Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Sōken became Konoha’s Sixth Hokage, alarming Kumogakure and prompting Kirigakure to consider closer cooperation with Konoha. Mei Terumi decided to send Utakata to Konoha to assist Mangetsu, with Genji supporting her choice.

• Uchiha Sōken took office as the Sixth Hokage, and news of an Uchiha leading Konoha shook the Shinobi World.
• The Fourth Raikage worried that Konoha had become too powerful, but Dodai urged him to avoid provoking it and accept the village’s explanation about Hiruko.
• Mei Terumi told Genji that Uchiha Sōken had become Hokage and discussed the threat posed by the man calling himself Uchiha Madara.
• Mei Terumi proposed sending Utakata to Konoha as Mangetsu’s deputy, and Genji approved the plan as a way to deepen cooperation and train the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Genji reminded Mei Terumi that the final decision and its consequences belonged to her as Mizukage.

After becoming Sixth Hokage, Sōken openly restarted research at the Anbu’s former base and showed Hiruko that Inabi Uchiha’s severed limbs had been regenerated. Hiruko agreed to atone for his crimes, then explained that his Chimera Technique sought a Yin-Yang chakra cycle and that the Sharingan seemed necessary for its final evolution.

• Sōken considered reorganizing Konoha and its massive Anbu force while settling into his authority as Sixth Hokage.
• Sōken showed Hiruko that Inabi Uchiha’s limbs had regrown in the nutrient tank, and Inabi trusted Sōken’s judgment rather than seeking revenge.
• Sōken told Hiruko that he would work to atone for killing villagers and warned that he would eventually be executed; Hiruko accepted the punishment and hoped to rest peacefully afterward.
• Sōken asked Hiruko about the Chimera Technique, and Hiruko explained that he had sought to combine Yin and Yang chakra after absorbing Wood Style and Shikotsumyaku.
• Hiruko said the Sharingan was his most practical source of Yin Release, while he lacked useful data about the Byakugan and had relied on records left by the Second Hokage.
• Sōken concluded that the Sharingan appeared necessary for Hiruko’s final evolution, since he would not use Yakumo Kurama as an experiment.

Uchiha Sōken learned that the masked man was Uchiha Obito and ordered the Anbu to investigate his survival after the Kannabi Bridge Battle. In Amegakure, Obito revealed his identity and explained his hatred to Pain and Konan, who chose to keep working with him for now.

• Shisui told Sōken that the masked man had been identified as Uchiha Obito, and Sōken ordered the Anbu to investigate the area around Kannabi Bridge and Obito’s old acquaintances.
• Sōken explained that Kakashi Hatake might know more about Obito and said the truth could not remain hidden forever.
• Obito met Pain and Konan in Amegakure, admitted he had used Madara Uchiha’s name, and revealed his real face and identity.
• Obito told Pain and Konan that he had turned against the world after believing his teacher and friend had failed to protect Rin.
• Pain warned Obito not to lie again but decided the Akatsuki Organization would continue working with him and Zetsu.

Pain and Konan discussed their cautious partnership with Obito Uchiha and postponed plans involving Konoha while Pain continued developing Tailed Beast weapons. Obito then set out to recruit Sasori, whom he found in the Land of the Falls searching corpses for materials to make Human Puppets.

• Pain told Konan he did not trust Obito Uchiha but would maintain their partnership while their goals aligned, and he continued working on Tailed Beast weapons.
• Konan warned that the Sixth Hokage could obstruct their plans, but Pain said they should avoid acting against Konoha and let Obito draw out the Sixth Hokage's strength.
• After leaving Amegakure, Obito told Zetsu that trust did not matter as long as their interests and goals remained aligned.
• Obito decided to recruit Sasori and went with Zetsu to find him, acknowledging that Uchiha Sōken and Konoha's other Uchiha made attacking Konoha difficult.
• Sasori, having lost his Human Puppets and escaped Konoha, searched Takigakure Ninja corpses for suitable materials and complained about their poor quality.
• Obito emerged from the shadows and approached Sasori.

Obito Uchiha recruited Sasori into the Akatsuki Organization after Sasori revealed he had studied a White Zetsu and agreed to hunt for puppet materials. Pain approved Sasori’s membership and called for a meeting to introduce Obito and rearrange the organization’s teams.

• Obito Uchiha found Sasori and invited him to join the Akatsuki Organization, while Sasori explained his White Zetsu research and accepted.
• Sasori asked Obito Uchiha to help him hunt for new puppets, and they attacked Konoha patrols in the Land of Grass, making several squads and three Jonin disappear.
• Obito Uchiha and Pain discussed the attack and Sasori’s possible ties to Konoha, then Pain agreed to let Sasori join despite the risk that he might be a spy.
• Pain arranged an Akatsuki meeting to introduce Obito Uchiha and adjust the organization’s lineup, including separating Orochimaru and Deidara.

