Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi ate breakfast with Biwako before heading out for his daily training, while Asuma woke late and learned that his father and brother were already at work. During training, Hiruzen spotted Namikaze Minato on a morning run with Hatake Kakashi following him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured Biwako that his body-restoring technique was safe and discussed mastering the Yin Seal and visiting Mito Uzumaki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi left for training, and Biwako prepared breakfast for Asuma and Shinnosuke.
• Asuma woke late, learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already been training and Shinnosuke had gone to work, and resolved to surpass his classmates.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi trained with Lightning Release Chakra Mode while surveying Konoha and spotted Namikaze Minato running with Hatake Kakashi following him.

Namikaze Minato outran and subdued Kakashi during a morning training run, while Hiruzen Sarutobi observed and considered how to better train promising students. Hatake Sakumo urged Kakashi to build a stronger foundation before graduating, and the group noticed Hiruzen watching them.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly followed Namikaze Minato and Kakashi as Minato ran his daily training route.
• Kakashi tried to ambush Minato to fulfill his bet with Hatake Sakumo, but Minato dodged him and easily countered his attacks.
• Minato used the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal to immobilize Kakashi, then praised him and continued his run.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived and told Kakashi that Minato’s skills showed the value of building a solid foundation before graduating.
• Might Duy and Guy joined the scene, and Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed himself to the group.

Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Namikaze Minato’s talent, urged him to take the Jonin test, and demonstrated a Lightning Style technique suited to him. After noticing Might Duy and Might Guy’s training, Hiruzen called Duy over, leaving them with a chance to receive guidance.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived unnoticed, released Kakashi from Sakumo’s Cursed Seal, and helped Kakashi recognize his father’s strength.
• Hiruzen praised Namikaze Minato’s skill with Sealing Jutsu and told him to arrange a Jonin test.
• Namikaze Minato asked for a technique to increase his speed and strength, so Hiruzen demonstrated a demanding Lightning Style Nintaijutsu.
• Might Guy showed interest in learning the technique, while Might Duy hesitated to ask the Hokage for help.
• Hiruzen noticed the father and son’s intense training and warmly called Might Duy over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned why Might Guy had missed the Ninja Academy make-up exam and helped Might Duy enroll him, giving Duy money for Guy’s needs. After Hiruzen encouraged Duy to contribute his training to the village, Duy revealed the Eight Inner Gates Technique.

• Might Duy told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he and Might Guy had missed Guy’s make-up exam because they overtrained after being inspired by Hiruzen and Orochimaru.
• Hiruzen explained that Guy needed to attend the Ninja Academy to receive proper instruction and opportunities, then gave Duy one hundred thousand ryo for Guy’s nutrition and training.
• Hiruzen told Duy that the village would support people in need and asked him to report future training achievements.
• Hiruzen asked Namikaze Minato to develop his Lightning Style Nintaijutsu and later teach promising academy students, and Minato promised to seek out Guy.
• Might Duy apologized for his narrow view of training, asked Hiruzen for guidance, and opened the Eight Inner Gates Technique, surprising Kakashi and delighting Hiruzen.

Might Duy demonstrated the power of the Eight Inner Gates, earning Hiruzen Sarutobi's recognition and a position as an Anbu physical training instructor. Several days later, Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga compound to discuss the Anbu's need for more Byakugan and a strange letter from the Kaguya Clan.

• Might Duy opened the first four gates, astonishing Kakashi, Namikaze Minato, and the ninja who arrived to investigate.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Might Duy's strength and made him a Special Jonin and an Anbu physical training instructor.
• Uchiha Fugaku reflected on the Hokage faction's growing strength and worried about his child with Mikoto.
• Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound to speak with Hyuga Tenzo about the Anbu's need for more Byakugan and the unusual letter from the Kaguya Clan.

Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga compound, encouraged Branch Family members to seek opportunities in Konoha’s forces, and noticed divisions within the Main Branch. When Hyuga Tenzo revealed that the Kaguya Clan had sent a letter, Hizashi accused his father of colluding with hostile forces.

