Chapter Summaries

Naruto learned the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and resolved to master Sage Mode so he could help Ayato face the coming crisis. Ayato began training his elemental attributes at remote locations across the nations while continuing to research Yang Release.

• Sage Fukasaku told Naruto about the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy, and Naruto vowed to train hard and help Ayato.
• Ayato began using multiple Shadow Clones to train his elemental attributes with Natural Energy.
• Ayato trained Wind Style on a cliff in Sunagakure, Fire Release in Mouryou’s Sealed Land, Water Release at sea, and Earth Release in Earth Country.
• Unable to train at Kumogakure’s guarded peak, Ayato trained Lightning Release on a mountain elsewhere in Lightning Country.
• Ayato continued researching Yang Release as his long period of training and accumulation began.

Ayato went to Mount Myōboku and learned that Naruto had mastered Sage Mode but could sustain it for only five minutes because the Nine-Tails prevented the toads from using their technique to help him. Ayato explained that Naruto needed to truly reconcile with the Nine-Tails, beginning by learning its real name.

• Ayato continued developing his elemental affinities and Yang Release before a Communication Toad summoned him to Mount Myōboku.
• Ayato brought the Communication Toad to Mount Myōboku and joined Naruto, Sage Fukasaku, and Sage Shima near the Toad Oil pool.
• Sage Fukasaku explained that Naruto had learned Sage Mode quickly but could maintain it for only five minutes, and the Nine-Tails disrupted Sage Art: Twin Life Technique.
• Ayato said the Nine-Tails could absorb Natural Energy for Naruto if they reconciled, and he asked Naruto to learn the beast's true name.
• Naruto asked the Nine-Tails its name but received no answer, and Ayato said the Nine-Tails might reveal it only after they truly reconciled.

Ayato explained that Naruto needed greater strength to reconcile with the Nine-Tails and advised him to perfect his Rasenshuriken before challenging it. He gave Naruto a cursed seal to store Natural Energy and then asked to see Naruto's Sage Mode.

• Ayato told Naruto that the seal made his relationship with the Nine-Tails unequal, and Naruto realized the beast had always been kept in a cage.
• Ayato refused to remove the seal outright and explained that Naruto would need enough strength to face the Nine-Tails as an equal; the Nine-Tails listened and reconsidered reconciliation.
• Ayato said Naruto could eventually open the seal and defeat the Nine-Tails, but warned that Naruto's current five-minute Sage Mode and Rasenshuriken were not yet powerful enough.
• Ayato explained that Naruto needed to perfect his Rasenshuriken before Sage Mode could boost it enough, and Naruto resolved to train it.
• Ayato described a cursed seal that could store Natural Energy and explained how Shadow Clones could transfer Sage Art Chakra, then placed a seal on Naruto.
• Ayato asked Naruto to demonstrate his Sage Mode, and Naruto agreed enthusiastically.

Naruto mastered perfect Sage Mode, allowing Ayato to enter Naruto’s mental space and study genuine Sage Art Chakra. Using that experience, Ayato successfully converted Natural Energy into Mount Myōboku’s Sage Art Chakra and achieved Sage Mode.

• Naruto absorbed Natural Energy and entered perfect Sage Mode, sensing Ayato’s power and danger.
• Ayato’s Spirit Transformation Technique was blocked by Naruto’s Sage Mode until Ayato used Dual Soul Mode to enter Naruto’s mental space.
• Ayato observed the Sage Art Chakra flowing through Naruto’s body until Naruto’s Sage Mode ended.
• Ayato explained his technique and observations to Sage Fukasaku, then used what he had learned to achieve Sage Mode himself.
• Ayato told Naruto that his perfect Sage Mode had helped him understand and convert Natural Energy into Mount Myōboku’s Sage Art Chakra.

Ayato mastered a constant, perfect Sage Mode and returned to Konoha with Naruto after training at Mount Myōboku. At Ichiraku Ramen, he learned Kakashi had been looking for him and hurried off, wondering whether Kakashi had verified the evidence or found it destroyed.

• Ayato told Sage Fukasaku he could maintain Sage Mode as long as his Sage Art Chakra lasted, and considered how to learn the Sage Modes of the other sage areas.
• Shima Granny served Naruto and Sage Fukasaku bugs but gave Ayato fruit, leaving Naruto to endure another meal of insect sashimi.
• Ayato brought Naruto back to Konoha, but Naruto declined Ayato’s offer to go to Ichiraku Ramen because he felt sick from the bugs.
• Ayato ate at Ichiraku Ramen, where Uncle Teuchi told him Kakashi had been looking for him since the previous day.
• Ayato hurried to find Kakashi, wondering whether Kakashi had verified the evidence or the evidence had been destroyed.

