Chapter Summaries

Hiko sought early graduation because he needed money, but his teacher refused and went to report him to the Third Hokage as a special student. The Third Hokage heard the report, leaving Hiko’s application and the Hokage’s response undecided.

• Hiko told Teacher he wanted early graduation so he could earn money from missions, but Teacher firmly refused.
• Teacher left without persuading Hiko, who planned to apply directly to the Hokage after school.
• Jiraiya was chased by an enraged Tsunade while Hiko watched.
• Teacher went to the Hokage’s Office and told the Third Hokage that Hiko was a special student who deserved priority observation.

A Teacher asked the Third Hokage to give Uchiha Hiko special attention, claiming Hiko could match Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. The Third Hokage withheld his decision but said he would handle the matter and would not approve Hiko’s early graduation.

• The Third Hokage learned that the Teacher wanted Uchiha Hiko placed on the list for special attention.
• The Third Hokage asked why Hiko deserved exceptional cultivation, and the Teacher firmly predicted Hiko would achieve as much as Orochimaru, Tsunade, or Jiraiya.
• The Third Hokage told the Teacher to leave and care for the students, adding that he would handle the matter and reject any application for Hiko’s early graduation.
• The Teacher left, disappointed that the Third Hokage had not revealed his decision.
• The Third Hokage reopened Hiko’s file and studied his photograph while smoking.

Hiko ended his weapons training after breaking too many kunai, then headed to the Clan Ancestral Hall to choose Ninjutsu scrolls. On the way, he caught Tsunade sneaking through the streets with stolen money and startled her.

• Hiko stopped his kunai and shuriken training because his weapons were damaged or difficult to recover.
• Hiko decided to visit the Clan Ancestral Hall to select Ninjutsu scrolls.
• Hiko walked through Konoha, bought meat skewers, and reflected on the village’s population and strength.
• Hiko spotted Tsunade sneaking through the crowd with a sack and guessed she was carrying money to gamble.
• Hiko startled Tsunade by accusing her of gambling, causing her money pouch to fall to the ground.

Tsunade tried to hide that she had taken money to gamble, while Hiko reacted with disgust to her dirty hands and said he had seen nothing. Worried he would report her, Tsunade abandoned her plans and chased after him.

• Tsunade snatched up the Money Pouch and asked Hiko what he was trying to do.
• Hiko teased Tsunade about heading to the Casino, and she covered his mouth to keep him quiet.
• Hiko questioned where Tsunade had gotten the money, and she denied taking it improperly.
• After Tsunade covered his mouth again, Hiko pushed her away, said he had seen nothing, and left.
• Tsunade feared Hiko would report her and ran after him, calling for Uchiha Hiko to stop.

Hiko tried to reassure Tsunade that he would not expose her, but she gave him money for ninja tools and left him worried that accepting it would cause trouble. He planned to return the money while suspecting that someone had witnessed the exchange.

• Tsunade blocked Hiko from going home because she feared he would tell someone where her money came from.
• Hiko assured Tsunade that he would not report her, and she relaxed after realizing they had no reason to be enemies.
• When Tsunade asked why he had left training early, Hiko explained that his ninja tools had broken and he planned to study ninjutsu.
• Tsunade stuffed a handful of money into Hiko's hands so he could buy tools, then hurried off toward the casino.
• Hiko put the money away and planned to return it, fearing the Senju or Uchiha might learn about the exchange.

Hiko chose two Fire Style techniques from the Uchiha Clan’s ancestral hall and struggled to learn the Great Fireball Technique at home. Meanwhile, Tsunade’s gift caused anger between the Senju and Uchiha clans, and the dispute reached the Hokage.

• Hiko entered the Uchiha Clan’s ancestral hall and selected the Great Fireball Technique and Dragon Fire Technique.
• Uchiha clansmen gossiped about Hiko’s connection with Tsunade and the money she had given him, making him the center of attention.
• Hiko returned home and repeatedly failed to master the Great Fireball Technique.
• The Senju Clan, angry that Tsunade had given Hiko money, dragged her home after she had spent the rest of her money at the Casino.
• A messenger told the Hokage that the Senju Clan was unhappy and the Uchiha Clan refused to back down.

After the rumors about Tsunade’s money spread, Hiko returned it to Teacher and applied for early graduation. Teacher agreed to report the request to the Third Hokage, while Tsunade remained furious about the gossip at school.

• The Third Hokage learned that Tsunade had taken the money to the casino and that Hiko had discovered her, but he left the Senju-Uchiha dispute alone.
• Hiko ignored the rumors as he walked through the village and arrived at school with Tsunade’s money.
• Hiko returned the money to Teacher and applied for early graduation, saying he believed he could pass the combat assessment.
• Teacher accepted Hiko’s application and promised to report it to the Third Hokage and ask him to address the rumors.
• Hiko heard Tsunade shouting at her classmates as he reached the classroom door.