• Hizashi Hyuga spoke with Hyuga Iroha and Hyuga Kamon at the compound gate, described his success in the Anbu, and encouraged them to pursue service to Konoha.
• Hizashi told Iroha and Kamon that they could approach him, Hatake Sakumo, or the Hokage if they needed help, and praised Hiruzen Sarutobi for recognizing Might Duy’s abilities.
• Hizashi encountered Hyuga Ko, who warmly greeted him despite their past conflict and left after saying Hyuga Tenzo wanted to speak with him.
• Hizashi met Hyuga Tenzo in the Reception Room, where Tenzo said the Kaguya Clan had sent a letter.
• Hizashi accused Hyuga Tenzo of secretly colluding with hostile forces outside the village, shocking his father.

Hizashi confronted Hyuga Tenzo about his secret correspondence with the Kaguya Clan, then reported the need for Hyuga Byakugan members in the Anbu and Patrol Force. After reading the Kaguya letter about Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist policy, Tenzo decided to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaving the two Hyuga facing Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō.

• Hizashi challenged Hyuga Tenzo over his recent intelligence gathering from the Kaguya Clan and questioned whether Tenzo feared the village or Hizashi seeing the letters.
• Hizashi read a Kaguya letter describing the Third Mizukage’s Bloody Mist policy and the Kaguya Clan’s hope of gaining support to become Kirigakure’s next ruling clan.
• Hizashi told Tenzo that Lord Sakumo had reserved six Byakugan positions for the Hyuga in the Anbu and Patrol Force, and that he would invite Branch Family members regardless of Tenzo’s decision.
• Tenzo decided to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi in person about Kirigakure and the Branch Family’s role in village affairs.
• Tenzo and Hizashi arrived at the Hokage Office Building, where Hiruzen read the Kaguya letter and Shimura Danzō watched Tenzo with a hostile glare.

Shimura Danzō accused Hyuga Tenzo of conspiring with Kirigakure and undermining Konoha, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped him and presented Tenzo with a place on the Konoha Committee. Tenzo left the confrontation reassured that Hiruzen valued the clans as partners rather than enemies.

• Shimura Danzō bombarded Hyuga Tenzo with accusations that Hyuga was colluding with Kirigakure and trying to undermine Konoha.
• Shimura Danzō claimed Hyuga was using Hizashi's Anbu service to block the Branch Family's influence and drive a wedge between Hizashi and the village.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi silenced Shimura Danzō, defended Hyuga's service to Konoha, and urged Tenzo to sit and talk.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed Hyuga Tenzo the Konoha Committee Member list, which included Tenzo ahead of Hizashi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that Konoha sought mutual benefit with the ninja clans, and Tenzo was struck by the reality of the Will of Fire.

Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Hyuga Tenzo against bringing the clans’ old distrust into Konoha, then explained how Kirigakure’s Third Mizukage could use clan rivalries to create the Bloody Mist Village. Tenzo left uneasy about Hiruzen’s example, while Shimura Danzō mistook the Hokage’s advice for lessons on succession and leadership.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Hyuga Tenzo to abandon the distrustful habits of the Warring States era, and Tenzo promised to lead the Hyuga Clan in reflection.
• Shimura Danzō secretly resolved to copy Hiruzen’s persuasive words and study them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi described Kirigakure’s challenge-based Mizukage succession and explained why Hozuki Gengetsu’s death had left the Third Mizukage in power.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi outlined how the Third Mizukage could pit the Kaguya Clan against the Hozuki Clan and use further conflicts to weaken Kirigakure’s clans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed his strategy as hypothetical and condemned such methods, leaving Hyuga Tenzo unsettled and Shimura Danzō impressed by his bearing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to exploit Kirigakure’s internal divisions by publicly condemning Kumogakure and encouraging the Bloody Mist Village’s policies, while tasking Hyuga Tenzo with monitoring Kirigakure’s clans. A few days later, Kakashi quietly studied the sword technique notes his father had given him, surprising his classmates.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that the Kaguya Clan was difficult to persuade and proposed using public statements to inflame tensions between Kirigakure and its kekkei genkai clans.
• Hiruzen dictated a statement condemning Kumogakure, questioning the Third Raikage’s rise to power, and urging other villages to prepare for war.
• Hiruzen instructed Hyuga Tenzo to maintain contact with the Kaguya Clan and watch for Kirigakure ninja who might flee, offering humanitarian aid if they were driven out.
• Hiruzen showed Shimura Danzō the necklace Lady Mito had given him, reassuring him that his standing as Hokage was secure.
• At the Ninja Academy, Kakashi attentively read the sword technique notes from his father, drawing curious looks from Asuma, Shisui, and the others.

