Chapter Summaries

Tsunade and Chiyue arranged a two-month mission for Minato and Nawaki to give Nawaki time to cool off after he fell for a girl from the Uchiha Clan. Chiyue told Nawaki to pack for their departure the next morning, while leaving him unaware of the real reason for the mission.

• Tsunade went to the Hokage's Office and told the Third Hokage that Nawaki liked an Uchiha girl, and they chose a two-month mission protecting a border shipping route.
• Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave Chiyue's house and prepare for the mission, while Chiyue dismissed Tsunade's worries about Minato's growing strength.
• Chiyue left Tsunade at his house with instructions to eat breakfast and wash the dishes, then went to Nawaki's villa.
• Chiyue woke Nawaki and told him they had a mission and would leave the next morning, blaming the assignment on the Third Hokage.

Chiyue learned that Uchiha Fugaku was marrying Uchiha Shizuka and decided to attend the wedding despite concerns about becoming entangled with the Uchiha Clan. He arrived at the bustling Uchiha territory with Tsunade, who had been assigned to represent Konoha alongside the Third Hokage.

• Chiyue suspected Danzo had secretly collected Sharingan from dead Uchiha Clan ninja for his experiments.
• Nawaki prepared to leave on a mission, while Chiyue returned home and found Uchiha Mikoto bringing him an invitation to Uchiha Fugaku's wedding.
• Chiyue agreed to attend the wedding with Uchiha Mikoto, while Tsunade was persuaded to represent Konoha because other senior officials would not go.
• Chiyue and Tsunade arrived at the decorated Uchiha territory, where Tsunade complained about attending the wedding and compared the Uchiha Clan with the Hyuga Clan.

Chiyue attended Uchiha Fugaku’s wedding and later discussed the clan’s internal divisions with the newly married clan head. When Fugaku asked how to handle the Uchiha Clan’s situation, Chiyue urged him to eliminate everyone who did not respect him, even if doing so weakened the clan.

• Chiyue and Tsunade attended Uchiha Fugaku’s wedding, where Chiyue chatted with Uchiha Ryoi and learned he had awakened his eyes.
• Chiyue joked about Fugaku’s stern expression as the groom, while Tsunade and Uchiha Ryoi reacted to his remarks.
• After the wedding, Uchiha Ryoi told Chiyue that Fugaku wanted to speak with him alone.
• Fugaku described the Uchiha Clan’s factions and asked Chiyue how he would handle its internal conflicts.
• Chiyue advised Fugaku to get rid of everyone who did not respect him, even if it weakened the Uchiha Clan.

Chiyue rejected Uchiha Fugaku’s request to join forces and warned him that Danzo was after the Sharingan, prompting Tsunade to take the threat seriously. The next morning, Chiyue’s squad set out, while the Third Hokage watched for signs that Chiyue might reconnect with the Uchiha Clan.

• Chiyue left Uchiha Fugaku after warning him that the Uchiha Clan needed unity and that Danzo wanted the Sharingan.
• Chiyue reasoned that Danzo’s interest in the Sharingan stemmed from Kagami Uchiha, and Tsunade promised to keep an eye on Danzo.
• The Third Hokage learned that Chiyue had visited Uchiha Fugaku and decided to wait and observe, trusting Tsunade to prevent trouble.
• Chiyue left the drunken Tsunade at Kushina’s home and spent the night there.
• Chiyue’s squad set out the next morning, and Nawaki complained enviously about Chiyue’s relationships with Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto.

Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki traveled to the eastern coast of the Fire Country for a two-month escort mission after merchant fleets came under attack. They learned that assaults were especially severe near the Land of Hot Water, but Kirigakure’s involvement had not yet been confirmed.

• Chiyue teased Minato about Uzumaki Narumi’s bento, and Minato explained that they had simply met by chance.
• Chiyue told Minato and Nawaki that their mission was to escort merchant fleets targeted by attackers from the Land of Water.
• Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki discussed the possibility of meeting the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and Chiyue assigned Suikazan Fuguki and Samehada to himself.
• The three reached the eastern coastline, where a coastal captain reported attacks near the Land of Artisans and the Land of Hot Water.
• Chiyue asked whether Kirigakure had been confirmed as the force behind the attacks.

