Chapter Summaries

Tsunade and Hikawa treated wounded Konoha ninjas while considering Shimura Danzō’s interference and the Land of Frost battlefield. At a joint Konoha and Sunagakure meeting, Orochimaru reported that a thousand Kumogakure ninjas had vanished without a trace.

• Tsunade dismissed Hikawa’s concerns about Shimura Danzō and said she would assess the camp before deciding how to respond.
• Tsunade, Hikawa, Rin Nohara, and Yuhi Kurenai treated wounded ninjas, earning gratitude and improving Hikawa’s standing.
• Hizashi Hyuga delivered battlefield intelligence showing that the Fourth Raikage had brought three thousand Kumogakure ninjas to the Land of Frost and describing the three fronts.
• Tsunade and Hikawa discussed working with Hatake Sakumo’s team and possibly challenging Orochimaru’s authority, but Tsunade postponed action until the next meeting.
• At the jonin meeting, Orochimaru reported that a force of one thousand Kumogakure ninjas had vanished, leaving their location and objective unknown.

Tsunade led a tracking force to find Kumogakure’s missing thousand ninjas while Hikawa held off the eight Root members secretly following them. After a week of searching, Rin Nohara scouted a Kumogakure base and discovered that Dodai had been waiting to capture Hikawa.

• Tsunade took charge of the search and dispatched thirty tracking squads to locate the Kumogakure force.
• Hikawa detected eight Root ninja following Tsunade’s group, stayed behind, and defeated them with Earth Release and Water Style techniques.
• Hikawa rejoined Tsunade’s group, and they searched the Land of Frost for a week before learning the missing Kumogakure ninja were gathered in a remote valley.
• Tsunade sent Rin Nohara to scout the Kumogakure base, where Dodai recognized her connection to Hikawa and ordered the ninja behind him to attack.

Hikawa, Tsunade, and their allies escaped a Kumogakure ambush after Dodai failed to trigger Hikawa’s restriction. Tsunade returned to Konoha for reinforcements while Hikawa pursued the relocating Kumogakure force and considered meeting Samui; Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō planned to let Tsunade and Hikawa weaken the Fourth Raikage and Killer B before intervening.

• Rin Nohara warned Tsunade and Hikawa that Kumogakure had discovered them, and Dodai’s forces surrounded their group at the outpost.
• Hikawa and Samui fought while Dodai tried and failed to activate Hikawa’s restriction, then Hikawa escaped with Tsunade, Rin, and Yuhi Kurenai using water techniques and mist.
• Samui told Dodai she had sent Hikawa a message asking to meet, and Dodai ordered the outpost relocated.
• Inuzuka Tsume tracked the Kumogakure force as it moved, and Tsunade used Hikawa’s slug to return to Konoha and request support.
• Hikawa read Samui’s note and considered meeting Kumogakure, while leading the others toward the enemy stronghold.
• Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō agreed to let Tsunade and Hikawa fight the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, then intervene after both sides had suffered losses.

Hikawa met Samui and agreed to provide Kumogakure with intelligence after gaining time, then joined Tsunade’s forces in an ambush against Kumogakure’s unit. The Fourth Raikage arrived alone and attacked Tsunade, but Hikawa intercepted him and gained a slight advantage in their first clash.

• Hikawa spoke with Samui in the fog, refused to return to Kumogakure, and promised to provide intelligence when he could.
• Samui reported back to Dodai, and Konoha ninja led by Hikawa harassed the advancing Kumogakure force while waiting for Tsunade’s reinforcements.
• Hikawa used Katsuyu to learn that Tsunade would arrive in about an hour, and Aburame Shibi prepared defenses against enemy reinforcements.
• Tsunade arrived with Konoha ninja, and they launched a battle that overwhelmed the Kumogakure forces; Hikawa defeated several opponents and knocked Samui back.
• Aburame Shibi sensed the Fourth Raikage’s arrival, and A attacked Tsunade before Hikawa blocked him and exchanged blows with him.

Hikawa held off the Fourth Raikage long enough for Tsunade’s forces to retreat after devastating Kumogakure in a surprise attack. The Raikage’s group discussed investigating Hikawa’s claims and threatened to expose his identity if he provided no useful information.

