Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi honored Root’s members, promised them lasting support, and established a new Root under his direct command after Mito Uzumaki removed their Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals. He secured their loyalty to Konoha and left with Mito’s assurance that none of them harbored dangerous malice.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi shook hands with Root’s members, awarded them Konoha Root Guardian Medals, and reassured Aburame Shikuroo by calmly shaking his ungloved hand despite his poisonous insects.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi promised the Root shinobi allowances, medical care, support for their children, and public recognition, then apologized for failing to supervise Danzo and acknowledged their service.
• Aburame Tatsuma asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to establish another Root, and Hiruzen ordered the members to report directly to him while offering help if they struggled with darkness or malice.
• Mito Uzumaki removed the Root members’ Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals, and they swore loyalty to Konoha and obedience to Hiruzen Sarutobi alone.
• Mito Uzumaki assured Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Root members were good, then Yamato told her he wanted to become a Root ninja someday.

Hizashi celebrated his wedding with Konoha's leading figures in attendance, while Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared him for a Chimera experiment and recruited Hyuga Ko for work with the nobles. Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama told Isshin about his meeting with Izuna, and Isshin's dismissal of Izuna's romantic stories left Izuna furious inside Tobirama.

• Hyuga Kamon and Hyuga Ko welcomed Hizashi's many influential wedding guests, and Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with a gift from Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi presented Hizashi with the Sword of the Thunder God, and Hizashi took his wife's hand as the guests admired his standing.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Hyuga Ko a role liaising with the Land of Fire's nobles, and later discussed the Cursed Seal research and funding with Orochimaru.
• After the wedding, Hizashi hurried away to consummate his marriage before undergoing the Chimera experiment.
• Senju Tobirama told Isshin that Izuna had agreed to give him power and had warned him about Mito, Uzumaki Shio, and Uchiha women.
• Isshin told Tobirama that Izuna's romantic stories were made up, and Izuna angrily demanded to possess Tobirama.

Kimimaro sought Tenzo’s help to protect the Kaguya Clan from the Third Mizukage’s plans, while Izuna toured Konoha and learned how its policies had improved relations between the Uchiha and other villagers. The chapter ended as the Ninja Academy Graduation Ceremony began and Konoha’s competition got underway.

• Kimimaro brought gifts to Tenzo and asked for help, warning that the Kaguya Clan would be targeted by the Third Mizukage and might need refuge in Konoha.
• Tenzo showed Kimimaro letters revealing that the Kaguya Clan had been made part of Kirigakure’s Internal Affairs Department, and advised him to organize an alliance and prepare to flee if the clan was divided.
• Kimimaro and Yuki planned to gather their clans and considered bringing Kisame into the Internal Affairs Department to shatter his hopes for Kirigakure.
• Tobirama let Izuna tour Konoha, where Izuna saw the Uchiha’s improved standing and praised Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Patrol Force.
• Izuna confronted Isshin over his embellished stories about Izuna’s romances, then Tobirama sealed Izuna away again.
• Seven days later, Konoha held the Ninja Academy Graduation Ceremony, beginning a major competition.

At Konoha’s graduation showcase, Hiruzen Sarutobi outlined his plans to expand Konoha’s influence through trade and a possible war with Kirigakure. Minato then fought Aosui, whose body was controlled by Tobirama and Izuna, and lost; afterward, Tobirama publicly moved to impeach Danzo.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Danzo’s call to start a war immediately and explained how Sage Land Pills and trade could expand Konoha’s influence while preparing for a retaliatory conflict with Kirigakure.
• Ninja Academy students showcased their abilities, and Minato arrived for the finale as the students chose Aosui as their representative opponent.
• Minato and Tobirama, with Izuna taking control of Aosui’s body at points, fought using Flying Thunder God, Sharingan, sealing techniques, and other abilities until Tobirama cut off Minato’s cloth strip.
• Minato admitted defeat and praised Aosui’s fighting style, while Madara and Mito grew suspicious of the powers and techniques they had witnessed.
• The Academy students gathered behind Tobirama as he raised his hand and declared that he wished to impeach Danzo.

Tobirama publicly impeached Danzo for coercing and controlling Root members, prompting a divided debate that Hiruzen Sarutobi turned into a review of Konoha’s rules and committee duties. Three days later, Uchiha Yashiro’s failed mission destroyed a national treasure, and nobles began pressuring Konoha, leaving the village facing a fresh public crisis.

