Chapter Summaries

Senju Hibari persuaded young Tsunade to help break the seal on Tobirama’s warehouse, and the two sneaked inside before Hashirama and Tobirama returned. The next morning, Hibari prepared to face Tobirama’s punishment and coached Tsunade to keep their secret.

• Hibari talked Tsunade into removing the seal on Tobirama’s warehouse by promising to take the blame and paying her five hundred ryo.
• Tsunade performed the hand seals, used a drop of blood, and opened the warehouse door for Hibari.
• On the journey back to Konoha, Tobirama sensed that the two children had gotten into trouble at home.
• After Hashirama and Tobirama returned, Tsunade woke Hibari and told him they were having tea in the courtyard.
• Hibari reminded Tsunade not to tell on him about their warehouse break-in, then dressed and considered wearing his black armor.

Hibari visited Hashirama and Tobirama, where Tobirama confronted him for opening the sealed storehouse and warned him about his dangerous curiosity. Their conversation turned into a spar, and the chapter ended as Hibari began forming Hand Seals after throwing ninja tools at Tobirama.

• Hibari dressed for a visit with Hashirama and Tobirama, and told Tsunade he expected Tobirama to test his skills.
• Hibari reflected on the Senju Clan's declining influence and hoped to keep the clan from disappearing.
• Tobirama confronted Hibari about opening his sealed storehouse, and Tsunade revealed that Hibari had asked her to open it.
• Tobirama warned Hibari that his curiosity could put him in danger, while Hibari argued that curiosity helped shinobi grow and asked to see Tobirama's research.
• Tobirama launched a surprise kick at Hibari, who deflected it, dodged back, and threw shuriken and kunai before starting Hand Seals.

Hibari fought Tobirama in a sparring match, using a series of ninjutsu and a clever substitution to land a punch before Tobirama countered with a water clone and genjutsu. Hibari disrupted Tobirama’s Bringer-of-Darkness technique and began to release the illusion.

• Hibari attacked Tobirama with Flame Bullet, Yellow Springs Swamp, and a Fuma Shuriken that he had prepared as a substitute.
• Hibari switched places with the Fuma Shuriken and struck Tobirama with a Strength of a Hundred punch, but the target was a Water Clone.
• Tobirama kicked Hibari back, then used misleading hand seals to trap him in the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.
• Hibari smashed the ground with Rock-Crushing Fist to drive Tobirama back, then began disrupting his chakra to release the genjutsu.

Hibari used the test against Tobirama to demonstrate his talent and ingenuity, using Adamantine Sealing Chains as a feint to draw Tobirama close. After trapping Tobirama in turn, Hibari prepared to reveal the Rasengan, hoping to earn his grandfather’s approval and learn from him.

• Hibari dodged Tobirama’s Water Dragon Bullet with the Body Flicker Technique and said his abundant chakra let him use jutsu with high chakra requirements.
• Hibari performed the A-rank Adamantine Sealing Chains, surprising Tobirama, Hashirama, and Tsunade.
• Tobirama warned Hibari that the chains could drain his life force, then used Flying Thunder God to reach him and grab his arm.
• Hibari revealed that he had baited Tobirama into approaching, then grabbed Tobirama in return as the chains vanished.
• Hibari gathered chakra in his palm, intending to use the Rasengan, which he had mastered and planned to present as an original technique.

Hibari tested his new Rasengan against Tobirama, who praised its potential after learning how it worked. Their conversation turned to Hibari’s inability to use Water Release and Tobirama’s hope of preserving Wood Release, leaving Tobirama determined to find a way to address Hibari’s weakness.

• Hibari attacked Tobirama with a Rasengan, but Tobirama redirected it with Flying Thunder God Guiding Thunder and slammed Hibari to the ground.
• Hibari explained that he had invented the Rasengan, and Hashirama and Tobirama quickly formed their own versions after hearing how it worked.
• Tsunade failed to make a Rasengan, then defended keeping Hibari’s five hundred ryo as pocket money before leaving with Hashirama to gamble.
• Tobirama told Hibari that the Rasengan had considerable potential, and Hibari said it might be developed with all five chakra natures.
• Hibari admitted he could not train in Water Nature, and Tobirama lamented that Hibari might not inherit Wood Release before resolving to find a way to address the problem.

Tobirama agreed to teach Hibari ninjutsu principles and examined him in his private study to investigate his inability to use Water Release or swim. Hibari's body was healthy, but Tobirama found that his soul remained obscure and difficult to read, which he suspected was the cause of the problem.

