Chapter Summaries

Shōji prepared to take on his new role as guiding Jōnin for Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi while remaining deputy captain of the Jōnin Squad. As chief examiner, he designed a three-part graduation examination, ending with practical combat.

• Shōji returned to the Jōnin Squad and reported his new responsibilities to Kitsuchi, who entrusted Kurotsuchi to his care.
• Shōji reassured Kitsuchi that guiding Kurotsuchi was his duty and that he would look after her.
• Shōji reviewed the graduation candidates and consulted the Ninja Academy teachers about the examination.
• Shōji settled on a written test, assessments of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, and a practical combat examination.

Shōji established a three-part graduation exam, with the final test judging teams that competed to find mission scrolls. Itachi learned his group included Izumi and Kurotsuchi, and prepared to treat the exam as a test of his own ability.

• Shōji set the graduation exam’s final test as a three-person scroll search, with groups allowed to take scrolls from one another.
• Iwagakure’s graduating candidates saw the exam rules and group assignments posted at the Ninja Academy training ground and reacted to the team-based scoring.
• Itachi examined the rules and inferred that the test held a deeper purpose, viewing it as a personal challenge.
• Izumi approached Itachi, and the two wished each other luck for the exam.
• Kurotsuchi joined Itachi and Izumi, noting that she and Itachi were assigned to the same group.

Itachi, Izumi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara discussed the upcoming graduation assessment and agreed to prepare together. The assessment was set to test individual ability and teamwork as Shōji worked to strengthen Iwagakure’s next generation.

• Izumi greeted Kurotsuchi, who welcomed her warmly because Izumi treated her as an equal.
• Kurotsuchi argued with Deidara over his lateness, his art, and their past exam scores.
• Deidara eagerly watched Itachi, who recalled defeating him with Sharingan and Lightning Release and enduring his repeated challenges.
• Itachi invited Kurotsuchi and Deidara to meet at their usual training ground the next day to discuss assessment preparations, and both agreed.
• Shōji arranged dedicated support for the graduation assessment, which followed the Chūnin Exams format at a lower intensity.

Shōji had designed a comprehensive graduation exam to assess Iwagakure’s next generation, with especially high expectations for Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi. When exam day arrived, the nervous graduates were stunned to see the renowned Shōji appear with the academy teachers.

• Shōji watched the students prepare for the exam and hoped Itachi would grow powerful while learning to see matters from his clan’s perspective.
• Shōji left the remaining exam arrangements to the academy’s instructors and returned to his administrative duties.
• News of the exam spread through Iwagakure, drawing interest from parents and other villagers.
• A week later, the graduates gathered at the academy’s training field, knowing that many could fail and have to return the following year.
• Shōji appeared on the platform with the teachers, and Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and the other students recognized the famous ninja.

Shōji opened Iwagakure’s graduation assessment and watched the candidates take a written test designed to evaluate both their academic knowledge and their ability to cheat discreetly. Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara impressed him with their coordination, but no other candidate stood out.

• Shōji addressed the 423 candidates, including Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Izumi, and warned them not to let the apparent reality of the assessment deceive them.
• Shōji declared the graduation assessment underway, beginning with a written test on Ninja Academy fundamentals.
• Shōji inspected the examination rooms to look for candidates with exceptional ability.
• Itachi used his knowledge and subtle methods to help Kurotsuchi and Deidara cheat without being caught by the proctors.
• Shōji saw that Izumi and the other candidates fell short of the trio’s performance, and no other rookie caught his attention.

Shōji oversaw the graduation assessments and judged the students by standards higher than those of the shinobi villages. Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi dominated all three rounds, earned first place, and received Iwagakure forehead protectors.

• Shōji watched many examinees fail the written test through poor performance or obvious cheating, while dozens were eliminated.
• The students completed the practical assessment, where many struggled with genjutsu, but Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi handled the techniques with ease.
• Shōji recognized Itachi's exceptional ability and resolved to keep him from taking the wrong path in this life.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi analyzed the third assessment and found their team's scroll before the other teams.
• The trio overcame the obstacles and became the first team to finish every assessment, earning first place and Iwagakure forehead protectors.

Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi passed Iwagakure’s graduation assessment and received their forehead protectors, while most other graduates faced injuries, failed results, or possible team reshuffles. Their squad leader remained secret, and they were told to gather at the Third Training Ground the next morning.

• The assessment ended with eighty-eight teams passing, while more than one hundred other graduates remained eligible for a second review.
• Itachi, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Izumi all passed, and Ōnoki planned to protect and carefully assign the young Uchiha clan members.
• The graduates awaited their squad leaders, with Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi expecting a powerful Jōnin to lead them.
• Iwao gave Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi their forehead protectors and told them to report to the Third Training Ground at eight the next morning.
• Kurotsuchi asked Iwao who their leader would be, but he said the identity was still confidential.

