Chapter Summaries

Natsume took several Konoha ninjas to Ryūchi Cave to test their Sage Mode talent, then offered Tayuya a summoning contract and confronted Yugito Nii about her plan to escape with Matatabi. The chapter ended with Yugito inside the seal space, ordering Matatabi to attack Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, but Matatabi did not respond.

• Uzuki Yugao accepted Natsume's mission to escort selected ninjas to Ryūchi Cave, while Natsume planned to take his acquaintances himself.
• Natsume brought Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, and Kurenai Yuhi to Ryūchi Cave, where the White Snake Sage found that only Naruto Uzumaki could cultivate Sage Mode.
• Natsume defeated Manda, Garaga, and the other snakes, earned Destiny Points, and left Naruto Uzumaki in Ryūchi Cave while the others returned to Konoha with contracts.
• Natsume gave Tayuya a Ryūchi Cave contract in exchange for her letting him treat her like a cat, and she signed it despite protesting his terms.
• Natsume brought Yugito Nii to the Land of Snow and had Kaguya Ōtsutsuki draw them into the seal space, where Yugito ordered Matatabi to attack Kaguya.
• Matatabi did not obey Yugito, leaving her startled by the complicated expression on its face.

Matatabi submitted to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and abandoned Yugito Nii, while Natsume kept Yugito alive and gave Kaguya a computer to occupy her. Back in Konoha, Natsume dismissed concerns about Jiraiya and urged Hyuga Hiashi to consider returning control of the Caged Bird to the Branch House through Hinata Hyuga.

• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki struck Yugito Nii aside, then used her chakra to make Matatabi recognize and submit to her as Konoha’s Tailed Beast.
• Matatabi told Yugito Nii it could no longer help her, and Natsume persuaded her to live by reminding her that Kumogakure might need saving.
• Natsume gave Kaguya Ōtsutsuki a computer and games, then received Destiny Points for changing the fates of several ninjas, Yugito Nii, Matatabi, and Tayuya.
• Uzuki Yugao reported that the Ryūchi Cave summoning beasts had pleased the Konoha ninjas, and Kurenai Yuhi told Natsume that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha.
• Natsume told Kurenai Yuhi not to worry about Jiraiya, then heard Hyuga Hiashi explain that clan members were resisting Hanabi Hyuga’s exemption from the Caged Bird.
• Natsume proposed returning control of the Caged Bird to the Branch House and said Hinata Hyuga could lead the change if Hyuga Hiashi agreed.

Natsume pressed Hyuga Hiashi to decide whether to abolish the Caged Bird seal and arranged to monitor the Hyuga Clan. He helped Kabuto Yakushi advance his Otsutsuki Chakra research, then gave Orochimaru a pill for a Wood Style awakening experiment; the chapter ended with Natsume spending time at home with Mikoto Uchiha and Tsunade.

• Natsume told Hyuga Hiashi to return once he had decided the Caged Bird seal’s fate, then asked Kurenai Yuhi to watch the Hyuga Clan and report developments.
• Natsume visited Ichikishimahime and Kabuto Yakushi, gave Kabuto Otsutsuki Clan Chakra for his research, and agreed to provide him with a pair of Byakugan.
• Jiraiya tried to recruit Orochimaru to oppose Natsume after learning he had destroyed Myōboku Mountain, but Orochimaru refused to help him.
• Natsume gave Orochimaru a red pill to use in a Wood Style awakening experiment and arranged for the surgery to take place at Konoha Hospital in a week.
• Natsume returned home, where Mikoto Uchiha was visiting Tsunade and Chika, and later spoke privately with Mikoto about her new kimono and their unborn child.

Natsume received an Akatsuki bounty mission targeting Chiriku and sent Sasuke Uchiha to protect him, then traveled to meet Kakuzu. The chapter left Natsume and Kakuzu preparing to pursue the same target, with Kakuzu insisting Chiriku’s head belonged to him.