Kakashi warned his classmates that the world beyond the Ninja Academy was dangerous and told them about Namikaze Minato, who would soon teach an advanced course. Inspired by Kakashi, Asuma formed the Azure Dragon Gang to train together and challenge Minato.

• Obito teased Kakashi about graduating early, and Kakashi warned him that the outside world was hell for the unprepared.
• Kakashi recalled how Namikaze Minato had easily defeated and immobilized him, then told the students Minato would instruct the academy's advanced courses.
• Might Guy praised Minato and the Hokage, while Kakashi urged his classmates to train together and try to make Minato go all out.
• Shisui reconsidered graduating early and wondered if having a brother to confide in would ease his worries.
• Asuma proposed an organization called the Azure Dragon Gang, and the students established it with the goal of facing Namikaze Minato.

Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned Tsunade’s proposal to shift resources from Sage Pills to Medical Scroll research, explaining the village projects and finances that depended on Sage Pill profits. He acknowledged her breakthrough and considered how to pursue mass production without disrupting Konoha’s other priorities.

• Tsunade arrived at Hiruzen’s residence with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, and Hizashi Hyuga initially stopped her from entering.
• Tsunade reported that she had found a way to keep medical chakra from dissipating inside objects and asked Hiruzen to redirect Sage Pill resources to Medical Scroll research.
• Hiruzen challenged Tsunade to explain how she would fund researchers and replace the village projects financed by Sage Pill profits.
• Tsunade realized how many initiatives Hiruzen planned for Konoha, while Orochimaru and Jiraiya insisted that they supported him and had been dragged there.
• Hiruzen said the village should act gradually and aim to mass-produce Medical Scrolls within three to five years, then paused to consider adjustments.

Tsunade presented a mature medical Chakra technique, and Hiruzen planned to train Industrial Ninja by having them produce health supplements before making Medical Scrolls. The scrolls would be named after Nawaki, while Asuma tried to sneak away with a book until Jiraiya caught him.

• Tsunade told Hiruzen that she had developed a broadly useful medical Chakra technique and tested it with Orochimaru.
• Tsunade explained that repeated practice could improve the technique, and Hiruzen proposed using pill production to train Industrial Ninja.
• Hiruzen assigned medical development to Tsunade and suggested naming the future scrolls after Nawaki; Orochimaru supported the idea in Nawaki's memory.
• Asuma secretly took the Fire Style Essence book to his brothers, but Jiraiya spotted him and called him out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Asuma had formed the Azure Dragon Gang at the Ninja Academy and set rules for its study group while arranging for Minato to apply for the Flying Thunder God Technique. The next day, Shimura Danzō challenged Hiruzen to train.

• Jiraiya confiscated Asuma’s book, discovered it contained Sarutobi Clan Fire Style Essence, and learned that Asuma had brought it for his friends in the Azure Dragon Gang.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved the children’s study group but told Asuma to set rules, keep their practice within bounds, seek adult help, and include other classmates.
• Asuma left excited to prepare the gang to face Teacher Minato, while Hiruzen told Jiraiya to take Minato to apply for the Flying Thunder God Technique and rename the gang a study group.
• Hiruzen considered finding a suitable sparring partner to help Minato grow, then Shimura Danzō came to challenge him to train.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō discussed Kusagakure’s suspected capture of wounded shinobi and planned a swift operation to investigate and dismantle its activities. After agreeing on the plan, they met at Konoha’s Third Training Ground to spar.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Shimura Danzō what he thought of Kusagakure while considering it as a possible birthplace for Senju Tobirama’s new identity.
• Shimura Danzō described Kusagakure as a threat and suspected it had resumed taking wounded shinobi from battlefields, though he had no concrete evidence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Shimura Danzō to gather intelligence and approved a lightning-fast attack if Kusagakure’s activities were confirmed, with Konoha later notifying other nations.
• Shimura Danzō agreed to carry out the plan, and Hiruzen Sarutobi called him back to spar.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō faced each other at Konoha’s Third Training Ground and charged into battle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō sparred using taijutsu and ninjutsu, and Hiruzen defeated Danzō with a Water Prison and lightning. Afterward, Danzō asked Hiruzen what he was lacking.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō began their spar with a clash of fists, and Danzō was surprised by Hiruzen’s strength.
• Danzō attacked with Wind Release techniques, but Hiruzen countered with earth, fire, and lightning while pressing forward.
• Danzō caught Hiruzen with Wind Release: Vacuum Heavy Bullet, but Hiruzen used Lightning Armor and Earth Spear to evade most of the attack and strike back.
• Hiruzen trapped Danzō in a Water Prison and shocked him until Danzō signaled his surrender.
• Hiruzen teased Danzō about winning by luck, then helped him stand when Danzō asked where he was lacking.

