Chapter Summaries

Hikari resisted Yakumo Kurama’s attempt to use her ability to seduce him and tried to persuade her not to move in with him. Yakumo misunderstood his advice and proposed bringing pretty girls from Hidden Leaf Village to entertain him, leaving Hikari speechless.

• Yakumo Kurama tried to tempt Hikari with her looks and spiritual ability, but Hikari caught her wrist and told her to stop using tricks on him.
• Yakumo asked to follow Hikari, and he insisted that she should live with Kurenai Yuhi instead.
• Hikari tried to persuade Yakumo to seek a normal life and spend time with children her own age, drawing on the ideas in his novel Snow Lotus on the High Mountain.
• Yakumo said she understood Hikari’s explanation and suggested going to Hidden Leaf Village to find pretty girls for him.
• Hikari warned Yakumo against controlling people with her abilities and asked whether she did not like dolls and toys, but Yakumo asked if he liked the idea instead.

Hikari refused Yakumo Kurama’s offer and agreed to help restore her health within half a year in exchange for her cooperation. After Yakumo revealed that she had overcome Ido and grown stronger, Hikari was left responsible for protecting Kurenai Yuhi from her influence.

• Hikari told Yakumo that controlling others would leave her isolated and promised she could recover her health and live an ordinary life.
• Yakumo agreed to listen to Hikari for six months while he tried to restore her health, threatening to keep Kurenai Yuhi if he failed.
• Hikari sent Yakumo to stay with Kurenai, and Yakumo agreed to call him Senior Hikari rather than Teacher Shenguang.
• Yakumo used her ability to create an illusion that she and Kurenai had left, but Hikari shattered it and confronted her.
• Yakumo explained that she had overcome Ido after accepting her own dark emotions, and Hikari warned her not to use her ability on Kurenai again.

Hikari brought Yakumo Kurama to Tsunade after curing her mental condition, and Tsunade arranged for Kurenai Yuhi to care for her while she recovered. Tsunade asked Hikari to monitor Yakumo and help restore her body, leaving her treatment and adjustment to life in Konoha underway.

• Tsunade questioned Hikari about curing Yakumo Kurama and learned that Yakumo would live with Kurenai Yuhi while recovering.
• Tsunade sent Kurenai and Yakumo to Konoha Hospital for an examination and recovery plan.
• Yakumo told Kurenai that she sensed Tsunade's hostility, and Kurenai reassured her that Tsunade was concerned about her condition.
• Hikari explained that living with Kurenai could help Yakumo feel she belonged in the Hidden Leaf Village, and Tsunade agreed not to send many Anbu to watch her.
• Tsunade asked Hikari to visit Yakumo, monitor her, and use sealing techniques if necessary; she also promised to oversee Yakumo's treatment.

Hikari and Tsunade discussed what wedding gifts to give Da Ju and Izumo, and Hikari advised Tsunade to follow Hokage custom rather than give them an unusually expensive present. The chapter ended with Hikari leaving to check on the Ino-Shika-Cho team while Tsunade wondered about his interest in Ayame.

• Hikari told Tsunade he had not decided what wedding gift to give Da Ju and Izumo, and said he would ask Ayame for advice.
• Tsunade worried that she could not afford an expensive gift, while Hikari explained that an unusually generous present could create unfair expectations for future weddings.
• Hikari suggested Tsunade give a customary Hokage wedding gift and invite Da Ju and Izumo to a meal later.
• Tsunade agreed, then let Hikari leave to check on the Ino-Shika-Cho team's training.
• Tsunade wondered whether Hikari was interested in Ayame and mused about other single female ninja.

Kurenai Yuhi brought Yakumo Kurama to Konoha Hospital, where Sakura discovered that Yakumo's physical development was severely delayed. Meanwhile, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji decided to take missions and buy a wedding gift for Izumo with their own earnings.

• Kurenai Yuhi took Yakumo Kurama to Konoha Hospital for a full physical examination, and Sakura examined her.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji discussed how to show goodwill toward Izumo for his upcoming wedding.
• Shikamaru proposed that they buy Izumo a gift with money they earned themselves, and Ino and Choji agreed.
• Shikamaru suggested using Hikari's Chakra techniques during missions to improve their speed and control, and the three decided to take missions the next day.
• Sakura told Yakumo that her physical condition was worse than expected, with development comparable to an eight-year-old's despite her actual age of fifteen.

