Chapter Summaries

Mirai and Hagoromo approached Sunagakure after it had been devastated by Deidara and Sasori, unaware that the village blamed Hagoromo for the attack. Sunagakure recognized him as the White Yaksha and grew suspicious as he insisted the coincidence was not his doing.

• Mirai remarked on the smoke rising from Sunagakure, and Hagoromo guessed the village had recently been invaded.
• Deidara was shot down and surrounded by Sunagakure ninja, but Sasori joined the battle and helped him escape.
• Hagoromo and his companions approached Sunagakure, where the village guards stopped them and heard that they were envoys from Konoha.
• A Sunagakure ninja recognized Hagoromo as the White Yaksha, prompting the nearby ninja to prepare for a possible fight.
• Hagoromo denied responsibility for the latest attack and asked the suspicious Sunagakure ninja to believe it was a coincidence.

Hagoromo delivered Konoha’s invitation to Sunagakure and discussed the village’s recent attack with the Fourth Kazekage, who agreed to send Granny Chiyo to the Chunin Exams. After leaving Sunagakure, Hagoromo redirected his team toward Amegakure to pursue the wounded invaders, Sasori and Deidara.

• Hagoromo told the Fourth Kazekage that Konoha invited him to attend the joint Chunin Exams, but the Kazekage declined because Sunagakure had been attacked.
• The Fourth Kazekage identified Sasori of the Red Sand as one of the invaders and confirmed that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage.
• Hagoromo urged the Kazekage to attend the Exams to demonstrate the alliance, and the Kazekage said he would consider it while appointing Granny Chiyo to lead Sunagakure’s delegation.
• Hagoromo warned that Tsunade might return to Konoha, then declined the Kazekage’s offer to stay overnight and left with his team.
• After Mirai recorded the Sunagakure ninja’s chakra signatures, Hagoromo led Mirai, Haku, and Kimimaro toward Amegakure to pursue the injured Sasori and Deidara.

Hagoromo’s team pursued Sasori and Deidara after their attack on Sunagakure, but White Zetsu used two disguised clones to mislead them. After discovering the deception, Hagoromo decided to resume the chase as Akatsuki sent another team to meet the fugitives.

• Hagoromo led Team 6 toward Amegakure, and Mirai detected faint chakra traces left by the Akatsuki duo.
• White Zetsu warned Sasori and Deidara that Hagoromo’s team was pursuing them, then sent clones to divert the pursuers while the real pair changed direction.
• Mirai found two matching chakra signatures, so Hagoromo summoned the Yata Crow and sent Haku and Kimimaro to attack the apparent targets.
• Kimimaro and Mirai quickly defeated the apparent Sasori and Deidara, but Hagoromo discovered the bodies were White Zetsu clones and realized the team had been fooled.
• Hagoromo decided to return to the previous starting point and search again, while Akatsuki sent another team to meet Sasori and Deidara.

Uchiha Itachi intercepted Hagoromo’s team and insisted on facing the White Yaksha alone, believing his Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu was the best counter and recalling that Hagoromo had once challenged him to master his eyes. The two sides met after abandoning the pursuit of Sasori and Deidara, and Hagoromo considered testing his current strength against Itachi.

• Kisame Hoshigaki questioned Itachi’s decision to confront Hagoromo alone, but Itachi said Kisame’s attacks would be ineffective and would make him a target.
• Itachi revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan and explained that Hagoromo had told him in Konoha that he would qualify to fight him only once he could freely use his eyes.
• Itachi argued that Hagoromo’s three Genin companions would burden him rather than increase his combat power.
• Mirai sensed a lone enemy approaching, and Hagoromo chose to meet him instead of avoiding the interception.
• Hagoromo’s team and Itachi came face to face, and Hagoromo wondered whether to test his strength against the young Uchiha.

Hagoromo let Uchiha Itachi catch him in Tsukuyomi, where Itachi revealed Akatsuki’s plans and offered intelligence to Konoha. Itachi warned Hagoromo not to pursue the organization, leaving their immediate conflict at a standstill.

• Hagoromo warned Mirai and the others to be cautious as Uchiha Itachi approached.
• Itachi trapped Hagoromo in Tsukuyomi, and Hagoromo chose not to resist the technique.
• Itachi told Hagoromo that Akatsuki had prepared members to intercept him if he continued pursuing them.
• Itachi revealed Akatsuki’s goal of capturing the tailed beasts and described its members, abilities, and hidden mastermind.

