Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi met Orochimaru near the Uchiha Compound and asked whether he had thought through leaving Konoha’s old path. Orochimaru condemned Hiruzen as a failed teacher, praised Chiyo-kun as the leader he chose to follow, and left Hiruzen questioning his legacy before he reaffirmed that he would not hand the Hokage position to the Uchiha.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Orochimaru had settled in temporary quarters at the Uchiha Compound and walked there alone to see him.
• Hiruzen encountered Orochimaru, and the two sat together in silence before Hiruzen asked whether Orochimaru had truly made his decision.
• Orochimaru told Hiruzen he was content to serve Konoha under Chiyo-kun and would follow Konoha’s rules while pursuing meaningful research.
• Orochimaru accused Hiruzen of fearing his ambitions, abandoning him to preserve political balance, and failing him as a teacher.
• Orochimaru declared that he had found a new path, urged Hiruzen to step down for Chiyo-kun, and walked away toward the Uchiha Compound.
• Hiruzen wondered whether his leadership had ended an era, then regained his resolve and refused to give the Hokage position to the Uchiha.

After Danzo and Orochimaru’s criticism made Hiruzen Sarutobi question his leadership, he chose Minato Namikaze as a potential successor to counter Chiyo Uchiha’s growing influence. Hiruzen began passing Konoha’s core knowledge to Minato and left him with the responsibility of becoming strong enough to lead the village.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Tsunade and Jiraiya as suitable successors and settled on Minato Namikaze as the best candidate.
• Hiruzen summoned Minato to his office and asked what qualities an outstanding Hokage needed.
• Minato answered that a Hokage needed strength, the will to protect the village, wisdom, and an inclusive heart.
• Hiruzen showed Minato Konoha’s inheritance scrolls and explained that he was entrusting him with knowledge gathered by generations of Hokage.
• Hiruzen promised to personally train Minato in ninjutsu, administration, and leadership, and Minato vowed to fulfill his trust.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi built Minato Namikaze’s reputation as a future Hokage, Chiyo stayed calm and urged the Uchiha to wait, while Fugaku and the clan elders secretly organized a counter-campaign to promote Chiyo. The chapter ended with someone arriving at Chiyo’s home and calling for him.

• Villagers praised Minato Namikaze, prompting the major clans to watch the growing support for him while smaller clans courted his favor.
• Hyuga Sakon told Hyuga Hiashi to remain neutral, succeed him as clan leader, and avoid conflict with the Uchiha Clan.
• Fugaku Uchiha reported Minato’s rising reputation to Chiyo, who said Hiruzen’s campaign would eventually backfire and urged the clan to wait.
• Fugaku secretly gathered Tekka Uchiha, Yashiro Uchiha, and Yakumi Uchiha, and they agreed to spread support for Chiyo as Hokage.
• Chiyo reflected on his power and Kotoamatsukami as an unseen visitor arrived and called, “Brother Chiyo, are you home?”

Kushina visited Chiyo to ask about Minato’s growing reputation and the possibility of him becoming Hokage, then found reassurance in Chiyo’s calm response and Mikoto’s warm welcome. Underground, Madara dismissed Konoha’s political maneuvering as meaningless and learned that Obito had not gone on a mission because Chiyo had restricted him.

• Kushina asked Chiyo what he thought about Minato being promoted as a possible Fourth Hokage, and Chiyo said the position depended on more than reputation and achievements.
• Chiyo reassured Kushina and told her she could come to him if she had trouble, while teasing her about avoiding him.
• Mikoto returned, welcomed Kushina, and invited her to help prepare lunch, easing Kushina’s remaining awkwardness.
• White Zetsu reported Konoha’s efforts to elevate Minato and Chiyo’s lack of concern, and Madara mocked Hiruzen’s political strategy.
• Madara dismissed Minato and Chiyo’s ambitions as insignificant beside the Infinite Tsukuyomi, then asked about Obito and learned Chiyo had restricted his missions.

