Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Sasuke impressed their classmates with advanced shuriken techniques during training at the Ninja Academy. As Iruka gathered the students for taijutsu sparring, Naruto sensed unfamiliar malice from figures watching from the school building.

• Naruto threw four shuriken into the centers of four targets with great speed and accuracy.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan and precise timing to redirect three shuriken into separate bullseyes while hitting a fourth target himself.
• Naruto and Sasuke discussed their training and prepared for the scheduled taijutsu sparring session.
• Karin and Ryosuke Chiba found Naruto and Sasuke and told them Iruka was calling the students together.
• Iruka announced the sparring rules and summoned the students to the central training area.
• Naruto noticed several figures watching from the school building and sensed unfamiliar malice.

Kazuma questioned Sarutobi Hiruzen about Naruto’s identity while observing the Academy students, then saw Naruto use Adamantine Sealing Chains to pull Hinata and Sasuke out of danger. He confronted Hiruzen over how the Sarutobi had learned the Uzumaki Clan technique.

• Kazuma asked Hiruzen about the attack on the Academy shelter, and Hiruzen credited Hyuga Yunchuan with protecting the students and teachers.
• Kazuma asked about Sasuke and Naruto; Hiruzen described Naruto as his grandson, whose heroic parents had entrusted him to Hiruzen’s care.
• Kazuma and Hiruzen watched Iruka’s class hold taijutsu matches, and Hiruzen introduced Kazuma to several students.
• Kazuma noticed Hinata’s unmarked forehead and asked Yunchuan about her Main Branch status before Hinata’s match against Second Pillar erupted into an explosion.
• Naruto used two golden chains to pull Hinata and Second Pillar away from the blast, prompting Kazuma to ask Hiruzen when the Sarutobi learned Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Shikamaru Nara forfeited his match against Aburame Shino, and Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke reflected on how Naruto’s classmates treated him and how the Hyuga Clan’s tragedy had changed Hinata Hyuga. As Sasuke faced Hinata in the next match, he recognized the brutal training and grief behind her cold demeanor, and Iruka began the bout.

• Shikamaru Nara forfeited to Aburame Shino, who won their match.
• Naruto Uzumaki felt grateful that Uchiha Sasuke, Ryosuke Chiba, and Karin stood by him despite the distance other classmates kept.
• Sasuke and Naruto noticed that Hinata Hyuga had become withdrawn and tense after Hyuga Neji killed members of the Main Family, including Hyuga Hiashi.
• Iruka announced Hinata Hyuga versus Uchiha Sasuke, and Sasuke entered the field after Naruto warned him to be careful.
• Sasuke saw bloodied bandages on Hinata’s hands and understood that she had been training harshly while bearing responsibility for her devastated family.
• Iruka ordered the match to begin.

Hinata Hyuga’s fierce spar with Second Pillar escalated into a dangerous clash, and Naruto used his Adamantine Sealing Chains to pull both fighters from the blast. Iruka discovered that Second Pillar was a Shadow Clone, while the real Second Pillar and Naruto were secretly training outside Konoha.

• Hinata Hyuga attacked Second Pillar with Gentle Fist: Thirty-Two Palms, but he dodged her strikes with his Sharingan and countered with a kick.
• Hinata’s anger surged, and she fired an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm at Second Pillar, who answered with the Great Fireball Technique.
• Naruto used his Adamantine Sealing Chains to pull Hinata and Second Pillar out of the explosion while Iruka rushed to save Second Pillar.
• Iruka realized that Second Pillar was a Shadow Clone and angrily confronted Hinata and the absent original.
• The real Second Pillar and Naruto, who had both used Shadow Clones to skip class, tested a Lightning Style: Lightning Strike Spear at a river outside Konoha.

Naruto and Sasuke tested a powerful Lightning Release technique that launched a magnetized arrow using electromagnetic induction. Naruto reflected on the broader potential of Chakra while Sasuke considered ways to improve the technique, then discovered his Shadow Clone at the academy had been destroyed.

• Sasuke emerged from the woods after the technique blasted a crater into the river, and he excitedly asked Naruto whether electromagnetic induction had worked.
• Naruto explained the technique’s four stages and considered how Chakra might be used to develop resources and civilization rather than only for combat.
• Sasuke praised Naruto’s Ninjutsu development and thought about simplifying the technique, expanding its attacks, and seeking help from other Lightning Release users.
• Naruto began wondering how the technique could be applied to transportation and muttered about linear motors, energy efficiency, and friction.
• Sasuke revealed that the Shadow Clone he had left at the academy had been destroyed, and Naruto sympathized as Sasuke faced Iruka-sensei’s wrath.

