Chapter Summaries

Sosuke used his newly developed Flash Step to catch up with Shimura Kazumi as they traveled toward the bandits’ hideout. Kazumi was stunned by his speed and invention, and the two arrived at Qiuyuan Town.

• Shimura Kazumi sped through the forest to leave Sosuke behind, but he searched for a way to catch up with her.
• Sosuke used chakra to shield his body and tested Flash Step, a high-speed footwork technique he had developed.
• Sosuke caught up with Kazumi and explained that Flash Step could rival the Body Flicker Technique.
• Kazumi was shocked that the nine-year-old Sosuke had created the technique and planned to tell her uncle about it.
• Sosuke and Kazumi continued their journey and arrived at Qiuyuan Town, near the bandits’ hideout.

Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi reached Qiuyuan Town and rested at a hidden Konoha outpost before their mission against a bandit group. After Kazumi revealed that her former teammates had died in battle, Sosuke suspected Danzō had sent him on the mission to force him to rely on himself, and he looked forward to facing the bandits.

• Shimura Kazumi reconsidered her resentment toward Sosuke after recognizing his extraordinary talent and composure.
• Shimura Kazumi and Sosuke entered Qiuyuan Town and checked into a concealed Konoha outpost to recover before confronting the bandits.
• Sosuke asked Shimura Kazumi what had happened to her other teammates, and she told him they had all died in battle.
• Shimura Kazumi retreated to her room in embarrassment and frustration after answering Sosuke.
• Sosuke concluded that Danzō expected him to survive by relying on himself and regarded the bandits as a useful test.

Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi reached a village occupied by thieves who had slaughtered its original residents and planned a night assault. They split up to attack from different directions as the mission began.

• Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi traveled slowly to the mission site and found a village with abandoned fields and dusty farming tools.
• Shimura Kazumi confirmed that the villagers had been killed about a year earlier and that roughly a hundred thieves, including at least ten ninja, now lived there.
• Shimura Kazumi prepared an attack plan, warned Sosuke to avoid trapped areas, and explained that Danzo had ordered them to work separately.
• Shimura Kazumi told Sosuke to follow his assigned route, kill the thieves without hesitation, and send a signal if he encountered a powerful ninja.
• Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi slipped into the village from different directions to begin the mission.

Sosuke spared a sleeping couple because killing them seemed beneath him, then exposed himself to the bandits so he could face stronger opponents. As the village erupted, Shimura Kazumi wondered what he was doing, while the bandit shinobi prepared to evacuate.

• Sosuke entered a house and stopped Kyoka Suigetsu a centimeter from a sleeping person's neck, then left after deciding the defenseless couple were beneath him.
• Kyoka Suigetsu sensed Sosuke's powerful presence and murmured that it was worthy of Lord Aizen.
• A drunken villager spotted Sosuke's shinobi outfit, shouted an alarm, and stirred the bandit village into action.
• Kunai killed the bandits assaulting several women, who seized weapons and beat the attackers' corpses before embracing and weeping.
• Shimura Kazumi wondered why Sosuke had alerted the village and whether he had encountered a formidable opponent.
• A middle-aged shinobi ordered the bandits to pack and retreat rather than fight the Konoha shinobi.

Sosuke fought alone against a mob of bandits, killing his way through them with precise Hakuda while Shimura Kazumi watched in amazement. Hidden enemy ninjas arrived and decided to wait for Sosuke to tire before attacking him.

• Bandits charged Sosuke, and he caught their leader's blade before killing him with it.
• Sosuke dodged and countered the mob's attacks, using Hakuda and a stolen axe to kill more bandits.
• Shimura Kazumi arrived on a nearby rooftop and was stunned by Sosuke's skill.
• Enemy ninjas joined the scene and planned to attack once Sosuke's movements faltered.

Sosuke survived a coordinated ambush by enemy ninjas and killed two of them with Kyoka Suigetsu and Senka. As Shimura Kazumi and the remaining enemies approached, he counted seven more opponents.

