Chapter Summaries

After Yumiko left, Chiba planned to sneak into the Hyuga Clan residence to visit the confined Yukina and began studying the map she had given him. He ate the food Yumiko brought, then noticed that Hirohiko and Keiko were both missing, leaving him uneasy about the strange day.

• Chiba suspected Yumiko had brought food to persuade him to help Yukina, and reasoned that Yukina must have told her about Morino Ibuse's collapse.
• Chiba concluded that he would have to sneak into the Hyuga Clan residence to reach Yukina, and decided to act after the hospital's nighttime rounds.
• Chiba ravenously ate the food while Keiko watched from outside the room, then left with the lunchbox she had brought for him.
• Chiba wondered whether persuading Yukina to stop taking missions was truly best for her, then went to wash his hands before studying Yumiko's map.
• Chiba noticed that Hirohiko had not returned and Keiko had not brought his hospital meal, and wondered what was happening.

Chiba attempted to sneak into the Hyuga Clan estate but was nearly exposed by its hidden sentries. Hyuga Yukyō appeared and covered for him by pretending Chiba had come for a sparring session, then led him through the front gate.

• Chiba left Konoha Hospital at night and headed through the snow toward the Hyuga Clan estate.
• Chiba used his enhanced senses to locate seven hidden sentries and realized his chosen entry point was too risky.
• Hyuga Yukyō approached Chiba from behind, catching him off guard.
• Hyuga Yukyō claimed he had been waiting for Chiba for a sparring session, convincing the sentries that Chiba was an invited guest.
• Hyuga Yukyō led Chiba toward the estate's front gate while Chiba followed, irritated but keeping up the act.

Chiba entered the Hyuga residence with Hyuga Yukyō and discovered that Yukyō had anticipated his attempt to reach Yukina. Yukyō revealed that he had been waiting for Chiba and Hirohiko to help persuade her, and the two boys ended the chapter arguing face-to-face.

• Hyuga Yukyō escorted Chiba into the Hyuga residence under the pretense of sparring practice, where Chiba found Hirohiko waiting.
• Yukyō angrily scolded Chiba and Hirohiko for planning to infiltrate the heavily guarded residence, then admitted he had expected them to come because Yukina was in trouble.
• Chiba realized Yukyō had been waiting for them to persuade Yukina after failing to change Hyuga Shinsuke's or Yukina's minds himself.
• Chiba mocked Yukyō for relying on outsiders to help his sister, and Yukyō grabbed him by the collar.
• Chiba grabbed Yukyō back, and the two glared at each other while Hirohiko watched.

Chiba, Hyuga Yukyō, and Hirohiko concealed their plan concerning Yukina when Hyuga Shinsuke unexpectedly found them together. Shinsuke summoned Chiba to his room, and the others decided to postpone their plan until tomorrow.

• Chiba, Hyuga Yukyō, and Hirohiko stopped their argument and tried to hide their intentions when Hyuga Shinsuke appeared.
• Chiba and Hyuga Yukyō claimed they had gathered to spar, while Hirohiko struggled to stay silent as Shinsuke questioned them.
• Chiba explained that they wanted to train despite the late hour, and Shinsuke accepted the excuse and prepared to leave.
• Shinsuke asked Chiba to come to his room after sparring, but Chiba chose to go with him immediately.
• Hyuga Yukyō and Hirohiko agreed to move their plan concerning Yukina to tomorrow.

After more than 170 failed attempts to land a hit during a three-hour spar, Chiba impressed Hyuga Shinsuke, who decided to help train him. Chiba then asked Shinsuke to end Yukina’s confinement, arguing that her mission request would not be approved by the Third Hokage anyway, and Shinsuke began to question whether his punishment had put her at risk.

• Chiba sparred with Hyuga Shinsuke for three hours, repeatedly losing despite opening Gate of Pain Mode and eventually coming close to landing a kick.
• Hyuga Shinsuke praised Chiba’s speed, power, endurance, and potential, and offered to let him stay overnight because of the snow.
• Chiba asked Hyuga Shinsuke to end Yukina’s confinement, but refused to reveal who had told him about it.
• Hyuga Shinsuke warned Chiba not to interfere in a private Hyuga Clan matter.
• Chiba argued that the Third Hokage would not approve Yukina’s mission request and that confining her could put her in danger, making Hyuga Shinsuke reconsider his decision.

