Chapter Summaries

Hanfu gained Tagorihime’s trust by infusing crystals with Chakra and then asked her to teach him Senjutsu. After learning from her, he collected three fragments of incomplete Sage Mode and prepared to approach Tagitsuhime.

• Hanfu visited Tagorihime, who noticed he had cracked her stone entrance and invited him inside after deciding he would compensate her.
• Tagorihime borrowed a hundred thousand crystals from Ichikishimahime in exchange for giving her twenty thousand of the infused crystals.
• Hanfu spent more than half a year infusing the crystals at Tagorihime’s abode, while growing closer to her and collecting Full Body Sweat at night.
• Tagorihime handed Ichikishimahime her twenty-thousand-crystal share, then agreed to teach Hanfu Senjutsu because she valued his Chakra contributions.
• Hanfu collected three pale-blue Light Spots for Sage Mode 1/9 (Incomplete), thanked Tagorihime, and left to visit Tagitsuhime.

Hanfu’s Shadow Clone continued its lazy Anbu routine while Kakashi led the Sixth Division to investigate another town destroyed by ninjas. At the Hokage Building, Jiraiya refused to approve Shisui as a Mount Myoboku successor, then learned about Hanfu’s Ryūchi Cave inheritance and the alliance targeting him before leaving to gather material.

• Kakashi led the Sixth Division on a mission to investigate a town near the Land of Fire and Land of Grass border that had been destroyed by ninjas.
• Jiraiya rejected Namikaze Minato’s recommendation of Shisui for a Mount Myoboku Summoning Contract.
• Namikaze Minato told Jiraiya that Orochimaru was working with Sasori of the Red Sands and Obito Uchiha.
• Namikaze Minato explained Hanfu’s Ryūchi Cave inheritance and how Orochimaru, Obito Uchiha, and Sasori of the Red Sands had attacked him.
• Jiraiya considered Hanfu’s strength, then left the Hokage Building to gather material.

Kakashi’s Sixth Division investigated a destroyed village and found signs that the apparent Missing-nin attack might have been staged. After tensions with Kusagakure grew during their search in the Land of Grass, Kakashi withdrew his team to avoid worsening relations.

• Hanfu’s Shadow Clone and Shisui found crude, varied wounds on the villagers and suggested someone might have disguised the attack as the work of Missing-nin.
• Kakashi considered whether the investigation had been misdirected and led the Sixth Division across the border into the Land of Grass.
• The team encountered wary Kusagakure Ninja, and their discussion of the village destruction ended with both sides parting on bad terms.
• Hanfu’s Shadow Clone proposed that someone was trying to drive a wedge between major and smaller nations, but the Sixth Division doubted the theory for lack of evidence.
• Kakashi’s team discovered Kusagakure Ninja following them, and Kakashi ordered the Sixth Division to leave the Land of Grass.

Hanfu finished eliminating the White Snake Sage’s Senjutsu Chakra and asked her to teach him Ryūchi Cave’s Senjutsu. She refused, explaining that his Senjutsu Chakra clashed with hers, and Hanfu left without obtaining the techniques he wanted.

• Hanfu confirmed that his Sage Mode had no markings or altered pupils because he absorbed Natural Energy without a middleman, like the young Sage of Six Paths.
• Hanfu completed the removal of the White Snake Sage’s Senjutsu Chakra from his body and used Flying Thunder God to reach her Bronze Temple.
• Hanfu asked the White Snake Sage to teach him Ryūchi Cave’s Senjutsu so he could obtain the White Extreme Technique and Inorganic Reincarnation.
• The White Snake Sage explained that Hanfu’s Senjutsu Chakra clashed with hers, making Ryūchi Cave’s Senjutsu unsuitable for him.
• Hanfu pleaded for a chance to study her Senjutsu, but the White Snake Sage refused and ordered him to leave.

Hanfu left Ryūchi Cave after signing summoning contracts with the Three Snake Princesses and returned to Konoha, where he reunited with his family and old teammate. After absorbing years of memories from his Shadow Clone, he woke to find Wild Cat had come to summon him to the Hokage.

• Hanfu rejected Tagitsuhime's suggestion to sacrifice ten thousand people and agreed to pay five hundred crystal units of Chakra to summon each Snake Princess.
• Hanfu signed Blood Pacts with the Three Snake Princesses, said farewell to Garaga, and left the Full Body Sweat scroll underground before returning to Konoha in June.
• Hanfu found Hayate and Uzuki Yugao training at home and learned that Hayate had become a Chunin and Yugao had graduated.
• Hanfu dispelled his long-running Shadow Clone, absorbed its memories, and passed out from exhaustion; Keiko watched over him until he woke three days later.
• Hanfu explained his absence to Keiko, then Wild Cat arrived with a summons from the Hokage and asked him for a wedding gift.

