Chapter Summaries

Danzo reacted to Hiruzen’s plan for succession by plotting against Jiraiya, while Hiruzen prepared to retire and disband Root. As Konoha rebuilt after the destruction, Yamato completed the housing work and was confronted by a masked man.

• Mitokado Homura told Danzo that Hiruzen wanted him to give up his ambitions, and Danzo erupted in anger before resolving to kill Jiraiya.
• Danzo ordered Kinoe to join the Hokage’s missions, help the Anbu rebuild Konoha, and send him intelligence about Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen officially released Yamato from Root, assigned him to the Anbu, and told him to rebuild homes with Wood Release.
• Hiruzen told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that he would step down when Jiraiya returned and ordered them to disband Root.
• Three days later, Suigetsu, Haku, and Kimimaro discussed Konoha’s reconstruction and the possibility of Jiraiya becoming the next Hokage.
• After completing the last residential area’s reconstruction, Yamato was approached by a man wearing a white mask.

A masked figure abducted Yamato, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to blame Danzo and conclude that Danzo had to be stopped. Meanwhile, Yuzuru remained with Kaguya on the moon, where they discussed having a child before Kaguya drew him back into their embrace.

• A masked figure used Wood Release and Mangekyō genjutsu to capture Yamato after killing two Anbu who tried to protect him.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Yamato was missing, and Hiruzen accused Danzo of taking him.
• Hiruzen ordered the two dead Anbu's families to receive the highest death benefits and decided Danzo was finished.
• Danzo learned Yamato was missing and vowed to find him and use him to clear his path to becoming Hokage.
• Yuzuru and Kaguya discussed having a biological child, but Yuzuru said he wanted to keep their love between them, and Kaguya responded by pulling him close.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha after surviving several assassination attempts and found Hiruzen Sarutobi determined to make him the Fifth Hokage. Danzo resolved to oppose Jiraiya’s appointment, while Jiraiya continued to resist accepting the position.

• Jiraiya and Gamabunta defeated another group of assassins, and Gamabunta urged Jiraiya to watch Minazuki Yuzuru closely.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta discussed Konoha’s crisis, the disappearances of Tsunade and others, and Jiraiya’s reluctance to become Hokage.
• Two days later, Jiraiya returned to Konoha and went to visit Hiruzen Sarutobi in the hospital.
• Danzo learned Jiraiya had returned and vowed to prevent him from becoming Hokage, even if he had to bring him down.
• Jiraiya questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s choice of him as the Fifth Hokage, but Hiruzen insisted that Jiraiya was the only option.

Jiraiya agreed to become Konoha’s Fifth Hokage after Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him seven days to find Tsunade or take office. A week later, Jiraiya was officially named Hokage, while Zabuza, Ameyuri, Haku, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro struggled to keep their reactions hidden.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Jiraiya seven days to find Tsunade and convince her to become the Fifth Hokage, or return and take the position himself.
• Jiraiya agreed to become Hokage, and Hiruzen Sarutobi told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to help him while warning them not to pursue their own ambitions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the Root Base through the Telescope Technique and warned Danzo that this was his last chance.
• A week later, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down in Konoha’s square and announced Jiraiya as the Fifth Hokage.
• Jiraiya greeted the cheering villagers as ninja from other villages watched and discussed Konoha’s strength.
• Zabuza, Ameyuri, Haku, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro tried to keep from laughing as they watched the ceremony.

After recovering from Kaguya’s draining, Yuzuru spent a week with Tsunade in Amenominaka before they returned to find that Jiraiya had become the Fifth Hokage. Yuzuru explained that Konoha had been left with few alternatives and that making Jiraiya Hokage had been part of his plan.

• Yuzuru returned home exhausted after Kaguya drained his energy, and Kurenai recognized what had happened.
• Tsunade brewed Yuzuru a restorative tonic, and he recovered within three days before spending the night with Kurenai and Hikari.
• Yuzuru joined Tsunade in Amenominaka, where they spent roughly a week together.
• The two Tsunades teased each other after Yuzuru and Tsunade returned, while the two Shizunes watched them.
• Shizune told Yuzuru and both Tsunades that Jiraiya had become the Fifth Hokage.
• Yuzuru said he had intended to make Jiraiya Hokage so the Akatsuki’s coming activity would keep him occupied and limit the threat he posed.

Yuzuru discussed Hiruzen’s declining health and Konoha’s coming power struggle, while Obito’s group prepared a White Zetsu army and resented Yuzuru for taking the tailed beasts. The chapter ended with Big Tsunade demanding twice the time Yuzuru had spent with her other self in Amenominaka.

