Chapter Summaries

The Daimyo blamed his advisers for the clash with Konoha, executed one, and sent two years of development funds after Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled border troops and announced military cuts. Meanwhile, thousands of Genin protested outside the Hokage Office Building, and Jingyi Hyuga left public order to the Police Force as Tsunade worried about the damage to Hiruzen’s reputation.

• The Daimyo had a palace guard behead an adviser and ordered two years of development funds sent to Konoha with an apologetic letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• The Daimyo agreed to pay after learning Hiruzen had publicly announced military cuts and recalled ninjas from several Border Camps.
• The Daimyo summoned replacement advisers and planned to damage Hiruzen’s reputation by publicizing how he had forced the Daimyo to pay.
• Thousands of Genin protested outside the Hokage Office Building, while the Police Force and Hokage Guard Team worked to maintain order.
• Tsunade asked Jingyi Hyuga whether the Anbu should help, and Jingyi said public order was the Police Force’s responsibility.

Jingyi explained to Tsunade that the Third Hokage’s announcement and withdrawal of border ninjas were meant to pressure the daimyo into sending funds, but the move risked damaging the Hokage’s reputation and worsening competition for missions. As Konoha’s protesters gathered, the Third Hokage refused to explain or revoke the announcement before receiving the money.

• Jingyi told Tsunade the Third Hokage expected the daimyo to send funds within a few days, after which he would revoke the announcement and try to regain the ninjas’ trust.
• Tsunade warned that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans might compete with other ninjas for mission commissions once their subsidies ended, hurting civilian ninjas and possibly driving prices down.
• Jingyi said the Third Hokage would have to choose between holding mission prices through increased missions or issuing subsidies, with either option carrying serious costs.
• Tsunade considered how the Third Hokage’s damaged reputation could force him to step down and leave her, as Hokage Candidate, responsible for the village.
• Utatane Koharu urged the Third Hokage to explain himself to the protesters, but he insisted on waiting for the Daimyo’s Court to send the money before revoking the announcement.

Jingyi and Tsunade returned home to find clan leaders and affiliated small-clan representatives waiting to discuss Konoha’s demobilization and its effects. Jingyi reassured them the notice was meant to pressure the Daimyo’s Court, but warned that Konoha’s economy and ninja employment could remain difficult for at least five years.

• Utatane Koharu worried that the protest and demobilization would irreversibly damage the Third Hokage’s reputation, while Mitokado Homura calmly drank tea.
• Jingyi and Tsunade went shopping and returned home, where they found the Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, and representatives of affiliated small clans waiting.
• Shikaku Nara introduced the visitors and asked Jingyi whether the Hokage intended to carry out the demobilization.
• Jingyi said the notice was meant to pressure the Daimyo’s Court, but warned that jobs and missions would be scarce for at least five years and urged the clans to protect their businesses.
• Jingyi confirmed that ninja clans behind Konoha’s upper echelon would compete for jobs, commissions, and other resources.

Shikashin Nara secured two Anbu squad vacancies for Ino-Shika-Cho, and Jingyi decided to appoint Shikaku Nara as an assistant in the Anbu Office. The next morning, an Anbu puppet abducted Shikaku on his way to the Ninja Academy.

• Jingyi warned Shikashin Nara not to let Ino-Shika-Cho's ties with small clans grow enough to alarm the Third Hokage.
• Jingyi offered Ino-Shika-Cho vacancies for one Anbu combat squad and one clerical squad, and Shikashin accepted.
• Jingyi chose Shikaku Nara to take over his father's Anbu Office assistant position and said he would keep Shikaku at the Anbu base for training.
• Shikaku Nara headed to the Ninja Academy with his friends after staying up late playing shogi.
• An Anbu puppet appeared in an alley, confirmed Shikaku's identity, and lifted him into the air.

Jingyi abducted Shikaku Nara and forced him to work at the Anbu base, leaving Shikashin unable to retrieve his son. Meanwhile, Shikashin resumed his duties as Jonin Corps Captain, and Konoha’s announcement of military reductions shocked its enemies.

• Jingyi had a puppet carry Shikaku to the Anbu base, prompting Shikaku’s friends to alert Shikashin that his son had been kidnapped.
• Shikashin realized Jingyi had taken Shikaku and went to the Anbu base, but puppets blocked the entrance while Jingyi made Shikaku handle stacks of paperwork.
• Shikashin complained to Tsunade and waited outside Jingyi’s home, but Tsunade refused to intervene and Jingyi stayed at the base.
• Shikashin resumed his post as Jonin Corps Captain and told the Third Hokage that Jingyi had taken Shikaku to train him, declining the Third Hokage’s offer to help.
• News spread that Konoha had announced a military reduction, and the Third Kazekage questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s intentions.