After Uchiha Itachi passed Akatsuki intelligence to Hagoromo through a staged Tsukuyomi, they fought to maintain the appearance of a real confrontation. Hagoromo chose to let Mirai, Haku, and Kimimaro face Itachi together while he watched from behind.

• Hagoromo assessed the threat posed by Hidan’s blood-based curse ritual and returned his consciousness to his body after receiving intelligence from Itachi.
• Mirai noticed Hagoromo’s chakra disruption and prepared to intervene, but he stopped her and acted as though he had broken Itachi’s Tsukuyomi.
• Hagoromo attacked Itachi, who dodged and used Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson to target Mirai with hidden shuriken.
• Haku shielded Mirai with Ice Rock Dome Futility, but Hagoromo met Itachi’s gaze and fell into Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
• Hagoromo broke the Genjutsu with his longsword as Kimimaro charged past him toward Itachi.
• Hagoromo decided to stay back and let Mirai, Haku, and Kimimaro fight Itachi together.

Mirai, Kimimaro, and Haku fought Uchiha Itachi while Hagoromo watched, and Akatsuki used the battle to cover its retreat. Itachi left after White Zetsu arrived, and Hagoromo’s team faced a swarm of White Zetsu blocking their way.

• Mirai used her abundant chakra to extinguish Itachi’s Great Fireball Technique with the Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique.
• White Zetsu emerged beside Itachi and told him the mission could end, so Itachi withdrew after asking about Sasori’s side.
• Mirai asked what to do, and Hagoromo ordered the team to pursue Itachi without going too deep.
• Nearly a hundred White Zetsu rose from the ground and blocked the team, revealing Akatsuki’s plan to cover Itachi’s escape.
• Hagoromo told the team to defeat the White Zetsu and then withdraw, while Mirai remained frustrated that the mission had made no progress.

Hagoromo's team wiped out the White Zetsu but lost the trail of Sasori's group and returned to Konoha to report. There, Hagoromo learned that Jiraiya had failed to persuade Tsunade to return and decided he would handle the matter himself.

• Haku froze and destroyed the White Zetsu, while Mirai could no longer sense the enemy's chakra.
• Hagoromo ordered his team to withdraw and report to the Hokage, and a White Zetsu secretly watched them leave.
• The Hagoromo Team returned to Konoha through the Land of Rivers and disbanded after three days of travel.
• Hagoromo encountered Jiraiya, who explained that Tsunade had refused to listen to him.
• Hagoromo concluded that he would have to handle bringing Tsunade back himself.

Hagoromo offered to persuade Tsunade to return to Konoha, then reported that Sunagakure had been infiltrated by Sasori of the Red Sand. He revealed that Sasori belonged to a mysterious organization that also included the S-Rank Missing-nin Uchiha Itachi.

• Hagoromo volunteered to speak with Tsunade after Jiraiya failed to persuade her, and the Third Hokage agreed to let him try soon.
• The Third Hokage asked Hagoromo about his mission to Sunagakure, and Hagoromo reported that its Genin would attend the Chunin Exams with Chiyo as their leader.
• Hagoromo told the Third Hokage that Sunagakure had been infiltrated before his arrival and that the village had identified Sasori of the Red Sand as one of the infiltrators.
• Hagoromo revealed that he had tracked the infiltrators with Team 6 and discovered Sasori belonged to a mysterious organization that also included Uchiha Itachi, a former Konoha ninja and S-Rank Missing-nin.

Hagoromo reported Itachi’s intelligence about Akatsuki and its plan to capture all the Tailed Beasts, prompting the Third Hokage and Jiraiya to suspect a link to Madara Uchiha and the Nine-Tails Incident. Konoha prepared to protect Naruto and urged Hagoromo to bring back Tsunade, while Akatsuki’s base remained undisclosed.

• Hagoromo told the Third Hokage and Jiraiya that Itachi had joined Akatsuki, a group of ten powerful rogue ninja seeking all the Tailed Beasts.
• The Third Hokage and Jiraiya connected Akatsuki’s aims to the Nine-Tails Incident and suspected Madara Uchiha and the Rinnegan were involved.
• Hagoromo named the organization Akatsuki but withheld its base location.
• The Third Hokage ordered Konoha to watch Naruto’s safety and told Hagoromo to bring Tsunade back as soon as possible.
• Hagoromo agreed to act sooner and privately favored Tsunade becoming Hokage.

