Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hikaru defended Kushina after she was bullied at the Ninja Academy, berating the parents, teachers, and medical staff and ordering the children she had beaten to be kept in permanent hospitalization. He left with Kushina and Uzumaki Kujou while the parents vowed to complain, but the hospital staff stopped them from taking their children home.

• Kushina told Hikaru that classmates had insulted her and pulled her hair, but their parents denied it and called her a monster.
• Hikaru ordered the medic to arrange permanent hospitalization for the children Kushina had beaten and warned the staff not to discharge them without his permission.
• Hikaru berated the teachers for mishandling the incident and threatened to recommend personnel changes and battlefield assignments.
• Hikaru scolded the medical staff for treating a minor school fight as a hospital emergency, then told Kushina to hit harder if anyone provoked her again.
• Hikaru said he would file a complaint against the parents for disrupting the school and hospital, then left with Kushina and Uzumaki Kujou.
• The parents threatened to complain at the Hokage Office Building, but hospital staff told them their children could not leave because permanent hospitalization had been arranged.

After parents tried to remove their children from Konoha Hospital, Hikaru ordered the children kept there under Anbu guard and discussed stronger oversight for the hospital and Ninja Academy with the Third Hokage. He proposed appointing disabled veterans as teachers to give the students more rigorous training.

• Hospital staff stopped the parents from taking their children away, and Anbu arrived to enforce Hikaru's order that the children remain hospitalized.
• Hikaru sent Uzumaki Kujou and Kushina home to rest before they returned to teaching and school.
• Hikaru complained to the Third Hokage about the academy and hospital staff and said he would file complaints against the disruptive parents.
• The Third Hokage accepted that Hikaru could file the complaints and asked what kind of teachers he wanted for the Ninja Academy.
• Hikaru proposed making disabled ninja veterans from the battlefield teachers, with the current teachers serving as assistants.

Hikaru proposed letting carefully selected disabled veterans teach at the Ninja Academy so children could learn resilience, but refused the Third Hokage’s attempt to make him teach. After reading new battlefield intelligence about Senju Clan casualties under Danzo’s command, Hikaru asked why the clan had acted recklessly, and the Third Hokage said Danzo was negotiating with them.

• Hikaru suggested recruiting suitable disabled veterans as Ninja Academy teachers to prepare children for the dangers of ninja life.
• The Third Hokage proposed that Hikaru serve as a representative teacher, but Hikaru refused, citing his Anbu duties, the Uchiha Clan, and other responsibilities.
• The Third Hokage dropped the idea for the moment and said he would investigate whether the veteran-teacher plan was feasible.
• Hikaru read intelligence reporting that the Senju Clan had suffered heavy losses under Danzo’s command and questioned their reckless actions.
• The Third Hokage told Hikaru that Danzo was negotiating with the Senju Clan.

Hikaru left the Third Hokage to handle the fallout from the Senju Clan’s deaths and reassured Kushina and Uzumaki Kujou that he would protect them. After the children who had provoked Kushina were kept in the hospital, their parents apologized to the sisters, ending the dispute.

• Hikaru told the Third Hokage that Danzo bore responsibility as the front-line Commander-in-Chief, then returned home.
• Hikaru reassured Kushina and Uzumaki Kujou and told Kushina to fight back if anyone at school provoked her.
• After the children’s parents complained, Hikaru kept the children confined to the hospital until they apologized.
• The parents eventually apologized to Kushina and Uzumaki Kujou, and Hikaru let the matter end.

At an Uchiha clan meeting, Hikaru warned the elders against openly celebrating the Senju Clan’s losses and decided to give Fugaku Uchiha a path to greater authority. The chapter ended with Fugaku accepting the plan to take over the Police Department after a period of preparation.

• Kushina became untouchable at school because the children feared provoking Hikaru.
• Hikaru attended a clan meeting where Fugaku Uchiha sat nervously among the elders.
• The elders argued about the village keeping the Uchiha Clan out of battle, and Hikaru stopped the Second Elder from openly gloating about the Senju Clan’s losses.
• Hikaru told Fugaku to work hard and said he would take over the Police Department after some time.
• Fugaku accepted the appointment, and the Second Elder said he had no objection to stepping aside.

