Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Kazuya brought Hyuga Momona to a team dinner with Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, and Kakashi at Akimichi BBQ Restaurant. The group enjoyed the meal and left on good terms, with Minato paying the unexpectedly large bill.

• Hyuga Kazuya invited Hyuga Momona to the team dinner, and they arrived late at Akimichi BBQ Restaurant.
• Minato Namikaze introduced Uzumaki Kushina as his girlfriend, while Kushina teased Hyuga Kazuya and Momona about being a couple and playfully picked on Kakashi.
• Hyuga Kazuya introduced Momona as his girlfriend, and Kushina privately asked her whether she and Kazuya had done that before Minato interrupted with grilled meat.
• The group ate, chatted, and laughed together, and even Kakashi smiled several times.
• Minato Namikaze paid the costly bill, and Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi joked that they would attend another dinner gathering.

Minato Namikaze asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for distant missions and received an S-rank investigation plus a B-rank mission for his squad. After reassuring Hiruzen about Kakashi, Minato decided to keep their planned departure date so Kakashi could rest.

• Minato Namikaze asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for missions farther from the village, and Hiruzen selected an S-rank investigation into who had purchased a large quantity of weapons.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi also assigned Minato's Squad a B-rank mission, remembering that Hyuga Kazuya had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked about Kakashi, and Minato Namikaze assured him Kakashi was recovering and that he could guide him.
• After Minato left, Hiruzen Sarutobi considered making him a Hokage candidate and read Orochimaru's latest report about monitoring Root.
• Minato Namikaze decided not to move the squad's departure forward, giving Kakashi more time to rest after his father's death.

Hyuga Kazuya left Konoha with Minato Namikaze and Kakashi for an S-rank investigation in the Land of Artisans and a B-rank bandit-clearing mission meant to test Kazuya. They reached a bandit stronghold, where Kazuya identified ten rogue shinobi, and prepared to attack.

• Kazuya recalled his uncle's warnings and accepted Storage Scrolls packed with supplies, resolving to reform the Hyuga Clan without betraying his uncle's principles.
• Minato Namikaze and Kakashi arrived at Konoha's gates, and the three departed southeast after passing identity verification.
• Minato revealed their S-rank mission to investigate a surge in weapons production in the Land of Artisans and a B-rank mission to eliminate bandits in the Land of Fire.
• After two days of travel, Minato led Kazuya and Kakashi to a forest overlooking the bandit stronghold and assigned the two students to clear it without his help.
• Kazuya used his Byakugan to spot seven Genin and three Chunin in the camp, and Minato told him not to use his bow and arrows unless necessary.

After his first kills unsettled him, Hyuga Kazuya traveled with Minato Namikaze and Kakashi to the Land of Artisans. There, they met a Konoha informant who reported that Sunagakure had ordered a large shipment of ninja tools, leaving Minato to investigate the impending transaction.

• Hyuga Kazuya reflected on killing twelve bandits while he kept watch with Minato and Kakashi.
• The three traveled to a southeastern port, boarded a ship, and sailed for three days to the Land of Artisans.
• Minato explained that the Land of Artisans had been founded by a noble and prospered through its coal, iron, and ninja-tool trade.
• In the capital, Minato took Kazuya and Kakashi to a secluded izakaya, where its Boss passed along intelligence about Sunagakure's completed order of ninja tools.
• The Boss gave Minato a map and the Ninja Tool Factory's location, and the three left to investigate.

Hyuga Kazuya, Minato Namikaze, and Kakashi investigated the Ninja Tool Factory to locate the tools intended for Sunagakure and plan their next steps. While Kakashi and Kazuya searched for Sunagakure’s traders, Kazuya snacked in the capital and considered building a business to gain influence and fund his ambitions.

• Hyuga Kazuya used his Byakugan to identify sections of the Ninja Tool Factory protected by barriers, and Minato Namikaze compared them with the factory map to locate the likely storage rooms.
• Minato Namikaze assigned himself to infiltrate the factory and told Kakashi and Hyuga Kazuya to find the Sunagakure traders, since they could not destroy the tools in a neutral country’s capital.
• The three transformed and split up, agreeing to meet at an inn after entering the capital.
• Hyuga Kazuya took Kakashi to the seafood snack street, where they ate while watching the locals.
• Hyuga Kazuya considered founding a merchant association to sell seafood inland, then reflected that wealth and productive growth could support his ambitions and change the shinobi economy.

Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi failed to find Sunagakure ninja in the Capital of the Land of Artisans, while Minato Namikaze prepared to infiltrate a storehouse holding ninja tools. At sea, Pakura traveled toward the Land of Artisans with a hidden force, carrying out Sunagakure’s plan to lure in and weaken other villages’ ninja.

• Hyuga Kazuya searched the Capital of the Land of Artisans with his Byakugan but found no Sunagakure ninja and suffered eye strain and a headache.
• Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi met Minato Namikaze at an inn, where Minato said he had located the ninja tools and left a Flying Thunder God Kunai for a nighttime infiltration.
• Minato Namikaze concluded that Sunagakure’s ninja had probably not arrived yet, and the three discussed how to conceal their identities while staying in the Capital.
• Pakura traveled by ship toward the Land of Artisans with a Sunagakure force, while keeping the mission’s true purpose secret from a subordinate.
• Pakura revealed to herself that Sunagakure intended to use the ninja-tool delivery as bait to draw in and deplete other villages’ forces, with Rasa and two Jonin hidden aboard.

Ran Shotaro and Kaguya Daiki prepared an ambush for Sunagakure’s convoy, while Hyuga Kazuya, Kakashi, and Minato Namikaze waited in the Capital of the Land of Artisans and planned to keep watch for the ninja tools. The chapter left both groups waiting for Sunagakure to make its move.

• Ran Shotaro decided to intercept Sunagakure after it left the Capital rather than attack inside it.
• Ran Shotaro received a report that Sunagakure had not yet arrived, so he and Kaguya Daiki led ten Kirigakure ninja west to prepare an ambush.
• Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi brought breakfast to Minato Namikaze, who explained that he had placed a Flying Thunder God Kunai among the ninja tools.
• Minato Namikaze told Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi not to rely solely on the kunai and urged them to keep looking around the Capital.
• Hyuga Kazuya planned to explore the Land of Artisans and observe its people, culture, and technology.

Hyuga Kazuya visited the Land of Artisans Guild and explained why its high-precision machinery had little market demand in the Shinobi World. He left the guild’s attendant with the understanding that the machines were useful but ahead of their time.

• Kakashi stayed with Minato Namikaze to learn reconnaissance and intelligence gathering while Hyuga Kazuya went alone.
• Hyuga Kazuya visited the Land of Artisans Guild and examined its displayed tools, weapons, and machines.
• A guild attendant promoted a high-precision lathe, but Hyuga Kazuya pointed out that most buyers lacked the need, materials, or means to use it.
• Hyuga Kazuya explained that war in the Shinobi World centered on ninjas, while nobles would resist firearms and industry that could empower ordinary people.
• Hyuga Kazuya told the attendant that the lathe was not faulty but had arrived before its era of development.

Hyuga Kazuya advised a Land of Artisans saleswoman on improving machine tools, unaware that her father was pursuing chakra-based material fabrication. Two days later, Kazuya found a powerful Sunagakure force, and Minato Namikaze planned an ambush for when they left with the ninja tools.

• Hyuga Kazuya suggested combining machining functions and adding automation, then left the guild after offering to consider buying improved machines in Konoha.
• Kotomi told her father about Kazuya's suggestions, but her father dismissed them and focused on research into using chakra to transform and assemble raw materials.
• Two days later, Hyuga Kazuya spotted thirteen Sunagakure shinobi in the capital, including four Jonin and nine Chunin, and reported their arrival to Minato Namikaze and Kakashi.
• Minato Namikaze planned for Kazuya to harass the Sunagakure force from a distance while he attacked from behind, and Kakashi would help Kazuya prepare traps along the escape route.
• Hyuga Kazuya warned that Sunagakure's unusually large force might have another objective, but Minato Namikaze remained confident in his ability to escape.

Hyuga Kazuya discovered that Sunagakure had sent two groups of ninja to the Land of Artisans, including several Jonin and a woman he suspected was Pakura. After he reported the hidden force to Minato Namikaze and Kakashi, Minato weighed the danger to his team and made a decision about the mission.

• Minato Namikaze gave Hyuga Kazuya a Flying Thunder God kunai so he could reach him quickly if a battle began.
• Hyuga Kazuya tracked the Sunagakure ninja and discovered a second group of three Jonin hiding near the western city gate.
• Hyuga Kazuya identified a Jonin-level woman in the open group as possibly Pakura, Sunagakure's Scorch Release ninja.
• Hyuga Kazuya returned to Minato Namikaze and Kakashi and reported the two groups, including thirteen visible ninja and three hidden Jonin.
• Minato Namikaze considered whether to abandon the mission to protect Kakashi and Hyuga Kazuya, then made his decision.