With Sunagakure running short of money and supplies, Chiyo persuaded the Third Kazekage to seek peace talks with Konoha and offer an alliance or Non-Aggression Treaty. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage received two years of development funds from the Daimyo's Court and ordered Konoha to cancel its disarmament plan.

• Chiyo told the Third Kazekage that Sunagakure could no longer sustain the war and proposed negotiating peace with Konoha.
• The Third Kazekage authorized Chiyo to travel as an envoy and seek peace, despite the likely cost of an alliance or Non-Aggression Treaty.
• Orochimaru allowed Chiyo's delegation to approach the Konoha Front and sent a letter to the Third Hokage, while suppressing news of Konoha's disarmament plan at the camp.
• Protests against disarmament grew in Konoha as shinobi and shinobi family members took to the streets.
• An envoy from the Daimyo's Court delivered two years of development funds and a letter to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage ordered an announcement canceling the disarmament plan and withdrawing the notice.

The Third Hokage’s revoked disarmament plan failed to erase villagers’ resentment, so Jingyi sent Anbu squads to help the Police Force handle serious public-order cases. Shikaku Nara chose to remain in the Anbu, and its forceful arrests left the Police Force stunned.

• The Third Hokage announced that he had revoked the disarmament plan and promised future subsidies, but many villagers still felt he treated them like pawns.
• Shikaku Nara told Jingyi that the Police Force was struggling with unrest, and Jingyi ordered Eagle to send three Anbu squad detachments to handle serious cases.
• Jingyi offered Shikaku Nara the choice to stay in the Anbu or return to the Ninja Academy, and Shikaku chose to stay after consulting his father.
• Anbu squads joined the Police Force and used harsh tactics to arrest troublemakers, alarming the Uchiha officers who watched them.

Jingyi used the Anbu to help the Police Force contain unrest caused by the village notices, then warned the Third Hokage not to let the Uchiha take the blame. He reassured Fugaku that the Anbu would handle the rough work, and later found Mikoto waiting at his home.

• Fugaku worried that the Anbu’s harsh arrests would lead to complaints against the Police Force, while Jingyi sent Anbu squads to assist.
• Jingyi told the Third Hokage that the Police Force had been overwhelmed by unrest and warned him not to shift blame onto them.
• The Third Hokage agreed to deal with the complaints seriously, and Jingyi left the Hokage Office.
• Jingyi told Fugaku at Ichiraku Ramen that the Police Force could continue its usual work while the Anbu handled heavy-handed operations.
• Jingyi left Fugaku to pay for the ramen, then returned home and found Mikoto waiting for him.

Jingyi learned that Sunagakure had sent a delegation led by Chiyo to negotiate peace with Konoha. The chapter ended with him questioning what terms the struggling village could offer.

• Mikoto Uchiha told Jingyi that the Uchiha elders were angry about discussions with Fugaku Uchiha, though she did not know the details.
• Kushina embarrassed Mikoto Uchiha with intimate talk, and Tsunade later punished Kushina for repeating private matters.
• A Hokage Guard Team ninja summoned Jingyi to a midnight meeting at the Hokage Office.
• The Third Hokage told Jingyi that Chiyo's delegation had entered the Land of Rivers to negotiate peace for Sunagakure.
• Jingyi questioned how Sunagakure could persuade Konoha to accept favorable peace terms when the village had little to offer.

Jingyi assessed what Sunagakure could offer in peace talks and argued that Konoha should prioritize obtaining its Puppet Secret Technique. The Third Hokage was left to decide whether to pursue that offer as negotiations approached.

• Jingyi pointed out that Sunagakure lacked money and supplies, owed him a large debt, and might refuse to offer anything meaningful.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura warned that Sunagakure might offer little or discard all shame, while Shikaku Nara considered the consequences of its proposals.
• The Third Hokage wondered whether Sunagakure might offer economic and military allegiance, but Jingyi suggested the village could instead negotiate for puppet techniques and manufacturing knowledge.
• Jingyi explained that Sunagakure's Puppet Technique could strengthen Konoha's civilian ninja and urged the village to make it the central negotiation demand.
• The Third Hokage furrowed his brow as the decision about Konoha's negotiating terms fell to him.

