Chapter Summaries

Aozora led the Uchiha Military Police Force through Konoha with captured ANBU, turning the arrest into a public challenge over the ANBU’s treatment of villagers. The villagers joined the march as Aozora and his allies continued toward the Hokage Building to demand answers from the Hokage.

• Aozora asked Shisui and Yashiro to recall the Uchiha’s former mistreatment and the villagers’ changed attitudes toward the clan.
• Mitokado Homura and Jiraiya confronted the procession, accusing the Uchiha of attacking fellow ninjas and demanding to know why they had captured ANBU.
• Aozora argued that the ANBU had arrested and mistreated him, a Konoha villager, without proper grounds, and Yamato said they had acted on information that Aozora had defected to the Akatsuki Organization.
• Aozora denounced the accusations and warned that ordinary villagers could also be targeted, prompting villagers to question the ANBU’s authority and speak out.
• Yashiro defended the Military Police Force’s arrest of the ANBU, and Aozora and the Uchiha continued toward the Hokage Building to question the Hokage as villagers joined them.

Aozora confronted Torifu and Kosuke as they blocked his group from reaching the Hokage, arguing that the Uchiha had repeatedly compromised while being mistreated. Torifu and Kosuke offered to support the Uchiha if Aozora would meet Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Aozora weighed their proposal before agreeing to face the Hokage.

• Torifu and Kosuke used the Body Flicker Technique to block Aozora and the Uchiha procession in the plaza.
• Kosuke raised a water barrier so Torifu and Aozora could speak privately.
• Torifu urged Aozora to stop the public confrontation to protect the Hokage's authority and Konoha's reputation.
• Aozora recounted the Uchiha's repeated concessions and Sarutobi Hiruzen's accusations, while Torifu and Kosuke acknowledged the clan's mistreatment.
• Torifu promised to demand an explanation from Hiruzen and secure Ino-Shika-Cho support for Fugaku, and Kosuke pledged to uphold justice for the Uchiha.
• Aozora considered the political costs and benefits of accepting their proposal and prepared to confront Hiruzen.

Aozora exposed the Third’s attempt to frame him as a defector during a Konoha High-Level Meeting, where the village leaders and clan heads heard his account. The Third apologized and offered to step aside until a new Hokage was selected, but Aozora stopped him before the meeting could move on.

• Aozora secured Shisui and Yashiro’s attendance at the inquiry, which became an emergency High-Level Meeting when Konoha’s clan heads and elite Jonin arrived.
• Aozora used genjutsu to show the ANBU accusing and attacking him, and Yamato confirmed that the recreation was accurate.
• Aozora challenged the Third’s claim that he would clear Aozora’s name, citing the unresolved accusations against him and the village’s failure to honor Hizashi.
• Aozora explained that he had gone to the forest to kill Orochimaru and questioned the intelligence and ambush behind the arrest order, leaving the Third unable to answer.
• The Third admitted responsibility and offered to let the elders handle the village until a new Hokage was chosen, but Aozora interrupted him.

Aozora challenged Sarutobi Hiruzen over his abuses of authority and accused him of mistreating the Fourth Hokage's orphan, Uzumaki Naruto. The meeting ended with the village leaders demanding answers as Aozora confronted Hiruzen about Naruto's poverty and isolation.

• Aozora rejected Hiruzen's apology and argued that Konoha's leaders needed to hear the truth about his actions.
• Aozora acknowledged Hiruzen's past contributions, then accused him of incompetence over Hizashi's sacrifice and abusing his authority by ordering Jonin and ANBU to arrest Aozora.
• Aozora revealed that the Fourth Hokage had an orphan named Uzumaki Naruto and accused Hiruzen of abusing him, shocking the meeting's attendees.
• Hiruzen claimed Naruto was kept away from his former home for protection, while Aozora said Naruto lived alone in the Slums and went hungry.
• Aozora accused Hiruzen of allowing rumors about Naruto to spread and demanded to know whether he planned to raise the orphan like a dog.

Aozora exposed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s mistreatment of Naruto at Konoha’s high-level meeting, turning the officials against the Third Hokage. With his crimes established but his punishment unresolved, Aozora urged him to live out the Will of Fire by taking his own life.

• Aozora accused Sarutobi Hiruzen of treating the Fourth Hokage’s orphan like a dog, and Kosuke, Jiraiya, Shibi, and Kakashi went to fetch Naruto.
• As the officials waited, Sarutobi Hiruzen considered striking at Aozora but held back when Fugaku, Shisui, and the other leaders watched him.
• Naruto arrived from Blue Stone Apartments, greeted the gathered ninjas with a smile, and left with Choza for snacks and play.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen defended his actions as a way to strengthen Naruto, but Aozora challenged him over why he had not subjected his own sons to the same treatment.
• Torifu asked Aozora how Sarutobi Hiruzen should be punished, and Aozora invoked the Will of Fire to call for the Third to take his own life.

