Chapter Summaries

Natsuki forced the Third Hokage to defend the Sarutobi Clan’s questionable jonin ranks, then congratulated Orochimaru on winning the Fifth Hokage election. The Third Hokage announced the result and set the inauguration for two months later, while Natsuki received the Hundred Healings Jutsu from the system.

• The Third Hokage denied that the Sarutobi Clan’s 129 jonin ranks had been falsified, while the clan heads and elders suspected he had used his authority to promote and pay unqualified relatives.
• Torifu Akimichi laughed at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura’s distress, then left the venue with the Akimichi Clan after using a breathing mask.
• Natsuki congratulated Orochimaru as the elected Fifth Hokage and led the Uchiha Clan out, while Tsunade and the medical ninja also departed with Naruto.
• The Third Hokage formally announced Orochimaru’s victory, declared that he would take office two months later, and confirmed the result to the daimyo, who said he would send his congratulations instead of attending.
• Natsuki heard the system award him one Hundred Healings Jutsu for greatly changing Tsunade’s life trajectory.

After the Hokage Election exposed the Sarutobi Clan’s suspicious ranks of jonin, Natsuki told Tsunade that the Uchiha Clan planned to become independent. Tsunade chose to stay with Naruto for now, leaving her future with the Uchiha unsettled.

• After the Third Hokage left, Karin found Anko and took her to meet Orochimaru while spies recognized the political scandal revealed at the election.
• Natsuki explained to Tsunade that he had never expected to become Hokage and had exposed the Sarutobi Clan’s votes to reveal political fraud.
• Tsunade realized that the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado Clans also had suspicious numbers of unfamiliar jonin, likely promoted through the Anbu.
• Natsuki told Tsunade that the Uchiha Clan was preparing to become independent and that he wanted her to leave with them.
• Tsunade refused to leave Naruto’s side for the next few years, and Natsuki assured her that the Uchiha would not withdraw all at once.

Sasuke challenged Itachi to test his taijutsu, but Itachi defeated him despite not using his Sharingan. Natsuki explained that the Sharingan was only an aid and that Sasuke needed to make himself strong.

• Sasuke challenged Itachi to a taijutsu match at the Uchiha training grounds.
• Itachi outmaneuvered Sasuke with taijutsu, ninjutsu, shuriken, and Shadow Clones, then struck him after Sasuke tried to trap him with genjutsu.
• Natsuki arrived and told Sasuke that Itachi had been feeding him moves throughout the fight.
• Natsuki explained that the Sharingan was only an aid, and Sasuke began to understand why seeing Itachi's attacks had not been enough to stop them.

Natsuki exposed the political darkness behind Hiruzen Sarutobi’s rule, forcing the Third Hokage to give up power under pressure. The chapter traced how Hiruzen and the elders manipulated Itachi into believing he alone could prevent conflict, leaving him vulnerable to Danzo’s plan to exterminate the Uchiha Clan.

• Natsuki used the Sarutobi Clan’s hidden numbers and empty salaries to damage Hiruzen Sarutobi’s reputation and pressure him to surrender power.
• The villagers avoided speaking publicly about the Fifth Hokage, while Hiruzen’s Anbu monitored ordinary people and suppressed dissent.
• The chapter described how Danzo attacked Shisui and took his Right Eye, after which Shisui escaped, entrusted Itachi with the clan’s fate, and committed suicide.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other elders manipulated Itachi over two years, flattering his sense of responsibility while deepening his contempt for the Uchiha Clan.
• With the clan’s coup d’état imminent and Itachi near collapse, Danzo proposed exterminating the Uchiha Clan, and Itachi embraced the plan as a way to end the conflict.

Natsuki planned to strip Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders of their influence so Orochimaru could take power, while Orochimaru began bringing Anko back into his service. Anko learned that losing her Curse Mark might have caused her weight gain and followed Orochimaru to be examined.

• Natsuki judged Hiruzen Sarutobi to be the chief beneficiary of several schemes blamed on Danzo, including the Uchiha massacre and Naruto’s isolation.
• Natsuki decided it was better to expose Hiruzen Sarutobi and send the colluding elders away than let them keep plotting behind the scenes.
• Orochimaru returned to his laboratory, where Karin brought Anko to him.
• Orochimaru accepted Anko as his assistant after she admitted she had been childish before.
• Orochimaru suggested Anko’s Curse Mark had kept her from gaining weight and led her into the laboratory for an examination.

