Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hikaru reviewed tedious Hokage paperwork while Orochimaru reported that the investigation into intercepted supplies had gone cold inside the Land of Fire. Hikaru left the matter for the Third Elder to handle after the war with Sunagakure, as the supply failures involved the Shimura-controlled Logistics Department.

• Jiraiya tried to persuade Uchiha Hikaru to accept a position, while Hikaru complained about the Hokage Office's excessive paperwork.
• Orochimaru returned and gave Hikaru a scroll containing the results of his investigation into the intercepted supplies.
• Orochimaru reported that the trail vanished inside the Land of Fire and that Kirigakure was unlikely to be responsible.
• Hikaru and Orochimaru discussed how a nearby country might have taken advantage of Konoha's wartime supply troubles, but Orochimaru had found no firm clues.
• Hikaru noted that the missing supplies and vanished Craftsman Country transporters could prompt demands for an explanation, then left the matter for the Third Elder after the war with Sunagakure.

After the Second Ninja War ended with Konoha and Kumogakure narrowly victorious, Konoha began recovering from its heavy losses. At a high-level meeting, the Third Hokage proposed adjusting village departments, especially the Medical Department, because some clans had lost nearly all their members.

• Hikaru set aside the unresolved missing-supplies case and spent time drinking with Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Hatake Sakumo.
• The Third Hokage turned Konoha’s fortunes around on the front lines, and after Sunagakure’s defeat, Ōnoki surrendered.
• The Second Ninja War ended with Konoha and Kumogakure claiming narrow victories, while all the major villages faced slow recovery and Iwagakure and Kumogakure remained bitter enemies.
• Hikaru attended a high-level meeting where the Third Hokage proposed adjusting village departments, particularly the Medical Department, because some clans had lost nearly all their members.

After the war devastated the Senju Clan, Uchiha Hikaru pushed for Tsunade to retain control of the Medical Department and for Uchiha members to fill other vacant posts. Danzo objected, but the Third Hokage and the other elders ultimately agreed to let the Senju continue managing the department and consider the remaining appointments.

• Hikaru proposed assigning the surviving Senju members to suitable posts, placing Tsunade in charge of the Medical Department, and appointing qualified Uchiha members to other positions.
• Danzo accused the Uchiha Clan of demanding too much, and Hikaru defended Tsunade’s claim while mocking Danzo’s wartime command.
• Hikaru ridiculed Danzo for failing against the Third Kazekage, and the Third Hokage intervened to prevent the argument from turning into a fight.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu redirected the discussion toward department appointments.
• The Third Hokage accepted that the Senju should continue managing the Medical Department and agreed to consider the other positions.

At a meeting about who would lead the Medical Department, Danzo tried to block Tsunade’s appointment by attacking the prospect of Uchiha control. Hikaru instead accused unnamed people and clans of embezzling village funds, then revealed missing medical equipment records that put Danzo under suspicion.

• Danzo objected to Tsunade leading the Medical Department and warned that it could fall under the Uchiha.
• Hikaru said he wanted to report people and clans for misusing authority to embezzle Konoha’s funds.
• Danzo angrily accused Hikaru of slander before Hikaru had named anyone, drawing the other leaders’ suspicious attention to him.
• Hikaru cited a missing batch of medical equipment purchased in Konoha Year 27 and said several other batches had also disappeared.
• The Third Hokage and Utatane Koharu demanded details as Hikaru’s account pointed toward Danzo.

Hikaru exposed the Shimura Clan’s theft of Konoha’s equipment and medicinal supplies through the Logistics Department, and the Third Hokage ordered an immediate investigation after reviewing Hikaru’s evidence. The Shimura Clan faced severe losses, while Hikaru stood to gain control of some of its businesses.

• Hikaru told the conference that equipment and medicinal materials listed as sent to the front lines had never reached the battlefield or the Medical Department.
• Danzo denied responsibility and prepared to shift the blame to the Shimura elder publicly managing the Logistics Department.
• Hikaru summoned Anbu operatives to retrieve documents proving how much the Shimura Clan had taken from Konoha.
• The Anbu returned with the documents, and Hikaru handed them to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage ordered an immediate investigation of everyone involved, putting the Shimura Clan under threat of heavy penalties.