At dinner, Kushina struggled with guilt over loving Chiyo while Mikoto welcomed her with kindness. Chiyo and Mikoto reassured Kushina that she belonged with them, and the three resumed dinner together in a warmer, more intimate atmosphere.

• Mikoto served Chiyo and Kushina dinner, but Kushina felt like an intruder and tried to leave before finishing her meal.
• Chiyo asked Kushina to explain what was wrong, and she confessed that she felt guilty for loving him and feared hurting Mikoto.
• Mikoto told Kushina she knew about her feelings, was not angry, and would welcome her support and companionship.
• Chiyo affirmed that he cared for both women, and Kushina admitted she loved Mikoto too and wanted to stay with them.
• Mikoto welcomed Kushina, and the three continued dinner together with renewed warmth and ease.

Danzo secretly used Kotoamatsukami to turn against Hiruzen, accusing him of promoting Minato to preserve his own power and divide Konoha. He then sowed suspicion in Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, leaving them wary of Hiruzen as he warned that the other nations might be delaying their surrender while waiting for Konoha to destroy itself.

• Danzo confronted Hiruzen in the Hokage's Office, denouncing his support for Minato and accusing him of suppressing Chiyo Uchiha to retain control.
• Hiruzen rejected Danzo's accusations, defended Minato as the best successor, and ordered Danzo to leave.
• Danzo revealed that the argument was a deliberate public break intended to plant doubts about Hiruzen and constrain his future actions.
• Danzo summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, then claimed Hiruzen was trying to make Minato a puppet and had become unable to tolerate power beyond his control.
• Homura and Koharu grew suspicious of Hiruzen as Danzo urged them to scrutinize the Hokage's decisions.
• Danzo warned that the other nations had sent ceasefire letters but no surrender letters, and suggested they might be waiting for Konoha to suffer mutual destruction.

Hatake Sakumo learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s faction was promoting Minato Namikaze while Chiyo Uchiha remained silent, and he decided to support Chiyo through discreet Anbu operations. As Sakumo prepared a report to influence village leaders, the struggle over the Hokage Position grew more turbulent.

• Hatake Sakumo reviewed an Anbu dossier showing that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s allies were building support for Minato Namikaze while major clans remained publicly neutral.
• An Anbu operative reported that Tekka Uchiha and Yashiro Uchiha were promoting Chiyo Uchiha’s wartime achievements, but Chiyo had given no instructions or public response.
• Sakumo recalled that Chiyo had once helped him and concluded that Chiyo’s strength and achievements made him the better choice for Hokage.
• Sakumo ordered Anbu to discreetly counter negative opinion about Chiyo and convey to allied clan leaders that merit and strength deserved respect.
• Sakumo began writing an Anbu public-opinion report that would quietly question the push for Minato and highlight Chiyo’s record.

Support for Chiyo Uchiha overwhelmed support for Minato Namikaze, alarming Hiruzen Sarutobi and deepening his conflict with his advisors. After they refused to back his aggressive response, Hiruzen ordered a covert campaign to associate Chiyo and the Sharingan with Madara Uchiha’s betrayal of Konoha.

• Uchiha supporters, allied clans, the Kurama Clan, and tolerated voices within Anbu publicly praised Chiyo Uchiha, shifting village opinion in her favor over Minato Namikaze.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi smashed his teapot and summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu after receiving a report showing Chiyo’s support had overtaken Minato’s.
• Homura and Koharu advised Hiruzen to avoid confrontation, but he demanded they mobilize their clans and subordinates to support Minato as Konoha’s rightful future leader.
• Homura and Koharu refused to commit and left the Hokage’s Office, prompting Hiruzen to feel isolated and furious.
• Hiruzen found a top-secret dossier about Madara Uchiha and ordered a loyal Anbu to spread secretive stories linking Madara’s crimes and the Sharingan’s dangers to the Uchiha.