• Tobirama presented evidence that Danzo had intimidated ninjas into joining Root, brainwashed them, and used Cursed Seals to control them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned Uchiha Isshin and Fugaku about their handling of the issue, then heard Sakumo, Hyuga Tenzo, Orochimaru, and others give divided opinions on Danzo’s conduct.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konoha’s Committee Members, Jonin, and Special Jonin to gather truthful reports on ninja opinions within five days.
• Isshin warned Fugaku not to manipulate the clan’s reports, while Izuna urged Tobirama to avoid escalating conflicts and Tobirama defended his public challenge as a test of the Hokage’s sincerity.
• Three days later, Uchiha Yashiro destroyed the Land of Fire’s centuries-old National Treasure Bronze Mirror while instinctively saving a companion during a mission.
• Yuan Masamune and allied nobles spread news of the loss and pressured Konoha, intensifying the village’s already unsettled public debate.

After Uchiha Yashiro’s mission failure triggered public backlash against Konoha, Isshin and Tobirama struggled to identify the mysterious attacker and feared Mito would investigate Aosui. Hiruzen’s New Root kept Yashiro under watch as village tensions built, leaving everyone waiting for the Hokage to address the turmoil.

• Uchiha Yashiro told Isshin, Fugaku, and Tobirama that a powerful unknown enemy destroyed the Ancient Mirror while outmatching his team without injuring them.
• Isshin and Tobirama doubted Danzo or any known Konoha ninja could have fought that way, while Isshin warned that the failed mission had already damaged Konoha’s reputation.
• Isshin told Aosui that Mito might suspect Izuna had used him to undermine the Uchiha’s ties with Konoha, and Tobirama dreaded being questioned and monitored again.
• Aburame Tatsuma arrived on Hiruzen’s orders, identified himself as part of the reestablished New Root, and instructed Isshin to keep Yashiro safe while investigators questioned the mission team.
• Tobirama advised Isshin not to let the incident weaken his impeachment of Danzo, and Isshin praised Aosui’s political judgment.
• Three days later, public debate continued under Anbu supervision as villagers awaited Hiruzen’s response, while Hiruzen deliberately let tensions build.

Hiruzen Sarutobi briefed Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Hiruko on village reforms and the mysterious enemy, then left Orochimaru in charge while he traveled to the Land of Fire’s capital. Orochimaru convened a Konoha Committee meeting, where Danzo confronted him with a furious insult.

• Orochimaru reported improved research results to Hiruzen Sarutobi, including Sage Land products, prosthetic bodies, and emergency medical techniques.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reasoned that the mysterious enemy sought to test Konoha’s Will of Fire, and he planned to investigate Yashiro’s memories while waiting for more clues.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi placed the Hokage Hat on Orochimaru, asked him to manage the village and lead committee meetings, and departed for the Land of Fire’s capital.
• Hiruko supplied Hiruzen Sarutobi with research reports and samples, then agreed to teach Asuma.
• Orochimaru called a Konoha Committee meeting, but Danzo entered the room, found Orochimaru in the seat of honor, and angrily insulted him.

Orochimaru presided over a tense Konoha committee meeting while Hiruzen was away, and Danzo’s outbursts drew criticism from Tsunade, Hiruko, and Sakumo. Orochimaru recognized the difficulty of balancing Konoha’s factions and concluded the meeting would be only the start of prolonged disputes, while Hiruzen arrived at the Land of Fire’s capital.

