Chapter Summaries

After securing trade routes for the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko took Kushina, Nagato, and Konan to Konoha to gain combat experience through A-rank missions. He arranged for them to take a mission with Hiruzen and left Kushina to seek out Minato while he went with Nagato and Konan to visit Nawaki.

• Masahiko returned to the Land of Whirlpools with the Explosive Tag payment, and the country established shipping routes with the Land of Earth, Sunagakure, and other nations.
• Masahiko decided his disciples needed practical combat experience and brought Kushina, Nagato, and Konan to Konoha to take on missions.
• On the way, Masahiko teased Kushina about Minato and told the three children he would not intervene easily during their missions.
• In Konoha, Masahiko saw Might Guy, Gai, and Hitomi delivering food for Teuchi as training.
• Masahiko arranged with Hiruzen for the children to take an A-rank mission every six months, and Hiruzen agreed.
• Masahiko encouraged Kushina to find Minato, then set out with Nagato and Konan to visit Nawaki.

Masahiko took Nagato, Konan, and Kushina to Kusagakure to investigate its contact with Sunagakure, then secretly raised the stakes when they found the mission’s answer too easily. The children escaped after defeating a Kusagakure patrol, while Masahiko hindered the reinforcements pursuing them.

• After spending New Year in Konoha, Masahiko found no A-rank missions and accepted an Anbu intelligence mission in Kusagakure for the three children.
• On the way, Masahiko tried to teach the children scouting despite not knowing how to do it himself, then left them near Kusagakure to proceed alone.
• Kushina, Nagato, and Konan spotted Kusagakure patrol ninjas carrying crates and realized Sunagakure had resold Konoha’s Explosive Tags, completing their mission.
• When the children prepared to leave, Masahiko hit a Kusagakure ninja with a pebble, exposing them and provoking a patrol squad to chase them.
• The children fought the Kusagakure ninjas, and Masahiko secretly twisted the remaining enemies’ ankles so the three could defeat them and flee.
• Masahiko obstructed the pursuing reinforcements with roadblocks as the children escaped toward Konoha.

Masahiko finished the children’s mission, fulfilled a month of wood-carving orders, and learned that Konoha School was preparing for its thirty-ninth enrollment. He planned to attend the February 20 assessment to see which familiar children would enter the school.

• Masahiko reassured the injured Kushina, Nagato, and Konan, then collected the mission payment from Hiruzen, who asked him to sell Explosive Tags to Konoha and was refused.
• Masahiko visited Ichiraku Ramen and discovered Teuchi’s delivery business had grown, with Might Guy working as a delivery boy.
• Masahiko reopened his shop and fulfilled hundreds of wood-carving orders, earning more than three hundred million ryo before sending the carvings out with Ichiraku’s delivery workers.
• Masahiko learned that Konoha School was holding its thirty-ninth enrollment and went to watch children register for the new screening process.
• Masahiko read that assessments would be held on February 20 and decided to return then to look for familiar faces.

Masahiko observed Konoha’s thirty-ninth Ninja Academy entrance examination and watched several familiar children, including Might Guy and Kakashi, take their tests. The examination ended with Kakashi disappointed by his scores, while Sakumo left Masahiko with a teasing answer about Kakashi’s mask.

• Masahiko learned from Sakumo that more than 150 children had registered, but only around 60 would be admitted, and that a perfect score in one section could secure a pass.
• Masahiko watched Kagami Uchiha test candidates in genjutsu and heard Sakumo say Kagami’s daughter-in-law might be pregnant.
• Might Guy took the examination, and Masahiko worried that his performance might not be enough to pass.
• Masahiko recognized candidates including Morino Ibiki, Ebisu, Gekko Hayate, Uzuki Yugao, Shiranui Genma, Nohara Rin, Obito, Yūhi Kurenai, and Asuma; Kurenai earned full marks in genjutsu.
• Kakashi took the final tests, failed to earn full marks in taijutsu and genjutsu, and looked disappointed.
• Masahiko asked Sakumo why Kakashi wore a mask, and Sakumo replied that Kakashi was handsome before leaving.

Masahiko watched Guy fail to enroll in Konoha School, then saw him admitted provisionally and discovered that Kakashi, Obito, and other familiar children were in the same class. After the school enrollment, Orochimaru asked Masahiko to lead him to Ryūchi Cave, and Masahiko agreed to go with him the next morning.

