Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Hane ambushed Hyuga Hisanobu after rescuing him from Kirigakure Ninja, crippled him to prevent him from activating the Caged Bird, and revealed that he was his first Main Family experimental subject. Hane then used a Shadow Clone to help his squad conclude that Hisanobu had been captured by the enemy.

• Hyuga Hisanobu fled an ambush by eleven Kirigakure Ninja, hoping Konoha reinforcements would save him.
• Hyuga Hane arrived, used the Fifth Gate and Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Vacuum Palms to defeat the Kirigakure Ninja, and tore off Hisanobu's arms to stop him from activating the Caged Bird.
• Hane told Hisanobu that he had been waiting to make him his first Main Family experimental subject.
• Kirigakure Ninja arrived and collected the bodies, then Hane returned with a Konoha squad led by Uchiha Kotaro.
• Hane's Shadow Clone examined the battlefield and severed arms with the squad, leading them to believe Kirigakure had captured Hisanobu.

Hyuga Hane revealed that he had betrayed Hyuga Hisanobu and arranged for Mist Village to capture a Hyuga from the Main Family so its knowledge of the Caged Bird Seal would force Konoha to change the technique. After removing Hisanobu’s eyes, Hane noticed someone entering his hideout.

• Uchiha Kotaro’s squad searched the forest, found no survivors, and reported the missing Hyuga shinobi to the commander.
• The commander ordered a report to the Hokage and warned that Hyuga shinobi might have to withdraw if Mist Village learned the Caged Bird Seal’s activation signs.
• Hyuga Hisanobu woke captive and accused Hyuga Hane of betraying the Main Family, and Hane admitted he had revealed Hisanobu’s location to Mist Village.
• Hane explained that he wanted the enemy to learn the Caged Bird’s activation signs, forcing Konoha and the Hyuga Main Family to make the seal ineffective.
• Hane sedated Hisanobu and removed his eyes, then turned toward the exit as a figure entered.

Hane traded Hyuga Hisanobu's Byakugan to Orochimaru for the Impure World Reincarnation scroll and demonstrated that his own blood could summon a soul. After Hyuga ninja began dying on the Mist Village Battlefield and rumors spread that Kirigakure had learned the Caged Bird Jutsu, Orochimaru ordered all Hyuga ninja back to Konoha, including Hane.

• Hane gave Orochimaru one of Hisanobu's Byakugan in exchange for the Impure World Reincarnation scroll and discussed the danger of trying to evolve the Byakugan.
• Hane used a captured Kirigakure Ninja as a sacrifice and summoned a newly born soul using his own blood, making Orochimaru suspect Hane had been reincarnated.
• Hane released the summoned soul and told Orochimaru their partnership could continue because the jutsu depended on Hane's survival.
• Hane said Hyuga Branch Family members should choose for themselves whether to sacrifice Hyuga ninja who had been unable to escape their subservience.
• Hyuga ninja began dying on the battlefield, and rumors spread that Kirigakure had learned the Caged Bird Jutsu.
• Orochimaru ordered all Hyuga ninja, including Hane, to return to Konoha.

Hyuga Hane returned to Konoha with the Branch Family as the village prepared to study the Caged Bird Technique. Sarutobi Hiruzen opposed Danzo’s plans for Nonō and Kabuto and summoned Tsunade to help find a way to break the seal, while Tsunade questioned Hyuga Hane about Orochimaru’s interest in it.

• A Hyuga Jonin ordered the Branch Family to report for punishment and invited them to join research to improve the Caged Bird, but no one volunteered to have the seal removed.
• Danzo told Sarutobi Hiruzen he wanted the Caged Bird Technique to control Root members and refused to spare Nonō and Kabuto from their spy roles.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen insisted that Nonō and Kabuto deserved peaceful lives, then ordered an Anbu ninja to bring Tsunade back to Konoha to help break the Caged Bird.
• Hyuga Hane continued his routine as a Branch Family member while training and conducting research.
• Tsunade asked Hyuga Hane about his clan’s connection to Orochimaru, who had also requested her return to work on the Caged Bird.

