Chapter Summaries

Hikawa killed the Third Mizukage and gained a powerful Water Style Entry, but Obito Uchiha arrived and awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan after seeing Rin Nohara protect Hikawa. Madara Uchiha watched from afar and decided to let Obito vent while he assessed the new ocular technique.

• Hikawa used Water Style attacks to defeat and kill the Third Mizukage, who had tried to flee toward his base.
• Mei Terumi and the surviving Kirigakure ninja found the Third Mizukage dead and retreated, while Hikawa reunited with Yuhi Kurenai, Hizashi Hyuga, and Rin Nohara.
• Hikawa gained the B-Rank Entry 'I am the Mizukage,' raising his Water Style Ninjutsu boost to 300%.
• Obito Uchiha appeared and approached Rin Nohara, who attacked him while protecting Hikawa; Hikawa then dispelled the genjutsu affecting her.
• Obito Uchiha awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as he watched Rin Nohara fall into Hikawa's arms, and Hikawa prepared to face him.
• Madara Uchiha observed Obito Uchiha's awakening and told White Zetsu to let him vent while Madara assessed his ocular technique.

Obito Uchiha used Kamui to fight Hikawa, but Hikawa outmaneuvered him with Water Style and wounded him badly before Madara Uchiha intervened. After Obito Uchiha fled and broke down crying, Madara Uchiha rebuked him, then began teaching him how to create a new world.

• Obito Uchiha attacked Hikawa with Wood Release and Kamui, while Hikawa used a Shadow Clone to confirm the Mangekyō Sharingan's ability.
• Hikawa hid in the sea and attacked with Water Style, frustrating Obito Uchiha and forcing him to retreat into the Kamui Dimension.
• Obito Uchiha reappeared behind Hikawa, but Hikawa's real body struck him with a Lava Release Rasengan and severed his shoulder with the Thunder Fire Sword.
• Madara Uchiha stopped Hikawa with a genjutsu, allowing the wounded Obito Uchiha to escape into the Kamui Dimension.
• Madara Uchiha found Obito Uchiha crying in a cave, criticized his fighting, and asked what he planned to do.
• Obito Uchiha declared that he would create a new world, and Madara Uchiha offered to teach him how.

After returning from the battle, Hikawa learned that his fight with Obito Uchiha had granted him talents for Wood Release and spatial ninjutsu, including the potential to master the Flying Thunder God Technique. He told Tsunade about the mysterious Wood Release user, leading her to suspect Shimura Danzō and arrange for Jiraiya to investigate.

• Hikawa asked his companions to keep the mysterious ninja’s Wood Release secret, then checked his new talents for Wood Release and spatial ninjutsu.
• Hikawa and the others returned to Konoha’s battered camp, where they helped treat wounded ninja after the Three-Tails’ attack.
• Hizashi Hyuga told the assembled ninja that Hikawa had killed the Third Mizukage, and Tsunade ordered Baki and Hizashi to oversee defense and patrols.
• Hikawa told Tsunade that a Sharingan user with Wood Release had appeared, and Tsunade connected the ninja to the forbidden Wood Release Experiment and suspected Shimura Danzō.
• Hikawa suggested Jiraiya investigate Shimura Danzō, and Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to contact Mount Myoboku and Jiraiya.

Tsunade opened up to Hikawa about her past, while Kirigakure chose Karatachi Yagura as its new Mizukage after Hikawa killed the Third Mizukage. News of Hikawa's victory spread through Konoha, and Jiraiya learned that someone had restarted the Wood Release Experiments.

• Tsunade reminisced with Hikawa about Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and her brother Nawaki, and the two fell asleep together.
• After the Third Mizukage's death, Kirigakure's jonin elected Karatachi Yagura as the Fourth Mizukage, and he ordered the village to continue harassing Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen received word that Hikawa had killed the Third Mizukage and told Haru to publicize the news.
• Hyuga Hiashi discussed Hikawa's growing reputation with his wife and considered asking him to teach their future child.
• Jiraiya received a scroll from Tsunade and learned that someone was conducting Wood Release Experiments.

