Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya traveled toward the Land of Whirlpools with Gama Bunta, while Roshi struggled to keep his popular hotpot restaurant running. In the Land of Whirlpools, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Rin Nohara, Shizune, and Hiruko met over hotpot and discussed their work and lives there.

• Jiraiya and Gama Bunta headed for the Land of Whirlpools in the cold, and Gama Bunta demanded ten bottles of strong liquor in exchange for going along.
• Roshi managed a busy hotpot restaurant powered by the Four-Tails' Chakra, which demanded double its usual candy as payment for working harder.
• Tsunade invited Orochimaru to join her, Rin Nohara, and Shizune for hotpot after finding him in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Eita greeted Tsunade and Orochimaru and asked when Orochimaru would teach another class, revealing that the students enjoyed his lessons.
• Orochimaru explained that he had only covered one of Hiruko's classes, while Tsunade assured Rin Nohara and Shizune that they remained Konoha ninja.
• Hiruko joined the meal and said he had tried to find Tsunade earlier; Tsunade complained that she had no days off or pay while caring for the two junior members during wartime.

Obito directed the crowd gathering for a special event while Kakashi entered with a permit from the labor reform camp. Tobi pushed the elderly Madara through the snowy streets, and Madara told him to leave the Land of Whirlpools and live quietly after his death.

• Obito checked Kakashi's permit and let him enter the central square, warning that he would arrest him if he broke the law.
• Tobi brought Madara hot tea and a warm roast chicken, then pushed him through the snow toward the event.
• Madara asked Tobi to walk slowly so he could look around the Land of Whirlpools and arrive in time to meet Itachi and Mikoto.
• Madara rejected Tobi's suggestion that they visit Konoha, saying there was nothing worth seeing there.
• Madara told Tobi to leave the Land of Whirlpools after he died and not return to Black Zetsu, warning that he would kill him if he disobeyed.

At the New Year celebration, Xun Uzumaki and the others watched a tribute to the Land of Whirlpools’ recovery, prompting Boss Madara to praise Xun and urge him to continue pursuing peace. The solemn ceremony gave way to Yoru Kamitsuru performing “Blue Bird,” while Aoba Kamitsuru proudly showed her off and Miyakado began bragging about his son.

• Boss Madara gave Mikoto a roast chicken for baby Itachi and quietly rested as the group gathered together.
• A crystal screen showed the Land of Whirlpools’ journey from ruins to prosperity, ending with a young Xun announcing the republic’s founding and declaring that the Shinobi World would achieve peace.
• Boss Madara praised Xun as greater than Hashirama and said he hoped Xun would keep walking the path toward their ideals; Xun promised he would.
• Yoru Kamitsuru performed “Blue Bird,” which Xun explained represented freedom and the future.
• Aoba Kamitsuru proudly pointed out his daughter to Miyakado, who then countered by boasting about his handsome, tall son.

Kakashi watched the Land of Whirlpools’ plaza performances while Obito grew jealous of his reunion with Rin, and Tsunade and Hiruko reprimanded Obito and Hiruko for their teasing. Backstage, Nagato discovered Yahiko had fled the White Paper Squad’s “Meow Song,” only to see Yahiko’s face appear on the giant screen.

• Kakashi sat under Obito’s watchful eye, and Obito became smitten with Rin before Tsunade knocked him down for denying he liked a Konoha girl.
• Hiruko teased Obito about his feelings, but a thrown sandal struck him, while Orochimaru quietly took a seat beside Kakashi and Rin.
• Zicheng led body-tempering ninja through Taijutsu onstage as the performances continued, entertaining Madara and Xun Uzumaki.
• Nagato searched backstage for Yahiko, but the manager reported that he could not be found and fled, leaving Nagato to perform with Konan and her cat.
• Yahiko watched the show from elsewhere until he saw an orange-haired lookalike on the screen and angrily blamed Nagato.

After the New Year gala, Chōyū Ōtsutsuki reflected on how he and his clan had once disregarded ordinary people’s desire to live. He contacted Fuma Ōtsutsuki, and they agreed to bring more Ōtsutsuki children from the moon to the Land of Whirlpools.

• Tsunade, Kakashi, Rin Nohara, Hiruko, and Orochimaru left the gala, with Tsunade taking the others out for grilled skewers and beer.
• Jiraiya and Gama Bunta traveled through the cold, having missed the celebration.
• Long Ren asked Chōyū Ōtsutsuki to arrange for Prince Xun to bring children from the moon to the Land of Whirlpools, and Chōyū agreed to ask.
• Chōyū Ōtsutsuki reflected that ordinary people wanted to keep living and that his clan had wrongly treated itself as gods.
• Chōyū Ōtsutsuki called Fuma Ōtsutsuki, who agreed to bring children from the main family to the Land of Whirlpools in a few days.

