of Hagoromo’s disciples as her student if she could beat Hagoromo.

Tsunade tried to recruit Karin, then challenged Hagoromo to a fight when Karin declined. Their battle escalated until Hagoromo’s Yang Release Armament punch sent Tsunade crashing through a line of trees, leaving her shaken but alive.

• Naruto and the others rejected the idea of fighting Hagoromo because he was their teacher, and Shikamaru explained Tsunade’s identity to them.
• Tsunade asked Karin to become her student, but Karin declined, so Tsunade challenged Hagoromo to a fight.
• Hagoromo used his Eight Trigrams Gentle Spiral Strike Style to redirect Tsunade’s attacks, and Tsunade recognized its principles before intensifying the battle.
• The two exchanged powerful blows that shattered the training ground while Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru watched from outside.
• Hagoromo covered his fist with Yang Release Armament and struck Tsunade with Monster Strength: Third Gear, sending her through numerous trees.
• Tsunade stood up, checked herself, and said Hagoromo had nearly killed her.

Hagoromo healed Tsunade and persuaded her to consider teaching Karin Medical Ninjutsu, prompting Tsunade to accuse him and Hiruzen Sarutobi of trying to keep her in Konoha. Hiruzen offered Tsunade a paid teaching position at the Ninja Academy, and she agreed before returning to the village's training grounds.

• Hagoromo healed Tsunade's fractured ribs with Yang Release Chakra and explained how he had cultivated it himself.
• Hagoromo suggested that Tsunade share her skills with Karin, but Tsunade accused him of trying to get her to teach by making Karin her student.
• Tsunade left with Shizune to confront Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Hagoromo and Naruto began repairing the damaged training ground with the other students.
• Hiruzen asked Tsunade to teach Medical Ninjutsu at the reformed Ninja Academy, but she initially refused.
• Hiruzen offered three hundred thousand ryo per class, and Tsunade negotiated the fee up to three hundred and fifty thousand ryo before agreeing to stay and teach.

Hiruzen secured Tsunade’s commitment to teach at Konoha Hospital, while Karin chose Hagoromo as her master and received gifts meant to support her recovery. Hagoromo gained the Tenkakyu Kusanagi Sword and examined its unusual powers at his home.

• Hiruzen required Tsunade to attend every lesson and ensure her students met Konoha Hospital’s standards within a year, and Tsunade reluctantly agreed.
• Hagoromo told Karin about Mito Uzumaki and the Uzumaki Clan as he helped her settle into life in Konoha.
• Karin asked to become Hagoromo’s disciple, and he accepted her after she confirmed her decision.
• Hagoromo received the Uzumaki Secret Medicine Formula, the Tenkakyu Kusanagi Sword, and a Soul-Calming Sachet, which he gave to Karin to help ease her emotional trauma.
• Hagoromo examined the sword in his courtyard and discovered that it increased his stamina and Chakra, calmed his mind, improved his affinity with Natural Energy, and resisted Lightning Release Ninjutsu.

After a restful night, Karin joined Hagoromo and his students for breakfast and began her training as his newest student. Naruto reminded Hagoromo about the Summoning Contract, and Hagoromo agreed to let Naruto and Sasuke sign it shortly.

• Karin woke refreshed after sleeping with the sachet and eagerly followed the smell of breakfast downstairs.
• Hagoromo told Karin to wash up, and Neji helped her set the table for nine as Naruto and the others arrived.
• The group ate breakfast together, and Hagoromo announced that Karin would begin training with them that day.
• Hagoromo told Karin he would help her catch up on her studies so she could join Naruto and the others in the next school year.
• Naruto reminded Hagoromo about the Summoning Contract, and Hagoromo agreed to let Naruto and Sasuke sign it shortly.

Hagoromo taught Naruto and Sasuke how to sign a Summoning contract and summon Sansan, who stayed to supervise their practice. He then tested the Tenkaku Sword’s abilities and decided it would suit Sasuke better.

• Hagoromo explained the Summoning contract and revealed that Sansan could split into independent bodies to answer multiple summons.
• Hagoromo warned Naruto and Sasuke that they could not learn the splitting technique because it could divide their strength and damage their Chakra systems.
• Naruto and Sasuke signed the Summoning Scroll, and Hagoromo taught them the hand seals and blood requirement for the Summoning Technique.
• Hagoromo summoned Sansan, who agreed to watch Naruto and Sasuke as they practiced.
• Hagoromo tested the Tenkaku Sword, using it to amplify Lightning Release and protect him from the resulting blast.
• Hagoromo concluded that the Tenkaku Sword’s abilities were useful but that it was better suited to Sasuke.

Hagoromo assigned Karin a large stack of schoolwork and explained Konoha’s new mission-preparation course before testing his disciples’ abilities. After watching Naruto and Sasuke fight, he considered using the Mirage Vapor Pearl to train the others, while Karin resolved to catch up with her friends.

• Hagoromo gave Karin a mountain of assignments and announced a first-day test, along with a new course preparing fourth- and fifth-year students for missions.
• Naruto pointed out that Neji benefited from graduating early, and Hagoromo replied that Neji would have ranked first either way.
• Hagoromo created Shadow Clones to test his disciples and asked Neji to assess Hinata.
• Naruto fought Hagoromo using Armament: Open Palm, while Sasuke activated his second mark and forced Hagoromo’s clone to dodge.
• Karin watched the students train, and Hagoromo told her to strengthen her foundation before beginning special training.
• Hagoromo considered using the Mirage Vapor Pearl to give Naruto and the others further experience, since only Shikamaru seemed mature enough to graduate early.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Raikage A signed an alliance treaty, while Hagoromo discussed Konoha’s demands for upcoming peace talks. The chapter ended with Hiruzen asking whether Hagoromo had any other advice about punishing Takigakure.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi signed the alliance treaty with the Fourth Raikage A after Shikaku Nara and Mabui reviewed and presented it.
• The Fourth Raikage A left the Hokage Building, and Hagoromo warned Hiruzen that Kumogakure had never been peaceful.
• Hiruzen asked Hagoromo to help Jiraiya secure what Iwagakure and Sunagakure owed Konoha and to demand the Seven-Tails from Takigakure.
• Hagoromo advised Hiruzen to summon Takigakure’s leader and demand a massive indemnity for Konoha’s fallen shinobi and war losses.
• Hiruzen recalled that Takigakure had already paid for the Seven-Tails over many years and asked Hagoromo if he had any other suggestions.

Hagoromo and Hiruzen Sarutobi devised measures to pressure Takigakure into accepting Konoha’s terms, and Jiraiya and Choza prepared to enforce them. Meanwhile, Tsunade reflected on Konoha’s recent successes and teased Shizune about Hagoromo, whom she believed had no interest in romance.

• Hagoromo proposed restricting Takigakure’s military and stationing Konoha troops there, and Hiruzen Sarutobi approved the plan.
• Jiraiya and Choza received Hiruzen Sarutobi’s orders to send forces to the border and make Takigakure’s Kage come to Konoha for negotiations.
• Jiraiya asked Choza to arrange the deployment, while reflecting that Hagoromo’s tactics were more ruthless than his own.
• Tsunade and Shizune discussed Hagoromo’s achievements as Konoha’s fortunes improved.
• Tsunade teased Shizune about her admiration for Hagoromo, then said he showed no interest in romance and focused on training and research.