Chapter Summaries

Aoba returned to Konoha’s regrouped forces after Shisui took over the fight against the Two-Tails, unaware that the survivors credited him with holding the beast back. As Shikaku worried over Shisui’s hidden power, Dodai ordered Yugito and the exhausted Kumogakure forces to retreat.

• Shisui’s Susanoo held off the Two-Tails and gave Konoha’s retreating forces time to regroup, while Aoba’s earlier efforts made him a hero in their eyes.
• Aoba received two Advanced Skill Cards for surviving the mission and withdrew to Konoha’s formation to recover.
• Konoha shinobi praised Aoba’s strength, courage, and looks as he waited for Shikaku’s orders.
• Shikaku wondered what Shisui’s power meant and grew suspicious of the Uchiha Clan.
• Dodai called for Yugito to retreat after Shisui blocked Kumogakure’s chance to press its advantage.

After Kumogakure withdrew, Konoha’s forces regrouped and Shikaku reported the Two-Tails’ deployment and Shisui’s power to the Hokage. The Raikage had also prepared peace proposals, leaving the war’s next steps to Konoha’s response.

• Yugito ended her Tailed Beast Transformation and withdrew with Kumogakure’s surviving forces, while Shisui returned to Konoha’s side and pretended to faint.
• Shikaku ordered Konoha’s army to retreat, and the survivors brought back their wounded and fallen comrades.
• Aoba checked on Teacher Mikawa, confirmed his injuries were treatable, and asked the medical squad for Nutrient Solution.
• Shikaku wrote and sent a report to the Hokage about Kumogakure’s use of the Two-Tails and Shisui’s ability to contend with a Tailed Beast.
• Dodai received two peace proposals from the Raikage, who had prepared to end the war and left the choice of terms open to Konoha.

Kumogakure deployed Yugito and the Two-Tails to strengthen its position against Konoha, leaving both sides waiting for Hiruzen’s decision on war or peace. Hiruzen realized Konoha could not counter with the Nine-Tails because Naruto was only two years old and unaware that he was a jinchuriki.

• The Raikage sent Yugito, supplies, and reinforcements to the front, hoping the Two-Tails would improve Kumogakure’s leverage in peace talks.
• Kumogakure remained entrenched without attacking or withdrawing, while Shikaku pulled Konoha’s forces back and waited for Hiruzen’s response.
• Shisui’s recurring unconsciousness prevented Shikaku from relying on him to confront the Two-Tails again.
• Hiruzen read Shikaku’s urgent report and worried that Kumogakure’s use of a tailed beast could lead to a destructive tailed-beast battle.
• Hiruzen concluded that Konoha could not use the Nine-Tails against Kumogakure because Naruto was only two and did not know he was a jinchuriki.

Hiruzen sent reinforcements to the front, strengthening Shikaku’s forces against Kumogakure. Aoba tried to persuade Shisui that joining the Anbu would not resolve the Uchiha Clan’s conflict with Konoha, and the chapter left Shisui still considering the clan’s treatment by the village.

• Hiruzen sent Anbu members, including Kakashi and a mysterious Anbu member, to reinforce the Sealing Squad and Barrier Squad, boosting Shikaku’s confidence.
• Aoba found Shisui pretending to be unconscious while petting Prince, and Shisui hid the tanuki when he noticed Aoba watching.
• Aoba warned Shisui that Konoha might soon clash with Kumogakure again and asked whether he would keep pretending to be unconscious.
• Shisui said he worried that the village would become wary of the Uchiha Clan’s hidden power, and he suggested joining the Anbu to prove his loyalty to Hiruzen.
• Aoba argued that Anbu service would not erase the village leadership’s suspicion and urged Shisui to address the Uchiha Clan’s unequal treatment and lack of respect.

Aoba advised Shisui to make the Uchiha Clan’s value undeniable rather than hide its strength, leaving Shisui to reconsider his approach. On the battlefield, Tenzo’s Wood Style helped Konoha repel Kumogakure, and Dodai delivered a peace agreement the next day.

