Chapter Summaries

Uzumaki Mito told Tsunade that Senju Tobirama had died, and Konoha mourned the Second Hokage and Kagami Uchiha, who had fallen protecting his companions. The village chose Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage, while Danzo grew wary after witnessing Kagami awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Uzumaki Mito told Tsunade that Senju Tobirama had died, and Tsunade collapsed from grief.
• Uchiha Madara learned that Tobirama had died protecting his disciples and lamented that he could no longer exact revenge on him.
• Konoha mourned Tobirama and Kagami Uchiha, while Kagami's son Suikyo awakened the Sharingan at the memorial.
• Danzo recalled Kagami's Mangekyō Sharingan awakening and concluded that the Uchiha Clan had to be guarded against.
• Konoha began choosing a new Hokage, and Sarutobi Hiruzen became the Third Hokage with the support of the village's major forces.

At a banquet hosted by the Fire Country Daimyo, Danzō brooded over his belief that Tobirama had arranged events to make Sarutobi Hiruzen Hokage. As Hiruzen prepared to return to Konoha, Prince Huang Ren asked to speak with him privately and led him to a room.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen attended a banquet at the Fire Country Daimyo's Estate, where officials praised him as the new Hokage.
• Danzō recalled how Hiruzen had won the Hokage position and concluded that Tobirama had planned the succession in Hiruzen's favor.
• Danzō suppressed his jealousy and urged Hiruzen to leave the banquet and return to Konoha.
• Prince Huang Ren stopped Hiruzen and said he had a matter to discuss privately.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzō and the guards to wait, then followed Prince Huang Ren to a room.

Prince Huang Ren sought to secure Sarutobi Hiruzen’s cooperation by discussing Fire Country’s defense funding and using a private drinking session to pressure him. After arranging a distraction for Hiruzen, Huang Ren explained to his son Ranmaru that daimyo needed to weaken and control the people and ninja to preserve their power.

• Prince Huang Ren hosted Sarutobi Hiruzen, probed the history of the Sarutobi Clan, and brought up Konoha’s role in defending the Fire Country.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked how much funding Konoha would receive, but Prince Huang Ren named a small amount and claimed the Daimyo’s Estate had little grain.
• Prince Huang Ren left the room, and two banquet dancers distracted Sarutobi Hiruzen with wine and seduction.
• Prince Huang Ren met his son and told him that ninja had to be controlled through money because their power could threaten the daimyo.
• Prince Huang Ren rejected Ranmaru’s belief that strong people made a strong nation and taught him that rulers sought to weaken, impoverish, exhaust, and keep the people ignorant.

Prince Huang Ren taught Lan Ren how nobles kept the people poor, fearful, and loyal, then explained why he stayed behind the Daimyo and worried about the strength of the ninja. The chapter ended with Huang Ren suggesting that nobles started wars and hired ninja to make them kill one another.

• Prince Huang Ren explained that nobles should keep ordinary people near subsistence to prevent rebellion and ambition.
• He said wars could make people fear foreign conquest, revere their ruler, pay for war, and help suppress dissidents.
• Prince Huang Ren recommended spreading mystical claims that the Daimyo was chosen by heaven to legitimize noble rule.
• Lan Ren admired his father's political wisdom and asked why he did not replace the Daimyo, and Huang Ren said the title offered no real benefit and would expose him to risk.
• Prince Huang Ren warned Lan Ren that powerful ninja might rebel against nobles, then proposed using wars to hire ninja and make them slaughter one another.

Prince Huang Ren taught Lan Ren to recognize how rulers manipulated conflicts to weaken ninjas, then resolved to help the Sarutobi Clan destroy the Uchiha Clan. Lan Ren warned that ninjas could escape noble control through business and smuggling, prompting Huang Ren to fear a future threat and assign his son an important task.

• Prince Huang Ren explained that the suspicious coup by Kinkaku and Ginkaku and their deaths at the Third Raikage's hands may have been arranged to eliminate powerful ninjas, and Lan Ren deduced the timing was too convenient.
• Huang Ren concluded that the great nations were reducing ninja numbers to secure their rulers' power and decided to support the Sarutobi Clan in exterminating the Uchiha Clan.
• Huang Ren reasoned that Konoha's leaders would increasingly exclude the Uchiha, provoking conflict that could let the village use its full strength against them.
• Lan Ren asked whether ninjas could evade noble control by starting businesses, bringing other ninjas into trade, or smuggling goods and resisting arrest.
• Huang Ren admitted that a commercially successful ninja could threaten the nobles, said he would have such a person assassinated before they grew powerful, and gave Lan Ren an important task.