Rumors portraying the Uchiha Clan as dangerous spread through Konoha, but young ninjas publicly defended the clan based on their own experiences. Chiyo told Fugaku that their efforts to integrate into the village were beginning to take root and that they only needed to wait.

• Malicious rumors about Madara Uchiha spread and began casting suspicion on the present-day Uchiha Clan.
• Fugaku calmed angry Uchiha Clan Members and urged them not to fall for a provocation by acting rashly.
• Kurenai, Anko, Might Guy, Rin, and Shizune spoke against the rumors and defended the Uchiha based on what they had seen.
• Kakashi stopped Obito from confronting the rumor-spreaders and publicly argued that Madara's actions did not implicate the Uchiha Clan.
• Chiyo listened as Fugaku reported the rumors and the younger ninjas' support, then said the seeds of change had sprouted and the clan should wait patiently.

Konoha’s younger generation and villagers increasingly questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attempt to use Madara’s history against the Uchiha, strengthening the clan’s standing under Chiyo Uchiha. As Hiruzen faced growing doubt, Madara learned of the shift and ordered preparations for his plan, vowing to destroy Konoha and other forces that challenged fate.

• Villagers reconsidered their suspicions of the Uchiha, and Uchiha Clan Members took renewed pride in their clan’s progress.
• Chiyo encouraged Izumi Uchiha and the children at the training ground to work steadily, protect what mattered, and remain true to themselves.
• Chiyo observed the Uchiha Guard Unit interacting more warmly with villagers and reflected that Hiruzen had lost to the changing times.
• Hiruzen read reports showing that public opinion and young ninja increasingly supported the Uchiha, then questioned whether he had grown old.
• Madara Uchiha dismissed Hiruzen’s tactics and condemned Konoha’s efforts to change, viewing Chiyo as a potential obstacle to the Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Madara ordered White Zetsu to prepare the plan and said he would let Konoha enjoy hope before its eventual destruction.

Minato told Coral that he still dreamed of becoming Hokage but rejected the manufactured campaign promoting him over Chiyo, whom he considered more qualified. Meanwhile, an increasingly desperate Hiruzen failed to persuade Homura and Koharu to resume opposing the Uchiha, then offered them part of Root’s highest-authority scrolls and a communicator.

• Coral asked Minato what he thought of the Hokage position, and he said he wanted to earn it through his own efforts rather than manipulated public opinion.
• Minato acknowledged Chiyo’s achievements and greater experience, while he and Coral worried that the escalating political turmoil was beyond their control.
• Hiruzen summoned Homura and Koharu and urged them to help restrain the Uchiha and support Minato.
• Homura and Koharu advised Hiruzen to halt his campaign and seek an honest conversation with Chiyo, but he rejected their counsel.
• As Homura and Koharu prepared to leave, Hiruzen gave them part of Root’s highest-authority scrolls and a communicator for contacting its external intelligence team.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu temporary control of Root’s authority, but they handed it to Shimura Danzō after he persuaded them that Hiruzen should step down. Danzo gathered Konoha’s clan leaders and influential shinobi, won their support for removing Hiruzen, and prepared to begin a coup that would install Chiyo Uchiha as the new leader.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi entrusted Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu with Root’s authority and ordered them to monitor the Uchiha.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu visited Shimura Danzō, who convinced them that Hiruzen was unfit to govern and should resign.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu returned Root’s Authority Scroll and Communicator to Danzo, giving him control of the additional authority.
• Danzo secretly summoned clan representatives and influential shinobi to a Root base and accused Hiruzen of misgoverning Konoha.
• Hyuga Sakon, Shikaku Nara, Aburame Shibi, the Kurama Clan leader, and others backed Danzo’s demand that Hiruzen step down.
• Danzo concluded that the coup was ready to begin and planned for Chiyo Uchiha to lead Konoha.

Shimura Danzō and the major clans forced Hiruzen Sarutobi to resign and established a provisional council to prepare for a Fourth Hokage election. Hatake Sakumo kept the Anbu out of the confrontation and sent Wolf to tell Chiyo Uchiha that he hoped Konoha would soon have a new Hokage with the people’s support.

