Chapter Summaries

The Third Raikage ordered Dodai to investigate whether the Third Kazekage had vanished, while Mabui proposed exploiting Sunagakure’s leadership crisis after Kumogakure tied down Konoha. In Konoha, Hikawa obtained the Yamanaka Clan’s Mind’s Eye and joined Hatake Sakumo’s team on an A-rank escort mission to the Rain Country.

• The Third Raikage, Dodai, and Mabui discussed Tsunade’s report that the Third Kazekage had disappeared, and the Third Raikage assigned Dodai to verify it.
• Mabui proposed tying down Konoha and then eliminating Sunagakure’s candidates for Kazekage to plunge the village into chaos.
• Hikawa asked Tsunade to help him learn the Yamanaka Clan’s sensory techniques, and she agreed to obtain the Mind’s Eye for him.
• Hikawa met Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Shisui, and Shizune at the Mission Hall and agreed to join their A-rank escort mission to the Rain Country.
• Tsunade gave Hikawa the Mind’s Eye scroll and said the Hokage would arrange compensation for the Yamanaka Clan.

Hikawa, Tsunade, and their companions escorted a caravan from Konoha into the Rain Country, where Hikawa sensed the corpses of refugees and discussed Hanzo and peace with Uchiha Shisui. As Shisui questioned the role of powerful ninjas, Hikawa received an upgrade that increased his hand seal speed by 150%.

• Rin Nohara arrived early at Tsunade's house, where Hikawa made breakfast and Tsunade checked Rin's studies.
• Hikawa read the Yamanaka Clan's Mind's Eye technique before joining Tsunade, Yuhi Kurenai, Rin Nohara, Hatake Sakumo, and the others at Konoha's gate to escort a caravan.
• The two ninja squads split up to protect the caravan, and Hikawa began sensing his companions with his developing Mind's Eye technique during the journey.
• After the caravan entered the Rain Country, Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo ordered their teams out of the carriages to guard it in the rain.
• Hikawa sensed the corpses of starving refugees and told Uchiha Shisui that Hanzo had not brought peace to the Rain Country.
• Shisui asked Hikawa about peace and strength, and Hikawa's 'Hentai Mouth' talent upgraded, increasing his hand seal speed by 150%.

Hikawa and Tsunade’s team fought off another assassination attempt while escorting a merchant caravan through the Rain Country, then learned that the buyer was Akatsuki. The caravan reached a village where Hikawa recognized Konan, leaving the team poised to meet Akatsuki.

• Hikawa killed five rogue ninjas who had been targeting the caravan, then reported the attack to Tsunade and the others.
• Tsunade paired herself with Hikawa for the first watch, and he fell asleep with his head on her lap before they were relieved by Sarutobi Asuma and Shizune.
• Kido Sakae revealed that Akatsuki had bought the ninja tools and that the meeting place had changed because it was unsafe.
• The caravan traveled with an Akatsuki escort, and Hikawa considered how Shimura Danzō and Hanzo might move against Akatsuki.
• The caravan reached an ordinary village, where Konan appeared to meet Kido Sakae, and Tsunade felt a strange familiarity with her.

Tsunade and her group met Konan at an Akatsuki base in the Rain Country and learned that Amegakure ninja were pursuing her. They defeated the attackers, then helped Konan and the Akatsuki members relocate before leaving the area.

• Konan greeted Tsunade, introduced herself to Hikawa, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara, and explained that Jiraiya was her teacher and the Akatsuki sought peace for the Rain Country.
• A messenger warned Konan that sixteen Amegakure ninja were approaching, and Tsunade decided to fight them before ending the escort mission.
• Konan set an Exploding Tag trap that killed four Amegakure ninja, then used the Dance of the Shikigami as the rest of the attackers arrived.
• Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo fought the four Amegakure jonin while Hikawa, Uchiha Shisui, Yuhi Kurenai, and Sarutobi Asuma battled the remaining chunin.
• Tsunade ordered Hikawa and Uchiha Shisui to burn the corpses and told Konan to relocate the Akatsuki, then the group left with them.

