Chapter Summaries

Shōji arrived at a concealed Anbu branch base and followed Zero through its guarded entrance to the main hall. Zero explained the base’s security and secrecy rules as Shōji began learning how to operate within the Anbu.

• Shōji arrived at the western Anbu branch base and sensed a barrier and several strong Chakra fluctuations around it.
• Zero appeared and led Shōji through the hidden entrance, warning him to memorize the hand signals and footsteps that avoided traps.
• Shōji followed Zero through the guarded passage and carefully learned its markers and route.
• Zero showed Shōji the hall where squads held discussions and explained that the Third Squad and other squads used the base.
• Zero told Shōji never to reveal his identity, even though squad members often became familiar through working together on missions.

Shōji joined Konoha’s Anbu as the newly appointed captain of Sixth Squad and met the other squad leaders. Zero then assigned Third Squad to investigate a wave of mysterious disappearances in the village, which Shōji suspected might be connected to someone he knew.

• Zero led Shōji into a meeting room where five squad leaders were waiting.
• Zero introduced Shōji, whose Anbu codename was Hawk, to Nezumi, Kuro, Otsu, Naizumi, and Tora.
• Zero announced that nearly a hundred people, including more than a dozen ninja, had vanished from the village since the beginning of the year.
• Zero ordered the squad leaders to investigate the disappearances, report any clues immediately, and avoid acting rashly.
• Shōji suspected the disappearances were likely connected to a particular person.

Shōji considered the risks of the disappearance investigation before meeting his three Sixth Squad subordinates, who challenged his authority. He swiftly subdued the one who spoke, establishing his strength as their new captain.

• Zero dismissed the six squad leaders and ordered them to investigate the disappearances in and around Konoha in teams.
• Shōji worried that the investigation could expose the culprits, Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru, and considered whether to negotiate with Orochimaru.
• Shōji entered the Sixth Squad’s room and introduced himself as Captain Hawk, ordering his subordinates to follow his commands.
• The thin Anbu challenged Shōji to prove himself, and Shōji used a burst of speed and a kunai to subdue him before he could react.
• The thin Anbu realized Shōji was a powerful captain, while the other two subordinates stepped back in shock.

Shōji introduced himself to his Anbu squad and briefed Hoshi, Kumagan, and Yū on their mission to investigate the disappearances of Konoha patrol ninjas. The squad reached the eastern forest where the patrol team was last seen and began searching for clues.

• Shōji demonstrated his skill, earning Hoshi, Kumagan, and Yū's respect as their captain.
• Hoshi introduced himself as a Wind Style specialist, Kumagan as an Earth Style specialist, and Yū as a Water Style, swordsmanship, and barrier specialist.
• Shōji told the squad that the Hokage had ordered them to uncover the truth behind the recent disappearances, possibly caused by a spy from one of the four great villages.
• Shōji led his squad to the eastern forest where four patrol ninjas had vanished and ordered them to search carefully without separating too far.

Shōji suspected Orochimaru was behind the disappearances and weighed the risks of confronting him against the possible reward of obtaining Wood Release cells. After his squad found no clues at the initial scene, Shōji ordered them to broaden their search across the village.

• Shōji considered Orochimaru's strength and methods, and wondered whether the affair could benefit the Uchiha Clan.
• Shōji decided to gather firsthand information before choosing whether to watch Orochimaru or make contact with him, and considered seeking Wood Release cells.
• Shōji and his squad searched the area for several hours but found no traces beyond those left by the four missing patrolmen.
• Hoshi, Kumagan, and Yū reported that their searches had found no useful clues.
• Shōji told his squad to search both remote hiding places and ordinary areas where a high-ranking spy might live under an open identity.

Shōji investigated the disappearances while trying to find solid evidence against Orochimaru without exposing himself to unnecessary danger. After a week, the Anbu divisions had found no useful leads, and Danzo suspected Orochimaru was under scrutiny and considered how to keep him hidden for his own plans against Sarutobi Hiruzen.