Hyuga Hane arranged for Hyuga Miyuki to continue a secret experiment into the Byakugan, while Miyuki chose to pursue strength and revenge against the Hyuga Main Family and the Mist shinobi who killed her parents. The experiment was about to begin, with Miyuki accepting the scroll’s challenge to prove the Byakugan was not inferior to the Sharingan.

• Hyuga Hane reflected that his soul, rather than his body, determined his survival, leaving the Caged Bird with little power to threaten him.
• Hyuga Hane noticed Hyuga Miyuki heading to Tsunade’s laboratory and decided she would serve as the test subject for his Byakugan research.
• Tsunade told Hyuga Miyuki that the Branch Family would receive a new Caged Bird in a month, leaving Miyuki disheartened.
• Hyuga Miyuki opened a hidden drawer, took the scroll left in her room, and chose its experimental research over a future as a high-ranking servant of the Main Family.
• Hyuga Miyuki vowed to prove the Byakugan could rival the Sharingan, and Hyuga Hane activated his Byakugan as the experiment began.

After Hyuga Akimi was found murdered with his Byakugan removed, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo argued over who was targeting the Hyuga Branch Family and whether Orochimaru was involved. In the shadows, Hyuga Hane revealed that he had killed Akimi to conceal Hyuga Miyuki’s attacks as she grew stronger by absorbing Byakugan power.

• Two patrol ninja found Hyuga Akimi’s body and reported the killing to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Danzo told Sarutobi Hiruzen that someone was using the Caged Bird to kill Hyuga Branch Family ninja and handed over evidence about his secret deployment of Hyuga ninja to the Mist Village Battlefield.
• Danzo accused a scheming Branch Family member of seeking revenge and trying to pressure Konoha into breaking the Caged Bird seal.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen argued that Orochimaru must be suspected if a Konoha insider had helped the culprit, leaving Danzo speechless.
• Hyuga Hane watched Hyuga Miyuki attack another Chunin and explained that he had killed Hyuga Akimi to disguise her growing series of attacks.
• Hyuga Hane observed that Miyuki’s strength was nearing Jonin level after absorbing three Byakugan and considered whether fusing many Byakugan could produce a new way to evolve the Tenseigan.

Hyuga Miyuki’s Byakugan evolved after she absorbed ten Byakugan, while Hyuga Hane observed her and considered how to approach her. As killings spread to the Hyuga Main Family, Hane offered a Branch Family boy a way to escape the Caged Bird seal if he could become strong and find allies.

• Hyuga Miyuki discovered that her Byakugan’s range and Chakra had greatly increased, and she noticed someone watching her.
• Hyuga Hane recorded the changes in Miyuki’s Byakugan and concluded that he would need to approach her in person with overwhelming strength.
• Danzo urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to control the Hyuga Branch Family, but Hiruzen revealed that a Hyuga Main Family ninja had also been attacked.
• Hyuga Hane found a boy who had killed Hyuga Meijian and learned that the boy hoped the unrest would spare his little sister from the Caged Bird seal.
• Hyuga Hane told the boy that killing the Main Family would not free him, then offered to help him escape the seal if he became strong and gathered allies.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo debated how Konoha should respond to the Hyuga Branch Family’s growing resentment as Hyuga Hane continued attacking clan members. Hane used a reanimated Hyuga Meigoku to defeat three Anbu and take them as sacrifices, while Hyuga Yuki resolved to seek the village leaders’ help in breaking the Caged Bird.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned Danzo that the village could not support the Main Branch without the Branch Family, and Danzo offered to handle the conflict himself.
• Hyuga Yuki watched Hyuga Hane enter the Main Branch’s quarters and decided to demand that the village leaders help break the Caged Bird.
• Hyuga Hane killed a Hyuga Jonin, drained the power from his Byakugan, and prepared for the Anbu who came to arrest him.
• A reanimated ninja clad in Warring States Era armor struck down the three Anbu with Gentle Fist before they could react.
• Hyuga Hane sealed the Anbu in a scroll and taunted Hyuga Meigoku, saying the former Main Branch clan head was now ruled by the Branch Family.

