Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru tested his newly acquired eyes, then performed a painful surgery on Kimimaro to balance the effects of his Shikotsumyaku with powerful cell formulas. Kimimaro’s condition stabilized, though the chapter left the operation’s lasting success uncertain.

• Orochimaru examined his new eyes and concluded that they would protect him from genjutsu.
• A Shadow Guard told Orochimaru that preparations for Kimimaro’s surgery were complete, and Orochimaru went to the hospital.
• Orochimaru reassured Kimimaro and began the operation, injecting a formula made from Uzumaki Clan cells.
• Orochimaru injected formulas made from Hashirama Cells and Hyuga Clan cells, repeatedly countering Kimimaro’s arm as it transformed into wood.
• Orochimaru watched Kimimaro’s heartbeat stabilize as the Hashirama Cells and Shikotsumyaku reached balance.

Orochimaru successfully stabilized Kimimaro by transplanting Byakugan to suppress the dangerous effects of his Kaguya Cells. After keeping watch through the night, he told Pakura and his young disciples that Kimimaro was recovering and would soon become much stronger.

• Orochimaru transplanted Toneri's Byakugan into Kimimaro, which helped settle the Hashirama Cells and stabilize his condition.
• Orochimaru watched over Kimimaro overnight, then instructed the doctors to keep monitoring him and contact him if anything went wrong.
• Pakura asked about Kimimaro's surgery, and Orochimaru told her it had succeeded before they spent time together in his office.
• Haku, Fū, Ajisai, Jūgo, and the other disciples visited Orochimaru to ask about Kimimaro, and he told them to wait two days before visiting him.
• Haku asked whether Kimimaro's recovery would affect his strength, and Orochimaru predicted Kimimaro would become far stronger and urged the others to keep training.

Orochimaru began training Fū to become a Perfect Jinchuriki and entered her mind to confront the Seven-Tails, Chōmei. After removing Chōmei’s seal to provoke it, he attacked with Gravity Blade: Hell Journey.

• Orochimaru dismissed the others and asked Fū how she had adjusted to life in the village.
• Orochimaru promised to train Fū personally so she could become a Perfect Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru entered Fū’s body and found Chōmei sleeping behind its seal.
• Orochimaru removed Chōmei’s sealing talisman, prompting the Seven-Tails to break free and attack.
• Orochimaru drew his blade and struck at Chōmei with Gravity Blade: Hell Journey.

Orochimaru tried to help Fū subdue Chōmei by loosening the suppression in her seal, but she entered a violent tailed beast transformation. After a fierce battle, Orochimaru defeated her and ordered her taken away for treatment, planning to continue training her after she recovered.

• Orochimaru released part of the suppression in Fū’s seal, causing her to enter Partial Tailed Beast Transformation as Chōmei raged within her.
• Fū’s wings sliced off Orochimaru’s forearm, but he regenerated it and used his Gravity Field and sword techniques to knock her from the air.
• Zabuza and the Northern Land Security Department arrived and secured the area as Orochimaru and Fū resumed their battle.
• Orochimaru fought Fū from afternoon until dusk, then defeated her by cutting off her six wings.
• Orochimaru ordered the Military Police Force ninja to carry the unconscious Fū away for treatment and planned to resume her training after she recovered.

After two years of developing the Northern Lands, Orochimaru learned that Tsunade and Shizune had arrived at Casino City. He watched Tsunade gamble and secretly changed her luck, leaving her stunned by an unexpected win.

• The Northern Lands grew as trade, technology, and ninja training advanced over two years.
• Orochimaru developed Hashirama Cell medicine and continued training Haku, Karin, Ajisai, and others.
• Anko told Orochimaru that Tsunade and Shizune had arrived at the casino, and he decided to meet his old friend.
• Tsunade gambled at the casino while Shizune warned her that they had little money left.
• Orochimaru watched from the surveillance room and secretly caused Tsunade to roll triple sixes, leaving her surprised by her first win.

