Chapter Summaries

Hikawa attended Uchiha Itachi’s Hundred Day Banquet, where he helped Hatake Kakashi find ways to expand Chidori beyond its original form. The gathering brought Uchiha and other clans together, while the story left Kakashi expecting to stay in Konoha and continue developing his ninjutsu.

• Hikawa told Might Guy and the others that the upcoming Chunin Exams would be limited to Konoha’s genin, and Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Hatake Kakashi discussed participating.
• Hikawa suggested that Hatake Kakashi adapt Chidori into a thrown weapon, a short-sword technique, and a full-body technique; Kakashi agreed to teach Hikawa the full-body version once he developed it.
• Fugaku Uchiha welcomed Tsunade and Hikawa to Uchiha Itachi’s Hundred Day Banquet, where Obito Uchiha joined Hikawa’s group and Kakashi and Might Guy gave him belated birthday gifts.
• Hikawa checked his Lexicon System and saw that he had acquired the B-Rank Lightning Release Special Jōnin entry and made progress on the Yin Seal.
• Hizashi Hyuga and Namikaze Minato arrived at the banquet, and Fugaku Uchiha addressed the gathered guests as Uchiha hardliners watched him with disapproval.
• Hatake Kakashi told Hikawa that he might remain in Konoha longer because Kumogakure’s AB Duo had returned, giving him time to work on Chidori.

After touring the Uchiha Clan Compound and visiting Uchiha Mikoto and baby Uchiha Itachi, Hikawa took his drunken teacher Tsunade home. The next morning, Tsunade woke with only hazy memories and found Hikawa making breakfast.

• Obito Uchiha led Rin Nohara, Sarutobi Asuma, Hikawa, and the others around the Uchiha Clan Compound, including the Naka River.
• Uchiha Shisui brought the group to Uchiha Mikoto's home, where they met her and saw baby Uchiha Itachi.
• Hikawa returned to the banquet and stopped Tsunade from drinking more by threatening to stop accompanying her to the Casino.
• Tsunade fell asleep clinging to Hikawa, and he carried her home and put her to bed.
• Tsunade woke the next morning, remembered some of her drunken behavior, and found Hikawa making breakfast.

Tsunade took Hikawa and Uzumaki Miho to Kushina Uzumaki’s home, where Namikaze Minato began teaching them Sealing Techniques. The lesson continued into the afternoon, until Tsunade threatened Hikawa with special training after he teased her about gambling.

• Tsunade watched Yuhi Kurenai demonstrate Water Style: Heavenly Weeping and taught her and Rin Nohara before leaving with Hikawa.
• Tsunade and Hikawa arrived at Kushina Uzumaki’s home, where they found her playing cards with Uzumaki Miho and two of the Nine-Tails’ tails.
• Namikaze Minato explained sealing formulas and taught Hikawa and Uzumaki Miho to copy the Four Symbols Seal while his Shadow Clone instructed his other students.
• Tsunade brought Hikawa water from the cup she had used, and he asked whether she had won at cards that morning.
• Tsunade grew angry at Hikawa’s teasing and declared that his special training would start immediately, despite his protest.

Hatake Kakashi developed Chidori Current and left for the border as tensions with Kumogakure rose, while Hikawa trained in sealing techniques and mastered the new jutsu. After several missions helped Yuhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara improve, Hikawa considered selling Sunagakure intelligence, and the group returned to Konoha for the upcoming Chunin Exams.

• Hatake Kakashi tested Chidori Current, accepted Hikawa's suggested name, and gave him its training method before leaving for the border with Namikaze Minato and Obito Uchiha.
• Kushina Uzumaki taught Hikawa and Uzumaki Miho sealing techniques, and Hikawa mastered Finger Engraving Seal after two weeks.
• Tsunade took Hikawa, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara on a mission to eliminate rogue ninjas, where Yuhi Kurenai defeated their Chunin leader and the team wiped out the group.
• Hikawa mastered Chidori Current, acquired three sealing techniques to gain the Sealing Genin entry, and considered selling information about the missing Third Kazekage to Sunagakure's enemies.
• After New Year, Hikawa and his companions returned to Konoha to prepare for the Chunin Exams, alongside Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, and Uchiha Shisui.

Hikawa and Tsunade applied for the Chunin Exams and reviewed the roster of participating genin. After returning home, they joined their friends, who discussed their missions and learned the exam would include a written test, team battles, and individual battles.

