Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru explained that Nawaki’s cells had revived a weakened Mangekyo Sharingan because they contained a special substance: Yin Release Chakra. Hoshi realized he had infused Nawaki with his own pure Yin Release Chakra and wondered whether it could help Kagetsu’s Mangekyo Sharingan evolve.

• Orochimaru showed Hoshi photographs and containers revealing that the three old Mangekyo Sharingan had become clearer and more alike.
• Orochimaru described how Nawaki’s cultivated cells revived the weakened eye, while Hashirama Cells only slowed its deterioration.
• Orochimaru concluded that Yin Release Chakra in Nawaki’s cells had stimulated the Mangekyo Sharingan’s vitality and might enable further evolution.
• Hoshi realized he had infused Nawaki with his own Yin Release Chakra to stabilize the Hashirama Cells.
• Hoshi wondered whether his Yin Release Chakra could help Kagetsu’s Mangekyo Sharingan advance.

Hoshi and Orochimaru tested whether Hoshi’s Yin Release Chakra could restore a Mangekyō Sharingan, confirming it worked but only increased the eye’s activity by one percent. Seeking a safe way to conduct further research, Hoshi decided to find Shin Uchiha, whose body could accept transplanted organs without rejection.

• Hoshi told Orochimaru that he was the source of the Yin Release Chakra and agreed to test it on the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Hoshi infused the eye with Yin Release Chakra, and Orochimaru observed that its activity increased by about one percent before reaching its absorption limit.
• Orochimaru said that further research needed living test subjects, but he and Hoshi rejected the idea of obtaining an Uchiha for risky experiments.
• Hoshi remembered Shin Uchiha, a former Orochimaru test subject with a constitution that allowed him to accept transplanted organs without rejection.
• Hoshi decided to search for Shin and guide him toward helping Orochimaru’s research.

Hoshi visited the Konoha Orphanage to check on Nonō and Kabuto, finding the children in good condition. Kabuto brought the newly arrived Shin to meet Hoshi, while Nonō welcomed Hoshi and downplayed her past service to Konoha.

• Hoshi went to the Konoha Orphanage to check on Nonō and keep an eye on Kabuto.
• The children recognized Hoshi as the legendary Lord Konoha Silver Moon and rushed to Nonō's office.
• Kabuto noticed Shin had stayed behind and invited him to hear about Hoshi as they went to the office.
• Nonō was startled by Hoshi's visit, and Hoshi apologized for having neglected to recognize her service to Konoha.
• Nonō said she had only done a little for the village and that she enjoyed caring for the children.

Hoshi visited Nonō at the orphanage and arranged for her to meet Jiraiya. While there, he found Kabuto and learned that another child, Shin, might possess a Kekkei Genkai.

• Hoshi realized Nonō was single and told her he wanted to introduce her to a friend.
• Children who had been eavesdropping mistook Hoshi's questions for a marriage proposal, and Nonō explained that he was married to the Fourth Hokage.
• Hoshi suggested that Nonō go on a date with Jiraiya, and she agreed.
• Nonō introduced Hoshi to the orphanage children, including Kabuto, whose Chakra reserves stood out from the others.
• Nonō told Hoshi that Shin might have a Kekkei Genkai, and Hoshi recognized Kabuto and Shin as the two children he had wanted to find.

Hoshi arranged for Kabuto to enter the Ninja Academy and planned for Orochimaru to raise Shin, then learned that his trap at Konoha Prison had been triggered. As Hoshi raced to investigate, Black Zetsu and Obito approached the surface beneath the prison, unaware of what awaited them.

• Hoshi examined Kabuto and Shin, confirmed their aptitude for becoming ninjas, and planned to send Kabuto to the Ninja Academy and have Orochimaru adopt Shin.
• Hoshi imagined a future team of promising young Konoha ninjas before an Anbu told him that the sealing jutsu at Konoha Prison had activated.
• Hoshi revealed that he had left rebellious Uchiha prisoners as bait to lure Madara's forces and set out for the prison on the Sword of Kusanagi.
• Black Zetsu noticed that Obito had triggered a concealed barrier beneath Konoha Prison but continued toward the surface because they sought the Sharingan.

