Chapter Summaries

Baki recounted how Uzumaki Naruto had overwhelmed Sunagakure’s forces, and Chiyo warned that he threatened the entire shinobi world. Facing near bankruptcy, Sunagakure’s leaders agreed to avoid Naruto for now and focus on raising money, including by targeting the wealthy Land of Lightning.

• Chiyo asked Baki whether Uzumaki Naruto was truly as difficult to defeat as the reports claimed, and Baki said he was even stronger than the newspaper suggested.
• Baki described Naruto beating Shukaku and instantly taking down more than fifty Sunagakure shinobi, including over a dozen Jonin.
• Chiyo showed Baki a report saying Itachi Uchiha had defeated Naruto, though she stressed that Naruto had still suffered only a crushing defeat.
• Chiyo proposed seeking support from the other Three Great Nations to eliminate Naruto, but explained that Sunagakure could not afford to hire help.
• Sunagakure’s leaders agreed to set aside their hostility toward Konoha and Naruto, sell Gold Dust and Iron Sand, and plunder the wealthy Land of Lightning.

Naruto handled Root’s paperwork and proposed an expensive weapon and computer purchase before encountering Neji Hyuga outside the base. Neji appeared ready to accept Naruto’s offer to help remove his seal and change the Hyuga clan’s branch-family system, and Naruto invited him inside.

• Naruto finished his office work and learned that Shigaraki Tanuki and Ryoma had not returned from searching for the antique turtle.
• Naruto gave Karin a Chakra Sparkling Rod and instructed her to seek funding for fifty, asking her to raise the unit price to five million ryo and request computers for Root.
• Naruto clocked out and found Neji Hyuga waiting outside the remote Root base.
• Naruto recognized that Neji’s hesitation concerned the seal on his forehead and Naruto’s offer to help him change the Hyuga clan’s system.
• Naruto smiled at Neji and invited him to come with him.

Neji showed Naruto the Caged Bird seal and explained how the Hyuga main family used it to control the branch family, including how his father, Hizashi Hyuga, had died in place of Hyuga Hiashi. Naruto encouraged Neji to organize branch family members and make planned trouble so Naruto could intervene after becoming Hokage, then offered to attempt removing the seal.

• Neji revealed his Caged Bird seal and described how the main family could inflict unbearable pain on branch family members.
• Neji recounted how Hizashi Hyuga had died in place of Hyuga Hiashi, and Naruto listened without correcting his account.
• Naruto decided to use Neji's grievance to challenge the Hyuga clan's control and urged him to find allies and make planned trouble.
• Naruto promised to help Neji and the branch family after becoming Hokage, with support from the Shinobi World Daily.
• Naruto examined Neji's seal, pretended the removal would be dangerous, then offered a method that might improve the odds; Neji agreed to try it.

Naruto removed Neji’s Caged Bird curse mark and replaced it with a modified version that concealed his freedom while protecting his Byakugan. Neji joined Root to help free the other Hyuga branch family members, while Naruto considered how to train his friends; the chapter ended with Orochimaru wondering which of his subordinates was a traitor.

• Naruto entered Neji’s consciousness and destroyed the chains of the Caged Bird curse mark that controlled him.
• Neji realized the curse mark was gone, grieved for his father, and thanked Naruto for giving him a second chance at freedom.
• Neji agreed to join Root and help the other Hyuga branch family members, despite the dangers of losing the original curse mark’s protection.
• Naruto explained that he could replace the mark with one that protected the Byakugan, restored Chakra, and only caused a slight sting when activated by the main family.
• Naruto placed the modified curse mark on Neji’s forehead so they could conceal that the original curse mark had been removed.
• Naruto pondered how to train his friends, while in the Land of Fields Orochimaru wondered which subordinate was a traitor.

After the Konoha Collapse Plan failed, Orochimaru searched his base for a traitor who had sabotaged the First and Second Hokage’s Impure World Reincarnation, but found no proof. A newspaper headline about Itachi Uchiha gave Orochimaru new hope of obtaining Sasuke.

• Orochimaru concluded that someone had tampered with the First and Second Hokage’s Impure World Reincarnation and began purging his base to find the traitor.
• Orochimaru investigated Kabuto, Kimimaro, Jugo, and the two Jonin used as test subjects, but uncovered no evidence and paused the purge.
• Black Mamba entered Orochimaru’s chamber to check on him, then left without speaking further.
• Orochimaru considered taking Uchiha Sasuke’s body but believed Uzumaki Naruto’s presence made that impossible.
• A snake brought Orochimaru a newspaper bearing the headline “[Itachi Uchiha—The Man Who Slays Gods!],” and Orochimaru saw new hope for his ambitions.

