Chapter Summaries

Minato Namikaze arrived at Orochimaru’s camp with supplies and his squad, who were assigned to reinforce the front. Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha reunited with Chihane, whose dramatic moon-gazing caught Obito’s attention.

• Jonin Moonlight welcomed Minato Namikaze and escorted him to Orochimaru with the supply scroll.
• Orochimaru learned that Minato and his squad had been sent to reinforce the battlefield and told them to familiarize themselves with the area before the Iwa Shinobi main force arrived.
• Orochimaru ordered Jonin Moonlight to arrange a nearby tent for Minato’s squad so Kakashi Hatake could visit his brother Chihane.
• Obito Uchiha joked about Chihane being frightened, and Kakashi Hatake struck him before heading to Chihane’s tent.
• Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha found Chihane admiring the moon and declaring that the Shinobi World would have endured eternal night without Chihane Hatake.

Chihane frightened Obito out of boasting about his newly awakened Sharingan, then learned Kakashi was determined to fight in the war and inherit his father's White Fang title. Chihane challenged Kakashi to a spar to judge whether he was strong enough to go to the battlefield.

• Chihane teased Obito about boasting before he had killed any Iwa Shinobi, and Kakashi joined in.
• Chihane described Iwa Shinobi as terrifying monsters, frightening Obito into running to Minato to ask if it was true.
• Chihane laughed with Kakashi about scaring Obito, while Kakashi warned that Obito would return to bother them.
• Kakashi declared that he would fight in the war, take up the White Fang short blade, and restore the Hatake Clan's glory.
• Chihane challenged Kakashi to a spar to test his strength, and Kakashi eagerly accepted.

Minato Namikaze backed Chihane’s frightening story about the Iwa Shinobi to keep Obito Uchiha cautious, while Kakashi asked for special training after Chihane beat him. At the border, Orochimaru’s council prepared for the Iwa Shinobi’s approaching force and assigned opponents for the coming battle.

• Minato Namikaze confirmed Chihane’s story about the Iwa Shinobi, frightening Obito Uchiha into leaving to practice.
• Kakashi returned bruised and swollen, asked Minato Namikaze for special training, and agreed to start the next day.
• Jonin Moonlight reported that three thousand Iwa Shinobi led by Higashishibito and Han had reached Kitsuchi’s camp.
• Uchiha Kageyama said the Uchiha Clan could face the enemy’s Jonin, while Orochimaru would need to handle their top-tier fighters.
• Minato Namikaze volunteered to face Higashishibito, Chihane chose Kitsuchi, and Orochimaru took Han.
• Orochimaru assigned a Jonin to prepare a trapped battlefield near the Land of Earth’s border.

Konoha and Iwagakure’s armies began a bloody battle after Iwa’s planned surprise attack was exposed. Chihane opened the sixth of the Eight Gates to escape Kitsuchi’s swamp and drive him back.

• Kitsuchi and Higashishibito led the Iwa Shinobi Army into battle, but Orochimaru’s prepared combined Fire and Wind Release attack caught them off guard.
• Higashishibito unleashed the S-Rank Opening Earth Rising Excavation, sending lava erupting beneath Konoha’s forces and causing heavy casualties.
• Orochimaru sent Chihane into the fight, and Chihane and Minato Namikaze rapidly killed Iwa ninja as the melee spread across the battlefield.
• Kitsuchi charged Chihane while Higashishibito targeted Minato Namikaze; Chihane and Kitsuchi clashed in a fierce duel.
• Kitsuchi trapped Chihane in a swamp and attacked from above, so Chihane opened the sixth gate and forced Kitsuchi back.

Chihane killed Kitsuchi with a powerful sword strike, and Minato killed Higashishibito after exploiting a moment of distraction. Their deaths forced Han and Orochimaru to halt the battle, and the Iwa forces withdrew while Han warned that the conflict was not over.

• Chihane sheathed his sword, deactivated the Eight Gates of Death, and killed Kitsuchi with One Sword Style: Iai: Lion's Song.
• Minato marked Higashishibito's cuff with a Flying Thunder God Mark and killed him with a kunai strike to the throat.
• Orochimaru told Han that Iwa's force risked being wiped out, and Han ordered his shinobi to retreat.
• Orochimaru stopped the Konoha shinobi from continuing the fight, and both armies gathered behind their leaders.
• Han warned Orochimaru that the Tsuchikage would retaliate, then led the Iwa shinobi away.
• Uchiha Kageyama angrily demanded that Orochimaru explain why he had stopped the fighting despite Konoha's advantage.