• Aoba told Shisui that the Uchiha Clan needed to demonstrate its value and urged him not to choose a side before considering other solutions.
• Konoha and Kumogakure resumed fighting, and Dodai sent Yugito forward to test Konoha’s response.
• Tenzo used Wood Style alongside Konoha’s Sealing Squad and Barrier Squad to suppress the Two-Tails.
• Dodai halted the battle, and Shikaku withdrew Konoha’s army without pursuing Kumogakure.
• Dodai delivered a peace agreement to Shikaku the next day.

With peace negotiations underway, Aoba took the Prince back from Shisui and teased him until the Prince used his ability to swap their locations. Aoba ended up in a river beside bathing kunoichi and was mistaken for a pervert.

• Dodai delivered Kumogakure's peace proposal, and Shikaku sent it to Konoha while both armies waited for negotiations.
• Aoba reclaimed the Prince from Shisui and repeatedly stroked him, leaving the dizzy Prince unable to fight back.
• The Prince fled, then ran to a river where female ninja were bathing and activated Tanuki Swaps the Prince.
• Aoba appeared in the river, and the furious women accused him of spying and planned to take him to Lord Shikaku.

Aoba escaped the female ninja after the Prince’s trick exposed him, then forced the Prince to agree not to use the Tanuki Swaps the Prince ability without permission. Meanwhile, Konoha and Kumogakure reached a preliminary peace agreement, bringing the remaining fighting in the Third Shinobi World War to an end.

• Aoba fled after the female ninja attacked him with the Great Waterfall Technique, then changed clothes and confronted the Prince for setting him up.
• Aoba summoned the Prince and made it admit fault, then forced it to sign an agreement restricting its use of the Tanuki Swaps the Prince ability.
• Aoba dragged the Prince around performing tricks and infiltrated the enemy camp, where he offered to help the female ninja find the peeping tom.
• Hiruzen accepted a modest monetary compensation from Kumogakure after the Raikage reluctantly agreed to it.
• Konoha and Kumogakure set a date for a peace treaty signing ceremony, and Konoha celebrated the end of the war.

Aoba and the returning Konoha shinobi received a hero’s welcome, while Danzo brooded over his growing disgrace and his failed dealings with Akatsuki. He agreed to meet Akatsuki on terms he could control, hoping to preserve his political ambitions.

• Dodai withdrew Kumogakure’s remaining troops, while Shikaku kept part of Konoha’s force at the border until the peace agreement was signed.
• Aoba and the other returning shinobi were welcomed by Hiruzen and Konoha’s villagers, who honored them as heroes.
• Hiruzen excluded Danzo from the welcome ceremony because the book about him had damaged his reputation.
• An Akatsuki representative demanded that Danzo meet in person or lose the chance to cooperate, while Danzo’s detained subordinates and advance payment remained in Akatsuki’s hands.
• Danzo agreed to meet Akatsuki but insisted that he would choose the time and place.

After returning to Konoha, Aoba reunited with Naruto and introduced him to Itachi and Sasuke, beginning Naruto and Sasuke’s first meeting. Aoba left Naruto after spending time with him and resolved that someone had to die before he could feel at ease.

• Aoba reunited with Naruto, lifted him onto his shoulders, and heard him declare that he wanted to become a hero.
• Aoba introduced Naruto as his younger brother to Itachi, who introduced Sasuke and encouraged the boys to get along.
• Naruto eagerly focused on Sasuke, while Sasuke reluctantly greeted him and then left with Itachi.
• Aoba took Naruto out for a meal and listened as Naruto shared cheerful stories while concealing the mistreatment and bruises he had suffered.
• Aoba promised to tell Naruto stories, sent him home, and reflected on his growing reputation and progress toward becoming Fifth Hokage.
• Aoba decided that a particular person had to die before he could put his mind at ease.

Aoba and his teammates collected their rewards, then planned a picnic with Naruto and Sasuke. The group set off without the village stopping Naruto from joining them, leaving Aoba wondering what Hiruzen’s tolerance of the gathering meant.

• Aoba chose the Shadow Clone Technique and a handwritten copy of the Second Hokage’s notes on chakra nature transformation and combination.
• Aoba, Itachi, and Gekko Hayate decided to take Sasuke and Naruto on a picnic, and Aoba hoped to gauge the village’s attitude toward Naruto meeting an Uchiha.
• Aoba brought Naruto to meet Itachi and Sasuke, and the Anbu watching Naruto did not intervene.
• Gekko Hayate arrived carrying picnic supplies, then Naruto and Aoba ran ahead and Itachi followed with Sasuke.

