Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Kazuhiko temporarily suppressed Tsunade’s hemophobia and used the sacrifice he claimed to have made to ask her to return to Konoha. Tsunade understood that he wanted her to improve relations between the village and the Uchiha Clan, but the chapter ended before she answered.

• Kazuhiko claimed his Sharingan ocular technique could suppress Tsunade’s fear of blood, then deliberately withdrew the effect to demonstrate it.
• Tsunade’s hemophobia returned, so Kazuhiko restored the suppression and gained her gratitude and favor.
• Kazuhiko suggested that Tsunade’s thanks should be repaid with action, then asked her to return to Konoha and clear the Uchiha Clan’s name over the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Kazuhiko explained that surveillance and repression had worsened the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan.
• Tsunade recognized that Kazuhiko wanted her to improve the Uchiha Clan’s situation and mend its relationship with the village.

Kazuhiko persuaded Tsunade to help clear the Uchiha Clan’s name and teach him Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, and they agreed to return to Konoha. The chapter ended with Kazuhiko asking to hold Tsunade’s treasured necklace, prompting her to tense and threaten him.

• Tsunade agreed to help clear the Uchiha Clan’s name by restarting the investigation into the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Kazuhiko asked Tsunade to end Konoha’s suppression of the Uchiha and disband Danzo’s Root organization, but she said she lacked the authority to do so.
• Kazuhiko asked Tsunade to teach him Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, and she agreed to train him as her student.
• Tsunade and Kazuhiko prepared to set off for Konoha.
• Kazuhiko asked to hold Tsunade’s necklace, and Tsunade tensed, ready to attack unless he gave her a good reason.

Kazuhiko persuaded Tsunade to let him keep Hashirama's Necklace while he treated her hemophobia, raising her favorability and earning a Kage-level keyword draw chance. The Third Hokage learned Tsunade was returning to Konoha, while Danzo feared her return would ruin his chance to become Hokage.

• Kazuhiko claimed Hashirama's Necklace would hinder Tsunade's treatment and convinced her to entrust it to him.
• Tsunade gave Hashirama's Necklace to Kazuhiko, and his favorability with her rose to Friendly.
• The Third Hokage received an Anbu report that Kazuhiko had suppressed Tsunade's hemophobia and that she and Shizune were returning to Konoha.
• The Third Hokage approved of Kazuhiko's treatment and welcomed the prospect of Tsunade returning.
• Danzo heard that Tsunade was coming back and blamed Sarutobi Hiruzen for threatening his dream of becoming Hokage.

Shimura Danzō plotted to eliminate Tsunade before she could threaten his bid for the Hokage Position. During the Anbu practical test, Uchiha Shota defeated Hyuga Yizu by exploiting the Byakugan’s blind spot.

• Danzō brooded over losing the Hokage Position to Sarutobi Hiruzen and ordered a Root ninja to take out Tsunade.
• Shota faced Hyuga Yizu in the Anbu practical test, and the two began fighting with Taijutsu.
• Yizu used his Byakugan and Gentle Fist techniques to pressure Shota, while Shota used his Sharingan to read Yizu’s movements.
• Shota baited Yizu into a decisive palm strike, then countered with a Shuriken Manipulation Technique aimed at Yizu’s blind spot.
• Yizu admitted defeat.

Kurenai Yuhi told Mitaraishi Anko how Uchiha Kazuhiko had pursued and kissed her, while admitting she had fallen for him. Back at camp, Kazuhiko saw their favorability rise and turned his attention to Shizune.

• Kurenai Yuhi welcomed Mitaraishi Anko to her home for dinner and sake.
• Anko pressed Kurenai about Kazuhiko, and Kurenai admitted she liked him and had asked Sarutobi Asuma to stop sending personal letters.
• Kurenai recounted Kazuhiko's confession and forced kiss, and Anko declared that Kurenai had fallen in love.
• Kazuhiko received favorability increases for Kurenai and Anko while keeping watch outside the camp.
• Shizune offered to take over Kazuhiko's watch, and he walked toward her instead of going to rest.

Kazuhiko comforted Shizune after helping Tsunade, then kissed her in a moonlit grove. Shizune’s affection for him deepened, though it had not yet reached the Bond level, and Kazuhiko considered how many more draws he needed to become stronger.

