Chapter Summaries

Shihui Aburame attended Hiruzen Sarutobi’s funeral, helped Tsunade govern Konoha, and learned that Kirigakure had agreed to trade after the reported death of Karatachi Yagura. Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha woke in the hospital and was approached by Orochimaru’s Sound Four, who began trying to recruit him.

• Shihui Aburame cared for Tsunade and Shizune at home before attending Hiruzen Sarutobi’s funeral with Ino Yamanaka.
• Tsunade delivered a eulogy for Hiruzen Sarutobi, and mourners laid white chrysanthemums at the funeral.
• Jiraiya told Shihui Aburame that Naruto Uzumaki needed training to become a stronger Jinchūriki, and Tsunade agreed to let him train Naruto.
• Tsunade told Shihui Aburame that Sunagakure had agreed to compensate Konoha and become its ally, while Kirigakure had agreed to trade after the reported death of Karatachi Yagura.
• Sasuke Uchiha woke after three days in the hospital, learned Naruto Uzumaki had defeated him, and went to the rooftop after sensing someone watching him.
• Kidomaru, Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Jirobo confronted Sasuke Uchiha, and Kidomaru transformed to demonstrate his power.

Shihui Aburame rejected the Sound Four’s invitation to join Otogakure but planned to capture them later. Jiraiya persuaded Naruto Uzumaki to leave Konoha for training, and after a farewell meal where Hinata Hyuga ate fifty bowls of ramen, Sasuke Uchiha stayed behind to speak with Shihui.

• The Sound Four invited Shihui Aburame to join Otogakure, and he asked for a week to think while planning to capture them.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, Jiraiya offered to train Naruto Uzumaki, who agreed after Jiraiya promised he would become strong enough to beat Shiki.
• Naruto Uzumaki summoned his friends to Ichiraku Ramen for a farewell meal before leaving with Jiraiya to train.
• Hinata Hyuga ate fifty bowls of ramen, surpassing Choji Akimichi, while Jiraiya paid the bill.
• After everyone left, Sasuke Uchiha stayed behind and told Shihui Aburame he had something to discuss.

Sasuke Uchiha rejected Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal and focused on improving his swordsmanship, while Shihui Aburame planned to use a staged defection to draw out more Otogakure ninja. Shihui arranged for Uchiha Mikoto to help bring Chihori and Karin into Konoha, and Tsunade met the red-haired newcomers and asked them to join the village.

• Sasuke Uchiha told Shihui Aburame that Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal must have a price and worried that Naruto Uzumaki would grow stronger during training.
• Tsunade told Shihui Aburame that Naruto had left Konoha with Jiraiya, Team 7 needed a temporary member, and the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams would resume in a month.
• Shihui Aburame told Tsunade that Orochimaru had sent four Cursed Seal ninja after him and Sasuke, then proposed pretending to defect to draw out more Otogakure ninja, including Kimimaro.
• Shihui Aburame asked Uchiha Mikoto to arrange false histories for Chihori and Karin, and she agreed to help.
• Three days later, Uchiha Mikoto brought the red-haired newcomers to Tsunade, who recognized their Uzumaki Clan connection and asked them to join Konoha.

Tsunade welcomed Chihori and Karin into Konoha, assigned Karin to Team 7, and arranged for them to stay at the Senju Clan compound. Days later, Shihui Aburame met the Sound Four in the Forest of Death and agreed to go with them to meet Orochimaru.

• Tsunade accepted Chihori and Karin as Konoha ninja, invited them to live at the Senju Clan compound, and assigned Karin to Team 7 after consulting Shihui Aburame.
• Karin met Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke Uchiha at Training Ground 1, introduced herself as a member of the Uzumaki Clan who specialized in Sealing Jutsu, and began training with Kakashi.
• Karin stayed close to Shihui Aburame at the Senju residence, while Chihori and Shizune helped prepare dinner with Tsunade.
• In the Forest of Death, the Sound Four debated whether Shihui Aburame would defect, and Tayuya questioned whether his arrival might be a trap.
• Kidomaru welcomed Shihui Aburame and told him to come with the Sound Four to meet Orochimaru.