Aoba and Itachi tricked Moonlight Hayate into carrying supplies and then sent him off to scout while they prepared a cookout with Naruto and Sasuke. The chapter left Aoba and Itachi watching the two boys enjoy their outing, with Sasuke trying and failing to hide his excitement.

• Aoba and Itachi pretended they were competing in a speed contest, leaving Moonlight Hayate to carry the supplies behind them.
• Aoba and Itachi took the supplies from Hayate, then teased him for supposedly doing no work.
• Aoba pressured Hayate into scouting by suggesting Naruto and Sasuke might encounter dangerous beasts, and Hayate reluctantly went alone.
• Aoba and Itachi set down the supplies and prepared a cookout while Naruto ran around excitedly.
• Sasuke acted cool beside Itachi as Naruto pestered him, though his smiles and chatter revealed that he was enjoying himself.

During a wilderness cookout, Sasuke blamed Naruto when his stomach growled, but Itachi helped him admit the truth and apologize. Naruto accepted the apology, and the group was left ready to enjoy the roasted rabbits.

• Gekko Hayate returned with rabbits and prepared them for the cookout while Aoba reminded him how to season his portion.
• When a stomach growled as Naruto and Sasuke watched the food, Sasuke accused Naruto of being unable to resist temptation.
• Naruto realized Sasuke was trying to pin the noise on him, and the two argued while Aoba and Itachi watched.
• Itachi told Sasuke to take responsibility, and Sasuke admitted that his own stomach had growled because he was hungry.
• Itachi told Sasuke to apologize to Naruto, and Naruto accepted, letting go of his resentment.

Naruto and Sasuke made up after Sasuke apologized, then joined Aoba, Itachi, and Gekko Hayate for a picnic. Aoba tricked the boys into eating intensely spicy rabbit meat, and Itachi gave them water as they suffered through the heat.

• Naruto accepted Sasuke's apology and asked if they could still be friends, while Sasuke said Naruto would have to earn his acknowledgment.
• Gekko Hayate announced that the rabbit was ready, and the group began eating the picnic food.
• Aoba claimed that chili made the rabbit far tastier and provoked Naruto and Sasuke into trying some.
• Naruto and Sasuke ate the chili-coated rabbit, then cried out for water as the delayed heat overwhelmed them.
• Itachi handed the boys the water he had prepared, while Aoba laughed at his successful prank.

Aoba received a mission to get Sasuke to wear women's clothing willingly and take a commemorative photo, or risk being hunted by Sasuke and Itachi. After teasing Sasuke and watching him and Naruto argue, Aoba spotted a way to trick Sasuke into accepting the mission.

• The system issued Aoba the second phase of a mission requiring Sasuke to wear women's clothing without coercion and pose for a photo.
• Naruto and Sasuke recovered after eating spicy rabbit meat, but Sasuke stayed angry at Aoba for teasing him.
• Sasuke challenged Aoba to a duel, and Itachi reminded him that he was still too young to win.
• Aoba and Naruto teamed up against Sasuke, sparking another argument between the two boys.
• After Itachi left Aoba to handle the quarrel, Aoba decided to use Sasuke's tsundere nature to trick him into wearing women's clothing willingly.

Aoba arranged a hide-and-seek match between Naruto and Sasuke, with Gekko Hayate hiding using Transparent Release. The search began with Sasuke looking for a ninja disguise while Naruto searched broadly, leaving the winner undecided.

• Aoba proposed that Naruto fight Sasuke in his place, and offered a wager: Sasuke could make a demand if Naruto lost, while Aoba would give Sasuke a gift if Naruto won.
• Aoba set the contest as hide-and-seek, with Naruto and Sasuke seeking and Gekko Hayate hiding; Sasuke questioned how they could catch him, and Aoba explained that Hayate would stay in one spot.
• After the group finished eating, Aoba told Naruto and Sasuke to count to ten while Hayate prepared to hide.
• Aoba asked Hayate to hold out briefly and promised to share his swordsmanship insights; Hayate reluctantly used Transparent Release and vanished.
• When the count ended, Sasuke searched for Hayate by inspecting trees and stones for a possible Transformation Technique, while Naruto searched in every direction.