Hyūga Kazuya persuaded Minato Namikaze to investigate Sunagakure’s unusually large force, while Kakashi stayed behind in the Capital and resolved to become stronger. Kazuya and Minato watched Sunagakure collect a warehouse of weapons, revealing that the mission involved a valuable sealing specialist and large Storage Scrolls.

• Hyūga Kazuya proposed using his Byakugan to observe Sunagakure, and Minato Namikaze agreed to investigate with him.
• Minato Namikaze and Kazuya left Kakashi in the Capital because the reconnaissance was too dangerous for him; Kakashi vowed to train harder and surpass Hatake Sakumo.
• Kazuya and Minato found the Sunagakure teams and watched them investigate the city before moving toward the central factory.
• Sunagakure members used large Storage Scrolls to absorb a warehouse of weapon crates, expending much of their chakra.
• Kazuya recognized that Sunagakure had brought a sealing specialist and judged that returning such a specialist to Konoha would be worth several S-rank missions.

Minato Namikaze and Hyuga Kazuya followed Sunagakure’s hidden force after Pakura’s team left the city. They discovered Pakura’s team fighting Kirigakure, and Minato considered intervening after Kazuya identified Kirigakure’s two elite Jonin.

• Pakura completed the transaction and led her Sunagakure team out of the city while another team remained hidden.
• Minato Namikaze and Hyuga Kazuya waited for the hidden Sunagakure team to depart, then followed it while avoiding its traps.
• The hidden team sped up, and Kazuya used his Byakugan to spot Pakura’s team under attack.
• Kirigakure ninja ambushed Pakura’s team, killing several Sunagakure ninja with Bone Spears and kunai.
• Pakura recognized Kirigakure’s Kaguya Clan Jonin and a wielder of Hiramekarei, then assigned her Jonin to hold them off.
• Kazuya reported that Kirigakure had eight ninja, including two elite Jonin, and Minato considered taking advantage of the battle.

Pakura drew Kaguya Daiki away from the battlefield while Ran Shotaro continued fighting Sunagakure’s Jonin. Ran killed two of them with Hiramekarei and turned toward the last survivor.

• Pakura killed two Kirigakure Chunin with her Scorch Release and moved to intercept Kaguya Daiki.
• Pakura lured Kaguya Daiki away from the battlefield to keep his close-range fighting from endangering her squad.
• Ran Shotaro let Kaguya Daiki leave, hoping Pakura would kill him and considering how to use the outcome to advance his ambitions.
• Ran Shotaro unleashed Hiramekarei and killed one Sunagakure Jonin with a chakra blast.
• Ran Shotaro battered a second Sunagakure Jonin with Hiramekarei and crushed his head with a final blow.
• Ran Shotaro turned toward the last Sunagakure Jonin with a savage smile.

Pakura lured Kaguya Daiki away and fought him until Rasa rescued her from his expanding Early Fern Dance. Kaguya Daiki and Ran Shotaro then withdrew with the Kirigakure forces, leaving the Sunagakure battlefield secure.

• Pakura attacked Kaguya Daiki with Scorch Release techniques, but he endured the blasts behind his Bone Shield.
• Kaguya Daiki ambushed Pakura and struck what he thought was her body, only to discover it was a trap.
• Kaguya Daiki unleashed Early Fern Dance, spreading a forest of Bone Spears that threatened to impale Pakura.
• Rasa used Magnet Release: Sand Cushion to lift Pakura above the bone forest, and she thanked him for saving her life.
• Kaguya Daiki recognized Rasa's arrival and retreated, then warned Ran Shotaro that Sunagakure had reinforcements.
• Ran Shotaro ordered the Kirigakure ninjas to withdraw, and the relieved Sunagakure forces did not pursue them.

Hyuga Kazuya ambushed and killed the Sunagakure ninja guarding the Storage Scroll, destroying the weapons stored inside. Minato Namikaze teleported them away as Rasa arrived and searched unsuccessfully for their trail.

• Hyuga Kazuya fired a Wind Chasing Arrow at Daisei, killing him and splitting the Storage Scroll in two.
• Hyuga Kazuya felt remorse for killing Daisei but resolved to accept the harsh demands of being a ninja.
• Hyuga Kazuya told Minato Namikaze that the Scroll and its stored weapons had been destroyed and urged him to retreat before Sunagakure pursuers arrived.
• Minato Namikaze teleported himself and Hyuga Kazuya away from the scene.
• Rasa arrived, found no clear trace of the pair, and took to the sky to search for them.

