Chapter Summaries

Torikaze and his companions celebrated New Year with Konoha’s villagers, admired the Dragon-shaped Festival Lantern, and encouraged everyone to enjoy the festival safely. As the festivities continued, Torikaze planned to reveal the Nian Beast later, while Chisato wondered whether the creature would really appear.

• Torikaze greeted the villagers and invited some young girls to view the Dragon-shaped Festival Lantern with his group.
• The villagers admired the enormous lantern, and Torikaze reminded them to watch for theft and stampedes.
• Konan and Yahiko left to explore with the girls, and Minato went to find Kushina.
• Torikaze urged Amado to wander the festival and look for a wife, so Amado finally left the group.
• Torikaze and Chisato headed toward the lantern as Torikaze planned to reveal the Nian Beast later.
• Chisato asked Torikaze whether the monster would really come.

Torikaze and Chisato enjoyed Konoha’s Spring Festival with Hogen, met Shinku and his family beneath the giant Festival Lanterns, and discussed the rumored Nian Beast. Torikaze also asked Shinku to reassure Ikkaku that Iruka’s poor ninja talent did not define his future.

• Torikaze told Chisato he hoped the Nian Beast would not appear and damage Konoha, while Hogen listened with curiosity.
• Torikaze and Chisato reached the giant Festival Lanterns and ran into Shinku, his wife, and their shy daughter Kurenai.
• Hogen greeted Shinku’s family, and Torikaze explained that he had sent Amado off to look for a partner during the festival.
• Shinku said Kurenai had been eager to come despite the monster rumor, and Torikaze recalled his warning for elderly people and children not to stay out too late.
• Shinku told Torikaze that Ikkaku and his wife were worried about Iruka’s weak talent, so Torikaze asked him to tell Ikkaku that guidance mattered more than a child’s talent.

Torikaze reunited with old acquaintances during Konoha’s Festival Lanterns and reflected on how becoming Hokage had changed his friendships. As night fell, he activated a projection of the Nian Beast on Konoha’s Back Mountain, leaving the villagers convinced a monster had arrived.

• Torikaze told Shinku to pass along his advice that parents should guide children rather than judge them by their talent, then parted from the families.
• Torikaze spoke with Oyakashiro Tsukiyomi about the Ouyashiro Clan and later answered Jiraiya, Hiruko, and Orochimaru’s questions about cultivation and research.
• Torikaze and Chisato discussed how his Hokage status had distanced him from childhood friends, then watched Konoha’s lanterns brighten as night fell.
• Torikaze secretly instructed his clone to activate the Holographic Projector’s Nian Beast image on Konoha’s Back Mountain.
• A deafening roar and rising flames startled Konoha’s villagers, while Chisato celebrated the apparent monster attack and Torikaze watched the projection continue.

Torikaze staged a battle against the projected Nian Beast, using fireworks, firecrackers, and the villagers’ help to drive it away from Konoha. After celebrating their victory, Torikaze, Chisato, and Hogen continued enjoying the festival, and Torikaze sent a clone home to prepare dinner.

• The projected Nian Beast appeared on Konoha’s Back Mountain, and Torikaze told the clan heads and Kage to follow the plan.
• The villagers launched fireworks that weakened and distracted the Nian Beast, while Ōnoki stopped its fiery tornado from reaching the Hokage Tower.
• Torikaze led around two thousand ninja in using the Fire Bamboo Technique, and villagers added firecrackers and other noisy objects to drive the Nian Beast back.
• The Nian Beast attacked Torikaze, who fought it with White Clouds as Ōnoki and the Kazekage joined the battle, before it escaped behind a wall of fire.
• Torikaze thanked the villagers and visiting allies, then told Hogen the Nian Beast might return next year.
• Torikaze sent a clone home to prepare the reunion dinner and continued walking with Chisato, suggesting they find her brother.

Torikaze and Chisato enjoyed the end of Konoha’s Spring Festival after the Nian Beast was driven away, then returned to the Windcloud Clan for New Year’s dinner. The family welcomed the new year together, ready to face whatever the coming year brought.