Ayato discovered that Sora, a young monk Sasuke brought back from the Fire Temple, carried a sealed remnant of the Nine-Tails’ chakra. After explaining Sora’s condition, Ayato agreed to extract the chakra safely and considered the power it might yield.

• Ayato sensed the Nine-Tails’ chakra in the Hokage Office, dodged Tsunade’s punch through the wall, and found Tsunade, Shizune, Sasuke, and Sora inside.
• Tsunade questioned Sasuke about bringing Sora back, and Sasuke explained that he had encountered the young Fire Temple monk during a mission and sensed power like Naruto’s within him.
• Ayato examined Sora and determined that he had no second Nine-Tails, only chakra forcibly sealed inside him in an attempt to create one.
• Ayato explained that Sora’s body had been rejecting the chakra and that part of the seal had previously been opened, causing the Fire Temple disaster Sora remembered.
• Tsunade asked Ayato whether he could extract the Nine-Tails’ chakra safely, and Ayato agreed while thinking about the chakra’s substantial amount.

Ayato reviewed Kakashi’s investigation, which uncovered evidence that Danzo had falsified records, stolen resources, and worked with Orochimaru, while Tenzō’s memories further implicated him. Ayato assembled Tsunade, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura to present the evidence, leaving the two Advisors shocked by the scale of Danzo’s actions.

• Ayato removed the Nine-Tails Chakra seal from Sora, extracted the Chakra into a bead, and left the bead in the Sealing Space.
• Kakashi reported that Danzo had replaced stored resources with counterfeits and falsely claimed requisitioned supplies had been delivered.
• Tsunade revealed that Tenzō’s memories showed Danzo and Orochimaru in the laboratory and Root shinobi taking Tenzō there as an infant.
• Ayato decided to bring the Third Hokage and the two Advisors together to address the evidence against Danzo.
• Ayato and the Third Hokage presented the investigation results to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who were outraged by Danzo’s theft of Konoha’s resources.

Ayato secured the Advisors’ agreement to sentence Danzo to death for his crimes. He revealed that he would become Hokage the day after tomorrow and planned to announce Danzo’s crimes at his inauguration.

• Ayato listed Danzo’s crimes and argued that Konoha’s rules warranted the death penalty.
• Mitokado Homura pleaded for Danzo’s sentence to be commuted, but Ayato rejected the appeal because Danzo had committed multiple capital crimes.
• The Third Hokage told Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to let the Fifth Hokage decide Danzo’s punishment, and they stopped arguing.
• Ayato set Danzo’s sentencing for the day after tomorrow and revealed that he would inaugurate as Hokage that same day.
• Tsunade confirmed she had agreed to Ayato’s inauguration, and Mitokado Homura accepted that Danzo would be punished according to Konoha’s rules.

Ayato secured the Advisors’ acceptance of Danzo’s fate and learned that a Sharingan Genjutsu had helped Danzo steal resources and conceal the theft. After Ayato’s succession as the Sixth Hokage was announced, Konoha largely celebrated, while Danzo began plotting against him; Ayato then shared the news over dinner with Ino, Sinai, Tsunade, and Shizune.

• Ayato ended his meeting with the Third Hokage and the Advisors after they accepted how Danzo would be dealt with, and Kakashi told him about the unexplained thefts from the warehouse.
• Ayato realized that a Sharingan Genjutsu had manipulated the guards and their memories, and he arranged for Kakashi and his Spiritualized Shadow Clone to watch Danzo without warning him.
• News spread through Konoha that Ayato would become the Sixth Hokage in two days, and most villagers celebrated his succession.
• Danzo learned of Ayato’s impending succession, feared his own chances were gone, and began considering a softer way to deal with Ayato.
• Ino reacted with surprise to Ayato’s news, and Tsunade later joined their dinner and told Ayato that none of the clans had objected to his succession.

Ayato told his family that he planned to get engaged to Ino, and Sinai agreed to speak with the Yamanaka Clan. He carried Ino to her clan’s home, where they shared a kiss before she went inside to tell her parents.