• Kazuhiko took Shizune into a small grove and told her that treating Tsunade’s Hemophobia had exhausted his Sharingan power.
• Shizune worried that using too much of his Sharingan could make Kazuhiko go blind, and asked him not to overexert himself for her sake.
• Kazuhiko held Shizune’s hands and kissed her; she closed her eyes and fell into his arms.
• Shizune reluctantly sent Kazuhiko back to camp when Kakashi was about to return, and Kazuhiko received Maiden’s First Kiss +1.
• Back in his tent, Kazuhiko thought about Shizune’s affection and how many more draws he needed for the Jonin and Kage-level ten-pulls.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō agreed to appoint Tsunade commander-in-chief after Hiruzen revealed that Uchiha Kazuhiko had temporarily suppressed her Hemophobia. Meanwhile, Kazuhiko trained with Tsunade and reflected on his progress and the rewards from the [Deep Blue] system.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Tsunade would return, then announced his plan to appoint her commander-in-chief against Kumogakure.
• Shimura Danzō entered the meeting and supported appointing Tsunade, and Hiruzen revealed that Uchiha Kazuhiko had suppressed her Hemophobia and proved the Uchiha's loyalty.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura changed their minds and endorsed Tsunade's appointment after learning she was well enough to lead.
• Kazuhiko lost focus while training under a waterfall and was swept into the pool, prompting Tsunade to end their morning session.
• Kazuhiko reviewed his progress with Strength of a Hundred, admired his improved physique, and considered how the system's favorability notifications affected his rewards.

Tenzo and other Root shinobi prepared a forest ambush on Danzo’s orders, targeting Tsunade, Kakashi, and Kazuhiko. The attack split the group apart, and Tsunade was left alone in the clearing as she called her attackers out.

• Tenzo used Wood Release to create a dense forest for Root’s ambush, while questioning Danzo’s order to assassinate fellow Konoha shinobi and capture Kazuhiko.
• Kakashi sensed danger as the team traveled through the forest, and Kazuhiko persuaded Tsunade to stop and make camp.
• Root shinobi launched a barrage of weapons, forcing Kazuhiko and Kakashi to fight while Shizune defended herself with a chakra barrier.
• Kazuhiko pursued an attacker who had targeted Shizune, while Kakashi and Shizune were pinned down by coordinated enemies.
• Tsunade unleashed her chakra, smashed a towering tree with one punch, and challenged the hidden attackers to face her.

Tenzo and Root ninja ambushed Tsunade, but her hemophobia no longer weakened her, and Kazuhiko rescued her with a Storm Release-boosted Body Flicker. The Root ninja tried to retreat after their assassination attempt failed, while Tsunade demanded to know how Tenzo could use Wood Release.

• Tenzo and Root ninja triggered Tsunade’s hemophobia with animal blood, then attacked her with Wood Release and a combined Fire and Wind technique.
• Shizune struggled to reach Tsunade, while Kakashi broke free from his opponent and rushed to help her.
• Kazuhiko activated his Storm Release trait, smashed through the Four-Pillar Prison, and carried Tsunade out of the flames at extraordinary speed.
• Tsunade questioned the black-clad ninja about his identity and his Wood Release, while the Root ninja recognized the mission had failed and tried to withdraw.
• Kazuhiko stopped the Root ninja from escaping.

Kazuhiko pursued the Root ninja and defeated their leader, then spared Tenzo and urged him to consider whether Root truly protected Konoha. Tenzo returned to the darkness, still intending to report to Root, while Kazuhiko’s actions left the future Yamato alive.

• Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune pursued the Root ninja as Kazuhiko used Phantom Body Flicker and Storm Release to overtake them.
• Kazuhiko blocked the Root ninja’s escape with fire and shuriken, but Tenzo and the others used Wood Release and combined Wind and Fire techniques to scatter the pursuers.
• Kazuhiko used Shadow Clones to chase the fleeing Root ninja, killed Suzuki and Kurokawa, and unlocked their independent trait pools.
• Kazuhiko recognized Tenzo but spared him, telling him that Konoha ninja were comrades and questioning whether Danzo’s Root protected Konoha by ordering their assassination.
• Tenzo reflected on Kazuhiko’s words, then disappeared into the darkness to return to Root and report to Danzo.

After learning that Danzo and Root were behind the attempt on Tsunade’s life, Kazuhiko fueled her anger and encouraged her to seek justice. He then used ten Jonin draws and obtained the gold trait Kamui, though he questioned whether his Two-Tomoe Sharingan could use it.

