Chapter Summaries

Sarutobi Tenchu confronted Li Yao, who trapped him in an interstitial space while tormenting the Third Hokage and Biwako. The Third Hokage hoped Konoha’s returning allies would discover what was happening, but a night passed without rescue.

• Sarutobi Tenchu recognized Li Yao and charged him, but his attack passed through Li Yao as he entered a special space.
• Sarutobi Tenchu escaped the space briefly and saw the Third Hokage and Biwako helpless before Li Yao.
• The Third Hokage begged Li Yao to spare Sarutobi Tenchu, and Tenchu realized how deeply his father cared for him.
• Sarutobi Tenchu repeatedly tried to reach Li Yao from within the interstitial space, unaware of the gap in their strength.
• The Third Hokage hoped Tsunade, White Fang, and Konoha’s other powerful ninjas would notice Li Yao’s presence, but one night passed.

Li Yao sealed Biwako’s memories of him and erased the Third Hokage’s memories of the previous night, then watched as Biwako’s youth returned and she and Hiruzen resumed their intimacy. Hiruzen left for the Hokage Building, while Li Yao continued observing him with Sarutobi Tenchu trapped in the interstitial space.

• Li Yao used the Memory Seal Jutsu to erase Biwako’s memories of him and the Third Hokage’s memories of the previous night.
• Biwako woke beside Hiruzen and discovered that her body had regained its vitality and youth.
• Biwako praised Hiruzen for the previous night, and Hiruzen recalled hazy images before embracing her.
• Li Yao watched the couple from the interstitial space while Sarutobi Tenchu asked what he had done to his parents.
• Hiruzen left home in a hurry and used the Body Flicker Jutsu to race toward the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage prolonged the war to retain power while Li Yao explored Konoha and investigated the Sage of Six Paths’ motives. He entered Kushina’s guarded home disguised as Minato, and she welcomed him without realizing the deception.

• The Third Hokage issued orders to keep the war going and privately insisted that no one could take Konoha from him.
• Sarutobi Tenchu tried in vain to reach his father from the interstitial space.
• Li Yao wondered why the Sage of Six Paths had not spread Chakra to everyone, then resolved to keep developing soul abilities and Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Li Yao found Kushina’s house, used Kotoamatsukami on the six Anbu guards, and transformed himself into Minato.
• Kushina rushed out, embraced Li Yao in Minato’s form, and happily asked why he had returned so soon.

Li Yao, disguised as Minato, spent the morning with Kushina and challenged her to prove her trust by not turning around. After he dispelled the disguise, Kushina sensed that the person behind her had changed, but Minato’s familiar voice stopped her from looking.

• Li Yao entered the house disguised as Minato and embraced Kushina, who noticed he was bolder than usual.
• Li Yao told Kushina he had developed a powerful ninjutsu, then followed her into the kitchen as she made noodles.
• Li Yao and Kushina ate together, and he proposed a game in which she had to stand facing away without turning around.
• Kushina promised she trusted Minato completely and agreed to the game.
• Li Yao dispelled Perfect Transformation Jutsu, and Kushina sensed the change in his Chakra and body.
• Minato told Kushina not to turn around, and she stopped despite her doubts.

Li Yao used his transformation to convince Kushina that he was Minato, and the two began a playful trust game. Meanwhile, the real Minato rested with his squad in the Land of Earth and refused Imai’s lucky kunai as a wedding gift.

• Li Yao returned to his original body and reassured Kushina that his Perfect Transformation Jutsu had changed his appearance and aura.
• After waiting for Kushina to get used to him, Li Yao revealed his altered face, and Kushina accepted him as Minato in disguise.
• Kushina challenged Li Yao’s identity, and the two playfully traded blows as part of their role-playing game.
• In a valley in the southeastern Land of Earth, Minato rested with his squad and said Kushina would understand his mission duties.
• Imai offered Minato his Lucky Kunai as a wedding present, but Minato refused because it was Imai’s keepsake from his wife.

Minato accepted Imai’s Lucky Kunai and continued toward Iwagakure to investigate the Fourth Tsuchikage’s disappearance. Li Yao’s clone detected Minato’s squad and flew to confront him, while Minato sensed danger and prepared for their arrival.