Prince Huang Ren ordered Lan Ren to court Senju Hashirama’s granddaughter for political advantage and taught him to guard his words. Meanwhile, Prince Huang Ren manipulated Sarutobi Hiruzen into accepting two wives and promised Konoha ten times its funding, leaving Hiruzen confident in his position as Hokage.

• Prince Huang Ren told Lan Ren to pursue Senju Hashirama’s granddaughter, and slapped him for insulting her as a commoner.
• Prince Huang Ren explained that marrying the girl could strengthen their descendants and help Lan Ren gain power, then planned to send him to Konoha.
• After Sarutobi Hiruzen woke up remorseful after drinking with two dancers, Prince Huang Ren offered the women to him as wives and promised to support them.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Prince Huang Ren to increase Konoha’s funding, and Prince Huang Ren offered to raise the budget tenfold.

Sarutobi Hiruzen secured a large budget from the Daimyo and considered turning Danzo into Konoha’s hidden political enforcer. Aokiji trained in medical ninjutsu, sparred with Fugaku, and was surprised when Elder Itachi arrived to teach him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Danzo that fear of war had persuaded the Daimyo to increase Konoha’s funding, then considered guiding Danzo into handling the village’s darker work.
• Biwako praised Aokiji’s progress with the Mystical Palm Technique and told him that Konoha’s alliance with Kumogakure meant there would be no war for now.
• Aokiji went to the Uchiha Clan Compound, where he interrupted Fugaku’s slow ninjutsu casting and kicked him down during their spar.
• Uchiha Aka explained why Fugaku’s hand signs had left him open, then said he would not be teaching Aokiji that day.
• Elder Itachi appeared and announced that he would teach Aokiji ninjutsu.

Elder Itachi taught Aokiji Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu, explaining how it could counter techniques that threatened a ninja’s vision. After Aokiji quickly learned it and Fugaku failed, Elder Itachi revealed that Aokiji’s next training would specialize in Water Release.

• Elder Itachi demonstrated Hidden Mist Jutsu and explained how dense mist could obscure opponents’ vision and help its caster attack.
• Aokiji performed the technique on his first try, creating a thin mist, while Fugaku failed to produce any mist.
• Uchiha Aka explained that Aokiji’s Water Nature Chakra gave him an advantage, while Fugaku had stronger talents in Fire and Lightning Release.
• Aokiji asked whether he would train to fight unseen enemies, but Elder Itachi said that was only a secondary reason.
• Elder Itachi confirmed that Aokiji would specialize in Water Release next, leaving Aokiji and Uchiha Aka puzzled.

Elder Itachi explained Kekkei Tōta to Aokiji and urged him to pursue greater strength, but Aokiji insisted he only wanted to stay safe while treating people in the rear. Their conversation turned to Uchiha Madara, and Aokiji ended by saying he thought Madara would have been better as a woman.

• Elder Itachi explained that Kekkei Genkai came from combining two chakra natures and suggested Aokiji train both Water and Fire Release to pursue Kekkei Tōta.
• Uchiha Aka explained that Kekkei Tōta combined three chakra natures and was mastered by only one person in the current Ninja World; Elder Itachi admitted he could not teach it directly.
• Aokiji said he would improve his strength but refused to leave the Medical Team or go to the front lines, insisting he wanted to treat people safely in the rear.
• Aokiji teased Fugaku, then reassured him that he did not want their clan members to die in meaningless wars, making Fugaku feel cherished.
• Aokiji discussed Uchiha Madara with Elder Itachi and said it would have been better if Madara were a woman, making the real Madara cough behind the scenes.

Aokiji argued that Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama could have married and united their clans, creating peace and the Power of All Creation. His explanation left Uchiha Madara questioning whether he had misunderstood how to attain that power.

• Aokiji claimed Uchiha Madara would have been better off as a woman, provoking Elder Itachi's anger.
• Aokiji spun a romance story about Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, arguing that marriage could have prevented their battle and later wars.
• Uchiha Aka dismissed Aokiji's theory, but Elder Itachi asked him to repeat his claim about opposing powers producing the Power of All Creation.
• Aokiji explained that Senju physical energy and Uchiha Dojutsu Power could combine through descendants and unite their clans.
• Uchiha Madara considered that having descendants with Hashirama might be more reliable than transplanting Hashirama Cells and wondered if he had gotten it all wrong.

Uchiha Madara, speaking through Elder Itachi, suggested that Aokiji pursue Tsunade to unite the Senju and Uchiha clans, but Aokiji rejected the idea and listed his reasons. He ended with a blunt final complaint about Tsunade, leaving everyone stunned.

