Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Retsuyō and Uchiha Fugaku left Konoha to seek Hashirama Senju’s research, while Tamura Hiroshi learned that the Little Ten-Tails had gained Wood Release and planned with Black Zetsu to strengthen it and pursue Kaguya’s return. The chapter ended with Tamura and Black Zetsu discussing potential sacrifices and targets, including Nagato Uzumaki, Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Uchiha Obito.

• Uchiha Retsuyō revealed his sealed original eyes to Uchiha Fugaku, had them transplanted back, and said he planned to seize research on Hashirama Senju’s power.
• Uchiha Retsuyō and Uchiha Fugaku secretly left Konoha to search for Shimura Danzō’s experimental base as Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru were away from the frontline.
• Tamura Hiroshi sensed that the Little Ten-Tails had awakened Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release, though he could not use it through his own body.
• Black Zetsu explained that the Little Ten-Tails needed more power and nine tomoe before they could seek Kaguya’s Initial Sphere Space, and Tamura Hiroshi discussed obtaining Uchiha Retsuyō’s Mangekyō and Hashirama Senju’s corpse.
• Tamura Hiroshi and Black Zetsu discussed exploiting Nagato Uzumaki, Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Uchiha Obito as future tools or sacrifices.

Tamura Hiroshi visited the Hatake home to seek Sakumo’s swordsmanship guidance, gave young Kakashi a sword, and agreed to be tested by Sakumo. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his students discussed Hiroshi’s role as a possible future Kumogakure strategist and the threat he posed.

• Black Zetsu chose Nawaki, Tsunade, and Senju Chōsu as potential pawns and gave Tamura Hiroshi a scroll of stolen village techniques.
• Tamura Hiroshi planned to exploit the Uchiha, then gave Pakura an Amaterasu flame and persuaded her it was a gift meant to strengthen her Scorch Release.
• Tamura Hiroshi visited the Hatake home, presented Kakashi with the sword Chidori, and asked Sakumo for swordsmanship guidance.
• Hatake Sakumo agreed to test Tamura Hiroshi after learning Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted him assessed.
• Tamura Hiroshi detected Hiruzen Sarutobi watching through the Telescope Technique and mocked him for spying on the women’s bathhouse.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Tsunade and Jiraiya that Tamura Hiroshi had exposed a spy and saved Kumogakure ten billion ryo, and they considered him a likely future Raikage’s Assistant.

Tamura Hiroshi tested his swordsmanship against Hatake Sakumo, then sparred with Tsunade while studying her techniques. Hiruzen Sarutobi learned more about Tamura’s potential and ordered Sakumo to the Sand Ninja Frontline, while secretly planning to draw Kumogakure into the war and weaken the Uchiha.

• Tamura warned Hatake Sakumo that his strength and Hokage’s half-cloak could make him a target, then discussed swordsmanship with him.
• Hatake Sakumo tested Tamura at a training ground; Tamura endured his attacks before conceding, and Sakumo predicted he would eventually surpass him.
• Tsunade challenged Tamura to a spar, and he dodged her punches while studying the chakra flow behind her Super Strength Technique.
• Hatake Sakumo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Tamura could reach Unity of Man and Sword, and Hiruzen ordered Sakumo to assist Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō at the Sand Ninja Frontline.
• Hiruzen secretly planned to provoke Kumogakure into war and weaken the Uchiha, then shifted his viewing technique to watch Jiraiya and a blond boy.

Tamura Hiroshi turned Jiraiya’s peeping into a challenge and ran a paid bathing and massage service in the women’s bathhouse, impressing the customers and Tsunade with his techniques. Tsunade joined the bath, leaving Tamura ready to serve her and ask about medical matters.

