Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hiko reviewed the Hokage’s paperwork while Orochimaru reported that his investigation into the missing supplies had found no clear culprit. Hiko left the matter for the Third Hokage to handle after defeating Sunagakure, as the trail had gone cold inside the Land of Fire.

• Hiko complained to Jiraiya about the trivial documents reaching the Hokage’s office and told him to stop laughing.
• Orochimaru delivered his investigation report and said the trail of the intercepted supplies disappeared within the Land of Fire, making Kirigakure an unlikely culprit.
• Jiraiya suggested Kirigakure might be misleading Konoha, but Hiko and Orochimaru argued that Konoha could not act against Kirigakure even if it had proof.
• Orochimaru reported that the transporters from the Land of Artisans had also vanished and that the country would demand an explanation from Konoha.
• Hiko put aside the investigation and said the Third Hokage could deal with the Logistics Department after defeating Sunagakure.

After Konoha and Kumogakure won the Second Ninja War, the villages began recovering from heavy losses while Hiko waited through a high-level meeting. The Third Hokage raised the need to reorganize village departments, especially the Medical Department, because some clans had been nearly wiped out.

• Hiko set aside the investigation into missing supplies and joined Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Hatake Sakumo to eat and drink.
• The Third Hokage took command at the frontline and gradually turned Konoha's disadvantage into an advantage against Sunagakure.
• After Sunagakure's rout, Ōnoki surrendered, and the nearly seven-year Second Ninja War ended with Konoha and Kumogakure as narrow victors.
• The war left Konoha and the other participating villages weakened, while Konoha began recovering as merchants and delayed missions returned.
• At a Konoha high-level meeting, the Third Hokage said that some clans had fewer than one in ten members remaining and asked for views on adjusting village departments, especially the Medical Department.

After the war devastated the Senju Clan, Uchiha Hiko pushed for Tsunade to retain control of the Medical Department and sought other posts for Uchiha members. He left the meeting with the Third Hokage accepting the Senju proposal, while the other appointments remained under consideration.

• Hiko proposed assigning the surviving Senju members to suitable posts and keeping the Medical Department under Tsunade’s management.
• Hiko said qualified Uchiha members should fill other vacancies, prompting Danzo to accuse the Uchiha Clan of demanding too much.
• Hiko blamed Danzo for the Senju Clan’s losses and mocked his handling of the war, provoking Danzo’s anger.
• Hiko claimed he could have crushed the Third Kazekage if Ōnoki had not sent reinforcements, and the Third Hokage tried to redirect the argument.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu backed Hiko’s proposal for the Medical Department, and the Third Hokage agreed while leaving other appointments for later consideration.

At the High-level Meeting, Danzo opposed Tsunade leading the Medical Department and angered the others by invoking her relationship with Hiko and the Uchiha. Hiko then accused unnamed people and clans of embezzling village funds, and Danzo’s outburst made the higher-ups suspect him as Hiko revealed missing medical equipment.

• Danzo objected to the Medical Department falling under the Uchiha banner and offended the meeting by bringing up Tsunade and Hiko’s relationship.
• Hiko set aside the Medical Department discussion and said he wanted to report people and clans for embezzling Konoha funds.
• Danzo accused Hiko of slander and threatened him, prompting the higher-ups to suspect Danzo when he reacted before anyone had been named.
• The Third Hokage demanded to know whether Hiko’s report was true, and Hiko cited his work as Head of Anbu and his review of village records.
• Hiko said medical equipment purchased in Year 27 of Konoha had disappeared from the Medical Department and that several batches had gone missing over time.

Hiko exposed the Shimura Clan’s theft of Konoha’s equipment and medicinal supplies through the Logistics Department, and presented evidence to the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage ordered an immediate investigation, while Hiko stood to benefit from the Shimura Clan’s losses.

• Hiko told the Meeting Room that supplies and medicines had vanished, including materials never used on the Land of Rain battlefield.
• Danzo denied responsibility and planned to let the Shimura Clan elder who publicly managed the Logistics Department take the blame.
• Hiko summoned Anbu to bring in the investigation documents proving how much the Shimura Clan had taken from Konoha.
• The Third Hokage read the evidence and ordered an immediate investigation into everyone involved.
• Hiko anticipated gaining opportunities to take over businesses controlled by the Shimura Clan, including the Casino.