Chiyue’s squad guarded Konoha’s merchant ships at sea until dense fog concealed an approaching Kirigakure attack. Chiyue identified Suikazan Fuguki as his target and charged him as the enemy warship prepared to strike.

• Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki spent more than half a month escorting merchant ships without incident while White remained asleep.
• Dense fog reduced visibility at sea, and Nawaki and Minato heard waves coming from beyond their ships.
• Chiyue sensed the approaching enemy and assigned Nawaki to protect the merchant ships, Minato to provide support, and himself to attack Suikazan Fuguki.
• Suikazan Fuguki led two squads toward Konoha’s merchant ships and ordered his shinobi to kill everyone and seize the goods.
• A flash of blue lightning shot through the fog toward Suikazan Fuguki, alerting him to the danger.

Chiyue and Minato ambushed a Kirigakure warship led by Suikazan Fuguki, killing its crew and defeating Fuguki. Chiyue killed Fuguki with the Raijin Sword and took Samehada, leaving Minato to search the ship for supplies.

• Suikazan Fuguki blocked Chiyue’s lightning strike with Samehada as Chiyue approached through the mist.
• Fuguki attacked Chiyue with Needle Senbon, but Chiyue used the Raijin Sword to burn away the hardened strands.
• Minato killed Fuguki’s subordinates in a rapid assault and then inspected the warship.
• Fuguki charged Chiyue with Samehada, but Chiyue trapped him in a Genjutsu and pierced his heart with the Raijin Sword.
• Chiyue removed Samehada and tossed Fuguki’s corpse onto the warship.

Chiyue and Minato defeated a Kirigakure raiding party, recovered stolen goods, and captured Samehada, which Chiyue sealed for safekeeping. After they returned, Nawaki prepared to warn merchants and the outpost, while Chiyue began adding seals to the living sword.

• Chiyue sealed the enemy corpse and Samehada, explaining that he needed to reinforce the sword’s seals before using it.
• Minato showed Chiyue stolen goods from merchant ships, and they agreed to send the evidence back to Konoha and burn Kirigakure’s warship.
• Minato and Chiyue returned to Nawaki, who was disappointed that the fight had ended quickly and secured Chiyue’s promise that he could lead the next attack.
• Chiyue ordered Nawaki to warn the merchant ship and the outpost at the Ruins of the Land of Eddies to avoid the dangerous route.
• Chiyue fed Samehada his Chakra and warned Minato not to touch the living sword because it bit.

Minato told Chiyue that his attack options were too limited and became interested in gaining a Tailed Beast’s power. He and Nawaki joked about stealing the Seven-Tails, while Chiyue questioned whether Minato understood the risks of becoming a Jinchuriki.

• Chiyue showed Minato how Samehada changed shape and greedily absorbed Chakra.
• Minato said his Flying Thunder God-based fighting style lacked variety, and Chiyue suggested he try forming a Chakra attack like a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Minato admitted he had failed to create one and said he wanted a Summoned Beast or Tailed Beast to supply the Chakra.
• Minato said he was willing to become a Jinchuriki, arguing that strength mattered more than the risk of discrimination or losing control.
• Chiyue listed the Tailed Beasts that were out of reach, and Minato joked that they could steal the Seven-Tails.
• Nawaki returned to the ship, mocked Minato, and said he wanted to join the theft for fun.

Jiraiya accidentally unsealed Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse at a restaurant, soaking Tsunade and causing chaos. The Third Hokage identified the dead Kirigakure swordsman, ordered his corpse interrogated, and Danzo arrived after learning of the matter.

• Tsunade made Jiraiya drink with her, and a toad delivered two scrolls from Minato.
• Jiraiya opened a scroll and Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse fell onto the table, splashing food over Tsunade and frightening the restaurant’s customers.
• Jiraiya resealed the corpse, paid the restaurant owner, and fled to the Hokage’s Office before Tsunade could catch him.
• The Third Hokage identified Fuguki as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and ordered the Interrogation Department to extract intelligence from his corpse.
• Tsunade called Kirigakure’s attacks on Fire Country merchant ships a provocation and then left to rest.
• Danzo came to see the Third Hokage after hearing about the corpse.

After Suikazan Fuguki’s team failed to return, Kirigakure sent Yagura to investigate while Chiyue and Minato waited at sea and worried about Nawaki’s crush on Hyuga Miko. The chapter ended as Kirigakure warships appeared on the horizon.