Hiko stayed calm as gossip about him and Tsunade stirred up the classroom, then explained that he had returned her money to the teacher. He advised Tsunade to treat the gossips as monkeys, provoking Shimura Shitsuki with an insult.

• Tsunade arrived at the classroom furious after the gossip about her and Hiko caused a citywide uproar.
• Hiko sat down calmly, and Tsunade asked whether he was angry; he told her he had returned her money to the teacher.
• Hiko told Tsunade to imagine the gossips as monkeys if she could not stop being upset.
• Shimura Shitsuki challenged Hiko, who mocked his name and compared him to a monkey.
• Tsunade laughed at Hiko's insult, and Shimura Shitsuki stood up in anger.

Hiko argued with Shimura Shitsuki over rumors about him and Tsunade, but Tsunade kicked Shitsuki before Hiko could respond to his after-school challenge. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage rejected Hiko's request to graduate early, and he reflected on the money Hiko had returned untouched.

• Hiko told Shimura Shitsuki that his relationship with Tsunade was none of Shitsuki's business, and the class laughed at Shitsuki's angry retort.
• Shimura Shitsuki challenged Hiko to stay after school, but Tsunade kicked him and said she had a score to settle with him.
• The teacher began class by warning the students not to trust rumors, especially when gathering intelligence.
• After class, the teacher reported Hiko's request for early graduation to the Third Hokage and handed over Hiko's money.
• The Third Hokage refused to approve Hiko's early graduation, and the teacher left pleased with the decision.
• The Third Hokage stared at the money Hiko had returned in full, noting that Hiko had not given it directly to Tsunade.

After the Third Hokage rejected Hiko’s early graduation application, Hiko refused Teacher’s offer of money and adjusted his training instead. Unbeknownst to Hiko, the Third Hokage arranged for the Uchiha clan to leave him alone and placed him under special attention.

• Teacher told Hiko that the Third Hokage had rejected his early graduation application and urged him to remain in school.
• Teacher offered Hiko money as a loan, but Hiko thanked him and refused it.
• Hiko decided to ease his training temporarily and focus on Taijutsu and Ninjutsu until graduation.
• The Third Hokage’s intervention caused the clan members to stop paying attention to Hiko.
• The Third Hokage placed Hiko under special attention and asked the Uchiha High Command to give him a quiet environment to grow.

The Third Hokage considered how to assign Hiko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to squads without creating conflicts or stunting their growth. He weighed the decision against Konoha’s clan politics and the pressures of holding the Hokage position.

• Hiko settled into a routine of school, training, and home while the Third Hokage secretly watched his progress.
• The Third Hokage struggled to decide whether to keep Hiko with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya or separate one of them into another squad.
• The Third Hokage considered how three-person squads and scarce support ninjas shaped the available arrangements.
• The Third Hokage reflected on the burdens of leadership and the criticism he had faced after Konoha suffered heavy losses in the Ninja War.
• The Third Hokage considered how Konoha’s history of marginalizing powerful clans had left the Uchiha dissatisfied with their lack of a Hokage.

Half a year passed, and Hiko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and their peers turned six as the three planned to graduate early. Hiko kept training and grew closer to Tsunade and Jiraiya, then paused mid-practice when Tsunade asked whether he would move up to the advanced class.

• The Third Hokage remained conflicted about how to handle Hiko, while Hiko accepted that his early graduation request had been rejected and planned to apply again alongside Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
• After half a year, Hiko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and their peers turned six; Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya chose to seek early graduation.
• Hiko trained his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, and his recovery let him heal from strenuous practice after a night's sleep.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya increasingly followed Hiko, with Tsunade growing especially close to him and Jiraiya hoping for free meals; Orochimaru remained distant.
• At the Training Ground, Tsunade asked Hiko if he planned to move up to the advanced class, and Hiko paused with his foot raised.

Hiko told Tsunade and Jiraiya that he planned to apply for early graduation again, revealing that the Hokage had rejected an earlier application. After Tsunade beat Jiraiya for teasing her, she said she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru would apply together and invited Hiko to join them.

• Hiko said he would apply for early graduation again and revealed that the Hokage had rejected his application about half a year earlier.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya complained that Hiko had kept his earlier application from them.
• Hiko teased Tsunade by poking her cheek, and Jiraiya mocked her appearance.
• Tsunade chased Jiraiya and beat him after he made fun of her.
• Tsunade told Hiko that she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru planned to apply for graduation together and looked to him to join them.