After returning to Konoha, Tsunade and Hikawa persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen to use supplies and intelligence to help Akatsuki restrain Hanzo and Amegakure. Meanwhile, Dodai confirmed Sunagakure’s leadership crisis to the Third Raikage, who considered exploiting the rival Kazekage factions.

• Hikawa proposed selling supplies and intelligence to Akatsuki, and Tsunade agreed to raise the plan with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Tsunade and Hikawa returned to Konoha, completed their A-rank mission, and reported that Akatsuki had been founded by Jiraiya’s students.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen approved contacting Akatsuki through Jiraiya to help them oppose Hanzo and Amegakure.
• Tsunade went gambling at the Konoha Casino while Hikawa sensed the dice’s movements as he cultivated Mind’s Eye.
• Dodai told the Third Raikage that Sunagakure was divided among Rasa, Pakura, and Fuyi, and Mabui proposed disguising Kumogakure shinobi as Pakura’s subordinates to assassinate Rasa.

Tsunade and Hikawa spent an evening at home before Hikawa helped Rin Nohara gain experience as a medical assistant at Konoha Hospital. After completing another mission and advancing his training, Hikawa joined Tsunade at a jōnin meeting called by Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose purpose remained unknown.

• Tsunade and Hikawa shared dinner and sake, and Tsunade accidentally left the bathroom door open while undressing, causing an embarrassed moment between them.
• Hikawa told Yuhi Kurenai about their two days off, then visited Rin Nohara and invited her to assist him at Konoha Hospital.
• Rin Nohara shadowed Hikawa at the hospital and learned from the patients they treated before the two went home.
• After the break, Tsunade assigned the team an A-rank mission, which they completed without incident; Hikawa then finished cultivating Mind's Eye and began training Water Style.
• An Anbu ninja summoned Tsunade to a jōnin meeting, and she brought Hikawa with her to the Hokage Building.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen entered the conference room and began the meeting, leaving Hikawa wondering whether it concerned the Third Kazekage.

Konoha’s leaders debated Sunagakure’s internal conflict and Kumogakure’s border provocation, then assigned Tsunade to lead four hundred ninja to support Minato. As Hikawa prepared to leave for the front, he learned Kumogakure had confirmed the Third Kazekage’s disappearance and rewarded him with three Lightning Release techniques.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told the Jōnin that Rasa and Pakura had fallen into conflict and that four hundred Kumogakure ninja had appeared at the Land of Lightning border, while Shimura Danzō urged Konoha to attack.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen decided Konoha would not start a war, ordered Anbu to investigate Sunagakure, and sent Tsunade with four hundred ninja to support Minato.
• After the meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen told Tsunade and Hikawa that Jiraiya had formed a partnership with the Akatsuki, and Hikawa suggested someone might have framed Pakura to provoke Sunagakure.
• Nara Shikaku gave Tsunade the roster and battlefield report, which showed A and Killer B leading Kumogakure forces in the Land of Frost, and Tsunade scheduled the departure for the next morning.
• Hikawa informed Rin Nohara and Yuhi Kurenai about the mission, while Yuhi Shinko taught them battlefield survival tricks.
• Hikawa visited Tsuchihashi before departing, and Tsuchihashi confirmed the Third Kazekage’s disappearance and gave him Kumogakure’s reward: Lightning Knee Drop, Guillotine Drop, and Heavy Boulder Burst.

Hikawa learned more about Kumogakure’s plans and traveled with Tsunade’s force to the Land of Frost, where Konoha’s campaign against Kumogakure was underway. After a tense, teasing moment with Tsunade and a reunion with his comrades, he received an A-rank mission to reinforce a front-line outpost with Rin Nohara.

• Dodai told Hikawa that the Raikage would accept him as a disciple after Kumogakure took Konoha, then explained Kumogakure’s plans to target Sunagakure and ultimately Konoha.
• Hikawa left with Tsunade, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara as part of the four hundred Konoha ninja sent to the Land of Frost.
• Tsunade teased Hikawa over their shared chopsticks at dinner, then felt embarrassed about her impulsive behavior.
• The group reached the Land of Frost and reunited with Namikaze Minato, Obito Uchiha, Might Guy, and Hatake Kakashi.
• At a meeting, Namikaze Minato briefed the commanders on the front, and Hikawa received an A-rank mission to reinforce an outpost with Rin Nohara.
• Obito Uchiha asked to join Hikawa and Rin Nohara, but Namikaze Minato refused, and the mission team departed.

