Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma to break free from Hashirama Senju’s restraints and fought off Hashirama and Tobirama Senju before using the Reaper Death Seal. After the Shinigami took his soul, Hiruzen realized he was little more than a corpse driven by one last obsession.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma, who transformed into an iron staff and snapped the branches restraining him.
• Hiruzen used Enma’s staff to fend off the branches and overpower Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
• Exhausted, Hiruzen told Enma he would use the Reaper Death Seal and said the calamity was the price of his past choices.
• Hiruzen completed the Reaper Death Seal, and the Shinigami tore out and swallowed his soul.
• Hiruzen realized he might already be dead and was now a corpse clinging to one final obsession.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Shinigami to extract and seal Hashirama Senju’s soul, leaving Hashirama’s Impure World Reincarnation body to dissipate. Orochimaru watched the technique and noticed that Hiruzen had grown weaker.

• Orochimaru sensed danger as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared an unknown ninjutsu and watched him instead of intervening.
• Orochimaru controlled Tobirama Senju to cast the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, plunging Hiruzen’s surroundings into darkness.
• Hiruzen formed two Shadow Clones and used his hearing and battle instincts to catch and restrain Hashirama Senju.
• The Shinigami pulled Hashirama’s soul from his body and sealed it inside Hiruzen.
• Orochimaru noticed Hiruzen had weakened as Hashirama’s Impure World Reincarnation body began to dissipate.

Orochimaru suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s mysterious technique attacked the soul and decided to keep his distance while probing for its limits. Hiruzen tried to lure Orochimaru into close range by focusing on Tobirama Senju, but Orochimaru controlled Tobirama to deny him an opening.

• Orochimaru saw Hashirama Senju dissipating and suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s technique targeted the soul.
• Orochimaru decided to avoid close combat and considered using Tobirama Senju to test Hiruzen’s technique.
• After the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique ended, Hiruzen’s remaining Shadow Clones turned toward Orochimaru.
• Tobirama Senju stopped his charge and attacked Hiruzen with Water Release from a distance.
• Hiruzen devised a plan to create an opportunity that would draw Orochimaru into close range.
• Hiruzen charged Tobirama Senju, but Orochimaru controlled Tobirama and gave Hiruzen no opening.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma captured Tobirama Senju and sealed his soul inside Hiruzen’s Shadow Clone. Hiruzen then feigned exhaustion to lure Orochimaru close, ending with Hiruzen grabbing Orochimaru’s arms.

• Hiruzen threw Enma’s transformed staff, and Enma knocked Tobirama down and restrained him.
• Hiruzen and his Shadow Clone seized Tobirama’s arms while Enma held him from behind, allowing the Shadow Clone to pull out and seal Tobirama’s soul.
• Tobirama thanked Hiruzen before the sealing was completed, and Hiruzen collapsed to his knees from exhaustion.
• Orochimaru sent the Kusanagi Sword toward Hiruzen, but Hiruzen’s apparent helplessness was a feint.
• Enma blocked Orochimaru’s sword, giving Hiruzen time to reach him and grab both his arms.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Shinigami to seal away Orochimaru’s ninjutsu, sacrificing his life in the process. Orochimaru survived, but his hands began to rot.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the Shinigami to pull Orochimaru’s soul from his body, but Orochimaru resisted.
• Orochimaru used the Kusanagi Sword to pierce Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Enma tried to stop the blade and injured his hand.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Shinigami to sever Orochimaru’s soul arm and seal away his ninjutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi died, and Orochimaru watched his hands begin to rot.

Orochimaru lost his hands after defeating Hiruzen Sarutobi, then learned that Konoha had repelled the Sand-Sound Allied Forces. He ordered a retreat, leaving Konoha to deal with the aftermath and Hiruzen’s death.

• Orochimaru broke down and kicked Hiruzen Sarutobi's lifeless body, demanding that his hands be returned.
• Sakon and Ukon, Jirobo, Kidomaru, and Tayuya dispelled the Four Violet Flames Formation and reported to Orochimaru.
• Tayuya told Orochimaru that Konoha had prepared for the raid, counterattacked, and routed the allied forces.
• Orochimaru ordered his followers to begin retreating before Konoha's ninja could surround them.
• Konoha began handling the aftermath of the attack, made more difficult by Hiruzen Sarutobi's death.

After learning that Orochimaru had impersonated the Kazekage, Baki ended the fighting and the Sand Ninja surrendered. Konoha stabilized the aftermath, while a relief team found Sasuke, Hinata, and Sakura unconscious and brought Gaara and Temari in for questioning.

• Baki learned Orochimaru had posed as the Kazekage, called off his fight with Shiranui Genma, and ordered the Sand Ninja to surrender.
• The Sand Ninja laid down their weapons, allowing Konoha to finish clearing the village.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura took charge after Hiruzen Sarutobi died and kept Konoha from falling into chaos.
• A Konoha relief team found Sasuke, Hinata, and Sakura unconscious in a hidden cave and inferred that Hinata had carried the others there before being struck by a shockwave.
• Mingjiao Tai carried the unconscious Gaara and Temari back from the battlefield so Konoha could question them.

