Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi left the Land of Fire's Daimyo to respond to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke confronting Shimura Danzō over his crimes. After Naruto exposed Danzō's motives and stopped his suicide technique, Sasuke killed him, leaving Hiruzen unable to regain control of the situation.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed the Nine-Tails' Chakra during the Daimyo's visit and hurried to the training ground, where he found Naruto Uzumaki holding Danzō's severed arm and Sasuke ready to attack.
• Nara Shikaku told Hiruzen that Danzō had targeted Karin, fought Naruto, and been exposed for possessing Sharingan and involvement in the Uchiha clan massacre.
• Hiruzen sentenced Danzō to permanent imprisonment, but Naruto rejected the punishment and ordered Sasuke to kill him.
• Danzō attempted to activate Reverse Four Symbols Sealing, but Naruto interrupted the technique and exposed Danzō's obsession with becoming Hokage and earning a historic sacrifice.
• Hiruzen asked Naruto to hand Danzō over, but Naruto blocked him while Sasuke drove Chidori through Danzō's heart, killing him.

After Sasuke killed Danzō, Naruto ignored Hiruzen Sarutobi’s authority and reassured Sasuke that they had collected the first payment for the Uchiha massacre. The gathered clans and jonin anticipated upheaval in Konoha as Naruto approached Hiruzen.

• Sasuke’s Chidori faded after he killed Danzō, while Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled with rage and helplessness at the public execution and the collapse of his authority.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi swallowed his rebuke to Naruto and Sasuke, choosing to contain the crisis and avoid provoking Naruto.
• Naruto deactivated Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, patted Sasuke’s shoulder, and told him that killing Danzō was the first payment for the Uchiha massacre.
• The clan heads and jonin recognized that news of Danzō’s death would spread and shake Konoha; Hyuga Hiashi regretted how he had treated Hinata, and Nara Shikaku foresaw political upheaval.
• Karin and Hinata went to Naruto, while Sakura worried over Sasuke; Naruto reassured Karin and Hinata before walking toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Naruto confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over Konoha’s failure to stop rumors targeting Karin and secured a promise to publicly clear her name and expose Danzo’s crimes. He then tried to take Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan, but Hiruzen challenged his claim to the eyes and Danzo’s Sharingan arm.

• Naruto asked Hiruzen Sarutobi why Konoha had let rumors accusing Karin of being a Kusagakure spy spread for a month before Root used violence against her.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi blamed Danzo for exploiting the rumors, but Naruto insisted the Hokage shared responsibility for allowing them to continue.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi admitted his responsibility and promised to clear Karin’s name publicly by the next day and reveal Danzo’s crimes.
• Naruto approached Danzo’s corpse and reached for Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped Naruto, insisting Konoha’s leadership must recover and seal the eyes and Danzo’s arm as dangerous evidence.

Naruto and Sasuke secured the Sharingan taken from Danzō for the Uchiha Clan, while Hiruzen Sarutobi was forced to accept their claim. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrived, learned that Sasuke had killed Danzō, and demanded that Hiruzen arrest Naruto and Sasuke.

• Naruto argued that Sasuke had the right to keep the Sharingan taken from Danzō, and Sasuke declared himself qualified to protect his clansmen’s eyes.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi conceded after seeing that the gathered clan heads and jonin supported Naruto and Sasuke.
• Naruto removed the Mangekyō Sharingan from Danzō and sealed the eyes and those taken from Danzō’s arm in a scroll, which he gave to Sasuke.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrived at the training ground and found Danzō dead among the bodies of Root members.
• Nara Shikaku told the advisors that Root had tried to seize Karin, Naruto had intervened, and Sasuke had killed Danzō.
• Utatane Koharu demanded that Hiruzen Sarutobi order the Anbu to arrest Naruto and Sasuke, while Mitokado Homura silently shared her anger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi faced accusations from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura after Danzo’s death, then agreed to Naruto’s demands to avoid escalating the crisis. Naruto left after Hiruzen promised to clear Karin’s name, let Sasuke keep the Uchiha relics, and allow the truth about Danzo’s crimes to be made public.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu blamed Hiruzen Sarutobi for failing to stop Naruto and Sasuke from killing Danzo and demanded Naruto’s arrest.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi angrily rebuked the two advisors, who fell silent after seeing the clan heads’ disapproval.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi promised Naruto that Karin’s identity would be clarified publicly and that Sasuke could keep the Uchiha relics.
• Naruto rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s proposed gag order, and Nara Shikaku backed his call to disclose the truth.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to discuss a public announcement with Naruto, who then told his companions to leave.