After Orochimaru’s army defeated Kitsuchi’s Iwa forces at great cost, the Shinobi World recognized Chihane, Minato, Kakashi, and Shisui as dangerous talents. Danzo reacted to the growing threat from the Mist Ninja and the disappearance of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, while Hiruzen reconsidered his decision to place Chihane Hatake under Orochimaru.

• Orochimaru called off further fighting, noted that Konoha had fewer than 500 shinobi still standing, and ordered the survivors to search for wounded shinobi and recover the dead.
• The victory over Kitsuchi’s army spread across the Shinobi World, earning Chihane the name Asura Swordmaster and Minato the name Konoha’s Yellow Flash, while Kakashi and Shisui drew attention as rising fighters.
• Obito survived the battle and awakened two-tomoe Sharingan in both eyes, bringing him to the Uchiha Clan’s attention.
• Danzo criticized Hiruzen for placing Chihane Hatake under Orochimaru and learned that all seven members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had disappeared.
• Danzo ordered Root to find the missing swordsmen, while Hiruzen reviewed Chihane’s file and reconsidered his earlier decision about Chihane Hatake.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Jonin Akita with reinforcements and Chihane Hatake’s jonin appointment, ordering him to bring Chihane back to Konoha. At Orochimaru’s camp, Chihane considered the looming Battle of Kannabi Bridge and plans to find Madara Uchiha before a messenger summoned him to Orochimaru.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided Orochimaru had become too influential to control easily and summoned Jonin Akita.
• Hiruzen ordered Akita to lead three thousand ninja to reinforce Orochimaru and deliver Chihane Hatake’s jonin appointment, then bring Chihane back to Konoha.
• Chihane finished his sword training and reviewed his status, noting his strength and recent progress in Iron-Cutting Swordsmanship and Haki.
• Chihane worried that the Battle of Kannabi Bridge might still happen and planned to search for Madara Uchiha and prevent the events that would harm Obito and Kakashi.
• A dark-skinned ninja arrived and told Chihane that Orochimaru wanted to see him.

Chihane learned that Konoha had promoted him directly from Genin to Jonin, but Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered him to return to the village while Orochimaru remained on the Land of Earth front. Before leaving, Chihane said goodbye to Kakashi and gave him his lucky bandana.

• Jonin Akita arrived with three thousand reinforcements and told Chihane he had been promoted to Jonin for his battlefield achievements.
• Orochimaru explained that Hiruzen had ordered Chihane back to Konoha and planned for Akita to take his place; Chihane agreed to leave the next day.
• Chihane questioned Orochimaru about Hiruzen's decision, and Orochimaru called it politics and urged him to become as strong as the First.
• Chihane visited Kakashi and warned him to seek advice from Minato and Orochimaru and to be especially careful around bridges.
• Chihane told Kakashi he was returning to Konoha and tied his lucky bandana around Kakashi's head, prompting the brothers to tussle over it.

Chihane left Orochimaru's camp after saying goodbye to his comrades. Elsewhere, Might Guy's team found their bandit mission targets dead, and Jonin Hatano tried to return with the team before a massive sword flew at them.

• Chihane showed Kakashi his new jonin vest, traded jokes with Obito, and vanished to return to the village.
• Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, Ebisu, Might Duy, and Jonin Hatano set out to clear bandits from a nearby village.
• Might Duy and Jonin Hatano noticed the stronghold was unnaturally quiet, but Ebisu rushed inside ahead of them.
• Jonin Hatano found the bandits dead and concluded ninja from another village had killed them.
• Jonin Hatano started back to the village with the team, but a massive sword spun toward him.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist plotted to overthrow Karatachi Yagura after attacking Konoha’s supply routes. When Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki confronted Hatano and a group of young ninja, Hatano stayed behind so Might Duy could carry word of their presence back to Konoha.