• Sosuke slaughtered the bandits without drawing Kyoka Suigetsu until two hidden ninjas attacked him with Earth and Wind Release techniques.
• Shimura Kazumi rushed to help Sosuke and attacked the two ninjas with Vacuum Sphere, but their leader raised an Earth Barrier to block her assault.
• As smoke and dust filled the street, Sosuke appeared behind the barrier and killed Enta with Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Sosuke killed the other ninja with Senka and explained the technique as the man died.
• Sosuke sheathed Kyoka Suigetsu, looked toward the figures approaching, and murmured that there were seven more.

Shimura Kazumi and Sosuke confronted the Bandit Ninja Group after Sosuke killed two of its ninjas. The group attacked, but Kazumi and Sosuke struck back, leaving the remaining bandits badly wounded and killing two more.

• Shimura Kazumi arrived with the Bandit Ninja Group and identified them as people of the Land of Sand who had violated Konoha's borders.
• The bandit leader signaled his men to attack, and the group combined Earth and Wind Release techniques against Kazumi and Sosuke.
• Shimura Kazumi used the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Beast Wave Palm to counter the attacks and injure the bandit leader and several ninjas.
• Sosuke used Senka to stab Hatomaru from behind, killing him.
• Sosuke fired White Lightning through another fleeing ninja's heart, killing him.

Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi finished their mission, killing the bandits and enemy-village ninja before returning to the village. Danzō ordered Sosuke to publicly join Kazumi’s squad to display strength and keep the village’s power balance, while Sosuke continued to wonder about Danzō’s motives.

• Shimura Kazumi watched Sosuke kill a fleeing ninja with his blue lightning kekkei genkai and realized how powerful he was.
• Sosuke killed the dying bandit leader at his request, and the man thanked him before he died.
• Shimura Kazumi left provisions and directions for the abducted women, then returned to the village with Sosuke over the next two days.
• At the Root Base, Shimura Kazumi told Sosuke that the mission would not go on his record and that he would publicly serve in her squad as Captain Kazumi.
• Shimura Kazumi reported Sosuke’s abilities to Danzō, who said making Sosuke part of her squad would help suppress people growing active in the village.

Sosuke discovered that the Hogyoku had awakened and was consuming his chakra, then resumed training after recovering overnight. He left the forest to train as a harsh series of shouts sounded nearby.

• Sosuke questioned the Hogyoku and learned that the souls of the people he had killed had awakened it, and that it preferred consuming his chakra.
• Sosuke agreed to let the Hogyoku feed on his power, and it drained a large portion before returning to sleep.
• Kyoka Suigetsu awakened in the palace and grew furious that the Hogyoku was taking Sosuke's power.
• Sosuke recovered his chakra overnight and went to the Konoha Forest to train his Taijutsu.
• Sosuke heard hoarse shouts demanding that someone walk ten thousand steps on their hands or do five thousand squats with a log.

Sosuke met Might Duy during his intense training and asked him to spar, hoping to see the full extent of Duy’s Taijutsu. After Duy revealed his overwhelming strength and began opening the Eight Gates, Sosuke watched in astonishment and excitement.

• Sosuke found Might Duy training upside down while dragging a massive tree trunk and greeted him.
• Sosuke asked Might Duy to spar, and Duy reluctantly agreed before removing the heavy weights from his wrists and ankles.
• Might Duy attacked at tremendous speed and power, and Sosuke blocked his strikes while urging him to show more of his strength.
• Might Duy announced that he would use a technique he had never shown anyone and opened the Opening Gate and the Gate of Healing.
• Sosuke watched Duy’s chakra surge skyward and grew excited by the technique’s potential.

Sosuke defeated Might Duy in a hand-to-hand fight after Duy opened two of the Eight Gates, while never drawing his sword. Impressed by the technique, Sosuke asked to learn it, and Duy readily agreed.

