Chapter Summaries

Shuji brought Sasuke to meet Senju Tobirama, who helped him understand how trust, communication, and sound judgment mattered to becoming Hokage. After giving Sasuke a three-day writing task, Shuji explained to Tobirama that Naruto and Sasuke carried the chakra of Asura and Indra, and Tobirama decided to investigate Sasuke himself.

• Shuji brought Sasuke into Konoha's underground laboratory, where Senju Tobirama questioned him about his rivalry with Naruto and the argument with his classmates.
• Shuji explained that Tobirama's experience as a former Hokage could guide Sasuke, and Tobirama asked whether Sasuke truly wanted to become Hokage.
• Sasuke recalled Naruto's trust and protection of his companions, then admitted that he had left the classroom without explaining his intentions after the argument.
• Tobirama told Sasuke to write out his reasons, expected benefits, possible consequences, and plans within three days, and urged him to learn to judge matters clearly.
• After Sasuke left with the scroll, Shuji told Tobirama that Naruto and Sasuke carried the chakra of Asura and Indra and that he wanted them to receive fair resources and guidance.
• Tobirama agreed to assess Sasuke's nature and investigate the nature of Indra's chakra.

Naruto’s classmates praised him, and Minato publicly introduced himself as Naruto’s father and guardian at the Academy gate. As Naruto went home, Hinata decided to improve herself and asked Neji to train with her, and he agreed.

• Naruto heard classmates gossip about Sakura but could not bring himself to confront the girls who praised his band’s performance.
• Minato introduced himself to Ino and the others as Naruto’s father and explained that the village had approved his guardianship.
• Minato offered to visit Inoichi when he was feeling better, while Sakura hesitated to approach the group as classmates and parents watched.
• Minato took Naruto home and reassured him that Ino and Sakura could find their way to reconcile with time.
• Hinata watched Naruto leave with Minato, then trained at the training grounds until she was exhausted.
• Neji agreed to train Hinata, telling her to preserve her strength and condition.

Neji recovered his resolve to change the Hyuga Clan and underwent a closely monitored cellular implantation at the Laboratory Building. Sasuke received criticism from Tobirama for overlooking public opinion in his report, then witnessed Neji’s procedure before Tobirama sent him away to revise it.

• Neji remembered promising Hinata he would protect her and felt his resolve to change the Hyuga Clan grow stronger.
• Neji and Sasuke independently went to the Laboratory Building, where Kabuto directed them to different parts of the facility.
• Tobirama faulted Sasuke’s report for ignoring how public opinion and his dispute with Naruto affected Ino and Sakura, and ordered him to write another report.
• Sasuke saw Neji in a nutrient tank while Kabuto, Shuji, Tsunade, and Tobirama monitored his first cellular implantation.
• Tobirama confirmed Neji’s implantation was problem-free so far, ordered a month of observation, and told Sasuke to return with a better report.

Neji underwent a cautious White Zetsu cell implantation and watched Anko demonstrate her Cursed Seal Sage Mode as the Hokage’s team assessed its effects. Tobirama proposed developing a safer Sage Mode activation seal and urged Tsunade to begin her own implantation, emphasizing the need to prepare for the Otsutsuki Clan.

• Neji woke from the nutrient tank feeling unusually alert, and Kabuto explained that the first implantation was a conservative compatibility test rather than an immediate power boost.
• Neji watched Anko enter Cursed Seal Sage Mode and spar with Shuji, whose forehead flicks ended her demonstration before she could use Fire Release.
• Tobirama and Shuji concluded that Anko’s Sage Mode offered physical and chakra enhancements comparable to other systems, then discussed creating a controllable Cursed Seal to help compatible users activate Sage Mode.
• Neji agreed to serve as a candidate for the proposed seal, and Tobirama ordered Kabuto to monitor his health and record daily examination data.
• Anko agreed to provide Cursed Seal samples after Shuji promised to seek special funding, while Tobirama told Tsunade to begin White Zetsu cell implantation and stressed the urgency of preparing for future enemies.

