Chapter Summaries

Naruto defeated Kabuto and survived, prompting Tsunade to entrust him with the First Hokage’s necklace and vow to protect him. When Orochimaru moved to kill Naruto, Zhang Miao arrived through a summoning formula and confronted him.

• Kabuto exploited Tsunade’s fear of blood, but Naruto fought him and won with a Rasengan despite suffering grave injuries.
• Naruto briefly stopped breathing, then recovered and claimed victory in his bet, leading Tsunade to give him the First Hokage’s necklace and place her hopes in him.
• Orochimaru tried to kill Naruto, but Tsunade took the Kusanagi Sword’s blow and refused to let Orochimaru harm him.
• Black flames appeared around Naruto, and Zhang Miao emerged, thanking Tsunade for protecting his little brother.
• Zhang Miao explained that the necklace’s Wood Style Chakra had activated the summoning formula on Naruto’s scroll, then faced Orochimaru and used Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.

Zhang Miao attacked Orochimaru after he targeted Naruto, using Wood Style and Nine-Tails to overwhelm Orochimaru’s summon. With Giant Snake driven away, Zhang Miao resumed the attack and left Orochimaru facing the encroaching forest.

• Zhang Miao used Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence to turn the surrounding hills into a dense forest.
• Orochimaru summoned Giant Snake, which smashed through much of the forest, so Zhang Miao summoned Nine-Tails.
• Zhang Miao ordered Nine-Tails to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb, badly injuring Giant Snake and blasting a huge crater into the ground.
• Zhang Miao threatened to eat Giant Snake and revealed that Orochimaru’s arms were crippled, prompting Giant Snake to demand living sacrifices before withdrawing.
• Orochimaru promised Giant Snake three hundred living sacrifices, and Giant Snake vanished; Zhang Miao then sent the forest growing toward Orochimaru again.

Zhang Miao overwhelmed Orochimaru with Wood Release and a devastating black-flame serpent, but Orochimaru survived by summoning Triple Rashōmon. As Orochimaru tried to escape, Zhang Miao caught him in the Sharingan genjutsu Demonic Illusion: Eight-Headed Serpent Space.

• Orochimaru unleashed a vast swarm of pythons that fired swords at Zhang Miao, but Zhang Miao burned them with Flame Release: Black Snake.
• Zhang Miao sent the giant black-flame serpent charging at Orochimaru, while Jiraiya and Tsunade believed Orochimaru would die.
• Orochimaru summoned Triple Rashōmon, and the flaming serpent shattered the first two gates before vanishing against the third.
• Orochimaru gasped for breath and tried to retreat, but Zhang Miao appeared beside him and revealed his Sharingan.
• Zhang Miao cast Demonic Illusion: Eight-Headed Serpent Space on Orochimaru.

Zhang Miao trapped Orochimaru in his Mangekyō genjutsu, intending to kill him for attacking Naruto. After battling in Orochi Space for fifty days, Orochimaru’s soul was badly weakened, but Zhang Miao’s Dojutsu Power was nearly spent.

• Zhang Miao used Demonic Illusion: Eight-Headed Serpent Space on Orochimaru and attacked him to avenge Naruto.
• Orochimaru realized the genjutsu’s attacks weakened his soul despite his injuries healing, and Zhang Miao told him to endure for forty-nine days.
• Orochimaru revealed his White-Scaled Serpent form and fought Zhang Miao’s Eight-Headed Serpent as they struggled to outlast each other.
• On the fiftieth day, Orochimaru taunted Zhang Miao to end the genjutsu, but Zhang Miao pointed out that Orochimaru had only one head left and was close to being devoured.

Zhang Miao released Orochimaru from his genjutsu after forcing him to promise to leave Naruto alone, then beat Kabuto and revealed the truth about his past. After peeling away Orochimaru’s face and finding a woman’s body beneath it, Zhang Miao called Jiraiya over to “have some fun.”

• Orochimaru begged Zhang Miao to spare him and offered to avoid Naruto and hand over Kimimaro, earning Zhang Miao a system reward for making him fear the Sharingan.
• Zhang Miao released the genjutsu, and Orochimaru learned that fifty days inside had lasted only an instant outside.
• Zhang Miao stomped on Kabuto, then spared him because of Yakushi Nonō and exposed how Danzo had manipulated Kabuto and Nonō into fighting.
• Zhang Miao peeled off Orochimaru’s facial disguise and discovered that his current body was a beautiful woman.
• Zhang Miao called Jiraiya over, claiming Orochimaru would let him join in having fun, leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade stunned.

Zhang Miao helped end the confrontation with Orochimaru, then returned to Sunagakure and reaffirmed his plan for Gaara to become Fifth Kazekage. After returning to Konoha, he found Tsunade installed as Fifth Hokage and Sasuke approached by Orochimaru’s agents.