Aozora pressured Sarutobi Hiruzen to face the consequences of his actions, and Hiruzen chose to die rather than fight and endanger his family or Konoha. At the next Hokage election, Fugaku won the Jonin vote and became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage.

• Aozora confronted the Sarutobi Clan’s defenders and left Hiruzen’s fate to the village’s higher-ups.
• Torifu told Hiruzen to choose for himself, and Hiruzen left the meeting room without fighting.
• Hiruzen died at home that afternoon, and the village announced that his Chakra had gone out of control during training.
• Torifu presided over the Hokage election, where Fugaku received more support than Jiraiya and won the vote.
• Jiraiya left the Plaza, and Fugaku put on the Hokage attire and declared himself the Fifth Hokage.

Obito and Zetsu questioned whether Aozora would remain loyal to Akatsuki after Uchiha Fugaku became Fifth Hokage. In Konoha, the villagers and Uchiha celebrated Fugaku’s election, while Aozora considered his clan’s future and tried to help Shisui choose a position.

• Obito and Zetsu watched Konoha celebrate Fugaku’s election and discussed testing Aozora’s loyalty to Akatsuki.
• Konoha’s villagers welcomed Fugaku as Hokage, and the Uchiha Clan Members celebrated throughout the Clan Compound.
• Aozora reflected that Fugaku’s election could end the divide between the Uchiha and Konoha and usher in a prosperous era for the clan.
• After drinking together, Aozora offered to ask Fugaku to arrange a department or teaching post for Shisui.
• Shisui refused to seek special treatment and lectured Aozora against using his connection to Fugaku to throw his weight around.

The Land of Fire’s Daimyo formally approved Uchiha Fugaku as Fifth Hokage while Danzo and the Daimyo’s allies discussed plans to undermine Konoha. In Konoha, Fugaku appointed Aozora as a jonin and Hokage Assistant, and Aozora accepted after learning he would not need to work regularly.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu presented Fugaku’s Hokage appointment to the Daimyo, who handed them the letters of investiture.
• Danzo accused the Uchiha of killing Sarutobi Hiruzen and agreed to travel to Konoha with Sarutobi Asuma to stir up conflict.
• Hiroki told the Daimyo that his fodder troops were ready but needed powerful ninja corpses, and the Daimyo ordered Kazuma to persuade Hokone, Seito, Tōru, and Naruma to join them or be killed.
• Fugaku gave Aozora appointment letters clearing his name, promoting him to jonin, and naming him Hokage Assistant.
• Aozora accepted the assistant position after Fugaku assured him he would not need to perform many missions or come to work normally.

Aozora advised Fugaku on handling the former ANBU, Naruto’s placement, and Uchiha members moving back to their original compound. Impressed by his answers, Fugaku asked how Konoha should develop in the future.

• Fugaku asked Aozora and Kyūdai for advice on urgent issues facing him as Hokage.
• Aozora recommended disbanding the former ANBU and letting them become ordinary shinobi, arguing that their remaining intelligence was not worth keeping them in service.
• Aozora suggested that Fugaku adopt Naruto, citing Mikoto’s bond with Kushina, the need to watch over a Jinchūriki, and Naruto’s potential to keep Sasuke company.
• Aozora advised letting Uchiha Clan Members buy back their old homes if they wanted to move, and proposed kindergartens and a coming-of-age Sharingan ritual to maintain clan unity.
• After approving Aozora’s advice, Fugaku asked how Konoha should develop in the future.

Aozora advised Fugaku to avoid sweeping changes when he became Hokage and outlined cautious reforms for Konoha’s six major departments. He proposed developing affordable medicinal baths and pills through the Medical Department, leaving Fugaku with a practical first project to pursue.

• Aozora warned Fugaku that drastic reforms early in his term could alarm other clans and provoke a Jonin Vote of Confidence.
• Aozora recommended leaving the Administration Department, ANBU, Interrogation Department, and Konoha Military Police Force largely unchanged while suggesting mission-based ninja points and limited future openings for non-Uchiha.
• Aozora proposed reforming the Medical Department by developing pills that could aid ninja and generate revenue from nobles.
• Aozora urged Fugaku to begin with low-cost Medicinal Bath packages for Genin, then involve clans such as the Akimichi, Aburame, and Nara in developing more pills.

Aozora proposed reforms to Konoha’s Education Department, including trainee assignments and new schools, while Fugaku and Kyūdai considered his plans. As Aozora prepared to leave, he reminded Fugaku of his ambition to learn every ninjutsu, prompting Fugaku to realize he wanted access to the Scroll of Seals.

