Chapter Summaries

After returning from the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko collected money from Hiruzen and made training gear from Paralysis Grass. He accidentally paralyzed Kakashi, who had come to ask about Obito, and promised him a bracelet after it was treated.

• Uzumaki Jinshuan became the second Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, and Masahiko returned to Konoha with the three squad members.
• Masahiko collected 10 million ryo from Hiruzen as goodwill and another 300,000 ryo as a mission reward.
• Masahiko found Ichiraku Ramen under expansion, then returned to his shop and discovered notes from Obito asking where he had gone.
• Masahiko wove bracelets and an Immortal Binding Lock from Paralysis Grass, and Kakashi collapsed after touching the untreated grass.
• Masahiko explained the grass's training use to Kakashi and promised to give him a treated bracelet in a few days.

Masahiko unlocked a formula for Nourishing Pills and made a batch after buying herbs from Yamanaka Pharmacy. He named them Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and planned to sell them at his Taobao Shop so Nawaki might buy them himself.

• Masahiko watched Nagato practice walking while wearing specially treated Paralysis Grass Rings and encouraged him to keep training.
• Masahiko spent ten Witness Points to raise Medicine Making to level ten and learned a formula for Nourishing Pills, hoping to help Nawaki have children with Mikoto.
• Masahiko disguised himself as Boss Hagoromo and bought large quantities of herbs from Inoichi Yamanaka at Yamanaka Pharmacy.
• Masahiko used a Sealing Scroll to carry the herbs to his shop, then learned to make pills after wasting two batches of ingredients.
• Masahiko named the Nourishing Pills Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and decided to sell them in the shop so Nawaki might purchase them.

Over two and a half years, Masahiko’s apprentices Obito and Nohara Rin grew as his shop and Ichiraku Ramen expanded, while Senju Nawaki and Uchiha Mikoto awaited a child. Jiraiya returned to Konoha with Minato, and Masahiko left the chapter pulling them past Kakashi, Asuma, Might Guy, and Shizune in the line for half-price ramen.

• Masahiko watched Obito and Nohara Rin work at his shop, where Rin prepared pills and Obito’s carving had improved.
• Obito told Masahiko that he and Rin planned to apply for Ninja Academy graduation, and he declared his ambition to become Hokage.
• Masahiko learned that Uchiha Mikoto was pregnant with Senju Nawaki’s child and that Uchiha Fugaku had married Uchiha Mirei.
• Teuchi told Masahiko that Ichiraku Ramen’s Land of Fire branch would open the next day and that he hoped to open another shop in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Jiraiya returned from a three-year absence with Minato, and Masahiko led them past Kakashi, Asuma, Might Guy, and Shizune to cut into the ramen line.

Masahiko joined Minato, Jiraiya, and four children for ramen before Minato was summoned to the Hokage. Hiruzen sent Minato, Choza, and Shibi on an urgent S-rank mission to Rōran, and Masahiko realized the Dragon Vein and puppet army sounded like the plot of a Naruto movie.

• Masahiko shared a ramen shack with Minato, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, and Shizune, and asked Kakashi why he had not taken the Chunin Exams.
• Kakashi asked Masahiko to persuade Sakumo and then asked Minato to take him on a mission outside the village, but an Anbu arrived to summon Minato to Hiruzen.
• Masahiko followed Minato to the Hokage Office, where Hiruzen ordered Minato, Choza, and Shibi to depart immediately on an S-rank mission.
• Minato asked to bring Kakashi along, and Hiruzen agreed that the mission could give Kakashi experience because Minato would protect him.
• Hiruzen told Masahiko that Rōran had developed rapidly under Regent Anrokuzan, who used a Dragon Vein to create a Puppet Army.
• Masahiko recognized the situation as the plot of a Naruto movie and questioned the claim that the Dragon Vein held endless Chakra.

Masahiko learned that Rōran’s Dragon Vein was real and traveled there to investigate it. Inside the Dragon Vein chamber, he met Princess Sara and Anrokuzan, who tried to take her away, while Sara wondered whether Masahiko was her father.

• Hiruzen told Masahiko where Rōran was, and Masahiko flew there to investigate the Dragon Vein.
• Masahiko arrived at Rōran, evaded the swarming puppets, and used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to locate the Dragon Vein.
• Masahiko examined the Dragon Vein chamber’s altar and seals, then encountered Princess Sara.
• Anrokuzan accused Masahiko of being involved in the previous queen’s death and tried to pull Sara from the chamber.
• Masahiko explained that the chamber’s seals prevented the puppets from operating inside, while Sara insisted that Masahiko might be her father.