• After spending the night with Mikoto Uchiha, Natsume read an encrypted bounty file naming Chiriku of the Temple of Fire as the target.
• Natsume assigned Sasuke Uchiha an S-rank mission to protect Chiriku, and Sasuke set out alone.
• Natsume told Kurenai Yuhi he would be away for two days and traveled to the Land of Rice using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kakuzu claimed Chiriku’s head for himself, and Natsume agreed that Kakuzu could take it.

Sasuke Uchiha investigated the Temple of Fire and discovered that Fudō, Fūka, and Fūjin were raising Sora as a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to take revenge on Konoha. After they attacked him, Sasuke defeated Fūjin and trapped Fudō, while Natsume arrived and seized Fūka.

• Sasuke Uchiha arrived at the Temple of Fire under orders to protect Chiriku and learned that its monks cultivated a power called the Sage Body.
• Sasuke Uchiha discovered Sora radiating Nine-Tails Chakra and overheard Fudō, Fūka, and Fūjin discussing Kazuma's plan to make him a Jinchuriki and strike against Konoha.
• Sasuke Uchiha sent his findings to Konoha, then admitted to Chiriku that he had been outside the previous night.
• Fūjin, Fudō, and Fūka confronted Sasuke Uchiha, but he killed Fūjin with Lightning Blade and trapped Fudō with the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sasuke Uchiha wounded Fūka, who switched bodies and fled, before Natsume appeared and grabbed her by the throat.

Natsume subdued Fūka and Chiriku, then absorbed the Nine-Tails Chakra from Sora while Sasuke fought Kakuzu. The chapter ended with Sasuke facing Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear and its four masked hearts.

• Natsume resisted Fūka’s attacks, discovered her weakness to fire, and forced her to submit.
• Kakuzu recognized Sasuke as Itachi’s younger brother, and the two began fighting while Natsume questioned Chiriku about Sora.
• Chiriku summoned a golden Thousand-Armed Buddha Statue, but Natsume used Sage Mode and a rapid punch to defeat him.
• Fūka led Natsume to Sora, whose Nine-Tails Chakra Natsume absorbed with his Heavenly Net Login Device.
• Natsume returned to find Sasuke and Kakuzu’s fight intensifying as Kakuzu revealed his Earth Grudge Fear and four masked hearts.

Natsume and Kakuzu fought Sasuke Uchiha at the Temple of Fire, where Sasuke awakened Susanoo but the Konoha reinforcements forced Natsume and Kakuzu to withdraw. Back in Konoha, Natsume handed Fūka to Kabuto Yakushi for study and received the report Sasuke had sent from the temple.

• Sasuke Uchiha used Tatekoto against Kakuzu, but Kakuzu survived by using Earth Grudge Fear to repair his body.
• Kishi revealed Wood Style, restrained Manda, and withstood Sasuke Uchiha's ocular techniques, prompting Sasuke to awaken Susanoo.
• Might Guy, Kakashi Hatake, and Gaara arrived, and Natsume took Fūka and left with Kakuzu.
• Natsume offered Kakuzu thirty million ryō, but Kakuzu declined and departed to replace his lost hearts.
• Natsume brought Fūka to Kabuto Yakushi for study, then returned to the Hokage's Office, where Kurenai Yuhi gave him Sasuke Uchiha's report.

Natsume arranged for Tsunade to undergo a procedure that he presented as awakening Wood Style, while Sasuke Uchiha returned from his mission having awakened Susanoo. The procedure succeeded, and Tsunade woke feeling stronger and more vigorous.

• Natsume praised Kurenai for handling the Nine-Tails Chakra incident and ordered her to demand the Sage Body cultivation method from Chiriku as an apology.
• Natsume told Tsunade that Orochimaru had made progress on the Wood Style experiment and scheduled her procedure for the following Monday.
• Sasuke Uchiha reported his mission, told Natsume he had awakened Susanoo, and received a scroll for cultivating the Sage Body.
• Sasuke Uchiha told Mikoto Uchiha about his Susanoo and worried when she dry-heaved, while Mikoto encouraged him to invite Sakura Haruno over for a meal.
• Orochimaru administered a pill to the anesthetized Tsunade and staged signs of a successful Wood Style procedure.
• Tsunade woke feeling vigorous and stronger, and Natsume told her the operation had succeeded.