• Tamura Hiroshi found Jiraiya peeping at the women’s baths and challenged him to enter openly and touch the women in exchange for Jiraiya’s hair-control ninjutsu.
• Tamura Hiroshi prepared a steam bath and massage service, then persuaded the women to try his packages.
• Tamura Hiroshi massaged several customers while Jiraiya watched from outside, and he helped a new mother regain her ability to produce milk.
• Jiraiya fled when Tsunade approached, and Tsunade entered the bathhouse to find Tamura working.
• After hearing about Tamura’s services and seeing his success, Tsunade ordered the most expensive package and went to soak in the pool.

Tamura Hiroshi consulted Tsunade about his oxygen-based body-activation technique, traded secret techniques with Jiraiya, and returned to the Uchiha residence before the Chunin Ninja Exams. At the written test, he spotted several notable Konoha examinees and grew wary of Orochimaru’s possible plans and Might Duy’s presence.

• Tamura Hiroshi massaged Tsunade and asked for help developing the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, and she warned him that techniques pushing the body beyond its limits could be dangerous.
• Tamura Hiroshi traded his notes on massage techniques to Jiraiya for the Frog Transformation Technique after receiving Jiraiya’s hair secret technique.
• Tamura Hiroshi cooked with Uchiha Mikoto, discussed his defeat by Hatake Sakumo, and slept before the exams began.
• Fukai and Yozuki A explained that Tamura Hiroshi and Uchiha Hikari would compete as single-person teams and that Kumogakure planned to target Konoha examinees with support from other villages.
• Tamura Hiroshi warned Uchiha Hikari about Orochimaru, and Uzumaki Tamayou gave sealing scrolls of Explosive Tags to Hikari, Uzumaki Kushina, and Uzumaki Kousou.
• At the written examination, Tamura Hiroshi recognized a blond girl, Minato Namikaze, and Might Duy, and suspected that Danzo had returned to Konoha and that Duy’s presence might be deliberate.

Tamura Hiroshi passed the Chunin exam’s written round, entered the Forest of Death, and defeated Izumi Shimura after she ambushed him. He bound and humiliated her, then gave her a laxative and prepared to photograph what he called their “Social Death Technique.”

• Tamura Hiroshi used the Byakugan to copy answers during the written exam, while Yakushi Nonō solved the questions herself and observed the other examinees.
• Kurenai Yuhi explained the Forest of Death survival test, and nine teams from smaller villages withdrew before the others signed consent forms and entered.
• Tamura Hiroshi hunted a black tiger for food, but Izumi Shimura soon found him and attacked with Wind Release techniques and a double-ended glaive.
• Tamura Hiroshi broke Izumi Shimura’s weapon, paralyzed her, anesthetized her, and bound her after stripping away her equipment.
• Tamura Hiroshi photographed Izumi Shimura in humiliating poses, then gave her a powerful laxative and readied the camera for another shot.

Tamura Hiroshi reunited with Yakushi Nonō, won Shimura Danzō’s approval with intelligence from Kumogakure, and received missions targeting Minato Namikaze and Mikoto Uchiha. After leaving Root, he discovered Orochimaru was tracking him and waited to meet him.

• Tamura Hiroshi stopped tormenting Izumi Shimura when Yakushi Nonō approached, then embraced Nonō and told her about his rise in Kumogakure and his efforts to protect her.
• Tamura Hiroshi gave Nonō a scroll containing the Uzumaki clan’s Yin Seal, promised they would marry and have children, and kissed her while a hidden Root ninja watched.
• Yakushi Nonō brought Tamura Hiroshi to Shimura Danzō, who praised his ambition and reviewed his intelligence about Kumogakure’s alliance with the Uchiha and schemes against Kirigakure.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Tamura Hiroshi to kill Minato Namikaze during the Chunin Ninja Exams and take Mikoto Uchiha away from Konoha; Shin supplied blood and chakra for summoning.
• Tamura Hiroshi left with Nonō, decided to fulfill the Mikoto mission without disrupting the Uchiha–Kumogakure alliance, and found and killed a chakra-bearing snake sent to watch him.
• Tamura Hiroshi cooked the snake while waiting, and Orochimaru emerged from the forest.

