Chapter Summaries

After Hatake Xuanzhe defended his decision to let Sarutobi Shinnosuke die, Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka privately wondered whether Shinnosuke’s death had really happened as reported, then chose not to pursue the suspicion. The war’s survivors returned to Konoha, where the villagers celebrated their heroes and Hatake Sakumo found comfort in Kakashi and Obito’s cheers.

• Hatake Xuanzhe argued that Hatake Sakumo had been condemned for saving Sarutobi Shinnosuke, while he had completed the mission by leaving Shinnosuke to die.
• Chōza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka reacted to Shinnosuke’s death, and Shikaku Nara questioned whether the Second Kazekage had truly killed him; the three decided to keep their suspicions secret.
• At dinner, Orochimaru announced that injured ninjas and those who had lost family members could return to Konoha, and Tsunade told Xuanzhe that Dan Katō had died in a battle with a user of black iron sand.
• Xuanzhe dismissed Dan Katō’s death, unsettling the nearby ninjas, as Tsunade and the others returned to Konoha to a loud welcome from the villagers.
• The villagers praised Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Xuanzhe, while Hatake Sakumo received little recognition until Kakashi and Obito cheered for him alongside their friends.

Xuan Zhe returned to Konoha after defeating the Second Kazekage and told Asuma that his brother Shinnosuke had died during the mission. Minato Namikaze challenged Xuan Zhe’s claim that comrades could be sacrificed for a mission, and the chapter ended with Hiruzen accepting the report while Jiraiya remained bewildered.

• Asuma confronted Xuan Zhe and Jiraiya, demanding to know what had happened to his brother Shinnosuke and the others from their clan.
• Hatake Sakumo said Shinnosuke had been killed by the Kazekage, and Xuan Zhe claimed he had avenged him; Jiraiya was stunned because he had not seen Shinnosuke during the mission.
• Asuma accused Xuan Zhe of failing to save his brother, and Xuan Zhe reminded the crowd that Shinnosuke had once criticized him for saving him; the villagers backed Xuan Zhe under pressure.
• Minato Namikaze argued that comrades’ lives should matter more than mission success, but Xuan Zhe brushed off his objection with a joke about never arguing with an idiot.
• Xuan Zhe led the ninja force to the Administration Building and reported the victory and Shinnosuke’s death to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who showed little reaction as they awaited Sunagakure’s armistice agreement.

Xuan Zhe defended leaving Sarutobi Shinnosuke to die, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Elders Council discussed whether Xuan Zhe had caused his death. Jiraiya sought Xuan Zhe to question the Kazekage mission and began to suspect that Hatake Sakumo knew nothing of its secret purpose.

• Xuan Zhe told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had fulfilled the mission despite Sarutobi Shinnosuke's death, and Hiruzen restrained his anger and thanked the returning ninja.
• Tsunade condemned Hiruzen Sarutobi and left, while Xuan Zhe followed her out of the office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo, and Koharu questioned whether Xuan Zhe had killed Shinnosuke; Danzo suggested asking Jiraiya about the assassination mission.
• Jiraiya went to Xuan Zhe's farmhouse, then learned from Hatake Sakumo that Xuan Zhe was at the Senju Clan's compound with Nawaki.
• Jiraiya asked Hatake Sakumo whether anything had seemed wrong with the mission to attack Sunagakure, and concluded that Sakumo knew nothing about its hidden purpose.

Jiraiya visited the Senju compound and discovered that Xuan Zhe had killed Sarutobi Shinnosuke and concealed the truth. Tsunade and Nawaki confronted Jiraiya over whether he would report Xuan Zhe to Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Nawaki accused the senior leadership council of orchestrating the disaster that killed most of the Senju Clan.