Orochimaru restored Anko’s Curse Mark after she begged for help with her weight gain, then discussed Konoha’s political aftermath and Naruto’s need for a teacher with the Third Hokage. He assigned the disguised Number One to lead Naruto’s team, while Minato concealed his identity from the Third Hokage.

• Orochimaru explained that Anko’s weight gain followed the end of the Curse Mark’s energy consumption, and Anko asked him to give her the mark again.
• Orochimaru placed a new Curse Mark on Anko, who collapsed from the pain, and Karin informed him that the Third Hokage had arrived.
• Orochimaru and the Third Hokage discussed the elders, Sarutobi Clan members who had voted, and the Third Hokage’s retirement.
• The Third Hokage and Orochimaru considered who could teach Naruto, and Orochimaru proposed his bodyguard, Number One.
• Orochimaru appointed Number One as Naruto’s team leader, and Minato removed his disguise coverings while hiding his identity with a wig, colored contacts, and Jugo’s ability.

Orochimaru arranged for Minato, disguised as Shingo, to become Naruto’s instructor and neighbor, then discussed redistributing Konoha’s authority with the Third Hokage. The chapter ended with Orochimaru dismissing the threat of the Uchiha Clan and arguing that the Third Hokage’s own impatience had caused their conflict.

• Orochimaru had Shingo demonstrate the Rasengan, impressing the Third Hokage, and named him Naruto’s new monitor and instructor.
• Orochimaru arranged for Shingo to live beside Naruto and report to the Academy the next day.
• Orochimaru and the Third Hokage agreed that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura should resign and that Hizashi and Shikago would take over their mission and medical authorities.
• Orochimaru explained that appointing Hizashi, a Hyuga branch-family member, would help Konoha win the Hyuga Clan’s support without empowering the rigid main family.
• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Uchiha Natsuki valued his life and that the Uchiha Clan could not match Konoha’s resources, blaming the conflict on the Third Hokage’s impatience.

Kakashi sparred with Might Guy and tested a new Lightning Style method that sharply increased his speed. After winning their neck-touch contest, Kakashi continued training while Guy began his promised handstand laps around Konoha.

• Kakashi and Might Guy discussed the Uchiha Clan’s ongoing combat lessons and Kakashi’s drive to improve instead of leading a team.
• Kakashi proposed a contest to touch the back of the other person’s neck, and Guy agreed, wagering five hundred handstand laps if he lost.
• Kakashi used a Lightning Style Stimulation Method to burst behind Guy and touch his neck, winning the contest.
• Guy praised Kakashi’s new technique, then set off on his handstand laps and promised to challenge him again.
• Kakashi resumed practicing how to combine ninjutsu with swordsmanship.

Naruto visited the Uchiha training grounds and met Yahiko, who had recently been resurrected, before finding Sasuke, Itachi, and Natsuki. Natsuki told Naruto that he and Orochimaru were secretly working to resurrect Minato, leaving Naruto excited and eager to train until he could meet his father.

• Naruto searched the Uchiha training grounds for Natsuki and encountered Yahiko training alone.
• Yahiko avoided talking with Naruto and left after Naruto introduced himself.
• Naruto found Sasuke, Itachi, and Natsuki after Sasuke and Itachi had finished their fight.
• Naruto asked Natsuki about meeting his father, and Natsuki claimed he and Orochimaru were secretly developing a resurrection technique for Minato.
• Natsuki told Naruto to keep the secret and train hard until he could meet Minato in a few months.

Ōnoki, the Raikage, and Mei Terumi assessed Uchiha Natsuki’s campaign for Fifth Hokage and the scandal that damaged the Third Hokage’s reputation. They suspected Natsuki was preparing to secure Uchiha independence without fighting Konoha, and the other villages resolved to monitor developments.

