Chapter Summaries

At the Valley of the End, Masahiko explained the Chunin Exams and arranged fights for the children, including a spar between Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto won after activating a one-tailed form, but Sasuke’s anger triggered black flames that struck Masahiko, leaving Sasuke unconscious.

• Masahiko told the newly promoted Chunin that Obito would give them their vests and asked Naruto about the Battle of the End Valley.
• Masahiko revealed that he had sculpted the statues and monument, then invited the children to fight and leave their marks.
• Naruto and Sasuke sparred on the water while the others watched, and Naruto struggled against Sasuke’s stronger arsenal of techniques.
• Naruto activated a red, one-tailed Chakra form and overwhelmed Sasuke, who collapsed after Naruto declared victory.
• Sasuke’s anger triggered black flames that burned on Masahiko’s chest, and Masahiko appeared before Naruto and tossed the flames into the Water Release Space.

Masahiko rescued Sasuke after Naruto defeated him, then took Tayuya toward the Land of Sea to find Orochimaru’s base. When Guren appeared and asked for the password, Masahiko used a gesture and shout that she recognized from the past.

• Masahiko pulled Sasuke from the water after Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Naruto celebrated his victory.
• Masahiko sent the children to return the three fugitives to Konoha and took Tayuya with him.
• Masahiko traveled with Tayuya toward the Land of Sea, where he hoped to find Orochimaru’s base.
• Tayuya signaled with her flute, and Guren ran across the sea to meet her.
• Guren asked Masahiko for the password, and he pointed at her, curled his finger, and shouted, “Come at me!”

Masahiko searched for Orochimaru at an underwater experimental base after learning Orochimaru had not contacted Guren. He encountered strange mermen and a modified sea creature called Sea Monk, which immediately caught his interest.

• Masahiko trapped Guren in a crystal prison, freed her, and learned Orochimaru had been out of contact since attacking Konoha.
• Masahiko walked across the sea and descended into Orochimaru's hidden underwater base while Guren and Tayuya followed.
• Masahiko found two male mermen, blocked their water cannons, and scattered them with repulsive force after they created a whirlpool.
• A seawater monster appeared, and Guren explained that it was Sea Monk, a special sea-based Summoning Beast modified by Orochimaru.
• Masahiko recognized Sea Monk and looked at it with affection.

Masahiko defeated the Sea Monk, captured it in his Water Release Space, and uncovered the crimes of the underwater experimental base. He learned that Fisher Fire, a mermaid living on Mother Island, had suffered years of persecution, and found her on Strange Island.

• Masahiko subdued the Sea Monk and sealed it inside his Water Release Space, then Guren identified the sunglasses-wearing man as the experimental base's director.
• Masahiko pulled the director's soul from his body and learned that the man had used merfolk to attack passing caravans for profit.
• Masahiko discovered that a mermaid named Fisher Fire had survived being taken away and had been branded the Sea Demon’s incarnation by frightened civilians.
• Masahiko left Guren and Tayuya behind, went to Strange Island, and found Fisher Fire near a fish shop.

Masahiko tracked Fisher Fire to learn about her condition and discovered she wanted to become human again. After examining her, he used Witness Points to improve his gene-modification skill and found knowledge that could extend a person’s lifespan.

• Masahiko outbid a fish shop owner for Fisher Fire’s fish and followed her to her home on Mother Island.
• Masahiko invited Fisher Fire to eat grilled fish and told her he had destroyed the experimental base that had transformed her.
• Fisher Fire said she wanted to become human again, and Masahiko promised to take her to Konoha for treatment.
• Masahiko examined Fisher Fire’s mermaid transformation and determined that medical ninjutsu could cure her, though the genetic changes could shorten her lifespan.
• Masahiko spent Witness Points to raise Gene Modification and Synthesis to level eight and learned that removing aging genes could extend lifespan by sixty percent.

Masahiko brought Fisher Fire to Konoha for treatment and told Tsunade about Anti-aging Surgery, which could extend a person's lifespan by 60%. After experimenting on himself through the end of Year 60, he removed all 268 aging genes from his body and believed he could live another 128 years.

• Masahiko took Fisher Fire from the Land of Sea to Konoha and brought her to the Uchiha clan for treatment.
• Masahiko found Tsunade back in Konoha, and she agreed to treat Fisher Fire after examining her fish-man transformation.
• Masahiko told Tsunade about Anti-aging Surgery and planned to teach her the procedure, using Jiraiya as a future subject after the New Year.
• Masahiko spent the second half of December testing the surgery on himself and removed all 268 aging genes from his body by the end of Year 60.