Tsunade, Hikawa, Rin Nohara, and Yuhi Kurenai went to a Konoha outpost to rescue wounded ninja, where Hikawa and Kurenai repelled a Kumogakure ambush. After helping treat the wounded, Hikawa’s group left Samui and A to weigh their next moves against Konoha.

• Tsunade warned Hikawa, Rin Nohara, and Yuhi Kurenai that Kumogakure ninja would be dangerous and assigned Hikawa and Kurenai to defend the outpost while she and Rin treated the wounded.
• Hikawa sensed eight Kumogakure ninja approaching and helped Yuhi Kurenai use poisoned smoke and Water Release attacks to stop their advance.
• Samui recognized Hikawa and ordered her team to retreat, but Hikawa, Yuhi Kurenai, and a Konoha guard killed four Kumogakure ninja before Samui and her jonin teammate escaped.
• Hikawa treated two wounded Konoha ninja and then joined Tsunade and Rin Nohara as they operated on Shi.
• Samui reported the defeat to A and Killer B, while A rejected a counterattack and said Kumogakure should wait for events at Sunagakure to unfold.
• Samui wondered whether Yugito Nii would learn of Hikawa’s strength and admitted she wanted to see him again.

Hikawa and his allies learned that Kumogakure’s assault on Sunagakure had been disrupted by Konoha and Akatsuki, then prepared for a possible two-front war. When Kumogakure attacked five Konoha outposts, Tsunade led Hikawa’s team to reinforce one of them and charged into the ongoing battle.

• Hikawa spent a clear day with Rin Nohara, Yuhi Kurenai, Obito Uchiha, Might Guy, and Hatake Kakashi before Tsunade summoned him to a meeting.
• Namikaze Minato reported that the Third Raikage had killed Fuyi and badly wounded Rasa, but Chiyo and the One-Tail Jinchuriki had driven him away.
• Minato revealed that Konoha had ambushed and wiped out a thousand Kumogakure shinobi in the Rain Country after Akatsuki discovered their movements.
• Tsunade ordered increased patrols, warning that Kumogakure might open a second front against Konoha.
• Three days later, Tsunade sent Hikawa, Rin, and Kurenai to reinforce a northern outpost attacked by twelve Kumogakure shinobi.
• Tsunade charged into the outpost battle and unleashed her Super Strength, shattering the ground and scattering the enemy.

Tsunade and Namikaze Minato fought A and Killer B after Kumogakure attacked Konoha’s outposts, while Hikawa faced Samui. Samui revealed that Kumogakure wanted Hikawa to treat the poisoned Raikage, and he agreed to send a Shadow Clone in exchange for a condition.

• Tsunade and Hikawa defeated the Kumogakure shinobi at the outpost, but A, Killer B, Samui, and two others arrived.
• Tsunade clashed with A until Namikaze Minato arrived, while Hikawa and Samui fought nearby.
• Samui told Hikawa that the Raikage had been poisoned and asked him to return to Kumogakure to help; Hikawa refused to leave but offered to send a Shadow Clone.
• Hikawa asked to name a condition if he saved the Raikage, and Samui agreed; they planned for his Shadow Clone to meet her that night.
• Killer B unleashed his tailed-beast chakra to cover Kumogakure’s retreat, and Tsunade chose not to pursue the group.

Hikawa negotiated with Kumogakure after curing the poisoned Third Raikage, while Konoha prepared for Sunagakure’s next move. The Third Raikage agreed to let Hikawa study Lightning Release Chakra Mode for two days.

