Chapter Summaries

Torikaze’s Spring Festival ended with the Nian Beast driven away by Konoha’s fireworks, and the villagers celebrated the New Year together. He set the Five Kage Summit for January 10th and reminded Dan and Tsunade to hurry home to Hashirama for the New Year’s meal.

• Hogen took fireworks from the Cloud Clan Grounds and set them off, joining Konoha’s display as the Nian Beast grew frightened of the flames.
• The Nian Beast fled Konoha and returned to the mountains and forests, while villagers from both worlds celebrated its retreat and exchanged New Year’s greetings.
• Torikaze asked how everyone felt about the Spring Festival, then set January 10th as the date for the Five Kage Summit at Minato’s suggestion to arrange it.
• Torikaze told Dan to release the Anbu from guard duty so they could go home to their families for dinner.
• Torikaze reminded Dan and Tsunade that Hashirama was waiting for them, and urged them to return home and apologize after they realized they had missed the New Year’s meal.

After Spring Festival ended, Dan and Tsunade hurried home to face Hashirama, while Torikaze and the others settled into Konoha’s holiday. The next morning, villagers interrupted Minato’s rest with work questions, and Torikaze began planning a gathering ahead of the Five Kage Summit.

• Torikaze reminded Dan that Hashirama would be waiting for him, so Dan and Tsunade left to go home and apologize.
• Konoha’s Spring Festival celebrations ended, and the village began its fifteen-day holiday.
• Torikaze and Chisato talked about the past year and their plans before going to sleep.
• Torikaze used Chakra to clear the fireworks smoke hanging over Konoha, then relaxed in the morning sun.
• Villagers came to Minato for instructions about dismantling the stage and other matters, and Torikaze handled their requests.
• Torikaze agreed with Minato to arrange a gathering soon so the Five Kage could prepare for their summit.

Torikaze and Minato discussed arranging a gathering and handling village affairs before Ran admitted that Xinyu had rejected the possibility of leaving Konoha with him. Torikaze advised Ran not to decide their relationship was over yet, and Ran wondered whether his feelings might change as he settled into life in Konoha.

• Torikaze approved villagers' project requests and asked Kosuke to coordinate a date for the gathering with Shinku and Ikkaku.
• Minato urged Torikaze to let villagers make more decisions themselves, then worried that Ran had not come home.
• Torikaze reassured Minato that Ran had returned, and Ran came out of his room exhausted after a sleepless night thinking about Xinyu.
• Ran told Torikaze and Minato that Xinyu had rejected leaving Konoha, leaving him anxious about losing their closeness.
• Torikaze told Ran to keep spending time with Xinyu before deciding what their relationship could become, and Ran considered whether his feelings might change as he grew more comfortable in Konoha.

Ran reconsidered his feelings for Xinyu after Torikaze reminded him of his responsibilities to the Land of Whirlpools. Torikaze later arranged a New Year’s gathering with Kosuke and caught Naruto after he wandered out of the house.

• Torikaze told Ran that Xinyu’s rejection might simply mean her feelings had not developed, and Minato worried about losing Ran’s help with village work if Xinyu married away.
• Ran reflected on his dependence on Xinyu, then left to clear his head and focus on studying and helping the Land of Whirlpools.
• Torikaze and Minato agreed to let Ran sort out his relationship with Xinyu himself, and Minato returned to rest.
• Kosuke called Torikaze and arranged a gathering that evening to share classic dishes, after visiting Shinku and admiring his daughter’s genjutsu eyes.
• Naruto wandered out without Kushina noticing, so Torikaze lifted him with Cloud Release; Kushina rushed outside looking for him.

Torikaze spent New Year's Day at home with Kushina and the others before preparing to attend a gathering with Chisato. On the way, they met Orochimaru, who praised Konoha's festival and technology, and then continued toward the event.

• Torikaze picked up Naruto after the child wandered away from Kushina, and Kushina rushed outside in alarm before finding him safe.
• Kushina and Torikaze discussed the quiet compound, Amado's transportation project, and An'hua's frustration that Amado was neglecting her during her pregnancy.
• Naruto fell asleep, Minato joined the conversation after waking, and Torikaze and Chisato dressed in modern clothes to attend a gathering with old classmates.
• Torikaze and Chisato walked through Konoha's festive streets and encountered Orochimaru, who said he had come to experience the Spring Festival.
• Torikaze explained that Konoha's projected giant beast had been left by his ancestors, and Orochimaru excused himself so the couple could continue to their gathering.