• Shimura Danzō led the major clan leaders and their forces to the Hokage Building, where they pushed past the guards and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Danzō, Shikaku Nara, and other clan representatives accused Hiruzen of suppressing Chiyo Uchiha and demanded that he resign.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi lost the clans’ support, stepped down, and was escorted from the building by Root members.
• Danzō announced that a Provisional Supreme Council would temporarily govern Konoha and prepare for the election of the Fourth Hokage.
• Hatake Sakumo decided not to send the Anbu against the clans and ordered Wolf to report the coup to Chiyo Uchiha.
• Sakumo told Wolf to convey that the Anbu would maintain order and that Sakumo looked forward to a new Hokage who could lead Konoha forward.

Konoha’s villagers began discussing the Fourth Hokage election after news spread that the Third Hokage was seriously ill, with Chiyo Uchiha drawing far more support than Minato Namikaze. Chiyo remained confident that the political upheaval was under his control, and Tsunade left their late-night meeting reassured as the election drama began.

• Rumors that the Third Hokage was seriously ill spread through Konoha, and villagers quickly turned to debating the Fourth Hokage election, mostly supporting Chiyo Uchiha over Minato Namikaze.
• Minato Namikaze and Coral Uzumaki suspected that the Third Hokage’s illness and the rising election campaign followed a political maneuver, but Minato accepted that he might lose and vowed to keep protecting Konoha.
• Chiyo told Fugaku Uchiha to keep the clan out of the election turmoil and wait, then spent the day at home without making further moves.
• Tsunade visited Chiyo at night to warn him about Danzo and the major clans, but Chiyo told her they were acting according to his plan.
• Chiyo reassured Tsunade, and she returned with him to his residence as he watched the upheaval unfold.

At Konoha’s public nomination, Minato Namikaze withdrew and endorsed Chiyo Uchiha, who became the Fourth Hokage. After Chiyo swiftly stopped an assassination attempt, he returned home to celebrate with Mikoto, Kushina, and Tsunade.

• Danzō announced Hiruzen Sarutobi’s resignation and opened nominations for the Fourth Hokage.
• The major clans nominated and backed Chiyo Uchiha, while the Sarutobi Clan nominated Minato Namikaze and drew support from villagers and ninja.
• Minato relinquished his candidacy, praised Chiyo, and pledged to assist him, leaving no opposition to Chiyo’s selection.
• Chiyo appeared on the platform, accepted responsibility as Hokage, and declared his plans for Konoha’s future.
• Assassins attacked Chiyo, but his Susanoo blocked their weapons and he killed the attackers, prompting the crowd to kneel and welcome him as Hokage.
• Chiyo returned to the Uchiha residence, where Mikoto, Kushina, and Tsunade welcomed him and shared dinner.

Chiyo Uchiha reshaped Konoha’s power structure as the Fourth Hokage, then faced a public confession from Kurenai Yuhi during the village’s celebrations. Far away, Madara Uchiha learned of Chiyo’s rise and ordered White Zetsu to investigate him, rejecting the possibility that the Uchiha had found a new path.

• Chiyo dissolved the Hokage’s personal guard for review, placed Root under his direct control, and kept Hatake Sakumo in command of the Anbu.
• Chiyo abolished the old Hokage Advisor system and proposed a three-member Hokage Cabinet representing the clans, ninja, and villagers, with final authority remaining in his hands.
• Chiyo assigned Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi to draft Cabinet nomination rules within three days, then handled his first day of Hokage duties.
• Chiyo joined Konoha’s public celebrations, where Kurenai Yuhi gave him a bouquet of roses and fled in embarrassment.
• White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha about Chiyo’s reforms and popularity, and Madara ordered White Zetsu to monitor Chiyo and discover his power, purpose, and weaknesses.