• After dinner, Tsunade said she was looking forward to retiring, while Ayato decided not to let her know his plans yet.
• Ayato announced that he wanted to get engaged to Ino, and Sinai agreed to discuss it with the Yamanaka Clan.
• Ayato explained that he wanted to secure their engagement before becoming Hokage, and Ino accepted despite being surprised.
• After Tsunade and Shizune left, Ayato and Ino reminisced about meeting nine years earlier as they walked toward the Yamanaka Clan home.
• Ayato carried Ino to her clan’s entrance and asked her to tell her parents about their engagement; Ino kissed him, and he kissed her back.

Ino’s family discussed her engagement to Ayato, and Yamanaka Inoichi and the Yamanaka Matriarch considered having another child. On the day Ayato’s inauguration ceremony drew Konoha’s crowds and clan leaders, Naruto resolved to become the next Hokage, while he and others wondered why Sasuke and Jiraiya were absent.

• Ino reassured Yamanaka Inoichi that she would live nearby after marrying Ayato, then teased her parents about having another child.
• Yamanaka Inoichi and the Yamanaka Matriarch considered trying for another child after Ino left for her room.
• Shikaku Nara teased Shikamaru about finding a girlfriend, while Shikamaru thought of a beautiful blonde woman and dreaded his mother arranging a match.
• Konoha’s residents and clan heads gathered for Ayato’s inauguration, where Rock Lee wanted to train and Neji Hyuga reflected on the Caged Bird Curse Mark.
• Naruto watched the crowd from the Hokage Building, decided he would become the Seventh Hokage, and noticed Sasuke and Jiraiya were missing.

Jiraiya, Tenzō, and Sasuke escorted Danzo from Root Base to Kamitachi Ayato’s inauguration ceremony under the Hokage’s orders. Danzo attended reluctantly, while Torune Aburame and Fū Yamanaka realized their identities had been exposed.

• Tenzō showed Root’s guards the Hokage’s order, and they admitted Jiraiya, Tenzō, and Sasuke to meet Danzo.
• Danzo rejected Tenzō’s offer to return to Root, insulted Sasuke, and agreed to attend the ceremony after Jiraiya warned they would use force if necessary.
• Danzo touched the bandage over his right eye, and Sasuke’s killing intent surged before he suppressed it to preserve Ayato’s plan.
• At the ceremony, Danzo complained about Ayato and went upstairs, while Jiraiya told Tenzō and the Root members to stay behind.
• Shibi Aburame, Shino Aburame, and Yamanaka Inoichi arrived, and Torune Aburame and Fū Yamanaka realized their identities had been uncovered.

At Ayato’s succession ceremony as the Sixth Hokage, Sasuke and Ayato attacked Danzo, exposing his stolen Sharingan and prompting Ayato to declare him a criminal. As Ayato prepared to begin the trial, the Third Hokage wondered whether Shisui’s survival could have changed the Uchiha clan’s fate.

• Naruto greeted Sasuke and Jiraiya, then recognized Danzo and sensed his malice.
• Sasuke threw a kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God technique, and Ayato used it to blind Danzo’s right eye.
• Ayato tore away Danzo’s bandages, revealing a pale arm embedded with Sharingan, shocking the crowd, the Third Hokage, and the Advisors.
• Ayato announced that Danzo had been sentenced by him, the Fifth Hokage, the Third Hokage, and the two Advisors, then silenced Danzo with Wind Release.
• Ayato explained that Danzo’s blinded eye was Shisui’s Sharingan, capable of manipulating people, and the Third Hokage wondered whether Shisui’s survival could have changed the Uchiha’s fate.

Ayato publicly exposed Danzo’s identity and crimes, turning Konoha against him. Danzo was left facing overwhelming demands for his execution, while Ayato declared that he would never become Hokage.

• Ayato introduced Danzo as the leader of Root and described his methods and character to the gathered people.
• Ayato named the Third Hokage, the Fifth Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura as witnesses who had confirmed Danzo’s crimes.
• Asuma Sarutobi told the Third Hokage that he supported Ayato becoming Hokage, and the Third Hokage accepted his choice.
• Ayato accused Danzo of harming comrades for their Sharingan, implanting the First Hokage’s Cells, selling Ayato’s intelligence to Akatsuki, and stealing Konoha’s resources to fund an attempt to kill him.
• Ayato revealed that Danzo had ordered human experiments on infants and children, prompting the crowd to demand Danzo’s execution.
• Ayato told Danzo that Konoha neither needed his protection nor would ever make him Hokage.

Ayato stopped Danzo from attacking Konoha’s citizens, then defeated him with a powerful Wind Release technique. Danzo survived by using Izanagi, and Ayato explained the ocular technique and its cost before Danzo demanded to know how he knew about it.

