Chapter Summaries

Kagetsu fed Chong Chong flesh from Jugo’s transformed body, triggering a dangerous Natural Energy transformation that he and Shikaji restrained with shadow techniques and a sealing jutsu. By the next morning Chong Chong had stabilized, gained new abilities, and demonstrated a powerful needle attack, while Kagetsu began considering future ways to enhance it.

• Kagetsu fed Chong Chong Natural Energy-rich flesh from Jugo, and Chong Chong transformed violently, firing black spikes around the Laboratory.
• Shikaji restrained Chong Chong with the Shadow Coffin while Kagetsu used a Cursed Seal Jutsu to calm and seal it.
• The next morning, Kagetsu found Chong Chong healed and stable, and its Status Panel showed a Natural Energy evolution path and the Split Body trait.
• Kagetsu fed Chong Chong the remaining flesh, and it absorbed the Natural Energy without losing control as its body became slimmer and tougher.
• Kagetsu tested Chong Chong’s Combat Form and confirmed its toxic black needles could threaten powerful ninja.
• Kagetsu considered giving Chong Chong genetic material such as Wood Release but decided to wait until he had more status and a greater need.

Kagetsu asked Orochimaru to teach him the basics of making ninja tools before Orochimaru assigned Kagetsu and Anko a dangerous C-rank mission to deal with a giant beast. Uchiha Shisui joined their team as its main attacker, and the three set out to track the beast with Anko leading.

• Kagetsu asked Orochimaru for introductory knowledge about making ninja tools, and Orochimaru agreed to find some.
• Orochimaru assigned Kagetsu and Anko a C-rank mission to kill or drive a giant boar-like beast back into the Forest of Death.
• Uchiha Shisui arrived as the third member, introduced himself, and was named the mission's main attacker by Orochimaru.
• After Orochimaru's Shadow Clone vanished, Anko claimed command, and Kagetsu and Shisui accepted her leadership.
• Anko asked Shisui whether he could track targets, and he said he could.

Kagetsu, Anko, and Shisui fought a giant boar during their mission, combining their abilities to defeat it. Orochimaru revealed he had watched them through a Shadow Clone and took them out for a meal.

• Kagetsu, Anko, and Shisui investigated the destruction in the forest and were confronted by a charging Giant Boar.
• Anko hit the boar with her Dragon Fire Technique, and Shisui drove explosive-tagged Kunai into its burned wound.
• Anko's Kunai failed to pierce the boar's hide, and she drew its attacks while it grew more enraged.
• Kagetsu summoned a giant snake to restrain the boar, then used Genjutsu to make it lose consciousness.
• Kagetsu and Shisui shook hands, and Shisui praised Anko for keeping the boar occupied.
• Orochimaru emerged from the ground, revealed he had observed them with a Shadow Clone, sealed away the boar, and invited the three to eat.

Orochimaru warned Kagetsu to remain wary of Shisui, but Shisui soon settled into the team and asked Kagetsu about the Uchiha Clan’s standing with the village. Kagetsu explained that the Clan Head was grooming Shisui as a possible future Hokage who would support the Uchiha, leaving Shisui to consider the Fourth Hokage.

• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that Shisui had held back and warned him that even fellow villagers deserved vigilance.
• Shisui integrated smoothly into the team, and Anko grew to trust him as a teammate and training partner.
• Shisui found Kagetsu resting and asked what he thought of the Uchiha Clan and the higher-ups’ views of them.
• Shisui revealed that the Clan Head wanted him to gain Orochimaru’s attention, and Kagetsu said the Clan Head was wagering on him as a future Hokage friendly to the Uchiha.
• Shisui wondered whether Kagetsu meant the Fourth Hokage.

Shisui asked Fugaku about Kagetsu’s advice on the Uchiha clan’s relationship with the village, and Fugaku explained the political situation and urged him to build ties with Orochimaru and Kagetsu. Later, a hostile masked ANBU confronted Kagetsu in an alley and prepared to subdue him.

• Shisui told Fugaku that Kagetsu had advised him to build a relationship with Orochimaru and explained their conversation.
• Fugaku said Kagetsu’s advice was sound but explained that the clan and village were not on the brink of open conflict, and that Orochimaru had strong prospects of becoming Fourth Hokage.
• Fugaku encouraged Shisui to deepen his relationship with Kagetsu and sent him to spend time with Itachi.
• A masked ANBU stopped Kagetsu in a dark alley and ordered him to follow, while Kagetsu secretly sent out a small snake and prepared to resist.
• The masked ANBU drew a short sword and threatened to subdue Kagetsu.

Kagetsu captured a Root operative who tried to abduct him, and Orochimaru brought the incident to the Third Hokage, prompting Hiruzen to restrict Danzo’s power. Orochimaru then negotiated with Hiruzen over the proposed Technology Development Department, leaving its approval dependent on Orochimaru producing results.

