Chapter Summaries

Tahm spared the five Calabash Brothers after Hinata urged him to believe the world could change, but secretly planned to brainwash them with Kotoamatsukami. Years later, the Calabash Clan remembered their coerced renaming as a beautiful meeting with Tahm, while Big Brother's true resentment remained buried.

• Tahm prepared to kill Big Brother, but Hinata asked him whether killing was necessary and challenged the idea that the Shinobi World could never change.
• Hinata declared that she believed she and Tahm could change the world, and Tahm promised to help her.
• Tahm announced that he would spare the five Calabash Brothers, while secretly planning to use Itachi and Kotoamatsukami to brainwash them before releasing them.
• The chapter recounted how the Calabash Brothers later became a seven-member organization led by Sage Tahm and the blue-eyed Hyuga princess.
• Many years later, elderly Big Brother told the Calabash Clan's children that meeting Tahm had been a beautiful afternoon, though Kotoamatsukami concealed his curse of resentment.

Itachi and Jūzō Biwa entered the Land of Water to assassinate a noble, while reflecting on their pasts and the dangers of the mission. Itachi briefly spoke with Tahm about using Kotoamatsukami, then ended the call and continued toward the Village of the Bloody Mist with Jūzō.

• Jūzō Biwa returned to the Land of Water with Itachi and said he had avoided his homeland for years because of the Bloody Mist regime.
• Itachi and Jūzō Biwa discussed whether they might ever return to their former homes, and Jūzō warned Itachi to stay focused during their dangerous mission.
• Itachi promised not to get distracted, but immediately used a crow to call Tahm while walking with Jūzō.
• Tahm asked to use Kotoamatsukami on five people, and Itachi agreed to help in a couple of days because he could not send his crow across the distance.
• Tahm warned Itachi that the Village of the Bloody Mist was dangerous, but Itachi ended the call and told Jūzō that his Mangekyō Sharingan had strained his brain.

Tahm tried to learn Tsunade’s Monstrous Strength Fist, but discovered that mastering it required extensive Medical Ninjutsu theory he could not understand. He persuaded Tsunade to teach Hinata instead, then left her exhausted from studying while insisting that he was destined to save Konoha by fighting.

• Tahm began training with Tsunade and learned that he needed to master Medical Ninjutsu before he could learn the Monstrous Strength Fist.
• After an hour of struggling with basic medical theory, Tahm received a huge stack of Tsunade’s textbooks and research papers to study.
• Tahm asked Tsunade to let Hinata learn in his place, and Tsunade agreed after hearing that Hinata excelled in theoretical classes.
• Hinata spent the day studying Tsunade’s medical texts and collapsed into Tahm’s arms at night, exhausted and frustrated.
• Tahm brushed off Hinata’s complaint by claiming that studying medicine could not save Konoha’s people.

Itachi fled through the Land of Water carrying the mortally wounded Jūzō Biwa, but Yagura and the Mizukage Guard Unit cornered them. Itachi summoned Tahm for help just as Yagura unleashed the Three-Tails’ Tailed Beast Bomb, leaving Tahm directly in its path.

• Itachi carried Jūzō Biwa through the jungle and refused to abandon him, insisting that he knew a way to save him.
• Yagura and nine surviving Mizukage Guard Unit jonin caught up with Itachi and Jūzō Biwa.
• Yagura summoned Isobu, the Three-Tails, and prepared to fire a full-power Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Itachi called Tahm for help, and Tahm emerged from his Abyssal Dive as the Tailed Beast Bomb lit up the night.
• Tahm saw the blast aimed at him and protested that Itachi had called it a little trouble before being swallowed by the attack.

Tahm, Itachi, and Jūzō Biwa struggled against Yagura and the Three-Tails, Isobu, after Tahm rescued Jūzō from near death. As Yagura trapped them in a vast body of water, Tahm offered to escape with one companion, but Itachi refused to abandon the fight and hinted at a plan.

• Tahm survived the Three-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb, then used Starcall to heal the gravely wounded Jūzō Biwa at Itachi's insistence.
• Yagura attacked again, and Tahm carried Jūzō away with Riftwalk before healing him completely; Jūzō recognized Tahm and suspected Itachi was an undercover agent.
• Itachi returned Jūzō's broken Kubikiribōchō, and the two prepared to face the Three-Tails until Tahm asked whether they should run.
• Yagura and Isobu unleashed a massive Water Release that flooded the valley, while Itachi's crows carried the three allies above the waves.
• Yagura controlled the new sea and attacked them with pillars of water, prompting Tahm to offer to escape with only one person.
• Jūzō urged Itachi to leave while he held off the Three-Tails, but Itachi refused to run and said he had a plan.

