Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Shuu shifted the clan’s attention toward Hiko after learning how extraordinarily gifted he was. He ordered Hiko’s abilities concealed and arranged for him to be watched, leaving the Third Hokage responsible for protecting him on missions.

• Uchiha Shuu and the elders discussed making Hiko depend more on the Uchiha Clan, while Shuu welcomed Tsunade’s interest in him.
• Hiko sensed that he was being followed after leaving the clan compound, but ignored the watcher as the Uchiha replaced the Anbu surveillance.
• Uchiha Hayashi began teaching Hiko, who quickly mastered the selected Ninjutsu and Genjutsu and nearly caught Hayashi off guard.
• Uchiha Hayashi reported Hiko’s talent to Uchiha Shuu, who ordered the information kept secret and Hiko’s abilities concealed.
• Uchiha Shuu told Hayashi to watch Hiko in the village and left his protection during missions to the Third Hokage.

Shimura Danzō tried to recruit Uchiha Hiko into the Root Division, but Hiruzen Sarutobi refused and ordered him to leave Hiko alone. Danzō planned to wait for a chance to approach Hiko, while other ninja villages began weighing how to assassinate him without provoking Konoha.

• Shimura Danzō asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to let Uchiha Hiko join the Root Division, and Hiruzen firmly refused.
• Hiruzen warned Danzō not to target Hiko, but Danzō left intending to make contact when an opportunity arose.
• Danzō’s subordinate reported that Uchiha and Anbu personnel were watching Hiko, making contact difficult.
• Hiruzen sent trusted Anbu members to protect Hiko and prevent Root Division from approaching him.
• Other major ninja villages received information about Hiko and began discussing ways to assassinate him without provoking Konoha.

Hiko passed the Chunin Exam alone and his drive to improve pushed Sarutobi Squad to train harder. During a mission in the Land of Earth, the squad retrieved two scrolls and headed back to Konoha, where Hiko questioned why Jiraiya wanted something related to the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Hiko used Genjutsu to defeat his Chunin examiner and became the first Chunin in Sarutobi Squad.
• Hiko’s example inspired Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to train harder.
• During a mission in the Land of Earth, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were disgusted when an enemy used a skunk Summoned Beast.
• Hiko reminded Jiraiya that he had claimed the enemy was easy to handle, then asked Orochimaru whether he had obtained the items.
• Orochimaru gave Hiko two sealed scrolls, and Hiko led the squad back toward Konoha to report the completed mission.
• Hiko asked Jiraiya why he needed the Flying Thunder God Technique when he could not learn it.

Hiko told Tsunade he planned to rest after their mission, and she eagerly suggested they spend time together. When Tsunade asked why he kept refusing promotion exams, Hiko explained that staying a Chunin let him avoid extra burdens while still taking challenging missions, and asked what difference promotion would make.

• Hiko teased Jiraiya about seeking the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Jiraiya defended his decision under Tsunade and Orochimaru's amused scrutiny.
• Tsunade asked Hiko what he planned to do after the mission, and he said he would likely rest because their missions had been too frequent.
• Tsunade invited Hiko to have fun together, but he raised the possibility that the Third Hokage would again urge him to take a promotion exam.
• Tsunade asked why Hiko kept refusing promotion, and he explained that staying a Chunin was amusing and avoided extra burdens even though they still received high-level missions.

After returning to Konoha, Hiko rejected Danzo’s offer to join Root and learned that the Third Hokage and the Uchiha Clan Head wanted him to take the Chunin Exam and enter the Anbu. He agreed, then left the Third Hokage’s office after teasing him about menopause.

• Two days after returning from the Land of Earth, Hiko met Danzo in the Hokage Office Building and refused his invitation to join Root.
• Hiko delivered the intelligence scrolls from the enemy’s underground base to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage told Hiko that the Uchiha Clan Head wanted him to take the Chunin Exam and join the Anbu alongside Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.
• Hiko agreed to take the exam and join the Anbu, then joked that the Third Hokage’s menopause had come early before leaving the office.