• Kagetsu used the Shadow Imitation and Cursed Seal Binding Techniques to capture an Anbu operative whose reactions revealed his connection to Danzo’s Root.
• Orochimaru took Kagetsu home, then sent the captured operative to the Interrogation Unit and confronted Hiruzen about Danzo’s actions.
• Hiruzen reprimanded Danzo and restricted Root’s security duties, funding, and recruitment.
• Hiruzen promised Orochimaru control of Root’s reduced funding and protection from Danzo’s interference with Ino-Shika-Cho personnel.
• Hiruzen offered to authorize Orochimaru’s Technology Development Department with initial funding, but required Orochimaru to cover its costs if it failed to produce sufficient results.

Nara Kagetsu revealed to Kakashi that Danzo had manipulated the rumors surrounding Sakumo's failed mission to ruin his standing, leaving Kakashi shaken and questioning the village's leadership. Orochimaru then recruited Yakushi Nonō to his Technology Development Department and asked her to disclose Root's hidden research and secrets.

• Kagetsu visited Kakashi and urged him to read intelligence about Sakumo's death and the mission that had ruined his reputation.
• Kakashi learned that Danzo had orchestrated the rumors to undermine Sakumo, whose prestige threatened others' ambitions, and Kagetsu warned him against joining Root.
• Kagetsu advised Kakashi to destroy the intelligence and consider applying to the Hokage's Direct Anbu before leaving him alone.
• Orochimaru offered Yakushi Nonō a position in his Technology Development Department, promising to transfer her from Root and provide funding for the orphanage.
• Nonō considered Orochimaru's offer, and he asked her to reveal Root's research materials and Danzo's actions that threatened the village.

Orochimaru secured the Hokage’s approval to establish the Technology Development Department, though it would have to fund its own ongoing operations. After training his team, he planned to meet Uchiha Clan Head Fugaku and seek the clan’s support for research into balancing the First Hokage Cells.

• Orochimaru argued that Danzo’s actions and Root’s methods had caused tragedies, and Hiruzen approved the personnel transfers and establishment of the Technology Development Department.
• Hiruzen said the village would provide initial funding, but the new department would need to raise its later operating costs itself, and Danzo left in anger.
• Orochimaru praised Shisui, Kagetsu, and Anko after training them, then arranged to visit the Uchiha Clan Head the following evening.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that Uchiha Yin nature might balance the First Hokage Cells’ Yang nature, but said he would not use ordinary Uchiha as test subjects.
• Orochimaru planned to discuss funding with Fugaku by offering a project to help the Uchiha awaken their eyes, and reminded Kagetsu that Konoha had three ancient Kekkei Genkai clans.

Orochimaru visited Fugaku and offered the Uchiha Clan technical support to study the Sharingan and awaken the Mangekyo in exchange for manpower, resources, and money. Fugaku deferred his decision to a clan meeting, then reeled when Orochimaru revealed that the Senju Clan’s Wood Release experiment had succeeded.

• Fugaku learned from Shisui that Orochimaru planned to visit and agreed to receive him at home.
• Orochimaru arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds with his team, praised Itachi’s talent, and met with Fugaku and his family.
• Orochimaru asked whether the Uchiha would invest manpower, resources, and money in the Technology Development Department, offering technical support in return.
• Orochimaru proposed researching ways to awaken the Sharingan and Mangekyo, shocking Fugaku, who said he needed to convene a clan meeting.
• As he left, Orochimaru told Fugaku that the Senju Clan’s Wood Release experiment had produced a successful test subject, leaving Fugaku stunned.

Kagetsu and Orochimaru used a Hashirama Cell tree to create fruits attuned to the Sharingan’s Yin Release power. The Uchiha Jonin received their fruits, but Kagetsu warned that eating one could either strengthen their ocular power or cause devastating mental harm.

• Orochimaru praised Kagetsu’s special tree, which was cultivated to weaken the assimilative power of Hashirama Cells.
• Uchiha Fugaku brought three Jonin, including Uchiha Minghuo, to provide their Sharingan’s ocular power for the experiment.
• The tree drained Chakra, flesh, and blood from the three Jonin until it had collected samples from them.
• Kagetsu and Orochimaru infused the tree with Chakra, causing it to produce three fruits for the Jonin.
• Kagetsu warned the Jonin that eating their fruits would create dangerous illusionary dreams that could either increase their ocular power or cause severe mental damage.

Kagetsu and Orochimaru prepared pills made from a substance derived from Hashirama Cells to test whether they could stimulate the Uchiha Sharingan’s evolution. After recovering their strength, Minghuo and two other Uchiha jonin were warned that the next experiment would trap them in a dangerous, grief-filled illusion.