• Yuhi Shinku recognized that Hatake Sakumo's mission scandal was suspicious but chose not to get involved, then took his family out for barbecue at Kurenai Yuhi's request to invite Xuan Zhe.
• Jiraiya visited the diminished Senju Clan compound and reflected on how few members remained capable of fighting.
• Nawaki praised Xuan Zhe for killing Sarutobi Shinnosuke and leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi without evidence, while Xuan Zhe admitted that his actions in the Land of Rain had left a flaw.
• Jiraiya entered the courtyard and accused Xuan Zhe of being behind Sarutobi Shinnosuke's death, revealing that the story given to Hiruzen Sarutobi did not match what Jiraiya had witnessed.
• Tsunade said she had suspected Xuan Zhe's involvement, and Nawaki asked whether Jiraiya planned to report it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Nawaki reminded Jiraiya that the Senju Clan had lost nearly all its members in last year's incident and accused the senior leadership council of arranging the disaster.

Jiraiya confronted Nawaki and Xuan Zhe about the village’s growing tensions, then found Orochimaru openly neutral in the conflict between Xuan Zhe and Hiruzen Sarutobi. When Hiruzen questioned Jiraiya about the mission where Shinnosuke died, Jiraiya claimed the Second Kazekage had killed him.

• Jiraiya remembered the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and left the Senju grounds without revealing what he knew.
• Xuan Zhe assured Nawaki that Jiraiya would not expose the truth, while feeding Tsunade beef from the stone pot.
• Jiraiya met Orochimaru, who discussed the factions forming in Konoha and said Jiraiya’s allegiance could tip the balance between Hiruzen and Xuan Zhe.
• Orochimaru delivered Chiyo’s ceasefire agreement from Sunagakure to Hiruzen, then left the Hokage’s office to return to his research.
• Obito watched Hatake Xuanzhe spar with White Fang, then fought with Kakashi while Rin tried to separate them.
• Hiruzen questioned Jiraiya about the mission involving Xuan Zhe and Shinnosuke, and Jiraiya said he had not witnessed Shinnosuke’s death but that the Second Kazekage had killed him.

Hatake Sakumo tested a new Chidori technique against Xuan Zhe, while Xuan Zhe heard a mysterious voice just before they clashed. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s suspicions about Xuan Zhe’s role in his son’s death deepened, and Minato Namikaze arrived at his home.

• Jiraiya had carefully phrased his account of Sarutobi Shinnosuke’s death, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi suspicious of Xuan Zhe.
• Hatake Sakumo used Chidori to attack Xuan Zhe, who heard a voice call to him before the two passed each other; both were wounded.
• Rin Nohara bandaged Xuan Zhe, and he wondered what the voice meant while checking his evolution panel.
• Biwako threw Hiruzen Sarutobi out of their bedroom, and he brooded over his lack of evidence against Xuan Zhe.
• Minato Namikaze arrived at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s home in his Anbu role.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Minato Namikaze's surveillance of Xuan Zhe to continue even after Minato became Jiraiya's student. While training with Jiraiya, Minato demonstrated extraordinary talent, then rushed with him to Xuan Zhe's farm, where they found ninja dogs eating the remains of Konoha ninjas.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi criticized Xuan Zhe's conduct and told Minato Namikaze to keep watching him, assigning someone else when Minato chose to train under Jiraiya.
• Minato Namikaze summoned Gamabunta and performed the Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet during training with Jiraiya.
• Minato showed Jiraiya his attempt to develop a technique based on the Tailed Beast Bomb, and Jiraiya was astonished by his talent.
• Minato and Jiraiya followed cries for help to Xuan Zhe's farm, where they found ninja dogs eating bloody remains beside a Konoha forehead protector.
• Xuan Zhe ordered the dogs to work the fields, then smashed the forehead protector with his hoe as Jiraiya and Minato watched in shock.

Xuan Zhe killed the Gekko clan head, Yuzuki Yuzuki, after catching him spying, leaving his wife and newborn son behind. Jiraiya confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi with evidence of the killing, and Hiruzen realized Xuan Zhe had gone too far.

• Xuan Zhe revealed that his Ninja Dogs had eaten the Gekko clan watcher and burned away the remains, while Minato Namikaze realized he had narrowly escaped the same fate during his own surveillance.
• Jiraiya and Minato met Gekko Shin carrying her newborn son, Gekko Hayate, and learned that her husband Yuzuki had been coming home late.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi waited for Yuzuki, whom he had assigned to watch Xuan Zhe after Minato left the Anbu.
• Jiraiya stormed into Hiruzen's office, threw him a bloodstained piece of an Anbu vest, and said Xuan Zhe's Ninja Dogs had eaten Yuzuki.
• Hiruzen recognized what had happened and angrily questioned whether Xuan Zhe had become brazen.

