Chapter Summaries

After Hidezawa and his team brought the Fourth Raikage to a Root base, Hiruzen learned how they had captured him and discussed the incident with Tsunade. Tsunade decided to take Hidezawa to live at the Senju Clan’s Ancestral Home, leaving him bewildered.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō went to the Root base, where the Fourth Raikage confronted them and Hidezawa explained that he had been captured while seeking Tsunade’s help for his subordinates.
• Shisui reported how Hidezawa, Tsunade, and the team had captured the Fourth Raikage, and Hiruzen praised their work before asking Hidezawa to focus future missions on capturing Obito Uchiha.
• Hidezawa received ten Free Points and Lightning Release Chakra Mode insight, then upgraded his Cursed Seal and Yin Release and asked Yugao whether she wanted to study under Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō that Hidezawa was an orphan from the Konohagakure Orphanage who had awakened Wood Release, and she learned that Obito Uchiha also possessed Wood Release and the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Tsunade decided Hidezawa should leave the Anbu and stay at the Senju Clan’s Ancestral Home, then ordered him, Yugao, and Shisui to help clean the house and told Hidezawa to move in with her.

The Fourth Raikage planned to spread news of Konoha’s Wood Release and Mangekyō Sharingan to provoke Iwagakure, while Tsunade brought Hidezawa into the Senju home as her student. As Shisui prepared to return to his clan, Hidezawa warned him that using Kotoamatsukami to change Uchiha Fugaku’s will would deepen distrust and suggested a harsher way to counter those manipulating him; Shisui left convinced he understood Shimura Danzō.

• The Fourth Raikage ordered his subordinate to publicize Konoha’s Wood Release and Mangekyō Sharingan in Iwagakure, hoping Ōnoki would act against Konoha.
• Tsunade gave Hidezawa scrolls about the Senju Clan and its techniques, told him to live at the Senju home, and declared him her student.
• Hidezawa went to see Shisui off, and Shisui thanked him for a story that had changed how he viewed the Uchiha’s situation.
• Shisui asked whether Kotoamatsukami could change the mind of the child in Hidezawa’s story, and Hidezawa warned that using such a technique would intensify fear and distrust.
• Hidezawa proposed eliminating those manipulating the child and correcting the child’s own flaws, arguing that survival might require bloodshed.
• After Hidezawa left, Shisui watched the sunset, reconsidered his options, and said he understood Shimura Danzō.

Ōnoki learned that Konohagakure's Hidezawa wielded Wood Release and Flying Thunder God while Shisui had a Mangekyō Sharingan, and he used a fabricated rumor about forbidden experiments to draw Konohagakure into investigating Grass Country. Hidezawa discussed combining Wood Release with Flying Thunder God as Akatsuki accepted Iwagakure's mission to investigate and potentially eliminate the Konohagakure shinobi, leaving Black Zetsu unsettled when Kakuzu asked where Obito was.

• Ōnoki heard Kitsuchi's report about the fight in Cedar Country and concluded that Cloud Village was trying to set Iwagakure against Konohagakure.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to spread a rumor about Uzumaki and Senju human experiments and assigned Akatsuki a mission to target Konohagakure's shinobi.
• Hidezawa ate with Tsunade, Shizune, and Yugao, then explained his idea of combining Wood Release and Flying Thunder God.
• Pain told Akatsuki that Iwagakure wanted them to investigate Hidezawa and Shisui and eliminate them if possible.
• Black Zetsu identified Hidezawa and Shisui as Danzo's agents, prompting Pain to order the Akatsuki members to move out.
• Kakuzu asked Black Zetsu where Obito was so he could collect Konohagakure's reward, leaving Black Zetsu speechless.

Hidezawa and Kakashi led their Anbu teams into Grass Country to investigate a dispute involving the Uzumaki and Senju clans, only to be ambushed by Sasori and Kakuzu. Sasori unleashed his puppets against the group, and the chapter ended as the battle began.