Hikaru delegated clan authority to Fugaku Uchiha while waiting to judge his performance, then prepared to subdue the Nine-Tails. After weakening its seal and provoking it into looking at his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Hikaru caught it in his genjutsu.

• Hikaru decided Fugaku Uchiha could take charge of the Police Department if he proved himself.
• As the war continued on several fronts, Hikaru stayed away from battle and focused on strengthening the Uchiha Clan.
• Hikaru traveled alone to a remote area of the Land of Fire and weakened the scroll sealing the Nine-Tails.
• The Nine-Tails broke out of the scroll, expending much of its Chakra and stamina.
• Hikaru insulted the Nine-Tails, and it glared into his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, freezing at the sight of an image of Madara Uchiha.

Hikaru forcibly made a contract with the Nine-Tails using his Sharingan, then taunted it after releasing his control. The Nine-Tails attacked in a rage, but Hikaru dodged and challenged it to make him submit.

• Hikaru recalled how the Nine-Tails had fallen under the Sharingan's control before and used it to forcibly form a contract with the beast.
• Hikaru kept Madara Uchiha's old contract intact, hoping it might help him obtain Madara Uchiha's cells someday.
• Hikaru released his control, and the enraged Nine-Tails recognized that he had forced it into a contract like Madara Uchiha had.
• The Nine-Tails swiped at Hikaru, but he vanished before its claw struck and left a massive pit in the ground.
• Hikaru mocked the Nine-Tails and challenged it to tear him apart or submit to him, and the Nine-Tails refused.

Hikaru used Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu to wear down the Nine-Tails and force it to submit. The wood dragon caught and bound the beast, draining its Chakra as the Nine-Tails fought back.

• Hikaru summoned a wood dragon and told the Nine-Tails he would keep testing its endurance until it submitted.
• The Nine-Tails dodged the wood dragon and struck it with its tails, but could not stop it from pursuing.
• Hikaru sat down with food and seasonings, prepared to make the struggle last as long as necessary.
• The wood dragon caught the Nine-Tails, wrapped around it, and began absorbing its Chakra.
• The Nine-Tails lashed out with its tails, claws, and fanged mouth in an effort to destroy the wood dragon.

Hikaru’s Wood Dragon kept the Nine-Tails trapped and drained its Chakra while Hikaru considered ways to obtain Madara Uchiha’s cells. When the Nine-Tails prepared a Tailed Beast Bomb, Hikaru warned that he would make it blow itself up.

• The Wood Dragon resisted the Nine-Tails’ attacks, stayed wrapped around it, and continued absorbing its Chakra.
• Hikaru thought about finding Madara Uchiha or locating his cells in Root, and worried that Black Zetsu was watching him.
• The Nine-Tails and the Wood Dragon continued their battle, devastating the surrounding forest and landscape.
• Hikaru warned the Nine-Tails not to use a Tailed Beast Bomb, threatening to make it turn the attack on itself.

Hikaru restrained the Nine-Tails and stopped it from using a Tailed Beast Bomb, forcing it to fight the Wood Dragon until it was exhausted. He planned to keep wearing Kurama down until it submitted.

• Hikaru watched the Nine-Tails struggle against the Wood Dragon and warned it not to use a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• The furious Nine-Tails broke free and began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb to destroy the Wood Dragon.
• Hikaru controlled the Nine-Tails with his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, causing its Tailed Beast Bomb to explode and injure it.
• The Wood Dragon seized the dazed Nine-Tails again, and Hikaru ate and watched while they struggled through the day.
• Hikaru dispelled the Wood Dragon Jutsu after the Nine-Tails was exhausted, then waited for morning and planned to continue until Kurama submitted.

Uchiha Hikaru wore down the Nine-Tails through a month of repeated battles until it submitted and agreed to follow him. He promised it freedom to roam as long as it stayed away from Konoha and did not harm people in the Land of Fire, leaving the Nine-Tails regretting its resistance as Hikaru prepared to warn it again.