Hikawa spent a quiet evening with Tsunade before returning to Konoha as the leader of a supply convoy, where he hoped to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. After a week treating wounded ninja during the renewed clashes with Kirigakure, he set out with Hizashi Hyuga and Chen Baojun, who agreed to teach him Konoha Dragon God.

• Hikawa woke to find Tsunade clinging to him, then joined her at a river for dinner and a peaceful foot soak.
• Hikawa asked to return to Konoha to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Tsunade assigned him to lead the next supply convoy.
• Tsunade reported that about a thousand Kirigakure ninja had returned to the Land of Rivers and ordered Konoha and Sunagakure to drive them out.
• Hikawa spent the following week treating wounded ninja and training at headquarters while the opposing forces fought in cautious skirmishes.
• Hikawa left for Konoha with squads led by Hizashi Hyuga and Chen Baojun, then persuaded Chen to teach him Konoha Dragon God.

Hikawa returned to Konoha, reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and memorized the Flying Thunder God Technique and Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. After dinner with the Hyuga Clan, he agreed to teach the unborn Hinata Hyuga and left with the supply convoy for the Land of Rivers the next day.

• Hizashi Hyuga invited Hikawa to dinner at the Hyuga Clan compound, and Hikawa accepted before reporting to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Hikawa asked to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Sarutobi Hiruzen let him memorize it and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique in Konoha's secret chamber.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked whom Hikawa thought should become the next Hokage, and Hikawa chose his teacher, Tsunade.
• Hikawa brought gifts to the Hyuga Clan dinner, where Hyuga Hiashi asked him to reserve a future student place for his unborn child, Hinata Hyuga, and Hikawa agreed.
• Hikawa returned to Tsunade's home and trained in Lightning Release Chakra Mode before departing with Chen Baojun, Hizashi Hyuga, and the supply convoy for the Land of Rivers.

Hikawa intercepted Mei Terumi and eleven Kirigakure ninja who were ambushing the Konoha supply convoy, then fought Mei and defeated her. He let the other Kirigakure ninja escape, gained a talent boost for Lava Release and Boil Release, and left Mei with a trench coat as she struggled to understand her feelings about him.

• Hikawa sensed three Kirigakure squads near the convoy and left to confront them alone.
• Hikawa found Mei Terumi leading the ambush, and she mistakenly offered him her wallet, shoes, and black fishnet stockings when she thought he wanted payment to spare her team.
• Mei Terumi ordered her eleven teammates to flee while she fought Hikawa, whose Water Style overwhelmed her attacks.
• Mei Terumi surrendered after Hikawa countered her Lava Release and Boil Release, and Hikawa gained the Boiling and Melting talent entry.
• Hikawa gave Mei Terumi a trench coat, advised her to practice her releases, and left her blushing and confused.

Hikawa returned to the Konoha and Sunagakure camp, where Tsunade planned a dawn attack on a Kirigakure stronghold and revealed that Hozuki Mangetsu was waiting there to challenge him. Meanwhile, Jiraiya uncovered records linking Shimura Danzō’s Root to illegal Wood Release experiments and found Orochimaru’s handwriting, leaving him determined to investigate both men.

• Hikawa reunited with Yuhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara, gave them Konoha snacks, and went to report to Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Hikawa she had fought Karatachi Yagura, then planned to attack a nearby Kirigakure stronghold at dawn and let Hikawa face Hozuki Mangetsu.
• Hikawa told Tsunade that Hyuga Hiashi wanted his future child to become Hikawa’s student, and Tsunade approved.
• Hikawa heated food for Tsunade before joining Yuhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara to share snacks.
• Jiraiya investigated a former Root base and found records showing Shimura Danzō had used more than sixty missing infants in Wood Release experiments.
• Jiraiya recognized Orochimaru’s handwriting in the records and decided to investigate both Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō.