Hikaru exposed Danzo’s misconduct and pressured Konoha’s leaders, while the Third Hokage struggled to decide how to punish him without destabilizing the village during wartime. The chapter ended with the Anbu openly investigating the Shimura Clan and the Logistics Department.

• The Third Hokage confronted Danzo, who denied all involvement, while the other leaders grew wary of Hikaru’s knowledge of their clans.
• Hikaru warned Danzo and the other leaders not to provoke him, then left the meeting as the Third Hokage called the meeting to an end.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura lamented Danzo’s actions and recognized that the Shimura Clan would lose its influence over the Logistics Department.
• The Third Hokage reproached Hikaru for not revealing the matter sooner, and Hikaru explained that he had waited to avoid disrupting the front lines.
• The Third Hokage waited for an Anbu report while Hikaru asked for a reward, and the Anbu began a large-scale investigation into the Shimura Clan and the Logistics Department.

The Third Hokage exposed Shimura Clan corruption in the Logistics Department, which led to the department changing hands and the clan’s reputation collapsing. Hikaru prepared to secure Uchiha positions in the Logistics and Medical Departments, while Danzo seethed over the clues Hikaru had uncovered.

• The Third Hokage announced an investigation into corruption in the Logistics Department, and the villagers turned against the Shimura Clan.
• The Anbu found the suspected Shimura Clan member dead, prompting the Third Hokage to suspect that someone had leaked the arrests.
• Hikaru told the Third Hokage to arrange positions for the Uchiha Clan in the Medical and Logistics Departments as he saw fit, leaving him to weigh how much influence to grant them.
• The Third Hokage announced that the dead man had acted alone, but villagers continued to blame the Shimura Clan, whose members were shocked by the revelations.
• Hikaru summoned the Uchiha elders to choose people for middle-ranking posts in the two departments.
• Danzo blamed Hikaru for exposing the corruption and raged that losing control of the Logistics Department would disrupt his plans.

Hikaru traveled toward the Land of Rain with Jiraiya and the Nine-Tails to meet Jiraiya’s former students. He promised Jiraiya he would not attack Nagato, Yahiko, or Konan, and the three waited at the border for their arrival.

• Hikaru rode through Konoha on the Nine-Tails with Jiraiya, drawing astonished and admiring reactions from villagers.
• Hikaru teased Jiraiya about his lack of recognition and his reputation for peeping on women bathing.
• Jiraiya asked Hikaru to promise he would not scheme against or attack Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, and Hikaru assured him he would not take the initiative.
• Hikaru, Jiraiya, and the Nine-Tails hurried toward the Land of Rain while Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato waited at the border for Jiraiya.

Jiraiya brought Uchiha Hikaru to meet Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan in the Land of Rain, arriving on the Nine-Tails. After the Nine-Tails threw Jiraiya off and left, the three disciples greeted their teacher.

• Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan waited in the rain, wondering who Jiraiya wanted them to meet.
• The Nine-Tails approached with Jiraiya and Uchiha Hikaru riding on its back, and Nagato recognized their teacher.
• Hikaru jumped down and sent the Nine-Tails away, but it shook Jiraiya off and attacked him with its tail.
• Hikaru told Jiraiya to deal with the Nine-Tails himself, and Jiraiya gave up arguing.
• Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan greeted Jiraiya, who laughed and walked over to them.

Hikaru met Jiraiya’s disciples and insisted on speaking privately with Nagato because of his Rinnegan. Nagato agreed, hoping Hikaru could answer questions about his eyes, while Jiraiya stayed behind to reassure Konan and Yahiko.

• Jiraiya introduced Hikaru to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, who watched him warily.
• Hikaru revealed that he had come to meet Nagato, and Jiraiya admitted Hikaru wanted to discuss Nagato’s eyes.
• Yahiko and Konan moved to shield Nagato, but Hikaru said he wanted to talk and warned them not to push him.
• Nagato asked how Hikaru would guarantee his safety, and Hikaru told him to ask Jiraiya about his character.
• Nagato said he trusted Jiraiya and had questions for Hikaru, then followed him aside while Jiraiya held back Konan and Yahiko.

