Chapter Summaries

Sosuke and his teammates arrived at the Royal Capital and met Shijimi Tamako, who dismissed them as brats before arranging a surprise fight with samurai. Sosuke used Kyoka Suigetsu to slip past the battle and appear beside Tamako, leaving her and her maids terrified.

• Sosuke and his teammates met Feudal Lord Shijimi Nobuo, who received them warmly and brought them to meet his daughter, Shijimi Tamako.
• Tamako insulted the young ninjas and left in a huff, after which Sosuke resumed training in his quarters.
• Sosuke sensed a group surrounding their lodgings, and Shackle reported that the attackers carried wooden swords.
• Sosuke deduced that Tamako had hired the samurai to teach them a lesson and told Shackle and Pupil not to use lethal force.
• Sosuke released Kyoka Suigetsu and walked unseen through the fight while Shackle, Pupil, and their teammate battled the samurai.
• Sosuke appeared beside Tamako on the tower, startling her and her maids.

Sosuke used Kyoka Suigetsu to defeat Shijimi Tamako's ambush and secure permission for himself and his companions to stay by her side. The next morning, Tamako revealed that she wanted to learn ninjutsu and gain power beyond that of ordinary people.

• Sosuke subdued Shijimi Tamako when her attack struck only an illusion, then ordered her to have her subordinates stand down.
• Tamako acknowledged Sosuke's strength, and he introduced himself as Aizen and asked to stay near her with his companions.
• After the samurai were carried away, Tamako lay awake replaying her failed attack and wondering about Sosuke's abilities.
• The next morning, Tamako met Sosuke and the others calmly and said she wanted to learn ninjutsu and gain extraordinary power.

Shijimi Tamako hired Sosuke and his Konoha companions to teach her ninjutsu, and Sosuke began training her in swordsmanship. After several days of lessons, Tamako grew impressed with Sosuke’s skill and continued to train alongside the team.

• Shijimi Tamako offered Sosuke and his companions five million ryo to train her, and Sosuke accepted the extra mission.
• Tamako practiced swordsmanship before a waterfall and demonstrated a swift strike that cleanly sliced a carp’s fins and tail.
• Sosuke recalled demonstrating his Slash Path by precisely carving apart a tree, which had overturned Tamako’s confidence in her own swordsmanship.
• Tamako learned Slash Path from Sosuke, Taijutsu from Shackle, and ninjutsu from Pupil over the following days.
• Tamako spent most of her time near Sosuke, while the group trained together and shared meals.

Sosuke watched Shijimi Tamako reach the threshold of the Slash Path before escorting her back to the Daimyo Mansion after news of a threat against her. Meanwhile, Shimura Kazumi prepared for Sosuke's return and a major operation.

• Shijimi Tamako demonstrated that she had reached the Slash Path's threshold by killing a giant grass carp without leaving wounds on it.
• Shijimi Tamako received Feudal Lord Shijimi Nobuo's order to return to the Daimyo Mansion because ninjas planned to harm her, and she asked Sosuke to escort her.
• Sosuke accompanied Shijimi Tamako with Pupil and Shackle toward the Daimyo Mansion as she returned to her distant princess demeanor.
• Might Duy finished cleaning Shimura Kazumi's house, and Shimura Kazumi paid him and told him to rest before a major operation with Sosuke.
• Shimura Kazumi wondered whether Might Duy belonged in Root and fell asleep thinking of Sosuke.

Sosuke realized the attackers had used the Feudal Lord’s order to lure the party into an ambush, where they killed most of Princess Tamako’s guards and tried to capture her. He stepped forward to fight the Rock Ninja team, killing Kuroku Yamato and beginning a battle alongside Pupil and Shackle.

• Sosuke suspected Danzo’s information had enabled the attackers to ambush the group on the road to the Daimyo Mansion.
• The attackers triggered a pit trap and unleashed Earth Release techniques, killing the princess’s guards while Shijimi Tamako, Sosuke, Pupil, Shackle, and a few maids survived.
• A ninja told Shijimi Tamako to surrender, revealing that the attackers intended to capture her rather than assassinate her.
• Sosuke drew Kyoka Suigetsu, promised to protect Shijimi Tamako, and killed Kuroku Yamato with a sudden strike.
• Yamanosuke identified Sosuke as a Konoha Anbu, and Sosuke called out “Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu” as Pupil and Shackle charged into battle.