After the New Year celebrations in the Land of Whirlpools, Masahiko considered the effects of his anti-aging surgery and trained the children before learning that Yagura had disappeared. He suspected Dark Akatsuki had captured the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and planned to use Naruto as bait to draw the enemy out.

• Masahiko watched the younger generation's snowball fight and welcomed the first day of Konoha Year 61.
• Masahiko assigned the children Trace Less Snow Step training and reflected on how removing aging genes had changed his body and might affect descendants.
• Yuexia demonstrated her skill at stepping lightly across the snow, impressing Masahiko.
• A patrol member told Nagato that Mei Terumi had arrived alone, and Nagato brought Masahiko to meet her.
• Mei Terumi told Masahiko and Nagato that Yagura had disappeared after asking her to dinner the previous night.
• Masahiko suspected Dark Akatsuki had captured Yagura and said he was waiting to use Naruto as bait to lure the enemy out.

After failing to find Yagura, Masahiko warned Mei Terumi to alert the other Jinchuriki, then spent a month teaching Tsunade and performing anti-aging surgeries on their friends and allies. When the surgeries ended, Kushina, Minato, and Yuexia invited him to see a movie starring Fuji Kaze Yukie, whose name seemed familiar to him.

• Mei Terumi asked Masahiko to find Yagura, but his search in the Land of Water turned up nothing, so he urged her to warn Han and Killer B.
• Masahiko and Tsunade used Jiraiya to practice the Anti-aging Surgery, and Tsunade learned the procedure.
• Masahiko and Tsunade performed surgeries on people close to them, giving nearly forty people in Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools extended lives.
• Kushina, Minato, and Yuexia invited Masahiko to a movie featuring the visiting star Fuji Kaze Yukie, whose name he recognized vaguely.

Masahiko took Yuexia to see Snow Princess Adventure, and her excitement about making movies led him to bring her to audition for the crew. They joined the production of Princess Fuun 2, which was preparing to travel to the Land of Snow.

• Yuexia cheered for Princess Fuun during the film while Masahiko found it dull, then said she wanted to make movies.
• Masahiko promised to take Yuexia to audition, and Kushina and Minato agreed to let her go with him.
• Masahiko and Yuexia met the Princess Fuun crew at Konoha Theater, where the director welcomed Yuexia and offered to revise the script for her.
• Masahiko demonstrated his special effects by forming dark hurricanes, impressing the director.
• Sandayu arrived and announced that a Konoha ninja had accepted the crew's mission, so they would set off for the Land of Snow the next day.

Masahiko took Yuexia to join the Princess Fuun film crew and discovered that Kazahana Koyuki was cheerful and friendly rather than the troubled woman he remembered. As Team 7 arrived to escort the crew to the Land of Snow, Masahiko realized Koyuki's story had changed because Kakashi's life had taken a different course.

• Masahiko brought Yuexia to meet Kazahana Koyuki, who warmly welcomed the girl and gave her an autograph and a hug.
• Masahiko took Yuexia to the film crew, where the director gave her a princess role and the crew prepared to leave for the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi and Team 7 arrived to escort the crew, and Naruto was surprised to find Masahiko and Yuexia among them.
• Kakashi greeted Koyuki warmly, and Masahiko realized that her story had changed because this Kakashi was an approachable older brother rather than the cold Anbu Kakashi he remembered.

Masahiko joined the film crew’s voyage to the Land of Snow, where Kakashi revealed his connection to Princess Fuun and asked for help confronting the usurper Kazahana Dōtō. Their filming was interrupted by a real encounter with Nadare Rōga’s group, and Kakashi and Sasuke pursued the attackers as the ice island split apart.

• Masahiko watched the film crew aboard the ship as they traveled toward the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi told Masahiko that he had once escorted Kazahana Koyuki from a rebellion and had promised to help her reclaim the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi explained that Kazahana Dōtō, the usurper, had joined the Akatsuki Organization, and Masahiko teased Kakashi about marrying Kazahana Koyuki.
• The crew reached an ice island and began filming as Masahiko’s special effect blasted an icy peak, sending Nadare Rōga crashing onto the ice.
• Hail Winter Bear arrived to rescue Nadare Rōga while Feixue Tsubame appeared, and Kakashi killed her with a slash as Sasuke and Naruto went after the fleeing men.
• Kakashi’s strike split the ice island in two, and Feixue Tsubame’s body sank into the sea.

