Chapter Summaries

Sasuke Uchiha arrived at Otogakure after defecting from Konoha and met Kabuto Yakushi, who led him toward Orochimaru. Kabuto warned Sasuke to understand his position, then dismissed the remark as a joke.

• Kakashi and the other Anbu returned to Konoha close behind Hinata and the others, while Tsunade planned to conduct a serious inquiry the next day.
• Sasuke arrived at Otogakure, where Kabuto welcomed him and said Orochimaru had been waiting for him.
• Sasuke demanded to see Orochimaru, and Kabuto led him into the hidden entrance.
• Kabuto stopped and warned Sasuke to understand his position before laughing and calling it a joke.

Sasuke met the weakened Orochimaru at his base and agreed to undergo tests in exchange for power. Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to prepare fifty test subjects for the next day, then received word that Sajin & Suigetsu had returned.

• Kabuto Yakushi led Sasuke through the dim base to meet Orochimaru.
• Sasuke challenged Orochimaru's ability to make him stronger, and Orochimaru explained that the Third Hokage had crippled his arms but that he still knew ways to grant power.
• Orochimaru told Sasuke to prove his loyalty by completing his tests, and Sasuke agreed.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to arrange fifty test subjects for Sasuke the next day and take him to rest.
• A masked Sound Ninja reported that Sajin & Suigetsu had returned, and Kabuto Yakushi ordered Sakon to come at once.

Sakon and Suigetsu returned to Orochimaru with news of the fights against Konoha’s pursuers, including Kimimaro’s apparent defeat by a Hyuga ninja. Orochimaru learned the girl’s identity was Hinata and asked Kabuto Yakushi to find information about her.

• Sasuke stayed behind as Sakon and Suigetsu arrived and reported to Orochimaru.
• Sakon recounted how the Sound ninja fought separately to help Sasuke escape, identifying their opponents as members of the Inuzuka, Nara, and Hyuga clans.
• Orochimaru questioned Sasuke about the Hyuga ninja, and Sasuke identified her as Hinata without sharing his suspicions.
• Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to find information on Hinata, and Kabuto searched his cards until he found her entry.

Orochimaru examined reports about Hinata and speculated that her apparent weakness concealed greater strength and Hyuga Clan ambitions. Sasuke panicked as Orochimaru’s analysis seemed to tarnish the Ninja Academy, his last source of comfort.

• Kabuto Yakushi recounted Hinata’s background and the Hyuga Clan secret that she had lost to her younger sister, Hanabi Hyuga.
• Orochimaru wondered whether Hinata, Hyuga Hiashi, or the entire Hyuga Clan had been hiding ambitions and strength.
• Orochimaru suggested that Kimimaro’s involvement had revealed Hinata’s secret earlier than it otherwise would have been.
• Sasuke remained outwardly calm but inwardly panicked as Orochimaru’s words turned the Ninja Academy into something sinister in his mind.

Orochimaru ordered Kabuto to investigate Hinata Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi and explore the possibility of cooperating with them. In Konoha, Hinata trained with Hanabi while waiting for breakfast and a message from Tsunade, unsure where her father was.

• Sasuke Uchiha felt alienated from his former companions and angrily resented Hinata Hyuga.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto Yakushi to have Konoha's spies investigate Hinata Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi and look for a chance to cooperate with them.
• Hinata woke early after a restless night dreaming of being called Bomb Field and the Queen of Detonation.
• Hinata found Hanabi training and joined her while waiting for breakfast and a message from Tsunade.
• Hinata did not know where her nominal father, Hyuga Hiashi, was.

Hinata joined Tsunade's questioning about the recent incident, where her account raised a small concern about her true strength. Tsunade still considered Hinata and the others trustworthy, while the full details of the incident had first been reviewed with the Anbu.

• Hinata learned that Hanabi had begun specialized training under another veteran Hyuga Clan ninja and urged her to keep improving.
• After lunch, Naruto summoned Hinata to the Hokage Building, where Shikamaru and Kiba Inuzuka were waiting.
• Tsunade lured Hinata, Shikamaru, and Kiba into a relaxed gathering before turning it into a tense interrogation.
• Hinata's hidden title, Queen of Detonation, proved useful and impressed Tsunade and Shizune.
• Tsunade and the others had reviewed the incident with the Anbu and found a flaw in Hinata's account concerning her strength, but Tsunade still trusted the group.

Tsunade considered Hinata and the Hyuga Clan unlikely to be plotting evil, though she still planned a limited investigation. At Konoha Hospital, Ino told Hinata and the others that Neji and Choji remained unconscious but were out of danger, while Sakura struggled with Sasuke’s defection.