• Danzo snapped and attacked the crowd with Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere, but Ayato dispelled it and assured the people they were safe.
• Ayato condemned Danzo for attacking ordinary citizens, and the crowd called for Danzo’s execution.
• Danzo launched Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere, but Ayato countered in Sage Mode and sent Danzo flying with Sage Art: Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.
• Ayato revealed that Danzo had survived by using Izanagi, which could reverse death but permanently blinded a Sharingan with each use.
• Danzo glared at Ayato and demanded to know how he knew about Izanagi.

Ayato revealed that Danzo’s subordinates had been sent to fight their clan heads, while Danzo questioned how Ayato knew about Izanagi. Yamanaka Inoichi and Shibi Aburame defeated Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame, then headed back to Konoha with Shino and their captured opponents.

• Danzo demanded to know how Ayato knew about Izanagi, and Ayato said Kishimoto had told him.
• Ayato revealed that Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame had been sent to face Yamanaka Inoichi and Shibi Aburame.
• Fū Yamanaka tried to trap Yamanaka Inoichi in a puppet with the Mind Transfer Puppet Technique, but Inoichi reversed the technique and trapped Fū instead.
• Shibi Aburame used his Kikaichū to counter Torune Aburame’s poisonous insects and urged him to turn back.
• Yamanaka Inoichi, Shibi Aburame, and Shino Aburame set off for Konoha with Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame.

Ayato publicly executed Danzo, killing him repeatedly whenever Izanagi revived him and stating the crimes behind each punishment. Sasuke’s Sharingan advanced toward awakening the Mangekyo, while the onlookers accepted Danzo’s fate and the Third Hokage finally stopped himself from intervening.

• Ayato confronted Danzo about his failed chance to become Hokage, and Danzo attacked with Wood Release: Violent Spear Tree.
• Ayato cut Danzo in half with Vacuum Cut, then killed him again with Chidori Blade after Izanagi revived him.
• Ayato continued executing and reviving Danzo with increasingly brutal techniques, frightening the gathered Clan Heads with his overwhelming power.
• Sasuke’s three-tomoe Sharingan began spinning as he resolved to pursue a path to the Mangekyo different from Itachi’s.
• Asuma and Konohamaru urged the Third Hokage not to stop the execution, and the Third Hokage accepted that Danzo had to die.

Ayato killed Danzo after using a Lightning Kirin to exhaust his remaining Izanagi revivals, then arranged for Danzo’s body to be recovered. With the battle over, Ayato resumed the Hokage succession ceremony.

• Ayato summoned a Lightning Kirin from the storm clouds and used it to kill Danzo repeatedly as the crowd watched.
• Danzo stabbed himself with a kunai, cursed Ayato, and died after his final Izanagi revival was spent.
• The Third Hokage asked to bury Danzo, and Ayato permitted it after Sasuke removed Danzo’s Uchiha Sharingan.
• Ayato reflected on Danzo’s past attempts to undermine him and his reasons for ending Danzo’s threat.
• Ayato returned to the Hokage Building and announced that the succession ceremony would continue.

Ayato became Konoha’s Sixth Hokage and announced that he would marry Yamanaka Ino in three years. He then brought Naruto Uzumaki beside him to reveal something about Naruto’s identity, leaving the crowd waiting for his next words.

• Tsunade handed Ayato the Hokage Hat, and Ayato declared himself the Sixth Hokage to the cheering crowd.
• The Third Hokage accepted that Ayato had become Hokage and decided to step down as an Advisor.
• Ayato announced his wedding to Yamanaka Ino three years later, and Ino, Sinai, and the Yamanaka Matriarch watched with joy and pride.
• Ayato called Naruto Uzumaki to stand beside him and prepared to reveal Naruto’s true identity.

Ayato revealed that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son and had protected Konoha from childhood by containing the Nine-Tails. Naruto accepted the Nine-Tails and promised to protect the village and become Hokage, and the crowd responded with applause.

• Ayato told the crowd that Naruto was Konoha’s Hero and the Fourth Hokage’s only son.
• Ayato explained that the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto and that Naruto had never harmed anyone in Konoha by losing control.
• Naruto thanked the Nine-Tails, then told the crowd he had grown up happily with friends and would not let the Nine-Tails hurt anyone again.
• Naruto promised to use the Nine-Tails’ power to protect Konoha and said he would become Hokage someday.
• Iruka, Sasuke, Tsunade, and Shizune reacted proudly as the crowd raised its heads and applauded Naruto.