Kotetsu Hagane and Da Ju held their wedding, where Hikari welcomed guests and collected gifts. Kakashi brought the Kazekage’s children to the celebration, and Hikari announced the large gifts Kakashi and Yamato had given.

• Kotetsu Hagane and Da Ju held a brief wedding ceremony, while Hikari chatted with guests and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio recorded gifts.
• Genma Shiranui, Aoba Yamashiro, and Namiashi Raidō teased Izumo Kamizuki about being single, then roughed him up when he bragged about being set up with someone.
• Kakashi and Yamato showed Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro around Hidden Leaf Village, and Temari asked to visit the lively gathering at Izumo's house.
• Gaara led the group to the wedding, where Kankuro and Shikamaru Nara exchanged barbs and Temari agreed to give one gift on their behalf.
• Hikari welcomed Kakashi and Yamato and loudly had Ino record Kakashi's one-million-ryō gift and Yamato's five-hundred-thousand-ryō gift.

Asuma returned to the Hidden Leaf Village during Izumo’s wedding, but his savage aura left Kakashi and Ino uneasy. Hikari calmed Gaara with a touch, and Kakashi hurried off to report Hikari’s ability to Tsunade.

• Kakashi and Yamato gave Hikari one hundred thousand ryo each, then Hikari arranged for Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro to spend time with the younger guests.
• Asuma arrived, gave Ino his wedding gift, and led Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji away to catch up.
• Kakashi sensed a strange, savage aura around Asuma, while Ino felt that he seemed like a stranger.
• Gaara called Asuma dangerous, but Hikari stroked Gaara’s hair until he fell asleep peacefully, startling Temari, Kankuro, Kakashi, and Yamato.
• Kakashi realized Hikari could suppress Shukaku and vanished to report the discovery to Tsunade.

Hikari welcomed Ayame and then explained to Temari and Kankuro that touching Gaara's head had calmed Shukaku and let Gaara sleep peacefully. The siblings learned that Gaara's newfound rest came from the beast becoming docile, and Gaara considered taking Hikari back to Sunagakure.

• Ayame brought Hikari a gift, exchanged affectionate teasing with him, and left to return to her busy shop.
• Temari asked Hikari what he had done to Gaara, but he made her and Kankuro watch the tables instead of answering.
• Kankuro guessed that touching Gaara's hair might be Gaara's weakness and reached toward him, waking him.
• Temari stroked Gaara's hair after he placed her hand on his head, then asked why Hikari's touch had put him to sleep.
• Gaara said Shukaku had quieted after Hikari touched his head, bringing him an unfamiliar peace and allowing him to sleep.
• Gaara considered kidnapping Hikari and taking him back to Sunagakure so he could sleep again.

Might Guy's team arrived at Kotetsu Hagane's wedding venue and met Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, who were visiting Konoha under the pretense of a tour. Hikari returned to arrange their meal, leaving Might Guy with Rock Lee and the others as he turned down an offer to meet a woman in favor of training.

• Rock Lee recognized Gaara and declared him his eternal rival, while Tenten greeted Temari and the group exchanged introductions.
• Tenten asked why the Sunagakure ninja were in Konoha, and Temari said they had been invited to visit the village.
• Might Guy stopped Rock Lee from inviting Gaara to train, recognizing that the visitors were serving as pawns in the peace agreement.
• Temari explained that Hikari had left them to watch the tables and chairs, and Tenten offered to take over so they could rest.
• Hikari returned and invited Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to eat with Might Guy's team; Might Guy chose to sit with them and train afterward rather than meet a woman.

Tsunade learned that Hikari had put Gaara to sleep with a touch, apparently suppressing Shukaku, and reassigned Kakashi to escort the Sunagakure genin around the Hidden Leaf Village. She let Asuma take charge of the Ino-Shika-Cho team and ended the chapter hungry in her office, resolving to reform the Hokage’s meal arrangements.

• Tsunade daydreamed about attending Izumo and Da Ju's wedding banquet before Kakashi interrupted her.
• Kakashi told Tsunade that Hikari had touched Gaara's head and put him to sleep, and that Yamato had witnessed it.
• Tsunade told Kakashi to have Hikari show the Sunagakure genin around the Hidden Leaf Village and to watch the Ino-Shika-Cho team himself.
• Kakashi told Tsunade that Asuma had already taken the Ino-Shika-Cho team, and Tsunade allowed them to go with their proper teacher.
• Kakashi invited Tsunade to eat at Izumo's wedding banquet, but she declined and decided that the Hokage needed dedicated work meals.

