Chapter Summaries

Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Aokiji wanted to become a medical ninja to avoid dangerous missions and considered steering him toward that role. He privately weighed the political value of using Aokiji to redirect Uchiha talent, then the chapter shifted into an extended analysis of Hiruzen’s ambitions, the clans’ treatment of the Uchiha and Senju, and Danzo’s resentment over Hiruzen’s rise.

• Orochimaru and Jiraiya told Sarutobi Hiruzen that Aokiji prized comfort, avoided combat, and wanted the Summoning Jutsu so Summoned Beasts could handle chores.
• Tsunade teased Jiraiya for teaching Aokiji the Summoning Jutsu, while Sarutobi Hiruzen considered guiding Aokiji into medical ninjutsu.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reasoned that making Aokiji a medical ninja could benefit the village while weakening the Uchiha Clan’s combat focus.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reflected on how the clans used the Konoha Military Police Force and Anbu to constrain the Uchiha, and how the Senju Clan had been dispersed into Konoha.
• The narrator argued that Sarutobi Hiruzen had likely become the Sannin’s teacher before becoming Hokage and had used the retreat-covering test to outmaneuver Shimura Danzo.
• The narrator suggested Shimura Danzo’s later fixation on becoming Hokage stemmed from resentment that he had failed to volunteer to cover the retreat.

Aokiji summoned Fox Spirit to his home and asked her to arrange for him to return to the Aurora Ice Domain so he could train. After Fox Spirit explored his house and pleaded for an outing, Aokiji took her out and established rules to keep her origins secret.

• Aokiji found an orange cat in his home, then summoned Fox Spirit and asked whether she could arrange for him to return to the Aurora Ice Domain.
• Fox Spirit said she had only begun learning Chakra and refused to leave before enjoying her first visit to the outside world.
• Fox Spirit found Jiraiya’s book under Aokiji’s bed, and Aokiji took it away after she began reading it.
• After Fox Spirit ate cooked fish, she asked Aokiji to take her out, and he agreed on the condition that she follow his rules.
• Aokiji explained precautions to Fox Spirit, and she promised not to reveal her origins.
• Aokiji began traveling regularly between Konoha and the Aurora Ice Domain to train.

Jiraiya showed off his successful contract with Gamabunta, but Aokiji soon stole the attention by summoning his talking fox, Fox Spirit. After Jiraiya was knocked down by Gamabunta and Tsunade failed to get close to Fox Spirit, she asked Aokiji for a chance, and he refused.

• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and bragged about becoming the Child of Prophecy, while Tsunade and Orochimaru had no Summoned Beasts of their own.
• Jiraiya learned that Aokiji had also signed a summoning contract, and Aokiji summoned Fox Spirit, who spoke and asked for roasted chicken butts.
• Fox Spirit bit Jiraiya after he mocked her name, and Gamabunta tackled Jiraiya before returning to Mount Myōboku in disgust.
• Tsunade tried to hug Fox Spirit, but the fox avoided her, and Aokiji teased Tsunade about scaring her away.
• Tsunade asked Aokiji for a chance, and Aokiji rejected her.

Aokiji explained that he avoided getting close to classmates because he feared grieving when they died as ninja, though he had still befriended Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. He left Tsunade wondering why he had made an exception for them.

• Tsunade asked to sign a contract with Aokiji's Summoned Beast, but Aokiji demanded ten million ryo.
• Tsunade and Aokiji drew shuriken in a mock standoff, then put them away after Jiraiya intervened.
• Aokiji summoned Fox Spirit and returned home, while Jiraiya acknowledged that Tsunade rarely used shuriken.
• Aokiji said he enjoyed having Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru visit, and explained that he kept classmates at a distance because he feared their deaths would make him grieve.
• Tsunade asked why Aokiji had become friends with them anyway, and Aokiji answered, "Because I'm human..."

Aokiji explained that he chose Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya as friends partly because he wanted capable companions who could survive the dangers of ninja missions. He argued that Jiraiya’s lustfulness hinted at exceptional physical energy and chakra, then admitted he mainly wanted to become a medical ninja because he feared dying himself.

• Aokiji told Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya that he had chosen them as friends because they were talented and likely to survive missions.
• Tsunade questioned why Aokiji considered Jiraiya talented, and Aokiji suggested their team assignment hinted that Jiraiya was a hidden genius.
• Aokiji said Jiraiya’s lustfulness indicated strong physical energy and enormous chakra potential, prompting disbelief from Tsunade and Orochimaru.
• Aokiji explained that chakra came from physical and spiritual energy, and ranked Jiraiya above Tsunade and Orochimaru in chakra volume.
• Tsunade concluded that Aokiji wanted to become a medical ninja to protect his companions, but Aokiji admitted he mainly feared dying himself.