• Danzo challenged Orochimaru’s qualifications, revealed the Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing Technique engraved in his body, and defended his sacrifices for Konoha.
• Hiruko, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo criticized Danzo’s conduct, while Uchiha Isshin and Tenzo stayed neutral and Aburame Tatsuma considered following Danzo’s example.
• Hizashi presented Hiruzen Sarutobi’s edict and explained that Orochimaru was temporarily presiding over the meeting while Nara Shikayama recorded everyone’s words and actions.
• Orochimaru called for the committee to follow Konoha’s rules and uphold the Will of Fire, and Danzo reluctantly returned to his seat and agreed to proceed.
• Orochimaru realized that Konoha’s many factions would make consensus difficult, and the committee began its discussion with Danzo speaking first.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived in the Land of Fire’s capital, where Kujo Gen and powerful nobles and officials awaited him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed the Land of Fire’s nobles, used Konoha’s medical advances and new mission rules to secure their cooperation, and was appointed General of the State of the Land of Fire. He left the council with the nobles cheering, while in Konoha he confronted Danzo during a debate over shinobi who failed their missions.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi joined Kujo Gen at the council and persuaded the nobles that shinobi and nobles needed a cooperative relationship, while presenting Konoha’s medical advances and reforms to mission compensation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi insisted that Konoha compensate the Yuan Clan for Uchiha Yashiro’s failed mission under the new rules, while Kujo Gen promised to investigate Yuan Masamune for colluding with foreign powers.
• The nobles appointed Hiruzen Sarutobi General of the State of the Land of Fire and granted him authority over national security and public welfare.
• After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, Yuan Shixiu presented Kujo Gen with evidence against Yuan Masamune, and Kujo Gen decided to compensate the Yuan Clan with his family’s Ancient Mirror.
• At the Konoha Hokage Office Building, Danzo argued that shinobi who failed their missions should be executed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether Danzo remembered their service in Lord Tobirama’s Kage Guard.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha, revealed the truth about Senju Tobirama’s final mission, and defended his former companions while laying out new village policies. Three days later, the village gathered around its fireplaces to hear his first Hokage’s Fireside Chat, while Mr. Madara impatiently waited for it to begin.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the committee meeting, questioned Danzo about the Kage Guard, and asked Torifu Akimichi to recount the Second’s final mission.
• Torifu Akimichi admitted that he had discouraged the others from volunteering, then explained that Hiruzen had eagerly offered to act as bait before Senju Tobirama ordered him to retreat.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi defended Danzo, Torifu Akimichi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, explained his views on shinobi mistakes, and argued that Uchiha Yashiro should not be judged solely by the losses of his mission.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi presented his agreements with the Land of Fire, announced the Konoha Mutual Aid Fund, and tasked Danzo with reflecting publicly and helping review compensation claims.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced a Hokage’s Fireside Chat, and three days later Konoha’s families gathered to listen as Mr. Madara impatiently waited for the broadcast to start.

Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed Konoha, defended Uchiha Yashiro, and introduced reforms that won the shinobi’s support. Uchiha Madara recognized Hiruzen as an inheritor of his youthful ideals, then decided to test him by directing Sky Hidden Village toward Konoha.

• Uchiha Madara listened to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s broadcast with White Zetsu and was unsettled when Hiruzen questioned the old Ninja Code and promised village support for Uchiha Yashiro.
• Hiruzen announced the Konoha Mutual Aid Fund and argued that the village should protect its ninja rather than treat them as tools; Konoha’s shinobi applauded.
• Hiruzen acknowledged Uchiha Madara’s concerns about the village and urged shinobi to discuss their problems instead of pursuing extreme solutions alone.
• Madara concluded that Hiruzen had inherited his youthful will, but resolved to show him that ideals without strength could not bring peace.
• Madara ordered White Zetsu to gather information on Sky Hidden Village so it could attack Konoha, while Danzo publicly took responsibility for Root’s past abuses.

Hiruzen Sarutobi persuaded the Nine-Tails to consider learning ninjutsu and cooperating with Konoha, then worked with Mito Uzumaki to implant Ashina Uzumaki’s Ten Thousand Seal Body Absorption Seal into his body. At dusk, Tobirama arrived, and the Nine-Tails announced that it intended to confront Izuna.

• Mito Uzumaki recalled Izuna Uchiha and approved Hiruzen Sarutobi’s interpretation of Hashirama’s Will of Fire.
• The Nine-Tails challenged Hiruzen’s case for sealing it, but listened as Hiruzen explained Konoha’s fears and proposed teaching it ninjutsu in exchange for its cooperation.
• Hiruzen offered to fight the Nine-Tails, but it declined after learning about his abilities and chose to study ninjutsu while keeping the option of a future duel.
• Mito showed Hiruzen her father Ashina Uzumaki’s failed Ten Thousand Seal Body Absorption Seal, and Hiruzen asked her to implant its Array Core into him.
• Mito used the Nine-Tails’ Chakra and her Adamantine Sealing Chains to embed the Array Core in Hiruzen’s body, and gave him Ashina’s notes.
• When Isshin brought Tobirama to the Uzumaki Ancestral Residence, the Nine-Tails activated Malice Sensing and declared that it would help deal with Izuna.

Hiruzen heard Isshin explain the Uchiha clan’s actions and accepted a measured punishment, while Tobirama vouched for Izuna’s loyalty to Konoha. Mito then summoned Izuna through Tobirama’s body and confronted him with Adamantine Sealing Chains, leaving Izuna pleading that he was half a Konoha ninja too.