• Shōji weighed the risks of investigating Orochimaru and decided to gather intelligence while remaining cautious.
• Shōji led his three subordinates on routine searches for several days, but the Anbu found no useful evidence despite extensive efforts.
• The Third Hokage received reports of the failed investigation and grew concerned about the lack of results.
• Danzo inferred that Orochimaru might have been discovered and considered how to restrain him, since he still intended to use Orochimaru against Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Shimura Danzō ordered Root to protect Orochimaru, who continued illegal experiments in a secret Konoha laboratory and prepared to defect once they were complete. A week later, the Third Hokage’s investigation into disappearances was underway with two Anbu squads assigned to it.

• Shimura Danzō sent a Root operative to deliver a message and ordered Kinoe to stay ready so Orochimaru would remain protected.
• Orochimaru received a scroll and learned that Sarutobi Hiruzen was taking the matter seriously, but decided to accelerate his experiments and leave Konoha at the end of the month.
• Orochimaru reflected that he and Shimura Danzō were only using each other and resolved to sever his ties with Konoha before the new year.
• After most frontline personnel returned and fighting with Kumogakure eased, Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned two Anbu squads to investigate the disappearances.

Shōji suspected Orochimaru was preparing to flee Konoha and decided to seek a deal for the First Hokage’s Wood Release cells. Disguised as Uchiha Obito, he went to Orochimaru’s residence to approach him without revealing his identity.

• The Third Hokage’s Anbu searched Konoha for a week but found no trail, while two more nighttime patrolmen disappeared.
• The Third Hokage placed village department heads who had left Konoha under investigation, but the inquiries revealed nothing unusual.
• Shōji concluded that Orochimaru’s increasingly brazen crimes suggested he planned to escape and considered it best for the Uchiha Clan if he left safely.
• Shōji prepared to trade for the First Hokage’s Wood Release cells and chose to approach Orochimaru in disguise.
• Near the end of December in Konoha Year 49, Shōji evaded patrols and arrived at Orochimaru’s residence wearing a red-cloud cloak and Spiral Mask.

Shōji infiltrated Orochimaru’s residence and discovered a hidden laboratory beneath the courtyard. There, he confronted Orochimaru and revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving Orochimaru shocked and wary.

• Shōji searched Orochimaru’s dark residence but found no sign of him until his Sharingan detected chakra near a courtyard rockery.
• Shōji opened a concealed entrance in the rockery and descended into a hidden underground laboratory.
• As Shōji approached the end of the passage, Orochimaru emerged from the shadows after detecting the intruder.
• Shōji revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, and Orochimaru recognized its power and quickly avoided meeting his gaze.
• Orochimaru recalled the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s rampage and Konoha’s fears that a Mangekyō wielder could control the Nine-Tails.

Shōji met Orochimaru in Konoha and offered him refuge in Akatsuki in exchange for Wood Release research and service to the organization. Orochimaru accepted the deal, and Shōji left him with Akatsuki supplies and a warning to escape Konoha soon.

• Shōji told Orochimaru that the Third Hokage’s Anbu would soon track him down and offered Akatsuki as a refuge, mentioning its leader’s Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru asked what he would have to give, and Shōji demanded Wood Release cells and research materials, along with mission service.
• Orochimaru accepted and tossed Shōji two scrolls containing the cells and research materials.
• Shōji gave Orochimaru Akatsuki intelligence, a Red Cloud Robe, and a ring bearing the code name “Sora.”
• Shōji warned Orochimaru not to underestimate his teacher and urged him to finish his plans and leave Konoha quickly.

Shōji completed a deal with Orochimaru, obtaining Hashirama Senju's Wood Release cells and information while planting a future source of suspicion between Orochimaru and Obito. He planned to observe Orochimaru's possible defection and Sarutobi Hiruzen's response, unaware that Shimura Danzō would soon disrupt his plans.

