Chapter Summaries

Yukina went to rest after Hirohiko explained she was exhausted from work, and Chiba asked about her condition. Chiba then reassured Hirohiko that they would avenge Nao and revealed plans to gather information on Uchiha Nobuhiko, before a visitor interrupted them.

• Yukina declined Chiba's help and went upstairs to sleep, while Hirohiko said she had been awake for two days arranging patrols and guards.
• Chiba asked about Yukina's workload and health, and Hirohiko said her condition had not changed and told him to ask her directly.
• While Chiba and Hirohiko washed dishes, Chiba promised they would kill Nao's murderer and avenge her, and Hirohiko unwittingly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Chiba explained that they had eyes and ears outside Konoha to help track Uchiha Nobuhiko and learn about his Sharingan abilities.
• A woman knocked at the door and called for Hirohiko before he could ask about Chiba's informants.

Mito Kiko visited Hirohiko after learning he had returned and gained some freedom, and Chiba watched their reunion from the kitchen. Chiba recognized Kiko and realized she had come to see her former comrade.

• Chiba wondered who was visiting Hirohiko and suspected the visitor might be a girl.
• Hirohiko opened the door and was surprised to see a delighted girl waiting outside.
• Hirohiko told the girl that he was no longer fully confined, though his actions were still monitored, and credited Chiba with arranging his freedom.
• The girl called Chiba a gloomy guy, while Hirohiko weakly defended him as someone who rarely refused requests.
• Hirohiko invited the girl, Mito Kiko, inside, and Chiba recognized her and recalled that they had served together during the Third Great Ninja War.

Chiba reunited with Mito Kiko and saw how deeply she cared for Hirohiko, while Kiko teased Chiba about his inability to refuse thanks and requests. As Chiba went to answer an unexpected knock at the door, he froze at whoever was waiting outside.

• Mito Kiko thanked Chiba for looking after Hirohiko and asked him to continue caring for him, making Chiba flustered with her stern manner.
• Hirohiko asked Kiko to stop teasing Chiba, and Kiko laughed as she explained that she had been testing him.
• Chiba realized Kiko's laughter came from relief and gratitude after learning Hirohiko had regained his freedom.
• Hirohiko offered Kiko tea, and Chiba volunteered to prepare it so the two could catch up.
• Someone knocked at the door, and Chiba opened it before freezing in shock at the visitor.

Chiba left the house to buy supplies while Hirohiko entertained the friends and comrades who had gathered to welcome him home. Seeing their trust in Hirohiko eased Chiba’s fears about him pursuing revenge, and Chiba hurried toward the shopping district.

• Chiba put away the tea set and left the kitchen to buy more supplies for Hirohiko’s visiting friends.
• Hirohiko offered to accompany Chiba, but Chiba declined and left the house.
• Hirohiko’s friends excitedly praised Chiba after he nodded to them, and Mito Kiko quieted them by offering embarrassing stories about him.
• Yukina listened from upstairs and felt reassured that Hirohiko had loyal friends who could support him.
• Chiba reflected that Hirohiko had earned his comrades’ trust and respect, then accelerated toward the shopping district.

After Hirohiko’s friends left, Chiba explained that he had recruited Hyuga Yukyō to investigate matters connected to Yukina. He began telling Hirohiko the full story, leaving the two of them talking late into the night.

• Hirohiko and Chiba said goodbye to Hirohiko’s friends, and Chiba reflected on the sincere bonds surrounding Hirohiko.
• Hirohiko asked Chiba to explain the eyes and ears he had mentioned.
• Chiba noticed Yukina listening from upstairs and waited until she went back to sleep before speaking privately.
• Chiba revealed that Hyuga Yukyō, also known as Snow Eagle, had agreed to investigate after Chiba helped him escape the village.
• Chiba told Hirohiko that the investigation concerned Yukina and began recounting the entire matter.

Chiba checked Yukina for side effects from her medicine and told her to keep taking it. The three friends parted at an intersection, with Chiba heading to the Hokage Building while Hirohiko and Yukina went to the reporting office and camp; Chiba had devised a preliminary plan overnight.

• Chiba asked Yukina about her vision, the medicine's effects, and possible side effects, then decided she should continue taking it without changing the dosage.
• Chiba, Hirohiko, and Yukina left the house together to handle their day's work.
• At an intersection, Chiba said he might not be home for dinner and headed toward the Hokage Building.
• Hirohiko and Yukina continued toward the reporting office and camp, while Hirohiko showed quiet resolve.
• After walking away, Chiba looked back fondly at his friends and hurried onward, pleased that he had devised a preliminary plan.

Chiba brought a revised Peace Alliance plan to a tense meeting of Konoha’s leaders. After reviewing it, they saw that it greatly simplified the original proposal and made success far more likely, though the chapter ended before they decided whether to proceed.