• Zhang Miao joked with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, then ordered Jiraiya to escort Tsunade to Konoha and told Orochimaru to honor his promise.
• Tsunade finished healing, and Jiraiya carried the unconscious Naruto as they headed back to Konoha.
• Zhang Miao returned to Sunagakure, rejected Baki’s request to become Kazekage, and insisted that Gaara should succeed Tsunade’s predecessor.
• Zhang Miao later returned to Konoha, where Tsunade had become Fifth Hokage and Danzo had grown more restrained.
• Four visitors arrived in Konoha at night and told Sasuke that Orochimaru had sent them to take him away.

Sasuke agreed to leave Konoha with the Sound Four to seek power, and Tsunade sent Shikamaru's team to retrieve him. Zhang Miao then used Flying Thunder God to reach Orochimaru's base and asked to take Kimimaro.

• The Sound Four offered Sasuke power from Orochimaru, and Sasuke agreed to meet them outside Konoha after packing his things.
• Sasuke told Zhang Miao he had decided to leave, and Zhang Miao urged him to go, saying he had paved the road for him.
• After Sasuke's defection was discovered, Tsunade ordered Shikamaru to lead Naruto, Neji Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Choji Akimichi on a mission to bring him back.
• Zhang Miao left breakfast with Kushina Uzumaki and used Flying Thunder God Technique to appear in Orochimaru's underground base.
• Zhang Miao told Orochimaru he had come for Kimimaro, and Orochimaru led him deeper into the base to see him.

Zhang Miao accompanied Orochimaru through his underground base, where Orochimaru tried to draw him into confronting Akatsuki and revealed that Pain possessed the Rinnegan. Zhang Miao demonstrated his own Rinnegan and arrived at Kimimaro’s room, where he saw how gravely ill Kimimaro was.

• Orochimaru offered Zhang Miao his underground base, but Zhang Miao declined because he preferred sunlight and trees.
• Orochimaru claimed Zhang Miao was ruthless and warned that Akatsuki intended to target Naruto.
• Zhang Miao said Akatsuki was a stepping stone for Naruto, then revealed his Rinnegan when Orochimaru mentioned Pain’s eyes.
• Zhang Miao told Orochimaru he was near the Sage of Six Paths’ level and had no interest in immortality, disappointing Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru brought Zhang Miao to Kimimaro’s room, where Zhang Miao saw Kimimaro covered in IV tubes and talismans.

Orochimaru gave the dying Kimimaro to Zhang Miao, who won Kimimaro’s trust by offering him a new life and answering his question about the meaning of living. Kimimaro agreed to serve Zhang Miao after he had spent his remaining time with Orochimaru.

• Kimimaro mistook the visitor for Orochimaru and asked to become his new vessel.
• Orochimaru told Kimimaro he had chosen another vessel and gave Kimimaro to Zhang Miao.
• Kimimaro declared his life belonged to Zhang Miao, but Zhang Miao realized Kimimaro felt no connection to him yet.
• Zhang Miao promised Kimimaro a second life, and Orochimaru confirmed Zhang Miao could bring the dead back to life.
• Zhang Miao answered Kimimaro’s question about life with Orochimaru’s words, earning ten Kimimaro Ninja Fragments.
• Zhang Miao let Kimimaro spend his final moments with Orochimaru before serving him, then vanished as Kimimaro called him Boss.

Zhang Miao left Orochimaru’s base after deciding to let Kimimaro die fighting for Orochimaru and revive him later. As Orochimaru’s condition worsened, he accepted Kabuto Yakushi’s plan to use Genyu Maru as a temporary vessel, and Kimimaro set out to bring him a new vessel.

• Zhang Miao returned to Konoha, deciding not to take Kimimaro away while Kimimaro’s loyalty to Orochimaru remained absolute.
• Orochimaru’s pain intensified, and Kabuto Yakushi urged him to reincarnate before his soul weakened beyond recovery.
• Orochimaru accepted Kabuto Yakushi’s suggestion and used Living Corpse Reincarnation to take Genyu Maru’s body.
• Kimimaro told Kabuto Yakushi that he had lost his value as Orochimaru’s vessel but would bring back a new one.
• Kimimaro left the base and sprinted south, determined to repay Orochimaru even if it cost him his life.

Zhang Miao followed the pursuit of Sasuke to collect the Sound Four's bodies, rescuing injured Konoha ninja along the way. He arrived as Kimimaro took Sasuke's barrel from Naruto and Shikamaru, leaving the confrontation tense and unresolved.