Tamura Hiroshi traded intelligence with Orochimaru for a Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu Cursed Seal and discussed giant combat puppets with Scorpion. The chapter ended with Orochimaru attacking Uchiha Hikari after noticing her unusually powerful Sharingan.

• Orochimaru recognized Tamura Hiroshi as Danzo’s planted agent in Kumogakure and offered him the Senjutsu Cursed Seal technique in exchange for intelligence.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Orochimaru about the moon-dwelling Otsutsuki attackers and a mysterious, technologically advanced force in Kumogakure, then received the Cursed Seal and basic Flying Thunder God scrolls.
• Tamura Hiroshi read the scrolls and considered using Manda’s flesh and the Little Ten-Tails’ power to develop a Senjutsu Cursed Seal for himself.
• Tamura Hiroshi met Scorpion in the Forest of Death and proposed giant steel puppets capable of fighting Tailed Beasts, drawing Scorpion into a lively design discussion.
• Orochimaru spied on Uchiha Hikari, recognized her powerful Sharingan, and attacked her with giant snakes; Hikari cut them down and prepared to fight.

Tamura Hiroshi and Might Duy clashed during the Chunin exam’s final battle as Uchiha Hikari attacked Minato Namikaze and the other Konoha examinees. Hiroshi blocked Duy’s Morning Peacock with his Seven Day Breathing Method, while Hikari’s assault left several examinees dead or wounded and ended with her charging Minato.

• Hiroshi and Scorpion completed and tested their first jet-powered flying puppet, then headed to the exam’s central meeting point.
• Hiroshi and Hikari chose Minato and Duy as opponents; Hikari’s genjutsu briefly caught Duy, but Minato freed him and Duy opened five of the Eight Inner Gates.
• Hikari’s fire techniques forced the other examinees back, while Hiroshi fought Minato and cut his arm before shifting to face Duy.
• Duy used Morning Peacock, injuring Hikari, and Hiroshi switched opponents with her before activating the Seven Day Breathing Method to its fourth level.
• Hiroshi met Duy’s Morning Peacock head-on and shattered its air punches as Hikari attacked the crowd with fire techniques, killing three examinees and injuring others.
• Hikari used Chidori Godspeed and Chidori Blade to charge at Minato.

Tamura Hiroshi ended the Forest of Death battle and then tried to reshape Minato Namikaze’s views on Konoha’s politics and the burden of becoming Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi challenged Minato to consider whether he could bear that burden, while Tamura placed the Hokage’s hat on his head.

• Tamura Hiroshi stopped fighting Uchiha Hikari when Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived, then scolded and beat Nawaki for his recklessness.
• Tamura Hiroshi introduced himself to Minato Namikaze and accused Hiruzen Sarutobi of grooming him as a controllable successor, prompting Jiraiya to carry Tamura to Ichiraku Ramen.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Tamura Hiroshi lectured Minato about Konoha’s factions, the Hokage succession, and Minato’s relationship with Kuuhina, while Hiruzen Sarutobi listened.
• Tamura Hiroshi told Minato to learn wisdom from Hiruzen, then revealed that Dodai wanted to see whether Minato could shoulder Konoha’s Dark Side and that Kumogakure would benefit from his becoming Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Minato whether he could bear the Hokage’s burden, and Tamura Hiroshi set the Hokage’s hat on Minato’s head.