• Hikawa woke Tsunade with breakfast, and she praised his tonkotsu ramen, improved by his Advanced Chef talent entry.
• Tsunade took Hikawa to the Hokage Building, where she submitted his Chunin Exams application and obtained the genin roster from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Hikawa spotted familiar names on the roster, including Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui, Sarutobi Asuma, and Shizune.
• Hikawa and Tsunade returned home to find Rin Nohara, Yuhi Kurenai, Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Obito Uchiha, and Might Guy gathered there.
• Sarutobi Asuma said the Chunin Exams would begin with a written test, followed by team battles and individual battles, alarming Obito Uchiha.

Hikawa and his friends began Konoha's Chunin Exams, where Jiraiya appeared as the chief examiner for the second stage. After the written test ended, Jiraiya dramatically entered the classroom.

• Hikawa warmed Yuhi Kurenai with Fire Release chakra before joining her and their friends on the way to the Ninja Academy.
• Jiraiya revealed himself to Sarutobi Asuma and the others, then announced that he would oversee the second test.
• Hikawa and his friends entered Examination Room One, where Akimichi Todo announced that cheating was forbidden and started the written exam.
• Hikawa completed the difficult test while the other contestants answered questions or tried to cheat.
• After Akimichi Todo collected the papers, Jiraiya leaped through the window and introduced himself to the silent classroom.

Jiraiya announced a second-round Chunin Exam in which teams had to race through the Death Forest while his toads attacked them, with only the first seven teams advancing. Hikawa’s team entered the forest and quickly defeated a toad, earning its surrender.

• Jiraiya arrived as the second-round chief examiner, startling the examinees, and Akimichi Todo announced the exam schedule.
• Hikawa ranked first on the written test, Rin Nohara ranked second, Yuhi Kurenai ranked fifth, and all of Hikawa’s friends passed.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and explained that teams had to cross the Death Forest, that each team’s time depended on its slowest member, and that only seven teams would pass.
• The examinees split into teams and entered the forest as Jiraiya sent his toads after them.
• Hikawa sensed an incoming attack and warned Yuhi Kurenai, who blocked a toad’s fireball with a Water Formation Wall.
• Hikawa vanished and struck the purplish-red toad with lightning, leaving it dizzy until it admitted defeat and said the team passed.

Hikawa rescued Rin during a toad ambush, then led Rin and Kurenai to first place in the Chunin Exams’ second round. After the teams advanced to individual combat in three days, Hikawa accompanied Tsunade, while Jiraiya reported the results to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

• A giant toad attacked Rin from underground, but Hikawa pulled her to safety while Kurenai fought it off.
• Hikawa stopped Kurenai from continuing the fight, and the team resumed the race and reached Jiraiya’s finish line first.
• Obito, Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Shisui, and Shizune arrived later, and all seven teams eventually qualified for the third round in three days.
• Hikawa, Rin, and Kurenai reported their victory to Tsunade, who sent Rin and Kurenai home and pulled Hikawa along to the casino.
• Jiraiya delivered the exam results to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who saw that Hikawa’s team had taken first place.

Hikawa joined the Chunin Exams finals and easily defeated Ebisu, while suspecting Sarutobi Hiruzen had manipulated the matchups to spare allies from facing each other. The second round began with Hikawa matched against Obito Uchiha.

• Hikawa went to the venue with Tsunade, where Kushina Uzumaki and Namikaze Minato encouraged him before the finals began.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen delivered a lengthy speech, then chief examiner Yamanaka Inoichi explained the rules and announced random one-on-one matches with no killing.
• Sarutobi Asuma defeated Mizuki with a Chakra Blade, and Hikawa quickly knocked Ebisu out with a punch.
• Yuhi Kurenai defeated her opponent, Hatake Kakashi beat a Hyuga Clan opponent, and Rin Nohara received a bye; Hikawa suspected the matchups had been rigged to keep allies apart.
• After the break, Yamanaka Inoichi announced that Hikawa would face Obito Uchiha in the second round.

Hikawa defeated Obito Uchiha after trapping him in a genjutsu, even after Obito awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan. The second-round matches concluded, and Hikawa was paired with Uchiha Shisui for the first match of the third round.

• Obito Uchiha attacked Hikawa with Fire Style while trapped in Hikawa's genjutsu, then awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan after realizing he had been fooled.
• Hikawa broke through Obito Uchiha's confidence with another genjutsu and knocked him unconscious with a Rasengan.
• Yuhi Kurenai defeated Rin Nohara, Uchiha Shisui defeated Shiranui Genma, and Might Guy defeated Shizune; Hatake Kakashi beat Morino Ibiki in one strike while Sarutobi Asuma received a bye.
• Hikawa found Obito Uchiha pretending to sleep in the medical room, where Obito sat up and claimed he had recovered.
• Yamanaka Inoichi announced that Hikawa would face Uchiha Shisui in the first match of the third round.