Hiruzen Sarutobi advised Shimura Danzō to improve his combat margin for error and urged him to learn from Senju Tobirama’s example of protecting his own people. Danzō remained skeptical of Hiruzen’s belief in human warmth, but decided to spare Yakushi Nonō for now and report her to him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi analyzed Danzō’s combat weaknesses and suggested he develop a Wind Release Chakra Mode to improve his mobility and survivability.
• Danzō said he wished he could consult Senju Tobirama, and Hiruzen joked about using Impure World Reincarnation while keeping Tobirama’s resurrection secret.
• Hiruzen told Danzō that Tobirama had sacrificed himself for his guards and urged him to show warmth toward Konoha’s shinobi as well as resolve against its enemies.
• Danzō questioned whether human warmth was a weakness or a strength and reconsidered his plan to eliminate Yakushi Nonō.
• Danzō decided to spare Nonō for now, report her to Hiruzen, and head to the Hokage Building instead of taking the day off.

Ōnoki exploited Konoha’s accusations against the Third Raikage to stir suspicion around Kirigakure’s Third Mizukage, who responded by committing himself to the Bloody Mist Village and purging dissenters. The chapter ended with Asuma, Shisui, Kakashi, and others gathering at the Ninja Academy to share inherited cultivation manuals.

• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to issue a statement attacking the Third Raikage and urging Kumogakure shinobi to replace him, while also accelerating the Explosion Release Corps and encouraging Iwagakure shinobi to have children.
• The Third Raikage dismissed Iwagakure’s accusations, recognized Ōnoki’s attempt to provoke Kirigakure, and told Dodai to add fuel to the conflict.
• The Third Mizukage grew furious as the other villages’ statements exposed his entanglement with Hozuki Gengetsu and his plans for the Bloody Mist Village.
• The Third Mizukage decided to purge rebels who resisted his rule and vowed to prove his strength in the next Shinobi World War.
• Asuma, Shisui, Kakashi, and others gathered behind the mountain at Konoha’s Ninja Academy and brought out inherited cultivation manuals.

The Ninja Academy students shared and exchanged training materials as the Azure Dragon Gang grew more united, while Asuma announced that Hiruzen Sarutobi would answer their questions. Orochimaru completed the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique and went to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi for a private walk, prepared to confess what he had done.

• Asuma, Kakashi, Might Guy, Yuhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, and Shisui shared their training materials with the students.
• Shisui offered an Uchiha Water Dragon Bullet manual and explained that his ancestor Kagami Uchiha had been friends with Lord Third and served in the Second's Guard Squad.
• Asuma told the students that Hiruzen Sarutobi would answer their accumulated questions and encourage them to learn by teaching one another.
• Orochimaru completed the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique and decided to seek Hiruzen Sarutobi's acknowledgment rather than hide it.
• Orochimaru found Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked him to take a walk.

Orochimaru brought Hiruzen Sarutobi to his parents’ graves and confessed that he had developed the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique. After briefly frightening Orochimaru with a show of force, Hiruzen reassured him of his trust and led him away to continue their conversation.

• Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi visited Orochimaru’s parents’ graves and remembered those lost in war.
• Orochimaru gave Hiruzen a scroll describing the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique and explained his hopes for it.
• Hiruzen studied the technique and recognized its dangers, limitations, and potential connection to Senju Tobirama’s experiments.
• Hiruzen gathered Chakra and made Orochimaru fear that he might attack, then laughed and admitted he had only been teasing him.
• Hiruzen told Orochimaru that he was his proudest disciple and urged him to trust his teacher, leaving Orochimaru reassured.