Chapter Summaries

Chiba and Shitori Aburame gained the upper hand when Shitori’s insects disrupted Chiyo’s puppets, but Chiyo lured Shitori out and turned the fight against them. The chapter ended with Chiba’s kunai mysteriously veering toward Shitori after Chiyo flicked her hand.

• Shitori Aburame’s insects disrupted the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, causing them to stop moving as Chiyo withdrew control.
• Chiyo rushed toward the forest and detonated an Exploding Tag, revealing Shitori Aburame’s hiding place.
• Chiba and Shitori Aburame attacked Chiyo with kunai, water bullets, and insects, but Chiyo used the Body Flicker Technique to evade them.
• Chiyo appeared behind Shitori Aburame and kicked him toward Chiba.
• Chiba drew a kunai to attack Chiyo, but she flicked her hand and made the kunai fly toward Shitori Aburame instead.

Chiyo used her Puppet Performance: Human Body Skill to reveal that she had secretly attached Chakra threads to Chiba and taken control of his limbs. As Chiba realized she was steering him and Aburame Shitori toward the Earth Style: Rock Pillar Prison, Chiyo activated a blade-filled puppet and declared victory.

• Chiba released his kunai and struck Aburame Shitori aside, saving him from a fatal slash.
• Chiyo sent three kunai into a puppet, then used her fingers to make Chiba seize Aburame Shitori and fling him toward her.
• Chiba recognized Chiyo's puppet-controlling posture and realized she had secretly connected Chakra threads to his hands and feet during their earlier struggle.
• Chiyo controlled Chiba and Aburame Shitori as they rushed toward the four earthen mounds and the puppet positioned between them.
• Chiyo activated the puppet, which opened its arms and revealed layers of blades.

Chiba saved Aburame Shitori from Chiyo’s blade-filled puppet, then revealed that Chiyo had been poisoned by the kunai that grazed her cheek. Chiyo realized Chiba had prepared the poison as a backup plan, leaving her weakened and unable to control her puppets.

• Chiyo sent her puppet’s blades toward Aburame Shitori and Chiba as they flew into its grasp.
• Chiba grabbed Aburame Shitori at the last moment and escaped the puppet’s closing blades.
• Chiyo’s Chakra threads weakened as poison began affecting her body.
• Chiyo recognized the poison as her own toxin and traced it to the kunai that had grazed her cheek.
• Chiyo realized Chiba had planted this backup plan earlier in their fight.

Chiba’s poison weakened Chiyo, and he waited for her to reach for a syringe before springing a coordinated ambush with Aburame Shitori. The chapter ended as an unseen attacker descended on Chiyo’s immobilized hand.

• Chiba cut Chiyo’s chakra threads and confirmed that Aburame Shitori could still sense the insects he had positioned.
• Chiyo realized Chiba had spent their fight buying time for her poison to take effect, leaving her severely weakened.
• Chiyo reached for a syringe in her Ninja Tool Pouch, and Chiba shouted for Shitori to act.
• Shitori’s insects burst from the ground and trapped Chiyo’s arm before she could inject herself.
• A figure erupted from the ground behind Chiba and brought a blade down toward Chiyo’s insect-wrapped hand.

Chiba seized Chiyo’s antidote after revealing that Konoha’s supposed antidote and escort mission had been a deception. As Kakashi, Morino Ibuse, and Shiga Takeyoshi arrived with the gravely injured Shiga, red smoke engulfed the battlefield and Chiba prepared for Chiyo’s next move.

• Chiba severed Chiyo’s arm and took the syringe containing her antidote while she realized Konoha had used the mission as bait.
• Chiba reflected that the fake antidote had been a ruse to draw out Sunagakure’s spy and that he had changed the plan to force Chiyo to use her own antidote.
• Aburame Shitori recognized Chiba’s true objective and admired his deception.
• Kakashi, Morino Ibuse, and Shiga Takeyoshi emerged from the forest, with Ibuse carrying the gravely injured Shiga.
• Chiyo’s location erupted in red smoke, and Chiba protected the antidote while listening for an attack through the haze.

Chiba stopped the others from pursuing Chiyo and organized their retreat while he treated the wounded. As Kakashi and Aburame Shitori carried the poisoned men back to the village, Morino Ibuse silently reached for his sword behind Chiba, and blood spilled in the darkness.

