Chapter Summaries

Ming Jing enlisted Jiraiya to protect the Third Princess, Ritsu no Otsugu, and help him become Prime Minister of the Land of Grass, while preparing his allies to defend their headquarters. Jiraiya reached the Daimyo’s Mansion just as Ritsu no Otsugu faced Han and his soldiers.

• Jiraiya questioned Ming Jing about the rebellion, and Ming Jing asked him to protect Ritsu no Otsugu and accept her as his disciple so he could recommend Ming Jing as Prime Minister of the Land of Grass.
• Jiraiya agreed and headed for the Daimyo’s Mansion, while Hizashi Hyuga told Ming Jing that Ritsu no Otsugu had disappeared.
• Ming Jing ordered Hizashi Hyuga, Qing Yan, and Up, Down, Left, Right to repel the rebels if they attacked, explaining that he had blamed himself for kidnapping the Second Prince.
• Ritsu no Otsugu armed herself and set out to rescue her parents, but Han confronted her and ordered her to kill herself.
• Jiraiya landed between Ritsu no Otsugu’s guards and Han’s soldiers and introduced himself with an elaborate declaration.

Jiraiya stopped Han’s forces from confronting the Third Princess, then agreed to help her rescue her parents by making her his disciple. Meanwhile, Sumitsuchi forced the Daimyo of the Land of Grass to abdicate, but Akira Kurama’s taunting letter revealed a flaw and sent Sumitsuchi rushing to the Foreign Minister’s Office to find Ritsu no Otsugi.

• Jiraiya arrived and Han withdrew his soldiers after recognizing the Legendary Sannin.
• The Third Princess insisted on rescuing her parents, became Jiraiya’s disciple, and followed him toward the sleeping quarters.
• Sumitsuchi found Ritsu no Kano and his wife in a secret chamber, forged an abdication edict, and seized the Daimyo’s seal to authenticate it.
• A soldier reported that the Second Prince was missing and delivered Akira Kurama’s letter, which enraged Sumitsuchi by pointing out a flaw in his plan.
• Han told Sumitsuchi that Jiraiya had arrived, so Sumitsuchi left Han to watch Jiraiya while he and Shū went to the Foreign Minister’s Office.

Jiraiya held Han at the bedchamber entrance while the Third Princess went around to another door. At the Foreign Minister’s Office, Sumitsuchi’s forces clashed with Hizashi Hyuga, Qing Yan, and the Four Brothers, and the battle remained unresolved as a massive boulder fell toward them.

• Jiraiya confronted Han at the bedchamber entrance and sent the Third Princess and her subordinates around to the rear door.
• Sumitsuchi and Shū reached the Foreign Minister’s Office, where Hizashi Hyuga, Qing Yan, and the Four Brothers blocked their way.
• Shū attacked Hizashi, who countered with Gentle Fist: Water Binding Stream, while Sumitsuchi trapped the defenders in a swamp and summoned six giant capybaras.
• Qing Yan activated his Indestructible Golden Body to repel two capybaras, but a third struck his chest with Claw Dragon Spin.
• Hizashi’s Investigation Division subordinates emerged to block the soldiers as Sumitsuchi and the Four Brothers exchanged coordinated ninjutsu attacks.
• Right’s explosive water spheres devastated the plaza, but the Four Brothers then saw a massive boulder falling toward them after an unseen attacker used Earth Style: Rock Fall.

Ming Jing visited the First Prince, Ritsu no Ota, and told him that the Second Prince had defeated the Daimyo’s defenders with a Jinchuriki’s help. Ritsu no Ota gave up hope and chose his own end as Ming Jing left for the Daimyo’s Mansion.

• Ming Jing found Ritsu no Ota drunk among the corpses of maids he had killed, and listened as the First Prince described his plans if he took the throne.
• Ritsu no Ota proposed that the Land of Grass join forces with the Land of Fire to destroy the Land of Earth, but Ming Jing decided the Third Prince should rule instead.
• Ming Jing told Ritsu no Ota that the Second Prince had succeeded in attacking the Daimyo’s Mansion with a Jinchuriki and would become the new Daimyo at dawn.
• Ming Jing explained the destructive power of a Tailed Beast, and Ritsu no Ota collapsed as he realized his defeat was certain.
• Ming Jing left the residence as Ritsu no Ota chose to end his life, then walked through the rain toward the Daimyo’s Mansion.

Jiraiya fought Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, but Han adapted to Jiraiya’s sealing technique and accepted Kokuō’s help. Han unleashed a more powerful attack, leaving Jiraiya facing a barrage of fireballs as two tails emerged behind Han.