Masahiko protected Team 7 and the film crew while Nadare Rōga escaped to Kazahana Dōtō, who called on the Akatsuki Organization for aid. Yahiko received the request and sent Deidara toward the Land of Snow while preparing to go himself.

• Masahiko explained that Nadare Rōga had faked unconsciousness and prepared an Ice Release attack aimed at Princess Fuun, so he had used a dramatic explosion to protect her and Yuexia.
• Kakashi, Kazahana Koyuki, and Sandayu told the film crew the truth, and the director persuaded them to continue filming a movie based on Koyuki’s real experiences.
• Nadare Rōga and Hail Winter Bear reported their failed operation to Kazahana Dōtō, who sent a request for aid to the Akatsuki Organization.
• Hydrangea identified the Land of Snow’s message among the Ninja Birds and delivered it to Yahiko half an hour later.
• Yahiko told Hydrangea to contact Deidara and send him to stop the rebellion without fighting Konoha’s ninja, while Yahiko prepared to travel to the Land of Snow himself.

Masahiko, Team 7, and Kazahana Koyuki traveled to the Land of Snow to film her return and confrontation with her uncle, Kazahana Dōtō. As filming began at the capital’s castle, Masahiko sensed Deidara approaching from the sky.

• Masahiko bundled Yuexia in warm clothes, and Team 7 practiced the Trace Less Snow Step after disembarking in the Land of Snow.
• Masahiko refused to let Yuexia dye her hair for the role, and the director agreed to explain Koyuki’s red hair as the result of repeated rainbow Chakra eruptions.
• Kakashi persuaded the crew to film the confrontation with Kazahana Dōtō first, and Masahiko added a Light Body Technique effect so the group could travel quickly.
• The group filmed scenery on the way to the capital, where Kazahana Koyuki confronted her uncle and accused him of killing her father and pursuing her for the Hexagonal Ice Crystal Necklace.
• Kazahana Dōtō arrived with Nadare Rōga and Hail Winter Bear, while Kakashi and Naruto challenged him; Masahiko then sensed Deidara in the distant sky.

Masahiko used special effects to empower Kazahana Koyuki’s sword as Kakashi and the others fought Kazahana Dōtō’s forces at the castle. As Dōtō fled inside and Sasuke confronted Deidara with Susanoo, Masahiko realized he needed to get closer to keep supporting Koyuki.

• Deidara arrived at the castle after Kazahana Dōtō called for Akatsuki Organization reinforcements, and Masahiko’s lightning effect brought down Deidara’s giant bird.
• Kazahana Koyuki’s sword fired a beam at Dōtō, prompting Naruto to attack with Multiple Shadow Clones while Deidara joined the fight.
• Masahiko enhanced Koyuki’s sword, allowing her to help Kakashi defeat Nadare Rōga and Hail Winter Bear and drive Dōtō toward the castle.
• Dōtō called for Akatsuki Organization’s help, and Deidara escalated his battle against Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke.
• Sasuke used Susanoo to crush Deidara’s C2 Dragon bomb, while Masahiko noted that he needed to move closer to keep empowering Koyuki’s sword.

Masahiko helped Koyuki and Kakashi confront Kazahana Dōtō in the castle, while Naruto and Sasuke fought Deidara outside. Dōtō died, and Masahiko knocked Deidara from his bird, leaving the battle over as he went to check on the fallen ninja.

• Masahiko entered the castle with Yuexia, the director, and the cameraman, then explained that the poison gas sealed Chakra.
• Kakashi attacked Kazahana Dōtō, and Koyuki unleashed a powerful sword technique that killed him.
• Naruto helped Sasuke keep fighting Deidara as Deidara’s bombs battered Sasuke’s Susanoo.
• Deidara flew high to prepare a C3 bomb, but lightning struck his bird and Masahiko appeared behind him.
• Masahiko jumped from the bird, causing it to crash and leaving Deidara injured; he told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to find Kakashi, then went to check on Deidara.

Masahiko helped settle the Land of Snow crisis, advised Yahiko about the Akatsuki Organization, and watched the movie crew finish filming. As the group prepared to return to Konoha, he agreed to take Naruto somewhere to train Sage Mode.