• The Nine-Tails accused Isshin of conspiring with Izuna, but Hiruzen rejected guilt by association and reminded it to follow Konoha’s rules.
• Isshin apologized to Hiruzen for the Uchiha clan’s handling of Aosui’s public impeachment of Danzo and explained that the clan had wanted to test whether Hiruzen accepted them.
• Hiruzen said the Uchiha had the right to point out problems but criticized their methods, then placed Isshin on probation and directed the clan to contribute to the Konoha Mutual Aid Fund.
• Isshin reported his Dōjutsu and said Izuna bore no ill will toward Konoha, while Tobirama backed that assessment and praised Izuna’s perspective.
• Mito asked Tobirama to summon Izuna, and the Nine-Tails supplied her with chakra as Adamantine Sealing Chains restrained Tobirama’s body.
• Tobirama let Izuna take control of his body, and Izuna raised his hands and pleaded with Mito that he was half a Konoha ninja too.

Mito questioned Izuna about his loyalties and his intentions toward Aosui, while Izuna defended himself by praising Konoha and insisting he wanted to protect the Uchiha. He then revealed that Aosui was his grandson and Tobirama’s maternal grandson, leaving Hiruzen and the others stunned.

• Izuna claimed he was half a Konoha ninja, and Mito used her sensing abilities and the Nine-Tails’ Malice Sensing to question him.
• Izuna recounted his final battle with Tobirama and argued that he had once hoped to become one of Konoha’s founders.
• Mito described the tangled relationships between the Senju and Uchiha, leaving Hiruzen grateful for her long service and Tobirama uneasy.
• Mito warned Izuna that she could seal him inside Aosui, so Izuna sincerely praised Konoha and promised he would not harm or exploit Aosui.
• Izuna declared that Aosui was the child of his and Tobirama’s child, making Aosui their grandson, and said he hoped Aosui would lead the Uchiha and become Hokage.

Mito confirmed that Aosui’s cells and Chakra carried traces of both Izuna and Tobirama, and the group accepted Izuna’s theory that Aosui was their grandson. They kept his origins secret, arranged for Danzo to take him as a disciple, and left the story with Izuna and Hiruzen reconciled while Aosui remained unaware of the full truth.

• Mito sensed that Aosui’s cells and Chakra resembled both Izuna and Tobirama, lending support to Izuna’s claim about his origins.
• Izuna explained that Aosui’s parents were descendants of Izuna and Tobirama who had left Konoha, and Mito and Hiruzen considered the account plausible.
• Mito questioned Aosui about resentment toward Konoha and the Uchiha, and Tobirama, speaking through Aosui, said he loved both.
• Mito ordered Aosui’s origins kept confidential and asked Isshin to prepare the Uchiha for a more favorable view of the old Senju-Uchiha conflict.
• Mito proposed that Danzo take Aosui as his disciple, and Hiruzen agreed to tell Danzo the truth about Aosui’s background.
• Isshin pledged to help repair relations between the Senju and Uchiha, while Hiruzen and Izuna clasped hands and agreed to treat each other as brothers.

Uchiha Madara planned to use attacks on Konoha to prove the Eye of the Moon Plan to Izuna and Hiruzen Sarutobi, while White Zetsu Ah Huo questioned his logic. In the Underground Black Market, Kakuzu decided to visit Konoha to see how it handled Uchiha Yashiro’s case and whether money mattered more than people.

