Chapter Summaries

Itachi told Tejima Shinichi about the Akatsuki’s plans and warned that Kisame’s death could provoke a direct attack on Konoha. Shinichi learned that Kakuzu and Hidan were targeting Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki as the Akatsuki began capturing tailed beasts ahead of schedule.

• Itachi sent Sasuke away and thanked Shinichi for steering him away from the path of hatred Itachi had prepared.
• Shinichi revealed that he knew about Itachi’s plan to awaken Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan through hatred and said Sasuke would become his Shadow Guard instead.
• Itachi reported that the Akatsuki had sent Kakuzu and Hidan after Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki as preliminary tailed-beast captures began early.
• Itachi warned that Kisame may have known secret plans because of his connection to Uchiha Madara, and that Kisame’s death could lead the Akatsuki to attack Konoha.

Tejima Shinichi questioned Itachi about the first person affected by Kotoamatsukami, then watched Sasuke and Itachi agree to fight again in three years. Sasuke vowed to become Shinichi’s Shadow Guard and Hokage, while Itachi departed and left their reunion for the future.

• Tejima Shinichi asked Itachi who Kotoamatsukami had first been used on, noting that the technique was still recharging.
• Itachi told Sasuke he would not return, but challenged him to meet at the Uchiha Clan Grounds in three years for a fight.
• Itachi tapped Sasuke’s forehead protector and vanished in a swirl of black crow feathers.
• Sasuke accepted the three-year challenge and vowed to become Shinichi’s Shadow Guard and Hokage to protect Konoha and revive the Uchiha’s glory.
• Shinichi teased Sasuke about Naruto as a rival, and Sasuke dismissed Naruto while making an exception for Shinichi.

Black Zetsu reported to Tobi that Kisame had died at Tejima Shinichi’s hands and that Konoha might learn Akatsuki’s secrets. Tobi decided to continue the Tailed Beast plan while keeping Tejima Shinichi under close watch.

• Black Zetsu told Tobi that the mission to deal with Orochimaru had failed and that Kisame was dead.
• Black Zetsu explained that Tejima Shinichi had used Wood Release and Sage Mode to overwhelm and kill Kisame, taking his head.
• Tobi considered the risk that Konoha would learn about the Eye of the Moon Plan but judged that it would keep the intelligence secret for now.
• Black Zetsu told Tobi that Nagato had rejected an early launch but approved capturing vulnerable Jinchuriki, and Kakuzu and Hidan had set out for the Seven-Tails in Takigakure.
• Tobi ordered Akatsuki to keep collecting Tailed Beasts and to watch Tejima Shinichi closely, while Black Zetsu privately compared Tobi unfavorably with Madara.

Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi reported that Akatsuki Organization planned to gather the Tailed Beasts and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, supposedly under Uchiha Madara’s direction. Tejima Shinichi argued that the man was an impostor, and Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed that the real Uchiha Madara would have challenged the Ninja World directly.

• Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi presented confirmed intelligence from Kisame Hoshigaki that Akatsuki Organization sought the Tailed Beasts for its Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi reported that Kisame’s memories identified one Akatsuki mastermind as Uchiha Madara and showed him wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted with disbelief because the First Hokage had confirmed Uchiha Madara’s death at the Valley of the End.
• Tejima Shinichi argued that the mastermind could not be Uchiha Madara, reasoning that the real Madara would seize the Tailed Beasts by fighting the entire Ninja World alone.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen backed Shinichi’s assessment, recalling the power of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara, and Shinichi concluded that an impostor was using Madara’s name to pursue the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Tejima Shinichi connected the masked attacker from the Nine-Tails Rebellion to the current Akatsuki mastermind, and the Hokage and his advisers discussed the danger and their response. After Jiraiya and Tsunade interrupted the meeting, Nara Shikaku teased Yamanaka Inoichi about Ino’s apparent fondness for Shinichi.

• Tejima Shinichi presented evidence linking the Sharingan-wielding attacker from the Nine-Tails Rebellion to the man now calling himself Uchiha Madara and leading Akatsuki.
• Nara Shikaku agreed that the two were likely the same person, and Sarutobi Hiruzen regretted Konoha’s past treatment of the Uchiha clan.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade burst into the Hokage’s Office before Nara Shikaku could finish urging an immediate response.
• Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi left the meeting and praised Shinichi’s rapid, capable handling of administrative work.
• Nara Shikaku teased Yamanaka Inoichi about Ino liking to spend time with Shinichi, and Inoichi’s reaction revealed his amusement and possible interest.