Minato Namikaze accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer to join ANBU and learn the Hokage’s duties, while Tamura Hiroshi recruited Scorpion to Kumogakure’s new Puppet Technique project. The chapter ended with the great villages confronting Konoha over their alliance and territorial ambitions, as Tamura warned them about Minato’s future Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze to ANBU and offered to teach him about becoming Hokage, while Minato resolved to surpass Tamura Hiroshi.
• Tamura Hiroshi encouraged Scorpion’s Puppet Technique ambitions and persuaded him to join Kumogakure with promises of materials, a laboratory, and support for his research.
• Tamura Hiroshi explained the Eight Inner Gates to Scorpion as Might Duy fought in the preliminaries, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade joined their conversation.
• Yozuki A, Kitsuchi, Rasa, and Jinin Akebino confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over their alliance and plans to seize territory, while Tamura Hiroshi accused Konoha of taking mission commissions from other nations.
• Tamura Hiroshi warned the representatives that Minato Namikaze could master the Flying Thunder God Technique and become a deadly opponent, then gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a storage scroll containing Izumi Shimura’s belongings.

After losing to Tamura Hiroshi, Izumi Shimura sought power from her father, Shimura Danzō, and agreed to become the host of a dangerous Three-Tails split-off body. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders planned the Chunin Exam finals and discussed the growing threat of an alliance among the Four Great Shinobi Villages.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen returned Izumi Shimura’s sealing scroll, and she found her clothes and a forbidden photograph inside before vowing to kill Tamura Hiroshi.
• Izumi Shimura went to Shimura Danzō and demanded power, then agreed to take in the Three-Tails split-off body despite the danger.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders discussed arranging the final exam matches to protect Might Duy and help him defeat Tamura Hiroshi.
• The leaders discussed the Four Great Shinobi Villages’ alliance against Konoha and admitted they had no clear response to the looming war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen advised Minato Namikaze about the choices a Hokage must make, then wondered what the Uchiha were planning.

Tamura Hiroshi tried to persuade Mikoto Uchiha to leave Konoha for Kumogakure by promising that Fugaku Uchiha could gain the Seven-Tails’ power and help the Uchiha Clan escape its growing dangers. Mikoto considered the plan but remained wary of Tamura, while Fugaku and Uchiha Retsuyō prepared to transplant a powerful arm and pursue Senjutsu.

• Tamura Hiroshi returned to the Uchiha mansion with groceries and learned that the Chunin Ninja Exams’ final round had been delayed for a month.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Uchiha Retsuyō about Hikari, and Retsuyō explained that she was an ancient Uchiha with eyes beyond the Three Tomoe Sharingan whom the Senju and Sarutobi had once sealed away.
• After dinner, Tamura Hiroshi warned Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Retsuyō about Might Duy’s Eight Inner Gates and exaggerated the threat posed by the Gate of Death.
• Uchiha Retsuyō decided that Fugaku should receive the valuable arm they had recovered, and the two discussed pursuing Senjutsu and improving the transplant.
• Tamura Hiroshi privately planned to perfect the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark and use it to tempt the Uchiha, then urged Mikoto Uchiha to leave with him for Kumogakure.
• Tamura Hiroshi proposed that Fugaku gain the Seven-Tails’ power through an Uzumaki sealing technique, and Mikoto began weighing the offer as a way to protect Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan.

Tamura Hiroshi trained his Spiritual Power while his allies developed a Sage Jutsu Curse Mark and prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams. After manipulating Pakura into believing Scorpion needed guidance, he challenged Tsunade to a spar, leaving their fight about to begin.

• Tamura Hiroshi practiced combining his Spiritual Space with Princess Kaguya's Tsukuyomi as Uchiha Hikari and Uzumaki Tamayou studied the Flying Thunder God Technique and Sage Jutsu Curse Mark.
• Uzumaki Tamayou concluded that Manda's corrosive flesh required special chakra to withstand and planned to refine the curse mark within half a month.
• Konoha prepared Might Duy for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams while Rasa worried that Uchiha Hikari might learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Tamura Hiroshi convinced Pakura that Scorpion had dangerous thoughts and needed to pursue steel-puppet research in Kumogakure, then flustered her with talk of making her his wife.
• Tamura Hiroshi used his sword intent to frighten Nawaki and cut away his clothes, prompting Tsunade to confront him.
• Tamura Hiroshi challenged Tsunade to a spar so he could test his improved Seven Day Breathing Method and work on combining it with Chidori.

