Chapter Summaries

Danzo diverted Konoha’s Chakra Metal to secure cooperation with Orochimaru, while Tsunade delayed treating him and kept him trapped in the hospital. Outside the village, White spotted two Root ninja slipping through Konoha’s barrier.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura confronted Danzo about the missing Chakra Metal, but he refused to explain its use.
• Danzo told Root ninja to deliver the Chakra Metal to Orochimaru at a camp in the Land of Rivers and send a message proposing pleasant cooperation.
• Tsunade postponed Danzo’s detoxification and told him to keep resting, leaving him furious but afraid to leave the hospital.
• White went out for a stroll and noticed two people in Anbu uniforms emerge through a gap in Konoha’s barrier.
• White suspected the two figures were Root ninja, whom Chiyue despised.

White intercepted two Root shinobi leaving Konoha and brought their Sealing Scroll back to Chiyue, who discovered it contained a large cache of Chakra Metal. The chapter ended with two Anbu shinobi finding a strong smell of blood near the hidden exit.

• White knocked out the two Root shinobi, injured their limbs, and took their unencrypted Sealing Scroll before returning to Konoha.
• White gave the scroll to Chiyue, who opened it and found a large amount of Chakra Metal.
• Chiyue praised White, promised him an extra serving, and wondered how Danzo had obtained the metal and why he was moving it out of the village.
• White fell asleep in Chiyue's arms while imagining that bringing back more stolen goods would earn him further praise.
• Two Anbu shinobi returning from a mission smelled blood near the hidden exit and went to investigate.

After an Anbu patrol found evidence that a comrade had been killed near a barrier entrance, the Third Hokage ordered a village-wide investigation. The victims were identified as Root members, but the killer left no useful clues, and the investigation suggested the barrier passage may have been compromised from within.

• Black Hawk reported to the Third Hokage that an Anbu member had been killed and the body destroyed by wild beasts near a barrier entrance.
• The Third Hokage mobilized the Anbu, ordered the victim's identity investigated, and summoned the barrier unit captain.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura learned that the victims were not Anbu members and suspected they belonged to Root.
• Danzo arrived at the Hokage's Office after hearing that his men had been killed and the Chakra Metal they carried was missing.
• An Anbu investigator reported finding blood-soaked coyotes but no useful clues, and suspected the attacker was an insider who knew the barrier passages.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura warned that compromised barrier nodes could let enemies freely enter and leave Konoha.

After a threat to Konoha’s barrier nodes raised fears of infiltrators, the Third Hokage ordered an internal purge of the Anbu and Root. He summoned Tsunade and Yagami Chiyue to the Interrogation Department, leaving them unsure what had happened.

• Danzo urged the Third Hokage to investigate Konoha’s ranks, warning that spies might have learned the locations of the village barrier’s nodes.
• The Third Hokage ordered every member of the Anbu and Root to gather at the Interrogation Department and asked Tsunade and Yagami Chiyue to come as guards.
• Tsunade received the summons before dawn, woke Chiyue by breaking his door lock, and dragged him to the Hokage’s Office Building without letting him wash up.
• The Third Hokage told Tsunade and Chiyue they were going to the Interrogation Department, and Tsunade anxiously asked what had happened.

After Root ninja were killed outside the village, the Third Hokage began an internal investigation to find spies, starting with the Anbu and Root. Chiyue attended the screening at the Interrogation Department and wondered whether the Yamanaka Clan would inspect his memories.

• The Third Hokage told Tsunade and Chiyue that Anbu personnel had been killed and assigned them to prevent spies from attacking or escaping during the investigation.
• Chiyue arrived at the Interrogation Department with Tsunade and saw Anbu, Root, and Yamanaka Clan members assembled for the screening.
• Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo joined the Third Hokage, while Sarutobi and Shimura ninja guarded the exit.
• The Third Hokage announced a thorough investigation of the Anbu and Root, and the Yamanaka Clan promised not to reveal private memories unrelated to identifying spies.
• Chiyue wondered if the investigation might reach him, and Tsunade questioned him after he shook his head.

Chiyue watched as the Yamanaka Clan inspected Anbu and Root members for spies and other misconduct. The examinations exposed several shinobi’s past offenses, and the screening continued with about one-third of the people cleared.