Hikawa, Tsunade, and their Konoha and Sunagakure team launched a surprise attack on a Kirigakure outpost, where Hikawa defeated and captured Hozuki Mangetsu. After the allied forces withdrew, Karatachi Yagura arrived and learned that the outpost had been devastated and Mangetsu was missing.

• Hikawa woke Tsunade, and she led twenty-eight Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas toward the Kirigakure island outpost.
• Hikawa used Water Style: Great Exploding Water Disruption to create giant waves that carried the attackers to the island and overwhelmed Kirigakure's defenses.
• Tsunade and the allied ninjas attacked the outpost while Hikawa fought Hozuki Mangetsu, countered his Water Transformation Technique with lightning, and captured him alive.
• The allied forces defeated the outpost's defenders, took Hozuki Mangetsu, and withdrew before Kirigakure reinforcements arrived.
• Ao reported the attack and Mangetsu's disappearance to Karatachi Yagura, who ordered the outpost cleared and the bodies taken away.

Hikawa mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode and discussed his next training goals with Rin Nohara before Jiraiya arrived at the Konoha camp. Jiraiya and Tsunade reviewed evidence of Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō's Wood Release experiments, and Tsunade resolved to have them punished and stripped of power after the war.

• Hikawa tested his newly upgraded Lightning Release Chakra Mode, reflected on his other newly learned techniques, and planned to pursue Wood Release, the Flying Thunder God Technique, Konoha Dragon God, and the Five Element Great Consecutive Bullet Technique.
• Rin Nohara told Hikawa she had mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, and he praised her medical ninjutsu and offered to teach her the Chakra Scalpel.
• A giant toad landed near the main camp, and Hikawa realized Jiraiya had arrived; he and Rin went to find out what was happening.
• Hikawa joined Tsunade and Jiraiya in the main tent and read evidence that Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō had jointly conducted the Wood Release Experiment.
• Tsunade decided they should not be alerted during the war, but vowed they would be punished afterward and forced to withdraw from Konoha's leadership; Jiraiya agreed to remain in the Land of Rivers and help.

After Kirigakure withdrew and sought peace, Tsunade and Hikawa returned to Konoha as celebrated war heroes. Konoha then learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had agreed to a ceasefire, leaving only one active battlefield in the Ninja World.

• Jiraiya taught Hikawa about the Flying Thunder God Technique, and a Kirigakure Anbu ninja announced that the Mizukage would send a delegation to Konoha for peace talks in January.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed whether she might become the Fourth Hokage, and Jiraiya left to continue searching for the Child of Prophecy.
• Tsunade led the Konoha group back to the village, where crowds cheered her and Hikawa before she and Hikawa met with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Tsunade and Hikawa that Kumogakure had sought peace talks with Iwagakure, while Hikawa considered how the conflict might end.
• After returning to his training routine, Hikawa learned in December that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had agreed to a ceasefire, leaving only one active battlefield.

Hikawa accompanied Tsunade to Konoha Hospital, where she operated on a wounded Uchiha jonin, then learned that Iwagakure wanted to negotiate for Rōshi and that Minato was returning. After helping Rin recover from exhaustion and promising to teach her the Yin Seal, Hikawa and Rin welcomed Minato, Kakashi, and Guy back to Konoha alongside an Iwagakure delegation.

• Tsunade agreed to work at Konoha Hospital, where she led an operation to amputate the legs of a wounded Uchiha jonin.
• Hikawa received intelligence that Iwagakure had sent a delegation to negotiate for Rōshi, while Minato, Guy, and Kakashi were returning to Konoha.
• Hikawa massaged Tsunade's feet as she discussed the negotiations and reminded him to ask Iwagakure for a list of Konoha prisoners, including Obito.
• Hikawa used Medical Ninjutsu to relieve Rin's fatigue and promised to teach her the Yin Seal once she mastered the Chakra Scalpel.
• Hikawa and Rin waited at Konoha's gates and greeted Minato, Kakashi, Guy, and twelve Iwagakure ninjas led by Kitsuchi.

