Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru taught his Academy class about the battle against Hanzō, emphasizing the importance of intelligence, then explained how talent and hard work could lead to strength. The chapter ended with a student asking what those without talent should do.

• Anko Mitarashi asked Orochimaru to describe the battle that made him famous, and he explained the opposing sides' advantages and the importance of intelligence.
• Orochimaru described Hanzō's abilities and called the students trash after a Hyuga student asked whether Hanzō was truly strong.
• Orochimaru praised Hanzō's accomplishments, while grade director Shikaku Nara listened from outside the classroom window.
• Umino Iruka asked how to become a powerful ninja, and Orochimaru explained that talent included Kekkei Genkai and the ability to learn powerful ninjutsu.
• A student asked Orochimaru what students without talent should do.

Orochimaru taught his students that effort and suitable ninjutsu could help those without exceptional talent, using Might Duy as an example, then assigned them graduation plans. After Shikaku approved the plans as a future practice for graduating classes, Orochimaru collected the students’ assignments and learned that the helpful girl was Anko Mitarashi.

• Orochimaru explained that effort paired with suitable ninjutsu could let ordinary students succeed, and cited Might Duy’s hidden taijutsu strength.
• Orochimaru called the class the worst he had ever taught and told the students to consider their graduation plans.
• Shikaku praised Orochimaru’s graduation-plan assignment and said he would have future graduating classes write one.
• Anko Mitarashi brought Orochimaru the students’ completed plans, and he asked her name.

Orochimaru wondered why Anko had not triggered the system’s plot and returned to his research. After Iruka told his parents about Orochimaru’s lesson, they defended the teacher and explained that his former student Nawaki had set an intimidating standard for the class.

• Orochimaru praised Anko, who grew excited to have earned his recognition, then wondered why meeting her had not triggered the plot.
• Orochimaru set aside his students’ assignments and resumed research at the Biological Research Institute.
• Iruka came home seeking his mother and asked his father, Umino Ikkaku, for his allowance while she was out shopping.
• At dinner, Iruka told his parents that Orochimaru had called the class trash, and Umino Ikkaku reacted angrily before Iruka could explain.
• After hearing the full lesson, Umino Ikkaku and Iruka’s mother agreed with Orochimaru’s strict approach and cited his former student Nawaki as a benchmark.
• Iruka accepted that his class might be the worst, while parents in other homes also supported Orochimaru, and some disciplined their sons.

Orochimaru learned that the Ninja Academy had approved his proposal to require graduation theses, then criticized his students’ unrealistic career plans and sent them home to revise their work. He began a lesson about how the Second Hokage endured hardship and bided his time.

• Shikaku told Orochimaru that the school leaders and teachers had unanimously approved requiring graduation theses, and Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi praised his proposal.
• Orochimaru reached his classroom and scolded the students for being noisy and for thinking he was late.
• Orochimaru mocked several graduation plans, praised Umino Iruka’s and Anko’s ambitions, and ordered the students to discuss realistic plans with their families or elders before rewriting their theses.
• Orochimaru wrote about the Second Hokage enduring hardship and biding his time on the blackboard, leaving the students curious about the story.

Orochimaru taught the students how the Second Hokage strengthened Konoha through ninjutsu, education, security forces, and alliances. He left them with an assignment to discuss their elders’ experiences at home and warned that failing students might have to repeat a year.

• Orochimaru explained how the Second Hokage developed ninjutsu and established the Ninja Academy, the Konoha Military Police Force, and the Anbu.
• Orochimaru described Konoha’s efforts to form alliances, including an agreement in principle with Kumogakure that was never finalized.
• Orochimaru urged the students to focus on improving themselves before aiming for high positions and gave them a saying about striving to destroy a nation.
• Orochimaru assigned the students to ask their families’ elders about the detours they took when they were young and threatened to make failing students repeat a year.
• After class, the teachers praised Orochimaru for his lesson.