Yamanaka Inoichi came home to dinner and learned that Ino admired Teshima Shinichi, while Tsunade celebrated with Shinichi’s family after returning and taking the Hokage position. The chapter ended with Tsunade asking Shinichi what he planned to do next.

• Yamanaka Inoichi came home to find Mrs. Yamanaka and Ino waiting with dinner.
• Ino asked whether her father’s recent work was related to Shinichi and admitted she cared about him a little.
• Yamanaka Inoichi told Ino he supported her feelings for Shinichi.
• Tsunade reunited with Teshima Kazuto, Mori Chie, and Teshima Shinichi over food and drinks, and learned Mori Chie was pregnant.
• Tsunade walked out with Teshima Shinichi and asked what he planned to do now that she had returned and taken the Hokage position.

Tsunade became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage in a ceremony attended by the village, while Danzo watched from his residence and retreated to his study. The chapter ended with Danzo beginning a new entry in his diary.

• News of Tsunade’s appointment spread through Konoha, and villagers welcomed the change in leadership.
• Konoha prepared for Tsunade’s inauguration over the next two days.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen handed Tsunade the Hokage Hat, and she declared herself the Fifth Hokage before the cheering crowd.
• Jiraiya noticed Shinichi’s distracted expression and told him it was too early for him to become Hokage.
• Danzo watched Tsunade’s inauguration from the Shimura Residence, reflected on his discomfort in the light, and returned to his study.
• Danzo opened his diary and wrote the date, “Konoha Year 64.”

After becoming Hokage, Tsunade struggled with the paperwork until Tejima Shinichi proposed delegating routine administration. The two prepared to target Danzo over his secret First Hokage cell laboratory, with Shinichi going to draw him out and Tsunade ordering ANBU to search Shimura Residence.

• Tsunade complained about the Hokage's paperwork, and Tejima Shinichi suggested creating departments and standardized procedures to handle routine matters.
• Tsunade agreed to Shinichi's plan to eliminate dissidents and joined him in mocking Danzo for keeping a diary that exposed his secrets.
• Shinichi said he would go to Danzo's secret First Hokage Cell Lab on the village outskirts to draw Danzo out, leaving Tsunade to search his residence.
• Tsunade ordered Shizune to secretly mobilize the Hokage's ANBU and seal off Shimura Residence if Danzo left the village, forbidding anyone to act without her verbal order.

Tejima Shinichi attacked and destroyed Root’s secret laboratory entrance, confronting the Root Ninja guarding it. After learning the facility was under attack, Danzo mobilized Root forces while Tsunade ordered Anbu to surround Danzo’s residence and search for evidence.

• Tejima Shinichi used Hard Vortex Water Blade to destroy the barrier and entrance to Root’s laboratory.
• Shinro Rii learned the laboratory was under attack and sent a Root Ninja to alert Danzo.
• Root Ninja confronted Tejima Shinichi, recognized him, and buckled under the force of his Chakra.
• Danzo learned the attackers were likely Konoha ninja and ordered available Root squads to mobilize.
• Tsunade ordered Shizune to have Anbu surround Shimura Danzō’s residence and search for evidence, with orders to kill anyone who resisted.

Tsunade raided Shimura Danzō's residence, found evidence in his diary, and moved to investigate his laboratory. There, Tejima Shinichi confronted Danzo and offered reconciliation only if he could curse-seal and collar him in return.

• Tsunade led Anbu in a raid on Shimura Danzō's residence, where they subdued the guards and searched the rooms.
• Anbu presented Tsunade with intelligence scrolls and Danzo's diary; after reading it, she ordered them to the laboratory outside the village.
• Danzo and his Root Ninja found Root operatives trapped in enormous Wood Release trees and realized Tejima Shinichi had attacked the laboratory.
• Danzo led Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune through the ruined laboratory, where they found Tejima Shinichi waiting beside the unconscious Shinro Rii.
• Danzo asked Tejima Shinichi if they could reconcile, and Shinichi demanded the right to plant a Cursed Seal on Danzo and put a collar on him.

Tejima Shinichi outwitted Shimura Danzō’s Kotoamatsukami ambush and tore off the arm containing Hashirama Cells and ten Sharingan. With Danzo’s right-eye technique on cooldown, Shinichi challenged him to reveal what remained of his power.