Kazuma pressured Sarutobi Hiruzen to send Naruto Uzumaki to the Daimyo's Mansion, and Konoha's leaders considered the move both for Naruto's safety and the Daimyo's need for his Adamantine Sealing Chains. Hyuga Yunchuan objected that Naruto's wishes had to be respected, so the group agreed to ask him directly.

• Kazuma confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen over his lie about Naruto's Uzumaki heritage and threatened to suspend the Daimyo's aid to Konoha.
• Mitokado Homura explained that Hiruzen had concealed Naruto's background out of concern for the orphan, and Kazuma suggested sending an escort with him to the Daimyo's Mansion.
• Utatane Koharu argued that Naruto might be safer at the Daimyo's Mansion from Akatsuki, with Yamato accompanying him to suppress any loss of control.
• Kazuma revealed that he wanted Naruto's Adamantine Sealing Chains to help deal with Hollow attacks in the Capital City, and Hiruzen's advisers judged the arrangement feasible.
• Hyuga Yunchuan objected that Naruto should be asked before being sent away, and Hiruzen agreed to call him over and hear his wishes.

Naruto was offered a place in the Daimyo's Mansion exchange program, and despite sensing Kazuma's malice and suspecting a trap, he chose to go. He wanted to see the world beyond Konoha and understand how the Land of Fire was governed.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Naruto had mastered the Academy's fundamentals and presented the Daimyo's Mansion exchange program as a new opportunity.
• Kazuma urged Naruto to study in the Capital City, describing its political, economic, and cultural knowledge while claiming the choice was Naruto's.
• Naruto sensed Kazuma's hidden malice and suspected the envoy and the Daimyo knew he was a Jinchuriki and wanted to use Kurama's power.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen expected Naruto to refuse, but Naruto firmly said he wanted to go to the Daimyo's Mansion.
• Naruto decided that leaving Konoha would help him understand the wider world and avoid the narrow perspective he associated with Uchiha Itachi.

Naruto revealed that he had used a Shadow Clone to attend class and agreed to study at the Daimyo's Mansion, persuading Sarutobi Hiruzen to approve the exchange. That night, Shimura Danzō visited Hyuga Yunchuan and reminded him of their agreement, addressing him as the Fifth Hokage.

• Naruto's Shadow Clone vanished, and the real Naruto explained that he had mastered the Academy's basic lessons and did not want to disrespect his teacher by using clones to attend class.
• Naruto said he wanted to study at the Daimyo's Mansion to strengthen ties between Konoha and the Land of Fire and help Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Kazuma praised Naruto's resolve and asked Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Yunchuan whether they still objected to the exchange.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to Naruto's trip and said Konoha would discuss security measures and accompanying personnel.
• Shimura Danzō appeared in Hyuga Yunchuan's study at night, congratulated him, and asked whether he had forgotten their agreement.

Hyuga Yunchuan mocked Shimura Danzō during a tense late-night meeting, then destroyed Danzō’s Shadow Clone and struck the real Danzō as he fled. He sent the Branch Family guards away and watched the night, confident Danzō still misunderstood the power of his Tenseigan.

• Hyuga Yunchuan calmly prepared genmaicha for Shimura Danzō and refused to treat the tea as the repayment Danzō demanded.
• Hyuga Yunchuan humiliated Danzō, calling him a disgraced old dog, and dismissed his threat to expose him.
• Hyuga Yunchuan revealed that the Danzō in the study was a Shadow Clone and pierced it with a Black Rod that also struck the fleeing real Danzō.
• Three Hyuga Branch Family ninja arrived, and Hyuga Yunchuan told them an unruly intruder had been driven away.
• Hyuga Yunchuan returned to the window, thinking Danzō still believed the Caged Bird Cursed Seal could affect him and did not understand the Tenseigan.

After Hyuga Yunchuan crippled him, Shimura Danzō retreated to a secret Root laboratory and resolved to gain greater power. He ordered the next stage of his experiments, hoping to combine Hashirama Cells, a Hollow, the Sharingan, and a Byakugan so he could control Yunchuan.

• Shimura Danzō limped through the forest to a hidden Root base, furious that Hyuga Yunchuan had attacked him.
• Two Root ninja let Danzō into the secret underground laboratory, where he found Byakugan from several Hyuga members, including Hyuga Yunchuan, preserved in containers.
• Danzō recalled that the Caged Bird Curse Mark was controlled through resonance between Byakugan, not shared blood, and believed a Main Family eye could let him control Yunchuan.
• Diao reported that the Hashirama Cell and Hollow fusion had advanced enough for Danzō to attempt removing the second shackle and potentially control his Sharingan.
• Danzō asked about transplanting another Byakugan, and Diao said it might be possible after the third experimental stage removed the final shackle.
• Danzō ordered Diao to prepare the second-stage surgery and vowed to obtain the combined powers and make Yunchuan submit.