Rasa and Pakura’s team mourned their dead and returned to Sunagakure after failing to identify the airborne attackers, while blaming Kirigakure for the mission’s failure. Ran Shotaro manipulated Kaguya Daiki into suspecting a trap, then began plotting to use the incident and a possible coming war to gain power.

• Rasa returned to Pakura’s team without finding the attackers and learned that an ordinary arrow had killed Daisei.
• Rasa ordered the team to collect the dead and return to the village, promising that Kirigakure would pay for their losses.
• Ran Shotaro told Kaguya Daiki that Sunagakure had sent about five Jonin, including Rasa, prompting Daiki to suspect the mission had been a trap.
• Ran Shotaro encouraged Daiki’s anger toward Sunagakure and privately considered how the suspicion could deepen the rift between the Kaguya Clan and the Mizukage.
• Ran Shotaro inferred that Sunagakure was preparing for war and imagined using the failed mission to win Kaguya Daiki’s support and gain command of an assault on Sunagakure.

Hyuga Kazuya reunited with Minato Namikaze and Kakashi after completing the mission to destroy Sunagakure’s Scroll, then reported the clash between Sunagakure and Kirigakure. Minato arranged to conceal Kazuya’s role and promised to request a greater reward, leaving Kazuya considering which powerful techniques to pursue.

• Hyuga Kazuya emerged from Space Travel nauseated, and Minato Namikaze helped him recover before they met Kakashi in the Capital.
• The three left the Capital and rested in a cave near the Port City of the Land of Artisans, where Kazuya detailed Sunagakure and Kirigakure’s forces and fighting methods.
• Kazuya told Minato Namikaze that Magnet Release Rasa had been among Sunagakure’s support forces.
• Minato Namikaze confirmed the mission was complete after Kazuya explained that he had destroyed the Scroll with an arrow when Sunagakure let down its guard.
• Minato Namikaze told Kazuya and Kakashi to keep Kazuya’s archery secret and to say Minato had completed the mission with the Flying Thunder God Technique if questioned.
• Minato Namikaze promised to request a greater reward for Kazuya, who began thinking about learning powerful techniques, while Kakashi vowed to work hard.

Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, and Hyuga Kazuya returned to Konoha and reported their mission to Hiruzen Sarutobi. After learning that Sunagakure had sent an unusually powerful force to collect its weapons, Hiruzen ordered the details of Kazuya’s archery and contribution concealed and offered him a choice of ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.

• Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, and Hyuga Kazuya returned to Konoha and went to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Minato told Hiruzen that Sunagakure had ordered the weapons and sent seven Jonin, including Pakura and Rasa, to receive them.
• After Kakashi and Kazuya left, Minato explained that Kazuya had destroyed the weapons with a bow and arrows.
• Hiruzen ordered Minato to conceal Kazuya’s archery and record the mission as completed through the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hiruzen offered Kazuya one ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals as compensation, and Minato agreed to instruct him to keep his bow secret.

Hyuga Kazuya collected his reward for the Land of Artisans mission and persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi that he needed a technique combining taijutsu with resistance to genjutsu. Hiruzen proposed the Eight Gates, then searched the Scroll of Seals for another option and found an incomplete technique.

• Hyuga Kazuya asked Minato Namikaze about his reward and learned that he could choose a ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
• Hyuga Kazuya went to Hiruzen Sarutobi's office and explained why he wanted a taijutsu technique with strong resistance to genjutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested the Eight Gates and described its power, difficulty, and the Second Hokage's limit of opening three gates.
• Hyuga Kazuya feigned reluctance about choosing the Eight Gates, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to search the Scroll of Seals for another suitable technique.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi found a taijutsu technique that also resisted genjutsu, but it was incomplete.

Hyuga Kazuya persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to give him both the Eight Gates and Kumogakure’s incomplete Lightning Style Training Method. After returning home, he studied the Second Hokage’s notes on the Eight Gates and considered how chakra might help another person open them.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to give Hyuga Kazuya the methods for opening the first three Gates before he became a Jonin, along with Kumogakure’s incomplete Lightning Style Training Method.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led Hyuga Kazuya to the Scroll of Seals, handed over both scrolls, and warned him to read the Eight Gates notes carefully and be cautious with the Lightning Style method.
• Hyuga Kazuya returned home and showed the scrolls to Uncle, who inspected their seals with his Byakugan and told him to study them.
• Hyuga Kazuya read the Second Hokage’s notes about the Eight Gates, their risks, and tips for opening the first Gate.
• Hyuga Kazuya considered the Second Hokage’s idea of using chakra to help another person open the Gates, then turned to the Eight Gates cultivation method.