Chapter Summaries

After the Kazekage and Jinchuriki died, Chiyo ordered Sunagakure to retreat and accepted responsibility for the battlefield’s losses. Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Shuji to lead another mission, and Shuji pushed Nawaki into the conversation about accepting the Hokage’s apology.

• Chiyo told the Sunagakure ninja that the Kazekage had come to support them after receiving her letter and took responsibility for their defeat.
• Chiyo said she would report the battlefield events to Advisor Yayoi and ordered Sunagakure to retreat and rebuild its strength.
• When Sunagakure ninja objected to retreating, Chiyo explained that the village had lost its Kage and Jinchuriki and could not afford to continue the war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Shuji to lead a team to monitor Sunagakure, but Shuji refused and pointed out that Nawaki had not accepted Hiruzen’s apology.
• Nawaki denied having an issue with Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Shuji reminded him that he had previously said he would not accept the apology.

Shuji accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen’s order to lead Nawaki and Mikoto on a mission, while teasing Nawaki until he backed down. After learning that Konoha had killed the Third Kazekage, Ōnoki decided Iwagakure had to intervene in the war, but only if Kirigakure and Kumogakure joined as well.

• Shuji baited Nawaki in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Mikoto confirmed that Nawaki had complained about him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen deferred a talk with Nawaki until after the war, ordered Shuji’s team to depart that night, and told Nawaki and Mikoto to learn from their captain.
• After Sarutobi Hiruzen left, Nawaki confronted Shuji, but backed off when Mikoto rested a hand on her blade.
• Ōnoki learned that Konoha had killed the Third Kazekage and concluded that Konoha could not be allowed to cripple Sunagakure and Amegakure unchecked.
• Ōnoki began writing to arrange Iwagakure’s intervention, insisting that Kirigakure and Kumogakure join it.

Ōnoki prepared to pressure Konoha alongside Kumogakure and Kirigakure, while Sarutobi Hiruzen worried that other villages would enter the war. Shuji proposed paying Kumogakure directly to avert a wider conflict, and Sarutobi Hiruzen asked him to explain further.

• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to clear out hidden intelligence personnel and mobilize ninja to the Land of Rain border.
• Ōnoki sent scrolls to the Jonin Squad, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure, then reflected on Konoha's strength and its gifted shinobi.
• Shuji reported that Sunagakure had sent its first supply convoy home, and Sarutobi Hiruzen acknowledged the report while worrying about intervention by Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said he would pay three billion ryo to avoid another war, but Shuji suggested giving the Raikage five hundred million ryo without conditions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Shuji to continue explaining his proposal.

Shuji persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen to offer Kumogakure a chance to raid Iwagakure in exchange for breaking the three-village alliance, and Hiruzen sent Shuji to arrange the mission and seize Sunagakure's supplies. The chapter ended with the Raikage in Kumogakure lamenting the failed attempt to capture Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki candidate and the loss of three ninja.

• Shuji proposed that Kumogakure attack Iwagakure's village while Konoha tied down Iwagakure's forces, letting Kumogakure claim its wealth.
• Shuji explained that the threat of Kumogakure would undermine Iwagakure's ability to buy supplies from Kirigakure and discourage either village from starting a war against Konoha.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen wrote a scroll for Shuji to deliver to Utatane Koharu before using Flying Thunder God to take an envoy group to the Land of Lightning.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Shuji to tell Danzo to send Hatake Sakumo after Sunagakure's supply transport, and to destroy the supplies if they could not be captured.
• Shuji vanished from Hiruzen's office, while Hiruzen sent Nawaki and Mikoto back to rest and reflected on Konoha's need to grow stronger.
• The Raikage read a scroll in Kumogakure and lamented that the village had lost three ninja without capturing Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki candidate.

The Raikage accepted that Kumogakure could not retaliate against Konoha, while Utatane Koharu prepared to enter Kumogakure with Shuji’s support. The Mizukage decided Kirigakure would wait for the other villages’ moves and ordered ships prepared.