• Hikaru repeatedly fought the Nine-Tails with Wood Dragon Jutsu, giving it time to recover between battles.
• After a month, the exhausted Nine-Tails submitted and called Hikaru Master.
• Hikaru warned the Nine-Tails not to betray him or pretend to submit.
• Hikaru promised the Nine-Tails it could roam freely, provided it did not cause trouble in Konoha or harm people in the Land of Fire.
• The Nine-Tails realized it had resisted needlessly, and Hikaru crouched down to warn it.

Hikaru returned to Konoha after leaving the Nine-Tails behind and learned that Jiraiya had come back with several children from the Land of Rain. Jiraiya and the Third Hokage were arguing because the Hokage had rejected Jiraiya’s request to let the children settle in Konoha.

• Hikaru left the Nine-Tails and returned to Konoha without his large scroll.
• An Anbu member told Hikaru that the Third Hokage wanted him at the Hokage’s Office, where Jiraiya had also returned.
• Hikaru found Jiraiya and the Third Hokage arguing in the office.
• The Third Hokage explained that he had refused to admit Jiraiya’s older war-orphan charges to Konoha, offering support for them in the Land of Rain instead.
• Jiraiya protested that the Hokage had made the decision harder by calling a high-level meeting, while the Third Hokage defended his choice as a matter of principle and village security.

Hikaru intervened in Jiraiya and the Third Hokage’s dispute over bringing three war-orphaned children from the Land of Rain to Konoha. He challenged Jiraiya to consider the risks and the children’s feelings, leaving Jiraiya silent and reconsidering his plan.

• Jiraiya and the Third Hokage argued over whether three children from the Land of Rain should be allowed to settle in Konoha, and the village’s higher-ups rejected the idea.
• Hikaru stopped the argument and asked Jiraiya why he wanted to bring the children to Konoha.
• Jiraiya explained that he pitied the children, whose homes had been destroyed in the war, and thought they deserved training and a place in the village.
• Hikaru asked who would bear responsibility if the children were spies and caused serious harm, then pointed out that the Third Hokage would face the consequences.
• Hikaru urged Jiraiya to consider whether the children would feel safe or welcome among their enemies, and suggested supporting them without bringing them to Konoha.
• Jiraiya fell silent, recognizing that he needed to consider the children’s perspective.

Hikaru confirmed that the Nine-Tails was under control and took Jiraiya out for dinner after he settled matters with the Third Hokage. Jiraiya planned to return to the Land of Rain to study and help the children there, while Hikaru teased him about finding him something to do.

• Hikaru told the Third Hokage that the Nine-Tails had learned to behave and could roam freely as long as it did not cause trouble in Konoha or the Land of Fire.
• Hikaru dragged an embarrassed Jiraiya out of the Hokage's Office and took him to their usual tavern.
• Hikaru asked whether Jiraiya would stay in the village or leave, and Jiraiya said he planned to continue studying in the Land of Rain because he could not forget the children there.
• Hikaru teased Jiraiya about needing more things to do, causing Jiraiya to spray wine over the dishes.
• Hikaru put the ruined dishes on Jiraiya's tab, and the two later shared a fresh serving of food.

While Hikaru continued his duties in Konoha, the Nine-Tails wandered into the Land of Lightning and drew Kumogakure’s attention. The Third Raikage ordered it watched while he weighed the risks of trying to capture it.

• Jiraiya spent ten days in Konoha’s red-light district before leaving, while Hikaru continued his work and lessons for Kushina and Mikoto Uchiha.
• Konoha and its enemies continued suffering heavy losses in the ongoing wars on both fronts.
• A Kumogakure patrol spotted the Nine-Tails wandering through the Land of Lightning, unaware it had once been subdued by Uchiha Hikaru.
• The Third Raikage considered capturing the Nine-Tails but ordered his people to locate and observe it before making a move.
• Young A eagerly sent news of the Nine-Tails back to Kumogakure, while the Third Raikage remained undecided about whether to act.

The Third Raikage decided to lead a team to capture the Nine-Tails, believing Kumogakure could risk the mission while Iwagakure remained weakened. He left young A in command of the Land of Earth battlefield and departed with his son promising to hold the advantage.