• Itachi Uchiha joined the Anbu and was introduced to Hidezawa, Shisui, Kakashi, Tenzō, and Yugao.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Kakashi and Hidezawa's teams to Grass Country to investigate a plot involving the Uzumaki and Senju clans, with Anbu, Root, and the Border Garrison assigned to support them.
• The group traveled into Grass Country, where Hidezawa and Kakashi explained why banditry persisted in small countries.
• Kakashi and Hidezawa sensed an ambush, then shielded the team from explosions and helped them evade spikes erupting from the ground.
• Sasori and Kakuzu appeared, and Sasori attacked Hidezawa's group with his puppets after Hidezawa taunted him about their previous encounter.

Hidezawa used Wood Release and Flying Thunder God alongside Shisui to battle Sasori and Kakuzu in Kusagakure, while Obito emerged from Kamui to confront Kakashi. As Hidezawa threatened to uncover their organization and launched a flaming Wood Dragon at Kakuzu, Black Zetsu realized their secrecy was in danger.

• Hidezawa raised a vast forest to block the exploding ninja tools, then attacked Sasori’s airborne puppets with Wood Release while Kakuzu’s fire turned the burning trees into flaming strikes.
• Hidezawa and Shisui faced Sasori and Kakuzu as Obito watched from Kamui; Black Zetsu urged Obito to retrieve his other Sharingan and cautioned him against approaching Hidezawa’s allies.
• Obito emerged and fought Kakashi, rejecting his former name and blaming the world for Rin’s death and the events that followed.
• Hidezawa and Shisui coordinated Wood Release and Fire Release attacks, and Hidezawa used Flying Thunder God and wooden spikes to destroy one of Kakuzu’s heart masks.
• Hidezawa deduced that Kakuzu and Sasori belonged to a hidden organization and suggested Obito might be among its members, alarming Black Zetsu.
• Hidezawa sent a flaming Wood Dragon diving toward Kakuzu as Black Zetsu urged Obito to act.

Hidezawa’s devastating Wood Release attack disrupted the battles between Shisui and Sasori and between Kakashi and Obito, allowing Obito, Sasori, and Kakuzu to escape. The Konoha team connected Akatsuki to Obito and planned to investigate the organization by targeting Iwagakure’s Kitsuchi, while Kakuzu recalled Hidezawa’s secret offer to recruit him as an informant.

• Shisui fought Sasori with Susanoo and Chakra Senbon, but Hidezawa’s powerful attack interrupted their battle and Sasori escaped with the Third Kazekage puppet.
• Obito told Kakashi that he wanted to destroy the false world, then escaped the Kamui Dimension after Kakashi’s Lightning Clone disrupted their fight and Hidezawa arrived.
• Hidezawa regrouped with Shisui, Kakashi, Yugao, Tenzō, and Itachi, and they discussed the rogue-ninja organization, Obito’s possible plan to target the tailed beasts, and a mission to capture Kitsuchi for information.
• Obito learned that Hidezawa had linked him to Akatsuki and narrowed the organization’s likely locations to smaller countries near the Five Great Nations.
• Sasori and Kakuzu reunited after escaping, compared their losses, and Kakuzu remembered Hidezawa offering him a monthly payment to provide intelligence.

Hidezawa’s team launched a surprise assault on Kusagakure, using Wood Release to overwhelm its defenders while Kakashi’s squad and the other Anbu teams joined the attack. Hidezawa captured Kitsuchi, Shisui targeted Kusagakure’s Shinobi Head for information, and the chapter ended with Hidezawa declaring that Konohagakure welcomed Kitsuchi’s visit.