• Tsunade sent Namikaze Minato to check the outposts, and he reported that the Kumogakure forces had withdrawn to their camp.
• Mabui explained that Hikawa wanted an equal exchange with Kumogakure, then ordered A to withdraw from the Land of Frost and sent Samui to meet Hikawa.
• Tsunade learned that Pakura was heading to Konoha and told Hikawa and the others to return with her the next day.
• Hikawa’s Shadow Clone reached Kumogakure, where Yugito Nii challenged him before Mabui brought him to the poisoned Third Raikage.
• Hikawa identified the poison as an upgraded version of Chiyo’s poison and cured the Third Raikage with surgery.
• Hikawa demanded access to Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and the Third Raikage agreed to let him study it for two days.

Hikawa traded the Third Raikage’s treatment for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method, then faced Yugito Nii in a spar and decisively overwhelmed her. He left Yugito badly beaten, though she survived his final blow by drawing on the Two-Tails’ Chakra.

• Hikawa gave Yugito Nii an unaltered prescription in exchange for the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method and agreed to spar with her two days later.
• The Third Raikage’s medical team confirmed that the poison had been removed, and he ordered A to prepare Kumogakure as Sunagakure’s alliance with Konoha threatened to draw other villages into conflict.
• Hikawa’s Shadow Clone memorized the training method, then met Yugito Nii before the Third Raikage and the others for their one-on-one fight.
• Yugito Nii’s claws broke against Hikawa’s Super Strength, and he countered her Mouse Tail Ball with Chidori Current and Lightning Release Body.
• Hikawa drove Yugito Nii into a desperate defense and blasted her backward with his final Super Strength punch, forcing her to use the Two-Tails’ Chakra to shield herself.

Hikawa returned from Kumogakure with the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method, while Tsunade was appointed to receive Pakura’s delegation from Sunagakure. Pakura sought an alliance against Kumogakure, and Tsunade agreed to let Nara Shikaku negotiate the terms.

• Hikawa successfully practiced Earth Dragon Bullet and absorbed his Shadow Clone’s memories of its mission in Kumogakure, including obtaining the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method and fighting Yugito Nii.
• Tsunade took Hikawa to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen, who asked her to receive Pakura; Shimura Danzō objected, then left after Hiruzen dismissed him.
• At the Root base, Danzō received Hanzo’s accusation that Konoha had supported the Akatsuki and decided to write back to discuss eliminating the group.
• Tsunade and Hikawa met Pakura’s sixteen-ninja delegation at Konoha’s gates, where Pakura introduced Baki and Yura and asked after Chiyo.
• Over a meal, Pakura asked Konoha to ally with Sunagakure against Kumogakure, and Tsunade agreed to the alliance in principle and handed the negotiations to Nara Shikaku.

Hikawa trained with Might Duy, began learning the Eight Gates, and learned that Sunagakure had made an alliance with Konoha under Pakura’s temporary leadership as Kazekage. At Akatsuki’s base, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan debated Hanzo’s offer to cooperate, with Konan suggesting they contact Konoha.

• Tsunade took Hikawa to the Casino, where he studied Lightning Release Chakra Mode while she gambled.
• Yuhi Kurenai told Hikawa that she and Rin had met Mitaraishi Anko, then discussed his plans to focus on taijutsu training.
• Might Duy joined Hikawa’s training, and Hikawa later persuaded him to teach the first three gates of the Eight Gates.
• Konoha formed an alliance with Sunagakure, and Pakura temporarily took over as Kazekage and command of the front lines.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan discussed Hanzo’s offer of cooperation, and Konan suggested informing Konoha.

Hikawa joined Tsunade's mission to the Rain Country after Konoha received a suspicious offer from Hanzo to cooperate with Akatsuki. When the team arrived, they discovered Konan had disappeared after being sent to meet them, and Tsunade suspected someone had manipulated the secret letter.