Hiko agreed to take the upcoming Chunin promotion to Special Jonin exam and enter the Anbu, surprising Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. As the squad celebrated, Hiko resolved to speak with Orochimaru before Danzo could draw him into dangerous research.

• After leaving the Hokage's Office, Hiko considered why the Third Hokage and Uchiha Shuu wanted him to join the Anbu and hoped his Sharingan would evolve into the Mangekyo.
• Hiko met Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru at their usual tavern and told them the Third Hokage wanted the squad to take the upcoming exam and join the Anbu.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were astonished when Hiko revealed that he had agreed to participate.
• Hiko noticed Orochimaru's interest in the Anbu and suspected Danzo had begun approaching him with offers of research support.
• Hiko decided to talk to Orochimaru to keep him from following a dangerous path, while the squad teased Jiraiya as he toasted their hoped-for Anbu careers.

Hiko privately confronted Orochimaru about Danzo's approach and asked him to help obtain Senju Hashirama's cells from Root. He warned Orochimaru against forbidden research, leaving Orochimaru to consider both the request and the warning.

• After Jiraiya and Tsunade left, Hiko took Orochimaru outside Konoha to speak privately.
• Hiko revealed that he knew Danzo had approached Orochimaru and said he would not restrict or expose Orochimaru, even if he sided with Danzo.
• Hiko told Orochimaru that he wanted Senju Hashirama's cells from Root and asked him to help obtain them.
• Orochimaru agreed to help if he could get his hands on the cells.
• Hiko warned Orochimaru not to participate in forbidden research or leave evidence that could ruin his life.
• After Hiko left, Orochimaru stayed behind, reflecting on the First's cells and Hiko's warning.

Hiko and Sarutobi Squad attended Konoha's Chunin-to-Special-Jonin exam, drawing attention as they waited for it to begin. When the examiners arrived, Hiko recognized Hatake Sakumo among the proctors.

• Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru arrived early at the exam site and discussed why they had waited so long to take the exam.
• Other candidates kept their distance from Sarutobi Squad, and Orochimaru's cold stare discouraged a candidate from sitting near them.
• A Senju Clan Elite Jonin started the exam and warned candidates to leave if they were caught cheating.
• Hiko spotted his old acquaintance Hatake Sakumo among the exam proctors.

During the Chunin Exam briefing, Hiko mocked the examiner, who had singled him out, and the two clashed with their auras in the crowded examination hall. Hiko stood his ground as the crowd was forced into chaos, while Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru watched to see how strong he was.

• Hiko spotted Hatake Sakumo and laughed while thinking about how different Hatake Sakumo was from his future son, Hatake Kakashi.
• The examiner called Hiko out for laughing, and Hiko mocked the examiner’s voice in front of everyone.
• The examiner threatened Hiko, but Hiko challenged him to disqualify him if he had violated any exam rules.
• The examiner pressed his aura against Hiko, who revealed his Three Tomoe Sharingan and unleashed his Chakra to confront him.
• The two auras collided, sending the examinees scrambling through the examination hall as Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru watched Hiko.

Hiko and the examiner exchanged threats before the proctors calmed the examination hall and began the written exam. Hiko found the questions easy, while Jiraiya struggled and looked toward Orochimaru and Hiko for a way to cheat.

• Hatake Sakumo persuaded Hiko and the examiner not to fight, and Hiko traded insults with the examiner.
• Tsunade laughed at Hiko's insult, and the proctors scolded her lightly before ordering the examinees to sit down.
• Hiko deliberately patted Tsunade on the head, further angering the examiner, and the proctors began handing out test papers.
• Hiko found the exam questions easy, while Jiraiya panicked and looked toward Orochimaru and Hiko for help cheating.

Hiko quickly finished the written assessment while Jiraiya struggled and tried to copy answers. After the exam ended, the Sarutobi Squad left together, and Hiko explained that the examiner would not dare make trouble for them without evidence because the Third Hokage had selected them.