Shikamaru Nara led a temporary squad to pursue Shihui Aburame, who had staged his abduction by Otogakure to lure out Kimimaro. After the squad captured three of the Sound Four, Shihui defeated Kimimaro and left him unconscious, earning a new Gu reward.

• Tsunade told Shikamaru Nara, Shino Aburame, Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, and Karin to pursue Shihui Aburame, and Karin recognized that his abduction was an act.
• Shino Aburame tracked the group, and Shikamaru Nara sent him to fight Jirobo while the others continued; Shino defeated Jirobo with exploding insects.
• Kimimaro arrived, took Shihui Aburame away, and ordered Kidomaru, Sakon and Ukon, and Tayuya to stop the pursuers.
• Karin bound the three Sound ninjas with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and Kakashi Hatake arrived to take them alive.
• Shihui Aburame rejected Kimimaro's attempt to deliver him to Orochimaru, then used his Gu and immense strength to knock Kimimaro unconscious.
• Shihui Aburame received the Immortality Grass Gu as a reward for defeating Kimimaro.

Shihui Aburame returned to Konoha with Kimimaro and the captured Otogakure ninja, then gained Tsunade’s approval to travel to Sunagakure and help Gaara become Kazekage. Three days later, Team 7 escorted Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari to Sunagakure.

• Shihui Aburame reunited with Shikamaru Nara and the others, and Uzuki Yugao’s Anbu escorted Kimimaro and the captured Sound Four to Konoha.
• Shihui Aburame visited Tsunade’s office, where Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari discussed cooperation between Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Shihui Aburame persuaded Tsunade to let him visit Sunagakure, while Tsunade offered Gaara help removing Fugi if peaceful means failed.
• Tsunade assigned Shihui Aburame to help Gaara become Kazekage and said she would study the Cursed Seal’s Natural Energy; she also said Kimimaro’s illness had no known cure.
• Three days later, Team 7 accompanied Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari to Sunagakure under Kakashi Hatake’s leadership.

Shihui Aburame and his companions arrived in Sunagakure, where an assassination attempt by Fugi’s faction prompted Temari and Gaara to move against him. Gaara became the Fifth Kazekage ahead of schedule, while Shihui received a healing Gu and Orochimaru focused on finding a cure for his damaged hands.

• Temari welcomed Shihui Aburame, Karin, Sasuke Uchiha, and Kakashi Hatake to Sunagakure and arranged their lodging.
• Karin used Shihui’s room to bathe and sleep, then sensed intruders as Shihui’s Kikaichū detected two Sunagakure ninja on the roof.
• Gaara killed the ninja who accused him of betraying Sunagakure, and Temari apologized to Shihui and confirmed that Fugi had arranged the attack.
• Shihui warned Temari about Hōichi, and she left with Gaara to act against Fugi’s opposition.
• Shihui received the Rank Four healing Gu Snow Wash Gu, and Gaara became the Fifth Kazekage after Fugi’s death.
• In Otogakure, Orochimaru learned that his hands remained damaged after changing bodies, while Kabuto confirmed that Konoha had captured Kimimaro and the others.

Team 7 reached the Rōran Ruins, found Mukade attempting to access the sealed Dragon Vein, and defeated his puppets. Shihui Aburame ordered Sasuke Uchiha to make Mukade complete his technique formula so they could try to subdue the Dragon Vein and use it to increase Kakashi Hatake’s chakra.

• Shihui Aburame revealed the secret mission to Kakashi Hatake, and Kakashi led Team 7 toward the Rōran Ruins after learning Mukade was nearby.
• Karin sensed the sealed Dragon Vein beneath the ruins, and Kakashi guided the team to Minato Namikaze’s seal in an underground hall.
• Karin recognized the Uzumaki Clan Sealing Jutsu in the seal but admitted she could not undo it yet.
• Mukade confronted Team 7 and attacked them with four puppets, but Sasuke Uchiha destroyed the puppets and trapped Mukade in a genjutsu.
• Shihui Aburame told Sasuke to control Mukade and have him complete the formula, then explained that their mission was to try to subdue the Dragon Vein for Kakashi Hatake.

Shihui Aburame and Mukade traveled back in time when the Dragon Vein’s seal was broken, and Shihui convinced the Queen of Roran to let Mukade develop its power. Sasuke Uchiha woke in a future steel city, where he escaped puppet soldiers with three masked ninjas who did not recognize Kakashi as a jonin team leader.