After hearing that Itachi Uchiha had defeated Uzumaki Naruto, Orochimaru planned to seize Sasuke and sought Uchiha Obito’s help. Black Mamba refused, leaving Orochimaru to reconsider his plan without that support.

• Orochimaru read that Itachi Uchiha had defeated Uzumaki Naruto and decided it was the perfect chance to obtain Sasuke’s Sharingan.
• Orochimaru planned to send the Sound Five and other helpers to abduct Sasuke, and decided to go to Konoha himself.
• Orochimaru visited Black Mamba and asked him to contact Uchiha Obito for help retrieving Sasuke.
• Black Mamba recognized Sasuke as the target and told Orochimaru that Mr. Obito would not help and the “puppets” could not be deployed.
• Orochimaru considered attacking Black Mamba but sensed he would lose, then withdrew and left.

Naruto went to the Hokage Building to see Sasuke and Shikamaru receive their Chunin promotions. He teased Shikamaru about an embarrassing dance and mocked Sasuke for still being below his Jonin rank, then invited Shikamaru to dinner.

• Naruto skipped going to Root and headed to the Hokage Building, where Sakura waited for Sasuke and Shikamaru's promotion news.
• Naruto learned that Sakura was content despite not being promoted, while Sasuke and Shikamaru had passed the Chunin assessment.
• Naruto teased Shikamaru about his memorable dance, causing the embarrassed Shikamaru to leave without answering.
• Naruto invited Shikamaru to dinner, and Shikamaru waved to show he understood.
• Naruto congratulated Sasuke on becoming a Chunin, then smugly reminded him that he was still below Naruto's Jonin rank.

Naruto tried to find a clone capable of handling Root Organization’s growing workload and created Bamboo Shoot Dry by separating an unknown stream of Chakra into a clone. After putting Bamboo Shoot Dry in charge of administrative affairs, Naruto headed to the seaside to inspect the ongoing hunt for a giant sea turtle.

• Naruto gave Sasuke a gift and left him with Sakura before secretly watching their interaction, then went to the Root Organization base.
• Karin presented Naruto with a huge backlog of Root Organization paperwork, prompting him to seek a clone to handle administrative work.
• Naruto summoned and dismissed many unruly clones before using the unknown Chakra in his body to create a calmer, unusual clone.
• Naruto balanced the clone’s lively personality with the unknown Chakra, named him Uzumaki Bamboo Shoot Dry, and assigned him to manage government affairs.
• Naruto let Bamboo Shoot Dry handle the paperwork and then went to the seaside to see the turtle that had evaded the Root teams.

Naruto’s search for the sea-dwelling “turtle” yielded no leads, so he turned the seafood his Root teams caught into a plan for a major business. In the Land of Grass, Uzumaki Goudan showed him a newly developed revolver, leaving Naruto to realize that firearms could transform the ninja world.

• Naruto found Shigaraki Tanuki’s team had caught seafood instead of locating the turtle and ordered them to build a large seafood supply business.
• Naruto searched the sea with his senses but detected no trace of the turtle, then expanded Big Tanuki Fresh and assigned Shigaraki Tanuki to lead it.
• After Uzumaki Dog Egg urgently summoned him, Naruto went to the Land of Grass and saw Uzumaki Goudan’s newly developed revolver.
• Goudan tested the gun, but its barrel exploded; he then had Killer B try another revolver, which fired successfully before Goudan’s gun exploded again.
• Naruto considered how firearms could make years of ninja training obsolete and concluded that the times had changed.

Naruto reviewed intelligence on the great nations’ preparations for war and learned that an expedition had discovered Rōran in the Taklamakan Desert. He ordered the oil fields protected, handed continental intelligence command to Uzumaki Sundried Bamboo Shoots, and left for the Land of Waves, where events had shifted around Mizuki Tetsu’s clone.

• Naruto considered how guns could change warfare and scolded Uzumaki Goudan for using Flying Thunder God to enter the CEO's Office.
• Uzumaki Goudan shared intelligence showing that the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and Sunagakure were preparing for conflict, while Konoha showed little change.
• Naruto reviewed Konoha’s Carefree Pill sales and noted that Kirigakure remained isolated.
• Uzumaki Goudan reported that an expedition had discovered the city of Rōran in the Taklamakan Desert, and Naruto ordered two squads to protect the area and its oil.
• Naruto told Uzumaki Goudan to report intelligence to Uzumaki Sundried Bamboo Shoots, then used Flying Thunder God to leave for the Land of Waves.

