Chapter Summaries

Iruka reflected on his first year teaching his students, especially Naruto, whose cheerful nature and respectful behavior contrasted with the villagers’ hostility and stirred Iruka’s guilt over his own earlier treatment of him. At the stationery shop, Iruka spotted Naruto.

• Iruka recalled Choji’s kindness, Shikamaru’s hidden intelligence, and the distinct habits of his other students.
• Iruka remembered how Naruto endured the villagers’ hostility while remaining cheerful, talented, and respectful.
• Iruka entered the stationery shop and recognized Naruto in the distance.

Iruka witnessed a shop owner openly mistreat Naruto, who calmly bought a notebook and clay before leaving. Iruka took Naruto to Ichiraku Ramen to comfort him, and Naruto happily accepted.

• Naruto hid a notebook and a lump of clay when Iruka entered the stationery shop.
• The shop owner ordered them to leave, insulted Naruto as a monster, and scattered salt at the doorway after Naruto left.
• Iruka hurried after Naruto and asked why he had hidden the items, and Naruto said they would soon become something different.
• Iruka offered to buy Naruto ramen, and Naruto cheerfully asked for miso ramen with double chashu.

Naruto and his classmates planned a surprise birthday celebration for Iruka while Naruto spent time with Kiba’s puppy, Akamaru. The chapter ended as Naruto and Satsuki prepared for a taijutsu-only spar under Iruka’s strict rules.

• Naruto played with Akamaru in class, and Kiba had previously introduced the puppy as his new partner.
• Choji reminded Naruto that their group planned to surprise Iruka for his birthday that night, and Satsuki, Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino had agreed to help.
• Iruka led the class to the training ground for taijutsu, where Naruto and Satsuki were paired to spar.
• Iruka forbade Naruto and Satsuki from using ninjutsu or ninja tools and told them to form the Seal of Opposition.

Naruto and Satsuki ended their spar in a draw, after Naruto deliberately held back to protect Satsuki's pride. When Iruka caught them planning a more dangerous fight, Naruto took Satsuki and ran from the school, leaving Iruka furious.

• Naruto and Satsuki traded taijutsu blows until Iruka stopped their spar, which ended in a draw.
• Iruka watched the students leave and, seeing Naruto still at the school gates with Satsuki, decided to invite him to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Iruka overheard Naruto and Satsuki complaining about the spar restrictions and planning to fight using ninjutsu and ninja tools.
• Iruka angrily lectured Naruto and Satsuki about reckless fighting and the dangers of powerful techniques and weapons.
• Naruto grabbed Satsuki's wrist and ran from the school, calling goodbye to Iruka as he chased after them.

Iruka reflected on his guilt and growing bond with Naruto before Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned him to the Ninja Academy, where he believed Naruto and Satsuki were about to fight. He arrived to find their supposed spar was only bait, interrupting Satsuki just as she was about to hold Naruto’s hand.

• Iruka recalled how he had once resented Naruto because Kurama had killed his parents, and how their relationship had gradually grown closer.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi contacted Iruka and told him to hurry to the Ninja Academy because Naruto and Satsuki seemed ready to spar.
• Iruka rushed out to stop Naruto and Satsuki, angry that they had ignored his warning.
• Naruto and Satsuki waited at the training field, where it became clear they had used the threat of a fight to lure Iruka there.
• Satsuki hinted that her hands were cold, and Naruto offered her his hand, but Iruka’s arrival interrupted them before they could touch.

Naruto and Satsuki led Iruka to believe they were in trouble, but the chase ended in a surprise birthday celebration arranged by Naruto and their classmates. Iruka was deeply moved by their kindness and thanked them.

• Iruka chased Naruto and Satsuki through the academy, demanding they stop and apologize to the Hokage.
• Naruto and Satsuki ran into their classroom, where Iruka found Naruto, Satsuki, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino waiting with food and a birthday banner.
• Naruto revealed that he had arranged the chase to lure Iruka into the classroom for his birthday surprise.
• Iruka learned that Naruto had found his birthday in the teachers' records room and nearly scolded him for sneaking in.
• Iruka was moved by the students' celebration and thanked Naruto and everyone else.

Iruka was deeply moved when his students surprised him with a birthday celebration and gave him gifts. Naruto presented his gift as the best, while Shino stood unnoticed with a plain box of his own.

• Iruka struggled to hold back tears as Naruto and the other students surprised him with a birthday cake and song.
• Kiba gave Iruka expensive dog food, and Iruka sincerely thanked him despite not owning a dog.
• Choji gave Iruka barbecue meal vouchers, and Shikamaru presented him with a custom sealing scroll.
• Satsuki gave Iruka twelve finely forged shuriken and urged him not to neglect his training.
• Naruto stepped forward with a wrapped gift, while the others failed to notice Shino holding a plain box.

Naruto reassured Iruka that he had forgiven his past mistakes and presented him with handmade gifts, prompting Iruka to break down in tears. The chapter ended with Naruto’s bond with Iruka reaching Level 8 and changing into familial love.