• Hikawa opened the first of the Eight Gates under Might Duy's supervision and learned that Tsunade was taking him to discuss Akatsuki's situation with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen suspected Hanzo's offer to cooperate with Akatsuki was a trap, so Tsunade agreed to visit Akatsuki with Hikawa and Might Duy.
• Hikawa recruited Might Duy for the mission, then visited Rin Nohara and cooked lunch for her before their team departed for the Rain Country.
• Yahiko received a letter saying Konoha's envoys would help Akatsuki and sent Konan to meet them, while Nagato stayed behind.
• Tsunade's team arrived at Akatsuki's base and learned Konan had not met them; Tsunade ordered the group to search for her, and Hikawa suspected Shimura Danzo was behind the deception.

Hikawa and Tsunade’s group found Shimura Danzō’s Root camp and rescued Konan after defeating the disguised Root ninja. The group suspected Shimura Danzō had cooperated with Hanzo, and Konan awakened as they prepared to confront the consequences.

• Hikawa and Tsunade followed evidence of an Earth Release attack and Konan’s Exploding Tags to a Root camp disguised as an Iwagakure outpost.
• Tsunade and Might Duy drew the Root ninja into battle, and Might Duy used Morning Peacock to badly injure several enemies.
• Hikawa distracted an Aburame Clan Root ninja while Yuhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara freed the unconscious Konan.
• Hikawa killed the Aburame ninja and found the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on his tongue, prompting him to suspect Shimura Danzō and Hanzo had cooperated.
• Tsunade ordered the eight Root bodies sealed away, and Konan woke up.

Tsunade and Hikawa rescued Konan from Hanzo and Shimura Danzō’s failed abduction attempt, then helped Akatsuki prepare for an attack on its base. Hanzo’s forces surrounded them and opened the battle with poison gas, leaving Tsunade to confront Hanzo while Hikawa and Might Duy took on their assigned roles.

• Shimura Danzō learned that Tsunade had rescued Konan and persuaded Hanzo to attack Akatsuki’s base, whose location he supplied.
• Tsunade gave Konan an antidote and warned Akatsuki that Hanzo’s forces might attack, so Konan organized preparations to defend or evacuate the base.
• Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Tsunade, Hikawa, Might Duy, Yuhi Kurenai, and Rin Nohara gathered as Hanzo arrived with Ibuse and Amegakure’s army.
• Hanzo had Ibuse release poison gas, and Nagato, Yuhi Kurenai, Yahiko, and Konan worked together to block and redirect it.
• Tsunade ordered Hikawa to summon the slug and handle Ibuse while Might Duy joined her in confronting Hanzo.

Tsunade and Might Duy fought Hanzo while Hikawa helped the slug subdue Ibuse, turning the battle against Amegakure. Might Duy unleashed the Seventh Gate’s Daytime Tiger on Hanzo, and the shockwave halted the fighting as the shinobi watched in disbelief.

• Tsunade and Might Duy engaged Hanzo, while Tsunade’s slug and Hikawa’s slug fought Ibuse.
• Hikawa pierced Ibuse with the Thunder Fire Sword to force it to release its accumulated poison gas, then used the slug’s corrosive acid to expose its vulnerable belly.
• Hikawa entered Ibuse’s mouth and cut through its abdomen, after which the slug crushed the wounded summoning beast into the ground.
• Tsunade stopped Hanzo from reaching Ibuse, and Might Duy opened the Eight Gates and unleashed the Daytime Tiger.
• The Daytime Tiger’s shockwave swept across the battlefield, halting the fighting and leaving Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan astonished by Might Duy’s strength.

Tsunade and Might Duy killed Hanzo, allowing Akatsuki to move toward taking control of the Rain Country with Konoha’s approval. News of Hanzo’s death spread across the ninja world, while Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted to the outcome.

• Might Duy’s attack left Hanzo near death, and Tsunade finished him off and announced that he was dead.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan celebrated Akatsuki’s victory, and Yahiko agreed to suppress unrest and take control of Amegakure after Tsunade said a stable Rain Country benefited Konoha.
• Hikawa gained the B-Rank Talent Entry Rain God after Ibuse’s death, and Tsunade scolded him for risking himself before tending to him.
• Shimura Danzō learned that Hanzo had been killed by Might Duy and decided to return to Konoha and shift the blame before Tsunade could speak to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen received an urgent report that Tsunade and Might Duy had killed Hanzo and was stunned by the news.