Sosuke used Kyoka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis to make the Iwagakure and Konoha forces misread the battle while he remained unharmed. Pupil died in the confusion, and Sosuke prepared to step back into the scene as the mission ended.

• Yamanosuke questioned Sosuke about how he knew of Iwagakure's secret mission to kidnap the Land of Fire's princess.
• Sosuke vanished from Yamanosuke's view, then appeared beside him as the Rock Ninjas attacked; their combined techniques seemed to engulf him in an explosion.
• Shijimi Tamako, Pupil, and Shackle believed Captain Aizen had been killed, while Sosuke watched them through Complete Hypnosis without moving.
• Pupil misunderstood Shackle's warning, and a Rock Ninja's sneak attack pierced Pupil's chest and killed him.
• Sosuke entered the smoke with his clothes deliberately disheveled, ready to rejoin the others as the mission ended.

Sosuke survived the Rock Ninjas’ attack and defeated them, saving Shijimi Tamako and Shackle. After mourning Pupil and finding no useful information among the enemy corpses, the group set off for the Daimyo Mansion, while Sosuke contemplated claiming a seat beyond the sky.

• Shijimi Tamako and Shackle saw Sosuke alive in the crater, and Shackle fought on with renewed resolve.
• Sosuke cast Hadō #33: Sokatsui, burning nearly ten Rock Ninjas, then killed Yamanosuke with Hadō #4: White Lightning.
• Sosuke defeated the remaining Rock Ninjas, while Shijimi Tamako courageously wounded one who tried to attack her.
• Shackle carried Pupil’s corpse, and Sosuke apologized for failing to protect his comrade as Shijimi Tamako and Shackle reassured him.
• Sosuke and the others searched the Rock Ninjas’ corpses, found no useful information, and set off for the Daimyo Mansion.
• On the way, Sosuke looked toward the sky and thought about claiming the eternal seat beyond it.

After returning from a mission in which Uchiha Pupil died, Sosuke discovered evidence of Danzo’s dealings with the Rock Ninja and gave Shijimi Tamako secret training scrolls. Back in Konoha, he reunited with Tsunade, who rushed to him in alarm when she saw his injured arm.

• Sosuke left Root Base’s intelligence archive and reflected on evidence that Danzo had been in contact with the Rock Ninja.
• Sosuke and Shackle escorted Shijimi Tamako to the Daimyo Mansion, where Shijimi Nobuo reacted angrily to Sosuke’s account of the ambush.
• Sosuke gave Shijimi Tamako a scroll containing Slash Path training instructions and the basics of Flash Step before returning to Konoha.
• Danzo read the mission reports and decided to bring the Hyuga Clan to his side before Sarutobi, while pursuing his ambition to become Hokage.
• Sosuke encountered Tsunade on the street, and she hurried over to question him about his bandaged arm.

Sosuke met Dan Katō through Tsunade, and the three shared a barbecue meal that left Sosuke wary of Dan’s intentions toward Tsunade. Dan, impressed by Sosuke despite the rumors about him, returned home to his mother and his young relatives Shizune and Orihime, saying he might bring Sosuke to visit someday.

• Tsunade introduced Dan Katō to Sosuke and proposed they race to a barbecue restaurant, with the loser paying.
• Sosuke beat Tsunade and Dan to the restaurant, and Tsunade fed him barbecue because his left hand was injured.
• After they parted, Sosuke wondered whether Dan had an ulterior motive for befriending Tsunade.
• Dan reflected that Sosuke was far more capable and composed than the rumors suggested, and he dismissed the clans that looked down on him.
• Dan returned home, played with Shizune and Orihime, and told his mother he had met a remarkable child.

Sosuke used the Hogyoku to permanently open the Gate of Life, increasing his chakra and strength, then returned to Shimura Kazumi’s team with a bandaged arm. Kazumi assigned Might Duy to spar with Sosuke for training, and Duy took up a fighting stance.