Aokiji explained why he wanted to become a medical ninja and teased Tsunade while clarifying his slang, then considered making money by writing novels. Tsunade remained adamant that she would never become a medical ninja.

• Tsunade told Aokiji that Sarutobi Hiruzen had heard about his interest in medical ninjas through Biwako and was keeping an eye on him.
• Aokiji said he wanted medical training because it would keep him away from the front lines, though his real dream was to make money and live comfortably.
• Aokiji explained the slang meaning of “milk” by teasing Tsunade about her earlier reaction to stinky tofu, embarrassing her in front of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru praised Aokiji’s way with words, prompting Aokiji to consider earning money by writing a novel inspired by fantasy stories.
• Aokiji asked whether Tsunade might pursue medical ninjutsu, but she rejected the idea outright.

Aokiji revealed his Sharingan and a fabricated tragic past to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, strengthening their sympathy while concealing his true motives. Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara learned of Aokiji through a black cat, planned to return to Konoha, and pursued his Infinite Tsukuyomi plan; Aokiji and Tsunade later reconciled.

• Aokiji argued with Tsunade about laziness and the Will of Fire, then described losing his family and awakened his Sharingan in front of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.
• Aokiji asked the three to keep his Sharingan secret, while privately treating the confession as a calculated way to build trust; a black cat observed him and carried its memories away.
• Orochimaru asked Sarutobi Hiruzen about his students' Chakra reserves, and the three disciples realized Aokiji's earlier claims had been accurate.
• Uchiha Madara reviewed the black cat's memories of Aokiji, discussed Kirigakure's brutal graduation policy with the Third Mizukage, and said he might leave for Konoha.
• Aokiji apologized to Tsunade, and she made the Reconciliation Seal with him.

Ten-year-old Aokiji tried to avoid becoming a ninja, but the Uchiha elders recognized his hidden strength and insisted he continue. After Tsunade told him that a peace alliance with Kumogakure might extend his time at the Academy, Elder Itachi brought Aokiji to his residence and asked whether he had awakened a Kekkei Genkai.

• Aokiji mourned Nara Kashio and reflected on his delayed Academy graduation and his failed attempt to convince the clan to let him avoid becoming a ninja.
• Aokiji recalled throwing a fight against Uchiha Fugaku, but the elders saw through him with their Sharingan and reaffirmed that he had to become a ninja.
• Tsunade told Aokiji that the village was pursuing an alliance with Kumogakure and that the Academy might return to a six-year program if the war ended.
• Aokiji offered Tsunade chips, then mocked her appearance and was chased off after she angrily attacked him.
• Elder Itachi asked Aokiji to accompany him home, where he asked whether Aokiji had awakened a Kekkei Genkai.

Elder Itachi discovered that Aokiji had awakened Ice Release and forced him to accept an early graduation and personal training. After Aokiji tried to avoid becoming a ninja, Elder Itachi used the Sharingan to interrogate him for anything else he was hiding.

• Elder Itachi revealed that he suspected Aokiji had awakened a Kekkei Genkai after observing his unusually large Chakra reserves.
• Aokiji admitted that he had awakened Ice Release, choosing not to reveal his Sharingan.
• Aokiji asked to become a medical ninja, but Elder Itachi rejected the idea and accused him of avoiding danger.
• Elder Itachi arranged for Aokiji to graduate from the academy immediately and ordered him to begin training with Fugaku the next day.
• As Aokiji tried to leave, Elder Itachi caught him with the Sharingan to search for other secrets.

Elder Itachi discovered that Aokiji had awakened the Sharingan and decided to let him pursue medical ninjutsu while secretly planning to guide his future. The chapter ended with Uchiha Madara appearing before Elder Itachi.

• Elder Itachi used Genjutsu to learn that Aokiji had awakened the Sharingan at age five, then erased his memories of their conversation.
• Elder Itachi agreed to let Aokiji become a medical ninja, provided he would obey the clan if he awakened the Sharingan, and made him swear to it.
• Elder Itachi required Aokiji to train with him daily, and Aokiji misunderstood his lesson about keeping a shuriken ready.
• Elder Itachi returned home alone and reflected on his hopes for reconciliation between the Senju and Uchiha clans.
• Uchiha Madara emerged from the shadows, startling Elder Itachi and making him drop his teacup.