• Uchiha Madara learned that Izuna’s Chakra still surfaced within Uchiha Aosui and concluded that Izuna rejected Konoha’s peace, though he misunderstood why Mito and Hiruzen kept it secret.
• Uchiha Madara planned to use Sky Hidden Village and Kirigakure to provoke conflict and demonstrate that hatred and war could not be overcome without the Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Uchiha Madara ordered White Zetsu Ah Huo to gather intelligence, then withdrew a rigid scouting instruction after recalling Izuna’s criticism of Uchiha Tajima’s controlling ways.
• Kakuzu reviewed Konoha’s response to criticism over Uchiha Yashiro and the Land of Fire Nobles’ sudden support for Konoha, including their donations and promotion of the Sage Land Pill.
• Kakuzu decided to travel to Konoha to witness Yashiro’s case and learn whether the village valued people over money, then killed a Kumogakure Storm Release ninja on the way to fund his visit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi planned Konoha’s childbirth subsidies and advised Danzo on how to earn Aosui’s trust and approach the Uchiha Clan. He also prepared to recruit Kakuzu, who arrived near Konoha and was met by Hizashi Hyuga.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi considered the effects of the Ten Thousand Seal Body Absorption Seal and drafted a proposal to spend 500 million ryo on childbirth subsidies.
• Danzo confessed that he had waited nearly two months for Aosui to become his disciple, and Hiruzen Sarutobi advised him to apologize to the Uchiha Clan and show them respect.
• Danzo promised to listen to Hiruzen Sarutobi and agreed to visit the Uchiha Clan to seek cooperation and Aosui’s trust.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed Hizashi Hyuga to give Kakuzu three months to come to Konoha before treating him as a potential enemy, and advised Hizashi to wait for a suitable Storm Release experiment.
• Kakuzu arrived near Konoha carrying materials, intelligence, and gifts for Mito Uzumaki, but Hizashi Hyuga met him before he reached the village and said the Hokage had expected him.

Kakuzu toured Konoha with Uchiha Yashiro and saw how its security, public benefits, and reconciliation with the Uchiha differed from other villages. The chapter left him stunned by Konoha’s prosperity as Danzo openly pledged cooperation with Fugaku and Isshin.

• Kakuzu analyzed Konoha’s booming economy, and Hizashi explained how Hiruzen Sarutobi had improved life for the Hyuga Branch Family.
• Hizashi warned Kakuzu about the unusual Chakra in his luggage, and Kakuzu explained that he carried gifts and a Kumogakure Storm Release ninja’s corpse for Hiruzen Sarutobi to assess.
• Uchiha Yashiro took Kakuzu to the Police Force and the Uchiha Clan Compound, where Kakuzu saw the village’s security systems, public notices, and warm relations between Uchiha Hono and an elderly Senju woman.
• Uchiha Hono gave Yashiro money for Kakuzu’s meal, and Yashiro explained Konoha’s subsidies and free treatment for shinobi disabled on duty.
• Kakuzu studied Konoha’s public policies and Fireside Chat notices before seeing Danzo embrace Fugaku and Isshin and promise to support them and Aosui.

Isshin and Danzo bonded over their views on Konoha’s leadership and arranged for Uchiha Yashiro to be recommended for New Root. As Danzo left the Uchiha Clan Compound with Isshin and Fugaku, Kakuzu appeared and asked Yashiro to take him to Lord Hokage.

• Isshin praised Danzo and discussed how the village needed separate public and covert leadership, prompting Danzo to speak warmly of his teacher Tobirama.
• Danzo and Isshin agreed that Anbu and the Police Force should cooperate while remaining separate from operational departments.
• Isshin introduced Yashiro, and Danzo agreed to recommend him to Hiruzen for New Root after learning he had mastered Izanagi.
• Danzo advised Yashiro about Root’s strict rules and hardships, and Yashiro declared that he was willing to die for Lord Hokage.
• Danzo encouraged Fugaku to serve as Aosui’s backing, and Fugaku accepted the role.
• Kakuzu greeted Danzo and asked Yashiro to take him to Lord Hokage so he could ask him many questions.

Kakuzu questioned Konoha’s ideals and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s leadership, then was persuaded by Hiruzen’s candor and invited to join the village as a financial specialist. Meanwhile, Tobirama, posing as Aosui, impressed Danzo with his knowledge and redirected the Anbu chief’s work.

• Yashiro explained Konoha’s committee system and the Will of Fire to Kakuzu, who saw Kirigakure exchange students studying Konoha’s policies as they debated their plans for returning home.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi demonstrated his ability to endure and absorb Fire Release before asking Kakuzu for advice about Konoha’s policies and leadership.
• Hiruzen explained why he supported ordinary ninja and how he recognized and restrained the people who handled the village’s darker work, convincing Kakuzu of his sincerity.
• Kakuzu asked to join Konoha, and Hiruzen offered him the role of Financial Specialist and sent him to seek Mito Uzumaki’s approval as his sponsor.
• Hiruzen reflected on Jiraiya’s progress in Sage Mode and anticipated sparring with him when he returned from Mount Myoboku.
• Tobirama, disguised as Aosui, corrected Danzo’s plans for Wind Release Chakra Mode and Anbu intelligence work, leaving Danzo eager to help Aosui become Hokage.