Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru fought the Eight-Tails and Killer B at Cloud-Lightning Gorge, turning their Tailed Beast Bombs back on them before Killer B escaped by sacrificing a clone. The Raikage found Killer B alive and vowed to increase his protection, making it harder for Akatsuki to target him.

• The Raikage learned that Yugito had been attacked and rushed toward Cloud-Lightning Gorge after sensing a surge of Chakra.
• The Eight-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Orochimaru, who absorbed its energy and retaliated with Gran Rey Cero, cutting through the gorge's peaks.
• Orochimaru used Sonido to redirect five Tailed Beast Bombs toward the Eight-Tails, which survived by sacrificing a tentacle and returning its true body to Killer B.
• The Raikage and Hidden Cloud Village ninja searched the flooded gorge until Killer B surfaced and confirmed that Orochimaru had left.
• The Raikage punched Killer B in relief, then promised to change his training location and assign more guards.

After the Konoha Crush, Orochimaru secured the Northern Lands’ cooperation with Konoha and Sunagakure and received a formula for an Ōtsutsuki bloodline fusion potion. He prepared to enter seclusion to make the potion, leaving Pakura to manage the Northern Lands with help from Anko and Guren.

• News spread that Orochimaru had killed Rasa, impersonated him, and caused Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō to die during the attack on Konoha.
• Chiyo and Ebizo returned to oversee Sunagakure, while Konoha’s elders summoned Jiraiya and settled on Tsunade Senju as a possible Hokage; Jiraiya began searching for her.
• Orochimaru sent a reply to Konoha and Sunagakure, whose leaders welcomed closer cooperation with the Northern Lands.
• Orochimaru received the Ōtsutsuki Clan Bloodline Fusion Potion formula and learned that it required cells from Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Madara, and several other clans.
• Orochimaru told Pakura he planned to enter seclusion, and she agreed to manage affairs with help from Anko and Guren.

Naruto traveled with Jiraiya to find Tsunade, hoping to judge whether she was strong enough to become Hokage. After Tsunade rejected the post and challenged Naruto to learn the Rasengan in three days, she agreed only to think about Jiraiya’s request before leaving with Shizune.

• Naruto joined Jiraiya on his search for Tsunade and learned about her ties to Jiraiya and the First Hokage and Second Hokage.
• Jiraiya and Naruto searched towns and asked about Tsunade, while evading her creditors.
• Jiraiya and Naruto found Tsunade, Shizune, and their pig at a tavern in a prosperous town.
• Tsunade reacted with little concern to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death, and Naruto became angry at her indifference.
• Tsunade mocked Naruto’s wish to become village chief and bet that he could not learn the Rasengan within three days.
• Tsunade refused to become Fifth Hokage for now, but said she would think about Jiraiya’s request before leaving with Shizune.

Naruto practiced the Rasengan while Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune played cards nearby, until Orochimaru arrived and challenged Tsunade and Jiraiya to test their strength. The battle left them astonished when Orochimaru entered the first stage of Sage Mode.

• Naruto spent two days practicing the Rasengan with Jiraiya while Tsunade and Shizune watched nearby.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune played Fight the Landlord and talked about their years in the Northern Lands.
• Orochimaru appeared and challenged Tsunade and Jiraiya to a fight, saying he wanted to see whether Tsunade could become Hokage.
• Shizune took Naruto away from the fight as Orochimaru quickly sent Jiraiya flying and Tsunade joined the battle.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya struggled to suppress Orochimaru, who entered the first stage of Sage Mode and demanded to see Tsunade's Yin Seal and Jiraiya's Sage Mode.

Orochimaru fought Tsunade and Jiraiya before telling them that Akatsuki had been behind the Nine-Tails' Attack and that Konoha needed reform. He urged Tsunade to lead the village, leaving her and Jiraiya to consider his proposal.

• Tsunade released her Yin Seal and fought Orochimaru while Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and joined the battle.
• The three summoned Manda, Katsuyu, and Gamabunta, then fought until nightfall and exhausted their Chakra.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade and Jiraiya that Akatsuki had been involved in the Nine-Tails' Attack and named Itachi, Hiruko, and Sasori of the Red Sands as members.
• Orochimaru argued that Konoha had stagnated under the Third Hokage and needed reform to face future threats.
• Orochimaru urged Tsunade to become the new leader who could guide Konoha forward.

