Chapter Summaries

Hoshi and Tsunade rushed back to Konoha after learning Nawaki had gone missing, while Danzo prepared to transplant Hashirama Cells before Hoshi could return. Danzo survived the 20-concentration injection and ordered Hiruko to inject him with the 40-concentration reagent.

• Sakumo told Hoshi and Tsunade that Nawaki had gone missing, and Tsunade vowed to kill Danzo if Nawaki had been harmed.
• Hoshi and Tsunade left for Konoha while Sakumo and Orochimaru took over the Negotiation matters.
• Hiruko reported that only three of thirty Test Subjects survived injections with 60-concentration Hashirama Cell Reagent, and two of them showed signs of awakening Wood Release.
• Danzo ordered Hiruko to inject him with the 20-concentration reagent, then endured the brief pain and found that his Chakra reserves had nearly doubled.
• After confirming that he had no complications, Danzo ordered Hiruko to inject him with the 40-concentration reagent.

Danzo survived increasingly dangerous Hashirama Cells transplants and awakened Wood Release after gambling with his Sharingan and Izanagi. Hiruko tried to inject Nawaki with original Hashirama Cells, but a surge of chakra from Danzo's room interrupted him.

• Hiruko injected Danzo with the 40-concentration serum, and Danzo broke through to Kage Level.
• Danzo demanded and survived the 60-concentration serum, gaining Water and Earth nature transformations but failing at first to use Wood Release.
• Relying on Izanagi as insurance, Danzo ordered Hiruko to inject him with the 80-concentration serum.
• Believing Danzo would die, Hiruko went to Nawaki's room and prepared to inject him with original Hashirama Cells.
• Hiruko sensed a terrifying chakra surge, returned to Danzo's room, and saw Danzo manipulating wooden strips after awakening Wood Release.

Danzō survived the Hashirama Cell transplant and believed his new Wood Release would let him seize power in Konoha. Hiruko discovered that Nawaki was undergoing Arborification because the experiment’s findings were flawed, then fled the Root base before Danzō’s planned confrontation with Hayate Hoshi.

• Danzō told Hiruko that the transplant had succeeded and revealed he could use simple Wood Release.
• Danzō left to study Wood Release techniques, taking the three Root Ninja injected with the 60-concentration serum.
• Hiruko found Nawaki showing signs of Arborification and realized his excessive Chakra had removed the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal’s suppression of the Hashirama Cells.
• Hiruko recognized that his rushed research had overlooked the risk and feared the Hashirama Cells might turn on Danzō during his fight with Hoshi.
• Hiruko packed his research into a scroll and escaped the Root base, planning to hide and later become a Rogue Ninja.

Danzo launched a coup, seized the Scroll of Seals, and set out to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi while Root took control of Konoha. Hoshi and Tsunade returned to the village and fought Root at the gates, where three unusually powerful opponents remained standing.

• Danzo ordered fifty Root Ninja to take the Scroll of Seals, kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, and prevent Hayate Hoshi from returning to Konoha.
• Root Ninja ambushed and killed the Night Patrol Unit, silently placing Konoha under Root's control.
• Danzo entered the Hokage Building, killed its guards, took the Scroll of Seals, and studied Hashirama's Wood Release techniques before heading for the Sarutobi Clan Land.
• Hoshi and Tsunade arrived at Konoha with Robb and were ambushed by Root Ninja at the gates.
• Hoshi and Tsunade defeated most of their attackers, but three exceptionally fast and powerful Root Ninja remained.

Hoshi and Tsunade discovered that Danzo’s Root Ninjas had unstable Wood Release powers, then split up to find Nawaki and confront Danzo. Hoshi reached Danzo first and slaughtered the Root soldiers surrounding him, leaving Danzo drenched in blood.

• Hoshi and Tsunade realized their three opponents had strength beyond their fighting skill, and Hoshi cut down two after they used Wood Release.
• The Root Ninjas’ bodies sprouted branches and rapidly withered; Tsunade identified a rampaging energy consuming their chakra and life force, and suspected Danzo’s experiments.
• Hoshi sent Tsunade to contact Hiruzen and help rescue Nawaki while he headed for the Hokage Building to find Danzo.
• Danzo attacked Hoshi with Vacuum Sphere, but Hoshi countered it with Wind-attribute Sword Qi.
• Hoshi used Soul Eater Demon Slayer Slash to pull in and cut apart Danzo’s Root soldiers, then taunted Danzo about their deaths.

