Chapter Summaries

Hinata and Shino Aburame overwhelmed four assassins who had targeted Dazner, while Yuhi Kurenai pressed Dazner to explain why he had hidden the mission’s dangers. Dazner revealed Gato’s scheme to stop the bridge project, and the chapter ended as Hinata used a new Byakugan ability to immobilize the fleeing attackers.

• The four assassins attacked Hinata, Shino Aburame, and Xuanyu to steal Xuanyu’s defensive blade tool, but Hinata and Shino Aburame quickly suppressed them.
• Yuhi Kurenai questioned Dazner about the ambush and warned that she could terminate the mission because he had concealed its real danger.
• Dazner admitted that Gato had sent ninjas to stop him from building a bridge in the Land of Waves, and said Konoha had rejected his request for help.
• Yuhi Kurenai agreed to escort Dazner to his destination but told him not to hide important mission information again.
• As the assassins tried to flee, Hinata’s eyes glowed with azure light and an unseen force froze their bodies in place.

Hinata immobilized and defeated four assassins, and Xuanyu killed them after deducing that Gato had sent them to target Dazner. The group continued toward the Land of Waves, while Zabuza appeared at the scene and grew wary of Xuanyu’s Wood Release.

• Hinata froze the four assassins with her space-time ability and knocked them down, but they refused to reveal who had hired them.
• Xuanyu guessed that Gato had sent the assassins to target Dazner, then used vines to drain and kill them.
• Dazner reacted with shock to Xuanyu’s Wood Release, and Yuhi Kurenai warned him to keep what he had seen secret.
• Xuanyu praised Hinata, and the group continued on as Dazner shared his plans to free the Land of Waves from Gato’s control.
• Zabuza arrived at the assassins’ remains, learned they had been Jonin, and suspected Xuanyu had used Wood Release.

Hinata led the group’s watch as they neared the Land of Waves and detected Zabuza’s ambush. Zabuza attacked to capture Hinata’s Byakugan and Xuanyu for profit, then covered the area in mist with his Hidden Mist Technique.

• Hinata suspected Gato would send more assassins and, with Xuanyu’s encouragement, took charge of keeping the group safe.
• Hinata spotted someone hiding and warned the group just before Zabuza’s great sword nearly struck Dazner.
• Zabuza revealed himself, recognized Hinata’s Byakugan and Xuanyu’s Uchiha heritage, and considered selling their eyes or using Xuanyu for ransom.
• Hinata stood between Zabuza and Xuanyu, refusing to let him harm Xuanyu.
• Zabuza formed a whirlpool on the water and cast the Hidden Mist Technique, enveloping the group in dense fog.

Hinata used her Byakugan and Gentle Fist to fight Zabuza in his dense mist, while Xuanyu watched. When Zabuza tried to seize Xuanyu as a hostage, Hinata immobilized him with her space-controlling Kekkei Genkai, and Xuanyu disarmed and taunted him.

• Zabuza enveloped the group in dense mist and attacked Kurenai, but she blocked his strike and shielded Dazner.
• Hinata warned Shino and intercepted Zabuza when he attacked him, wounding Zabuza with a shuriken.
• Hinata revealed that her Byakugan had tracked Zabuza through the mist and pressed him with Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams Palm techniques.
• Zabuza forced Hinata back and lunged toward Xuanyu, intending to use him to threaten the others.
• Hinata immobilized Zabuza with her space-controlling Kekkei Genkai, and Xuanyu took away his sword and taunted him.

After Hinata captured Zabuza, Haku ambushed the group and freed him. Zabuza ordered Haku to hold off Hinata while he attacked the others, and Haku prepared to use his Kekkei Genkai.

• Xuanyu taunted the captured Zabuza, and Hinata beat him before tying him up.
• Yuhi Kurenai praised Hinata, and Xuanyu led the group out of the mist with Hinata dragging Zabuza behind them.
• Zabuza hinted that the fight was not over, and Haku emerged from the mist, drove Hinata back, and freed him.
• Zabuza told Haku to hold off Hinata while he dealt with Yuhi Kurenai and the others.
• Haku focused on Hinata and let pale blue Chakra radiate from his body as he prepared to use his Kekkei Genkai.

