Chapter Summaries

The Land of Whirlpools faced renewed condemnation after the research institute was destroyed and its legendary ninja blades were exposed as a scam. With Prince Xun missing and Fugaku Uchiha investigating his disappearance and Black Zetsu, the Clan Head prepared the Land of Whirlpools for war and ordered it to secure allies.

• The Five Great Shinobi Villages condemned the Land of Whirlpools, while the Land of Water declared war over its secretly purchased Frostmourne but took no action.
• The Clan Head asked Obito Uchiha whether Fugaku Uchiha was the Mangekyō man behind the destruction, and Obito said it should have been Fugaku.
• Obito told the Clan Head that Fugaku was seeking revenge and investigating Prince Xun’s disappearance, using Black Zetsu as a lead.
• Obito explained that Fugaku had chosen to stay near Black Zetsu because he was difficult to capture and might know what he was planning.
• The Clan Head ordered preparations for war, told Obito to report Fugaku’s information, directed Yahiko to settle matters in the Land of Rain, and ordered Xiangxi to suppress resistance in the Land of Hot Water.

Xun Uzumaki visited the recovering Xiaotai and tried to help Lan Village rebuild by giving Qianmu Zi blueprints for wooden houses. When the villagers revealed they could not read and had run out of food, Xun realized he would need to spend more Reputation to help them.

• Qianmu Zi told Xun Uzumaki that Xiaotai had woken, and Xun asked her to take him to see the old man.
• Xun gave Qianmu Zi wooden-house blueprints, but she explained that no one in Lan Village could read or build such houses.
• Xun examined Xiaotai and said he should recover after resting a few more days.
• A villager arrived to report that Lan Village had run out of food, and Xun ate the villagers' poor meal so they would not think he was displeased.
• Xun decided he would have to spend more Reputation to help the village.

Yahiko organized refugee resettlement and supplies in the Land of Rain while preparing for the coming conflict between the Red Alliance and the ninja village system. In Amegakure, Hanzo recognized growing dissent and resolved to act for his country before he died.

• Yahiko told Kyūsuke that the gathered refugees were being settled through wasteland reclamation, house building, and planned development.
• Kyūsuke warned that the Land of Whirlpools’ supplies were nearly exhausted, and Yahiko explained that the Land of Rain was paying for them with steel.
• Yahiko promised to return to the Land of Whirlpools after stabilizing the Land of Rain, and Kyūsuke left to arrange road construction.
• A rain ninja urged Hanzo of the Salamander to eliminate Yahiko’s growing organization, but Hanzo ordered him to wait and leave.
• After the rain ninja departed, Hanzo reflected on his lost resolve and decided to use the remainder of his life to help the Land of Rain.

Qian Luo and Hiruko discussed their failed technology tests and the looming war while Hiruko revealed that he and Orochimaru were researching the Second Hokage’s Impure World Reincarnation. They decided the jutsu might let them summon Director Madara and learn what Xun Uzumaki was doing.

• Qian Luo complained that their data transfers were unreliable and worried that Xun Uzumaki’s absence would allow war to break out.
• Qian Luo and Hiruko discussed Konoha’s political troubles and the obstacles facing reform in the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Hiruko showed Qian Luo the Impure World Reincarnation materials and said Orochimaru had found the jutsu on Konoha’s Forbidden Jutsu scroll.
• Hiruko explained that Orochimaru had claimed he wanted to summon the First Hokage, though Hiruko suspected this was only an excuse.
• Qian Luo proposed researching the jutsu to summon Director Madara and ask what Xun Uzumaki was doing, and Hiruko agreed.

Xun Uzumaki struggled to understand Natural Energy while helping Qianmu Zi and Lan Village through food, shelter, and lessons. The chapter ended when Qianmu Zi spotted an orange toad beside Xun.

• Xun Uzumaki asked the system about Natural Energy and Sage Mode, but learned that the world’s main power was samurai and that no Sage Mode had been found.
• Xun Uzumaki accepted Qianmu Zi’s lunch of mashed potatoes and shared his soy sauce with her.
• Qianmu Zi told Xun Uzumaki that Uncle Guihai had built wooden houses and that the villagers’ potato and sweet potato shoots were growing.
• Xun Uzumaki encouraged Qianmu Zi to study thirty characters after lunch.
• Qianmu Zi noticed an orange toad beside Xun Uzumaki.

Xun Uzumaki encountered an unusually calm orange toad while helping Qianmu Zi study, while Black Zetsu grew frustrated that the Five Great Shinobi Villages had not retaliated over the broken legendary blade. Mikoto and Itachi missed Xun at home as he continued training in another time and space, and the chapter ended with Qianmu Zi wondering whether the toad understood them.