Danzo’s suspicions drove Jiraiya to leave Konoha with Minato Namikaze, while Hiruzen Sarutobi kept Kushina Uzumaki under surveillance and prepared to use her to retain Minato’s loyalty. Before departing, Minato asked Tsunade and Xuan Zhe to look after Kushina, who arrived with a scroll from Hiruzen for him.

• Danzo accused Jiraiya of being involved in the conflict over Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Hatake Xuanzhe, and Jiraiya angrily walked out.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Jiraiya had taken Minato Namikaze away to train, then confirmed that Anbu were monitoring Kushina Uzumaki and ordered the Scroll of Seals brought to him.
• Jiraiya and Minato visited Xuan Zhe and Tsunade before leaving, and Minato asked Tsunade to look after Kushina.
• Kushina arrived, grew angry when Xuan Zhe called her “Tomato,” and greeted Tsunade and Xuan Zhe after Minato calmed her down.
• Kushina handed Minato the scroll Hiruzen Sarutobi had asked her to deliver.

Minato Namikaze received the Flying Thunder God technique from Hiruzen Sarutobi, prompting Tsunade and Xuan Zhe to discuss the village’s politics and Tsunade’s attachment to Konoha. Years after the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade remained in the village and trained Rin Nohara, while Xuan Zhe teased them.

• Minato Namikaze received the Flying Thunder God technique from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Tsunade recognized the significance of the gift.
• Xuan Zhe told Tsunade he had no interest in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s power, but offered to help her take the Hokage position and remove those who obstructed her.
• Tsunade’s attachment to Konoha left her melancholy, so Xuan Zhe comforted her and carried her into the house.
• After the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade stayed in Konoha, Nawaki survived, and Kakashi continued attending the Ninja Academy alongside Obito Uchiha.
• Tsunade sent Rin Nohara on an errand after training her in armament haki, while Xuan Zhe teased them and dodged Tsunade’s Monster Strength Fist.

Rin Nohara bought condoms for Xuan Zhe after Kakashi and Obito helped her, leaving Tsunade furious that the young Konoha students might know about her relationship with him. The days passed with the Ninja Academy students still in class, Minato Namikaze training with Jiraiya, and Xuan Zhe and Hiruzen Sarutobi maintaining an uneasy understanding.

• Rin Nohara asked Obito to help find the item Xuan Zhe had requested, and Kakashi and Might Guy joined them; Kurenai Yuhi slapped Obito after he asked what a “rubber” was.
• Kakashi and Obito bought the condoms for Rin Nohara, who later handed them to Xuan Zhe and Tsunade.
• Rin Nohara explained the errand, and Xuan Zhe laughed while Tsunade scolded him for sending Rin to buy the condoms.
• Tsunade realized the students might know that she and Xuan Zhe used the condoms and attacked him in embarrassment.
• The Konoha students continued attending the Ninja Academy, Jiraiya took Minato Namikaze away to train, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Xuan Zhe made no major moves against each other.

After three years of training, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha, where Minato tested his new Rasengan against Xuan Zhe. Xuan Zhe met young Shisui Uchiha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Jiraiya and examined Minato at the Hokage's office.