Chiyo supervised Shisui and Itachi's training before visiting the Orphanage, where Tsunade guided Yamato in controlling his artificial Wood Release and praised Kabuto's talent. The chapter left Chiyo confident that the young people in his care were growing along paths he had chosen for them.

• Chiyo corrected Shisui's Chakra control and told Itachi to prioritize efficiency over perfect technique during their training.
• Chiyo took Shisui and Itachi to eat, then asked Shisui to take Itachi home and continue his Taijutsu practice.
• Tsunade watched Yamato train with Wood Release, recognized its artificial nature, and began guiding him toward better control.
• Tsunade told Chiyo that Yamato was improving and that Kabuto had rapidly mastered medical techniques and shown exceptional ability.
• Chiyo explained that Kabuto should remain at the Orphanage to develop in a supportive environment, then advised him to remember that strength served to protect others.
• Chiyo left the Orphanage, reflecting on his duties and the young people growing under his care.

Fourth Hokage Chiyo Uchiha ordered the Five Kage to attend a summit in Konoha and threatened war if they refused. The four villages submitted to the summons, leaving Chiyo poised to dictate the postwar order.

• Chiyo Uchiha convened the Hokage Cabinet and announced that Konoha would host a Five Kage Summit in one month; Shikaku Nara warned of the risks, Minato Namikaze urged a show of strength, and Teuchi supported the pursuit of peace.
• Chiyo ordered Minato to coordinate summit security and directed Konoha to treat any refusal or absence of a Kage as a declaration of war; he also demanded an explanation for the assassination attempt against him.
• Acting Tsuchikage Kitsuchi, faced with the threat to Ōnoki, agreed that Iwagakure would attend on time.
• Fourth Raikage A raged at the summons, but Dodai warned that Cloud could not defeat Chiyo; A eventually agreed to attend and bring back the Third Raikage.
• The Third Mizukage and Fourth Kazekage Rasa each accepted the summons, and all four villages sent their replies to Konoha.
• Chiyo stood atop Hokage Rock and declared that the summit had only just begun.

Chiyo Uchiha forced Iwagakure and Cloud to ransom their captured Kage, then compelled the Four Great Shinobi Villages to accept a treaty placing them under Konoha’s dominance. After overseeing Konoha’s expansion, he returned home, where Tsunade revealed she had developed a Medical Ninjutsu because she did not want him to see her grow old.

• Kitsuchi and Dodai accepted Chiyo Uchiha’s ransom terms and took Ōnoki and A back to their villages.
• The Four Kage arrived in Konoha and faced an intimidating display of its security and military strength.
• Chiyo presented harsh postwar terms at the Five Kage Summit and threatened to erase the other villages if they refused.
• Rasa, the Third Mizukage, Kitsuchi, and A accepted the treaty, establishing Konoha’s dominance over the Shinobi World.
• Chiyo returned home to Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki, and Tsunade, then shared a quiet evening with them.
• Tsunade told Chiyo she had developed a Medical Ninjutsu because she did not want him to see her grow old.

Chiyo proposed using the Yin Seal’s stored chakra to create an extreme regeneration and combat state, inspiring Tsunade to begin developing the Hundred Healings Jutsu. He then advanced plans for Ninja Academy reform, placing Yakushi Nonō in charge as Konoha prepared to turn its new resources into lasting strength.

• Chiyo suggested that Tsunade use the Yin Seal to stimulate her body’s cells, potentially enabling extraordinary regeneration and combat enhancement, and Tsunade rushed to the hospital laboratory to test the idea.
• Chiyo reviewed his character panel and considered how to use the reparations and resources Konoha received after the Five Kage Summit.
• Yakushi Nonō presented Chiyo with plans to expand the Ninja Academy, improve instruction, make basic medical knowledge mandatory, and create specialized classes.
• Chiyo approved Nonō’s reform plan, promised funding and support from Shikaku and Minato, and assigned her responsibility for carrying it out.
• An Anbu member summoned Chiyo to decide on new border garrison posts, and Chiyo left Nonō before heading to the conference room.