Chapter Summaries

After losing three million gambling, Tsunade joined Kawafune and Sakumo for dinner and resolved to start building a hospital. A question about her inability to learn Sage Art brought the Slug Sage to the table, where it explained that Tsunade lacked the sensitivity to natural energy and would die if she tried to practice.

• Tsunade lost three million gambling and went to the Hatake Clan estate, where Kawafune invited her to dinner with Sakumo.
• Tsunade decided to find a construction team the next day and build a hospital, while Kawafune advised starting with a small crew because they might face obstruction.
• Nayuki clarified that a small construction team would keep the Hatake side less exposed, and the group agreed to prepare for trouble as it arose.
• While drinking, Sakumo and Tsunade complained that they could not learn Flying Thunder God, and Tsunade said she had stopped practicing it.
• Kawafune asked how Tsunade's grandfather learned Sage Art and why she had not learned it, so Tsunade summoned the Slug Sage.
• The Slug Sage explained that only Hashirama had survived training in Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art and that Tsunade lacked the sensitivity to natural energy needed to safely convert Sage Chakra.

Kawafune signed the Slug Summoning Contract and decided he wanted to learn Sage Art, then shared a drunken kiss with Tsunade. The next morning, Tsunade hired construction workers for a hospital project, using them as bait for an enemy she hoped to draw out.

• The Slug Sage sensed Kawafune's exceptional vitality and suggested he might recreate Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art, so Tsunade gave him the Summoning Contract Scroll and Kawafune signed it.
• Kawafune said he wanted to try learning Sage Art despite Sakumo's worries, and Tsunade and Nayuki urged him to be careful.
• After the banquet, Kawafune kissed Tsunade outside the Hatake Clan residence, and she ran off after they parted.
• The next morning, Tsunade went to the Konoha Name Construction Company and ordered a six-thousand-square-meter hospital project.
• Tsunade hired ten workers to begin construction that afternoon, intending to use the crew as bait to draw out the enemy.

Tsunade visited Kawafune at the Hatake Clan, where they discussed his plans to learn Sage Art and the hospital construction before sparring. Kawafune defeated her with his sword technique, and they joined Sakumo and Nao for tea afterward.

• Tsunade visited Kawafune, who told her he planned to travel to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Art after the hospital began construction.
• Tsunade agreed to have the construction team begin work while she and Kawafune secretly observed, then accepted his offer to spar.
• Tsunade and Kawafune exchanged powerful close-range blows, and Tsunade activated her Strength of a Hundred Seal.
• Kawafune used Lightning Flash, Sixfold Strike to leave a fatal sword mark on Tsunade's neck and win the spar.
• Tsunade healed the wound and teased Kawafune about his speed before joining Sakumo and Nao for tea.

Tsunade, Kawafune, Sakumo, and Nayuki watched the hospital construction site, anticipating whether Danzo or the Uchiha would act. The Uchiha and Danzo both chose to observe one another, leaving the construction site in a three-way standoff.

• Kawafune invited Tsunade, Sakumo, and Nayuki to inspect the construction site, and Nayuki comforted Ghost Mastiff after Kawafune’s rough petting upset it.
• Tsunade sent the construction crew to the approved site without accompanying them, then joined Kawafune, Sakumo, Nayuki, and Ghost Mastiff in hiding nearby to watch.
• Uchiha scouts reported the construction crew to the Clan Head, who ordered them to keep observing and notify Root.
• Fugaku advised his Uncle to let Root make the first move, and the Clan Head suggested giving Danzo an opportunity to act.
• Danzo ordered Root to monitor the Uchiha and the Senju Clan’s hospital, while the Uchiha continued watching the construction site.

Kawafune and his companions waited for the construction team to make a move, then returned to the Hatake Clan estate. On the way and over dinner, Kawafune inspired Tsunade to pursue becoming Hokage and laid out a plan to help her.

• Kawafune said the enemy was testing them and planned to start large-scale construction if they saw no movement within three days, despite the risk to civilians.
• On the walk home, Kawafune encouraged Tsunade to make becoming Hokage her dream, and she decided to work toward it.
• At dinner, Sakumo cautiously affirmed Tsunade's qualifications, while Nayuki and Kawafune offered their support.
• Kawafune outlined steps for Tsunade to gain public support, build her reputation through the hospital, and distinguish herself in the coming war.
• Tsunade told Kawafune she would listen to his plan, while Sakumo suspected his brother had given up his own Hokage ambitions to pursue her.

