Chapter Summaries

Hiko awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during his fight with Male Duck and summoned Susanoo to counter his opponent’s attack. The spectators and Uchiha Clan members were left stunned by Hiko’s new power.

• Male Duck’s speed overwhelmed Hiko, who was injured again and forced onto the defensive.
• As blood ran down his arm, Hiko’s Three Tomoe Sharingan transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan without anyone noticing.
• Male Duck rushed in to strike Hiko’s left shoulder, but a skeletal Susanoo formed around Hiko and blocked the kunai.
• Hiko revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Susanoo’s crimson bone hand to slam Male Duck into the water.
• The Third Hokage realized that Hiko had sought the pressure needed to awaken his Mangekyō, while the Uchiha Clan and other spectators reacted in shock.

Hiko awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan during his assessment and used Susanoo to overpower Male Duck. After the examiner stopped him, Tsunade treated Hiko’s wounds while the Daimyo reacted to the results of their bets.

• Hiko revealed his Mangekyo and formed a skeletal red Susanoo, startling Orochimaru and the others.
• Susanoo seized Male Duck and crushed him until the examiner ordered Hiko to stop.
• Hiko released Male Duck into the water, where he inhaled water, and the examiner sent him to the Medical Ninjas.
• Tsunade bandaged and treated Hiko while Jiraiya and Orochimaru congratulated him.
• The Daimyo who had bet on Male Duck cursed their loss, while the Daimyo of the Land of Fire celebrated his winnings and Hiko’s victory.

After Hiko overshadowed the other candidates in the exams, the Third Hokage worried that the daimyo's favor toward him would strengthen the Uchiha and that rising tensions among the ninja villages could lead to another war. Hiko visited the Third Hokage and heard his concerns about the villages recovering their strength.

• Uchiha Shuu mocked Naoko Senju over Hiko's Mangekyo Sharingan, and Naoko angrily challenged him to wait and see.
• Hiko left the exams with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru after all three passed, and Jiraiya eagerly anticipated splitting the winnings.
• The Third Hokage arranged for the daimyo to be escorted out of the Land of Fire and learned that the various daimyo were displeased.
• The Third Hokage worried that the Land of Fire's daimyo favored Hiko and that this could increase the Uchiha's influence.
• Hiko arrived at the Hokage's Office and asked about the Third Hokage's worries, prompting him to explain that recovering ninja villages and active hawks could bring another war.

Hiko refused to join Anbu after learning Konoha's higher-ups would never let an Uchiha become its head. He told the Third Hokage he would accept being left without assignments, then explained his decision to his teammates, leaving Tsunade furious about the discrimination.

• Hiko told the Third Hokage he did not fear war, collected the squad's reward, and said he hoped to become Head of Anbu.
• After the Third Hokage's silence confirmed that an Uchiha could not become Head of Anbu, Hiko refused to join and left the Hokage's Office.
• Hiko met Uchiha Shuu, who praised his assessment but showed increased wariness toward him.
• The next day, Hiko divided the squad's money and told Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru that he had refused Anbu.
• Hiko explained that the village higher-ups barred Uchiha from advancing to Head of Anbu, and Tsunade angrily condemned the targeted suppression.

Hiko refused to join the Anbu because of the village’s treatment of the Uchiha, and Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru chose not to join either. After Sarutobi Squad members passed their evaluations and were promoted, the Third Hokage learned their refusals and heard Tsunade’s blunt reason.

• Orochimaru explained that the village’s hostility toward the Uchiha had continued since Tobirama Senju, and Jiraiya asked what they should do.
• Hiko told Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru to make their own choices, and Tsunade refused to join the Anbu.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru also decided to stay out of the Anbu, and the four friends resumed eating and joking together.
• All four members of Sarutobi Squad passed their evaluations; Hiko was promoted to Jonin, while the others became Special Jonin.
• The Third Hokage learned that all four had refused the Anbu and ordered the reporting Anbu ninja to give their reasons.
• The Anbu ninja reported that Tsunade had rejected the Anbu as a dark circle and said she would never join another department, including the Medical Department.

The Third Hokage struggled with the four members of Sarutobi Squad refusing to join the Anbu as he prepared to discuss rising tensions with Konoha’s leadership. The meeting ended with Mitokado Homura questioning why the four had been marked as excluded from the Anbu roster.