• Juzo Biwa, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Suikazan Fuguki, Munashi Jinpachi, and Raiga Kurosuki agreed to wait until after the mission to kill Karatachi Yagura and seize power.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare heard people approaching, so Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki went to investigate.
• Juzo Biwa attacked Hatano with the Kubikiribōchō, and Hatano blocked the blade with an Earth-Style Wall.
• Hatano recognized Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki as members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and ordered Might Duy to escort Ebisu and the other young ninja back to Konoha.
• Raiga Kurosuki tried to pursue them, but Hatano stopped him with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Juzo Biwa charged Hatano with the Kubikiribōchō as Hatano vowed to hold the Mist ninja off.

Might Duy and the three young ninja were cornered by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist after Hatano was killed. To protect Might Guy and the others, Might Duy opened the Eighth Gate and charged at the enemy.

• Genma Shiranui and Might Duy stopped to rest as they fled, but Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki caught up with them.
• Raiga Kurosuki revealed Hatano's severed head, and Ebisu collapsed in terror.
• The rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist gathered, surrounding Might Duy, Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu.
• Might Duy told Might Guy to watch his final taijutsu and decided to hold off the enemy alone.
• Might Duy opened the Eighth Gate and charged at the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Chihane Hatake arrived in time to stop Might Duy from activating the Eight Gates and confronted the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. After killing Munashi Jinpachi with a single attack, Chihane drove the other six swordsmen to flee.

• Chihane Hatake arrived after noticing Biwa Juzo's signal flare and stopped Might Duy from activating the Eight Gates.
• Chihane told Might Duy to take the others somewhere safe, but changed course and challenged the Mist ninja after learning they had killed Teacher Hatano.
• Munashi Jinpachi trapped Chihane in an explosion, but Chihane emerged unharmed with Armament Haki protecting him.
• Chihane used Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt to kill Munashi Jinpachi in one attack.
• The six remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist fled in separate directions.

Chihane pursued the fleeing Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, killing Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, and the wielder of Hiramekarei while collecting their swords. Suikazan Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, and Raiga Kurosuki escaped, leaving Chihane wondering whether fate was preserving events from the original story as he returned to Might Duy and the others.

• Chihane told Might Duy to protect Guy and the others, then chased after Kushimaru Kuriarare with Pakkun’s help.
• Chihane caught and killed Kushimaru Kuriarare, taking Nuibari before following Pakkun to another target.
• Chihane found Jinin Akebino resting in a tree, killed him, and sealed Kabutowari in a scroll.
• Chihane reached the river where Suikazan Fuguki had escaped by swimming, then learned Pakkun had lost the other fugitives’ scents.
• Chihane recalled that Suikazan Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, and Raiga Kurosuki had escaped in the original story and wondered whether fate was correcting events.
• Chihane sent Pakkun away, stored the four ninja blades, and set off to rejoin Might Duy and the others.

Chihane reunited with Might Duy and the others, then challenged Duy to a fight to make him recognize his strength. Duy opened the Seventh Gate and attacked Chihane with the Morning Peacock before following up with a Konoha Strong Whirlwind.

• Chihane fired a Konoha signal flare and met Might Duy, Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui in the woods.
• Chihane joked that Duy could have defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, while Duy thanked him for saving everyone and lamented his own weakness.
• Chihane encouraged Duy and asked him to fight, then opened the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates of Death.
• Might Duy opened his Fifth Gate and exchanged punches with Chihane, but Chihane urged him to use his full strength.
• Might Duy opened the Seventh Gate and attacked Chihane with the Morning Peacock, which Chihane countered with Armament Haki.
• Might Duy appeared beside Chihane and drove a Konoha Strong Whirlwind kick toward his side.

Chihane and Might Duy fought at full strength, and their final clash left both battered beside a vast crater. Chihane convinced Might Duy that his taijutsu made him an S-Rank Ninja, and the group set off for Konoha with Duy thanking him.

• Might Duy struck Chihane with the Morning Peacock, sending him crashing through trees and into a boulder, but Chihane protected himself with Armament Haki.
• Chihane and Might Duy traded powerful taijutsu attacks until Duy used the Daytime Tiger.
• Chihane countered the Daytime Tiger with a sword slash, and their attacks collided in an explosion that destroyed the surrounding forest and formed a huge crater.
• Chihane told Might Duy that he was stronger than a jonin and an S-Rank Ninja, prompting Duy to cry with joy as Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu praised him.
• Chihane urged everyone to return to Konoha before dark, and Might Duy thanked him as they prepared to leave.