• Chiyue whispered to Tsunade about uncovering embarrassing secrets among the Anbu, while Mitokado Homura misread their closeness.
• The Third Hokage began memory inspections of Anbu and Root members, starting with squadron commanders and team captains.
• The Yamanaka Clan head inspected Black Hawk and confirmed that he was not a spy.
• The Yamanaka Clan head discovered that a shinobi had abandoned teammates during missions, and Sarutobi and Shimura jonin restrained him.
• The inspections uncovered misconduct among several shinobi, and about one-third of the group passed before someone shouted, "Die!!"

An Anbu spy attacked Yamanaka Yashu during the inspection, exposing a wider infiltration that led to three spies being captured and a plot against Kushina uncovered. The Third Hokage rejected Danzo’s push to place the Jinchuriki under Root’s control, while Danzo remained focused on finding who had attacked Root and stolen its Chakra Metal.

• An Anbu spy pierced Yamanaka Yashu with Lightning Release, and Tsunade treated him while Konoha forces fought to capture the fleeing spies.
• The attackers were identified as spies from Kumogakure and Sunagakure, and the authorities detained three spies along with more than ten Anbu for other misconduct.
• The interrogation revealed that Kumogakure had planned to abduct Kushina and had control of certain nodes in Konoha’s barrier.
• Danzo urged the Third Hokage to place the Jinchuriki under Root’s control, but the Third Hokage refused.
• Danzo remained angry that the attacker who struck Root and stole its Chakra Metal had not been identified.

Danzo persuaded the Third Hokage to retaliate against Kumogakure by targeting its Jinchuriki and secured approval to recall Orochimaru for the mission. Meanwhile, Sunagakure struggled with supplies as Konoha pushed it back, and the Third Kazekage waited for Yagami Chiyue to reach the front lines.

• Danzo proposed targeting Kumogakure's Jinchuriki in retaliation for its plan to abduct Kushina, and the Third Hokage approved the scheme and agreed to recall Orochimaru.
• In the Land of Rivers, Konoha steadily pushed Sunagakure back while the Third Kazekage struggled to secure enough supplies for the war.
• Ebizo told the Third Kazekage that Konoha had kept Yagami Chiyue away from the front lines and made him a Jonin Instructor.
• The Third Kazekage ordered Ebizo to notify him as soon as Yagami Chiyue arrived at the front lines.
• At Konoha's camp, Orochimaru discussed battle plans with Shikaku Nara while Hatake Sakumo and Jiraiya left the planning to him.

Orochimaru received a confidential order to return to the village alone, leaving Jiraiya behind with Nawaki and Minato. Meanwhile, Chiyue Squad struggled through a stinking garbage-collection mission, and Chiyue taunted Ryoi and Rinne for blaming the Hokage's office.

• Orochimaru read an urgent order summoning him to the village for a special mission and left the command center.
• Jiraiya considered returning with Orochimaru but stayed behind, then promised to look after Nawaki.
• Nawaki blackmailed Minato into washing his socks, accidentally shoved them into Minato's mouth, and fled as Minato chased him.
• Uchiha Ryoi complained that Chiyue Squad had been assigned garbage collection while other squads received easier missions.
• Chiyue suggested that Ryoi ask the Hokage directly why he was targeting their squad, and Ryoi and Hyuga Rinne backed down.

After his team finished a dirty D-Rank mission, Chiyue told his students they would need to wait before taking higher-rank assignments. Masumi later caught up with him to ask what ninjutsu to learn, and Chiyue reminded him that Taijutsu suited him best at this stage.

• Chiyue provoked Uchiha Ryoi into continuing the river cleanup, and the team finished the mission before he treated them to ramen.
• Masumi asked when the team could take higher-rank missions, and Chiyue said they might qualify after more D-Rank Missions.
• Chiyue told his students to meet at the village gate at nine the next day, then left the ramen shop.
• Hyuga Rinne noticed Masumi following Chiyue and followed him herself.
• Masumi caught up with Chiyue and asked which ninjutsu he should learn, and Chiyue reminded him that Taijutsu suited him best right now.

Chiyue advised Masumi to strengthen his foundation, then caught Hyuga Rinne eavesdropping and accidentally embarrassed her with a head pat. He later found Tsunade kissing Kushina while drunk, and Kushina’s explanation only made Tsunade argue that Chiyue could kiss her but she could not.

