Chapter Summaries

Shuichi persuaded Konoha’s leaders and clans to reject Kumogakure’s demands over the Byakugan, and the village sent the envoy home with a hardline response. The furious Fourth Raikage A prepared a limited border operation rather than total war, deciding to lead it himself with B as support.

• Shuichi argued that Kumogakure had deliberately targeted the Byakugan and urged Konoha to stand firm against its demands.
• Uchiha Fugaku, Nara Shikaku, and other ninja supported rejecting Cloud’s demands, and Sarutobi Hiruzen held a vote that passed overwhelmingly.
• Konoha declared that it bore no responsibility for the envoy’s dead subordinate, challenged Kumogakure’s sincerity, and escorted the envoy out of the village.
• A smashed his desk and ordered preparations to attack Konoha, but Kumogakure’s advisors persuaded him not to begin a total war.
• Kumogakure decided to send an Elite Force across the Land of Fire Border, and A chose to lead it personally with B providing cover.

Shuichi led an elite Konoha team into the Land of Frost to scout for Cloud forces and prepare for a possible war. The team split up to patrol, and Hizashi discovered the enemy within half a day.

• The Third Hokage gave Shuichi maps and intelligence, assigning him to lead the front line into the Land of Frost.
• Shuichi prepared a chakra-infused pistol and joined Kakashi, Mokui, Hizashi Hyuga, Shisui, and Aburame Shihei for the mission.
• Hizashi used his Byakugan to check the canyon, and Shuichi's team crossed it ahead of the other squads.
• Shuichi secretly placed Flying Thunder God markers and escape points along their route before dividing the team into three scouting pairs.
• After half a day of patrolling, Hizashi was the first to discover Cloud forces.

Shuichi and his five Konoha teammates intercepted twenty Cloud Ninja heading through a canyon toward the Land of Hot Springs. While the others fought the forward squads, Shuichi used his Flying Thunder God technique and Shadow Clones to swiftly defeat the two rear squads.

• Hizashi spotted five Cloud squads, and Kakashi summoned a dog to alert their teammates.
• Shuichi gathered the six-man team and ordered them to charge the Cloud Ninja, taking the two rear squads himself.
• Kakashi and Shisui opened the attack with Explosion Release and Wind Release, while Mokui and Hizashi helped repel the Cloud counterattack.
• Shuichi intercepted the eight Cloud Ninja in the rear squads and identified himself as their opponent.
• Shuichi's Shadow Clones used Flying Thunder God, Konoha Great Whirlwind, and Chidori Stream to defeat the Cloud Jonin captain and his squad.

Shuichi and his squad defeated a Cloud force in the Land of Frost and faced the Fourth Raikage, A. After Shuichi wounded A and captured or incapacitated more Cloud Ninja, A ordered his forces to retreat.

• Shisui, Kakashi, and the Konoha squad defeated the Cloud Ninja patrols and bound the survivors as A approached with a large force.
• A confronted Shuichi over the envoy’s death and accused Konoha of provoking a war, while Shuichi offered peace talks but threatened to defeat the Cloud force.
• A charged Shuichi, but Shuichi blocked his punch with a Great Ball Rasengan and sent him flying backward.
• Shuichi used Flying Thunder God and Explosion Release to strike A again, then pierced his Lightning Release Chakra Armor with Sage Art: Lightning Release: Lightning Stab.
• A ordered the Cloud Ninja to retreat while Shuichi used his marked Senbon to move through the battlefield and capture more of them.

Shuichi stopped Killer B’s Tailed Beast Ball with his Earth Hand technique, then sensed a powerful chakra nearby and left to support another Konoha force. At the second battlefield, Nara Shikaku’s troops ambushed Kumogakure’s elite squads, and the fight began.

• Killer B fired a Tailed Beast Ball at Shuichi’s squad, and Shuichi blocked it with Sage Art: Earth Release: Earth Hand.
• Shuichi sensed a powerful chakra near another canyon exit, left his companions to guard the prisoners, and went to support the other Konoha force.
• Nara Shikaku used Byakugan reconnaissance to gather eleven Konoha squads and surround seven Kumogakure squads led by Takai.
• Takai stopped Yugito from using her Tailed Beast power, warning that she could lose control.
• Uchiha Fugaku attacked Takai with Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, and Takai countered with Storm Release: Lazer Claw as the two forces clashed.