• The Third Raikage weighed the risks of pursuing the Nine-Tails while Kumogakure was at war with Iwagakure.
• The Third Raikage chose to lead a team to capture the Nine-Tails, viewing it as a resource that could repay Kumogakure’s losses or be used to pressure Konoha.
• The Third Raikage appointed young A to command Kumogakure’s forces on the Land of Earth battlefield while he was away.
• Young A admitted he wanted to join the Nine-Tails mission, but the Third Raikage explained that one of them had to remain and protect the war effort.
• Young A promised the Third Raikage that he would keep Ōnoki and Iwagakure from gaining an advantage.

The Third Raikage left the Land of Earth with an elite squad to capture the Nine-Tails, leaving little A to command Kumogakure’s forces and avoid giving Iwagakure an opening. Ōnoki cautiously held his position, while Hikaru received a troubling report from the front lines and was asked to explain it to the Uchiha elders.

• The Third Raikage handed battlefield authority to little A and secretly returned to the Land of Lightning with ten Elite Jonin to capture the Nine-Tails.
• Little A slowed Kumogakure’s offensive while awaiting news from his father, and Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to watch Kumogakure closely and hold its position.
• The narration contrasted Konoha’s stalemate against Sunagakure under Danzo with Kumogakure’s gains against Iwagakure.
• Anbu brought Hikaru the latest front-line report during a Uchiha Clan meeting, and Hikaru reacted with concern.
• The Third Elder asked Hikaru whether the battle situation was unfavorable.

Hikaru told the Uchiha elders that the Senju Clan had suffered losses too severe to remain a great clan and used their collapse to demand changes in Uchiha training. The elders accepted his orders to test children for chakra, leaving Second Elder uneasy about the cost.

• Hikaru destroyed the classified intelligence scroll and told the elders that the Uchiha's old rival had fallen.
• Fugaku Uchiha guessed that Hikaru meant the Senju Clan, and Hikaru confirmed that their losses fighting Sunagakure's Puppet Corps had left them unable to uphold their status as a great clan.
• Hikaru urged the Uchiha to train their children and declared that he would no longer be bound by the clan's rules.
• Hikaru ordered the clan to test suitable-age children, including those who had failed before, until they turned seven and could no longer refine Chakra.
• Second Elder, who managed Uchiha finances, accepted the order while worrying about the expense.

Hikaru assigned Fugaku Uchiha to supervise the implementation of the clan’s new measure, giving him a chance to prove himself. Hikaru then visited the Third Hokage, whom he found smoking heavily over the trouble facing Konoha.

• Hikaru chose Fugaku Uchiha to oversee the measure and promised to reserve the Police Department chief position for him if he succeeded.
• Fugaku Uchiha eagerly accepted the assignment, while the Great Elder and Second Elder agreed to support him with manpower and funding.
• After the meeting, Fugaku Uchiha vowed to handle the task properly, and the Great Elder encouraged him to earn Hikaru’s trust.
• Hikaru went to the Hokage Office Building and found the Third Hokage smoking amid his worries; Hikaru’s remark made him choke on the smoke.

Hikaru and the Third Hokage discussed how Danzo’s command of the war against Sunagakure had turned Konoha’s earlier victory into a costly, awkward campaign. The Third Hokage accepted that he would bear the villagers’ blame, while Hikaru made clear he had no interest in pursuing the Hokage position.

• The Third Hokage asked Hikaru whether compromising with the higher-ups had caused the current situation, and Hikaru pointed out that the villagers would judge Konoha’s poor progress against Sunagakure.
• The Third Hokage regretted sending Danzo to command the front, knowing that the villagers would blame him if the war depleted Konoha’s supplies and manpower.
• Hikaru sarcastically praised Danzo’s performance, and the Third Hokage accused him of mocking him.
• Hikaru admitted that he was mocking the Third Hokage for putting a schemer in charge, while the Third Hokage sighed that it was all for the village.
• Hikaru reflected that he no longer wanted to compete for the Hokage position and would rather help the Uchiha gain resources and authority through other departments.