• Uchiha Madara concluded that awakening the Rinnegan required power like his and Hashirama's, not merely a marriage between clan members.
• Elder Itachi suggested that Aokiji take his friendship with Tsunade further, and Uchiha Aka considered how their union might ease the Uchiha Clan's exclusion.
• Aokiji refused to pursue Tsunade, citing the clans' history, her habit of beating him, and his wish to have several wives.
• Aokiji argued that making children strengthened the Uchiha Clan more than sending its members to become shinobi and die in battle.
• Aokiji revealed that his final objection to Tsunade was that she was flat-chested.

Elder Itachi tried to persuade Aokiji to pursue Tsunade as a way to improve relations between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, but Aokiji refused. Elder Itachi then urged him to earn the village’s acceptance through strength in the coming war.

• Aokiji denied being interested in Tsunade, and Elder Itachi sent Uchiha Aka and Fugaku away after Aokiji insulted her appearance.
• Fugaku asked Uchiha Aka whether Elder Itachi had been trying to pair Aokiji with Tsunade, and Uchiha Aka said Elder Itachi was acting for the Uchiha Clan’s future.
• Elder Itachi explained that the village distrusted the Uchiha despite the clan’s efforts, while Aokiji argued that the Uchiha Military Police Force had worsened relations.
• Aokiji suggested Elder Itachi find another clansman for a political marriage, but Elder Itachi said only Aokiji lacked the shame to accept such a task.
• After Aokiji refused, Elder Itachi advised him to prove the Uchiha Clan’s worth in the next war and help the clan integrate into the village.

Uchiha Madara planned to manipulate Aokiji by shaping his view of Elder Itachi, while Elder Itachi taught Aokiji about Kekkei Tōta and demonstrated a powerful Fire Release technique. Aokiji left with two scrolls and a better understanding of the difficult path toward combining multiple Kekkei Genkai.

• Uchiha Madara plotted to make Aokiji see Elder Itachi as an ideal elder before revealing his extreme actions.
• Aokiji questioned Elder Itachi's special attention but focused on learning about Kekkei Tōta.
• Elder Itachi explained Chakra Nature Transformation, Form Transformation, and the need to master two Kekkei Genkai to develop Kekkei Tōta.
• Elder Itachi demonstrated the one-handed Dragon Flame Release Song Technique beside a lake and gave Aokiji two scrolls.
• Elder Itachi explained that Kekkei Tōta required fusing different Kekkei Genkai, then cautioned Aokiji that the process was not simple.

Elder Itachi explained how Kekkei Tōta evolved from two Kekkei Genkai and why Aokiji should train in Water and Fire Release. Inspired by the prospect of evolving his Ice Release, Aokiji named his hoped-for ability Freeze Release, then returned home and pondered.

• Elder Itachi told Aokiji that Kekkei Tōta was also called Kekkei Evolution, formed when one Kekkei Genkai consumed and evolved from another with a shared Chakra nature.
• Elder Itachi explained that he had chosen Water Release and Fire Release for Aokiji to study, and used the Second Tsuchikage’s evolution from Divide Release into Dust Release as an example.
• Elder Itachi suggested that Aokiji’s Ice Release might evolve if he developed Kekkei Tōta, and Aokiji named the possible ability Freeze Release.
• Uchiha Madara, watching from hiding, compared Kekkei Tōta to the fusion that had created his Straight Tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Elder Itachi left after telling Aokiji to focus on training, and Aokiji trained before returning home and pondering in bed.

Aokiji realized Elder Itachi might know about his Sharingan and Dual Kekkei Genkai, and decided he needed to train and leave the Medical Team. Later, he grew wary of Sarutobi Makio’s apparent interest in Tsunade and chose Jiraiya to help train him, believing Jiraiya was the weakest of his friends.

• Aokiji suspected Elder Itachi had discovered his Sharingan and was concealing it from Konoha’s higher-ups while guiding him toward Ice Release and Kekkei Tōta.
• Tsunade recovered from her grief and spent time with Sarutobi Makio, who promised to tell her something and bring her a gift after a mission.
• Aokiji wondered whether Sarutobi Makio might confess to Tsunade, while Jiraiya protested that Tsunade already had him and was promptly punched.
• Aokiji announced he would train, and Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya all offered to help him.
• Aokiji chose Jiraiya as his sparring partner because he thought Jiraiya was the weakest, ruining Jiraiya’s plan to show off.

Aokiji sparred with Jiraiya and used a clone to distract him while holding his own in taijutsu. Jiraiya surrounded him with the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and Aokiji began using Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu.