Hiko agreed with Tsunade to apply for early graduation and went to the Academy to submit his application. Teacher understood why he had come, but the chapter ended before Hiko learned whether his application would be approved.

• Hiko told Tsunade he would ask to graduate early, though he might not be assigned to her team.
• Tsunade said she wanted to graduate with Hiko and did not want to be teamed with Orochimaru or Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya teased Tsunade, then jumped away when she confronted him.
• Hiko agreed to apply for early graduation with Tsunade.
• Hiko went to Teacher's office to submit his application, and Teacher said he already knew why Hiko had come.

Hiko learned that the Third Hokage had approved his early graduation application, and he would take the assessment with Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the advanced class students. He left to prepare for the assessment, while his future team assignment remained undecided.

• Hiko's teacher told him that the Third Hokage had approved his graduation application and that he would take the assessment with the advanced class.
• The teacher worried that Hiko might be assigned to a team with advanced class students and clash with them, while Hiko was simply relieved he could graduate.
• The teacher congratulated Hiko, told him to prepare instead of attending class for a few days, and promised barbecue if he and the others passed.
• Hiko left the office and wondered whether the graduation assessment would involve grabbing bells.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya hurried to Hiko in the hallway, and he told them that his application was approved but his team assignment was still up to the Third Hokage.

After Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had their early graduation applications approved, they celebrated together at a barbecue restaurant. Jiraiya complained that he could not buy alcohol, while the others continued their meal.

• Tsunade celebrated Hiko's approved application, then warned that passing the assessment was still uncertain.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade argued over who was more likely to fail the assessment, until Hiko suggested celebrating over barbecue.
• Tsunade offered to pay because she worried about Hiko's finances, but Hiko reassured her and invited Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru agreed to join Hiko, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, and the four went to a barbecue restaurant.
• Jiraiya complained that the owner would not sell him alcohol, and Tsunade called him a drunkard while pointing out that Hiko only smoked occasionally.

Hiko, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya applied for early graduation, and the chapter followed the days leading up to their assessment. Hiko arrived at the school’s Playground to await their Teacher, while Jiraiya had yet to show up.

• At a barbecue, Jiraiya asked what everyone wanted to do after graduation, and Hiko said he wanted to take more missions, train, and grow stronger.
• The next day, the Teacher announced the four students’ early-graduation applications, and their classmates debated whether they would pass, especially mocking Jiraiya.
• Hiko spent the three days before the assessment resting at home and staring at the sky.
• Hiko went to the school’s Playground to await the Teacher and found Orochimaru and Tsunade already there.
• Tsunade greeted Hiko and remarked that she was surprised he had gotten up early.

Hiko, Tsunade, and Orochimaru waited at the playground for their teacher while Jiraiya overslept and rushed to school late. The Third Hokage had been watching from a nearby tree, unseen by the children, and was left speechless by Jiraiya’s tardiness.

• Tsunade complained after Hiko teased her, then wondered who their teacher would be.
• Hiko and the others waited as Jiraiya failed to appear, while he slept at home and dreamed of graduating.
• Jiraiya woke in a panic, rushed to the playground without washing up, and collapsed after seeing only his classmates there.
• Tsunade scolded Jiraiya for being late, and he awkwardly tried to laugh off his disheveled appearance.
• The Third Hokage watched from a tree, satisfied by the children’s confidence before Jiraiya’s tardiness left him speechless.

The Third Hokage revealed that he would lead Hiko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya as a four-person team. The group followed him to the Training Ground, where they awaited their first test.

• The Third Hokage arrived, and Jiraiya quickly stood up while the others wondered who their teacher would be.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that he would teach all four of them and led them toward the Training Ground.
• Hiko realized he had been grouped with the future Sannin and considered how his presence might affect their legacy.
• Jiraiya reacted in disbelief, while Tsunade mocked him and Orochimaru headed after the Third Hokage.
• Hiko followed Tsunade and Jiraiya, wondering whether their test would involve snatching Bells.

The Third took Hiko, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade to a training ground and explained why he had placed all four on one team, intending for Hiko’s steadiness to help keep the others in check. He began their assessment by asking how they would handle discovering an enemy base with secrets valuable to Konoha, and the chapter ended before everyone had answered.

• The Third brought Hiko, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade to the training ground for their assessment.
• The Third had assigned all four to one team because he believed Hiko could restrain the others when he could not accompany them on missions.
• The Third asked what they would do if they found an enemy base containing secrets that could greatly benefit Konoha.
• Jiraiya immediately proposed attacking the base and taking the secrets.
• Tsunade said they should first investigate the enemy’s strength before deciding whether to attack.