Chapter Summaries

Lin Ke and his allies fought Sasori’s Human Puppets while Lin Ke tried to determine why Sasori was pressing toward close combat. Elsewhere, Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto discussed Kabuto’s experiments before preparing to leave.

• Uchiha Fugaku, Baki, and Lin Ke’s shadows fought Sasori’s Human Puppets, while Kankuro failed to use the puppet he had acquired.
• Sasori controlled the remaining puppets with chakra threads and continued charging toward Lin Ke, who considered the risks of Sasori’s unknown abilities.
• Orochimaru observed the battle with Yakushi Kabuto and remarked that Sasori had learned much from Kabuto’s mind.
• Yakushi Kabuto explained that he had sacrificed intelligence and lost both hands after escaping Deidara and Sasori, and had become Orochimaru’s test subject.
• Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto discussed the balance between the Cursed Seal and Original Body cells, then decided it was time to leave.

Lin Ke and his allies fought Sasori, who tried to capture him and obtain the Five Elements Sealing, but failed to overcome the team. Sasori offered cooperation and left behind a scroll before escaping, while Lin Ke considered Orochimaru’s departure a new concern.

• Gaara crushed Sasori’s remaining Human Puppets with waves of sand, but Sasori attacked from underground and then sent three damaged puppets after Lin Ke.
• Lin Ke bound a puppet decoy with the Body Binding Technique, recognized that Sasori might be seeking the Five Elements Sealing, and avoided using it.
• Sasori revealed himself in a distant treetop and proposed that he and Lin Ke cooperate, saying their abilities could change the world.
• Sasori left a scroll as a sign of sincerity, transferred his core away, and escaped after Hyuga Hinata confirmed his chakra signature had vanished.
• Lin Ke had his shadow and three subordinates clean up the battlefield and worried that Orochimaru had already gone far.

Lin Ke asked the Third Hokage how to counter Space-Time Ninjutsu and left after reporting Sasori’s information about Danzo and Orochimaru. Meanwhile, Kimimaro’s body began collapsing in a Root laboratory, and Danzo was summoned to meet the Third Hokage as the seal’s ability to contain him neared its limit.

• Lin Ke asked the Third Hokage whether any jutsu could restrict Space-Time Ninjutsu, and the Hokage said jutsu depended on the people using them.
• The Third Hokage said he would verify Sasori of the Red Sands’ information about Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru with the advisors and Danzo.
• Lin Ke left the Hokage Office, privately vowing to kill Danzo once he became strong enough.
• A Root researcher told Shimura Danzō that Kimimaro’s body was collapsing and might engulf several kilometers if the seal failed.
• A disguised Anbu told Shimura Danzō that the Third Hokage wished to see him.

Lin Ke trained his Stand and ninjutsu, told a story about Orochimaru, and planned future missions before going to sleep. Meanwhile, Konoha’s leaders investigated Root’s dealings, and Yamanaka Haiichi uncovered a major secret about a gift Danzo had received.

• Lin Ke repeatedly summoned Stands while training, briefly stopping time with The World and hoping to summon Hermit Purple.
• Lin Ke began telling the story of Orochimaru and considered whether he could save and reform Kimimaro.
• Lin Ke adjusted his training, planned to pursue money and intelligence on a mission, and decided not to bring his Genin subordinates into dangerous countries.
• Lin Ke went to sleep after considering the fate of Sasori’s puppets and Sunagakure’s possible offer at the Three Countries Alliance Meeting.
• Konoha’s leaders captured Root members tied to Danzo’s transactions and began investigating the intelligence leak involving Lin Ke.
• Yamanaka Haiichi searched a Root member’s memories and uncovered a major secret about a gift Danzo had received.

Lin Ke was summoned to Root's Laboratory to help deal with Kimimaro, an experimental subject whose unstable energy threatened to explode and devastate Konoha. As the medical team prepared a risky plan to divide and destroy him, Shimura Danzō urged Lin Ke to try his techniques and promised to serve as a safeguard.

• Hatake Kakashi woke Lin Ke before dawn and explained that Kimimaro was dangerously close to exploding after chakra-based seals failed to contain his abnormal energy.
• Lin Ke suspected that Kimimaro's condition might connect to Orochimaru's experiments and worried Shimura Danzō might lash out as his position collapsed.
• Lin Ke and Hatake Kakashi arrived at Root's Laboratory, where the Third Hokage, the advisors, medical personnel, and sealing teams had gathered.
• The medical team prepared to cut Kimimaro into pieces while coordinating with the seal, hoping to prevent an explosion and destroy the fragments.
• Lin Ke considered trying Chakra Scalpel or Five Elements Unsealing on Kimimaro, and Shimura Danzō encouraged him to proceed while offering to act as the final safeguard.