• Sosuke had the Hogyoku permanently open the Gate of Life, enduring intense pain as the Hogyoku consumed some of his chakra to complete the process.
• Sosuke reported to Shimura Kazumi, who scolded him for getting injured and said she would keep him from taking on missions beyond his abilities.
• Kazumi told Sosuke that Might Duy had joined her team and recalled how Duy’s powerful Taijutsu had impressed her during a training-ground test.
• Might Duy arrived and happily caught up with Sosuke, then Kazumi gave him a training regimen centered on fighting Sosuke.
• Sosuke agreed to spar despite his injured arm, and Might Duy moved away and assumed a fighting stance.

Sosuke sparred with Duy, effortlessly matching his speed and strength while evaluating the techniques Duy had learned. Duy exhausted himself and lost, leaving Shimura Kazumi even more convinced that Sosuke was concealing the limits of his abilities.

• Duy removed his weights and launched a powerful kick, but Sosuke caught it without moving.
• Duy attacked with everything he had, and he and Sosuke exchanged rapid close-range strikes and counters.
• Duy used Flash Step to appear behind Sosuke, but his attack missed, and Sosuke placed a hand over his heart.
• Duy admitted defeat and sat down exhausted, while Sosuke pointed out openings in his fighting.
• Shimura Kazumi watched Sosuke with growing curiosity, suspecting he had never revealed his true strength.

The Uchiha elders argued over Uchiha Pupil’s death, while their leader insisted it was an accident and warned against provoking Root Base. Hyuga Minato learned that Captain Aizen might be Sosuke and, still bound by his clan’s curse mark, longed to follow him toward freedom.

• The Uchiha leader told the elders that Uchiha Pupil had died from a fatal heart wound during a Rock Ninja ambush, witnessed by Hyuga Minato and Princess Tamako.
• The Uchiha elders blamed Sosuke and Hyuga Minato, but their leader declared Pupil’s death an accident and ordered the clan to end its cooperation with Root Base.
• Hyuga Minato’s clan elders discussed whether Sosuke was Captain Aizen and planned to use the situation to gain a foothold in Root Base.
• Hyuga Minato reflected on Captain Aizen’s strength and his desire to remain by his side, then paused in the sunlight as his bandage revealed his curse mark.

Sosuke and Might Duy spent a year carrying out Shimura Kazumi’s increasingly laborious missions, turning even pest control and river cleanup into training. As the Chunin Ninja Exams approached, both prepared to take part.

• Shimura Kazumi told Sosuke and Might Duy that Danzo had assigned them regular missions as essential training.
• The next day, Kazumi gave them a D-rank mission to remove fleas from pets throughout Konoha, and Duy eagerly embraced it while Sosuke suspected Kazumi was teasing them.
• Over the following week, Sosuke sharpened his Taijutsu and chakra control while Duy swiftly cleared fleas from pets across the village.
• Kazumi assigned them a C-rank mission to clear trash from all four rivers, and Sosuke completed the work while teaching Duy basic chakra techniques.
• Sosuke and Duy spent a year on successive missions and improved considerably before the Chunin Ninja Exams were about to begin.

On the day of the Chunin Ninja Exams, Sosuke rebuked Kyoka Suigetsu for secretly sleeping beside him, then met Might Duy at the village’s eastern edge. As they headed to the exams, Sosuke reflected that Danzo’s public-opinion plan was already working.

• Sosuke woke beside Kyoka Suigetsu and told her not to materialize and sleep next to him again.
• Kyoka Suigetsu explained that being near Sosuke helped her remain present, then privately rejoiced at her closeness to him.
• Sosuke greeted villagers who praised him and thought that Danzo’s effort to shape public opinion had begun to succeed.
• Might Duy attacked Sosuke with his Thousand Layer Rock Fist, but Sosuke dodged, caught his arm, and flung him onto a wall.
• Sosuke and Might Duy set off for the Chunin Ninja Exams after noting that Teacher Kazumi had registered them.

Sosuke and Might Duy arrived at the Chunin Exams and encountered Hatake Sakumo, while Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Dan's squad joined them. The gathering was interrupted when an arrogant scarred young man confronted the Konoha ninja.

• Sosuke and Might Duy arrived at the Ninja Academy training ground, where Genin from Konoha and nearby villages had gathered for the Chunin Exams.
• Might Duy recognized Hatake Sakumo and told Sosuke that Sakumo's swordsmanship had defeated him before.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Dan's squad arrived, and Tsunade beat Jiraiya after he complained about her comparing him to Sosuke.
• Orochimaru spoke to Sosuke about life's brevity and immortality, then walked away alone.
• A scarred young man criticized the Konoha ninja for fooling around and challenged their behavior at the exams.