Hinata fell asleep in a cave after the Konoha Aid Team arrived and gathered the children to take back to Konoha. After Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death left the village weakened, Jiraiya rejected the offer to become Fifth Hokage and proposed Tsunade Senju, whose whereabouts were uncertain.

• Hinata noticed the Konoha Aid Team but, recognizing them as allies, went back to sleep.
• The team collected the children, while Tai carried Temari and Gaara without seeking help.
• After the failed Konoha Crush Plan and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura asked Jiraiya to become Fifth Hokage.
• Jiraiya refused the position and recommended Tsunade Senju instead.
• Mitokado Homura agreed that Tsunade was qualified but pointed out that she had been away from Konoha and would be difficult to find.

Jiraiya agreed to seek out Tsunade after Konoha settled, while the returning rescue team delivered Gaara, Temari, Sakura, Hinata, and Sasuke to medical care. The injured were assessed at Konoha Hospital, where Hinata woke during the bumpy trip.

• Jiraiya told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu he would find Tsunade and explain matters to her in person.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu said they would petition the daimyo and named Jiraiya the undisputed Fifth Hokage if Tsunade could not be brought back.
• The support team handed the unconscious youngsters over to medical ninja, and Gaara awoke without resisting.
• Medical ninja found Temari's injuries minor and treated her, then passed the group to Konoha's Anbu as they mourned Hiruzen Sarutobi's death.
• Medical ninja found Sasuke severely injured but out of danger, Sakura with two broken ribs, and Hinata exhausted but otherwise unharmed.
• Hinata woke on the journey to Konoha Hospital after the gurney jolted her repeatedly.

Naruto woke in Konoha Hospital and learned from Kakashi that the Third Hokage had died in battle. After hearing what had happened, Naruto broke down in tears over the loss of the person who had supported him for years.

• Naruto blocked Hinata and the other injured companions from leaving, insisting that he be allowed to take part in what came next.
• Kakashi warned Naruto that his companions were injured, and medical ninja pushed them through the corridor.
• Kakashi told Naruto that the Third Hokage had died in battle.
• Naruto asked Kakashi to explain what had happened, and Kakashi recounted the events after Naruto had been sent away.
• Naruto listened in silence, then began to cry as he grieved for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Naruto mourned the Third Hokage and vowed to defeat Orochimaru, while Kakashi tried to comfort him. In a secret prison, Gaara told Baki and another voice that he and Temari were safe, though he could barely remember the battle that led to their capture.

• Naruto reflected on the few people in Konoha he respected, including Kakashi, Iruka, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Kakashi told Naruto that the Third Hokage had passed peacefully after growing old, and Naruto vowed to defeat Orochimaru and make him apologize.
• Naruto returned to his hospital room, leaving Kakashi struck by how different he seemed.
• In a secret underground prison, Baki and another voice asked Gaara what had happened after he and Temari were imprisoned.
• Gaara said that he and Temari were fine, but he could only vaguely recall losing a major battle before Konoha's people found him.

After the invasion, Baki and the Sand siblings reflected on their failed alliance with Orochimaru and Konoha’s likely response, while Gaara began to soften toward his siblings. The next morning, Hinata considered how much the Chunin Exams had diverged from the original events as Konoha Hospital overflowed with wounded people.

• Baki told Kankuro that Konoha would probably keep the Sand group confined until it recovered from the invasion and could address the fallout.
• Temari woke in the prison, listened to Baki’s regrets, and sobbed quietly without interrupting.
• Baki lamented that the Sand leadership had trusted Orochimaru and risked provoking a war, while Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro remained silent.
• Gaara began to recognize that he should show more understanding and tolerance toward Temari and Kankuro.
• The morning after the invasion, Konoha Hospital filled with wounded people as medical staff rushed to treat them.
• Hinata reflected that the Chunin Exams had become chaotic, with altered fights and outcomes, including her own battle using an incomplete Tenseigan and Tailed Beast.

Hinata received her mission rewards and weighed whether to use the System’s randomized Character Generator while Dawn needed more members. She set the rewards aside for now and reviewed the gains from the One-Tail mission, including her Tenseigan tests, which revealed that her abilities differed from Otsutsuki Toneri’s.

• The System awarded Hinata one Character Generator use, ten thousand Reward Points, and an additional non-Kekkei Genkai ninjutsu for a summoned character.
• Hinata objected that the Character Generator would randomly determine the new character’s information and worried about how that could affect Dawn.
• Hinata decided the character slot might still be worth risking, though she postponed using it because Konoha was too chaotic.
• Hinata noted that the One-Tail Chakra collection was complete and that Kurama Mutsu had turned less than one hundred thousand ryo into over three million through betting.
• Hinata reflected on testing her Tenseigan techniques during the fight and realized her Tenseigan differed from Otsutsuki Toneri’s.