• Xun Uzumaki and Qianmu Zi found an orange toad beneath a stone bench, and Qianmu Zi suggested catching it for Grandpa Xiaotai to roast.
• Xun Uzumaki dismissed the toad as potentially poisonous and reminded Qianmu Zi to study, so she took out the red-covered book he had given her.
• Black Zetsu complained that the Five Great Shinobi Villages had not acted after the legendary ninja blade was broken, and he decided to take action himself.
• Mikoto worried that Xun had not returned, while Itachi brought her water and said he missed his father and wanted to protect his future sibling.
• Xun Uzumaki wondered whether Mikoto was thinking of him and worried about missing the birth, then urged Qianmu Zi to return to the village as she watched the toad sprawled over her book.

Yahiko and Kyūsuke discussed rebuilding the Land of Rain while worrying that their forces were stretched thin. When a messenger from Amegakure arrived with a book personally signed by Prince Xun, Yahiko recognized the connection and went to meet him, suspecting the civil strife might soon end.

• Yahiko proposed expanding the Land of Rain’s roads and drainage, while Kyūsuke warned that the country lacked the money and manpower for such projects.
• Yahiko said they had to keep pacifying the country despite the risk of their forces becoming too scattered.
• Daibutsu told Yahiko that a ninja from Amegakure wanted to meet him and handed over a copy of Guiding Ideology of Communism.
• Yahiko recognized Prince Xun’s signature in the book and decided to hear the Amegakure ninja’s message.

Yahiko defeated Hanzo of the Salamander, who died entrusting the Land of Rain to him, and Yahiko ended Amegakure and declared the country would have no ninja villages. As Yahiko’s revolution joined the Red Alliance and resisted the Three Great Ninja Villages, Minato and Hiruzen Sarutobi clashed over Konoha’s future before a mocking voice confronted Hiruzen.

• Hanzo of the Salamander charged Yahiko, and Yahiko struck him with Fire Release: Rasengan after promising to protect the Land of Rain.
• Hanzo of the Salamander died smiling, and Yahiko put his mask back on before realizing the rain had stopped.
• Yahiko destroyed Amegakure, declared that the Land of Rain would have no ninja villages, and used its forces to halt the Three Great Ninja Villages’ advance.
• Minato urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to change Konoha, but Hiruzen defended the one country, one village policy and reminded Minato that he was only Konoha’s Shadow.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about the Daimyo’s Mansion and Asuma, then imagined his future grandson, Konohamaru.
• A mocking voice called Konoha pathetic and addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Third Hokage.

Danzo accompanied Minato to the Five Kage Summit while lamenting that he remained Konoha’s scapegoat and had no chance to become Hokage. On the journey, Danzo challenged Minato’s idealistic view of peace, insisting that the Shinobi World belonged to the strong.

• Danzo recalled how Minato’s appointment and the rumors blaming him for Konoha’s anti-Redism actions had dashed his hopes of becoming Hokage.
• A masked shinobi told Danzo that Minato had arrived, and Danzo boarded the carriage to travel with him to the Five Kage Summit.
• Minato reflected that, despite holding the title of Fourth Hokage, he had little authority over Konoha’s internal affairs and only a few allies.
• Danzo told Minato not to worry so much and reminded him that Hokage changed from one generation to the next.
• Minato asked why Konoha had abandoned the First Hokage’s goal of peace, and Danzo argued that the strong could change their minds and that the Shinobi World belonged to the strong.

Xun Uzumaki struggled to control Natural Energy and made no progress in learning Sage Jutsu. When Qianmu Zi revealed that her pet toad was named Gamamaru, Xun suspected it might be the legendary Sage, leaving him eager to learn whether the toad could teach him.

• Xun Uzumaki reflected on the dangers of Natural Energy and wondered how the first toad had learned Sage Jutsu.
• Qianmu Zi brought Xun Uzumaki lunch and explained that the orange toad had become her pet after hiding from villagers who wanted to cook it.
• Xun Uzumaki noticed the toad's bead bracelet and learned that Qianmu Zi had put it on him because it was too big for her.
• Qianmu Zi named the toad Gamamaru, and Xun Uzumaki reacted with shock before deciding not to assume it was the legendary toad.
• Qianmu Zi told Xun Uzumaki that Lan Village was rebuilding his house and that its potato crop and berries were nearly ready to harvest.

