Chapter Summaries

Minghuo returned home with his pregnant wife and found Rinto waiting inside to repay him for sharing his Lava Release. His wife chose a paper charm that could save Minghuo's life, leaving the couple unaware that Rinto’s visit was repayment for Minghuo’s earlier kindness.

• Minghuo recalled rescuing his wife, sharing his Lava Release with her, and having Inadagami arrange her identity in Kirigakure.
• Minghuo brought his wife home, where they found Rinto watering their roses.
• Rinto offered Minghuo one hundred million ryo, a chance to save his life, or help eliminating a danger before it arose.
• Minghuo considered taking the money, but his wife chose the life-saving option.
• Rinto left a paper charm and told Minghuo that tearing it would keep him safe, then vanished.
• Minghuo praised his wife for her choice, not realizing Rinto had come to repay him for sharing Lava Release.

After completing their undercover assignment in Kirigakure, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi returned to Konoha with Rinto. Rinto sent the three home and told them to gather again in three days.

• Shikaku and Inoichi worried that Rinto had forgotten them while they endured the strain of undercover work, and Choza slept through their complaints.
• Rinto arrived at the construction crew's tent and gave Choza a bag of potato chips, which he devoured immediately.
• Rinto declared the mission's first stage complete with an A+ grade and offered to take the three disciples home.
• Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza grabbed their bedrolls and clung to Rinto as he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring them to his home at 66 Mingcha Street in Konoha.
• Rinto gave Inoichi and Shikaku the last two bags of chips, told them to gather again in three days, and watched the three leave together.

Tsunade returned to Konoha with nearly two hundred troops as the war in the Land of Grass descended into infighting among Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha. After discussing supplies and medical training with Hiruzen Sarutobi, she was stopped by his news that Rinto had returned and was staying home reading indecent books.

• Sunagakure and Iwagakure turned on each other while Konoha used the conflict to rotate some troops home and prepare for the Third Raikage.
• Tsunade led nearly two hundred returning troops into Konoha, where they underwent an inspection for infiltrators.
• Tsunade delivered the casualty list to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said the front needed more medical supplies.
• Hiruzen agreed to increase medical supplies and approve a wartime first-aid training class, but rejected Tsunade's proposal to assign Medical Ninjas to long-term mission teams.
• As Tsunade turned to leave, Hiruzen told her that Rinto had returned and was staying home reading indecent books.

Tsunade left the Hokage Building after hearing news about Rinto and visited his home, where she found him teaching Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza. After trading insults with Rinto, she eagerly grabbed his arm to test his defense.

• Tsunade stormed out of the Hokage Building, then told Lady Biwako that Hiruzen was using his crystal ball to peep.
• Tsunade unlocked Rinto's home and found him drilling Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza in mental arithmetic.
• Rinto gave the three students a ten-minute break and left the tea room to greet Tsunade.
• Tsunade and Rinto teased each other about her armor and his toughness.
• Tsunade grabbed Rinto by the arm and said she wanted to test his defense.

Rinto reluctantly led Team Eleven with Tsunade’s group and a supply convoy toward the front. When a Sand Squad pursued two bloodied Konoha ninjas, Tsunade kept her team with the convoy and sent Rinto’s team to intercept.

• Rinto tried to persuade his students to choose lessons over the battlefield, but Choza, Shikaku, and Inoichi all chose to go on the mission.
• Three days later, Rinto set out with Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Shikaku Nara, while Tsunade traveled with Dan Katō, Kunugi Mokume, and Hyuga Honma to protect a logistics convoy.
• After a week on the road, Hyuga Honma spotted eleven Sand shinobi, including six puppet masters, chasing two bloodied Konoha ninjas.
• Tsunade kept her team with the convoy and ordered Rinto and Team Eleven to intercept the pursuers.

Rinto demonstrated Sage Mode and Electric Energy Surge while defending the logistics unit from Sunagakure attackers, leaving eleven enemies dead. Tsunade then challenged his supposed genjutsu skill, and Rinto exposed how she had barely passed the Ninja Academy exam.