Chihane Hatake returned to Konoha with Might Duy and the others after his battlefield exploits, and Uchiha gate guards recognized and welcomed him as a village hero. The group was admitted after presenting their identification and mission documents.

• Uchiha Shio and Uchiha Su traded rumors about Shisui Uchiha and Obito Uchiha, then complained about being stuck guarding the gates.
• Uchiha Shio recognized Chihane Hatake among five figures approaching Konoha, and Uchiha Su joined him in welcoming the returning hero.
• Uchiha Su checked Chihane's jonin identification and the others' mission documents before letting them enter the village.

After returning to Konoha, Chihane rested while the Mist Ninja leaders learned that the mission to attack the village had failed. Biwa Juzo, Suikazan Fuguki, and Raiga Kurosuki reported that Chihane Hatake had defeated their squad, leaving the Mizukage demanding a full account of what happened.

• Chihane told Might Duy to go home and report to the Hokage the next morning, then went home to rest.
• At the Mist Ninja camp, Takei Sōchin complained about Shimura Danzō's retreating tactics while Minazuki Izumi predicted Konoha would soon fall.
• A Mist Ninja genin announced that Biwa Juzo and the others had returned, and Karatachi Yagura welcomed them into his tent.
• Karatachi Yagura discovered that only Biwa Juzo, Suikazan Fuguki, and Raiga Kurosuki had returned, and Suikazan Fuguki said the mission had failed and the other four were probably dead.
• Suikazan Fuguki and Biwa Juzo said Chihane Hatake had killed Munashi Jinpachi and blocked his Exploding Blade Ninja Art with a black film.
• Takei Sōchin challenged Raiga Kurosuki's account, but Karatachi Yagura stopped their argument and asked Suikazan Fuguki to explain the mission in detail.

Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to respond to Kirigakure’s invasion and the Daimyo’s threat to cut Konoha’s funding. Chihane reported Hatano’s death and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s failed attempt to infiltrate the area around Konoha, leaving Hiruzen to discuss the crisis with him privately.

• The Land of Fire’s Daimyo demanded an explanation from Hiruzen Sarutobi and threatened to halve Konoha’s military funding unless the Mist Ninja were driven out.
• Might Duy brought Chihane, Might Guy, and the other young ninja to the Hatake Clan’s gates, where Chihane finished his morning training before they went to see Hiruzen.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received the Daimyo’s letter and worried that Konoha lacked enough elite fighters to stop Kirigakure’s invasion.
• Chihane told Hiruzen that Hatano had died and that he had encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who had likely fled back to the Land of Water.
• Might Duy reported the mission events that had occurred before he met Chihane, then Hiruzen dismissed him and the young ninja so he could speak with Chihane privately.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Chihane to lead Konoha’s ninja in reinforcing Danzo against Kirigakure’s invasion, and Chihane negotiated for absolute battlefield command. After Chihane revealed that he had killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Hiruzen faced a difficult choice over whether to accept his terms.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Chihane that Kirigakure had invaded the Land of Fire and asked him to reinforce Danzo with Konoha’s ninja.
• Chihane questioned Hiruzen about the forces available and pointed out the disadvantage of facing over eight thousand Mist Ninja with only two thousand Konoha ninja.
• Chihane presented four Ninja Blades and claimed he had killed four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Hiruzen asked Chihane what he wanted in exchange for reinforcing Danzo, and Chihane demanded absolute command on the battlefield.
• Hiruzen resisted Chihane’s demand, so Chihane said he would leave until Hiruzen made up his mind.
• Hiruzen weighed the risk of giving Chihane greater power against the danger of Kirigakure reaching Konoha.

Chihane visited the Hyuga Clan with Hiruzen Sarutobi’s letter to recruit its ninja for the campaign against the Land of Water. Hyuga Hiashi refused, saying most of the clan’s forces were already fighting in the Land of Lightning.

• Chihane persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to provide a letter asking the Hyuga Clan to join his force and to order Might Duy to accompany him.
• Chihane also obtained a letter for Danzo, intending to use any disobedience as grounds to kill him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent a Cat-Faced ANBU to investigate why Chihane had requested Might Duy.
• Chihane went to the Hyuga compound and presented Hiruzen Sarutobi’s letter to Hyuga Hiashi.
• Hyuga Hiashi refused to send more troops, explaining that seventy percent of the Hyuga Clan’s ninja had already gone to the Land of Lightning.