Chapter Summaries

Hibari briefed the Anbu on Konoha’s suspicions that Kumogakure was preparing for war and planned an undercover investigation with Kagami Uchiha. Before leaving for the mission, Hibari learned that Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to create a training organization to supply new Anbu recruits.

• Hibari told Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Anbu that Kumogakure might be plotting to start a war and that their mission was to uncover its plans.
• Hibari chose Kagami Uchiha as his partner for infiltrating Kumogakure, explaining that Hyuga Hiten’s Byakugan would reveal his clan affiliation too easily.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Kagami to prepare to leave the next day and assigned Hyuga Hiten to take over Kagami’s other duties.
• Hibari and Sarutobi Hiruzen joked about Hibari’s hot pot business before Hiruzen proposed creating an organization to train Anbu recruits.
• Hibari supported Hiruzen’s proposal and left, privately guessing that Shimura Danzō would be put in charge.

Hibari left Konoha on a covert mission with Kagami Uchiha while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō secured approval for an organization to train Anbu recruits. The new organization quietly became the first seed of Root, and Hibari and Kagami entered Kumogakure undercover to investigate possible preparations for war.

• Hibari declined to oppose Sarutobi Hiruzen's proposal for Shimura Danzō to establish an Anbu training organization, then left to prepare for his mission.
• Shimura Danzō visited Sarutobi Hiruzen, learned Hibari supported the proposal, and went with him to the Hokage's office to submit it.
• Three days after Hibari and Kagami Uchiha left Konoha, the Hokage Building approved the proposal and appointed Shimura Danzō to lead the Anbu-affiliated training organization, planting the first seed of Root.
• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha traveled in disguise to Kumogakure as brothers selling goods from the Land of Fire, entered the village with genuine documents, and checked into an inn.
• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha agreed to split up and investigate Kumogakure while warning each other to stay alert.

Hibari gathered information in Kumogakure and concluded that internal divisions could push the village toward war with Konoha. The Second Raikage resisted Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s calls for an immediate attack but planned to use their pursuit skills, while eyeing the Land of Fire; Hibari decided to scout the Raikage’s office after dark.

• Hibari posed as a young peddler and learned from a fruit vendor that Kumogakure had become hostile to outsiders and that business had declined.
• Hibari recorded signs of worsening economic conditions, restrictions on outsiders, and more frequent security drills, then inferred that the village was nearing war because the Second Raikage lacked control over its factions.
• Hibari decided that the Second Raikage might redirect Kumogakure’s internal conflicts toward the Land of Fire and resolved to investigate inside the Raikage’s workplace after nightfall.
• The Second Raikage complained that Kinkaku and Ginkaku were stirring up support for war, but an adviser said the brothers were too powerful and respected to oppose directly.
• The Second Raikage proposed giving Kinkaku and Ginkaku a pursuit unit to keep them occupied, then studied the map and called the Land of Fire a rich prize.

Hibari and Kagami Uchiha gathered evidence that Kumogakure might soon move against the Land of Fire and Konoha, while the Second Raikage struggled to contain Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s calls for war. Hibari decided to sneak into the Raikage’s office that night, asking Kagami to cover him.

• Hibari questioned Kumogakure residents and recorded signs of economic decline, hostility toward outsiders, and increased military activity.
• Hibari reasoned that the Second Raikage might start a war to manage internal opposition, while suspecting Kinkaku and Ginkaku were pushing Kumogakure toward conflict.
• The Second Raikage learned that Kinkaku and Ginkaku were stirring up militant ninja and ordered them to form an elite pursuit unit to keep them occupied.
• Hibari returned to the inn, where Kagami Uchiha reported that Kumogakure could attack the Land of Fire and Konoha at any moment.
• Hibari proposed sneaking into the Raikage’s office, and asked Kagami to create a distraction if anything went wrong.

Hibari infiltrated the Raikage Office Building to investigate Kumogakure and steal valuable techniques, but another intruder triggered an alarm and revealed himself as the Second Raikage’s student. The disruption prompted a fire nearby, while Hibari remained hidden in the courtyard.

• Hibari prepared for the nighttime mission and slipped into the Raikage Office Building grounds after finding no barriers.
• Hibari transformed into a fish and swam past the guards toward the Raikage’s office.
• A dark-clad intruder knocked out two guards, triggered an electrical trap at the office door, and set off the alarm.
• The Second Raikage arrived and addressed the intruder as his student, who called him Teacher.
• A fire broke out near the entrance, and the Second Raikage and his student left to help put it out while Hibari stayed hidden.