Uchiha Madara confronted Elder Itachi, explained that he sought peace by ending humanity’s cycle of hatred, and tried to recruit the Uchiha Clan to the Land of Water. Elder Itachi refused to give up on gradual change, but Madara revealed he knew of Aokiji and intended to use him as a tool.

• Uchiha Madara met Elder Itachi and revealed that he had survived by using Izanagi, while confronting Itachi over the knowledge that had helped awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Madara explained that he wanted peace because human desire and inherited social roles perpetuated conflict, then invited Elder Itachi to lead the Uchiha Clan to the Land of Water.
• Elder Itachi rejected Madara’s offer and argued that people could keep learning and build peace through gradual change.
• Madara exposed Elder Itachi’s hopes for Aokiji and said he wanted to make the ten-year-old a tool for future use.

Uchiha Madara subdued Elder Itachi with genjutsu after declaring his plan to become the Sage of Six Paths. He then stole Tobirama’s Impure World Reincarnation scroll and staged a subordinate’s death to make the man appear to have betrayed Konoha.

• Uchiha Madara told Elder Itachi that he intended to become the Sage of Six Paths and make beauty eternal.
• Elder Itachi refused Uchiha Madara’s offer to lead the clan back under his command and attacked him with concealed weapons.
• Uchiha Madara revealed that Elder Itachi had fallen under his genjutsu and subdued him.
• Uchiha Madara found the Impure World Reincarnation scroll in a hidden chamber and took it.
• Uchiha Madara used a clone to kill the black-haired subordinate and staged the scene to look like betrayal and silencing.

After his clan arranged his graduation, Aokiji reported to the medical department and demonstrated his strength by defeating young Fugaku with a sneak attack. He challenged Fugaku’s ideas about ninja honor and argued that surviving and earning money mattered more, then left the Uchiha watching him in disbelief.

• Aokiji arrived at school late and learned that his clan had already completed his graduation procedures.
• Aokiji told Elder Itachi he had agreed to train only because he could become a medical ninja, and Elder Itachi arranged for him to report to the medical department that afternoon.
• Elder Itachi asked Aokiji to fight Fugaku again, and Aokiji tricked the six-year-old before knocking him down with one punch.
• Aokiji argued with Fugaku that honor was less important than money, survival, and becoming strong enough to protect oneself.
• Aokiji told Fugaku that he hoped to hire Uchiha as guards for his future company, leaving Fugaku, Uchiha Aka, and Elder Itachi stunned.

After Fugaku became Aokiji’s junior brother, Uchiha Aka began combat training and used the Sharingan to show Aokiji a battlefield illusion. Aokiji appeared shaken but secretly saw the demonstration as cover for his plan to train intensely.

• Aokiji declared Fugaku his foolish little brother, while Fugaku vowed to defeat him in a few years.
• Uchiha Aka took charge of Aokiji’s training and warned him that medical ninjas could be targeted on the battlefield.
• Uchiha Aka showed Aokiji a gruesome battlefield scene through the Sharingan, leaving him panting and drenched in cold sweat.
• Aokiji pretended to remain stubborn about becoming a combat ninja while deciding that the scare would excuse his upcoming intense training.

Uchiha Aka tested Aokiji and Fugaku’s chakra natures, discovering that Aokiji had awakened Ice Release and prompting Uchiha Madara to plan his development toward Kekkei Tōta. In a separate story, Zhou Qing completed Bai Qiuran’s basic training and prepared to represent Qingming Peak in an upcoming sect tournament.

• Fugaku’s chakra test paper revealed Fire Release and Lightning Release, while Aokiji’s paper burned and then froze, revealing his Ice Release.
• Elder Itachi identified Aokiji’s Kekkei Genkai, and Uchiha Aka realized he had not been told about it and did not know how to teach him.
• Uchiha Madara considered combining Aokiji’s Ice Release with Boil Release to develop Kekkei Tōta, and decided to seek training materials from the Land of Water.
• Bai Qiuran stopped Zhou Qing’s sword technique with two fingers, criticized her unstable foundation, and ordered her to chop ten thousand logs a day.
• After months of training, Zhou Qing completed her woodcutting task, unlocked the Flowing Water Sword, and cut a distant waterfall with a sword wave.
• Bai Qiuran praised Zhou Qing’s progress and told her she would represent Qingming Peak at the sect tournament the following month.