• Imai gave Minato the Lucky Kunai and urged him to uncover the truth behind the Fourth Tsuchikage’s disappearance.
• Minato accepted the kunai and set out toward Iwagakure with Imai and their companions.
• Li Yao’s clone sensed Minato’s Chakra and changed direction to approach him with Kaitō and Eri.
• Minato sensed an approaching danger, halted his squad, and ordered Imai and the other companion to hide.
• Minato detected three Chakra signatures flying toward them and recognized Li Yao only when he saw his face.

Minato encountered Li Yao’s Earth Style Clone, Shigan, and prepared to fight after recognizing him. The clone killed Minato’s companions with Mass Release-enhanced wind pressure, leaving Minato facing an enemy whose abilities he did not understand.

• Minato recognized Shigan as Li Yao, and Kaitō angrily attacked him before Shigan pulled her back with the Super Lightweight Rock Technique.
• Shigan greeted Minato, but Minato signaled Imai and Momota to retreat instead of speaking with him.
• Shigan moved behind Imai and Momota as Minato teleported to attack him with a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
• Shigan blocked Minato’s kunai with a wind barrier and killed Imai and Momota with Mass Release-enhanced wind pressure.
• Minato teleported to another boulder and wondered what kind of ninjutsu had created the deep, lava-filled trenches.

Li Yao's Earth Style Clone Shigan overwhelmed Minato with devastating Wind Release attacks, though Minato escaped using Flying Thunder God. Minato reached Danzo's command camp injured and suspected Shigan had combined Earth Release with Wind Release.

• Shigan attacked Minato with a punch enhanced by Wind Release, but Minato dodged with Flying Thunder God and countered with a Rasengan.
• Shigan punched through Minato's Rasengan with an explosive wind shockwave, injuring Minato's arm before Minato teleported away.
• Shigan rejoined Kaitō and Big Wave Secretary Eri, then decided to bring peace to Konoha's battlefield in the Land of Fire before dealing with Kumogakure.
• Minato arrived at Danzo's command camp, treated his injured arm, and concluded that Shigan's attack combined Earth Release and Wind Release.

Minato returned to Danzo with news that Li Yao had survived and was operating through an Iwagakure ninja, alarming Danzo. Danzo realized Li Yao had been the mysterious Explosion Release ninja from years earlier and feared the threat he posed.

• Minato escaped the explosive traps with Root ninjas and asked to report urgent intelligence to Danzo.
• Danzo considered exploiting the Fourth Tsuchikage’s disappearance to defeat Iwagakure and advance his bid to become Hokage.
• Danzo learned Minato had returned injured without his companions and wondered who had wounded him.
• Minato told Danzo that Li Yao was alive and described his encounter with Li Yao’s Earth Style Clone, Shigan.
• Danzo connected Li Yao to the mysterious Explosion Release ninja who had once taken his son from the Root Base and had attacked the Three Great Hidden Villages.
• Danzo recalled the Five Kage’s concerns about Li Yao’s abilities and realized the situation was dangerous.

Danzo concluded that Li Yao knew the Flying Thunder God Technique and fled the battlefield to warn the Third Hokage, leaving Minato in command. Li Yao appeared at the camp, sealed Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique, and greeted Danzo as Konoha ninjas surrounded them.

• Danzo questioned Minato about Li Yao’s fight and became convinced that Li Yao knew the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Danzo ordered the Root ninja to remain on high alert and decided to return to Konoha, leaving Minato in charge of the front.
• Danzo recalled Li Yao’s suspected power and past attacks, then prepared to leave the camp.
• Li Yao appeared beside Minato without warning, and Minato discovered that Li Yao had used a Contract Seal to disable his Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Konoha ninjas surrounded Li Yao, who ignored them and warmly greeted Danzo.

Li Yao, disguised as the Fourth Tsuchikage, overwhelmed Danzo and Minato before announcing that he had come as a peace envoy between Konoha and Iwagakure. He healed Minato and released the seals restraining him and Danzo, leaving the Konoha forces stunned and wary.