Xun Uzumaki and Mikoto discussed Madara Uchiha’s loneliness and his refusal to use Reanimation Jutsu to see Hashirama again. Tobi called to say he had left the Land of Whirlpools, while in Konoha Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed making Orochimaru the next Hokage and Danzo objected.

• Xun Uzumaki told Mikoto that Madara had stayed inside and that Life Potions no longer helped him.
• Mikoto said she would take Itachi to visit Madara, while Xun explained that Madara had refused his offer of Reanimation Jutsu and asked him to leave Tobi alone.
• Xun answered Tobi’s call, and Tobi said he had left the Land of Whirlpools.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed redeeming Orochimaru and appointing him Hokage because Jiraiya had disappeared and the daimyo doubted Hiruzen’s leadership.
• Danzo slammed the table and declared that he did not approve.

At Madara Uchiha’s funeral, Xun Uzumaki revealed his true identity and honored him with a statue at the academy. After the Land of Whirlpools’ harboring of Madara became known, it rejected demands for compensation from the shinobi villages.

• Xun Uzumaki delivered Madara’s eulogy at the academy and revealed that Boss Madara had been Madara Uchiha.
• The students and visitors reacted with shock, while Tsunade resolved to ask Xun about Madara after the ceremony.
• Xun unveiled a statue of Madara and entrusted his disciples with carrying the coffin.
• The shinobi world learned that the Land of Whirlpools had harbored Madara Uchiha until his death of old age.
• The Land of Whirlpools rejected the villages’ demands for compensation and threatened to fight them if they persisted.

After Madara’s death, rumors about Konoha’s hidden strength spread through the Shinobi World and helped preserve an uneasy peace. Xun Uzumaki agreed to Konoha’s request to ransom Orochimaru, while a grisly discovery in Konoha sparked protests against Orochimaru’s succession as Hokage.

• Ōnoki accused the Land of Whirlpools of harboring Madara’s stolen sword and the displaced Jōshūryū clan, but the Land of Whirlpools refused his demands.
• Kumogakure watched Konoha, while rumors that its Genin were secretly Kage-level spread through the villages and strengthened the eerie peace.
• Xun Uzumaki agreed to Konoha’s request to ransom Orochimaru after Hibiki Uzumaki explained that Konoha lacked funds to ransom the others.
• A civilian followed his dog into a cave near Konoha and discovered a floor covered with corpses.
• Rumors blamed Orochimaru for inhumane human experiments, and Konoha’s civilians protested, demanding that he be arrested and denied the Hokage succession.

Hiruzen Sarutobi publicly apologized for Orochimaru’s betrayal and promised to step down when a suitable successor appeared, while Minato Namikaze’s feats in the Land of Whirlpools made him a popular Hokage candidate. Danzo and Utatane Koharu opposed Minato’s appointment, and Hiruzen concluded that a huge conspiracy was shrouding the Shinobi World.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi apologized to Konoha’s villagers and said he would remain Hokage only until a suitable successor emerged.
• Merchants spread rumors that Minato Namikaze had nearly destroyed the Land of Whirlpools, and television footage of his raid renewed those rumors across the Shinobi World.
• Konoha residents began calling for Minato to become Hokage, while Danzo grew angry and Hiruzen discussed the proposal with Danzo and Utatane Koharu.
• Danzo and Utatane Koharu opposed Minato’s appointment, citing the danger of a candidate being promoted by hidden forces.
• Hiruzen agreed to remain Hokage until the situation was clarified and suspected that the Land of Whirlpools was involved in a huge conspiracy.

In the rainy Land of Whirlpools, Minazuki Taku reflected on the safety and fairness his family and the Yuki Clan had found after leaving Kirigakure. Steward Takemura offered to nominate Taku’s family for an early end to their punishment, leaving Taku hopeful about their future.

• Minazuki Taku sent his child to the Academy and headed to work, thinking about how well the Yuki Clan had settled in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Minazuki Taku considered how the Academy, steady wages, and freedom from clan oppression were helping the children and ordinary Yuki Clan members build new lives.
• Minazuki Taku greeted Steward Takemura at the docks and asked whether the boats had returned from sea.
• Steward Takemura told Minazuki Taku he would nominate his family for one of the new quotas to have their punishment revoked early.
• Steward Takemura reflected on his gratitude to Captain Suikazan Fuguki and Captain Juzo Biwa and considered gathering everyone at their grilled fish restaurant.

Fuyuki Hayayuki and Fuyuki Nuto visited the Land of Whirlpools, hoping to learn how it had become prosperous and find a path forward for the Land of Snow. Xun Uzumaki discussed ways to improve the Land of Whirlpools’ shinobi combat readiness before learning that the daimyo of the Land of Snow had come to see him.