• Kagami told Masahiko that Guy had failed the entrance exam, and Masahiko warned Hiruzen that he might take Guy to the Land of Whirlpools if Hiruzen did not admit him.
• Masahiko accompanied Might Duy and Guy to check the admissions list, saw Guy's name missing, and later watched Guy receive provisional admission before school began.
• Masahiko attended the new students' roll call, where he recognized Shizune, Namiashi Raidō, and Yamashiro Aoba, and gained Witness Points from the students.
• Tsunade brought Orochimaru to Masahiko, who agreed to take Orochimaru to search for Ryūchi Cave the next morning.
• Tsunade told Masahiko that she had not fully mastered Sage Mode and hurried away when he asked to see it.

Masahiko accompanied Orochimaru west from Konoha to find Ryūchi Cave, where they unexpectedly discovered the secluded Balance Clan and learned that Masahiko’s old seal had not stopped their transformation ability. After offering them a place in the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko located Ryūchi Cave and followed Orochimaru inside despite his revulsion at the snakes.

• Masahiko and Orochimaru traveled west for two days, then used Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to locate a hidden village.
• Masahiko recognized the villagers as the Balance Clan, whom he had sealed during the Warring States era, and the clan accused him of failing to suppress their transformation ability.
• Masahiko explained that the Bloodline Seal had only weakened their ninja abilities and offered the clan a chance to relocate to the Land of Whirlpools.
• Masahiko sensed Ryūchi Cave beyond the village, and Orochimaru entered while Masahiko hesitated at the sight of countless snakes.
• Masahiko overcame his disgust and followed Orochimaru into Ryūchi Cave.

Masahiko and Orochimaru traveled through Ryūchi Cave to find the Snake Sage so Orochimaru could learn Sage Mode. After Masahiko fought Manda and reached the sage, the seemingly gentle Snake Sage revealed itself to be a molted husk and attacked him from below.

• Masahiko and Orochimaru followed the Sage Mode Chakra deeper into Ryūchi Cave, where Blue Snake recognized Orochimaru and led them toward Manda.
• Manda attacked Masahiko, who unleashed a full-power Shinra Tensei that blasted Manda, two other giant snakes, and Orochimaru through the caverns.
• Manda returned and lashed at Masahiko, who pinned its tail to the ground with a lightning sword before continuing with Orochimaru toward the Snake Sage.
• The Snake Sage welcomed Orochimaru and asked whether he wanted to learn Sage Mode, while Masahiko sensed that something about the sage seemed wrong.
• The Snake Sage's body collapsed like an empty husk as a huge snake emerged from beneath the ground and attacked Masahiko, who began using Earth Release: Super Heavy Rock Fist Technique.

Masahiko met the White Snake Sage in Ryūchi Cave, where she tested him but chose not to continue fighting. He left after she began guiding Orochimaru’s Sage Mode training, still puzzled and disappointed by how different she was from his expectations.

• The White Snake Sage confronted Masahiko over his injuries to Ao and Red Snake, and Masahiko realized she had used a shed skin to evade his senses.
• Orochimaru examined the White Snake Sage’s shed skin while Masahiko kept watch, then asked whether Masahiko had obtained her blood.
• The White Snake Sage said there was no benefit in fighting Masahiko, and he stepped aside so Orochimaru could negotiate for Sage Mode training.
• Masahiko found ancient carvings in Ryūchi Cave and wondered whether humans had once lived there.
• The White Snake Sage began training Orochimaru, and Masahiko left Ryūchi Cave without further trouble, wondering what abilities she possessed.

Masahiko brought the Balance Clan to the Land of Whirlpools and then visited Jiraiya to offer writing advice. After Jiraiya criticized Masahiko’s old novel, Masahiko opened the Seventh Gate and destroyed his house.

• Masahiko flew more than one hundred members of the Balance Clan back to the Land of Whirlpools, startling people across the Land of Fire.
• Masahiko asked Iko to settle the Balance Clan members before returning to Konoha.
• Masahiko visited Jiraiya’s home and found him exhausted from writing a book.
• Masahiko discovered Jiraiya had mistaken his novel Village Founding Dream for an erotic book and criticized its portrayal of Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage.
• Masahiko activated Sage Mode and the Seventh Gate, blowing up Jiraiya’s house.

Masahiko destroyed Jiraiya’s house during their sparring match and left after arguing with him about his lost collection and novel. At the training ground, Masahiko watched Guy and Kakashi’s taijutsu match, then taught them a new version of rock, paper, scissors that changed their rivalry.