• Chiba ordered Aburame Shitori not to pursue Chiyo, who had escaped with the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.
• Chiba sent Aburame Shitori and Kakashi back to the village with the poisoned Ino-Shika-Cho so Yuriko could prepare an antidote.
• Chiba used Medical Ninjutsu to treat Kakashi, then stayed behind to tend to the gravely wounded Shiga Takeyoshi.
• Morino Ibuse refused treatment for his arm and watched Kakashi and Aburame Shitori leave with the poisoned men.
• As Chiba focused on Shiga Takeyoshi, Morino Ibuse reached for his Ninja Sword, and blood spurted when night fell.

At Konoha Hospital, Yuriko failed to develop an antidote until an Anbu Ninja brought her the real one recovered by Chiba’s team. After nearly dropping it when she collapsed from exhaustion, Yuriko resolved to analyze it and produce more as quickly as possible.

• Yuriko repeatedly failed to recreate an antidote for the deadly toxin and worried that Chiba’s plan might not work.
• An Anbu Ninja told Yuriko that Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza had been poisoned, then gave her the real antidote brought back by Aburame Shitori and Kakashi.
• Yuriko collapsed from exhaustion, but the Anbu Ninja caught her and kept the syringe safe.
• A young nurse mistakenly walked in on Yuriko in the Anbu Ninja’s arms, prompting them to separate in embarrassment.
• Yuriko called for Doctor Watanabe to help analyze the antidote and began preparing to produce more.

The Third Hokage reflected on Chiba’s brilliant plan to secure the antidote and worried about protecting him and Konoha’s other young people as war approached. At Konoha Hospital, Shiga Takeyoshi was stable after emergency treatment, but Morino Ibuse collapsed before he could tell Yukina and Hirohiko whether Chiba had returned.

• The Third Hokage reread Chiba’s report, recognized that Chiba had devised the successful plan alone, and worried about how to protect and nurture him.
• The Third Hokage questioned whether he was a qualified Hokage as he contemplated the approaching war and the danger to Konoha’s children.
• Hokoma told the Third Hokage that Shinsu had returned and Shiga Takeyoshi had been hospitalized with severe injuries.
• A physician began treating Shiga Takeyoshi, whose wounds had already been stabilized and who was no longer in immediate danger.
• Kinoi Kento urged Morino Ibuse to get treatment, but Morino Ibuse insisted on seeing the Third Hokage first.
• Yukina and Hirohiko asked Morino Ibuse whether Chiba had returned, but he collapsed before answering, so they hurried to find a physician.

Chiba struggled through the freezing forest with a severe wound after a Sunagakure ninja’s ambush left Morino Ibuse and Shiga Takeyoshi injured. Exhaustion and sleepiness overwhelmed him, and he collapsed in the snow before reaching the village.

• A hidden Sunagakure ninja attacked Chiba from behind, and Morino Ibuse took a slash while trying to shield him.
• Morino Ibuse killed the attacker, while Chiba treated Morino Ibuse and Shiga Takeyoshi despite running out of Chakra and stamina.
• Chiba sent Morino Ibuse back toward the village with Shiga Takeyoshi, then set off alone after resting and bandaging his wound.
• Chiba fought off drowsiness by trying to think through a summary of the battle, but slipped from a branch and collapsed face-first in the winter forest.

After using Medical Ninjutsu to save the others, Chiba struggled through a snowy forest, reflecting on his battle with Chiyo as exhaustion and cold overtook him. He collapsed, but someone called his name from nearby.

• Chiba forced himself to keep walking despite his injuries, exhaustion, and the snowfall.
• Chiba recalled how discarding his weapon and distracting Chiyo had helped him survive, and resolved not to gamble with his life that way again.
• Chiba reflected that he needed to improve his ability to read and guide the flow of battle.
• Chiba’s eyes closed and he collapsed in the forest.
• An excited voice called out, “Chiba!”

Chiba woke in Konoha Hospital after his battle with Chiyo and learned that the antidote had saved Shiga and Shinsu-sensei. When he asked Hirohiko where Yukina was, Hirohiko’s reaction made Chiba fear that something had happened to her.