Hiko exposed Danzo’s wrongdoing, prompting the Third Hokage to confront him and the Anbu to investigate the Shimura Clan and the Logistics Department. The chapter ended as the investigation began in full view of the village.

• Hiko used Danzo’s repeated attacks against him to reveal evidence of Danzo’s misconduct, leaving the other village leaders wary of provoking him.
• The Third Hokage adjourned the meeting and warned Hiko to come with him, while Hiko threatened Danzo and cautioned the other leaders that he had uncovered more secrets.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura became disappointed in Danzo and recognized that the Shimura Clan would lose its influence over the Logistics Department.
• Hiko told the Third Hokage that he had withheld the evidence during wartime to avoid disrupting the frontline and asked for a reward for exposing the matter.
• The Third Hokage waited for the Anbu’s report as the Anbu launched a large, public investigation into the Shimura Clan and the Logistics Department.

After an investigation exposed corruption in the Logistics Department, the Third Hokage transferred control of the department and considered how to grant the Uchiha Clan positions there and in the Medical Department. Danzo remained hidden and furious, while the Shimura Clan faced public disgrace.

• The Third Hokage announced an investigation into the Shimura Clan's suspected abuse of authority in the Logistics Department, and the villagers condemned the clan.
• Anbu found a dead suspect at the Shimura Clan compound, and the Third Hokage realized someone had leaked the arrests.
• Hiko told the Third Hokage to arrange the Medical Department and Logistics Department as he saw fit, then left him struggling to balance the Uchiha Clan's demands against the other clans.
• The Third Hokage announced that the dead Shimura Clan member had acted alone, but villagers continued to blame the clan and its reputation collapsed.
• Hiko summoned the Uchiha elders to select people for positions in the Medical Department and Logistics Department, while Danzo raged over the investigation and the loss of his influence there.

Uchiha Hiko rode the Nine-Tails with Jiraiya toward the Land of Rain, reassuring him that he would not attack Jiraiya’s students. The chapter ended with Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato waiting at the border for Jiraiya to arrive.

• Hiko and Jiraiya traveled through Konoha atop the Nine-Tails as villagers watched in awe.
• Hiko teased Jiraiya about his reputation and his peeping, leaving Jiraiya silent and aggrieved.
• Jiraiya asked Hiko whether he planned to harm Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, and Hiko promised not to attack them or casually hurt them.
• Hiko and Jiraiya continued toward the Land of Rain on the Nine-Tails.
• Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato waited at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, wondering why their teacher had contacted them.

Jiraiya brought Uchiha Hiko to meet Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan in the Land of Rain. The Nine-Tails left after tossing Jiraiya into the mud, and Jiraiya greeted his students while Hiko watched.

• Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan waited in the rain, wondering whom Jiraiya planned to introduce.
• The Nine-Tails approached with Jiraiya and Uchiha Hiko riding on its back, and Nagato recognized their teacher.
• Hiko jumped down and sent the Nine-Tails away, but it shook Jiraiya off its back and attacked him with its tail.
• Hiko teased Jiraiya for provoking the Nine-Tails, then turned his attention to the stunned Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
• Jiraiya greeted his three students and walked toward them.

Uchiha Hiko sought a private conversation with Nagato because of his Rinnegan, while Nagato wanted answers about the doubts that had troubled him. Nagato chose to go with Hiko despite Konan and Yahiko’s concerns, leaving Jiraiya to reassure them.

• Jiraiya introduced Hiko to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, who regarded him warily.
• Hiko clarified that he wanted to meet Nagato because of his eyes and warned the group not to test his limits.
• Yahiko and Konan tried to shield Nagato, but Nagato asked Hiko how he would guarantee their safety.
• Jiraiya vouched for Hiko, and Nagato said he wanted to ask him about his doubts.
• Nagato followed Hiko aside to talk while Jiraiya held back Konan and Yahiko.