Hinata fought Haku inside his Ice Mirror Barrier while Yuhi Kurenai and Shino Aburame faced Zabuza in his Hidden Mist Technique. Hinata began planning to take the initiative, and Xuanyu guided Kurenai and Shino through Zabuza’s attacks.

• Haku trapped Hinata in the Ice Mirror Barrier and attacked her with Ice Needles, but Hinata blocked them with a Chakra barrier.
• Hinata identified Haku’s real location, damaged an ice mirror, and kicked him away when he attacked from behind, though he escaped into another mirror.
• Yuhi Kurenai and Shino Aburame watched Hinata’s fight until Zabuza attacked Kurenai and used the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Xuanyu warned Kurenai and Shino about Zabuza’s sneak attacks, helping them evade him and move toward each other.
• Hinata studied the mirrors and resolved to take the initiative against Haku while Zabuza cursed Xuanyu for interfering.

Zabuza repeatedly attacked Xuan Yu but could not penetrate his invisible defense, then tried to trap him in a Water Prison Technique. Xuan Yu escaped with Wood Release, and Zabuza realized his Uchiha opponent was valuable enough to sell alive or dead.

• Zabuza charged Xuan Yu with his great sword, but an invisible barrier blocked the strike and sent him flying.
• Zabuza repeatedly slashed at Xuan Yu, only to have every attack repelled while Xuan Yu mocked him.
• Zabuza used the Water Prison Technique to trap Xuan Yu inside a sphere of water.
• Xuan Yu summoned thorn-covered vines that pierced the water prison, absorbed its water, and grew toward Zabuza.
• Zabuza recognized Xuan Yu as the Wood Release Ninja and learned that his mother was from the Senju Clan.
• Zabuza decided Xuan Yu could fetch a high price, whether sold alive or as a corpse for research.

Xuan Yu defeated and bound Zabuza, while Hinata defeated Haku and dragged him toward the defeated swordsman. As the mist cleared, Haku saw despair in Zabuza’s eyes and wondered what had happened.

• Zabuza attacked Xuan Yu, who caught his sword with one hand and hurled him away, revealing his overwhelming strength.
• Zabuza used the Water Dragon Technique, but Xuan Yu restrained it with water chains and struck Zabuza down.
• Hinata shattered Haku’s mirrors, caught him as he tried to retreat, and defeated him.
• Haku realized the mirrors and mist were fading because both he and Zabuza had lost.
• Hinata dragged the injured Haku through the thinning mist, where he saw Zabuza bound and looking despairing.

Xuanyu defeated Zabuza and Haku, crippled them, and let them go before continuing with his team toward the Land of Waves. At Gato’s port, he confronted the crime boss, who ordered the shinobi to leave.

• Zabuza admitted defeat, and Hinata brought Haku to Xuanyu after capturing him.
• Xuanyu crippled Zabuza’s ninjutsu and limbs but spared him and Haku, warning them to leave and live in seclusion.
• Haku thanked Xuanyu, carried the unconscious Zabuza away, and headed in the opposite direction.
• Xuanyu’s team reached a port controlled by Gato, where ships traveled to the Land of Waves.
• Gato blamed Zabuza for failing the mission and ordered Xuanyu’s group to leave; Xuanyu challenged his threat.

Gato threatened Xuanyu and his companions, then tried to claim Yuhi Kurenai for himself. After Kurenai rejected him and the bandits attacked, she killed the lead attacker, and Shino Aburame unleashed his Bug Swarm as the fight began.

• Gato threatened Xuanyu and his companions with hundreds of armed bandits, but Xuanyu showed no fear.
• Gato demanded that Yuhi Kurenai stay with him, and Xuanyu mocked him and told Kurenai to answer for herself.
• Yuhi Kurenai threw a shuriken that grazed Gato, then killed the first bandit to charge after Gato ordered his men to seize them.
• Gato offered rewards for capturing Kurenai and killing the others, spurring the bandits to charge again.
• Shino Aburame sent a tide of insects toward the advancing bandits.

Yuhi Kurenai, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga defeated Gato's bandits, and Kurenai forced Gato to lead them to the Land of Waves. As the group prepared to sail, Xuanyu stayed behind because he was waiting for someone, and a group dressed in Uchiha Clan attire approached.