Konoha’s coordinated attack faltered when Yugito transformed into the Two-Tails, forcing the forces to retreat. Shuichi arrived and incapacitated Yugito with a precise attack, then rescued her as she fell.

• Choza used Super Expansion Jutsu while Shikaku restrained Cloud Ninja with his shadows, allowing Konoha to capture several opponents.
• Yugito drew on Tailed Beast Chakra and transformed into the Two-Tails, breaking Shikaku’s restraints and driving back Konoha’s forces.
• The Two-Tails blasted Choza with fire, and Konoha Ninja extinguished the flames and retreated with him.
• Shuichi arrived behind the Two-Tails and struck it with a Rasenshuriken and Wind Release, then shot Yugito with an Explosion Release bullet.
• Shuichi caught the falling Yugito after she reverted to human form, and Shikaku welcomed his timely arrival.

Shuichi forced Kumogakure to end the conflict after defeating Yugito and driving off the Raikage, then Konoha negotiated a peace agreement that left many Cloud prisoners detained. Back in Konoha, Shuichi warned that Kumogakure had become adept at training Jinchuriki and questioned why Konoha lacked a plan for using the Nine-Tails.

• Shuichi told the remaining Cloud Ninja that he had defeated the Raikage, captured many of their forces, and would spare them to carry a peace message back to Kumogakure.
• Shuichi set a five-day deadline for peace negotiations and let Takai lead the Cloud forces away, while Nara Shikaku approved his decision.
• Shuichi found Ishikawa Tatsuki severely injured but safe, then helped treat Konoha's wounded.
• Five days later, Nara Shikaku negotiated a peace agreement with a Kumogakure elder, including the gradual release of prisoners held in Konoha.
• Reports of Kumogakure's defeat spread through the Shinobi World, and Shuichi briefed the Third Hokage on the conflict and Kumogakure's Jinchuriki training.
• Shuichi argued that Konoha needed a plan for deploying the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to end wars quickly.

Shuichi learned from the Third Hokage why controlling the Nine-Tails required extraordinary life force, willpower, and love, and why Konoha had never produced a perfect Jinchuriki. The Third Hokage asked Shuichi to watch over Naruto, leaving Shuichi with a new duty and the knowledge that he had been chosen as a candidate for Fifth Hokage.

• The Third Hokage told Shuichi that Konoha had studied controlling the Nine-Tails and recounted Uzumaki Mito's experience extracting its Chakra.
• Shuichi realized that a perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki needed powerful life force, strong will, and intense love to withstand the beast's Chakra and hatred.
• The Third Hokage discussed Naruto's future and hoped he would make friends at the Ninja Academy, asking Shuichi to keep an eye on him.
• Shuichi accepted the responsibility of watching Naruto as he left the Third Hokage's office.
• Shuichi recognized that the Third Hokage had made him a candidate for Fifth Hokage, but he had little interest in taking the role soon.

Shuichi learned that Kirigakure’s internal conflict was worsening and traveled to the Land of Water to investigate. There, he approached a starving boy in the snow, leaving their meeting unresolved.

• Shuichi received coded intelligence from his brother Izushi about the Kaguya Clan being driven to Kirigakure’s outskirts.
• The Third Hokage showed Shuichi the updated Bingo Book and explained that Kirigakure’s unrest was sending Mist Ninja abroad.
• Shuichi offered to investigate the Land of Water, and the Third Hokage agreed and gave him Anbu contacts.
• Shuichi arrived in the snowy Land of Water and approached a hungry young boy beside a river.

Shuichi found Haku and recruited him before investigating Kirigakure, where the Kaguya Clan’s rebellion was swiftly crushed. While searching the village’s outskirts for Kimimaro, he met Orochimaru and the boy together, and both men recognized their shared interest in acquiring gifted children.

• Shuichi found Haku in a snowy village, showed him his White Sand ability, and persuaded him to leave with him.
• Shuichi and Haku established a temporary base near Kirigakure, where Shuichi learned that the Kaguya Clan was preparing to rebel.
• Kirigakure suppressed the Kaguya Clan’s attack in less than half an hour, and Shuichi sensed hundreds of people disappear from the battlefield.
• Shuichi searched Kirigakure’s outskirts with Haku and encountered Orochimaru with Kimimaro.
• Shuichi and Orochimaru recognized that they had both come to the Land of Water to seek gifted children from the Kekkei Genkai clans.