• Tsunade ordered the Konoha and Sunagakure forces to retreat as the Fourth Raikage confronted Hikawa.
• Hikawa used a range of techniques to stall the Fourth Raikage, then escaped after the Raikage attacked him during the retreat.
• Dodai reported that more than five hundred Kumogakure ninja had been killed, and the Fourth Raikage asked Samui about her conversation with Hikawa.
• The Fourth Raikage, Samui, Dodai, and Mabui agreed to investigate Hikawa’s claims and expose his identity if he offered no information.
• Aburame Shibi confirmed the heavy Kumogakure casualties, and the allied forces returned to headquarters.
• Orochimaru praised the operation and promised to report it, while Danzō fumed over Hikawa’s performance.

Hikawa spent a quiet evening eating grilled fish with Tsunade, then helped her monitor Root while waiting to develop Wood Release. After Neji Hyuga was born, Hikawa obtained the entries needed to synthesize Yamato-version Wood Release and discovered a path to Hashirama Senju’s version.

• Hikawa used his Water Style to catch fish for Tsunade, and they discussed monitoring Shimura Danzō’s Root members.
• Tsunade teased Hikawa, hugged him, kissed his forehead, and left him regretting her sudden affection.
• Tsunade and Hikawa used Rin Nohara’s Spiritualization Technique and Hikawa’s Mind’s Eye to track the eight Root members at the camp.
• Hizashi Hyuga returned after Neji Hyuga’s birth, and Hikawa congratulated him on his son.
• Hikawa obtained the A-rank Earth Release Jōnin entry and synthesized the Yamato-version Wood Release entry, discovering that it could advance to Hashirama Senju’s version.

Hikawa considered how to increase his Chakra reserves and then revealed to Tsunade that he had learned Wood Release, giving her a rose grown with its power. Tsunade gave him the First Hokage’s Wood Release scroll, and Hikawa asked her not to leave him as his wager prize.

• Hikawa considered ways to obtain tailed-beast-level Chakra reserves, including finding Hero Water or activating a new entry.
• Hikawa and Yuhi Kurenai moved supplies into a warehouse while discussing Rin Nohara’s surveillance of Root and Shimura Danzō’s lack of action.
• Hikawa showed Tsunade that he had learned Wood Release by reviving a withered branch and blooming a red rose for her.
• Tsunade gave Hikawa the scroll containing the First Hokage’s Wood Release techniques, and he chose Wood Style: World of Trees Descent to learn first.
• When Tsunade asked what he wanted as his wager prize, Hikawa asked her not to leave him.

Hikawa studied Wood Release and joined Tsunade in planning to weaken Orochimaru and capture Shimura Danzō after striking at Kumogakure. On August 2, he surprised Tsunade with a forest created by Wood Style: World of Trees Descent for their shared birthday, leaving her deeply moved.

• Hikawa studied Wood Style: World of Trees Descent while Tsunade watched over him, then secretly trained the technique outside the camp.
• Hikawa told Tsunade he needed about half a month to master Wood Release, and she agreed to weaken Orochimaru's authority and later move against Shimura Danzō.
• Hikawa prepared a bento for Tsunade and planned to speak with Uncle Sakumo about getting help against the Fourth Raikage or Killer B.
• On August 2, Hikawa reminded Tsunade that it was both their birthday and led her to a secluded place.
• Hikawa created a forest with Wood Style: World of Trees Descent as Tsunade's birthday gift, and she said the birthday was meaningful.

Hikawa met Hatake Sakumo to secure his support for Tsunade at the jōnin meeting, then sparred with Uchiha Shisui to assess the Mangekyō Sharingan’s power. The fight escalated when Shisui revealed his Mangekyō and vanished using the Phantom Body Flicker Technique.