• Zhang Miao found Choji Akimichi unconscious after his fight with Jirobo, transported him to Leaf Village Hospital, and collected Jirobo's body.
• Zhang Miao found Neji Hyuga badly injured after his fight with Kidomaru, sent him to the hospital, and collected Kidomaru's body.
• Zhang Miao came upon Naruto and Shikamaru confronting Tayuya after they had seized the barrel containing Sasuke.
• Kimimaro arrived, took the barrel from Naruto and Shikamaru, and told Tayuya she had been too slow and asked what had happened to the other members of the Sound Five.
• Naruto charged Kimimaro, but Tayuya punched him back, and Kimimaro warned her that he had spared her only because she still had a mission to complete.

Kimimaro left with Sasuke while Shikamaru stayed to fight Tayuya, who nearly defeated him with her Cursed Seal State Two. Temari arrived in time to drive Tayuya back, leaving Shikamaru impressed by her attack.

• Kimimaro told Tayuya that Sasuke was the next vessel for Orochimaru, then left with Sasuke in the barrel.
• Shikamaru stayed to face Tayuya so Naruto could pursue Kimimaro, while Zhang Miao watched from hiding.
• Tayuya overwhelmed Shikamaru and trapped him in a genjutsu, but he broke free by snapping his own finger and caught her with his Shadow Mimicry Jutsu.
• As Tayuya began to break free and Zhang Miao prepared to intervene, Temari arrived and blew Tayuya away with a gust of wind.
• Temari used the Great Sickle Weasel Technique to cut down the trees around Tayuya, forcing her to flee and stop playing her flute.

Temari summoned Kamatari to defeat Tayuya, then reunited with Zhang Miao and helped him prepare to go to Gaara. The chapter left Temari heading to find Kankuro while Zhang Miao vanished toward Gaara.

• Shikamaru warned Temari that Tayuya could use flute-borne genjutsu, but Temari refused to retreat and summoned Kamatari.
• Kamatari’s sweeping attacks destroyed the forest and killed Tayuya, who was pinned beneath a tree.
• Zhang Miao emerged from hiding, stored Tayuya’s corpse in the System Space, and teased Temari about trying to kill her future husband.
• Temari blushed as Zhang Miao affectionately touched her, then ordered Shikamaru to look away; when he peeked, she blasted him away with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
• Zhang Miao told Temari to find Kankuro and ask him to send the two-headed man, then kissed her and vanished toward Gaara.
• Temari accepted Zhang Miao’s request and ran off to find Kankuro.

Zhang Miao reached Gaara after Kimimaro died from his illness, encouraged Gaara, and decided to revive Kimimaro as his subordinate. Gaara prepared to fight Kimimaro again if he refused to obey Zhang Miao.

• Zhang Miao teleported underground beside Kimimaro and was caught in the immense pressure as Kimimaro used the Dance of the Emerging Fern to break free and attack Gaara.
• Kimimaro's Bone Spur stopped just short of Gaara's forehead when Kimimaro died from his illness, leaving Gaara convinced he had been defeated.
• Zhang Miao appeared beside Gaara, praised his strength, and lifted his spirits; Rock Lee then met Zhang Miao and rushed off after hearing his joke about Might Guy loving acorns.
• Zhang Miao brought Kimimaro's corpse to Gaara and said he intended to revive Kimimaro so he could serve him.
• Gaara said he would kill Kimimaro if he refused to obey Zhang Miao, and Zhang Miao considered letting them fight again after the revival.

Zhang Miao revived the Sound Ninja Five with the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique and tested their loyalty by ordering them to kill Orochimaru. The chapter ended before they responded to his command.

• Zhang Miao decided Kimimaro would be a better taijutsu trainer for Naruto than an opponent for Gaara.
• Temari and Kankuro brought Sakon and Ukon's corpse to Zhang Miao, and Kankuro bragged about defeating him with his puppets.
• Zhang Miao assembled the five corpses of the Sound Ninja Five and revived them with the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
• Kimimaro, Tayuya, and Sakon and Ukon prepared to fight Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro until Zhang Miao ordered them to stop.
• Kimimaro, Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo recognized Zhang Miao and knelt before him.
• Zhang Miao ordered the Sound Ninja Five to kill Orochimaru and bring him his head.

Zhang Miao followed the Sound Five toward Orochimaru’s base, then found Naruto unconscious at the Valley of the End after Sasuke escaped. He met Black Zetsu and learned Sasuke’s Uchiha heritage threatened Kaguya’s revival plan, while secretly intending to recruit Kaguya instead.

