Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru challenged Saito Chang for a chance to advance directly to Class A, then appeared to be outmatched as Saito chased him around the sparring ground. Orochimaru revealed that he had used fine steel wire to trip Saito and ended with a kunai pointed at his throat.

• Orochimaru accepted the teachers' terms for a match against Saito Chang, with victory earning him a place in Class A and defeat barring him from Class B.
• Hoshi noticed Orochimaru carefully selecting and handling the training kunai before the match.
• Saito Chang charged at Orochimaru while the spectators laughed at Orochimaru's seemingly clumsy dodges and inaccurate throws.
• As Saito Chang rushed in, fine steel wire connected to Orochimaru's kunai caught Saito's calf and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Orochimaru moved swiftly to Saito Chang and aimed a kunai at his throat.

Orochimaru defeated Saito Chang with a wire-and-kunai trap and earned a place in Class A. As Jiraiya, Hayate, and Sakumo welcomed him as a friend, Jiraiya’s bizarre introduction made Orochimaru call him an idiot.

• The teachers declared Orochimaru the winner after Hayate explained how he had used wire and kunai to trip Saito Chang.
• Teacher Mitsui rejected Saito Chang’s complaints, told the students to learn from the match, and confirmed Orochimaru could join Class A.
• Orochimaru left the academy overwhelmed with pride and emotion over earning his place through hard work.
• Jiraiya brought Hayate and Hatake Sakumo over to befriend Orochimaru, and Hayate introduced them as his future classmates.
• Sakumo pointed out that only he and Hayate were popular in Class A, and Jiraiya responded with an exaggerated self-introduction.
• Orochimaru introduced himself to the three boys, then agreed with Hayate that Jiraiya was an idiot.

Hoshi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru encountered two Iwagakure spies while training by a stream. As the spies charged them, Hoshi sent a Shadow Clone to seek help and prepared to fight from the shadows.

• Hoshi invited Orochimaru to train with the group, and Jiraiya persuaded him to come along.
• The four heard a whistle by the stream and went upstream to investigate.
• An Rui met Qiu in the forest to pass along intelligence he had gathered about Konoha.
• Qiu detected Hoshi and the others, and the two spies charged into the forest after them.
• Hoshi summoned a Shadow Clone and sent it to get help while telling the others to keep his existence secret.

Hoshi and Sakumo split up two Iwagakure ninja so they could ambush them, and they killed Qiu together. The story left Hoshi and Sakumo racing to help Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who were being pursued by An Rui.

• Hoshi explained the plan: Sakumo would hold off one enemy while Jiraiya and Orochimaru led the other away.
• Qiu blocked Sakumo with an Earth Wall and attacked him, while An Rui chased Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
• Sakumo drew Qiu's attention by leaping into the air as Hoshi crept up and stabbed Qiu through the heart.
• Sakumo finished Qiu with White Fang, and he and Hoshi hurried after Jiraiya and Orochimaru to help them.

Hoshi and Sakumo followed Orochimaru and Jiraiya’s trail and found them cornered by An Rui. After Orochimaru and Jiraiya fought back, Hoshi arrived and cut off An Rui’s arm, but an Uchiha appeared and knocked An Rui unconscious.

• Hoshi followed Orochimaru’s scratched arrow with Sakumo and found Orochimaru and Jiraiya trapped by An Rui.
• Jiraiya charged An Rui, who knocked him down and threatened him with a kunai.
• Orochimaru used Chakra-infused steel wire to bind An Rui’s kunai hand, and Jiraiya broke free and headbutted him.
• An Rui punched Jiraiya aside, cut the wire, and approached Orochimaru with the kunai.
• Hoshi arrived and severed An Rui’s arm, then Sakumo rushed in to attack him.
• An Uchiha appeared beside Hoshi and knocked An Rui unconscious.

Uchiha Hokushin arrived after Hoshi's Shadow Clone sought help and learned that the children had killed two Iwagakure Chunin. He planned to report their talent and arrange a commendation, while Hoshi agreed that he and Sakumo would give statements and asked for the injured Jiraiya and Orochimaru to go to the hospital.