Sasori of the Red Sand joined the Akatsuki Organization and met its members during an introduction led by Pain. After Sasori asked about the organization’s goal, Pain assigned him to partner with Orochimaru and paired Deidara with Obito Uchiha.

• Obito Uchiha brought Sasori into the cave, where Pain officially accepted him as a member of the Akatsuki Organization.
• Pain introduced Sasori to Deidara, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Hidan, Konan, and Zetsu as the members argued among themselves.
• Pain explained that the Akatsuki Organization sought to bring peace to the Shinobi World by replacing the Five Great Nations as its rulers.
• Sasori asked about the organization’s purpose, then Pain reassigned the partners: Sasori teamed up with Orochimaru, while Deidara teamed up with Obito Uchiha.

Shisui stopped Konoha and the Stone Ninja from going to war after an investigation linked the Border Defense Force attack to Obito Uchiha and an accomplice. Sōken punished the Uchiha officer who had moved troops without orders, then learned from Orochimaru that Obito and Sasori had joined the Akatsuki Organization together.

• Shisui arrived at the Land of Grass, restrained the Uchiha troops, and investigated the Border Defense Force disappearances with help from the Hyuga, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka Clans.
• An Inuzuka tracker recognized Obito Uchiha's scent, and Konoha explained the incident to the Stone Ninja, preventing the standoff from becoming a war.
• Sōken rejected Ōnoki's demand for compensation and sentenced the Uchiha officer who had advanced the troops to fifty years in prison, with vanguard service if war broke out.
• Sōken wondered whether to recall the Uchiha from the Border Defense Force, but decided instead to learn from the unauthorized deployment and prevent a repeat.
• Sōken met Orochimaru at a research base and told him that Obito Uchiha, disguised as Madara Uchiha, had attacked the Border Defense Force.
• Orochimaru revealed that Obito Uchiha and Sasori had recently joined the Akatsuki Organization, and Sōken recognized Sasori as Obito's accomplice and said he would collect the contract penalty.

Sōken oversaw Hiruko’s experiment to fuse Yin, Yang, and the five Chakra natures in a death-row convict, seeking a path to awaken the Rinnegan. The subject survived for thirty-one seconds before collapsing, but Sōken believed the experiment had given him what he needed to take the next step.

• Sōken’s rule brought peace and prosperity to the Land of Fire while he secretly maintained Konoha’s Forbidden Jutsu Research Base.
• Sōken visited Hiruko’s laboratory as Hiruko prepared a third subject for the final stage of the Chimera Technique experiment.
• Hiruko injected the subject with refined Uchiha genetic material taken from Obito Uchiha’s leg, completing the subject’s set of seven Chakra natures.
• The subject transformed, regenerated his tongue, fired a laser without molding Chakra, and broke free of his chains before Sōken subdued him with Susanoo.
• After thirty-one seconds, the subject collapsed into a skin sack and blood; Sōken praised Hiruko, ended the experiment, and ordered the research materials destroyed.

Sōken continued studying his newly awakened Rinnegan while handling Konoha’s upcoming Ninja Academy graduation and instructor assignments. As the chapter ended, he faced the difficult task of choosing suitable teammates for Naruto, Sasuke, and the other gifted graduates.

• Sōken reflected on the Rinnegan’s many complex abilities and concluded that mastering them would require time and study.
• Kurama Murakumo reported that the Graduation Exam was three days away and that more than 796 students were expected to graduate.
• Sōken and Murakumo discussed influential clan heirs among the graduates and the pressure to assign them suitable jonin instructors.
• Sōken sent Kabuto to ask Shikaku for a list of available jonin and Special Jonin, then reassured Murakumo about Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru.
• Sōken reviewed the student roster and worried that Sakura Haruno might not keep pace with Naruto and Sasuke, but he found no clear alternative teammates for Naruto.

Sakura Haruno trained in the Bubble Technique under Bubble, a Kirigakure envoy, while preparing for her Graduation Exam. After Bubble told her to contact him at the Kirigakure Embassy, Sōken revealed himself and asked about her potential, leaving Sakura unaware that the Sixth Hokage had noticed her talent.

• Sakura skipped a pre-graduation gathering, changed into training clothes, and hurried to meet Bubble at a training ground.
• Sakura practiced blowing stable bubbles as Bubble carefully corrected her Chakra output and control.
• Bubble told Sakura to take her Graduation Exam and said she could find him at the Kirigakure Embassy afterward.
• Sōken emerged from the darkness and questioned Bubble about teaching a Konoha student, and Bubble explained that the Bubble Technique was his own creation.
• Bubble praised Sakura's exceptional Chakra control and predicted she could become a Jonin with further training, while insisting he would not formally take her as a disciple.