Iruka told his parents about Orochimaru’s lesson and the praise he received, prompting his parents to take his future and graduation essay seriously. Meanwhile, Orochimaru’s lessons boosted his support in the Hokage vote, and Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to observe his next class as Orochimaru continued his research.

• Iruka told Umino Ikkaku and his mother about Orochimaru’s lesson, but his father beat him before hearing the full story.
• Iruka explained the lesson and his praised essay, and his mother urged him to show his graduation essay to his father.
• Parents across Konoha read their children’s essays and began planning their futures after graduation.
• An Anbu ninja reported that Minato Namikaze led the Hokage vote while Orochimaru had surged into second place, largely thanks to parents of his students.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed Orochimaru’s lesson materials and decided to attend his next class.
• Orochimaru analyzed research data in his laboratory and lamented that the system had not produced a Hashirama Cells fusion formula when a creaking sound interrupted him.

Danzo urged Orochimaru to take his Hokage campaign seriously, but Orochimaru rebuffed his attempts to control him. As Orochimaru’s candidacy spread, Jiraiya suspected political maneuvering, while Minato remained unconcerned about competing with his uncle.

• Danzo brought Orochimaru the Hokage election data and materials about previous Hokage, urging him to work harder and surpass Minato Namikaze.
• Orochimaru told Danzo to stop instructing him and left the election campaign to his own judgment.
• Danzo asked about the experiments before leaving the laboratory in high spirits.
• Jiraiya discussed Orochimaru’s unexpected candidacy with Minato and suspected that Konoha’s leaders were maneuvering behind the scenes.
• Minato said he would not blame Orochimaru and accepted that either of them could become Hokage.

Orochimaru taught the Ninja Academy students that endurance, capability, and survival were central to a ninja’s life, using Kakuzu’s survival after challenging the First Hokage as an example. He ended by urging students to learn from failure and build the knowledge and stability needed to keep going.

• Orochimaru noticed disguised teachers auditing his lesson and began teaching about a ninja’s self-cultivation.
• Anko answered his question about a ninja’s basic qualities, and Orochimaru explained how endurance and capability created room for survival.
• Orochimaru argued that missions, honor, and ambition all depended on staying alive, prompting a Hyuga student to challenge him.
• Orochimaru told the class that Kakuzu survived his defeat by the First Hokage and had grown to Elite Jonin strength.
• Orochimaru urged students to learn from failure and wrote that knowledge, financial security, emotional stability, and self-belief supported them.

Orochimaru urged Ninja Academy students to value their lives and retreat when necessary, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to move against his continued teaching. As Orochimaru walked home with Anko, she asked to stay by his side after graduating, and he agreed.

• Orochimaru told the students that sacrifice was unavoidable but they should not give up while any hope remained, then assigned them a reflection on the lesson.
• Anko brought Orochimaru the students' graduation papers and eagerly offered to carry them to his office.
• Hiruzen ordered an Anbu ninja to count the Hokage election votes quickly and resolved to end Orochimaru's substitute teaching appointment.
• Orochimaru told Anko he would not teach at the Academy long-term, and she asked to stay by his side after graduating next year.
• Orochimaru agreed to let Anko stay with him if she did not mind the hard work.

Orochimaru brought his young student Anko to Tsunade's estate, gave her a simple task in his laboratory, and planned to treat her to her favorite foods. As Shizune helped him cook, she wondered about his motives, unaware that he intended to nurture Anko into a disciple.

• Orochimaru brought Anko to Tsunade's estate and asked her to help wash test tubes in his laboratory.
• While Anko worked, Orochimaru studied the relationship between Hashirama Cells and Uzumaki Clan cells.
• Orochimaru left the laboratory to cook dinner for Anko and ran into Shizune, who had returned with groceries.
• Shizune learned that Anko was Orochimaru's student and that he might take her as a disciple after she graduated.
• Orochimaru prepared adzuki beans and dumplings because they were Anko's favorite foods, while Shizune jokingly suspected he planned to poison them.

Orochimaru invited Anko to dinner, where she met Tsunade and Shizune and learned he might take her as a disciple after she graduated. The meal ended with Orochimaru suggesting he would not teach at the Ninja Academy much longer.