• Tobirama offered to teach Hibari and help address his inability to use Water Release or swim.
• Tobirama took Hibari to his private study to record Hibari's Rasengan on the Senju clan scroll.
• Hibari guessed that Tobirama had a sinister laboratory, and Tobirama hinted that he might have one before redirecting the conversation.
• Tobirama examined Hibari's body, and Hibari complained when he tore his expensive brocade undershirt.
• Tobirama found Hibari's body healthy and vigorous but said his soul remained obscure and hard to read, likely explaining why he could not use Water Release or swim.

Senju Hibari explained that a reincarnated Devil Fruit had made him helpless in water, and Tobirama considered ways to remove or contain its effects. Tobirama proposed sealing the unknown force around Hibari’s soul, then discussed where souls went after death, leaving Hibari to suspect Tobirama’s research had led him to the Pure Land and the Death God.

• Hibari recalled that a wrong turn had brought him to this world and that the Human-Human Fruit he received had reincarnated with him, leaving him unable to use water safely.
• Hibari asked Tobirama how to cure his condition, and Tobirama said finding and destroying its source would be best but seemed nearly impossible.
• Tobirama proposed developing a Sealing Jutsu to contain the unknown force around Hibari’s soul, and Hibari accepted it as a temporary measure.
• Tobirama asked where souls went after death and explained that they usually reached the Pure Land or were handed over to the Death God.
• Hibari realized Tobirama’s research into Impure World Reincarnation had likely brought him into contact with knowledge of the Pure Land and the Death God.

Tobirama explained that Hibari needed knowledge and understanding, not just combat skill, to pursue new Ninjutsu, and discussed risky theories for cleansing Hibari’s soul and resolving his condition. The next morning, Hibari chased Tsunade through the Senju Residence after she stole his wallet and ate the cakes he had bought for Mito.

• Hibari asked Tobirama about his new jutsu, and Tobirama said Hibari was not ready to learn about it yet.
• Tobirama praised Hibari’s abilities but explained that developing Ninjutsu required knowledge and understanding of how it worked.
• Tobirama described possible ways to cleanse a soul, warned Hibari to avoid the Death God, and said they needed to create a Sealing Jutsu for his condition.
• Hibari suspected Tobirama’s research into reincarnation might reflect a desire to uncover the secrets of life and death, while Tobirama emphasized passing knowledge to future generations.
• The next morning, Hibari discovered Tsunade had taken his wallet and eaten most of the cakes he had bought for Mito, so he chased her around the courtyard.

After Tsunade punched him and ran, Hibari chased her until Uzumaki Mito intervened and helped settle their quarrel. Mito discussed Hibari’s upcoming training with Tobirama and advised him to build his theoretical knowledge before attempting dangerous techniques such as the Yin Seal.

• Tsunade punched Hibari, ran off, and led him on a chase around the Senju estate.
• Uzumaki Mito caught Tsunade and heard Hibari’s complaints, then scolded Tsunade and helped the siblings reconcile.
• Mito asked Hibari about training under Tobirama, and Hibari explained that Tobirama planned to teach him properly now that the Five Kage Summit had ended.
• Hibari asked Mito to teach him the Yin Seal, but she warned that it was too complicated and dangerous for him to learn yet.
• Mito advised Hibari to strengthen his theoretical knowledge, and Hibari decided to borrow Tobirama’s books and begin studying.

Hibari left the Senju home to begin training under Tobirama and ran into Sarutobi Hiruzen, who welcomed him as a fellow disciple while insisting Hibari call him Uncle. Hiruzen said he was heading to meet Hashirama and Tobirama because his father had sent word, leaving Hibari to accompany him toward them.

• Hibari told Uzumaki Mito he planned to study Kekkei Genkai and went to get a key from Tobirama.
• Uzumaki Mito reflected on the Senju Clan's precarious position as Hibari departed and little Tsunade asked what she meant.
• Hibari considered how Tobirama's possible Ninja Academy reforms could affect the clans' power and resources.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen met Hibari, learned he was training under Tobirama, and celebrated having a fellow disciple to share the workload.
• Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen argued over whether Hibari should call him Big Brother or Uncle.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Hibari he was going to meet Hashirama and Tobirama after his father sent word.

Hibari followed Sarutobi Hiruzen to the Hokage’s office and overheard a report that Kakuzu might sell information about the Seven-Tails Chomei’s whereabouts. Hashirama and Tobirama weighed the threat to Konoha’s stability and its agreement with Takigakure, while Hibari stayed to listen.

