Chapter Summaries

After killing the Land of Fire's Daimyo, Xu Fan declared his intention to abolish the Daimyo system and unite the Land of Fire with Konoha under the Hokage. Koharu and Homura supported his revolution, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi's rule in question.

• Koharu and Homura were shocked when Xu Fan killed the Daimyo, then asked whether he planned to leave the village.
• Xu Fan announced that the Daimyo would become history and that the Hokage would take control of the Land of Fire's politics, economy, and military.
• Koharu and Homura agreed that history needed to be pushed forward again, citing Hashirama Senju's role in founding Konoha and the shinobi villages.
• Homura and Koharu pledged their support for Xu Fan's revolution and said Konoha would eventually need a Fifth Hokage.

Xu Fan and Konoha’s elders eliminated the Daimyo and his forces, transferring political power in the Land of Fire to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi awoke to the aftermath and, despite condemning Xu Fan, chose not to kill anyone else.

• Xu Fan agreed with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to remove the Daimyo’s forces, then sent Root Shinobi to carry out their list of targets.
• Xu Fan and the Root Shinobi eliminated the Daimyo’s affiliated groups in one afternoon, while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained trapped in a genjutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi awoke beside the Daimyo’s corpse and found Root Shinobi, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Xu Fan there.
• Mitokado Homura explained that Konoha had taken over the Land of Fire’s political power and could make the Hokage the new Daimyo.
• Xu Fan argued that killing him would endanger Konoha and claimed his actions had been for the village.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi condemned Xu Fan for killing the Daimyo but said his ideals would not allow him to kill anyone else.

After Xu Fan destroyed the daimyo faction, Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted that the Hokage would take over the Land of Fire’s government and publicly announced the change. In the Land of Wind, Rasa suspected Xu Fan was behind the daimyo’s assassination and feared his ambitions reached beyond the Land of Fire.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi chose not to confront Xu Fan and agreed to end the matter for the village’s sake.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the daimyo had been assassinated and that he would temporarily assume the daimyo’s position while the daimyo’s descendants grew up.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent ninjas to inform the other nations and villages that he was now the Land of Fire’s highest leader.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura looked out over Konoha and reflected on the village becoming a country.
• Rasa heard the news in Sand Ninja Village, recalled Xu Fan’s earlier words about eliminating the daimyo, and suspected Xu Fan planned to unify the ninja world.

Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure reacted to Konoha’s replacement of the Land of Fire daimyo, each weighing the threat to their own power. In Amegakure, Pain and the masked man decided to move their plan forward and prepare to recruit helpers to gather the tailed beasts.

• Kirigakure’s elders learned that Konoha had replaced the daimyo and debated whether their weakened village could act against Konoha or follow its example.
• The Land of Lightning’s daimyo pushed Darui’s election as Raikage and urged war, but Darui chose to rebuild Kumogakure and renew the Peace Treaty with Konoha.
• Ōnoki wondered whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly led the revolution and considered how it might affect Iwagakure.
• Pain learned of the Land of Fire daimyo’s assassination, and the masked man told him their plan had to be moved up.
• Pain asked the masked man who their first target would be as they prepared to recruit helpers and gather the tailed beasts.

Xu Fan accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer to become a Hokage advisor and affirmed that he intended to unify the shinobi world. He argued that only unification, rather than fragile treaties or a balance of power, could bring true peace.

• Kumogakure delivered a newly drafted Peace Treaty, which Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted despite other nations’ condemnation of his replacement of the daimyo.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Xu Fan to serve as a Hokage advisor, with plans for Xu Fan to become the Fifth Hokage in a few years.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether Xu Fan intended to unify the shinobi world, and Xu Fan openly confirmed it.
• Xu Fan explained that the shinobi world’s wars had continued despite treaties and past reconciliations, and said unification was necessary for true peace.

Xu Fan proposed gradually strengthening Konoha and expanding into smaller countries as a path toward unifying the ninja world, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi stunned by the scale of his ambition. After receiving a sign-in prompt for Kusagakure, Xu Fan planned to use the trip to contact Orochimaru.

• Xu Fan explained his vision of unifying the ninja world, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was overwhelmed by the revelation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled the Great Toad Sage's prophecy and wondered whether Xu Fan was the Child of Prophecy.
• Xu Fan assessed the other great nations as unlikely to start a war soon and proposed expanding into smaller countries while strengthening Konoha.
• The sign-in system instructed Xu Fan to go to Kusagakure, and he decided to use the opportunity to meet Orochimaru.

Xu Fan prepared to travel to Kusagakure while Kakashi asked him to help him become strong enough to protect his companions. Xu Fan agreed to help and invited Kakashi to accompany him on the journey.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Xu Fan's trip to Kusagakure and asked him to check on Tsunade if they crossed paths.
• Kakashi visited Xu Fan and asked him to teach him how to gain the strength to protect his companions.
• Xu Fan agreed to help Kakashi but said he first needed to travel to Kusagakure.
• Xu Fan invited Kakashi to come with him, and Kakashi accepted.