• Orochimaru found Anko washing laboratory equipment and led her to dinner after she finished working.
• Shizune brought Tsunade back from the casino, and Anko introduced herself to Tsunade over a meal prepared with her favorite dishes.
• Anko told Tsunade and Shizune about Orochimaru's unusual lessons at the Ninja Academy, prompting Tsunade to warn him not to mislead students.
• Orochimaru said he might leave the Ninja Academy soon and told Anko he would consider taking her as a disciple after she graduated if she agreed.
• Shizune welcomed the idea of Anko visiting for dinner often, while Orochimaru suspected she mainly wanted his cooking.

After losing his chance to become Hokage, Orochimaru returned to the Ninja Academy to give his students one final lesson. He led them outside to learn how to face fear, overcome fear, and dispel genjutsu.

• Danzo confronted Orochimaru over Minato Namikaze becoming the leading Hokage candidate, but Orochimaru refused to entertain his complaints.
• Orochimaru decided to finish teaching his students and asked Shikaku to let him hold an outdoor class.
• Orochimaru told the students that their final lesson would be genjutsu and fear, then explained how to face and dispel genjutsu.
• Orochimaru led the students to the training grounds, and Shikaku followed with the school's Medical Ninja as a precaution.

Orochimaru warned his students that war could break out soon and put them through two fear-based trials to test their readiness. After Manda frightened some students into collapsing, Orochimaru cast the Hell Viewing Technique on those who remained, leaving them trapped in visions of their worst fears.

• Orochimaru addressed the students about the possibility of war and asked whether they were prepared to face it.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda and ordered it to unleash its pressure and killing intent on the students.
• Several students collapsed, fainted, or cried, so Orochimaru eliminated them and asked Shikaku to look after them.
• Orochimaru announced that the students still standing had passed the first trial and began the main test.
• Orochimaru cast the Hell Viewing Technique on the students, and Shikaku questioned whether the ordeal was too harsh.

Hiruzen ended the election early despite Danzo’s objections, while Orochimaru’s former students remembered his lesson. As the Battle of Kikyo Pass began the Third Great Ninja War and Kabuto was brought to the orphanage, Orochimaru arrived there hoping to contact and recruit him before Danzo did.

• Danzo challenged Hiruzen over ending the election early, but Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura redirected the discussion to Iwagakure’s activity at the border.
• Orochimaru praised the students who passed his trial, then left the Ninja Academy as Anko sensed loneliness behind his departure.
• At the end of Year 45 of Konoha, the Battle of Kikyo Pass broke out, and Yakushi Nonō rescued and adopted a five-year-old child named Kabuto.
• Might Duy opened the Eight Gates to save Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, killing four and driving Suikazan Fuguki, Raiga Kurosuki, and Jūzō Biwa away badly injured.
• After the battle brought Might Duy recognition and Orochimaru prestige, Orochimaru went to the orphanage to approach Kabuto before Danzo could find him.

Orochimaru visited Konoha’s orphanage, met Yakushi Nonō, and took a special interest in the newly arrived Kabuto. He decided not to adopt Kabuto, intending instead to build a connection and leave his future role as a spy intact.

• Orochimaru introduced himself to Yakushi Nonō and gave her fruit and milk candies to distribute to the orphanage children.
• Orochimaru noticed that many of the children had been displaced by war and had disabilities.
• Nonō brought Orochimaru to meet shy children playing in the sand, including Kabuto, who had recently arrived with amnesia from a head injury.
• Orochimaru gave Kabuto candy, picked him up, and promised to buy him something on a future visit.
• Nonō explained that she hoped the children would grow up safely, while Orochimaru praised Kabuto’s potential and asked her to care for him.
• Orochimaru decided against adopting Kabuto, believing Kabuto’s future as a spy would serve his plans.

Minato, Jiraiya, Dekai, and Shuichi continued their mission to scout Iwagakure’s movements before heading back to Konoha. Their journey ended in an ambush by Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki, Rōshi and Han, who confronted the squad after a magma attack.