Hikaru spoke privately with Nagato about his Rinnegan, explaining that he could not reveal all of its secrets. He left Nagato with a warning that the eyes could be dangerous even for him because of how they affected ordinary people.

• Hikaru led Nagato aside while Konan, Yahiko, and Jiraiya watched from a distance.
• Nagato raised his head to show Hikaru his Rinnegan, and Hikaru decided he could not take the eyes from him without risking their power erupting.
• Nagato asked Hikaru about the Rinnegan, and Hikaru offered to answer some questions but not reveal everything he knew.
• Nagato asked why he had the Rinnegan, and Hikaru said it was because Uzumaki Clan blood flowed through his body.
• Hikaru warned Nagato that an ordinary person with those eyes would explode and said that even Nagato might face danger from them.

Hikaru warned Nagato to keep the Rinnegan secret and explained that he was far too weak to control its power safely. After Hikaru left, Jiraiya urged his students to stay away from Konoha, unaware that Hikaru would not harm them unless they attacked.

• Nagato pressed Hikaru for answers about the Rinnegan, but Hikaru asked whether Nagato could control the eyes and shut down his questions.
• Hikaru warned Nagato that Hanzo of the Salamander might target him if he learned about the Rinnegan, and told him to keep the eyes secret.
• Nagato asked how he could control the Rinnegan, and Hikaru said he would need extraordinary vitality and Chakra before warning him not to experiment recklessly.
• Hikaru left without returning to Konoha with Jiraiya, and Jiraiya checked on Nagato with Konan and Yahiko.
• Jiraiya told Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan to avoid Konoha because he feared Hikaru, while Hikaru privately considered how he might respond if they ever attacked it.

Hikaru confronted Black Zetsu, who revealed that Madara Uchiha was still alive, and pressured him to obtain Madara’s cells for research. Black Zetsu left to ask Madara, while Hikaru gave him ten days before he would expose their secrets.

• Hikaru noticed Black Zetsu following him and forced him to reveal himself by threatening to return to Nagato.
• Black Zetsu explained that he and Madara Uchiha had once considered using Hikaru as a pawn but abandoned the idea because he was difficult to control.
• Black Zetsu told Hikaru that Madara Uchiha had survived the battle at the Valley of the End by using Izanagi.
• Hikaru asked Black Zetsu to get him Madara Uchiha’s cells and threatened to reveal Madara’s survival and connection to the Rinnegan if he refused.
• Black Zetsu said he needed to ask Madara, and Hikaru gave him ten days before he would spread the information.
• Before leaving, Black Zetsu asked how Hikaru had detected him, and Hikaru said the rain had exposed his position.

Hikaru confronted Black Zetsu and pretended to be shocked when Black Zetsu revealed that Madara Uchiha had survived the Valley of the End through Izanagi. The conversation ended with Hikaru demanding Madara Uchiha’s cells for research and threatening Black Zetsu if he refused.

• Hikaru questioned Black Zetsu about why he had watched him, and Black Zetsu admitted he had monitored him when he was younger.
• Black Zetsu asked whether Hikaru knew Madara Uchiha, and Hikaru acted as if Madara had died long ago.
• Black Zetsu explained that Madara Uchiha had used Izanagi to survive the battle at the Valley of the End.
• Hikaru feigned excitement about Madara’s survival, then said he wanted Madara Uchiha’s cells for research.
• Hikaru asked Black Zetsu to obtain a small amount of Madara Uchiha’s cells and warned him not to refuse.

Hikaru pressured Black Zetsu into asking Madara Uchiha for his cells, threatening to reveal that Madara was alive and connected to the Rinnegan. Black Zetsu agreed to seek Madara’s decision, and Hikaru gave him ten days before he would spread the news.

• Hikaru threatened to expose Madara Uchiha’s survival and the Rinnegan’s connection to him if Black Zetsu refused to provide Madara’s cells.
• Black Zetsu asked why Hikaru wanted the cells, and Hikaru said they were for research and suggested Madara might support the Uchiha Clan.
• Hikaru started to leave to speak with Jiraiya and his three disciples, prompting Black Zetsu to ask for time to consult Madara.
• Hikaru gave Black Zetsu ten days to bring back a satisfactory answer and warned him not to attack.
• Black Zetsu asked how Hikaru had detected him, and Hikaru explained that the rain had revealed his location.