Minato arranged a separate bedroom for himself while trying to resume an ordinary family life with Naruto, then helped Hiruzen review nobles’ growing efforts to form private ties with ninja. At school, Naruto tried to tell Ino he would visit her recovering father, but a collision with Sasuke left the class believing he had kissed him.

• Minato put away the futon after Naruto fell asleep and applied to Hiruzen for a two-bedroom home, while Hiruzen handed him a stack of Hokage paperwork to handle.
• Hiruzen told Minato that nobles were using repeated commissions, gifts, private meetings, and marriage proposals to build connections with ninja outside village oversight.
• Minato made breakfast for Naruto and invited him to visit Ino’s father after school, asking Naruto to tell Ino in advance.
• Naruto waited until Sakura arrived before approaching Ino, but Sasuke warned him to stop interfering and said he would handle the situation himself.
• When another student bumped Naruto from behind as Sasuke turned him around, Naruto and Sasuke collided face-first, prompting Ino, Sakura, and the other girls to rush at Naruto.

Naruto and the girls made peace after a chaotic misunderstanding, then joined Minato in visiting Ino's hospitalized father. The day ended with Minato taking Naruto to meet Shuji, Tsunade, and Senju Tobirama, who corrected Naruto about their identities and ages.

• Ino, Sakura, Karin, Shion, Kaede, and Hinata stopped the crowd from attacking Naruto, and he explained that Minato had asked him to invite Ino to visit her father.
• Ino agreed to go with the others, and Iruka explained that the Joint Affairs Bureau was an administrative institution requiring shinobi to build their rank, experience, and ability.
• After class, Minato took Naruto and the girls to see Yamanaka Inoichi, who asked Sakura to help Ino while Ino's mother was away.
• Minato took Naruto to eat ramen, then led him toward the West Suburbs Old Residence to visit the people who had cared for him.
• Minato and Naruto encountered Shuji, Tsunade, and Senju Tobirama, who identified himself as the Second Hokage and told Naruto to call Tsunade his granny.

Naruto, Minato, and Shuji discussed masks at dinner in the Old Residence, where Senju Tobirama reunited with Toka. Later, Kakashi told Sasuke that Itachi was investigating complaints against the Uchiha Special Task Force and urged Sasuke to keep acting despite uncertainty about the outcome.

• Naruto learned that Tobirama had used Impure World Reincarnation to bring back Minato and struggled to understand how old Tsunade was.
• Shuji and Minato planned a rotating collection of masks for Minato, and Naruto decided he wanted one too.
• Tsunade sent Naruto to fetch alcohol after overhearing him tell Kaede and Gaara that she was old.
• Tobirama discussed Konoha's long-term relations with Sunagakure with Shuji, then reunited with Toka over dinner at the Old Residence.
• Kakashi told Sasuke that Itachi was investigating foreign dignitaries' complaints that the Uchiha Special Task Force had used Genjutsu to falsify mission results.
• Kakashi urged Sasuke not to dismiss action just because its outcome was uncertain.

Uchiha Itachi investigated complaints that Uchiha teams had used Genjutsu on clients and sought support for a broader inquiry into possible interference in the Joint Affairs Bureau. He arranged for Uzumaki Karin to assist, while Fugaku decided Sasuke would notify her and warned the clan to be careful on missions.

• Itachi gathered preliminary information about complaints alleging that Uchiha teams had used Genjutsu and falsified mission results, then discussed the case with Kakashi.
• Itachi reported to Senju Tobirama, Minato, Tsunade, and Shuji that the Genjutsu accusations were partly true, that 34 commissions were involved, and that complaint documents had been delayed.
• Itachi argued that the Hokage should not intervene directly and asked Shuji to temporarily transfer Uzumaki Karin to the Joint Affairs Bureau to help investigate the other villages’ and their enemies’ involvement.
• After Itachi left, Tsunade and Shuji joked and bickered, while Minato and Senju Tobirama departed to attend to their plans.
• Itachi explained the investigation and the risk of White Zetsu infiltration to Fugaku, who decided Sasuke would tell Karin about her assignment and warned the clan to take care with its mission methods.

Kakashi handled Bureau of Affairs business, advised Guy on how Deidara could turn his explosive performances into paid missions, and went to Shuji and Tobirama for a chakra and genetic compatibility test. The chapter left Kakashi about to undergo the examination before a possible White Zetsu cell implant.