• Rinto activated Sage Mode, formed a giant Iron Sand ball, and used it to crush a hidden puppet as two injured Konoha messengers arrived.
• Rinto unleashed Electric Energy Surge, disabling hidden Sand Ninja and making them believe they had been caught in genjutsu.
• Rinto sent the iron ball rolling through the forest, killing eleven Sand Ninja, while Shikaku studied his techniques.
• Rinto explained that Sage Mode gave him a two-kilometer sensory range and answered Shikaku's questions.
• Tsunade praised Rinto's supposed genjutsu, but he revealed that her passing score had been altered, prompting her to cover his mouth.

After learning that Iwagakure and Sunagakure had joined forces and attacked Jiraiya’s unit, Tsunade left Dan Katō in charge of the logistics squad and asked Rinto to go with her to the front lines. Rinto created three Shadow Clones to protect the convoy, then vanished with Tsunade to rescue Jiraiya.

• The logistics squad celebrated after Rinto’s team defeated eleven Sand Ninja, while Tsunade’s squad learned that Jiraiya’s unit had been ambushed.
• The chapter explained how Ōnoki and Chiyo had concealed their alliance and joined forces against Jiraiya’s unit after a day and night had passed.
• Tsunade weighed whether to leave the convoy with Dan Katō or ask Rinto to help rescue Jiraiya.
• Tsunade appointed Dan Katō acting captain and told her squad she was going to support the front lines.
• Tsunade told Rinto that Jiraiya was in danger, and Rinto created three Shadow Clones to protect Shikaku and the logistics squad before leaving with her.

Rinto and Tsunade joined the exhausted Konoha forces, where Orochimaru soon appeared and summoned his Snake alongside Jiraiya’s Gamabunta and Tsunade’s Katsuyu. Their arrival turned the battle around, but after the Five-Tails jinchūriki struck Orochimaru’s Snake, all three sides eventually withdrew to their camps.

• Rinto and Tsunade arrived on the battered battlefield and reunited with Jiraiya as Orochimaru emerged from the Iwagakure command tent.
• Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade summoned their enormous beasts, and Rinto complained about the Summoning Technique while Nekomata enjoyed his discomfort.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta attacked the enemy forces with Toad Oil Flame Bullet, and Iwagakure ninja raised a Million Stone Wall to block the flames.
• Orochimaru’s Snake charged past the wall, but the red-armored Five-Tails jinchūriki struck its jaw and sent its head flying.
• Chiyo withdrew the Sunagakure forces, Iwagakure followed, and Jiraiya ordered the exhausted Konoha forces to retreat without pursuing.

Jiraiya received orders for his battered force to withdraw and intercept Sunagakure troops approaching from the south, while wounded soldiers protested the mission. Jiraiya struggled to decide who should lead the interception and who should cover the rear, leaving Rinto and Tsunade’s safety weighing on his mind.

• Two Root-like Anbu ordered the wounded soldiers to redeploy and intercept Sunagakure forces, provoking an angry confrontation in camp.
• Jiraiya told Rinto that Sunagakure’s raiding force had passed through the Land of Rivers and was approaching the village.
• Jiraiya explained that the village wanted his nearby force to reinforce the south because the emergency force was occupied in the north.
• Rinto deduced that Konoha was contracting its defenses, but recognized that moving the exhausted, wounded troops could expose them to attacks from Iwagakure and Sunagakure.
• Jiraiya considered assigning Rinto or himself to lead the interception, but rejected plans that might endanger Rinto and Tsunade and wished Orochimaru were there to take command.

Rinto agreed to help Hiruzen Sarutobi stop Sunagakure’s surprise attack force in exchange for money, then joined Hatake Sakumo’s small squad on its dangerous interception mission. As the squad reached Tourakuji Great Bridge, Rinto noticed Sakumo’s suspiciously protective reaction to his ninja tool pouch.

• Rinto offered to help stop Sunagakure’s surprise attack force for money, and Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to the arrangement.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived with his team, announced that he was getting married, and was ordered to depart with Rinto to intercept the enemy.
• Sakumo’s six-person squad set out despite being heavily outnumbered and lacking a Medical Ninja.
• Sakumo learned that Sunagakure’s force would reach Tourakuji Great Bridge in an hour and led the squad there.
• Rinto drew his short blade, prompting Sakumo to use the Body Flicker Technique and shield his ninja tool pouch.
• Rinto grew suspicious of Sakumo’s reaction, and Sakumo realized that Rinto had noticed it.

