Chapter Summaries

Nonō used her growing connection with Tarō to learn about Sunagakure and its newly arrived political dissidents while considering how to reach Foam Town. Tarō remained smitten with her after she returned to work.

• Nonō found Foam Town on a map and realized its location made it a suitable destination for her plans.
• Tarō approached Nonō at the medical camp, and she agreed to have lunch with him after learning he had influential family connections.
• Tarō told Nonō that the Third Kazekage had sent a group of political opponents and critics to the battlefield, where many were expected to die.
• Nonō stopped Tarō from sharing more secrets, then left him at the mess hall and returned to work.
• Tarō imagined a future with Nonō as he finished his meal.

Nonō arranged a permit to leave Sunagakure Main Camp and traveled to Foam Town to meet her Konoha contact. There she discovered that the contact was Hayate Hoshi, who recognized her name in turn.

• Nonō asked Tarō for a camp-leave permit, and he agreed after she said she wanted to buy scarce women's supplies in Foam Town.
• Tarō gave Nonō a twenty-four-hour permit the next morning.
• On the third, Nonō left through the camp's back gate, evaded two Anbu who had followed her, and reached Foam Town by dusk.
• Nonō bought women's items, checked into an inn, then left town secretly that night to meet her contact.
• Nonō and the man exchanged their code phrase, then identified themselves to each other as Nonō and Hayate Hoshi.

Hoshi met Nonō, confirmed she was the Root spy he knew from his previous life, and falsely claimed that Danzo had placed her under his command. After learning about Sunagakure’s camp and a disgruntled unit, Hoshi assigned Nonō a dangerous mission to spark unrest before Konoha’s planned night raid.

• Hoshi learned that Danzo had left Nonō in Sunagakure without realizing her potential, then told her Danzo had transferred her command to him.
• Nonō shared what she knew about Sunagakure’s terrain and troop numbers, along with intelligence about a unit of around a hundred shinobi sent to the battlefield by the Third Kazekage.
• Hoshi asked Nonō to persuade the unit to desert and open the camp gates within ten days, creating chaos for Konoha to exploit in a night raid on the fifteenth.
• Nonō accepted the dangerous mission for the village, and Hoshi promised to monitor her and send help if she was exposed.

Nonō secretly delivered a warning to Sunagakure opponents of Ryunosuke, claiming Ebizo planned to have them killed and blame Konoha. Tsushima Jizo recognized it as a Konoha ploy but argued that the group had no choice but to use the chaos to escape.

• Nonō observed the locations and leaders of the Sunagakure opponents before throwing a paper-wrapped stone at their tent.
• The bald ninja and his roommates read a note warning that Ebizo planned to assassinate them on the sixteenth and blame Konoha.
• The four argued over whether the warning was genuine and went to ask Tsushima Jizo for advice.
• Jizo declared the note a blatant Konoha strategy and said they could either act on it or die on the front lines.

Nonō’s sabotage and the defection of Jizo’s faction plunged the Sunagakure camp into chaos, allowing Hoshi to launch a surprise attack with Konoha’s forces. The chapter ended with Hoshi charging into the enemy ranks as Ebizo realized the camp was lost.

• Hoshi and Tsunade waited for Nonō’s plan to unfold while Konoha prepared to attack on the fifteenth.
• Nonō sent a transformed Shadow Clone to set the Sunagakure weapons depot ablaze and signaled Jizo’s faction to act.
• Jizo led more than a hundred opponents in a desperate escape as the fire threw the Sunagakure camp into chaos.
• Hoshi ordered signal flares launched, summoned Orochimaru and Shinku’s forces, and charged toward the Sunagakure camp.
• Hoshi cleaved apart the camp gates, let Jizo’s faction flee, and led Konoha’s forces in an assault on Sunagakure.
• Ebizo arrived and saw Konoha’s attack overwhelm the camp.

Hoshi and Tsunade led Konoha’s forces in routing Sunagakure’s army, while Nonō defected to Konoha. After pursuing the survivors into the Land of Wind, Hoshi stopped the chase and ordered his troops to establish a camp blocking the road back to the Land of Rain.