Sakura Haruno passed the Ninja Academy Graduation Exam and received her Konoha Headband, but remained troubled about visiting the Kirigakure Embassy and learning Bubble Technique from Senior Utakata. After the exam, Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru agreed to accompany her to see the Hokage.

• Iruka announced that the Graduation Exam would test the Clone Technique and called Shikamaru Nara first.
• Ino Yamanaka asked Toka about the team assignment list, while Yakumo warned Toka that her search of the Hokage's office could get her in trouble.
• Sakura asked to visit the Hokage after the exam, and Yakumo agreed to go with her and Hotaru.
• Sakura performed the Clone Technique successfully, passed the exam, and received a Konoha Headband from Iruka.
• After waiting outside for Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru, Sakura left with them toward the Hokage Building.

After graduation, Sakura visited Sōken to confirm she could meet Utakata at the Kirigakure Embassy without being suspected of espionage. Hotaru asked about returning to Mount Katsuragi, but Sōken told her to stay in Konoha until she became a Jonin, then used an unfamiliar power to send her out the window when she kept questioning him about team assignments.

• Sakura, Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru entered Sōken's office after Uchiha Inka left, and Yakumo told him their class had passed its exams.
• Sōken reassured Sakura that her past was no concern and she could visit the Kirigakure Embassy without hesitation; Toka then invited the girls to discuss Sakura's situation over dango.
• Hotaru told Sōken that the Tsuchigumo Clan had contacted her attendant, Tonbei, and said she was considering returning to Mount Katsuragi.
• Sōken forbade Hotaru from returning until she became a Jonin, explaining that Konoha was safer for her for now.
• Hotaru questioned Sōken about the team assignments, so he lifted her with an unseen force and sent her through the window into the bushes.

Iruka announced the graduates’ teams, placing Sakura Haruno with Sasuke Uchiha and Uzumaki Naruto, while Yakumo Kurama, Uchiha Toka, and Hotaru Tsuchigumo were assigned together. He began announcing their instructors, revealing that Team 1 would be taught by Uchiha Chihaya, whose past training left the three girls apprehensive.

• Iruka announced that Yakumo Kurama, Uchiha Toka, and Hotaru Tsuchigumo formed Team 1, prompting Toka to celebrate while the boys lamented the all-girl team.
• Iruka assigned Sasuke Uchiha, Uzumaki Naruto, and Sakura Haruno to Team 7, leaving Sakura anxious about keeping up with the two prodigies.
• Iruka named Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga to Team 8, and Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka to Team 10.
• Iruka finished assigning all twenty teams among the sixty graduates and began announcing their instructors.
• Iruka named Uchiha Chihaya as Team 1’s instructor, and Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru recalled the harsh training they had received from her.

Uchiha Chihaya, Kakashi Hatake, and Inabi Uchiha discussed their new duties as team leaders while waiting outside the Ninja Academy. Inside, Iruka announced the graduating students’ team assignments, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura on Kakashi’s Team 7 and Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji on Inabi’s Team 9 as the students waited for their leaders.

• Uchiha Chihaya told Kakashi Hatake that she would lead Toka, Yakumo, and Hotaru, then teased him about his tardiness.
• Inabi Uchiha admitted he felt uneasy about mentoring students, and Kakashi advised him to prioritize their safety.
• Iruka announced Kakashi Hatake as Team 7’s leader, delighting Naruto and reassuring Sasuke.
• Iruka named Kurenai Yuhi as Team 8’s leader and Inabi Uchiha as Team 9’s leader, prompting Shikamaru to express relief.
• Iruka told the students to wait in the classroom for their team leaders, then left to report the assignments.

A group posing as Tsuchigumo Clan members plotted to abduct Hotaru Tsuchigumo and steal the Forbidden Jutsu: Nuregami, while Sōken ordered them watched and investigated. At the Ninja Academy, Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru passed Uchiha Chihaya’s test by using Yakumo’s Kurama Clan kekkei genkai to ensnare her in a genjutsu.

• Bailang learned from Benten that Tonbei had refused to help Hotaru Tsuchigumo return to Mount Katsuragi until she became a Jonin, so he planned to seize her after she left Konoha.
• An Anbu listening device recorded Bailang and Benten’s conspiracy, and Sōken ordered Shisui’s subordinates to watch them and sent an investigator to Mount Katsuragi.
• Uchiha Chihaya tested Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru at a training ground, and Toka and Hotaru opened with a coordinated Fire Style and Wind attack.
• Yakumo trapped Uchiha Chihaya in a lifelike Five Senses Control genjutsu, forcing her to activate her Sharingan and acknowledge that the girls had passed.
• Uchiha Chihaya reflected on Yakumo’s talent and wondered whether an emotional outburst would awaken her Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kakashi introduced Team 7 and announced a wilderness survival test for the next day, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura agreed to eat ramen and discuss their tactics. After they left, Kakashi spoke with Itachi and Jiraiya, who had both been secretly watching; Jiraiya said he had returned to see the Sixth Hokage and asked Kakashi to look after Naruto.