Hiko took Nagato aside and examined his Rinnegan, admitting he could not tell Nagato everything about the eyes. He told Nagato that the Uzumaki bloodline let him bear them, but warned that the Rinnegan could also destroy him.

• Jiraiya let Hiko speak privately with Nagato while Konan and Yahiko waited nearby.
• Hiko studied Nagato's Rinnegan and decided he could not take it from him without risking the eyes erupting and Nagato losing control.
• Nagato asked Hiko why he had the Rinnegan, and Hiko hesitated over the truth before answering.
• Hiko said Nagato could bear the Rinnegan because he had Uzumaki blood, then warned that the eyes might cause even him to explode if mishandled.

Hiko warned Nagato that the Rinnegan was too powerful for him to control and that he should keep its existence secret, then left without returning to Konoha with Jiraiya. Jiraiya urged his students to stay away from Konoha, leaving their dreams of peace overshadowed by his fear of Hiko.

• Hiko challenged Nagato to consider whether he could control the Rinnegan and told him to keep the eyes secret from Hanzo of the Salamander.
• Nagato asked how he could control the Rinnegan, and Hiko told him he would need far greater vitality and Chakra while warning that a reckless attempt could kill him.
• Hiko left, refusing to travel back to Konoha with Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya, Konan, and Yahiko checked on Nagato, who said Hiko had kept his word and had not harmed him.
• Jiraiya warned Nagato never to approach Konoha casually because Hiko frightened him and could become a danger to their hopes for peace.

Uchiha Hiko confronted Black Zetsu, who had been secretly watching him, and used threats about exposing Uchiha Madara and Nagato to demand some of Madara’s cells for research. Black Zetsu agreed to consult Madara, and Hiko gave him ten days to return with an answer.

• Hiko noticed Black Zetsu hiding nearby and forced him to reveal himself by threatening to return to Nagato.
• Black Zetsu explained that he had once monitored Hiko on Uchiha Madara’s behalf and revealed that Madara had survived the battle at the Valley of the End through Izanagi.
• Hiko pretended to be shocked by the revelation, then asked Black Zetsu to obtain Uchiha Madara’s cells for research.
• Hiko threatened to publicize Madara’s survival and the secrets surrounding Nagato’s Rinnegan if Black Zetsu refused.
• Black Zetsu said he would consult Uchiha Madara, and Hiko demanded an answer within ten days.
• Hiko explained that rain had exposed Black Zetsu’s position before he left.

Uchiha Hiko met Black Zetsu and pretended to be shocked when Black Zetsu claimed Uchiha Madara was still alive. After learning Madara had used Izanagi to survive the Valley of the End, Hiko asked Black Zetsu to obtain Madara’s cells for research.

• Black Zetsu revealed that he had watched Hiko when he was younger, then asked whether Hiko knew Uchiha Madara.
• Hiko acted as if he believed Madara had died at the Valley of the End, and Black Zetsu claimed Madara had survived by using Izanagi.
• Hiko became excited at the prospect of researching Madara’s cells alongside Senju Hashirama’s cells.
• Hiko asked Black Zetsu to get him some of Madara’s cells and warned that he would take action if Black Zetsu refused.

Hiko pressured Black Zetsu into taking his request for Uchiha Madara's cells to Madara, threatening to reveal that Madara was alive and connected to the Rinnegan. Black Zetsu agreed to seek an answer, while Hiko set a ten-day deadline and continued toward the Land of Fire.

• Hiko demanded Uchiha Madara's cells for research and threatened to publicize Madara's survival and connection to the Rinnegan if Black Zetsu refused.
• Hiko claimed Madara could return to lead the Uchiha Clan, then threatened to discuss the matter with Jiraiya and his three disciples.
• Black Zetsu panicked and said he needed to ask Uchiha Madara, and Hiko gave him ten days to bring back a satisfactory answer.
• Black Zetsu asked how Hiko had found him, and Hiko explained that the rain had revealed his location.
• Black Zetsu left behind clothes and a straw hat before disappearing, while Hiko continued toward the Land of Fire and considered the unexpected encounter fortunate.