Obito and Black Zetsu rescued the Uchiha Clan members from Konoha Prison and led them toward Madara’s underground hideout. Black Zetsu realized Hayate Hoshi was tracking them and decided to use Madara to lure Hayate into killing him.

• Obito and Black Zetsu emerged inside the Uchiha Clan members’ cellblock, and Black Zetsu controlled guard Mori to cover their escape.
• Obito told the Uchiha Clan members that Clan Head Fugaku had arranged their rescue, and they followed him into the tunnel.
• Pitcher Plant White Zetsu sealed the prison ground and created copies of the Uchiha Clan members to take their places in the cells.
• Obito and Zetsu led the rescued Uchiha Clan members toward Madara’s underground cavern while Black Zetsu sensed Hayate Hoshi following them from above.
• Black Zetsu concluded that the Uchiha prisoners had been kept alive as bait and planned to lure Hayate Hoshi into killing Madara.

Black Zetsu split the Uchiha Clan members, killed the three sent with him, and took their Sharingan toward Madara’s hideout. Hoshi followed him to the Land of Earth, detected the hidden cave, and reached its entrance.

• Black Zetsu told Obito to split the Uchiha Clan members so their larger group could be taken to Akatsuki’s underground base while he lured Hoshi away.
• Black Zetsu led three Uchiha Clan members off course and killed them with Pitcher Plant White Zetsu, then took their Sharingan and rushed toward Madara’s hideout.
• Hoshi followed the two groups separately, then pursued Black Zetsu after discovering he had killed the three Uchiha Clan members.
• Hoshi entered Sage Mode near the Land of Earth border and sensed the sealing technique concealing Madara’s lair.
• Hoshi broke through the ground and reached the enormous underground cavern where Madara was hiding.

Black Zetsu brought Madara three pairs of Sharingan after Hayate Hoshi discovered the rescue mission, and Madara prepared to confront him. Hoshi entered the cave and met Madara in a clash of auras and ideals, which ended with Madara declaring that he intended to create a new era.

• Black Zetsu told Madara that Hayate Hoshi had discovered their rescue mission and that Obito had taken the Uchiha Clan members to the Land of Rain.
• Madara chose a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan, gave Black Zetsu instructions for the remaining plan, and severed his supply tube to face Hoshi.
• Hoshi sensed Madara with Sage Mode, dispelled his Shadow Clone, and entered the deepest part of the cave.
• Hoshi and Madara met in silence and clashed through their auras as Black Zetsu watched from nearby.
• Madara praised Hoshi's strength, but Hoshi called Madara an outdated remnant who should accept the changing times.
• Madara rose and declared that his goal was to open an entirely new era.

Hoshi challenged Madara’s belief that the world could never escape war, but Madara rejected his argument and attacked. Their battle ended with Madara excited by Hoshi’s swordsmanship and preparing to reveal his true abilities.

• Madara explained that he had survived to create a world without war, while Hoshi argued that Madara had mistaken the world’s continued conflicts for a lack of progress.
• Madara declared that he would kill Hoshi so his companions could experience the pain of loss, then unleashed his remaining life force and charged.
• Hoshi met Madara’s punch with his own, and the two fought to a stalemate as Madara’s movements grew smoother.
• Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika and slashed Madara, who barely dodged but suffered a shallow wound.
• Madara tasted his blood, admitted Hoshi had excited him, and promised to show his real skills.

Madara summoned Susanoo and broke through the cavern ceiling to continue fighting Hoshi aboveground. Hoshi’s Sky-Rending Iai Slash pierced Susanoo’s armor and split its body, leaving Madara’s giant shattered.

• Madara formed a nearly ten-meter Susanoo using his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Madara had Susanoo punch through the cavern ceiling, while Hoshi escaped the falling rubble by cutting and jumping across boulders.
• Madara sent Susanoo’s giant hand toward Hoshi as he rose into the air.
• Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika and struck Susanoo with his Sky-Rending Iai Slash.
• Madara reinforced Susanoo with armor, but Hoshi’s Sword Qi cracked through it and shattered Susanoo’s upper body.