• Chiba woke in Konoha Hospital and decided to focus on completing the Yin Seal rather than continuing his training.
• Keiko checked Chiba’s IV and arranged for a doctor to examine him, while Chiba hoped to avoid more hospital meals.
• Hirohiko visited Chiba and told him that he had been unconscious for less than two days and that the antidote had been developed successfully.
• Hirohiko said Shiga and Shinsu-sensei had passed the critical stage, and Chiba asked him to bring him flavorful food during his observation period.
• Chiba asked where Yukina was, noticed Hirohiko’s expression change, and anxiously demanded to know what had happened to her.

Chiba learned that his injuries had healed, but he had to remain under observation for two more days, and he anxiously pressed Hirohiko for news about Yukina. Watanabe Hiroshi invited Chiba to help at the hospital after discharge, while telling Keiko that he admired Chiba’s skill and courage and hoped the work would improve Chiba’s reputation.

• A Medical Ninja told Chiba that his injuries had healed but required two more days of observation, while Chiba worried about Yukina and watched Hirohiko for answers.
• Watanabe Hiroshi invited Chiba to help at the hospital after discharge, and Chiba said he would think about it.
• After Keiko and Watanabe Hiroshi left the room, Chiba asked Hirohiko to tell him what had happened to Yukina.
• Watanabe Hiroshi asked Keiko for her honest opinion of Chiba, then praised Chiba’s Medical Ninjutsu, bravery, and willingness to save others.
• Watanabe Hiroshi explained that he hoped Chiba’s hospital work would help change the public’s prejudiced view of him, and Keiko agreed that many colleagues wanted Chiba to join them.

Ono Koichi recovered in the hospital and learned why Hyuga Yukina had struck him while trying to reach the injured Taki Chiba. Chiba was relieved to hear Yukina was safe, but Nara Shikaku arrived at his ward to speak with him.

• Shimono Jun visited Ono Koichi, who recounted how Yukina knocked him unconscious after he tried to stop her leaving the village to rescue a companion.
• Ono Koichi and Shimono Jun discussed Yukina's powerful Pressure Point Strike and learned that Taki Chiba had risked his life to save Wuyue and struggled back toward the village despite severe injuries.
• Shimono Jun described how Chiba had endured a blade strike while treating Wuyue, then walked for hours through the freezing cold before collapsing near the village.
• Chiba felt relieved when Hirohiko told him Yukina was only confined at home to reflect, not seriously punished or injured.
• Nara Shikaku appeared at Chiba's ward and asked whether he had time to talk.

Nara Shikaku visited Chiba to discuss Sunagakure’s unusually determined effort to intercept the antidote. Chiba concluded that Sunagakure intended to use its poison to devastate Konoha’s border forces, and Nara Shikaku recognized that their assessments matched.

• Hirohiko left Chiba’s hospital room after telling him he would return at noon.
• Nara Shikaku thanked Chiba for arriving with reinforcements, and Chiba awkwardly blamed himself for using Nara Shikaku as bait.
• Nara Shikaku asked Chiba whether he had other thoughts about the mission to deliver the antidote.
• Chiba explained that Sunagakure’s decision to send Chiyo to intercept the antidote was abnormal and must serve a larger objective.
• Chiba said Sunagakure likely planned to use poison to cripple Konoha’s border forces or break through their front lines, and Nara Shikaku saw that their conclusions matched.

Chiba explained to Nara Shikaku how Sunagakure could exploit the poison and a failed antidote delivery to shatter Konoha’s front lines, and why he could not risk Konoha’s defeat. Their discussion turned to Sunagakure’s suspicious lack of action, and Chiba asked whether the Third Hokage had done anything over the past three days.

• Chiba told Nara Shikaku that Sunagakure had intercepted the antidote delivery to buy time for a devastating attack on Konoha’s front lines.
• Nara Shikaku agreed with Chiba’s assessment, and Chiba resolved that he had to protect Konoha rather than gamble on whether history could be changed.
• Chiba asked whether Sunagakure had made any moves, and Nara Shikaku said its inactivity was what had made him doubt their theory.
• Chiba and Nara Shikaku noted that Chiyo should have returned to Sunagakure’s front lines and that the delay before an antidote arrived seemed like an ideal opportunity to attack.
• Chiba asked whether the Third Hokage had made any moves during the past three days, leaving Nara Shikaku stunned by the question.