Chiba persuaded Hyuga Shinsuke to lift Yukina’s confinement, but Shinsuke’s hidden visitor revealed the political danger behind his decision. The visitor was a former disciple who had joined Akatsuki and warned Shinsuke that Yukina and Shinsuke himself could become targets amid the Hyuga succession struggle.

• Hyuga Shinsuke agreed to lift Yukina’s confinement the next day, and Chiba left with Kentaro while wondering why Shinsuke had agreed so easily.
• After Chiba departed, Hyuga Shinsuke met a hooded former disciple whose scarlet eyes showed he had joined Akatsuki.
• The shadow warned Hyuga Shinsuke that Hyuga Shinma might suspect him for supporting Hizashi Hyuga over Hiashi and could use the Caged Bird Seal against Yukina.
• Hyuga Shinsuke challenged the shadow about his intentions, and the shadow claimed he had come to help his teacher fulfill his ambitions.
• Hyuga Shinsuke reflected that he had confined Yukina partly to protect her and partly to test the shadow’s feelings, but Chiba’s advice had shown him that his actions could provoke suspicion.

A shadowy figure watched Taki Chiba and assessed his abilities, then vanished before Chiba returned to the hospital. The next morning, Chiba began building the Yin Seal’s Sealing Jutsu Formula to prepare for the coming war.

• A figure in a black coat identified Taki Chiba and questioned why Hyuga Shinsuke had chosen him to protect his daughter.
• The figure used his scarlet eyes to assess Chiba’s Chakra, taijutsu, and secret technique, then disappeared as Chiba sensed someone watching him.
• Chiba returned to the hospital at two in the morning, slipped into his bed unnoticed, and slept late while Keiko chose not to wake him.
• Chiba decided to focus on constructing the Yin Seal’s formula, hoping the S-rank Sealing Jutsu would improve his chances of surviving the war.
• Chiba entered Gate of Life Mode and steadily converted his Chakra into the formula’s black framework, nearing completion.

Chiba struggled to construct the first primary Sealing Jutsu Formula while practicing the Yin Seal, and Hirohiko waited until he woke before sharing news about Yukina and his upcoming mission. Hirohiko left to protect a logistics unit, and Chiba tried to shake him out of his distraction before he went.

• Chiba woke after spending more than two hours attempting to construct a primary Sealing Jutsu Formula, and Hirohiko told him he had been waiting nearby.
• Chiba ate cold barbecue with Hirohiko, who said Yukina had been released from solitary confinement but confined to her home, and that Snow Eagle had thanked Chiba.
• Hirohiko told Chiba he was leaving that afternoon to protect a logistics unit, and Chiba warned him to be careful.
• Before leaving, Hirohiko urged Chiba to visit Yukina and said Chiba had done the right thing.
• Chiba threw snow at Hirohiko from the hospital window and told him to pull himself together, and Hirohiko acknowledged him.

After being discharged, Chiba declined Doctor Watanabe’s offer to help at the hospital. He left for Ichiraku Ramen, calmly facing the villagers’ insults and promising to seek Watanabe out if he wanted to intern later.

• Chiba completed his discharge procedures after two days of observation and headed out of Konoha Hospital, thinking about Hirohiko’s mission and his Yin Seal practice.
• Chiba walked through the snow toward Ichiraku Ramen, enjoying the crunch beneath his feet while continuing to think about the Yin Seal.
• Doctor Watanabe caught up with Chiba and asked whether he had reconsidered helping at the hospital.
• Villagers insulted Chiba and called him a traitor, upsetting Watanabe, but Chiba told him he was used to it and that the hostility helped him recognize who treated him sincerely.
• Chiba declined Watanabe’s offer for now, thanked him, and said he would look for him if he ever wanted to intern at the hospital.

Chiba rejected the safer path of becoming a Medical Ninja and embraced his ambition to change the history of the Naruto World. As the Third Hokage weighed Chiba’s uncanny predictions against a prophecy of world destruction, Chiba was summoned to spar with Hyuga Shinsuke.

• Chiba reflected on his growing ambition, then ordered two extra-large bowls of tonkotsu ramen at Ichiraku Ramen.
• The Third Hokage reviewed reports confirming that Sunagakure had attacked Kikyo Castle and examined how the battle matched Shikaku and Chiba’s predictions.
• The Third Hokage recalled the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy about someone who knew everything and would bring about the world’s destruction, but dismissed the idea that Chiba was that person.
• Hyuga Kentaro invited Chiba to meet Hyuga Shinsuke, and Chiba followed him to the Hyuga Clan compound.
• Hyuga Shinsuke asked Chiba to spar with him, leaving Chiba astonished.