A young Kirigakure shinobi read newspaper accounts that praised the Yuki Clan and Zabuza, while Ao grew wary of the growing publicity campaign around Zabuza. Ao suspected Zabuza was pursuing the vacant Mizukage seat and wondered how Mei Terumi could compete with a fight conducted through newspapers.

• A young shinobi called Kirigakure’s extermination of the Yuki Clan an original sin after reading the Water Country Observer’s account.
• The young shinobi praised Haku and looked forward to reading the next installment of Zabuza’s struggles, until Ao caught him reading on duty and confiscated the newspaper.
• Ao reflected on Zabuza’s failed assassination attempt against the Mizukage and his own role in exposing that the Mizukage had been controlled.
• Ao noticed that newspapers across the shinobi world repeatedly publicized Zabuza’s achievements and suspected he was seeking the vacant Mizukage seat.
• Ao worried that Mei Terumi would be disadvantaged by Zabuza’s newspaper campaign and wondered what kind of fighting style it was.

Ao and Genji uncovered the propaganda behind Zabuza’s growing reputation and ordered a mission against the News Group, while Mist Anbu captured Mizuki Tetsu. Tetsu revealed his Rinnegan, leaving the team stunned.

• Ao warned Genji that Zabuza’s newspaper coverage might be building support for him to become Mizukage.
• Genji showed Ao an investigation that contradicted the newspapers and concluded that Zabuza and a hidden backer were targeting Kirigakure’s leadership.
• Genji ordered Ao to eliminate threats to Kirigakure, and Ao assembled three teams after sending Chojuro elsewhere.
• Ao’s team reached the News Group headquarters in the Land of Hot Water and had Fox capture its president, Mizuki Tetsu.
• Egret questioned Tetsu, who revealed his purple, ripple-patterned Rinnegan and declared that the Anbu would not leave.

Zabuza defeated Kirigakure Anbu sent to assassinate him and learned that Kirigakure’s leaders might be plotting against him. After consulting with Mizuki Tetsu, he agreed to move their plan forward early and prepare to return as a hero.

• Kirigakure Anbu attacked Zabuza with the Hidden Mist Technique, but he killed the squad and identified Hozuki Kogetsu as one of them.
• Zabuza learned that Haku had also been targeted, though Haku had gained no information from his attackers.
• Zabuza and Haku went to the News Group headquarters, where Zabuza found four Kirigakure Anbu who had defected to Mizuki Tetsu.
• Tetsu warned Zabuza that Ao and possibly Genji wanted him dead, then showed him survey results indicating his popularity was growing.
• Tetsu said the assassination attempt required them to start the next phase of the plan early and asked whether Zabuza was ready to become a hero.

After Kirigakure ordered Zabuza and Mizuki Tetsu assassinated, Tetsu abandoned his publicity plan and prepared to seize power through bloodshed, with Zabuza set to become Mizukage. Tetsu infiltrated Kirigakure with four controlled Anbu, captured Ao, and devised a plan to kill Genji and frame Mei Terumi.

• Tetsu told Zabuza that he would become a hero and Mizukage after rescuing the people from suffering, and Zabuza accepted the ambition tied to his dead friend Sakuragi Hanamichi.
• Zabuza revealed that Ao possessed a Byakugan obtained during the previous war and identified Mei Terumi as a formidable rival for the Mizukage position.
• Tetsu decided to eliminate Zabuza's rivals and sent four controlled Kirigakure Anbu back to the village to begin the Trojan Horse plan.
• Ao met the returning Anbu in a sealed basement, but their altered chakra revealed their control as Tetsu appeared and trapped Ao in genjutsu.
• Tetsu read Ao's memories, discovered his support for Mei Terumi, and planned to kill Genji while framing Mei.

Naruto arrived in Kirigakure and learned that Mizuki Tetsu had revised his plan after reading Ao’s memories. Naruto took over, captured Ao, and secretly subdued Kirigakure’s entire Anbu, leaving them under his control.

• Naruto appeared in Mizuki Tetsu’s secret chamber after Tetsu reported that the plan had been approved.
• Naruto and Tetsu synchronized memories, and Naruto rejected waiting for an opportunity, declaring that he would create one himself.
• Naruto decided to take Ao as evidence and told Tetsu to prepare a shocking news report about Kirigakure.
• Naruto stored Ao in his Kamui space and ordered four subordinates to summon Kirigakure’s Anbu.
• Naruto disguised himself as Ao and used genjutsu to subdue every summoned Anbu member, who then pledged loyalty to him.