Ten students, including Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke, left Konoha by carriage for the Capital City while their mentors and Sarutobi Hiruzen saw them off. As they departed, Naruto discovered changes to the Sealing Space and learned Yunshi could use his parents’ Chakra to let him speak with them; Hiruzen then turned to planning a joint campaign against Amegakure and Akatsuki.

• Naruto asked Sasuke why he was leaving Konoha, and Sasuke explained that the trip would help him pursue his dream of becoming Hokage and restoring the Uchiha Clan.
• Kazuma guided the ten students onto three carriages, while Hyuga Yunchuan and Sarutobi Hiruzen offered Naruto and the others farewell advice.
• Inside the carriage, Naruto entered the Sealing Space and saw the Nine-Tails with a changed form beneath a night sky filled with auroras.
• Yunshi told Naruto that the lights were Chakra, including Chakra left behind by his mother and father, and offered to let him meet them.
• Karin saw Hyuga Yunchuan’s silent message, then concealed a black diamond-shaped mark in her palm as the carriages departed.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Hyuga Yunchuan it was time to discuss the Five Great Nations’ joint campaign against Amegakure and Akatsuki.

Naruto learned from Yunshi and the Nine-Tails why Minato Namikaze made him a Jinchuriki, and he judged his father’s decision as reckless and irresponsible. He left the conversation calm but still carrying resentment toward the man who had burdened him before he could choose.

• Naruto confirmed that Minato Namikaze was his father and Nueve was his mother.
• The Nine-Tails explained that Minato chose to seal its Chakra into newborn Naruto rather than let Nueve die with it, hoping to preserve the balance of Tailed Beasts and fulfill the Child of Prophecy’s role.
• Naruto accepted that Minato had prioritized the Land of Fire and Konoha over him, and said he felt no grief for a father he had never known.
• Naruto argued that Minato’s choice was foolish because sacrificing himself left Konoha without its Hokage while making an infant carry the burden of the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto called Minato an unqualified father and an incompetent Hokage, leaving the Nine-Tails speechless as Yunshi watched.

Yunshi considered whether the Dragon Vein could explain Minato Namikaze’s trust in Naruto, then began training Naruto to control the Asura Chakra within him. Naruto chose to take up the Black Rod and pursue a path beyond Konoha’s old order, while Yunshi wondered how Minato would react when they met again.

• Yunshi recalled the Dragon Vein’s time-traveling power and wondered whether Minato Namikaze had retained memories of meeting Naruto in the past.
• Naruto told Yunshi he wanted to become stronger than the Fourth Hokage and asked him to teach him.
• Yunshi showed Naruto a Black Rod and instructed him to guide the chakra intertwined with his own into it.
• Naruto reflected on his changed understanding of bonds, Konoha, and the Ninja World, and decided to pursue change through his own judgment.
• Naruto pulled the Black Rod from the ground, while Yunshi looked toward Minato Namikaze’s chakra and imagined their future meeting.

Sasori emerged from Isshiki’s modifications with a powerful new puppet body, while Konan and Mui discussed Akatsuki’s submission to Isshiki. Kakuzu’s injuries had left his Earth Grudge Fear threads running wild, and Sasori considered turning him into a puppet, but Mui reminded him that Isshiki would have to approve.

• Sasori left his room and told Konan that his Black Rod body felt better than ever, describing the new abilities it gave him.
• Konan reflected on Nagato’s decision to submit the Akatsuki to Isshiki and on Isshiki’s demands for vessels, clan members, and intelligence.
• Kakuzu’s screams came from the neighboring room as his Earth Grudge Fear threads spread through it and attacked anyone who approached.
• Mui explained that Kakuzu’s body had mostly been replaced by living Black Threads and praised his tenacious vitality.
• Sasori offered to turn Kakuzu into an eternal work of art, and Mui told him to seek Isshiki’s permission.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki revived Kakuzu by reshaping his Earth Grudge Fear into five bodies, leaving Kakuzu with Black Rods and four independently minded elemental clones. Kakuzu learned Isshiki had become the Akatsuki’s new leader and asked what he wanted in return for saving his life.

• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki watched as Kakuzu emerged from a black cocoon with a restored, altered body.
• Kakuzu realized Earth Grudge Fear had changed his body, and Isshiki explained that the Black Rods inside him were his own.
• Kakuzu used the Black Rods to awaken the Wind Style Clone, which showed an independent, sorrowful personality.
• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki explained that he had separated Kakuzu’s five hearts into elemental bodies, with Kakuzu’s Earth Release body as their central hub.
• Kakuzu thought the four clones could help him take on five jobs at once, then asked Ōtsutsuki Isshiki what he wanted in return for saving his life.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki gathered Akatsuki’s transformed members, ordered them to search for Otsutsuki traces and develop biotechnology, and assigned them to confront the Five Great Nations in the Land of Hot Water. He revealed that the Underground Palace there was an Otsutsuki relic and ordered them to take the Tailed Beasts and open its four sealed levels.

