Chapter Summaries

Satoru accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen’s invitation to join the Anbu, and the village leaders discussed rebuilding the First Squad while managing Danzo’s ambitions and concerns about the Uchiha. They settled on assigning Satoru and Nawaki to Hatake Sakumo’s squad and considered Minato Namikaze for another position.

• Satoru agreed to join the Anbu and learned that his induction would take place after the recruits were finalized, allowing him to keep his three months of vacation.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the advisors discussed Danzo’s attempts to recruit Nawaki into Root and continue Hashirama Cells research through Orochimaru.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to recruit Nawaki and assign him and Satoru to the First Squad under Hatake Sakumo.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ruled out Uchiha Mikoto because of Danzo’s objections and her closeness to Uchiha Fugaku.
• Mitokado Homura suggested Minato Namikaze as a suitable young recruit for the Anbu.

Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Minato Namikaze had exceptional talent for space-time techniques and assigned him to Satoru’s squad. At Root’s base, Danzo recruited Hiruko for secret research and required him to accept Root’s sealing technique, while Hiruko secretly planned to break free and surpass everyone.

• Mitokado Homura told Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu that Satoru had been training Minato Namikaze, who had mastered Summoning Technique and showed talent for Flying Thunder God.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted with envy and excitement at the prospect of his granddisciples learning the Flying Thunder God Technique and its theoretical paired technique.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Minato Namikaze to Satoru’s First Squad, First Team.
• Danzo criticized Hiruzen’s rigidness and Hiruko’s lack of results, then demanded that Hiruko accept Root’s Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal before researching Root’s secrets.
• Hiruko agreed to the seal while privately intending to exploit Danzo’s resources, break free of his control, and become a god.

Danzo reviewed Hiruzen’s new Anbu assignments and ordered Noon to secretly obtain samples of Nawaki’s tissue, while deciding to watch Mitokado Satoru and Homura closely. At the Anbu base, Satoru and his new teammates met Hatake Sakumo, discussed the war’s orphans, and chose their masks.

• Danzo read the replacement roster, criticized Hiruzen’s choices, and ordered Noon to secretly collect Nawaki’s blood or bodily tissue by any means necessary.
• Danzo considered Satoru’s influence and Homura’s possible support, then decided to keep them under closer observation.
• Satoru met Hatake Sakumo, Nawaki, Yakushi Nonō, and Minato Namikaze at the Anbu base and learned they had all joined the Anbu.
• Nonō said she wanted the village to establish an orphanage for children left behind by the war, and Sakumo took the group to choose their equipment.
• Satoru and Nonō chose Cat Face Masks, Nawaki picked a ram mask, and Minato chose a toad mask after Satoru joked about turning people into animals.

Hatake Sakumo outfitted Satoru, Nawaki, Minato, and Nonō as ANBU, and they chose their codenames before receiving a secret mission to investigate Kirigakure. The squad prepared to enter the Land of Water and uncover what the isolated village was doing, knowing the mission could leave them no way back.

• Hatake Sakumo issued the squad their weapons and ANBU tattoos, then explained the rules for choosing codenames.
• Nawaki chose Takumi, Minato chose Flash, Nonō chose Cloud, and Satoru chose Ao; Sakumo identified himself as White Fang.
• Sakumo explained that the reestablished ANBU First Squad, First Platoon, would keep its identities and mission details secret.
• Sakumo revealed that the squad would investigate Kirigakure in the Land of Water, whose unusual inactivity suggested it was occupied with a critical project.
• Sakumo warned that the isolated, fog-covered Land of Water would be difficult to investigate and ordered the ANBU to leave no trace, even if they died.

Satoru, Minato, Nawaki, and Nonō traveled by boat toward the Land of Water to infiltrate Kirigakure and gather intelligence. After devising a plan to open a restaurant as their cover, they continued the journey and discussed making alcohol to draw out information.

• Satoru and Minato discussed the Flying Thunder God Technique as their group traveled toward the Land of Water.
• At the shore, Nawaki created a wooden boat with Wood Release, and Satoru summoned a Water Elemental to tow it.
• Hatake Sakumo watched the team depart, then vanished to catch another ship himself.
• As the boat crossed the ocean, Satoru proposed opening a restaurant to establish an identity and gather intelligence in Kirigakure.
• Nonō, Nawaki, and Minato embraced the restaurant plan, and Minato asked whether Satoru could make alcohol; Satoru said he could and told Minato not to tell Jiraiya.

Satoru Squad reached Kirigakure and used Satoru’s teleportation to enter past its sensory barrier. After disguising themselves in local clothing, they split up to investigate the village and its customs.

