Chapter Summaries

Danzo and Shuji negotiated a settlement with Hanzo, ending the war in the Land of Rain in exchange for Amegakure paying Konoha three and a half billion ryo. Shuji then told Nawaki and Mikoto the fighting was over and went to ask Sakumo whether their squad could return to Konoha early.

• Danzo offered Hanzo a deal: Amegakure would pay three and a half billion ryo, and Konoha would withdraw from the Land of Rain.
• Hanzo agreed to pay two billion ryo upfront and the remaining one and a half billion over three years, and Danzo accepted.
• After Danzo and Shuji left, Hanzo ordered Muyu to place a bounty on the Anbu known as Guiyuan.
• Shuji returned to camp and told Nawaki the war was over, while Mikoto suggested they could return to Konoha and see Minato and Kushina.
• Shuji left to ask Sakumo for leave so their squad could head back to Konoha.

After the war with Amegakure ended, Shuji persuaded Sakumo to let his squad return to Konoha early, giving them time to rest. Back in the village, Mikoto invited Shuji to barbecue, but Nawaki invited himself and suggested they bring Minato and Kushina too.

• Shuji clung to Sakumo and asked for leave, but Sakumo instead allowed him to lead his squad back to Konoha ahead of time.
• Sakumo warned Shuji to stay alert and return immediately if summoned with a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Shuji, Mikoto, and Nawaki returned to Konoha and reunited in the woods where Shuji had trained as a Ninja Academy student.
• Nawaki mocked Hiashi for still patrolling at the front-line camp, and Shuji told everyone to go home and check on their families.
• Mikoto invited Shuji to barbecue the next evening, but Nawaki invited himself and suggested they bring Minato and Kushina.
• Shuji agreed to the group outing, and Mikoto left while considering another chance to spend time alone with him.

Shuji reflected on the war’s costs and gains and planned how to prepare the Shinobi World for the Otsutsuki. He intended to use his Anbu service to grow stronger, build trusted allies, and seek intelligence and power from the moon, including the possibility of turning Kaguya to his side.

• Shuji considered how his relationships with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō could help him influence Konoha and preserve its strength.
• Shuji concluded that the Otsutsuki clan was far larger than the few members known and planned to help ninjas counter their ability to absorb jutsu.
• Shuji reasoned that his Anbu duties could delay another war and give him years to train before the Third Shinobi World War.
• Shuji planned to become the Mad Tiger Emperor within five years, find a passage to the moon, awaken the Tenseigan, and devour the giant Tenseigan there.
• Shuji considered helping trusted Hyuga relatives awaken the Tenseigan and sought ways to gather intelligence from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki or Kaguya.

Shuji and Mikoto sparred in the grove so she could test her training, while Shuji used their duel to assess his own abilities. Nawaki interrupted with a Water Dragon Jutsu and Heaven's Weeping, leaving Shuji charging toward Mikoto's rising blade as Nawaki's water needles closed in.

• Shuji arrived at the grove late, declined Mikoto's offer of food, and agreed to spar with her in exchange for lunch if she satisfied him with her training.
• Mikoto attacked with her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, but Shuji blocked her sword with chakra Nen Beads and then sent a barrage of them at her.
• Nawaki mocked Mikoto from a tree, distracting her briefly, and Shuji struck the tree with chakra to make Nawaki jump down.
• Nawaki attacked Shuji with Water Dragon Jutsu, and Shuji dodged by charging toward Mikoto.
• Mikoto swung her blade upward as Nawaki fired water needles at Shuji with Heaven's Weeping.

Shuji countered Mikoto’s Sharingan genjutsu and demonstrated how far his power surpassed his teammates’. Nawaki and Minato continued attacking him, while Mikoto recovered and rejoined the fight.

• Nawaki used Water Release to attack Shuji from the side, but Shuji dodged with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Mikoto cast Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique on Shuji, but his evolved Byakugan reflected the genjutsu and incapacitated her.
• Nawaki drew his heavy sword and called for Minato and Kushina to join the fight after realizing how dangerous eye techniques were.
• Minato joined Nawaki against Shuji, who stopped maintaining Chakra circulation and chose to test their strength rather than use genjutsu.
• Kushina helped Mikoto recover, and Mikoto admitted her team’s weakness before returning to the battle.

