Chapter Summaries

Natsume and Mei Terumi reconciled, agreed to retrieve Utakata for Kirigakure, and traveled to Mount Katsujo Fortress. There they found Utakata and Hotaru under attack by Shirō, and Mei Terumi rescued Hotaru as Utakata broke free of Shirō’s jutsu.

• Natsume kissed Mei Terumi, then shifted their conversation to Utakata and offered to help Kirigakure bring him back.
• Mei Terumi explained Utakata had fled after misunderstanding his teacher’s research into removing a Tailed Beast without killing its Jinchuriki, and she gave Natsume the research documents.
• Natsume took Mei Terumi to Mount Katsujo Fortress with the Flying Thunder God Technique after sensing Utakata outside the town.
• Shirō used the Word Binding Jutsu to immobilize Utakata and revealed his plan to combine it with the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden jutsu.
• Utakata broke through the Word Binding Jutsu, while Mei Terumi seized Hotaru and retreated; Utakata stopped himself from fleeing so he would not abandon her.

Mei Terumi killed Shirō and persuaded Utakata to return to Kirigakure after showing him records that challenged his belief about his teacher. Back in Konoha, Natsume helped arrange for Sakura to study the Yin Seal by assigning Shizune to develop a Medical Ninja major, then returned home to his family.

• Mei Terumi vaporized Shirō, and his subordinates fled as Utakata stayed with Hotaru.
• Mei Terumi showed Utakata his teacher's research, and Utakata agreed to return to Kirigakure with Hotaru.
• Natsume used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Mei Terumi, Utakata, and Hotaru to the Mizukage Office, then received 230 Destiny Points for changing their fates.
• Shizune asked to teach Sakura Haruno the Yin Seal, and Natsume tasked her with helping establish a Medical Ninja major at the Ninja Academy.
• Natsume returned home to Tsunade and Chika, and Shizune arrived late to work after caring for Chika while Natsume and Tsunade stayed in bed.

Natsume spent the day with Kurenai Yuhi and Mei Terumi, flirting with both before visiting Mei for lunch. He and Mei became intimate, and the chapter ended with her waking alone, finding his note and dinner, and resolving to get even with him next time.

• Kurenai Yuhi delivered clean clothes to Natsume, served him tea, and continued handling Hokage work, including plans to recruit Chūnin as Ninja Academy teachers.
• Natsume visited Mei Terumi, read her classified documents, and shared lunch with her in the Mizukage Office.
• After lunch, Natsume embraced Mei Terumi, and they went to her home using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Natsume spent the afternoon with Mei Terumi, then left her dinner and returned home, earning 100 Destiny Points because her destiny had changed.
• Mei Terumi woke late at night, found Natsume's note and dinner, and decided she would teach him a lesson next time.

Mei Terumi recovered from a night with Natsume, shared breakfast with him, and received Konoha’s operating model to help reform Kirigakure. Back in Konoha, Natsume monitored his allies and students as the Akatsuki prepared to pursue the resurrected Two-Tails, then visited the Ninja Academy to pick up Hanabi.

• Natsume brought breakfast to Mei Terumi, helped her recover, and gave her a scroll describing Konoha’s operating model, which she considered adapting to Kirigakure.
• Natsume returned to Konoha, reviewed reports about Mikoto Uchiha, his students, and the Land of Fire Metropolis, then learned the Akatsuki had ordered him to watch for Two-Tails’ resurrection.
• Natsume warned Kakashi Hatake to stay safe and contact him if he encountered a powerful enemy.
• Hyuga Hiashi sparred with Hinata Hyuga, praised her strength, and sent her to pick up Hanabi Hyuga from the Ninja Academy.
• Natsume inspected the Academy’s computer-equipped medical training classroom, told Shizune to request needed equipment, and waited outside Hanabi’s class.

Natsume spent the day with Hanabi Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga before visiting the Hyuga Clan, where he revealed a way to end the division between the Main House and Branch House. He left the matter of confronting the clan’s elders to Hinata and departed after promising to visit the girls again.