Hanfu returned from Ryūchi Cave having mastered Sage Mode and joined Kakashi’s Anbu team to investigate the destruction of the Land of Grass. The team reached the ruined capital and split up to search for information and suspicious traces while Kakashi headed for Kusagakure.

• Hanfu learned from his Shadow Clone’s memories that the Land of Grass had been destroyed and that Kakashi’s team had been sent to reinforce Kusagakure.
• Hanfu told Namikaze Minato that he had mastered Sage Mode, then agreed to join Kakashi’s investigation; Minato said Jiraiya would not let Shisui sign a contract with Mount Myoboku.
• Hanfu collected an Anbu uniform and Wolf Mask, traveled with Garaga, and caught up with Kakashi and Shisui at the Land of Fire’s border with the Land of Grass.
• Hanfu reassured Shisui that they could seek out Mount Myoboku together, and the team crossed the forest to reach the ruined capital of the Land of Grass.
• Kakashi divided the team, sending Shisui and five members to search the capital for information, Hanfu and five to find suspicious traces, and the rest to Kusagakure.

Hanfu identified Kakuzu as the likely culprit behind the destruction of the Land of Grass and forced black market officials to reveal Kakuzu’s recent movements. He led three Anbu toward Yuluo Village to intercept him, hoping Kakuzu had stopped to pursue another bounty.

• Hanfu found evidence of a greatsword attack and concluded that Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa had destroyed the Land of Grass.
• Hanfu overruled his five Anbu teammates and led them to a black market, where he threatened its officials into sharing information about Kakuzu.
• The officials said Kakuzu had visited recently, turned in wanted ninja, and accepted a bounty targeting Takajo Nai, last seen near Yuluo Village.
• Hanfu ordered two Anbu to seek out Kakashi and Shisui while he and three others headed toward Yuluo Village on the Land of Rain border.
• After three days crossing the Forest of Death, Hanfu entered the Land of Rain and hoped to intercept Kakuzu in Yuluo Village.

Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa were ambushed by Hanfu and three Konoha Anbu after exchanging bounty heads in Yuluo. Hanfu overwhelmed Juzo Biwa and then unleashed a coordinated attack with thirty Shadow Clones, forcing Kakuzu to split into five fighters to defend himself.

• Kakuzu exchanged the bounty heads for money, then left Yuluo with Juzo Biwa.
• Hanfu and three Konoha Anbu surrounded Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa, and Hanfu noticed their Akatsuki rings.
• Juzo Biwa attacked Hanfu, but Hanfu blocked Kubikiribōchō with his Kusanagi Sword and sent Juzo Biwa flying.
• Kakuzu raised an Earth Wall to shield them from the Anbu's combined Wind and Fire Release techniques.
• Hanfu summoned thirty Shadow Clones, which attacked from all sides with Five-Element Ninjutsu.
• Kakuzu split his Earth Grudge Fear into four masked fighters and defended alongside them, but the group came under intense pressure from Hanfu's clones.

Hanfu used Sage Mode to overwhelm Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa with enormous Fire Release techniques after their mist and underground tendril attacks destroyed many of his Shadow Clones. Kakuzu fled underground, while Juzo Biwa escaped the flames but was left exposed to Hanfu.

• Kakuzu withdrew his Earth Grudge Fear mask clones as Hanfu's Shadow Clones pressured him with powerful ninjutsu, and Hanfu questioned Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa about Akatsuki.
• Juzo Biwa filled the battlefield with mist, while Kakuzu sent tendrils underground and his mask clones attacked Hanfu's Shadow Clones and the three Anbu.
• Hanfu entered Sage Mode and unleashed a vast Sage Art: Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation, evaporating the mist and destroying one of Kakuzu's mask clones.
• Hanfu launched a second Great Fire Annihilation, forcing Kakuzu to recall his clones and flee underground.
• Juzo Biwa escaped the wall of fire with the Kubikiribōchō, but emerged from the mist and left himself exposed to Hanfu.

Hanfu killed Juzo Biwa during the mission in the Land of Rain, while Kakuzu escaped underground. After the team returned to the Land of Grass, Hanfu, Kakashi, and Shisui discussed the Akatsuki-like organization behind the destruction and considered helping rebuild Kusagakure.

• Hanfu used the Dance of Thunder to cut through Juzo Biwa's Kubikiribōchō and fatally wound him, then beheaded him.
• Kakuzu escaped underground, and Hanfu refused to pursue him; the team collected Juzo Biwa's body and bloodstained soil, and Hanfu sealed the broken Kubikiribōchō as a trophy.
• Kakashi and Shisui arrived, heard how Hanfu had defeated Juzo Biwa, and agreed with him that the team should leave the Land of Rain.
• Kakashi, Hanfu, and Shisui concluded that an organization of S-Rank missing-nin might be provoking conflict between major and minor nations by attacking villages and destroying the Land of Grass.
• Hanfu suggested helping rebuild Kusagakure, and Kakashi agreed that Konoha could support a promising survivor and gain influence there.