• Jiraiya sealed Han’s Chakra with the Five Elements Seal and struck him with a Rasengan, but Han adapted quickly and praised Jiraiya’s strength.
• Han launched himself into the air and slammed down at Jiraiya, shaking the Daimyo’s Mansion and alarming the Third Princess and her guards as they headed to rescue the Daimyo.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, who crushed Han beneath him, and Han agreed to let Kokuō take a walk by the sea in exchange for its power.
• Han emerged from the dust and struck Jiraiya with lightning and a huge fireball, then hurled nearly thirty more fireballs at him.
• Jiraiya sealed the first fireball in a scroll, but noticed two translucent white tails emerging behind Han.

Jiraiya battled the rampaging Five-Tails while Ming Jing prepared an illusion to protect Ritsu no Otsugu. Ming Jing used Illusion Technique: Hangu to calm Kokuō and return it to Han, leaving Han exhausted and Jiraiya curious about the technique.

• Jiraiya dodged Han’s fireballs, but Han transformed further after Jiraiya struck him with a sealed fireball.
• Kokuō bound Jiraiya’s legs with water, and Jiraiya summoned Gama Bunta to fend off the flames and escape.
• Ming Jing arrived at the ruined Daimyo’s Mansion and asked Jiraiya to draw Kokuō’s attention while he prepared a technique.
• Jiraiya trapped Kokuō in the Swamp of the Underworld, but Kokuō escaped, dried the swamp, and sent Jiraiya flying with its tails.
• Ming Jing cast Illusion Technique: Hangu, causing Kokuō to follow an old man on a Blue Ox through an imagined city until it returned to Han.
• Jiraiya returned to Ming Jing and asked about the technique, while Han remained too exhausted to stand.

After the battle, Ming Jing questioned Han about Iwagakure and learned that Takuo Kurama’s forces had arrived. As the fighting around the Foreign Minister’s Office turned against Iwa, Takuo and Masamune Yagyu led two hundred armed men into the plaza to capture the remaining attackers.

• Ming Jing teased Jiraiya for failing to recommend him to the Third Princess, and Jiraiya hurried off to make the introduction.
• Han refused to tell Ming Jing about Iwagakure, but Takuo Kurama’s Messaging Butterfly reported that reinforcements had arrived.
• Hizashi Hyuga gained the upper hand against Shū while Qing Yan held off six giant capybaras and Sumitsuchi realized the raid had failed.
• After Han was suppressed, Sumitsuchi ordered Shū to retreat and Shū fell back to his side.
• Takuo Kurama and Masamune Yagyu arrived with two hundred men, and Masamune ordered them to capture the attackers.

Ming Jing’s allies captured Sumitsuchi’s forces and regrouped with him after he subdued Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Meanwhile, Jiraiya discovered that Ritsu no Kano planned to abdicate, then diagnosed him with a severe case of Yang Kang.

• Takuo Kurama trapped Sumitsuchi and Shū with his butterfly illusion, and Masamune Yagyu knocked them unconscious with his Killing Blade.
• Masamune Yagyu and Hizashi Hyuga took charge of the prisoners while Takuo Kurama, Qing Yan, and the four brothers Up, Down, Left, Right went to find Ming Jing.
• Ming Jing praised the youths, explained that he had sealed the Five-Tails’ emotions, and agreed to teach Takuo Kurama the technique.
• Ming Jing left Han with Up, Down, Left, Right and took Qing Yan to follow Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya found Ritsu no Otsugu with her father, Ritsu no Kano, who said he would abdicate and hoped the Land of Fire would support the Land of Grass.
• Ritsu no Kano collapsed after becoming excited, and Jiraiya examined him and diagnosed a severe case of Yang Kang.

Ming Jing explained the daimyo’s illness and told Ritsu no Otsugu that he could no longer govern. With her brothers gone, he and Jiraiya persuaded her to become daimyo, and she agreed after Ming Jing promised to help her.

• Ming Jing described the daimyo’s Yang Kang and advised that he stop handling government affairs.
• Ritsu no Otsugu learned that her second brother had disappeared and her eldest brother had committed suicide.
• Ming Jing and Jiraiya urged Ritsu no Otsugu to take the throne and presented Ming Jing as a capable minister who would assist her.
• Ritsu no Otsugu resolved to become daimyo of the Land of Grass and reminded Ming Jing of his promise to help.

Ming Jing took control of the Land of Grass’s affairs through Ritsu no Otsugu and began planning reforms and securing Kusagakure. After handling the immediate work, he returned to the Foreign Minister’s Office, where Karin confronted him for keeping her out of danger.

• Ritsu no Otsugu gave Ming Jing full authority over the Land of Grass and trusted him not to become her enemy.
• Akira Kurama posted notices blaming the Second Prince and spies from the Land of Earth for the rebellion and declaring that Ritsu no Otsugu would govern the country.
• Ming Jing sent Xiao You to deliver a letter to Yuexi and transfer Inner Study Hall trainees to the Land of Grass to help with reforms.
• Ming Jing sent Takuo Kurama, Masamune Yagyu, Hizashi Hyuga, and the Upper and Lower Brothers to Kusagakure with orders to suppress any rebellion.
• Karin scolded Ming Jing for not bringing her to the dangerous events, and he promised to protect her until she grew up.
• Ming Jing told Qing Yan to send Hinata her favorite fruit every week, while Karin decided to remember the fruit names too.