• Jiraiya led Minato, Dekai, and Shuichi along a different route toward Konoha to gather intelligence on its borders.
• Jiraiya sensed danger, but Shuichi detected no enemies nearby.
• Magma erupted beneath the squad, and Jiraiya rescued Dekai while Minato used the Flying Thunder God to escape with Shuichi.
• Jiraiya and Dekai recognized the attackers as Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki, Rōshi and Han.
• Han mocked the Konoha ninja, while Rōshi looked relieved after identifying them.

Jiraiya’s team escaped two Tailed Beast Bombs thanks to Minato, while Orochimaru confronted Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki Rōshi and Han. Orochimaru began fighting them, targeting Han and the Five-Tails Kokuō as the first step in his Tailed Beast capture plan.

• Rōshi and Han formed and launched two Tailed Beast Bombs, but Minato used Flying Thunder God to transport Jiraiya’s team to safety.
• Minato reflected on how the Tailed Beast Bomb could inspire improvements to the Rasengan, then Jiraiya ordered the group back to the village to report Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru arrived on Manda and confronted Rōshi and Han, and Rōshi warned Han that they needed to work together to survive.
• Orochimaru mocked the two Jinchuriki and attacked, sending an Energy Clone and Manda after Rōshi while he targeted Han and the Five-Tails Kokuō.

Orochimaru overwhelmed Han in close combat while his Energy Clones and Manda kept Rōshi occupied. Humiliated by Orochimaru’s taunts and attention to the Four-Tails, Han decided to loosen Kokuō’s seal and fight with the Five-Tails’ help.

• Rōshi activated his Tailed Beast Cloak and engaged Orochimaru’s Energy Clone while Han charged Orochimaru with Boil Release: Unrivaled Strength.
• Orochimaru stopped Han’s punch, then countered his Overclock Mode and Steam Rush, grabbing him and slamming him into the ground.
• Han was battered and bloodied, but he continued to boast and challenge Orochimaru, who mocked him as the Ninja World’s strongest mouth.
• Orochimaru created two more Energy Clones and sent them to help Manda fight the Four-Tails, leaving Han feeling ignored and humiliated.
• Han asked Kokuō to temporarily undo the seal so they could kill Orochimaru.

Orochimaru fought Han’s fully transformed Five-Tails, Kokuō, using Sonido and Cero while turning its Tailed Beast Bomb into a reserve of energy. After their first head-on clash cracked one of Kokuō’s horns, Orochimaru charged back into battle, eager to continue the evenly matched fight.

• Han transformed completely into Kokuō, which attacked Orochimaru with a sound wave and a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Orochimaru summoned Four-Layer Rashōmon, used Sonido to take hold of the Tailed Beast Bomb, and vanished as Kokuō charged past.
• Orochimaru fired repeated Ceros at Kokuō while absorbing the Tailed Beast Bomb’s energy, but Kokuō evaded the barrage and closed in.
• Kokuō leaped at Orochimaru, and their collision sent shockwaves through the surrounding forest before Kokuō tossed him into the air with a cracked horn.
• Orochimaru steadied himself and charged Kokuō again as they continued their fierce close-quarters battle.

Orochimaru subdued Kokuō, severed its tails, and sealed them away while overpowering the Tailed Beast with earth and gravity techniques. Son Gokū suddenly attacked with a Tailed Beast Bomb, giving Kokuō a chance to escape as the blast erased the Four-Tails’ location.

• Orochimaru trapped Kokuō in a swamp and restrained it with earthen dragons.
• Orochimaru’s clone used the Kusanagi Sword to sever Kokuō’s tails while Orochimaru pinned it down with gravity and powerful punches.
• Orochimaru’s clone cut off the rest of Kokuō’s tails and carried them away to seal them.
• Kokuō gave up struggling, and Han urged it to fight back as it mourned its lost tails.
• Son Gokū fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Kokuō, and Orochimaru leaped away as Kokuō broke free and dodged the blast.