After the peace meeting, Jingyi and Shikaku Nara shared an early-morning barbecue before Jingyi brought leftovers home. Tsunade and Kushina’s argument over the food escalated into a clash that unleashed Kushina’s Tailed Beast chakra and damaged the house.

• Shikaku Nara warned Jingyi that the Third Hokage might reject his proposal to train civilian puppet ninja because of its cost, and Jingyi said he would stay silent during formal negotiations.
• Jingyi took Shikaku to the market, where they roasted a cow’s leg for breakfast and ate together.
• Jingyi returned home to find Tsunade and Kushina arguing because Kushina had woken Tsunade early to make breakfast.
• Jingyi offered the two women his leftover barbecue, and Tsunade and Kushina stopped arguing to fight over it.
• Kushina’s anger triggered a burst of golden Tailed Beast chakra that knocked Tsunade back and sent nine tails through the ceiling, alarming Konoha.

Kushina gained control of the Nine-Tails’ power after Jingyi provoked her, but her fight with Tsunade caused a stir and damage around the village. Jingyi sent Utatane Koharu flying, then revealed the awakening was good news, while Kushina worried that her home had been destroyed.

• Jingyi provoked Kushina by telling her the grilled meat was gone, and her anger caused her Nine-Tails chakra to settle into a golden aura.
• Kushina and Tsunade began fighting, while the Nine-Tails celebrated Kushina’s success and the Third Hokage and other ninja rushed to the scene.
• The Third Hokage and the arriving ninja found Jingyi calmly brushing his teeth as Kushina chased Tsunade and demanded compensation for the grilled meat.
• Jingyi slapped Utatane Koharu away when she demanded an explanation, then ordered the Anbu and Police Force to clear the area.
• Jingyi explained that Kushina had not gone on a rampage and had instead gained control of the Nine-Tails’ power, prompting the gathered ninja to congratulate her.
• Kushina stopped fighting and noticed her home was gone, then lamented the destruction.

Kushina and Nine-Tails succeeded in mastering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, making her the first perfect Jinchūriki. After Jingyi intimidated Nine-Tails with his Tenseigan, Kushina demanded freedom to leave the village, but Jingyi said she had to master the new mode first.

• Kushina realized she had succeeded in entering Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and excitedly celebrated with Jingyi.
• Jingyi praised Kushina and admitted to Nine-Tails that he had lost their bet.
• Nine-Tails began to boast, but Jingyi's Tenseigan chakra frightened it into backing down.
• Kushina demanded that the Third Hokage stop restricting her from leaving the village, but Jingyi told her to keep training until she mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Jingyi directed the Hokage Guard Team, Anbu, and Police Force to handle the aftermath and told Kushina to pay for the destroyed houses, which she accepted.

Jingyi explained to Konoha’s leaders that Kushina had become a Perfect Jinchūriki and could safely wield the Nine-Tails’ power. He argued that she should be allowed to leave the village with him to travel, leaving the Third Hokage uneasy about whether Kushina truly belonged to Konoha.

• Jingyi arranged compensation for the damaged buildings and injured villagers, then proposed a meeting with Konoha’s senior leaders.
• Mitokado Homura told the Third Hokage he feared Utatane Koharu’s reckless behavior would get them all into trouble.
• At the Hokage Office, Jingyi explained that Kushina could perfectly control the Nine-Tails’ power and would not risk going berserk.
• Jingyi said Kushina would become stronger than anyone in Konoha except him, though the Third Raikage could still pose a challenge.
• Jingyi defended his promise to take Kushina outside the village, arguing that she wanted freedom and already considered herself part of Konoha.

Jingyi secured Kushina’s freedom to leave the village, provided she traveled with him or Tsunade until she matured. He argued that Konoha did not need to conceal her Perfect Jinchūriki abilities, leaving the Third Hokage to question whether Kushina might abandon the village.

• The Third Hokage worried that Kushina’s growing strength made it difficult either to restrict her or let her leave Konoha freely.
• Mitokado Homura asked Jingyi to accompany Kushina whenever she left the village, and Jingyi agreed that she would travel with him or Tsunade.
• The Third Hokage lifted restrictions on Kushina’s movements, while Jingyi promised that she would compensate people for damage caused by her fight with Tsunade.
• Jingyi rejected the need for secrecy, explaining that a Perfect Jinchūriki could not be replicated and that publicizing Kushina’s power could demonstrate Konoha’s strength.
• After Jingyi left, Shikaku Nara explained his reasoning to the Third Hokage, who then asked Mitokado Homura whether Kushina might leave Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi realized Kushina was unlikely to leave Konoha and agreed to let news of her power spread as a deterrent to other villages. Jingyi returned to find Tsunade overseeing repairs while Kushina celebrated her comeback and planned a huge new house.