• Fuyuki Hayayuki admired the Land of Whirlpools’ prosperity and told Fuyuki Nuto that they could make the Land of Snow prosperous too.
• Fuyuki Nuto argued that the Land of Snow’s icy climate and poor harvests made that goal difficult.
• After a week exploring the Land of Whirlpools, Fuyuki Hayayuki decided to visit its daimyo and ask about the Land of Snow’s development.
• Xun Uzumaki and the Clan Head discussed the Land of Whirlpools’ weak combat readiness and considered ways to give shinobi more experience.
• Fugaku Uchiha proposed using Genjutsu to simulate wartime conditions, and Xun Uzumaki approved the idea while noting its limits.
• A messenger told Xun Uzumaki that the daimyo of the Land of Snow had arrived and requested an audience.

Xun Uzumaki advised Kazahana Sōsetsu on developing the Land of Snow through suitable crops, jobs, and education while warning against forcibly changing its climate. After the Land of Snow allied with the Land of Whirlpools, Kazahana Sōsetsu returned home with crops, technology, and military support to begin sweeping reforms.

• Xun Uzumaki told Kazahana Sōsetsu that the Land of Whirlpools had crops suited to the Land of Snow and offered to arrange expert guidance.
• Xun Uzumaki warned Kazahana Sōsetsu against using an environmental transformation machine and urged him to study meteorology, economics, and Redism at the Land of Whirlpools Affiliated Academy.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu thanked Xun Uzumaki for his advice, and Xun invited him to remain in the Land of Whirlpools to study Redism.
• In June of Year 44 of Konoha, the Land of Snow and the Land of Whirlpools officially formed an alliance, while Kazahana Dōtō stayed behind to study.
• Fuyuki Hayayuki sought military assistance from Xun Uzumaki to support sweeping reforms in the Land of Snow.
• In July of Year 44 of Konoha, Kazahana Sōsetsu returned to the Land of Snow with crops, technology, and the Land of Whirlpools' army.

Xun Uzumaki spent a quiet day caring for Itachi with Mikoto and discussed the Land of Rain, family matters, and upcoming visits. He planned to visit the Great Elder and then stay overnight at his mother's home.

• Xun Uzumaki reflected on the Land of Rain's worsening hardship and the refugees who had left for the Land of Whirlpools.
• Mikoto gave Itachi infant-safe honey from the Kamitsuru clan, and Xun Uzumaki joked about the boy's future abilities and upbringing.
• Xun Uzumaki planned to visit the Great Elder and bring a gift from the Oyakuro Clan, while Mikoto mentioned Fugaku seemed troubled.
• Xun Uzumaki and Mikoto discussed Zicheng and Night Bee's upcoming wedding, Oyashiro En's relationship with Miyakado, and the family's tensions.
• Xun Uzumaki set out with Mikoto and sleeping Itachi to visit the Great Elder before spending the night at his mother's home.

Xun Uzumaki spoke with Fugaku Uchiha about Madara Uchiha and Shin Uchiha, and Fugaku revealed that he had already uncovered both secrets. Fugaku affirmed that the Uchiha Clan had found safety in the Land of Whirlpools, then left to help someone, while Xun was left with an offer he had not yet made.

• Xun Uzumaki asked Fugaku Uchiha what he thought about Madara Uchiha and Shin Uchiha.
• Fugaku Uchiha revealed that he had recognized Madara Uchiha's Mangekyo and identified him through the Uchiha Clan's records.
• Fugaku Uchiha said a white-clad stranger had told him during the war that Shin Uchiha was Xun Uzumaki in disguise.
• Fugaku Uchiha said the Uchiha Clan bore no hatred toward the Land of Whirlpools and was now living safely, though fewer young clan members were awakening the Sharingan.
• Fugaku Uchiha jumped from the rooftop to help someone nearby, leaving Xun Uzumaki unable to offer the GD Bureau's help with awakening the clan's eyes.

Jiraiya was arrested in the Land of Whirlpools for fraud, expelled from the academy, and sentenced to prison until he repaid his debts. Xun Uzumaki then discussed the political fallout as Black Zetsu searched for the Rinnegan and planned against Fugaku Uchiha.

• Fugaku Uchiha told Jiraiya he had been expelled, listed as dishonest, barred from travel, and sentenced to one year in prison for his debts and fraud cases.
• Obito Uchiha handcuffed Jiraiya and escorted him away, refusing his requests to remove the restraints or hide his identity.
• Xun Uzumaki told Hibiki Uzumaki that Jiraiya's arrest would be a milestone and speculated that Hiruzen Sarutobi could still help Minato Namikaze become village leader.
• Black Zetsu learned from White Zetsu that Madara was dead and Tobi was missing, then ordered more White Zetsu to search for the Rinnegan and press Fugaku Uchiha for an answer.