Tamura Hiroshi fought Tsunade, then studied medical knowledge and chakra control under her while pursuing ways to strengthen his techniques. After half a month, he underwent the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark ritual, gained two serpents growing from his back, and began working out how to control its dangerous erosion.

• Tamura Hiroshi used the Seven Day Breathing Method to battle Tsunade, but withdrew when his oxygen ran out and Small Meow broke.
• Mito Uzumaki heard Tamura Hiroshi explain Kumogakure's war aims, and Tsunade agreed to teach him medical knowledge and chakra-control techniques on the condition that he not attack Senju ninja.
• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō planned to create a stronger Jinchuriki by combining the Three-Tails fragment with a Sharingan, Shikotsumyaku, First Hokage's cells, Uzumaki blood, and Senjutsu.
• After studying under Tsunade for half a month, Tamura Hiroshi underwent the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark ritual using Manda's heart as its medium.
• The ritual gave Tamura Hiroshi purple scales and two Manda-like serpents on his back, but he discovered that the Senjutsu Chakra threatened to erode and transform his body.

Tamura Hiroshi traded a Seven-Tails sealing technique to the Uchiha for Uchiha Retsuyō’s Mangekyo Sharingan, whose ability was to open spatial portals. He also used the deal and his secret relationship with Mikoto Uchiha to persuade Retsuyō that the Uchiha needed an escape route, then offered a Mangekyo cultivation method when Retsuyō confronted him.

• Tamura Hiroshi trained with the Sage Jutsu Curse Mark, stored blood in Manda’s heart to extend the Seven Day Breathing Method, and studied the Flying Thunder God Technique with Uchiha Hikari.
• Tamura Hiroshi brought a Seven-Tails sealing technique to the Uchiha and argued that empowering the clan could complicate Konoha’s politics while giving the Uchiha leverage and a possible escape route.
• Uchiha Retsuyō and Fugaku Uchiha verified the sealing technique and gave Tamura Hiroshi Retsuyō’s preserved Mangekyo Sharingan in exchange.
• Uchiha Retsuyō revealed that the eyes’ technique, Heavenly Stone Gate, opened spatial portals, and Tamura Hiroshi accepted the eyes.
• Mikoto Uchiha secretly visited Tamura Hiroshi’s room, where Uchiha Retsuyō followed and overheard them discussing her leaving Konoha with him.
• Uchiha Retsuyō confronted Tamura Hiroshi about his relationship with Mikoto and Fugaku’s engagement, and Tamura offered a Cursed Seal and secret method for cultivating Mangekyo.

Tamura Hiroshi explained his Senjutsu Curse Mark to Uchiha Retsuyō and sought his approval to pursue Mikoto before joining the tournament. After Uzumaki Kousou won her match with Chūryōmaru, Hiroshi began the second round against Might Duy, and their clash left the spectators stunned by their explosive power.

• Tamura Hiroshi told Uchiha Retsuyō that he had developed a Senjutsu training medium from Manda's remains and asked about Mikoto, but Retsuyō said he would decide after watching Hiroshi perform.
• At the tournament, Uzumaki Kousou summoned Chūryōmaru, who drove away the Hidden Mist and knocked her Kirigakure opponent out of the arena.
• Tamura Hiroshi gave Minato Namikaze an inappropriate book, blamed Jiraiya when Tsunade destroyed it, and slipped a Sealing Scroll into Minato's pouch.
• Jiraiya called Might Duy and Tamura Hiroshi for the second round, and the contestants prepared to fight as spectators discussed Duy's recovery and Hiroshi's Senjutsu.
• Might Duy opened the Sixth Gate and used Morning Peacock while Tamura Hiroshi activated the Seven Day Breathing Method and countered with Unrivaled Dance, matching Duy's attacks with rapid sword slashes.

