Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru reviewed Kumogakure’s intelligence and the Northern Lands’ manufacturing plans with Pakura, deciding to avoid further interceptions while the country rebuilt. The chapter ended with Pakura teasing him and the two becoming intimate.

• Pakura gave Orochimaru a report detailing Kumogakure’s repeated ninja movements and investigation into Kisame’s attack.
• Orochimaru refused to send another team to intercept the Kumogakure ninjas, preferring to keep the Northern Lands’ involvement concealed.
• Pakura reported that radios and televisions were in production but progress was slow and the Northern Lands’ funds might last only two more years.
• Orochimaru told Pakura to continue producing goods for future sale, then asked whether the stockings were good quality.
• Pakura teased Orochimaru with her stocking-clad foot, and the two became intimate.

Orochimaru visited the training field where Kimimaro, Haku, Ajisai, and Fū were practicing and preparing to learn new techniques. He introduced the Snake Clone Technique, but Fū protested that snakes frightened her, and Orochimaru threatened to put snakes in her bed.

• Kimimaro and Haku sparred while Ajisai trained and Fū cheered them on and asked Ajisai to teach her more ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru arrived and asked the students about their progress with his improved Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack technique.
• Haku said he had learned the basics and that Kimimaro was slightly ahead of him.
• Orochimaru praised their training and announced that he would teach them the Snake Clone Technique.
• Fū said she did not want to learn because snakes scared her, so Orochimaru threatened to put snakes in her bed.

Orochimaru taught his young disciples the Orochimaru-Style Body Replacement Technique, frightening Fū before coaxing her back into training with the promise of food. After guiding the others and considering their future Chunin Exams, he met Karin and Ryuzetsu, who had just arrived in the Northern Lands.

• Orochimaru explained the Orochimaru-Style Body Replacement Technique to Kimimaro, Haku, Ajisai, and Fū, then demonstrated it by emerging from his own mouth.
• Fū was terrified by the technique and cried when Orochimaru teased her, but she stopped when he promised her dumplings and other treats for training.
• Orochimaru encouraged Kimimaro and Haku to practice the technique, gave Ajisai a plan to study basic ninjutsu before advanced Summoning Jutsu, and discussed preparing the disciples for the Chunin Exams.
• A Shadow Guard brought Karin and Ryuzetsu to Orochimaru, who asked whether they had adapted to life in the Northern Lands.

Orochimaru brought Karin and Ryuzetsu into the younger group’s training and appointed the Northern Lands’ leadership and department heads. The gathering accepted his arrangements, and he turned the meeting to the Land of Gold’s strongholds.

• Orochimaru introduced Karin and Ryuzetsu to the younger trainees, and they began getting to know one another.
• Orochimaru trained the youngsters through the afternoon and then formally assigned leaders to the Northern Lands’ departments.
• Orochimaru kept authority over the Shadow Guard, The Net, the Research Department, and Northern Land Hospital while asking who approved or opposed his appointments.
• The gathered leaders accepted Orochimaru’s authority, and he proposed discussing the Land of Gold’s strongholds.

Orochimaru reviewed The Net’s outposts and the Northern Lands’ electricity shortage, then proposed moving the Dragon Vein from the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran to power the region. He left the meeting with the relocation route and placement still to be planned, potentially with help from his Akatsuki clone.

• Pakura reported that The Net operated thirty-two outposts in the Land of Gold and had agents across the Five Great Nations and smaller countries.
• Orochimaru asked Kazahana Dōtō about the Northern Lands’ electricity shortage and proposed developing equipment to convert Chakra into electricity.
• Orochimaru revealed his plan to move the Dragon Vein from the Ancient Kingdom of Roran to the Northern Lands.
• Orochimaru explained that the Dragon Vein could power puppets and machinery and might disrupt time, prompting the others to speculate about time travel.
• Orochimaru and the others discussed where to place the Dragon Vein and how to plan its route, with Orochimaru considering asking his Akatsuki clone for help moving it.

Orochimaru and Pakura discussed the Dragon Vein, the Northern Lands’ construction, and its mounting expenses as Orochimaru prepared to expand trade with other countries. He left the chapter by ordering missions to escort merchant caravans, sending Northern Lands ninja out to establish a presence.