• Nawaki and Minato detected Kirigakure’s sensory barrier, and Satoru explained that their chakra-blocking method could bypass it.
• Satoru gave Nawaki, Minato, and Nonō positioning pendants that let him teleport to them, then went ahead to place a marker inside the village.
• Satoru transformed into a raven, flew into Kirigakure, and left a positioning gem in a concealed tower.
• Satoru teleported Nawaki, Minato, and Nonō inside the barrier, surprising all three of them.
• Nawaki changed the group’s clothes to match local styles, and Satoru assigned everyone to survey Kirigakure before regrouping the next day.

Satoru and Satoru Squad opened Blue Hermit, a seafood hot pot restaurant in Kirigakure, using their skills to prepare the venue and supply fresh ingredients. The aroma of Satoru’s spicy soup spread through the fog, drawing nearly half the village’s attention to the restaurant.

• Satoru registered a restaurant license under the name Kadejian after disguising himself as a mainland merchant.
• Nawaki, Minato, and Nonō reported on Kirigakure’s food, customs, and residents’ discomfort from the damp climate, giving Satoru an idea for a restaurant.
• Satoru and the others took over a poorly managed shop, and Nawaki renovated it into private rooms, a bar, and an open dining area.
• Satoru arranged for seafood to be caught and brought back, while Nawaki cultivated vegetables and mushrooms; Minato and Nonō prepared to serve customers.
• Satoru opened Blue Hermit and served his spicy seafood hot pot to Nawaki, Minato, and Nonō, while the restaurant’s aroma spread through Kirigakure’s fog and made people feel warm.
• Ninja and civilians were drawn to the restaurant by the scent, and Kirigakure erupted into an uproar when the first ninja found Satoru and the others eating inside.

Satoru's team used the crowded Blue Hermit restaurant to gather intelligence in Kirigakure, then split up to investigate the training camp and the Great Elder. Satoru and Nonō discovered the Third Mizukage was debating a tailed-beast host with the Great Elder before being summoned to see a new trump card: the last ninja sword had found its master.

• Nawaki gathered three useful reports: deaths at the training camp, the Kaguya Clan destroying another island, and a clash between the Great Elder and the Third Mizukage.
• Satoru assigned Nawaki and Minato to investigate the training camp while he and Nonō investigated the Great Elder and Third Mizukage.
• Satoru and Nonō located the Mizukage Building and watched the Third Mizukage argue with the Great Elder over choosing a tailed-beast host.
• An ANBU summoned the Third Mizukage, who told the Great Elder that the last ninja sword had found its master and invited him to see their new trump card.

Satoru and Nonō discovered that the Third Mizukage and Great Elder Genshi were overseeing the formation of Kirigakure’s Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The Third Mizukage chose to postpone creating a Jinchuriki, leaving Satoru’s team poised to investigate the elite unit.

• Satoru explained tailed beasts and Jinchuriki to Nonō as they followed the Third Mizukage and Great Elder Genshi.
• Satoru sensed Nawaki and Minato nearby, and the group regrouped near the heavily guarded training ground.
• Satoru, Nawaki, and Minato headed toward the training ground while Hatake Sakumo secretly watched them.
• The Third Mizukage introduced the seven wielders of Kirigakure’s special blades as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
• The Third Mizukage told Great Elder Genshi he would delay creating a Jinchuriki until a suitable child had grown older.

Satoru Squad shared intelligence about Kirigakure’s Seven Ninja Swordsmen and a suspected Six-Tails Jinchuriki plan, while Satoru explained the risks of being a Jinchuriki. After Hatake Sakumo warned them that Kirigakure’s ANBU had grown suspicious, the squad decided to investigate an unexplained cluster of Chakra signatures one last time before leaving.

• Satoru Squad returned from reconnaissance, and Satoru explained Jinchuriki, Perfect Jinchuriki, Tailed Beast Balls, and the danger of extracting a Tailed Beast.
• After three days of gathering intelligence and running their restaurant, Satoru Squad told Hatake Sakumo what they had learned about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and a suspected Six-Tails Jinchuriki plan.
• Hatake Sakumo warned Satoru Squad that Kirigakure’s ANBU had noticed their suspiciously successful business and might act by the next afternoon.
• Minato described how several nearly identical Chakra signatures had vanished when he approached, and Nawaki and Satoru judged the phenomenon was connected to Kirigakure.
• Satoru asked to investigate the area once more, and Hatake Sakumo agreed on the condition that they retreat immediately if the investigation went badly.

After returning from their investigation, Satoru helped Orochimaru develop enchanted armor and plan Arcane Constructs while Konoha prepared for renewed attacks from Kirigakure. Nearly a year passed amid research and missions, until Kushina Uzumaki disappeared and Konoha’s Anbu launched a search.