• Chiyue told Masumi to build a solid foundation and improve his combat instincts, but Masumi left still seeking quick strength.
• Chiyue noticed Hyuga Rinne eavesdropping, teased her, and patted her head, causing her to blush and run home.
• Chiyue went to Kushina’s house and found Tsunade hugging her with puckered lips; Tsunade kissed Kushina as he entered.
• Kushina shoved Tsunade through a window, then explained to Chiyue that Tsunade was drunk.
• Tsunade complained that Chiyue could kiss Kushina but she could not, leaving Kushina furious and embarrassed.

Tsunade prepared to head to the Land of Rivers battlefield while Chiyue reassured Kushina and urged Tsunade to keep Nawaki out of combat. After returning to Konoha, Orochimaru asked to take Chiyue on a mission to Kumogakure, but the Third Hokage refused.

• Kushina scolded the drunken Tsunade, and Chiyue teased Tsunade about gambling away her hospital earnings.
• Chiyue reassured Kushina that he was not angry with her and told her the Nine-Tails, not she, was responsible for its embarrassing behavior.
• Chiyue asked Tsunade to keep Nawaki in camp while she went to the Land of Rivers battlefield, and Tsunade decided to do so.
• Tsunade questioned Chiyue about accepting the Third Hokage's arrangement, and Chiyue said he was following the village's orders.
• Kushina brought Chiyue breakfast the next morning, while Orochimaru returned to Konoha and met with the Third Hokage.
• Orochimaru asked to bring Yagami Chiyue on his Kumogakure mission, but the Third Hokage rejected the request.

Orochimaru rejected the Third Hokage’s choice to send him on a mission, after the Iron Country requested Konoha’s aid against Hanzō and Amegakure. The village leaders struggled to decide who could persuade Hanzō to withdraw.

• Orochimaru warned the Third Hokage not to push Chiyue too far, then stayed when the Iron Country’s request for aid arrived.
• The Third Hokage read that Hanzō had led Amegakure to attack the neutral Iron Country and summoned Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Orochimaru to discuss it.
• The Third Hokage and the elders agreed that Konoha had to stop Hanzō, but could not settle on how to do so.
• Danzo suggested sending someone to persuade Hanzō, then refused to go himself, citing his condition.
• The Third Hokage looked to Orochimaru, who laughed and refused the mission.

Konoha’s leaders chose Yagami Chiyue to meet with Hanzō and negotiate over Amegakure’s planned attack on the Land of Iron. The Third Hokage summoned Chiyue, who learned the mission concerned a war outside Konoha.

• Orochimaru refused to negotiate with Hanzō and left to prepare for a mission in the Land of Lightning.
• Mitokado Homura proposed Yagami Chiyue as Konoha’s representative because he had previously forced Hanzō to yield, and Danzo and Utatane Koharu agreed.
• An Anbu member summoned Chiyue while he was helping his squad cut grass, and Chiyue left the mission scroll with Hyuga Rinne.
• The Third Hokage told Chiyue that Hanzō planned to wage war abroad to address Amegakure’s hardships after the Land of Rain’s defeat.
• Chiyue asked why Konoha was involved if Amegakure was attacking the Land of Iron.

Yagami Chiyue refused the Third Hokage’s mission to negotiate with Hanzō over the Iron Country, citing the village’s own reasons for keeping him out of danger. Outside the Hokage Office Building, Orochimaru invited him to discuss another mission, and Chiyue went with him to the Hot Pot restaurant.

• Chiyue rejected the mission to stop the war between Amegakure and the Iron Country, arguing that it had little to do with Konoha and that he could not persuade Hanzō.
• Chiyue turned the Third Hokage’s excuses about his age and safety back on him and suggested that Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura handle the negotiations instead.
• Chiyue left the conference room before the Third Hokage and the others could persuade him to stay.
• Orochimaru stopped Chiyue outside the Hokage Office Building and offered him an interesting mission.
• Chiyue agreed to hear Orochimaru out and went with him to the Hot Pot restaurant.

Orochimaru recruited Chiyue to join Konoha’s retaliatory mission against Kumogakure after its plan to abduct Kushina was uncovered. Chiyue agreed to leave the next morning, and Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that he wanted Chiyue’s help to make Kumogakure suffer.