• The Raikage dismissed his shinobi and brooded over Kumogakure’s losses, concluding that geography and the village’s weakened state prevented him from challenging Konoha.
• Utatane Koharu accepted Shuji’s Flying Thunder God Kunai before traveling to Kumogakure, and Shuji marked an ordinary stone for her as a return point.
• Utatane Koharu told Shuji she would propose letting him learn Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags after the war, then left him to wait for her return.
• Hozuki Takuya told the Mizukage that Konoha was stronger than expected, and the Mizukage ordered him to prepare ships while Kirigakure waited for the other villages.

Utatane Koharu negotiated with Kumogakure for support as Konoha faced the prospect of Iwagakure entering the war. While the talks continued, Shuji left the inn and headed for Kabukicho.

• The Raikage ordered Kumogakure to welcome Konoha's envoy, hoping to signal its openness to Iwagakure and Kirigakure.
• Utatane Koharu met Raikage assistant Lei Longtai and recalled losing her teacher during her previous visit to Kumogakure.
• Koharu downplayed Konoha's victory in the Land of Rain and used the danger from Iwagakure to distinguish Kumogakure's position from its rival's.
• Lei Longtai asked whether Koharu had come to request Kumogakure's help, then noted that internal conflict had weakened the village.
• Shuji left the inn and headed for Kabukicho.

Utatane Koharu tried to bring Kumogakure into an alliance with Konoha by outlining how they could pressure Iwagakure and deter Kirigakure. Lei Longtai remained wary of the costs, and the chapter ended with him bargaining for more after Koharu offered one billion ryo.

• Shuji returned to the inn and resumed his Steel Muscles and Iron Bones training after deciding he would never visit Kabukicho again.
• Utatane Koharu showed Lei Longtai a map and argued that Kumogakure could quickly strike Iwagakure or Kirigakure while Konoha held off Iwagakure's main forces.
• Lei Longtai declined to commit, citing Kumogakure's economic pressure and the risk of preparing for a war that might not happen.
• Utatane Koharu offered Kumogakure one billion ryo to ease its wartime costs.
• Lei Longtai said one billion ryo was not quite enough and prepared to negotiate for a higher payment.

The Raikage agreed to Kumogakure receiving twelve hundred million ryo from Konoha and called for a duel between his son A and Hyuga Shuji. Shuji accepted, weighing the political consequences of winning or losing, and the two young shinobi prepared to fight.

• Lei Longtai told the Raikage that Utatane Koharu had agreed to terms worth twelve hundred million ryo, and the Raikage happily went to settle the matter.
• The Raikage summoned A, hoping the boy would learn from meeting Konoha’s Flying Thunder God user, and Shuji appeared before the Raikage and Utatane Koharu.
• The Raikage introduced A’s challenge, while Shuji tried to decline by claiming he was only a medical ninja.
• The Raikage insisted Shuji help test A’s confidence in Lightning Release Armor, and Shuji accepted while considering the risks of winning or losing.
• A and Shuji exchanged formal introductions and formed the Seal of Confrontation to begin their duel.

Shuji used the Flying Thunder God Technique to fight A in Kumogakure, carefully holding back to avoid damaging the alliance or the Raikage’s dignity. Their battle continued as Shuji staged an apparent stalemate, leaving the match unresolved.

• Shuji scattered Flying Thunder God Kunai across the battlefield, and Utatane Koharu confirmed to the Raikage that they marked his technique.
• A charged at Shuji with Lightning Release speed, but Shuji teleported behind him and missed with an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
• A praised Shuji’s skill and announced he would go faster, then misjudged Shuji’s teleport and struck at empty air.
• Embarrassed, A charged again while Shuji dodged and fired Air Palms that mostly struck the ground.
• Shuji and A continued exchanging attacks, with Shuji landing only glancing blows to maintain the impression of a draw.

Shuji and A sparred to test the Hyuga Clan’s Gentle Fist, then discussed their skills and the possibility of fighting together under the Konoha–Kumogakure alliance. Shuji emphasized that he wanted to become a medical ninja, reassuring the Raikage that he was not a threat.

• A asked Shuji to stop using Flying Thunder God if A stopped using Lightning Release Armor, and Shuji agreed to demonstrate Gentle Fist.
• Shuji struck A’s tenketsu until A collapsed, then helped him up and explained that Lightning Release Armor would have prevented the strikes.
• A praised Shuji and joked that he should become a Jonin; Shuji revealed that he was already a Konoha medical Jonin.
• A said Shuji would have made an ideal Kumogakure partner, and Shuji replied that he might fight alongside A under the alliance between their villages.
• Shuji told A he preferred becoming a medical ninja to mastering taijutsu, signaling to the Raikage that he posed little threat.

