Chapter Summaries

Hagoromo encountered Kabuto Yakushi, who asked to learn Medical Ninjutsu from him, and suspected Kabuto was trying to approach him on behalf of Orochimaru or Sasori. At the training ground, Hagoromo arranged a spar between Karin and Shizune using only Inch Power Eight Gates.

• Hagoromo met Kabuto Yakushi leading a group of trainee ninja back from a mission and praised Kabuto for turning their work into training.
• Kabuto asked Hagoromo for advice on Medical Ninjutsu, and Hagoromo agreed while wondering whether Orochimaru or Sasori had sent him.
• Shizune told Hagoromo she had nearly mastered Inch Power Eight Gates, so he called Karin over for a spar.
• Hagoromo told Karin and Shizune to fight using only Inch Power Eight Gates and invited Naruto and the others to watch for new insights.
• Hagoromo raised his hand and started the match between Karin and Shizune.

Shizune fought Karin in a training match, using a breathing and Chakra-control method she had adapted for herself. Karin lost despite unleashing her powerful Chakra, and Naruto and Sasuke recognized her as a possible future rival.

• Hinata noticed that Shizune's breathing and Chakra flow differed from the method Hagoromo had taught them.
• Shizune used her modified Bong Sau to send Karin stumbling back, and Hagoromo explained how her medical knowledge had helped her adapt the technique.
• Karin released a huge surge of Chakra and charged Shizune, but their clash left Karin sprawled on the ground and Shizune with a possibly cracked hand.
• Shizune congratulated Karin after Hagoromo declared the match over, and Karin praised Shizune in return.
• Naruto and Sasuke agreed that Karin might become a future rival, then turned their competitive attention back to each other.

Tsunade learned that Shizune had improved her taijutsu with Hagoromo’s help and urged her to keep training with him. At the Hokage’s office, Might Guy asked to take Rock Lee as his student, and Hagoromo agreed to arrange an assessment while noting that Guy still needed one more team member.

• Tsunade saw Shizune use Inch Power Eight Gates well enough to make her move, then learned Shizune had fractured her hand sparring with Karin.
• Shizune told Tsunade about Karin’s abilities, and Tsunade recognized her exceptional potential and advised Shizune to train with Hagoromo more often.
• Might Guy rushed into the Hokage’s office and told Hagoromo he wanted to take a promising trainee ninja as his student.
• Hagoromo identified the boy as Rock Lee and showed Guy his file, which noted his strong physical ability but lack of talent for Ninjutsu.
• Hagoromo agreed to arrange an assessment for Rock Lee and reminded Might Guy that he still needed to choose one more team member.

Naruto used Flying Thunder God to surprise Sasuke during their fight, then endured Sasuke’s Chidori Stream with Yang Release Armament. Sasuke figured out that Naruto was teleporting between the Kunai he threw.

• Might Guy asked Hagoromo for help assigning Rock Lee, and Hagoromo suggested temporarily adding a Chunin to Guy’s team.
• Naruto warned Sasuke before their match, then used Flying Thunder God to appear beside him and punch him across the training ground.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan and realized Naruto’s movement was not the Body Flicker Technique, but he could not react in time.
• Sasuke activated his modified mark and used Chidori Stream while Naruto charged into the lightning with Yang Release Armament.
• Naruto struck Sasuke again during their clash, and Sasuke realized Naruto was moving using the Kunai.

Naruto and Sasuke continued their arena fight, with Sasuke destroying Naruto’s Flying Thunder God Kunai and using the Kusanagi Sword to press his advantage. They committed to ending the battle in one move, but Naruto vanished and struck Sasuke in the ribs.

• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to dodge Sasuke’s lightning attacks, but Sasuke burned away the Kunai around the arena with his Dragon Fire Technique.
• Naruto covered his fists with Yang Release Armament as Sasuke powered up his Activated Mark and Kusanagi Sword.
• Choji and Shikamaru worried that Naruto and Sasuke had outgrown them, but Ino reminded them that they were the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.
• Sasuke used Lightning Swift: Flash to close in, and the two traded attacks while Hagoromo watched approvingly.
• Naruto and Sasuke agreed to settle the fight in one move, and Sasuke cut apart Naruto’s Kunai before charging at him.
• Naruto vanished instead of running, then struck Sasuke in the ribs with tremendous force.

Naruto defeated Sasuke by revealing that he had secretly placed multiple chakra marks on him, and Hagoromo praised their progress while pointing out their mistakes. Hagoromo said they could apply for early graduation if they passed a new S-rank trial in the Mirage Vapor Pearl, leaving Naruto and Sasuke apprehensive.