After Naruto left the training grounds, Konoha’s clans and visiting Sunagakure ninjas considered how his overwhelming strength and Danzo’s death would affect the village. The Third Hokage and his allies withdrew to the Hokage’s office as Konoha faced an uncertain future.

• Hinata returned to Hiashi’s side, and Neji watched Naruto leave while hoping he could free him from the Caged Bird seal.
• Shikaku told Shikamaru that Naruto’s influence would shape Konoha’s future and asked him to use their friendship to speak with Naruto.
• Gaara left shaken by Naruto’s strength, while Baki decided to report the unexpected threat to Lord Kazekage.
• Orochimaru praised Naruto’s public execution of Danzo and left with Kabuto to await the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Konoha’s clans quietly welcomed Danzo’s death, while Hiruzen remained behind with his advisors, Shikaku, and the Anbu.
• Shikaku urged Hiruzen and the advisors to discuss the crisis at the Hokage’s office, and they left the training grounds.

After Danzo’s death, Naruto reassured Karin and spoke with Sasuke and Kakashi about their next steps and Konoha’s need for change. Naruto declared that he would become Hokage, then visited Orochimaru to ensure Sunagakure would still participate in the Konoha Crush Plan.

• Naruto told Karin that Danzo had targeted him and encouraged her to settle in Konoha and train.
• Sasuke thanked Naruto for helping him defeat an enemy, then left to train with the Uchiha relics.
• Kakashi explained that his past losses had led him to support changing Konoha, and Naruto said the village needed a different Hokage.
• Naruto rejected Jiraiya as a candidate and declared that he would become Hokage and change the system.
• Naruto appeared before Orochimaru and Kabuto, who promised to keep Sunagakure from disrupting the Konoha Crush Plan.

After learning Naruto could freely wield the Nine-Tails' Chakra, Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted that Konoha had to publicly expose Shimura Danzō's lies and crimes. He approved a cautious announcement but insisted Root would continue operating.

• Nara Shikaku explained to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Naruto could wield the Nine-Tails' Chakra with overwhelming power, and they realized Danzō's assurances had been based on false intelligence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated to announce the scandal while foreign dignitaries were in the village, but Nara Shikaku warned that concealment or delay would worsen the crisis.
• Jiraiya urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to stop covering for Danzō and warned that Naruto could become Konoha's enemy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Nara Shikaku to draft an announcement clearing Karin of the spy rumors and identifying Danzō as their source, while mentioning his Sharingan collection's connection to the Uchiha clan massacre cautiously.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared that Root would not be disbanded, disappointing Nara Shikaku.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Mitokado Homura to temporarily lead Root and approved an announcement exposing Danzō’s crimes and clearing Karin’s name. Outside the Hokage’s office, Shikaku and Jiraiya recognized Naruto as an independent political force, while the Daimyo of the Land of Fire spent the evening enjoying a banquet and the praise of other nobles.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi named Mitokado Homura temporary leader of Root after Utatane Koharu asked who would replace Danzō.
• Nara Shikaku drafted an announcement identifying Karin as an Uzumaki descendant and condemning Danzō’s crimes, and Hiruzen approved it.
• Nara Shikaku told Jiraiya that Naruto had become an independent force and proposed that the Ino-Shika-Cho clans contact him.
• Jiraiya said Naruto bore no ill will toward Konoha and had a grand goal, though Jiraiya did not know its details.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Fire joined a banquet with foreign nobles and Daimyos, accepted their praise of Konoha, and forgot his displeasure with Hiruzen’s departure.

After Shimura Danzō’s death exposed his crimes, Konoha’s villagers and shinobi lost trust in its leadership, and the Land of Fire Daimyo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi. The Daimyo left Hiruzen under pressure to secure the top three places for Konoha in the upcoming Chunin Exams or risk losing funding.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Anbu had posted the leadership’s notice, while news of Danzō’s death and crimes spread throughout Konoha.
• Villagers and shinobi discussed Danzō’s human experimentation, his role in the Uchiha massacre, and the false rumors about Karin.
• Nara Shikaku observed that Hiruzen’s discreet notice could not contain the truth or restore public trust.
• The Land of Fire Daimyo learned of the scandal, confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two advisors, and demanded an explanation for Konoha’s failures.
• Hiruzen admitted responsibility for inadequate oversight, and the Daimyo demanded that Konoha shinobi take the top three places in the Chunin Exams or face reduced funding.

Hinata brought Neji to Training Ground Three, where he asked Naruto to help free the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family from the Caged Bird. Naruto affirmed that he would offer them a choice, and Neji insisted that no one in the Branch Family would willingly keep the curse mark.