• Yuzuru explained that Hiruzen had survived the Dead Demon Seal but had suffered lasting damage, and wondered whether Jiraiya would confront Danzo over Konoha’s leadership.
• Obito, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu used Yamato’s Wood Release to create an army, while Obito blamed Yuzuru for taking several tailed beasts and for separating him from Rin.
• Kakashi and Rin prepared to marry in the stable Land of Water, while Hatake Sakumo looked forward to having a grandchild.
• Kurenai and Hikari refused Yuzuru because they were still recovering, so Big Tsunade took him to her room and the two entered Amenominaka.
• Big Tsunade learned that Yuzuru and the other Tsunade had spent a week together and demanded double that time for herself.

Yuzuru returned from a night with the older Tsunade, who rested while he spoke with his teacher Tsunade. After learning that Kakashi and Rin would marry next month, Yuzuru decided to make Obito witness Rin’s happiness.

• Yuzuru cared for the exhausted older Tsunade and stayed by her while she slept.
• Yuzuru told his teacher Tsunade that the older Tsunade had used Sage Mode, amplifying her senses, and his teacher said she wanted to try it too.
• Tsunade told Yuzuru that the wedding date for Kakashi and Rin had been set for next month.
• Yuzuru reflected on Kakashi’s past losses and blamed Obito for choosing cruelty despite his comparatively fortunate life.
• Yuzuru decided that Obito would witness Kakashi and Rin’s wedding and see Rin happy.

Yuzuru made Kakashi a lightning-conductive blade as a wedding gift, then helped the family prepare a joyful wedding for Kakashi and Rin. After the newlyweds began their life together, Kakashi asked when Yuzuru planned to have his own wedding, drawing several expectant gazes.

• Yuzuru asked Kaguya to help shape a chakra-black-rod blade for Kakashi, and she agreed in exchange for his company.
• Yuzuru and his family prepared for Kakashi and Rin's wedding, and Yuzuru arranged to record it.
• Rin and Kakashi exchanged vows and kissed, officially becoming husband and wife.
• Kakashi and Rin moved into their own home, and Yuzuru congratulated them while teasing Kakashi about having a son.
• Kakashi asked Yuzuru about his own wedding, and several people turned their attention toward him.

Yuzuru used Kakashi and Rin’s wedding video to torment Obito, whose reaction deepened Black Zetsu’s frustration. As Konoha prepared for the final Chunin exam, Ameyuri ordered Haku, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu to conceal their abilities and demonstrate Scientific Ninja Tools to the nobles.

• Yuzuru visited Pakura and Mei Terumi after Kurenai and the others turned in early.
• Yuzuru delivered an edited wedding video to the Land of Rain, where White Zetsu brought it to Obito.
• Obito watched Kakashi and Rin’s wedding, broke everything around him, and refused to let go of the recording until Black Zetsu smashed it.
• Black Zetsu urged Obito to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi, while Obito gathered the recording’s broken pieces and resolved to endure for Kaguya’s sake.
• Nobles gathered in Konoha to watch the final Chunin exam, and Haku, Zabuza, and Ameyuri criticized their treatment of ninja.
• Ameyuri told Haku, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu to hide their special abilities and use only Scientific Ninja Tools during the exam.

Ameyuri explained that Scientific Ninja Tools were meant to loosen the nobles’ dependence on hidden villages and expose the conflict between nobles and shinobi, potentially igniting a new war. As the Chunin Exams began, she prepared her group to demonstrate the tools and show the old-era shinobi the Sea Capital’s strength.

• Ameyuri explained to Yuki Haku and the others that Scientific Ninja Tools could give nobles loyal shinobi of their own and weaken their ties to hidden villages.
• Yuki Haku realized that the resulting conflict between nobles and shinobi could lead to war, and Ameyuri confirmed that provoking that conflict was their goal.
• Ameyuri handed Haku a beer to chill with Ice Release, then brought out drinks for the group as they waited for the Chunin Exams.
• Jiraiya announced the start of the Chunin Exams with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō behind him, displaying Konoha’s strength.
• Ameyuri dismissed Konoha’s show of strength as a hollow facade and told her group to prepare to demonstrate the future of the shinobi world.

After the Chunin Exams, Yuzuru and Mei Terumi planned to profit from nobles seeking Scientific Ninja Tools by selling them inferior models and using the buyers as test subjects. Disguised as Mr. Arashi, Yuzuru met the nobles’ representatives and explained that their tools would be customized to account for their bodies’ lower tolerance for chakra.