Hoshi split Madara’s Susanoo with a single sword strike, prompting Black Zetsu to recognize him as a threat and retreat to devise a plan to eliminate him. Madara awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan by burning through his remaining life force and summoned the Perfect Susanoo to continue their fight.

• Hoshi’s Sky-Rending Iai Slash cleaved Susanoo in two, and Black Zetsu realized Hoshi had become a dangerous variable in his plans.
• Black Zetsu silently separated from White Zetsu and sank underground to escape and plan Hoshi’s elimination.
• Madara praised Hoshi as an equal opponent and poured his remaining life force, Chakra, and Dojutsu Power into his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Madara’s Sharingan transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan, and he summoned a towering Perfect Susanoo armed with enormous blades.

Hoshi activated Sage Mode and the Seventh Gate to face Madara’s Perfect Susanoo in a sword clash. Their first strike shook the forest and split the clouds, and the two warriors resumed fighting with renewed enthusiasm.

• Madara challenged Hoshi to withstand a strike from the Perfect Susanoo’s gigantic blade.
• Hoshi entered Sage Mode and opened the Seventh Gate, surrounding himself with an azure chakra cloak.
• Madara swung the Perfect Susanoo’s sword, and Hoshi met it with a plain but powerful strike from Mikazuki Munechika.
• Their blades locked before the released shockwave shattered trees, split the ground behind Hoshi, and cleaved the distant clouds behind the Perfect Susanoo.
• Hoshi and Madara laughed, separated their blades, and launched into another clash.

Hoshi and Madara tested their swordsmanship against each other, with Hoshi’s technique helping him withstand Susanoo’s superior strength. Hoshi’s Wind Release Sky-Rending Iai Slash forced the Perfect Susanoo backward and left cracks in its Chakra Blade.

• Hoshi and Madara exchanged repeated blows, and both suffered damage from the force of their clashes.
• Madara taunted Hoshi after he coughed up blood, and Hoshi challenged Madara’s swordsmanship.
• Madara used Susanoo’s Iaido slash, and Hoshi dodged as the Sword Qi flattened a distant mountain peak.
• Hoshi summoned the Sword of Kusanagi, transformed his Chakra with Attribute Conversion, and unleashed Sky-Rending Iai Slash.
• Hoshi’s Sword Qi drove Madara’s Perfect Susanoo back dozens of meters and cracked its Chakra Blade.

Hayate Hoshi unleashed his Ultimate Art: Swallow Reversal against Madara’s Susanoo, cutting through its Chakra Blades and shattering its barrier. Madara was left stunned as Hoshi’s decisive strike ended with him standing behind his opponent.

• Madara acknowledged Hoshi’s swordsmanship but claimed his Susanoo could not be defeated while his Dojutsu Power could repair its Chakra Blade.
• Hoshi revealed that his earlier strike had only been an appetizer and announced Ultimate Art: Swallow Reversal.
• Hoshi imitated Kojiro’s technique, appearing to split into three figures before three streaks of Sword Qi struck Madara’s crossed Chakra Blades.
• Madara heard Hoshi sheath Mikazuki Munechika, then realized his Chakra Blades had shattered and Susanoo’s barrier had been torn apart.
• Madara turned to face Hoshi, stunned and unable to find words.

Hayate Hoshi defeated Uchiha Madara and granted his request for a warrior’s death. Afterward, Hoshi caught Pitcher Plant White Zetsu and sent a warning to Black Zetsu about threatening his friends or family.

• Uchiha Madara accepted defeat and asked Hayate Hoshi to kill him, and Hoshi pierced his heart with Mikazuki Munechika.
• Before leaving, Hoshi sensed Pitcher Plant White Zetsu escaping underground and caught him as he emerged.
• Hoshi spared Pitcher Plant White Zetsu and ordered him to deliver a warning to Black Zetsu to hide and leave Hoshi’s friends and family alone.

After defeating Madara, Hoshi rested in a nearby town and weighed the risks and gains of the battle. He discovered the Sword Heart System had awarded him 80 experience points for defeating Madara, leaving him eager for more powerful opponents.