Black Zetsu told Madara Uchiha that Hikaru wanted his cells and had threatened to trouble Nagato if refused. Madara trusted Hikaru to stop after getting what he wanted and gave Black Zetsu a piece of his skin, while warning that further threats would bring trouble for both sides.

• Black Zetsu returned to Madara Uchiha and explained Hikaru's demand for his cells and his threat involving Nagato.
• Madara Uchiha said Hikaru would not keep using Nagato as leverage because he believed Hikaru would discover the stone tablet and understand the Rinnegan's origins.
• Madara Uchiha cut off a piece of skin and ordered Black Zetsu to give it to Hikaru.
• Madara Uchiha considered exposing Hikaru's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan as a countermeasure but hoped to avoid escalating their conflict.

Hikaru obtained Madara Uchiha's cells from Black Zetsu and made clear that he would not join the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan. He returned to Konoha with the Nine-Tails, wondering whether Madara's cells would help him awaken the Rinnegan.

• Black Zetsu gave Hikaru Madara Uchiha's cells and warned him not to repeat their deal.
• Hikaru told Black Zetsu that he had read the Uchiha Clan's stone tablet and was interested in the Rinnegan, but would protect Konoha and the Uchiha Clan.
• Black Zetsu left believing Hikaru might eventually join the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan, while Hikaru rejected the scheme as a deception.
• Hikaru went to the Nine-Tails and rode it back toward Konoha, leaving Jiraiya to return on his own.
• Hikaru considered whether combining Madara Uchiha's cells with Hashirama's cells could help him awaken the Rinnegan.

Hikaru sent the Nine-Tails back to Konoha while he stayed behind to absorb Madara Uchiha’s cells. The fusion greatly increased his Chakra without causing pain, and he ended the chapter wondering whether to walk back or call the Nine-Tails back to carry him.

• Hikaru told the Nine-Tails to return to Konoha alone and to defend itself if attacked.
• After checking that no one was nearby, Hikaru took a fragment from Madara Uchiha’s flesh and absorbed it through a cut on his palm.
• Hikaru’s wound healed as the fragment vanished, and a warm current fused with his body without causing pain.
• Hikaru noticed his Chakra increasing dramatically but had not yet discovered any other benefits from the fusion.
• Hikaru realized the Nine-Tails was far away and hesitated between walking home and calling it back to carry him.

Hikaru returned to Konoha and met Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, who noticed that his appearance had grown younger. He confirmed that his stubble had vanished and his face looked several years younger, leaving him alarmed and unsure what had caused the change.

• Hikaru returned to Konoha on foot after letting the Nine-Tails go back ahead of him.
• Hikaru teased Jiraiya about chasing women and asked the Third Hokage about the Shimura Clan's punishment.
• Jiraiya and the Third Hokage noticed that Hikaru looked younger, with smoother skin.
• Hikaru checked his reflection in the Third Hokage's Crystal Ball and saw that his stubble had disappeared and his face looked several years younger.
• Hikaru confirmed that his body was otherwise unchanged and wondered what had happened to him.

After absorbing Madara Uchiha's cells, Hikaru noticed he had lost his facial hair, then discussed the Shimura Clan's punishment with the Third Hokage. Before leaving, Hikaru assigned Jiraiya to teach Namikaze Minato the Flying Thunder God Technique, a task Hikaru himself disliked and could not learn.

• Hikaru suspected that fusing Madara Uchiha's cells had caused him to lose his facial hair.
• The Third Hokage told Hikaru that he had taken control of the Logistics Department, Tsunade would lead the Medical Department, and the Shimura Clan had paid compensation and would keep most of its properties.
• Hikaru warned the Third Hokage that he would not go easy on Shimura Danzō if Danzō targeted him again.
• Hikaru left the Hokage's Office after telling Jiraiya to teach Namikaze Minato the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Third Hokage asked Jiraiya to use his backup scroll and destroy it afterward, while Jiraiya complained that Hikaru had dumped the task on him.