• Mukade completed the formula and broke the seal, and Shihui grabbed him as the Dragon Vein’s power swept everyone away; Shihui received the Hundred-Year Lifespan Gu achievement reward.
• Shihui restrained Mukade with kikaichū, told him they had returned to the past, and proposed working together to develop the Dragon Vein.
• Shihui and Mukade met the Queen of Roran and Sara, and Shihui persuaded the queen to accept their deal by promising to protect Rōran’s lineage.
• The Queen named Shihui and Mukade grand ministers, and Shihui stayed in Rōran to cultivate while Mukade worked on the Dragon Vein.
• Sasuke woke alone, followed Sara into a steel city, and fought its Dragon Vein-powered puppet soldiers with Chidori Stream.
• Three masked young ninjas helped Sasuke escape, then questioned how Kakashi could have taught him Chidori because they did not know Kakashi as a jonin team leader.

After Team 7 vanished at the Dragon Vein, Tsunade rushed to the Rōran Ruins and waited anxiously for Shihui Aburame and the others to return. Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha met Minato Namikaze’s team in the past, where Minato recognized that Sasuke came from the future and reunited with Kakashi Hatake.

• Temari told Gaara that Kakashi Hatake, Shihui Aburame, and the rest of Team 7 had disappeared at the Dragon Vein, so Gaara sent Kankuro to inform Konoha and ordered Sunagakure to search.
• Kankuro reached Konoha, where Tsunade seized him in alarm before hearing how Team 7 vanished and reading Minato Namikaze’s report about the Dragon Vein.
• Tsunade traveled to the Rōran Ruins, confirmed Sunagakure was not responsible, and stayed behind while worrying about Shihui Aburame.
• Sasuke Uchiha met Minato Namikaze, Choza Akimichi, and a younger Shibi Aburame, and Minato concluded Sasuke had come from twenty years in the future.
• Minato Namikaze led the group to Kakashi Hatake, who was overwhelmed on seeing his former teacher and began to cry.

Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha, and their allies discovered that the people of Rōran were puppets and confronted Anrokuzan, who revealed that Shihui Aburame had controlled him. Their attack failed to stop Anrokuzan’s regeneration, and the chapter ended with Shihui Aburame appearing and drawing his fury.

• Kakashi Hatake reunited with Minato Namikaze and learned that Shihui Aburame was powerful enough to evade detection and had defeated the One-Tail’s Jinchūriki.
• Minato Namikaze exposed the crowds at Sara’s celebration as puppets, and Sara led the group to the Dragon Vein relay station.
• Anrokuzan revealed that Shi Siming had controlled him for three years, then transformed into a giant puppet spider powered by the Dragon Vein.
• Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Shibi Aburame, Choza Akimichi, and Sasuke Uchiha attacked Anrokuzan, but he regenerated after Kakashi Hatake destroyed the relay formation and Sasuke Uchiha pierced his chest.
• Shihui Aburame appeared and told Sara to lead the others to the Dragon Vein’s source while Karin sealed its core, and Anrokuzan turned his hatred toward him.

Shihui Aburame and his allies defeated Anrokuzan, sealed the Dragon Vein, and returned to their own time after Minato Namikaze erased their memories of the journey. Shihui later recovered those memories through an achievement reward and told Tsunade what had happened, while concealing that he had intentionally traveled further into the past.

• Shihui Aburame crushed Anrokuzan with his strength while Sara, Kakashi Hatake, and Sasuke Uchiha headed for the Dragon Vein's source.
• After the Dragon Vein was sealed and Anrokuzan lost its power, Anrokuzan detonated himself, but Shihui Aburame survived unharmed.
• Minato Namikaze sealed the Dragon Vein, then erased everyone's memories of the past before Shihui Aburame, Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin returned to their own time.
• Tsunade and Shizune waited at the Rōran Ruins, where a girl from Rōran explained that its people had survived and lived at a nearby oasis.
• Shihui Aburame and the others emerged from the restored seal, and Tsunade carried the unconscious Shihui Aburame back to camp.
• Shihui Aburame regained his sealed memories through an achievement reward and told Tsunade about the journey, claiming his trip to the past had been accidental.