• The Third Hokage agreed to let Danzo have Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse after its secrets were uncovered, and reflected that Tsunade’s control of the Logistics Department kept Danzo in check.
• Chiyue sealed and wrapped Samehada, while several days passed without Kirigakure discovering that Suikazan Fuguki’s team had vanished.
• Genji summoned Yagura after the patrol team missed its scheduled return, and Yagura left to investigate the area where the team had been patrolling.
• Chiyue and Minato noticed Nawaki grinning to himself and discussed whether he might still be infatuated with Hyuga Miko.
• Chiyue sensed something approaching, and he and Minato saw Kirigakure warships on the horizon.

Chiyue and Minato spotted Kirigakure patrol ships approaching after Suikazan Fuguki's squad disappeared with Samehada. Yagura recognized Chiyue carrying the sword and ordered most of his forces to hold back, leaving the two to meet as Chiyue recognized Yagura as a future Mizukage manipulated by Uchiha Madara and Obito.

• Minato called Nawaki back to attention as Chiyue and the others spotted two Kirigakure ships approaching.
• Nawaki and Minato discussed how Kirigakure would investigate Suikazan Fuguki's missing squad, especially because Samehada had disappeared.
• Yagura learned that Fuguki's squad had not returned and that attempts to summon Samehada back had failed.
• Yagura ordered his ship to approach the Konoha warship and told most of his shinobi to stay back when he recognized Chiyue.
• Yagura identified Samehada on Chiyue's back, while Chiyue recognized Yagura and suspected Uchiha Madara had manipulated Kirigakure's Third Mizukage.

Yagami Chiyue mocked Yagura during a tense meeting at sea and refused to return Samehada, while Yagura chose to withdraw rather than fight. Chiyue revealed that Yagura was Kirigakure’s designated Fourth Mizukage and expected the village to negotiate for Samehada.

• Yagura questioned whether Konoha intended to go to war with Kirigakure, and Chiyue mocked his age, appearance, and marriage until Nawaki and Minato burst out laughing.
• Yagura, furious but wary of Chiyue, demanded Samehada in exchange for forgiving what happened to Suikazan Fuguki.
• Chiyue told Yagura to get lost and refused to return Samehada, prompting Yagura to order the Kirigakure warship to leave.
• Chiyue explained that Yagura was Kirigakure’s designated Fourth Mizukage and warned that killing him could trigger a war with Kirigakure.
• Chiyue suspected Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu were active behind the scenes and predicted Kirigakure would negotiate for Samehada.

After Kirigakure’s mission failed and Samehada remained in Chiyue’s hands, Genji chose diplomacy over provoking Konoha. Yagura warned him that Chiyue was more terrifying than a tailed beast, leaving Kirigakure to pursue negotiations with Konoha’s relatively accommodating Third Hokage.

• Chiyue told Minato that Hatake Sakumo was unlikely to become the Fourth Hokage, then tried to get Minato and Nawaki to gamble with him.
• Yagura returned to Kirigakure and reported to Genji that Suikazan Fuguki and his team had vanished and that the Hozuki Clan could not summon Samehada.
• Yagura told Genji that Konoha’s warship had been responsible and that Yagami Chiyue had sealed Samehada.
• Yagura described Chiyue as more terrifying than a true tailed beast, and Genji decided to handle the matter through diplomacy.

Chiyue and Minato discussed Kirigakure’s isolation and the looming dangers facing the shinobi world. Nawaki chose to pursue Miko despite the complications and asked Chiyue for help.

• Genji ordered Kirigakure’s loss of Samehada kept secret and planned to select its replacement.
• Chiyue explained to Minato that the Third Mizukage’s rule had driven Kirigakure into isolation and decline.
• Chiyue reflected on the possible fates of Hatake Sakumo, the Third Kazekage, and Konoha as another war approached.
• Minato teased Nawaki about wanting help asking Miko out, making Nawaki fly into an embarrassed rage.
• Chiyue warned Nawaki that his ties to the Senju and Miko’s Uchiha identity could complicate his pursuit.
• Nawaki insisted he wanted to try regardless of the outcome and asked Chiyue to help him.

Tsunade argued that Konoha should negotiate with Kirigakure but refuse to return Samehada unless Kirigakure compensated the Land of Fire for years of losses. The Third Hokage assigned her to handle the talks, while Konoha’s leaders discussed the damage caused by the Third Mizukage’s rule.