Hikawa comforted Rin Nohara after she learned Obito Uchiha was not among Iwagakure’s prisoners, then sparred with Might Guy to test his taijutsu against the Sixth Gate’s Morning Peacock. Hikawa’s Konoha Dragon God overcame the attack without injuring him, while Guy ended the match bloodied but thrilled.

• Namikaze Minato greeted Hikawa and went with the Iwagakure representatives to see the Hokage, while Might Guy challenged Hikawa to spar.
• Hatake Kakashi told Rin Nohara that Obito Uchiha was not on Iwagakure’s prisoner list, and Hikawa comforted her as she cried.
• Rin Nohara offered to wash Hikawa’s tear-stained clothes, and Hikawa, Guy, Kakashi, and Rin went to a nearby training ground.
• Hikawa and Guy exchanged taijutsu attacks, with Hikawa gaining a slight advantage as Guy opened the Third Gate.
• Guy opened the Sixth Gate and attacked with Morning Peacock, while Hikawa countered with Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Konoha Dragon God.
• Hikawa’s tornado-like dragon dispersed Guy’s flames and left him bloodied, while Hikawa emerged without a scratch and Guy praised the fight.

Hikawa’s battle with Might Guy strengthened his taijutsu talent, and he later requested several Kekkei Genkai techniques as part of Konoha’s negotiations with Iwagakure. Two days later, he and Tsunade welcomed Kirigakure’s delegation, where the opening exchange of terms revealed Konoha’s interest in Lava Release and Boil Release.

• Hikawa treated Might Guy’s injuries after their spar, and his Youth Without Regret talent increased his taijutsu talent by 200%.
• Hikawa gave Rin Nohara a Storage Scroll before returning to Konoha Hospital with Tsunade.
• At the Hokage’s request, Hikawa asked Iwagakure for Explosive Release, Dust Release, and Boil Release techniques, while Tsunade agreed to oversee negotiations with Kirigakure.
• Two days later, Tsunade and Hikawa greeted Kirigakure’s delegation, including Ao and Mei Terumi, at Konoha’s gates.
• Ao and Nara Suzaku exchanged draft terms, and Ao was surprised that Konoha also demanded Lava Release and Boil Release Ninjutsu.

Hikawa bet Mei Terumi that he could learn Lava Release before the village negotiations ended, with Hozuki Mangetsu and a day in a maid outfit at stake. After the negotiations stalled, Mei began teaching him the difficult Dissolving Apparition Technique, and Hikawa cooked her a meal that astonished her with its flavor.

• Hikawa teased Mei Terumi, then bet that he could learn Lava Release while the negotiations continued; she agreed to teach him in exchange for the chance to win Hozuki Mangetsu back.
• Hikawa told Tsunade he would attend the negotiations for two days before returning to ninjutsu training.
• Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure argued without reaching an agreement during the first two days of negotiations.
• Hikawa visited Mei Terumi at Kirigakure's lodgings, and she agreed to teach him Lava Release: Dissolving Apparition Technique.
• Mei explained Lava Release's earth-and-water nature transformation while Hikawa listened and distracted her with teasing.
• Hikawa cooked lunch for Mei Terumi, who was surprised to find it delicious.

Hikawa trained in Lava Release with Mei Terumi and practiced the Flying Thunder God Technique while helping Yuhi Kurenai recover from an injury. After Konoha and Iwagakure signed a peace treaty, Hikawa offered to take Tsunade to the casino.

• Tsunade enjoyed Hikawa's ramen, accepted his New Year gift, and left for negotiations.
• Hikawa trained in Lava Release with Mei Terumi, who asked him to cook lunch for her.
• Hikawa found Yuhi Kurenai practicing Water Style and promised to train alongside her.
• Yuhi Kurenai cut her mouth while practicing Water Style: Water Disruption, and Hikawa healed her with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Konoha and Iwagakure signed a peace treaty, and Hikawa noted that the treaty granted him several powerful ninjutsu but not Dust Release.
• Hikawa offered to take Tsunade to the casino after the signing ceremony, and she eagerly agreed.