Aoba watched Naruto and Sasuke search for the invisible Gekko Hayate while Itachi explained his worries about Sasuke’s growing competitiveness and the pressure of being compared with him. Itachi admitted that he felt guilty about the burden Sasuke carried, leaving Aoba unsure why Itachi had confided in him.

• Naruto searched the area without a plan while Sasuke used Itachi’s wooden kunai to test his theory, slowing his search.
• Itachi asked Aoba whether the contest had been arranged to address Sasuke’s competitiveness.
• Itachi explained that Fugaku’s comparisons had made Sasuke increasingly obsessed with surpassing him and dismissive of the weak.
• Aoba suggested that Itachi speak properly with Fugaku, but Itachi said his father would not listen because of pressure from the clan.
• Itachi said he felt guilty that his own existence had added pressure to Sasuke, and Aoba struggled to understand why Itachi was telling him this.

Qingyu and Itachi discussed Sasuke’s flaws and the lessons behind the spar, while Naruto unexpectedly found Hayate and defeated Sasuke. Sasuke challenged the fairness of the result, and Hayate explained that Naruto had found him while he was invisible.

• Itachi praised Naruto’s resilience and said he worried he had spoiled Sasuke too much.
• Itachi interpreted Qingyu’s spar as an effort to teach Sasuke not to underestimate opponents or rely only on experience, and Qingyu pretended that had been his plan.
• Naruto accidentally bumped into the invisible Hayate, who canceled Transparent Release, and Naruto excitedly claimed victory.
• Sasuke protested that the result was unfair because Naruto had been running around blindly when Hayate appeared in front of him.
• Hayate explained that he had been invisible in the same spot from the start and demonstrated Transparent Release again.

After Naruto defeated Sasuke, Itachi helped Sasuke understand how his overconfidence and assumptions had cost him the duel. Sasuke congratulated Naruto and vowed to win next time, and Naruto eagerly accepted the challenge.

• Sasuke realized he had misunderstood Gekko Hayate's Transparent Release and struggled to accept losing to Naruto.
• Aoba reassured Naruto, then left Sasuke's response to Itachi.
• Itachi comforted Sasuke and explained that he had lost because he underestimated Naruto and failed to consider other possibilities.
• Sasuke accepted the loss and promised to win back the victory, then congratulated Naruto as Itachi urged him to do.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke to face him again, and Sasuke vowed he would not lose next time.

After Sasuke apologized to Gekko Hayate, he honored his bet with Aoba, who took him and Naruto to a children's clothing store and presented them with women's outfits. Sasuke chose to keep his promise rather than refuse, leaving him furious at Aoba and determined to treat him as an enemy.

• Sasuke formally apologized to Gekko Hayate, who accepted and told him to stand up.
• Aoba claimed Sasuke owed him an apology, but Sasuke instead asked for the gift he had won through their bet.
• Naruto asked Aoba for a gift too, and Aoba agreed to include him.
• Aoba took Naruto, Sasuke, Gekko Hayate, and Itachi to a children's clothing store and secretly asked the owner for girls' outfits.
• Aoba revealed the princess dresses, Lolita outfits, and kimonos as Sasuke's gift, while letting Naruto choose some as well.
• Sasuke reluctantly agreed to wear the clothes rather than break his promise, and he resolved to make Aoba his lifelong enemy.

Naruto and Sasuke were persuaded to dress in girls’ outfits, becoming “Naruko” and “Sako,” and Aoba bought their costumes and took photos. Sasuke left embarrassed while Itachi seemed unexpectedly delighted by his appearance.

• Naruto initially refused the gift, but Sasuke manipulated him into sharing the punishment by calling him his only friend.
• Naruto chose a sakura-colored kimono, while Sasuke selected a white princess gown, and both went to change.
• Naruko and Sako returned in their outfits and makeup, surprising Aoba, Itachi, and Gekko Hayate with how well they looked.
• Aoba bought both outfits and asked the shop owner to take photos, while Sasuke remembered he had agreed to be photographed.
• Naruko flashed a V-sign in the photos as Sako looked reluctant, and Aoba and Itachi posed behind them with Gekko Hayate nearby.