• Fugaku asked how the fruit would be used, and Kagetsu explained that it would be made into pills to stimulate Sharingan evolution through an illusion.
• Kagetsu clarified that the pills could strengthen Three Tomoe eyes or potentially awaken a higher level, but only if the subjects had enough potential and avoided lasting mental trauma.
• Orochimaru gave Minghuo and the other two Uchiha jonin stamina-restoring pills, which quickly replenished their strength and Chakra.
• At Orochimaru’s instruction, the three Uchiha let small snakes draw blood for the next experiment.
• Orochimaru analyzed their blood and concluded that the Hashirama Cell-derived substance could rapidly restore stamina, Chakra, and injuries, though it carried risks.
• Kagetsu and Orochimaru gave the three Uchiha bluish-green pills and warned them to keep their minds stable inside the brutal illusion.

Uchiha Minghuo took Kagetsu’s pill and became trapped in an illusion so intense that Fugaku and the others had to subdue him. After Minghuo awoke, he said the ordeal had failed to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan and left him unsure whether reality was real.

• Uchiha Minghuo swallowed a pill, became violent under its effects, and attacked the others with Fire Release after resisting Kagetsu’s Shadow Binding Technique.
• Orochimaru and Kagetsu restrained Minghuo, and Fugaku knocked him unconscious; Kagetsu examined him and took a blood sample.
• Kagetsu told Fugaku that the experiment appeared successful but that Minghuo’s mental state needed observation, then returned the remaining pills.
• Kagetsu acknowledged to Orochimaru that he wanted to research the Uchiha’s Kekkei Genkai, while his Status Panel recorded new research progress and rewards.
• Minghuo awoke and told Fugaku that he had endured a long, hellish illusion but had not awakened the Mangekyo and could not tell reality from illusion.

Ming Huo’s ocular power surged after taking the Pill, letting him fight Fugaku nearly evenly before losing the spar. Kagetsu confirmed the surge would eventually stabilize, and Ming Huo accepted medicine to help his body adapt.

• Fugaku questioned whether the Pill was worth the clan’s investment, but Ming Huo reported that his ocular power had greatly increased.
• Fugaku and Ming Huo sparred, and the watching Uchiha Jonin realized the Pill could significantly enhance their strength.
• Fugaku defeated Ming Huo, who was delighted that he had kept pace with the Clan Head for so long.
• At a follow-up examination, Kagetsu explained that Ming Huo’s ocular power had temporarily surged after awakening from the Illusory World and would later stabilize.
• Ming Huo accepted Kagetsu’s offer of medicine to ease the strain on his eyes and help his body adapt.

Kagetsu defeated Anko in training and was recommended by Orochimaru, alongside Anko and Shisui, for Konoha’s Chunin Exams. Orochimaru then gave Kagetsu access to his corpse research materials and arranged for Namikaze Minato to teach him advanced Sealing Technique.

• Kagetsu used the Shadow Sewing Technique to bind Anko and win their sparring match.
• Orochimaru recommended Kagetsu, Anko, and Shisui for the Chunin Exams, offering to arrange Kagetsu’s Genin assessment.
• Danzo and the Hokage Advisors urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to stop Orochimaru’s work strengthening the Uchiha and to transfer the research to Root, but Hiruzen gave no clear approval.
• Orochimaru showed Kagetsu an underground store of corpses with special skills and Kekkei Genkai, and warned him against overusing Shadow Clones.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that Namikaze Minato had agreed to teach him advanced Sealing Technique.

Kagetsu began studying Mental Sealing with Namikaze Minato after demonstrating a strong foundation, then discussed his Shadow Puppet Technique idea with Shikaji. At the Technology Development Department, Orochimaru introduced Shin, who had offered his body for research in exchange for learning Cloning Technology, and Orochimaru accepted.

• Namikaze Minato tested Kagetsu's Sealing Technique knowledge and found his foundation solid, then agreed to prepare materials on Mental Sealing for their next lesson.
• Kagetsu chose to focus on Mental Sealing because he needed it for a ninjutsu he was developing.
• Shikaji assessed Kagetsu's Shadow Puppet Technique idea as a promising advanced secret technique with demanding requirements.
• Orochimaru introduced Shin to Kagetsu and explained that Shin's body did not reject foreign organs, making him unusually valuable for biological research.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that Shin wanted to learn Cloning Technology in exchange for submitting to research and experiments, and that he had accepted the offer.

Kagetsu discussed developing the Shadow Puppet Technique with Orochimaru and later received Minato's guidance on improving his Shadow Secret Technique with sealing formulas. Meanwhile, Shisui told the Uchiha clan that Danzō and the Advisors were trying to restrict the Pill project, and Fugaku prepared to challenge the order.