Xun Uzumaki advised Qianmu Zi to refuse the Land of Ancestors’ attempt to take control of Lan Village while offering it trade and arranging to train the village’s young people. As Qianmu Zi began her lesson, she spotted a white snake biting Gamamaru.

• Qianmu Zi told Xun Uzumaki that the Land of Ancestors had offered to accept Lan Village, and he said it wanted to recruit him rather than help the village.
• Xun Uzumaki told Qianmu Zi that Lan Village should refuse tactfully and trade potatoes and sweet potatoes for supplies and slaves.
• Xun Uzumaki asked Qianmu Zi to bring the village’s young people to him so he could create a training plan for them.
• Qianmu Zi returned to her lesson with Xun Uzumaki, then spotted a white snake biting Gamamaru.

At the Five Kage Summit, Raikage A challenged Minato to a fight as the leaders argued over whether to attack the Land of Whirlpools and oppose Redism. Minato accepted the challenge, and the Kage followed them outside while Black and White Zetsu watched from hiding and chose not to interfere.

• Minato watched Danzo speak for him as Raikage A mocked his silence and demanded that he fight.
• A offered to have Kumogakure hear the proposal if Minato won, but demanded that the Third Hokage visit his father's grave if A won.
• Ōnoki warned that the Land of Whirlpools Daimyō was dangerous, but A insisted on fighting Minato and threatened to withdraw from the summit.
• Minato accepted A's challenge and led the Kage out of the conference room.
• Black and White Zetsu discussed stirring up conflict, but Black Zetsu decided not to act because the Five Great Shinobi Villages would attack the Land of Whirlpools on their own.

After Xun Uzumaki disappeared, Black Zetsu’s revelation that he aimed to destroy the Shinobi World coincided with the Five Great Shinobi Villages declaring war on the Land of Whirlpools. The Land of Whirlpools mobilized its allies and prepared to defend itself as the villages began assembling their forces.

• The Five Great Shinobi Villages demanded money, prisoners, compensation, and access to the Land of Whirlpools’ organizations and technology, and the Land of Whirlpools rejected their demands.
• Obito reported that Black Zetsu had spread the news of Xun’s disappearance and apparently intended to destroy the entire Shinobi World.
• Nagato offered to send a small force from the Land of Rain to support the Land of Whirlpools, while the other Red Alliance nations had not yet responded.
• The Clan Head ordered aid to alliance nations suspended, shinobi stationed abroad recalled, and the Land of Whirlpools sealed off as its clans pledged to follow its lead.
• On May 5, the Five Great Shinobi Villages united other shinobi nations and began mustering forces to invade the Land of Whirlpools.

Xun Uzumaki tried to teach Qianmu Zi’s three little creatures how to sense and control Natural Energy, hoping to train the future masters of the Three Sacred Lands. Gamamaru seemed to concentrate, but the lesson ended with it striking White Phosphorus Snake, and Xun still had no way to return home.

• Xun Uzumaki realized the toad, White Phosphorus Snake, and slug were not yet in their complete forms because they had no Natural Energy within them.
• Xun Uzumaki gathered the three creatures and began teaching them Sage Mode, explaining how to sense Natural Energy and guide it into their bodies.
• Gamamaru tried to follow the lesson while White Phosphorus Snake disrupted it, prompting Xun Uzumaki to threaten to skin and stew them.
• Xun Uzumaki warned the three to absorb only a tiny amount of Natural Energy, but Gamamaru showed no sign of understanding when he checked on it.
• Gamamaru struck White Phosphorus Snake with its tongue, leaving Xun Uzumaki without evidence that the lesson had worked.

Xun Uzumaki heard that Lan Village was growing, preparing trade routes, and considering a nearby village’s request to merge with it. When Qianmu Zi named the village Lou Village, Xun reacted strangely, apparently recognizing a connection to the Ancient Kingdom of Roran.

• Qianmu Zi told Xun Uzumaki that Lan Village had grown and that its slaves would be freed after three years of diligent work and protecting the village.
• Xun asked about opening trade routes, and Qianmu Zi said Grandpa Xiaotai was arranging roadwork while Uncle Guihai built wooden houses.
• Qianmu Zi prepared to leave after promising to visit Xun again, and Xun told her to run toward him if she encountered danger.
• Qianmu Zi said Lou Village wanted to seek refuge with Lan Village and merge with it.
• Xun Uzumaki reacted oddly to the name Lou Village and concluded that he might understand how the Ancient Kingdom of Roran had come to be.