• Hikawa asked Hatake Sakumo to support Tsunade at the next jōnin meeting, and Hatake Sakumo agreed.
• Hikawa and Uchiha Shisui went to a secluded place to spar while Sarutobi Asuma and Shizune kept watch.
• Hikawa and Shisui exchanged ninjutsu and sword attacks, with Shisui using his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to counter Hikawa’s movements and genjutsu.
• Shisui revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and used its genjutsu to control Hikawa for half a second.
• Hikawa raised a Water Formation Wall and launched a Water Dragon Bullet Technique, but Shisui evaded it with the Phantom Body Flicker Technique.

Hikawa defeated Uchiha Shisui in a spar by countering his Susanoo with Lava Release, then revealed another Kekkei Genkai and treated his companions to a meal. At a war meeting, Tsunade took command from Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō, who then plotted to leak her plans to Kumogakure.

• Hikawa used Earth, Water, and compound ninjutsu to counter Uchiha Shisui's attacks, and Shisui activated Susanoo.
• Hikawa melted Susanoo's hands with Lava Release, prompting Uchiha Shisui to concede the spar; Hikawa also demonstrated Magma Release.
• Hikawa cooked a meal for Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Shisui, and Shizune, who were amazed by it.
• At the jonin meeting, Tsunade proposed that she and Hikawa handle the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, and more than half the jonin supported her taking command.
• Orochimaru accepted Tsunade's new command, while Shimura Danzō stormed out and later decided to send Kumogakure intelligence about her plan.

Tsunade and Hikawa uncovered Shimura Danzō’s scheme to use captured Root ninja to leak intelligence to Kumogakure, while Kumogakure tested whether Tsunade had taken command. Tsunade led a force to retake a captured outpost, where Hikawa’s mist enabled a surprise attack, leaving the battle underway.

• Tsunade ordered Hikawa and Rin Nohara to watch Shimura Danzō’s Root ninja after Konoha’s elite jōnin backed her.
• Hikawa followed four Root ninja and saw them disguised as a patrol before Kumogakure captured them; he concluded Shimura Danzō had sent them to leak information.
• Dodai told the Fourth Raikage that Shimura Danzō wanted Kumogakure to lure Tsunade into an encirclement, and Mabui proposed testing the intelligence by attacking a Konoha outpost.
• Orochimaru reported that the Fourth Raikage had taken a northern outpost, and Tsunade led three hundred ninja there to reclaim it.
• Hizashi Hyuga located four Kumogakure guards, and Hikawa helped eliminate them before Tsunade ordered a stealthy assault.
• Hikawa cast the Hidden Mist Technique, and Konoha’s ninja launched a barrage of ninjutsu at the Kumogakure guards.

Tsunade and Hikawa led a thousand Konoha ninja to attack Kumogakure’s new mountain camp, where the Fourth Raikage revealed Hikawa’s alleged identity as a Kumogakure spy. Tsunade rejected the accusation, but with Kumogakure’s forces and both Jinchuriki surrounding them, Hikawa prepared to demonstrate Konoha ninjutsu.

• The Fourth Raikage and Samui tested Hikawa during an outpost battle, then withdrew after Kumogakure suffered heavy losses.
• Hizashi Hyuga and Aburame Shibi reported a dangerous, lifeless presence in Kumogakure’s heavily guarded new camp, and Tsunade was assigned to destroy it.
• Shimura Danzō arranged for Konoha’s forces to be split and the main camp guarded while Tsunade led a thousand ninja toward the mountain range.
• Tsunade and Hikawa summoned Slug Lord, which smashed into Kumogakure’s mountain camp and forced the Fourth Raikage’s forces to evacuate it.
• The Fourth Raikage accused Hikawa of being a Kumogakure spy, while Mabui and Dodai presented evidence and Kumogakure surrounded Konoha’s group with three thousand ninja, including Yugito Nii and Killer B.
• Tsunade tore up Mabui’s documents and rejected the accusation, and Hikawa stepped forward to demonstrate Konoha’s unique ninjutsu.

Hikawa unleashed Wood Style: World of Trees Descent, devastating the surrounded Kumogakure forces, while Konoha’s allies fought to stop the Fourth Raikage and both Jinchuriki. The battle remained unresolved as the Two-Tails charged Hikawa, seeking to drive him beyond the forest so it could use a Tailed Beast Ball.