Torikaze and Chisato met Orochimaru before joining Kosuke, Shinku, Ikkaku, and their children for a meal. Torikaze praised Kurenai and encouraged Iruka, who hoped to become a teacher, leaving Iruka reassured that he could excel outside combat.

• Torikaze told Orochimaru that his village’s artifact had been inherited from his ancestors, then invited him to visit the Cloud Clan Grounds.
• Torikaze and Chisato met Kosuke at a restaurant, where Torikaze ordered every expensive dish on the menu.
• Shinku arrived with Kurenai, and Kosuke explained that his wife and son had gone to visit her parents.
• Ikkaku arrived with Iruka, and the young guests greeted one another before joining the meal.
• Torikaze praised Kurenai’s missions and potential, then encouraged Iruka to pursue teaching despite his doubts about his combat ability.

Torikaze encouraged Iruka to pursue teaching despite his limited ninja talent and explained that Konoha needed to value abilities beyond combat. He announced plans for an Art School, and Iruka left determined to follow in Principal Sarutobi Mizuya’s footsteps.

• Torikaze praised Kurenai and asked Iruka about his plan to become a teacher.
• Torikaze reassured Iruka that weak ninja talent did not prevent him from achieving greatness through education.
• Iruka vowed to work hard and become like Principal Sarutobi Mizuya, while Torikaze encouraged him.
• Torikaze told his friends not to judge children’s futures by their ninja talent and described his plans to establish an Art School.
• Torikaze told Iruka to begin interning at the Ninja Academy the next day, and Iruka agreed.

Torikaze encouraged Iruka to pursue teaching and arranged for him to intern at the Ninja Academy. The next morning, Torikaze agreed to meet Liusha and Ōnoki ahead of the Five Kage Summit.

• Torikaze told Iruka not to let judgments about his ninja talent determine his future and instructed him to begin interning at the Ninja Academy.
• Iruka brightened and enjoyed the meal with Torikaze, Chisato, Kurenai Yuhi, Ikkaku, Shinku, and Kosuke.
• Torikaze and Chisato returned to the Cloud Clan Grounds after the gathering ended.
• The next morning, Minato told Torikaze that the visiting Kage were growing impatient and suggested meeting some of them.
• Torikaze asked Minato to arrange an initial meeting with Liusha and Ōnoki before the Five Kage Summit began four days later.

Torikaze met with Liusha and Ōnoki ahead of the Five Kage Summit, reflecting on their age and the losses of their generation. They discussed the Land of Water’s possible expansion onto the mainland and whether the other nations would support it.

• Torikaze asked Minato to invite Liusha and Ōnoki for an informal visit before the Five Kage Summit.
• Liusha and Ōnoki arrived, and Torikaze joked that Liusha had grown old.
• Liusha worried that Rōsha was too calculating to trust others, while Torikaze said he would let him manage Sunagakure as he wished.
• Ōnoki asked about the coming summit, but Torikaze said he would explain his reasons there.
• Torikaze confirmed that Tsukishiro had bought the remaining land of the Land of Lightning, prompting discussion of the Land of Water joining mainland development.
• Ōnoki said he would help the Land of Water only if its projects did not threaten the existing economic arrangements.

Torikaze reassured Ōnoki and Liusha that the Land of Water would not be included in their existing partnerships, then discussed Konoha’s Electric Train and plans for a school for artistically gifted children. Ōnoki prepared to build railroad tracks in the Land of Earth, while Torikaze planned to approach Rōsha about a route to the Land of Sand.

• Ōnoki and Liusha said they would help the Land of Water only if doing so did not affect their countries’ existing economic interests, and Torikaze agreed to keep current partnerships unchanged.
• Torikaze explained that Amado’s Electric Train could cross much of the Shinobi World in hours, and Ōnoki offered to organize Iwagakure’s construction of tracks.
• Liusha declined to make decisions for Sunagakure, so Torikaze said he would discuss a possible railroad route with Rōsha himself.
• Torikaze explained that the performers’ parents had waited backstage to avoid pressuring the children, and Liusha considered adopting the approach in Sunagakure.
• Torikaze said he and Minato were preparing a school for people with ordinary ninja talent but exceptional artistic ability.