At the Chunin Ninja Exams, Grass Ninja Okamoto insulted the young Konoha ninjas, prompting Sosuke to challenge him. Sosuke drew Kyoka Suigetsu as hidden examiners watched, setting up his next move.

• Okamoto mocked the young Konoha ninjas, and Jiraiya and the others reacted with anger.
• A tousle-haired boy, his Ninja Dog Jialong, and a sunglasses-wearing boy planned to track Okamoto and teach him a lesson during the exam.
• Sosuke secretly planned to hypnotize those present and confronted Okamoto over his insults.
• Okamoto taunted Sosuke, while Dai held back Tsunade and Jiraiya from attacking.
• Sosuke drew Kyoka Suigetsu and began its release as scarred examiners watched from a tree.

Sosuke defeated Okamoto with a single strike after drawing Kyoka Suigetsu, astonishing the assembled ninja. The chief examiner then led the Genin to the written test, wondering whether someone as powerful as Sosuke could really be only a Genin.

• Sosuke used Flash Step to strike Okamoto in the abdomen with Kyoka Suigetsu's hilt, ending the fight in one move.
• Uchiha Tokino warned Uchiha Sakuya not to provoke Sosuke, while Hatake Sakumo, Dan Katō, and the other observers marveled at his speed and strength.
• Sosuke told the Grass Ninja to take Okamoto away and warned them against making more inappropriate remarks in Konoha.
• Sosuke returned to Tsunade and Jiraiya, who accepted Sosuke's explanation that he had held back to avoid getting disqualified.
• The chief examiner announced that the Genin would take a written test and led them away, privately questioning whether Sosuke was really just a Genin.

Danzo heard that Sosuke had clashed with Kusagakure ninja as the Chunin Exams began, while the candidates faced a difficult written exam designed to test their ability to cheat without being caught. Sosuke quietly helped Jiraiya by swapping his blank paper for a proctor’s answer sheet.

• Danzo listened to reports about the Chunin Exams and reacted with murderous intent when he heard about Sosuke’s clash with Kusagakure ninja.
• Proctors began the written exam, and one student was disqualified and dragged out after groaning at the difficult questions.
• Uchiha Sakuya, the boy in sunglasses, Orochimaru, Hyuga Minato, and Yuhi Ma each used different methods to obtain answers, while Tsunade solved the questions herself and Jiraiya struggled.
• Sosuke exchanged his blank exam paper and Might Duy’s paper for answer sheets, then swapped another answer sheet with Jiraiya’s.

Sosuke helped candidates complete the written exam, then watched as they faced a choice that tested their resolve rather than their scores. The candidates who stayed passed and headed to the next exam, while the chief examiner suspected Sosuke had secretly switched the examiners’ papers.

• After Sosuke dispelled the hypnosis, the examiners discovered their answer sheets had been rewritten, while Dai and Jiraiya found their own papers filled in and suspected Sosuke had helped them.
• The chief examiner warned that candidates needed a score over eighty to continue and would be barred from future Chunin Exams if they failed, while withdrawing would void their teams’ scores.
• Tsunade stayed, and Jiraiya decided to risk continuing; Dai and the other remaining candidates also stood by their choices as the rest withdrew.
• The chief examiner announced that everyone who stayed had passed, explaining that the test measured their ability to make difficult choices and remain committed to them.
• After Sosuke left with Dai, Tsunade, and the others, the examiners discussed how someone had switched their papers, and the chief examiner suspected Sosuke.

Sosuke and the other examinees arrived at the Forest of Death for the second Chunin Exam, where Mitarashi Juma explained the dangerous five-day race to the central tower. The examinees entered the forest and began a struggle to survive and collect the tags needed to qualify for the third exam.

• Sosuke studied the Forest of Death as the examinees gathered at its entrance.
• Mitarashi Juma introduced himself as the second exam's proctor, and Yuhi Ma recognized him as Shion's uncle.
• Juma explained that examinees had five days to reach the tower and needed either a tag matching their own number or three tags in total.
• The examinees realized they would have to survive the forest while hunting for tags and guarding against other candidates.
• The examinees entered the forest one by one, with some concealing themselves and others lying in wait for prey.