Hagoromo left Konoha to bring Tsunade back, while Mirai learned that she and the others had been entered in the Chunin Exams. In Hashimoto, Tsunade began gambling with borrowed money as a white-haired young man bet against her.

• Hagoromo told Mirai he was leaving to retrieve Tsunade and corrected her for calling Tsunade “big sister.”
• Hagoromo told Mirai that she, Haku, and Kimimaro had been signed up for the Chunin Exams, then left Konoha.
• Tsunade and Shizune arrived at a casino in Hashimoto, where Tsunade exchanged their borrowed money for chips despite Shizune’s protests.
• Tsunade placed a bet while a white-haired young man bet on the opposite outcome, and her terrible luck left her with no chance of winning.

Hagoromo gambled against Tsunade, then took her on a picnic and tried to persuade her to return to Konoha. He revealed that Uchiha Obito had masterminded the Nine-Tails Incident, leaving Tsunade stunned.

• Hagoromo won repeatedly against Tsunade at the casino until he stopped, and Tsunade continued gambling until she lost her last coin.
• Hagoromo, Tsunade, Shizune, and the pig went on a picnic outside town, where Tsunade drank wine Hagoromo had bought.
• Hagoromo reflected on the people he cared about and resolved to bring Tsunade back to Konoha.
• Tsunade warned Hagoromo not to urge her to return to Konoha as Jiraiya had.
• Hagoromo asked Tsunade who had masterminded the Nine-Tails Incident and named Uchiha Obito, freezing her in shock.

Hagoromo told Tsunade how Uchiha Obito and a Rinnegan-wielding organization were tied to the Nine-Tails Incident and said the group was gathering tailed beasts to revive the Ten Tails. He urged Tsunade to return to Konoha as the shinobi world faced a major crisis.

• Tsunade asked Hagoromo when he had learned about Uchiha Obito, and he said he had known from the beginning but had never fully explained it to Konoha.
• Hagoromo recounted how an enemy altered a Flying Thunder God formula and transported him away from Konoha a month before Kushina's delivery.
• Hagoromo said he fought six opponents with Rinnegan-like eyes, whom he believed were puppets controlled by someone who still possessed the true Rinnegan.
• Hagoromo revealed that he encountered the badly wounded Uchiha Obito while returning to Konoha after the battle.
• Hagoromo told Tsunade that the organization was collecting tailed beasts, had recently attacked Sunagakure for Shukaku, and likely intended to revive the Ten Tails.
• Hagoromo urged Tsunade to return to Konoha and help confront the looming crisis.

After three days of deliberation, Tsunade agreed to return to Konoha after Hagoromo warned her that powerful ninja were preparing to revive the Ten Tails and endanger the world. Hagoromo sent word ahead, and he, Tsunade, and Shizune reached Konoha’s gates two days later.

• Tsunade took several days to consider Hagoromo’s warning about the plan to revive the Ten Tails before deciding to return to Konoha.
• Hagoromo sent a message to Konoha with the Yata Crow, telling the Third Hokage that Tsunade had agreed to return.
• Tsunade promised not to discuss Hagoromo’s claims about Uchiha Obito for now, and Shizune gathered their luggage.
• Before setting out, Tsunade asked whether her personal debts would become the village’s responsibility if she became Hokage, and Hagoromo agreed.
• Hagoromo, Tsunade, and Shizune arrived at Konoha’s gates two days after leaving town.

Tsunade returned to Konoha and was welcomed as the likely Fifth Hokage before Hagoromo left her with Jiraiya. Back home, Hagoromo found Naruto bragging to Konohamaru before an upcoming mission outside the village.

• Tsunade completed her return registration as Konoha’s ninja celebrated her arrival and expected succession to the Hokage position.
• Jiraiya met Tsunade and quietly asked Hagoromo how he had persuaded her to return, but Hagoromo kept the answer to himself.
• Hagoromo left Tsunade and Jiraiya to meet the Third Hokage and returned home.
• Hagoromo found Naruto boasting to Konohamaru about a powerful new technique and their upcoming mission outside the village.
• Hagoromo smacked Naruto on the head and ordered him to prepare for the mission.