Torikaze proposed that Sunagakure and Iwagakure send artistically talented children to Konoha for training through a cooperative school. The conversation ended with Ōnoki lamenting that he had no suitable successor, while Torikaze privately anticipated an approaching war.

• Torikaze told Liusha and Ōnoki that Konoha planned to establish an art school for children with artistic talent.
• Torikaze offered to teach talented children from Sunagakure and Iwagakure in exchange for payment, and Liusha and Ōnoki agreed to cooperate.
• Torikaze estimated the school would be ready in about three months and suggested the villages hold competitions to find candidates.
• Ōnoki explained that he had hoped to bargain with Mifune for rare ore, but Torikaze told him Mifune would not offer a discount.
• Liusha teased Ōnoki about retiring, then suggested Rōshi could replace him as Tsuchikage; Ōnoki rejected the idea because Rōshi was a dangerous madman.
• Ōnoki complained that his village had no suitable successor, while Torikaze privately thought about the war he knew was coming.

Torikaze and Minato prepared for the Five Kage Summit, where Konoha planned to announce a joint defense plan to the other four countries. Torikaze summoned Cloud Palace as the secure venue for the meeting.

• Ōnoki complained to Liusha and Torikaze that Iwagakure had no suitable successor for the Tsuchikage position, leaving him unable to retire.
• Torikaze told Minato to train successors early, but Minato insisted he liked being Hokage and did not plan to step down.
• On the day of the Five Kage Summit, Torikaze dressed formally while Chisato chose not to attend.
• Torikaze reminded Minato to speak with authority as Konoha announced its plan to lead a joint defense with the other four countries.
• Torikaze summoned Cloud Palace to serve as a secure meeting place instead of the Hokage Tower.

Minato and Torikaze prepared Cloud Palace for a Five Kage Summit, where the leaders and representatives gathered to discuss their villages’ development. The meeting began with brief reports, and Kirigakure’s lack of progress stood out.

• Torikaze summoned Cloud Palace as the summit venue, and villagers in Konoha speculated about the meeting.
• Minato’s clones brought the Kage and representatives from the other villages to Cloud Palace.
• Minato opened the summit and asked each village to report its progress over the past year.
• Ōnoki, Rōsha, and Mifune described economic and security gains in their villages.
• Tsukishiro reported that Kirigakure had made no major breakthroughs, drawing attention to its poor development.

At a meeting of the villages, Torikaze revealed that the powerful Ōtsutsuki Clan would come to the Shinobi World in ten years and proposed preparing a joint defense. The Kage agreed to study a defensive plan together.

• Mifune, Tsukishiro, and Minato reported on the development of the Land of Iron, Kirigakure, and Konoha.
• Torikaze began the meeting's main discussion by explaining that Yan had served Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, an outsider from a powerful clan.
• Torikaze said even the weakest Ōtsutsuki were close to Six Paths Level and warned that the clan would arrive in ten years.
• Karatachi Yagura asked whether war was truly coming, and Torikaze confirmed that multiple Ōtsutsuki would likely arrive in pairs to extract planets' life energy.
• Torikaze proposed discussing a defense plan, and the other representatives agreed that the five villages should work together.

Torikaze proposed a joint ten-year defense plan to prepare the villages for the Otsutsuki Clan, whose members could absorb Ninjutsu and use a planet’s energy to grow stronger. The other Kage accepted the measures, reassured by Torikaze’s promise to send Konoha’s Six Paths Level ninja to protect their villages.

• Tsukishiro warned that the Otsutsuki Clan could extract a planet’s life energy and turn it into a fruit, prompting the Kage to call for a joint defense plan.
• Torikaze proposed that the villages prioritize training Kage-level fighters and repair their walls while strengthening patrols.
• Torikaze explained that Otsutsuki could absorb Ninjutsu, so Kage-level ninja should improve their Taijutsu; Ōnoki worried that his age and reliance on Ninjutsu would make this difficult.
• Torikaze urged the villages to train young ninja, especially those with exceptional talent, and said Konoha would station several of its future Six Paths Level ninja in their villages.
• The Kage accepted Torikaze’s plan and welcomed the promised protection from Konoha’s Six Paths Level ninja.