Rinto’s prank with Sakumo’s short sword eased the tension as the six-person squad faced a Sunagakure force of more than a hundred. Sakumo planned to assassinate the enemy commander with Rinto while sending the other four teammates away to safety.

• Rinto returned Sakumo’s short sword with a ridiculous inscription and showed off his own bone cleaver, easing Sakumo’s tense mood.
• Sakumo realized the squad could not win a direct fight and proposed ambushing the enemy commander beneath a bridge with Rinto.
• Rinto advised Sakumo to send the other four teammates away so they would not hinder the assassination and could survive.
• Sakumo told the four teammates to travel south, rest, and return; if he was gone when they came back, they were to retreat to the village and report what happened.

Sotogari and another Jonin turned back to help Hatake Sakumo, who launched a surprise attack on the Sand Village squad with Rinto beneath Tourakuji Great Bridge. Sakumo killed several attackers and pressed toward the wounded Chikushodo while Chiriko summoned the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.

• Sotogari rejected the order to continue south and ran back to support Captain Sakumo, and another teammate followed him.
• Rinto and Sakumo waited beneath Tourakuji Great Bridge until Rinto spotted the arriving target group, including a young man and woman.
• Sakumo used Earth Style: Chasing Fang Technique on the bridge, then used Body Flicker Technique to attack the Sand Ninja and injure Chikushodo.
• Chiriko summoned the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets as the Sand Ninja charged Sakumo on the narrow bridge.
• Sakumo charged through the Sand Ninja toward Chikushodo, killing enemies as he fought through the crowd.

Sakumo defeated Chikushodo and withdrew with Rinto, then reunited with Sotogari, who admired him without realizing how much Rinto had helped. Rinto reflected on Hiruzen Sarutobi’s likely preferences for a younger successor, leaving Nawaki’s generation with the best chance to become the next Hokage.

• Rinto blocked a poisoned chain from striking Sakumo by taking the barb against his face, then vanished as Sakumo continued fighting.
• Sakumo used Body Flicker and a pack of summoned dogs to restrain Chikushodo, then stabbed him in the chest.
• Sakumo failed to reach Chiriko and signaled Rinto to retreat with him.
• Rinto and Sakumo reappeared behind Sotogari, and Sakumo asked why he had returned instead of retreating south.
• Sotogari said he had come back rather than let Sakumo sacrifice himself, and Sakumo awkwardly explained that they would continue with sneak attacks.
• Rinto considered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s succession criteria and concluded that Nawaki’s generation had the best chance of producing the next Hokage.

Kumogakure entered the war, forcing Konoha and Iwagakure to divide their attention as the Third Raikage attacked both villages. After parting from Sakumo, Rinto returned to the western front, where Konoha and Iwagakure were both weighing retreat as their forces came under pressure.

• Dog Brother killed Chiriko in a surprise attack, breaking the Sunagakure raiding force.
• The Third Raikage attacked Konoha from the north and sent troops to strike Iwagakure, prompting Konoha to reinforce its northern battlefield and order Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade to hold the western front.
• Rinto and Sakumo spent a week hunting Sunagakure forces and discussing books before Anbu ordered Sakumo's squad back to Konoha.
• Rinto returned to the western front, where Chiyo vowed revenge after learning that her son and daughter-in-law had been killed by White Fang of the Leaf.
• Kumogakure pushed into the Land of Earth, while Konoha's northern forces faltered and both Konoha and Iwagakure considered retreat.

Amegakure disrupted the western battlefield with enormous waves before the four nations launched into battle, and Rinto sent Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi to test their new combined tactic. The tactic went disastrously wrong when Choza was flung into the thick of the fighting, leaving him crying for help while Rinto laughed.