• Aozora argued that the Ninja Academy should offer paths beyond combat and proposed that graduates intern in departments as trainee ninja before being assigned based on their interests and evaluations.
• Aozora suggested building ordinary schools and kindergartens, funded by wealthy merchants in exchange for enrollment places and Konoha residency for their children.
• Aozora recommended leaving the Barrier Squad and Sealing Squad unchanged and making gradual changes among the higher-ups while earning villagers’ and clans’ trust.
• Fugaku and Kyūdai discussed and refined Aozora’s proposals, and Fugaku praised them as ready to implement.
• As Aozora prepared to leave, he reminded Fugaku that he also dreamed of learning every ninjutsu, and Fugaku realized he was hinting at the Scroll of Seals.

Aozora persuaded Fugaku to let him study the Scroll of Seals by revealing that he had developed a technique to increase Sharingan power. Fugaku granted him one visit to the archives and accepted Aozora’s Blaze Release training method, which he named Solar Flare.

• Aozora argued that allowing him to study the Scroll of Seals could help Fugaku appear less perfect and lower the villagers’ suspicions.
• Aozora revealed his technique for increasing Dōjutsu Power by demonstrating the strength of his Three Tomoe Sharingan, impressing Fugaku and suppressing Kyūdai’s Two Tomoe Sharingan.
• Aozora convinced Fugaku that further study could help improve his technique, and Fugaku authorized him to read the Scroll of Seals once.
• Aozora gave Fugaku his Blaze Release training method, and he named the technique Solar Flare.
• Aozora took the authorization document and headed to the Secret Archives beneath the Hokage Building.

Aozora used Fugaku’s authorization to enter Konoha’s Secret Archives and secretly copied the Scroll of Seals before Obito confronted him over rumors that he had defected from the Akatsuki Organization. When Obito and Zetsu demanded that he prove his loyalty, Aozora denounced the organization and its leader, leaving his allegiance openly challenged.

• Aozora entered the Secret Archives with Fugaku’s signed document, and Taiyi copied the Scroll of Seals while Aozora studied its Forbidden Jutsu.
• Nobuo urged Aozora to make the most of his time, and Aozora left the Hokage Building after confirming the copy was complete.
• Obito stopped Aozora near the Uchiha Clan Compound and led him out of Konoha to question him about defecting from the Akatsuki Organization.
• Zetsu emerged and said Pain suspected Aozora, so he needed to prove his loyalty.
• Aozora recalled that he had joined after feeling betrayed by Konoha and his clan, then compared the Akatsuki Organization and its leaders to the village and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Aozora condemned Obito as another Uchiha Jintai and asked what it mattered if he had defected from the organization.

Aozora challenged Obito and Zetsu over their suspicion, nearly leaving the Akatsuki Organization before Obito returned his ring and claimed to trust him. Obito still regarded Aozora as a potentially useful pawn and planned to pair him with Kisame on future missions.

• Aozora rejected the Akatsuki Organization, threw his Scarlet Ring at Obito, and fought off Zetsu's Wood Release with his Orange Fire.
• Obito calmed Aozora by explaining that Pain had ordered a loyalty test, while Zetsu claimed his attack was a joke.
• Aozora warned Obito not to test him again and revealed that Fugaku had promoted him to Jonin and Hokage Assistant.
• Obito returned Aozora's Vermilion Bird ring, and Aozora departed for Konoha after saying to contact him about missions.
• Obito told Zetsu he did not know whether Aozora was a Konoha spy but would keep using him, and ordered that Aozora be paired with Kisame for future missions.

Aozora used Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to study Forbidden Jutsu while reassessing his strengths and limitations. Fugaku took office as Fifth Hokage and announced reforms that broadly won the support of Konoha’s leadership, until Sarutobi Toda objected to the Education Department changes.

• Aozora mastered Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and sent ten clones to study Forbidden Jutsu, including Impure World Reincarnation and the Eight Inner Gates.
• Aozora reflected on his exceptional Fire Release talent and slower progress in other elements and Medical Ninjutsu, while noting his new Earth Release Barrier technique.
• Fugaku became Fifth Hokage and convened his first High-Level Meeting, keeping most department leaders in place and announcing reforms.
• Fugaku’s jutsu exchange plan, ANBU changes, and Pill Research Institute proposal received support from the assembled higher-ups.
• Fugaku transferred experienced Ninja Academy staff to the new school in elevated roles, prompting Sarutobi Toda to rise angrily and declare, “This is impossible!”

Fugaku pushed through reforms to the Ninja Academy, while Aozora warned him that the Daimyo might be using Sarutobi Asuma to stir trouble in Konoha. Aozora also gave Fugaku a partly incomplete Yin-Yang Eye technique that might strengthen the Sharingan, leaving Fugaku hopeful it could become a treasured Uchiha secret.