Kusagakure’s leaders learned that a force from the Land of Fire’s Prime Minister’s Residence was approaching, and Mugen argued they should wait to learn Akira Kurama’s intentions. She left the village prepared to destroy herself and the council hall if negotiations failed, while ordering the others to attack the outsiders and flee to Iwagakure.

• Ryuga summoned Mugen to an emergency meeting after Muson raised the highest alert, and Mui arrived after Motegi notified him.
• Muson explained that the Third Princess had taken power after Jiraiya fought the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and that a force from the Royal Capital was heading toward Kusagakure.
• Mugen concluded that Masamune Yagyu’s force belonged to Akira Kurama’s Prime Minister’s Residence rather than Konoha and advised Kusagakure to wait for its demands.
• Mui questioned Mugen’s trust in Akira Kurama, but Mugen said destroying Kusagakure would bring him no benefit and that Kusagakure could defend itself.
• Mugen ordered Ryuga and Motegi to place Explosive Tags around the council hall and instructed Mui to leave a clone behind while the others prepared to ambush the outsiders and defect to Iwagakure if she detonated the tags.

Takuo Kurama entered Kusagakure to deliver Ming Jing’s proposal to reorganize the village into the Land of Grass’s Police Department. After Mugen refused, they agreed to a match, and Mugen’s genjutsu trapped Takuo Kurama in an endless grassland.

• Hizashi Hyuga used his Byakugan to assess Kusagakure’s defenses, and Takuo Kurama decided to meet the village leader himself.
• Takuo Kurama entered the council hall and met Mugen and Mui, then delivered Ming Jing’s letter proposing that Kusagakure become the Land of Grass’s Police Department.
• Mugen praised Ming Jing’s handwriting but rejected the proposal, questioning the Land of Grass’s intentions and insisting that the prime minister explain his plans in person.
• Takuo Kurama challenged Mugen to a match, offering to persuade the prime minister to abandon the reorganization if he lost; Mugen agreed to go to the Royal Capital if she lost.
• Mugen’s genjutsu transformed the council hall into an endless grassland, where a massive maw erupted from the ground and swallowed Takuo Kurama.

Takuo Kurama defeated Mugen in a genjutsu duel and persuaded her to agree to accompany him to the Royal Capital if he could overcome her ultimate technique. Her Illusion: Abstract Space trapped them in a transforming void, and Takuo used Mind Barrier as their bodies began turning into particles.

• Takuo Kurama reflected Mugen's genjutsu with Mirror Flower, then trapped her in Fleeting Time until Mui helped her break free.
• Takuo explained that his eyes could activate Mirror Flower and Fleeting Time, and Mugen marveled at his techniques.
• Mugen offered to go with Takuo to the Royal Capital if he defeated her ten-year-developed genjutsu, Illusion: Abstract Space.
• Mugen and Takuo entered a dark space where their bodies repeatedly transformed as they ran toward its only exit.
• Mugen revealed that the technique could not be undone and that failure would turn their thoughts into particles, while her body began disintegrating.
• Takuo created a crystal wall around them with Mind Barrier in an attempt to hold off the transformation.

Ming Jing visited Sumitsuchi in captivity and used a hidden Genjutsu to learn about his strength and views. He left believing Sumitsuchi could become a useful ally, while Sumitsuchi remained unaware of the information he had revealed.

• Ming Jing met Sumitsuchi in the courtyard, where Sumitsuchi seized him and threatened him with explosive Chakra.
• Ming Jing escaped the apparent hostage situation with the Substitution Technique and revealed that Sumitsuchi had fallen under a no-seal Hell Viewing Technique Genjutsu.
• Sumitsuchi identified himself as an Elite Jonin but refused to reveal Iwagakure's other experts.
• Ming Jing learned that Sumitsuchi opposed war and asked about Deidara, then left after secretly ending the Genjutsu.
• Ming Jing told Qing Yan to retrieve Sumitsuchi's stone, which Sumitsuchi used to train for the S-rank Stone House Technique.

Inuzuka Sen and Yura rescued Second Prince Ritsu no Otsugi from a wolf pack and brought him back to the Royal Capital. After Sen looked after him for three days, Ming Jing barely recognized the timid prince.

• Ritsu no Otsugi fled through the forest with valuables but was surrounded by wolves.
• Inuzuka Sen and Yura intervened, defeated the wolves, and carried the unconscious Ritsu no Otsugi away.
• Sen brought Ritsu no Otsugi to the Foreign Minister's Office, where she cared for him while Ming Jing was busy for three days.
• Ming Jing returned and questioned whether the changed, frightened prince was really Ritsu no Otsugi, and Sen confirmed his identity.