After returning from three years in Rōran, Shihui Aburame reunited with Tsunade and showed off the Gu he had earned while stranded. He gave Kakashi Hatake the Dragon Vein, then traveled with the others back to Sunagakure, where Gaara asked Tsunade about the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Tsunade scolded Shihui Aburame for being stranded in the past, then brought him ramen while he reviewed the Gu and achievements he had gained during his three years in Rōran.
• Shizune and Karin reunited with Shihui Aburame, and he examined the Dragon Vein core before deciding to give it to Kakashi Hatake.
• Shihui Aburame gave Kakashi Hatake the Dragon Vein, earning a new Gu reward, and Shizune told the group to prepare to return to Sunagakure.
• Tsunade and Shihui Aburame met Chiyo in Gaara's office, where Chiyo discussed her return from retirement and Shihui defended Tsunade.
• Gaara asked Tsunade whether Sunagakure could send participants to the Chunin Ninja Exams, and she agreed.

After returning to Konoha, Shihui Aburame was put to work clearing Tsunade’s backlog of Hokage paperwork and learned about Shimura Danzō’s Gozu Tennō experiment. He arranged for the search for Tanuki Shigaraki to intensify, then offered Tsunade unlimited nectar wine as an apology, and she eagerly took him out for the evening.

• At camp, Kakashi Hatake encouraged Sasuke Uchiha to focus on developing his Sharingan instead of comparing himself to Shihui Aburame, and Sasuke resolved not to lose to Naruto Uzumaki.
• After the group returned to Konoha, Tsunade assigned Shihui Aburame the Hokage paperwork that had accumulated during her absence.
• Inoichi Yamanaka reported that the Analysis Team had recovered secrets from Shimura Danzō’s memories, including information about the Gozu Tennō experiment and its creator, Tanuki Shigaraki.
• Shihui Aburame ordered more people assigned to pursue Tanuki Shigaraki, then accepted Inoichi Yamanaka’s invitation to visit the Yamanaka home.
• Shihui Aburame offered Tsunade as much nectar wine as she wanted as an apology, and Tsunade grabbed his hand and left with him.

Tsunade and Shizune drank Shihui Aburame’s nectar wine, and Shihui secretly used a Ten-Year Lifespan Gu on Tsunade, adding sixty-six years to her lifespan. The next morning, Shihui arranged for Kakashi to use the Sealing Squad and reviewed Sunagakure’s Chunin Exam roster, while Tsunade woke feeling unusually youthful and suspected Shihui had done something to her.

• Tsunade pressed Shihui for more nectar wine, and Shizune joined them before passing out after drinking.
• Shihui carried Shizune to bed, then used a Ten-Year Lifespan Gu on the drunken Tsunade, increasing her lifespan by sixty-six years.
• Tsunade stumbled into a wall on her way to bed, and Shihui helped her into her room before ending the night.
• The next morning, Shihui told Shizune to look after Tsunade and went to the Hokage's office, where he sent Kakashi to the Sealing Squad to have the Dragon Vein implanted.
• Uzuki Yugao reported that Kakashi’s sealing had succeeded, and Shihui examined Sunagakure’s Chunin Exam roster, including Shira, Sen, and Yome.
• Tsunade woke with a splitting headache, noticed that her body felt as though she were eighteen again, and wondered what Shihui had done to her.

Shihui Aburame told Tsunade that the insect product he gave her had extended her lifespan by sixty-six years, and she promised to protect him until she died. He then visited Hinata Hyuga, gave her the Snow Woman Gu to help her prepare for the resumed Chunin Exams, and unlocked the Immobilization Gu.

• Shihui Aburame revealed that the insect product had extended Tsunade's lifespan by sixty-six years, and Tsunade promised to protect him until she died.
• Shihui Aburame unlocked the Bamboo Gentleman, a Gu worm that detected lies, and bought snacks before visiting the Hyuga Clan.
• Hinata Hyuga lost her sparring match with Neji Hyuga after becoming distracted by Shihui Aburame, who brought her okonomiyaki and told her the Chunin Exams would resume in a month.
• When Hinata Hyuga worried that she was not strong enough for the next round, Shihui Aburame gave her the Snow Woman Gu and transformed her into a snow woman.
• Hinata Hyuga tested her ice body and Byakugan, and Shihui Aburame told her to spend the next month adapting to her new form.
• Shihui Aburame unlocked the Immobilization Gu after giving Hinata the Snow Woman Gu.