• Uchiha Hokushin introduced himself as a Police Force squad leader and explained that Hoshi's Shadow Clone had asked him for help.
• Sakumo told Hokushin that the second spy was dead, and Hokushin confirmed Qiu's identity as an Iwagakure Chunin.
• Hokushin decided to report the children's accomplishments to the Hokage and apply for a school-wide commendation.
• Hokushin explained that he and Kagami Uchiha hoped to improve the Uchiha Clan's relations with Konoha's villagers.
• Hoshi agreed to give a statement with Sakumo and asked Hokushin to send the injured Jiraiya and Orochimaru to the hospital.

Uchiha Iwa saw Hoshi and Sakumo at the Police Force headquarters and persuaded Uchiha Yama to let him confront them. Hoshi learned that Mito had sent a Shadow Clone and two Anbu toward him, while Iwa prepared to bully the group, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Before leaving, Hoshi told Jiraiya and Orochimaru to head to the Senju Clan Compound, find his Shadow Clone if they encountered it, and tell his mother he was safe.
• Uchiha Yama agreed to assign people to watch Hoshi but warned Uchiha Iwa to train and face rivals with his own strength.
• Uchiha Iwa spotted Hoshi and Sakumo at the Police Force headquarters, then returned to Uchiha Yama and got permission to confront them.
• Uchiha Iwa brought three subordinates into Hoshi's room and threatened Hoshi and Sakumo, while Uchiha Hokushin warned him that he had misunderstood the situation.
• Hoshi received his Shadow Clone's memories and learned that Mito had sent a Shadow Clone and two Anbu toward him.

Hayate Hoshi tricked Uchiha Iwa into thinking he had injured him, prompting Uchiha Yama to intervene and apologize to Uzumaki Mito. Hoshi accepted the apology on the condition that Uchiha Iwa leave him alone, and Uchiha Yama took his nephew away to discipline him.

• Uchiha Hokushin told Uchiha Yama's subordinates that Hoshi and Sakumo had defeated an Iwagakure spy and were there to give statements.
• Uchiha Iwa attacked Hoshi, who staged an injury before the fist could land.
• Uchiha Yama entered with Mito and others, saw Hoshi on the floor, and accused Uchiha Iwa of hitting him.
• Hoshi showed red marks on his stomach and claimed Uchiha Iwa had used Chakra, so Uchiha Yama slapped his nephew and sent him away.
• Uchiha Yama apologized to Mito and offered to cover Hoshi's losses, while Hoshi agreed to let the matter go if Uchiha Iwa did not trouble him again.

After receiving compensation and gifts from Mito, Hoshi returned home and broke through to Basic Swordsmanship Level 3. He unlocked the Line of Moonlight skill, then crashed into a wall while testing it and was found by his worried mother.

• Uchiha Yama gave Hoshi and Sakumo five thousand ryo each, promised Uchiha Iwa would leave Hoshi alone, and gave Hoshi a Ninja Tool Sealing Scroll.
• Mito gave Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo gifts and rewards for defeating the spies, including Ninjutsu Scrolls.
• Hoshi trained with his Wooden Sword and reached Basic Swordsmanship Level 3 after gaining experience from the Iwagakure spies.
• Hoshi drew and activated the Line of Moonlight skill, which gave him a rapid forward dash and a 20% attack speed bonus.
• Hoshi crashed into a wall while testing the skill, and Rie rushed out to help him with his bleeding nose.

Hoshi tested Line of Moonlight and discovered its speed, power, and ability to turn mid-dash, then explained a fabricated theory of the technique to Sakumo. Sakumo eagerly vowed to develop it himself.

• Hoshi used Line of Moonlight in the training ground and slashed a deep mark into a tree with his wooden sword.
• Hoshi rested to recover Chakra, then tested whether he could change direction during the dash and successfully turned.
• Sakumo returned, praised the technique, and asked Hoshi to teach it to him.
• Hoshi claimed Line of Moonlight was a Hayate Clan secret art and said he could explain its theory, though Sakumo would have to develop it himself.
• Hoshi described a fabricated method involving special Chakra, a burst of speed, and a Chakra-infused sword strike, and Sakumo thanked him and promised to share any ninjutsu he developed.