• Konoha’s army overwhelmed Sunagakure’s forces, and Nonō fell behind the retreating troops to join Hoshi’s side.
• Ebizo rallied the fleeing Sunagakure ninjas toward a rear camp, but Shinku and Orochimaru arrived and crushed their attempted counterattack.
• Ebizo and Chiyo could not stop the routed army from retreating toward the Land of Wind, and Chiyo persuaded Ebizo to preserve the surviving troops.
• Konoha’s pursuit continued through the night, leaving Sunagakure with at least two thousand casualties as its survivors crossed into the Land of Wind.
• Hoshi halted the pursuit at the desert and ordered Konoha’s troops to rest and build a camp to block the road between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain.

Third Kazekage Ryunosuke ordered Sunagakure's forces to prepare for a counterattack after hearing how Hayate Hoshi had routed them. At the Konoha camp, Hoshi reassured Orochimaru and the others that he could counter Ryunosuke's Magnet Release and handle him in the coming battle.

• Ryunosuke comforted Chiyo and Ebizo after Ebizo described how Hoshi and Sunagakure rebels had destroyed their camp and forced their retreat.
• Ebizo advised Ryunosuke to seek a ceasefire after breaking Konoha's blockade, and Ryunosuke agreed to consider it.
• Ryunosuke ordered four thousand elite Sunagakure ninja to assemble for an attack on Konoha.
• Orochimaru and Shinku worried that Ryunosuke's Magnet Release would counter Hoshi's swordsmanship.
• Hoshi explained that he could use Lightning Release to keep his sword from being controlled by magnetism and promised to face Ryunosuke himself.

Konoha and Sunagakure met for a decisive battle, but Hoshi and Third Kazekage Ryunosuke agreed to fight away from their troops. Ryunosuke anticipated Hoshi’s space-time technique and blocked his opening attack, then used Magnet Release to try to wrench away his sword.

• Sensor Ninja reported that Third Kazekage Ryunosuke was approaching with four thousand Sunagakure shinobi, and Hoshi formed Konoha’s ranks to meet them.
• Hoshi’s aura overwhelmed Ryunosuke’s and unnerved the Sunagakure forces before the two leaders exchanged taunts.
• Hoshi proposed that the Kage-level fighters battle separately to spare their subordinates, and Ryunosuke agreed while planning to draw on more Iron Sand.
• Hoshi activated Dance of the Startled Swan and struck with Mikazuki Munechika, but Ryunosuke raised an Iron Sand Wall to block the attack.
• Ryunosuke used Magnet Release to pull at Hoshi’s sword and try to take it from him.

Hoshi countered Ryunosuke’s Magnet Release by coating Mikazuki Munechika in lightning, then used lightning armor and a spinning maneuver to withstand Ryunosuke’s Sand Iron Shower. Ryunosuke, enraged by Hoshi’s taunt, escalated his attack, but Hoshi emerged unharmed.

• Ryunosuke used Magnet Release to pull at Mikazuki Munechika and trap Hoshi behind an Iron Sand Wall.
• Hoshi converted his chakra into Lightning Release, and lightning from Mikazuki Munechika disrupted the Iron Sand Wall’s magnetic force.
• Hoshi shattered the wall, prompting Ryunosuke to demand the name of the technique that countered his Magnet Release.
• Hoshi claimed his understanding of Magnet Release surpassed Ryunosuke’s, enraging Ryunosuke into unleashing Sand Iron Shower.
• Hoshi coated himself in lightning armor and spun rapidly, stripping the iron sand senbon of their magnetic force and stopping the attack.

Hoshi overwhelmed Third Kazekage Ryunosuke with lightning-powered sword attacks and stopped his attempted escape with a suction technique. Ryunosuke summoned vast amounts of Iron Sand to shield himself as the fight continued.

• Ryunosuke refused to accept that Hoshi’s Lightning Release countered Magnet Release and launched a spinning Sand Iron Prism at him.
• Hoshi used Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash to slice through the prism, leaving it shattered on the ground.
• Hoshi dove at Ryunosuke with Line of Moonlight: Lightning, but Ryunosuke’s Sand Iron Wall and Body Flicker Technique let him narrowly evade the fatal strike.
• Ryunosuke attacked with Wind Scythe, then formed Iron Sand wings and tried to flee, while Hoshi used Dance of the Startled Swan to catch up.
• Hoshi used Soul Eater Demon Slayer Slash to drag Ryunosuke down, and Ryunosuke summoned Iron Sand from underground to wrap himself in a defensive shell.