• Orochimaru accepted Shōji's offer, believing he had gained valuable intelligence for almost no cost, and decided to accelerate his plans while staying wary of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Shōji left Orochimaru's laboratory satisfied with the deal and hoped that Orochimaru's future encounter with Obito would cause suspicion.
• Shōji returned home, unsealed a bottle of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release cells, and then sealed it away for future research.
• Shōji hid Orochimaru's cell-activity research data and decided to wait and observe how Konoha and Sarutobi Hiruzen would respond if Orochimaru defected.
• Shimura Danzō prepared to interfere with Shōji's plans.

Shimura Danzō accused the Uchiha Clan of causing the village’s disappearances and urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to restrict its Military Police Force and question its members. Hiruzen remained uncertain, while Mitokado Homura supported Danzō’s proposal.

• Shimura Danzō told Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu that he suspected the Uchiha Clan was behind the disappearances.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged Danzō’s claim, citing the Uchiha Clan’s recent restraint and reports from Shisui and Shōji.
• Danzō argued that the disappearances targeted other clans, blamed the Uchiha’s control of the Military Police Force, and questioned whether Shisui and Shōji could know what the clan elders were doing.
• Hiruzen considered Danzō’s argument but doubted the Uchiha Clan would use secret disappearances, even as he recalled the unexplained Sharingan behind the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack.
• Danzō urged Hiruzen to restrict the Uchiha and question Military Police Force members, and Mitokado Homura supported the proposal.

Sarutobi Hiruzen delayed Shimura Danzō’s push for forceful action against the Uchiha Clan, choosing further investigation instead. Danzō agreed outwardly but secretly resolved to protect Orochimaru and pursue his own plans, while Hiruzen asked Mitokado Homura to watch him closely.

• Utatane Koharu urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to decide how to respond to the disappearances, which had not included any Uchiha Clan members.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to question Shisui and Shōji, investigate the Uchiha Clan further, and wait for leads from Anbu before taking forceful action.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu accepted Hiruzen’s cautious approach, while Shimura Danzō realized Anbu might be closing in on Orochimaru.
• Shimura Danzō offered to have Root monitor suspicious members of the Uchiha Clan’s Military Police Force and pressed Hiruzen to act if evidence emerged.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned Danzō against extreme measures, then asked Mitokado Homura to keep a closer watch on him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered the disappearance investigation accelerated and urgently summoned Shōji to ask about personnel changes in the Uchiha Clan. Shōji denied knowing of major recent changes, while Hiruzen continued assessing whether the clan was involved.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told the two Anbu squad captains to accelerate the disappearance investigation, even if it meant overstepping minor boundaries.
• The next morning, Shōji's squad captain stopped him on his way to the Anbu base and ordered him to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately.
• Shōji worried that his meeting with Orochimaru had been discovered, then concluded that the summons was more likely related to an incident within the clan.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Shōji whether the Uchiha Clan had made unusual personnel changes over the past half year, especially in the Military Police Force.
• Shōji said that only some clan members returning from the battlefield had been reassigned to the Military Police Force and that he knew little about changes over the past half year.

Sarutobi Hiruzen pressured Shōji to investigate a disappearance case that might be connected to the Uchiha Clan, giving him two days to clear the clan’s name. Shōji secured the Third Hokage’s apparent agreement to a joint investigation, while Hiruzen privately suspected spies from other nations rather than the Uchiha Clan.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Shōji that suspicious intelligence linked the disappearance case to the Uchiha Clan and demanded answers within two days.
• Shōji denied the clan’s involvement and offered to persuade Uchiha Fugaku to have the Military Police Force cooperate with the Anbu in a joint investigation.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said he trusted Shōji but insisted the matter was urgent, and Shōji understood that he had to prove the clan’s innocence.
• Shōji left for the Uchiha compound, believing the clan had retained some autonomy and that the situation had not reached the point of no return.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Shōji depart and privately judged that spies from other nations were more likely responsible than the Uchiha Clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen weighed how to handle the Uchiha Clan while investigating the disappearances, and Shōji concluded that Shimura Danzō was behind the trouble. To avoid reigniting anger within the clan, Shōji rejected a joint investigation plan and went to speak with Uchiha Fugaku.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen considered testing Shisui and Shōji while preparing possible measures against the Uchiha Clan.
• Shōji decided Shimura Danzō was responsible for the disappearances and other provocations.
• Shōji rejected having Fugaku lead the Military Police Force in a joint investigation with the Anbu, fearing it would inflame the clan.
• Shōji went to Fugaku's residence, spoke with Mikoto Uchiha, and entered to meet the Clan Head.