• Hidezawa proposed exploiting the mission and their reinforcements to attack Kusagakure and capture Kitsuchi, and Kakashi agreed to act without waiting for the Hokage’s approval.
• Kitsuchi and Bunya noticed Konohagakure’s forces moving near Kusagakure, but before they could understand the situation, Hidezawa and Tenzō unleashed Wood Release across the village.
• Hidezawa and Yugao attacked Kusagakure while Kakashi and Tenzō prepared to advance and summon the remaining Anbu teams.
• Hidezawa overwhelmed Kitsuchi with Flying Thunder God attacks and Wood Release, while Shisui and Itachi Uchiha moved to capture Kusagakure’s Shinobi Head.
• Hidezawa taunted the bound Kitsuchi and announced that Konohagakure welcomed his visit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade learned that Hidezawa's team had overrun Kusagakure, captured Kitsuchi, and uncovered Obito Uchiha and Akatsuki's involvement; the team returned to Konohagakure with Karin, an Uzumaki survivor of Kusagakure's experiments. Hidezawa received a trove of system rewards as Hiruzen pleaded with him not to cause such trouble again.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi read Hidezawa's report and learned that his team had captured Kitsuchi after attacking Kusagakure, then understood their plan to use him as leverage against Ōnoki.
• Hidezawa checked on his team, discovered Karin had been used for experiments, and promised to take her to Konohagakure.
• Hidezawa and his team questioned Kitsuchi about Akatsuki and reasoned that the organization was likely based in one of several nearby neutral countries.
• Ōnoki learned that Kusagakure had fallen, Kitsuchi and other Iwa ninja were in Konoha, and a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan had been taken away.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed the returning team, and Tsunade took Karin under her care and offered to train her.
• Hidezawa received mission rewards, including 22 Free Points and Kakuzu's Fire Release, while Hiruzen Sarutobi asked him to avoid causing such trouble again.

Nagato learned that Konohagakure had begun investigating Akatsuki after Hidezawa exposed the organization’s members and location, and he sought intelligence and recruits while planning revenge against Hanzō and Danzō. Back in Konohagakure, Hidezawa upgraded his abilities and triggered further bloodline mutations, while Itachi sought Shisui’s advice about the Uchiha clan’s growing unrest.

• Black Zetsu told Nagato that Hidezawa had deduced Akatsuki’s location and suspected Obito was among its members, prompting Nagato to demand intelligence and consider recruiting Biwa Jūzō.
• Nagato asked Black Zetsu for information on Hanzō, Danzō, and Hidezawa as he planned to attack Hanzō and pursue his grudge against Danzō.
• Tsunade welcomed Karin, praised Hidezawa’s Wood Release, warned him not to draw too much attention, and asked about his dream; Hidezawa said he wanted to become Hokage.
• Hidezawa examined his status panel, extracted Kakuzu’s Fire Release, spent Free Points to improve his abilities, and caused new bloodline mutations by raising his physical constitution to LV11.
• Fugaku heard Itachi’s report about Hidezawa and told Itachi that sharing intelligence was necessary for the clan; afterward, Itachi went to Shisui to discuss the clan’s growing unrest.
• Shisui told Itachi that answers already existed but that they could not act yet, while he privately thought of Danzō and Itachi recalled Hidezawa’s words about killing one’s own people for the village.

After recovering from a bloodline mutation, Hidezawa persuaded Tsunade and Danzō to fund outside intelligence operatives, then encouraged Danzō to pressure Iwagakure during negotiations. Danzō drew Sunagakure into the scheme, while Hiruzen and Ōnoki weighed the consequences, leaving Ōnoki suspicious of Danzō and ordering an investigation in Sunagakure.

• Tsunade warned Hidezawa to monitor changes to his body and Chakra after his bloodline mutation, then agreed to help fund informants investigating Obito Uchiha.
• Hidezawa convinced Danzō to pay for an Akatsuki informant and suggested that Danzō use pressure to strengthen Konohagakure's negotiations with Ōnoki.
• Danzō sent Aburame Ryūma to Sunagakure, where Chiyo and Ebizo agreed to respond to his proposal and use it to test the Fourth Kazekage's judgment.
• Hiruzen consulted Shikaku about Danzō's move and recognized that it had put him in a difficult position in the negotiations.
• Ōnoki reviewed Akatsuki's intelligence about Hidezawa and Danzō, examined Konohagakure's proposed terms, and ordered an investigation into Sunagakure's recent affairs.