• Kakashi asked Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to introduce themselves, and the three shared their interests and ambitions.
• Kakashi announced that Team 7 would face him in a wilderness survival exercise the next day.
• Naruto invited Sasuke and Sakura to Ichiraku Ramen so they could discuss how to handle Kakashi's test.
• Kakashi returned to the rooftop and called out Itachi, who had been disguised as a crow, and Jiraiya, who had hidden in a shadow.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi and Itachi that he had returned to meet the Sixth Hokage, then asked Kakashi to look after Naruto before leaving.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha and warned Sōken that the Akatsuki Organization was targeting all nine Tailed Beasts, including Naruto. Sōken ordered the Anbu to investigate the group as their highest priority while Jiraiya stayed in the village for two months.

• Jiraiya went to the Hokage's Office and met with Sōken, who welcomed him back.
• Jiraiya told Sōken that the Akatsuki Organization was capturing Tailed Beasts and that Orochimaru was among its members.
• Sōken thanked Jiraiya for the warning and said Konoha would investigate the Akatsuki Organization and protect its Jinchuriki.
• Jiraiya said he would remain in Konoha for two months to keep an eye on Naruto before deciding whether to travel again.
• After Jiraiya left, Sōken ordered Kabuto to tell Shisui to assign capable Anbu to investigate the Akatsuki Organization at the highest priority.

Team 7 passed Kakashi’s survival test, and Kakashi encouraged Sakura to trust in her future and her place on the team. Watching from the forest, Jiraiya heard from Sōken that Anbu had uncovered Root records identifying Yahiko as the leader of an Akatsuki group that first appeared in the Land of Rain.

• Kakashi tested Team 7 by challenging Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to survive his attacks for twenty minutes, and the three worked together to endure.
• Naruto and Sasuke protected Sakura throughout the fight, and Team 7 passed when the alarm rang.
• Kakashi praised Naruto and Sasuke for standing by their teammate and reassured Sakura that the Hokage had chosen her for the team because he believed in her.
• Jiraiya and Sōken watched the test, and Sōken criticized the suffering Naruto had endured while growing up.
• Sōken told Jiraiya that Anbu had found sealed Root records about Akatsuki, naming Yahiko as its leader and the Land of Rain as the group’s origin.

Sōken warned Jiraiya not to investigate the Akatsuki Organization in the Land of Rain, explaining that he had plans involving Nagato and the Rinnegan. Meanwhile, Team 7 finished a grueling D-Rank mission, and as Kakashi considered assigning them higher-ranked work, a mysterious disturbance reached Konoha and drew Sōken’s attention.

• Sōken told Jiraiya that Danzo and Hanzo had once joined forces against the Akatsuki Organization, and Jiraiya realized Nagato might possess the Rinnegan.
• Sōken warned Jiraiya not to enter the Land of Rain without telling him, since he wanted to handle the Akatsuki Organization himself.
• Jiraiya kept his discovery of Nagato’s Rinnegan secret and remained behind as Sōken left in the spring rain.
• Team 7 cleared a river clogged with debris near Konoha, while Sakura prepared lunch and Kakashi relaxed nearby.
• Sasuke asked Kakashi for missions above D-Rank, and Kakashi agreed that Team 7 could take on higher-ranked work after Sakura’s training progress.
• A series of unexplained malicious winds swept into Konoha, attracting the attention of Uchiha Sōken.

The Tsuchigumo Clan was nearly wiped out, and its surviving young members fled toward Konoha while the village investigated a wave of clan massacres. Sōken suspected the missing people from Chitoseya might be connected to the attack and sent Hotaru to investigate Mount Katsuragi.

• A young Tsuchigumo leader led survivors away from their burning village and urged them to seek help in Konoha.
• Konoha intelligence staff learned that more than twenty clans had been destroyed, then confirmed that the Tsuchigumo Clan at Mount Katsuragi had been attacked.
• The department head recognized Konoha's alliance with the Tsuchigumo Clan and anticipated that the Sixth Hokage would respond forcefully.
• Shisui told Sōken that the suspects watched at Chitoseya had disappeared three days earlier, and Sōken suspected they might have attacked Mount Katsuragi.
• Hotaru rushed to Sōken after hearing about her Clan, and he offered her a chance to return to Mount Katsuragi with her team to investigate.