Chapter Summaries

Araki suspected intruders and a hidden Konoha mastermind had targeted both Kushina and Mikoto, but he kept his suspicions private and resumed playing with them. Meanwhile, Konoha ninja extinguished the forest fire and discovered four charred bodies, prompting calls for the Military Police Force.

• Araki told Mikoto he suspected intruders had caused the explosion and wondered whether the attack was connected to her return to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Araki considered that the mastermind might have used the Kumogakure ninja to target Mikoto as well as Kushina, but he kept the girls from dwelling on the danger.
• Araki insisted that the explosion had nothing to do with them and restarted the truth-or-dare game with Kushina and Mikoto.
• Konoha ninja rushed to the burning forest and used Water Release to extinguish the flames.
• The ninja found four charred bodies among the remains and called for the Military Police Force.

The Konoha Military Police Force investigated the site where four people had been burned alive, and Uchiha Nanagen'u discovered evidence linking the victims to Kumogakure. The chapter ended as investigators confirmed that all four burned Forehead Protectors belonged to Kumogakure shinobi.

• The Konoha Military Police Force arrived and pushed aside the shinobi who had extinguished the fire.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u examined the four bound victims and concluded they had been burned alive.
• A police force member found a charred Forehead Protector and revealed it belonged to a Kumogakure shinobi.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u ordered the others checked, and investigators found three more Forehead Protectors.
• The investigators confirmed that all four Forehead Protectors belonged to Kumogakure shinobi.

Uchiha Fugaku argued that the killer was among the people gathered to put out the fire and asked to examine the scene. Uchiha Nanagen'u heard Fugaku’s reasoning, while the crowd remained under the Konoha Military Police Force’s control.

• A Konoha ninja reported that the four charred bodies were accompanied by Kumogakure forehead protectors, and Uchiha Nanagen'u cautioned everyone not to assume the bodies’ identities.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u ordered the onlookers to leave, but Uchiha Fugaku arrived and insisted that the killer was among them.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u had the Konoha Military Police Force quietly seal off the crowd and asked Fugaku to explain his accusation before examining the scene.
• Fugaku reasoned that the killer had burned the bodies before causing the explosion, then joined the crowd to watch the investigation and confirm that the Kumogakure forehead protectors had been found.

Uchiha Fugaku examined the burned bodies and concluded that a Kumogakure plot was meant to frame Konoha and provoke a diplomatic crisis. He laid out the killers’ possible methods, motives, and political goals for Uchiha Nanagen'u, who began to recognize Fugaku’s ability.

• Fugaku examined the four burned bodies and found a deformed shuriken among the remains.
• Fugaku reasoned that the bodies were likely Konoha residents and that the killer had planted Kumogakure forehead protectors to frame the village.
• Fugaku concluded that the killer was probably from Kumogakure and might have come with accomplices disguised as people fighting the fire.
• Fugaku predicted that Kumogakure’s envoys would use the deaths to demand compensation and threaten war.
• Fugaku argued that Kumogakure had the means, benefits, and motive to weaken other villages and increase its own strength through plunder.

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Nanagen'u concluded that Kumogakure ninja were behind the explosion and began searching for them, leaving Fugaku in charge at the scene. At home, Araki played truth or dare with Kushina and Mikoto, agreed to visit Uzushiogakure with Kushina, and said he would save both women if they fell into a river.

• Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Nanagen'u decided Kumogakure ninja had caused the explosion and suspected they had an insider in Konoha.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u put Fugaku in charge of questioning the people at the scene while he organized a search for hidden Kumogakure ninja.
• Mikoto and Kushina continued playing truth or dare with Araki, who chose truth when the spoon pointed at him.
• Kushina asked Araki whether he would visit Uzushiogakure with her, and he agreed.
• Mikoto asked Araki which of her and Kushina he would save if both fell into the village river, and he said he would save them both.

Araki, Mikoto, and Kushina played a penalty game while Uchiha Fugaku struggled to find the Kumogakure killers among the gathered villagers. Kushina passed out after drinking, and Araki carried her inside to rest.