• Hikawa released the Chakra stored in his Yin Seal as Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Shisui, Sarutobi Asuma, and Shizune arrived to support him and Tsunade.
• Hikawa used Wood Style: World of Trees Descent, creating a vast forest that ensnared and killed many Kumogakure ninjas.
• Yugito Nii transformed into the Two-Tails and attacked the forest with fireballs, but Hikawa blocked them with Wood Release and Water Style.
• Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails and tried to smash the forest, but Uchiha Shisui used Susanoo alongside the slug to knock it down.
• Tsunade kept the Fourth Raikage from reaching Hikawa while Hikawa struck the Two-Tails with Water Style attacks and summoned rain.
• The Two-Tails charged Hikawa, hoping to push him beyond the forest and create room to fire a Tailed Beast Ball.

Hikawa defeated and sealed Yugito Nii after surviving the Two-Tails’ Tailed Beast Ball, then joined the fight against the Eight-Tails. He freed Shisui from the Eight-Tails’ assault, but the battle continued as the beast searched for Hikawa after crushing his wooden defenses.

• Yugito Nii and Matatabi launched a Tailed Beast Ball at Hikawa, but he survived by transforming into water and emerged from the remaining sea.
• Hikawa overwhelmed the exhausted Two-Tails, forced Yugito Nii out of her tailed beast form, and sealed her power before leaving a rock clone to guard her.
• The Eight-Tails shattered Uchiha Shisui’s Susanoo, so Hikawa raised an earthen wall to protect Shisui and ordered Hatake Sakumo to evacuate him.
• Hikawa fought the Eight-Tails with Fire Release and Wood Release, dodged its Ink Creation technique, and melted its ink clone with Lava Release.
• The Eight-Tails crushed Hikawa’s wooden net and the ground, then looked around for him, convinced he had not been defeated so easily.

Hikawa defeated the Eight Tails and captured the Fourth Raikage, turning Kumogakure’s assault into a surrender. After the exhausted Hikawa collapsed into Tsunade’s arms, Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō arrived and found the enemy leaders down.

• Hikawa unleashed a colossal Konoha Dragon God, fought the Eight Tails, and evaded its Tailed Beast Balls until Killer B lost his transformation.
• Hikawa appeared unharmed, knocked Killer B unconscious, and gained the S-rank Substitute Death entry.
• Hikawa stopped Mabui’s attempt to use the Heavenly Transfer Technique, while Tsunade, Hatake Sakumo, and Uchiha Shisui helped him defeat the Fourth Raikage.
• Tsunade threatened to kill the captured Raikage unless Kumogakure stopped fighting, and the Kumogakure shinobi surrendered.
• Hikawa collapsed from Chakra exhaustion, and Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō arrived to find the Fourth Raikage, Yugito Nii, and Killer B defeated.

Tsunade’s group returned with the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii captured, and Hikawa exposed Shimura Danzō’s collusion with Kumogakure before defeating and arresting him. Hikawa collapsed from exhaustion after using Wood Release, while Tsunade arranged to secure evidence against Danzō.

• Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo arrived with Hikawa and Uchiha Shisui, and Orochimaru ordered the unconscious Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii rescued.
• Hikawa accused Shimura Danzō of betraying Konoha and refused Orochimaru’s request to interrogate Mabui.
• Shimura Danzō attacked Hikawa, who used Wood Release and genjutsu to subdue him; Orochimaru agreed to have Danzō imprisoned pending Sarutobi Hiruzen’s decision.
• Hikawa gained a Wind Release talent trait after defeating Danzō, and Tsunade sent Hizashi Hyuga to bring reinforcements to the battlefield.
• Hikawa collapsed from exhaustion in Tsunade’s tent, and she comforted him as he fell asleep.
• Tsunade left to pursue evidence against Danzō, including the four Root ninja captured by Kumogakure.

Hizashi Hyuga announced that Konoha had defeated Kumogakure, captured the Fourth Raikage and two tailed beasts, and taken Shimura Danzō prisoner. As Tsunade began consolidating authority and Sarutobi Hiruzen received the battle report, Kushina and Minato heard a knock at their door.