• Chiyue agreed to ask Suzune out and arrange for Hyuga Miko to accompany her, leaving Nawaki to handle the rest.
• Kirigakure sent Konoha a request to negotiate for Samehada and Suikazan Fuguki’s body, offering to pay a price for their return.
• The Third Hokage summoned Tsunade, Danzo, and the Elder Council to discuss Kirigakure’s request.
• Tsunade rejected returning Samehada, arguing that it was Chiyue’s spoils of war and that Kirigakure owed compensation for its raids on Fire Country shipping.
• The Third Hokage put Tsunade in charge of negotiations, and Utatane Koharu said the intelligence showed that the Third Mizukage’s brutal rule had weakened Kirigakure.

Danzo warned Konoha’s leaders about Kirigakure and secured support for reinforcing their outpost and gathering intelligence. He then persuaded Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Hatake Sakumo’s growing prestige threatened their power, drawing them into his opposition to Sakumo becoming Hokage.

• Danzo urged Konoha to strengthen its outpost in the Land of Whirlpools and infiltrate Kirigakure, and the Third Hokage approved the precautions.
• Tsunade accepted responsibility for Kirigakure’s negotiations and left the Hokage’s Office.
• Danzo summoned Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, mocked them, and warned that a greater threat had arrived.
• Mitokado Homura realized Danzo meant Hatake Sakumo, whose wartime fame and the daimyo’s support could help him become Hokage.
• Danzo convinced Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Sakumo might strip them of influence, giving them reason to join his effort against him.

Danzo recruited Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to undermine Hatake Sakumo, while Orochimaru demanded more resources for his experiments. Chiyue rejected Kirigakure’s attempt to reclaim Samehada, and Uchiha Madara asked Black Zetsu whether he had found a suitable target.

• Danzo persuaded Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to cooperate in ruining Hatake Sakumo’s reputation so Danzo could pursue the Hokage position.
• Orochimaru demanded more tools and experimental materials from Danzo, who said Tsunade’s control of Logistics made it difficult to obtain supplies.
• Danzo told Orochimaru that Kirigakure was negotiating with Konoha to reclaim Samehada, and Orochimaru expressed satisfaction with his disciple’s activity at sea.
• Chiyue told Nawaki and Minato that Samehada was his personal trophy and that he would not give it to Kirigakure, even if the village agreed to return it.
• Black Zetsu warned Uchiha Madara that the Third Mizukage was growing unstable, and Uchiha Madara asked whether he had found a suitable target.

Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu discussed finding a suitable Uchiha to carry out Madara’s plans, then Black Zetsu took Tobi to Kirigakure to control the Third Mizukage. Meanwhile, Konoha rejected Kirigakure’s demand for Samehada and Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse, warning that it would retaliate against further attacks on Fire Country’s sea routes.

• Uchiha Madara said Black Zetsu should make use of the Third Mizukage now that he was no longer useful, and Black Zetsu took Tobi to Kirigakure.
• Tsunade refused Kirigakure’s envoy’s demand for Samehada, arguing that Konoha did not have to return spoils of war.
• The envoy demanded to see the Third Hokage, who met him alongside Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• The envoy offered to stop Kirigakure’s attacks on Fire Country’s sea routes in exchange for Samehada and Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse, while blaming some attacks on the Land of Lightning.
• Mitokado Homura rejected Kirigakure’s terms, and the Third Hokage ordered the envoy to leave and warned that Konoha would retaliate if the attacks continued.

Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura persuaded the Third Hokage to send Hatake Sakumo to gather intelligence on Kirigakure. After two months guarding the sea route, Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki returned toward Konoha and encountered Sakumo setting out on his mission.

• Danzo confronted the Third Hokage over Kirigakure's threats, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura backed his call to prepare for the village's actions.
• Danzo proposed sending a strong shinobi to infiltrate Kirigakure, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura put forward Hatake Sakumo as the candidate.
• The Third Hokage accepted the recommendation, while Danzo complained that Root was too depleted to take the mission.
• After two months without encountering Kirigakure shinobi, Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki left their sea-route post and headed home.
• Chiyue sensed Hatake Sakumo in the forest, and Sakumo told the group he was leaving on a village mission before urging them to return and rest.