• Itachi briefed Kakashi on the day's appointments, including a student internship session and Uzumaki Karin's temporary work at the Bureau of Affairs.
• Jiraiya complained that his Bureau duties were keeping him from gathering inspiration, while Kakashi suspected two people had deliberately tied the village leaders down with work.
• Kakashi met Guy, who explained that Deidara's risky tournament performance proposal had been rejected, and suggested Deidara seek paid missions through the Iwagakure Office.
• Kakashi went to Shuji's laboratory, where Tobirama explained that they would test how Kakashi's long-term Sharingan transplant affected his chakra information and genes.
• Tobirama directed Kakashi to the adjacent room to begin the compatibility examination before a possible White Zetsu cell implant.

Kakashi underwent a genetic examination and learned that his Sharingan had not rewritten his genes, then returned to work at the Bureau of Affairs. He entered a meeting room to meet the Ninja Academy students, while research into the Sharingan and Sasuke's report remained unresolved.

• Shuji injected Kakashi with an adjusted sedative, and Kakashi woke four hours later to hear that the Sharingan had not caused genetic-level changes.
• Tobirama and Shuji discussed whether prolonged Sharingan use could eventually affect heredity, and Tobirama told them to continue observing Hyuga Neji's results.
• Kakashi bought lilies at Yamanaka Flower Shop, left them at Rin's grave, and paused at the memorial stone where Madara's name was recorded.
• Kakashi returned to the Bureau of Affairs and found Jiraiya overwhelmed by paperwork; Jiraiya jumped out the window after telling Kakashi, "Well done!"
• Itachi explained that he had redirected the morning's document-sealing requests to Jiraiya, and Aoi Rokushō told Kakashi that Ninja Academy students were waiting in a meeting room.
• Kakashi opened the meeting-room door and heard someone say, "That really is impressive."

Kisame observed the Bureau of Affairs while Aoi Rokushō led Konoha’s students on a tour and explained its work and career paths. Karin joined the students interested in learning more, and Kakashi questioned her about sensing that Aoi seemed distracted.

• Kisame saw Itachi handling courteous but unyielding visitors, then learned that Ao was considering sending students to Konoha for internships.
• Sasuke accompanied Iruka Class on a tour arranged to help him carry out Fugaku’s task of arranging Karin’s temporary reassignment.
• Aoi Rokushō showed the students the joint village offices and Main Conference Room, then explained internship opportunities, promotions, and the Unified Chunin Exam.
• Kakashi invited interested students to speak with him, and more than half the class raised their hands, including Karin and Ino.
• Omoi hesitated about raising his hand while Karui dragged him away, and Gaara and Kaede left to find Killer B and the others.
• Kakashi asked Karin about Aoi, and she said his detailed explanations seemed distracted; Kakashi recognized that her ability to detect subtle discord could be useful.

Kaede and Gaara toured the Bureau of Affairs while Aoi Rokushō encouraged students to seize career opportunities before they disappeared. After Sasuke reported on the reconciliation between two people, Tobirama assigned him to investigate Aoi, whom Shuji identified as the fourth problem in the Bureau.

• Kaede and Gaara left the conference room and headed toward the Sunagakure office instead of searching for Killer B.
• Aoi Rokushō advised Sakura and the gathered students that Bureau of Affairs positions offered a rare opportunity, while Naruto questioned why Aoi had not become a jonin.
• Kakashi sent Aoi and the students to the second-floor conference room, and Sasuke stayed behind, unsettled by Aoi's remarks about timing and opportunity.
• Sasuke reported to Senju Tobirama that an accident had brought two people to reconcile, but avoided describing the details.
• Tobirama assigned Sasuke to research Aoi Rokushō's behavior, intentions, and potential effects.
• Shuji told Tobirama that Aoi was eager to advance but lacked loyalty to the village, making him the fourth problem in the Joint Affairs Bureau incident.