• An Anbu ninja reported that Jiraiya and Orochimaru had refused to join, following Hiko’s refusal, and the Third Hokage wrestled with whether to accept their decision or confront the village’s higher-ups.
• The Third Hokage went to the Meeting Room, where Konoha’s leadership gathered to discuss signs of militant factions emerging in other countries.
• Naoko Senju called for vigilance and readiness for war, while Danzo argued that preparations would waste resources before any threat had materialized.
• The Third Hokage disagreed with Danzo but ended the debate without a decision, then introduced the newest Anbu members and asked where more manpower was needed.
• Mitokado Homura noticed that the four members of Sarutobi Squad were marked with Xs and asked why they were not joining the Anbu.

At a meeting, the Third explained that Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had refused to join Anbu, prompting the Elder Council to argue over the reasons and the Uchiha Clan’s access to power. The Third challenged the council’s interference but left after Danzo proposed a vote, while the remaining officials criticized the three men who had refused.

• Mitokado Homura noticed that Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru’s profiles had been marked with red Xs, and Naoko Senju asked the Third what they meant.
• The Third said Hiko refused because the higher-ups suppressed the Uchiha Clan, Tsunade refused to serve alongside them, Jiraiya wanted freedom, and Orochimaru wanted more experience first.
• Mitokado Homura and Naoko Senju objected to the refusals, while Utatane Koharu and other officials defended limiting the Uchiha Clan’s authority.
• The Third insisted that Anbu was his direct force and challenged the council, but Danzo proposed an Elder Council vote.
• The Third left the Meeting Room, and the remaining officials criticized Hiko, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

After the higher-ups targeted Hiko and excluded him from the Sarutobi Squad’s mission, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru refused to go without him. The Third Hokage realized their silent protest had begun and headed to their usual Tavern.

• The village higher-ups blamed Hiko for the Sarutobi Squad’s refusal to join the Anbu and ordered him left to fend for himself.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru gathered at their usual Tavern after learning Hiko was excluded from an outbound mission.
• Tsunade refused to go on the mission, and Jiraiya and Orochimaru pointed out that the remaining two could not carry it out alone.
• The Third Hokage waited at his office for the squad to respond to the mission notice, then left for their Tavern when none of them came.

The Third joined Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru while they were drinking and discussed the village’s pressure on Hiko and the mission issued to Sarutobi Squad. Tsunade defended her trust in Hiko, and the Third implied he would not punish his disciple without cause, leaving the village’s motives under scrutiny.

• The Third entered the Tavern and heard Jiraiya and Tsunade complain that Hiko was bearing the village’s pressure over the Uchiha.
• The Third told his drunken disciples that refusing the mission would damage Sarutobi Squad’s reputation, and Tsunade challenged him over his past lessons about the squad’s unity.
• The Third said he would not punish Hiko as long as Hiko had done nothing wrong, then asked why Tsunade trusted him despite her Senju ties.
• Tsunade declared that she trusted Hiko because she loved him and questioned why the Uchiha had to be sacrificed for the benefit of other families.
• The Third acknowledged that the Uchiha had not threatened the village since its founding, and Tsunade accused those driven by power and profit of being darker than the Uchiha.

The Third Hokage made a decision about the Sarutobi Squad’s refusal to join the Anbu while Hatake Sakumo waited for his assignment. Meanwhile, Hiko trained alone outside Konoha with his newly awakened Mangekyo, unaware that the Hokage had sent people searching for him.

• The Third Hokage told Hatake Sakumo that the Sixth Anbu Squad would proceed as usual despite the Sarutobi Squad refusing to join.
• The Third Hokage sealed four documents and reflected on whether his decision could preserve trust and the Will of Fire.
• Hiko trained in the forest, practicing Susanoo and testing his Mangekyo abilities without worrying about blindness.
• Hiko vowed to gain the Eternal Mangekyo and Wood Style so he could become strong enough to stop the village from targeting him.
• The Third Hokage ordered the Anbu to search beyond Konoha for Hiko, while rumors spread that he had left the village in protest.

After training outside the village, Hiko returned to Konoha at the Third Hokage’s summons and learned he had been appointed captain of Anbu’s Sixth Squad. The Third said he was lifting restrictions and trusting Hiko to help ease tensions between the Uchiha and the village, while holding out the possibility of becoming Head of Anbu.