Jiraiya visited Minato in the Land of Whirlpools, where Minato resolved to change Konoha and the Shinobi World after learning about Kuhon's situation. The chapter ended with Hiruzen watching a news broadcast that showed Jiraiya arrested for conning businesses across the Land of Whirlpools.

• Jiraiya visited Minato and admitted he had failed to properly teach or look after him.
• Jiraiya reassured Minato that Kuhon was safe, though her identity as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki had made life difficult for her in Konoha.
• Minato told Jiraiya he wanted to make Konoha prosperous, free, and happy like the Land of Whirlpools, and bring true peace to the Shinobi World.
• Jiraiya asked Minato whether he wanted to become Hokage.
• Hiruzen watched a Land of Whirlpools news broadcast praising the country's growth and education system.
• The broadcast announced that the Land of Whirlpools Police Department had arrested Jiraiya for cheating businesses out of food and drink.

The Land of Whirlpools’ exposure of Jiraiya’s fraud weakened Konoha’s standing and intensified disputes over Minato’s succession as Hokage, while the Land of Fire’s daimyo considered meeting Minato and building his own ninja force. Over the following years, the Land of Whirlpools spread Redism across the smaller nations, and seventeen countries joined the Red United Nations Organization.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura debated Jiraiya’s endorsement of Minato, and Hiruzen agreed to investigate Jiraiya and potentially ransom Minato.
• The Land of Fire’s daimyo decided to secretly seek permission to meet Minato and considered establishing a ninja force of his own.
• Whirlpool Ninja expanded the Land of Whirlpools’ influence in the Land of Snow and prepared to extend it across the region.
• Redism-driven reforms stirred class conflict across smaller nations, while the Five Great Shinobi Villages allied with other countries to condemn the Land of Whirlpools’ intervention.
• Seventeen countries completed revolutions and joined the Red United Nations Organization, which unified systems and offered development aid to its members.

A father took his family on a flight to the Land of Snow for a five-day Frozen-themed trip, reassuring his excited daughter Xingzi that she would meet the characters. The chapter also described how the Land of Whirlpools’ growing trade and influence coexisted with repression and worsening inequality in other nations.

• A father and his wife boarded a flight with Xingzi, who eagerly hoped to see Elsa, Olaf, Marshmallow, and the trolls in the Land of Snow.
• The father reassured Xingzi that she would see the characters, though he knew they were fictional creations from a movie filmed by the Land of Whirlpools.
• The chapter described how local resistance movements struggled against the Daimyo's Mansions, nobles, and ninja villages without outside support.
• The Land of Whirlpools became a hub for international trade as unified paper money, air travel, and goods circulated among allied nations.
• Nobles and merchants restricted trade at national borders, while inequality and social conflicts continued to grow.

Minato returned to Konoha and became the Fourth Hokage, determined to change the village despite Jiraiya’s warnings. As the Red Organization Alliance Nations prospered and the Shinobi World became increasingly connected, Hiruzen and Konoha’s advisers prepared for a possible war against Redism.

• Minato told Jiraiya he intended to return to Konoha and change it, and Jiraiya promised to support him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu agreed to strengthen Konoha, reassure its people, increase mission rewards, and expand ninja training as they prepared for war with Redism.
• Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha and took office as the Fourth Hokage in April of Year 47 of Konoha.
• Konoha remained peaceful after Minato’s appointment, while the Red Organization Alliance Nations continued developing and adopting systems from the Land of Whirlpools.
• The Shinobi World entered a half-communication era as countries built communications infrastructure, and the Land of Whirlpools’ economy grew through immigration and exports.

Xun Uzumaki took the researchers and Unit-01 to the moon for its first test, while Minato privately approached Hyuga Hiashi about Konoha’s political situation. Hiashi refused to involve the Hyuga Clan, leaving Minato without his support.

• Qian Luo showed Xun Uzumaki Unit-01, a machine powered by Four-Tails Chakra, and explained that it had not yet been tested.
• Xun Uzumaki gathered Sasori, Qian Luo, Orochimaru, Hiruko, and the assistants, stored Unit-01 and their equipment, and prepared to take them to the moon.
• Minato told Hiashi that the Hyuga Clan’s troubles with the Ōtsutsuki clan had prompted his visit, and insisted he was acting on his own rather than for Konoha’s leadership.
• Minato revealed that the Third Hokage and the advisors had stripped him of real authority and asked Hiashi what he thought of Konoha.
• Hiashi said the Hyuga Clan would obey those above and would not take sides in Minato’s concerns.