• Nobles saw Scientific Ninja Tools defeat traditional ninja and began seeking ways to equip their own retainers.
• A noble’s envoy approached Ameyuri, Zabuza, and Yuki Haku; Zabuza handled the negotiations and directed the envoy to the Sea Region Academy.
• Zabuza and Ameyuri returned to the Sea Capital and reported to Mei Terumi and Yuzuru.
• Yuzuru and Mei Terumi planned to sell nobles obsolete, lower-quality tools with limited Ninjutsu cartridges and use them as test subjects for experimental tools.
• A week later, Yuzuru met the nobles’ representatives on an island in the Land of Waves as Mr. Arashi and explained that their tools would be customized to reduce side effects from chakra use.

Yuzuru sold a limited batch of specialized Scientific Ninja Tools to nobles and daimyo for a steep price, then returned to the Sea Capital with the money. Meanwhile, Jiraiya struggled with his growing workload in Konoha as Hiruzen Sarutobi kept watch on Danzo and Root remained mostly dismantled.

• Yuzuru quoted the noble representatives thirty million ryo per special Scientific Ninja Tool and warned that only three hundred were available.
• Yuzuru left the representatives to decide, and one buyer purchased a third of the stock the next day before others rushed to bid for what remained.
• Yuzuru sold the tools on a first-come, first-served basis, returned to the Sea Capital, and deposited the proceeds in the treasury.
• Mei Terumi remarked on the nobles' wealth, while Yuzuru and Orochimaru treated the money as useful funding for experiments.
• Jiraiya struggled with his growing workload in Konoha and suspected Danzo was making it worse.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi kept a closer watch on Danzo and had nearly dismantled Root, forcing Danzo to give up most of his power.

Yuzuru brought Hinata to Kaguya after her Byakugan began changing, and Kaguya explained that Hinata’s body and eyes were evolving together into a powerful Ōtsutsuki Sage Body. Kaguya prepared to help relieve the blockage Hinata felt, leaving the next step of her transformation about to begin.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi tightened his control over Root while working with Jiraiya to help Konoha recover and preserve its strength.
• Hinata visited Yuzuru because her eyes had become clearer but felt blocked when chakra flowed through them.
• Yuzuru took Hinata to the moon to ask Kaguya to examine her Byakugan.
• Kaguya discovered that Hinata’s natural energy had prompted her body and exceptionally pure Byakugan to evolve together.
• Kaguya beckoned Hinata over, warned that her treatment would hurt, and reached to help her.

Kaguya infused Hinata with Isshiki’s eye-derived chakra, evolving her Byakugan and greatly increasing her power. After Hinata awakened the Pure Eye, she declared her romantic interest in Yuzuru, leaving him flustered as Kaguya watched approvingly.

• Kaguya channeled chakra into Hinata’s eyes, and Hinata fell asleep as they evolved.
• Hinata woke with increased chakra and discovered she could manifest both a Rinnegan and a Tenseigan.
• Hinata’s eyes transformed into the Pure Eye, whose pressure forced Yuzuru and Kaguya to activate their Nine Tomoe Sharingan.
• Hinata hugged Yuzuru and told him she had grown stronger and no longer needed training.
• Hinata insisted she wanted to join Yuzuru’s romantic partners, and Kaguya called it a tradition.

After the Akatsuki captured Gaara and extracted the One-Tail, Yuzuru and Kakashi went to retrieve his body, intending to return him to Sunagakure. They encountered Obito in the Land of Rain, where Obito noticed Kakashi’s wedding ring and asked whether Rin was alive and well.

• The Akatsuki attacked Sunagakure: Sasori killed Rasa and took his remains, while Deidara captured Gaara.
• Temari learned that Gaara had been captured and asked Mei Terumi to save him; Yuzuru explained that Chiyo would sacrifice herself to revive him.
• Yuzuru told Kakashi about the attack, and the two left to retrieve Gaara’s body after the One-Tail had been extracted.
• Yuzuru and Kakashi found Gaara’s body in the Land of Rain, learned its location from Nagato, and prepared to leave with it.
• Kakashi confronted Obito, who noticed Kakashi’s wedding ring and asked whether Rin was alive and well.

Kakashi and Yuzuru drove Obito off, then brought Gaara back to the Sea Capital and sent him to Sunagakure. Chiyo questioned whether Temari could return, but Yuki Haku defended Kirigakure’s agreement by describing its supposed devastation, leaving Chiyo convinced the village was too fragile to risk further upheaval.