Chiba completed the Yin Seal and began storing Chakra in it, while his sparring with Hyuga Shinsuke and Hizashi Hyuga greatly improved his taijutsu. An Anbu Ninja then summoned him to meet the Third Hokage, leaving Chiba wondering whether he would receive a mission as the Mount Kibitsu Battle neared its final stage.

• Chiba finished constructing the Yin Seal and discovered that storing Chakra in Gate of Pain Mode filled it faster but rapidly drained his Chakra and stamina.
• Chiba reflected on his losses to Hyuga Shinsuke and Hizashi Hyuga and recognized how much his taijutsu had improved through their sparring.
• Chiba decided to resume his daily training after completing the Yin Seal.
• Hyuga Kentaro arrived to summon Chiba for Hyuga Shinsuke, but an Anbu Ninja delivered the Third Hokage's request for Chiba to come in.

The Third Hokage reviewed the devastating Battle of Mount Kibitsu, in which Chiba’s strategy helped Konoha crush Sunagakure’s forces at the cost of heavy casualties. He ordered Chiba’s role concealed and entrusted Kenichi with a secret scroll, then received a message that left him shocked.

• Sunagakure’s surprise attack on Kikyo Castle was ambushed, then Konoha’s frontline forces struck and routed the attackers.
• Sunagakure’s border forces launched a second assault, but Konoha’s prepared troops defeated them and drove survivors into a trap.
• The Third Hokage ordered Mizutori to protect the captured young ninja and recalled how Chiba had devised the battle plan.
• The Third Hokage ordered Munemasa to bring Chiba and told Kenichi to attribute the plan to Nara Shikaku.
• The Third Hokage gave Kenichi a secret scroll to protect and ordered him to deliver it to the Sannin and the Anbu commander if anything happened to him.
• The Third Hokage read a new note and began coughing in agitation.

Chiba learned that Konoha had won the Mount Kibitsu Battle and that Iwagakure had attacked the weakened Sunagakure. The Third Hokage asked Chiba and Hokoma what Konoha should do next, leaving Chiba to recognize that the Hokage wanted his strategic opinion.

• Hokoma brought Chiba to the Hokage's Office, where the Third Hokage asked them to read the Mount Kibitsu battle report.
• Chiba learned that Konoha had won the battle in two days and one night, though cleanup had taken half a month.
• The Third Hokage gave Chiba a letter reporting that Iwagakure had attacked Sunagakure along its borders with the Land of Birds and the Land of Rain.
• Chiba read intelligence describing Iwagakure's strong defensive deployments along its border with Konoha.
• The Third Hokage asked Chiba and Hokoma how Konoha should respond to Iwagakure's actions, and Chiba realized the Hokage was seeking his advice.

The Third Hokage asked Hokoma and Chiba for strategic advice after Konoha's victory at Mount Kibitsu. Hokoma urged postwar consolidation, while Chiba proposed a bold plan to support Sunagakure and bring an alliance document, leaving the Third Hokage considering the idea as Hokoma reacted with disbelief.

• The Third Hokage invited Hokoma and Chiba to share their views on Konoha's strategic direction.
• Hokoma recommended stabilizing Konoha's defenses, logistics, and troops rather than rushing into another war.
• Chiba proposed sending additional manpower to the Land of Earth border, then transferring the Sunagakure-border forces there.
• Chiba said the forces should cross the Border Line, divide between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Grass, and send elite units to support Sunagakure.
• Chiba added that Konoha should bring an Alliance Document, surprising Hokoma and making the Third Hokage pause to think.

Chiba argued that Konoha should ally with and support Sunagakure to keep the Land of Earth occupied and deter attacks on the Land of Fire. The Third Hokage and Hokoma were impressed by Chiba’s further, more ambitious plan, though its details were not revealed in the chapter.

• Chiba pointed out that the Land of Earth had gathered over a thousand ninja and could threaten Konoha after defeating Sunagakure.
• Chiba warned that the Land of Lightning might exploit a conflict between Konoha and Iwa to attack from another direction.
• Chiba proposed an alliance with Sunagakure and support for its fight against Iwa to preserve its forces and restrain the Land of Earth.
• Chiba insisted that Sunagakure would accept because it urgently needed allies after its defeat, and the Third Hokage recognized the strategy’s logic.
• Chiba began explaining a larger plan, leaving the Third Hokage and Hokoma astonished by its scope and feasibility.