Hikawa defeated Uchiha Shisui in a sparring match after countering Shisui’s Phantom Body Flicker Technique with Chidori Current and Konoha Style: Willow. Shisui conceded, and Hikawa’s Fire Release talent improved after the battle.

• Uchiha Shisui activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and opened the match with Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, but Hikawa countered with clones and ninjutsu.
• Shisui and Hikawa exchanged fire and water techniques, filling the arena with mist as spectators realized Hikawa had mastered Water Style Chakra nature transformation.
• Shisui used his Phantom Body Flicker Technique to surround Hikawa with eight phantoms, but Hikawa struck him with Chidori Current and pinned him with Konoha Style: Willow.
• Uchiha Shisui conceded, and Hikawa’s Fire Release talent gained an additional 100% bonus.
• Kushina Uzumaki and Tsunade praised Hikawa’s victory, while Fugaku Uchiha believed Shisui could surpass him after awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Might Guy defeated Sarutobi Asuma after removing his weights and using the Eight Gates, while Sarutobi Hiruzen rescued Asuma from the final attack. Yuhi Kurenai then lost to Hatake Kakashi, leaving Kakashi as the last winner of the third-round matches.

• Obito Uchiha brooded over Shisui's loss to Hikawa while Yuhi Kurenai congratulated Hikawa.
• Might Guy removed his weights and overwhelmed Sarutobi Asuma with taijutsu, but Asuma countered with a barrage of wind and fire techniques.
• Might Guy opened the Eight Gates and used the Hidden Lotus; Sarutobi Hiruzen intervened to save Asuma before the attack struck.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Might Guy, and Yamanaka Inoichi announced Guy as the winner.
• Yuhi Kurenai fought Hatake Kakashi with water techniques and the Fox Mind Technique, but conceded after Kakashi appeared behind her.

Hikawa fought Hatake Kakashi in the fourth round, using ninjutsu, genjutsu, and swordsmanship to gain the advantage. He defeated Kakashi with a Rasengan, and his Thunderclap Sword talent upgraded before he prepared to face another opponent.

• Hikawa healed Kakashi’s injured arm before the fourth-round draw paired them against each other, leaving Might Guy with a bye.
• Hikawa and Kakashi exchanged attacks, with Kakashi’s Chidori Current dispersing Hikawa’s Shadow Clones before Hikawa used genjutsu to create an opening.
• Kakashi struck Hikawa with lightning and gained the upper hand in swordsmanship, while Hikawa used the fight to develop his swordsmanship talent.
• Hikawa trapped Kakashi in genjutsu and flooded the arena, then used a Shadow Clone to lure Kakashi into range of a Rasengan from beneath the water.
• Hikawa struck Kakashi in the abdomen and kicked him away, prompting Kakashi to surrender as Hikawa’s Thunderclap Sword talent upgraded.

Hikawa healed Hatake Kakashi after defeating him and prepared for the final Chunin Exams match against Might Guy. Hikawa and Might Guy began a fierce taijutsu battle, which was still underway at the chapter’s end.

• Hikawa used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal Hatake Kakashi, then rested before his next match.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya praised Hikawa and Hatake Kakashi, while Jiraiya said he planned to leave Konoha the next day.
• Tsunade checked Hikawa’s Chakra and asked why he had not used the ninjutsu she taught him; Hikawa claimed he was saving it for an important match.
• Yamanaka Inoichi announced the final match between Hikawa and Might Guy.
• Hikawa and Might Guy traded powerful kicks and strikes, then clashed in a rapid exchange of taijutsu.

Hikawa and Might Guy fought in the Chunin Exams, escalating from taijutsu to the Eight Gates. Hikawa defeated Guy’s Fifth-Gate Hidden Lotus and remained standing as Guy was sent flying.

• Asuma, Shisui, Kakashi, and the others watched in surprise as Hikawa matched Guy in taijutsu, while Duy celebrated their youth from the stands.
• Guy opened the first three gates and attacked Hikawa with the Hidden Lotus, but Hikawa defended with Chidori Current and endured the assault using Signless Healing.
• Guy, exhausted, opened the fourth and fifth gates despite Hikawa and Duy warning him not to push himself further.
• Guy charged with a Fifth-Gate Hidden Lotus, but Hikawa activated Lightning Release Body and struck him with Super Strength.
• The impact pulverized the arena floor and sent Guy flying, while Hikawa remained standing and the crowd fell silent.