After Juzo Biwa's death exposed the Akatsuki to Konoha, Deva Path Pain chose to avoid a direct clash with Gekko Hayate and instead considered recruiting members from the Abyss. Days later, Kakashi's group returned to Konoha, and Hayate received Yuki Kanpyo's memories in his sleep.

• Zetsu reported that Konoha Anbu had inferred the Akatsuki's existence and suspected its role in the Village Destruction Incident and the fall of the Land of Grass.
• Orochimaru revealed that Gekko Hayate had mastered Senjutsu and signed a Blood Pact with the Three Snake Princesses of Ryūchi Cave, but Deva Path Pain decided to avoid Konoha Ninja and continue sowing discord.
• Kakuzu said he could work alone after Juzo Biwa's death, and Konan ordered Zetsu to keep searching for powerful Missing-nin.
• Deva Path Pain asked Yuki Kanpyo to recruit one or two Abyss members without revealing Akatsuki intelligence, and Yuki Kanpyo agreed to try.
• Kakashi and his group returned to Konoha, while Hayate, Shisui, and the others went to the bathhouse before separating.
• Hayate received Yuki Kanpyo's memories while asleep and was plagued by nightmares.

Hanfu planned to plant a Byakugan Shadow Clone in Akatsuki and searched for a suitable dead Hyuga Branch House identity. Hyuga Shinichi told him that Takigawa Hyuga died without a body during the Third Shinobi World War, giving Hanfu the identity he needed.

• Hanfu decided the Byakugan Shadow Clone would join Akatsuki under the cover story of a Branch House shinobi seeking revenge on the Main House.
• Hanfu searched Konoha Hospital's wartime casualty records but found no information about whether the listed Hyuga dead had bodies.
• Hanfu approached his old friend Hyuga Shinichi and reunited with him after years apart.
• Hanfu and Hyuga Shinichi visited the cemetery, where Shinichi described Takigawa Hyuga's death luring Mist Ninja away from a supply convoy before falling from a cliff without leaving a body.
• Hanfu realized Takigawa Hyuga was the ideal identity for the Byakugan Shadow Clone.

Hanfu learned that he would have to compete with Gekko Kemuri for leadership of the Gekko Clan, then set out to persuade her to withdraw. He arrived at her house with Hayate, who agreed to help in exchange for money for a gift.

• Hanfu created a shadow clone named Takigawa Hyuga, which vanished immediately, and used another clone to send Yuki Kanpyo a message about the new arrival.
• Hanfu shared breakfast with Gekko Hoshino, Keiko, and Hayate, where Keiko teased him about finding a girlfriend and Gekko Hoshino said the clan leadership would depend on his ability.
• Gekko Hoshino revealed that Gekko Kemuri was a popular Special Jonin and a potential rival for clan leadership, prompting Hanfu to argue that he had shed blood and found crawfish for the clan.
• Gekko Hoshino advised Hanfu to visit the clan and make more contributions, while Hayate said he planned to buy a birthday present for Uzuki Yugao's father.
• Hanfu offered to pay for Hayate's present if he helped persuade Gekko Kemuri to back down, and the brothers arrived at her house.

Hanfu asked Gekko Kemuri to let him compete for clan head, and she agreed to settle the matter with a decisive duel when Uncle Hoshino retired. After leaving her house, Hanfu reluctantly gave Hayate a handful of sapphires to fund an expensive gift for her.

• Hanfu and Hayate visited Gekko Kemuri, and Hayate told her that Hanfu wanted to become clan head.
• Gekko Kemuri explained the responsibilities of a clan head and challenged Hanfu to a duel when Uncle Hoshino retired, with the loser withdrawing from the competition.
• Gekko Kemuri demanded payment for her cracked front door, and Hanfu agreed to pay because Hayate had damaged it.
• Hayate asked Hanfu for money to buy a Supreme Grade Sword as a gift for Gekko Kemuri, and Hanfu objected to its eight-million-yen price.
• Hanfu remembered his Blue Sapphires and gave Hayate about forty of them to sell for the gift.

Hanfu sought Namikaze Minato’s help to improve his reaction speed and trained against the Hokage until he could use the Collection Technique on him. He collected a pale blue Light Spot and discovered it was Rasengan.

• Hanfu visited Genma Shiranui and learned that the Hokage Guard Platoon would train at Training Ground 7 that afternoon.
• Hanfu met Namikaze Minato at the training ground and asked for help with his slow reactions.
• Namikaze Minato demonstrated his speed by interrupting Hanfu’s Wind Release attack, then began training him to react to repeated assaults.
• Hanfu endured targeted training from Namikaze Minato until five, when the training ended.
• Hanfu used the Collection Technique on Namikaze Minato, obtained a pale blue Light Spot, and realized he had collected Rasengan.