• Kazuhiko hinted that Root’s Wood Release ninja had attacked Tsunade, and Kakashi confirmed that Root had such a ninja.
• Tsunade realized the assassin came from Konoha and vowed to settle the score with Danzo.
• Kazuhiko accused Danzo of targeting the Uchiha and urged Tsunade to make the Third Hokage hold him accountable.
• Kazuhiko’s gains included increased favorability from Tsunade and Kakashi, a Bond with Shizune, and another Jonin Trait Draw chance.
• Kazuhiko performed ten Jonin draws and received the gold trait Dojutsu: Kamui, then wondered how he could use it with his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

Kazuhiko equipped Kamui, awakened its power in his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and explored his own Kamui Dimension. After testing its costs and abilities, he considered his growing combat options and weighed future draws for Fugaku’s Mangekyo dojutsu or Tsunade’s Senju bloodline.

• Kazuhiko equipped Kamui and felt its power strengthen his Sharingan as he activated the dojutsu inside his tent.
• Kazuhiko opened a passage into his own desolate Kamui Dimension, then returned to the tent and assessed the chakra and ocular power required to use it.
• Kazuhiko concluded that Kamui and Phantom Body Flicker made him exceptionally difficult to kill, and he boasted that he could face Hashirama.
• Kazuhiko noticed the Konoha: White Fang Blade Technique and considered it an efficient close-combat option that would conserve chakra.
• Kazuhiko wondered whether to use a Kage-level Ten-pull to seek Fugaku’s Mangekyo dojutsu or draw the Senju bloodline from Tsunade.

Danzo’s failed assassination attempt on Tsunade exposed Tenzo’s Wood Release and Kazuhiko’s abilities, while the Third Hokage arranged Tsunade’s return to Konoha. Tsunade arrived to a massive welcome, with Kazuhiko noticing that the ceremony seemed larger than a greeting for a returning student.

• Root shinobi reported the failed mission to Danzo, who blamed Kazuhiko for curing Tsunade and learning the Strength of a Hundred, Phantom Body Flicker, and an unknown Kekkei Genkai.
• Tenzo questioned Danzo about Root’s mission to kill fellow Konoha shinobi, and Danzo insisted that Root members’ only comrades were other Root members.
• The Third Hokage deduced that Danzo had ordered Tsunade’s assassination to protect his ambition to become Hokage, then ordered an escort and a welcoming ceremony for her.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha the next day and was greeted by villagers, shinobi, clan heads, and the Medical Corps.
• Kazuhiko followed Tsunade to the Hokage Building and wondered why the welcome seemed more elaborate than one for a returning student.

Tsunade returned to Konoha, where Sarutobi Hiruzen welcomed her and named her a Hokage candidate. She agreed to stay while Kazuhiko treated her Hemophobia, leaving Kazuhiko to suspect that Hiruzen and Danzō had already settled the matter between them.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen thanked Kazuhiko for helping bring Tsunade back, and Kazuhiko received a Kage-level keyword draw chance.
• Tsunade reunited with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, and said she would stay in Konoha as long as her treatment could continue.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen offered Kazuhiko advance mission rewards and asked him to keep treating Tsunade and report her progress.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that Tsunade would be a Hokage candidate and would serve as acting Hokage if he died before an election.
• Tsunade hesitated but did not object, while Shimura Danzō remained silent, leading Kazuhiko to suspect Hiruzen had already reached an understanding with him.

After Tsunade returned to Konoha as a Hokage candidate, Kazuhiko and Kakashi encountered villagers who criticized her and blamed the Uchiha. Kakashi led Kazuhiko away from the brewing confrontation, where Guy challenged him to a fight.

• Konoha villagers celebrated Tsunade's return, while others denounced her candidacy and accused the Uchiha of causing trouble.
• Kazuhiko grew angry at the villagers' insults, and Kakashi covered his Sharingan to avoid drawing their attention.
• Guy appeared and challenged Kakashi, giving Kakashi an excuse to leave Kazuhiko behind, but Guy blocked his way.
• When the villagers moved to confront Kazuhiko, Kakashi took him to a rooftop, and Guy followed them.
• Guy lamented that the Hokage had refused to let him join Anbu, then resumed challenging Kakashi while Kazuhiko doubted Guy's suitability for Anbu.

Kazuhiko watched Might Guy and Kakashi duel, copied their taijutsu, and learned how Guy opened the first two Eight Inner Gates. Uchiha Fugaku predicted Kakashi would win, and Kakashi defeated Guy with One Thousand Years of Death.