• Natsume visited Hanabi Hyuga at the Ninja Academy, and she told him she felt she was not learning much; he suggested she could apply for early graduation when the time was right.
• Natsume took Hanabi Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga to the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild’s snack shop, then brought food back to the Hyuga Clan.
• Neji Hyuga told Natsume that Kimimaro Kaguya had performed well in the squad and had defeated both Rock Lee and Neji in sparring matches.
• Natsume gave Hyuga Hiashi a scroll describing an improved Caged Bird and declared that the Hyuga Clan would no longer have Main House and Branch House divisions.
• Natsume said Hinata Hyuga would handle the elders who resisted the change, then made pinky promises to Hinata and Hanabi before leaving with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Natsume considered holding Joint Chūnin Exams and helped Hinata Hyuga prepare to free the Branch House from the Caged Bird. He proposed the exams to Mei Terumi, who weighed the benefits against the risks for Kirigakure.

• Natsume brought snacks home, and Tsunade suggested that Konoha host Joint Chūnin Exams.
• Natsume flirted with Kurenai Yuhi at the Hokage's Office before meeting with Hinata Hyuga about the improved Caged Bird and the coming Hyuga clan meeting.
• Natsume told Hinata Hyuga he would attend the meeting and said she could enter the Chūnin Exams afterward.
• Natsume reviewed a report about Jiraiya observing Naruto Uzumaki, then went to Kirigakure to discuss Konoha's plan with Mei Terumi.
• Mei Terumi considered whether Kirigakure should participate, concerned that its younger generation might not measure up and that the exams could go wrong.

Natsume arranged a Joint Chūnin Exams with Mei Terumi and learned that the Akatsuki planned to use it as cover to capture several Jinchuriki. He then attended the Hyuga Clan meeting from concealment as the clan prepared to replace its Caged Birds and confront Hiroshi Hyuga.

• Natsume offered to hold the second and third exam rounds in the Land of Water, and Mei Terumi agreed to plan the route from Konoha to Kirigakure.
• Natsume handed exam preparations to Kurenai Yuhi, learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had declined, and heard Konan assign Akatsuki members to capture Roshi, Han, and Killer Bee.
• Natsume agreed to go after Killer Bee with Kakuzu during the exams, then returned to Konoha.
• At the Hyuga Clan meeting, Hyuga Hiashi told Natsume that the Branch House members had replaced their Caged Birds, while Hiroshi Hyuga remained unaware.
• Natsume left the conference hall and watched the meeting from above behind a barrier, holding the Black Cat as the clan members arrived.

Hinata Hyuga helped Hiashi Hyuga abolish the distinction between the Main House and Branch House, and Natsume later approved Konoha’s full list of Chūnin Exam participants. The chapter ended with Kurenai Yuhi and Natsume reviewing the 72 Genin registered for the exams.

• Hiashi Hyuga proposed abolishing the distinction between the Main House and Branch House, and Hinata Hyuga argued in favor while Hiroshi Hyuga opposed them.
• The clan members unanimously supported the change, and Hiroshi Hyuga’s attempt to activate the Caged Bird failed because it had been altered.
• Hinata Hyuga struck Hiroshi Hyuga unconscious with a powerful distant attack, and Hiashi Hyuga agreed to send him to the Anbu for the Hokage’s judgment.
• Natsume left the Hyuga Clan after the meeting, then met with Kurenai Yuhi at the Hokage’s Office.
• Natsume reviewed the list of 72 Genin registered for the Chūnin Exams and approved all of them.

Hinata Hyuga reported that Hiroshi Hyuga had been arrested, and Natsume told her the Byakugan could evolve while reassuring her he would explain more later. Natsume finalized preparations for the Joint Chūnin Exams, then visited Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Kazahana Koyuki, and Mikoto Uchiha; by dawn, the preparations were complete and only the exams remained.

