Chapter Summaries

Gu Sheng argued that Konoha should prolong its war with Sunagakure by trading ninja tools to border countries for supplies, and the advisors agreed to consider his plan at an assembly. He then questioned Danzo about the conflict with Mountain Country and learned that Yang Flame Ninja Village was mobilizing for war.

• Gu Sheng explained that Konoha had weakened Sunagakure but could not force a quick surrender, and proposed wearing down its forces through prolonged skirmishes.
• Gu Sheng rejected transporting supplies directly from the Land of Fire and presented a plan to trade ninja tools with small border countries for food near the battlefield.
• Danzo supported Gu Sheng's plan, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura agreed to bring it before an assembly in three days.
• Gu Sheng asked Danzo how the conflict with Mountain Country began, and Danzo said Yang Flame Ninja Village had provoked trouble at the border.
• Danzo revealed that Yang Flame Ninja Village was mobilizing all its ninjas, while Gu Sheng concluded that its leader had grown overconfident after judging Konoha's strength.

Gu Sheng secured approval to launch an all-out campaign against the Yang Flame Ninja Village, arguing that Konoha needed to end the conflict quickly. He assigned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to lead and support the campaign, leaving Danzo unable to openly oppose the plan.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu objected to destroying the Yang Flame Ninja Village, while Danzo supported Gu Sheng’s proposal.
• Tsunade agreed to the attack after hesitating, and Gu Sheng’s proposal passed despite the advisors’ misgivings.
• Gu Sheng appointed Mitokado Homura as frontline commander and Utatane Koharu as deputy commander and logistics chief, with ANBU sent from the village to assist.
• Danzo questioned withdrawing the village’s ANBU, but Gu Sheng insisted Konoha could not sustain two fronts and would have to win quickly or negotiate.
• Danzo realized that provoking the Yang Flame Ninja Village before the other war reached negotiations had left Konoha in a difficult position.

Gu Sheng persuaded Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu to accept responsibility for Konoha’s defenses and the war against Yang Flame Ninja Village. The advisors agreed to his terms, while Gu Sheng prepared to commit Konoha’s forces to a swift invasion of Mountain Country.

• Danzo questioned Gu Sheng’s plan to send the ANBU to war and asked how Konoha would be defended.
• Gu Sheng said he would mobilize the Security Force and most clan ninja for a decisive campaign, leaving Root to defend Konoha for up to three months.
• Gu Sheng gave Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu authority over their duties but warned that he would hold them personally responsible for failures unless they provided a complete chain of evidence.
• Danzo agreed to put Root in charge of Konoha’s defense, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also accepted their responsibilities.
• Gu Sheng concluded that Konoha could destroy Yang Flame Ninja Village within three months if it committed its full forces.

Gu Sheng proposed reforming Konoha’s Medical Ninja training and presented casualty data to persuade the advisers that the changes would preserve the village’s fighting strength. The advisers found the evidence convincing, leaving the reform under consideration.

• Gu Sheng introduced Medical Ninja training reform as the meeting’s next topic, and Tsunade welcomed his commitment to it.
• Gu Sheng presented scrolls outlining his proposals and explained that the Acting Hokage role gave him a chance to make significant changes.
• Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu checked the casualty statistics and asked how the figures had been compiled.
• Gu Sheng said the data came from front-line casualty reports and argued that three-man squads with Medical Ninjas would reduce losses and preserve experienced fighters.
• The advisers saw that the statistics supported reform, including the case against sending young, inexperienced graduates straight to battle.

Gu Sheng presented reforms to address Konoha’s dwindling wartime strength, including a plan to fund them by selling ninja tools to smaller nations. Mitokado Homura agreed to seize the Mountain Country’s Exploding Tags, giving the proposal a concrete first step.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu recognized that Gu Sheng’s analysis showed Konoha’s old methods were depleting its talent and military strength, while Danzo stayed silent to weigh the proposal.
• Gu Sheng presented his reform plan, and Tsunade praised its section on Medical Ninjas.
• Mitokado Homura supported the plan but warned that it required substantial funding, while Danzo questioned whether the Daimyo would provide it.
• Gu Sheng proposed selling disposable ninja tools to enemy nations to raise money for the reforms.
• Mitokado Homura identified the Mountain Country’s stockpile of Exploding Tags as a source of tools and agreed to seize them within three months.

Gu Sheng persuaded Danzo and the other advisors to support Konoha’s medical reforms and temporarily assign Root medical ninja to Tsunade’s Medical Academy. After the meeting, he comforted Tsunade and tested their growing closeness, leaving her flustered by his kiss on her forehead.