Hoshi fought Danzo after exposing his stolen Sharingan, Hashirama Cell experiments, and attempts to undermine him. Hiruzen witnessed Danzo’s ambitions and betrayal, then severed their forty-year friendship while sparing his life for the day.

• Danzo attacked Hoshi with Wood Release, but Hoshi cut through the vines with Blazing Iai Slash and evaded Danzo’s next attack.
• Danzo declared that he would take Hiruzen’s position after killing Hoshi, and Hoshi revealed that Hiruzen was listening nearby.
• Hoshi accused Danzo of stealing Kagami Uchiha’s Sharingan, leaking intelligence, stealing Hashirama Cells, and kidnapping Nawaki.
• Hiruzen stopped Danzo’s angry rebuttal and, despite sparing him, declared that their ties were severed and Danzo’s life and death no longer concerned him.

Hoshi pursued Danzō after Hiruzen left, intending to punish him away from the villagers. Danzō escaped through Konoha’s gates using Izanagi, but Hoshi watched as Danzō began turning into wood.

• Hiruzen told Hoshi to keep the night’s affair quiet and walked away, leaving Hoshi to face Danzō.
• Hoshi overpowered Danzō’s Wind Release attacks and chased him toward Konoha’s entrance to avoid endangering villagers.
• Hoshi caught Danzō with Soul Eater Demon Slayer Slash, pinned him down, and severed all four of his limbs.
• Danzō activated Izanagi with Kagami’s Sharingan, restored his limbs, and fled through Konoha’s gates.
• Danzō felt tree bark on his shoulder as Hoshi watched him from a distance.

Hayate Hoshi watched Danzo die as the rampaging Hashirama Cells transformed him into a tree, then left to check on Nawaki. White Zetsu brought Danzo’s nearly dead body to Madara, who agreed to preserve him as a controllable tool for the plan.

• Danzo’s Hashirama Cells ran wild after he used Izanagi, turning half his body into a tree that dragged him underground until his Chakra faded.
• Hayate Hoshi spat on the crooked-necked tree and left to see how Nawaki was doing.
• White Zetsu returned to Madara with Danzo’s half-dead body and Hiruko, and described how Hayate Hoshi had killed Danzo.
• Madara dismissed Danzo as a scheming fool, but Black Zetsu argued that Danzo’s Hashirama Cells could make him a useful safeguard for the plan.
• Madara agreed to control Danzo with a cursed seal and used his Chakra to calm Danzo’s rampaging Hashirama Cells.

Madara turned Danzo into a helpless living corpse, placing his mind under Genjutsu and arranging for Obito to control his body. In Konoha, Hoshi found Nawaki near death as Hashirama Cells spread through his body, and Tsunade could not remove them without worsening his condition.

• Danzo tried to steal Madara's Sharingan, so Madara broke his arm and identified himself as Uchiha Madara.
• Madara seized Danzo's heart and placed a Command Seal on it, preventing him from killing himself or acting against Madara.
• Madara trapped Danzo's consciousness in Genjutsu, fused half a White Zetsu to him, and ordered the Green-Haired White Zetsu to send Danzo and Hiruko to Obito.
• Konoha's Anbu sealed Root Base, took the surviving Root members into custody, and freed the imprisoned Test Subjects.
• Hoshi examined Nawaki and sensed that Hashirama Cells were spreading through his body in a fragile symbiosis, while Tsunade's attempts to remove them made the growth worse.

Hoshi sought a way to stop the Hashirama Cells from turning Nawaki into a tree and used his Yin Release Chakra to calm them. The cells began fusing with Nawaki’s body, and Hoshi realized Nawaki’s life had been saved.

• Hoshi told Tsunade to keep Nawaki unconscious and prevent him from expending too much chakra.
• Hoshi reasoned that Yin Release might suppress the Yang Release and Wood Release energy in Hashirama Cells.
• Hoshi used Attribute Conversion to produce pure Yin Release Chakra and infused Mikazuki Munechika with it.
• Hoshi drove Mikazuki Munechika into Nawaki’s palm, and the Hashirama Cells began consuming his Yin Release Chakra.
• After absorbing more than half of Hoshi’s chakra, the Hashirama Cells calmed down and began fusing with Nawaki’s cells.

Hoshi and Tsunade saved Nawaki after Danzo injected him with Hashirama Cells, and Nawaki awakened Wood Release. Hiruzen mourned Danzo’s death and told them to monitor Nawaki before meeting him at the Hokage’s Office.