Asuma treated the Ino-Shika-Cho kids to barbecue and told them he had completed training with Enma, but Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji sensed that he had changed. Asuma criticized Hikari's teaching, and Choji confronted him, leaving the tension between them unresolved.

• Asuma told Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji that he had trained with Enma and offered to teach them the Summoning Technique when they were older.
• Shikamaru declined the offer on behalf of the kids, citing their clans' secret techniques and the risks of accepting a favor.
• Ino asked Asuma whether he had visited Kurenai, and Asuma deflected the question by focusing on their barbecue gathering.
• Asuma complained that Hikari was unqualified to teach the Ino-Shika-Cho kids, and Choji objected, defending Hikari's instruction and missions.
• Asuma dismissed Choji's concern and claimed he was upset that Tsunade had assigned a Chunin to teach them.

Hikari took Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to lunch and planned to show them around the Hidden Leaf Village. After Gaara agreed, Hikari encouraged him to open up and recognize what others valued about him.

• Hikari led the Sunagakure children to a private room, and the Hidden Leaf ninja noticed he had patted Gaara on the head.
• Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara eagerly ate the food while Hikari ordered another table and reassured Temari that the meal was his treat.
• Tenten took Rock Lee and Neji away for training after lunch, leaving Hikari with the Sunagakure group.
• Hikari asked Gaara if he wanted to tour the village and meet genin teams, and Gaara agreed.
• Gaara remarked on how close Might Guy's Team seemed, and Hikari urged him not to shut himself off or underestimate his own worth.

Kurenai Yuhi received orders to have Team 8 accompany Sunagakure’s envoys, and Hikari brought Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara to meet them. The chapter ended with Kurenai formally assigning Team 8 to show the guests around the Hidden Leaf Village.

• Kurenai Yuhi received orders from an Anbu and agreed to take on a mission involving Team 8 and three visitors from Sunagakure.
• Aburame Shino’s insects and Akamaru sensed hostility as Temari, Kankuro, Gaara, and Hikari approached.
• Kurenai Yuhi told Hinata Hyuga, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino that their mission involved accompanying the Sunagakure envoys.
• Hikari teased Kurenai Yuhi and explained that Asuma had returned and taken over training Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.
• Kurenai Yuhi introduced Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara as Sunagakure’s guests and assigned Team 8 to show them around the village.

Hikari arranged for Inuzuka Kiba to show Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro around the Hidden Leaf Village, then realized he had forgotten to help Yakumo recover. After Kurenai Yuhi challenged him over Yakumo’s care, Hikari agreed to treat her the next day, though Kurenai remained wary of him.

• Inuzuka Kiba welcomed Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro and agreed to show them around the Hidden Leaf Village.
• Hikari left the Sunagakure shinobi with Kiba, then relaxed beneath a tree while Kurenai Yuhi confronted him about forgetting Yakumo.
• Hikari admitted he had forgotten to help Yakumo and dodged Kurenai’s punch as she scolded him for letting Yakumo down.
• Hikari asked Kurenai to have Yakumo visit his house the next day, but Kurenai warned him not to take advantage of her.
• Hikari threatened to stop treating Yakumo, prompting Kurenai to relent and ask him to help her recover.

Asuma saw Team 8 escorting Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara and grew jealous after learning Kurenai and Hikari were together at the training ground. He abandoned thoughts of provoking a war and went to find Kurenai, while Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji headed to submit their mission.

• Asuma encountered Team 8 and the Sunagakure trio outside the Hokage Building and asked where Kurenai and Hikari were.
• Kiba told Asuma that Kurenai and Hikari had stayed at the training ground while Team 8 showed the guests around the village.
• Gaara sensed danger from Asuma and briefly raised his sand in defense before leaving with Temari, Kankuro, and Team 8.
• Asuma decided against targeting the Sunagakure trio or provoking a war, judging the plan too risky and troublesome.
• Shikamaru told Asuma that the trio planned to train after submitting their mission, and Asuma left to speak with Kurenai.

