Chapter Summaries

Mo Xingchen agreed to consider teaching Orochimaru and made him wash a pot as his first trial, while Jiraiya and Tsunade returned to Konoha. The chapter left Jiraiya offering the Hokage important intelligence for a negotiable price.

• Orochimaru explained that he wanted to create a human form of Senjutsu after his student died in the Second Shinobi World War, and asked Mo Xingchen to teach him.
• Mo Xingchen decided Orochimaru might be useful to his plans, presented himself as a strict master, and accepted him as a disciple.
• Mo Xingchen gave Orochimaru his first trial: washing the pot.
• Tsunade asked Jiraiya to lend her money, but he refused and reminded her that she owed him millions.
• Jiraiya went to the Hokage's Office and offered the Hokage important intelligence for a negotiable price.

Jiraiya reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha's elders that Mo Xingchen could use ninjutsu despite having no Chakra Energy. The leaders considered recruiting him or having Root eliminate him if he could not be brought under Konoha's control.

• Jiraiya entered the Hokage's Office, and Danzo rebuked him for his lack of manners before Hiruzen Sarutobi defended him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Jiraiya to share his intelligence with the elders.
• Jiraiya described his battle with Mo Xingchen and reported that Mo Xingchen had no Chakra Energy but could still use ninjutsu.
• The leaders speculated that Mo Xingchen might possess a special bloodline and planned to investigate whether he was a spy.
• The leaders planned to recruit Mo Xingchen for Konoha or have Root deal with him if he refused to join.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village elders discussed Mo Xingchen’s Wood Style and Shimura Danzō’s attempt to recruit him, then turned to intelligence about Sunagakure and Iwagakure. The meeting ended with Utatane Koharu revealing that the Fire Daimyo planned to award Hatake Sakumo the Hokage’s Coat, provoking Danzō.

• Jiraiya reported that Mo Xingchen had transformed nearby plants into Wood Spears, and Shimura Danzō demanded that Root take charge of him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Mo Xingchen was staying with Mito Uzumaki and told Danzō to ask her directly if he wanted to recruit him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to visit Mito Uzumaki and then ordered Danzō to pursue Sunagakure for war reparations without provoking a war.
• Shimura Danzō warned that Iwagakure was stirring up trouble along the border, and Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed sending Hatake Sakumo to deter Ōnoki.
• Utatane Koharu reported that the Fire Daimyo intended to award Hatake Sakumo the Hokage’s Coat, and Shimura Danzō reacted furiously.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Shimura Danzō’s attempt to block Hatake Sakumo from returning to the front lines, then ordered Danzō to negotiate an alliance with Kumogakure. After Danzō stormed out, Jiraiya cheered Hiruzen up and tried to collect an S-rank reward for his intelligence.

• Shimura Danzō warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Hatake Sakumo’s honor and rising reputation threatened his position as Hokage.
• Hiruzen decided Sakumo should stay in the village to receive the daimyo’s envoy and ordered Danzō to seek a defensive alliance with Kumogakure.
• Danzō refused to leave the village, accusing Sakumo of plotting against the Hokage, but Hiruzen invoked his authority and ordered him to go.
• Danzō angrily left the Hokage’s Office, while Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura suppressed their laughter and then departed.
• Jiraiya challenged Hiruzen to confront Danzō, pretended to go after him, then returned to ask Hiruzen for an S-rank mission reward.

Jiraiya argued with Hiruzen Sarutobi over payment for his Wood Style discovery and learned his teacher kept a second wallet. Hiruzen and Jiraiya visited Mito Uzumaki to discuss Mo Xingchen, and Hiruzen planned to investigate him before deciding whether to recruit him or treat him as a spy.

• Jiraiya demanded an S-rank reward for discovering Wood Style, but Hiruzen Sarutobi counted it as a B-rank mission and lent him money after learning he had given his savings to Tsunade.
• Hiruzen told Jiraiya that men needed two wallets, and Jiraiya joked that he would tell Biwako Sarutobi, making Hiruzen demand his money back.
• Hiruzen and Jiraiya visited Mito Uzumaki and explained what Jiraiya had observed about Mo Xingchen.
• Mito said she had suspected Mo Xingchen was no ordinary person because Tsunade's punch had barely injured him.
• Hiruzen said he would have Anbu monitor Mo Xingchen, then speak with him if he was not a spy and seek to bring him into Konoha.