Hoshi and Sakumo discussed preparing for early graduation, while Hoshi considered staying at the Academy longer so Orochimaru and Jiraiya could catch up. Hoshi won his mother Rie’s support by revealing his strength and the swordsmanship scroll he had received, but she ended their heartfelt conversation by asking him to bring home a girl.

• Sakumo agreed to wait until he reached Chunin level before trying to develop the technique Hoshi had shared.
• Hoshi and Sakumo decided to stay at the Ninja Academy for a while and encourage Jiraiya and Orochimaru to prepare for early graduation.
• Hoshi suggested that they would work harder and prepare for the dangers of future missions.
• Rie initially opposed Hoshi graduating early, but Hoshi told her that he had killed Iwagakure spies and showed her the Konoha-Style Swordsmanship Insights scroll.
• Rie scolded and spanked Hoshi for hiding the incident, then supported his choice as long as he protected himself.
• Rie asked Hoshi to bring a girl home so she could meet her and hold a grandchild.

Hoshi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru agreed to aim for graduation in six months, and Hoshi asked Tsunade to tell Mito about their plan. Yazi convinced a flustered Tsunade that Hoshi had a crush on her, though Tsunade denied it and swore she would never date him.

• Hoshi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru agreed to apply for graduation in half a year after discussing their progress and goals.
• Hoshi told Tsunade to inform Mito about the plan, and Tsunade reacted loudly before Hoshi covered her mouth.
• Classmates whispered that Hoshi and Tsunade were close, and Tsunade stomped on Hoshi's foot before leaving with Yazi.
• Tsunade complained about Hoshi to Yazi on the training field, and Yazi suggested that Hoshi had a crush on her.
• Yazi argued that Hoshi treated Tsunade differently and might want to impress her family, making Tsunade blush and deny that she liked him.
• Tsunade accused Yazi of being the one who liked Hoshi, then declared she would never accept him as a boyfriend.

Hoshi avoided Tsunade after lunch, while Mito advised Hiruzen Sarutobi to act with greater confidence as Hokage. The chapter ended with Tsunade telling Mito that Hayate Hoshi and his classmates planned to apply for graduation in half a year.

• Tsunade ignored Hoshi at school, then rushed home with Yazi after dismissal.
• Hoshi took Jiraiya and the others to train before they went for ramen.
• Mito told Hiruzen Sarutobi to make his own decisions as Hokage, and he left their conversation standing more confidently.
• Tsunade returned home, greeted Mito and Hiruzen Sarutobi, and told Mito that Hayate Hoshi and his classmates wanted to apply for graduation in half a year.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised that the students were considering graduation only two months after school began.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Hayate Hoshi and three other children had defeated Iwagakure spies, and Mito urged him to support their growth. Tsunade decided she wanted to graduate early but rejected the idea of being teamed with Hoshi; later, an Anbu summoned the four children to the Hokage's Office.

• Mito gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a report about four children defeating an Iwagakure Chunin and Genin, and explained that Hayate Hoshi had awakened the Hayate Clan's Transparency Release.
• Hiruzen promised to investigate and support the four children, while Mito recommended material rewards and better living conditions for the three who were orphans.
• Mito encouraged Tsunade to graduate early, and Tsunade agreed but insisted she would want to team with anyone except Hoshi.
• Uchiha Iwa transferred into Class B, but the four children kept quiet about what they knew.
• An Anbu stopped the four children outside the Ninja Academy and summoned them to the Hokage's Office.

Hoshi and his companions met with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who approved their plan to graduate early and awarded them training funds for defeating an Iwagakure spy. The four left the Hokage's Office excited to celebrate with barbecue.

• Hoshi led Jiraiya, Sakumo, and Orochimaru into the Hokage's Office to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen questioned the four about defeating the Iwagakure spy, and Jiraiya recounted how they had fought him.
• Hiruzen recognized Hoshi's decisive role and the other boys' individual talents, then approved their request to apply for early graduation in half a year.
• Hiruzen awarded each boy ten thousand ryo per month in private training funds and warned them not to publicize their victory.
• The four thanked Hiruzen and left, and Hoshi persuaded Jiraiya to celebrate with barbecue instead of ramen.