• Orochimaru praised Kagetsu's plan for the Shadow Puppet Technique and discussed its Chakra demands and the challenges of creating new ninjutsu.
• Shisui explained to the Uchiha clan that Shimura Danzō and the Advisors had issued the order against the Pill project without the Third Hokage's approval, and he relayed Orochimaru's support for continuing research and supplies.
• Uchiha Yashiro urged Fugaku to object at the Jonin Meeting, and Fugaku agreed to communicate with Orochimaru before taking action.
• Minato praised Kagetsu's hand-seal-free Shadow Secret Technique and explained how his Yin Chakra control and constitution supported his progress.
• Minato advised Kagetsu to seek sealing formulas that could let his Shadow Puppet Technique seal minds, control bodies, and read important memories.

Kagetsu, Shisui, and Anko passed the written Chunin Exam and quickly secured the required intelligence scroll in the Forest of Death. After reaching the destination first, they learned from Orochimaru that passing the exams did not guarantee promotion, and Kagetsu was told he could continue his Sealing Technique lessons with Minato before the third round.

• Minato wished Kagetsu luck before the Chunin Exams and assured him he would remain in the village for a few days.
• Kagetsu, Shisui, and Anko passed the written test and entered the Forest of Death for the team competition.
• Kagetsu's team ambushed a Kumogakure team, defeated its members, and took their intelligence scroll.
• The trio delivered and verified the required scrolls, becoming the first team to reach the destination.
• Orochimaru explained that advancement to Chunin depended on village standards and circumstances, not merely passing the exams.
• Orochimaru said Minato was a proctor and allowed Kagetsu to continue his Sealing Technique lessons before the third round.

Kagetsu received Minato and Kushina’s sealing materials to help develop his Yin Release technique, while Minato left the village for missions. Orochimaru then told Kagetsu that the Kurama Clan had offered funding and clan members’ bodies for research in hopes of preserving its dwindling Kekkei Genkai.

• Minato praised Kagetsu’s Yin Release control and gave him sealing techniques and rune combinations prepared with Kushina.
• Kagetsu thanked Minato, who left the village after the Chunin Exams and asked to see Kagetsu’s finished technique when he returned.
• Anko asked Orochimaru whether she, Kagetsu, and Shisui would become Chunin, and Orochimaru said their performance made promotion likely.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that the Kurama Clan had approached the Technology Development Department with money and clan members’ bodies for research.
• Orochimaru explained that the Kurama Clan feared extinction because few members of its new generation awakened its rare Genjutsu Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru and Kagetsu tested a drug and sealing technique intended to awaken Kurama Murakumo’s dormant Kekkei Genkai. Murakumo showed signs of Yin Release and genjutsu, but the experiment was stopped before his body and mind collapsed.

• The Kurama Clan Elder brought his sons, Kurama Murakumo and Kurama Unkai, to the Technology Development Department for Orochimaru’s experiment.
• Orochimaru warned the Elder that the voluntary experiment could end the boys’ ninja careers or kill them, and the Elder confirmed the clan understood the risks.
• Kagetsu confirmed the laboratory preparations were complete, and Murakumo volunteered to lie on the test bed.
• The equipment bound Murakumo, blocked his sight, and delivered the drug, causing his Yin Release Chakra and genjutsu to activate as he entered a strange dreamlike state.
• The Kurama Clan Elder recognized Murakumo’s Yin Release, while Orochimaru observed that his power was affecting the senses.
• Kagetsu warned that Murakumo’s body and mind were nearing collapse, so Orochimaru and Kagetsu activated the Sealing Technique to cut off his excessive Yin Release Chakra.

Orochimaru and Kagetsu concealed Kurama Murakumo’s successful Kekkei Genkai awakening, and Kagetsu later explained the experiment’s danger and recovery to him. After Murakumo fell asleep again, Kagetsu received a Golden Card reward that transformed a fragment of the Soul King’s Left Hand into a bloodline ability.

• Kurama Murakumo collapsed during the awakening experiment, and Orochimaru restrained Kurama Unkai while Kagetsu and the Kurama Clan Elder discussed his condition.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu that the experiment had succeeded and urged him to put research above consent and conventional rules; Kagetsu questioned their deception.
• Kurama Murakumo woke after several days, and Kagetsu explained that a potion had restored him but that he must avoid using Chakra until his body recovered.
• Kurama Murakumo thanked Kagetsu and fell asleep again, while Kagetsu reviewed the Kurama Clan research data.
• Kagetsu received Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Golden Card reward, integrating a fragment of the Soul King’s Left Hand into his bloodline; his mind and shadow changed as the new ability took effect.