Mito Uzumaki advised Hiruzen Sarutobi to welcome Mo Xingchen rather than spy on him, arguing that Konoha should build bonds with powerful outsiders who posed no threat. She assured Hiruzen she could defend the village if Mo Xingchen turned against it, while the Nine-Tails Fox complained about its life inside her seal.

• Mito Uzumaki told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Mo Xingchen's strength made him unlikely to be a spy from one of the other great shinobi villages.
• Mito Uzumaki warned that spying on Mo Xingchen could create resentment and urged Hiruzen to use goodwill to retain him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked what would happen if Mo Xingchen attacked Konoha, and Mito Uzumaki declared that she was still strong enough to defend the village.
• The Nine-Tails Fox urged Mito Uzumaki to release it so it could kill Hiruzen, then suffered a whipping from her Adamantine Chains.
• The Nine-Tails Fox recalled how it had been controlled, beaten, and sealed inside Mito Uzumaki, and grumbled that its life had been spent treading on thin ice.

Mo Xingchen learned that Shikkotsu Forest had a Natural Energy spring and hoped to cultivate there, but the summoning contract was with Tsunade. After returning home without being summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mo Xingchen welcomed Orochimaru the next morning and prepared to teach him farming.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Jiraiya to build a bond with Mo Xingchen, but Jiraiya refused and vanished.
• Mo Xingchen asked Katsuyu about the Holy Lands and learned that their springs were rich in Natural Energy and that Shikkotsu Forest’s contract scroll was with Tsunade.
• Orochimaru offered Mo Xingchen Ryūchi Cave’s summoning scroll, but Mo Xingchen declined because he preferred Shikkotsu Forest and worried about the Holy Lands’ sages.
• Orochimaru escorted Mo Xingchen back to the Senju Clan Land, where Mito Uzumaki welcomed him to dinner without asking about his visit to Konoha.
• Orochimaru returned the next morning, and Mo Xingchen stopped him from gathering tools and said he would teach him how to farm.

Mo Xingchen made Orochimaru and Katsuyu farm while teaching them the Great Purity Great Cave True Scripture, explaining that the labor was meant to temper Orochimaru’s mind. When Hatake Sakumo arrived on the Hokage’s mission to befriend Mo Xingchen, Mo Xingchen welcomed him and asked him to help build a house.

• Mo Xingchen made Orochimaru and Katsuyu plow wasteland while he rested nearby.
• Mo Xingchen recited the Great Purity Great Cave True Scripture, and Orochimaru and Katsuyu listened in fascination.
• Mo Xingchen explained that the farming was meant to temper Orochimaru’s state of mind before teaching him immortal arts, then told Orochimaru to build a house.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived, admitted that the Third Hokage had sent him to make friends with Mo Xingchen, and Mo Xingchen invited him to help build the house.

Hatake Sakumo joined Mo Xingchen and Orochimaru in building a house, explaining his unconventional intelligence-gathering methods and helping Orochimaru with construction. After a day of work, Mo Xingchen invited them to barbecue, then revealed that Hatake Sakumo would be paying for the extravagant meal.

• Hatake Sakumo agreed to help Mo Xingchen and joined Orochimaru in building the house.
• Hatake Sakumo told Orochimaru that he gathered intelligence by capturing targets and bringing them back to Konoha for interrogation.
• Hatake Sakumo corrected Orochimaru's construction methods and learned that Orochimaru was studying a new ninjutsu from Mo Xingchen.
• Orochimaru complained that his teacher was petty, and Hatake Sakumo promised not to report the matter to Third Lord.
• Mo Xingchen took Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru to a barbecue restaurant and ordered nearly everything on the menu.
• Hatake Sakumo objected to the costly order, but Mo Xingchen said he was treating and Hatake Sakumo was paying.

Mo Xingchen convinced Hatake Sakumo to charge their meals, drinks, and hot-spring outings to official Anbu expenses, and the three friends enjoyed several carefree days together. Their fun ended when Hiruzen Sarutobi received an entertainment bill totaling nearly 100 million and reacted with shock.

• Mo Xingchen persuaded Hatake Sakumo that treating him to food and hot springs counted as official business, so Hatake Sakumo ordered more wine and charged the bill to the Anbu.
• Hatake Sakumo treated Orochimaru, Mo Xingchen, and Katsuyu to food and drinks, then insisted they continue their outing at a hot-spring inn.
• At the inn, Mo Xingchen asked for a different batch of women to provide massages.
• Over the following days, Mo Xingchen, Orochimaru, and Hatake Sakumo grew closer while doing farmwork by day and enjoying themselves at night.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi examined the Anbu entertainment expense bill and was stunned to find a total nearing 100 million.

Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Hatake Sakumo over an enormous Anbu bill and learned that Sakumo had spent the money treating Mo Xingchen to build their friendship. Hiruzen accepted the explanation after hearing they were “Brothers for life,” while Mo Xingchen hinted that Sakumo had fallen in some way.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the Anbu bill and angrily demanded to know why the expenses were so high.
• The Anbu member told Hiruzen that Hatake Sakumo had audited the bill, and Hiruzen went to find him at the Forest of Death.
• Hiruzen found Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru working in the fields with Mo Xingchen and Katsuyu, then took Sakumo aside to question him.
• Hatake Sakumo explained that he had spent the money on meals, drinks, hot springs, and massages to carry out Hiruzen’s order to befriend Mo Xingchen.
• Hatake Sakumo told Hiruzen that he and Mo Xingchen were “Brothers for life,” easing Hiruzen’s anger.
• Mo Xingchen told Orochimaru that Konoha’s White Fang had completely fallen, leaving Orochimaru confused.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to recruit Mo Xingchen into Konoha, and Mo Xingchen agreed to join as a Genin after refusing an Anbu post. He secured a promise that Hatake Sakumo would keep showing him around Konoha, with Hiruzen warning him not to be wasteful.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with Mo Xingchen and asked what he thought of Konoha, then invited him to stay and work for the village.
• Mo Xingchen said he had left his homeland to escape fighting and wanted to live peacefully, but would protect Konoha if it faced danger.
• Mo Xingchen offered to teach Orochimaru, easing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s concerns about his reluctance to work for Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi invited Mo Xingchen to become a Special Jonin and serve in the Anbu, but Mo Xingchen declined and asked to be made a Genin instead.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to make Mo Xingchen a Genin and promised Hatake Sakumo could continue showing him around Konoha, while cautioning him against extravagance.

Mo Xingchen accepted a Genin position in Konoha, while Jiraiya visited Mount Myōboku and endured Sage Shima’s cooking before explaining his encounter with Mo Xingchen. The Great Toad Sage then awoke to find that his view of the future had become impossible to read.

• After the Third Hokage left, Hatake Sakumo congratulated Mo Xingchen, and Orochimaru questioned why he chose to be a Genin.
• Mo Xingchen joked that Genin were Konoha’s strongest, then asked Hatake Sakumo to make his forehead protector’s metal plate as small as possible.
• Gama Kosuke summoned Jiraiya to Mount Myōboku, where Jiraiya reluctantly ate Sage Shima’s bug dishes and later vomited by a stream.
• Jiraiya told Sage Fukasaku about Mo Xingchen, and Fukasaku concluded that Mo Xingchen posed no danger to Mount Myōboku.
• A loud croak led Sage Fukasaku and Jiraiya toward the Great Toad Sage, who found that the future had become a mass of fog he could not predict.

Gamamaru told Jiraiya that the future had become impossible to see, leaving Jiraiya unsure whether his role as the Child of Prophecy still mattered. After hearing about Mo Xingchen from Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Gamabunta, Gamamaru recognized the energy within him as resembling an ancient path of cultivation.

• Fukasaku brought Jiraiya into the temple, where Gamamaru greeted them after pretending not to recognize Jiraiya.
• Gamamaru revealed that the future had become a fog and that he could no longer foresee whether Jiraiya's disciple would bring peace or destruction.
• Jiraiya struggled to accept that he might no longer have a destined role in the ninja world's future.
• Fukasaku suggested that the change might be connected to Mo Xingchen and explained their encounter to Gamamaru.
• Gamamaru summoned Gamabunta, heard his account of Mo Xingchen, and recognized his unusual energy as the path of cultivation from a thousand years ago.

Gamamaru divined that a mysterious green sword was connected to the unpredictable future and urged Jiraiya to watch Mo Xingchen. Meanwhile, Mo Xingchen formally accepted Orochimaru as his disciple, but their conversation about what to learn was interrupted by Hatake Sakumo showing off his clothes.