Hibari infiltrated the Raikage's office during a fire diversion and copied its documents, discovering Kumogakure's plans targeting Konoha. After hiding in a secret chamber, he found the village's inheritance scroll and recognized Lightning Release Armor as the prize he had hoped to obtain.

• Hibari slipped into the Raikage's office, picked its lock, and used shadow clones to copy the documents on the desk.
• Hibari found a map marking Konoha with a red circle and suspected Kumogakure was secretly planning an attack.
• Kagami Uchiha watched from a rooftop as the Second Raikage left to deal with the fire and later returned toward the office.
• As the Second Raikage and the future Third arrived, Hibari discovered a bookshelf mechanism and hid in the secret chamber.
• Hibari searched the chamber, found Kumogakure's inheritance scroll, and discovered its Lightning Release Chakra Mode training instructions.

Hibari read and copied Kumogakure’s forbidden research on the Lightning Release Living Body Secret Technique, then reunited with Kagami Uchiha and revealed that he had taken the Raikage’s documents. They decided to return to their village the next morning with the intelligence and buy local goods to maintain their merchant cover.

• Hibari read the scroll’s account of how the First Raikage’s father and the First Raikage developed the Lightning Release Armor while pursuing a dangerous Lightning Transformation Technique.
• Hibari copied the scroll’s research, intending to take it back to the Senju Clan.
• Kagami Uchiha returned to the inn at dawn and found Hibari already asleep, then woke him and asked what he had accomplished.
• Hibari told Kagami Uchiha that he had copied nearly every document in the Raikage’s Office, including Kumogakure’s secrets.
• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha agreed to leave for their village the next morning and buy local goods to preserve their traveling-merchant cover.

Hibari and Kagami Uchiha discussed their raid on Kumogakure’s Raikage Building, where Hibari copied valuable secrets and techniques. They decided to return to Konoha with the intelligence, while also planning to spend some of their mission funds on local properties and purchases.

• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha agreed to buy properties in Kumogakure and establish a shop as a covert lookout.
• Hibari shared a scroll of copied Kumogakure techniques, including the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and an incomplete Living Body Secret Technique, and warned Kagami not to spread or attempt the dangerous secret technique.
• Kagami returned to the inn and found Hibari asleep, then learned that Hibari had escaped the Raikage Building during the night.
• Hibari revealed that he had copied nearly every document in the Raikage’s Office, including information about the war, and the two agreed to return to Konoha the next morning.
• Hibari urged Kagami to use their generous mission funds before they left, defending their planned purchases as perks earned by risking their lives.

Hibari and Kagami Uchiha bought houses in Kumogakure and shared the copied secrets from the Raikage's office. When the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki rampaged, Hibari rescued a girl and the pair tried to escape the village.

• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha agreed to buy property in Kumogakure and discussed how their purchases could aid their village.
• Hibari gave Kagami Uchiha a scroll containing copies of the Raikage's techniques, including the incomplete Living Body Secret Technique.
• The next day, Hibari and Kagami Uchiha bought neighboring houses with public funds and prepared to leave Kumogakure.
• An attack during the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki's rampage threatened their street, so Hibari raised an Earth-Style Wall and rescued a sobbing girl before escaping with Kagami Uchiha.
• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha reached Kumogakure's crowded gate and bribed a guard with their travel documents and banknotes to help them leave.

Hibari and Kagami Uchiha escaped Kumogakure after gathering intelligence and stealing Ninjutsu scrolls, then reported their success to Tobirama in Konoha. They left the Hokage's office with their mission accepted, while Sarutobi Hiruzen discovered that Hibari's private haul included the Raikage's signature.

• Kinkaku and Ginkaku ordered a search for the boy who used Earth Style in Kumogakure, but Hibari and Kagami Uchiha had already escaped.
• Five days later, Hibari told Kagami Uchiha that Kumogakure would not discover their house purchase because the only other person who knew about it had died.
• Sarutobi Sasuke questioned Hibari about the Eight-Tails rampage and whether their mission had failed, but Hibari presented a scroll of intelligence about Kumogakure.
• Tobirama discovered that Hibari had brought back stolen Ninjutsu scrolls as well as extensive intelligence, then ordered a detailed report and asked Sarutobi Hiruzen to help organize the material.
• Hibari and Kagami Uchiha boasted about their exploits before Tobirama sent them home to rest.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen seized Hibari's private scroll and found that it contained the Raikage's signature, but declined to learn the technique because it required years of training and used Lightning Release.

