Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru took control of the Land of Snow and brought Kazahana Koyuki to see that Kazahana Dōtō had been defeated. He told Koyuki she would become queen, leaving her overwhelmed by the sudden change.

• Orochimaru forced Kazahana Dōtō's guards to accept him as their master and had them branded with marks of loyalty.
• Orochimaru ordered Mizore Fuyukuma to lead him and Guren to Princess Koyuki's quarters.
• Orochimaru told Kazahana Koyuki that he had dealt with Kazahana Dōtō, then brought her to the medical ward to see him unconscious and injured.
• Orochimaru assigned Nadare Rōga and Fubuki Emishi to serve Koyuki and said Kazahana Dōtō would announce his abdication in her favor in two days.
• Kazahana Koyuki thanked Orochimaru and kowtowed after learning she would become queen of the Land of Snow.

After helping Kazahana Koyuki take the throne in the Land of Snow, Orochimaru traveled with Guren to the Land of Hot Water. There, he visited Yugakure’s Daimyo during lunch and confronted them.

• Kazahana Koyuki ascended the throne with the people’s support, while Orochimaru arranged for Kazahana Dōtō to research Chakra Armor at a secret base.
• Orochimaru left the Land of Snow with Guren and trained her during their journey to the Land of Hot Water.
• Orochimaru and Guren arrived in Yugakure, where they enjoyed the famous hot springs.
• Orochimaru sent Shadow Clones to knock out the guards outside the Daimyo’s dining hall.
• Orochimaru entered the dining hall and confronted the Land of Hot Water’s Daimyo while they ate.

After Obito gave Kakashi his Sharingan, Minato sought the Uchiha clan’s approval for Kakashi to keep it. Fugaku agreed to restrain the clan while he consulted the Third Hokage and convened a clan meeting.

• At Konoha Hospital, the doctor found no immediate signs of rejection from Kakashi’s transplanted Sharingan but warned that he needed to avoid strong light and remain under observation.
• Rin blamed herself for Obito’s death and Kakashi’s injury, but Minato comforted her and said he would explain the situation to the Uchiha clan.
• Minato visited the Uchiha compound and asked Fugaku Uchiha to let Kakashi keep Obito’s Sharingan.
• Fugaku refused to decide alone, saying he needed to consult the Third Hokage and hold a clan meeting.
• Minato asked Fugaku to protect Kakashi in the meantime, and Fugaku agreed to restrain the clan members.

Itachi questioned Shisui about the purpose of ninjas and the relationship between the village and the clans, while Orochimaru began developing technology to strengthen his territory. Orochimaru's main body and Guren then boarded a ship bound for the Land of Water.

• Itachi asked Shisui what ninjas meant to the village and how the village and clans were connected, and Shisui told him to explore the questions for himself.
• Itachi reflected on Konoha's mistrust of the Uchiha and concluded that changing their position would require replacing the Hokage and the village's upper ranks.
• Anko and Guren watched Orochimaru test a steam train model, and Guren fetched tools to help him repair it.
• Orochimaru continued researching the train and other technologies, receiving information from his main body through Shiro.
• Orochimaru's main body and Guren boarded a ship bound for the Land of Water.

Orochimaru traveled to islands near the Land of Water to recruit talented young ninja and encountered Hozuki Mangetsu aboard a ship. After Mangetsu rejected his invitation and challenged his credentials, the two prepared to fight.

• Orochimaru considered recruiting promising ninja from the Land of Water and recognized Hozuki Mangetsu on the same ship.
• Orochimaru introduced himself as the Golden Snake Gentleman from the Land of Gold and said he planned to establish that country.
• Orochimaru invited Mangetsu to join his team, but Mangetsu refused and said Orochimaru was not qualified to recruit him.
• Orochimaru suggested they settle the disagreement through strength, and Mangetsu drew a kunai.
• Orochimaru and Mangetsu vanished from their positions as their battle began.