• Hanzo led Amegakure’s red-haired ninjas onto the battlefield, where they flooded the area with Water Style before retreating across the water.
• The forces of the Lands of Wind, Earth, Fire, and Rain clashed as Rinto watched with Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi.
• Rinto encouraged the three disciples to try their new combined tactic, and they charged onto the battlefield under Konoha’s cover.
• Choza expanded into a giant Human Boulder while Shikaku tethered him with his shadow and Inoichi supported the formation.
• Shikaku ran out of Chakra and accidentally flung Choza into the fiercest fighting, where Choza reverted to normal size and cried for help.
• Shikajiro, Shikaku, and Inoichi looked to Rinto for help, but he crouched nearby laughing uncontrollably.

Rinto rescued Choza from a barrage of explosive kunai, then urged Shikaku to grow stronger after the close call. As the battle intensified, Hanzo unleashed a poisonous attack across the battlefield, and Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta and ordered it to use oil.

• Rinto appeared in midair and pulled Choza away before explosive kunai detonated, then returned him safely to the battlefield's edge.
• Shikaku and Inoichi rushed to Rinto, and Rinto told Shikaku to train harder to protect his companions; Shikaku vowed to choose pain now.
• The fighting escalated into close combat, and Hanzo abandoned plans to cooperate and attacked everyone with poisonous water and mist.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, which recoiled at the sight of Salamander Ibuse, and Jiraiya ordered it to use oil.

Jiraiya's Toad Oil Flame Bullet spread Hanzo's poison across the battlefield, forcing the villages to retreat while Konoha organized an orderly withdrawal. Rinto infiltrated the Iwagakure camp to sell an antidote, then escaped with a Water Clone and called out to the commander again.

• Jiraiya used Toad Oil Flame Bullet, and Hanzo's poison-filled mist caused ninja from all sides to collapse and retreat.
• Shikajiro Nara ordered Konoha to distribute Tsunade's antidote, withdraw, and have Jiraiya cover the retreat.
• Rinto disguised himself and offered medicine to the Iwagakure commander, who accepted a free pill after seeing it cure White Soil and Obito.
• The Iwagakure commander demanded Rinto hand over more medicine without payment and ordered the guards to drag him out.
• Rinto's Water Clone splashed apart, and the real Rinto called to the commander from outside the camp, asking if he wanted to buy medicine.

Rinto collected an IOU for his antidote and later sold his living Wooden Clogs to Orochimaru. As the group sheltered from the rain, a wary orange-haired boy appeared and asked Jiraiya for food.

• Rinto accepted an IOU for One Hundred Million Ryo from Iwagakure's commander and left the camp pleased with the deal.
• A week later, Konoha's main force had withdrawn from the Fire Grass Border, while Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru stayed to guard the border.
• While sheltering from the rain, Rinto showed Orochimaru a living mouth inside his Wooden Clog, and Orochimaru offered to buy it.
• Rinto gave Orochimaru his other shoe as a free bonus after misunderstanding his offer of fifty million Ryo.
• An orange-haired boy carrying an oversized helmet emerged from behind a pillar and asked Jiraiya for something to eat.

Rinto met Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan in a cave and gave them food before teasing Yahiko about where he came from. After pulling both of Yahiko’s ears, Rinto left the cave with his companions, leaving the snacks behind.

• Jiraiya offered food to Yahiko, and Nagato and Konan came out to take some.
• Rinto recognized Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, then used food from Choza’s backpack to question Yahiko.
• Yahiko said he was from the Land of Rain, and Rinto pulled his ears while demanding the truth.
• Rinto pulled Yahiko’s other ear, gave him the backpack of snacks, and left the cave with Shikaku and the others.

Rinto refused to take Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as disciples, and Tsunade explained the brutal training Shikaku and the others faced. Jiraiya stayed behind to care for the three children, calling it a chance to atone.

• Yahiko asked Rinto to take him along, but Rinto refused because he would not take all three children.
• Yahiko collapsed in despair and asked whether orphans had the right to be taken in, while Nagato and Konan comforted him.
• Tsunade defended Rinto and warned Yahiko about the extreme pain and torment his disciples endured.
• Orochimaru said the orphans would be better off dead, but Jiraiya stopped him and chose to stay with the three children.