• Nawaki’s shoulder healed as the sapling fused into his body, and Tsunade joyfully embraced the exhausted Hoshi.
• Nawaki woke and reported that Danzo had stolen Hashirama’s cells to create Wood Release ninja.
• Nawaki’s anger triggered Wood Release, and Hiruzen confirmed that he had awakened the genuine ability.
• Tsunade explained how she and Hoshi had saved Nawaki, and Hoshi revealed that Danzo had turned into a tree after his Hashirama Cells went berserk.
• Hiruzen grieved over Danzo’s death, then told everyone to rest, monitor Nawaki for backlash, and come to the Hokage’s Office once he stabilized.

After Root’s failed rebellion was concealed, the clans suspected Konoha was nearing a change in leadership. Hoshi and Tsunade confirmed Nawaki had safely adapted to Hashirama Cells, while Tsunade revealed she was close to completing the Yin Seal and had conceived Creation Rebirth, leaving the Fourth Hokage decision for a later meeting.

• Anbu covered up Root’s rebellion, while the great clans concluded Danzo’s disappearance signaled an impending change in leadership.
• Nawaki demonstrated his Wood Release to Kushina, who teased him about being less capable than Minato, Hoshi, and Tsunade.
• Tsunade examined Nawaki and confirmed that his body showed no backlash from using Wood Release after his Hashirama Cells fusion.
• Hoshi suggested reporting Nawaki’s condition to Hiruzen, but Tsunade proposed waiting until she reached Kage-level and Orochimaru’s group returned from the Land of Wind.
• Tsunade revealed her Yin Seal was nearly complete, explained her progress toward the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and named her new healing technique Creation Rebirth.

Hoshi helped Tsunade develop Creation Rebirth, and she successfully tested its combat and healing abilities before breaking through to Kage level. As they headed to the Hayate Clan, Tsunade asked how Hoshi had overcome his own bottlenecks, and he credited his talent.

• Hoshi stayed at the Senju Clan Compound for two months to help Tsunade develop Creation Rebirth while the Second Great Ninja War neared its end.
• Tsunade released the Yin Seal and used Creation Rebirth to smash a large crater into the training ground.
• Tsunade tested low-level Creation Rebirth by stabbing her shoulder with a Kunai, then watched the wound heal within seconds.
• Tsunade activated Hundred Healings Mode, but Hoshi warned her that overusing it could shorten her lifespan and urged her to stop.
• Tsunade deactivated the technique and discovered that her Chakra reserves and strength had surged, breaking her Kage-level bottleneck.
• On the way to the Hayate Clan, Tsunade asked how Hoshi had overcome his bottlenecks, and Hoshi said he was exceptionally talented.

After Konoha and Sunagakure signed a surrender agreement, the Second Great Ninja War ended and Konoha welcomed its victorious forces home. Hiruzen Sarutobi rewarded Minato and Kagetsu, while Tsunade and Starry Night returned to Konoha under public scrutiny.

• Sakumo and Bunpuku signed the surrender agreement, ending the war after three months of negotiations.
• Hanzō brooded over Amegakure’s losses, while Iwagakure and Sunagakure began recuperating and Mist Village and Cloud Village watched Konoha’s gains with envy.
• Starry Night and Tsunade rejoined the returning forces to avoid rumors connecting them to Danzo’s death and to protect their political standing.
• Starry Night, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Sakumo, and Shinku led thousands of returning shinobi through Konoha’s gates amid cheers from the villagers.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Minato the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll and notes from the Second Hokage, then gave Kagetsu Kagami Uchiha’s training notebook.

Minato and Kagetsu received their rewards, while Hiruzen reflected on Danzo’s death and chose to let his successors determine who would become Fourth Hokage. Tsunade stepped forward as the sole candidate, and Hiruzen entrusted Konoha’s future to her.

• Minato and Kagetsu accepted their rewards from Hiruzen, and Starry Night reminded Minato to visit Kushina.
• Hiruzen learned that four of his six former students had reached Kage-level and mourned his failure as Danzo’s companion.
• Hiruzen said the next Hokage would be chosen by the candidates themselves, with the public deciding if more than one stepped forward.
• Starry Night and the others stepped back to support Tsunade, who declared that she wanted to become Fourth Hokage.
• Hiruzen confirmed that no one else would challenge Tsunade and entrusted Konoha’s future to her.