• Hinata agreed to take Neji with her to see Naruto, after he said he had a personal request.
• At Training Ground Three, Naruto greeted Hinata and Neji while Sasuke, Karin, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino were there.
• Neji began to kneel before Naruto, but Naruto stopped him and told him to speak for himself.
• Neji apologized for his earlier arrogance and pleaded with Naruto to help free him and the Branch Family from the Caged Bird.
• Naruto confirmed he would give the Branch Family a chance to change their fate, while making clear that each person could choose whether to remove the mark.
• Neji argued that no Branch Family member would sincerely choose to keep the Caged Bird, which could be triggered to take their lives and eyes.

Naruto asked Hinata and Neji to confront the injustice of the Hyuga Clan’s Caged Bird system, then revealed he could remove its curse mark. He freed Neji and urged him to live for himself rather than feel bound to repay Naruto with his life.

• Naruto asked Hinata whether she thought the Hyuga Clan’s system was fair, and she condemned the Caged Bird for letting the Main Family control the Branch Family’s lives.
• Naruto explained that protecting the Byakugan did not justify the clan’s hierarchy and oppression, then showed Neji a scroll containing a technique to undo the curse mark.
• Naruto told Neji that Hizashi had chosen to die in Hiashi’s place, and argued that the Caged Bird system had twisted the clan’s ideas about sacrifice and what was natural.
• Naruto promised to reveal the removal technique after the Chunin Exams and help free the Branch Family, then removed Neji’s Caged Bird curse mark.
• Neji offered to risk his life to repay Naruto, but Naruto told him to live for himself and fight for the home he chose.

Neji accepted Naruto’s promise to help change the Hyuga Clan’s system and agreed to face him in the Chunin Exams. After Neji left, Kiba and Shino joined Naruto and the others, and Naruto said he might visit their homes that evening.

• Neji resolved to fight for a future free from the Branch Family’s restraints, and Naruto reassured Hinata that change could come without large-scale bloodshed.
• Neji asked whether he should forfeit their upcoming match, but Naruto told him to fight at full strength and show he deserved promotion to Chunin.
• Neji thanked Naruto and left Training Ground Three.
• Kiba and Shino arrived, and Naruto considered how Konoha’s clans were cautiously approaching him after his confrontation with the Third Hokage.
• Naruto chatted with his peers about the Chunin Exams and mentioned that he might visit their homes that evening.

Naruto explained his plan to unify the shinobi world and transform its systems to the Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads, Kakashi, and Jiraiya. Jiraiya questioned the bloodshed the plan would cause, but Naruto defended the need to attempt change, leaving Jiraiya silent.

• Naruto arrived at Nara Shikaku's residence with Kakashi and Jiraiya for a dinner with the Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads.
• Shikaku asked Naruto whether he intended to become Hokage and change Konoha's systems, while the clan heads weighed their growing distrust of the Third Hokage and his advisers.
• Naruto declared that he intended to unify the shinobi world and reform its nations, villages, education, and use of Chakra.
• Naruto said he would abolish the Daimyo system and use its wealth to fund public schools and hospitals.
• Jiraiya warned that unification would bring bloodshed and internal conflict, but Naruto argued that it could prevent greater wars and repeated suffering.
• Jiraiya recalled the people harmed by war and fell silent.

Naruto used Kumogakure’s developing Chakra Cannon and research scrolls to persuade the Ino-Shika-Cho clans to support his vision of a unified shinobi world, leaving his path to become the next Hokage nearly assured. He sent Jiraiya to investigate the Land of Waves and spent the night securing preliminary alliances with Konoha’s other major clans.

• Naruto warned Shikaku and the others that Kumogakure’s Chakra Cannon could eventually destroy the moon and argued that unification could prevent greater losses.
• Naruto gave Inoichi research on Yin Release and communications, and gave Shikaku and Choza a method to reduce the dangerous side effects of the Akimichi Three-Colored Pills.
• Shikaku declared the Ino-Shika-Cho clans’ support for Naruto’s vision, and Jiraiya recognized that Naruto had gained the advantage over the Third Hokage.
• Naruto urged Jiraiya to visit the Land of Waves, where Jiraiya agreed to travel the next morning to investigate the answer Naruto had hinted at.
• After dinner, Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave, then gained preliminary alliances with the Aburame, Inuzuka, Gekkō, and other major clans.

The Chunin Exams’ final selection began amid Hiruzen Sarutobi’s fears of an impending attack. Naruto defeated Neji, then rescued Kiba from Gaara, just as Kabuto Yakushi triggered the invasion signal and plunged the arena into chaos.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about Orochimaru’s disappearance, unrest in Konoha, and unusual movements beyond the village as he prepared for the exams.
• The Fourth Kazekage mocked Hiruzen Sarutobi over Danzō’s death before Hiruzen announced the start of the final selection.
• Naruto Uzumaki easily defeated Hyuga Neji, who accepted the loss and said he was glad to be free of his curse mark.
• Gaara’s sand trapped Kiba and threatened to cripple him, but Naruto intervened and protected his friend.
• Kabuto Yakushi cast the Temple of Nirvana Technique, sending the spectators to sleep, while Baki urged Gaara to assume his complete form.