Hanfu continued training under Namikaze Minato and tried to collect abilities from Uchiha children, but mostly gained ordinary techniques. Minato appointed him Special Jonin and second-stage Chief Examiner for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams, whose examiners planned to enforce strict standards; Hanfu learned Itachi Uchiha had entered.

• Hanfu learned that Namikaze Minato planned to teach him a powerful technique that worked with the Flying Thunder God, then left Training Ground 7 without testing his newly collected Rasengan.
• Hanfu tried collecting abilities from Uchiha children but gained only a Kunai Throwing Technique and, over the following days, mostly ordinary techniques.
• Namikaze Minato appointed Hanfu Special Jonin and Chief Examiner for the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams, instructing him, Genma Shiranui, and Morino Ibiki to reject unqualified candidates.
• Hanfu, Genma Shiranui, and Morino Ibiki planned psychological, illusion, and combat tests to enforce the Hokage's strict promotion standards.
• Genma Shiranui said Itachi Uchiha, a prodigy comparable to Shisui, had entered the exams, surprising Hanfu.

Hanfu collected another Sharingan light spot before the Konoha Year 53 Chunin Exams began, where Itachi Uchiha took the first test alone and passed. Hanfu became the second exam’s chief examiner, disqualified candidates who challenged his authority, and led the remaining candidates toward the next stage with Itachi following him.

• Hanfu collected a Pale Red Light Spot from Uchiha children, bringing his incomplete Sharingan total to four.
• Itachi Uchiha took the first exam alone and passed after Morino Ibiki eliminated candidates who cheated poorly or failed the final question.
• Hanfu introduced himself as Gekko Hayate, the second exam’s chief examiner, and disqualified several candidates who questioned his age and authority.
• Hanfu ordered proctors to remove the protesting candidates, then jumped through a classroom window as Itachi Uchiha followed him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi defended Hanfu’s strict exam decisions against Utatane Koharu’s criticism, while the candidates entered the Forest of Death for a simplified second exam. Hanfu then summoned Tagorihime to hinder them with illusions, leaving her eager to absorb their Chakra but forbidden to kill them.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Utatane Koharu that the eliminated candidates had failed to stay alert and gather information, and he rejected her effort to challenge Namikaze Minato’s policies.
• Utatane Koharu argued that Namikaze Minato’s strict promotions and hands-off approach toward the Uchiha Clan were mistakes, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the Fourth Hokage’s leadership.
• Hanfu announced that candidates had seven days to reach the Central Tower, without requiring them to collect Heaven and Earth Scrolls, and Itachi Uchiha suspected the simple rules concealed a trap.
• The Chunin proctors followed the candidates into the Forest of Death, and Hanfu summoned Tagorihime to set illusions that would slow them down.
• Hanfu allowed Tagorihime to absorb Chakra from the candidates but warned her not to kill them, threatening to withhold Chakra if she disobeyed.

In the Forest of Death, Itachi Uchiha defeated three Genin who plotted to stop rookies from passing, and the examinees continued eliminating one another. Hanfu learned that only nine remained and worried that too few would reach the Central Tower.

• Itachi Uchiha overheard three Genin planning to attack rookies and ambushed them, using his Two-Tomoe Sharingan to defeat them and break their limbs.
• Chunin Proctors eliminated the injured Genin because they could no longer reach the Central Tower in time.
• Over the next three days, fights between teams eliminated two three-person teams and three two-person teams, leaving nine examinees in the Forest of Death.
• Chunin Proctors praised Hanfu for anticipating the examinees' rivalries, while Hanfu was baffled that they had eliminated so many without Tagorihime acting.
• Hanfu asked how many examinees remained and learned there were nine, then worried that only three or four might pass.

Itachi Uchiha and the other candidates were trapped by Gekko’s moving Central Tower illusion, which prevented them from reaching the real tower. Itachi eventually crossed the illusion’s range blindfolded and passed the second round just before the exam ended, while Hanfu dismissed the struggling candidates as hopeless.

• Itachi Uchiha realized the distant Central Tower moved away whenever he approached and concluded that Gekko’s Genjutsu was keeping him from reaching the real tower.
• Eight other candidates encountered the same obstacle, and one Genin discovered that traveling underground caused his Chakra to drain rapidly.
• On the sixth day, Itachi found the edge of the Genjutsu’s range, covered his eyes, and pressed toward the tower despite injuries, beasts, and increased Chakra use.
• On the seventh day, Hanfu learned that no candidates had reached the Central Tower and blamed the difficulty on this year’s hopeless candidates.
• Itachi emerged from the forest shortly before noon, removed his blindfold, and learned from a Chunin Proctor that he had passed the second round.