Orochimaru urged Tsunade and Jiraiya to take public and hidden leadership roles in Konoha, then shared a meal with them and Naruto. After Shizune asked him for more of the medicine she mistook for a beauty treatment, Shizune and Tsunade suddenly collapsed with dizziness.

• Orochimaru told Tsunade and Jiraiya that his actions had served his own aims and suggested Tsunade lead Konoha while Jiraiya became its hidden protector.
• Jiraiya hesitated to answer, while Tsunade said she would consider Orochimaru’s proposal; the three then went to eat with Naruto and Shizune.
• Naruto ate Orochimaru’s grilled meat despite having sworn not to accept food from him, and the group chatted over food and wine.
• Shizune asked Orochimaru for more of the medicine Tsunade had used, believing it was a beauty treatment, and he promised her a dose.
• Shizune collapsed after becoming dizzy, and Tsunade also began to feel the room spin.

Orochimaru subdued Naruto and injected Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune with potions to enhance their abilities, then left Naruto to watch over them. The next morning, the three woke up, and Tsunade immediately asked where Orochimaru was.

• Tsunade and Jiraiya collapsed, and Orochimaru caught Tsunade before laying her down with the others.
• Orochimaru injected Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune with enhancement potions, then warned Naruto that they would be fine after sleeping.
• Orochimaru calmed Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra, drew blood from him, and said Naruto’s parents had once received his help.
• Orochimaru told Naruto to have Jiraiya try Uzumaki ninjutsu and Tsunade try Wood Release and Sage Jutsu, then vanished.
• Shizune woke the next day, roused Tsunade and Jiraiya, and Tsunade asked where Orochimaru was.

After Orochimaru altered Jiraiya’s bloodline and left Tsunade the Crystal Pendant, he received the Black Cavity Space and tested its storage and teleportation functions. He set out to establish ten anchor points around the Ninja World as Konoha welcomed its new master.

• Tsunade and the others learned that Orochimaru had drugged them and injected them with medicine, while Jiraiya discovered his bloodline had changed and his strength had increased.
• Naruto gave Tsunade the Crystal Pendant Orochimaru had left behind, and Tsunade offered it to Naruto if he could defeat her after mastering Rasengan.
• Orochimaru received the Black Cavity Space as a reward for completing the Sannin's Second Clash mission and tested its portals and anchor-point travel.
• Orochimaru moved the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, medicines, and experimental equipment into the space, then set out to establish anchor points around the Ninja World.
• Konoha welcomed its new master while Orochimaru traveled across the Ninja World.

Tsunade returned to Konoha, learned about the village’s condition, and was inaugurated as the Fifth Hokage, then began appointing leaders and planning reforms. Sasuke received Orochimaru’s invitation to meet at the Valley of the End on the night of the full moon, but an unwelcome visitor arrived before then.

• Tsunade returned to her old house with Jiraiya and heard from Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu about Konoha’s losses and the major clans’ attitudes.
• Konohamaru caused trouble while opposing Tsunade’s appointment, but she chose not to punish him.
• Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage at a ceremony accompanied by a song and fireworks, and Jiraiya pulled Konohamaru from the broadcast studio.
• Tsunade appointed Jiraiya captain of the Anbu, Nara Shikaku Hokage advisor, and Asuma captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, while planning internal reforms and closer ties with Sunagakure and the Northern Lands.
• Sasuke found Orochimaru’s note inviting him to the Valley of the End on the night of the full moon and eagerly began waiting for the meeting.
• An unwelcome visitor came to see Sasuke before the night of the full moon.

At the Northern Lands Ninja Academy, Jūgo handled his class’s poor exam results without losing control and reflected on how teaching had changed him. Hozuki Mangetsu then enrolled his newly returned younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu, in the academy, while Orochimaru’s efforts to gather the future members of Team Hawk continued.

• Jūgo announced the exam results, with Ranmaru, Chino, and Yukimaru the only students in his class to pass.
• Jūgo calmed himself before criticizing the class, and the bell ended his lecture before he lost control.
• Ranmaru and Yukimaru discussed Jūgo’s frightening temper while Chino defended his reaction to their poor scores.
• Haku reassured Jūgo in their shared office, and Jūgo considered how teaching had helped him manage his emotions.
• Hozuki Mangetsu scolded his newly returned younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu, then arranged for him to attend the Ninja Academy.
• Hozuki Suigetsu joined a key class with Fūshin and Shion as Orochimaru continued gathering the future members of Team Hawk.