After defeating Might Guy, Hikawa treated his injuries and secured first place in the Chunin Exams, impressing Konoha’s spectators and leaders. The newly promoted chunin were yet to be announced, and Obito walked home troubled before a familiar voice offered to listen.

• Spectators and fellow ninja reacted to Hikawa’s victory over Might Guy, while Obito Uchiha despaired over how far Hikawa had surpassed him.
• Namikaze Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsunade, and others praised the young fighters and discussed their potential.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Yamanaka Inoichi to advance the top fifteen and announce the new chunin after checking Might Guy’s condition.
• Hikawa used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat Might Guy, then synthesized the B-Rank Entry Strongest Chunin, gaining faster chakra refinement and greater chakra capacity.
• After Sarutobi Hiruzen’s speech, Hikawa agreed to treat his friends to grilled meat but postponed the meal until Might Guy awoke.
• Obito Uchiha wandered down the street in a daze until a familiar voice offered to hear what was troubling him.

After Hikawa won the Chunin Exams, Tsunade gave him a forehead kiss and took him to the casino as his reward. Meanwhile, Shimura Danzō reviewed the exam results at Root and considered recruiting Might Guy.

• Hikawa reunited with Tsunade after the Chunin Exams, and she kissed his forehead as a reward for taking first place.
• Hikawa cooked tempura for Tsunade, and Jiraiya visited to announce he was leaving the next day to search for the Child of Prophecy.
• Hikawa told Tsunade that people should rely on themselves, and she made him accompany her to the casino as his reward.
• At Root, Shimura Danzō watched Yamato practice Wood Release and regretted not taking Hikawa for himself.
• Shimura Danzō read the Chunin Exams rankings, noticed Might Guy had placed second, and considered recruiting him into Root.

Obito Uchiha found a secretive mentor in Madara Uchiha, who began training him in Fire Release while concealing his identity. Meanwhile, the Third Raikage and his advisers considered Hikawa’s growing prominence in Konoha and debated how to test his loyalty as war approached.

• An old woman told Obito Uchiha he needed an Uchiha teacher and promised to introduce him to a retired jonin, while Fugaku Uchiha praised Obito’s Two-Tomoe Sharingan and gave him a ninjutsu scroll.
• Tsuchihashi learned that Hikawa had won the Chunin Exams and prepared to report the news to the Third Raikage.
• The old woman brought Obito to Madara Uchiha, who demonstrated a gigantic Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique and agreed to teach him if he kept Madara’s existence secret.
• After Obito left, Madara Uchiha instructed White Zetsu to watch him and prevent him from exposing Madara.
• The Third Raikage reviewed a report on Hikawa’s Chunin Exams performance and asked Dodai and Mabui to assess it.
• Mabui warned that Hikawa could break away from Kumogakure, and she advised testing his loyalty rather than summoning him back.

Hikawa told Tsuchihashi that the Third Kazekage had disappeared and might be dead, giving Kumogakure valuable intelligence as war approached. He then returned to Tsunade’s house and later helped Yuhi Kurenai begin learning to cook rice balls.

• Hikawa met Tsuchihashi, discussed Kumogakure’s expectations for him during the coming war, and reported that he had not yet identified the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Hikawa told Tsuchihashi that the Third Kazekage might have died, and Tsuchihashi decided to send the intelligence to Lord Raikage for verification.
• Hikawa gave Tsuchihashi a new novel by Thunder Fire Sword and asked him to publish Iron Witch as a novel and manga.
• Hikawa returned to Tsunade’s house, made breakfast, and agreed to give Tsunade a break from training for two more days.
• Hikawa went home and agreed to teach Yuhi Kurenai how to make rice balls so she could prepare lunchboxes for her father.

Hikawa and Yuhi Kurenai made salmon rice balls together during their break, sharing shy, affectionate moments as they cooked. After discussing their new Chunin rank and Hikawa’s plans for developing his abilities, they prepared to train in Water Release.

• Yuhi Kurenai changed into an apron, then a kimono, and went with Hikawa to buy salmon for rice balls.
• Hikawa explained Ice Release to Yuhi Kurenai, who encouraged him to try learning Wind Release because of his talent.
• Hikawa taught Yuhi Kurenai to shape salmon rice balls, and she blushed when he took a bite from the rice ball she had already bitten.
• Hikawa told Yuhi Kurenai that their break would last two more days and explained that Chunin usually took missions up to B-Rank.
• Hikawa planned to practice Water Release with Yuhi Kurenai after they ate, while pursuing Water Release and Earth Release to combine Wood Release.