• Orochimaru told Pakura that he had brought the Dragon Vein back, but explained that its seal had to be opened gradually because its energy could distort space and time.
• Orochimaru asked Pakura about the outer city’s construction and urged her to have it ready to open by the middle of the following year.
• Pakura warned Orochimaru that the Northern Lands was spending money too quickly, and Orochimaru proposed limited trade with other countries to begin earning revenue.
• Orochimaru and Pakura selected more than a dozen products for export, then Orochimaru met with factory heads and Mifune to plan the launch.
• Orochimaru ordered the mission office to post escort missions for merchant caravans so Northern Lands ninja could travel abroad.

Orochimaru received the Double Pupils ability after joining Akatsuki and set out to test its powers. Meanwhile, Northern Lands merchants introduced their goods in the Capital City of the Land of Fire, drawing a crowd and attracting the security patrol’s attention.

• Orochimaru claimed his reward and gained Double Pupils, which could drain vitality and impair the senses and movement of those nearby.
• Orochimaru recognized the Dōjutsu’s potential and vanished to test its strength and duration.
• A merchant caravan reached the Capital City of the Land of Fire with Xika and Lili modeling Northern Lands products.
• Xika and Lili displayed fashionable clothes and accessories, drawing a large crowd of curious residents and eager customers.
• The crowded street disturbance caught the attention of the Capital City's security patrol.

A Northern Lands convoy showcased combat boots, sneakers, high heels, stockings, and watches to merchants and ninja in the Land of Fire. The crowd grew eager to buy the products, especially the precise watches, as the host continued his successful sales pitch.

• A tavern owner and a ninja tool shop owner recognized business opportunities in the Northern Lands products.
• The host introduced combat boots and sneakers, and ninja in the crowd saw their potential usefulness for missions and exercise.
• Xika and Lili modeled high heels and black stockings, stirring the crowd until guards restored order.
• The host presented mechanical and electronic watches, explaining their precision and usefulness for ninja missions.
• Xika and Lili let spectators inspect the watches while the host watched the crowd respond and admired his own Laodishi watch.

Merchants from the Northern Lands sold their goods across the major nations, earning huge profits and winning promises of rewards from their leaders. After the convoys returned home, the Kage of the Five Great Nations received samples of the goods from the Northern Lands.

• In the Capital City of the Land of Fire, the caravan sold all its goods within three days, and the host assured Xika and Lili that their promised rewards would be honored.
• Xika and Lili went to explore the city with a bodyguard while the host prepared to buy supplies to take back north.
• Caravans reported similar success in the Land of Lightning and other nations, though sales in the Land of Water centered around Kirigakure and vehicles often broke down in the Land of Wind.
• The caravans returned to the Northern Lands loaded with supplies, and the Kage of the Five Great Nations received goods collected by their subordinates.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo examined the Northern Lands’ goods, focusing on the expensive watches and the force’s profits. Their discussion turned to Danzo’s plan against the increasingly restless Uchiha, while leaders of the other great nations also considered investigating the Northern Lands.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the Northern Lands’ products and judged their watches and other equipment useful to shinobi.
• Danzo dismissed the goods as trinkets, then decided Konoha should buy watches or make them itself before learning one cost over three hundred thousand ryo.
• Danzo ordered that every Root member be equipped with a watch, while Hiruzen Sarutobi sent the Anbu shinobi away and called the Northern Lands worth investigating.
• Danzo said the Uchiha were growing restless and insisted it was time to carry out their plan, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi conflicted.
• The leaders of the other four great nations noted the Northern Lands’ technology but focused on its wealth and considered exploiting it if it proved to be a small country.

Orochimaru used the Dragon Vein’s energy to strengthen his body and discussed the Northern Lands’ growing business with Pakura and Kakuzu. As the casino and commercial plaza neared completion, he ordered a promotional campaign to announce the Northern Lands to the Ninja World.