• Masahiko explained that he had accidentally destroyed Jiraiya’s house while sparring, then promised to pay for a replacement.
• Jiraiya revealed that Masahiko had destroyed his collection and half-finished novel, and Masahiko admitted he had written the surviving book.
• Masahiko left Jiraiya to find somewhere to sleep and went to the training ground, where he watched Guy and Kakashi fight.
• Kakashi defeated Guy for the second time, and the exhausted boys played rock, paper, scissors instead of fighting again.
• Masahiko taught Guy and Kakashi a new version of the game and received 10 Witness Points for changing their Sparring Match.

Masahiko tricked Obito into helping him and damaging a carving, then used the supposed loss to recruit Obito as his carving apprentice. Obito realized Masahiko had fabricated the whole incident, but he had already accepted the carving tools.

• Masahiko disguised himself as a frail old man and let Obito help him walk to the Taobao Shop.
• Masahiko lured Obito into the shop, where Obito admired the carvings and tried to leave without a drink.
• Masahiko used Gravity Pull to make Obito knock over a carving of the Third Hokage, then demanded one million ryo in compensation.
• Masahiko offered to teach Obito carving instead of collecting the money, and persuaded him with promises of fast hands and impressing Nohara Rin.
• Obito accepted the carving knife and wood, then saw Masahiko bring out another carving of the Third Hokage and realized he had been tricked.

Masahiko balanced teaching Obito wood carving with his secret role as the Taobao Shop owner, and welcomed Obito’s friends to the shop. After giving the children carvings that linked them together, he hinted at his ninja past and left Obito eager to keep learning.

• Masahiko arrived at the Taobao Shop and found Obito waiting with Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Yūhi Kurenai.
• Masahiko let the children explore the shop and carved figures of Kakashi, Obito, and Kurenai.
• Masahiko carved a group scene linking Kakashi, Obito, and Nohara Rin, then added Kurenai’s carving and gave each child one to keep.
• Kakashi noticed that Masahiko’s carving knife could conduct Chakra, prompting Masahiko to acknowledge that he was a ninja.
• Masahiko told Obito that carving was a form of cultivation, and Obito eagerly asked him to continue teaching.

Masahiko began teaching Obito stone carving and used grueling practice to motivate him to train harder so he could surpass Kakashi. The chapter left Obito determined to work harder, while Masahiko kept his identity as Hagoromo secret and made him continue training.

• Masahiko stopped Obito from chopping wood and had him begin carving his name into stone.
• Kakashi questioned whether Masahiko was a ninja, and Sakumo confirmed that he was a powerful senior ninja.
• Masahiko made Obito carve several stones, using Rin’s encouragement to push him past exhaustion.
• Obito asked Masahiko to guide his ninja training, and Masahiko convinced him that beating Kakashi required greater perseverance.
• Masahiko told Obito his name was Hagoromo, then warned him not to reveal his past or identity.
• When Obito thought training was over, Masahiko ordered him to continue.

After six months of carving stones, Obito completed Masahiko’s first training step and began a much harder one. He watched Kakashi graduate, then decided to apply for graduation himself before Masahiko persuaded him to reconsider by pointing out that Kakashi’s departure left him free to spend time with Rin.

• Obito finished carving one hundred stones, and Masahiko started him on a second training step using unusually hard stones.
• Masahiko tricked Obito twice into thinking Rin had arrived, but Rin eventually showed up and told him Kakashi had applied to graduate.
• Masahiko followed Obito and Rin to the Hokage Office Building, where Kakashi passed his assessment and became a Genin.
• Obito refused to congratulate Kakashi, then declared that he wanted to apply for graduation too.
• Masahiko reminded Obito that Kakashi’s graduation meant no one at school would bother him and Rin, and Obito decided he was content with that.

Masahiko went with Kushina to watch Minato complete his Flying Thunder God training and earned Witness Points from witnessing his success. After Minato finished training, Masahiko prepared to take Kushina, Nagato, and Konan on a mission.

• Masahiko postponed the team's mission after Kushina asked to wait until Minato finished training the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Masahiko and Kushina visited Minato at the Forest of Death, where Jiraiya watched him practice.
• Minato explained that he had reached the final stage of training, while Masahiko failed to use the Flying Thunder God himself and instead used a similar substitution technique.
• Masahiko watched Minato practice for a week until he mastered the technique and could spar against Jiraiya.
• Masahiko gained ten Witness Points, then told Kushina to gather Nagato and Konan for a mission.