• Torikaze and Chisato spotted Amado and An'hua together, but decided to ask Amado about it later and kept their sighting secret.
• As the Spring Festival ended, Torikaze called Hashirama and invited him to dinner before returning home with Chisato.
• Torikaze’s family and guests gathered at the Windcloud Clan, where Hashirama praised Torikaze for handling the Nian Beast.
• Tobirama Senju and Ashina arrived, and Torikaze gave a brief New Year address before everyone raised their cups together.

The Windcloud Clan celebrated the New Year with their guests, then cleaned up and settled in for the night. On the bright first morning of the year, Yahiko and Konan worried that Kaien and the visiting leaders would soon leave, while Torikaze and Amado admired the clear weather.

• Torikaze delivered a brief New Year's speech, and the guests celebrated over dinner before Hashirama and Ashina passed out drunk.
• Mito and Tobirama Senju praised Torikaze and returned to the Senju Clan Grounds, while Dan arrived to spend time with Tsunade before taking her home.
• Torikaze left a clone to direct the children as they cleaned up, then went to bed with Chisato; Kushina stayed overnight at the Windcloud Clan Grounds.
• The next morning, Yahiko and Konan asked Torikaze when Kaien would leave, and he told them the visiting group would likely depart within a couple of days.
• Amado joined Torikaze in the courtyard and remarked on the warm, clear New Year's weather.

Torikaze and Amado planned the next phase of Konoha’s factories, including bicycle and range hood production, while Torikaze noticed Amado hiding his connection with An'hua. Torikaze decided to prioritize technological development and manpower needs, leaving Amado visibly unsettled after he called An'hua.

• Amado claimed he had spent New Year's Eve wandering alone, but Torikaze knew he had gone out with An'hua and suspected they were close.
• Amado reported that the second-generation bicycle had passed testing, and he and Torikaze agreed to build a bicycle factory and recruit two to three thousand workers.
• Amado proposed converting the fireworks factory into a range hood factory, and Torikaze approved the plan.
• Torikaze decided to pause new appliance development because Konoha needed workers for essential jobs and planned to focus on improving its technology over the next two years.
• Torikaze called An'hua to arrange the bicycle factory recruitment, and Amado grew nervous at the sound of her voice before falling into a daze.

Torikaze planned Konoha’s research and factory development while Kaien prepared to leave for the Land of Iron. Kaien thanked Torikaze before sharing a final training session with Yahiko, Konan, and the others.

• Torikaze considered forming a Research Department by combining Amado’s, Orochimaru’s, and Hiruko’s teams.
• Torikaze ordered Kato Hisashi to gather workers, reclaim wasteland, and build a factory for bicycle production.
• Kaien told Torikaze that his master planned to leave Konoha the next day and thanked him for his guidance and for restoring vitality to the Land of Iron.
• Kaien joined Yahiko, Konan, and the others for their final training session, and Torikaze observed their improved Taijutsu.

Torikaze and Chisato discussed her taking a Ninja Academy class and their plan to find out whether An'hua returned Amado's interest. Torikaze then saw thousands of villagers competing for jobs at the new bicycle factory, with only about two thousand positions available.

• Torikaze watched Yahiko and Konan's Taijutsu training and reflected on how much they had improved.
• Chisato decided to take a class of graduating ninja after Torikaze agreed to care for Hogen when she was away.
• Torikaze told Chisato that Amado was interested in An'hua, and they agreed to ask her about her feelings and help the two get together if she reciprocated.
• Torikaze left for the office while Chisato stayed home with Hogen, and he decided to invite An'hua to dinner.
• Torikaze saw thousands of villagers applying for jobs at the bicycle factory, which planned to hire only about two thousand people.

Torikaze visited the Hokage Tower, teased An'hua about her meeting with Amado, and invited her to dinner to help the two grow closer. He also asked her to arrange a farewell ceremony and gifts for General Mifune before he left Konoha the next day.