• Hinata Hyuga told Natsume that Hiroshi Hyuga had been arrested for attacking Hyuga Hiashi, and Natsume revealed that the Byakugan could evolve.
• Natsume reviewed the participating villages and approved Kirigakure's route for the second round, instructing that Genin travel on foot without transportation.
• Natsume visited Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in the Land of Fire Metropolis, where Kazahana Koyuki later joined them and discussed her work running the city.
• Natsume visited Mikoto Uchiha, ate the late-night meal she had prepared, and stayed with her until dawn.
• Kurenai Yuhi brought Natsume the examinee list, and he saw that the Joint Chūnin Exams' preparations were basically complete.

Natsume welcomed the Sunagakure and Kirigakure delegations to Konoha ahead of the Chunin Exams, while privately flirting with Kurenai Yuhi and Mei Terumi. The chapter ended with Mei blushing and warning Natsume not to visit her that night.

• Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara greeted Baki and the Sunagakure team as they arrived in Konoha for the exams.
• Baki explained that Rasa wanted the three siblings to compete as Sunagakure shinobi, and told them to fight Konoha competitors without taking lives.
• Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara welcomed the Sunagakure group and escorted them to their accommodations.
• Kurenai Yuhi told Natsume that the Kirigakure delegation had arrived, and Natsume kissed her before heading out to greet them.
• Natsume welcomed Mei Terumi, Zabuza Momochi, Haku, and the Kirigakure delegation, then escorted them to their temporary residence.
• Natsume secretly kissed Mei Terumi and teased her about visiting that night, prompting her to pinch him and warn him to stay away.

Natsume visited Mei Terumi in Kirigakure’s temporary residence and spent the evening with her before returning home to Tsunade and Shizune. The Joint Chūnin Exams’ written test began the next day, and after Konoha’s teams entered the examination hall, Natsume went back to check on Mei as she reviewed the venue plans.

• Natsume used a Flying Thunder God Mark to visit Mei Terumi, and they spent an hour together at Kirigakure’s residence.
• Natsume told Tsunade that Kirigakure would host the later exam rounds because the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild offered Konoha an additional hundred million.
• Tsunade and Shizune massaged Natsume at home before the three of them went to bed.
• Natsume and Hinata Hyuga arrived at the Ninja Academy, where Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and their teammates gathered for the written test.
• Rock Lee challenged Naruto Uzumaki to fight in the third round, and Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi arrived after special training with Kabuto Yakushi.
• Naruto Uzumaki completed more than half the written test, while Natsume visited Mei Terumi, who was reviewing arrangements for the exam’s guests.

Natsume oversaw the Chunin Exams as the second stage sent the Genin from Konoha to Kirigakure, then delayed his meeting with Kakuzu to watch the third stage with Mei Terumi. The tournament began in Kirigakure, where Choji Akimichi and Sasuke Uchiha won their opening matches.

• Mei Terumi finished reviewing her documents, massaged Natsume, and explained that she had to accompany the examinees to Kirigakure for the second stage.
• After the written exam ended, Mitaraishi Anko confirmed that Natsume’s students and the other named Konoha teams had passed, and Mei Terumi explained the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll team challenge before the Genin set off.
• Natsume asked Yugito Nii what she would do if Konoha and Kumogakure went to war, and she begged him to spare the Kumogakure ninjas and let her speak to them if conflict came.
• Three days after the second stage ended, Natsume traveled to Kirigakure with Maru Chikyū, but first visited Kakuzu in Kumogakure and arranged to pursue Killer B the next morning.
• Natsume returned to Kirigakure and joined Mei Terumi at the arena as Ao announced the third-stage matches.
• Choji Akimichi defeated a Sunagakure puppeteer, and Sasuke Uchiha quickly won his match using his Three Tomoe Sharingan.

Natsume captured Killer B and absorbed some of the Eight-Tails’ Chakra before Kakuzu carried the unconscious jinchuriki away. The Fourth Raikage confronted Natsume, while Darui led Kumogakure shinobi in pursuit of Kakuzu and the forest began moving again.