Yakumo Kurama used genjutsu to punish Asuma after he insulted her and her parents, making him believe he had gone for a romantic walk with Kurenai Yuhi. Kurenai told Yakumo to visit Hikari the next day for treatment, while Yakumo watched Asuma leave under her illusion.

• Asuma arrived at Kurenai Yuhi's home with flowers, hoping to deepen their relationship, and learned Yakumo Kurama was staying there.
• Asuma warned Kurenai that Yakumo was dangerous, and Kurenai agreed to speak with Yakumo before going for a walk with him.
• Yakumo revealed that she had created a genjutsu double of Kurenai and made Asuma mistake empty air for her.
• Kurenai returned to Yakumo and told her that Hikari would be available to treat her the next day.
• Yakumo explained that she had manipulated Asuma's senses to punish him for speaking ill of her and her parents.

Yakumo Kurama arrived at Hikari’s room for treatment but insisted on sleeping in his bed first. After making her get up and change, Hikari used Chakra and essential oil to develop and strengthen her body, leaving Yakumo overwhelmed by the sensations.

• Yakumo Kurama barged into Hikari’s room and claimed his bed so she could sleep after Kurenai woke her early.
• Hikari pulled away the blanket, reminded Yakumo that she needed his help, and ordered her to change and shower.
• Hikari laid Yakumo face-down on a massage table and explained that he would use Chakra to develop and strengthen her body.
• Hikari treated Yakumo’s arms and back, while Yakumo flushed and struggled to endure the intense sensations.

Asuma met Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who proposed provoking a crisis with Iwagakure or Kumogakure to undermine Tsunade’s position as Hokage. Asuma appeared to accept their guidance, but left secretly plotting to eliminate the two advisors once his plan succeeded.

• Asuma visited Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura after sending a Shadow Clone to lead the Ino-Shika-Cho youngsters on a mission.
• Asuma praised Tsunade’s new advisor lineup, then signaled that he would support keeping Koharu and Homura involved in village affairs.
• Koharu told Asuma that Tsunade’s growing control made his path to becoming Hokage difficult and explained that foreign village recognition could be used to challenge her appointment.
• Koharu urged Asuma to exploit the threat of Iwagakure or Kumogakure provoking a war, and he bowed and asked her to guide him.
• After Koharu whispered instructions to him, Asuma left and privately vowed to kill Koharu and Homura once his plan succeeded.

Hikari watched Tsunade react to Iwagakure and Kumogakure questioning her Hokage appointment and blocking Leaf shinobi from escort missions. After Kakashi and Shikaku uncovered suspicious troop deployments along the Land of Fire's borders, Tsunade ordered an investigation and formal protests, leaving the threat of war unresolved.

• Hikari found Tsunade furious after she received replies from Iwagakure and Kumogakure rejecting her appointment and barring Leaf shinobi from escort missions.
• Tsunade summoned Kakashi and Nara Shikahisa, sealed the Hokage's Office, and asked for their assessment.
• Shikaku pointed out that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had a history of hostility, making their apparent alignment against the Leaf suspicious.
• Kakashi noticed that both villages had stationed troops along their borders with the Land of Fire, and Tsunade and Shikaku confirmed the deployments in the intelligence files.
• Tsunade ordered Shikaku to investigate and Kakashi to send protest letters to the Tsuchikage and Raikage.

Tsunade discussed the threat of war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure with Hikari, then sent him away. Kakashi and Nara Shikahisa took Hikari to a Nara clan izakaya, where Shikahisa revealed he had a private speculation about people targeting Tsunade and pressured Hikari to help.

• Tsunade asked Hikari about the likelihood of war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, and Hikari said Kakashi and Shikaku believed it might not happen.
• Tsunade worried that her lack of strength had left her unable to protect Nawaki and Dan, and decided she might take Hikari to the battlefield if war came.
• After Tsunade dismissed him, Kakashi took Hikari to an izakaya with Nara Shikahisa, who served them Deer Antler Wine.
• Nara Shikahisa admitted that his earlier comments about the villages had been for appearances because Anbu were listening, then began explaining his own speculation.
• Hikari tried to leave when he realized Shikahisa meant to involve him, but Shikahisa and Kakashi stopped him and said Tsunade's enemies had already marked him as her associate.
• Hikari agreed to help only if Nara Shikahisa paid him more.