Shihui Aburame reflected on Hinata Hyuga’s new Snow Woman Gu and spoke with Tsunade and Shizune before the Chunin Ninja Exams finals began. The draw set the opening matches, and after Hinata defeated Yome and Sasuke Uchiha beat Kurama Yakumo, Karin was matched against Ino Yamanaka.

• Shihui Aburame considered how the Snow Woman Gu had strengthened Hinata Hyuga, then Tsunade offered to rig the finals draw for him, but he refused.
• Shizune returned exhausted from a mission, and Shihui Aburame made her ramen before the finals began the following month.
• At the exam venue, Gaara gave a long speech about love and peace, and the contestants gathered for the on-site draw.
• Hinata Hyuga drew Yome and defeated the Sunagakure sensory ninja in less than three minutes.
• Aburame Torune forfeited his match against Shihui Aburame, while Sasuke Uchiha defeated Kurama Yakumo after their Genjutsu contest with a sword strike.
• Genma Shiranui drew Karin against Ino Yamanaka, making Shihui Aburame suspect someone had manipulated the matchups.

Ino Yamanaka defeated Karin in the Chunin Exams, and Rock Lee and Shira fought an intense taijutsu battle that ended with Shira surrendering. Rock Lee withdrew because his body could not continue after using the Eight Gates Released Formation, leaving six contestants to advance.

• Ino Yamanaka used Ido to overcome Karin's chakra-fueled resistance and win their match, then the two promised to fight again.
• Neji Hyuga defeated Sen in a brief match, and Genma Shiranui announced that Shira would face Rock Lee while the remaining contestant received a bye.
• Rock Lee and Shira exchanged powerful taijutsu attacks, then opened the Eight Gates Released Formation and Seven Heavens Breathing Method respectively.
• After Rock Lee used the fifth gate and Shira reached the third activation of his technique, Shira surrendered and both fighters collapsed from exhaustion.
• Shizune told Tsunade that Rock Lee could not fight again, and Genma Shiranui announced that Hinata Hyuga, Shihui Aburame, Sasuke Uchiha, Ino Yamanaka, Neji Hyuga, and Shino Aburame advanced.

Ino Yamanaka lost to Sasuke Uchiha, then Hinata Hyuga used the Snow Woman Gu in her match against Neji Hyuga and won. The victory earned Shihui Aburame the Every Tree and Bush a Soldier Gu.

• Sasuke Uchiha defeated Ino Yamanaka after countering her Mind Body Switch Technique with his Sharingan.
• Shihui Aburame encouraged Hinata Hyuga before her match with Neji Hyuga, and she entered the arena determined to prove herself.
• Neji Hyuga overwhelmed Hinata Hyuga with Gentle Fist, but she transformed into a snow woman using the Snow Woman Gu.
• Hinata Hyuga's ice attacks and defenses stalemated Neji Hyuga's Rotation until his chakra ran out and he surrendered.
• Genma Shiranui declared Hinata Hyuga the winner, and Shihui Aburame received the Every Tree and Bush a Soldier Gu.

Shino Aburame showcased the Aburame Clan’s explosive kikaichū and helped secure Shihui Aburame’s place in the third round, while Hinata Hyuga defeated Neji Hyuga to advance. After Sasuke Uchiha beat Hinata, he faced Shihui, whose new golden defensive Gu left Sasuke’s opening sword assault unable to harm him.

• Shino Aburame attacked Shihui Aburame with explosive kikaichū, demonstrated the Aburame Clan’s secret techniques, and surrendered after making a spectacle of the clan’s strength.
• Shihui Aburame received the Golden Thread Robe Gu, and Genma Shiranui announced that Shihui Aburame, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga had advanced.
• Hinata Hyuga told Shihui Aburame she would forfeit against him but would try to defeat Sasuke Uchiha, then lost to Sasuke after her chakra ran low.
• Sasuke Uchiha rested for ten minutes before challenging Shihui Aburame, whose golden defense withstood Sasuke’s lightning-fast sword attack and numbed Sasuke’s hand.