• Danzo ordered the Konoha Ninja to attack Li Yao, but Li Yao seized and sealed Danzo before kicking Minato through the forest.
• Li Yao killed a Root ninja who had tried to order his execution, making the Konoha forces retreat in fear of his speed and Chakra.
• Li Yao revealed that he was the Fourth Tsuchikage, and Danzo suspected he had been involved in the Third Tsuchikage's death.
• Li Yao retrieved the unconscious Minato, healed his injuries, and revived him.
• Li Yao declared that he had come as an envoy bringing peace to Konoha and Iwagakure, then released the seals on Minato and Danzo.

Li Yao’s clone warned Konoha to end the war, then traveled toward the Land of Lightning with Kaitō and Big Wave Secretary Eri. Minato sent out orders and went to verify the ceasefire, while Orochimaru set out to investigate Pakura’s survival and power.

• Li Yao’s clone told Konoha that Sunagakure and Iwagakure would soon stop fighting and threatened to visit if Konoha continued the war.
• Danzo ordered Konoha’s units to withdraw toward the border and sent Minato to confirm whether Sunagakure and Iwagakure had ceased hostilities.
• Minato accepted that he could not defeat Li Yao and apologized to his friend Kimura Yao as he set his vengeance aside.
• Li Yao’s clone used the Flying Thunder God Technique to travel toward the Land of Lightning, then told Kaitō and Big Wave Secretary Eri about the Dragon Vein and parallel worlds.
• Orochimaru learned that Pakura had survived and set out with three ninja to investigate her strength and try to capture her alive.

Pakura used her newly mastered High-Temperature Mode to devastate a Konoha camp while searching for Orochimaru, hoping to settle their grudge before the village’s ceasefire orders took effect. At night, Konoha squad leaders anxiously awaited Orochimaru at a nearby outpost and reflected on how ordinary ninjas had become powerless beside the war’s inhuman powerhouses.

• Orochimaru planned to use Wood Clones to drain Pakura’s Chakra rather than confront her directly.
• Pakura destroyed a Konoha camp with her scorching power and ordered a surviving ninja to tell Orochimaru to come fight her.
• The survivor fled, and Pakura chose not to pursue him because she wanted Orochimaru to arrive before the war ended.
• Three Konoha squad leaders gathered at a nearby outpost and worried that Pakura might attack them before Orochimaru arrived.
• The squad leaders recalled how Sasori of the Red Sands, the Konoha White Fang, and Orochimaru had turned the war into a battle among inhuman powerhouses.

Pakura pursued Konoha strongholds and finally confronted Orochimaru, whose Wood Release attacks failed to stop her devastating heat. The chapter ended with Orochimaru keeping his true body hidden at a distance while Pakura faced his Wood Human.

• Pakura arrived at a Konoha stronghold, but its squads escaped through a tunnel beneath the river before her heat-source sensing could find them.
• Pakura continued toward the next stronghold and found Orochimaru waiting on a mountain peak, while he ordered the Konoha Ninja there to retreat.
• Orochimaru used Wood Release: Forest Creation to attack Pakura, but her high-temperature domain burned the enormous trees to ash as she advanced.
• Pakura fired a near-light-speed heat-source ray that destroyed Orochimaru's Wood Clone, while his true body hid underground.
• Orochimaru created a Wood Human and escaped inside a giant snake, keeping his true body more than two kilometers from Pakura.

Pakura used her enhanced high-temperature abilities and seemingly unlimited Chakra to overpower Orochimaru’s wood golem and turn their fight into a destructive battle of attrition. As the fighters raced across the landscape, nearby Konoha squads returned to their outpost and watched warily from a safe distance.

• Pakura tore through Orochimaru’s wood golem’s fist, and Orochimaru’s Wood Clone recognized that her Scorching Style had grown stronger.
• Orochimaru’s Wood Clone abandoned the golem, escaped underground, and sent a forest of trees after Pakura to wear her down.
• Pakura expanded her high-temperature domain to its maximum range and burned through Orochimaru’s advancing trees without conserving Chakra.
• Pakura and Orochimaru’s Wood Clone raced across the land, leaving molten lava, burning trees, and vast destruction in their wake.
• Three Konoha squads surfaced from their hiding place, concluded that Orochimaru was fighting Pakura, and returned to their outpost.
• The Konoha squads dug defensive pits near the newly formed lake and kept watch, ready to retreat if the battle approached.