• An Anbu ninja found Hiko training with Susanoo and relayed the Third Hokage’s order for him to report to the Hokage Office Building.
• The Third learned Hiko had been found and felt relieved that he had not abandoned Konoha.
• Hiko returned to the village, drawing attention from admiring residents and envious ninja.
• At the Hokage’s office, Hiko read a scroll appointing him captain of Anbu’s Sixth Squad.
• The Third explained that he was trusting Hiko to help mend relations between the Uchiha and Konoha, apologized for failing him as a teacher, and said Hiko could prove himself worthy of leading Anbu.

Hiko gained the Third’s trust in his plan to support the Uchiha, then reunited with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hatake Sakumo as the newly appointed Sixth Anbu Squad. The squad collected its equipment and learned how Anbu members waited for missions at their secluded base.

• The Third told Hiko that he trusted him and believed the Uchiha should be treated as part of Konoha, and Hiko promised to prove his choice right through his actions.
• Hiko joined Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hatake Sakumo at the tavern, where they officially celebrated the Sixth Squad’s formation and got him drunk.
• The next morning, the five members assembled after the Hokage’s Office issued their appointment orders.
• Hatake Sakumo led the squad to the Anbu base, where they collected new equipment and visited their lounge and changing room.
• Hatake Sakumo explained that the squad would usually wait for orders in the lounge at first, though members could move about freely most of the time.

Hiko and the other members of Sixth Squad settled into their newcomer duties in Anbu while Danzo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over allowing Hiko and the Uchiha to join. Hiruzen refused to reverse his decision, leaving Danzo angry and worried that Hiko could eventually control Anbu.

• Hiko and Jiraiya discussed the restrictions and routine duties of Anbu, then the members of Sixth Squad put on their masks and rested.
• Hiko explained that newcomer squads would mainly handle patrols and guard duties before receiving special missions.
• Danzo brought Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to the Hokage's Office and demanded that Hiruzen explain his decision to establish Sixth Squad.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu warned that the Uchiha might gain power, while Danzo pushed Hiruzen to take responsibility for the appointments.
• Hiruzen insisted that Anbu transfers were his decision and refused to discuss reversing them, enraging Danzo and raising his fears about Hiko's future influence over Anbu.

The Third Hokage refused Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu’s attempt to block Hiko’s rise in Anbu, threatening to involve the Daimyo if they challenged him. The Elder Council backed down rather than risk losing influence, leaving the Third Hokage convinced that standing firm had been the right choice.

• Danzo brought Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to the Hokage's Office to pressure the Third Hokage into changing his decision about Hiko.
• The Third Hokage refused to yield and warned that he would bring the Daimyo into the dispute if the Elder Council voted against him.
• Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu backed down rather than let the Daimyo join the Elder Council, and Danzo stormed out.
• The Third Hokage reflected on his former teammates’ retreat and concluded that the Elder Council had become domineering.
• Hiko remained unaware that the Third Hokage had used the threat of the Daimyo to make the Elder Council back down.

Hiko and Sixth Squad completed an easy patrol mission and celebrated with a meal at the Barbecue restaurant. The owner recognized some of them, but the squad had not yet learned whether they would be welcomed or turned away.

• Jiraiya complained that the squad's first Anbu mission was boring, while Hiko and Hatake Sakumo teased him about guarding the Hokage Office Building.
• Tsunade explained that Anbu squads carried out missions together, and the squad laughed at Jiraiya for falling for the joke.
• After someone relieved them, the squad changed clothes and went to the Barbecue restaurant, where Hatake Sakumo treated everyone.
• Jiraiya joked that the owner might kick them out, and Hiko stopped teasing him about his white hair after noticing Hatake Sakumo's.
• Tsunade said the owner would probably tolerate them if they did not fight, then pointed out that he had already recognized some of them.

After a barbecue meal with his teammates, Hiko went to the Clan Leader's Compound, where Uchiha Shuu and the elders pressed him for news about his place in the Anbu. They saw his progress as a chance to raise the Uchiha's influence, while Shuu remained conflicted about elevating someone he feared might overshadow Uchiha Fugaku.