Masahiko investigated the Dragon Vein and learned that Anrokuzan had traveled from Konoha Year 63 by absorbing Minato’s sealing formula and the Dragon Vein’s power. He waited for Minato and the others to arrive, then stayed hidden as they investigated Roran; on the eve of Sara’s coronation, the Dragon Vein stirred and Masahiko rushed toward it.

• Masahiko sensed the Dragon Vein’s Chakra and concluded it was powerful but not infinite, then learned from Anrokuzan under genjutsu that Anrokuzan came from Sand Shinobi Year 62 and had absorbed Minato’s sealing formula and the Dragon Vein to travel through time.
• Anrokuzan fainted before Masahiko could ask another question, and Masahiko decided to wait for Minato to arrive and set up the seal.
• Anrokuzan woke and blamed Masahiko for harming Roran’s previous queen, prompting the civilians to hunt Masahiko while he hid underground for two days.
• Minato, Choza, Shibi Aburame, and Kakashi arrived in Anbu masks and began investigating Roran, while Masahiko evaded Minato’s questions by returning underground.
• As Sara’s coronation approached, an unusual fluctuation came from the Dragon Vein, and Masahiko raced toward it.

Masahiko encountered his future self, who said he had come to rewrite a tragedy but revealed that nothing had happened to anyone. Masahiko then joined Naruto’s battle against Anrokuzan and watched the creature regenerate through its connection to the Dragon Vein.

• Masahiko recognized Naruto as a time traveler and watched him use Shadow Clones, Rasengan, and the Nine-Tails’ power before Minato, Choza, and Shibi rescued him.
• Future Masahiko appeared, erased the surrounding puppets with a wave, and told Masahiko he had come to rewrite a tragedy, though he said there was nothing he wanted to change.
• Naruto called Minato his father, then covered his mistake by pretending he had confused Minato with someone else.
• Future Masahiko dismissed the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy as probably senile and vanished to check on Naruto’s battle.
• Masahiko followed and photographed Anrokuzan, noting that the Dragon Vein gave the half-puppet creature super-speed regeneration.

Masahiko watched Minato, Naruto, and the others defeat Anrokuzan and seal the Dragon Vein, while wondering about the mysterious future version of himself and his possible daughter. Naruto returned to his own time, leaving Masahiko to wonder where Sara and his future self had gone.

• Masahiko photographed Anrokuzan as Minato sensed a Space Ninjutsu fluctuation and Naruto shouted that Mukade had taken Sara.
• Minato left to seal the Dragon Vein while Choza and Shibi Aburame attacked Anrokuzan, who regenerated and overwhelmed them and Kakashi.
• Minato and Naruto rescued their allies, then fused their Rasengan into a Taiji Rasengan that blasted Anrokuzan apart.
• Minato sealed the Dragon Vein with the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Eight Trigrams Seal, stopping its energy from flowing.
• Naruto said goodbye to Minato and the others, smiled at Masahiko, and disappeared back to his own time.
• Masahiko wondered why his future self had left without saying goodbye and where Sara had gone.

Masahiko tried to begin his time-traveling endeavor, but Future Masahiko appeared and warned him that White Zetsu was watching. White Zetsu transformed into the Sage of Six Paths, and the two powerful figures battled, leaving Masahiko wondering why his future self had stayed in the past to fight him.

• Masahiko searched for Sara without finding her, then prepared to use the sealing formula and Dragon Vein power to travel through time.
• Future Masahiko appeared and warned Masahiko that White Zetsu was watching nearby.
• White Zetsu deflected Future Masahiko’s Tailed Beast Bomb and All-Killing Ash Bones, then revealed itself as the Sage of Six Paths.
• Future Masahiko and the Sage of Six Paths clashed, destroying Rōran and sending shockwaves across the region while Masahiko protected the Dragon Vein altar.
• Future Masahiko gained the advantage with his techniques, and Masahiko wondered why his future self had remained in the present to fight the Sage of Six Paths.

Masahiko helped Future Masahiko hold off the Sage of Six Paths long enough for Future Masahiko to absorb the Dragon Vein and return to the past, leaving Rōran destroyed. After rescuing Sara, Masahiko accepted that he would have to care for her as his daughter, though he remained unsure how she was related to him.