Orochimaru fought Hozuki Mangetsu at sea and overwhelmed him with his strength and techniques. After carrying him high above the water, Orochimaru asked whether he still considered him unqualified to recruit him, but Hozuki Mangetsu refused to admit defeat.

• Orochimaru and Hozuki Mangetsu left the ship to fight, and Orochimaru sent Mangetsu flying with a punch.
• Hozuki Mangetsu attacked with Water Gun Technique and a kunai, but Orochimaru endured the water bullets and caught the blade barehanded.
• Orochimaru used Sonido to take Mangetsu into the air, then raised him hundreds of meters above the sea.
• Orochimaru asked whether Mangetsu still doubted his qualification to recruit him, but Mangetsu protested that Orochimaru had won through ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru asked what Mangetsu thought of this next demonstration.

Orochimaru overwhelmed Hozuki Mangetsu with his Sage Mode power and invited him to join a new country in the Land of Gold. Hozuki Mangetsu declined for now, but began considering the offer as he returned to Kirigakure’s looming troubles.

• Orochimaru transformed into Sage Mode and demonstrated his strength by destroying a distant island with an energy beam.
• Orochimaru threatened Hozuki Mangetsu, then proposed that he join a new country in the Land of Gold and help build it.
• Hozuki Mangetsu said he needed time to think, and Orochimaru warned him to seek him out if he could no longer remain in the Land of Water.
• Orochimaru and Hozuki Mangetsu returned to the boat, where Guren checked on Orochimaru and teased Mangetsu about his defeated appearance.
• Hozuki Mangetsu considered the dangers of Kirigakure’s internal strife and decided to watch events before choosing whether to join Orochimaru.

Kirigakure tried to use Rin Nohara, with Three-Tails Isobu sealed inside her, to destroy Konoha, but a masked man intervened as Kakashi prepared to kill her. He extracted the beast from Rin and confronted Isobu, while Obito watched from the battlefield’s edge.

• After the Third Raikage died fighting Ōnoki’s forces, the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning withdrew and sent envoys to negotiate peace with Konoha.
• Kirigakure sealed Three-Tails Isobu inside Rin Nohara and let her escape with Kakashi, intending to make the beast attack Konoha.
• Rin realized Kirigakure’s plan and begged Kakashi to kill her, but he hesitated and called for Minato Namikaze instead.
• As the Mist Ninja surrounded them, Kakashi formed Chidori and thrust toward Rin’s heart, but a masked man stopped his attack.
• The masked man removed Three-Tails Isobu from Rin, leaving her unconscious, then taunted the beast as Obito watched nearby.

Orochimaru confronted Isobu after Rin’s temporary seal failed, while Obito watched helplessly and the Mist Ninja were caught in the battle. Orochimaru cut off Isobu’s tails and wounded its neck, but Isobu retreated into its shell and continued attacking with a Tailed Beast Bomb.

• Isobu emerged from Rin and attacked the Mist Ninja with its tails and a sonic blast, while Kakashi and Obito watched in shock.
• White Zetsu restrained Obito and covered him with its outer shell as Orochimaru revealed himself as the Masked Man.
• Orochimaru created over a thousand Shadow Clones to fight the Mist Ninja, then drained Isobu’s Chakra while battling it under a Gravity Field.
• Orochimaru struck Isobu’s head and cut off its three tails with Lightning Release Sharp Spears, wounding its neck when it emerged.
• Isobu hid inside its shell and launched a Tailed Beast Bomb, inflicting heavy casualties on the Mist Ninja.

Orochimaru lifted Isobu into the sky and crushed it into the battlefield, killing Rin Nohara. Kakashi and Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as Rin died, while Orochimaru left the scene.

• Orochimaru raised Isobu three thousand meters, increased its weight, and sent it crashing toward the battlefield.
• The falling Isobu smashed the ground and swept the battlefield with a shockwave, stunning Obito, White Zetsu, and Black Zetsu.
• Isobu dissipated into Chakra, leaving Rin Nohara mortally wounded, and Kakashi rushed to hold her.
• Rin comforted Kakashi before dying in his arms, while Obito watched from a distance.
• Kakashi and Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Orochimaru departed.