• Kakashi tried to kill Obito, but Black Zetsu saved him, and Yuzuru removed Obito’s Sharingan before Black Zetsu escaped with him.
• Yuzuru explained that Obito’s Mangekyō abilities came from his own power and that the Sharingan merely served as a medium, then took Kakashi and Gaara back to the Sea Capital.
• Temari visited Gaara’s frozen body, and Yuzuru promised to send him to Sunagakure the next day.
• Haku led a team carrying Gaara to Sunagakure, where Chiyo asked whether Temari could return to her village.
• Haku told Chiyo that Kirigakure had been devastated by the Blood Mist Policy, and Chiyo accepted that the village was too fragile to withstand further upheaval.

Chiyo sacrificed her life with One's Own Life Reincarnation to revive Gaara, who woke in Sunagakure without Shukaku. Yuzuru and Uchiha Hikari returned to Sea Capital with the jutsu, where Temari learned Gaara was alive and Chiyo had died.

• Yuki Haku and his party left Sunagakure after returning Gaara's body, and Chiyo told Ebizo that Gaara should become Kazekage.
• Chiyo used One's Own Life Reincarnation to revive Gaara and died after entrusting the village to Ebizo.
• Gaara woke up, realized Shukaku had been extracted, and left the basement followed by Sunagakure's Anbu.
• Yuzuru and Uchiha Hikari revealed themselves after witnessing Chiyo's sacrifice and left with a copy of the jutsu to show their teacher.
• At Sea Capital, Temari learned Gaara had revived and Chiyo had died, while Yuzuru asked Uchiha Hikari to reproduce the jutsu and send it to Orochimaru.

Yuzuru flirted with Konan and arranged to spend the night with her before consulting the two Tsunades about Chiyo’s revival technique. Tsunade explained that One's Own Life Reincarnation exchanged the user’s soul for the life of someone who had only recently died, leaving Yuzuru with no easy way to remove its cost.

• Yuzuru teased Konan in the office, kissed her, and told her to wear a swimsuit that night.
• Konan returned to work, eager to finish her tasks so she could spend the evening with Yuzuru.
• Yuzuru met the two Tsunades and asked them to examine the copy of One's Own Life Reincarnation.
• Tsunade explained that Chiyo’s technique used chakra to form a trade with the Pure Land and the user’s soul as its price.
• Tsunade said the technique could revive only someone who had died recently, since older souls would already have merged into the Pure Land.

Yuzuru gave Tsunade and Big Tsunade a Sharingan to study, then returned home to Konan. Konan, pent-up after weeks of being neglected, took the lead in an intense night together.

• Yuzuru told Tsunade and Big Tsunade that combining Uchiha power with the power of all creation could lead to the Six Paths, and gave them a Sharingan to study.
• Tsunade and Big Tsunade discussed experimenting with the Sharingan and their desire to remain with Yuzuru.
• Konan left work, went home, and joined Yuzuru for dinner before inviting him to bathe with her.
• Konan bound Yuzuru to the bed with paper chains and dressed in stockings and a swimsuit, insisting she would take the lead.
• Konan and Yuzuru continued their passionate night together after she declared that he still needed to be punished.

Yuzuru comforted Konan, discussed the Akatsuki’s attacks and alliance requests with Mei Terumi, then encountered Hinata, who revealed she could use Yomotsu Hirasaka freely and pressed her romantic interest in him. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki regrouped after failing to capture the Eight-Tails, and Nagato secretly observed their plans while cooperating with Yuzuru and Konan.

• Yuzuru spent the afternoon with Konan, then left her resting after they ate together.
• Mei Terumi showed Yuzuru reports that the Akatsuki had captured the Four-Tails and Five-Tails and attacked Kumogakure for the Eight-Tails; Yuzuru dismissed other villages’ alliance offers and decided to wait for Kumogakure to contact them.
• Hinata used Yomotsu Hirasaka to bring Yuzuru to her, explained that she could now use it freely, and openly declared her possessive interest in him.
• Hidan mocked Deidara and Sasori for failing to capture the Eight-Tails, while Pain planned to seal the Four-Tails and Five-Tails before attacking Kumogakure again.
• Obito said the Akatsuki was searching for Minazuki Yuzuru and the reborn Three-Tails and Six-Tails; Nagato secretly watched the group and continued trusting Yuzuru and Konan.