Orochimaru discovered that Pakura was continually absorbing Nature Energy, allowing her to fight without her Chakra weakening, and realized he could not defeat her. Pakura offered a three-day withdrawal and ceasefire, while Orochimaru said he needed to report to the village before answering.

• Orochimaru sensed Nature Energy gathering around Pakura and suspected that she had a device like Sasori of the Red Sands' Puppet Heart.
• Pakura's Scorch Release continued to burn through Orochimaru's Wood Release, and he decided to stop fighting rather than risk running out of Chakra.
• Orochimaru sent a Wood Clone to propose ending the battle, but Pakura demanded that his real body speak to her.
• Orochimaru argued that neither of them could stop the other from attacking enemy strongholds, so continuing the war would only cause more deaths.
• Pakura told Orochimaru that her Fourth Kazekage had ordered the Sand Ninja to withdraw from the Land of Rivers within three days and cease hostilities.
• Orochimaru asked for three days to report the proposal to the village and obtain the Hokage's approval.

Pakura told Orochimaru that the Sand Ninja would withdraw within three days regardless of Konoha’s answer, while Orochimaru worried they had an unrevealed trump card and hoped the Third Hokage would accept the ceasefire. Later, Li Yao visited the Third Hokage in the Anbu base and restored his sealed memories, triggering a furious reaction that Li Yao considered a new way to torment him.

• Pakura told Orochimaru that the Sand Ninja would return to the Land of Wind within three days and hinted that she wanted Konoha to reject the ceasefire.
• Orochimaru’s Wood Clone reported the conversation, and Orochimaru hoped the Third Hokage would make the right decision, unaware that the Third Hokage had ordered the war prolonged.
• Li Yao left Kushina’s home disguised as Minato, and Kushina believed he was the real Minato because he used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Third Hokage woke tied up with his Chakra sealed, and Li Yao stood beside him in the Anbu base.
• Li Yao released the Third Hokage’s Memory Seal, causing his memories of the torment to return and prompting him to curse Li Yao in rage.
• Li Yao theorized that restoring traumatic memories had caused the Third Hokage’s extreme reaction and considered using the effect to torment him further.

Li Yao discovered that sealing and suddenly restoring the Third Hokage’s traumatic memories could intensify his suffering, then threatened to target the Sarutobi Clan. The Third Hokage decided he had to find a way to die so Konoha would learn of Li Yao and his clan might escape the danger.

• Li Yao realized he could torment the Third Hokage by suppressing memories of his torture and abruptly restoring them.
• The Third Hokage’s memories returned, causing him to curse Li Yao and beg to be killed.
• Li Yao said he would spare the rest of Konoha but torture the Third Hokage and the Sarutobi Clan.
• The Third Hokage resolved to find a way to die so Enma and Konoha would discover Li Yao and the Sarutobi Clan could escape his threat.

Li Yao exposed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s devotion to building the Sarutobi Clan’s power and began torturing him. He summoned Biwako, who was under genjutsu and no longer recognized her husband, and she whipped Hiruzen as he screamed in pain.

• Li Yao concluded that Hiruzen Sarutobi had amassed ninjutsu, wealth, and clan strength to make the Sarutobi Clan a power in its own right.
• Li Yao controlled Hiruzen into stripping, kneeling, and being chained up, then restored his bodily control while keeping his Chakra sealed.
• Li Yao waited in a recliner with an ink-and-wash whip as Biwako entered the secret chamber under his genjutsu.
• Biwako failed to recognize Hiruzen and asked Li Yao who the chained man was.
• Biwako took Li Yao’s whip and lashed Hiruzen, who screamed from the magnified pain.

Li Yao continued torturing the Third Hokage, then visited Kushina while disguised as Minato. Meanwhile, the real Minato traveled to the Land of Birds and confirmed that the Sand Ninja and Iwagakure had stopped fighting.

• Li Yao ordered Biwako to keep whipping the unconscious Third Hokage and used math questions to keep him awake through the pain.
• Biwako continued torturing the Third Hokage until morning, after which he left the Anbu base with his memories sealed.
• Li Yao used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear behind Kushina while disguised as Minato, and she welcomed him without recognizing him.
• The real Minato traveled through the Land of Birds to investigate the fighting between Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
• Minato reached the battlefield and found it deserted, with weathered craters showing that the fighting had ended some time ago.