After the Uchiha questioned the crew surveying Tsunade’s hospital site, Kawafune investigated and discovered a hooded figure claiming to represent the Senju Clan attack them. The figure retreated into the Uchiha grounds, leaving Kawafune unsure who was behind the confrontation.

• After a night of drinking, Tsunade woke in the guest room, then joined Kawafune-kun and Nayuki for breakfast before changing into combat clothes.
• Kawafune-kun, Tsunade, Nayuki, and Sakumo returned to watch the hospital construction site, where three Uchiha arrived and questioned the crew.
• Kawafune-kun left a Flying Thunder God Technique Formula on a tree and followed the Uchiha after they departed.
• A hooded Black-robed Person claiming to belong to the Senju Clan attacked and defeated the three Uchiha, warning them to stay away from the hospital site.
• Kawafune-kun followed the Black-robed Person through the forest and saw him enter the Uchiha Clan grounds before returning to Tsunade's side.

Kawafune discovered that the Uchiha were plotting with Danzo to stop the hospital construction, while Tsunade and the others kept watch. The Uchiha Clan Head drew Root toward the construction site as part of a scheme, and Fugaku prepared to confront the opposition.

• Kawafune told Tsunade, Sakumo, and Nayuki that the Uchiha had attacked the three-man squad to draw Danzo into supporting them.
• Kawafune flirted with Tsunade while Sakumo continued watching the construction site.
• Uchiha Fugaku told the Clan Head that he had arranged the attack, and the Clan Head ordered him to summon Root after the injured men returned.
• Fugaku staged concern for the injured Uchiha and sent Root an urgent message claiming the Senju had attacked them.
• Danzo sent two Root squads to assist the Uchiha, but the Uchiha directed them to observe near the construction site instead.
• The Clan Head urged Fugaku to face the opposition without holding back, and Fugaku revealed his Three Tomoe Sharingan.

Kawafune and Tsunade visited the Uchiha compound at night to learn what the clan was plotting. They met the Uchiha Clan Head and Fugaku, who asked why they had come.

• Uchiha Fugaku disguised himself as a Senju attacker, killed five Root ninja, and left one survivor for the arriving Uchiha to find.
• An Uchiha Jonin brought the surviving Root ninja to Danzo, who believed the Senju were responsible and planned to confront them at the construction site.
• Kawafune told Tsunade he would take her to the Uchiha compound, and they used Flying Thunder God to travel there after dark.
• Kawafune openly announced their visit to the Uchiha guards, who escorted them to the clan head’s Quiet Room.
• Tsunade greeted the Uchiha Clan Head, while Kawafune sat down and poured tea; the clan head asked what had brought them there.

Kawafune confronted the Uchiha Clan Head over his cooperation with Danzo and persuaded him to support the hospital and the Uchiha Clan’s integration into Konoha. He left the Clan Head agreeing to the deal, then returned with Tsunade to the Hatake Clan Training Hall.

• Kawafune accused the Uchiha Clan Head of working with Danzo to block the hospital and challenged him about the clan’s old feud with the Senju.
• Kawafune offered to help the Uchiha Clan gain recognition and promised Tsunade would not turn against them if she became Hokage.
• Kawafune used the Flying Thunder God to take the Uchiha Clan Head away, then returned with him after securing his agreement to the plan.
• Kawafune transported himself and Tsunade to the Hatake Clan Training Hall, where Tsunade gave him a Military Ration Pill and helped him to bed.
• Kawafune asked Tsunade to have Koharu Advisor attend the hospital’s groundbreaking ceremony and explained that the Uchiha Clan Head had agreed to help train doctors and medical ninja.

Tsunade and Utatane Koharu visited the hospital construction site as Danzo and the Uchiha Clan Head arrived to demand the culprit. A staged confrontation escalated into a battle, leaving Kawafune and Sakumo fighting Danzo's Root forces and the Uchiha.

• Tsunade invited Utatane Koharu to inspect the hospital construction, where Kawafune and Sakumo greeted them.
• Danzo and the Uchiha Clan Head arrived with their ninja and accused the hospital side of sheltering someone who had attacked Uchiha members and killed Root ninja.
• Sakumo denied the accusations and insulted Danzo, while Koharu tried to mediate the tense standoff.
• A Kunai with an Explosive Tag flew toward Koharu, and Kawafune deflected it before the battle broke out.
• Sakumo attacked the Root ninja, the Hatake Clan Samurai clashed with the Uchiha, and Kawafune struck at Danzo as Tsunade escorted Koharu away.

