Chapter Summaries

After crushing the Root members’ resistance, Xiao Yun ordered them to take on a heavy mission load and returned to genjutsu training with Kurenai. He resisted acting on their growing attraction, left Kurenai asleep, and was stopped on the road by two strangers.

• Xiao Yun spared the surviving Root members but warned them not to defy him, then ordered them to complete three B-rank missions and one A-rank mission each month.
• Xiao Yun and Kurenai resumed Mind Training, and Xiao Yun shattered the illusion so quickly that Kurenai was injured.
• Xiao Yun used the light from his eyes to soothe Kurenai’s mind, and she fell asleep with her head on his thigh.
• Kurenai and Xiao Yun grew close, but Xiao Yun used Genjutsu—Mirroring World to put her to sleep and left without touching her.
• Xiao Yun berated himself for holding back, then two figures blocked his path and greeted him as the Fifth Hokage.

Xiao Yun was ambushed by Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, who trapped him in a Water Prison and overwhelmed him. With his Wood Release unusable and no Konoha reinforcements arriving, Xiao Yun prepared to risk everything as Kisame attacked in his shark form.

• Xiao Yun recognized Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki as Akatsuki members and tried to stall them.
• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked Xiao Yun with Samehada, and Xiao Yun opened the Gate of Life to block his blows.
• Kisame Hoshigaki trapped Xiao Yun in a Water Prison, where Xiao Yun could not use his Wood Release.
• Kisame Hoshigaki kicked and repeatedly attacked Xiao Yun while he waited in vain for Konoha reinforcements.
• Xiao Yun decided to risk everything as Kisame Hoshigaki transformed into a humanoid shark and lunged at him.

Xiao Yun endured Kisame Hoshigaki’s Water Prison attack, awakened the White Snake Sage’s power, and defeated Kisame before facing Itachi Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan. The chapter ended with Itachi asking Xiao Yun to look after Konoha and Sasuke during Tsukuyomi.

• Xiao Yun grabbed Kisame Hoshigaki and unleashed Lightning Release, badly injuring them both until Xiao Yun’s consciousness began to fade.
• A mysterious voice lent Xiao Yun the White Snake Sage’s power, causing him to release Kisame Hoshigaki and suffer intense pain as the Water Prison collapsed.
• Kisame Hoshigaki recovered and attacked Xiao Yun, but Xiao Yun cut off his arm with a white-snake sword before Itachi Uchiha stopped the fight.
• Kisame Hoshigaki used Samehada to reattach his arm while Xiao Yun realized he had gained the White Snake Sage’s power.
• Itachi Uchiha trapped Xiao Yun in Tsukuyomi and asked him to take care of Konoha and Sasuke, then bowed respectfully.

After revealing that Itachi Uchiha had massacred his clan for Konoha and shown the others Fugaku Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan, Xiao Yun focused on rebuilding the village and preparing for a future threat. Tsunade left to escort a merchant caravan, while Xiao Yun considered which abilities to cultivate and noticed that Kurenai had not brought his breakfast or schedule.

• Xiao Yun woke in the Hokage Office after fainting during his encounter with Itachi, and Tsunade and Might Guy expressed relief that he had survived.
• Xiao Yun called Jiraiya back and explained that Itachi had slaughtered the Uchiha Clan for Konoha’s peace and infiltrated Akatsuki.
• Xiao Yun revealed Fugaku Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan and urged the others to help rebuild Konoha and prepare for future enemies.
• Tsunade volunteered to escort a merchant caravan despite her pregnancy, while Xiao Yun discussed Akatsuki and the need to unite the nations and possibly the organization.
• Xiao Yun reconsidered his training after Tsunade warned him not to spread himself across too many techniques, then noticed Kurenai had not brought his breakfast or schedule.

Fifth Hokage Xiao Yun took Kurenai on an S-rank mission to rescue her father and the Tsuchigumo Clan, while the two confronted their complicated relationship on the journey. After promising to save her father, Xiao Yun hinted that he wanted more than words of thanks, and Kurenai’s response was left unresolved.

• Kurenai presented Xiao Yun with her resignation, accused him of humiliating and rejecting her, and agreed to join his mission after he asked her to reconsider leaving.
• Xiao Yun and Kurenai departed Konoha before dawn to rescue the Tsuchigumo Clan under the alliance made by the Third Hokage.
• Kurenai criticized the small allied nations for failing to support Konoha, and Xiao Yun explained why their cautious neutrality was a survival strategy.
• After traveling all day, Kurenai cooked fish for Xiao Yun, and he told her that Itachi Uchiha had given him his father’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kurenai explained that Xiao Yun’s Genjutsu Level still required stronger Mind Training, and Xiao Yun proposed using Itachi Uchiha’s Tsukuyomi to temper his mind.
• Xiao Yun firmly promised to rescue Kurenai’s father, then suggested that her thanks should be more than words.