• Hiruzen teased Hibari with news from Sarutobi Sasuke and brought him to the Hokage’s office to hear what Hashirama and Tobirama would reveal.
• Tobirama argued that Konoha needed to restrain the Uchiha Clan, while Hashirama urged him to give them more time.
• Tobirama saw through Hibari’s pretense of carrying Sasuke’s news but let him stay when Hiruzen began his report.
• Hiruzen reported that Sasuke had found a lead on Takigakure’s request and the Seven-Tails Chomei, but the missing-nin Kakuzu might sell the information to a third party.
• Hashirama and Tobirama warned that another village could seize Chomei, destabilizing the region and damaging Konoha’s agreement with Takigakure.

Hashirama decided to personally help deliver the Seven-Tails to Takigakure and sent Hiruzen ahead to investigate. Hibari talked Hashirama into letting him join Hiruzen, while Tobirama reluctantly agreed on the condition that Hibari obey Hiruzen.

• Hashirama decided to go after the Seven-Tails himself, while Tobirama sent Hiruzen ahead to gather information and assist Sasuke.
• Hibari asked to join Hiruzen's mission, arguing that he should uphold the Senju spirit and prove himself.
• Hashirama was moved by Hibari's speech and approved his request to go with Hiruzen.
• Hibari invoked Mito's advice about respecting the Hokage's authority to stop Tobirama from reversing Hashirama's decision.
• Tobirama relented and ordered Hibari to follow Hiruzen's instructions, while Hiruzen was tasked with looking after him.

Hibari received a Konoha Forehead Protector and set out with Sarutobi Hiruzen on his first mission, promising little Tsunade that he would return. As they left Konoha, the gate guards discussed the Uchiha Clan’s influence, while Hibari and Hiruzen headed toward their mission.

• Tobirama gave Hibari a Konoha Forehead Protector and told him he would begin as a junior ninja, while Hashirama teased Tobirama for having prepared it in advance.
• Hibari packed his gear, told little Tsunade he was becoming a ninja, and promised he would come back safely after she worried about relatives who had never returned from a mission.
• Hibari met Sarutobi Hiruzen at Konoha’s gate, exchanged jokes with him and the guards, and left the village with Hiruzen.
• After Hibari and Hiruzen departed, Yunya and Qingmu criticized the Uchiha Clan and speculated that Hashirama and Tobirama would curb its influence.

Kakuzu sold four disguised scouts information about the Seven-Tails Chomei’s location in Insect King Valley and warned them that Konoha was getting involved. As Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen hurried toward the valley, they discussed Konoha’s Tailed Beast agreement and the likelihood that peace would collapse after Hashirama’s death.

• Kakuzu met four disguised ninjas in the forest, took their gold, and told them Chomei was hiding near Insect King Valley in the Land of Waterfalls.
• Kakuzu bound one of the scouts with black threads, warned that Konoha would act, and left the group to continue its mission.
• The four scouts decided to investigate Insect King Valley quickly before Konoha became more involved.
• Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen raced toward the valley and discussed why Konoha planned to hand the Seven-Tails to neutral Takigakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen predicted that the other villages would challenge Konoha and fight over its power once Hashirama could no longer hold them back.

Hibari joined Sarutobi Hiruzen and Sarutobi Sasuke to investigate the Seven-Tails Chomei after Kakuzu leaked its location and a buyer emerged. While preparing a trap in Insect King Valley, Hibari learned Sarutobi Sasuke’s idea for overcoming his difficulty with water chakra: becoming a Jinchūriki, though Hibari set the thought aside and put his own plan into action.

• Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at Sarutobi Sasuke’s cabin with orders to investigate the Seven-Tails Chomei and guard it until the Hokage came.
• Sarutobi Sasuke confirmed that Kakuzu had sold information about the Seven-Tails on the black market and that a buyer might bring a third party into the situation.
• The three entered Insect King Valley, stopped short of disturbing the Seven-Tails, and prepared to set a trap for any intruders.
• Sarutobi Sasuke suggested sealing the Three-Tails Isobu inside Hibari so he could gain access to water-nature chakra, but Hibari said he would consider it someday.
• Hibari dug a pit with Earth Style and filled it using water stored in a scroll, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen puzzled about his trap.

Hibari finished building a lethal lightning-and-explosive trap, then proved his talent by showing Sarutobi Hiruzen the Rasengan. After Hibari offered to explain his proposed S-rank composite ninjutsu in exchange for access to the Sarutobi Clan’s summoning beasts, Hiruzen said the Enma contract was restricted to Sarutobi descendants.