Half a year after the war began, Danzo received Cloud Village’s ceasefire agreement and sent a response to Konoha. At the training ground, Sakumo unveiled a powerful lightning-enhanced sword technique, while Orochimaru defeated Jiraiya by interrupting his hand seals.

• Danzo read the ceasefire agreement sent by A, the Third Raikage, and wrote a reply to send back to Konoha.
• Hoshi and Sakumo sparred, and Sakumo used a lightning-enhanced slash that Hoshi dodged with Line of Moonlight before surrendering.
• Hoshi warned Sakumo that his new technique strained his body and urged him not to use it unless necessary.
• Jiraiya began forming hand seals to use Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, but Orochimaru bound his arm with Shadow Hidden Wire Hand and interrupted him.
• Orochimaru tripped Jiraiya and held a Kunai at his throat, scolding him for making his hand seals too obvious.

After half a year of training, Hoshi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had reached Genin-level ability and decided to apply for early graduation. At the teachers’ office, they found Tsunade applying too, and Teacher Mitsui learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had approved all five to take the Graduation Exam.

• Hoshi, Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru made major gains in their training, mastering the Three Basic Jutsu and developing specialized skills.
• Hoshi refined a two-sword style and gained the system’s Silver Moon Cross Slash skill and ten experience points.
• Jiraiya proposed that the four apply for early graduation, and Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Hoshi agreed.
• The next morning, the four went to the teachers’ office and found Tsunade applying for early graduation ahead of them.
• Teacher Mitsui objected to the students graduating early until Tsunade presented Hiruzen Sarutobi’s letter approving all five for the Graduation Exam.

Hoshi, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Sakumo took the early graduation exam, demonstrating the Three Basic Jutsu before facing rookie Genin. All five defeated their opponents with ease, leaving the examiners astonished.

• Teacher Mitsui led the five children to Training Ground 6, where Hiruzen Sarutobi and other village leaders observed the exam.
• The five candidates flawlessly demonstrated the Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, and Transformation Jutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged five rookie Genin as opponents, and the examiners expected the candidates to face a difficult challenge.
• Jiraiya defeated his opponent with a Leaf Hurricane and Lion Combo, while Orochimaru bound his opponent with Shadow Hidden Wire Hand.
• Tsunade overwhelmed her opponent with Earth Release, Water Release, and Lightning Release techniques, and Sakumo won by pressing his White Fang blade to his opponent’s throat.
• Hoshi disarmed his opponent and held a Kunai to his throat, completing five quick victories that stunned the observers.

After graduating as a Genin, Hoshi celebrated with his friends and returned home to share the news with Rie. She revealed the Hayate Clan heirloom, Mikazuki Munechika, and passed it to him as the new clan head, leaving Hoshi with a promise to revive the clan.

• The Third Hokage kept the five children’s early graduation secret to protect them from other ninja villages.
• Teacher Mitsui celebrated with Hoshi and the others, then returned to the Ninja Academy; Tsunade left to see Grandma Mito, and the remaining four spent the afternoon training and playing.
• Hoshi proudly showed Rie his Headband, and she brought him to her room to reveal a hidden compartment.
• Rie gave Hoshi Mikazuki Munechika, the Hayate Clan’s heirloom blade, and explained its origins and its history as the clan heads’ weapon.
• Rie told Hoshi to use the blade to make a name for himself and revive the Hayate Clan, and Hoshi solemnly promised her he would.

Hiruzen Sarutobi weighed Kumogakure's ceasefire offer against Danzō's demand for heavy reparations and called a late-night meeting with the village’s advisors. Uzumaki Mito exposed Danzō’s self-serving motives and urged them to end the fighting first, leaving negotiations for later.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi received Kumogakure's ceasefire agreement and Danzō's letter demanding substantial reparations.
• Hiruzen summoned Uzumaki Mito, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the other advisors to discuss the offer.
• Mito recognized that Danzō wanted to prolong the war to gain credit and secure benefits for himself.
• Koharu argued that Konoha should restore peace, while Homura supported pressing Kumogakure for more.
• Mito urged the advisors to stop the war first and negotiate the terms later, prompting Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura to reconsider their positions.