• Shimura Danzō activated Kotoamatsukami while Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune attacked Shinichi, apparently killing him with a kunai and poisonous insects.
• Danzo and his Root allies realized too late that the fallen Shinichi was a Wood Clone, and the real Shinichi struck Danzo in Sage Mode.
• Shinichi broke Danzo’s implanted right arm and tore it from his shoulder, taking its Hashirama Cells and ten Sharingan.
• Shinichi explained that Danzo’s Kotoamatsukami needed a continuous supply of power, had brief effects, and was now on cooldown.
• Shinichi threw Danzo’s severed arm to the ground and taunted him to show what else he had.

Tejima Shinichi used Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands to crush Danzo and the Root Ninjas. As Shinichi realized Danzo had died, Danzo’s Reverse Four Symbols Sealing began to activate in the crater.

• Tejima Shinichi summoned a gigantic Buddha with thousands of wooden arms, forcing Danzo, Yamanaka Fu, Aburame Torune, and the Root Ninjas to flee the underground laboratory.
• Tsunade, Shizune, and ten Anbu squads witnessed the Buddha rise from the forest and recognized Shinichi’s Wood Release technique.
• Danzo insisted that his actions had been for Konoha, but Shinichi challenged his authority and declared that Danzo’s struggle would end.
• Tejima Shinichi unleashed the Buddha’s thousands of fists, burying Danzo and the Root Ninjas beneath a barrage of blows.
• After the attack, Tejima Shinichi spotted Danzo’s Reverse Four Symbols Sealing activating across the crater and concluded that Shimura Danzō was dead.

Tsunade and Tejima Shinichi confirmed Shimura Danzō’s death, and Sarutobi Hiruzen learned from Tsunade’s notebook why Danzō had been eliminated. Hiruzen stepped down as Hokage and left the aftermath to Tsunade, while Shinichi prepared to travel with Jiraiya to Mount Myōboku.

• Tsunade and the Anbu found Shimura Danzō and seventeen Root members dead in the crater, and Shinichi joined them from atop the Giant Buddha.
• Tsunade gave Sarutobi Hiruzen her notebook, and he read the records of Danzō’s actions.
• Hiruzen accepted that Danzō’s death had been necessary, relinquished the Hokage position to Tsunade, and walked back toward the village.
• Tsunade and Shinichi agreed that Konoha did not need Root, while Jiraiya remarked on the scale of their actions.
• Jiraiya reminded Shinichi of his promise to visit Mount Myōboku, and Tsunade assured him she could manage the village while he was away.

Konoha learned the full extent of Danzo’s crimes as Kakashi visited Obito’s memorial stone. Tejima Shinichi arrived at Mount Myōboku, where Fukasaku and Shima recognized his immense chakra and brought him to meet Gamamaru.

• Tsunade’s official notice revealed Danzo’s human experiments, kidnappings, assassinations, and involvement with the Uchiha, shocking Konoha’s residents.
• Villagers discussed Danzo’s crimes and Shinichi’s role in exposing them while Kakashi placed wildflowers by Uchiha Obito’s name at the Memorial Stone.
• Jiraiya brought Tejima Shinichi to Mount Myōboku, where Shinichi observed the toad habitat and its abundant Natural Energy.
• Fukasaku and Shima examined Shinichi, remarked on his enormous chakra and life force, and said the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy concerned him.
• Fukasaku and Shima led Shinichi into the temple, where he saw Gamamaru perched on a high platform.

Tejima Shinichi confronted the Great Toad Sage about its visions and rejected the idea that anyone could dictate his path. The Great Toad Sage revealed a prophecy of Shinichi joining Naruto and Sasuke to fight the Otsutsuki Clan, then began sharing a vision that suggested more awaited him.

• Tejima Shinichi accused the Great Toad Sage of summoning him because his arrival had changed the future it foresaw, and declared that he would not let anyone tell him what to do.
• The Great Toad Sage denied intending to guide Shinichi and explained that it had summoned him out of curiosity and to tell him about his future.
• The Great Toad Sage sent Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima, and Jiraiya outside so it could speak with Shinichi alone.
• Shinichi told the Great Toad Sage that he knew of the Otsutsuki Clan, then heard its prophecy that he, the Child of Prophecy, and a youth bearing the weight of destiny would unite against the Otsutsuki and protect the Ninja World.
• The Great Toad Sage hinted that its vision went beyond the alliance, while Shinichi wondered whether it had seen him becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki.

The Great Toad Sage told Shinichi that a future dream showed him becoming a god with traits like the Otsutsuki Clan, though it revealed nothing about how. Shinichi resolved to pursue the Tailed Beasts and ultimately reach the stars, while Jiraiya remained outside wondering what Shinichi knew about the ancient past.