Hidezawa spent a day off with Yugao and helped Naruto understand why his pranks made people dislike him, while negotiations between Konohagakure and Iwagakure exposed Danzō’s possible dealings with Sunagakure. Later, Kabuto reported finding the sealed Uchiha woman, and Hidezawa told him to stay cautious while he planned to intervene.

• Hidezawa and Yugao found Naruto hiding from angry residents after he skipped school to pull a prank, and Hidezawa explained that pranks would not earn him recognition.
• Naruto reflected on Hidezawa’s advice and felt welcomed as he walked with Hidezawa and Yugao.
• Ōnoki gave Hiruzen Sarutobi intelligence linking Danzō to Ebizo and Sunagakure, prompting Hiruzen to suspect Danzō had influenced Sunagakure’s decisions.
• Hidezawa searched the Senju records for information about the sealed Uchiha woman and considered how to approach her and the Uchiha clan’s problems.
• Kabuto told Hidezawa he had encountered the woman in Iwagakure and confirmed she did not recognize him, and Hidezawa ordered him to keep a low profile and gather intelligence.

Hidezawa reported intelligence that Akatsuki was recruiting Orochimaru and heading toward Iwagakure, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to recall Jiraiya for the mission. Shisui told Hidezawa he planned to leave the Anbu after one final mission, and Hidezawa began considering how to use the coming conflict against Danzo.

• Hidezawa, Shisui, and Yugao captured Cloud Village ninja, and Hidezawa later reported that Akatsuki might be recruiting Orochimaru near Iwagakure.
• Shisui told Hidezawa he planned to leave the Anbu after a final mission and asked him to look after Itachi.
• Hidezawa considered using Shisui’s plan to create an opportunity against Danzo and continued urging Kabuto to provoke him.
• Tsunade questioned Hidezawa about Orochimaru and warned him to be careful if he encountered him.
• Kakuzu recommended Orochimaru to Pain, who decided Akatsuki should investigate Iwagakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Jiraiya, who agreed to help Hidezawa and bring Orochimaru back.

Hidezawa's team set out under Jiraiya's command to recruit Orochimaru, while Danzo secretly ordered Yakushi Nonō and Yakushi Kabuto targeted to tighten his control over Hidezawa. In Iwagakure, Kabuto realized Danzo's new orders threatened the plan, and Orochimaru prepared to decide which of his targets would survive.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Jiraiya to lead Hidezawa, Kakashi, Shisui, Tenzō, and Yugao on a mission, and the team chose a route through Waterfall Country.
• Danzo summoned Aburame Ryūma and ordered Yakushi Nonō to eliminate a target in Iwagakure, Yakushi Kabuto to contact an Anbu agent, and Orochimaru to clean up afterward.
• Pain told Akatsuki that Orochimaru was their intended recruit and assigned Kakuzu to lead the operation, while Kakuzu worried that his intelligence had come from Hidezawa.
• Hidezawa teased Jiraiya and blamed Kakashi's Make-Out Paradise for what he knew, leaving Yugao embarrassed and Jiraiya fearing Tsunade would hear about the book.
• Yakushi Kabuto found Danzo's scroll ordering him to meet another agent and realized that Danzo's plans threatened Hidezawa's operation.
• Orochimaru watched for the approaching agents and decided that whoever survived would follow him.

Hidezawa steered Jiraiya toward infiltrating Iwagakure while Akatsuki searched for Orochimaru, and Danzo’s mission brought Yakushi Nonō to the same area. The chapter ended with Hidezawa stopping Nonō from killing Yakushi Kabuto and revealing himself to her.