• Tsunade reasoned that Hinata’s actions and the Hyuga Clan’s low-key conduct made the suspicions against them unlikely, but decided the matter still warranted investigation.
• After the meeting, Hinata and the others went to Konoha Hospital, where Hinata briefly waited before returning home.
• Kiba Inuzuka had recovered after resting and was included among those summoned by Tsunade.
• Ino Yamanaka told Hinata and the others that Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi were still unconscious but no longer in danger.
• Ino acted carefree to help Sakura, who was in poor spirits and troubled by Sasuke’s defection.

Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Kiba visited Naruto in the hospital, where Kakashi had arrived before them. Naruto’s loud reaction to Kakashi’s presence left the visitors joking that he was nearly recovered.

• Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Kiba went to visit Naruto, bringing flowers and fruit.
• A sudden roar from Naruto’s room made the group step back from the door.
• Shikamaru and Kiba joked that Naruto sounded healthy as Ino opened the door.
• The group found Kakashi crouched by the window with a book, and they guessed that his sudden appearance had startled Naruto.

Naruto’s friends encouraged him during his hospital stay, while Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi remained unconscious. At dinner, Hyuga Hiashi told Hinata and Hanabi that he would leave Konoha for the Land of Rivers.

• Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata encouraged Naruto, and Kakashi left after telling the others to chat.
• Naruto’s friends joked and talked with him until afternoon, but he remained in the hospital because he had not been discharged.
• Hinata and the others learned that Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi had not regained consciousness.
• Hinata returned home around seven in the evening and greeted Hyuga Hiashi before dinner began.
• Hyuga Hiashi told Hinata and Hanabi that he had to leave Konoha for a while to travel to the Land of Rivers.

Hyuga Hiashi left the clan after telling Hinata to come to his study, and he gave Hanabi a short holiday to spend with her sister. The next morning, Hanabi eagerly waited for Hinata and asked if they could go out to play.

• Hyuga Hiashi told Hanabi to listen to the clan elders while he was away, then asked Hinata to visit his study after dinner.
• Hyuga Hiashi quietly left the clan the following day with trusted subordinates.
• Hyuga Hiashi gave Hanabi a short holiday and permission to go anywhere in Konoha with Hinata.
• Hanabi finished her morning training early and waited outside Hinata's room.
• Hinata asked Hanabi whether she had completed her training, and Hanabi nervously asked if they were going out to play.

Hinata took Hanabi out to enjoy Konoha and planned for them to visit Neji, who had not awakened after his serious injuries. After playing through the afternoon, they bought flowers from Ino before heading to the Ninja Hospital.

• Hinata persuaded Hanabi to wait until later before going out, and suggested visiting Neji after they had fun.
• Hinata and Hanabi explored Konoha, where Hanabi eagerly enjoyed her freedom while Hinata watched over her.
• After playing until early afternoon, the sisters grabbed a quick meal and went to Ino Yamanaka's family flower shop.
• Hinata bought several bouquets from Ino at a discounted price, and Ino was preparing to leave for the Ninja Hospital.

Naruto escaped from Konoha Hospital because he felt recovered and could no longer bear lying in bed, but Konohamaru, Kazekiri Moegi, and Ise Udon tried to take him back. Hinata and Ino arrived as the argument continued.

• Hinata, Ino, Hanabi, and the others heard Naruto's loud voice as they headed toward Konoha Hospital.
• They found Naruto surrounded by a crowd with Konohamaru, Kazekiri Moegi, and Ise Udon.
• The group learned that Naruto had escaped after deciding his injuries had healed.
• Kazekiri Moegi and Ise Udon urged Naruto to return to the hospital, while Konohamaru insisted he needed a doctor's approval to leave.
• Naruto protested that he felt fine and could not stand staying in bed, and Kazekiri Moegi spotted Hinata and Ino.

Hinata, Ino, and Hanabi urged Naruto to return to the Ninja Hospital, and Jiraiya reinforced their demand after finding Naruto had left without permission. Hinata noticed Jiraiya’s encounter with Naruto seemed to have another purpose, though the chapter ended before she could explain it.

• Moegi called Hinata and Ino over, and Ino scolded Naruto for disappointing her.
• Hinata told Naruto to keep resting so Sakura would not worry, prompting him to head back toward the hospital.
• Jiraiya stopped Naruto, learned he had snuck out of the hospital, and hit him on the head before ordering him back to bed.
• Jiraiya left Naruto with Hinata, Ino, and Hanabi, while Ino asked Hinata whether he was the legendary Sannin.
• Hinata privately questioned Jiraiya’s claim that he had other things to do after noticing something about his meeting with Naruto.

Hinata noticed Jiraiya eyeing a woman at a hot spring inn and tried to shield Hanabi from the situation, then spotted Konohamaru paying attention to her sister. The chapter ended with Hanabi politely introducing herself to Konohamaru.