Chiba assessed why Sunagakure had not attacked despite Konoha’s delayed antidote delivery, suspecting Ebizo had a hidden plan. He asked Nara Shikaku for a map of the military situation so he could judge the front lines more accurately.

• Nara Shikaku explained that Konoha had pulled its front lines back several dozen kilometers and sent overt and covert teams carrying antidotes, expected to arrive in seven and five days respectively.
• Chiba reasoned that Ebizo could exploit the delay and Chiyo’s poison to strike Konoha while its forces were vulnerable.
• Nara Shikaku reported that Sunagakure had shown no response to Konoha’s retreat and suggested it might suspect the abandoned area was trapped.
• Chiba remained convinced that Sunagakure’s inaction concealed a flaw or scheme and asked Nara Shikaku to show him a map of the military situation.

Chiba studied the map of the Konoha–Sunagakure front and deduced that Ebizo was preparing a surprise attack on Mount Kibitsu. He warned Nara Shikaku that the situation was urgent and said he had an idea.

• Nara Shikaku handed Chiba a map showing Sunagakure's forces in the Land of Rivers and Konoha's front line pulled back within its borders.
• Chiba reasoned that Sunagakure would exploit Konoha's recent defeat and seek to weaken its rivals while preparing another attack.
• Chiba noticed Mount Kibitsu and Kikyo Castle on the map and recognized the location as the site of a future major battle.
• Chiba deduced that Ebizo could send a force through the Land of Rain to seize the weakened Mount Kibitsu defenses, then pincer Konoha's front line.
• Chiba told Nara Shikaku that the situation was urgent and announced that he had an idea.

Nara Shikaku left the hospital to report Chiba’s battle-plan insights to the Third Hokage, while Chiba reflected on the coming Mount Kibitsu Battle and resolved to focus on mastering the Yin Seal. Hyuga Yumiko delivered food from Yukina and then asked Chiba for help with something concerning her.

• Nara Shikaku accepted Chiba’s deductions about Sunagakure’s strategy and headed to the Hokage Building to report them.
• Chiba watched the snowfall, considered the timing of the Mount Kibitsu Battle, and resolved to devote himself to constructing the Yin Seal.
• Hyuga Yumiko arrived with a food box that Yukina had secretly sent to Chiba.
• Yumiko revealed that she wanted Chiba’s help regarding Yukina, and Chiba promised to help.

Hyuga Yukina remained in the confinement room after defying her father, Shinsuke, and Hizashi secretly brought her warm clothes and urged her to protect her health. Elsewhere, Yumiko begged Chiba to persuade Yukina before the confinement killed her.

• Shinsuke ordered Yukina to remain confined indefinitely and forbade anyone from approaching the room.
• Hizashi convinced the guards to let him visit Yukina briefly and bring her warm clothes.
• Hizashi checked that Yukina was not ill, then urged her to stay warm and practice the Gentle Fist.
• Yukina remained determined not to be powerless while others were hurt.
• Yumiko bowed before Chiba in the hospital and pleaded with him to persuade Yukina before she died.

Chiba learned that Yukina had been confined after demanding to take wartime missions, possibly because she wanted to protect him and Hirohiko. Worried that the freezing confinement chamber could bring back her childhood illness, Chiba promised Yumiko he would try to persuade Yukina, while questioning whether doing so would disrespect her resolve.

• After Morino Ibuse woke, Yukina knocked out a gate ninja and carried the badly injured Chiba to the hospital when the guards would not let her leave Konoha.
• The Third Hokage ordered Yukina confined for three days for attacking a comrade, though the matter seemed settled after the gate ninja recovered and held no grudge.
• While confined, Yukina asked Hyuga Shinsuke to let her take missions and go to the battlefield, and he angrily placed her in the Hyuga Clan's confinement chamber.
• Yumiko told Chiba that Yukina's childhood illness could potentially recur and that the chamber's constant cold made her confinement dangerous.
• Chiba agreed to try to persuade Yukina, but wondered whether doing so would trample on her determination to protect him and Hirohiko.