• Hidezawa persuaded Jiraiya that Orochimaru might be hiding under Ōnoki’s protection, leading Jiraiya to infiltrate Iwagakure and the others to follow.
• Konan assigned Kakuzu’s team to find Orochimaru, and the team set out to investigate Iwagakure.
• Hidezawa split his team up inside Iwagakure and used Dragon Vein Chakra to guide Jiraiya toward Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru, and their fight escalated when Orochimaru summoned Manda and smashed through the stone forest.
• Yakushi Nonō attacked Yakushi Kabuto under Danzo’s orders, but Hidezawa restrained her with Wood Release and revealed his face.

Akatsuki and Konohagakure’s teams converged on Iwagakure as Hidezawa rescued Yakushi Nonō and faced Orochimaru amid the village-wide chaos. With Akatsuki arriving and his golden chakra mode awakened, Hidezawa declared that Danzo had sent his regards and attacked Orochimaru.

• Akatsuki’s search for Orochimaru stalled until a chakra disturbance drew Konan and Sasori toward the action.
• Tenzō attacked the Tsuchikage Building with Wood Release while Kakashi helped set it ablaze, and Shisui and Yugao started a forest fire that brought them face-to-face with Han.
• Ōnoki and Kitsuchi discovered that the Tsuchikage Building was burning as Hidezawa explained Danzo’s deception to Yakushi Nonō and freed her to leave with Yakushi Kabuto.
• Jiraiya fought Orochimaru while Hidezawa used Wood Release and Flying Thunder God to overpower him, and Orochimaru claimed Danzo had arranged the conflict to trap Hidezawa in Root.
• Konan, Kakuzu, and other Akatsuki members arrived, and Hidezawa activated a golden chakra mode before charging Orochimaru with a kunai and delivering Danzo’s message.

Hidezawa fought Orochimaru and the Akatsuki with a new Yang Release Chakra Mode while Jiraiya faced Konan and Kakashi’s team seized control of the Five-Tails. The battle converged in Iwagakure as Ōnoki arrived to find Hidezawa’s wooden golem, the Five-Tails, and Gamabunta facing him.

• Ōnoki learned that Wood Release had burned the Tsuchikage Building and rushed toward the back mountain after hearing Han roar as the Five-Tails.
• Kakashi and Tenzō joined Shisui and Yugao, and Tenzō used Wood Release to restrain the Five-Tails while Shisui placed it under genjutsu.
• Hidezawa used his new Yang Release Chakra Mode to battle Orochimaru and the Akatsuki, while Jiraiya fought Konan and urged her to return to Konohagakure.
• Hidezawa created Wood Clones to fight the enemy group, then warned Kakuzu to prepare to retreat before Ōnoki arrived.
• Hidezawa summoned a wooden golem as Shisui brought the controlled Five-Tails to the battlefield, prompting Konan and the others to prepare to flee.
• Ōnoki arrived and saw Hidezawa’s wooden golem, the Five-Tails, and Gamabunta, leaving him to wonder whether Iwagakure would survive the night.

Hidezawa’s team confronted Ōnoki in Iwagakure, denied responsibility for the destruction, and blamed the damage on Obito Uchiha while pressuring Ōnoki into a settlement. After the Akatsuki escaped and speculated that Danzo had manipulated events, Ōnoki chose to let the Konoha team leave and planned to expose Obito’s abilities to the shinobi world.

• Kakuzu and the Akatsuki members fled as Iwagakure reinforcements arrived, while Jiraiya and Hidezawa faced Ōnoki.
• Hidezawa blamed the Wood Release damage on Obito Uchiha, and Jiraiya explained that Obito possessed abilities linked to the Senju and Uchiha clans.
• Hidezawa threatened to fight with the Wood Human and controlled Five-Tails, then offered negotiations and the withdrawal of Konoha’s spies in exchange for peace.
• Tsunade showed Hiruzen Sarutobi a report about the Iwagakure incident, and Hiruzen collapsed in shock over the apparent attack on the village.
• The Akatsuki members escaped Iwagakure and concluded that Danzo had used them and Orochimaru as pieces in a plan involving Hidezawa.
• Ōnoki told Kitsuchi that he had let Hidezawa’s team leave to avoid casualties, then planned to leak the intelligence on Obito and seek compensation from Konoha.