Masahiko took a herb procurement mission to Southern Red State Island with Nagato, Konan, and Kushina, despite Hiruzen and Danzo’s concerns about the lengthy assignment. The four set out on what Masahiko treated as a training trip, while Danzo worried he might keep the herbs for the Land of Whirlpools.

• Masahiko visited the Hokage Office Building with the three children and learned that Kumogakure had selected the Fourth Raikage.
• Masahiko refused to travel to Kumogakure and asked Hiruzen for a mission for his team.
• Masahiko suspected Konoha was preparing for war after seeing several A-rank procurement missions, but Hiruzen and Danzo denied his theory.
• Masahiko chose the herb procurement mission to Southern Red State Island, and Konan confirmed she knew the requested medicinal herbs.
• Hiruzen gave Masahiko the mission money and a map, and Masahiko led the three children away to begin their journey.
• After they left, Hiruzen and Danzo hoped Masahiko would bring back the needed supplies, though Danzo feared he would take the herbs to the Land of Whirlpools.

Masahiko took Kushina, Konan, and Nagato to Southern Red State Island to gather herbs, but spent their medicine money on abacus skateboards and turned the trip into an unusual training journey. After discovering that the bridge ropes were coated in Paralysis Grass, he made the children practice crossing while shielding themselves with Chakra.

• Masahiko brought the three children to Southern Red State Island, where they met ninja from the Merchant Ninja Village gathering herbs.
• Masahiko mistook the merchants' abacuses for skateboards, bought four, and led the children around the island to gather herbs.
• Masahiko and Nagato tried unidentified herbs, leaving Nagato with diarrhea, while Kushina learned herb identification from Konan.
• Masahiko noticed a wooden bridge and learned from Konan that its ropes were coated in Paralysis Grass.
• Masahiko ordered the children to protect themselves with Chakra and cross the bridge, then decided the grass might be useful.

Masahiko took Nagato, Konan, and Kushina through a dangerous training trip to Hellish Swamp, where they collected Swamp Mud and fought a giant salamander. The cave collapsed as they escaped, and Masahiko returned with the salamander, leaving Kushina wondering how he had caused the collapse.

• Masahiko collected Paralysis Grass from a bridge after Nagato, Konan, and Kushina struggled across it, then led them toward Hellish Swamp.
• The group found toxic gas and corrosive Swamp Mud in a cave, and Nagato used Shadow Clones to test the dangers and collect a sample.
• Ancestor Salamander burst from underground and swallowed Nagato's Shadow Clone and Sealing Scroll, so Masahiko told the children to capture it.
• Masahiko suppressed the gas while Nagato, Konan, and Kushina fought Ancestor Salamander, which eventually died after failing to escape.
• Masahiko told the children to collect more Swamp Mud as the cave began collapsing, then helped them escape and dragged out the salamander.
• Kushina asked how Masahiko had made the cave collapse from the inside out, and he admitted he did not know.

Masahiko returned to Konoha with the children and a giant salamander, where Hiruzen told him that Gensuke was critically ill. Masahiko rushed to the Land of Whirlpools, where Gensuke died after seeing him, leaving Masahiko reflecting on the pain of outliving younger generations.

• Masahiko took Konan, Kushina, and Nagato back to Konoha after gathering herbs and collecting a giant salamander.
• Hiruzen told Masahiko and Kushina that the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, Gensuke, was critically ill.
• Masahiko left the salamander and Sealing Scrolls with Hiruzen, then flew with the children to the Land of Whirlpools.
• Iko and Nanako told Masahiko that Gensuke's health had failed, and Nanako said she had expected his death because he had refused to rest.
• Gensuke smiled and nodded at Masahiko before closing his eyes, and Masahiko reflected on the grief of outliving those he cared about.

Masahiko presided over Gensuke’s funeral and helped choose Jinsuke as the next feudal lord of the Land of Whirlpools. He comforted Kushina, who questioned her duties and learned the truth about Minato’s rescue, then resolved to bring both Minato and the Nine-Tails back.

• Masahiko presided over Gensuke’s funeral as civilians and ninja from the Land of Whirlpools came to pay their respects.
• Nanako recommended her son Jinsuke as feudal lord, and Masahiko agreed that he should take the position.
• Masahiko comforted Kushina, who wondered whether staying in Konoha for Minato was selfish, and encouraged her to pursue her own happiness.
• Kushina asked Masahiko what had really happened when Minato saved her, and he revealed that Hiruzen and Danzo had arranged her kidnapping so she could become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Masahiko assured Kushina that Minato had not known about the plan, and Kushina resolved to bring both the Nine-Tails and Minato back.