• Kazuhiko tried to stop Guy and Kakashi from fighting, but Guy refused and invited Kazuhiko to train with him.
• Kazuhiko used his Sharingan to copy Guy’s moves and watched him open the Gate of Opening and the Gate of Healing.
• Kakashi opened the Gate of Opening to keep fighting Guy, while Kazuhiko decided the Eight Inner Gates could be useful as a hidden reserve of power.
• Uchiha Fugaku joined Kazuhiko and predicted Kakashi would win despite Guy’s advantage in the duel.
• Kakashi tricked Guy with a clone and struck him with One Thousand Years of Death, ending the fight.

Kazuhiko tried to uncover the nature of Fugaku’s Mangekyo ability by questioning him about Kakashi, Guy, and Danzo. After using his power, Fugaku concluded that Danzo posed no threat to Kazuhiko and suspected Kazuhiko had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.

• Kazuhiko wondered how Fugaku had known Kakashi would win despite Guy suppressing him, and Fugaku insisted Guy was stronger than Kakashi.
• Fugaku told Kazuhiko that Amano and Shio were unhappy he had healed Tsunade, but Kazuhiko focused on learning Fugaku’s Mangekyo ability.
• Fugaku said Guy would defeat Kazuhiko and advised him to remain friends with Guy, who was not prejudiced against the Uchiha.
• Kazuhiko revealed that Danzo had sent Root ninja to assassinate him and Tsunade, then asked Fugaku who would win in a fight between them.
• Fugaku used his Mangekyo ability and saw Danzo repeatedly fall before Kazuhiko, leading him to suspect Kazuhiko had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Fugaku backed Kazuhiko’s access to the Uchiha’s Sharingan techniques and prepared the clan’s advance force for its operation against Kumogakure. In the Hokage Office, Tsunade forced the Third Hokage to impose further penalties on Danzo, who left vowing that Konoha had room for him but not Danzo after the war.

• Fugaku returned to the Uchiha meeting hall, ordered the advance force to set out secretly that night, and scheduled the operation for three days later.
• Fugaku granted Kazuhiko access to all Sharingan-related techniques, overruling Shio and other elders who objected to Kazuhiko bringing Tsunade back.
• Tsunade confronted Danzo over his assassination attempt and his experiments with Wood Release, while Danzo denied wrongdoing.
• The Third Hokage ordered Root to dismiss some members and transferred Yamato out of Root, prompting Danzo to leave in anger.
• Danzo vowed that Konoha had room for him, but not the Third Hokage, after the war, and Tsunade also stormed out of the office.
• Kazuhiko settled into bed at Eri's Courtyard and privately decided that Fugaku would have a new nickname: Little Kazuhiko.

Kazuhiko reviewed the gains from treating Tsunade and planned to complete his sealing-type mission by passing the upcoming Chunin Exams with Sealing Jutsu. He used his first Kage-level ten-pull and received a golden Life Succession dojutsu trait and a Three-Tomoe Sharingan trait, among others.

• Kazuhiko assessed his new traits, increased chakra, Kamui Dimension, and other rewards from the mission to treat Tsunade.
• Kazuhiko decided to prepare for the Chunin Exams, using Sharingan's Transcription Seal to fulfill his sealing-type equipment slot mission.
• Kazuhiko postponed choosing his optional equipment slot mission until Fugaku revealed the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan secrets.
• Kazuhiko spent his ten Kage-level trait draws and received Dojutsu: Life Succession, Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and other traits.

Kazuhiko equipped Fugaku’s Mangekyō trait Inherited Fate and felt its powerful boost to his chakra, recovery, and Sharingan, then equipped Underworld Gaze, a prophecy ability that could foresee life and death. He wondered whether Fugaku had used the power to learn the Uchiha Clan’s fate before the massacre and considered whom he should target with his own prophecy.

• Kazuhiko equipped Inherited Fate, which doubled his chakra and greatly enhanced his Sharingan and recovery.
• Kazuhiko sensed concealed Anbu and Root shinobi around the clan grounds and realized the trait could help him detect ambushes.
• Kazuhiko equipped Underworld Gaze and learned that its prophecy could glimpse future events and foresee life and death.
• Kazuhiko connected Underworld Gaze to the mythological Kukurihime and wondered whether Fugaku had foreseen the Uchiha Clan’s fate.
• Kazuhiko considered using an Underworld Prophecy but had not decided whom to target.