Natsume took Kaguya Ōtsutsuki on an outing in the Land of Fire Metropolis, where they ate, visited a hot spring, and grew closer. After returning to Konoha, he began reorganizing its research and security forces.

• Kurenai Yuhi reported that Might Guy was the only ninja to have cultivated the Sage Body, and Natsume considered modifying it to make it more accessible.
• Natsume visited Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in the Land of Snow and asked her to modify a scroll in exchange for an outing.
• Natsume and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki visited the Land of Fire Metropolis, sampled new foods, and discussed Hamura Ōtsutsuki's descendants and whom she would support in a conflict.
• Natsume took Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to a hot spring, dressed her in several outfits, and spent the night with her; Kazahana Koyuki helped him dress the next morning.
• After returning to Konoha, Natsume ordered Kurenai Yuhi to establish a Research Department for ninjutsu, tools, and technology, and to expand the Hokage Guard.

Natsume ordered the expansion of the Hokage Guard and reform of the mission hall, while Kurenai Yuhi recruited Orochimaru's support and Anko's interest. At the Land of Waves, Natsume decided Yugito Nii would join the Guard in disguise, then spent time with her, Uzumaki Ena, Karin, and Tayuya.

• Natsume told Kurenai Yuhi to prepare a civilian ninja list, ask the major clans for recommendations, and familiarize herself with the Heavenly Net Login Device for his mission hall reforms.
• Kurenai Yuhi delivered Natsume's order appointing Orochimaru head of a new Research Department, and Mitaraishi Anko agreed to seek a place in the Hokage Guard after Orochimaru approved.
• Natsume told Uzumaki Ena he planned to take control of the Land of Fire and asked her to keep managing the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild rather than become Daimyo.
• Natsume asked Yugito Nii to join the Hokage Guard, promised to give her a mask, and played a cat-themed game with her.
• Uzumaki Ena covered the exhausted Yugito Nii with a blanket, then Natsume praised Karin and Tayuya for stopping school bullies before the group went to eat.

Natsume formed the Hokage Guard, appointed Yugito Nii as Black Cat, and selected four more members while the clans reacted to the appointments. He later received a Sage Body technique for Uzuki Yugao and summoned Mikoto Uchiha to watch Chika while he took Tsunade to the hot springs.

• Natsume recruited Yugito Nii into the Hokage Guard, released the seals on her and Matatabi, and gave her the codename Black Cat.
• Natsume chose Izumi Uchiha, Uzuki Yugao, Mitaraishi Anko, and Shidō Akimichi for the Hokage Guard, prompting concern from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hyuga Hiashi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Jiraiya to approach Naruto Uzumaki and teach him to control the Nine-Tails, while Hinata Hyuga told Hyuga Hiashi that the Caged Bird should be improved and that strength should persuade the elders.
• Natsume welcomed the five new guards and learned that four thousand ninja had begun using the Heavenly Net Login Device.
• Natsume gave Uzuki Yugao a scroll containing the Sage Body technique, then summoned Mikoto Uchiha to look after Chika while he took Tsunade to the hot springs.

Natsume soaked in the hot springs with Tsunade, supported Hinata Hyuga’s plan to abolish the Hyuga Main and Branch Houses, and oversaw political and technological changes in the Land of Fire and Konoha. After Naruto returned from Ryūchi Cave having learned Sage Mode, Jiraiya asked to meet Natsume, leaving their discussion pending.

• Natsume and Tsunade discussed Jiraiya’s request to teach Naruto, then left the hot springs and returned home.
• Natsume escorted Mikoto Uchiha to the Uchiha Clan compound and asked her to communicate with his Black Cat.
• Hinata Hyuga told Natsume that the Hyuga Clan would abolish the Main House and Branch House, and he agreed to have the Sealing Team examine the Caged Bird.
• Over the following month, Kurenai Yuhi established the Research Department, while Kazahana Koyuki and Uzumaki Ena introduced reforms in the Land of Fire.
• Natsume played a battle game with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in the Sky Net while Kurenai Yuhi waited in his office, then kissed her when he returned to awareness.
• Kurenai Yuhi reported that Naruto had returned from Ryūchi Cave with Sage Mode and that Jiraiya wanted to meet Natsume; Natsume agreed to see him.