Shuji and Koharu secured Kumogakure’s agreement to an alliance for 1.2 billion ryo, bringing Konoha closer to ending the war. Back in Konoha, Hiruzen assigned Shuji to join the Anbu as a captain, and Shuji chose Nawaki and Mikoto as teammates.

• Shuji and Koharu reported that Kumogakure had agreed to an alliance in exchange for 1.2 billion ryo.
• Hiruzen returned to Konoha with Shuji and Koharu and ordered Shuji to tell Danzo to let Amegakure learn that Sunagakure was retreating.
• Hiruzen told Shuji to avoid combat missions and proposed that he join the Anbu under Sakumo’s arrangements.
• Shuji insisted on becoming an Anbu captain and chose Nawaki and Mikoto as teammates.
• Hiruzen approved Shuji’s squad, while Koharu objected to his promotion and Mikoto’s inclusion in the Anbu.
• Hiruzen defended his decision by saying Shuji’s strength and ability justified making him a captain.

Sarutobi Hiruzen justified Shuji’s mission rewards and approved Mikoto’s entry into the Anbu, while Shuji told Danzo he would be joining the Anbu. Danzo accepted Shuji’s choice and offered support, and Shuji promised to come whenever Danzo needed him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Utatane Koharu that Shuji had earned two hundred million ryo in mission rewards and defended his qualifications.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen convinced Utatane Koharu that letting Mikoto and the Uchiha enter the Anbu could ease tensions within Konoha.
• Shuji told Danzo that Kumogakure had agreed to pay 1.2 billion ryo and relayed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s message that he had returned to Konoha.
• Shuji told Danzo he might join the Anbu because he had concealed much of his ability during his fight with A.
• Danzo expressed disappointment but urged Shuji to stay safe and seek his help if he encountered difficulties.
• Shuji promised Danzo that he would appear whenever Danzo needed him.

Shuji brought Nawaki and Mikoto to the front line to report to the Anbu, where Jian learned Shuji had been made a squad captain. The chapter left them preparing to collect their Anbu equipment as Konoha’s alliance with Kumogakure surprised an Iwagakure envoy.

• Shuji left Danzo’s office after telling him he would report to the Anbu, and Danzo wished him well.
• Shuji found Nawaki and Mikoto training at the Medical Department and told them to pack for a trip to the front line.
• Shuji told Nawaki and Mikoto they were going to report to the Anbu, surprising them both.
• In Kumogakure, Lei Longtai told an Iwagakure envoy that Kumogakure had already agreed to join forces with Konoha.
• Shuji arrived near Amegakure with Nawaki and Mikoto, told Jian that the Hokage had ordered him to report to the Anbu, and revealed he was a squad captain.
• Jian accepted Shuji’s rank and went with him to collect their equipment.

Shuji and his companions joined the Anbu, received masks, uniforms, equipment, and dormitory rooms, and chose their codenames. After settling in, Shuji began training a technique that infused his will into Nen Energy.

• Shuji told Sakumo that Konoha and Kumogakure had agreed to ally, and Sakumo arranged for lenses to be added to Anbu masks so Shuji could hide his Byakugan.
• At the Anbu armory, Shuji chose the codename Guiyuan, Mikoto chose Yuan, and Nawaki chose Sen.
• Jian supplied the team with uniforms and a large number of Sealing Scrolls, while Sakumo gave the three members their dormitory keys and offered training help.
• After Sakumo left, Shuji dismissed Mikoto and Nawaki and went to his room to train Dragon of the Sea, a technique for infusing his will into Nen Energy.

Shuji tried to figure out how to infuse his will into Nen Aura, while Sakumo and Danzo arranged to hide his battlefield achievements and compensate him for the village’s suppression of his reputation. The chapter ended with Sakumo agreeing to look after Shuji and Danzo promising to raise his material rewards after the war.