Xu Fan traveled with Kakashi to Kusagakure and considered recruiting Karin, whose healing ability and Uzumaki heritage made her a valuable shinobi. When Kakashi asked for help growing stronger, Xu Fan chose to teach him the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

• Xu Fan received approval from Hiruzen Sarutobi and left Konoha with Kakashi for Kusagakure.
• Xu Fan told Kakashi about a Kusagakure shinobi who could heal people when they bit her, hoping Kakashi could help locate Karin.
• Kakashi demonstrated the Rasengan and explained that Minato Namikaze had failed to add a chakra nature to the technique.
• Xu Fan showed Kakashi the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and announced that he would teach him the Raikage's technique.
• Xu Fan told Kakashi to lift his forehead protector.

Xu Fan tested Kakashi’s newly learned Lightning Release Chakra Mode by challenging him to force him out of a tiny circle while reading a novel. Kakashi broke through Xu Fan’s Chakra barrier with a powerful strike, and their clash sent a shockwave through the forest.

• Xu Fan and Kakashi trained on their journey to Kusagakure, and Kakashi learned the first stage of Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Xu Fan challenged Kakashi to force him out of a small circle and began reading a novel instead of preparing to fight.
• Kakashi threw a kunai at Xu Fan, but an invisible Chakra barrier repelled it.
• Kakashi entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode and charged Xu Fan with a powerful kick aimed at his novel.
• Kakashi’s kick collided with Xu Fan’s Chakra, sending a shockwave through the forest and shattering tree trunks.

Kakashi used Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Chidori against Xu Fan, but Xu Fan countered him and began experimenting with Sage Mode. The training ended with Xu Fan instinctively kicking Kakashi away as he rushed in.

• Kakashi unleashed Lightning Release Chakra Mode and attacked Xu Fan with Chidori, but Xu Fan caught his wrist and hurled him to the ground.
• Kakashi analyzed Xu Fan’s defenses and mistakenly concluded that Xu Fan was testing his ability to exploit openings.
• Xu Fan dispelled his Chakra Mode and entered Sage Mode, while Kakashi noticed the apparent opening and charged at him.
• As Kakashi threw a punch at close range, Xu Fan instinctively kicked his abdomen and sent him flying.

Xu Fan accidentally sent Kakashi flying with a powerful kick, leaving him badly injured, and brought him to Kusagakure for treatment. On the way to the hospital, Kakashi asked Xu Fan to investigate a cry for help, and they found a girl with vivid short red hair.

• Xu Fan found Kakashi with six broken ribs and damaged internal organs, then used Chakra to stabilize him.
• Xu Fan and Kakashi entered Kusagakure so Kakashi could receive medical care and they could search for Karin.
• As they headed toward the hospital, Kakashi heard someone begging for mercy and persuaded Xu Fan to investigate.
• Xu Fan and Kakashi discovered that the girl begging for mercy had vivid short red hair.

Xu Fan found Karin being beaten by human traffickers in Kusagakure and stepped in to save her. After the scar-faced man healed by biting Karin, Kakashi realized the rumor was true and that Karin was the girl they had sought, while Xu Fan vanished as three attackers charged him.

• Xu Fan recognized Karin as an Uzumaki and saw her being beaten by traffickers while a Kusagakure Shinobi watched.
• Xu Fan ordered the men to stop and threw a kunai into the scar-faced man's calf when he tried to kick Karin.
• The Kusagakure Shinobi identified Xu Fan and Kakashi as Konoha Shinobi, then assumed the injured Kakashi left them vulnerable.
• The scar-faced man bit Karin's arm and healed his wound with her Chakra, confirming the rumor for Kakashi.
• The scar-faced man and his two subordinates charged Xu Fan, who suddenly vanished from before their eyes.

Xu Fan rescued Karin from her abusers and offered her a choice: remain in the village or leave with him and prove herself. Karin chose to take up a kunai and face the people who had tortured her.

• Xu Fan vanished from the scar-faced man’s view, reached Karin, checked her injuries, and used Chakra to help her recover.
• The Kusagakure ninja warned Xu Fan to leave, but Xu Fan focused on Karin as the scar-faced man and his companions charged.
• Xu Fan’s Chakra forced the attackers to their knees and left even the Kusagakure ninja stunned.
• Xu Fan handed Karin a kunai and told her she could leave with him if she proved her worth, adding that she could live as a ninja rather than a tool for healing others.
• Karin took the kunai, stood despite her trembling, and faced her terrified abusers as Xu Fan encouraged her.

Karin confronted the men who had abused her, but Xu Fan stopped her from killing them and used Prison Sand Burial to crush them underground. The Kusagakure shinobi appealed to the alliance with Konoha to save himself, while Xu Fan casually threw Karin’s kunai.

• Karin approached Scarface with a kunai, determined to escape her torment, but Xu Fan stopped her hand before she could stab him.
• Xu Fan told Scarface and the other two men they could go, then covered Karin’s eyes and buried them in quicksand with Prison Sand Burial.
• Karin heard the men’s screams and wondered whether Xu Fan was a god or a devil.
• The Kusagakure shinobi backed against a wall and invoked the alliance with Konoha, offering to let Xu Fan leave if he surrendered Karin.
• Xu Fan dismissed the shinobi’s appeal to rules and casually flung Karin’s kunai.

