Chapter Summaries

Shinku’s group found the aftermath of Hoshi’s battle and confirmed that Hoshi had defeated the attackers. After reuniting with him, Hoshi taunted Danzo over the failed ambush, and Danzo left claiming an old injury had returned.

• Shinku’s group reached the battlefield, where they found a huge crater and bloodstains, and Shinku recognized the destruction as Hoshi’s technique.
• Taiga sensed Hoshi’s Chakra nearby, and Shinku led the group through the woods to find him alive with the Supply Squad.
• Hoshi told Shinku he had easily defeated the attackers, and a Chunin revealed that the force had included six Jonin and more than a dozen Chunin.
• Hoshi realized Danzo had likely betrayed their route and mocked him about the failed attack.
• Danzo concealed his anger, claimed his old injury was acting up, and left to recuperate.

Hoshi’s supply squad reached the offensive front’s headquarters, where he reunited with Tsunade and joined her, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru to discuss the war. Orochimaru reported that Hanzō was far more powerful than expected, leaving the front’s situation difficult.

• Hoshi mocked Danzo as he left, and Danzo used the Body Flicker Technique to flee after hearing the crowd snicker.
• Hoshi warned Shinku that Grandma Mito had sensed Danzo’s ill intentions, then continued on without an escort.
• Hoshi’s supply squad traveled for about a day and reached the offensive front’s General Headquarters with its urgently needed supplies.
• Hoshi joined Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru in the Command Tent, where Tsunade clung to him and Jiraiya teased them.
• Hoshi asked about the war situation over hot pot, and Orochimaru explained that Hanzō’s strength had exceeded their expectations.

Hoshi learned why Hanzō’s poisonous mist made him so difficult to fight and decided to develop a Wind Release Sword Technique to counter it. With Hanzō expected to attack again in about half a month, Hoshi had time to prepare.

• Orochimaru and Jiraiya explained that Hanzō’s speed, combat skills, caution, and poisonous mist made him a formidable opponent.
• Tsunade rebuked Jiraiya for dismissing her ability to treat Hanzō’s poison, then admitted she could not save every victim on the battlefield.
• Hoshi suggested dispersing the poisonous mist with Wind Release, but Orochimaru said Hanzō could quickly attack the ninja using it.
• Hoshi dismissed Danzo as an unlikely choice and decided he would have to counter the poison himself with a Wind Release Sword Technique.
• Orochimaru estimated that Hanzō would not attack Konoha again for about half a month.

Hoshi proposed three Wind Release techniques to counter Hanzō’s poison mist and protect the Wind Release unit, earning Orochimaru’s enthusiastic approval. The techniques remained in the planning stage as Orochimaru praised Hoshi’s imagination and genius.

• Hoshi explained that he could keep Hanzō occupied while the others attacked the Rain Hidden Ninja, but Tsunade refused to let him take the risk without protection from the poison mist.
• Hoshi reassured Tsunade and outlined a tornado-like Wind Release technique that could last longer and draw away the poison gas.
• Hoshi proposed a Wind Nature Chakra armor to carry the poison mist away from his body during close combat.
• Hoshi described Wind Barrier, which would use turbulent Wind Nature Chakra to weaken attacks passing through it.
• Orochimaru approved of the proposed techniques and praised Hoshi’s talent and imagination.

Hoshi and Orochimaru developed Wind Release techniques while Jiraiya and Tsunade searched for Poisonous Salamanders. After completing a tornado technique and a Wind Wall, Hoshi began exploring how to create Wind Release Armor.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade searched for Poisonous Salamanders, while Hoshi and Orochimaru worked on Wind Release techniques.
• Hoshi and Orochimaru developed Joyful Hasaki, a tornado that could be strengthened and infused with the Two-Tails' azure flames.
• Hoshi developed a Wind Wall that disrupted incoming attacks, though it could block only one B-rank ninjutsu at his current level.
• Hoshi and Orochimaru found that Lightning Release Armor could not serve as a model for Wind Release Armor because Wind Release damaged cells.
• Hoshi began testing an external Wind Release armor approach inspired by Boruto Stream, first experimenting on Mikazuki Munechika rather than himself.