• Shino Aburame's Bug Swarm devoured several bandits while Hinata Hyuga and Yuhi Kurenai attacked the rest, leaving Gato's forces defeated and fleeing.
• Yuhi Kurenai confronted Gato, killed the ninjas guarding him, and demanded that he lead her to the remaining bandits.
• Dazner urged Kurenai not to let Gato go, but Gato claimed the rest of his men were in the Land of Waves and agreed to guide her by boat.
• Yuhi Kurenai, Hinata, Shino Aburame, and Dazner boarded a boat while Xuanyu stayed behind, saying he was waiting for someone.
• A group of people dressed in the attire of the Uchiha Clan rushed toward them.

Xuanyu summoned Uchiha reinforcements and ordered the Merchant Guild to liberate the Land of Waves from Gato. After Uchiha Fuling subdued and humiliated Gato, Xuanyu declared that the guild would manage the country as their ship approached its shore.

• Uchiha Fuling told Xuanyu that the Merchant Guild had avoided trading in the Land of Waves because Gato demanded too large a share.
• Xuanyu ordered the Uchiha to liberate the Land of Waves and eradicate Gato’s rule.
• Uchiha Fuling seized Gato by the throat and slapped him repeatedly for targeting Xuanyu and the Uchiha.
• Xuanyu told Gato that the Uchiha Merchant Guild would manage the Land of Waves from then on, while Gato secretly resolved to endure and seek a chance to fight back.
• Xuanyu and the Uchiha boarded their ship and sailed toward the Land of Waves, where figures waited at the port.

Xuanyu and his group reached the Land of Waves and confronted Gato’s forces, using their strength to begin an assault on his manor. The chapter ended with Uchiha Fuling and the Uchiha clansmen storming inside to destroy Gato’s organization and bring peace to the region.

• Gato returned to the Land of Waves with Xuanyu and his group, but his subordinates attacked them and Uchiha Fuling killed the attackers with shuriken.
• Xuanyu ordered Gato to lead them to his manor, where Xuanyu used his Double Pupils to count the forces inside.
• Gato repeatedly lied about the number and strength of his men, so Xuanyu had Uchiha Fuling slap him until Gato admitted there were 137 people, including three Jonin and eight Chunin.
• Xuanyu announced that they would wipe out Gato’s forces and liberate the Land of Waves, then ordered his group to move.
• Uchiha Fuling killed the manor guards and led the Uchiha clansmen into the estate.

Xuanyu and the Uchiha Clan defeated Gato’s forces and burned his estate. Xuanyu spared Gato and left his fate to the people of the Land of Waves, who gathered nearby as they saw the fire.

• Yuhi Kurenai offered to help Xuanyu, but he told her to guard the estate and prevent Gato’s men from escaping.
• Uchiha Fuling reported that the enemies had been eliminated, and Xuanyu ordered him to burn the bodies and the estate.
• Xuanyu condemned Gato for exploiting and killing the people of the Land of Waves, then said the commoners would decide whether Gato lived or died.
• Gato protested at the thought of being handed over to the commoners as Xuanyu’s group took him into custody.
• The villagers discussed building the bridge and hoped Konoha would help them, then spotted the fire at Gato’s estate.
• The old man in the straw hat headed toward the burning estate to check whether villagers were trapped.

Xuanyu handed Gato over to the people of the Land of Waves so they could decide his fate. The villagers began taking revenge on Gato as Yuhi Kurenai questioned Xuanyu’s choice.

• Xuanyu ordered Uchiha Fuling to give Gato to the villagers, who were approaching cautiously.
• Dazner reunited with his old friend Shang Yuan and introduced him to Xuanyu and the others.
• Xuanyu explained that the Uchiha Clan had defeated Gato’s men and handed Gato over to the villagers.
• Shang Yuan called the villagers forward, and they recognized Gato and declared they wanted him to pay for his crimes.
• A child stabbed Gato with an arrow before the villagers surrounded him and began torturing him.
• Yuhi Kurenai asked Xuanyu why they had not killed Gato themselves, and Xuanyu said the villagers deserved their own justice.

After Gato’s death, Xuanyu won the people of the Land of Waves over by promising cooperation and funding local development. The Uchiha Merchant Guild began preparations to build Dazner’s bridge using Gato’s fortune.