• Ōnoki reflected on how speaking with Deidara about art helped them reconcile, and he felt grateful to Natsuki for making it possible.
• After learning of Natsuki’s Hokage candidacy and the revelations about the Third Hokage, Ōnoki suspected Natsuki planned to lead the Uchiha toward independence and reclaim land outside Konoha.
• The Raikage and Dodai discussed reports that Orochimaru’s cloning technology had restored sight and limbs, but they decided Cloud Village would stop funding research into it for now.
• Mei Terumi reviewed intelligence about Konoha and concluded Natsuki had planned his Hokage campaign as a smokescreen for his independence strategy.
• Mei Terumi instructed Ao to keep watch on Konoha as its leadership prepared for personnel changes.

The Ninja Academy announced the new genin teams, placing Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata together as Team Seven. Naruto invited Hinata to eat with him and Sasuke, and the new teammates left for Ichiraku Ramen together.

• Iruka explained that the graduates would become rookie genin and assigned them to teams under jonin instructors.
• Iruka named Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata as Team Seven, while Sakura, Kiba, and Shino became Team Eight and Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji became Team Ten.
• Sakura and Ino questioned why Naruto and Sasuke were on the same team, and Iruka said Hinata's Byakugan complemented their abilities.
• Naruto invited Hinata to lunch, and Sasuke agreed to join them at Ichiraku Ramen.
• Hinata brought her bento, and Naruto invited her to eat it alongside their ramen as their first meal together as a team.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata celebrated their graduation at Ichiraku before returning to the school for their team assignments. As the Jonin teachers gathered, Minato stood apart and privately recognized Asuma and Kurenai, while the assignments began without revealing who would lead Team Seven.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata ate at Ichiraku, where Ayame congratulated them and Naruto toasted the birth of Team Seven.
• Ayame explained that Natsuki had kept money in Naruto and Sasuke’s accounts so they could pay for meals.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata returned to the school for their final afternoon and discussed which Jonin might become their teacher.
• The Jonin gathered to lead the graduating teams, and Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi noticed an unfamiliar man standing alone.
• Minato recognized Asuma and Kurenai and privately reflected on their relationship as the team assignments began.
• Naruto heard his father say, “Dad is here...”

Minato, disguised as Shingo Ikeda, led Team Seven to their first training session, where the Nine-Tails revealed his identity to Naruto. Naruto learned that Minato carried the Yin half of the Nine-Tails, while he carried the Yang half, and arrived at Training Ground 3 with questions still unanswered.

• Minato led Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata away as their assigned Team Seven instructor, Shingo Ikeda.
• The Sun Nine-Tails sensed the Shadow Nine-Tails inside Minato and decided to expose Natsuki's lie to Naruto.
• The Nine-Tails told Naruto that Shingo Ikeda was Minato and explained that Minato carried the Yin half of the Nine-Tails while Naruto carried the Yang half.
• Naruto became emotional at the revelation, and Hinata asked what was wrong, but he claimed the wind had gotten in his eyes.
• Minato brought Team Seven to Training Ground 3, introduced himself as Shingo Ikeda, and asked the students to talk about themselves.

Minato, posing as Teacher Shingo, had Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata introduce themselves and discuss their skills before tomorrow’s combat training. Naruto and Sasuke both declared that they wanted to kill Obito, while Minato showed Naruto that he knew the Rasengan and shared its original name.

• Naruto introduced himself and said his dream was to kill Obito, whom he blamed for his parents’ deaths and the Nine-Tails’ Rampage.
• Sasuke also said he wanted to kill Obito and become the Uchiha Clan’s new pillar; Hinata could not bring herself to say her dream after glancing at Naruto.
• Minato asked the students to name their strongest ninjutsu and told them there were no Anbu watching the training ground.
• Naruto demonstrated the Rasengan, and Minato formed one too, delighting Naruto and surprising Sasuke and Hinata.
• Minato told the students the Fourth Hokage had originally named the technique the Halo Flash Chill Fruit Automatic Twirling Jiraiya Twin-Style Sphere, before his wife renamed it the Rasengan.

Naruto’s team shared their abilities with Minato, and Hinata gained confidence when Naruto and Sasuke praised her Byakugan. After Naruto recognized Minato as his father, he rushed to thank Natsuki for reuniting him with his family and for all the care he had given him.