Tahm and Itachi used Starcall to let Itachi repeatedly unleash Amaterasu against Yagura and the Three-Tails. The Three-Tails retreated into Yagura's seal, and the unconscious Mizukage floated on the water as Tahm and Itachi agreed to fight another Tailed Beast together if they got the chance.

• Yagura sent nine Hidden Mist elite ninja after Tahm and the others while Jūzō Biwa charged in to hold them off.
• Yagura and the Three-Tails attacked Itachi and Tahm with an Isobu Cannonball, which Itachi destroyed with Amaterasu.
• Itachi explained that Tahm could replenish his strength with Starcall, allowing him to use Amaterasu repeatedly.
• Tahm repeatedly cast Starcall as Itachi burned through Yagura's Water Wall and covered the Three-Tails in Amaterasu flames.
• The Three-Tails retreated into Yagura's seal, and Yagura fell unconscious after suffering severe burns.
• Tahm asked Itachi to call him if they fought another Tailed Beast, and Itachi agreed.

After Tahm, Itachi, and Jūzō Biwa defeated Yagura, the Mizukage’s guards escaped and threatened to expose them, leaving the group at risk of being branded terrorists. Itachi proposed using Kotoamatsukami to make Yagura keep quiet, but Tahm interrupted just before the genjutsu was used, claiming he had a better idea.

• Tahm realized the nine Hidden Mist jōnin had escaped and could spread news of Yagura’s defeat.
• Jūzō Biwa pointed out that the incident could force Itachi and Tahm into Akatsuki, but Itachi said they could make Yagura seal the news with Kotoamatsukami.
• Tahm suggested using Kotoamatsukami on Jūzō Biwa as well, but Itachi declared that he trusted him, and Jūzō Biwa pledged to follow them.
• Tahm bound and anesthetized Yagura, then revived him after preparing Itachi’s crow and Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Yagura refused to cooperate, and Itachi aimed the crow’s Kotoamatsukami at him before Tahm stepped in and announced he had a better idea.

Tahm freed Yagura from Obito’s Genjutsu and gained the former Mizukage as an ally against Akatsuki. The group agreed to keep their meeting secret and set up a crow-based chat group to stay in contact.

• Tahm realized that Yagura was under Genjutsu and used Mikael’s Crucible to dispel it.
• Yagura recovered his memories, thanked Tahm, and vowed to fight the masked man who had manipulated him and Kirigakure.
• Itachi identified the masked enemy as a man calling himself Madara Uchiha and explained that he was manipulating Akatsuki from behind the scenes.
• Tahm, Itachi, and Yagura agreed to conceal their meeting and wait until they were strong enough to confront their enemy.
• Itachi summoned two crows and explained that Jūzō Biwa and Yagura could use them to communicate through him.

After escaping Obito’s Genjutsu, Yagura exposed Akatsuki’s spies and began reversing Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist policies. Hozuki Mangetsu was released and reinstated, reuniting with Suigetsu as changes spread through the village.

• Obito learned weeks later that Yagura had broken free of his Genjutsu and blamed Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist policies on Akatsuki’s spies.
• Yagura exposed the traitors’ crimes, severed Kirigakure’s ties with Akatsuki, and began clearing the names of those persecuted under his rule.
• Hozuki Suigetsu noticed that the guards outside the Hozuki residence had disappeared and saw his brother Mangetsu returning through the mist.
• Yagura released Mangetsu and other prisoners, apologized publicly, returned Hiramekarei, and restored Mangetsu as leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
• Mangetsu reunited with Suigetsu and promised he would not leave again soon as Kirigakure’s changes began improving people’s lives.

Momochi Zabuza searched the northern Land of Water for Kekkei Genkai users to bring back to Kirigakure under its new policies. He rescued Xue from villagers attacking her and carried her toward her son, Haku, leaving with a new reason to stay in the village.