• Orochimaru emerged from the Dragon Vein valley, judged his physical strength nearly equal to Hashirama’s, and instructed the Shadow Guard to maintain security.
• Pakura reported that the latest trade trip earned roughly twenty-five million ryo after expenses, while Kakuzu counted the profits.
• Pakura told Orochimaru that ninja from four of the Five Great Nations had come to investigate the Northern Lands, and Orochimaru ordered his people to leave them alone unless they caused trouble.
• Orochimaru asked about the commercial plaza, and Pakura said it was nearly ready to open once its equipment was installed.
• Orochimaru ordered the next shipment to distribute flyers announcing the Northern Lands, and Pakura went to oversee the plan.

After the Land of Gold’s formation revealed the Northern Lands’ growing power, A and Kumogakure’s leaders debated how to respond. A ordered Yugito to investigate first, leaving Killer B eager to visit but forbidden from going until she returned with information.

• News that seven small nations had merged into the Land of Gold enraged A, who blamed Kumogakure’s failure to notice the development.
• Dodai told A and the gathered leaders that merchant caravans had confirmed the Northern Lands’ existence and proposed making contact because they had no conflict of interest.
• Killer B read a flyer advertising the Northern Lands’ attractions, and A examined its promotions for the Light of the Northern Land.
• A ordered Dodai to arrange an initial contact mission, while Killer B volunteered to investigate and was told to stay in Cloud-Lightning Gorge.
• A decided Yugito would go first to investigate the Northern Lands, promising to reconsider Killer B’s request afterward.

Orochimaru continued developing the Nine-Eyed Underworld King and welcomed Hozuki Mangetsu back with the recovered Lightning Blade: Kiba. They then attended the opening of Casino City and the outer city's commercial streets, where a large crowd had gathered.

• Orochimaru inspected the Ten-Tails shell growing in his cultivation tank and noted that he still needed the Tailed Beast Chakra of Yugito, Saiken, and Gyūki.
• Hozuki Mangetsu returned from his mission with the Lightning Blade: Kiba after Raiga Kurosuki refused to submit, and Orochimaru kept the swords while Ringo Ameyuri recovered.
• Orochimaru and Hozuki Mangetsu discussed the Ninja Academy and the ongoing work to find a treatment for Kimimaro's condition.
• Orochimaru invited Hozuki Mangetsu to see Casino City open, and they arrived at the outer city amid thousands of residents, visitors, and spies.

Orochimaru attended the opening of a lavish new building in the Northern Lands and reflected on how far he had come. Pakura reminded him that he no longer stood alone, and the chapter ended with the group planning to celebrate together.

• The crowd cheered as Orochimaru arrived and cut the ribbon at the new building's opening.
• Pakura showed Orochimaru and Kakuzu the building's shops, entertainment floors, casino, hotel, and management offices.
• Kakuzu complained about the building's enormous cost, while Orochimaru said the investment would bring substantial returns.
• Orochimaru reflected on the hardships behind his rise, and Pakura reminded him that thousands of ninja and tens of thousands of residents stood with him.
• Kakuzu asked Orochimaru to make monkfish liver for dinner, and Orochimaru invited everyone to gather for a meal.

Orochimaru ordered the Shadow Guard to capture Yugito alive while handling other spies directly, as the Northern Lands’ commerce and road construction flourished. Yugito arranged a joint operation with Konoha, and the chapter ended as coordinated explosions and fires distracted the defenders while intruders entered the inner city.

• Orochimaru told Kisame and Zabuza to watch Kumogakure’s spies and capture Yugito alive, bringing Ninja Academy students as reinforcements if needed.
• Pakura gave Orochimaru commercial reports showing strong sales, and she reported that road construction was advancing toward nearby villages.
• Yugito and her Kumogakure squad decided to cooperate with Konoha’s ninjas to infiltrate the inner city.
• After the third watch, explosions erupted around the Northern Lands, drawing Zabuza and the Military Police Force away from their post.
• Dark figures slipped into the inner city as fires spread, and Kakuzu saw that the Military Police Force headquarters had been reduced to ruins.

Orochimaru and the Northern Lands ninja fought off a coordinated attack by nearly a hundred intruders, including Kumogakure ninja led by Yugito. The next day, the leaders reviewed the casualties and damage and discussed strengthening the village’s defenses, while one captive’s fate remained unsettled.