Hagoromo confirmed that Tsunade had returned and was expected to become the Fifth Hokage, while Konoha began preparing for the joint Chunin Exams. At a meeting to select participating Genin teams, Tsunade struggled to stay attentive and joined Hagoromo in laughing.

• Hagoromo told Mirai that Tsunade had returned and was likely to become the Fifth Hokage, then stopped Mirai from visiting her during official business.
• Konoha formally announced Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage's successor and began transferring authority from the Third Hokage.
• Konoha made the joint Chunin Exams a priority, viewing Tsunade's return as an opportunity to bolster the village's image among other villages.
• The Third Hokage gathered Jonin instructors to review which Genin teams would participate in the exams.
• Tsunade repeatedly dozed off during the meeting, and she and Hagoromo laughed while the other ninja looked on.

Team 7 completed its Land of Waves mission, where Naruto gained real combat experience and Sasuke grew more troubled by the gap between them. As the Chunin Exams began, Mirai started watching the village gates to study visiting teams and their leaders, and the arrival of Sunagakure’s delegation caught her attention.

• Kakashi's Team defeated the Kirigakure Ninja and the Land of Waves' hidden manipulator, completing its bridge-protection mission without encountering Momochi Zabuza.
• Naruto used the Rasengan in a real battle, while Sasuke recognized that Naruto's training gave him an advantage and began longing for a teacher who could make him stronger.
• The Chunin Exams began, and Genin from other villages started arriving in Konoha.
• Mirai, Haku, and Kimimaro set up beside the village gate to observe visiting teams, and Mirai explained that she was studying their Jonin leaders.
• Mirai noticed the Sunagakure delegation and focused on the red-haired boy carrying a gourd.

The Chunin Exams began with a written test, but Team 6 arrived to find Naruto and Neji facing off. Mirai swept through the crowd with Chidori Current, leaving the other teams and their teachers scrambling.

• Hagoromo learned that the Fourth Kazekage planned to attend the Chunin Exams and had sent his children Gaara, Temari, and another child to Konoha.
• Haku reminded Team 6 to leave for the written exam, and Hagoromo led Mirai and the others to the venue.
• Team 6 found Kakashi's Team 7 and Might Guy's Team 3 facing off, with Naruto fighting Neji.
• Mirai prepared to challenge the crowd, but Hagoromo told her not to go too far before approaching Kakashi and Kai.
• Kakashi and Kai fled with the Genin as Mirai unleashed Chidori Current and strode through the area.

Mirai’s confrontation with Kakashi and Kai ended before the Chunin Exams, and Hagoromo went to identify Gaara as Shukaku’s Jinchuriki. He unknowingly passed near Orochimaru, who had infiltrated Konoha in disguise, while Team One proceeded cheerfully to the second exam.

• Mirai’s restrained Chidori Current frightened Kakashi and Kai, and the group left for the examination hall after the fight ended.
• Hagoromo went to the exam hall and recognized Gaara as Shukaku’s Jinchuriki after Mirai pointed him out.
• Shukaku stirred at the scent of Hagoromo’s chakra, so Hagoromo left to avoid provoking the tailed beast into losing control.
• Hagoromo noticed a Sound Village ninja who felt familiar to him, not realizing that Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha in disguise.
• The first exam ended without major incident, and Team One entered the wilderness grounds for the second exam in high spirits.

Mirai led Team 6 through the Chunin Exams forest, seeking scrolls while avoiding the Sunagakure siblings and targeting Naruto's team. After their scroll-hunting went awry, Team 6 encountered Sound ninja led by Orochimaru, whose presence stirred Anko's curse seal.

• Mirai told Haku Yuki and Kimimaro to avoid the Sunagakure siblings and head for Naruto's Team 7.
• Team 6 challenged Team 7, but Mirai saw they both had Earth Scrolls and left without fighting.
• Mirai took an Earth Scroll from Yakushi Kabuto's Konoha team after Kabuto surrendered.
• Team 6 found Sound ninja led by Orochimaru, who said he wanted to test their strength but did not want to provoke Hagoromo.
• Hagoromo heard a disturbance in the forest as Anko's Heavenly Cursed Seal spread across her face, and Anko recognized Orochimaru.