Xu Fan killed a Kusagakure shinobi and planned to remain in Kusagakure, while Kakashi refused Karin’s offer to heal him by biting her. As Xu Fan prepared to take them to the hospital, Orochimaru appeared and addressed Kakashi.

• Xu Fan killed the Kusagakure shinobi with a kunai and buried his body using Magnet Release.
• Xu Fan told Kakashi and Karin that he still had things to do in Kusagakure, while Kakashi urged him to leave.
• Karin offered Kakashi her arm to heal him, but Kakashi covered her bite marks and refused to bite her.
• Karin felt safe with Xu Fan and decided she wanted to follow him.
• Orochimaru appeared and spoke to Kakashi, making him tense.

Xu Fan recognized Orochimaru, who demanded that Kakashi hand over Karin, unaware of Xu Fan’s strength. The confrontation remained unresolved as Orochimaru confidently threatened them.

• Kakashi explained that Orochimaru was a dangerous former Konoha Sannin and rogue ninja.
• Xu Fan recalled Orochimaru’s past, motives, and later actions, then Kakashi brought him back from his thoughts.
• Orochimaru identified Karin as a likely member of the Uzumaki Clan and demanded that Kakashi hand her over.
• Orochimaru threatened Kakashi and Xu Fan, mistaking Xu Fan for Kakashi’s subordinate and underestimating the danger.

Orochimaru attacked Kakashi to test his strength, while Xu Fan kept Karin out of the fight and watched. Kakashi used Lightning Release Chakra Mode to counterattack, but his kunai stopped just before reaching Orochimaru’s neck.

• Karin offered her arm to help Kakashi recover, but Xu Fan pulled her aside as Orochimaru launched Shadow Snake Hands.
• Xu Fan decided not to intervene, and Kakashi revealed his Three Tomoe Sharingan to evade the summoned pythons.
• Kakashi used Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, but the pythons kept fighting despite being struck.
• Kakashi activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, slipped past the pythons, and appeared behind Orochimaru.
• Kakashi stabbed toward Orochimaru’s neck with a kunai, but the weapon abruptly stopped before reaching him.

Kakashi fought Orochimaru while injured, but Xu Fan saved him and Karin restored his strength. As Kakashi prepared to face Orochimaru again, Orochimaru summoned a coffin from the ground to test a new ninjutsu.

• Kakashi’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode faded after Orochimaru escaped his attack with a Binding Technique.
• Orochimaru used the Body Flicker Technique to attack Kakashi, but Xu Fan intervened and brought Kakashi back to Karin.
• Xu Fan urged Kakashi to test his training, and Kakashi bit Karin’s arm to recover his injuries and Chakra.
• Orochimaru recognized that Xu Fan’s Body Flicker Technique was beyond what he had expected and decided to test a new ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru clapped his hands together, causing the earth to tremble as a plain coffin rose from the ground.

Orochimaru summoned the Third Kazekage with Impure World Reincarnation, while Xu Fan revealed his Senju Clan lineage and explained the forbidden jutsu to Kakashi. The Third Kazekage attacked Kakashi and Xu Fan with iron sand, and Kakashi dodged the spears before launching Chidori.

• Orochimaru summoned a coffin marked with the character for three, and Xu Fan identified the technique as Impure World Reincarnation.
• Xu Fan explained to Kakashi that the forbidden jutsu used a living person as a vessel to summon and control the dead.
• Xu Fan revealed that he belonged to the Senju Clan, prompting Orochimaru to consider him a potential vessel.
• The coffin revealed the Third Kazekage, whom Orochimaru controlled by driving a talisman-tagged kunai into the back of his head.
• The Third Kazekage attacked Xu Fan and Kakashi with Magnet Release: Great Needle Sand, while Orochimaru watched to judge Xu Fan.
• Kakashi activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, evaded the iron sand spears, and countered with Chidori.

Xu Fan and Kakashi fought Orochimaru’s reanimated Third Kazekage, whose Impure World Reincarnation let him recover from Kakashi’s Chidori. After Orochimaru saw Xu Fan use Wood Release, he targeted him and unleashed a massive Sand Iron attack over Kusagakure.

• Kakashi dodged the Third Kazekage’s sand iron spears while Xu Fan pierced the Kazekage’s chest with Chidori.
• Xu Fan shielded Karin with a Wood Release wall, shocking Orochimaru and making him decide to capture Xu Fan’s body.
• The Third Kazekage regenerated from Kakashi’s attack, and Orochimaru explained that the reanimated dead could recover and had endless Chakra.
• Orochimaru made the Third Kazekage fly and form Sand Iron wings as he prepared to attack Xu Fan and Kakashi.
• Xu Fan ordered Kakashi to retreat, then the Third Kazekage unleashed Sand Iron World Formation across half of Kusagakure.