• Hinata realized Jiraiya was watching a woman entering a hot spring inn, while Hanabi noticed his wandering gaze.
• Hinata told Hanabi not to think too much about adult matters, and Ino quietly remarked that girls needed to mature to keep handsome boys from being snatched away.
• Hinata saw Konohamaru looking at Hanabi and worried he might take advantage of her, given his grandfather Hiruzen Sarutobi's peeping habits.
• Hinata glared sharply at Konohamaru, but he smiled and asked who Hanabi was.
• Hanabi introduced herself politely, and Konohamaru laughed, showing the gap from his lost baby teeth.

The group reached Konoha Hospital, where Hinata handed Naruto over to Sakura while trying to hide her jealousy over Konohamaru and Hanabi's friendly conversation. Hanabi then asked Hinata to bring Konohamaru along next time, leaving Hinata cold with dread.

• Konohamaru introduced himself to Hanabi and said he would become the Seventh Hokage after Naruto became the Sixth.
• Hinata grew jealous as Hanabi laughed with Konohamaru and considered quietly dealing with him.
• Moegi worried Konohamaru was betraying the Konoha Maru Corps, but Udon guessed he was recruiting new members.
• Ino noticed Hinata's possessiveness but decided not to tease her about it.
• The group arrived at Konoha Hospital, and Hinata handed Naruto over to Sakura before everyone went their separate ways.
• Hanabi asked Hinata to bring Konohamaru along to play next time, making Hinata's heart turn cold.

Hinata and Hanabi visited the badly injured Neji, who asked what had happened after he woke. After leaving him to rest, Hinata went to visit Choji Akimichi and Uzumaki Naruto.

• Hanabi accepted Hinata’s refusal to let her pursue dangerous people.
• Hinata and Hanabi arrived at Neji’s hospital room, where a Branch Family guard let them in.
• Hanabi remained resentful of Neji, while Hinata asked about his condition.
• Neji asked Hinata what had happened, and she recounted the events with a slight embellishment of her own role.
• Hinata and Hanabi left Neji to rest after their visit.
• Hinata went on to visit Choji Akimichi and Uzumaki Naruto.

Hinata, Hanabi, and Ino visited Choji, who had awakened unharmed and was devouring potato chips. After they left, Choza found both Hyuga sisters interesting while Choji demanded more food.

• Hinata entered and saw Choji stuffing potato chips into his mouth as Choza calmly offered him more.
• Hinata and Hanabi greeted Choza, who recognized Hinata and remarked that Hanabi had grown since he last saw her.
• Hanabi urged Hinata to leave with her to check on Naruto, and Ino followed them out.
• Choza watched the girls leave and mused that Hanabi and her older sister were interesting.
• Choji asked Choza for more potato chips, and Choza agreed to give him enough.

Hinata left Hanabi to return home alone after receiving a message from Kurenai Yuhi about a mission. On her way back, Hanabi encountered the Konoha Maru Corps, who asked where Hinata was.

• Hinata saw Sakura harshly lecturing Naruto, then left after chatting with Sakura and the others.
• Hinata changed into cooler clothes and took Hanabi out to play.
• Hinata received a message from Kurenai Yuhi through an insect unique to Shino Aburame and told Hanabi she had to leave for a mission.
• Hanabi said she could return to the Hyuga Clan estate alone, and Hinata agreed before heading to the usual meeting point.
• Hanabi started home and met Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon, who asked where Big Sister Hinata was.

Konohamaru persuaded Hanabi to explore Konoha with the Konoha Maru Corps while Hinata attended a mission briefing. After learning her team would help protect the Land of Sea’s daimyo, Hinata hurried home, worried about Hanabi’s whereabouts.

• Hanabi said Hinata had left on a mission, and Konohamaru invited her to play with the Konoha Maru Corps.
• Konohamaru warned Hanabi that the clan elders would make her train if she went home, and she agreed to play for a little while.
• Hinata joined Kurenai Yuhi, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka for a briefing about protecting the Land of Sea’s daimyo during his upcoming visit to the Land of Fire.
• Kurenai dismissed the team, and Hinata rushed back to the Hyuga Clan because she felt uneasy about Hanabi.
• Hinata arrived home and reassured herself that Hanabi was probably still on her way back.

Hinata searched Konoha for Hanabi after she failed to return, while weighing whether to alert the Hyuga Clan. She planned to keep searching alone for now, but would risk exposing her power and leaving Konoha if Hanabi remained missing.

• Hinata rushed to the place where she had parted from Hanabi and searched nearby with her Byakugan, but found nothing.
• Hinata considered that Hanabi might have gotten lost or wandered off to play, though she knew Hanabi's Byakugan made getting lost unlikely.
• Hinata decided not to alert the Hyuga Clan yet, worried that a mass search could cause political trouble for the clan.
• Hinata resolved to keep searching across Konoha and, if she still could not find Hanabi, to expose her power and consider taking the Hyuga Clan out of the village.
• Hinata privately vowed to kill Danzo first if the situation escalated, but acknowledged that doing so would be a last resort.