• Minato Namikaze used his speed and Rasengan against Xuan Zhe, but Xuan Zhe stopped the attack with his sword at Minato's stomach.
• An Anbu ninja summoned Jiraiya to the Hokage's office, and Jiraiya left with Minato Namikaze.
• Shisui Uchiha introduced himself to Xuan Zhe and asked why he had not fought Minato seriously.
• Xuan Zhe told Shisui that he might get along with his elder brother Hatake Sakumo, then called both of them idiots.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Minato Namikaze to his office and scrutinized him as he stood respectfully before the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze ANBU Commander and later began pushing him to step into the public eye. Meanwhile, Xuan Zhe advised Kurenai Yuhi, witnessed Tsunade’s latest gambling disaster, and learned that Kakashi had applied for early graduation.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reinstated Minato Namikaze and appointed him ANBU Commander, a role Minato accepted despite suspecting the Hokage wanted to bind him to the elders’ faction.
• Kurenai Yuhi asked Xuan Zhe to teach her ninjutsu, and he suggested she study Medical Ninjutsu and seek guidance from Tsunade.
• Tsunade returned from gambling with a debt of fifty million, two hundred and forty thousand ryo, while Nawaki had put Hashirama Senju’s Jade Buddha Statue up as collateral.
• Tsunade revealed her transformed body to Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yuhi, who eagerly questioned her about how she had developed it.
• Nawaki told Xuan Zhe that Kakashi had applied for early graduation and that Minato Namikaze had become the new ANBU Commander, code-named Light.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Minato Namikaze’s mission work and urged him to remove his mask and appear publicly as a regular ninja.

Xuan Zhe learned that Kakashi and several other Academy students were applying for early graduation, then unlocked a Zanpakutō evolution path and accidentally knocked Hatake Sakumo down with his sword pressure. Xuan Zhe and Sakumo went to watch the graduation exam, where the students began filing out of the Academy.

• Xuan Zhe learned from Nawaki that Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy, Asuma, Rin, Kurenai, and other students had applied for early graduation.
• Xuan Zhe entered a mysterious mental realm, grasped a sword, and returned with a new katana and an evolution path toward a Zanpakutō.
• Xuan Zhe unlocked Sword Pressure and accidentally made Hatake Sakumo lose his footing when Sakumo arrived to speak with him.
• Hatake Sakumo told Xuan Zhe that Kakashi and the other students were taking their graduation exam, and Xuan Zhe agreed to go watch.
• Xuan Zhe and Sakumo met Might Duy and Shinku Yuhi outside the Academy as the crowd awaited the students.
• The Academy doors opened, and the graduating students began pouring out.

Kakashi, Kurenai, Rin, Asuma, Obito, and Guy graduated from the Ninja Academy, while five-year-old Shisui Uchiha surprised the village by graduating even earlier. Hiruzen struggled to place Shisui, Danzo offered to take him, and the academy assigned teams without him, leaving Shisui waiting for the higher-ups' decision.

• Kakashi and the other graduates reunited with their parents, while Xuan Zhe praised Kurenai and Rin and Obito argued with Kakashi.
• Shisui Uchiha emerged as a five-year-old graduate, drawing attention for his speed and Uchiha heritage; he told Xuan Zhe that he had applied alongside Kakashi's group.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Shisui's graduation disrupted his team plans, and Danzo proposed taking the boy for himself.
• Senju Nawaki announced the teams, placing Guy, Genma, and Ebisu together; Shizune, Rin, and Kurenai together; and Kakashi, Asuma, and Obito together.
• Nawaki told Shisui that the higher-ups would make separate arrangements, while Shisui wondered why he had expected Xuan Zhe to become an Anbu leader.

Minato, Tsunade, and Orochimaru collected their newly assigned students, while Uchiha Fugaku explained why he had entrusted Shisui to Orochimaru. Madara learned that Shisui had become a test subject and continued searching for a third safeguard for his resurrection.

• Minato took Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Asuma Sarutobi, while Tsunade collected Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and another girl.
• Orochimaru took Shisui Uchiha as his student and hinted that he intended to continue the Second Hokage's research; Shisui sensed something was wrong.
• Uchiha Fugaku persuaded the clan's elders and jonin that placing Shisui under Orochimaru could help the Uchiha gain influence over the future Hokage.
• Fugaku's plan depended on Orochimaru becoming Fourth Hokage, but Xuan Zhe was considering how to put Tsunade in the position instead.
• White Zetsu reported Shisui's situation to Madara, who dismissed Konoha's affairs and continued seeking a third safeguard for his resurrection.

Madara considered potential recruits for his Eye of the Moon Plan while the Konoha Chunin Ninja Exams took place. After Obito cheated on the written test, Xuan Zhe learned from Orochimaru that Danzo had secretly kept Shisui alive as a Root pawn, leaving the truth hidden from both Hiruzen and the Uchiha.