• Satoru, Hatake Sakumo, and their team withdrew from the guarded site and returned to Konoha with intelligence about Kirigakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen strengthened the eastern coastline’s defenses, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen later suffered losses during their attack.
• Satoru studied Enchantment Techniques with Orochimaru and proposed creating Arcane Constructs powered by enchanted energy cores.
• Orochimaru agreed to develop the constructs’ mechanical components and reinforced armor in exchange for further Enchantment Technique knowledge.
• Satoru spent nearly a year on research, Anbu missions, and helping Minato improve the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kushina Uzumaki disappeared, and the Hokage’s direct Anbu began searching for her.

Satoru reunited Minato and Kushina after Minato rescued her from Kumogakure kidnappers, then helped report why she had been targeted. Kushina learned she was Konoha’s candidate to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Satoru argued at a leadership meeting that Minato should protect her.

• Satoru found Minato holding Kushina and learned that Minato had rescued her after killing several Kumogakure ninja who had kidnapped her.
• Satoru explained that Kushina’s special Chakra had made her a target, and he brought her and Minato back to Konoha to report the incident to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen sent Kushina to Mito, who revealed that Kushina was the candidate to replace her as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and comforted her with advice about finding love.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen informed Minato of Kushina’s fate, and Kushina began to see Minato differently after Mito’s counsel.
• At a high-level meeting, Satoru endorsed Minato as Kushina’s protector because of his strength, his Flying Thunder God training, and his bond with her.
• Danzo objected that Minato was only a chunin and called for Root to take over, but Satoru defended Minato’s ability.

Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Minato Namikaze to become Kushina Uzumaki’s guard after mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Kushina stayed with Lady Mito to study sealing techniques. The leaders then debated the Uchiha Clan’s growing influence and Fugaku’s succession, leaving Danzo pressing Hiruzen to consider a plan to exploit divisions within the clan.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu backed Satoru’s argument that Kushina Uzumaki was only a Jinchuriki Candidate and that Hiruzen should decide her future.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen appointed Minato Namikaze to master the Flying Thunder God Technique and guard Kushina, who would remain with Lady Mito and study sealing techniques.
• Danzo criticized the Uchiha Clan’s strength and urged Hiruzen to use the clan’s internal divisions against it, while Homura and Koharu rejected his proposal.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others discussed Uchiha Fugaku becoming acting clan head and Military Police Force captain after the former leader began transferring authority.
• Danzo challenged Hiruzen to hear his proposed method for exploiting the Uchiha Clan’s divisions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen decided to lift the ban on Uchiha joining ANBU, despite Danzo’s objections, as Konoha began its postwar recovery. Uchiha Fugaku formally acknowledged his feelings for Uchiha Mikoto, then grew thoughtful after learning Kushina Uzumaki was living with Mito Uzumaki, since he knew the Uchiha Clan’s secret about jinchuriki and tailed beasts.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Danzo he planned to let Uchiha join ANBU, and Danzo condemned the decision as a betrayal of their teacher’s policies.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu supported Hiruzen’s trial approach, arguing that isolation had fostered resentment, and Danzo accepted Hiruzen’s decision while warning him to bear responsibility.
• During Konoha’s postwar recovery, Orochimaru researched armor and bodily enhancement while Tsunade developed Medical Ninjutsu and a more effective medical ninja system.
• Uchiha Fugaku smoothly transferred power as Acting Clan Head and formally acknowledged his feelings for Uchiha Mikoto, whose relationship the clan’s upper ranks supported.
• After Mikoto said her new friend Kushina Uzumaki had moved in with Mito Uzumaki, Fugaku fell into thought because he knew the Uchiha Clan’s secret about jinchuriki and tailed beasts.

Uchiha Fugaku reflected on the Mangekyō Sharingan and why the village feared the Uchiha, while Satoru and Orochimaru completed an enchanted combat uniform and advanced their construct research. Orochimaru prepared to strengthen his body and seek senjutsu at Ryūchi Cave, leaving Satoru to continue production and work on energy cores.

• Uchiha Fugaku realized that the Mangekyō Sharingan’s power to control tailed beasts helped explain the village’s wariness of the Uchiha Clan, but he could only try to restrain his clansmen.
• Satoru and Orochimaru completed an enchanted combat uniform whose defense surpassed metal armor, though it was inefficient to produce.
• Orochimaru said their work had derived the Advanced Enchantment Technique and declared he was confident enough to enhance his body.
• Orochimaru planned to return to Ryūchi Cave and challenge the White Snake Sage for senjutsu, leaving Satoru to produce more uniforms and develop an energy core.
• After Orochimaru left, Satoru considered helping him learn senjutsu and keeping him in check while continuing work on constructs.