Lin Ke used the Five Elements Unsealing to discover that Natural Energy inside Kimimaro had caused the seal’s instability, then slapped the energy away and restored the seal. While Medical Ninjas examined Kimimaro, Lin Ke pondered the nature of the energy until Shimura Danzō arrived late at night, leaving Lin Ke wary of his intentions.

• Lin Ke tried the Five Elements Unsealing on Kimimaro and realized that Natural Energy, not the seal itself, was causing the problem.
• Lin Ke slapped away the Natural Energy, and the sealing script spread over Kimimaro and stabilized him.
• The Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō left, while Lin Ke stayed to assist the Medical Ninjas and field questions about Kimimaro.
• Lin Ke reflected on the difference between Natural Energy and Sage Art Chakra while Medical Ninjas monitored Kimimaro.
• Shimura Danzō visited Lin Ke late at night, and Lin Ke prepared to flee in case Danzō meant him harm.

Lin Ke weighed the danger of Shimura Danzō’s Kotoamatsukami before accepting a Wind Release scroll from him and handing it to the Anbu. After three days confined while Konoha dealt with Root’s remnants and Kimimaro, Lin Ke returned to clan visits and resolved to pursue a customized Sharingan to protect himself from powerful enemies.

• Lin Ke prepared to evade Shimura Danzō’s Kotoamatsukami, but Danzō gave him a Wind Release scroll and left under Anbu watch.
• Lin Ke reviewed his thoughts for signs of brainwashing, then gave the scroll to the Anbu and decided to speed up his plan to obtain a customized Sharingan.
• Konoha’s leadership sent Root’s hidden members to the Interrogation Department while keeping the investigation and Danzō’s fate secret.
• Lin Ke remained in an empty building for three days, helped seal Kimimaro’s body, and received visits from friends, including Haruno Sakura, who wanted to see Uchiha Mikoto.
• After leaving confinement, Lin Ke visited Nara Shikaku and Nara Yan Shui, met several clans, and received a thick envelope from the Aburame clan.

Lin Ke told Sasuke stories about time travel and discovered that his Five Elements Sealing had helped Orochimaru develop Natural Energy, inspiring a plan to counter it. The next day, Lin Ke began training for the Eight Gates Formation Technique with Might Guy.

• Lin Ke told Second Pillar about Sasori's Space-Time Ninjutsu and shared time-travel stories to inspire Sasuke's Mangekyo abilities.
• During his nightly training, Lin Ke used Hermit Purple to take a photograph that revealed he had caused Orochimaru's breakthrough in Natural Energy research.
• Lin Ke deduced that the Five Elements Sealing he had placed on Orochimaru gathered Natural Energy and realized Mystical Palm Technique could counter the resulting power.
• Might Guy explained the Eight Gates training and its risks to Lin Ke at Seventh Training Ground.
• Lin Ke accepted the challenge and prepared to begin the grueling training.

Lin Ke failed to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique and struggled through training in the Eight Gates Formation, passing out as soon as he opened the First Gate. He reconsidered his approach, wondering whether to abandon taijutsu and focus on building his chakra reserves instead.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Lin Ke that he lacked the talent to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Lin Ke accepted that he could not master it.
• Hiruzen urged Lin Ke to give up the Eight Gates Formation and let his body develop naturally, but Lin Ke insisted on continuing because he feared a coming battle with Ōtsutsuki.
• Lin Ke left for afternoon training with Might Guy despite the pain from his rigorous Eight Gates training.
• At the Seventh Training Ground, Lin Ke opened the First Gate and immediately passed out from the pain.
• After waking, Lin Ke worried that he would not be able to use the Eight Gates effectively and considered focusing on increasing his chakra reserves instead.

Lin Ke developed a stationary Eight Gates Mode that used an anesthetic, the Clone Technique, and the Mystical Palm Technique to extract large amounts of chakra while minimizing pain and bodily damage. He planned to travel to the Land of Waves before returning for the Three Countries Alliance Meeting, though his new mode still had serious risks and limitations.