• Araki bluntly told Mikoto he would choose Kushina if he had to save one of them, embarrassing Mikoto and prompting Kushina to ask whom Mikoto would save.
• Uchiha Fugaku found no disguised Kumogakure ninja among the gathered villagers and ordered the Konoha Military Police Force to release them and search for other possible witnesses or suspects.
• Fugaku concluded the killers had likely watched from a distance or left before he arrived, then vowed to catch them.
• Mikoto dared Kushina to drink three cups of alcohol, and Kushina drained them before collapsing.
• Araki used the Mystical Palm Technique to check Kushina, explained that she was merely drunk, and offered to carry her into the bedroom.

Araki carried the unconscious Kushina to bed, then continued drinking games with Mikoto, who was determined to get him to drink. He questioned her about the Uchiha Sharingan, and Mikoto was left facing another question as she neared drunken collapse.

• Araki carried the unconscious Kushina to the bedroom, tucked her in, and returned to Mikoto.
• Mikoto persuaded Araki to keep playing their drinking game, and he agreed so she would eventually pass out and leave him free to work.
• Araki spun the spoon until it pointed at Mikoto, who chose truth, but refused to reveal whether she had awakened her Sharingan and drank instead.
• Araki spun the spoon again until it pointed at Mikoto and asked whether Uchiha Fugaku had awakened his Sharingan.
• Mikoto, confused and very drunk, did not answer before the chapter ended.

Araki cared for the unconscious Mikoto and Kushina, then trained at home while reflecting on the attack by four Kumogakure ninja. At a meeting in the Hokage’s office, Uchiha Yuto reported that the explosion site contained four restrained bodies and Kumogakure forehead protectors.

• Araki carried the unconscious Mikoto to Kushina’s bedroom, laid her beside Kushina, and covered them both.
• Araki cleaned up, concealed the sake bottles, reviewed his Wood Clones’ memories of the attack, and began making Explosive Tags.
• The next morning, Araki stayed home to protect the sleeping women, trained with squat jumps, and continued crafting Explosive Tags.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Shimura Danzō, and Konoha’s Jonin gathered in the Hokage’s office as Uchiha Yuto arrived with three other Military Police Force ninja.
• Uchiha Yuto reported that investigators found four charred bodies in the woods, signs they had been restrained before the explosion, and four Kumogakure forehead protectors.

Uchiha Nanagen'u reported that the four bombing victims were likely Konoha residents and that Kumogakure intruders were responsible. The Third took custody of the investigation’s next steps and postponed deciding how Konoha would respond to Kumogakure.

• Uchiha Yuto asked Uchiha Nanagen'u to explain the bombing investigation to the Third and the Jonin.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u said the victims were probably from Konoha and that the Kumogakure forehead protectors at the scene could have been planted to mislead investigators.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u reported that his team had captured twelve Kumogakure ninja who had entered Konoha through a gap in the barrier.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u said the suspects had swallowed dissolvable papers bearing partial maps of Konoha, but none had confessed or been identified as a killer.
• The Third asked for the prisoners if questioning produced no results, and Uchiha Nanagen'u agreed to continue the interrogation and report back.
• The Third heard Jonin debate whether to confront Kumogakure or avoid another war, then adjourned the meeting without announcing a decision.

The Third and Danzo discussed the evidence surrounding the dead Kumogakure intruders, while Uchiha Yuto and Uchiha Nanagen'u left the Hokage’s office convinced that the case remained unresolved. Later, Araki went to train after Kushina woke, and Kushina and Mikoto recovered from their hangovers and discussed Mikoto leaving.

• The Third and Danzo agreed that Konoha lacked grounds to challenge Kumogakure, while Danzo suspected the intruders had been killed by someone from Konoha and questioned who had supplied them with maps.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u complained that the Third would not hold Kumogakure accountable, and Uchiha Yuto explained that Konoha could not risk a conflict after the Second Shinobi World War.
• Uchiha Nanagen'u suspected a mole had helped the intruders enter Konoha and argued that the actual killers were still hiding in the village, but Uchiha Yuto warned that he had no evidence.
• Araki waited for Kushina and Mikoto to wake, then left for Tsunade’s house to continue his medical training.
• Kushina and Mikoto woke with hangovers, shared soup, and agreed to play together again before Kushina offered to walk Mikoto home when she had packed.