• Naruto struck Sasuke and ended the fight, revealing that he had placed several nearly invisible chakra marks on Sasuke during their battle.
• Hagoromo praised Naruto's tactical growth but warned him against prolonging a fight for drama, and he told Sasuke not to focus only on Naruto's kunai.
• Sasuke asked why he could not copy Naruto's technique, and Hagoromo explained that the Sharingan could not copy the Flying Thunder God.
• Sasuke explained that Amatsukaku helped reduce the strain of his Activated Mark, and Naruto asked Hagoromo for a weapon of his own.
• Hagoromo said Naruto and Sasuke could apply for early graduation if they passed his S-rank Mirage Vapor Pearl trial, which both boys dreaded.

Naruto, Sasuke, and their friends asked to become intern ninjas early, and Hagoromo won Hiruzen Sarutobi’s approval after explaining how strong they had become. Hiruzen assigned Hagoromo to supervise Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, with Asuma to lead Shikamaru’s team, and scheduled their internships for next year.

• Sasuke suggested that he, Naruto, and the others apply for early internships, and Hagoromo agreed to seek the Third Hokage’s approval.
• Hagoromo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the students were strong enough to handle a Special Jōnin, convincing him to consider their early graduation.
• Hagoromo proposed that Asuma supervise Shikamaru’s Ino-Shika-Cho team and that either he or Kakashi supervise Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.
• Hiruzen chose Hagoromo to lead Naruto’s squad because of the risks surrounding the Nine-Tails and Kakashi’s Sharingan.
• Hiruzen approved the arrangements but postponed the internships until next year, and Hagoromo offered to lead the students himself without the village’s internship assessment.

Hagoromo prepared his students for ninja internships by emphasizing teamwork, while Obito planned operations against the Five-Tails and Seven-Tails and considered using Itachi against Madara. Kabuto consulted Hagoromo about Cellular Failure Syndrome, then left concealing his true thoughts.

• Hagoromo told his students that they could apply for internships after their fourth year and instructed Naruto's team to practice teamwork.
• Black Zetsu told Obito that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki had left the village and asked how to handle Hagoromo and Itachi.
• Obito ruled out attacking Hagoromo, decided Itachi might be useful against Madara, and ordered Nagato to pursue the Five-Tails while he targeted the Seven-Tails in Takigakure.
• Kabuto asked Hagoromo about Cellular Failure Syndrome, learned that conventional medical ninjutsu could not treat it, and departed after hiding his serious expression.

Konoha learned the Five-Tails’ jinchūriki was away on a mission and sent Jiraiya and Hagoromo to join the operation, while weighing Kumogakure’s ambitions to take the lead. Meanwhile, Hiruko and Shinnō both revealed their interest in the Five-Tails and Shinnō proposed that they work together.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Kumogakure’s intelligence about the Five-Tails’ jinchūriki and discussed the planned operation with Shikaku.
• Jiraiya insisted on going after hearing that the Akatsuki might target the jinchūriki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Hagoromo to accompany him.
• Hagoromo learned Kumogakure wanted to lead the mission and agreed with Jiraiya to act according to the situation.
• Shinnō suggested working with Hiruko, who revealed that he wanted the Five-Tails’ chakra and Kekkei Genkai to complete his perfect body.
• Shinnō told Hiruko that he wanted the Five-Tails’ life energy and chakra, then asked whether Hiruko would work with him.

Hiruko and Shinnō agreed to cooperate in capturing the Five-Tails, while a joint Kumo–Kiri–Konoha team reached the Land of Frost coast to investigate a suspected Akatsuki extraction site. The team began a stealth operation, with Ao activating his Byakugan to locate the target.

• Hiruko agreed to let Shinnō extract the Tailed Beast Chakra after Hiruko copied the Five-Tails’ Boil Release trait, and they set off toward their prey.
• Samui revealed that Kumogakure had detected intense Chakra and a barrier fluctuation on the Land of Frost coast using Lightning Release: Lightning Cloud Probe.
• Jiraiya, Hagoromo, Ao, and the others accepted Kumogakure’s plan, with Ao tasked to guide the group and Jiraiya and Hagoromo assigned to guard their flanks.
• Darui used Storm Release: Illusory Light Mist Shadow to cloak the coastline and interfere with Chakra-sensing barriers.
• Ao activated his Byakugan while Gonbei watched Jiraiya and Hagoromo warily.

Samui’s team located the underground cave where Shinnō was extracting Han’s Tailed Beast chakra and infiltrated it. Hiruko attacked the group, but Hagoromo wounded him and the others coordinated to restrain him while Samui moved toward Shinnō.