Itachi returned to Konoha with Sasori, defeated Sasuke and provoked his desire for power. Orochimaru arranged for Sasuke to leave the village, and Sasuke chose to go despite Sakura’s pleas.

• Itachi and Sasori arrived at Konoha, where Itachi confronted Sasuke and Naruto before retreating from Jiraiya.
• Sasuke fainted after Itachi defeated him, and Orochimaru received a mission to train Sasuke for three years or abandon it for an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Orochimaru sent Kabuto, Akado Yoroi, Katsumi, Kin, and Mizuki to escort Sasuke out of Konoha and hold off anyone pursuing him.
• Sasuke followed the group from Konoha Hospital, but Sakura stopped him at the village entrance and begged him to stay.
• Sasuke broke free from Sakura’s embrace and left to seek power from Orochimaru.

Sasuke fled Konoha to seek Orochimaru, prompting Tsunade to send Kakashi and Might Guy after him as Sasuke’s escort scattered to delay the pursuers. Naruto and his allies split up to track them, and Shikamaru encountered Kabuto and Sasuke before Kabuto used explosive tags to create two Sasuke figures running in different directions.

• Tsunade learned that Sasuke had fled and ordered Kakashi and Might Guy to bring him back.
• Kabuto split Sasuke’s escort into pairs and sent them along separate routes to confuse the pursuers.
• Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, and the others divided into groups to follow the likely routes toward the Valley of the End and nearby bridges.
• Gaara arrived while the groups were scattering and chose a direction to follow.
• Rock Lee confronted Mizuki and Kin, while Akado Yoroi and Katsumi split apart as their pursuers closed in.
• Shikamaru tried to stop Kabuto and Sasuke with his Shadow Imitation Technique, but Kabuto evaded it, threw Explosive Tags, and sent two Sasuke figures running in different directions.

Naruto caught up with Sasuke at the Valley of the End and tried to persuade him to return to Konoha. Meanwhile, Orochimaru visited Tsunade and told her Sasuke would train under him for three years, then opened a spatial rift so she could watch the confrontation.

• Naruto realized Sasuke had used a Shadow Clone, guessed he was heading for the Valley of the End, and continued the pursuit.
• Kakashi and Iruka found Rock Lee fighting a transformed Mizuki, and Kakashi and Iruka continued onward while Might Guy stayed behind.
• Naruto caught Sasuke at the Valley of the End and punched him before pleading with him to return to Konoha.
• Orochimaru appeared in Tsunade's office and announced that Sasuke would train under his guidance for three years.
• Tsunade accepted Sasuke's choice but warned Orochimaru not to deceive him, and Orochimaru opened a spatial rift showing the Valley of the End.

Tsunade reconsidered her feelings about Orochimaru as they watched Sasuke and Naruto fight in the Valley of the End. Naruto unleashed the Nine-Tails’ power, Sasuke adapted and awakened the Three Tomoe, and Tsunade questioned whether Orochimaru would let the battle continue.

• Tsunade recalled how Orochimaru had helped make her Hokage and silently regretted treating him harshly, while Orochimaru reflected on his complicated motives and feelings for her.
• Naruto and Sasuke clashed with Rasengan and Chidori, and Tsunade reacted when Sasuke pierced Naruto’s shoulder.
• Naruto’s crimson Chakra erupted, allowing him to seize Sasuke and briefly gain the upper hand.
• Sasuke’s injuries healed rapidly as Orochimaru’s serum took effect, and Orochimaru told Tsunade he saw Sasuke as the next Uchiha Madara.
• Naruto and Sasuke fought on, and Sasuke awakened the Three Tomoe after Naruto tried to persuade him to return; Tsunade asked Orochimaru whether he would intervene.

Naruto and Sasuke reached the limits of their battle at the Valley of the End, awakening Yin-Yang Release before collapsing. Orochimaru rescued Sasuke and brought him to his archive, where Sasuke accepted that he had come to the right place.

• Naruto and Sasuke clashed with Rasengan and Chidori, producing a black sphere as their Yin and Yang Releases awakened.
• After Naruto passed out, Orochimaru left Tsunade's office, teasing her before escaping through a portal; Tsunade ordered her guards to replace her broken desk.
• Kakashi found Naruto unconscious at the Valley of the End and carried him back, while Sasuke struggled into the forest and collapsed in front of Orochimaru.
• Sasuke dreamed that Orochimaru tried to take his Mangekyō Sharingan, then woke in a sealed room with his wounds treated.
• Orochimaru told Sasuke to review the materials in his archive, and Sasuke felt reassured by the wealth of knowledge and resources.