• The Sound Five agreed to kill Orochimaru and rushed north, so Zhang Miao told Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to return to Sunagakure and followed them.
• Gaara vowed to become the Fifth Kazekage by the following year and left for Sunagakure with Temari and Kankuro.
• At the Valley of the End, Zhang Miao found Naruto unconscious after Sasuke had defeated him and escaped.
• Kakashi arrived with Pakkun, found Naruto, and carried him back toward Konoha while Zhang Miao hid underground.
• Zhang Miao called out Black Zetsu, who explained that Sasuke’s Uchiha heritage could endanger the plan to revive Kaguya if Orochimaru obtained him.
• Zhang Miao told Black Zetsu he had sealed Orochimaru’s hands, then privately resolved to recruit Kaguya as a loyal subordinate rather than revive her.

Zhang Miao followed Kimimaro and the others to Orochimaru’s underground base, where Kimimaro attacked Orochimaru after demanding his loyalty to Hades. The apparent killing proved to be a trick: Orochimaru had escaped with Kabuto Yakushi and Sasuke, leaving a transformed decoy and Shadow Clones behind.

• Zhang Miao entered the Land of Rice, avoided Orochimaru’s sentries, and followed Kimimaro’s group to the underground base.
• Zhang Miao realized that Sasuke’s Sharingan had reminded Orochimaru of his Orochi Space and earned him Ninja Fragments.
• Orochimaru welcomed Kimimaro and the other members of the Otogakure Five, but Kimimaro demanded that he pledge loyalty to Hades Your Excellency or die.
• Kimimaro pierced the apparent Orochimaru with a Bone Spur, and Zhang Miao initially believed Orochimaru had used Shedding Skin to fake his death.
• The apparent Orochimaru turned out to be a transformed decoy, while Kabuto Yakushi and Sasuke had been Shadow Clones; the real Orochimaru had escaped with them.

Zhang Miao returned to Konoha with Kimimaro and assigned the Sound Four to deal with unrest in the Land of Rice. At the hospital, he brought Kimimaro face-to-face with Naruto and turned Naruto’s determination to save Sasuke into the start of a new training challenge.

• Zhang Miao reassured Kimimaro and the Sound Five that he did not blame them for Orochimaru’s escape, then ordered Sakon and Ukon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo to clear out troublemakers in the Land of Rice.
• Zhang Miao used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Kimimaro from Orochimaru’s base to Konoha’s hospital, where Jiraiya was urging Naruto to give up on chasing Sasuke.
• Naruto rejected Jiraiya’s advice and vowed to save Sasuke, become stronger, and defeat the Akatsuki.
• Zhang Miao entered Naruto’s ward with Kimimaro, prompting Naruto to recognize Kimimaro as one of the people who had taken Sasuke.
• Naruto and Kimimaro prepared to fight, but Zhang Miao declared that Kimimaro would hunt Naruto around the clock as his next training challenge.

Kimimaro fought Naruto in the hospital room, easily defeating his Shadow Clones and blocking his Rasengan with his bone Kekkei Genkai. After Kimimaro wounded Naruto, Zhang Miao made him Naruto’s taijutsu instructor and ordered him to train Naruto until he could last a hundred moves.

• Kimimaro charged at Naruto with a Bone Spur, but Naruto summoned Shadow Clones to fight him.
• Kimimaro used the Dance of the Willow and Dance of the Larch to defeat Naruto’s Shadow Clones.
• Naruto struck Kimimaro with a Rasengan, but Kimimaro’s hardened bones blocked the attack.
• Zhang Miao told Jiraiya that Kimimaro possessed the Shikotsumyaku and had been revived after Orochimaru abandoned him.
• Kimimaro stabbed Naruto in the left buttock, and Naruto returned to his hospital bed lying facedown.
• Zhang Miao appointed Kimimaro as Naruto’s taijutsu instructor and ordered him to train Naruto until he could last a hundred moves without injury.

Naruto improved through repeated fights with Kimimaro, then set out with Jiraiya and Sakura on an S-rank mission to investigate Otogakure. Kimimaro joined the mission, and Naruto controlled his anger after Kimimaro called him trash, vowing to grow stronger until he earned his acknowledgment.

• Naruto stopped confronting Kimimaro directly and tried to evade him until Aburame Mushi tracked him with Kikaichū, forcing him back into their daily fights.
• Naruto gradually improved at taijutsu, and Jiraiya arranged an S-rank mission to investigate Otogakure with Naruto and Sakura.
• Tsunade warned Jiraiya to bring Naruto and Sakura back alive, while Naruto eagerly anticipated using the mission to search for Sasuke and escape Kimimaro.
• Naruto found Kimimaro waiting at Konoha's gate and learned that Kimimaro would accompany them to the Land of Rice on Zhang Miao's and Tsunade's orders.
• Kimimaro called Naruto trash, but Naruto suppressed his anger, vowed to become stronger, and started toward their destination.