Hibari and Kagami returned from Kumogakure with genuine intelligence and stolen Ninjutsu, surprising Tobirama with how much they had obtained in one day. Afterward, Hibari joked with Hiruzen about the scroll and the new Anbu training institution, while Hiten earnestly considered opening a Hyuga medical business.

• Hibari teased Hiruzen about Shimura Danzō leading the Anbu training institution and joked about becoming the godfather of Hiruzen’s unborn son.
• Hyuga Hiten asked Hibari whether the Hyuga Clan should open a hospital, and Hibari suggested a maternal health center or massage parlors.
• Hibari and Kagami met Sarutobi Sasuke, Hiruzen, and Tobirama in the Hokage's Office, where Hibari first handed over a scroll of stolen Ninjutsu by mistake.
• Kagami confirmed that Hibari had broken into the Raikage's Office, and Hibari presented a second scroll containing genuine intelligence about Kumogakure.
• Tobirama ordered Hibari to write a mission report and have trusted subordinates help organize the intelligence.
• Hiruzen inspected the stolen scroll, recognized the Raikage's signature, and declined to learn the Lightning Release technique before joking with Hibari about Hiruzen's family and the training institution.

Hibari practiced the Lightning Release Armor Technique and agreed to begin learning Wood Release from Senju Hashirama, who planned to recuperate in the Capital. Hyuga Hiten visited Hibari to discuss the maternal and child health hospital idea, leaving Hibari facing the consequences of his casual suggestion.

• Hyuga Hiten took Hibari’s suggestion of a hospital seriously and arranged to discuss new business opportunities for the Hyuga Clan.
• Hibari practiced the Lightning Release Armor Technique at home and tested its strength on a stone table.
• Senju Hashirama told Hibari that he planned to stay in the Capital as an honorary general and offered to teach him Wood Release before leaving.
• Hibari agreed to learn Wood Release from Senju Hashirama.
• Hyuga Hiten arrived to meet Hibari and said he had already discussed the maternal and child health hospital with his father.

Hibari persuaded Hyuga Hiten to join him in a business venture that could strengthen ties between the Hyuga and Senju Clans. They brought Sarutobi Hiruzen in as a partner, and Hibari announced that the deal concerned all three clans’ futures.

• Hyuga Hiten explained that the Hyuga Clan needed new revenue, despite his father’s disapproval of Hibari’s earlier proposal.
• Hibari proposed sharing the investment and risks with the Hyuga Clan, framing the venture as a way to bring their clans closer.
• Hyuga Hiten agreed to partner with Hibari, and Hibari suggested including Sarutobi Hiruzen to spread the risk further.
• Hibari and Hyuga Hiten went to the Anbu office to settle the arrangement with Hiruzen.
• Hibari told Hiruzen that the venture concerned the fate of the Sarutobi, Senju, and Hyuga Clans.

Hibari proposed that the Senju, Hyuga, and Sarutobi clans join forces to form a conglomerate and use their resources to build wealth. The three agreed to explore the plan, beginning with how they would divide contributions and profits.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen welcomed Hibari and Hyuga Hiten, then agreed to join their proposed business partnership.
• Hibari explained that the three clans could combine their resources and form a conglomerate to support their clans.
• Hibari used the Senju Clan's lumber trade as an example, proposing that it expand into real estate and infrastructure.
• Hibari set aside the lumber venture for now and said the clans first needed quick profits and clear rules for the conglomerate.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen suggested dividing shares according to each clan's capital and manpower, while Hyuga Hiten prepared to take notes.

Hibari proposed that the Senju, Hyuga, and Sarutobi clans form businesses in weapons manufacturing and protected trade caravans to prepare for war and strengthen the economy. After founding the Three Peaks Group, he returned to training Wood Release with Senju Hashirama.

• Hibari, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Hyuga Hiten agreed that war was likely and decided to prepare by establishing an arms trade for the Land of Fire and its allies.
• Hibari proposed that the three clans organize merchant caravans, protect other merchants for a fee, and help restore trade as bandit attacks and prices increased.
• Hibari, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Hyuga Hiten agreed to launch both ventures and named their organization the Three Peaks Group.
• Hibari struggled to combine Water and Earth chakra into Wood Release, arguing with Senju Hashirama about how to add vitality.
• Uzumaki Mito brought snacks and calmed Hibari and Senju Hashirama before asking Hibari about his new business plans.