Zimu Uzumaki received reinforcements from the Land of Snow, including newly developed Chakra Armor, as the Land of Whirlpools prepared for war. Hoshigakure’s arrival created an awkward problem involving Fugaku Uchiha, while Xun Uzumaki ordered Gamamaru, the White Phosphorus Snake, and the toad to practice Sage Mode.

• Zimu Uzumaki met the Land of Snow’s Minister of Military Affairs, who pledged support for the Land of Whirlpools and brought shinobi reinforcements.
• Fuyuki Nuto presented Chakra Armor and production blueprints jointly developed by researchers from the Land of Snow and the Land of Whirlpools.
• A Whirlpool Police officer told Zimu Uzumaki that Natsuhi Star and Hoshigakure’s shinobi had arrived and that she wanted to meet Fugaku Uchiha.
• Zimu Uzumaki learned that Obito had vanished using Space-Time Ninjutsu and ordered the officer to take Natsuhi to the Uchiha Clan or Minister Miyakado.
• Xun Uzumaki sent Gamamaru, the White Phosphorus Snake, and the toad to practice Sage Mode and threatened to punish them if they fought again.

While stranded, Xun Uzumaki searched for a way to help the three animals absorb Natural Energy, while Orochimaru considered taking action against Konoha’s leadership. The chapter ended with Xun realizing that the rock beneath Gamamaru and the White Snake was causing them to glow as they cultivated.

• Jiraiya lamented the recurring wars, and Orochimaru said the Land of Whirlpools’ laws might make peace possible before suggesting that Konoha’s leadership needed to be challenged.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade drank themselves unconscious, while Hiruko left for bed and Orochimaru hinted that someone had to act.
• Xun Uzumaki watched Gamamaru, the White Snake, and the slug cultivate, but worried that his attempts to help them absorb Natural Energy were failing.
• Gamamaru began glowing after absorbing Natural Energy without turning to stone, and the White Snake soon glowed after imitating him.
• Xun Uzumaki realized that the rock beneath Gamamaru and the White Snake was connected to their success.

Xun Uzumaki discovered Cat's Eye Gems that made Natural Energy safe to absorb and began practicing Sage Jutsu with the others. As he investigated the seal blocking his Chakra and Kekkei Genkai, a powerful presence descended from the sky and shook the mountain.

• Xun Uzumaki found five Cat's Eye Gems in a rock and realized they let him and the others safely draw in Natural Energy through the stone.
• Xun Uzumaki gave the gems to Gamamaru, the White Snake, the slug, himself, and Qianmu Zi, who left for Lan Village after dinner.
• Xun Uzumaki ordered the three little ones to practice Sage Jutsu and reflected on his plans to return to his own spacetime and the people he had left behind.
• Xun Uzumaki practiced Sage Jutsu, examined the seal that blocked his Chakra and Kekkei Genkai, and planned to build up enough Natural Energy to break it.
• Xun Uzumaki sensed an intensifying oppressive force approaching from the sky, and a tremendous crash shook the back mountain.

Xun Uzumaki met Kaguya Ōtsutsuki after she arrived on Earth, shared instant noodles with her and the three little ones, and worried that their growing friendship had altered history. Hagoromo arrived with armed guards, saw Kaguya, and ordered Xun to leave.

• Xun Uzumaki offered Kaguya Ōtsutsuki instant noodles, and she accepted and ate beside him.
• Kaguya shared her noodles with the three little ones, while Xun worried that their friendship would change the future.
• The system told Xun that his continued existence meant the future had not changed, but hinted that the past might also have been influenced by him.
• Kaguya and Xun exchanged names after finishing the noodles, and Xun wondered whether Gamamaru knew more than it let on.
• Hagoromo arrived with soldiers, saw Kaguya, and ordered Xun Uzumaki to leave.

Xun Uzumaki fought off Hagoromo's forces while wondering whether killing Hagoromo would alter history. When reinforcements approached, Hagoromo ordered a retreat, and Xun stepped out to confront the Land of Ancestors.

• Hagoromo threatened Xun Uzumaki and demanded that he leave or serve him, so Xun drew his blade and killed three samurai.
• Hagoromo ordered his archers to attack, and Xun sheltered Kaguya and the three little ones before striking down soldiers with precise hidden weapons.
• Xun Uzumaki asked the system whether killing Hagoromo would change the future, then considered testing history's limits but hesitated over the consequences.
• A soldier reported that about a hundred people were approaching, so Hagoromo ordered his forces to retreat and vowed to avenge himself later.
• Xun Uzumaki recognized the approaching reinforcements as Qianmu Zi and the others, released Kaguya's hand, and stepped out to confront the Land of Ancestors.