• Chiba entered the Hokage’s Office and found Minato Namikaze, the advisors, Danzo, Orochimaru, and other senior figures gathered to discuss the risky plan.
• Chiba handed Minato Namikaze a revised scroll, explaining that he had refined the proposal overnight.
• Minato Namikaze compared the revision with the original and found that it cut nearly half the steps while improving the plan’s chances of success.
• Minato Namikaze passed the revision among the attendees, who were shocked by how substantially Chiba had transformed the proposal.

Chiba presented a revised plan to prevent the Land of Earth delegation’s arrival from triggering chaos in Konoha, and the leaders hesitated over its risks. Before the vote, Chiba proposed that he command the plan’s execution, leaving the room silent as Danzo and Orochimaru reacted.

• Minato Namikaze asked the officials to judge Chiba’s revised plan, which simplified the operation and raised its success rate to ninety percent.
• The officials hesitated because failure could plunge Konoha into chaos, while the Land of Earth delegation was expected that night.
• Danzo was the first to agree with Chiba’s plan, and Minato Namikaze began asking the others to state their positions.
• Chiba interrupted the vote and proposed that the plan’s creator should command its execution.
• The officials turned their attention to Chiba as Minato Namikaze, Utatane Koharu, Danzo, and Orochimaru each reacted to his proposal.

Konoha's leaders debated whether Chiba should command the defense plan he had created, weighing his understanding of it against his lack of experience. Danzo unexpectedly supported Chiba, leaving the vote tilted in his favor despite Minato Namikaze's opposition.

• Minato Namikaze and the others hesitated between Chiba, Orochimaru, and the absent Nara Shikaku as commander of the operation.
• Utatane Koharu, Watanabe Kenshin, and Hyuga Hiashi agreed to give command to Chiba, while Yamanaka Maki opposed it.
• Mitokado Homura also supported Chiba, bringing the count to four in favor and one against.
• Minato Namikaze refused to support Chiba, citing the need for caution.
• Danzo unexpectedly agreed to Chiba's command, astonishing Chiba.

Iwama and the Iwa delegation paused near Konoha while learning that their separate squad had run into trouble, confirming that Konoha knew of their situation. Iwama changed the mission plan and led the delegation onward, keeping their intentions concealed until they reached Konoha.

• Iwama stopped the exhausted delegation to rest on the road to Konoha.
• An Iwa ninja showed Iwama a fading seal, signaling that the separate squad had run into trouble.
• Rando told Iwama to discuss the mission while Sanada was away, and Iwama concluded that Konoha knew about their situation and had another team.
• Iwama told his four trusted guards to hide any flaws and postpone all further plans until they reached Konoha.
• Sanada returned and reported that the road ahead was safe, so Iwama led the delegation onward.

After becoming commander, Chiba wondered why Danzo had supported him and remained wary of a hidden scheme. He began assigning preparations for the Kazekage and Peace Alliance delegation, then stopped Orochimaru to give him a task only he could complete.

• Chiba considered the votes that had made him commander and concluded Danzo's support was suspicious.
• Watanabe Kenshin offered the Defense Force's help, and Chiba gave him a scroll detailing the planned deployment.
• Yamanaka Maki agreed to carry out the intelligence department's assignments and left to arrange them.
• Chiba stopped Orochimaru and said he had a task only Orochimaru could complete, making Orochimaru uneasy.

Utatane Koharu backed Chiba as commander of the Peace Alliance plan despite her continuing opposition to his growing role in Konoha. Minato Namikaze accepted the outcome and considered Chiba a future successor, while Rasa decided to meet the Fourth Hokage after seeing Konoha’s goodwill toward Sunagakure.

• Mitokado Homura questioned Utatane Koharu about supporting Chiba, and she said he was better suited to the plan.
• Utatane Koharu remembered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plea but resolved that helping Chiba once did not mean she would support his deeper involvement in the village.
• Minato Namikaze reflected that Chiba had become commander and that his rising support could make him a successor when he turned twenty.
• Rasa learned that Konoha had kept its security measures around the annex unobtrusive and recognized the treatment as a sign of trust in Sunagakure.
• Rasa agreed with Monobe that there was no need to hesitate and ordered him to find the Fourth Hokage.

Watanabe Kenshin and Yamanaka Maki used Chiba’s detailed plans to reorganize the Defense Force and Intelligence Department, resolving the disruptions caused by sudden redeployments. With both preparations complete, Chiba rested in Secret Meeting Hall No. 2 and waited for nightfall.

• Watanabe Kenshin struggled with late personnel and scheduling problems in the Defense Force, then blamed his management and admired the solutions in Chiba’s plan.
• Watanabe Kenshin issued orders based on Chiba’s countermeasures, and the Defense Force’s disruptions were settled within thirty minutes.
• Yamanaka Maki and her deputy read Chiba’s recommendations for the Intelligence Department, and Maki ordered an intelligence network to track the group from the Land of Earth.
• The Intelligence Department completed its covert redeployments and investigations without abnormalities.
• Chiba reviewed the report, concluded the two most important steps were complete, and went back to sleep while waiting for nightfall.

Sanada escorted Iwama and the Land of Earth delegation to Konoha, where Chiba greeted them at the gates. Iwama feared Chiba’s presence meant Konoha knew of their scheme, leaving the delegation anxious as they entered the village.