Hoshi and Orochimaru abandoned their attempt to create Wind Release Armor and developed Wind Guard to protect Hoshi from Hanzō’s poisonous mist. After Tsunade confirmed it worked, Hoshi prepared to face Hanzō when war began.

• Hoshi struggled to sustain irregular Wind Release Chakra along Mikazuki Munechika, so Orochimaru stopped the attempt and proposed using a spiral airflow instead.
• Orochimaru demonstrated a vortex with a calm center, and Hoshi understood that he could surround himself with rotating wind rather than coat his body in Chakra.
• Hoshi developed Wind Guard around his body and Wind Revolve, a spiraling spear of wind that pierced several trees.
• Tsunade tested Wind Guard with her poisonous mist, and Hoshi used Wind Revolve to gather the mist into a small ball of Chakra.
• Tsunade warned that Hanzō could release poison with every breath, but Hoshi demonstrated Wind Revolve again and reassured her before preparing for war.

Hanzō led Amegakure’s forces toward Konoha Camp, driven by the need to seize food and resources for his people. Konoha’s forces ambushed him, and after Hanzō and Hayate Hoshi exchanged challenges, the first battle was about to begin.

• Hanzō’s declaration arrived, and Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hoshi ordered the camp to prepare for battle.
• Hanzō led the Rain Hidden Ninja toward Konoha Camp while reflecting on the famine threatening Amegakure and his need to obtain supplies.
• Hanzō sensed an ambush and used Rain of a Thousand Senbon, but Konoha shinobi blocked the attack with Earth Walls.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Hoshi, and their shinobi emerged from the forest to face Hanzō’s forces.
• Hanzō recognized Hoshi as Konoha Silver Moon, and Hoshi challenged him as both sides prepared to fight.

Hoshi fought Hanzō as Konoha and the Rain Hidden clashed, with Hanzō eventually summoning Ibuse to unleash poisonous mist. Hoshi took an Iai Slash stance before Konoha’s Wind Release ninja shouted “Hasaki,” leaving his next move unclear.

• Hoshi blocked Hanzō’s poisoned sickle and won their contest of strength, then they resumed fighting at high speed.
• Konoha and the Rain Hidden exchanged ninjutsu, and Konoha’s stronger combination attacks caused casualties among the Rain Hidden.
• Orochimaru signaled the Wind Release ninja to prepare, and Hanzō summoned Ibuse to release poisonous mist.
• Hoshi stepped in front of Konoha’s Wind Release ninja and took an Iai Slash stance as they shouted “Hasaki.”

Hanzō avoided Orochimaru’s trap and tried to make Orochimaru doubt his decision to spare his subordinates. Hoshi interrupted the manipulation, leaving Orochimaru shaken but no longer alone with Hanzō’s words.

• Hoshi and the Konoha Wind Release Unit combined their techniques into a giant tornado that swept up Hanzō’s poisonous fog.
• Hanzō used the Body Flicker Technique to attack the Wind Release Unit, but Orochimaru’s forces had prepared a hidden pit for him and Salamander Ibuse.
• Hanzō noticed suspicious details, returned Ibuse to the Summoning Realm, and escaped the pit with his chain-linked sickle before the trap could close.
• Hanzō praised Orochimaru’s plan, then claimed Orochimaru’s kindness had ruined a chance to end the war and made Orochimaru question himself.
• Hoshi warned Orochimaru that Hanzō was trying to provoke an opening, stopping him from sinking further into regret.

Hayate Hoshi and Konoha’s forces drove Hanzō’s troops into retreat, winning Konoha’s first major victory against Amegakure. Danzo ordered the army to expand its territory, while Tsunade continued researching an antidote ahead of a future decisive confrontation with Hanzō.

• Hanzō recognized Hoshi as a potential future threat but abandoned the fight when Jiraiya’s assault routed his forces.
• Hanzō released poison gas and ordered a retreat, while Jiraiya stayed behind to rescue Konoha’s wounded.
• Tsunade and the others treated the few Konoha ninja poisoned in the battle, which left Konoha with far fewer casualties than Amegakure.
• Hoshi and his allies waited for Tsunade to develop an antidote before pursuing a decisive battle or ceasefire with Hanzō.
• Danzo ordered Konoha’s forces to expand along the front line, and Hoshi and the others carried out the order.