• Naruto thanked Iruka and told him not to blame himself for how he had treated Naruto in the past.
• Naruto gave Iruka a hand-painted model of the two of them and a notebook titled The Strongest Teacher's Guide.
• Satsuki watched Iruka receive the model and remembered the similar chibi gift Naruto had given her.
• Iruka read Naruto’s message in the notebook and began sobbing in front of the class.
• Naruto’s system announced that his bond with Iruka had reached Level 7, then Level 8, marking a change to familial love.

Naruto reviewed the bonds and points he had gained after Iruka’s birthday party, reflecting on his growing friendships and the Fox Mask’s value to his Menma identity. He spent points on a ten-pull and obtained the Nine-Headed Sobek, leaving him excited about the powerful summons it could provide.

• Naruto checked his system and saw that Iruka Umino’s bond had risen to Level 8 with familial affection, while his bond with Kurama had reached Level 5.
• Naruto wondered why Ino Yamanaka kept avoiding him and recalled how much he genuinely enjoyed spending time with his friends.
• Naruto reviewed the Fox Mask’s ability to block detection techniques and its growing usefulness as part of Menma’s identity.
• Naruto decided to spend points on another ten-pull despite his previous bad luck.
• Naruto opened the cards and obtained the Nine-Headed Sobek, a summon of nine powerful beasts.

Naruto met with Hizashi as Menma to review the Ember Organization’s progress and targets, then set out to recruit Kakuzu. Kakuzu rejected the offer of membership, declaring that only money interested him.

• Iruka taught the Three Body Technique while Naruto secretly used a Shadow Clone to travel to the Land of Hot Water.
• Hizashi reported that the Ember Organization’s base was complete, Karin was learning Chakra control, and the organization was tracking Deidara, Sasori, Momochi Zabuza, and Kakuzu.
• Kakuzu defeated rogue ninjas and headed toward a bounty exchange, intent on earning money.
• Naruto, disguised in a Fox Mask and accompanied by nine powerful beasts, ambushed Kakuzu.
• Naruto invited Kakuzu to join Ashes, but Kakuzu refused, saying he cared only about money.

Menma confronted Kakuzu and urged him to join Ember, revealing that he knew about Kakuzu's betrayal by Takigakure and offering him a place in the organization. Kakuzu demanded a fight before giving his loyalty, and Menma agreed to take him back to Ember if he won.

• Menma told Kakuzu that he would join Ember, regardless of whether he cared about Menma's ideals.
• Kakuzu recognized Menma as the feared leader of Ember and searched for a way to escape.
• Menma reminded Kakuzu that Takigakure had betrayed him by sending him on a suicide mission against Hashirama Senju and then branding him a traitor.
• Menma revealed that he knew Kakuzu's secret of keeping multiple hearts and invited him to help build a world where shinobi did not have to betray or beg for mercy.
• Kakuzu demanded a fight to test Menma, and Menma agreed to take him back to join Ember if he won.

Naruto, disguised as Menma, defeated Kakuzu and demonstrated the power of his new Wind Storm Style and other abilities. Kakuzu agreed to join Menma’s organization, and Menma restored his body and hearts, earning an initial bond with him.

• Kakuzu unleashed his four masked hearts’ attacks, but Menma’s Wind Storm Style blocked them.
• Menma’s Nine-Headed Beasts destroyed Kakuzu’s four masked monsters and surrounded him.
• Menma struck Kakuzu with an invisible blow, and Kakuzu admitted defeat and agreed to join his organization.
• Menma restored Kakuzu’s body and all four hearts with a special ability.
• Naruto received 150 points after establishing an initial bond with Kakuzu.

Menma brought Kakuzu to Ember’s lavish-looking headquarters, where Hizashi revealed that the palace concealed a newly built underground stronghold. The facilities were still being equipped, and Menma approved Hizashi’s work.

• Menma arrived at the Ember Organization stronghold with Kakuzu and found its ornate palace unlike the hidden base he expected.
• Hizashi and Karin dropped their disguises to greet Menma, and Menma gained 400 System points for reaching a Level 4 bond with Karin.
• Menma introduced Kakuzu as Ember’s new member, and Kakuzu asked Hizashi to explain the organization’s finances.
• Hizashi led Menma, Kakuzu, and Karin through the palace to a hidden staircase beneath a work shed.
• Hizashi showed them the underground base and described its facilities and sealed entrances, and Menma told him he had done well.

After rescuing Mizaki Uzumaki, Naruto continued training and spending time with his friends as two years passed at the Ninja Academy. When the Uchiha Massacre approached, the system triggered a mission to save Shisui Uchiha and change the Uchiha Clan’s fate.