• Hiko finished the test before the other candidates and teased Tsunade after staring at Hatake Sakumo.
• The examiner called time, collected the papers, and announced that candidates would receive their results the next day.
• Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru left together as other candidates discussed Hiko's strength.
• Jiraiya asked whether Hiko had worried about provoking the Elite Jonin examiner, and Hiko said the Third Hokage's involvement would keep the examiner from acting without evidence.

Hiko and the Sarutobi Squad met Hatake Sakumo, who told them the Third Hokage planned to assign him to their Anbu squad after they passed the exam. Hatake Sakumo also revealed that a mission had killed three of his teammates and left another unable to continue as a shinobi.

• Hiko explained to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru why foreign shinobi would have a hard time taking Konoha's exam alongside them.
• The four ran into Hatake Sakumo, who said the Third Hokage had asked him to speak with them.
• Hiko invited Hatake Sakumo to their usual tavern, where the group shared food and drinks.
• Hatake Sakumo said he was expected to join the Sarutobi Squad in the Anbu after they passed the exam.
• Hatake Sakumo explained that a previous mission had killed three members of his squad and left another unable to continue as a shinobi.

Hiko and Tsunade walked home together after celebrating with Hatake Sakumo, and Tsunade confronted Hiko about keeping his distance from her. Hiko denied pulling away and touched her cheek, but had not yet explained why he avoided her.

• Jiraiya apologized to Hatake Sakumo for a hurtful remark, and Hatake Sakumo said he blamed himself for failing to protect his teammates.
• Hiko and Hatake Sakumo toasted his expected success in the assessment, while Tsunade explained that Hiko rarely drank because he disliked alcohol and had a low tolerance.
• Jiraiya and Hatake Sakumo left together after drinking, and Orochimaru departed soon after.
• Hiko and Tsunade walked through Konoha under the moonlight, where Hiko reflected on their growing distance and the pressure their clans would place on Tsunade if they became closer.
• Tsunade stopped Hiko and asked whether he was pulling away from her, then demanded to know why he always avoided her.
• Hiko denied pulling away, stepped close, and covered Tsunade's flushed cheek with his hand as he began to answer.

Tsunade kissed Hiko and admitted she did not want their clans’ issues to involve the children, and Hiko embraced her before they parted. After Hiko discovered an Anbu spy and warned him off, the Third Hokage considered the pressure Tsunade would face and the importance of the coming Chunin Exam.

• Tsunade kissed Hiko and said their clans’ affairs should not involve the children.
• Hiko embraced Tsunade, then walked her back and watched her leave.
• Hiko sensed an Anbu member in the alley and warned him not to follow them again.
• The Anbu reported to the Third Hokage that Hiko had detected him, and the Hokage reflected on Hiko and Tsunade’s situation.
• The Third Hokage noted that the Chunin Exam would be an opportunity for Hiko and that important visitors had arrived because of the Sarutobi Squad.
• Hiko thought about Tsunade’s feelings and the pressure from her clan, then sensed that his strength was close to advancing.

Konoha tightened security as the daimyo of the Five Great Nations arrived to watch the Chunin Exam’s practical stage. Hiko realized the daimyo would bet on the candidates, while the exam and the daimyo’s growing involvement in village affairs lay ahead.

• Konoha’s clans and patrol teams guarded the village after the daimyo arrived, though Hiko initially knew nothing about the security measures.
• Hiko noticed the unusual atmosphere and met Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru at the Tavern.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru teased Hiko and Tsunade over their closeness, making Tsunade blush and threaten them.
• Tsunade told Hiko that the daimyo had gathered in Konoha to watch the Final Exam.
• Hiko said the daimyo would bet on which candidates passed or failed the practical exam and complained that they treated the candidates like gambling stakes.