Black Zetsu told Uchiha Madara that Hiko had demanded his cells and threatened Nagato, but Madara chose to give Hiko what he wanted. Madara believed Hiko would stop after learning the truth behind Nagato’s Rinnegan, while both sides kept leverage over the other.

• Black Zetsu returned to Uchiha Madara and explained that Hiko wanted Madara’s cells and would threaten Nagato if refused.
• Uchiha Madara told Black Zetsu that Hiko would not keep threatening them because he would recognize the truth behind Nagato’s eyes.
• Madara cut a piece of skin from his arm and ordered Black Zetsu to give it to Hiko.
• Madara considered how exposing Hiko’s Eternal Mangekyo secrets could disrupt Hiko’s position in Konoha, while Hiko could also expose Madara’s plans.

Hiko obtained Uchiha Madara's cells from Black Zetsu and made clear that he would not join the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan, though Black Zetsu still expected him to become an ally. Hiko returned to Konoha with the Nine-Tails, planning to use Madara's cells to help awaken the Rinnegan.

• Black Zetsu returned from Uchiha Madara with Madara's cells and warned Hiko not to repeat their deal.
• Black Zetsu asked whether Hiko had seen the Uchiha Clan's stone tablet, and Hiko said he knew its contents and was interested in the Rinnegan.
• Hiko told Black Zetsu he would stay out of his plans as long as Black Zetsu left Konoha and the Uchiha Clan alone, but privately rejected the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan.
• Hiko reached the Nine-Tails' resting place, climbed onto its head, and ordered it to take him back to Konoha.
• Hiko wondered whether absorbing Uchiha Madara's cells, along with the power in Senju Hashirama's cells, would help him awaken the Rinnegan.

After sending the Nine-Tails back to Konoha, Hiko absorbed and fused a small piece of Uchiha Madara’s flesh, which increased his Chakra without causing pain. He remained wary of the unusually smooth fusion and was left deciding whether to walk home or fetch the Nine-Tails for a ride.

• Hiko sent the Nine-Tails toward Konoha and told it to stay quiet and defend itself if attacked.
• Hiko found a secluded place, cut his palm, and absorbed a small shred of Uchiha Madara’s flesh.
• Hiko felt a warm current fuse with his body, and his Chakra reserves surged without any pain.
• Hiko wondered why the fusion differed from his painful experience with Senju Hashirama’s cells and remained alert to possible tampering by Uchiha Madara or Black Zetsu.
• Hiko realized the Nine-Tails had gone too far ahead and hesitated between walking home and bringing it back to ride.

After returning to Konoha, Hiko learned that his face had grown younger and smoother while he was away, though he could not explain why. He ended the chapter startled by the unexplained change and checking that the rest of his body was still normal.

• Hiko returned to Konoha alone after letting the Nine-Tails go ahead, then visited the Hokage's Office.
• Hiko teased Jiraiya about chasing women and asked the Third Hokage whether the Shimura Clan's punishment had been decided.
• Jiraiya and the Third Hokage noticed that Hiko looked younger and had unusually delicate skin.
• After Jiraiya pointed out that Hiko had no beard stubble, Hiko checked his reflection in the Third Hokage's Crystal Ball.
• Hiko saw that his face looked several years younger and confirmed that the rest of his body seemed unchanged.

After absorbing Uchiha Madara's cells, Hiko discovered that he had lost his facial hair, then discussed Danzo's punishment with the Third Hokage. Before leaving, Hiko dumped the task of teaching Minato Namikaze the Flying Thunder God Technique on Jiraiya, who reluctantly agreed to handle it.

• Hiko realized that his lack of facial hair had appeared after he fused with Uchiha Madara's cells.
• The Third Hokage said he had taken over the Logistics Department, Tsunade would lead the Medical Department, and the Shimura Clan had compensated the village while Danzo kept out of sight.
• Hiko warned that he would not go easy on Danzo if Danzo targeted him again.
• Hiko left the Hokage's Office and ordered Jiraiya to teach Minato Namikaze the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Third Hokage asked Jiraiya to destroy the technique scroll after teaching Minato, and Jiraiya complained that Hiko owed him compensation.