• Hibari sealed Lightning Release chakra into a tag connected to a tripwire and buried wire leading to a pool, then added an Explosive Tag to make the water and surrounding area explode.
• Sarutobi Sasuke praised the trap’s idea but considered it inexperienced, so he adjusted it and added more traps.
• Hibari formed a Rasengan and told the astonished Sarutobi Hiruzen that Tobirama had certified it as an A-rank technique.
• Hiruzen asked Hibari to explain his proposed S-rank composite ninjutsu, offering to help develop it with his Water Release.
• Hibari agreed to share the theory in return for access to the Sarutobi Clan’s summoning beast, but Hiruzen explained that only Sarutobi descendants could sign the Enma contract.

Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen traded theories for powerful ninjutsu while Sarutobi Sasuke prepared traps for their mission. After two days of hiding and waiting for enemies or Senju Hashirama, Hibari grew restless and asked whether he should scout ahead or check on the Seven-Tails Chomei.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Hibari about Mount Myoboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryūchi Cave as possible sources of powerful summoning beasts.
• Hibari agreed to learn Hiruzen's Fire Style: Earth-Flame Bullet in exchange for explaining his four-nature explosive ninjutsu theory.
• Hibari stopped Hiruzen from testing the dangerous technique at their mission site, and Hiruzen taught him how Earth-Flame Bullet combined Fire Dragon Bullet and Earth Dragon Bullet.
• Sarutobi Sasuke finished setting traps and ordered Hibari and Hiruzen to hide nearby and watch for enemies or Senju Hashirama.
• After two days in hiding, Hibari asked Sarutobi Sasuke whether he should scout ahead or check on the Seven-Tails Chomei.

Hibari and the Sarutobi ninja ambushed an enemy squad, and Hibari’s explosive trap killed two attackers. Hibari fought the two survivors and revealed his skill, while the enemy captain continued attacking him.

• Hibari complained about the wait, but Sarutobi Hiruzen and Sarutobi Sasuke told him to stay hidden until the enemy arrived.
• Four enemy ninjas found Hibari’s trap; Sarutobi Sasuke remotely triggered it, causing the water-filled pit to explode and killing two of them.
• Hibari asked to fight the two survivors while Hiruzen covered him, then used a Shuriken Shadow Clone and a chakra-powered kick to knock one down.
• The enemy captain attacked Hibari with Water Release techniques, but Hibari dodged a Water Severing Wave and countered with Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.
• The captain realized Hibari was a young ninja rather than Sarutobi Sasuke, and Hibari prepared another jutsu.

Senju Hibari fought a powerful, disguised water-style ninja at Insect King Valley until Sarutobi Hiruzen joined him and helped set up a trap. Hibari killed the enemy with a sword strike, while Hiruzen’s ruse was revealed to have involved Monkey King Enma.

• Hibari countered the enemy’s Water Release attacks with Earth Style techniques, but the enemy identified his weakness and overwhelmed him with a Great Tsunami.
• Sarutobi Sasuke suspected the masked enemy was from Kirigakure and ordered Hiruzen to support Hibari.
• Hibari used the Great Collapse Technique to drain the tsunami, nearly exhausting his chakra, and Hiruzen attacked the enemy from the mist.
• Hiruzen and the enemy exchanged Fire and Water techniques, creating mist that concealed their movements.
• Hiruzen’s apparent grapple was revealed as Monkey King Enma in disguise, while Hibari appeared behind the enemy and cut off his head.

Hibari and the Sarutobi shinobi confronted Hozuki Reigetsu and Kakuzu, who had provoked the Seven-Tails Chomei. The rampaging beast charged toward them as Reigetsu fled, leaving Sarutobi Sasuke and the others to face it.

• Hibari beheaded a disguised Hozuki Reigetsu, but Reigetsu survived by using the Hozuki Clan’s Hydrification Technique and revealed his identity.
• Hiruzen and Hibari fought Reigetsu, while Kakuzu’s black threads attacked Hibari and Sarutobi Sasuke arrived to cut them off.
• Kakuzu admitted he had come for money, and Reigetsu said he wanted to see the Seven-Tails Chomei and was willing to become a missing-nin.
• Chomei rampaged out of the valley after Kakuzu provoked it, and Sasuke realized Reigetsu planned to use the beast against Konoha.
• Reigetsu told Kakuzu he could no longer handle the pressure, then left as Chomei charged toward the group.