• Hoshi rode the Sword of Kusanagi to a nearby town in the Land of Fire and slept at an inn to recover.
• At dinner, Hoshi heard that Stone Hidden Ninja were investigating the battle site and searching for its cause.
• Hoshi considered whether attacking Madara had been worth the danger and decided the operation had brought neither gain nor loss.
• Hoshi checked the Sword Heart System and found that his experience had risen to 200/500 after earning 80 points for defeating old, near-death Uchiha Madara.
• Hoshi fantasized about fighting Madara and other powerful ninja again during the Fourth Shinobi World War to gain more experience.

After Madara's death, Black Zetsu reassessed his plans and ordered Obito to focus on obtaining Mangekyo Sharingan from the Uchiha. Black Zetsu agreed not to target Hayate Hoshi's family or companions, but secretly resolved to kill Hoshi if an opportunity arose.

• Obito, White Zetsu, and Black Zetsu gathered beside Madara's corpse and argued over how Hoshi's arrival had disrupted their plans.
• Black Zetsu decided they needed Mangekyo Sharingan and a new force, since Madara was dead and relying on Akatsuki alone was risky.
• Obito reported that Akatsuki was developing as a mercenary organization but lacked strong fighters, and that he could not make the Uchiha kill one another to awaken their Sharingan.
• Black Zetsu ordered Obito to set Akatsuki aside and focus on the Uchiha, promising to help him fight them.
• White Zetsu warned Black Zetsu not to provoke Hoshi or target his companions, and Black Zetsu agreed while secretly planning to kill Hoshi if he found a chance.

After returning to Konoha, Hoshi agreed with Tsunade to arrange her retirement and Minato’s succession as Hokage. Minato was elected the Fifth Hokage, and Hoshi and Tsunade began matchmaking Jiraiya, Dan, Nonō, and Pakura at the inauguration feast.

• Hoshi returned to Konoha, reassured Tsunade after she scolded him for disappearing, and agreed to Minato taking over as Hokage.
• Tsunade ordered Shizune to announce an election with Minato and Nawaki as candidates and schedule the handover for the following week.
• Hoshi informed Minato of the succession and told Jiraiya through a communication toad that Minato would take office and that Hoshi had arranged a blind date for him.
• Minato won the election by an overwhelming vote and accepted the Hokage Hat from Tsunade, officially becoming Konoha’s Fifth Hokage.
• At the celebration feast, Hoshi and Tsunade seated Jiraiya, Dan, Pakura, and Nonō together, pleased to see the four chatting happily.

Tsunade dragged Jiraiya out of bed to meet Nonō, but Jiraiya admitted he feared his ingrained lecherous habits would ruin his chance with her. Hoshi offered a way to help him, suggesting a Six-Person Date.

• Tsunade and Hoshi confronted Jiraiya about forgetting his planned meeting with Nonō, and Tsunade punched him after he started talking about hostesses.
• Jiraiya remembered the date with Nonō when Hoshi prompted him, and Tsunade warned him not to be unreliable when they met.
• Hoshi questioned Jiraiya about taking the meeting with Nonō seriously, and Jiraiya confessed he struggled to stop making dirty jokes and groping women.
• Hoshi reassured Jiraiya that he was still a good man and proposed a Six-Person Date to help him overcome his habits.

Hoshi and Tsunade arranged a six-person date to help Jiraiya and Nonō get closer, but Jiraiya quickly fell for Nonō and took her on a date alone. The others were left behind as Jiraiya and Nonō walked off together.

• Hoshi proposed a group date with Jiraiya, Nonō, Dan, Pakura, Tsunade, and himself, and Tsunade agreed.
• Hoshi and Tsunade found Dan and Pakura, who accepted the plan, then went with them to Konoha Orphanage to meet Nonō.
• Jiraiya watched Nonō say goodbye to the children and shyly greeted her when Hoshi urged him to speak.
• Hoshi, Tsunade, Dan, and Pakura arranged for Jiraiya and Nonō to walk together while the other two couples followed.
• Jiraiya realized he wanted to change for Nonō, then invited her to a place he had in mind and held out his hand.
• Nonō accepted Jiraiya's hand, and the two left for their date while Hoshi and Tsunade watched in surprise.