Two Konoha Ninja seeking shelter from the rain broke into Nagato’s family home and accidentally killed his parents. Overwhelmed by grief, Nagato unleashed a mysterious power that killed both ninja, then lost consciousness.

• White Zetsu watched two Konoha Ninja enter a house and followed them, anticipating a change in their fate.
• Nagato’s father ordered his wife and son to hide when the two Konoha Ninja entered their home.
• A bottle shattered as Nagato’s mother tried to lead him out, alerting the intruders and causing his father to confront them.
• The Konoha Ninja mistook the family for enemy accomplices, and one of them stabbed Nagato’s father while the other fatally struck his mother.
• Nagato cried over his parents’ bodies and released an Invisible Wave that killed both Konoha Ninja before he collapsed unconscious.

Madara learned that Nagato had awakened the Rinnegan but ordered Obito to leave him in Amegakure so he would suffer more before being guided. After his parents died, Nagato wandered through the rain with a stray dog until Konan found him and offered food and help.

• White Zetsu reported that Hanzō had been defeated by Hayate Hoshi, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, and that Nagato had awakened the Wheel of Reincarnation after his parents were killed.
• Madara refused to bring Nagato to him and told Obito to leave him alone so he would witness more darkness.
• Nagato woke beside his dead parents, remembered his mother's plea to live, and headed north to avoid shinobi.
• Nagato found a starving stray dog, named it Little Squirt, and tried unsuccessfully to find food for them.
• As Nagato collapsed from hunger, Konan gave him food and offered to take him to Yahiko.

After learning that Tsunade had been trapped by Stone Hidden Ninja, Hoshi rushed to rescue her with Robb. The Stone Hidden search party continued combing the swamp for Tsunade as a storm gathered overhead.

• Hoshi sparred with Jiraiya, who gave up and left to gather material for his novel, Tale of the Gutsy Ninja.
• Hoshi reflected on his growing swordsmanship experience and trained with his Shadow Clone.
• Orochimaru told Hoshi that Tsunade's squad had been ambushed while collecting Ibuse venom sacs, leaving Tsunade trapped in a swamp after four teammates died.
• Hoshi refused Orochimaru's offer to send Jiraiya and others, then headed northeast with Robb to rescue Tsunade.
• Elite Jonin Kinoshita Eien ordered the Stone Hidden Ninja to search the swamp thoroughly and prevent Tsunade from escaping.

Kinoshita Eien struggled to capture Tsunade before Konoha reinforcements arrived, while Tsunade hid in the swamp with little Chakra and no safe escape. She chose to toss a charm to decide whether to break through or flee toward Amegakure.

• Kinoshita Eien ordered his Sensor Ninja to search the swamp and worried that he had only three hours before Konoha reinforcements arrived.
• The captain of the Perception Squad explained that Tsunade was difficult to sense and could not easily escape the swamp.
• Tsunade hid in the swamp, wounded and low on Chakra, after her subordinates sacrificed themselves to buy her time.
• Tsunade tossed the charm she shared with Hoshi to choose between a head-on breakout and fleeing toward Amegakure.

Hoshi and Robb searched the swamp for Tsunade while she tried to escape the Stone Hidden Ninjas. Tsunade was cornered from both sides after unleashing a powerful punch, leaving her in grave danger.

• Hoshi summoned Robb and asked him to help find Tsunade, who was trapped in the swamp.
• Tsunade chose to break through the encirclement and silently killed several Stone Hidden Ninjas as she searched for a way out.
• Kinoshita Eien learned that Tsunade was nearby and ordered his Perception Squad to close in from two directions.
• Tsunade ran into Kinoshita Eien's group, then pretended to consider surrendering the Antidote before striking the ground with her Super Strength Fist.
• Tsunade fled through the upheaval, but another team blocked her path as Kinoshita Eien's group caught up behind her.