• Future Masahiko asked Masahiko to hold off the Sage of Six Paths for five seconds, and Masahiko used the Seventh Gate and a powerful Dust Release attack to buy him time.
• Future Masahiko absorbed Minato's Sealing Jutsu formula and the Dragon Vein, then vanished with the altar and left Sara in Masahiko's care.
• The Sage of Six Paths collapsed with White Zetsu, and Masahiko found himself in a devastated desert with Sara unconscious beside him.
• Masahiko carried Sara away before scouts arrived and laid her on a stone bed he made in the desert.
• Sara woke up crying over Rōran's destruction, and Masahiko comforted her and decided to care for her as his daughter.

After returning from Rōran, Masahiko accepted Sara as his daughter and brought her to Konoha under his Hagoromo identity. Hiruzen arrived at the Taobao Shop and learned that Sara was Masahiko’s daughter, leaving Masahiko worried about his reputation.

• Masahiko comforted Sara and established a father-daughter relationship with her on the journey back.
• Masahiko disguised himself as Hagoromo and introduced Sara as his daughter when Minato’s group encountered them, while denying knowledge of the battle in Rōran.
• Masahiko and Sara walked to Konoha over five days, and he offered to teach her carving, Medicine Making, and basic ninja skills.
• Hiruzen rushed to the Taobao Shop to question Masahiko about the battle, but Sara called Masahiko her father and shocked them both.

Masahiko accepted Sara as his daughter and told Hiruzen that Uchiha Madara had escaped after fighting him in the Land of Wind. A month later, after teaching Sara ninja basics, carving, and Medicine Making, he learned that she wanted to study ramen-making.

• Masahiko admitted to Hiruzen that Sara was his daughter and claimed Uchiha Madara had escaped after their fight.
• Masahiko worried that Tsunade might reveal his true identity and reassured Sara that her attacker was unlikely to return soon.
• Over the next month, Masahiko taught Sara basic ninja training, carving, and Medicine Making while she settled into life as his daughter.
• Masahiko took Sara to Ichiraku Ramen, where he teased Teuchi about giving her extra chashu.
• After they returned to the shop, Sara asked Masahiko to teach her how to make ramen, leaving him bewildered.

Masahiko brought Sara to Ichiraku Ramen to learn the trade, then watched Obito pass his Ninja Academy graduation exam. Obito earned his forehead protector, while Masahiko received Witness Points and slipped away after Dan Katō spotted him.

• Masahiko took Sara to Ichiraku Ramen, where Teuchi agreed to teach her ramen-making.
• Tsunade questioned Masahiko about Sara, and he told her to treat Sara as his daughter while keeping his identity secret.
• Over the next half month, Sara learned to make edible ramen, and Masahiko grew used to taking her to work.
• Obito told Masahiko that he and his classmates would graduate soon, and Masahiko decided to watch the exam.
• Obito successfully performed the Three Body Jutsu and received his forehead protector as Masahiko gained five Witness Points.
• Dan Katō noticed Masahiko watching, so Masahiko kicked him aside, signaled Obito, and vanished.

After Obito graduated from the Ninja Academy, his attempt to cover for Masahiko’s prank led Hiruzen to bring Masahiko a ridiculous portrait of the attacker. Masahiko teased Obito about his ambitions before taking him and Rin out to celebrate, with a quiet plan for revenge over the portrait.

• Dan Katō questioned Obito about the person who kicked him, and Obito described the attacker with features that produced a bizarre portrait.
• Hiruzen arrived at the Ninja Academy, ended the inquiry, and took the portrait after learning Obito had supplied the description.
• Hiruzen brought the portrait to Masahiko’s shop and accused him of attacking the school; Masahiko realized Hiruzen had figured out the prank.
• Obito and Rin arrived with Obito proudly displaying his Genin forehead protector, and Masahiko mocked Obito’s grand ambitions.
• Masahiko showed Obito the portrait, learned Obito had deliberately covered for him, and took Obito and Rin to celebrate with ramen while plotting revenge.

Masahiko helped Obito and Rin prepare for their new team assignment, then watched Minato's Squad assemble at the Photo Studio. After Obito arrived late and met Kakashi, the team took a group portrait, leaving Masahiko three Witness Points short of 1,000.