• Thousands of villagers submitted résumés for the bicycle factory, and Torikaze estimated that only about two thousand would be hired.
• Torikaze visited the Hokage Tower and found An'hua working alongside the Intelligent Puppet.
• Torikaze questioned An'hua about meeting Amado, noticed her fondness for him, and invited her to dinner at his home.
• An'hua accepted the invitation after Torikaze explained that becoming acquainted with Amado could help their future work.
• Torikaze told An'hua to arrange a farewell ceremony and small gifts for General Mifune, who was leaving Konoha the next day.

Torikaze arranged farewell plans for visiting leaders and oversaw the next steps in hiring workers for the bicycle factory. After Minato reported killing Rōnin from Rain Province, Torikaze called Kakuzu to ask why they had appeared.

• Torikaze told An'hua to find out when the Tsuchikage and Kazekage would leave and to prepare gifts for them.
• Torikaze thanked the shinobi delivering villagers' résumés and noted that the Personnel Department would screen thousands of applicants before Amado trained the selected workers.
• Torikaze returned home and learned that Minato's team had wiped out a group of Rōnin from Rain Province.
• Torikaze called Kakuzu to ask about the Rōnin, who had not appeared in the Land of Fire for a long time.

Torikaze learned that organized Rōnin were recruiting across Rain Province, with rumors that Hanzo led them, and ordered Kakuzu to suppress the rebellion. He sent Konoha ninjas to aid the province, and veteran shinobi eagerly accepted the mission as memories of the war stirred.

• Kakuzu told Torikaze that Rōnin had been organizing and recruiting throughout the former Rain Country for two months, and that Hanzo might be their leader.
• Torikaze ordered Kakuzu to kill Rōnin who threatened Rain Province and to kill or capture willing recruits while investigating and protecting those forced to join.
• Torikaze told An'hua to issue an unlimited-rank Konoha mission to help Rain Province maintain peace and kill those who threatened it.
• An'hua posted the mission at the Mission Assembly Hall, where veteran ninjas reacted angrily and rushed to accept it.
• Young newcomers watched the veterans’ furious response without understanding their memories of the earlier war.

Konoha mobilized ninja to suppress the Rain Province rebellion, while Torikaze informed Ōnoki that unrest had also spread to areas controlled by the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind. As Konoha’s clan heads headed to question Torikaze, his voice rang across the village.

• Veteran Chunin and Jonin rushed to accept missions in Rain Province, while Genin were turned away because the missions required at least Chunin rank.
• Torikaze received a call from Ōnoki and confirmed that rebellion had broken out in Rain Province and in areas under the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
• Ōnoki contacted his Rain Province administrator, ordered cooperation with the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, and requested reinforcements led by the Second Hokage.
• Ōnoki suspected Hanzo was behind the rebellion and planned to notify the Kazekage.
• Fear spread through Konoha, and the clan heads went to find Torikaze for answers, but his voice echoed across the village as they stepped outside.

Torikaze confirmed that Rain Province was facing an organized rebellion and Konoha’s shinobi prepared to intervene. Minato, Yahiko, and Konan arranged to join the main force, while Kaien departed to begin his own mission.

• Torikaze announced that Rain Province’s administrators had requested Konoha’s aid against a growing rebellion, calming rumors among the villagers.
• The clan heads agreed to support the operation, and clan shinobi gathered at the Mission Assembly Hall to prepare for deployment.
• Torikaze told Chisato that An'hua would likely still come for dinner, and asked Chisato to reassure any unsettled villagers.
• Minato, Yahiko, Konan, and Kaien returned and asked Torikaze about the rebellion; Torikaze explained the situation and allowed Yahiko and Konan to join the mission under Minato’s command.
• Torikaze told Kaien that his training was over and that he would set out the next day; Kaien left after saying goodbye to Yahiko and Konan.
• Torikaze instructed Minato, Yahiko, and Konan to travel with the main force and said he would send a clone to Rain Province to oversee matters.

Minato, Yahiko, and Konan prepared to travel to Rain Province while Torikaze arranged for a clone to assist them. Torikaze invited An'hua to dinner at the Cloud Clan Grounds, where Amado dressed up to impress her, and the chapter ended as she arrived with Chisato.