Hoshi arrived with Robb to rescue the exhausted Tsunade, killing Kinoshita Eien with a concealed Sword Qi and breaking the Stone Hidden encirclement. He warned the remaining ninjas to surrender or die, and one of them recognized him as Konoha Silver Moon.

• Kinoshita Eien ordered his men to capture Tsunade, while Tsunade prepared to kill herself rather than let the Stone Hidden take her research.
• Hoshi arrived and killed Kinoshita Eien with a concealed Sword Qi as Robb drove the Stone Hidden ninjas back with wind blades.
• Tsunade escaped the encirclement and reunited with Hoshi and Robb.
• The Perception Squad captain concealed that he had sensed Hoshi’s arrival and urged the remaining Stone Hidden ninjas to attack, hoping to claim the credit for capturing Tsunade.
• Hoshi counted the thirty-seven Stone Hidden ninjas and demanded they surrender or become swamp fodder.
• A Stone Hidden ninja recognized Hoshi’s sword and swordsmanship and identified him as Konoha Silver Moon.

After learning Hoshi was Konoha Silver Moon, the Iwagakure ninja attacked him, but he effortlessly blocked their barrage and frightened them. Their captain rallied them with promises of promotion and wealth, so Hoshi prepared to kill them with his Oborizuki Eleven Forms.

• The Iwagakure ninja recognized Hoshi as Konoha Silver Moon and grew wary, but their Perception Squad's captain urged them to attack.
• Hoshi told Robb to protect Tsunade, then blocked all thirty-seven ninja's attacks with a single Wind Wall.
• Tsunade watched Hoshi protect her and considered marrying him.
• The captain convinced the Iwagakure ninja to attack again by promising promotion and wealth.
• Hoshi drew Mikazuki Munechika, announced his Oborizuki Eleven Forms, and prepared to kill the Iwagakure ninja.

Hoshi used the Oborizuki Eleven Forms to unsettle the Stone Hidden Ninja before attacking them with ghostly blue flames and silver-light strikes. The Stone forces discovered too late that Hoshi’s apparent clones could fight through fatal wounds as he cut down their ranks.

• Hoshi created ten identical figures and changed his bearing from a Buddha-like presence to an Asura-like one.
• The Stone Hidden Ninja captain and his allies bombarded Hoshi with fire, earth, and wind ninjutsu.
• Hoshi unleashed ten Soul-Devouring Ghost Slashes, setting more than a dozen Stone ninja ablaze.
• Hoshi charged into the Stone formation with Line of Moonlight and inflicted heavy casualties.
• An Elite Jonin pierced Hoshi’s throat, but Hoshi ignored the wound and killed him with a strike through the heart.

Hayate Hoshi used Oborizuki Eleven Forms to defeat the Stone Hidden Ninja squad, then helped Tsunade wash up and treat her wounds. Tsunade kissed him as a reward before they prepared to return to camp.

• The Perception Squad captain realized the real Hayate Hoshi was hiding among the eleven forms and tried to rally the survivors, but Hayate appeared behind him and killed him.
• Hayate Hoshi killed the remaining Stone Hidden Ninja, completing the massacre of all thirty-seven members of the squad.
• Hayate walked back to Tsunade and Robb, and Robb turned into smoke and left after teasing them.
• Tsunade asked Hayate to carry her to a nearby river, where she washed her face and treated her wounds.
• Hayate tucked Tsunade's hair behind her ear, and Tsunade kissed him, calling it a reward for his performance.

Hoshi left Tsunade alone to bathe, but returned after a roar and caught sight of her fighting a giant salamander. Tsunade warned him not to peek again as the two prepared to deal with the creature she had killed.

• Tsunade ordered Hoshi to leave while she bathed, and he gave her clean clothes before heading into the jungle.
• Outside the forest, Hoshi considered using Transparency Release to spy on Tsunade, but a roar from the river interrupted him.
• Tsunade spotted a giant Poisonous Salamander, Ibuse, and killed it with Heavenly Foot of Pain before it could release poison gas.
• Hoshi arrived and saw Tsunade exposed; she covered herself and warned him that next time she would use Super Strength.