• Aokiji and Jiraiya agreed to spar barehanded while Orochimaru and Tsunade watched.
• Aokiji created a clone and attacked Jiraiya himself, keeping Jiraiya wary of a possible sneak attack.
• Aokiji and Jiraiya exchanged blows until Jiraiya found a chance to form hand seals.
• Jiraiya used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to surround Aokiji with more than twenty clones.
• Aokiji formed hand seals, and Orochimaru identified his technique as Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu.

Aokiji defeated Jiraiya with a humiliating taijutsu trick after outlasting his clones in the Hidden Mist, then declined Orochimaru’s suggestion that he take the Chunin Exams. He encouraged Tsunade to train Earth and Water Release in hopes of awakening Wood Release and improving both their abilities.

• Aokiji used the Hidden Mist Jutsu to force Jiraiya into dismissing his Shadow Clones, but Jiraiya’s underground attack struck a pillow substituted for Aokiji.
• Aokiji grabbed Jiraiya with an Uchiha Suplex and used Thousand Years of Death, leaving Jiraiya screaming and vowing revenge.
• Tsunade condemned Aokiji’s shameless taijutsu, while Aokiji insisted he would never use it on women.
• Orochimaru suggested Aokiji enter the Chunin Exams, but Aokiji refused because he wanted strength to protect himself, not to become cannon fodder.
• Tsunade declared that she would end the chaotic world and fulfill her grandfather’s dream of becoming Hokage.
• Aokiji learned that Tsunade had Earth and Water affinities and urged her to train both in hopes of awakening Wood Release.

Aokiji explained that Kekkei Genkai could be created by fusing Chakra natures, revealed his Ice Release and concealed eye ability to Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, and urged Tsunade to pursue Wood Release through training. The conversation left Tsunade reconsidering whether she could inherit her grandfather’s ability and ready to work toward it herself.

• Aokiji told Tsunade that Kekkei Genkai could be formed by cultivating and fusing Chakra natures, and explained that many families kept this knowledge quiet.
• Aokiji revealed his Ice Release to Orochimaru and Jiraiya, then asked them to keep his other ability secret; Orochimaru admired his ice snake, while Jiraiya complained about guarding the secret.
• Aokiji explained that Ice Release came from Wind Release and Water Release, and Orochimaru asked what Wind Release and Lightning Release would create.
• Aokiji suggested Tsunade might not inherit her grandfather’s Wood Release and explained that she could instead try fusing Earth Release and Water Release through training.
• Tsunade reconsidered her assumptions and asked what she should do, so Aokiji advised her to train both Chakra natures and pursue Wood Release rather than waiting for it to awaken.

Aokiji teased Tsunade, escaped her anger with the Hidden Mist Jutsu, and later learned from Elder Itachi that combining the same chakra natures could create different Kekkei Genkai. He left training wondering whether Earth and Water Release might produce Mud Release rather than Wood Release.

• Aokiji mocked Tsunade about her appearance, then used the Hidden Mist Jutsu to escape when she tried to attack him.
• A week later, Uchiha Aka trained Aokiji until he was exhausted, and Elder Itachi gave him water and approved a day off.
• Aokiji asked Elder Itachi what Kekkei Genkai could arise from Wind and Lightning Release, and learned they could produce either Swift Release or Typhoon Release.
• Elder Itachi explained that combining two chakra natures could lead to different Kekkei Genkai, such as Lava, Steel, or Explosion Release from Earth and Fire.
• Aokiji wondered whether Earth and Water Release could produce Mud Release, and Elder Itachi confirmed that it could.

Aokiji discussed Ice Release training and the limits of controlling snow with Elder Itachi, who taught him about Jinchuriki and stressed the importance of taijutsu. Elder Itachi sold Aokiji two Ice Release scrolls on credit for two million ryo, and Aokiji suspected the elder had more advanced techniques that could leave him indebted to the Uchiha Clan.

• Aokiji asked Elder Itachi about controlling objects with Chakra and using Ice Release to manipulate snow, and Elder Itachi explained the drawbacks and described Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.
• Elder Itachi advised Aokiji to prioritize taijutsu and gave him two C-rank Ice Release scrolls, which he said he had bought from a mysterious seller.
• Elder Itachi told Aokiji the scrolls cost two million ryo, and Aokiji protested before taking them on credit after hearing that developing ninjutsu would cost him time.
• Aokiji asked whether Elder Itachi had other Ice Release techniques, and the elder's meaningful smile made Aokiji suspect he would end up working to repay the clan.