Hoshi defeated Third Kazekage Ryunosuke by shattering his compressed iron sand defense with Lightning Release, leaving him gravely injured. Bunpuku offered Sunagakure’s surrender, and Hoshi agreed to negotiate while Konoha remained in the Land of Wind pending the village’s decision.

• Ryunosuke compressed underground iron sand into a steel-hard sphere to defend himself from Hoshi.
• Hoshi transformed Mikazuki Munechika’s Lightning Release into spinning sawteeth and struck the sphere with two X-shaped slashes.
• The iron sand sphere split apart, and Ryunosuke fell with his body charred and both arms severed.
• Bunpuku arrived with Chiyo and offered Sunagakure’s surrender after seeing Ryunosuke’s defeat.
• Hoshi accepted negotiations, said Konoha would remain in the Land of Wind until it approved the terms, and Bunpuku promised Sunagakure would not attack Konoha’s camp again.

Hoshi’s defeat of the Third Kazekage brought the war to an early end, and Konoha celebrated while Tsunade kissed him. On the journey back to Sunagakure, Chiyo revealed that Ryunosuke might survive only by becoming a human puppet, leaving Bunpuku to consider the cost.

• Bunpuku and Chiyo led the defeated Sunagakure forces away from Konoha, whose ninja celebrated the end of the war.
• Hoshi reflected that his actions had changed the war’s course, and Tsunade kissed him in front of the cheering Konoha ninja.
• Bunpuku sent the main force back to Sunagakure and stopped with Chiyo to learn the extent of Ryunosuke’s injuries.
• Chiyo explained that Ryunosuke’s burns and damaged organs left him at most three years to live, even with treatment.
• Chiyo proposed making Ryunosuke a human puppet so his brain and organs might survive, saying Sunagakure needed him.

Sunagakure concealed Ryunosuke’s grave condition while arranging for him to recover, and Bunpuku took charge of the village during the surrender. After Hoshi’s victory ended the Second Great Ninja War, news of his exploits spread throughout the ninja world and earned him the title Konoha Military God.

• Bunpuku and Chiyo wept over Ryunosuke’s condition, then secretly carried him to Sunagakure’s Puppet Workshop, where a small red-haired figure was also present.
• Bunpuku told Sunagakure’s leaders that Ryunosuke was gravely injured but would recover, and took responsibility for the surrender agreement and village affairs.
• Jiraiya learned that Hoshi’s victory over the Third Kazekage had ended the war and contemplated parting from Nagato and the other children.
• Sakumo read the report of Hoshi’s victory, and Hiruzen suggested it was time to make way for younger leaders.
• Reports of Hoshi’s wartime exploits spread across the ninja world, and he became widely known as Konoha Military God.

After Hoshi’s victory forced Sunagakure to surrender, the other villages considered how to respond to Konoha’s growing power. Danzo, fearing Hoshi would uncover his crimes, rushed to check the progress of his secret Hashirama Cells research.

• Ōnoki regretted that Hoshi had grown powerful enough to extend Konoha’s dominance, while the Third Raikage ordered a search for the next generation of “B.”
• The Third Mizukage told Yagura to wait for other villages to weaken before Kirigakure made its move and revealed that Yagura would become the Fourth Mizukage after his death.
• A Root subordinate told Danzo that Hoshi had severely injured the Third Kazekage and Sunagakure had surrendered, prompting Danzo to lash out in anger.
• Danzo recalled that Hiruzen had rejected his request to research Hashirama Cells and intended to pass the Hokage position to Hoshi or Tsunade.
• Danzo secretly stole tissue from Hashirama Senju’s corpse and began forbidden research, then headed deeper into the Root Base to inspect its progress before Hoshi returned.

Danzo visited Hiruko’s secret laboratory, where experiments with Hashirama Cells were turning test subjects into trees. Hiruko reported that the cells caused a brief, explosive increase in Chakra before consuming their hosts’ vitality, and Danzo’s mood eased at the finding.

• Danzo warned the Root Ninjas guarding Hiruko’s laboratory to focus on their missions and keep quiet about what they heard.
• Danzo entered the laboratory and watched a test subject die as Arborification transformed half his body into a sapling.
• Danzo grabbed Hiruko and demanded to hear whether a year of research had produced any progress.
• Hiruko described experiments on three subjects and explained that the Hashirama Cells caused Arborification, an explosive Chakra increase, and rapid loss of vitality.
• Danzo’s gloomy expression eased when Hiruko concluded that the cells could vastly increase Chakra reserves.