Torikaze and the other leaders agreed on a defensive plan for the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s invasion ten years later, including stationing Konoha’s Six Paths Level ninja in allied villages. They left the smaller countries’ defenses unresolved while continuing to discuss preparations.

• Torikaze proposed strengthening young ninja’s training and sending Konoha’s future Six Paths Level ninja to protect the other villages, and the leaders approved.
• Karatachi Yagura and the other Kage agreed to challenge Konoha’s Trial Tower together, but Minato declined to join them.
• Tsukishiro noted that the alliance lacked information about the number and strength of the coming enemies, and Torikaze said the plan would be refined through drills.
• The leaders completed their defensive plan for the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s invasion ten years later.
• Ōnoki raised the question of protecting smaller countries, but Torikaze said their defenses could be discussed later and rejected the idea of building them a dedicated plan.
• Torikaze said normal food reserves would suffice and let Minato handle further discussion while he relaxed.

At the Five Kage Summit, Karatachi Yagura asked the other villages to help Kirigakure join the mainland’s economic alliance through marine fish farming. After the proposal was left for Sunagakure and Iwagakure to evaluate, Yagura and Tsukishiro considered asking Torikaze for help.

• Torikaze let Minato handle minor summit questions and said the villages did not need to stockpile food beyond normal reserves.
• Karatachi Yagura explained Kirigakure’s isolation and asked the other villages for a chance to cooperate.
• Yagura proposed marine fish farming, and Liusha, Ōnoki, and Torikaze warned that it could hurt existing freshwater farming profits.
• Yagura offered Sunagakure and Iwagakure shares in the project to offset any losses, and Ōnoki and Liusha agreed to calculate whether it would benefit them.
• Torikaze concluded the summit and sent the Kage back to the apartment building with Cloud Release.
• Yagura and Tsukishiro discussed Kirigakure’s limited funds, and Tsukishiro considered asking Torikaze to support their proposal.

Tsukishiro and Karatachi Yagura sought Torikaze’s help finding a profitable cooperation opportunity to fund Kirigakure’s development. Torikaze recognized why they had come and prepared to discuss the matter.

• Tsukishiro agreed to set aside his pride and ask Torikaze for help after Karatachi Yagura argued that Kirigakure needed money to prepare for danger.
• Tsukishiro and Karatachi Yagura got lost on their way to the Cloud Clan Grounds and eventually found the entrance.
• Tomohiro greeted the two Kirigakure leaders, then explained to a young man that this world’s Kirigakure was not responsible for destroying the Land of Whirlpools.
• Tsukishiro and Karatachi Yagura found Torikaze in the courtyard, where he guessed they needed help securing cooperation and funding for Kirigakure.

Torikaze agreed to help Tsukishiro and Karatachi Yagura secure a marine fish-farming partnership and proposed a second venture for Kirigakure: training performers to become stars. Kirigakure accepted, with recruitment set to begin before the Academy of Arts opened in two months.

• Torikaze recognized that Tsukishiro and Karatachi Yagura had come seeking help with Kirigakure's need for investment and offered to introduce them to a marine fish-farming partnership.
• Torikaze proposed that Kirigakure send handsome men and beautiful women to Konoha for arts training so they could become touring stars, with profits shared between the villages.
• Karatachi Yagura explained how a famous performer could earn money through Television, and Tsukishiro agreed to the venture.
• Torikaze said Kirigakure's misty, sunless climate made its people suitable performers and set the start of cooperation for two months later, when the Academy of Arts was completed.

Torikaze arranged for Kirigakure to recruit people for Konoha’s Academy of Arts and hire Konoha to build settlements on the former Land of Lightning. He persuaded Karatachi Yagura and Tsukishiro to secure construction funds by taking control of the Land of Water’s Daimyo, leaving them ready to act.

• Torikaze and Karatachi Yagura agreed that Kirigakure would send recruits to Konoha in two months, after the Academy of Arts was completed.
• Torikaze offered Konoha’s construction team for the Land of Water’s new settlements, and Karatachi Yagura and Tsukishiro accepted.
• Torikaze urged the two to make the Daimyo fund at least half the construction costs, explaining that they could replace him if he refused to cooperate.
• Karatachi Yagura and Tsukishiro agreed to control a new Daimyo and keep the existing one’s youngest son under their influence, while shaping public opinion in favor of the Mizukage.