Hinata woke in Konoha Hospital and found Shino Aburame recovering in the bed beside hers. After learning that she could be discharged and Shino needed more rest, she peppered the nurse with questions about what had happened.

• Hinata reflected on the Tenseigan techniques she could use and the move she had not yet mastered.
• Shino Aburame spoke to Hinata after she woke, and she asked him about their return to Konoha, her companions, and her family.
• Shino avoided answering Hinata’s many questions and made an awkward comment about her change in behavior.
• A nurse said Hinata could be discharged, while Shino was advised to rest at home longer because of the poison he had suffered.
• Hinata asked the nurse a barrage of questions, and the nurse patiently explained the key answers.

Hinata left the hospital after realizing she had only been using the bed for a nap, while wondering why Shino Aburame had made her feel pressured. Kakashi waited outside her ward and asked her to come with him so he could question her.

• A nurse answered Hinata’s questions and then left the ward.
• Hinata got out of bed, said goodbye to Shino Aburame, and left the room.
• Hinata reflected on the strange pressure she had felt around Shino Aburame and blamed it on guilt and post-war syndrome.
• Kakashi greeted Hinata in the corridor and asked her to come with him for questioning.

Hinata followed Kakashi through Konoha Hospital and watched him handle Naruto before continuing with him. Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi reviewed reports of the Hyuga Clan’s business losses when Hanabi entered his study.

• Kakashi asked Hinata to come with him, and she followed him through the hospital.
• Hinata stopped when she saw Kakashi approach Naruto, who was arguing with a nurse.
• Kakashi spoke to Naruto, and Naruto became dejected before following the nurse away.
• Hinata joined Kakashi again after Naruto had left, and they continued on.
• Hyuga Hiashi read reports about losses to the Hyuga Clan’s businesses after the previous day’s events.
• Hanabi entered Hyuga Hiashi’s study in training clothes, and he asked whether she had finished training.

Hinata recounted the battle involving Gaara’s transformation and a powerful Stone Giant, alarming Kakashi and the Anbu with evidence of an unknown force. After she left, they debated whether to trust her account and who might have summoned the giant.

• Hanabi reminded Hyuga Hiashi that Hinata had been sent on a mission, leaving him worried about her lack of news.
• Hinata told Kakashi and two Anbu how Gaara had begun turning into a monster and a Stone Giant had fought it.
• Kakashi and the Anbu were startled by the Stone Giant’s power and listened as Hinata said it had pinned the monster down and beaten it.
• After Hinata left, Tenzo questioned whether her account could be trusted, and Kakashi defended her credibility.
• The other Anbu suggested the Stone Giant might have belonged to the Stone Ninja and Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki who had defected.

Kakashi and the Anbu dismissed the idea that the Stone Giant was the Four-Tails and agreed to report the encounter for further questioning. At the Hyuga compound, Toyo Hyuga brought Hyuga Hiashi a lead about the eldest young lady, but the chapter ended before he explained what it was.

• Kakashi rejected the possibility that the Stone Giant was the Four-Tails because Hinata had not described it as having tails.
• Tenzo stopped Wu Si from pressing the matter and said they would report it and have the Anbu question Gaara or Temari.
• The Anbu warned Kakashi to follow the rules and then vanished from his room.
• Kakashi left to find food, considering sandwiches and squid sushi while keeping his amusement hidden.
• Toyo Hyuga told Hyuga Hiashi that he had a lead regarding the eldest young lady.

After learning that Hinata had been rescued and was safe, Hiashi waited anxiously for her return. Hinata hurried home hungry and learned that Hiashi had already ordered a meal to be prepared.

• Toyo Hyuga reported that Hinata, Sasuke, and Sakura Haruno had been rescued and brought back to Konoha.
• Hiashi Hyuga dismissed Toyo and continued training Hanabi Hyuga while both remained distracted by Hinata's absence.
• Toyo returned with news that Hinata had left Konoha Hospital and would soon arrive, so Hiashi told him to watch the entrance and arrange more food.
• Hinata returned hungry after finding no open shops and asked whether there was anything to eat at home.
• Toyo told Hinata that Hiashi had already asked Yamada and the others to prepare a meal.

Hinata reflected on her recent battle and planned to send Mizuki Rei and Kurama Mutsu away as Konoha settled into a period without missions. The chapter ended with Konoha mourning the Third Hokage and the ninjas who died in the war.

• Hinata sat with Hanabi and Hyuga Hiashi, keeping up her act until Aunt Yamada arrived.
• Hinata privately examined the Double Cultivation Potion and decided to train harder after learning from her battle.
• Hinata planned to meet Mizuki Rei and Kurama Mutsu and send them away from Konoha.
• Ninjas gathered in the rain at the Memorial Stone to honor the Third Hokage and those killed in the war.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu watched the service from afar, spoke of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and left.