• Obito asked Masahiko to arrange for him and Rin to be assigned to the same class, but Rin revealed that they were already on the same team.
• Masahiko watched the new graduates take photos and saw Kakashi, Minato, and Rin gather at the Photo Studio.
• Obito arrived nearly an hour late and discovered that Kakashi was his teammate under Minato's guidance.
• Masahiko took several group portraits of Minato's Squad and gained 20 Witness Points, bringing his total to 997.

Masahiko watched Minato’s new squad settle into training and missions while keeping his own identity as Hagoromo. After Minato questioned him about his past, he grew suspicious that Hagoromo was actually Elder Masahiko.

• Rin, Obito, Kakashi, and Minato chose a team photo, and Masahiko gave them copies.
• Masahiko asked Sakumo about a dangerous mission from his past, but Sakumo had no idea what he meant.
• Masahiko spent a quiet New Year in Konoha while Obito trained and repeatedly lost to Kakashi, with Rin learning Medical Ninjutsu.
• Minato began taking his squad on missions, and their first assignment was delivering Ichiraku Ramen, where Sara served Obito, Rin, and Kakashi.
• Minato questioned Hagoromo about his past and why he did not teach Obito and Rin ninjutsu, then suspected he was Elder Masahiko.

Masahiko traveled to Sunagakure in disguise to commission a special puppet toy for Nawaki and Mikoto’s unborn child. After the Third Kazekage offered a low-ranked mission, Masahiko revealed he was willing to pay a fortune for the best materials and craftsmanship.

• Masahiko worried that Minato had recognized his Hagoromo identity and began planning a gift for Mikoto’s unborn child.
• After Sara suggested puppet soldiers as a possible gift, Masahiko decided to seek help from Sunagakure’s puppet masters.
• Masahiko disguised himself as a middle-aged traveler and entered Sunagakure without attracting suspicion.
• The Third Kazekage offered Masahiko a D-rank mission to have a puppet master make a toy for 1,000 ryo.
• Masahiko presented ten million-ryo banknotes and demanded a better toy made with the finest materials, leaving the Third Kazekage stunned.

Masahiko used the alias Hamura to commission Sunagakure to build a transforming puppet toy, paying 10 million ryo upfront. Chiyo accepted the S-rank mission and began clarifying the design in her workshop.

• The Third Kazekage asked Masahiko for his name and origin, and Masahiko introduced himself as Hamura.
• The Third Kazekage classified Masahiko's 10-million-ryo toy commission as an S-rank mission and summoned Chiyo.
• Chiyo accepted the commission and added Sasori to the mission registration.
• Masahiko followed Chiyo to Sunagakure's puppet workshop and described a two-meter humanoid puppet that transformed into a large truck.
• Chiyo brought over a tall puppet to confirm its size while Masahiko repeated that it needed to transform.

Masahiko hired Chiyo to build a transforming puppet, but after she struggled with the design, Sasori quickly devised one that worked. Masahiko rejected the oversized puppet’s appearance and planned to make a smaller toy for his grandson, realizing he could carve its appearance himself.

• Masahiko tested Chiyo’s transforming puppet, broke its arm, and criticized its materials and design.
• Chiyo brought Masahiko to Sasori’s room, where Masahiko examined Sasori’s puppets despite her warning about poison.
• Sasori accepted the S-rank commission after Chiyo demonstrated Masahiko’s transforming-puppet idea.
• Sasori built a working puppet that changed between carriage and humanoid forms in half a day.
• Masahiko rejected the puppet’s ugly appearance and decided he could carve the smaller version himself.

Masahiko commissioned Sasori to make two Transformer toys, then watched the Third Kazekage cut Sasori’s payment. After leaving Sunagakure with the toys, Masahiko encountered Sasori, who offered him immortality.

• Masahiko showed Sasori how to carve Optimus Prime and a truck, and Sasori quickly made the toys.
• Masahiko asked Sasori to use iron for the toys’ hands and legs, drank the antidote Sasori gave him, and paid Sasori a tip.
• The Third Kazekage reduced Sasori’s expected 7 million ryo payment to 5 million ryo after Masahiko returned to the Kazekage Building.
• Masahiko left Sunagakure by carriage with the two toys and noticed Sasori approaching him.
• Sasori offered to grant Masahiko immortality if he followed him, but Masahiko dismissed the offer as a joke.