Mikoto returned home after staying with Kushina for half a month, then told Fugaku and Ueki that she no longer believed Araki had killed Sora Hyuga. She began laying out her reasons, leaving the Junior Detective League to reconsider its investigation.

• Mikoto said goodbye to Kushina and returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Mikoto reunited with her family, then met Fugaku and Ueki in the forest.
• Mikoto explained that Fugaku had not known she was away because he had been focused on the cases, including Dan Katō’s disappearance.
• Mikoto said Araki was unlikely to have killed Sora Hyuga, arguing that his actions toward Maemoto Takashi showed he would have simply defeated Sora if he had been strong enough.
• Mikoto added that Araki treasured his time and focused on training, and would not waste it on something pointless.

Mikoto argued that Araki was unlikely to have killed Sora Hyuga because he had never taken Sora seriously, but Fugaku connected Araki’s Explosive Tag-making to the previous night’s blast and accused him of being involved. Mikoto dismantled Fugaku’s theory and left him with his prospects in the Konoha Military Police Force openly questioned.

• Mikoto told Fugaku and Ueki that Araki had ignored Sora Hyuga and was too focused on training to be a killer.
• Mikoto described Araki’s training in Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu and his ability to make seven or eight Explosive Tags a day.
• Fugaku realized that a large number of Explosive Tags could have caused the previous night’s explosion and named Araki as a suspect.
• Mikoto said she had sold Araki’s Explosive Tags and urged Fugaku to investigate who had bought them rather than accuse their maker.
• Fugaku proposed that Araki had restrained and killed the four Kumogakure ninja with Explosive Tags, but Mikoto pointed out flaws in his theory and criticized his prospects in the Konoha Military Police Force.

Mikoto defended Araki against Fugaku’s suspicions, revealing that she had stayed at Araki’s house and been with him throughout the bombing. Fugaku left heartbroken and determined to meet Araki, while Mikoto and Ueki also went their separate ways.

• Fugaku accused Mikoto of trusting Araki without evidence and suggested Araki might have caused the bombing.
• Mikoto said she had been with Araki before, during, and after the bombing, and had stayed at his house while investigating him.
• Ueki realized Mikoto had been living at Araki’s house and privately pitied Fugaku.
• Fugaku ended the meeting and walked away in tears, vowing to meet Araki and find out what made Mikoto defend him.
• Ueki left curious about Araki, while Mikoto went home disappointed by Fugaku’s suspicions and increasingly intrigued by Araki.

After completing his Medical Ninjutsu apprenticeship with Tsunade, Araki arranged to keep teaching Nawaki and asked Tsunade to supervise his first operation on Might Teacher Duy. The next morning, Araki arrived at Konoha Hospital to operate, where the staff already knew he was Tsunade’s disciple.

• Araki demonstrated his medical skills by treating a fish, and Tsunade declared that he had completed his apprenticeship.
• Araki asked Tsunade to keep requesting leave for him so he could teach Nawaki, and Tsunade agreed.
• Araki arranged to operate on Might Teacher Duy with Tsunade present, and Tsunade planned to introduce him to senior hospital staff as her disciple.
• Araki spent the evening training as usual, confident that he had rehearsed the operation and developed precise chakra control.
• Araki arrived at Konoha Hospital the next morning and headed toward Might Teacher Duy’s ward as staff watched and whispered about him.

Araki prepared to operate on Might Duy that afternoon, while Tsunade defended her decision to let her ten-year-old disciple perform the difficult procedure. The chapter ended with Araki explaining the urgency of Duy’s condition and confirming the hospital had approved the operation.

• Utatane Koharu challenged Tsunade’s plan to have Araki use the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique on Might Duy, but Tsunade insisted she trusted her disciple.
• Tsunade told the hospital’s higher-ups to attend Araki’s first operation, and Koharu left angrily while the others discussed their curiosity about him.
• Araki visited Might Duy and China, apologized for his absence, and announced that he could operate that afternoon.
• Araki explained that Duy’s condition was serious, that delaying treatment could leave removal as the only option, and that recovery would require further care after surgery.
• Araki confirmed that the operation was scheduled for that afternoon and that the hospital had approved it.