• Sasuke demonstrated Chidori, and Minato revealed that he could use the technique too.
• Hinata described the Byakugan’s range and abilities, and Naruto and Sasuke praised its value for reconnaissance.
• Minato ended the session and announced a practical combat drill for seven o’clock the next morning.
• Natsuki planned his next moves involving the Land of Water and the Land of Earth before Naruto urgently came looking for him.
• Naruto confronted Natsuki about hiding Minato’s identity, then thanked him through tears for his support and for helping reunite him with his family.

Naruto learned that Minato had been revived and rushed home to reunite with his father. Minato explained that Natsuki had brought him back and that he had only recently been able to visit Naruto, while Anbu agents were still expected to inspect the house.

• Natsuki warned Naruto to keep his father's identity secret and urged him not to impose his own desire to help on others.
• Sasuke reflected on how easily Itachi had beaten him and considered how he could become stronger.
• Naruto hurried home after dinner and was greeted by Minato, who was cooking for him.
• Minato told Naruto that Natsuki had paid a great price to revive him and asked Naruto to repay him someday.
• Minato explained that Anbu agents would inspect the house and that he would have to leave afterward.

Minato secretly reunited with Naruto and urged him to grow strong, then prepared to test Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata’s teamwork. Meanwhile, Orochimaru began his first high-level meeting as the incoming Fifth Hokage and appointed three former guards to serve him.

• Minato told Naruto that his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki made him a target and urged him to learn to protect himself.
• Minato left Naruto after disguising himself as Teacher Shingo Ikeda, and Naruto settled in to watch a movie with the Nine-Tails.
• Minato explained to the Anbu that Jugo’s Natural Energy had changed his Chakra and took over Naruto’s surveillance while he considered the next day’s test.
• Shingo Ikeda began a teamwork exercise for Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, giving them three bells to take from him.
• At the Konoha High Council Meeting, Orochimaru appointed Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, and Iwashi Tatami as his guards.

Orochimaru accepted the resignations of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, then appointed new Advisor Elders to take over their authority. He left the Mission System in Hizashi Hyuga’s hands after winning near-unanimous support.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura submitted their resignations, and Uchiha Natsuki impeached them and demanded an investigation.
• The Third Hokage urged Orochimaru to let the two elders retire normally, and Orochimaru agreed.
• Orochimaru nominated Shikagō Nara to oversee the Medical System, and the elders approved him without opposition.
• Orochimaru nominated Hizashi Hyuga to oversee the Mission System, and Hiashi, Hizashi, Natsuki, and most of the other elders voted in favor.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata tracked down Minato’s Shadow Clone, then worked together to take the remaining bell from him. Minato declared that all three had passed the test.

• Naruto and Sasuke rested with Hinata after Minato’s Shadow Clone vanished, leaving one bell behind.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to trace Minato’s Chakra back to Training Ground 3, where Shingo Ikeda waited.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata attacked Minato together, combining Shadow Clones, the Kusanagi Sword, Rasengan, and the Great Fireball Technique.
• Hinata used the opening created by Naruto and Sasuke to strike at Minato and take the bell from his waist.
• Naruto caught the exhausted Hinata, and Sasuke praised her as Minato congratulated all three on passing the test.

After Orochimaru blocked Uchiha Natsuki’s push for an investigation, Natsuki ended the clan’s combat instruction program and called a meeting to propose leaving Konoha and establishing the Uchiha independently. The clan unanimously supported him, while Fugaku and Itachi reflected on how much the clan had changed under his leadership.

• Orochimaru rejected Natsuki’s request to investigate Sarutobi Clan members, and Natsuki left the meeting appearing displeased.
• Natsuki sent letters to Ōnoki, Rasa, A, and Mei Terumi, then ended the Uchiha Clan’s practical combat instruction program after nearly two months.
• Natsuki convened a clan meeting and announced his intention to lead the Uchiha Clan out of Konoha and establish it independently.
• Natsuki explained that Konoha constrained the clan’s future growth and called for a vote on leaving.
• Every Uchiha Clan Member present raised a hand in support, and Fugaku and Itachi admired Natsuki’s leadership.