• Momochi Zabuza heard that villagers had discovered someone who could create ice and hurried toward them.
• Zabuza found a mob attacking Xue, killed the man about to strike her, and drove the villagers away.
• Zabuza helped the injured Xue up, then carried her toward the village after she begged him to save her son.
• Xue told Zabuza that the man he had killed was her husband, and Zabuza offered to take her and her son to Kirigakure.
• Zabuza introduced himself to Xue, who named her son Haku.

Mei Terumi and Ao visited the Kaguya Clan to negotiate its return to Kirigakure, but Mei challenged the clan leader and defeated him and his warriors to take Kimimaro with her. She named the freed boy her first disciple, and the chapter ended with her joking that he might make a good marriage partner when he grew up.

• Mei Terumi and Ao found the Kaguya Clan settlement and presented Yagura's offer to bring the clan back to Kirigakure.
• Mei discovered the imprisoned boy Kimimaro and learned from Ao that he had exceptional chakra.
• The Kaguya clan leader demanded that clansmen first verify Kirigakure's promised treatment, and Mei agreed while insisting Kimimaro be among them.
• When the clan leader refused to release Kimimaro, Mei challenged him and defeated him and a dozen Kaguya clansmen with her kekkei genkai.
• Mei freed Kimimaro, declared him her first disciple, and promised to take him with her.
• Mei teased Ao that Kimimaro might make a good marriage partner when grown, and Ao told her to control herself because Kimimaro was still a child.

Naruto cleaned his house while Sakura brought him food and explained why she was studying Medical Ninjutsu. As they reflected on how Tahm had changed their lives, Tahm arrived at Naruto’s door asking for Sakura.

• Naruto finished cleaning and Sakura scolded him for neglecting his chores and eating convenience food.
• Sakura served Naruto a meal and told him she was studying Medical Ninjutsu after Tahm said her chakra control suited it.
• Sakura insisted that medical ninjas could be powerful and said she hoped to meet Tsunade, while Naruto defended his admiration for Jiraiya.
• Sakura and Naruto reflected on their humble backgrounds and how Tahm had given them rare opportunities to learn ninjutsu.
• Tahm knocked on Naruto’s door and called out for Sakura, making her blush and Naruto wonder why Tahm was looking for her.

Tahm brought Sakura to meet Tsunade after Hinata proved more interested in mahjong than medical training. Sakura impressed Tsunade with her medical knowledge and devotion, and Tsunade agreed to take her as a student.

• Tahm found Sakura at Naruto's house and told her he had found a teacher for her.
• Tahm recalled recruiting the five Calabash Brothers and using Itachi's Kotoamatsukami to brainwash them into serving him.
• Tahm returned to find Hinata gambling at mahjong with Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya instead of studying medicine.
• Tsunade ended her attempt to teach Hinata and the two discussed Tahm's final candidate for the Monstrous Strength Technique.
• Tahm brought Sakura to Tsunade, and Sakura recited medical theory and named several textbooks she had studied.
• Sakura revealed that Tsunade was her idol, and Tsunade agreed to take her as a student.

The Third Hokage reviewed early graduation applications from five of Tahm’s second-year students and questioned whether Sasuke and Naruto should leave the Academy so young. Tahm addressed his concerns, and Jiraiya returned to Konoha to become Naruto’s teacher.

• The Third Hokage learned that Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Second Pillar, Karin Uzumaki, and Hinata Hyuga had applied for early graduation.
• Tahm explained that the students were ready to serve as official ninja, while the Third Hokage worried about Sasuke’s and Naruto’s circumstances.
• Tahm reassured the Third Hokage that Sasuke’s ties to Konoha were strong and that he had found a suitable teacher for Naruto.
• Jiraiya entered the Hokage’s office and announced that he would return to Konoha and teach Naruto.
• After Naruto demonstrated for him, Jiraiya enthusiastically accepted Naruto as his disciple.

Kakashi met his newly assigned genin team—Hinata Hyuga, Karin Uzumaki, and Second Pillar—and heard their introductions. Tahm insisted that Kakashi hold the traditional bell-stealing test, despite Kakashi’s concern about Hinata’s strength.