Ming Jing put the Land of Grass’s new tax and migration policies into action and arranged a mission to use Ritsu no Otsugi to gain access to the Land of Waterfalls. He sent Shiraki and Chiyo to escort Ritsu there and provoke a disturbance, creating a pretext for his people to enter.

• Ming Jing let Inuzuka Sen leave after she delivered Ritsu no Otsugi, then agreed to return Ritsu’s bag and postponed their conversation until the next day.
• Ming Jing assigned twenty graduates from the Inner Study Hall to implement a policy that incorporated the poll tax into land taxes and loosened household-registration restrictions for artisans.
• Ming Jing chose Shiraki and San Chiyo Kurama to protect Ritsu no Otsugi and brought them to his room.
• Ming Jing implanted a false memory in Ritsu no Otsugi, making him believe Shiraki and Chiyo had rescued him from the wolf pack.
• Ming Jing sent the three to the Land of Waterfalls to stir up trouble without being caught, so he could later send people there to arrest them and gain a reason to enter.

Ming Jing drafted a joint community agreement between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass, then negotiated its terms with Ritsu no Otsugu and Ritsu no Kano. After Ritsu no Otsugu became daimyo, she and Ming Jing signed the act, formalizing cooperation between the two countries.

• Ming Jing studied the European Union and wrote a proposal for a joint community between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
• Ritsu no Otsugu read Ming Jing’s proposal, and he explained its treaties to her while Ritsu no Kano helped revise terms unfavorable to the Land of Grass.
• Ritsu no Otsugu rejected Ming Jing’s proposal to station Land of Fire troops in the Land of Grass, and they reached an agreement without it.
• On August fifth, Ritsu no Otsugu became daimyo of the Land of Grass, while Ritsu no Kano retired from state affairs.
• On August tenth, Ritsu no Otsugu and Ming Jing signed the Joint Community Act of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass before cheering crowds.

Ming Jing’s Mind Barrier shattered after he learned that Ritsu no Otsugu was a girl, leaving him exhausted and unable to sleep. When Takuo Kurama arrived the next morning, he revealed that his own Mind Barrier had shattered too.

• Ming Jing and Ritsu no Otsugu watched the celebrating Royal Capital, and she thanked him for his role in improving the Land of Grass.
• Ritsu no Otsugu told Ming Jing she was a girl, and his shock caused his Mind Barrier to shatter.
• Ming Jing returned to his room and discovered that the Mind Barrier he had cultivated for two years had broken apart.
• After Ming Jing suffered through a sleepless night, Ritsu no Otsugu found him unwell and went to get a doctor.
• Takuo Kurama arrived, and Ming Jing told him his Mind Barrier had shattered before Takuo revealed that his had shattered as well.

Ming Jing learned that the Land of Earth opposed an alliance between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire, but promised Ritsu no Otsugu he would prevent war. He then secured Mugen’s agreement to divide Kusagakure’s forces between a new police department and the ninja village, leaving her curious about his promised surprise.

• Takuo Kurama told Ming Jing how he defeated Mugen’s Genjutsu by holding out until her Chakra ran out, though his Mind Barrier shattered too.
• A doctor examined Ming Jing and advised him to rest, while Ritsu no Otsugu received a strongly worded letter from the daimyo of the Land of Earth.
• Ming Jing reassured Ritsu no Otsugu that he would handle the Land of Earth and prevent war, then returned to the Royal Capital with Takuo Kurama, Masamune Yagyu, and Hizashi Hyuga.
• Mugen met Ming Jing, asked him to sign The Way of the Gentleman, and agreed that Kusagakure could be divided between a police department and a ninja village.
• Ming Jing told Mugen the changes were meant to improve the country and promised her a huge surprise.

Ōnoki and Deidara waited in Stone Rain Town while the Land of Earth’s plan unfolded: Orochimaru and Sasori rescued Sumitsuchi, Han, and Shū from the Royal Capital of the Land of Grass. Ming Jing and his allies caught up with them outside the city, where both sides prepared to fight.

• Ōnoki warned Deidara to make a plan, while Deidara argued with his master about being called Little Deidara.
• Orochimaru and Sasori broke into the captives’ prison and freed Sumitsuchi, Han, and Shū.
• Ming Jing ordered his allies to protect the daimyo and maintain order, then pursued the rescuers with Hizashi Hyuga and Masamune Yagyu.
• Ming Jing recognized Orochimaru and Sasori, and the two rescuers refused to return their captives.
• Ming Jing faced Orochimaru while Hizashi Hyuga and Masamune Yagyu prepared to fight Sasori.