• Might Duy attacked Sosuke at high speed, and Sosuke used the Slash Path to sense and block his strikes.
• Sosuke and Might Duy traded punches in midair, with Sosuke relying on Hakuda to deflect Duy's greater strength and speed.
• Sosuke seized an opening and restrained Might Duy by gripping his arm and throat, forcing Duy to release the Eight Gates and concede defeat.
• Might Duy praised Sosuke for defeating him without drawing his sword, while Sosuke hid the pain of a slight fracture in his arm.
• Sosuke asked to trade techniques for the Eight Gates training method, and Might Duy said Sosuke could learn it without payment.

Sosuke traded Might Duy the Eight Inner Gates manual for lessons in Hakuda and Flash Step, then tried and failed to open the gates himself. He discovered that the Hogyoku could instantly heal his injured arm, leaving him amazed at its power.

• Might Duy gave Sosuke the Eight Inner Gates manual, and Sosuke agreed to teach him Hakuda and Flash Step the next day.
• Sosuke reflected on Might Duy's strength and planned to teach him precise control through Hakuda.
• At home, Sosuke studied the Eight Inner Gates and found that he could sense the gates but could not force one open.
• Sosuke called the Hogyoku, which noticed his injury and healed his bruised arm completely.
• Sosuke tested his restored arm and realized the Hogyoku had fulfilled his wish to be healed.

Sosuke asked the Hogyoku to remove the gates restricting his chakra, and it permanently opened the first two gates before falling asleep from exhaustion. The newly empowered Sosuke brought his immense chakra under control, but the third gate remained closed.

• Sosuke asked the Hogyoku to remove his chakra restrictions, and it agreed despite the effort draining its remaining power.
• The Hogyoku opened Sosuke’s first gate, flooding his body with chakra and creating a powerful cloak that overturned the room.
• The Hogyoku opened Sosuke’s second gate, and its power healed a burst blood vessel as his chakra surged further.
• Sosuke tried to open the third gate, but it did not respond, and the exhausted Hogyoku fell silent.
• Sosuke sensed that the first two gates had been permanently opened, then gradually brought his greatly increased chakra under control.

With the Hogyoku's help, nine-year-old Sosuke permanently opened the Opening Gate and Gate of Healing, greatly increasing his chakra and physical strength. Kyoka Suigetsu worried that the Hogyoku could endanger him, but Sosuke reassured her and ended the chapter considering the possibility of becoming Hokage.

• Sosuke controlled his newly increased chakra after permanently opening two of the Eight Inner Gates and concluded the Hogyoku could help him reach Kage Level.
• Sosuke summoned Kyoka Suigetsu, who questioned his reliance on the Hogyoku and warned it might become dangerous.
• Sosuke told Kyoka Suigetsu that he trusted both her and the Hogyoku, and asked her to call him Sosuke instead of Aizen.
• Kyoka Suigetsu vowed to protect Sosuke, while he tidied the damaged room and smiled.
• Kyoka Suigetsu watched Sosuke sleep through the night, then vanished before morning.
• Sosuke woke feeling stronger and considered that he might one day become Hokage.

Sosuke ran into Shimura Kazumi on his way to meet Might Duy, and his polite greeting prompted her to assign him a solo mission at Root Base. He then met Duy in the forest and began teaching him Hakuda.

• Sosuke walked through Konoha, adjusting to his stronger body and increased chakra after permanently breaking two of the Eight Inner Gates.
• Sosuke recognized Shimura Kazumi as Captain Hannya and greeted her, but she ordered him to report to Root Base the next day for a solo mission.
• Sosuke wondered what had made Kazumi so hostile toward him, then continued to the forest where he had arranged to meet Might Duy.
• Might Duy told Sosuke he had spent the night thinking about their fight and was eager to learn the Taijutsu techniques Sosuke had used.
• Sosuke agreed to teach Duy all the Hakuda techniques, and Duy eagerly prepared to begin training.