Hiko discussed how the Daimyo used their financial power to interfere with the ninja villages and urged his teammates to focus on the exam. He proposed a secret plan to make money from the Daimyo’s bets and told Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru to hand over all their money.

• Jiraiya raged at the Daimyo for using the ninja as betting stakes, but Hiko pointed out that they could only compete in the exam or withdraw and fail.
• Hiko suggested that the team could profit from the Daimyo betting on their success, since the Land of Fire’s Daimyo would likely support them for the sake of face.
• Orochimaru doubted the Daimyo would risk betting heavily, but Hiko suggested that a stronger exam teacher could make the team’s failure seem likely.
• Hiko asked whether Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru trusted him, and all three said they did.
• Hiko told them to hand over all their money, leaving Jiraiya shocked.

Hiko teased Jiraiya about how he had saved so much money, provoking an angry outburst in the tavern. He then visited the Third Hokage to discuss the upcoming assessment and asked what the Hokage thought of it.

• Tsunade showed Hiko her meager savings, and Hiko offered to share his money with her.
• Hiko discovered Jiraiya had saved the most, then teased him about getting free services, embarrassing him in front of Tsunade and Orochimaru.
• Hiko and Tsunade warned Jiraiya to take care of his health, and Jiraiya roared in anger.
• Hiko visited the Third Hokage, clarified that his assessment question was unrelated to the examiner, and asked what he thought of the assessment.

Hiko persuaded the Third Hokage to add a powerful examiner so the Sarutobi Squad could profit from the Chunin Exam betting. The Third Hokage reluctantly summoned the Elder Council to discuss the request, while Hiko reassured Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya that he would eventually agree.

• Hiko told the Third Hokage that he and the others wanted to add a strong examiner so they could make money from the exam.
• The Third Hokage refused, but Hiko threatened that the Sarutobi Squad would deliberately fail and miss the final assessment, potentially embarrassing the Fire Daimyo and the village.
• Hiko explained that the visiting Daimyos had come to watch the Sarutobi Squad and would be furious if they missed the final exam, leaving the Third Hokage caught between accepting the request and disappointing them.
• The Third Hokage ordered someone to invite the Elder Council so he could seek approval for adding a powerful examiner.
• Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya asked Hiko what the Third Hokage had decided, and Hiko told them he expected him to agree before the exam.

Hiko accepted the challenge of facing an Elite Jonin examiner, despite admitting he was not confident, while Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the Third Hokage backed him. The Third Hokage then defended the proposed examiner change before the Elder Council as a chance to demonstrate Konoha’s strength to the gathered Daimyo and other villages.

• Hiko admitted that he was not confident against an Elite Jonin but said he welcomed the challenge.
• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade supported Hiko, and he vowed to do his best for the Sarutobi Squad.
• The Third Hokage explained that he wanted his disciples to receive tougher training while the Daimyo were visiting Konoha.
• The Third Hokage summoned the Elder Council to discuss replacing a Special Jonin examiner with an Elite Jonin.
• Danzo warned that changing the examiner could create risks with the Daimyo watching, while the Third Hokage argued that it could showcase Konoha’s strength as rival villages recovered.

Konoha announced that an Elite Jonin would serve as a possible opponent in the Final Exam’s practical stage, shocking the village and the visiting Daimyos. The examinees gathered at No. 49 examination grounds, where they speculated about who could face the proctor, while only the organizers knew Hiko had been selected in advance.

• The Third Hokage announced that an Elite Jonin would be added as a possible opponent in the Final Exam’s practical stage.
• The Daimyos and Konoha’s ninja reacted with shock, and Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru anticipated seeing how Hiko would handle the challenge.
• The examinees gathered at Konoha’s No. 49 examination grounds and debated whether anyone, especially Hiko, could contend with the proctor.
• Hiko joked that the examinees who believed in him had good judgment, and Tsunade and Jiraiya teased him for being narcissistic.
• The narration revealed that the proctor had already been arranged to face only Hiko.