Jiraiya visited Natsume to ask permission to teach Naruto, but Naruto already had powerful abilities and guidance from his parents, so Jiraiya returned without gaining a student. Meanwhile, Natsume began planning a mission to retrieve Star Village’s meteorite for his Hokage Guard.

• Jiraiya asked Natsume to let him teach Naruto, and Natsume agreed, trusting Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki to keep Naruto loyal to him.
• Naruto ate at Ichiraku Ramen, where Jiraiya introduced himself and offered to become Naruto’s teacher.
• At Training Ground Zero, Jiraiya discovered Naruto already knew the Rasengan and could use Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Naruto consulted Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, then declined to become Jiraiya’s student because his parents could guide him.
• Naruto offered to accept Jiraiya’s guidance when he had time, and Jiraiya accepted the arrangement.
• Natsume reviewed a document about Star Village and planned to retrieve its meteorite to strengthen his Hokage Guard.

Natsume planned a trip to Star Village to investigate its meteor and recruit Kurenai Yuhi, while he spent the rest of the day with the women close to him and encountered Naruto Uzumaki with Jiraiya. The chapter ended with Natsume and Kurenai preparing to leave Konoha on their mission.

• Yugito Nii reported that Naruto Uzumaki had rejected Jiraiya's offer to become his student, and Natsume told her to stop monitoring them and secretly accompany him to Star Village.
• Natsume asked Kurenai Yuhi to join him on an outdoor mission to Star Village, promised to help improve her strength, and shared a kiss with her.
• Natsume took the exhausted Yugito Nii home to the Uchiha Clan compound, then discussed with Mikoto Uchiha her plans to leave Konoha and help Uzumaki Ena in the Land of Fire.
• Natsume met Naruto Uzumaki and Jiraiya on the road, then returned home and spent the evening with Shizune, Tsunade, and Chika.
• The next day, Natsume met Kurenai Yuhi at Konoha's gates to depart for Star Village.

Natsume traveled with Kurenai Yuhi toward Star Village, using Ichikishimahime as a mount and sharing his plan to use the village’s star to strengthen Kurenai. After Kurenai witnessed Natsume with the Black Cat, she struggled with her feelings for him; the chapter ended with Natsume changing their destination to the Valley of Hell to seek out the exiled ninja Natsuhi.

• Natsume summoned Ichikishimahime and had her carry him and Kurenai Yuhi toward the Land of Bears in a wooden house he created with Wood Style.
• During the journey, Kurenai reported intelligence about Star Village and suspected the Third Hoshikage’s death was suspicious; Natsume revealed that they sought the star to strengthen her.
• Kurenai told Natsume about unrest in Sunagakure and plans to replace Rasa as Kazekage.
• After reaching the Land of Bears, Kurenai heard strange sounds from Natsume’s room and saw him with the Black Cat, leaving her embarrassed and conflicted about her feelings.
• The next morning, Natsume told Kurenai they would visit the Valley of Hell before Star Village to seek cooperation with the exiled ninja Natsuhi.

Natsume found Natsuhi and persuaded her to help replace Akaboshi as Star Village’s leader in exchange for an alliance with Konoha. After defeating Akaboshi and taking the Star, Natsume returned to Konoha with Kurenai Yuhi and offered her a future position as Hokage advisor.

• Natsume used Sage Mode to locate Natsuhi in the Valley of Hell and proposed that she become the Fourth Hoshikage after Akaboshi was removed.
• Natsuhi agreed to cooperate, returned to Star Village to see Sumaru, and left Akaboshi to Natsume and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kurenai Yuhi incapacitated the guards while Natsume entered the building and took the Star, isolating its energy from his body.
• Akaboshi attacked Natsume and Kurenai Yuhi, but Natsume shattered his chakra dragon and killed him with the Heavenly Foot of Pain.
• Natsume left Natsuhi to organize Star Village and establish contact with Konoha, then returned to the Hokage's Office with Kurenai Yuhi and Yugito Nii.
• Natsume enjoyed a massage from Kurenai Yuhi, offered to make her a Hokage advisor, and promised to give her billions if she asked.