Elder Itachi explained why Aokiji’s medical assignment could help awaken his Sharingan and planned a specialized training path for him. Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara returned to the Land of Water to acquire Ice Release techniques, only to discover that its strongest Ice Release ninja knew no S-rank ninjutsu.

• Uchiha Aka wondered whether Aokiji had awakened his Sharingan, but Elder Itachi told him not to investigate and explained that the medical department’s repeated encounters with life and death could eventually trigger it.
• Elder Itachi left to devise special training for Aokiji, whom Uchiha Madara had chosen as the inheritor of his will.
• Uchiha Madara used a Summoned Beast and a prepared scroll to arrange his return to the Land of Water.
• At the Mizukage’s office, Uchiha Madara controlled Binghe with his Sharingan and searched his memories for Ice Release techniques.
• Uchiha Madara complained that Binghe, the Land of Water’s strongest Ice Release ninja, had not mastered a single S-rank ninjutsu, leaving the Third Mizukage baffled.

Uchiha Madara erased Binghe’s memories of their meeting, ordered the Third Mizukage-sama to gather information about Boil Release, and infiltrated the Yuki Clan’s secret chamber to study its Ice Release techniques. After reviewing the clan’s scrolls, he opened a heavily sealed scroll containing the S-rank, incomplete Ice Release: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.

• Uchiha Madara ordered the Third Mizukage-sama to secretly gather information about Boil Release, then erased Binghe’s memories of the Sharingan before leaving.
• Binghe woke in the Mizukage’s office and asked the Third Mizukage-sama what mission he had for him.
• Uchiha Madara infiltrated the Yuki Clan’s secret chamber, found the hidden scrolls, and used his Mangekyō Sharingan to break their seals and record their contents.
• Uchiha Madara read the C-, B-, and A-rank Ice Release techniques and concluded that their power did not meet his requirements.
• Uchiha Madara opened the most rigorously sealed scroll and discovered Ice Release: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, an incomplete S-rank technique.

Uchiha Madara stole the Yuki Clan’s Ice Release scrolls, murdered their caretaker, and burned the clan’s hidden collection to frame a masked intruder and manipulate Aokiji’s future. Aokiji went to the hospital to begin studying Medical Ninjutsu and met Jonin Biwako.

• Uchiha Madara found an unfinished S-rank Ice Dragon Ninjutsu, took it, and prepared to make the Yuki Clan believe a masked man had stolen its scrolls.
• Uchiha Madara killed the old man, burned the Yuki Clan’s hidden scroll collection, and planned to give the stolen Ice Release Ninjutsu to Aokiji while turning the clan against him.
• Uchiha Madara anticipated that Aokiji would become isolated and vulnerable during future wars, giving him an opportunity to corrupt Aokiji and make him a tool.
• Aokiji went to the hospital to study Medical Ninjutsu and received an enthusiastic welcome from the receptionist, who invited him to a Sunday gathering.
• Aokiji reached the medical ninja office, entered after being invited in, and greeted Jonin Biwako.

Aokiji visited Biwako to learn Medical Ninjutsu and discovered that Tsunade had just passed her medical ninja examination. After accidentally healing a practice fish to death, he froze it to keep it from spoiling.

• Aokiji found Tsunade practicing Medical Ninjutsu and teased her after Biwako revealed that she had become a medical ninja.
• Tsunade explained her reasons for learning Medical Ninjutsu, while Aokiji said he wanted to avoid being sent to the front lines.
• Biwako demonstrated the healing technique and gave Aokiji a half-dead fish to practice on.
• Aokiji revived the fish on his first attempt, then accidentally killed it by healing it too much.
• Aokiji froze the dead fish to keep it from spoiling, surprising Tsunade and Biwako.

Aokiji explained to Tsunade and Biwako how he inherited Ice Release from his mother and reluctantly agreed to train as a ninja while pursuing medical ninjutsu. The conversation ended when Lady Mito entered the room.

• Biwako identified Aokiji's freezing technique as Ice Release, and Aokiji confirmed that he had inherited the Kekkei Genkai from his deceased mother.
• Aokiji told Biwako and Tsunade that he had tried to avoid becoming a ninja, but the Uchiha Clan discovered his Ice Release after noticing his abnormal Chakra with the Sharingan.
• Aokiji explained that the Uchiha Clan had agreed to let him become a medical ninja as long as he returned to the clan grounds to train in his free time.
• Tsunade worried that she had not inherited Wood Release, and Biwako and Aokiji reassured her that she might awaken it later.
• Lady Mito entered the room, and Biwako hurried to welcome her.