Orochimaru traveled to the Land of Water with Guren to search for future disciples and build an intelligence network around Kirigakure. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki sent Jūzō Biwa and Kakuzu on a mission to recruit Sasori of the Red Sands.

• Orochimaru brought Guren to a snowbound town in the Land of Water and learned that Kirigakure tightly controlled the region.
• Orochimaru created Energy Clones to gather information, branded civilians with Loyalty Marks, and considered establishing an intelligence relay station.
• The Akatsuki, founded by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, gained influence in Amegakure by helping civilians and seeking peace.
• Konan ordered Jūzō Biwa and Kakuzu to travel to the Land of Wind and bring back a prospective member.
• Jūzō Biwa and Kakuzu saw the portrait of their target, Sasori of the Red Sands.

Danzo conspired with Hanzō against Akatsuki while Hiruzen encouraged Minato to prepare to become the next Hokage. Orochimaru resumed experiments for Danzo, but news that Tsunade was leaving disrupted his research.

• Danzo convinced Hanzō that Akatsuki threatened his rule and left Root shinobi to help him find its members.
• Hiruzen told Minato to prepare to become Hokage, and Minato shared the news with Kushina.
• Orochimaru discovered that Danzo had obtained Sharingan and supplied him with prisoners for Hashirama Cell experiments.
• Orochimaru focused on his research until he heard that Tsunade was leaving.

Orochimaru met Tsunade on Hokage Rock before she left Konoha, sharing aged wine and memories as he asked her to stay and openly expressed his feelings. Tsunade kissed his forehead, leaving their relationship changed as her departure approached.

• Orochimaru brought Tsunade a jar of wine he had brewed twelve years earlier, and they drank together on Hokage Rock.
• Orochimaru asked Tsunade whether she would stay, and she asked if he would support her; he agreed, though she told him to return to his research.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade reminisced about their time together and watched the sunset as they discussed their past and parting.
• Orochimaru recited poetry and plainly revealed his feelings for Tsunade.
• Tsunade met Orochimaru's gaze, softened, and quickly pecked his forehead.

After Tsunade left Konoha with Shizune, Orochimaru moved home and built an underground laboratory with Anko’s help. Jiraiya visited for drinks, questioned Orochimaru about Tsunade and Minato’s possible succession as Hokage, then said he planned to write and travel.

• Tsunade left Konoha with Shizune, carrying Orochimaru’s gifts and singing “Green Silk.”
• Orochimaru moved out of Tsunade’s residence and built a biological laboratory beneath his home with Anko’s help.
• Jiraiya waited outside Orochimaru’s house and followed him inside for a drink.
• Anko brought ingredients, helped Orochimaru prepare dinner, and poured drinks while Jiraiya asked whether Tsunade had agreed to be with him.
• Jiraiya told Orochimaru that Minato might become the next Hokage, and Orochimaru said he was not interested in the position.
• Jiraiya said he planned to write, occasionally leave the village, and travel in a few years.

Orochimaru and Guren reached Amegakure to observe Hanzō’s attack on Akatsuki, which ended with Yahiko sacrificing himself and Nagato summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. As Nagato unleashed its devastating power, Guren discovered that Orochimaru had disappeared.

• Orochimaru and Guren hurried to Amegakure after learning that Danzo had joined forces with Hanzō, and Orochimaru sent clones to gather intelligence.
• Orochimaru learned that Hanzō had been attacking Akatsuki and watched with Guren as Hanzō captured Konan and demanded that Nagato or Yahiko die.
• Yahiko threw himself onto Nagato’s kunai to save Konan, and Nagato leaped to rescue her as Hanzō’s trap crippled his legs.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, whose purple energy dragon attacked the Amegakure and Root ninja.
• Zetsu and Obito watched the battle from hiding, while Guren turned to ask Orochimaru about the statue and found that he was gone.