Tamura Hiroshi defeated Might Duy by countering his Seventh Gate Daytime Tiger with Senjutsu-enhanced sword strikes, then withdrew from the remaining matches due to his injuries. He left Uzumaki Kushina to continue competing so the Uzumaki clan could make its presence known and bring Mito Uzumaki some joy.

• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo watched Might Duy open the Sixth Gate and wondered how many other fighters Hiruzen had trained in secret.
• Tamura Hiroshi endured Duy's Morning Peacock barrage with the Seven Day Breathing Method, while Duy realized he could not wear him down without opening the Seventh Gate.
• Hiroshi activated his Senjutsu Curse Mark and revealed a transformed purple, dragon-headed form as Duy opened the Seventh Gate and unleashed the Daytime Tiger.
• Hiroshi cut the Daytime Tiger apart with thirteen waves of Three Sword Flashes, then pointed his sword at Duy and won the match.
• Hiroshi took a commemorative photograph with Duy, while Shimura Izumi reacted to the camera with renewed murderous excitement.
• Hiroshi and Uchiha Hikari withdrew from the remaining matches, and he asked Uzumaki Kushina to keep competing for the Uzumaki clan and Mito Uzumaki.

Tamura Hiroshi’s group exposed and stopped Dan Katō’s attempt to possess Yozuki A and frame them for kidnapping Uzumaki Kuhina. Tamura Hiroshi turned the plot into an opportunity to raid Konoha, and the group reached the Senju Clan Land to begin their plan.

• Fugaku Uchiha received a Cursed Seal of Senjutsu from Uzumaki Tamayou, and Tamura Hiroshi gave him Ryūchi Cave training materials.
• Minato Namikaze regained his determination to surpass Tamura Hiroshi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Gray Crow to carry out a plan against the Kumogakure group.
• Gray Crow used the Spirit Transformation Technique to possess Yozuki A, but Tamura Hiroshi and Uchiha Hikari exposed and restrained Dan Katō’s spirit.
• Uchiha Hikari revealed that Dan Katō had been sent to make Yozuki A kidnap Uzumaki Kuhina and provide Konoha with an excuse to attack the group.
• Tamura Hiroshi ordered his allies to exploit the scheme by planning a raid on the Senju Clan Land and Hokage Building, and they sent intelligence to Kumogakure.
• Uzumaki Tamayou led the group past Konoha surveillance, and they arrived at the Senju Clan Land.

Tamura Hiroshi and his allies stole the Senju clan’s Scroll of Seals and Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God kunai before Kumogakure’s raid on Konoha exposed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plot against them. Mito Uzumaki ended the attack after learning what had happened, while Uchiha Fugaku awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, gained Wood Release, and prepared to seize the Seven-Tails.

• Tamura Hiroshi used Uchiha Hikari’s chakra to enter the barrier around the Scroll of Seals with the Flying Thunder God Technique, stole the scroll, and left a letter.
• Tamura Hiroshi dug up Senju Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God kunai, then the Third Raikage led Kumogakure’s forces into Konoha and raided the Hokage Building and Hokage Cliff.
• Uchiha Hikari showed Mito Uzumaki memories implicating Dan Katō in a plot against Kumogakure, and Mito Uzumaki stopped the fighting after the Hokage Building and Hokage Cliff were destroyed.
• Tsunade escorted the Cloud ninja out of Konoha, while Tamura Hiroshi told Might Duy that Hiruzen Sarutobi had tried to kill them and gave him photographs and tonfas.
• Uchiha Retsuyō told Uchiha Fugaku that Mikoto had chosen to leave with Kumogakure, provoking Fugaku to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Uchiha Fugaku transplanted an arm containing the First Hokage’s cells, gained Wood Release, and set out for Takigakure to obtain the Seven-Tails.