Tsunade won repeatedly at the casino while Orochimaru manipulated the games from the shadows, then moved to a high-stakes poker table to test her suspicions. She called an old man’s million-chip bet despite his apparent advantage.

• A gambler accused Tsunade of cheating, but the dealer confirmed that no irregularities had been detected and took over the game again.
• Tsunade continued winning every dice round, building a huge pile of chips as Orochimaru secretly controlled the outcomes.
• Tsunade exchanged her chips for large denominations and left the dice table, ignoring the other gamblers’ pleas for her to stay.
• Tsunade joined a million-chip Northern Land Poker table and began playing after learning its rules.
• An old man bet against Tsunade’s exposed cards, and Tsunade called with over a million in chips while Shizune worried.

Tsunade and Shizune won big at a casino in the Northern Lands, then spent the day shopping. Back at their hotel, they reunited with Anko, and Tsunade suspected someone else had come with her.

• Tsunade used an extraordinary winning streak to defeat the other gamblers while Shizune collected a large pile of winnings.
• Tsunade and Shizune went shopping in the Northern Lands and returned to their hotel with bags of purchases.
• Anko arrived at the hotel and reunited with Shizune and Tsunade.
• Tsunade asked Anko whether she had come alone.

Tsunade reunited with Orochimaru in the Northern Lands, where they discussed their years apart and shared a lively meal with Anko and Shizune. As Tsunade watched fireworks and reflected on fleeting beauty, an enormous display lit the Northern Lands, and she walked on with someone beside her.

• Tsunade confronted Orochimaru about leaving Konoha, and he explained that Konoha had branded him a Rogue Ninja.
• Orochimaru promised not to become Tsunade's enemy if she became Hokage, and Tsunade changed the subject to dinner.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru drank together while Anko and Shizune chatted and ordered food.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru discussed Konoha, Jiraiya, and their lives after leaving the village.
• Tsunade watched fireworks over the Northern Lands, and Orochimaru told her that beautiful things might not end there.
• Fireworks filled the sky above the Northern Lands, and Tsunade walked on with someone by her side.

Orochimaru secretly injected Tsunade with a Regeneration Potion designed to strengthen her Senju cells, then monitored her for signs of rejection as she slept. Meanwhile, Orochimaru's clone reached a temple in the Land of Swamps with the badly injured Yomi to investigate Mōryō's sealed soul.

• Anko asked Orochimaru whether he would tell Tsunade the truth, and he said he would wait until the time was right.
• Shizune woke in a hotel room beside Tsunade, found Orochimaru's note, and checked Tsunade after learning she would remain unconscious for days.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had injected Tsunade with a tailored Regeneration Potion containing Uzumaki Clan and Hashirama Cell components.
• Orochimaru monitored Tsunade and saw no immediate signs of a rejection reaction.
• Orochimaru's clone arrived at a temple in the Land of Swamps with the battered Yomi, who confirmed it was where Mōryō's soul was sealed.

Orochimaru brought Yomi to the ancient temple and let him unseal Mōryō, then confronted the resurrected spirit and its terracotta army. As Mōryō’s warriors surrounded him, Orochimaru began the Reaper Death Seal.

• Orochimaru overwhelmed the temple guards with his Gravity Field and freed Yomi, who entered the underground chamber to break Mōryō’s seal.
• Yomi recited the incantation and released Mōryō, then offered his body as a temporary vessel.
• Mōryō fused with Yomi, raised an army of terracotta warriors, and declared that Orochimaru’s soul would nourish it.
• Orochimaru mocked Mōryō’s confidence as the terracotta warriors surrounded him, then rose into the air and invoked the Reaper Death Seal.

Orochimaru used the Reaper Death Seal to destroy Mōryō, sacrificing his clone in the process. After sensing the clone’s death, the original Orochimaru sent Deidara and Kisame to investigate the Land of Swamps and meet the Miko in the Land of Demons.