• Sanada guided Iwama and the Land of Earth delegation toward Konoha after their journey passed without encountering spies.
• Iwama and his guards froze in shock when they saw Chiba waiting outside Konoha’s gates.
• Rando patted Iwama’s shoulder, bringing him back to his senses, and the delegation continued toward Chiba.
• Chiba politely apologized for the small welcome party and offered to lead the delegation into Konoha.
• Iwama entered beside Chiba, suspecting Konoha had discovered their scheme and sent Chiba to confront them.

Iwama realized that Chiba was likely assigned to monitor the Iwa delegation despite denying responsibility for their security. After regaining his resolve, Iwama ordered his team to follow the Third Tsuchikage’s instructions, stall during the Peace Alliance negotiations, and wait for an opportunity.

• Chiba told Iwama that other guards were responsible for the delegation’s security, and Iwama concealed his alarm until the door closed.
• Iwama told Rando and the four guards that Chiba had tested him and that Konoha likely knew their situation and had sent Chiba to watch them.
• Rando challenged Iwama to decide what to do as the delegation’s leader, prompting Iwama to overcome his wavering.
• Iwama ordered the team to proceed with the preliminary Peace Alliance negotiations, gather information, and stall for time while watching for gaps in Konoha’s defenses.
• Iwama urged the guards to rest and prepare for a hard battle, resolving to face Konoha’s Little Monster.

Chiba assessed Iwa’s ambassador and reaffirmed Konoha’s defensive plan before receiving intelligence reports and settling in at the command room. Meanwhile, Watanabe Kenshin told Yukina and Hirohiko that Chiba would be away for several days, then asked Yukina for a favor.

• Chiba recognized that Iwa’s ambassador was gathering intelligence and concluded that Konoha’s home-ground advantages still supported their plan.
• An Anbu Ninja delivered the intelligence Chiba had requested, and Chiba sent him away with two scrolls before going to sleep in the command room.
• Watanabe Kenshin visited Yukina and Hirohiko and told them Chiba would not return that day and would likely be away for several days on an important mission.
• Watanabe Kenshin asked Yukina for something, leaving her wondering whether the Defense Force had run into trouble.

Chiba woke up late in the secret meeting hall, hurried to the Land of Earth delegation’s courtyard, and prepared to continue his plan by meeting the ambassador. He arrived before the delegation went out and knocked on their door.

• Miyuu woke Chiba at eight in the morning, and he thanked her before washing up.
• Chiba left the secret meeting hall and hurried to the Land of Earth delegation’s courtyard.
• Chiba asked the guards whether the ambassador was still inside and learned that the night had been quiet.
• Chiba entered the courtyard and knocked on the delegation’s door, ready to begin the second step of his plan.

Iwama received Chiba, who said he would take the Land of Earth delegation on a tour of Konoha while preparations for the talks continued. After Rando suggested the Peace Alliance documents would not be needed that day, Iwama and his group set out with Chiba to tour the village, including unrepaired areas.

• Chiba knocked at the delegation’s residence, and Iwama answered while Rando quietly sat in the sitting room drinking tea.
• Chiba noticed Rando and wondered whether the old man, rather than Iwama, was the delegation’s true core.
• Chiba said the Hokage had ordered him to show Iwama and his group around Konoha because the village was not yet ready for the talks.
• Iwama asked for time to let his guards rest, and Chiba agreed to wait outside rather than enter the residence.
• Iwama emerged with his group, and Chiba led them on a tour of Konoha, including areas that had yet to be rebuilt.

Iwama and Rando realized that Taki Chiba had guided their attention and emotions throughout the day, making them lose track of time and fatigue. Iwama ended the chapter terrified, imagining himself bound like a puppet beneath Chiba’s shadow.

• Chiba bid Iwama and his party good night after leading them around Konoha all day.
• Rando called Chiba a master of controlling rhythm and people's hearts, prompting Iwama to recall the day's journey.
• Iwama realized he had felt neither fatigue nor the passage of time despite their packed tour and long travels.
• Rando explained that Chiba had drawn them into his rhythm by responding to their shifting attention and emotions.
• Rando feared that Konoha's vast reconstruction plans would make it more prosperous than the other great villages combined.
• Iwama suddenly felt terror, imagined shadowy threads binding him like a puppet, and stopped with his back drenched in cold sweat.

Iwama recovered from Chiba’s terrifying display and discussed Iwa’s choices with Rando. He rejected attacking Konoha as a trap and decided to wait, leaving the next move unresolved.

• Iwama dismissed his guards and met Rando in the inner hall.
• Rando asked whether Iwama would proceed with the peace negotiations or continue the plan to attack Konoha.
• Iwama reaffirmed his loyalty to Iwa and rejected abandoning the plan out of fear.
• Iwama argued that Konoha’s apparent defensive gaps were a trap and that an attack would repeat the disaster at Mount Kibitsu.
• When Rando asked for his plan, Iwama said they should wait.