Natsume paid Kurenai Yuhi five hundred million ryo to secure her service for life, then had Kaguya Ōtsutsuki cleanse a meteorite and help improve the Caged Bird seal. Two months later, he prepared to modernize the Land of Fire and assign teachers to the graduating Ninja Academy class.

• Natsume promised Kurenai Yuhi five hundred million ryo in exchange for the rest of her life, and she later confirmed the money was real but accepted it as her lifelong salary.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki identified Natsume's meteorite as part of the Ten-Tails and removed its radiation, then examined the Caged Bird scroll he had brought to improve for Hinata Hyuga.
• Kazahana Koyuki entered while Natsume and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki were in a room together, stayed after Natsume beckoned, and joined them beneath the covers.
• Over the next two months, Kurenai Yuhi received the meteorite and Mysterious Peacock Method, Hyuga Hiashi held off placing the Caged Bird on Hanabi Hyuga, and Elder Hiroshi Hyuga plotted to replace him under Natsume's surveillance.
• Natsume decided to begin rebuilding the Land of Fire Metropolis and assigned Kabuto Yakushi to lead Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara, and Shizune to lead Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Sakura Haruno.

Ninja Academy graduates received their team assignments, and Natsume visited the new teams while building his image as Hokage. He arranged for Mikoto Uchiha to travel to the Land of Fire Metropolis the next day, then returned to the office, where Kurenai Yuhi punished him for arriving with another woman’s scent.

• Umino Iruka assigned Sakura Haruno to Team 8 with Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame, and Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi to Team 10 under Kabuto Yakushi.
• Natsume visited Team 10, congratulated its members, and introduced Kabuto Yakushi as their team leader.
• Natsume visited Mikoto Uchiha and arranged to take her to the Land of Fire Metropolis the next day after she confirmed Sasuke Uchiha knew she was leaving.
• After returning to the Hokage's Office, Natsume let Kurenai Yuhi massage him while he reviewed documents.
• Kurenai Yuhi noticed Mikoto Uchiha's scent on Natsume and bit the corner of his mouth as punishment.

Natsume arranged for a private room to be built in the Hokage's Office, then spent time with his family and visited Mikoto Uchiha at the Land of Fire Metropolis. The chapter ended with Natsume, Mikoto, and Uzumaki Ena alone in Mikoto's new room, where he proposed testing its soundproofing.

• Natsume persuaded Kurenai Yuhi to arrange a resting room in the Hokage's Office, and she agreed to have it renovated.
• Shizune told Natsume that Sakura Haruno had strong Chakra control and was suited to medical ninjutsu, while Tsunade showed him Chika's newly manifested Wood Style.
• Natsume took Tsunade and Chika to the Land of Demons Metropolis, then visited Sasuke Uchiha and sent him to join Kakashi Hatake on a mission.
• Natsume took Mikoto Uchiha to the Land of Fire Metropolis, where Uzumaki Ena showed her a spacious room and asked her to teach Karin and Tayuya.
• Natsume locked the room's door, embraced Mikoto Uchiha and Uzumaki Ena, and suggested they test its soundproofing.

Natsume approved Kabuto Yakushi’s modified Sage Curse Mark, accepted Kimimaro Kaguya into Konoha, and reunited with Mei Terumi in Kirigakure. He apologized to Mei with a bouquet that also revealed the Six-Tails Jinchuriki Utakata’s location, then kissed her.

• Natsume reviewed Kabuto Yakushi’s modified Cursed Seal and named it the Sage Curse Mark.
• Kimimaro Kaguya asked to become a Konoha shinobi, and Natsume assigned him to Might Guy’s Team Three.
• Natsume spent the evening at home with Tsunade and Chika, then learned about the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden technique and sought information on Utakata.
• Natsume visited Mei Terumi in Kirigakure, apologized with roses, and revealed that Utakata was at Mount Katsujo Fortress.
• Mei Terumi read the message, and Natsume kissed her.