Hibari explained how the Three Peaks Group could strengthen the Senju, Sarutobi, and Hyuga Clans, then spent three years expanding its influence across the Land of Fire. As tensions between countries rose, he warned Hyuga Hide that war might soon disrupt the group’s plans and force them onto the battlefield.

• Hibari described the Three Peaks Group’s military and commercial ventures to Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito, and Mito pledged the Senju Clan’s support.
• Hibari left to meet Hyuga Hiten and Sarutobi Hiruzen, while Hashirama considered handing him the Senju Clan leadership.
• Over the next three years, the Three Peaks Group grew wealthy, the Hyuga Clan recovered financially, and the Sarutobi Clan rose in standing.
• The Senju Clan shifted much of its influence from Konoha into the Land of Fire’s capital and other cities, while the group’s factory and chamber of commerce expanded in Konoha.
• Hibari told Hyuga Hide that the group should postpone entering lumber, construction, and real estate because rising tensions and border deaths made war seem imminent.

Hibari discussed Three Peaks Group’s war preparations with Senju Tobirama, who returned to the village amid growing tensions and the family’s anticipation of a new baby. Tobirama hinted that he had considered Hibari as a possible Hokage successor, then Tsunade rushed off to meet Hashirama.

• Hibari told Hyuga Hide to establish a mining division and divide the group’s monthly profits among the three clans as usual.
• Hibari met Senju Tobirama near the Senju estate and assured him that Three Peaks Military Industries had reserved its output for the village and would secure iron supplies once Hashirama returned with mining permits.
• Tobirama praised Hibari’s contributions and hinted that he might succeed him as Hokage, but Hibari backed Sarutobi Hiruzen for the position.
• Tobirama admitted he had considered supporting Hibari because he was his grandson, and Hibari offered to bring him snow lotuses.
• Tsunade heard that Hashirama had returned and rode out on one of her bears to meet him, despite Tobirama warning her not to go to a gambling den.

Hibari received mining permits that would provide work for idle Konoha shinobi, and Hashirama named the baby Renge was expecting Nawaki. The chapter ended with Hibari showing the family his rapidly improving Wood Release technique.

• Mito scolded Hashirama for spending the day gambling with Tsunade instead of coming home after he returned to the village.
• Hashirama handed Hibari permits for two northern iron mines and a possible ore site near the Land of Rivers, which Hibari planned to open for work.
• Hashirama and Tobirama argued over a name for Renge’s unborn son, and Hashirama won the right to name him Nawaki.
• Hashirama asked Hibari about his Wood Release training, and Hibari demonstrated the Two Blossoms Technique by making two red flowers sprout from the table.

Hibari secured mining permits that would bring work to Konoha, while Senju Hashirama returned home and learned that Hibari had awakened Wood Release. Hashirama explained that naturally awakened Wood Release grew stronger through continued nurturing.

• Senju Hashirama returned to Konoha, where he and Tsunade admitted they had spent the day gambling and apologized to Uzumaki Mito.
• Hashirama gave Hibari mining permits for two northern iron mines and additional land near the Land of Rivers, and Hibari planned to send crews into the mountains.
• Uzumaki Mito said Renge was expected to give birth to a boy within a day or two, and Hashirama won an argument with Senju Tobirama over naming the child Nawaki.
• Hibari demonstrated Wood Release by making two flowers sprout from the table, surprising Hashirama, who had not known Hibari had awakened the ability.
• Hibari said he had mastered Wood Release less than a month earlier and could only grow a small sapling, so Hashirama explained that natural Wood Release strengthened as it was nurtured with vitality and chakra.

Hibari learned that his natural Wood Release would grow stronger by consuming and returning his life force, while Hashirama and Tobirama discussed his unusual vitality and training. The chapter ended with Tobirama arranging to test Hibari the next morning, and Hibari revealing he had secretly entered Tobirama’s laboratory to investigate his research.

• Hashirama reassured Hibari that nurturing his natural Wood Release would ultimately strengthen him rather than drain him permanently.
• Hashirama and Tobirama compared Hibari’s height and discussed how Lightning Release training had amplified his already remarkable vitality.
• Hibari reflected that his Human-Human Fruit might also be contributing to his rapid growth and the power he felt during training.
• Hashirama asked whether Hibari had kept up with his training, and Tobirama proposed testing him in the mountain clearing the next morning.
• Hibari challenged Tobirama to follow their old rules and asked to learn the Yin Seal, Flying Thunder God Technique, and Tobirama’s secret research technique.
• Tobirama questioned how Hibari knew about his research, and Hibari admitted he had deciphered the laboratory barrier and entered several times.