Xiao Yun and Kurenai were caught in a storm and narrowly avoided an ambush before discovering a Tsuchigumo girl named Hana surrounded by masked ninjas. Xiao Yun rescued her by killing the attackers, sparing their leader as he and Kurenai stepped forward.

• Xiao Yun sheltered with Kurenai in a wooden house during a downpour, and they spent the night together until Kurenai's period interrupted them.
• The next day, Xiao Yun sensed danger and carried Kurenai away as three explosions struck; the attackers left, unaware Xiao Yun and Kurenai were following them.
• In the desert, Hana was wounded and surrounded by six masked ninjas who planned to assault her.
• Hana tried to stab herself, but the leader stopped her with steel wires and bound her hands and feet.
• Xiao Yun used Wood Release—Thousand Needle Kill to kill five attackers, sparing the leader, then stepped out with Kurenai.

Xiao Yun and Kurenai met Hana, the Tsuchigumo Clan Leader’s daughter, who asked Konoha for help after a coup. Xiao Yun sought Hana’s secret technique and recruitment into Konoha, and she agreed on the condition that Utakata approve.

• Hana explained that the Tsuchigumo Clan’s second-in-command had staged a coup and pleaded for help restoring her father’s rule.
• Kurenai warned that Konoha should not interfere in the clan’s internal affairs, but Xiao Yun demanded that Hana join Konoha and teach him Wrath of Heaven.
• Hana initially refused, explaining that her master had forbidden the destructive technique, but Xiao Yun revealed that Utakata was the Six-Tails jinchuriki and warned that Akatsuki would target him.
• Hana agreed to Xiao Yun’s terms if Utakata approved, and Xiao Yun asked Kurenai to release their captive from the genjutsu.

Xiao Yun and Kurenai learned that Orochimaru was likely targeting Hana and the Tsuchigumo Clan’s Wrath of Heaven Technique, so they prepared to take her to Konoha. Their departure was interrupted by Sasuke Uchiha, who confronted Xiao Yun with insults and provoked an angry reaction.

• The rogue ninja leader told Xiao Yun that the Tsuchigumo Clan’s second-in-command hired his group to kill the Clan Leader and capture Hana for a snake-like man, whom Xiao Yun and Kurenai identified as Orochimaru.
• Xiao Yun killed the rogue ninja leader and urged Hana to return to Konoha with him, explaining that Orochimaru was likely after her and the Wrath of Heaven Technique.
• Kurenai told Hana that Xiao Yun was the Fifth Hokage, and Hana agreed to go with them so they could help her reclaim the Tsuchigumo Clan.
• As Xiao Yun prepared to leave, he recognized incoming shuriken as Sasuke Uchiha’s technique and deflected them.
• Sasuke emerged and mocked Xiao Yun and Kurenai, and Xiao Yun answered with taunts about Sasuke’s pursuit of power until Sasuke flew into a rage.

Xiao Yun faced Sasuke in the desert while Hana warned that Utakata and her grandfather were in danger, forcing Xiao Yun to choose between helping them and dealing with Sasuke. After Xiao Yun defeated Sasuke and prepared to leave, Sasuke released a powerful aura and vowed to kill him.

• Utakata escaped an attack by six red-cloud-cloaked figures, carrying Kaisuke with him as their leader vowed to capture the Six-Tails.
• Hana pleaded with Xiao Yun to rescue Utakata and Kaisuke, and Xiao Yun agreed while sending Hana and Kurenai back to Konoha.
• Sasuke tried to stop Hana and Kurenai, but Xiao Yun restrained him and then kicked him into a rock wall.
• Xiao Yun mocked Sasuke and started to leave, but Sasuke roared that he would kill Xiao Yun and unleashed a formidable aura.

Xiao Yun defeated Sasuke after revealing the vastly superior power of his curse mark, then confronted Orochimaru, who had abducted Kurenai and Hana. Orochimaru demanded that Xiao Yun lift the genjutsu on Hana in exchange for Kurenai’s life, but Xiao Yun claimed he could heal Orochimaru’s hands, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Xiao Yun activated his curse mark and overwhelmed Sasuke with its pure Natural Energy, then defeated him again with the Eight Inner Gates and Lightning Release.
• Orochimaru appeared with Kurenai and Hana bound and apparently poisoned, and revealed that he wanted the Tsuchigumo Clan’s Wrath of Heaven Technique to restore his crippled hands.
• Orochimaru demanded that Xiao Yun lift the genjutsu on Hana in exchange for Kurenai’s life.
• Xiao Yun told Orochimaru that Natural Energy could not restore his hands because the souls in them had been eaten by the Death God.
• Orochimaru threatened to kill Kurenai unless Xiao Yun lifted the genjutsu, but Xiao Yun calmly said he had a way to heal Orochimaru’s hands.