After learning that Chen Qing had mastered Tianbao Pagoda and helped Tianbao Upper Sect defeat the Holy Lord of Great Snow Mountain, Yang Xuanyi prepared Taiyi Upper Sect to strike the weakened Golden Court. The Yan Emperor then learned that the Night Clan posed a far greater danger, and Xu Yan called for Beicang’s Primordial Spirit experts to unite against it as news of Tianbao Upper Sect’s victory shook the region.

• Jiang Ci told Yang Xuanyi that Hua Yunfeng and Seven Sufferings had reached the Primordial Spirit realm, Chen Qing had fully controlled Tianbao Pagoda, and the Holy Lord of Great Snow Mountain had lost his body.
• Yang Xuanyi ordered Taiyi Upper Sect to prepare to attack the leaderless Golden Court while the Holy Lord was injured.
• The Yan Emperor received a verified report about Tianbao Upper Sect’s victory and went to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to consult Xu Yan.
• Xu Yan revealed that he and Yang Xuanyi had fought a powerful Night Clan Primordial Spirit expert and sensed another Night Clan expert near the weakening seal.
• Xu Yan urged the Yan Emperor to summon every Primordial Spirit expert in Beicang to stop the Night Clan from breaking through its restriction.
• Reports of Tianbao Upper Sect’s victory spread across Beicang, shifting the balance among the major powers.

Aoi Rokushō navigated a tense encounter with Sasuke and the Uchiha, while Karin reported suspicious emotions she sensed among Bureau staff to Minato and Hiruzen. The Hokage instructed Karin to track the words and topics that triggered those reactions, as Sasuke’s observation of Aoi had already been noticed.

• Uchiha Yakumi and two other officers confronted Aoi Rokushō after finding Sasuke speaking with him, but Itachi intervened and defused the confrontation.
• Itachi apologized to Aoi and invited him to discuss arrangements for the interns while walking; Sasuke declined to join them.
• Police patrol leader Hyuga Tokuma ordered the interns to return to the village, and Sakura and Karin later left the group rather than go to the Commercial District.
• Karin told Sakura not to interfere with her mission, then went to the Hokage Building to report what she had sensed during the Bureau tour.
• Karin said suspicious emotions were concentrated among staff in the Ninja Village Office, and Minato told her to record the triggering keywords, setting, and people involved.
• Karin reported that Aoi had noticed Sasuke’s mission, and Minato reassured her that Sasuke’s assignment was personal training and would not affect the village’s evaluation of him.

Itachi protected Aoi Rokushō from a suspected attempt on his life by moving him away from the Joint Affairs Bureau for a week and agreeing to let him escort the interns. After Itachi reported the plan, Tobirama ordered Shuji to visit the Ninja Academy and guide its students on the beliefs and boundaries shinobi should uphold.

• Itachi offered Aoi a one-week assignment promoting the Joint Affairs Bureau at the Ninja Academy, and Aoi realized the transfer was meant to protect him from people who might exploit the Uchiha dispute to kill him.
• Aoi asked to keep escorting the interns between the village and the bureau, and Itachi agreed.
• Itachi reported Aoi’s arrangements to Shuji, Tobirama, and Tsunade at the Laboratory Building; Tobirama criticized Aoi for using the interns’ protection as a safety net.
• Shuji argued that keeping Aoi visible at the Academy would limit the danger he posed, while Tsunade questioned letting him address students.
• Tobirama told Tsunade to stop coming to the Laboratory Building regularly and directed Shuji to visit the Ninja Academy to counterbalance Aoi’s influence.
• Shuji accepted Tobirama’s instruction and responsibility for the consequences of his decision.

Ji Meng remained calm as Ji Suye warned her that the Ji Clan’s direct line was coming to pursue Jiang Man, while Qingdai learned that the clan planned to use a confrontation with Ji Meng to disprove its false rumor. In the secret realm, Jiang Man studied formations as Nan Yue built one, drove off three intruders, and finally sensed a reaction from the ruined temple’s altar.

• Ji Suye warned Ji Meng that the Ji Clan’s direct line would target her, but Ji Meng showed little concern.
• Ji Wuye told Qingdai that the Ji Clan planned to send someone to challenge Ji Meng over Jiang Man and thereby make its rumor look false.
• Jiang Man read formation books while Nan Yue worked on the formation, and Dongfang Yan’s group returned with fewer Earth Spirit Beasts and reports of fighting over resources.
• Three outsiders arrived to claim the pool, but Jiang Man forced them into the water and sent them away.
• Nan Yue nearly finished the formation while Jiang Man completed his studies, then Jiang Man sensed the ruined temple’s altar reacting.