Hiruko explained his findings on Hashirama Cells and proposed using Senju cells to dilute them and prevent Arborification. With Danzo demanding a solution before Hoshi returned, Hiruko called for Nawaki, Hashirama Senju’s direct grandson, as a better buffer.

• Hiruko reported that Hashirama Cells increased chakra reserves, vitality, and chakra natures, but could cause test subjects to undergo Arborification.
• Hiruko told Danzo that cells from a Senju Clan Member slightly reduced Hashirama Cells’ activity and might buffer them during gradual transplantation.
• Danzo gave Hiruko three months to prepare Hashirama Cell Nutrient Solution at varying concentrations, then explained that Hoshi would return within three to six months.
• Hiruko concluded that he needed a purer-blooded Senju Clan Member and named Nawaki as the ideal test subject.

Hayate Hoshi attended the first Konoha–Sunagakure peace talks, then learned that Tsunade’s anxious premonition had come true when their dice bet produced three sixes. He strengthened the camp’s watch and sent Senju Kōhei to Konoha to monitor for trouble.

• Hayate Hoshi attended the stalled peace talks with Sunagakure, where Shikaku Nara argued for Konoha and the disguised puppet human Ryunosuke concealed his identity.
• Hoshi returned to his tent and found Tsunade troubled by an inexplicable feeling that something bad would happen.
• Tsunade bet that Hoshi would roll three sixes, and all three dice landed on six despite Hoshi making no attempt to influence them.
• Hoshi ordered two additional night patrol teams and summoned Senju Kōhei.
• Hoshi sent Kōhei to Konoha to watch for unusual activity and report back through his carrier pigeon Summoning Beast.

Danzo lured Nawaki into an alley, knocked him unconscious, and brought him to the Root Laboratory for research on Hashirama Cells. Nawaki woke to find himself in Danzo’s hands, and Hiruko argued that he should be kept alive as experimental material.

• Nawaki heard a cry for help in a dark alley and rushed toward it with a kunai.
• Nawaki found a phonograph, then was caught in Danzo’s Sharingan Genjutsu and knocked unconscious.
• Danzo carried Nawaki to the Root Laboratory and asked Hiruko how useful Nawaki would be for research on Hashirama Cells.
• Nawaki woke and recognized Danzo, then warned him that Hiruzen would notice if he disappeared.
• Danzo suggested killing Nawaki, but Hiruko said keeping him alive would provide a steady supply of material.

Danzō used Nawaki’s blood to develop a treatment meant to suppress Hashirama Cells, then rushed into human testing. The first test subject showed no signs of Arborification, but Danzō demanded more trials before the results could be confirmed.

• Danzō ordered Hiruko to draw Nawaki’s blood and study his bloodline as a possible key to their survival.
• Nawaki confronted Danzō over researching Hashirama’s cells, and Danzō blamed the Senju Clan and Hayate Hoshi for his failures and desperation.
• Danzō immobilized Nawaki with the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and left him trapped in the room.
• Hiruko found that Nawaki’s cells could suppress Hashirama Cells and prepared a stable dose containing a twenty-percent concentration.
• Danzō injected the dose into a Chunin test subject, who suffered through the experiment but showed no signs of Arborification.
• Hiruko called for further observation, but Danzō ordered nine more test subjects to measure the dose’s success rate.

After Nawaki disappeared, Danzō concealed his involvement and tightened Root’s blockade while Hiruzen organized a search. Senju Kōhei and Sakumo uncovered the interception and headed toward the Land of Wind to reach Hoshi, leaving Hoshi and Danzō aware of each other’s moves.

• Hiruzen discovered Nawaki was missing, mobilized Anbu to search the Land of Fire, and questioned Danzō, who denied involvement.
• Danzō ordered Root to block routes toward the Land of Wind and directed Hiruko to prepare stronger Hashirama Cell Reagents.
• Senju Kōhei returned to Konoha, sent pigeons to Hoshi, and concluded after a half month that Danzō was intercepting the messages.
• Kōhei led more than ten Senju Clan Members out of the village to find Sakumo, and the group eventually encountered him.
• Sakumo believed Kōhei, broke through Root’s blockade, and rushed toward the Land of Wind to deliver the news to Hoshi.
• Hoshi and Danzō received intelligence about each other’s movements as Hoshi returned to the village.