• Menma visited Mizaki Uzumaki at the Ember Organization’s underground base, and she tearfully thanked him for saving her from Hidden Grass Village.
• Naruto resumed his life at the Ninja Academy, trained intensely, and grew close to Satsuki and his other classmates.
• Might Guy told Naruto he had met Rock Lee, a student without talent for ninjutsu whom he believed would become a powerful ninja.
• Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Satsuki trained harder as they developed their clan techniques and abilities.
• Two years passed, and the system triggered the main quest to save the suicidal Shisui Uchiha and change the fate of the Uchiha Clan’s massacre.

Shisui gave his remaining Mangekyo Sharingan to Itachi and fell from the cliff to keep the Uchiha from learning Danzō had attacked him. Itachi awakened her own Mangekyo Sharingan, while a Fox Masked figure rescued Shisui from the stream and vanished with him.

• Shisui told Itachi that Danzō had stolen one of his eyes and warned that Uchiha hawks planned to use Satsuki to bring Naruto to the clan and control the Nine-Tails.
• Shisui removed his remaining Mangekyo Sharingan and entrusted it to Itachi, urging her to protect the village and keep the Uchiha away from Naruto.
• Shisui revealed that Danzō's poisonous insects had made his survival impossible and that he would stage his death as a disappearance, then fell from the cliff.
• Itachi tried to stop Shisui, but he fell into the stream; overcome by grief, she awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
• A Fox Masked figure found Shisui in the stream, pulled him out, and used a space-warping technique to take him away.

Shisui awoke blind and healed in the care of Uzumaki Menma, who explained that he wanted to prevent needless conflict and save the Uchiha. Shisui insisted that Itachi could resolve the crisis, while Menma prepared to remove the Aburame clan’s poisonous insects from Shisui’s body.

• Shisui awoke blind but alive and discovered that his injuries had healed.
• Uzumaki Menma identified himself as the leader of the Ember Organization and proved he knew about Shisui’s eyes and his arrangement with Itachi.
• Menma said he wanted to stop wars and that the Sharingan and Kotoamatsukami were not his goals.
• Shisui told Menma that Itachi would carry on his will and find a solution to the Uchiha conflict.
• Menma questioned how Itachi would act, then offered to drive the poisonous insects out of Shisui’s body.

After Shisui’s disappearance, Itachi lost control and attacked Uchiha clansmen who accused her of harming him, but stopped when Satsuki and Fugaku intervened. Danzō then revealed his plan for Itachi to protect Konoha by sparing Satsuki and killing every other Uchiha, leaving Itachi facing the choice.

• Uchiha clansmen confronted Itachi over Shisui’s disappearance and threatened her for betraying the clan.
• Itachi pinned one accuser against the clan crest and attacked him, then released him when Satsuki called out and Fugaku ordered her to stop.
• Itachi apologized to the clansmen but remained cold and furious.
• Danzō told Itachi that he had taken Shisui’s eye and claimed he had not intended to kill him.
• Danzō warned that the Uchiha might abduct Naruto and cause another Nine-Tails’ Attack, then ordered Itachi to spare Satsuki and kill every other Uchiha.

Naruto weighed how to stop the Uchiha coup and massacre without destroying Satsuki psychologically, then accepted the custom scarf she had secretly bought for him. Satsuki agreed to let Naruto walk her home that evening, while the clan’s looming crisis remained unresolved.

• Naruto considered killing the Uchiha hawks but feared the damage secrecy or public accusations would cause Satsuki.
• Satsuki told Naruto about the clan’s worsening tensions and gave him a dark red scarf she had secretly ordered for him.
• A receipt identifying the scarf as a couple’s custom order fell out, and Satsuki intimidated Ino into keeping it secret.
• Naruto thanked Satsuki and offered to walk her home that night, and she bashfully accepted.

Menma confronted Obito in the forest and learned that Obito still intended to pursue his plan for peace, but let him escape. Meanwhile, Naruto and Satsuki headed toward the Uchiha Compound together, where Naruto prepared to prevent the coming massacre from destroying Satsuki’s family.

• Menma intercepted Obito and accused him of causing the Nine-Tails' Attack and destroying his own clan.
• Obito defended his goal of permanent peace and mocked Menma’s restraint before escaping with his space-time ninjutsu.
• Naruto and Satsuki shared Naruto’s oversized scarf as they walked toward the Uchiha Compound.
• Naruto resolved to save Satsuki’s parents before the massacre began.

Menma and Shisui met Itachi, who revealed her plan to end the civil war by exterminating the Uchiha Clan and sparing only Satsuki. Menma agreed to take responsibility for the clan, while asking Itachi to hold off the Uchiha Clan Head during his operation.

• Menma restored Shisui's left eye with Golden Experience, and Shisui accompanied him to the woods outside the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Itachi confronted Menma and Shisui, but stood down after Menma's Nine-Headed Beasts appeared around them.
• Itachi asked Menma to help end the civil war and announced that she intended to wipe out the Uchiha Clan, sparing only Satsuki.
• Menma stopped Shisui from rushing at Itachi and questioned whether exterminating the entire clan was necessary.
• Menma agreed to handle the Uchiha Clan and asked Itachi to hold off the Uchiha Clan Head's Mangekyo Sharingan.