• Mei Terumi watched the Chūnin Exam matches with Natsume, who secretly touched her behind a barrier, and later agreed to let him leave for a day.
• Natsume suggested that Kirigakure recruit wandering shinobi to increase its talent, and Mei Terumi said she would consider the idea.
• Natsume had Uzuki Yugao impersonate him at the exams, met Kakuzu in Kumogakure, and went to the Valley of Clouds and Lightning to capture Killer B.
• Natsume used Wood Style to overwhelm Killer B and the Eight-Tails, then absorbed some of the beast’s Chakra and left Killer B unconscious.
• Kakuzu fled with Killer B as the Fourth Raikage attacked Natsume, ordered Darui to pursue them, and faced Natsume’s renewed Wood Style vines.

Natsume defeated the Fourth Raikage’s forces, took Samui to Konoha, and left her in Yugito Nii’s care while Kumogakure debated how to respond to the organization targeting Jinchuriki. Back in Kirigakure, the Joint Chūnin Exams continued, with Gaara matched against Hinata Hyuga.

• Natsume repelled the Fourth Raikage and bound the Kumogakure ninja with Wood Style, while Kakuzu escaped with Killer B.
• The Fourth Raikage returned empty-handed and learned that Samui had disappeared; Mabui concluded that the attackers were targeting Tailed Beasts after hearing that Iwagakure’s two Jinchuriki had also been captured.
• Kumogakure’s leaders considered whether Konoha was responsible and discussed seeking an alliance with Iwagakure before confronting Konoha.
• Natsume brought the unconscious Samui to Konoha and left her with Yugito Nii, who resolved to keep her alive.
• Natsume returned to Kirigakure as the Joint Chūnin Exams continued, and the arena announced Gaara versus Hinata Hyuga.

Hinata Hyuga defeated Gaara in the Chūnin Exams by using the Demon Slaying Bow and a powerful Empty Fist technique. After Hinata discovered Natsume had been absent for most of the match, he returned to praise her and warned Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha not to cause excessive damage in their upcoming fights.

• Temari warned Gaara not to kill Hinata Hyuga, and the two entered the arena to begin their match.
• Gaara's sand defenses kept Hinata from landing a Gentle Fist strike, so she drew the Demon Slaying Bow and pierced his defenses with an arrow.
• Hinata put away the bow and struck with Empty Fist—Sixty-Four Strikes, breaking Gaara's Sand Shield and knocking him down.
• Gaara conceded after realizing he could not call on Shukaku, and the referee Ao declared Hinata the winner.
• Hinata noticed that Natsume had not been on the high platform, then found him back in her seat and received his praise.
• Natsume cautioned Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha to avoid damaging Kirigakure during their upcoming matches.

The Joint Chūnin Exams concluded with Sasuke Uchiha named the winner after Naruto Uzumaki deliberately lost, while Natsume met Mei Terumi to discuss the Akatsuki’s capture of several Jinchuriki. As Kumogakure and Iwagakure joined forces against the mysterious organization, Konan received information on Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki from Ajisai’s team.

• Naruto Uzumaki deliberately lost to Sasuke Uchiha, and Ao announced Sasuke as the winner of the final match.
• Mei Terumi ended the Joint Chūnin Exams and asked Uzuki Yugao to summon Natsume to the Mizukage Office.
• Natsume told Mei Terumi that the Akatsuki had captured the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Eight-Tails, and predicted that Konoha would be targeted next.
• Natsume spent time with Mei Terumi before returning to Konoha, while Ōnoki agreed to cooperate with Kumogakure against the mysterious organization.
• Natsume brought Sasuke Uchiha and the others back to Konoha, then promoted the outstanding exam participants to Chūnin.
• Ajisai and the other Amegakure Genin returned with information and portraits of Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki, and Konan promoted them to Chūnin.

Natsume learned that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had secretly agreed to cooperate, but he planned to use the Akatsuki threat as an opportunity to conquer both villages. Meanwhile, Pain and Obito Uchiha prepared to attack Konoha as the Akatsuki organized a separate mission against Kirigakure.