• The people of the Land of Waves thanked Xuanyu and pledged to work with the Uchiha Merchant Guild after Gato was killed.
• Xuanyu promised to pay for Dazner’s bridge, while Old Yuan worried that the villagers could not afford its construction.
• Uchiha Fuling reported that Gato’s assets exceeded 130 million ryo, and Xuanyu decided to spend the money developing the Land of Waves.
• Old Yuan and Dazner asked when the bridge could be built, and Xuanyu told the Merchant Guild to pay workers and begin preparing materials.
• Construction on the bridge began under the Uchiha Merchant Guild’s support.

After returning to Konoha, Xuanyu agreed to enter the Chunin Exams and told Sasuke that he had encountered Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke demanded to know where his brother was, and Xuanyu said they could ask him during the exams.

• The villagers saw Xuanyu off as he left the Great Bridge project in Uchiha Fuling's care and headed back to Konoha with Yuhi Kurenai and the others.
• Hinata asked when her Byakugan would finish evolving, and Xuanyu encouraged her to keep training and trust her progress.
• Yuhi Kurenai asked whether Xuanyu wanted to register for the Chunin Exams, and he confidently agreed to participate.
• Xuanyu's group ran into Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura returning from a mission, and Naruto excitedly told Xuanyu about the power inside him and the bandits he had defeated.
• Xuanyu told Sasuke that he had encountered Uchiha Itachi, prompting Sasuke to demand his whereabouts and declare that he still needed to confront him.
• Xuanyu told Sasuke to ask Itachi during the Chunin Exams, while Kakashi urged Sasuke to calm down and worried about Itachi's return.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura agreed to enter the Chunin Exams after Xuanyu hinted that Sasuke’s brother would come to Konoha. Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Uchiha Xuan Yu had also entered and saw a chance to undermine the Uchiha Clan’s standing.

• Kakashi and Yuhi Kurenai worried that Xuanyu’s plans during the Chunin Exams could have far-reaching consequences for Konoha.
• Naruto questioned Sasuke about Xuanyu’s mention of his brother, while Sakura dismissed Xuanyu as a weak Uchiha and argued with Naruto.
• The Nine-Tails criticized Sakura for underestimating Xuanyu, and Kakashi led his team to turn in their mission.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura each agreed to participate in the Chunin Exams, with Sasuke hoping to see Itachi.
• Sarutobi Asuma told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Uchiha Xuan Yu had returned and entered the exams, and Hiruzen considered how his participation might damage the Uchiha Clan’s reputation.

After registering for the Chunin Exams, Xuanyu learned that 130 orphans and poor children, along with more than a dozen adults, had vanished from Konoha. He suspected Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō were behind the disappearances, most of which occurred in areas controlled by the Sarutobi Police Force.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen allowed Xuanyu to take part in the Chunin Exams and learned that Kakashi had also registered Naruto and the others.
• Xuanyu promised Shino Aburame that they would inspect his evolved bugs the next day at Uchiha Hospital.
• Uchiha Izumi told Xuanyu that 130 orphans or poor children and over a dozen adults had disappeared during his absence.
• Uchiha Izumi reported that the missing villagers’ last traces were mostly in Sarutobi Police Force territory, while the Anbu had shown no response.
• Xuanyu learned that only a little over twenty people had disappeared from Uchiha-controlled areas and questioned the number.

Xuan Yu learned that people were disappearing near Sarutobi-controlled areas and ordered Uchiha Izumi to register their families and post search missions. Back at the Merchant Guild, he refused Uchiha Hanjō’s plea for a break from training and told him to keep going until he reached jōnin level.

• Uchiha Izumi told Xuan Yu that more than twenty people had gone missing, including several who disappeared in areas under the Sarutobi Police Force’s jurisdiction, and that their families were still searching.
• Xuan Yu ordered Izumi to register the missing people’s families with the Uchiha Police Force and post search missions through Konoha’s Mission Department.
• Izumi questioned the plan to investigate openly, and Xuan Yu explained that Sarutobi Hiruzen would learn about an investigation regardless and would underestimate him.
• Uchiha Hanjō greeted Xuan Yu at the Merchant Guild and asked him to arrange a few days off from Uchiha Xia’s grueling training.
• Xuan Yu refused and told Hanjō to continue training until he reached jōnin level, leaving Hanjō miserable and resentful.