• Mitokado Homura and Torifu Akimichi mocked Hiruzen Sarutobi for misunderstanding Kushina’s attachment to Jingyi, and Hiruzen admitted he had been wrong to worry she would leave.
• Mitokado Homura explained that publicizing Kushina’s strength would reinforce Konoha’s deterrence while the village’s war potential remained depleted.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Jingyi’s suggestion and said Kushina would no longer need surveillance.
• Jingyi returned to find Tsunade directing the cleanup and reconstruction after the battle, while Kushina had gone to tell her girlfriends about her comeback.
• Tsunade told Jingyi that Kushina had bought the surrounding land and wanted to build a huge house.

Jingyi told Tsunade that she would receive annual profits from the Pharmaceutical Department, and she took one million ryo while asking him to hold the rest. Meanwhile, Chiyo learned that Kushina had fought Tsunade in Konoha and that Utatane Koharu had been injured.

• Jingyi explained that the Senju Clan's fortune had mostly been donated to the village and revealed that Tsunade was owed a share of the Pharmaceutical Department's profits.
• Tsunade kissed Jingyi to persuade him to advance her money, then accepted one million ryo and asked him to keep the rest safe.
• Tsunade left to spend time with her money, and Jingyi left Shikaku Nara to supervise the construction work.
• A Sunagakure spy reported to Chiyo that Konoha villagers were discussing a battle involving Kushina, Tsunade, and the Nine-Tails.
• Chiyo learned that Utatane Koharu had been injured in the battle and was being treated at Konoha Hospital.

Konoha prepared for negotiations with Sunagakure after news spread that Jingyi Hyuga had beaten Utatane Koharu into the hospital. Hatake Sakumo followed Jingyi home after being assigned to help oversee the talks, and Jingyi confronted him about it.

• Chiyo learned that Jingyi had hospitalized Utatane Koharu and was pleased that Koharu would miss the negotiations.
• The Third Hokage told the village leaders that Sunagakure's delegation had arrived and negotiations would begin the next day.
• Jingyi reluctantly agreed to attend the talks after Mitokado Homura said either he or Tsunade needed to be there.
• Mitokado Homura assigned the Hokage Guard Team to security and Hatake Sakumo to surveillance, hoping Sakumo's history with Chiyo would unsettle Sunagakure.
• After the meeting ran until dawn, Jingyi spotted Hatake Sakumo following him and asked what he wanted to discuss.

Jingyi met with Hatake Sakumo, who was troubled by being sidelined after accepting the Hokage Half-Sleeve, and explained that the clothes had made others wary of his ambition to become Hokage. Hatake Sakumo was left sitting in silence after Jingyi urged him to face the political reality of his dream.

• Jingyi joined Hatake Sakumo at a tavern, where Hatake Sakumo drank and complained that the village and the Third Hokage had begun avoiding him.
• Jingyi told Hatake Sakumo that accepting the Daimyo's Court's gift had signaled an attitude that threatened the village's proper order and suggested he wanted to become Hokage.
• Hatake Sakumo struggled to understand why Jingyi could wear Hokage attire without being sidelined, and Jingyi explained that the Third Hokage knew he had no interest in the position and that Tsunade was already a Hokage Candidate.
• Jingyi warned Hatake Sakumo that pursuing the Hokage dream could bring trouble to him and his family, then left him at the tavern to think it over.

Jingyi attended peace negotiations between Konoha and Sunagakure after Tsunade lost most of her money gambling. Chiyo admitted Konoha could win the war and questioned what it would gain, leaving Mitokado Homura speechless.

• Jingyi returned home after drinking with Hatake Sakumo, and Tsunade confessed she had lost all but thirty thousand ryo gambling.
• Jingyi went to the negotiations while Tsunade stayed behind, and he took the seat reserved for him beside the Third Hokage.
• Jingyi smiled at Chiyo, who glared at him over Sunagakure's debts and his role in the village's wartime losses.
• The Third Hokage asked Chiyo why Sunagakure had come, and she said the delegation sought a peace settlement.
• Mitokado Homura accused Sunagakure of starting the war, but Chiyo calmly acknowledged Konoha might win and asked what it would gain.
• Mitokado Homura began to mention war reparations, then fell silent when he realized Chiyo seemed ready to give up.