Sosuke trained Might Duy in Hakuda by repeatedly attacking him with carefully controlled punches and explaining how precise strength control made them difficult to block. By dusk, Might Duy had begun to understand the technique and regarded Sosuke as his life mentor.

• Sosuke surprised Might Duy with a powerful punch and continued striking him to help him feel the difference from an ordinary attack.
• Might Duy endured Sosuke's one-sided assault throughout the day, determined to discover the secret behind his punches.
• After the 199th knockback, Might Duy realized the punches could not be blocked because their hidden force pierced through defenses.
• Sosuke explained that the technique required perfect control of strength and told Might Duy to focus on defending with his whole body.
• Sosuke and the battered but enthusiastic Might Duy left the forest at dusk, with Might Duy feeling deep gratitude toward his mentor.

Sosuke went to Root Base after failing to awaken the Hogyoku and reflected on his ambition to rise to the top and end the shinobi age. Shimura Kazumi escorted him to meet his teacher Danzo, who acknowledged his arrival.

• Sosuke adapted to his body after breaking through the Eight Inner Gates, but his attempt to awaken the Hogyoku failed because it had exhausted its energy.
• Sosuke resolved to pursue power, accepting that he might have to kill again to replenish the Hogyoku's souls.
• At Root Base, Shimura Kazumi told Sosuke that Danzo had requested to see him and offered to lead him there.
• Sosuke apologized after his suspicion irritated Shimura Kazumi, and they walked together to Danzo's room.
• Sosuke greeted Danzo as his teacher, and Danzo replied that he was there.

Danzo told Sosuke he wanted him to become the Fourth Hokage and ordered him to help kill an Uchiha in a secret mission with the Hyuga. Sosuke agreed while privately planning to turn Danzo’s scheme to his own advantage, and he thought of Kyoka Suigetsu as he headed home.

• Danzo praised Sosuke’s performance and said Konoha needed a stronger leader than Sarutobi.
• Danzo claimed Sosuke had the potential to become the Fourth Hokage, and Sosuke pretended to be shocked while suspecting Danzo wanted power for himself.
• Danzo said Root would arrange a three-person Genin team with a Hyuga member and ordered Sosuke to secretly help eliminate an Uchiha.
• Sosuke agreed to Danzo’s plan while privately recognizing that it would trap him between Root and the Hyuga Clan.
• On his way home, Sosuke considered how to exploit the scheme and thought of Kyoka Suigetsu.

Sosuke met Tsunade and reassured her about training under Shimura Kazumi, then asked Kazumi to consider Might Duy for their team. The chapter left Kazumi willing to investigate Duy, who would need to join Root if accepted.

• Sosuke greeted Tsunade, who worried that his connection to Shimura Kazumi could draw him into clan conflicts and offered to find him another instructor.
• Sosuke refused Tsunade's offer, saying he was confident in his decision and its potential rewards.
• The next day, Sosuke visited Shimura Kazumi and asked whether anyone else might join their team.
• Sosuke recommended Might Duy and explained that he would be busy with a Root Base mission.
• Shimura Kazumi agreed to look into Might Duy and noted that joining the team would also mean joining Root.

Sosuke led a Root team to the Royal Capital to serve as sparring partners and protect Princess Tamako, the Feudal Lord’s daughter. As the team approached the capital, Sosuke suspected Danzo had hidden motives and wondered whether his mission would end with the death of the Uchiha teammate.

• Sosuke arrived at Root Base and met Shackle of the Hyuga Clan and Pupil of the Uchiha Clan, who joined him as teammates.
• A Root shinobi explained that the team would travel to the Royal Capital to spar with Princess Tamako and protect her, with Aizen appointed captain.
• Tamako defeated several adult samurai with her wooden sword and asked when the Konoha shinobi would arrive, eager to test their abilities.
• Shackle identified that the team had reached the Royal Capital’s territory, while Pupil watched him with suspicion.
• Sosuke ordered the team to continue toward the capital and wondered what Danzo intended, including whether the mission would end with Pupil’s death.