• Orochimaru summoned the Death God and sent its chain after Mōryō, who had possessed Yomi’s body.
• The Death God pulled out Mōryō’s soul and severed its connection to Yomi, but the Reaper Death Seal also killed Orochimaru’s clone.
• Mōryō’s soul was swallowed by the Death God, and the collapsing temple buried the ruined underground chamber.
• The original Orochimaru sensed that his clone had completed its mission and sent Deidara and Kisame to investigate.
• Deidara and Kisame set out for the Land of Swamps before continuing to the Land of Demons to meet the Miko.

Deidara and Kisame traveled to the Land of Swamps, where Akatsuki members Sasori and Itachi had already recovered Orochimaru’s corpse from the ruins. After briefly inspecting the site, Deidara and Kisame continued toward the Land of Demons to find the Miko.

• Deidara complained that Orochimaru had given him no mission details, and Kisame said his demolition skills would be useful along the way.
• Sasori and several Amegakure ninja arrived at the ruins to capture Orochimaru, while Itachi confirmed that Orochimaru was still beneath the rubble.
• Sasori’s team unearthed Orochimaru’s corpse and found Yomi’s remains nearby, then concluded that Mōryō might have been responsible for the destruction.
• Sasori took Orochimaru’s corpse back for Nagato and left Yomi’s remains behind.
• Two days later, Deidara and Kisame surveyed the ruins and continued toward the Land of Demons to find the Miko.

Tsunade woke after three days unconscious and discovered that Orochimaru’s Regeneration Potion had restored her youthful appearance and greatly increased her vitality and Chakra. After finding Orochimaru had already left, she went with Shizune to eat and ravenously replenished the energy her transformed body needed.

• Tsunade woke up and teased Shizune, who told her she had been unconscious for three days and had a fever.
• Tsunade sensed that her body was unusually vigorous, with more than twice her former Chakra, and felt intense hunger.
• Shizune noticed Tsunade’s smooth, youthful appearance, and Tsunade realized Orochimaru’s Regeneration Potion had transformed her.
• Shizune gave Tsunade Orochimaru’s note, confirming he had caused the change, and told her he had already left.
• Tsunade and Shizune went to the hotel restaurant, where Tsunade ravenously ate to replenish her body’s energy.

Orochimaru watched Tsunade and Shizune enjoy the Northern Lands and decided his disguise had served its purpose, so he planned to make another clone. After a week of shopping and learning to drive, Tsunade and Shizune left the Northern Lands by car, beginning a tour toward the Capital City of the Land of Gold.

• Orochimaru learned from Kisame's message that his disguise had served its purpose and decided to create another clone.
• Tsunade and Shizune rode a Northern Lands railcar, admired the modern city, and bought many goods.
• Shizune persuaded Tsunade to buy a car, and Tsunade warned her she would have to push it if she could not drive.
• After a week of practice, Shizune drove the heavily loaded car out of the Northern Lands while Tsunade chose the Capital City of the Land of Gold as their first stop.
• Tsunade played 'Shout Love to the World' as she relaxed in the passenger seat, and the two began their self-drive tour.

Kisame and Deidara brought Miroku, the Miko of the Land of Demons, and her daughter Shion to the Northern Lands, where Orochimaru told them he had sealed Mōryō's soul. Miroku rejected his claim, and Orochimaru insisted that he would prove it.

• Kisame and Deidara returned to the Northern Lands with Miroku and Shion, who were astonished by the region's busy roads, vehicles, and airships.
• Deidara stopped Kisame from revealing embarrassing stories about his earlier visits to the city.
• Kisame and Deidara delivered Miroku and Shion to Orochimaru, who dismissed them after ordering them to write mission reports.
• Orochimaru told Miroku that he had sealed Mōryō's soul and pointed to the ruined temple as evidence.
• Miroku mocked Orochimaru's claim, and he replied that the great nations' Kage might not be able to seal Mōryō, but he could.

Orochimaru detained Miroku and planned to relocate Mōryō’s sealed land to give the Northern Lands another energy source. He then went to train the younger ninja, where he asked Hidan about a mosquito-raising project.