Kawafune chased down and killed Danzo, then returned to the hospital construction site and announced that Danzo had been executed for treason. With the confrontation settled, the Uchiha departed, and Kawafune decided he would help Fugaku and see whether the Uchiha could truly integrate into Konoha.

• Danzo fled from Kawafune, but Kawafune caught up and killed him after defeating his summon, Baku.
• Kawafune returned to the hospital construction site, where the Root forces had been wiped out and the battle had ended.
• Kawafune told the gathered leaders that Danzo had tried to assassinate Utatane Koharu and undermine the Third Hokage, and that he had executed him.
• Utatane Koharu left to report to the Third Hokage, while Tsunade realized Kawafune had hired her as vice director for protection from blame.
• Uchiha Fugaku led his clan away after reminding Kawafune of his promise, and Kawafune resolved to help him and explore the Uchiha's place in Konoha.

Utatane Koharu informed Sarutobi Hiruzen that Danzo had died after Hatake Kawafune killed him, and the Hokage arranged to settle the matter quietly. At a feast, Tsunade revealed Konoha’s past experiments with Hashirama’s cells, and Kawafune prepared to support her research in the new hospital laboratory.

• Utatane Koharu told Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura that Danzo had joined the Uchiha Clan in causing trouble at the hospital construction site and had been killed by Hatake Kawafune.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered the Anbu to collect Root’s surviving personnel, arrange Danzo’s burial, and warn Kawafune against letting future conflicts end in a death.
• Kawafune told Tsunade that the underground chamber beneath the hospital would be a laboratory for her medical research.
• Tsunade explained that Sarutobi Hiruzen had once sponsored experiments on Hashirama’s cells, which killed researchers and Senju relatives, and said she would avoid live experiments until she made progress.
• Kawafune offered to fund Tsunade’s research into Hashirama’s cells, and the group celebrated until they all got drunk and were carried to their rooms.

Kawafune accepted Minato Namikaze as his disciple and invited the orphaned boy to live with him, giving Minato a new family. He then pushed Minato to confess his feelings to Kushina, and Minato approached her, red-faced, as Nawaki watched.

• Kushina brought Minato to meet Kawafune after Minato graduated from the Academy at age ten.
• Minato asked Kawafune for guidance, and Kawafune accepted him as his disciple without a test.
• After learning Minato lived alone, Kawafune invited him to move into his home, and Minato agreed.
• Kushina asked to visit Kawafune's home often, and Kawafune told her Minato would wait for her there.
• Kawafune told Minato that confessing to Kushina would test his courage, and Minato went to speak with her while Nawaki watched.

Minato became Kawafune’s disciple and was welcomed into his family, while the new hospital opened in Konoha. Kawafune and Tsunade traveled to Shikkotsu Forest, where the Slug Sage began assessing his potential to learn Sage Art.

• Minato confessed his feelings to Kushina, who returned them, and Kawafune accepted Minato as his first disciple.
• Kawafune hosted a dinner with Tsunade, Nawaki, Kushina, and the Hatake family to celebrate, where a tipsy Tsunade told Minato to call her Mistress.
• Two months later, Kawafune’s hospital opened, and qualified Uchiha clan members were allowed to study medicine there.
• Kawafune summoned the Slug Sage and traveled with Tsunade to Shikkotsu Forest to begin Sage Art training.
• The Slug Sage determined that Kawafune could sense Natural Energy and explained that Sage Power came from combining physical, spiritual, and Natural Energy.

Kawafune attempted Shikkotsu Forest's dangerous Sage Art despite Tsunade's fears and endured severe bodily corrosion as he merged with Natural Energy. His self-healing let him achieve Sage Mode, but he fainted after Tsunade embraced him.

• Tsunade warned Kawafune that failing to balance Natural Energy during Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art would irreversibly turn him into pus, while the Slug Sage described its power and risks.
• Kawafune decided to try the Sage Art, and Tsunade reluctantly stayed beside him as the Slug Sage began guiding his training.
• The Slug Sage's clones heightened Kawafune's sensitivity to Natural Energy, but the accelerated fusion caused his body to corrode and dissolve.
• Kawafune's powerful healing began repairing the damage as he continued merging with Natural Energy, and Tsunade watched anxiously.
• Red curse marks appeared around Kawafune's eyes as he achieved Sage Art; he opened his golden eyes, told Tsunade he had succeeded, and fainted in her arms.