Shuichi returned to Konoha with Haku, reported Kirigakure’s destruction of the Kaguya Clan, and arranged to adopt the talented Ice Release user. The Third Hokage approved Shuichi taking Itachi as his direct disciple, and Shuichi brought Itachi to meet his new junior brother.

• Shuichi warned Orochimaru that Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku was damaging his body and that he needed early treatment.
• Shuichi told Orochimaru that Anko had missed him, prompting Orochimaru to plan a gift for her.
• Asuma left Konoha alone, while the Third Hokage worried about the academy’s shortage of promising graduates.
• Shuichi reported the Kaguya Clan’s rebellion and destruction in Kirigakure, and the Third Hokage decided to recall infiltrated operatives.
• The Third Hokage approved Shuichi taking Haku in and arranging for him to enter the Ninja Academy.
• Shuichi found Itachi training, accepted him as his direct disciple, and invited him to meet Haku.

Shuichi brought Haku and Itachi to meet his companions, then introduced them to the breadth of his ninjutsu and advised each on a training path. The chapter ended with Shuichi suggesting Itachi might develop Ice Release by studying alongside Haku.

• Shuichi collected Haku from the Intelligence Department after Yamanaka Santen confirmed the child had passed his examination.
• Shuichi brought Haku and Itachi to his home, where they met Kakashi and Shisui over a meal.
• Shuichi showed his disciples a poster listing the ninjutsu he had mastered and explained how to choose techniques suited to their strengths.
• Shuichi advised Haku to focus on Wind Release, Water Release, Ice Release, and medical ninjutsu, and encouraged him to attend the Ninja Academy.
• Shuichi recommended that Itachi build a foundation in elemental ninjutsu, shurikenjutsu, chakra control, and physical training, then suggested he could study Ice Release with Haku.

Shuichi delivered Konoha’s proposal for maritime trade with the Land of Water and declined the Daimyo’s offer to become a Guardian Ninja. After leaving the council hall, he caught the suspicious parrot and trapped it in an Earth Release cage.

• Shuichi left Itachi to train Haku and went to the Daimyo’s Mansion.
• A colorful parrot landed on Shuichi’s shoulder, and an attendant explained that it was believed to recognize strong ninjas.
• Shuichi and the Daimyo agreed that Konoha would protect merchant caravans seeking trade in the Land of Water.
• Shuichi declined the offer to become a Guardian Ninja, claiming he could not leave the girl he liked, and promised to help the Daimyo when needed.
• Shuichi used the Flying Thunder God Technique and Earth Release to capture the parrot, which shouted that its name was Lord Guang.

Shuichi captured the chakra-draining parrot Kotaro and recruited it as his reluctant companion, then inspected his businesses and tested a new lightning-based ninja tool. After settling into a routine with Haku and Itachi, he assessed his strength and planned to develop Ice Release to enhance his combat abilities and Flying Thunder God technique.

• Shuichi trapped Kotaro, marked it so he could track it, and persuaded the parrot to stay with him in exchange for access to his Chakra.
• Shuichi visited his ninja tool shop, tested Sato's Electric Shock Gun on an Earth Clone, and asked Sato to make several more.
• Shuichi inspected his radio and circuit-board companies before returning to Konoha with Kotaro.
• Shuichi introduced Kotaro and his new disciples to his companions, while Haku enrolled in the Ninja Academy and Itachi began taking D-rank missions.
• Shuichi evaluated his abilities against ninjas, Tailed Beasts, and the Paths of Pain, then planned to train Ice Release and use Ice Blocks to conceal Flying Thunder God formulas.

Shuichi added Sage Mode and other long-term studies to his plans, then introduced Itachi and Haku to a new arcade game as a reaction and coordination training exercise. Their match was still underway when Shuichi raised the stakes by threatening that the loser would miss dinner.

• Shuichi decided to pause his Cursed Seal research and begin training to master Sage Mode on his own.
• After finishing missions, Itachi visited Shuichi's Villa and found a newly equipped Game Room.
• Shuichi showed Itachi and Haku his two-player game, Konoha Blocks, and described it as training for a ninja's reflexes and coordination.
• Itachi and Haku began competing, with Haku taking an early lead before Itachi steadily closed the gap.
• Shuichi announced that one minute remained and said the loser would not get dinner.

After Itachi narrowly beat Haku at Konoha Blocks, Shuichi praised them and treated them to a feast. He then began training for Sage Mode at a secluded site, using a custom low-power Cursed Seal to help absorb Natural Energy.