After attending Konoha’s memorial service, Hikawa continued training and visited Mei Terumi as their wager came due. He proved he had learned her Lava Release technique and made her wear a catgirl maid outfit, then proposed that she fulfill the one-day wager in hourly installments.

• Hikawa, Rin Nohara, Yuhi Kurenai, and Tsunade attended the memorial for Konoha’s fallen ninjas, where they saw Obito Uchiha’s name on the stone.
• After the funeral, Hikawa spoke with Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy about their missions and their search for a suitable teammate.
• Hikawa learned that Tenmura’s daughter Tenten had been born and was later invited to her Hundred Day Banquet.
• Hikawa demonstrated the Lava Release: Dissolving Apparition Technique to Mei Terumi, proving he had mastered it and won their wager.
• Mei Terumi put on the catgirl maid outfit, but objected when Hikawa reminded her that she had to wear it for a full day.
• Hikawa suggested that Mei Terumi fulfill the twenty-four-hour wager by wearing the outfit for one hour a day over twenty-four days.

Hikawa studied Earth Release while making Mei Terumi serve him as a maid, then learned that Tsunade and the Konoha forces would head to the Land of Frost next month. After returning Kirigakure’s six ninja blades and summoning scroll to Mei, he said he might visit Kirigakure, where he hoped to meet Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku.

• Hikawa chose to prioritize the Flying Thunder God Technique and Wood Release, then studied Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique while Mei Terumi served tea, sat as his pillow, and massaged him to repay their wager.
• Hikawa asked Mei Terumi whether she wanted to become Mizukage and proposed killing Karatachi Yagura together, but she refused to betray Kirigakure.
• Hikawa trained with Yuhi Kurenai for half a month, and Tsunade told him the negotiations with Kirigakure had ended and that he must return six ninja blades and the Ninja Blade Summoning Scroll.
• Tsunade told Hikawa that they would go to the Land of Frost next month to help end the war, while Hikawa admitted he had not yet mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hikawa returned the six blades and summoning scroll to Mei Terumi, reminded her that she owed him twenty-three hours as a maid, and said he might visit Kirigakure to see Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku.

Hikawa completed more Earth Release training as Konoha and Kirigakure finalized their peace treaty, then prepared to join Tsunade in a new campaign against Kumogakure. The chapter ended with Tsunade assigned to lead three thousand ninja to the Land of Frost, while Namikaze Minato remained in Konoha with orders to support the front if needed.

• Hikawa mastered Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique, raising his Earth Release Jōnin progress to 80%, then healed Yuhi Kurenai after her high-pressure water jet injured her tongue.
• Hikawa skipped the treaty signing with Kirigakure, but caught up with Mei Terumi as her delegation departed and gave her a scroll containing twenty-three maid outfits.
• Hikawa learned three more Earth Release ninjutsu over the following half month, and he and Tsunade went to the jonin meeting on April 1.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that Konoha would support Orochimaru and try to end the war with Kumogakure, assigning Tsunade to lead three thousand ninja to the Land of Frost.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Namikaze Minato to stay in Konoha with Kushina Uzumaki and prepare to take her to the battlefield if the situation changed; Tsunade's force was to depart the next morning.

Tsunade led three thousand Konoha ninja to reinforce the Land of Frost, where Shimura Danzō schemed with Orochimaru to undermine her and Kumogakure prepared to respond. After arriving, Tsunade clashed with Shimura Danzō, then received an assignment to keep her team at the main camp treating the wounded.

• Tsunade removed Uchiha Itachi, who was not yet four, from the deployment list, and Uchiha Mikoto agreed to replace him.
• Shimura Danzō urged Orochimaru to arrange Tsunade's death in an ambush, but Orochimaru warned that Hikawa would make it difficult.
• Kumogakure's leaders learned that Tsunade was bringing three thousand reinforcements, and A arranged to return to Kumogakure for more troops.
• Tsunade led the Konoha force to the Land of Frost and confronted Shimura Danzō when he questioned her authority at the main camp.
• The next morning, Tsunade's team was assigned to remain at the main camp and treat the wounded.