Xiao Yun pressured Orochimaru into helping him by claiming only an Uzumaki could undo the Reaper Death Seal, but Orochimaru poisoned Kurenai as leverage. They traveled to rescue Hana’s family, and after saving her grandfather Kaisuke, learned that Utakata had fought six terrifying attackers, including one with ripple-patterned eyes.

• Xiao Yun told Orochimaru that only an Uzumaki could use the Reaper Mask to undo the Reaper Death Seal, and Orochimaru agreed to believe him while demanding insurance.
• Orochimaru poisoned Kurenai with a Snake Aphrodisiac and promised to remove it if Xiao Yun healed his hands within three years; Xiao Yun reluctantly agreed to the terms.
• Xiao Yun, Orochimaru, Kurenai, and Hana rode a giant snake toward the explosions, while Orochimaru warned that he could not help against Pain or Itachi Uchiha.
• Orochimaru's snake burst the bubble carrying Hana's unconscious grandfather, Kaisuke, and Xiao Yun dispelled the genjutsu that had knocked him out.
• Kaisuke said he had passed out before Utakata's fight and described six terrifying opponents, including one with ripple-patterned eyes.

Xiao Yun chose to rescue Utakata, the Six-Tails jinchūriki, after Hana begged for help, while Orochimaru took Hana and Kurenai away. Xiao Yun escaped Pain’s devastating attack with Utakata, but Pain saw through his clone and appeared behind him as he fled.

• Hana begged Xiao Yun to save her master Utakata, and Xiao Yun agreed after Utakata transformed into the Six-Tails’ jinchūriki.
• Xiao Yun sent Orochimaru away with Hana and Kurenai, then stayed behind to face Pain and the Six Paths.
• Pain used Shinra Tensei to devastate the area, leaving Utakata badly injured, and Xiao Yun rushed in to carry him away.
• Xiao Yun fled with Utakata, evading Pain’s missiles with Lightning Release and Wood Release before using a Lightning Release Clone to mislead him.
• Pain recognized the deception and appeared behind Xiao Yun as Xiao Yun ran toward Orochimaru.

Xiao Yun confronted Pain over the Six-Tails and argued that peace could not be imposed through absolute power. After the Six-Tails escaped by blasting Pain’s head off, Pain let Xiao Yun flee and wondered whether his vision of peace was more genuine.

• Pain recognized Xiao Yun as the Fifth Hokage and ordered him to leave the Six-Tails behind and go.
• Pain asked Xiao Yun about peace, and Xiao Yun argued that forced peace would only suppress conflict temporarily and make future violence worse.
• The Six-Tails woke in Pain’s grasp, blasted Pain’s head off with a Tailed Beast Bomb, and fled with Xiao Yun.
• Pain emerged from his surviving body and watched Xiao Yun and the Six-Tails escape.
• Konan warned Pain not to trust Xiao Yun’s words, but Pain questioned whether Xiao Yun’s vision of peace was more genuine.

Xiao Yun and Utakata escaped together and returned to Konoha, where Hana reunited with Utakata and promised to stay. Xiao Yun explained his mission to Tsunade, who scolded him for taking such a risk, before he carried her home.

• Xiao Yun and Utakata stopped after fleeing for hours, and Utakata agreed to return to Konoha with Xiao Yun to avoid the Akatsuki Organization.
• Orochimaru threatened Kurenai with poison and mocked her, but Xiao Yun arrived with Utakata and kicked Sasuke away.
• Hana reunited with Utakata and promised Xiao Yun that she would remain in Konoha for the rest of her life.
• Xiao Yun returned to Konoha, where Tsunade reprimanded him for leaving on a mission while she was pregnant.
• Xiao Yun told Tsunade about his trip but left out Kurenai, then carried Tsunade home.

Xiao Yun and Tsunade spent the night together, and Tsunade later proposed becoming his secretary while asking about Kurenai’s refusal to keep the role. At the Hokage Office, Tsunade arranged for Kakashi to help Kaisuke reclaim the Tsuchigumo Clan and told Hana to prepare for Sage Jutsu training, then revealed her true anger after pretending to let Xiao Yun smoke.

• Xiao Yun carried Tsunade home, and she clung to him during a storm; the next morning, she teased him awake and demanded more attention.
• Tsunade dressed up and proposed becoming Xiao Yun’s secretary, then told him that Kurenai had refused to remain his secretary.
• Tsunade explained that Kurenai had suffered losses and urged Xiao Yun to care for her; Xiao Yun wondered why Kurenai’s attitude had changed.
• Kaisuke asked when Konoha would help reclaim the Tsuchigumo Clan, and Tsunade said Kakashi would lead the effort while Hana and Utakata stayed in Konoha.
• Xiao Yun told Hana they would begin Sage Jutsu training in two days, and Tsunade lit his cigarette in front of their visitors.
• After the visitors left, Tsunade demanded Xiao Yun hand over his cigarettes and forbade him from smoking.