Shōji and Uchiha Fugaku planned to calm the Uchiha Clan and cooperate with Sarutobi Hiruzen while exposing the real culprit behind the disappearances. Shimura Danzō abruptly escalated the conflict by ordering Root to arrest Uchiha Military Police members, leaving Fugaku stunned and Shōji enraged.

• Fugaku asked Shōji whether Danzo was behind the accusations, and Shōji said Danzo was the most likely culprit.
• Fugaku asked how Sarutobi Hiruzen viewed the matter, and Shōji said the Third Hokage still seemed willing to trust the Uchiha Clan but might use the incident to suppress it.
• Shōji urged Fugaku to submit the Military Police Force's patrol logs and keep the clan calm while the investigation sought the real culprit.
• Fugaku agreed to act and asked about Shisui, whom Shōji planned to contact after the Third Hokage summoned him.
• Danzo ordered Root to forcibly arrest more than twenty Uchiha Military Police members under the pretext of a routine internal review.
• Several injured Uchiha broke through Root's encirclement and returned to the clan, igniting its fury as Fugaku arrived and Shōji prepared to push the investigation forward.

After Root arrested more than a dozen Uchiha clansmen, Shōji raced to the Hokage Office Building, fearing the crisis would force the Uchiha into open conflict with Konoha. Fugaku also set out to confront the Hokage as the news spread through the village and stirred the other ninja clans into action.

• Shōji learned that Root had clashed with the Uchiha and arrested more than a dozen clansmen, and he prepared for the possibility of violent conflict if Sarutobi Hiruzen failed to intervene.
• Fugaku calmed the enraged Uchiha gathered before him, left Yashiro in charge, and headed alone for the Hokage Office Building after contacting Shōji and Shisui.
• Yashiro warned Fugaku that the village's leaders might be conspiring against the Uchiha, but Fugaku insisted the clan had to stay controlled while he sought answers.
• News of the clash spread to the leaders of Konoha's ninja clans, whose members began to act.

Sarutobi Hiruzen scrambled to contain Shimura Danzō’s assault on the Uchiha Clan and sent Shisui to negotiate with Fugaku. Shōji doubted the crisis could be resolved peacefully and urged Shisui to stand with him and Fugaku as the clan faced danger.

• Shimura Danzō injured Uchiha Military Police officers and arrested more than a dozen Uchiha clansmen, disrupting Sarutobi Hiruzen’s plans.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Shimura Danzō, ordered Root to hand over its prisoners, and sent Shisui to bring Fugaku to meet him.
• Shisui agreed to negotiate with the clan and asked Sarutobi Hiruzen to ensure the detained Uchiha were returned safely.
• Shōji raced toward the Hokage Office, believing peace was unlikely and preparing for the worst while seeking time to adjust his plans.
• Shōji and Fugaku met Shisui outside the Hokage Office, and Shōji urged the three of them to stand together through the crisis.

Shōji warned Fugaku and Shisui to prepare for the possibility that the Third Hokage would fail to resolve the Uchiha crisis, while still allowing him a chance to act fairly. The three returned to Sarutobi Hiruzen’s office, where Fugaku presented records and demanded a clear judgment on Root’s arrests.

• Shōji told Shisui and Fugaku that the clan needed to prepare for the worst while the decision remained in Lord Third’s hands.
• Fugaku said he would obey Lord Third unless the clan was driven into a desperate situation, and Shisui reaffirmed his belief in peaceful coexistence.
• Shisui, Fugaku, and Shōji returned to the Hokage Office Building and bowed to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Fugaku asked Sarutobi Hiruzen to judge Root’s arrest of more than ten Uchiha Clan members and presented the Military Police Force’s duty logs and movement records.