After completing their graduation assessments, Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi prepared to meet their new team leader, whom Iwao said would be revealed the next day. Shōji took over most of their guidance and began a new chapter as their mentor.

• Kurotsuchi complained to Iwao that her grandfather, Ōnoki, had refused to tell her who would lead their team.
• Itachi advised Kurotsuchi and Deidara to rest and prepare in case their new Jōnin leader gave them another assessment.
• Kurotsuchi resolved to press Ōnoki or her father for the team leader’s identity, while Deidara remained unconcerned.
• Shōji submitted a report on the graduation assessments to Ōnoki and handed over most of his Jōnin Squad duties.
• At dawn, Shōji set out to begin guiding Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi.

Uchiha Shōji met Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi at the Third Training Ground to begin supervising Squad One and assess their abilities. His imposing presence silenced their bickering, and the three accepted his authority.

• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi arrived early at the Third Training Ground and argued while waiting for their instructor.
• Shōji appeared before the trio, startling them with his arrival and powerful Chakra presence.
• Itachi recognized Shōji and asked whether he would lead their squad.
• Shōji introduced himself as Squad One's supervising Jōnin, explained his approach, and warned the three not to disobey his orders.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi straightened and agreed to follow Shōji's orders.

Shōji set the newly graduated Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara a special combat test to gauge their abilities before assigning missions. After explaining the rules, he faced the trio as they prepared to attack him.

• Kurotsuchi admired Shōji’s strength and appearance, while Deidara briefly coveted his Mangekyō Sharingan before reaffirming his belief in explosive art.
• Shōji told the three that obeying orders was a ninja’s duty and announced their first lesson would be a practical combat exercise.
• Shōji challenged them to touch the Tachi on his back within an hour, promising greater autonomy if they succeeded and forbidding himself from using genjutsu or swordsmanship.
• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara spent five minutes discussing tactics and then readied themselves to fight Shōji without holding back.

Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara tested their coordinated attacks against Shōji, who easily countered their opening moves. As their second assault began, Shōji met Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release head-on with Lightning Release.

• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara launched a coordinated attack with fire, earth spikes, and explosive clay spiders.
• Shōji used Lightning Release to destroy the rock spikes and disable Deidara’s clay spiders.
• Itachi signaled Kurotsuchi and Deidara to begin a second attack while Shōji continued testing their abilities.
• Deidara threw shuriken and kunai, but Shōji blew them away with Wind Release.
• Kurotsuchi attacked with Lava Release, and Shōji countered with Lightning Release, causing a fierce collision.

Shōji easily countered Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release and Deidara’s clay explosives, then defeated and captured all three young ninja. Kurotsuchi, Itachi, and Deidara were left bound or sprawled on the ground as she complained that Shōji should have treated her more gently.

• Kurotsuchi’s Lava Release failed to stop Shōji, and Deidara attacked him with a swarm of clay explosive creatures.
• Shōji used Lightning Release to destroy Deidara’s clay creatures, but Deidara detonated the survivors to create cover for Itachi’s surprise attack.
• Shōji caught Itachi’s Kunai, interrupted his Fire Release, threw him to the ground, and bound him with Earth Release.
• Shōji dismantled Deidara’s next attack and bound him with Earth Release.
• Kurotsuchi tried to steal the Tachi from Shōji’s back, but he caught her arm and tossed her beside Itachi and Deidara.
• Kurotsuchi complained that Shōji should have been gentler because she was a girl.

Shōji reviewed Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi’s failed attempt to touch his Tachi, praising their coordination while pointing out flaws in their tactics. Itachi questioned whether Shōji had seen through their plan from the start, leaving the cause of their failure under discussion.

• Shōji freed Itachi and Deidara, then explained that the trio’s teamwork was good but their plan was too obvious.
• Kurotsuchi asked whether they had passed the test, but Shōji told her they had failed because none of them had touched his Tachi.
• Kurotsuchi protested that Shōji should count the test as passed since he already recognized them as Iwagakure Ninja.
• Itachi reasoned that their execution had gone nearly flawlessly and asked Shōji whether he had seen through their intentions from the beginning.

Shōji explained how Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara’s failed assessment tactics had been too hasty and obvious, and the three reflected on their mistakes. He officially formed Squad One and took them to celebrate, beginning their path toward becoming a renowned team.