After the Northern Lands expanded cooperation with Iwagakure and pursued ties with other major villages, Orochimaru arranged for Ringo Ameyuri to train Sasuke in the Absolute Ice Mountain Range. Sasuke faced a brutal training session while Orochimaru returned to the cave to attend to other matters.

• Iwagakure and the Northern Lands expanded cooperation in trade, missions, travel, and marriage, while Kumogakure considered approaching Konoha and Orochimaru secretly contacted Mei Terumī.
• Trains began operating in the Land of Gold, accelerating the Northern Lands' development.
• Ringo Ameyuri left a train near the Absolute Ice Mountain Range and found Orochimaru and Sasuke at a cave.
• Orochimaru explained that Ameyuri would train Sasuke to improve his Lightning Release control and combat skills.
• Orochimaru told Ameyuri she could push Sasuke as hard as she wanted, then returned to the cave while Sasuke braced for training.

Orochimaru observed Boruto reunite with Naruto and Jiraiya before Ōtsutsuki Urashiki arrived and attacked them. Urashiki escaped with Naruto, but Orochimaru soon sensed Naruto’s presence nearby again.

• Sasuke trained against Ringo Ameyuri, learning to conserve Chakra and experience her Lightning Release firsthand.
• Boruto arrived outside Konoha after becoming separated from Sasuke, and Naruto and Jiraiya let him join their training.
• Orochimaru secretly watched Naruto, Jiraiya, and Boruto through a spatial rift overnight.
• Ōtsutsuki Urashiki appeared the next day and attacked the group, but his hook failed to extract Naruto’s Chakra.
• Future Sasuke joined the fight, and Urashiki seized Naruto and escaped through space-time.
• Orochimaru lost Naruto’s trace when Urashiki used Yomotsu Hirasaka, then sensed him nearby again.

Orochimaru watched Urashiki fight Naruto’s group and opened a spatial rift to capture him before they could defeat him. He took Urashiki into the Black Cavity Space, where he faced the task of dealing with the surviving Ōtsutsuki.

• Orochimaru told Kabuto to treat Sasuke’s injuries and allowed him to study the laboratory’s scrolls without promising to teach him.
• Urashiki attacked Naruto’s group again, and Orochimaru observed the abilities of his Rinnegan as he fought Sasuke and the others.
• Urashiki entered Celestial Crane Form after swallowing his Rinnegan and stored Chakra, but Naruto, Boruto, Jiraiya, and Sasuke drove him toward defeat.
• Orochimaru opened a spatial rift behind Urashiki and pulled him into the Black Cavity Space, where the rift severed Urashiki’s legs.
• Sasuke erased Jiraiya and Naruto’s memories, then returned to his own time with Boruto using Karasuki, while Orochimaru dealt with Urashiki in the Black Cavity Space.

Orochimaru captured the badly wounded Ōtsutsuki Urashiki in the Black Cavity Space and dismantled his attempt to escape through Karma. He harvested Urashiki’s eyes and began researching his body, then demanded that Urashiki reveal the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s techniques.

• Orochimaru and his original body approached the crippled Urashiki in the Black Cavity Space.
• Orochimaru restrained Urashiki and sealed him with several powerful jutsu.
• Orochimaru discovered Urashiki had placed Karma on his clone, then dispelled the marked clone and replaced it.
• Orochimaru anesthetized Urashiki, removed his golden Rinnegan and Byakugan, and transplanted other eyes into him.
• Orochimaru returned to Urashiki after cutting off part of his wings and asked him to share Ōtsutsuki techniques.

The Northern Lands expanded cooperation and trade with Iwagakure, Konoha, Kirigakure, and the Land of Lightning as countries invested in transportation and technology. The Land of Wind also improved its roads, and a new order began taking shape across the Ninja World.

• Northern Land Village and Iwagakure prospered through their alliance, improving the village economy and villagers’ lives.
• Tsunade offered cooperation with the Northern Lands, and Pakura and Anko negotiated initial agreements with Shikaku Nara and Asuma.
• Pakura proposed improving transportation with Kirigakure, and the Northern Lands later established major trade ports and shipping links with the Land of Water.
• Kakuzu asked for an assistant to handle his growing workload, and Haku suggested Koyuki or Ryuzetsu take on more duties.
• The Land of Lightning sent representatives to negotiate railway construction and technology exchanges, while the Land of Wind expanded its roads with Konoha’s help.