• Orochimaru arrived after explosions shook the Northern Lands and headed toward the strongest Chakra fluctuations.
• Kisame fought Yugito as other ninja battled across the city, and Orochimaru, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Ringo Ameyuri joined the response.
• Yugito fled when more Northern Lands ninja arrived, and Orochimaru ordered them to capture her alive.
• Pakura reported that nearly a hundred ninja had attacked and that most had been captured or dealt with, while Kakuzu reported two deaths, five serious injuries, more than fifty light injuries, and property losses of up to 1.6 million ryo.
• Pakura called for a barrier, Mifune condemned Kumogakure’s open attack, and a leader suggested making the Raikage come retrieve Yugito and another captive.

Danzo, A, Ōnoki, and Sunagakure responded to the Northern Lands’ capture of Yugito and the demand for a ransom, sending forces to assess the new power. At the Beidai River, A and his companions saw fewer than ten white-robed figures approach for the hostage exchange.

• Danzo learned that most Root operatives and the other villages’ ninjas had been killed, and ordered another Root squad to investigate.
• A agreed to prepare fifty million ryo for Yugito’s ransom and decided to go himself, bringing Killer B along.
• Ōnoki sent Kitsuchi with two squads to assess the Northern Lands, while Sunagakure also dispatched a squad.
• The major villages began moving as tensions rose, with the Northern Lands’ strength and intentions still unclear.
• A, Killer B, Dodai, and the Kumogakure party reached the Beidai River for the exchange and learned that fewer than ten people were approaching.

Orochimaru’s Northern Lands group confronted the Hidden Cloud Village at Beidai Bridge and demanded payment for Yugito and the captured ninjas. After Kakuzu killed a hostage to force the trade, Dodai agreed, while Killer B urged A to retaliate afterward.

• Orochimaru led his group through the air to Beidai Bridge, where A’s Hidden Cloud forces saw Yugito held captive and faced their demands.
• Orochimaru accused the Hidden Cloud Village of trespassing and proposed a restrained settlement, but Darui and A resisted his terms.
• Orochimaru signaled Kakuzu, who killed the captive vice-captain and threatened to send Yugito back dead unless the Cloud agreed to trade.
• Dodai stepped forward and accepted the exchange, and A silently swallowed his anger.
• Killer B placed a hand on A’s shoulder and urged him to destroy the Northern Lands group after the trade.

Orochimaru’s forces completed a cash-for-Yugito exchange with Kumogakure, then both sides erupted into battle. Orochimaru faced Fourth Raikage A on Beidai Bridge, and his taunt about A’s father provoked a surge of lightning chakra that raised a dragon over the river.

• Darui took Yugito while Guren delivered fifty million, and Orochimaru stored the money in the Mask Space as the fighting began.
• Kisame, Zabuza, and Kakuzu attacked Kumogakure’s forces while Guren and Hozuki Mangetsu joined the battle.
• Killer B and Hozuki Mangetsu clashed with their blades and moved away from Beidai Bridge as mist spread across the battlefield.
• Fourth Raikage A challenged Orochimaru, and the two exchanged powerful punches that cracked the bridge.
• Orochimaru taunted A about failing to avenge his father, and A unleashed a surge of Lightning Release Chakra that raised a raging dragon over the river.

The Raikage and Orochimaru fought across the collapsing Beidai Bridge while World Fades slowed the Raikage’s movements. Elsewhere, Kakuzu faced a group of Kumogakure ninja, and Killer B drew Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu into a battle on shore.

• A attacked Orochimaru with Lightning Armor and the Four-Fingered Thrust after Orochimaru taunted him about his father.
• Orochimaru activated World Fades, caught A’s palm, and redirected the force into the already damaged bridge, causing its deck to collapse.
• A felt his reactions slow within World Fades but continued attacking Orochimaru across the river.
• Kakuzu confronted Darui, Karui, Samui, Toroi, and Dodai while his elemental monsters fought alongside him.
• Hozuki Mangetsu used his Hydrification Technique to evade Killer B’s attacks, then followed him toward the shore, where Kisame was fighting Kumogakure ninja.
• Killer B charged at Kisame with Hozuki Mangetsu behind him and began wielding short blades in an unusual formation.