• Ao used his Byakugan to locate three chakra signatures and identify the hidden entrance and barrier node underground.
• Darui destroyed the barrier node with Storm Release, and the group entered the cave after sensing blood and an evil presence inside.
• Hagoromo and the others found Han chained to a stone platform as Shinnō absorbed his Tailed Beast chakra, while Hiruko noticed the intruders.
• Darui attacked Hiruko with a laser net, but Hiruko evaded it with Swift Release.
• Hagoromo struck Hiruko with his Lightning Blade, and Gonbei and Darui used water and lightning techniques to pin him down.
• Samui moved toward Shinnō, who sent black tendrils crashing toward her to stop her from interrupting the extraction.

Jiraiya, Ao, and Samui disrupted Shinnō’s chakra extraction from Han while Hagoromo took over the fight against Hiruko. Hagoromo used Lava Release and Ice Release to counter Hiruko’s techniques, then provoked him into a close-range attack.

• Ao diverted Shinnō’s tendrils with a Water Dragon Bullet Technique and directed Samui to strike Shinnō’s chest.
• Samui’s explosive kunai destabilized the chains suppressing Han, and Jiraiya cut off the extraction ritual with his Wild Lion’s Mane Technique.
• Jiraiya used Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon to stop Shinnō from reconnecting the tendrils while watching the battle from above.
• Hagoromo relieved Darui and Gonbei, then canceled Hiruko’s Storm Release laser net with Lava Release.
• Hagoromo slowed Hiruko with Ice Release, noticed that the freezing weakened his Steel Release, and taunted him.
• Hiruko rushed Hagoromo with Swift Release and kicked toward his abdomen.

Hagoromo fought Hiruko, but Shinnō helped Hiruko escape as the cavern collapsed. After the survivors rescued Han and fled, Kumogakure and Kirigakure disputed who should take custody of the injured Five-Tails Jinchuriki, and Jiraiya proposed Konoha instead.

• Hagoromo restrained Hiruko and attacked him, but Hiruko absorbed his Rasengan with Dark Release and counterattacked at high speed.
• Hagoromo's Shadow Clone took Hiruko's Rasengan, allowing Hagoromo to strike from behind, but Shinnō restrained Hiruko with tendrils and called for their retreat.
• Hiruko vowed to remember Hagoromo's Chakra, dispelled the cavern barrier, and escaped with Shinnō as the cave began to collapse.
• Hagoromo led the others through a newly blasted passage, carrying the unconscious Han and Samui while Darui, Ao, and Gonbei helped clear and hold the way.
• After the group escaped, Samui and the others examined Han, whose Chakra was fluctuating after Shinnō's extraction.
• Samui argued that Kumogakure should treat and hold Han, Ao objected on Kirigakure's behalf, and Jiraiya proposed that Konoha take custody.

Jiraiya arranged for Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, to receive treatment in Konoha with Kumogakure and Kirigakure teams assisting. After Hagoromo summoned Sansan, they learned Akatsuki had taken the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from Takigakure.

• Jiraiya argued that Konoha should treat Han and offered to let other villages send teams to assist.
• Hagoromo stabilized Han's chakra pathways, but warned that he needed prompt treatment in Konoha.
• Samui and Ao said their villages accepted the plan and required Akatsuki research data to be shared among the three villages.
• Hagoromo summoned Sansan to carry Han to Konoha.
• Sansan told Hagoromo that someone had gone after the Seven-Tails while Sansan was keeping watch.
• Hagoromo explained Akatsuki's possible targets, and Jiraiya admitted he did not recognize the barrier Hiruko had used.

Jiraiya and Hagoromo discussed Hiruko’s completed Chimera Technique and Hagoromo’s imitation of several Kekkei Genkai. The conversation revealed that Hagoromo had analyzed Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation at the atomic level, while Sansan carried Han toward Konoha.

• Jiraiya told the Kumogakure and Kirigakure shinobi to return to their villages and report the Seven-Tails’ capture, while Sansan flew toward Konoha with Han and the others.
• Jiraiya asked Hagoromo what he thought of Hiruko and Shinnō, and Hagoromo said their abilities were unusual but not especially troublesome.
• Jiraiya said Hiruko had once been his friend and worried that the Chimera Technique had made him a dangerous enemy.
• Hagoromo explained that he imitated Lava Release and Ice Release by reconstructing the formulas behind Kekkei Genkai rather than inheriting them.
• Hagoromo revealed that Dust Release had let him analyze Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation at the atomic level, leaving Jiraiya astonished.