Nagato destroyed Hanzō’s forces with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but collapsed after Hanzō fled. Orochimaru secretly took a piece of the Ten-Tails and then brought Guren into Amegakure to pursue his plans amid the village’s chaos.

• Nagato drove the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to kill the surrounding ninjas, while Hanzō fled rather than face him.
• The statue vanished when Nagato’s black rods snapped, and Konan held the injured Nagato as they wept.
• Zetsu and Obito discussed the Akatsuki’s future and left without revealing themselves to Nagato and Konan.
• Orochimaru realized Zetsu and Obito had gone, then sealed away a piece of Ten-Tails flesh he had cut from the statue.
• Orochimaru returned to Guren and took her to Amegakure, where he planned to make contacts while the country was in turmoil.

Orochimaru expanded his plans for a network across the Great Nations while traveling through the Land of Rain with Guren, and his Konoha clone advanced experiments and mechanical research. He praised Anko’s work on a circuit board and resolved to nurture her more carefully, leaving her future choice to her.

• Orochimaru took Guren to eat in Amegakure, where she complained about the local food and he reassured her that their lives would improve.
• Orochimaru planned to build an intelligence network in the Land of Rain and considered seeking out Ajisai, though he realized she might not yet have been born.
• Orochimaru’s clone used living test subjects to speed up experiments and developed modern devices and weapons.
• Anko presented Orochimaru with a completed circuit board, and he praised her progress.
• Orochimaru considered how to strengthen Anko beyond her future Special Jonin rank and decided that whether she left Konoha would be her choice.

Minato Namikaze was chosen as Konoha’s next Hokage, while Kakashi and Might Guy visited the cemetery to tell Obito and Rin. There, Orochimaru advised young Itachi to understand his mission and accept that he must discover some things for himself.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi convinced the Daimyo that Minato Namikaze’s wartime achievements made him the right choice for Hokage, defeating Danzo’s recommendation of Orochimaru.
• Might Guy told Kakashi that Minato would become Hokage, and Kakashi said he was happy before heading with Might Guy to the cemetery.
• Orochimaru asked young Itachi to consider his mission and the meaning of his existence rather than giving him a direct answer about being a ninja.
• Orochimaru told Itachi that he might find nothing beyond the mountain he wanted to climb, and Itachi bowed and left after pondering the advice.

Anko passed the Chunin Exams, and Orochimaru celebrated with her on their way home. They ran into Kushina and Mikoto, whose conversation revealed that Kushina expected to give birth within a few months, while Orochimaru recognized the danger surrounding her pregnancy.

• Anko excitedly told Orochimaru that she had passed the Chunin Exams, and he took her home to celebrate.
• Orochimaru reflected on Anko’s training and his plans to strengthen her with a Yin Seal and a curse mark.
• Kushina and Mikoto met while out walking, and Mikoto asked when Kushina was due to give birth.
• Kushina said she expected to give birth within two or three months, while Orochimaru recalled that Kakashi had leaked the timing to Rin and Obito had overheard it.
• Orochimaru and Anko encountered Kushina and Mikoto, and the women congratulated Anko on becoming a Chunin.
• Orochimaru admired the infant Sasuke and predicted that he would achieve great things.

Orochimaru visited Mikoto and Kushina, praised Sasuke, and later promised Anko a surprise for becoming a Chunin. In his underground laboratory, he placed an Earth Curse Mark on Anko, and she lost consciousness from the pain.

• Orochimaru praised Sasuke to Mikoto and offered to teach him someday, while Kakashi watched him warily.
• Orochimaru advised Kushina to have Minato spend more time with her, then left with Anko and suggested they share a meal with Jiraiya when he returned.
• Guren asked Orochimaru about Sasuke, and Anko resolved to work harder after hearing her teacher praise the boy.
• Orochimaru promised Anko a surprise, shared dinner with her, and brought her to the underground laboratory.
• Orochimaru activated an Earth Curse Mark and pressed it onto Anko's lower abdomen, causing her intense pain until she lost consciousness.