The Konoha Crush began as the Sound Four trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation and Sunagakure forces attacked the village. Naruto spread Nine-Tails Chakra cloaks to protect Konoha and defeated Baki’s assault, but Gaara completed his transformation and Shukaku appeared.

• The Anbu and Root responded to the mass Genjutsu, protecting Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Daimyo, and the nobles as the Sound Four sealed the Central Tower rooftop and held Hiruzen hostage.
• Naruto shared Nine-Tails Chakra cloaks with Konoha’s shinobi and villagers, sending them to spread the protection while his Shadow Clones raced across the village.
• Baki ordered the Sunagakure shinobi to protect Gaara and attack Naruto, but Naruto blocked their assault and struck their formation with a Rasenshuriken.
• Naruto’s Rasenshuriken devastated the Sunagakure forces, sending Baki, Kankuro, and Temari flying and leaving them incapacitated.
• Gaara completed the Feigning Sleep Technique, and Shukaku emerged in the arena.

Sunagakure and Otogakure attacked Konoha as Naruto's Shadow Clones rescued villagers and shared his Chakra with them. Through that connection, Ueda witnessed Naruto defeat Shukaku and heard Orochimaru expose the Third Hokage's treatment of Naruto, with the accusations reaching nearly everyone linked to the Chakra cloak.

• Sunagakure forces attacked Konoha's walls while infiltrators and giant snakes caused destruction inside the village.
• Naruto's Shadow Clone saved Ueda from a giant snake, restored his strength with a red Chakra cloak, and hurried off to help elsewhere.
• Ueda saw through the cloak's connection as Naruto bound Shukaku and knocked Gaara awake, causing Shukaku to collapse into sand.
• Ueda then witnessed Hiruzen Sarutobi fighting Orochimaru inside the Central Tower's barrier.
• Orochimaru accused Hiruzen of letting the village treat Naruto as the Nine-Tails' incarnation, and Naruto's Chakra connection transmitted their exchange to linked villagers and ninja.

Konoha learned that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina, and villagers confronted the guilt of having shunned him while praising him for saving the village. Orochimaru escaped after the invasion was repelled, while Hiruzen realized Naruto had heard his attempt to explain himself and saw the village’s faith in him collapse.

• The vision showed Kushina restraining the Nine-Tails as Minato held baby Naruto, revealing Naruto’s origins to Konoha and leaving villagers like Ueda overwhelmed with guilt.
• Naruto told Gaara he wanted to change the ninja world so children would not be hated or treated as tools, and Konoha’s villagers began declaring that Naruto deserved to become Hokage.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones and the Nine-Tails Chakra cloaks helped Konoha defeat the invading Sunagakure and Sound ninja, while Orochimaru ended his fight with Hiruzen and escaped with the Sound Four.
• Hiruzen tried to explain himself to Naruto, but the Naruto before him vanished as a Shadow Clone, leaving Hiruzen unsure what Naruto thought of his words.
• An Anbu reported that nearly everyone in the village had witnessed Hiruzen and Orochimaru’s conversation and now knew Naruto was Minato’s son; Hiruzen saw the village’s anger and disappointment directed at him.

After the Konoha Crush Plan, Hiruzen Sarutobi faced the collapse of his authority as his Anbu resigned and Konoha backed Naruto Uzumaki. Hiruzen approved Naruto and Hyuga Neji’s promotions, then went to intervene in Neji’s challenge to the Hyuga Clan’s Caged Bird system, giving Naruto a chance to become Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi walked through Konoha and was met with villagers’ avoidance and shinobi whispering about Naruto-sama.
• Anbu and Root shinobi removed their masks and submitted resignation letters, while Tenzō also resigned.
• Hiruzen remembered Asuma Sarutobi’s disappointment and signed Nara Shikaku’s recommendation to promote Naruto Uzumaki and Hyuga Neji to Chunin.
• Shikaku presented a joint Jonin recommendation for Naruto’s promotion and reported that Naruto had become a Hokage candidate after a vote of confidence.
• A Hyuga Main Family member reported that Neji was challenging the Caged Bird system, and Hiruzen agreed to go stop the dispute using his Hokage authority.
• Nara Shikaku realized that the Hyuga crisis could give Naruto the perfect opportunity to become Hokage.