• Shuji began cultivating the ability to infuse his will into Nen Aura, considering whether it was related to Yin Release or concepts like sword intent.
• Sakumo asked Danzo to conceal Shuji’s personal intelligence and battlefield performance, and Danzo agreed to coordinate with Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Anbu.
• Danzo told Sakumo that he expected him to become Anbu commander-in-chief after the war.
• Danzo urged Sakumo to care for Shuji, explaining that the village should compensate him for helping suppress his reputation.
• Sakumo agreed to pay particular attention to Shuji, and Danzo said he would raise Shuji’s material rewards with Hiruzen after the war.

Shuji considered his ninja way as protecting the people and things he valued, while the war’s outcome became increasingly clear to Hanzo and Ōnoki. Hanzo hoped Iwagakure would intervene, and Ōnoki considered turning to Sunagakure rather than let Konoha win unopposed.

• Shuji told Mikoto that his ninja way was to protect the village, the world, and everything he held dear, while Nawaki teased him and Hatake Sakumo arrived to ask what he meant.
• Hanzo concluded that Konoha would likely win the war, learned Amegakure had only half a month of supplies, and ordered Muyu to conserve supplies while they waited for Iwagakure or considered peace.
• Ōnoki learned Kumogakure had refused to join Iwagakure, weighed an alliance with Kirigakure against their longstanding hatred, and thought of Sunagakure as another possibility.

Shuji trained in the Land of Wind and reconsidered how to combine his Nen and ninja techniques, though he still could not infuse Nen Energy with his will. Back in Konoha, Sakumo visited him and said he had a mission to assign.

• Shuji used a Shadow Clone in the desert to practice Dragon of the Sea and realized he had mastered only a basic version of the technique.
• Shuji decided to focus on practical combinations of Nen control, nature transformation, and shape transformation rather than copying flashy techniques.
• Shuji recognized that he still lacked the Nen Energy needed to use Judgment Golden Thunder Tiger and could not yet infuse Nen Energy with his beliefs.
• Shuji's Shadow Clone dispersed in the desert, while his main body continued training in the Anbu dormitory.
• Sakumo visited Shuji after noticing he had barely left his room for half a month and said he had a mission to assign him.

Shuji received an S-rank solo mission to protect Danzo during peace talks with Amegakure. On the way, Shuji asked Danzo about the Spirit Transformation Technique, and Danzo promised to help him obtain it after they returned to the village.

• Sakumo assigned Shuji to accompany Danzo to Amegakure peace talks and bring him back alive.
• Shuji met Danzo, and the two set out after agreeing to have lunch first.
• Danzo asked Shuji about his plans for training after the war, and Shuji said he wanted to learn the Spirit Transformation Technique.
• Danzo recognized it as Dan Katō's technique and promised to find a way for Shuji to obtain it after the peace talks.

Shuji told Danzō that he planned to study senjutsu and prove that humans could store Natural Energy, rather than pursue the Hokage position. Danzō was pleased when Shuji praised him as a suitable Hokage candidate and asked Shuji to cooperate during peace talks with Amegakure.

• Danzō said he would offer Dan Katō a better exchange for the Spirit Transformation Technique, but he became more interested when Shuji mentioned training in senjutsu at Shikkotsu Forest.
• Danzō asked Shuji whether he dreamed of becoming Hokage, and Shuji said his goal was to prove that ninja had no limits.
• Shuji proposed that humans could store Natural Energy just as toads and slugs did, leaving Danzō astonished.
• Shuji named Danzō and Nawaki as suitable Hokage candidates and praised Danzō, who became delighted by the recognition.
• As they walked to the dining hall, Danzō promised to help Shuji and asked him to cooperate during peace talks with Amegakure.

Muyu escorted Danzō and Shuji into Amegakure for peace talks, where Hanzo negotiated an end to the war. Danzō demanded five billion ryo, Hanzo offered three billion, and the meeting ended without an agreement as Hanzo warned Shuji against arrogance.

• Muyu met Danzō and Shuji outside Amegakure and said Hanzo would conduct the peace talks.
• Shuji provoked Muyu, and Muyu suppressed his anger and led Danzō into the village.
• Danzō demanded five billion ryo for Konoha to leave the Land of Rain, while Hanzo offered three billion ryo paid over three years.
• Hanzo said the war would continue if Konoha rejected Amegakure's limit, and Shuji repeated Danzō's threat that the payment would double after a battlefield victory.
• Hanzo warned Shuji not to be too arrogant, and the parties left without reaching an agreement.