Araki arrived at Might Duy’s operation as Tsunade introduced him to Konoha Hospital’s senior medical-nin and praised his abilities. After Tsunade urged him to proceed, Araki entered the operating room to perform the surgery.

• Might Duy’s operation drew senior members of Konoha Hospital, Utatane Koharu, and nurse China as observers.
• Tsunade arrived with Araki and China, and introduced Araki as her disciple to the gathered medical-nin.
• Tsunade praised Araki’s Medical Ninjutsu and predicted he could surpass her and become the strongest medical-nin.
• Tsunade told Araki to perform the operation, and he entered the operating room.

Araki began Might Duy’s operation under the watchful eyes of Tsunade, Utatane Koharu, and the medical-nin gathered outside. He disinfected Might Duy, made a bloodless incision with a Chakra Scalpel, and started treating his gallbladder with the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique.

• China nervously watched Araki prepare to operate on the unconscious Might Duy.
• Araki used the Mystical Palm Technique with both hands to disinfect Might Duy’s abdomen, impressing the medical-nin outside.
• Araki cut a small, bloodless incision with a Chakra Scalpel, stunning the onlookers and earning Utatane Koharu’s approval.
• Araki inserted his hand into Might Duy’s abdomen, located the gallbladder, and began dissolving the stones with the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique.

Araki performed a long, delicate surgery on Might Duy, clearing his gallstones and beginning treatment for other organ problems. Nearly two hours into the operation, he continued without faltering, earning the admiration of Utatane Koharu and Konoha Hospital’s senior staff.

• Araki discovered that Might Duy’s gallbladder was severely obstructed and began dissolving the stones with the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique.
• Utatane Koharu praised Araki’s endurance after he maintained the treatment for more than half an hour, while Tsunade expressed confidence in her student.
• Araki cleared nearly all the gallstones and prepared to treat Might Duy’s pancreatic inflammation and impaired kidney function.
• Araki continued the surgery for nearly two hours, using the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique and Mystical Palm Technique without showing signs of fatigue.
• Konoha Hospital’s senior staff abandoned their doubts and regarded Araki as a remarkable medical-nin.

Araki successfully operated on Might Duy, then emerged exhausted to applause and praise from Konoha Hospital’s executives. As he prepared to leave and recover, Utatane Koharu stopped him and invited him to discuss a secret Medical Ninjutsu, leaving Araki looking to Tsunade before answering.

• Araki finished repairing Might Duy’s wounds with sutures and the Mystical Palm Technique, completing his first operation successfully.
• Araki emerged from the operating room and received thunderous applause and flattery from the Konoha Hospital executives.
• Araki told Tsunade he had succeeded, and she praised him and told him to rest.
• Araki assured China that Might Duy’s operation had gone well and asked her to oversee his quiet recovery.
• Utatane Koharu stopped Araki and invited him to discuss a special Medical Ninjutsu she had been developing.
• Araki turned to Tsunade with a questioning look before responding to Utatane Koharu.

After Araki completed his first surgery, Utatane Koharu offered to teach him a new Medical Ninjutsu, but he refused and clarified that his decision had nothing to do with Tsunade. As the hospital staff dispersed, stories of Araki’s medical skill began spreading through Konoha Hospital.

• Utatane Koharu offered to teach Araki a new Medical Ninjutsu, and Tsunade told him to decide for himself.
• Araki refused Koharu’s offer, explaining that he was not interested and had not mastered existing medical knowledge.
• When Koharu pressed him, Araki clarified that Tsunade had not forbidden him from learning elsewhere and that his refusal was his own choice.
• Araki left the corridor because he was exhausted, bringing the gathering after Might Duy’s surgery to an end.
• Tsunade and Koharu left, and the other medical staff dispersed while China stayed to watch for Might Duy.
• Stories of Araki’s successful surgery and medical accomplishments spread throughout Konoha Hospital.