• The Great Toad Sage told Shinichi that he would become a god like the Otsutsuki Clan but could not explain how or by what path.
• Shinichi considered becoming a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki or planting a God Tree and concluded that seeking Tailed Beasts could help him test Wood Release and pursue his goal.
• Shinichi decided he could use the Akatsuki Organization's Tailed Beast hunt to conceal his own intentions and told the Great Toad Sage that his goal was the sea of stars.
• Outside the hall, Jiraiya wondered why Shinichi knew so much about events from a thousand years ago despite never leaving Konoha.
• Fukasaku and Shima told Jiraiya that Mount Myōboku's knowledge of the Great Toad Sage's relationship with the Sage of Six Paths amounted only to vague legends.

Tejima Shinichi left Mount Myōboku after the Great Toad Sage resolved his doubts, and he returned to Konoha with Jiraiya. On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, Jiraiya teased him about Yamanaka Ino’s feelings, but Shinichi simply went to greet her and his classmates.

• Tejima Shinichi thanked Jiraiya after speaking with the Great Toad Sage, saying his path ahead seemed clearer.
• Sage Shima invited Jiraiya and Shinichi to eat, but they declined and left Mount Myōboku for Konoha.
• Jiraiya explained that he had avoided Sage Shima’s bug feast and invited Shinichi to Ichiraku Ramen instead.
• Jiraiya pointed out Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, and Yamanaka Ino at Ichiraku Ramen and teased Shinichi about Ino’s feelings.
• Tejima Shinichi said they had merely run into his classmates and went over to greet them.

At Ichiraku Ramen, Team 7 failed to uncover Kakashi's face before Tejima Shinichi revealed that he was leaving the village on a long-term mission. The next day, Shinichi collected his mission information from Tsunade and departed, promising to return for his sibling's birth.

• Team 7 tried to peek beneath Kakashi's mask at Ichiraku, but Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji blocked their view until Kakashi had finished eating and replaced it.
• Ino boldly greeted Tejima Shinichi, drawing teasing cheers from the ramen shop, before Shinichi offered to treat everyone to farewell ramen and announced he would leave the village for a mission lasting months or possibly years.
• Kakashi left the shop after teasing Team 7, and Shinichi told them Kakashi was handsome but hid a mole beneath his mask.
• The following day, Tsunade gave Shinichi a scroll containing his route and preliminary intelligence, and he said he would return for his sibling's birth in about eight months.
• Shinichi thanked Tsunade as his sister and left the Hokage's Office, while Tsunade rolled dice and smiled at the result.

Jiraiya reassured Sarutobi Hiruzen that Shinichi had acted against Danzo to spare his former teacher a painful choice, not because he distrusted him. Their discussion lifted Hiruzen’s spirits and sparked a contest between the two over who could train the better new disciple.

• Jiraiya told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Shinichi and Tsunade had kept their plan from him because they understood his loyalty to Danzo and wanted to spare him a difficult decision.
• Jiraiya reminded Hiruzen that Shinichi’s choice to remain in Konoha reflected the protection and guidance Hiruzen had given him as a disciple.
• Jiraiya regretted not returning sooner to claim Shinichi as his own disciple, and Hiruzen teased him about his teaching ability.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed that he and Jiraiya each take a new disciple and compete to see whose student became stronger.
• Jiraiya accepted the challenge, and Sarutobi Hiruzen realized he already had a candidate in mind.

Kakuzu and Hidan waited for an insider to arrange the capture of Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, while Kakuzu warned Hidan not to underestimate Tejima Shinichi. Tejima Shinichi discovered their plans and pursued them, intent on claiming the Seven-Tails.

• Hidan complained that he and Kakuzu had waited three days, and Kakuzu explained that their insider needed time to arrange a discreet mission for the Jinchuriki.
• Hidan dismissed Tejima Shinichi as a threat, but Kakuzu warned that Shinichi had killed Kisame quickly and should not be underestimated.
• A Ninja Rat delivered a message that the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki would leave Takigakure at noon the next day on an escort mission to the Land of Iron.
• Kakuzu ordered Hidan to capture the Jinchuriki alive because the Tailed Beast sealing plan had to begin with the One-Tail.
• After Kakuzu and Hidan left, Tejima Shinichi emerged from the shadows and realized Uchiha Itachi’s intelligence had accurately revealed their objective.
• Tejima Shinichi pursued Kakuzu and Hidan, declaring that the hunt had begun and the Seven-Tails would be his.