After returning from Iwagakure, Hidezawa let Jiraiya take the blame for their operation while Konohagakure’s leaders worried about the fallout and Danzo discovered he had been kept in the dark. Hidezawa collected his mission rewards and strengthened his abilities, while Obito learned Iwagakure had branded him a criminal for Hidezawa’s actions.

• Jiraiya returned to Konohagakure with Hidezawa’s group, complained that he was no longer suited to lead them, and went to meet Shikaku Nara.
• Hidezawa told Kakashi and Tenzō to keep quiet about the operation and let Obito Uchiha take the blame for burning the Tsuchikage Building.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisers decided to keep the matter confidential, investigate the people Hidezawa had brought back, and pursue Obito Uchiha.
• Danzo learned that Hidezawa’s group had caused havoc in Iwagakure and feared that Orochimaru had encountered Hidezawa or been killed.
• Hidezawa received mission rewards, gained the Light-Weight Rock Technique, and spent his Free Points to raise his Chakra, Taijutsu, and Yin Release levels.
• Black Zetsu showed Obito Iwagakure’s wanted notice, and Obito realized Hidezawa had framed him for the attack on the Tsuchikage Building.

Hidezawa spent time with Yugao and Karin before Jiraiya told them that Konohagakure’s investigation of Kirigakure had made progress. In the Rain Country, Nagato and Konan weighed Hidezawa as a potential recruit or threat, while Orochimaru began using Danzo’s inquiry to set a trap.

• Hidezawa took Yugao and Karin to a movie, criticized its unrealistic ninja action, and encountered Jiraiya being chased by bathhouse workers.
• Nagato told Konan that he had killed Hanzō, and Konan warned him about Hidezawa and Jiraiya after her mission in Iwagakure.
• Konan proposed that Akatsuki try to recruit Hidezawa or gather intelligence on him, and Nagato agreed to have her speak with Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru replied to Danzo’s scroll with questions about Jiraiya’s arrival and a demand for compensation, hoping to learn more from Danzo’s response.
• Jiraiya told Hidezawa and Yugao that Konohagakure would likely pay compensation to Iwagakure and warned them of possible trouble ahead.
• Jiraiya said the Kirigakure investigation had made progress and asked Hidezawa and Yugao what they knew about Akatsuki and Obito Uchiha.

Hidezawa told Jiraiya about Akatsuki and hinted that Danzō and Hanzō had destroyed Yahiko’s peace group, prompting Jiraiya to blame Danzō and teach Hidezawa the Rasengan. As Danzō tried to manage Orochimaru and regain influence, Shisui left Anbu to return to the Uchiha Clan, while Hidezawa’s team faced an uncertain future.

• Hidezawa sent Karin away, then told Jiraiya that Akatsuki’s members were scattered and suggested that Ōnoki and Kirigakure might hold useful information.
• Jiraiya revealed that Konan had once been his student, and Hidezawa claimed that Danzō and Hanzō had led Root against a pacifist group in the Rain Country eight years earlier.
• Jiraiya concluded that Danzō had helped destroy Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan’s peace movement; Hidezawa completed a hidden quest and received five Free Points.
• Jiraiya offered to teach Hidezawa the Rasengan, while Danzō sent Orochimaru a message and looked for ways to control Hidezawa and recover his influence.
• Shisui told Fugaku Uchiha that he was leaving Anbu, and Fugaku urged him to consider the Uchiha Clan’s position in Konohagakure.
• Hidezawa learned the Rasengan at level ten, then wondered who would join his team after Shisui’s departure as Kirigakure’s plans advanced.