• Lin Ke tested his Eight Gates Mode by taking his Anesthetic Secret Medicine, opening the gates, and extracting a large amount of chakra before the Clone Technique erased his injuries.
• Lin Ke explained how his stationary fighting method worked and described a finishing move that could transfer pain, damage, and numbness to an opponent.
• Lin Ke recovered with Soldier Pills and used the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique on himself to check for lingering damage.
• Lin Ke identified remaining problems with his Eight Gates Mode, including pain-induced unconsciousness, anesthetic resistance, delayed awareness, and limited Body Energy.
• Lin Ke planned to visit the Land of Waves and then prepare for the Three Countries Alliance Meeting.

Lin Ke and three other young Konoha ninjas escorted gardener Dingsi to an estate in the Land of Waves. After noticing signs that the wealthy property might be connected to Gato, they met a tattooed guard who went to fetch Dingsi’s employer, Master Qiezi.

• The Third Hokage assigned Lin Ke and three other children to escort Dingsi, despite the client’s doubts about their age.
• The group crossed the bridge into the Land of Waves and traveled through its impoverished towns toward Redwood Forest.
• Dingsi urged the ninjas to continue to his employer’s estate rather than stop for the night.
• Lin Ke wondered whether the estate’s size and location connected it to Gato.
• A tattooed guard reacted fearfully to the Konoha Forehead Protectors and went upstairs to fetch Master Qiezi.
• Dingsi asked the ninjas to protect him, and Lin Ke assured him they could handle the ordinary people there.

Lin Ke investigated Kusabi’s new underworld organization and searched Gato’s former hideout for hidden money, but found only an empty basement. He then summoned Haku from the Pure Land, and Haku said he had no reason to keep existing after losing his purpose as Zabuza’s tool.

• TateDera met Kusabi, who agreed to cover the Konoha ninja’s protection fee and sent Waraji to take the group to Gato’s former residence.
• Lin Ke learned that Kusabi had hired surviving members of the Kado Corps and taken over Gato’s old hideout and home.
• Lin Ke left shadows to guard the residence, burrowed into the hideout, and found an empty basement with fresh footprints.
• Lin Ke used Kubikiribōchō to summon Haku from the Pure Land.
• Haku recognized Lin Ke as the person who had spoken to him in the Pure Land and said he had no reason to continue existing after losing his purpose as Zabuza’s tool.

Lin Ke summoned Haku and Momochi Zabuza from the Pure Land, using what he knew about their bond to persuade them to fight for him. Zabuza did not accept the deal, so Lin Ke gave them time to talk and planned to summon them again later.

• Lin Ke told Haku that he and Momochi Zabuza had died, then summoned Zabuza by claiming Haku was with him.
• Lin Ke brought Zabuza and Haku into the living world through Rashomon, and Zabuza initially tried to attack him.
• Lin Ke described Zabuza’s death and challenged him to call Haku a disposable tool, leaving Zabuza unable to answer.
• Lin Ke offered to let Zabuza and Haku return to the living world in exchange for fighting for him, but neither accepted immediately.
• Lin Ke disposed of their rotting corpses in the sea and gave Zabuza and Haku time alone to consider the deal.

Lin Ke tested Underworld Swamp and discovered it transformed Gato into a grotesque, seemingly mindless figure before swallowing him again, while the muddy ground lingered after the jutsu ended. The next morning, after training with Eight Gates Mode, Lin Ke realized he could sustain substitutions for eight hours and would need to change how he prepared for combat.

• Lin Ke used Underworld Swamp on Gato, who sank into the sludge as Rashomon vanished and Summoning Jutsu could no longer locate his soul.
• A grotesquely mutated Gato emerged from the swamp, but he could not communicate before Lin Ke canceled the jutsu and watched him sink again.
• Lin Ke tested the lingering mud with a stick and rabbits, then left shadows to monitor it overnight.
• The next morning, Lin Ke trained in Eight Gates Mode, recovered with a Soldier Pill and Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, and reflected on his changed combat approach.
• Lin Ke concluded that Eight Gates Mode and Extreme Soldier Pills let him sustain a substitution for eight hours, changing how he prepared for battle.

Lin Ke investigated the lingering, foul-smelling mud from his experiment and invited Baki, Momochi Zabuza, and Haku to dinner with Gaara and the others. The meal ended quietly, with the group recognizing that Lin Ke had summoned the newcomers as dead people.

• Lin Ke found that the strange mud Gato had left behind remained in place and that its stench clung to anything it touched, so he had a shadow bury it and stand guard.
• TateDera continued transforming the residence with plants while Lin Ke estimated that the work would soon be finished.
• Lin Ke summoned Baki, Momochi Zabuza, and Haku, then invited them to dinner with Gaara and the others.
• Waraji saw the group at the entrance, appeared panicked, and ran away.
• At dinner, TateDera left after eating beside the intimidating Momochi Zabuza, while Gaara and Temari noticed the newcomers had no shadows and Haku happily shared the meal with Zabuza-san.