• Shuichi declared that a tie would cost him dinner, and Itachi won the game by one point after Haku hesitated.
• Shuichi told Itachi and Haku that he had been joking, praised their focus, and invited them to a feast.
• Shuichi described how his Game Room had brought his companions together and how his game company was developing more games.
• Shuichi chose Sage Mode as his top training priority and prepared a secluded training ground after turning seventeen.
• After failing to sense Natural Energy while meditating, Shuichi activated a custom low-power Cursed Seal to make his Sage Mode training more efficient.

Shuichi sensed Natural Energy and successfully began using Sage Mode, then returned to Konoha and continued training with Itachi and Haku. During a rope-based exercise in the courtyard, Itachi sensed something unusual gathering around Shuichi, while Kotaro noticed an enticing scent coming from him.

• After more than a month of training, Shuichi sensed Natural Energy and resisted its dangerous influx without the Shadow Clone's help.
• Shuichi created Sage Chakra and tested his new strength with Wind Release: Vacuum Orb, piercing trees and rocks throughout the forest.
• In autumn, Shuichi watched Kotaro chase the crows Itachi had found, then took Itachi and Haku to practice Shurikenjutsu.
• Shuichi stretched a rope between two trees and lay on it while Itachi and Haku practiced throwing weapons at targets.
• Itachi sensed energy gathering around Shuichi, and Kotaro detected a meat-like aroma coming from him.

Kotaro went berserk after absorbing too much of Shuichi’s Sage Chakra, wrecked part of Shuichi’s home, and was forced to become a house guard and employee of the Shuichi Group. Later, Shuichi took eight-year-old Itachi out of Konoha for dangerous training, where Ishikawa Tatsuki planned to keep the young ninja away from the front line.

• Kotaro absorbed Shuichi’s Sage Chakra, grew stronger, and lost control, damaging the garden and smashing through the villa balcony.
• Shuichi stopped Kotaro after the parrot crashed into a tree, drained the remaining Natural Energy from him, and treated his injuries.
• After Kotaro woke, Shuichi warned him to guard the house; Kotaro later signed an indenture contract and worked for the Shuichi Group on missions.
• Shuichi decided to take Itachi out of Konoha for training after Itachi had spent more than half a year doing D-rank missions.
• On the road north from Konoha, Ishikawa Tatsuki worried that Itachi was too young for the mission and proposed that Itachi cover him from the rear.

Shuichi split his team so Yūhi Kurenai, Ishikawa Tatsuki, and Itachi would eliminate three enemy groups in the Land of Fields, beginning with Anmoto’s faction. The squad was ambushed on a mountain path and chose to attack one enemy flank, but the fight was still unfolding when the chapter ended.

• Shuichi sent Kurenai, Ishikawa Tatsuki, and Itachi to the Land of Fields while he went alone to the Land of Hot Springs.
• Kurenai proposed attacking Anmoto’s group first, and Itachi supported the plan despite Ishikawa Tatsuki’s concerns about his safety.
• A scout spotted the Konoha squad approaching Anmoto’s mountain stronghold, and Anmoto ordered his subordinates to prepare an ambush.
• Itachi noticed a suspicious scent, and Ishikawa Tatsuki sent an Earth Clone ahead before a series of explosions triggered a rockslide.
• Kurenai sensed enemies approaching from both sides and led the squad against the larger group on the right to avoid being surrounded.
• The two sides exchanged shuriken and ninja tools as Jōshiryu prepared another attack from the hillside.

Ishikawa Tatsuki, Kurenai, and Itachi fought three Missing-nin who used Poison Smoke and caltrops to ambush them. Itachi’s precautions let him kill two attackers, but Anmoto’s Water Release and Jōshiryu’s hornets threatened the Konoha squad as the chapter ended.

• The Missing-nin poisoned Ishikawa Tatsuki and Kurenai with smoke and used caltrops to limit their movement.
• The attackers targeted Itachi, but he revealed he had prepared against the poison and killed two of them with shuriken, taijutsu, and his wakizashi.
• Itachi and Ishikawa Tatsuki killed the third attacker, turning the fight into a three-versus-three confrontation.
• Anmoto attacked the Konoha squad with Water Release while Jōshiryu sent a swarm of hornets to surround them.
• Itachi said he and Kurenai would handle the hornets, as Ishikawa Tatsuki prepared to deal with the water attack.