Naruto disguised himself as Ao, infiltrated Genji’s residence, and staged a public dispute over Mei Terumi and Zabuza to frame Ao. The real Ao’s apparent escape ended with Genji dead, leaving Kirigakure’s succession in turmoil.

• Naruto led the Anbu toward Genji’s tower and disguised himself as Ao, while the others took positions around the residence.
• Naruto persuaded the tower guards that they were Anbu and ordered them not to enter, then confronted Genji alone.
• Genji recognized that the visitor was not Ao, but Naruto immobilized him and loudly accused him of opposing Mei Terumi’s succession in favor of Zabuza.
• Naruto’s shouts drew a crowd, and Ao and Gonbei arrived as villagers debated the supposed succession dispute.
• A figure dressed as Ao leaped from the tower window and fled into the mist, and a scream announced that Genji was dead.

After Genji was found dead in Kirigakure, Gonbei and Ao tried to contain the news and hunt Ao, while Naruto arranged for the killing to be publicized. The next morning, newspapers across the shinobi world reported Genji’s death and fueled speculation about Ao and Mei Terumi.

• Gonbei and Ao found Genji dead, and Gonbei ordered Kirigakure sealed off while Ao organized a search for Ao.
• Naruto witnessed Kirigakure’s response, sent Tetsu photographs of Genji’s body, and asked him to spread the news worldwide.
• An Anbu informed Tsunade that Ao had killed Genji and fled, prompting her to summon advisers and Naruto.
• Naruto remained at a vacation hotel while Uzumaki Sundried Bamboo Shoots handled his role in Konoha.
• Newspapers across the shinobi world published competing reports about Genji’s death, with some blaming Ao and hinting at Mei Terumi’s involvement.

Chiyo, Ōnoki, and Nagato read reports about Genji’s assassination and considered how the upheaval might affect their villages and plans. In Kirigakure, Gonbei blamed Shimura Danzō for the killing.

• Chiyo read that Ao had assassinated Genji in a dispute over the Mizukage succession, then considered Sunagakure’s vacant Kazekage position and possible targets for war.
• Ōnoki learned of Genji’s death and weighed how Kirigakure’s turmoil might affect Iwagakure’s plans for an alliance.
• Nagato ordered Uchiha Hongzhong and Kakuzu to investigate the Land of Water, especially the Three-Tails, and watch Uchiha Obito.
• Gonbei told Kirigakure’s gathered leaders that their investigation had blamed Shimura Danzō for Genji’s death.

After Genji’s assassination, Gonbei and Ao blamed Shimura Danzō to protect Kirigakure from war and ordered the village sealed. The meeting exposed a fierce contest over the next Mizukage, and Mizuki Tetsu activated Plan B after the dispute derailed the first plan.

• Gonbei and Ao decided to claim Shimura Danzō had controlled Ao and masterminded Genji’s assassination, hoping to keep Konoha from attacking Kirigakure.
• Gonbei presented the Anbu’s report, blamed Danzō for plotting against the village, and placed Kirigakure under full alert with no entry or exit allowed.
• Okura and other Jonin pressed Gonbei to choose a new Mizukage, prompting arguments over Mei Terumi and Zabuza.
• Gonbei postponed the selection and adjourned the meeting as Anbu recorded who supported Zabuza.
• Mizuki Tetsu read the meeting report, declared Plan A failed, and ordered Plan B activated.

Uchiha Hongzhong and Kakuzu sold a huge haul of Carefree Pills before learning their next destination was the Land of Water. Meanwhile, Orochimaru accepted a mission that would let him try to control the First Hokage and Second Hokage, and Zabuza prepared to proceed with Plan B as Naruto was summoned to meet Tsunade.

• Kakuzu sold over a thousand Carefree Pills at the Gold Exchange, earning enough to cut his debt to Uchiha Hongzhong in half.
• Kakuzu asked when they would return to the Land of Lightning, but Hongzhong told him their next destination was the Land of Water.
• Black Mamba summoned Orochimaru for a special mission, and Orochimaru accepted after learning the First Hokage and Second Hokage would be needed.
• Mizuki Tetsu told Zabuza that Plan A had failed and they would carry out Plan B, then said he would take the field himself because their boss was occupied.
• Uzumaki Sundried Bamboo Shoots told Naruto that Tsunade urgently wanted to see him, so Naruto returned to Konoha.