• Hanzo emerged with Isshiki’s new Kusabi, while Hiruko revealed that he had gained the Ketsuryūgan and other Kekkei Genkai by devouring captives from Ooyashiro En’s network.
• Konan warned Mui, Sasori, and Hiruko that the Five Great Nations’ joint campaign would soon provide targets for testing their new powers.
• Shinno restored Nagato’s body at the cost of his own life force, and Nagato returned to the conference room and told the others to call him by his true name.
• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki emerged with Kakuzu, laid out Akatsuki’s membership and orders, and promised that the Land of Fire would not become a battlefield.
• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki named the Land of Hot Water as Akatsuki’s battlefield and ordered the members to take the Tailed Beasts to open the Underground Palace’s four levels and retrieve what lay inside.

Naruto and Sasuke smelled blood near the Capital City's grand walls as their convoy entered the city. After learning that the Daimyo's second son was praying for people who had died recently, they suspected the capital's splendor concealed darker realities.

• Naruto and Sasuke detected a faint smell of blood as the carriages approached the Capital City.
• Naruto noticed dark-red soil beneath unusually vivid flowers at the foot of the city wall.
• Samurai checked the convoy's permits, and the gates opened to let the carriages into the city.
• A crowd blocked the road, and Kazuma sent a samurai to find out what was happening.
• The samurai reported that the Daimyo's second son was praying with senior Fire Temple monks for commoners who had died earlier.
• Kazuma mocked the second son privately, then gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin a polite explanation for the delay.

Sarutobi Hiruzen urged the Five Great Shinobi Villages to cooperate in exploring the Underground Palace, explaining that its evolving Ninja Tools could harm Hollows. The meeting ended with the Fourth Raikage resisting the demand to risk a Kumogakure Jinchuriki, while Ōnoki argued that Kumogakure’s two Tailed Beasts gave it greater responsibility.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen briefed the Kage on the Hollow threat and proposed using a Tailed Beast’s Chakra to open the Underground Palace’s deeper levels.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed that the Palace’s Ninja Tools could damage Hollows and grow stronger by absorbing the souls of those they killed.
• Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage tacitly admitted that they had verified the Ninja Tools’ ability to evolve, while Sarutobi Hiruzen explained Konoha’s collection and its Rusty Sword.
• The Fourth Raikage demanded to know why Kumogakure had to risk a Jinchuriki when Konoha had a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Ōnoki told the Fourth Raikage that Kumogakure’s two Tailed Beasts made it responsible for taking the risk, as Hyuga Yunchuan listened beside Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hyuga Yunchuan began exercising the Hokage’s duties while Sarutobi Hiruzen retained control over important decisions and represented Konoha at a Five Kage meeting. The Kage agreed to cooperate in opening the underground palace’s second layer, and Sarutobi offered Konoha’s Pride and Lust for the exploration.

• Hyuga Yunchuan accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen’s oversight of his Hokage work, intending to let others grow more dissatisfied with Sarutobi.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed that the five villages share the underground palace’s discoveries and work together to open its deeper layers.
• The Fourth Raikage agreed to send Yugito Nii but refused to let Killer B risk himself.
• Karatachi Yagura volunteered to lead Kirigakure’s team, offering the Three-Tails’ Chakra alongside Yugito Nii’s to open the second layer.
• “Rasa” agreed to lead Sunagakure’s team and accept a smaller share of the benefits because his village had little else to contribute.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen offered Konoha’s Seven Deadly Sins, Pride and Lust, for the exploration, while warning that the tools chose their own masters.

The Fourth Raikage revealed that the Underground Palace was the tomb of an ancient member of the Ōtsutsuki Clan who opposed his own people, leaving the other Kage stunned. Disguised as Rasa, Orochimaru realized the Tomb Master was the Lord of Hueco Mundo and that the palace’s Ninja Tools were Zanpakuto.

• Ōnoki pledged that Iwagakure would send more elite ninja, and the Fourth Raikage asked whether Kumogakure’s knowledge of the Underground Palace would count as a major contribution.
• The Fourth Raikage explained that Kumogakure had deciphered a stone tablet identifying the Underground Palace as a tomb and its owner as a member of the Sage of Six Paths’ clan.
• The Fourth Raikage recounted the tablet’s account of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, its God Tree harvests, and the Tomb Master’s conflict with his clan and death in the tomb.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Yunchuan connected the story to the Seven Deadly Sins inscription, while Terumi Mei doubted the account.
• Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, recognized the Tomb Master as the Lord of Hueco Mundo and the Ninja Tools as Zanpakuto, then laughed as he reconsidered the scroll’s teachings.