• Chiyue met Orochimaru at the Uzumaki Clan’s hot pot restaurant and learned that Kushina had opened it to support her clan.
• Orochimaru revealed that Konoha’s investigation had uncovered Kumogakure’s plan to abduct Kushina and that the village had chosen to retaliate.
• Chiyue agreed to accompany Orochimaru to Kumogakure, asking him to handle the higher-ups because Chiyue had refused to negotiate with Hanzō.
• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Chiyue would join the mission and said he wanted to strike Kumogakure hard, noting that Kushina was Chiyue’s person.

Chiyue warned his team that his special mission was deadly and refused to take them along, then told Kushina that Kumogakure spies planned to abduct her. Kushina promised to stay home and rely on the Nine-Tails if anyone attacked her, while Chiyue prepared to leave the village.

• Orochimaru left the Third Hokage alone with his concerns about Chiyue's identity and bloodline.
• Chiyue told Uchiha Ryoi, Masumi, and Hinata Suzune that he was leaving on a special mission, then explained that even jonin faced a nine-in-ten chance of dying.
• Masumi and Uchiha Ryoi gave up on joining the mission, and Chiyue promised to take the team on higher-level missions after he returned.
• Chiyue warned Kushina that Kumogakure spies planned to abduct her and urged her to stay vigilant.
• Kushina agreed to remain home and trusted the Nine-Tails to help protect her if she faced danger.

Kushina prepared to leave while Danzo’s plan to cooperate with Orochimaru stalled after the Chakra Metal he had sent was stolen. Danzo volunteered to negotiate with Hanzō, and Chiyue and Orochimaru left Konoha at night for Kumogakure, where Chiyue asked about its Jinchuriki.

• Kushina told Chiyue she would prepare to leave the next day, confident that she could handle the danger from Kumogakure.
• Danzo visited Orochimaru and learned that their cooperation could not proceed because the Chakra Metal he had sent had vanished.
• Danzo decided to seek Chakra Metal by meeting Hanzō and persuading him to continue his campaign against the Land of Iron, then gained the Third Hokage’s approval to negotiate.
• Chiyue prepared for the journey, and Orochimaru met him outside his home in the middle of the night.
• Chiyue and Orochimaru left Konoha through a concealed Anbu exit and headed for Kumogakure, where Chiyue asked what intelligence the village had on its Jinchuriki.

Chiyue and Orochimaru traveled toward Kumogakure to target its jinchūriki, but learned the Two-Tails' new jinchūriki had been hidden away, leaving the Eight-Tails as their likely target. After Chiyue's thoughts on life prompted Orochimaru to take notes, they continued through the war-torn Land of Iron and discussed whether Kumogakure and Iwagakure would force Amegakure to withdraw.

• Orochimaru gave Chiyue intelligence about a Konoha spy in Kumogakure, and Chiyue learned that the Two-Tails' new jinchūriki had likely been hidden away.
• Chiyue said he would settle for targeting the Eight-Tails, and Orochimaru asked him what life meant; Chiyue answered that life meant staying alive.
• Orochimaru recorded Chiyue's answer, and the two continued their journey through lands caught up in war.
• Chiyue cooked a meal in a ruined village in the Land of Iron while Orochimaru hunted and praised his cooking.
• Orochimaru predicted that Kumogakure and Iwagakure would intervene in Amegakure's attack on the Land of Iron and force Hanzō to withdraw.

Chiyue and Orochimaru entered the Land of Lightning and prepared to infiltrate Kumogakure, but Chiyue refused Orochimaru’s green-wig disguise. They both reached the village separately, where Chiyue explored its bustling streets and Orochimaru met Konoha’s spy.

• Chiyue and Orochimaru crossed into the Land of Lightning, and Chiyue joked about the villages’ favored Chakra natures.
• Orochimaru offered Chiyue a green wig and darkening medicine, but Chiyue refused and said he would enter Kumogakure on his own.
• Orochimaru disguised himself and left to meet Konoha’s spy in Kumogakure.
• Chiyue used a Transformation Technique and White’s help to slip into Kumogakure, then ate roasted calf and toured the village.
• Orochimaru met the spy and instructed him to return to Konoha after completing the mission so he could start anew.