• Kurenai Yuhi gave Natsume an Anbu report revealing that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had secretly reached an agreement, and Natsume decided to use the situation to take them down.
• Natsume visited Yugito Nii and Samui, gave Samui a Heavenly Net Login Device, and ordered Yugito Nii to have her join the Hokage Guard after she adjusted to Konoha.
• Konan reported that Gaara and Naruto Uzumaki were Jinchuriki, and Pain decided to attack Konoha himself while sending Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Sasori, and Deidara to Kirigakure.
• Konan insisted on accompanying Pain to protect him, and Pain agreed to bring Kakuzu while leaving Kishi uninformed.
• Obito Uchiha volunteered to join the attack on Konoha, and Pain accepted so Obito could witness the power of God.

Natsume and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki traveled to the moon, subdued Ōtsutsuki Toneri, and took the Giant Tenseigan. Natsume brought Toneri to Kabuto Yakushi to investigate whether Hinata Hyuga could awaken the Tenseigan, while Kaguya studied the Giant Tenseigan.

• Natsume asked Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to create a sensory barrier around the Forest of Death and Konoha to detect the Akatsuki Organization.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki took Natsume to the moon, where they encountered Ōtsutsuki Toneri and the Giant Tenseigan.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki overpowered Ōtsutsuki Toneri and left him severely wounded and unconscious, then shrank the Giant Tenseigan and brought it back with them.
• Natsume sent Kaguya Ōtsutsuki with the Giant Tenseigan to the Daimyo's Palace of the Land of Fire and took Ōtsutsuki Toneri to the Research Department.
• Natsume told Kabuto Yakushi that Toneri could awaken the Tenseigan by receiving a Byakugan, and Kabuto said the process should be possible for Hinata Hyuga.

Natsume arranged for Kabuto Yakushi to transfer Otsutsuki Toneri’s Chakra to Hinata Hyuga, awakening her Tenseigan. After Kaguya Ōtsutsuki returned with her own Tenseigan, Natsume concealed the Giant Tenseigan in a tower and let her stay in the Hokage’s Office.

• Natsume brought Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata Hyuga to Kabuto Yakushi’s laboratory, where Otsutsuki Toneri lay unconscious.
• Kabuto Yakushi transplanted Otsutsuki Toneri’s Chakra into Hinata Hyuga, and she awoke with a pale blue Tenseigan.
• Natsume explained that Hinata’s eyes were comparable to the Sage of Six Paths’ eyes and told Hyuga Hiashi to ask Kabuto Yakushi about the experiment.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki returned to Konoha with a purple Tenseigan, and Natsume had her conceal the Giant Tenseigan inside a tower behind a barrier.
• Natsume let Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stay in the Hokage’s Office under rules that limited her work and required her to remain hidden from outsiders.

Natsume sensed the Akatsuki Organization approaching and dispatched Uzuki Yugao and a team to protect Kirigakure’s Jinchuriki while he confronted the intruders. He arrived at the Forest of Death with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, where Deva Path Pain, the other Paths of Pain, Kakuzu, and Obito Uchiha prepared to face him.

• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sensed four approaching enemies, including a Rinnegan wielder and someone with a Mangekyō Sharingan, and Natsume identified the latter as Obito Uchiha.
• Natsume sent Uzuki Yugao to Kirigakure with Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Gaara, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha to delay the attackers and protect the Jinchuriki.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sensed Nagato and Konan hiding in a tree near the Forest of Death while Natsume received Uzuki Yugao’s assembly signal.
• Natsume transported Uzuki Yugao and her team to the Mizukage Office, warned Mei Terumi about the threat to her Jinchuriki, and then left for the Forest of Death.
• Natsume and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki arrived in the Forest of Death, where Kakuzu recognized Natsume and Deva Path Pain stepped forward with the other Paths of Pain and Obito Uchiha.