Kurenai’s Lust Snake Venom nearly left her vulnerable to two Hidden Cloud Village ninjas, but Xiao Yun rescued her and punished them. He confronted Darui over the incident and other misconduct by Hidden Cloud forces, then promised to present evidence to the Raikage.

• Kurenai endured the poison alone until two Hidden Cloud Village ninjas broke into her secret room and approached her.
• Xiao Yun rescued Kurenai, learned she had hidden the poison to protect him, and ordered the two ninjas castrated and sent to Darui.
• Kurenai tried to stop Xiao Yun from risking conflict with the Hidden Cloud Village, but he insisted on protecting her and had the punishment carried out.
• Darui confronted Xiao Yun, who cited the ninjas’ attempted assault and other abuses by Hidden Cloud forces in Konoha.
• Darui demanded evidence and hoped the two ninjas would deny the accusation, but Xiao Yun said he would present proof to the Raikage.

Xiao Yun refused to apologize to the Hidden Cloud Village and instead demanded that its ninja publicly apologize to Konoha and pay their expenses. He prepared to negotiate with the Fourth Raikage, while Might Guy delivered the three-day ultimatum to Darui.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura urged Tsunade to persuade Xiao Yun to write an apology letter so the Hidden Cloud Village ninja would stay in Konoha.
• Xiao Yun initially agreed to write the letter, then declared that the Hidden Cloud Village ninja would write it instead and argued that his apology would weaken Konoha.
• Tsunade sided with Xiao Yun, and he told Might Guy to give Darui three days to publicly apologize.
• At Moonlight Izakaya, Darui and the Hidden Cloud Village ninja drank, enjoyed the girls, and refused to pay their bill.
• Might Guy told Darui that Xiao Yun demanded a public apology to Konoha and full compensation within three days.

Might Guy ordered the Hidden Cloud ninja to apologize publicly and pay Moonlight Izakaya, despite their threats to abandon Konoha. In the underground prison, Xiao Yun freed Danzo and persuaded him to carry out two secret plans, leaving Danzo agreeing on the condition that Xiao Yun clear his name afterward.

• Might Guy relayed Xiao Yun's order that Iruka apologize publicly within three days and pay Moonlight Izakaya thirty million, prompting the Hidden Cloud ninja to threaten to leave Konoha.
• Might Guy departed after delivering the Hokage's message to Darui and the Hidden Cloud ninja.
• A masked man offered Danzo release and the Hokage's seat in exchange for making Konoha a vassal of the Hidden Stone Village, but Danzo refused to betray Konoha.
• The masked man revealed himself as Xiao Yun, broke Danzo's chains, and asked him to carry out two plans for Konoha.
• Danzo initially refused Xiao Yun's plans, but agreed after seeing his Mangekyō Sharingan, provided Xiao Yun cleared his name afterward.

Xiao Yun and Tsunade discussed his scheme with Danzo, then the Hidden Cloud Village group left Konoha and was ambushed by Hidden Stone Village forces. Xiao Yun arrived with Konoha reinforcements and surrounded the attackers, while the Hidden Stone leader demanded that Danzo prove his loyalty by killing Darui or Xiao Yun.

• Xiao Yun told Tsunade about his plan with Danzo, and she accepted that he was acting for Konoha.
• Iruka led the Hidden Cloud Village group out of the Land of Fire as its members mocked Xiao Yun and Tsunade.
• Danzo met with a Hidden Stone Village ninja, who agreed to support his bid for Hokage after they took Konoha.
• The Hidden Stone Village forces trapped the Hidden Cloud Village ninjas inside an Earth Style barrier and attacked them with explosive-tag kunai.
• Darui tried to persuade the Hidden Stone leader that the Hidden Cloud Village was only returning home, but Danzo urged him to continue the attack.
• Xiao Yun arrived with Konoha forces and surrounded the Hidden Stone Village troops, prompting their leader to demand that Danzo kill Darui or Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun discovered Darui’s summoned Thunder Beast, Lei Mo, and decided to take it for himself. After Lei Mo’s attack left the battlefield devastated, Xiao Yun killed Darui and handed his head to Shimura Danzō.

• Darui summoned Lei Mo to defend himself from the Hidden Stone Village ninja, and Xiao Yun’s system identified the beast and gave him a mission to subdue it.
• After more Hidden Stone Village ninja joined the fight, Lei Mo absorbed Darui’s blood and fired bolts of lightning that killed six attackers and struck Xiao Yun.
• Lei Mo shrank and collapsed, while Darui was left unable to move.
• Xiao Yun approached Darui, pretended he only wanted to borrow something, then bound and beheaded him.
• Shimura Danzō appeared, and Xiao Yun kicked Darui’s head to him.