Shuji defeated Minato and Mikoto’s attacks, then endured Nawaki’s Water Style: Water Shockwave with Rotation and emerged behind him. He advised Nawaki to use the terrain and the water left by the jutsu, while Mikoto mocked Nawaki for wasting Chakra before asking Shuji for guidance.

• Shuji sealed Minato’s wrist Chakra point, struck him with a knee, and knocked Mikoto away with a shockwave.
• Nawaki used Water Style: Water Shockwave, and Shuji blocked the torrent with Eight Trigrams: Rotation.
• Shuji appeared behind Nawaki using Subterranean Voyage and advised him to use the river and leftover water to improve his tactics.
• Nawaki defended his Chakra use, and Mikoto called him Senju trash before asking Shuji to guide her too.

Shuji explained how to begin learning Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode after Mikoto asked for advice on developing her taijutsu. Mikoto and the others resolved to try it, while Shuji revealed he avoided the technique because it could not be used alongside Wind Aura.

• Shuji learned that Mikoto had focused on swordsmanship and genjutsu and wanted to develop her taijutsu without giving up the sword.
• Shuji recommended Lightning Release Chakra Mode and demonstrated how to spread chakra across the body and transform it into Lightning Release chakra.
• Mikoto committed to learning the technique, and Minato, Nawaki, and Kushina also considered trying it.
• Shuji said he had not learned Lightning Release Chakra Mode because Wind Aura was more effective for him and the two techniques could not be used together.

Shuji taught Kushina, Minato, and Nawaki techniques suited to them, then introduced them to sensing Natural Energy as the first step toward cultivating Nen Energy. He said he was preparing them because future wars threatened Konoha, and Minato came to see Shuji as the embodiment of the Will of Fire.

• Shuji showed Kushina the Rasengan and explained its training method to her and Minato.
• Shuji demonstrated Chakra Surround for Nawaki and offered to teach it to him after he learned Rasengan.
• Shuji told Minato that the Flying Thunder God Technique suited him but that he could not teach it, then asked him to pass along the techniques to Hiashi, Hizashi, and Shuji's little sister.
• Shuji instructed everyone to sense nature and identify Natural Energy, saying he would explain further after they learned to sense it.
• Shuji said Konoha needed stronger ninjas because it had effectively lost the war, and Minato vowed not to betray his trust.

Shuji discussed the young ninja’s training plans and asked Minato and Kushina to report any signs of Natural Energy or a coming Nine-Tails Jinchuriki selection. Meanwhile, Danzo prepared to present his plan to Hiruzen and summoned Shuji to his office.

• Shuji encouraged Minato to master the Rasengan, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Natural Energy before graduation.
• Nawaki said he would combine Earth and Water Release to pursue Wood Release, and Shuji stressed the importance of foundational training.
• Shuji told Minato and Kushina to inform him if Minato sensed Natural Energy or Kushina was nearing selection as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• As Konoha’s victorious forces withdrew from the Land of Rain, Danzo told Shikasei he was going to discuss an important plan with Hiruzen.
• Danzo used a Flying Thunder God Kunai to summon Shuji to his office.

Danzo proposed experimenting with the First Hokage’s cells to strengthen Konoha, and Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged him over the human cost and consequences. Danzo instead proposed creating a secret department called Root to train future Anbu, and Hiruzen reluctantly agreed.

• Danzo returned Shuji to Konoha, then went to speak privately with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Danzo argued that Konoha was too weak and proposed experiments with the First Hokage’s cells.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned that the experiments would harm Danzo’s relationships and the village’s standing.
• Danzo decided to establish a new department to train ninjas before they entered the Anbu.
• Danzo named the department Root, and Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly approved.

Danzo resolved to continue the Hashirama Cells experiments for Konoha’s sake, even as he mourned losing Shuji’s support. Shuji found him in the forest and challenged his motives, but Danzo refused to let him know about the experiment.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his office after Danzo left, overwhelmed by the situation.
• Danzo convinced himself that Konoha needed the Hashirama Cells experiments to survive future wars.
• Danzo remembered Shuji, then threw away the Flying Thunder God Kunai Shuji had given him.
• Shuji caught the kunai, offered Danzo a cigarette, and asked whether he had returned early to make Konoha stronger.
• Danzo claimed that he and Hiruzen had always wanted to strengthen the village while keeping Shuji ignorant of the experiment.