Kawafune recovered from his near-fatal Sage Art training and learned to use Sage Chakra, then tested its power with Tsunade. He left the chapter planning to have Minato develop the Rasengan so he could learn it.

• The Slug Sage praised Kawafune for surviving the fusion and explained that he had mastered Sage Art but still needed to adapt to absorbing Natural Energy.
• Kawafune continued training until he could absorb and fuse Natural Energy without backlash, while Tsunade slept beside him.
• Tsunade woke and embraced Kawafune, and they left the cave to test his Sage Mode.
• Kawafune used Sage Mode to enhance his lightning-powered sword slash, impressing Tsunade with its speed and destructive force.
• Tsunade showed Kawafune Hashirama's manual, and Kawafune used Sage Art—Gate of the Great God to summon torii gates that pinned down the ground.
• Kawafune returned toward the cave with Tsunade and thought about asking Minato to develop the Rasengan.

Kawafune and Tsunade returned from Shikkotsu Forest, where Minato signed the Slug Sage’s contract and lost his chance to summon Gamabunta. Back at the Hatake Clan’s Training Hall, Kawafune tasked Minato with developing a ninjutsu and asked Tsunade to find someone to teach him ninjutsu theory.

• The Slug Sage sent Kawafune and Tsunade back to the Hatake Clan’s Training Hall using its clone.
• Kawafune had Minato sign the Slug Sage’s contract, making him a summoner and costing him the chance to summon Gamabunta.
• After bathing and changing, Kawafune told Minato to develop a ninjutsu based on a high-speed, irregularly moving ball of Chakra within a year.
• Minato told Nawaki about the task, and Nawaki was astonished that Kawafune had ordered a Genin to develop a ninjutsu.
• Kawafune asked Tsunade to recommend someone who could teach Minato ninjutsu theory, and she suggested Sarutobi Hiruzen, whom Kawafune considered too busy.

Tsunade decided to visit Orochimaru, and Kawafune met Might Duy on the way, recognizing his talent and inviting him to the Hatake Clan. The group continued toward Orochimaru’s residence with Kawafune hoping to help Duy advance beyond Genin.

• Tsunade learned from Nawaki that Orochimaru would return to the village the next day and decided they would visit him together.
• Sakumo returned with Nayuki and Ghost Mastiff, and Kawafune joked about the dog before claiming he had mastered Sage Art in one day.
• Sakumo challenged Kawafune to a sword duel, but Kawafune easily won without holding back.
• The next morning, Kawafune, Minato, Tsunade, and Nawaki set out to visit Orochimaru and discussed Jiraiya’s Sage Art training.
• Kawafune met Genin Might Duy while he was catching a fat cat, praised his speed and taijutsu, and invited him to visit the Hatake Clan.

Kawafune visited Orochimaru with Tsunade, Nawaki, and Minato, and arranged for Orochimaru to train Minato. Orochimaru then revealed that negotiations with Hanzō over passage through the Land of Rain had stalled, leaving the village facing the prospect of war.

• Kawafune and Tsunade brought Nawaki and Minato to Orochimaru's residence, where Orochimaru welcomed them warmly.
• Kawafune gave Orochimaru a sword from Hatake Armory, and Orochimaru accepted the gift.
• Tsunade explained that Kawafune wanted Orochimaru to teach Minato ninjutsu, and Orochimaru agreed to train him alongside Nawaki.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade that negotiations with Hanzō for passage through the Land of Rain had reached a deadlock.
• Orochimaru expressed sorrow over the lives and families that another war would destroy.

Kawafune learned that war with the Land of Rain was near, then helped Might Duy earn promotion and spent time with his family and friends. When Nayuki began dry-heaving, Kawafune suspected she was pregnant and took her to the hospital for a checkup.

• Orochimaru said Konoha would make one final negotiation with Hanzō and might attack the Land of Rain if he refused to let them pass within half a month.
• Kawafune secured Might Duy an opportunity to take the Chunin Exam, and Might Duy passed and received his Ninja Vest.
• Minato and Orochimaru began researching the Rasengan together while Nawaki received guidance at Orochimaru's home.
• Nayuki dry-heaved at the Training Hall, and Kawafune suspected she might be pregnant.
• Kawafune used Flying Thunder God to take Nayuki to the hospital, and Sakumo prepared to follow.