• Hizashi Hyuga told the gathered Konoha ninjas that Kumogakure had surrendered after the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, and Yugito Nii were captured.
• Hizashi revealed Hikawa's Wood Release and Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, then reported that Hikawa had captured Shimura Danzō.
• Fugaku Uchiha, Nara Shikaku, and the other leaders arrived at Kumogakure's ruined camp and supported Tsunade as she assigned tasks.
• Orochimaru visited the imprisoned Danzō, refused to rescue him immediately, and learned that Hikawa's Wood Release was unrelated to Danzō's experiments.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen read Tsunade's encrypted report and ordered Haru to announce Hikawa's role in Konoha's victory.
• Kushina Uzumaki and Namikaze Minato discussed the war before someone knocked at their door.

After Hikawa’s victory over Kumogakure ended the war, the great villages reassessed their plans and feared Konoha’s growing strength. Back at camp, Hikawa asked Tsunade for Kumogakure’s techniques and fell asleep beside her as she considered whether she would become Hokage.

• An Anbu ninja told Minato that his mission to protect Kushina had ended, and Minato realized he was unlikely to compete with Tsunade and Hikawa for the Hokage position.
• Ōnoki and Kitsuchi decided Iwagakure should avoid conflict, strengthen its economy, and train its younger generation after learning of Hikawa’s victory.
• Pakura, Rasa, and the Sunagakure jonin learned that the war was over and worried about Konoha’s overwhelming power.
• Mei Terumi learned that Konoha had defeated Kumogakure, and Yagura announced that Kirigakure would end the Bloody Mist Village.
• Hikawa asked Tsunade for the Third and Fourth Raikage’s Nintaijutsu, and she agreed while telling him that four Root shinobi had been secretly imprisoned.
• Tsunade stayed beside Hikawa, held his hand, and fell asleep with him after he asked whether she would become Hokage.

After Hikawa recovered from the battle, he discussed Konoha’s plans for Kumogakure with Yuhi Kurenai while Madara Uchiha ordered Obito Uchiha to join Akatsuki before pursuing Hikawa. Tsunade led the returning forces to Konoha, where the village celebrated her and Hikawa, and Sarutobi Hiruzen invited them to the Hokage Building.

• Hikawa woke in the tent, spoke with Yuhi Kurenai about Kumogakure’s captives, and said Konoha could repeatedly capture and release them to maximize its profits.
• Obito Uchiha demonstrated his second-form Susanoo, but Madara Uchiha warned him that Hikawa had defeated the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Fourth Raikage and had learned Wood Release.
• Madara Uchiha told Obito Uchiha not to confront Hikawa until he was certain of victory, then directed him to begin the Eye of the Moon Plan by joining Akatsuki.
• Tsunade arranged for Sunagakure to await news of peace talks and ordered Mabui and the other Kumogakure leaders to return to Konoha with her forces.
• Tsunade and Hikawa returned to Konoha to cheers from the villagers and ninjas, and Sarutobi Hiruzen welcomed them and invited them to the Hokage Building.

After the war, Tsunade exposed Shimura Danzō’s collusion with Kumogakure and his and Orochimaru’s revived Wood Release Experiment, but Sarutobi Hiruzen only stripped them of their positions and imprisoned Danzō. Disappointed, Tsunade agreed to Hikawa’s plan to involve the Land of Fire Daimyo in replacing Hiruzen, and Hikawa sent a Shadow Clone to the capital.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed Tsunade’s campaign report and praised the battlefield’s results.
• Tsunade presented evidence that Shimura Danzō had colluded with Kumogakure, but Sarutobi Hiruzen stripped him of his Hokage Assistant position instead of executing him.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya revealed that Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru had restarted the Wood Release Experiment, and Sarutobi Hiruzen stripped Orochimaru of his positions, restricted his movements, and sentenced Danzō to life in prison.
• Tsunade left the Hokage Office with Hikawa, who offered to contact the Land of Fire Daimyo to help replace Sarutobi Hiruzen, and she agreed.
• Hikawa planned to use Uchiha Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan to influence Shimura Danzō when the Daimyo arrived, then sent a Shadow Clone to the Land of Fire capital.