Chiba persuaded the Third Hokage to approve a support mission to aid Sunagakure and asked to undertake it alone. The mission was set to depart the next day, while the Third Hokage summoned Minato to discuss Chiba again.

• After hearing Chiba's plan, the Third Hokage agreed that the support mission could proceed and began considering its candidates.
• Chiba requested a team of no more than three people, then insisted that he go alone so he could gain approval to carry out solo missions.
• The Third Hokage approved Chiba's solo mission and ordered Hokoma to send the former Sunagakure border forces to their station.
• The Third Hokage asked Hokoma whether Minato had returned, and Minato arrived at the office shortly afterward.
• The Third Hokage told Minato he wanted to revisit Chiba's situation, while Chiba left for his cabin worried that he had overlooked something before the mission's departure the next day.

Chiba departed Konoha alone for a dangerous support mission, hoping to prove himself and join the battle at Kannabi Bridge. Meanwhile, Ebizo reflected on Sunagakure’s devastating losses before learning that Iwa had attacked, and ordered his forces to follow the plan.

• Chiba checked his supplies at Konoha’s gate and set out toward the border between the Land of Birds and the Land of Rain, determined to complete his mission brilliantly.
• The Third Hokage worried that sending Chiba alone was rash, but recognized his talent, perseverance, and resolve.
• Ebizo reviewed how Konoha’s strategist had lured Sunagakure into a trap at Kikyo Castle and caused its elite forces to be wiped out.
• A Sunagakure ninja reported that Iwa had launched an attack, and Ebizo ordered his forces to proceed according to the plan.

Kitsuchi and Ebizo traded feints as Iwagakure and Sunagakure fought in the forest between the Land of Birds and the Land of Rain. After Ebizo pushed his forces forward and caught another Iwagakure unit, Kitsuchi recognized the opening and ordered his Earth Release users to prepare for a decisive attack.

• Kitsuchi ordered Iwagakure to keep sending feint units despite learning that Ebizo had wiped out fifteen men.
• Ebizo learned that Sunagakure had lost one ninja while killing all fifteen attackers, and ordered his troops to keep ambushing future feint units.
• Ebizo pushed Sunagakure's line forward, and Iwagakure's next feint unit was ambushed in an area it had considered safe.
• Kitsuchi located the ambush on the map and ordered every Earth Release user to prepare for his plan.
• Kitsuchi told his forces to rest before finishing Sunagakure the next morning.

Kitsuchi led Iwagakure in a massive Earth Release attack meant to crush Sunagakure's remaining forces, but the forest had been a decoy. The armies began their final battle, while Chiba, already in the Land of Rain, felt a distant tremor.

• Kitsuchi and more than a hundred Earth Release experts lifted and crushed most of the forest, believing they had trapped Ebizo and Sunagakure's forces inside.
• Kitsuchi ordered Iwagakure to withdraw, and the collapsed landmass revealed a ruined wasteland with no apparent survivors.
• The dust cleared to reveal Ebizo and Sunagakure's forces waiting safely beyond the destruction, ready to charge.
• Kitsuchi rallied his exhausted troops and ordered them to fight Sunagakure on the open ground.
• The two armies charged and began exchanging Kunai, Shuriken, and Exploding Tags as the decisive battle started.
• Far away in the Land of Rain, Chiba noticed the tremor and wondered whether it had come from the battlefield.

Kitsuchi’s Iwagakure force cornered Ebizo and the last Sunagakure survivors after a two-day battle, and Kitsuchi prepared to finish them. Just as both sides braced for the final clash, a fast-arriving youth appeared and struck at Kitsuchi.

• Kitsuchi learned that fifteen Iwagakure reinforcements had arrived and watched them cut off Ebizo’s retreat.
• Ebizo believed Mount Kibitsu’s defeat had left Sunagakure without hope, but rallied his remaining ninja to make a final stand.
• Kitsuchi asked how Ebizo had discovered his Earth Flow River plan, and Ebizo explained that Kitsuchi’s father had used the same tactic in the Second Great Ninja War.
• As Kitsuchi raised his hand to order the attack, an Iwagakure ninja warned that someone was approaching at great speed.
• A handsome youth appeared in midair to Kitsuchi’s left and brought a punch crashing down.