• Torikaze sent Minato, Yahiko, and Konan to prepare for their journey to Rain Province and promised to send a clone to support them.
• An'hua called Torikaze to confirm their dinner plans, and Amado hurried to clean up and dress for her visit.
• Torikaze teased Amado about dressing up, then advised him to act naturally around An'hua.
• Chisato returned with An'hua, and Torikaze welcomed her to the Cloud Clan Grounds.
• Amado heard the guests arrive and immediately came over to meet An'hua.

Chisato brought An'hua to the Windcloud Clan home for dinner, giving Amado a chance to spend time with her. Minato learned that Amado was pursuing An'hua and wondered whether the family could help, while Torikaze told him their relationship depended on mutual feelings.

• Chisato brought An'hua home, and Amado welcomed her in a freshly polished appearance.
• Amado and An'hua chatted over tea in the pavilion while Torikaze and Chisato gave them time alone.
• Chisato began preparing dinner, and Torikaze watched the pair while Hogen briefly woke and asked about An'hua.
• Minato saw Amado dressed up with An'hua and asked Torikaze whether he should dress up too.
• Torikaze explained that Amado was pursuing An'hua and that any relationship had to be mutual, leaving Minato to reflect on love and marriage.

Torikaze arranged a dinner to thank An'hua for her hard work and gave Amado time to grow closer to her. After the meal, Amado offered to walk An'hua home, and she accepted.

• Minato asked whether Amado could win An'hua over, and Torikaze said their relationship depended on mutual feelings.
• Amado and An'hua chatted happily until Chisato called everyone to dinner.
• Torikaze told An'hua that the meal was a thank-you for her work supporting the village, and she modestly thanked the family throughout dinner.
• Torikaze had Minato, Yahiko, and Konan wash the dishes while Amado said goodbye to An'hua.
• Amado offered to walk An'hua home, and she accepted.

Amado escorted An'hua home and exchanged contact information with her, then joined Torikaze to see off the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and General Mifune so he could speak with An'hua again. Torikaze and Amado reached the office before the farewell ceremony began.

• Amado walked An'hua back to the Nara Clan Grounds, where they exchanged contact information before parting.
• Torikaze prepared to see off the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and General Mifune and explained that his clone was temporarily commanding the allied shinobi in Rain Province.
• Amado dressed formally and asked Torikaze to let him join the farewell, hoping to see An'hua.
• Torikaze warned Amado to keep a professional attitude while An'hua was working, and Amado agreed.
• Torikaze and Amado arrived at the office, where An'hua greeted them and learned why Amado had come.

Torikaze, Amado, and An'hua saw the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and General Mifune off from Konoha after they discussed protecting peace in Rain Province. The Tsuchikage and Kazekage left the task of overseeing the province to Torikaze until they could travel there themselves.

• Torikaze and Amado waited with An'hua for the visiting leaders to finish packing while villagers gathered to see them off.
• Torikaze, Amado, and An'hua greeted the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and Mifune as they prepared to depart, and the leaders pledged to preserve peace.
• Mifune offered samurai support for Rain Province if the other leaders requested it, and Torikaze agreed to call on him if needed.
• Amado talked with An'hua about Rain Province as the group walked to the Konoha Gate, while remaining focused on her rather than the departing leaders.
• The Tsuchikage and Kazekage said they could not send clones or leave their villages yet, so Torikaze agreed to oversee Rain Province until they could visit in person.

Torikaze let the other Kage return home and ordered Konoha ninjas heading to Rain Province to travel in groups of at least ninety. The ninjas quickly formed groups and prepared to depart while the situation in Rain Province remained unresolved.

• Torikaze saw the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and Mifune off from Konoha, teasing Mifune as he left on foot with the samurai.
• Torikaze told An'hua that ninjas could leave for Rain Province once they formed groups of at least ninety people.
• An'hua posted the new rule, and Konoha ninjas began recruiting members for travel groups across the village.
• Minato joined a large group with Kushina, Yahiko, and Konan and agreed to wait before departing.
• Torikaze watched the ninjas organize, expecting the groups to remain together for missions in Rain Province.