• Boss Li watched Hiko, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hatake Sakumo warily at the barbecue restaurant, but they finished their meal without causing trouble.
• A messenger told Hiko that Uchiha Shuu was waiting for him at the Clan Leader's Compound, so Hiko went there without stopping to wash up.
• Uchiha Shuu and several elders gathered in the main hall, eager to use Hiko's opening in the village's blockade to advance the Uchiha clan.
• Uchiha Shuu asked Hiko what Lord Hokage had said about his joining the Anbu.
• Hiko told Uchiha Shuu and the elders that the upper ranks and Elder Council had resisted his advancement before reaching a compromise, and they celebrated the prospect of an Uchiha rising to Head of Anbu.

After the Uchiha elders celebrated a breakthrough in the village’s suppression, they urged Hiko to secure the position of Head of Anbu and offered him compensation. Hiko demanded a seat as the clan’s ninth elder, angering Uchiha Shuu, and left while the clan leader and elders weighed the request.

• Uchiha Shuu and the elders celebrated the loosening of the village’s suppression, and Uchiha Shuu urged Hiko to work toward becoming Head of Anbu.
• Uchiha Shuu offered Hiko whatever compensation the clan could provide, and Hiko silently indicated that he wanted to become the ninth elder.
• Uchiha Shuu furiously rejected Hiko’s demand, while the elders reacted with shock and uncertainty.
• Hiko calmly left the Clan Leader’s Compound, giving Uchiha Shuu and the elders time to consider his terms.
• The Third Elder hesitated to speak, and Uchiha Shuu complained that Hiko was overstepping while the other elders stayed silent.

Hiko ran into young Uchiha Fugaku, then advised Orochimaru on cooperating with Danzo without taking the blame for his actions. The two agreed to keep their relationship as it was while Orochimaru tried to obtain a small amount of First Hokage Senju Hashirama's cells for Hiko.

• Hiko encountered Uchiha Fugaku on his way home and briefly praised his training before leaving.
• While on patrol outside Konoha, Orochimaru asked Hiko whether Danzo would become suspicious of their cooperation.
• Hiko warned Orochimaru that Danzo would never fully trust him and advised him to leave evidence that kept him from bearing the main responsibility for Danzo's schemes.
• Orochimaru asked about obtaining Senju Hashirama's cells, and Hiko said Danzo's reliance on them would make them possible to acquire.
• Hiko told Orochimaru to maintain their current level of closeness and reminded him that he only wanted a small amount of Hashirama's cells.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya returned to Hiko and Orochimaru, and Hiko accused them of slacking off.

Hiko and the others pressured Hatake Sakumo into making barbecue during their patrol, hoping the shared meal would help him feel more at home in the Sixth Squad. Hatake Sakumo joined in, though Hiko still worried that he remained too reserved and decided to speak with him.

• Hiko teased Jiraiya and Tsunade for returning from patrol before Hatake Sakumo, and the squad complained about having to eat rations or soldier pills.
• Hiko ignored mission rules and smoked without his mask, prompting Hatake Sakumo to remind him to cover up.
• Hiko, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya made Hatake Sakumo responsible for their lunch, and he went to hunt wild rabbits for barbecue.
• Hiko explained that their teasing was meant to help Hatake Sakumo feel like part of the group, while Jiraiya suggested grilled fish for next time.
• Hatake Sakumo returned and prepared the rabbits, and the squad ate roasted wild rabbit together at noon.

After returning from a mission, Hiko explained to the Third Hokage why his squad had eaten barbecue and then spoke with Hatake Sakumo about joining Sixth Squad and the Uchiha Clan. He left Sakumo stunned by suggesting that Konoha's future might belong to them.

• The Third Hokage warned Hiko not to fool around during missions where others could see, then worried that coming tensions between villages would soon keep the Anbu busy.
• Hiko invited Hatake Sakumo to talk and encouraged him to overcome his awkwardness and integrate into Sixth Squad before they became busier.
• Atop Hokage Rock, Hiko asked Hatake Sakumo whether the Uchiha Clan was difficult to get along with, and Sakumo said they were dependable despite their pride and unpopularity.
• Hiko lamented that people had forgotten the Uchiha's role in founding Konoha, while Hatake Sakumo stayed silent because of his own clan's strained relationship with them.
• Hiko told Hatake Sakumo that Konoha's future might belong to them, then left as Sakumo anxiously checked that no one had overheard.