• Team 7 buried Kazahana Dōtō, and Koyuki opened the Land of Snow’s treasure, which turned out to be a heater that melted the snow before breaking down.
• Koyuki became Queen of the Land of Snow and continued filming while Masahiko dealt with the remaining trouble; Deidara left, and Yahiko arrived two days later to hear about the Akatsuki Organization’s situation.
• Masahiko added special effects to the movie as Yuexia and Kakashi finished their scenes, then learned Kakashi planned to choose Hanare rather than Koyuki.
• Naruto asked Masahiko for a technique to defeat Sasuke’s Susanoo, and Masahiko instead promised to take him somewhere to train after they returned to Konoha.

After returning to Konoha, Masahiko took Naruto to Mount Myōboku to begin sage training and visit the Great Toad Sage. When the Great Toad Sage mistook Masahiko for someone else, Masahiko decided to bring many more people there.

• The group returned to the Land of Fire without Koyuki and Sandayu, and Masahiko comforted Yuexia by promising she would see Koyuki again soon.
• At Kushina’s home, Yuexia reunited with her mother and talked about wanting to become a star, while Masahiko and Naruto bathed and discussed a future training trip.
• After a peaceful week, Masahiko chose Mount Myōboku as the place to train Naruto in sage arts and persuaded Jiraiya to take them there.
• Masahiko, Jiraiya, and Naruto met the Great Toad Sage, who mistook Masahiko for “Uzumaki... Zhou Xuan.”
• Masahiko lost his remaining guilt about bringing Naruto and decided to bring Itachi, Sasuke, Yuexia, and many others to Mount Myōboku.

Masahiko visited Mount Myōboku, where the Great Toad Sage repeated his unchanged prophecy and Masahiko tried to teach Naruto Sage Mode. After visiting the Slug Sage, Masahiko traveled to Ryūchi Cave and discovered a strange hole in the White Snake Sage’s shed skin.

• The Great Toad Sage recognized Masahiko and said his prophecy about the Child of Prophecy had not changed, then fell asleep again.
• Masahiko began teaching Naruto Sage Mode, but Naruto struggled to understand Natural Energy, so Fukasaku and Shima took over his training.
• Masahiko left Naruto with the toad sages, visited the Slug Sage, and declined its offer to renew their contract.
• Masahiko traveled to Ryūchi Cave and suspected the White Snake Sage was hiding after finding her shed skin.
• Masahiko noticed a large hole and sticky liquid near the tail of the shed skin and wondered whether the White Snake Sage had laid eggs.

Masahiko found the White Snake Sage’s remains in Ryūchi Cave and concluded that Orochimaru had possessed the Sage to resurrect himself. He escaped the enraged snakes and headed back toward Konoha, while Jiraiya abruptly left Mount Myōboku to avoid dinner.

• Masahiko touched the White Snake Sage’s remains, causing the shed skin to crumble into powder, and stored the powder in a wooden box.
• The Great Toad Sage woke and declared that the White Snake Sage was dead, while Teuchi and the Slug Sage reacted to the news.
• Manda and six other giant snakes attacked Masahiko after he revealed his identity, so he killed Manda and used force to escape Ryūchi Cave.
• Masahiko guessed that Orochimaru had possessed the White Snake Sage and gained immense strength and a long lifespan.
• Masahiko found no sign of Orochimaru nearby and set off for Konoha, forgetting something as he left.
• Jiraiya rushed away from Mount Myōboku when he realized Naruto and Sage Fukasaku would be having dinner, leaving Naruto to face Sage Shima’s lavish meal.

Masahiko teased Sakura when she brought him mochi and asked him to guide her Medical Ninjutsu training, then considered accepting her as a disciple. That night, Hiashi and Hizashi arrived with Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji, having misunderstood a rumor that Masahiko wanted to choose a wife.

• Masahiko returned to Kushina's home after Naruto had already eaten, then learned Minato had taken Yuexia out to train.
• Masahiko gave Kushina White Snake Sage snake powder, and Sakura arrived with homemade mochi to ask him for guidance.
• Sakura asked Masahiko to teach her Medical Ninjutsu, and he suggested she bring more mochi while he considered accepting her as a disciple.
• Sakura ran into Hinata on her way home after leaving Masahiko's house.
• Hiashi and Hizashi brought Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji to Masahiko, who realized they thought he was choosing a wife.