At Konoha’s High-Level Meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi resigned as Third Hokage and recommended Tsunade as his successor. When Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu opposed the appointment, Hoshi and five others unleashed their power to silence the room.

• Hoshi, Tsunade, and their allies attended the High-Level Meeting, where Hiruzen Sarutobi announced his resignation and recommended Tsunade as Fourth Hokage.
• The Senju and Hokage factions supported Tsunade, while Danzo’s former followers and the Uchiha faction opposed her; the Hyuga leaders stayed silent.
• Mitokado Homura argued that Konoha should wait before appointing Tsunade, and Utatane Koharu silently agreed.
• Hoshi signaled the other five, and all six released their auras, stunning the meeting attendees.
• Hoshi stood and declared his support for Tsunade, challenging the room to object.

Tsunade secured overwhelming support to succeed Hiruzen as the Fourth Hokage, then completed her inauguration after gaining the Fire Daimyo’s approval. The chapter ended with Tsunade and Hoshi celebrating her new position together.

• Hoshi and his allies revealed their Kage-level strength, silencing Tsunade’s opponents at the High-Level Meeting.
• Hiruzen opened the vote, and Tsunade’s succession passed by an overwhelming margin before she also won the Jonin Meeting vote.
• Tsunade, Hoshi, and Rie traveled to the Land of Fire, where the Daimyo approved Tsunade’s succession and Moka’s return to Konoha.
• About a month after the Second Great Ninja War ended, Hiruzen stepped down and Tsunade was inaugurated as the Fourth Hokage.
• Tsunade returned home exhausted, agreed to celebrate with Hoshi, and spent the night with him.

Tsunade began learning the Hokage’s duties from Hiruzen, then revealed her and Hoshi’s plans to restore the Senju Clan and overhaul Konoha’s government. Hiruzen recognized that their political and military strength gave them the power to undo the systems he had been unable to reclaim.

• Tsunade and Hoshi arrived at the Hokage Building, where Hiruzen introduced Tsunade to her daily duties.
• Hiruzen reviewed the list of Senju Clan Members and envied the support Tsunade had from the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
• Tsunade and Hoshi told Hiruzen they planned to restore the Senju Clan.
• Hoshi announced that they would abolish the Hokage Advisory System, consolidate redundant departments, and establish a centralized Hokage system.
• Hiruzen realized Tsunade and Hoshi had identified the consequences of his past delegation of power and had the strength to address them.

Hoshi and Tsunade reshaped Konoha’s leadership, offering Hiruzen a new role and persuading the Hokage Advisors to step down. The Senju Clan was revived, and Tsunade’s opponents were swiftly silenced, leaving the new Hokage’s authority firmly established.

• Hiruzen asked Hoshi and Tsunade to spare Koharu and Homura’s dignity, and Tsunade offered them deputy positions if they resigned as Hokage Advisors.
• Hoshi offered Hiruzen the Ninja Academy principalship, and Hiruzen eagerly accepted the role.
• On Tsunade’s third day as Hokage, Nawaki announced that he had developed Wood Release and would reclaim the Senju surname, prompting more than a hundred people to register as Senju Clan members.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu voluntarily resigned as Hokage Advisors and became deputy heads of the Finance Department and Medical Department.
• After some officials considered rebelling, Hatake Sakumo led Anbu in raids that uncovered incriminating evidence, and posters exposing the culprits’ crimes appeared across Konoha the next morning.
• Konoha’s high-ranking officials abandoned their resistance as Hoshi and Tsunade consolidated power.

Three months after Tsunade became Fourth Hokage, Hoshi visited the newly established Konoha Research Institute and found Orochimaru exhausted from researching Sage Art. Orochimaru explained that the White Snake Sage had judged him untalented, and he was determined to prove otherwise by studying Sage-energy snake venom.

• Konoha's higher-ups had been subdued by Tsunade and Hoshi, leaving the Uchiha Clan as the main unresolved issue.
• Hoshi visited Orochimaru's underground laboratory at the Konoha Research Institute and found him dangerously sleep-deprived.
• Orochimaru assured Hoshi that he was following safety rules and would not conduct human trials without approval or harm innocents.
• Orochimaru told Hoshi that he had reached Ryūchi Cave and passed the White Snake Sage's trial, but had been told he lacked talent for Sage Art.
• Orochimaru said he was studying snake venom containing Sage Art energy to master the art through his own effort.