Hyuga Hane defeated Hyuga Meigoku’s attempt to use the Caged Bird, then tested the powers gained from his Byakugan’s evolution. He realized the seal could still hinder him in battle and resolved to remove it completely, while assessing his growing abilities in his underground training ground.

• Hyuga Meigoku activated the Caged Bird against Hyuga Hane, but Hane’s evolved Byakugan suppressed it, and Hane sealed Meigoku in a coffin.
• Hyuga Hane recalled the Reanimated Ninja and left, reflecting that the Caged Bird could still interfere with him during a fight.
• Hyuga Hane encountered two patrol ninja and a Ninja Dog near an izakaya, then was turned away from the shop for being too young.
• Hyuga Hane evaded the searching ninja and returned to his underground training ground, where he found that his chakra had doubled.
• Hyuga Hane tested his Byakugan’s pressure and a strengthened Air Palm, then concluded that he needed greater chakra density and still had to eliminate the Caged Bird.

Hyuga Hane used Impure World Reincarnation to test why a dead Hyuga Jonin could still activate his Byakugan, leading him to conclude that Chakra—not blood—carried Kekkei Genkai and that Yang Release Chakra might help the Byakugan evolve into the Tenseigan. Meanwhile, the Main Branch elders debated how to respond to the Branch Family killings, and the clan head warned that aggressive action could provoke a coup.

• Hyuga Hane revived an Anbu Ninja and a dead Hyuga Jonin with Impure World Reincarnation, then forced the Jonin to activate his Byakugan.
• Hyuga Hane explained that he had absorbed the Jonin's Byakugan visual prowess before his death and concluded that the Jonin could still use it because his Chakra remained.
• Hyuga Hane theorized that ocular techniques depended on Chakra rather than physical eyes, and that Yang Release Chakra might be the key to turning the Byakugan into the Tenseigan.
• Main Branch elders urged the clan head to interrogate people using the Caged Bird after another Ninja close to them was killed.
• The Main Branch clan head warned that attacking the Branch Family could drive more members to rebel and lead to a coup.

The Hyuga Clan Head avoided escalating the Branch Family’s revolt and assigned Hizashi responsibility for it while Hiashi prepared to follow his father’s orders. At the Branch Family cemetery, Hyuga Miyuki and Hyuga Hane worried over the coming Caged Bird ceremony and the Hokage’s silence, and Hane hinted that Konoha’s returned sun might change what happened next.

• The Hyuga Clan Head told the elders not to provoke or purge the Branch Family and discussed arrangements for the new Caged Bird.
• After the meeting, the clan head put Hizashi in charge of the Branch Family and reminded Hiashi what he was expected to say.
• Hyuga Miyuki visited her parents’ graves and reaffirmed her resolve to free the Branch Family from its oppression.
• Hyuga Hane joined Miyuki at the cemetery, and they discussed the coming ceremony, rising unrest, and the Hokage’s lack of response.
• Hane warned Miyuki that Konoha’s sun had returned, leaving her wondering what he meant.

Namikaze Minato became Konoha’s Fourth Hokage as Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped down and announced a supposedly improved Caged Bird seal to the Hyuga Branch Family. Hyuga Miyuki and Hyuga Yuki remained distrustful, recognizing that the seal still controlled their lives and deaths.

• Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha with Kakashi and Rin after the victory at Kannabi Bridge, and Sarutobi Hiruzen nominated him as the Fourth Hokage before the cheering villagers.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen placed the Hokage hat in Minato’s hands, and Minato vowed to bring Konoha its final victory.
• At the Hyuga Compound, Sarutobi Hiruzen apologized to the Branch Family, claimed the revised Caged Bird seal could not torment its bearer, and announced his resignation and Minato’s succession.
• Hyuga Branch Family members welcomed Hiruzen’s changes and offered to discuss the seal with the Main Family, while Hyuga Miyuki questioned why they forgave him so easily.
• Hyuga Yuki concluded that Hiruzen had not been researching how to break the Caged Bird seal for the Branch Family’s sake.

Hiashi recognized how the Third Hokage had gained the Branch Family’s gratitude and drawn the Hyuga Clan to his side, while Hyuga Hane used the gathering to identify dissatisfied Branch Family members. Hane later revealed that he wanted allies for his own purposes, not to save the Branch Family, and hinted that he had helped make Minato Hokage.

• Hiashi concluded that the Third Hokage’s concessions had won the Branch Family’s favor and strengthened his position with the Hyuga Clan.
• Hane signaled Miyuki to stay alert, then used his summoned Hyuga Meigoku’s Byakugan to identify around thirty Branch Family members who remained dissatisfied.
• Hiashi announced that the clan would begin engraving the new Caged Bird, while Hane wrote the names of the dissatisfied members on a scroll.
• Hane explained to Meigoku that he wanted useful allies rather than to act as the Branch Family’s savior, and suggested that he had helped Minato become Hokage.

Orochimaru considered the political consequences of Minato becoming Hokage while Hyuga Hane gave Hyuga Yuki a scroll that could change the Hyuga Clan’s future. Yuki left with a plan for the Branch Family and discovered the scroll contained the history of the Otsutsuki Main Branch’s destruction by its Branch Family.

• Orochimaru received Hyuga Hane’s Chakra theories and reflected on the losses suffered by the Hyuga factions and the Third Hokage’s decision to appoint Minato.
• Hyuga Hane wondered what would happen when the Branch Family’s hope was crushed and noted the Uchiha Clan’s own precarious prospects.
• Hyuga Yuki asked Hyuga Hane for power to resist the Caged Bird and unite Branch Family members willing to fight.
• Hyuga Hane gave Yuki a scroll and dismissed his invitation to join an unnamed organization by suggesting the name “Avengers.”
• Yuki read the scroll at home and learned the history of the Otsutsuki Main Branch being slaughtered by its Branch Family.

Hyuga Hane applied to take Konoha’s Jonin examination, and Namikaze Minato considered appointing him to the Hokage’s Shadow Guard to help integrate the Hyuga Branch Family. Afterward, Hane and Hyuga Miyuki ate ramen, where she reflected on her clan’s danger and he teased her about her appetite.

• Hyuga Hane asked Namikaze Minato for permission to take the Jonin examination, and Minato reviewed his mission record.
• Minato considered using a place in the Shadow Guard to win over the Hyuga Branch Family and thought of choosing Hane after the examination.
• Hyuga Hane met Hyuga Miyuki at Ichiraku Ramen, where she congratulated him on applying for the examination.
• Hyuga Miyuki reflected on the threat to the Branch Family and decided she could not die before they were free of the Caged Bird seal.
• Hyuga Hane joked that Miyuki’s large appetite meant she had plenty of Chakra, then teased her about her cousin’s hypothetical daughter.

Hyuga Hane trained to strengthen his body for the Eight Inner Gates and met Might Duy and Might Guy in the forest. After sending Guy to run laps, Hane sparred with Duy, using the fight to study his teacher's Taijutsu as he prepared for his Jonin exam.

• Hyuga Hane trained in Taijutsu in the forest while his three Shadow Clones worked on experiments, ninjutsu, and study.
• Might Guy challenged Hane, but Hane persuaded him to run ten laps around Konoha before challenging him again as a Jonin.
• Hane told Might Duy that the Hyuga clan member's killing was complicated and that the Hokage was investigating it.
• Hane revealed that he could open the Gate of Limit, and he and Duy began a fierce sparring match in the forest.
• Hane observed Duy's movements and adjusted his own techniques while learning from his teacher's decades of Taijutsu experience.