• The Third Hokage assigned Kakashi to teach Hinata Hyuga, Karin Uzumaki, and Second Pillar, with Tahm accompanying Hinata as her summon.
• Karin identified Kakashi as Tahm’s disciple’s disciple, and Kakashi abandoned his own introduction.
• Hinata said she liked Tahm, her family, and her friends, and shared Tahm’s expectation that she would become invincible in the Shinobi World.
• Karin named the friends she wanted to protect and said she dreamed of keeping her happy life in Konoha.
• Second Pillar sincerely declared his love for Konoha and his dream of inheriting the Will of Fire and becoming Hokage.
• Kakashi tried to end the meeting without a bell-stealing test, but Tahm insisted on the tradition and produced two bells.

Kakashi tested Karin, Sasuke, and Hinata in a bell challenge, but their abilities quickly turned the fight against him. The chapter ended with Karin binding Kakashi in Adamantine Sealing Chains.

• Kakashi explained the bell challenge and prepared to fight the three students.
• Hinata entered Sage Mode atop Big Rice, and Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and used his killing intent to intimidate them.
• Karin and Sasuke resisted Kakashi's killing intent, while Hinata redirected his weapons and exposed his underground Shadow Clone.
• Kakashi used Lightning Release and Body Flicker to attack Sasuke, but Hinata's gravity pulled him off course.
• Karin rushed in under Hinata's gravity and wrapped Kakashi in Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Kakashi lost his bell test against Hinata, Karin, and their allies, then was spun around by Hinata’s gravity until he passed out. Later, Ayame saw Kakashi’s badly swollen face at Ichiraku, where he told Guy that Konoha’s young saplings had educated him.

• Karin’s Adamantine Sealing Chains restrained Kakashi and disrupted his chakra, leaving him unable to break free.
• Kakashi recognized Hinata’s exceptional abilities and suspected Tahm had helped her grow stronger.
• Karin pulled Kakashi toward Hinata, who used her gravity to spin him faster and faster despite his protests.
• The force and wind left Kakashi injured and unconscious before he could finish asking why they had not simply taken the bells.
• At Ichiraku, Guy found Kakashi hiding his swollen face, and Kakashi explained that Konoha’s young saplings had educated him.

Kakashi took Karin, Sasuke, and Hinata on their first mission, clearing weeds from a field. Hinata used her Tenseigan Chakra Mode to remove every weed at once, leaving Kakashi and her teammates stunned.

• Kakashi explained that the genin team had to complete ten D-rank missions before taking on a C-rank mission, then assigned them to clear weeds.
• Karin complained about the mission, while Hinata said she could handle it easily.
• Hinata rose above the field on Big Rice and entered Tenseigan Chakra Mode, gathering natural energy and forming pale-green chakra robes and black spheres.
• Hinata used precise gravity control to pull every weed from the ground and pile them beside the field.
• Karin praised Hinata, while Sasuke privately envied the usefulness of her eyes.

Tsunade brought Sakura to a secluded lake to train her control of Yang Release Chakra, while Jiraiya assessed Naruto's abilities with Tahm as the target. Naruto revealed that he could unleash a Nine-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb, nearly killing Tahm before explaining that Kurama wanted to greet him.

• Tsunade took Sakura to the lake where she had first trained in medical ninjutsu and demonstrated how Yang Release Chakra could attract fish.
• Tsunade began relaxing with Shizune and summoned Shadow Clones so they could play mahjong.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto to attack Tahm so he could assess Naruto's strength.
• Naruto showed Jiraiya and Tahm that he could use Shadow Clone and Rasengan, then asked to demonstrate an even stronger technique.
• Naruto released a Nine-Tails Tailed Beast Bomb, and Tahm used Riftwalk to dodge it as the blast left a bottomless pit.
• Naruto said that Kurama had wanted to personally greet Tahm.

Jiraiya introduced Naruto to the Mount Myoboku summoning contract, and Naruto summoned Gamabunta on his first try. Gamabunta challenged Naruto to blow up a mountain peak, leaving Naruto to boast that he could do it if Tahm stood there.

• Naruto showed Jiraiya that Kurama willingly lent him chakra, and Jiraiya realized Naruto already had an unusually strong foundation.
• Jiraiya gave Naruto the Mount Myoboku summoning contract, and Naruto signed it after learning he could not summon a toad like Tahm.
• Naruto used the Summoning Jutsu with Kurama's chakra and summoned Gamabunta on his first attempt.
• Gamabunta asked Naruto to blow up a distant mountain peak, comparing him to Tahm's contractor Hinata, who had mastered Perfect Sage Mode in one day.
• Naruto activated Kurama's chakra and claimed he could blow up the peak if Tahm stood on it.