• Gamamaru strained his prophecy and saw an ancient pale-green sword before the crystal ball cracked and he was injured.
• Gamamaru told Jiraiya to keep an eye on Mo Xingchen and invite him to Mount Myōboku if possible, and instructed Fukasaku and Gamabunta to keep the young toads there cultivating.
• Jiraiya returned from Mount Myōboku and wondered what secret Mo Xingchen was hiding.
• Mo Xingchen held a formal apprenticeship ceremony and accepted Orochimaru as his disciple.
• Orochimaru rejected the arts Mo Xingchen offered because they could not grant eternal life, and Hatake Sakumo arrived to ask them to admire his clothes.

Sakumo learned that wearing the Hokage’s Coat had made him a political rival of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Mo Xingchen urged him to choose between fighting for the Hokage position or ruining his own reputation. Sakumo chose the second path, and Mo Xingchen began teaching him by taking him to the market to bully shopkeepers.

• Sakumo showed Mo Xingchen and Orochimaru his Hokage’s Coat, and Orochimaru explained that it publicly marked him as a rival to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Mo Xingchen laid out two choices for Sakumo: challenge Hiruzen for the Hokage position or deliberately damage his own reputation; Sakumo chose the second.
• Mo Xingchen took Sakumo and Orochimaru to Konoha’s commercial district to practice acting like thugs.
• Sakumo pointed out a fruit shop whose owner had previously shorted him, and Mo Xingchen questioned the price of a watermelon before asking whether it was ripe.

Mo Xingchen forced Hatake Sakumo to pose as a tyrant and smash shops on Konoha’s commercial street, drawing in the Uchiha Police Force. Uchiha Fugaku recognized Sakumo and, unable to intervene, sent for the Third Hokage.

• Mo Xingchen made a public scene outside the fruit shop, then ordered Hatake Sakumo to continue smashing shops.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the Police Force arrived after receiving a report about criminals causing trouble.
• Hatake Sakumo admitted he was the culprit, leaving Fugaku unsure how to act against his fellow high-ranking official.
• Sakumo selectively smashed shops while the Uchiha Police Force maintained order, and Mo Xingchen learned Sakumo had once commanded the Uchiha in battle.
• Uchiha Fugaku sent someone to the Hokage Building to summon the Third Lord.

Mo Xingchen and Hatake Sakumo staged a public scandal, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to intervene and turn the incident into a public-relations opportunity. Hatake Sakumo was left troubled by Hiruzen’s response and kept his doubts to himself.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi used a Scrying Jutsu to spy on a hot spring inn before a Police Force member reported Hatake Sakumo’s disruptive behavior.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi found Mo Xingchen and Hatake Sakumo taking coconuts from a street vendor, and Hatake Sakumo suggested the scene was what the Hokage wanted to see.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi realized Hatake Sakumo was making himself look bad and that Mo Xingchen had likely planned the stunt.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the gathered villagers that Sakumo’s behavior was caused by a jutsu’s side effects, apologized, and promised full compensation.
• Hatake Sakumo felt uneasy about Hiruzen Sarutobi’s handling of the incident, but he did not voice his doubts to Mo Xingchen.

Mo Xingchen took Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Fugaku to a tavern, where Sakumo learned that the Third Hokage had used his behavior to shape the villagers’ expectations. Tsunade joined them and coaxed Mo Xingchen into paying for a month of drinks, while Fugaku mistakenly concluded that Mo Xingchen was her husband.

• Mo Xingchen invited Uchiha Fugaku to drink with Hatake Sakumo, and Fugaku joined to build ties with Sakumo.
• At the tavern, Orochimaru explained that the Third Hokage’s excuse about Sakumo researching ninjutsu had prepared the villagers to accept his future actions.
• Hatake Sakumo realized he still had to tarnish his name and cursed the political types before drinking more sake.
• Tsunade arrived, complained that Mo Xingchen’s absence had gotten her scolded by Mito, and persuaded him to pay for a month of drinks.
• Uchiha Fugaku misread Mo Xingchen and Tsunade’s exchange as proof that they were married, then congratulated himself on his deduction.

Mo Xingchen showed Kushina Uzumaki a physical skill that let him walk through the air and agreed to teach her survival skills. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Jiraiya to lead a team of three promising graduates, including Kushina.

• Mo Xingchen explained to Mito Uzumaki that he and Hatake Sakumo had staged their misbehavior to draw Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention.
• Kushina Uzumaki announced that she would graduate from the academy the following week and asked Mo Xingchen for a gift.
• Mo Xingchen demonstrated his ability to walk through the air, impressing Kushina and Mito Uzumaki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to take on Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and Kichimaru Akimichi as students.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru tried to avoid the assignment, but Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Jiraiya to lead the three graduates.