Sasuke struggled to investigate Aoi Rokushō after the teacher’s public appeal and the Joint Affairs Bureau’s unclear situation made his mission difficult. Meanwhile, Shuji and Minato discussed expanding the ninja ranking system to accommodate new professions and a larger workforce.

• Sasuke chose not to explain his mission to the onlookers, while Aoi Rokushō addressed Sakura, Karin, Ino, and Shion and apologized for his earlier behavior.
• Naruto questioned Sasuke’s treatment of Teacher Midori, and Shikamaru told Sasuke that Aoi might be trying to stop the investigation because he did not understand the situation.
• Sasuke revealed that he was evaluating Aoi Rokushō and argued with Naruto over whether Aoi’s efforts to become a jonin justified his methods.
• Shikamaru advised Sasuke to investigate the people around Aoi, including the other trainees, and Sasuke returned to the classroom after warning Naruto to consider how he would respond to someone using comrades for personal goals.
• Shuji proposed that Minato create more detailed ninja ranks for professional fields, responsibilities, and contributions, and Minato agreed that the current system no longer suited the village’s changing needs.

Shuji discussed village reforms with the Fourth Hokage, then watched the Academy’s combat demonstration while investigating Aoi Rokushō’s influence and proposing changes to chunin assessments. The chapter ended as Sasuke’s Chidori met Neji’s Rotation in their opening match.

• Shuji left the Hokage Building after the Fourth Hokage rejected his request, then spoke with Hiruzen Sarutobi about the village’s atmosphere and went to the Ninja Academy.
• Shuji and Samui discussed Omoi and Karui’s training, while Shuji noticed Deidara’s apparent resemblance to Guy and Rock Lee.
• Guy began announcing an unrestrained training event, but Hayate Gekko took over and called Sasuke versus Hyuga Neji as the first match.
• Shuji proposed honorary chunin professional competitions to Samui, then asked Karin about Aoi Rokushō; Karin reported that Sasuke had enlisted Sakura and Ino’s help.
• Sasuke attacked Neji with shuriken, wire, a Great Fireball, and Chidori, but Neji countered the charge with Rotation.

Sasuke lost to Hyuga Neji after their clash injured his arm, and Iruka encouraged his students not to be discouraged by the demonstrations. Gaara and Deidara fought to a draw, and Samui offered Shuji a loan to make amends for their earlier disagreement.

• Neji defeated Sasuke after Rotation deflected Chidori and Sasuke’s arm was injured; the two performed the Seal of Reconciliation.
• Guy analyzed the match, and Iruka told his students about the importance of judgment and teamwork before going to check on Sasuke.
• Gaara and Deidara fought in the air with sand and explosive clay until Hayate Gekko declared their match a draw.
• The remaining demonstrations ended, and the students left in silence while Aoi Rokushō spoke with a group near the exit.
• Shuji explained to Samui why he had made his earlier suggestion, and Samui said she understood and offered to lend him more money if later attempts failed.

After the Special Training Class demonstration, Naruto’s misunderstanding of Shuji’s remarks about Sasuke caused the class to hide a rumor from Sasuke, who resolved to confront Shuji. Shuji then joined Naruto and his friends to help with the family’s move and visit their new home.

• Naruto told the class that Shuji had said Sasuke was often on his period, prompting the girls to shield Sasuke from the rumor and leaving him determined to ask Shuji about it.
• Iruka summarized the practical combat demonstration and announced that Shuji would be available at the Academy to answer students’ questions.
• In the hallway, Naruto repeated his claim to Iruka, Shikamaru, and Choji, and Shuji confirmed that he had explained periods to Naruto two years earlier.
• Naruto told Shuji that his family was moving to a new house, and Shuji offered to help and visit.
• Naruto invited Iruka, Shikamaru, and Choji to the new home, and Shuji persuaded Iruka to come along.