• Madara identified Senju Nawaki, Shisui Uchiha, and Obito Uchiha as possible recruits, though Nawaki's poor aptitude and living sister made him less suitable.
• During the Chunin Ninja Exams, Obito received a note from a girl he liked and used it to fill in his blank paper while Nawaki noticed and let him cheat.
• Xuan Zhe asked Orochimaru about Shisui, and Orochimaru revealed that most Uchiha subjects died during experiments with Hashirama's cells.
• Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe that Danzo had concealed Shisui's survival from Hiruzen and imprisoned him deep in Root as a personal pawn.
• The written exam ended without major trouble, while the Uchiha remained unaware of Shisui's fate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to make Orochimaru take the blame for Shisui Uchiha’s death and leave Konoha, diverting the Uchiha Clan’s anger. Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe what had happened, and Xuan Zhe pointed out that Orochimaru had planned to leave anyway, making Orochimaru react sharply.

• Minato Namikaze tried to celebrate Kakashi Hatake’s promotion, but Kakashi, Obito, and Asuma sat in hostile silence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi panicked after Danzo reported that Shisui Uchiha had died during the Hashirama cell experiments.
• Danzo proposed framing the Land of Wind or making Orochimaru a rogue ninja, and Hiruzen eventually summoned Orochimaru.
• Tsunade trained Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kato Shizune in the Mystical Palm Technique while Xuan Zhe laughed nearby.
• Orochimaru told Xuan Zhe that Hiruzen wanted him to take the blame for Shisui’s death and leave Konoha.
• Xuan Zhe said Orochimaru had planned to leave anyway, and Orochimaru’s pupils contracted.

Orochimaru defected from Konoha after Hiruzen Sarutobi blamed him for the Uchiha affair, and Xuan Zhe encouraged him to watch the Akatsuki while plotting against the village. Konoha learned of Orochimaru’s defection and Shisui Uchiha’s death, and the chapter ended with Minato Namikaze returning to Xuan Zhe with Kakashi and Obito, while Asuma was missing.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted blame for the Uchiha affair onto Orochimaru, who asked Xuan Zhe for help and discussed a plan to bring down Konoha.
• Orochimaru defected from Konoha and later told Xuan Zhe that the Akatsuki had refused to shelter him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Uchiha Fugaku that Shisui Uchiha was gone and blamed Orochimaru for his disappearance.
• Orochimaru agreed to keep an eye on the Akatsuki after learning Xuan Zhe believed its members would someday change the world.
• Konoha erupted with news of Orochimaru’s defection and Shisui’s death, prompting Minato Namikaze to rush to the Administration Building.
• Minato Namikaze returned to Xuan Zhe with Kakashi and Obito, reported that Asuma was missing, and apologized; Xuan Zhe asked if Minato had lost to Orochimaru.

Team Minato’s S-rank mission to secure an alliance with Sunagakure ended with Asuma captured by Orochimaru, while the Third Kazekage disappeared and the Third Shinobi World War loomed. At Orochimaru’s hideout, Hatake Sakumo delivered Xuan Zhe’s warning and revealed the plan to use the war to remove Hiruzen Sarutobi and make Tsunade the Fourth Hokage.

• Xuan Zhe explained that Orochimaru had ambushed Minato’s team and captured Asuma by exploiting Minato’s inexperience and blocking the escape route.
• Xuan Zhe warned Minato, Kakashi, and Obito that the Third Shinobi World War was about to begin, and news spread that Asuma had been captured.
• Chiyo returned to Sunagakure’s leadership after the Third Kazekage went missing and ordered the village to keep the disappearance secret.
• Asuma accused Hatake Sakumo of killing his brother, while Orochimaru confirmed that Hiruzen had sent Anbu to hunt him and burned Xuan Zhe’s warning scroll.
• Hatake Sakumo told Orochimaru that Xuan Zhe planned to use the coming war to remove Hiruzen and make Tsunade Hokage; Orochimaru then inflicted a Cursed Seal on Asuma.