• Orochimaru dismissed Miroku’s warnings, declared her mission over, and ordered a ninja to take her and her daughter away under guard.
• Orochimaru planned to move Mōryō’s sealed land to the Northern Lands as a backup energy source and resolved to strengthen himself for the task.
• Orochimaru heard the Ninja Academy dismissal bell and decided it was time to give the younger ninja extra lessons.
• Orochimaru arrived at the training ground, where Kimimaro, Haku, Fū, Ajisai, Karin, and others were waiting; he continued training Fū to use more tailed beast Chakra.
• Hidan and Zabuza arrived to train Kimimaro and Haku, and Orochimaru asked Hidan how the mosquito-raising project was going.

Hidan and Kimimaro sparred while Zabuza and Haku fought on another field, and Orochimaru began training the younger ninjas of the Northern Lands. He left the trainees in the hands of his Shadow Clones, aiming to strengthen their abilities and loyalty.

• Hidan chose Kimimaro as his sparring partner, and the two clashed with their scythe and bone blades.
• Zabuza and Haku began a dangerous sparring match, with Zabuza using the mist and tactical strikes to pressure Haku.
• Orochimaru watched the fights and reflected on how the younger generation was challenging the older fighters.
• Orochimaru gathered Fū, Ajisai, Karin, Jūgo, the Sound Four, Dosu, Zaku Abumi, Kin Tsuchi, and other young trainees for instruction.
• Orochimaru created more than a dozen Shadow Clones to train the group and planned to build their loyalty through practical support as well as ninja skills.

As the Northern Lands neared completion of a railway in the former Land of Grass, Ringo Ameyuri confronted three rogue ninja seeking to join their ranks. She challenged them to prove their worth, leaving their acceptance unresolved.

• Kazahana Dōtō and the construction supervisor watched the final railway section near completion and urged the workers to finish.
• An explosion sounded in the forest, and Ringo Ameyuri hurried to investigate as Northern Lands ninja responded to the signal flare.
• Fūka, Fu'en, and Fudō revealed themselves and explained that they wanted to offer their services to the Northern Lands.
• Fudō presented a letter of introduction, but Ringo Ameyuri drew the Lightning Blade and challenged the three to demonstrate their value.

Orochimaru quietly established Hydra as the Northern Lands’ secret combat and espionage force while the region expanded its railways and security. After putting Mōryō’s energy into operation, he reassured Miroku that she and her daughter could remain in the Northern Lands as a new era began.

• Orochimaru reviewed reports about Fudō, Fūka, and Fu'en and planned to revive the Second Hokage’s Immortal Army, while wondering where Kazuma had gone.
• Orochimaru planned Hydra as a covert combat organization, assigning its members to recruit personnel and develop espionage networks across other countries.
• The Northern Lands completed its railways through the Land of Gold, increased train transport and tourism, and arranged railway protection and border patrols.
• Orochimaru summoned his cadres and confidants, gave them code numbers, and quietly established Hydra with Pakura designated as 0.
• Orochimaru told Miroku that her and her daughter’s inherited mission was over, and reassured her after she sensed new life forming in the earth veins.

In Konoha Year 62, the Land of Gold emerged as a united great nation and opened itself to trade and diplomacy, alarming Konoha's leaders. Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected an immediate war and chose to probe Northern Land Village while continuing trade, then raised whether to invite it to next year's Chunin Exams.

• The Land of Gold announced its formation from several northern countries and opened its borders to foreign trade and diplomacy.
• Danzo urged Konoha to join forces with other nations and attack the rising Land of Gold, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu argued against starting another war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rebuked Danzo's bid to replace him and decided Konoha should maintain stability, send spies to assess Northern Land Village, and continue trading for its technology.
• After a day of discussion, Konoha's leaders agreed to cautiously investigate Northern Land Village's strength.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether Northern Land Village should be invited to the Chunin Exams planned with Sunagakure for the following year.