Hyuga Hane trained with Might Dai and learned about the Jonin exam, which began the next day. At the examination, Uchiha Yakumaru underestimated Hane until the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, revealed that Hane was already a Special Jonin.

• Might Dai opened the Sixth Gate and demonstrated the Morning Peacock, then promised to teach Hane his Taijutsu techniques.
• Hane received an Anbu notice that the Jonin examination would begin the next day.
• At the underground examination site, Hane observed the candidates and met Uchiha Yakumaru, who mocked him and demanded an apology from the Hyuga Clan.
• Hane mentioned Yakumaru's resemblance to Uchiha Yaku-mi, and Yakumaru softened after learning Hane had served alongside his uncle.
• Namikaze Minato warned Yakumaru against underestimating opponents and revealed that Hane was a Special Jonin.

Hyuga Hane and Uchiha Yakumaru faced off in the Jonin assessment after easily winning their earlier matches. Hane initially countered Yakumaru’s Sharingan by fighting with his eyes closed, but Yakumaru exploited the Byakugan’s blind spot and sent shuriken toward the back of Hane’s head.

• Namikaze Minato announced the assessment rules, and the first contestants began their matches.
• Uchiha Yakumaru asked Hyuga Hane to suggest that they fight, but Hane said they would face each other.
• Hane and Yakumaru each won two matches against Chunin opponents before the examiner paired them.
• Hane closed his eyes and activated his Byakugan, then surprised Yakumaru with a Gentle Fist strike that hit a Shadow Clone.
• Hane used Air Palm to break through Yakumaru’s shuriken net and evade his Great Fireball, then pressed him into close combat.
• Yakumaru used wire to send shuriken through Hane’s Byakugan blind spot toward the back of his head.

Hyuga Hane defeated Uchiha Yakumaru in their match, revealing that he had learned Rotation on his own and understood how to counter Uchiha techniques. Yakumaru conceded but vowed to develop Genjutsu that did not require the Sharingan and challenge Hane again.

• Hyuga Hane used Rotation to deflect Uchiha Yakumaru's shuriken and force him back.
• Namikaze Minato told Kakashi that Hane had learned Rotation himself and praised his strength of spirit.
• Hyuga Hane used his knowledge of Uchiha tactics to counter Yakumaru's Fire Style and expose the limits of his fighting options.
• Yamashiro Aoba explained how Uchiha Fire Style and shuriken techniques relied on the Sharingan and why Hane had gained an advantage.
• Uchiha Yakumaru exhausted himself, conceded the match, and promised to develop Genjutsu that did not require the Sharingan.
• Hyuga Hane and Uchiha Yakumaru formed the Seal of Reconciliation, and the proctor declared Hane the winner.

Minato appointed Hyuga Hane and Uchiha Yakumaru to his Shadow Guard, while the Hyuga Main Family debated Hane’s knowledge of Rotation and the risks surrounding the Caged Bird seal. The chapter ended with Hiashi confronting the Main Family’s control over its own members and the elders’ acceptance of that system.

• Minato promoted four Special Jonin and told Hyuga Hane and Uchiha Yakumaru that he wanted them for the Shadow Guard.
• Hyuga Hiashi told the Main Family elders not to interfere with Hane, who would serve as a bridge between the clan and the Hokage.
• The elders agreed that Hane could keep Rotation as long as he did not teach it to anyone else.
• Hiashi reported that the Third Hokage had agreed not to use the Caged Bird activation formula, but Tsunade claimed she did not know it.
• Hiashi questioned how Hyuga Hisanobu’s memories had been read in Mist Village and challenged the Main Family’s Cursed Seal practices.
• The elders defended the seals, and Hiashi felt sorrow as he saw their approval of the Main Family’s control over its members.