• Sarutobi Toda and Sarutobi Shinnosuke objected to transferring teachers from the Ninja Academy, but Fugaku proposed recruiting elite clan teachers and opening C-rank Ninjutsu to outstanding students.
• Aozora proposed providing students with three free nutritious meals a day, with costs deducted from their income after graduation, and Fugaku approved the provision.
• Aozora warned Fugaku and Kyūdai that the Daimyo had summoned Sarutobi Asuma, who had since disappeared, and suggested the Daimyo might exploit the situation to sow discord.
• Aozora presented Fugaku with a partially incomplete Yin-Yang Eye inheritance, and Fugaku considered testing its method for strengthening the eyes on Uchiha members.
• Fugaku said the technique could make Aozora worthy of being enshrined at Naka Shrine if it benefited the Uchiha Clan.

Aozora chose to cultivate the Spirit Transformation Technique while leaving Impure World Reincarnation and Flying Thunder God research to Taiyi. Asuma returned to Konoha with Danzo and Orochimaru, confronted Shinnosuke over Hiruzen’s death, and continued toward the village after his companions restrained his brother.

• Fugaku told Aozora and Kyūdai that he planned to raise Naruto and move back to the old Clan Compound, while Aozora requested ANBU positions for the Sleeping Dragon Team.
• Aozora chose to learn the Spirit Transformation Technique and assigned Impure World Reincarnation to his Incarnation, Taiyi, who complained about the Sealing Jutsu work.
• Asuma entered Konoha through a tunnel with Danzo, Orochimaru, and another cloaked helper, then asked Shinnosuke how Hiruzen had died.
• Shinnosuke refused to explain, and Asuma accused him of doing nothing despite Hiruzen’s death and continued toward the village.
• Shinnosuke charged after Asuma, but Danzo and Orochimaru’s companion restrained and sealed him; Danzo said the seal only immobilized him, and Orochimaru said he had no interest in Shinnosuke.

Aozora taught Itachi advanced weapon control and seal-less ninjutsu as Itachi prepared to graduate. Meanwhile, Konoha settled into Fugaku’s rule, while resentment among the displaced Sarutobi-affiliated ninja grew into organized clan meetings.

• Aozora praised Itachi’s fish-catching and cooking, then told him to ask his father for Chakra Conductive Metal so he could learn the Weapon Control Technique.
• Aozora demonstrated the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger, and Itachi recognized it as the weapon that had killed many Jonin.
• Aozora taught Itachi that ninjutsu could be performed without hand seals by mastering Chakra circulation, and Itachi immediately practiced.
• Aozora continued cultivating while villagers grew accustomed to Fugaku as Fifth Hokage and the faces on Hokage Rock became clearer.
• Konoha’s leaders removed Sarutobi-affiliated ninja from important positions, and the aggrieved Sarutobi clan began holding repeated meetings under Sarutobi Toda and Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

The Sarutobi Clan met to discuss Uchiha Fugaku’s purges and the clan’s loss of power, while Shinnosuke pushed for resistance. Asuma revealed a plan backed by the Daimyo and outside bounty hunters, turning the meeting toward a coup as Ichiki feared the clan was being driven into disaster.

• Sarutobi Clan members gathered at Sarutobi Toda’s mansion and angrily complained about being removed from positions under Uchiha Fugaku.
• A Sarutobi elite Jōnin reported that the Intelligence Department and Administration Department were purging clan members, and Shinnosuke claimed Uchiha Fugaku had murdered Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Ichiki warned the clan against using force, but Toda acknowledged the risks while asking Shinnosuke for his view.
• Shinnosuke argued that the clan could no longer endure the Uchiha’s actions and said he would lead people to deal with Uchiha Fugaku.
• Asuma entered with two black-robed ninjas and announced that the Daimyo supported the Sarutobi Clan, which had hired bounty hunters to help overthrow Fugaku.
• The clansmen enthusiastically called for Fugaku’s overthrow, while Ichiki grew frightened and suspicious of their sudden fervor.

Aozora advised Fugaku on how to handle the Sarutobi Clan’s growing unrest without provoking a premature conflict. The chapter ended with Aozora arguing that Jiraiya should investigate the clan, whether or not he supported them.

• Shisui reported that the Sarutobi Clan’s meetings and complaints had grown frequent, and Fugaku acknowledged that the clan had become a threat.
• Kyūdai urged Fugaku to strike first, but Shisui opposed attacking the Sarutobi Clan without proof because it could damage Fugaku’s reputation.
• Shisui considered using his Mangekyo’s genjutsu to prevent conflict, but Aozora dismissed the idea and proposed involving Jiraiya instead.
• Aozora advised Fugaku to summon Jiraiya and the elders, reveal the Sarutobi Clan’s suspicious activity, and ask Jiraiya to investigate.
• Aozora explained that Jiraiya’s involvement would deter the Sarutobi Clan from acting while Konoha strengthened its defenses, or lead Jiraiya to oppose their rebellion.