Shuji confronted Danzo about his plan to experiment on Hashirama’s cells and argued that it would not help Konoha. He proposed a strategy for future wars and asked Danzo to wait five years while he developed a different way to strengthen Konoha’s ninja, leaving Danzo speechless.

• Shuji accused Danzo of planning human experiments with the First Hokage’s cells, and Danzo denied it before admitting the experiment was for the village.
• Shuji explained that Hashirama’s cells would cause rejection in ordinary ninja and argued that the experiment was unlikely to succeed.
• Shuji laid out a plan for Konoha to ally with Kumogakure against Sunagakure and Iwagakure, then turn against Kumogakure with Kirigakure.
• Shuji promised Danzo that he could develop a technique to make Konoha’s ninja like Katsuyu Sage within five years and asked him to wait until then.
• Shuji told Danzo he still wanted to see him become Hokage, and Danzo was left unable to respond.

Shuji persuaded Danzo to abandon his dangerous experiment and promised to help him become Hokage within five years. The two discussed Konoha’s strategy and a new training department, while Sarutobi Hiruzen faced mounting expenses after the war.

• Danzo agreed to Shuji’s request to stop the experiment for five years, trusting Shuji’s promise and strategy.
• Shuji proposed allying with Kumogakure and using Konoha’s advantages to overcome its rivals, and Danzo agreed to present the plan to Sarutobi Hiruzen later.
• Danzo explained that he wanted to establish a department to train future Anbu and asked Shuji to teach its recruits, which Shuji accepted.
• Danzo invited Shuji to the Shimura home for tea and offered to give him some of the tea he had taken from the Sarutobi family.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about funding Danzo’s department, Tsunade’s medical-ninja training, and postwar mission payments, so he sought support from Konoha’s major clans.

Sarutobi Hiruzen secured support from Konoha’s clans while Danzō prepared to form Root, and Shuji reaffirmed that he wanted to become strong enough to frighten Kumogakure rather than pursue the Hokage position. The chapter ended with Hiashi asking Shuji to teleport him and his companions back from the Land of Rain, appealing to Shuji’s concern for his little sister.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen visited the Senju clan grounds as he worked to distribute positions and benefits to Konoha’s clans.
• Danzō asked Shuji whether he wanted to become Hokage, and Shuji said he aimed to become strong enough to make Kumogakure fear him.
• Danzō told Shuji to help the pressured Anbu for now and then leave it to focus on training.
• Danzō handed Sarutobi Hiruzen a list of Root recruits, and Sarutobi Hiruzen offered to help him establish the department.
• Danzō left the Hokage’s office, while Sarutobi Hiruzen feared his old friend had stepped into an abyss.
• Hiashi used a Flying Thunder God Kunai to summon Shuji to the Land of Rain battlefield and asked him to take the group back to Konoha.

Shuji returned to Konoha with Hinagiku and offered to teach Hiashi, Hizashi, and Tokugawa the techniques he had developed. Meanwhile, Hiruzen grew suspicious of Danzō’s recruitment into Root, and Danzō went to meet him, anticipating his reaction.

• Shuji left the Land of Rain with Hinagiku, Hiashi, Hizashi, and Tokugawa, then invited Hiashi, Hizashi, and Tokugawa to learn the techniques he had taught Nawaki and the others.
• Hiashi explained to Hizashi that Shuji had the authority to decide who could learn his self-developed techniques, and said their father could ask Shuji about learning them.
• Hiruzen discovered that Danzō was diverting students selected for the Anbu into Root for training, and sent an Anbu member to summon him.
• Danzō visited Shuji and asked him to share his Anbu experience with Root’s new members, then realized Shuji could not openly leave the battlefield without causing trouble for Sakumo and Hiruzen.
• Danzō returned to Root, accepted Hiruzen’s summons, and headed to the Hokage’s office, eager to see his reaction.

Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned Danzō about establishing the Root Division and learned that Hyuga Shuji had persuaded him not to discard the Flying Thunder God Kunai. Hiruzen ordered Danzō to disband Root, but Danzō defended its role in preparing young Anbu recruits, leaving them at odds over the village’s immediate wartime needs.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Danzō what he had been doing, and Danzō explained that he had established the Root Division to train children entering the Anbu.
• Danzō admitted that he had considered discarding Shuji’s Flying Thunder God Kunai but had changed his mind after Shuji deduced his intentions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged Danzō’s account, then accepted that Shuji had inferred his plan from Konoha’s predicament, the kunai, and the village’s opportunities.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Shuji’s talent and stopped Danzō from discussing his strategic value before ordering him to disband Root.
• Danzō refused and argued that Root’s instructors could give young Anbu recruits a safer transition into missions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen acknowledged Root’s value but worried about the money and time it required while the village faced an approaching conflict.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō negotiated emergency training for Root's students and agreed to fund it, after Danzō explained Hyuga Shuji's strategic vision. At Mikoto's home, Chisaku learned that her chakra training came from the jutsu that killed the Third Kazekage.

• Shimura Danzō proposed using Hyuga Shuji to train Root's students for ten days and delaying their entry into the Anbu by twenty days.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen objected to Danzō's proposal and Root's spending, but agreed to the plan and allocated two hundred thousand ryō from Root's finances.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked how Shuji had persuaded Danzō, and Danzō described Shuji's vision for the village's future and recommended involving him in major decisions.
• Uchiha Mikoto told her father, Chisaku, that the water-balloon exercise was a jutsu taught by her captain, Guiyuan, and that it had killed the Third Kazekage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted Danzō’s proposal for the Root Division but left its future dependent on its success. Meanwhile, Shuji trained prospective Anbu recruits, Kakuzu accepted a bounty on Guiyuan, and Iwagakure proposed an economic alliance that Hozuki Takuya agreed to bring to the Mizukage.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted Danzō’s proposal and said the Root Division’s value would determine whether it remained; Danzō left, and Hiruzen laughed in his office.
• Danzō recruited Shuji to train Root Division candidates, and Shuji sent a clone to gather Nawaki and Mikoto before instructing the recruits in physical ability and Chakra control.
• Kakuzu accepted a 250-million-ryō bounty mission to find and kill Konoha Anbu member Guiyuan.
• An Iwagakure envoy proposed that Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure restrict ninja-tool trade to their villages and deny materials to Konoha, economically isolating Konoha and Kumogakure.
• Hozuki Takuya supported the proposed alliance in principle but said he needed to report it to the Mizukage.

The Third Mizukage approved an alliance with Iwagakure, while Shuji finished his Root mission and prepared to return to Anbu. In Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Jiraiya had gone to the Land of Rain to teach people there, and Tsunade failed to get funding from him for medical-ninja training.

• The Third Mizukage approved an alliance with Iwagakure after hearing Hozuki Takuya's report.
• Shuji advised a Root member on training, then received his pay from Danzo as his mission ended with Sakumo's return.
• Danzo told Shuji he would contact him with the Flying Thunder God once he obtained the Spirit Transformation Technique.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen erupted after hearing Sakumo report that Jiraiya had met the Child of Prophecy and chosen to teach people in the Land of Rain.
• Tsunade asked Hiruzen to let Shuji help train medical ninja and demanded compensation, but Hiruzen refused to provide funding.

Sakumo told Shuji that his 230-million-ryō war reward would be paid later and assigned him to an independent Anbu unit called Konoha Fifth Squad. The chapter left Sakumo asking Shuji about supplying Flying Thunder God Kunai to two division captains.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned Tsunade that the village's 500-million-ryō investment had to produce results, then assigned Orochimaru to help Danzo train Root recruits.
• Sakumo called Shuji aside and explained that the village could not immediately pay his 230-million-ryō reward.
• Shuji accepted the delayed payment, and Sakumo promised it would be paid before Shuji left the Anbu.
• Sakumo gave Shuji a list of ninjutsu to choose from and assigned him to work by Sakumo's side as Konoha Fifth Squad.
• Sakumo asked Shuji about providing Flying Thunder God Kunai to the two division captains who did not yet have them.