• Shōji pointed out that Deidara’s explosion and the others’ follow-up attacks had revealed their intentions too early.
• Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara accepted Shōji’s criticism and reflected on how inexperience could have cost them their lives on a battlefield.
• Shōji announced the official formation of Squad One despite the three not passing the assessment.
• Kurotsuchi demanded an expensive feast and dragged Itachi and Deidara back toward the village.
• Shōji followed the newly formed squad as they began their celebration.

Shōji described how newly graduated squads were assigned missions and explained why C-rank work often involved dangerous encounters. He pushed Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi into C-rank missions, where they planned and carried out each task themselves while learning to face the bloodshed of shinobi work.

• The villages assigned Jōnin to only a few exceptional graduate squads, while most squads were led by chūnin and began with D-rank missions.
• The chapter explained that widespread insecurity, organized crime, conflict, and dangerous creatures made C-rank missions common.
• After a few D-rank missions, Shōji let Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi accept C-rank work and left mission planning and execution to them.
• Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi approached their missions cautiously and aimed to complete each one flawlessly.
• The three young genin gradually confronted the difficulty of seeing blood and staying calm during missions.

After a merchant escort mission, Itachi asked Shōji why people continually fought, and Shōji explained that conflicts ultimately arose from competing interests and the instinct to protect what one cherished. Itachi realized that even his own desire for peace could give way to violence if his younger brother Second Pillar were threatened.

• After the squad killed bandits during a merchant escort mission, Itachi approached Shōji while he kept watch and asked why people hated and fought one another.
• Shōji told Itachi that conflicts between people, nations, and villages stemmed from competing interests rather than hatred alone.
• Shōji asked Itachi to consider what he would protect at any cost and what might drive him to seek revenge.
• Itachi realized he could become willing to destroy the world if anyone harmed his younger brother, Second Pillar.

Shōji explained to Itachi that lasting peace could be approached by unifying the shinobi world under one country and one village, even though the path would be bloody. Itachi accepted the idea and resolved to move forward with Shōji.

• Itachi admitted that fear for his younger brother made him recognize the selfish desires behind his supposed pacifism.
• Shōji told Itachi that conflict could not be eliminated but could be controlled by bringing the world under one country and one shinobi village.
• Shōji explained that both Konoha’s leaders and the Uchiha bore responsibility for their conflict, while arguing that unity could reduce hatred between groups.
• Itachi understood Shōji’s reasoning but warned that unifying the Five Great Nations and villages would be difficult.
• Shōji said the bloody path could become easier as they grew stronger, and Itachi firmly agreed to move forward with him.

After returning to their mission routine, Shōji continued guiding Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi according to their strengths. Their squad’s rapid growth and exceptional mission record earned them growing fame in the village.

• Kurotsuchi sensed that something had changed in Itachi overnight and suspected it was connected to Shōji, while Shōji noticed her perceptive glances.
• Shōji ordered the squad to end its rest and set out for the village.
• Shōji tailored training for each student, sharing his experience with Itachi, suggesting future clay Explosion Release creations to Deidara, and teaching Kurotsuchi combat techniques and Earth Release methods.
• The three students made rapid progress as their squad completed more than a dozen D-rank missions and six C-rank missions in just over forty days.
• Their strength and mission record surpassed those of ordinary genin squads, and their special identities helped them gain fame in the village.

After six successful C-rank missions, Shōji judged that Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi had grown enough to face greater challenges, but gave them five days to rest after a long escort mission. He returned to the Uchiha compound to prepare to take his younger siblings, Uchiha Yang and Uchiha Saki, to the Ninja Academy entrance ceremony.

• Shōji reflected on how the three had grown more decisive after completing six missions, including a brutal bandit extermination.
• Shōji gave Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi five days off and warned Deidara not to overtrain.
• Kurotsuchi promised Shōji she would keep an eye on Deidara, and the three students went home.
• Shōji submitted the mission results, handled matters with the Jōnin Squad, and returned to his family's compound.
• Uchiha Yang noticed Shōji had returned and greeted him.

Shōji returned home and reunited with Uchiha Yang, Uchiha Saki, and Uchiha Chihaya before taking his younger siblings to their Ninja Academy entrance ceremony. The family set out together, while Chihaya watched them go with pride and worry.

• Shōji returned home and learned that Uchiha Saki and Uchiha Chihaya had gone grocery shopping while Yang stayed behind to prepare the siblings’ registration documents.
• Yang reminded Shōji that he had often broken promises to train with them, and Shōji promised to take them to register and train with them during his days off.
• Uchiha Chihaya and Uchiha Saki returned home at noon and were delighted to find Shōji back safely.
• The next morning, Shōji took Yang and Saki to their Ninja Academy entrance ceremony as Chihaya wished them a safe trip.
• Uchiha Chihaya watched her grandchildren leave, hoping their journey would go smoothly despite her fears about their lives as ninjas.