Hiruko interpreted Orochimaru’s research letter as a cruel slight and decided to bring Orochimaru’s laboratory to Danzo’s attention. Meanwhile, Satoru helped Minato improve the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Minato with a more practical combat method and Satoru departing as Jiraiya was expected to return.

• Hiruko resented Orochimaru’s letter and, after recording its data, destroyed it and decided to tell Danzo about Orochimaru’s laboratory.
• Orochimaru left Konoha while most people believed he had gone on a mission.
• Satoru helped Minato develop a Flying Thunder God Technique that used less Chakra and lasted longer through improved formulas engraved on specialized kunai.
• Minato and Kushina named his formula “Sword of Love and Tolerance,” prompting Satoru to urge Minato to practice Flying Thunder God: Second Stage for close combat.
• Minato planned to use Jiraiya’s shuriken-throwing technique to spread his marked kunai across a battlefield, and Satoru left as Jiraiya was expected back.

Satoru visited Jiraiya and his three disciples in the Land of Rain, catching them up on Konoha and revealing Minato’s progress. He helped Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan with their training and left Konan with medical ninjutsu materials.

• Satoru told Jiraiya about the war’s aftermath and how Tsunade and Orochimaru had been affected by Dan Katō’s death.
• Satoru showed Jiraiya Minato’s Flying Thunder God kunai and explained that he had taught Minato the technique.
• Satoru told Jiraiya that Minato was dating Kushina, prompting Jiraiya to daydream about winning another chance with Tsunade.
• Yahiko showed Satoru that he could use Frost Shield, while Nagato explained that he had mastered six types of nature transformation but had not yet learned to use the Rinnegan.
• Satoru gave Konan basic medical ninjutsu scrolls and Tsunade’s handbook so she could begin learning to treat the wounded.

Satoru visited Jiraiya and Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, sharing a legendary seafood hotpot before asking Jiraiya about Orochimaru’s pursuit of sage arts. The next morning, Satoru challenged Jiraiya to demonstrate Sage Mode, but Jiraiya needed another step before he could enter it.

• Satoru arrived at Jiraiya’s home and found Jiraiya and the three children wearing frog training costumes.
• Satoru served Jiraiya and the children seafood hotpot, and they ate for five hours.
• Satoru told Jiraiya that Orochimaru had gone to Ryūchi Cave to learn sage arts, then proposed a match to see Jiraiya’s abilities.
• The next morning, Satoru teleported Jiraiya to an open area and explained that he wanted to study sage arts as a reference.
• Jiraiya began preparing to enter Sage Mode while Satoru sensed his barrier and the process of refining Sage Chakra.
• Jiraiya admitted that he still needed one more step before he could enter Sage Mode and asked Satoru to wait.

Jiraiya summoned Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku so Mitokado Satoru could witness Sage Mode, and the sages recognized that Satoru's power resembled the Great Toad Sage. Satoru and Jiraiya then began a fierce demonstration match, which ended with Satoru countering the trio's sage techniques with a barrage of ice attacks.

• Jiraiya summoned Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku, who scolded him for interrupting Sage Shima's chores.
• Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku examined Mitokado Satoru and noticed his Arcane Power resembled the Great Toad Sage's aura.
• Sage Shima told Jiraiya that he needed to enter Sage Mode on his own to fully master it, and Jiraiya explained that his current mode lasted only five minutes without their help.
• Jiraiya entered incomplete Sage Mode and stopped Satoru's Glacier Spike with Sage Art: Needle Hair Thousand Needles.
• Satoru attacked Jiraiya with several Ice Magic spells, and Jiraiya, Sage Shima, and Sage Fukasaku answered with Sage Art: Goemon.
• Satoru created an Ice Orb and sent a barrage of ice spears against the trio's sage techniques.

Satoru tested himself against Jiraiya and the two sages, resisting their techniques before escaping their Sage Art Genjutsu. He revealed a strange purple energy and used his Blink: Flashback Technique to overwhelm Jiraiya in close combat.

• Jiraiya's forced transformation technique barely affected Satoru, so Jiraiya and the two sages trapped him with a sound-based Sage Art Genjutsu.
• Satoru asked Jiraiya how Sage Chakra was formed, then used his spiritual strength and The Book of Medivh to escape the genjutsu.
• Jiraiya sensed the purple sparks around Satoru and wondered if he had mastered Sage Art.
• Satoru attacked Jiraiya with a fireball, staff, and ice blade, while Sage Shima and Jiraiya blocked his strikes.
• Satoru combined Blink, Displacement Technique, and his weapons to use Blink: Flashback Technique and batter Jiraiya.