Hagoromo and Jiraiya discussed Shinnō and concluded that the Akatsuki’s members had separate ambitions united by a shared objective. After they returned to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised the village’s alert level and ordered preparations for a Jonin meeting and cooperation with other villages.

• Hagoromo told Jiraiya that Shinnō’s unusual techniques resembled a Tailed Beast’s power, prompting them to investigate his identity from that angle.
• Hagoromo pointed out that the Akatsuki’s members had individual goals, giving Jiraiya a new direction for investigating the organization.
• Jiraiya jumped on Sansan’s head while arguing with Hagoromo, and Sansan roared at him until he apologized.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shikaku to prioritize the investigation, coordinate with Kumogakure and Kirigakure over the Five-Tails Jinchuriki’s treatment, and contact Iwagakure about cooperation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi required Jiraiya and Hagoromo to attend the Jonin meeting and told Hagoromo to accelerate training for the next generation.

Hagoromo confronted Sansan about the Seven-Tails Chakra he had secretly taken and investigated the enormous Chakra cocoon it had formed. He discovered that the Seven-Tails was protecting the soul of a former Jinchūriki, then listened as the Tailed Beast began explaining what had happened.

• Hagoromo took Sansan to the sacred land and found a massive cocoon made from the Seven-Tails' Chakra.
• Hagoromo entered the cocoon with Yin Release and recognized the consciousness of Seven-Tails Chōmei.
• Hagoromo restrained the Seven-Tails and sensed that it was protecting the soul of its former Jinchūriki.
• The Seven-Tails pleaded with Hagoromo not to harm the child, then began telling him its story.
• Sansan waited anxiously outside until Hagoromo opened his eyes, and asked what had happened.

Hagoromo arranged for Fū's spirit to be protected in Sansan's treasure bead and obtained a portion of Seven-Tails Chōmei's Chakra for Naruto. Sansan began absorbing the remaining Chakra after Hagoromo promised to make up for his loss.

• Hagoromo explained that Seven-Tails Chōmei had placed Fū's spirit inside the Chakra cocoon and asked Sansan for a way to protect it.
• Sansan fetched a treasure bead from the shrine, and Hagoromo used Yin Release to draw Seven-Tails Chōmei out of the cocoon.
• Sansan used his yokai markings to draw Fū's spirit into the treasure bead, then caught it in his mouth.
• Hagoromo asked Seven-Tails Chōmei to split off enough Chakra to sustain his consciousness, intending to take him to Naruto's Sealing Space.
• Hagoromo sealed the Seven-Tails' Chakra sphere with Yin Release, and Sansan noticed that a third of the cocoon's Chakra had been lost.
• Hagoromo promised Sansan an all-you-can-eat meal to make up for the loss, and Sansan agreed to absorb the remaining Chakra.

Hagoromo brought Chōmei into Naruto’s Sealing Space, where the space expanded and Naruto confirmed his Chakra control was unaffected. Meanwhile, Shinnō and Hiruko told Akatsuki they had obtained the Five-Tails’ Chakra and were bringing it back.

• Hagoromo appeared in Naruto’s Sealing Space and brought Chōmei there inside a sphere of Yin Release Chakra.
• Chōmei’s arrival crowded the Nine-Tails’ cage, but the Sealing Space expanded and became brighter.
• Hagoromo instructed Naruto on controlling the Tailed Beasts, then checked that Naruto’s Chakra control had not weakened.
• Pain questioned Shinnō and Hiruko about the failed Five-Tails capture, and Shinnō revealed he had absorbed the Five-Tails’ core Chakra.
• Hiruko explained that Jiraiya, Hagoromo, and forces from Kumogakure and Kirigakure had disrupted the mission, while Shinnō offered to release the Chakra for Akatsuki.
• Pain confirmed that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared able to accept the Chakra and ordered Shinnō and Hiruko to return quickly.

After the Academy year ended, Naruto and his friends prepared to meet their supervising Jonin and begin their ninja careers. Shikamaru learned that Asuma would supervise him, while the others set out for their own first meetings.

• The Five Great Shinobi Villages kept quiet about the Five-Tails incident, and Takigakure failed to get help from Konoha or the other villages.
• Kiba found that Naruto and the others had already left the classroom, while Shino declined his invitation to play so he could train.
• Naruto asked Shikamaru about meeting their supervising Jonin, and Shikamaru explained that the group would begin working separately the next day.
• Shikaku told Shikamaru that Asuma would supervise him and urged him to show what the new Ino-Shika-Cho could do.
• Shikamaru's mother warned him to stay safe as he began his ninja career, while Ino and Choji received similar lectures at home.