Momochi Zabuza agreed to fight for Lin Ke in exchange for Haku being summoned alongside him, while Baki sought a meeting with the Fourth Kazekage and offered his Wind Release techniques. After Baki returned to Rashomon, Sasori reflected on the loss of the Third Kazekage and wondered whether Baki had passed along information about him.

• Momochi Zabuza accepted Lin Ke's deal and insisted that Haku accompany him whenever he was summoned.
• Baki asked Lin Ke to arrange a meeting with the Fourth Kazekage, offering to teach him Wind Release ninjutsu, but Lin Ke declined to commit.
• Baki reflected on Sunagakure's poverty and his hope that Sasori could restore the village's fortunes with the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand.
• Baki was pulled back into Rashomon, wondering when he would finally be able to rest in peace.
• Sasori tested and adjusted a puppet, lamented the expense of losing the Third Kazekage, and wondered whether Baki had shared information with him.

Lin Ke investigated Kusabi’s disappearance and learned that his frightened men had fled after suspecting Momochi Zabuza was nearby. He decided to use Kusabi as a test subject and began planning a research base in the Land of Waves, while ensuring TateDera received his payment.

• Lin Ke noticed Waraji and another young man whispering outside, then later found that Waraji had stopped delivering meals.
• Lin Ke investigated Kusabi and used Genjutsu to learn that the remnants of the Kado Corps had fled after the battle and suspected appearance of Momochi Zabuza, taking Kusabi’s money as they left.
• Lin Ke decided the Land of Waves could serve as a base for experiments and research, and used Rashomon on Kusabi.
• Lin Ke paid TateDera his mission reward and Kusabi’s owed payment, with help from Uchiha Fugaku.
• Lin Ke realized Kusabi had spent nearly all his money and considered the substantial costs of establishing a future research base.

Lin Ke moved Gato’s hideout into an underground base and tested the Underworld Swamp on Kusabi, discovering that it created foul-smelling mud and lasted longer when it swallowed people. He left the swamp’s possible uses unresolved and returned toward the village at dawn.

• Lin Ke and his shadows transferred the contents of Gato’s hideout into a cavern beneath the Redwood Forest, leaving Kusabi unconscious in the new base.
• Lin Ke threw Kusabi into the Underworld Swamp, where the reanimated Gato grabbed him and dragged him beneath the mud.
• Kusabi later surfaced as a foul-smelling ghost slave, and Lin Ke watched both figures sink as the swamp persisted until dawn.
• Lin Ke tested the swamp with a rabbit and found that the ground returned to normal after it vanished, then headed back.

Lin Ke planned how to develop his abilities and gather the resources he needed, then joined the Third Hokage and Kakashi on the journey to the three-nation talks. The group left Konoha under watch, and Lin Ke’s shadows silently killed the first would-be attackers.

• Lin Ke assessed his dwindling Tailed Beast Chakra and planned to improve his shadows, Summoning Jutsu, substitutes, and Five Elements Sealing techniques.
• Lin Ke decided to seek Tailed Beast Chakra from the Four Tails and Six Tails Jinchuriki, pursue Tsunade’s help with summoning, and investigate Orochimaru’s experiments.
• Lin Ke went to sleep after considering his many plans and responsibilities.
• The Third Hokage departed Konoha for the three-nation talks with Kakashi and Lin Ke as his guards.
• Lin Ke sent more than a dozen shadows into the bushes, where they silently killed the people following the party.

Lin Ke guarded Sarutobi Hiruzen in the Land of Rivers as the Three Nations Conference began. With the Fourth Kazekage and Salamander Hanzo present, the delegates started discussing the situation in the Land of Rivers.

• Lin Ke guarded the Hot Spring Inn with his shadows while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Kakashi persuaded him to join them at the hot spring.
• At dinner, Banzhai visited Sarutobi Hiruzen and explained that the Fourth Kazekage had arrived, while Salamander Hanzo’s attendance remained uncertain amid chaos in the Land of Rain.
• Banzhai described how Konoha and Sunagakure could help restore order in the Land of Rivers and how the Ninja Temples would share the compensation.
• At the conference, Chiriku opened the meeting on the Land of Rivers with Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Fourth Kazekage, and Salamander Hanzo present.
• Lin Ke watched Salamander Hanzo arrive with five armed guards and a respirator, while the delegates began their discussions.