• Gu Sheng asked Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu to support the medical reforms and provide medical ninja for Tsunade’s Medical Academy.
• Tsunade argued that Root’s medical ninja would be better used at the academy, while Homura and Koharu withheld their support from Danzo.
• Gu Sheng promised that the transferred Root medical ninja would return after Elder Mito came back, and Danzo agreed to the temporary assignment.
• Tsunade complained that the political negotiations had exhausted her, and Gu Sheng promised to help her with the work.
• Gu Sheng comforted Tsunade, smoothed her brow, and kissed her forehead; Tsunade blushed and did not push him away.

Gu Sheng settled into his role as Acting Hokage by addressing Konoha’s academy students and beginning reforms to the ninja education system. The chapter ended with him and Tsunade overseeing those reforms while Danzo handled much of the routine administration.

• After Gu Sheng kissed Tsunade and left, Tsunade reflected on her embarrassment, attraction to him, and the reasons she had been using to dismiss a possible relationship.
• Gu Sheng arrived at the Konoha Ninja Academy, where students eagerly discussed his reputation and his young age as Acting Hokage.
• Gu Sheng delivered a speech invoking the Third Hokage’s words and urging the students to work for the village’s future.
• After the speech, teachers led students to their classes and gathered those nearing graduation in an auditorium.
• Gu Sheng shifted routine administrative work to Danzo and worked with Tsunade to reform the ninja academy’s education system.

Gu Sheng established a program to train young geniuses and presented forehead protectors to Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina. The chapter left off as Minato and Kushina reported that someone had planted Exploding Tags inside Konoha.

• Gu Sheng signed the Special Talent Protection Law, keeping gifted students at the Ninja Academy until age thirteen for advanced training under his supervision.
• Gu Sheng welcomed the young geniuses, including Minato Namikaze, Uzumaki Kushina, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara, to the training program.
• Gu Sheng presented Minato and Kushina with their forehead protectors and encouraged them.
• Tsunade and Yakushi Nonō worked with Gu Sheng on Medical Ninja Division paperwork while he shifted much of his routine work to Danzo and the Staff Department.
• Kushina rushed into Gu Sheng's office with Minato and reported that someone had planted Exploding Tags inside Konoha.

Gu Sheng’s search uncovered hidden Exploding Tags planted in Konoha, and he suspected Danzo was behind the incident. After assigning Minato Namikaze and Kushina to follow up, Gu Sheng reflected on Yakushi Nonō’s new role and the orphanage he had arranged for Kabuto Yakushi’s sake.

• Minato Namikaze reported that the search had found concealed Exploding Tags near Hokage Rock, which Captain Hizashi Hyuga had defused using his Byakugan.
• Minato Namikaze said the culprit had entered Konoha disguised as a traveling merchant and was likely connected to the destroyed Yang Flame Ninja Village.
• Gu Sheng concluded that the tag planter had probably left Konoha without realizing his Formation had been disabled, then assigned Minato Namikaze and Kushina to continue investigating.
• After Minato Namikaze and Kushina left, Gu Sheng laughed and hinted that he had caught Danzo in a scheme, prompting Tsunade to argue with him.
• Gu Sheng looked at Yakushi Nonō and recalled helping her leave Root, lead the Konoha Orphanage, and support Kabuto Yakushi’s future.

Gu Sheng soothed Tsunade after she grew angry over his relationships with Mei Daizi and Hyuga Xin, then kissed Tsunade in front of Yakushi Nonō. Tsunade and Gu Sheng’s relationship had become intimate and faced little opposition, though Tsunade still resented his involvement with Mei Daizi.

• Tsunade scolded Gu Sheng for ignoring her and causing trouble at work after she discovered his relationships with Mei Daizi and Hyuga Xin.
• Gu Sheng placated Tsunade, then threatened to evaluate Yakushi Nonō’s work, and Nonō teased him in return.
• Gu Sheng kissed Tsunade in front of Yakushi Nonō, who took the hint and left the office.
• Tsunade pushed Gu Sheng away and scolded him for kissing her in front of a witness, but he soon coaxed her back into a good mood.
• The narration explained that Gu Sheng and Tsunade’s relationship had become intimate, while Tsunade’s anger over Mei Daizi remained tied to her conflicted feelings and suspicions that someone had revealed her habits.

Gu Sheng uncovered Exploding Tags planted across Konoha and confronted Danzo over Root’s failure to detect them. He accused Danzo of dereliction of duty and threatened to reduce his workload, leaving their conflict escalating.

• Tsunade asked Gu Sheng when he and Mei Daizi had started dating, but he pulled her up when he sensed someone approaching.
• Chu Xin returned with Hizashi Hyuga and Hiashi Hyuga and gave Gu Sheng a map showing Exploding Tags planted throughout Konoha.
• Chu Xin reported that Root had blocked her team from inspecting the areas under its control, and Gu Sheng decided those locations had to be checked for the village’s safety.
• Gu Sheng visited Danzo’s office and accused him of planning to destroy Konoha by failing to detect the Exploding Tags.
• Danzo denied understanding the accusation, and Gu Sheng said Danzo had neglected his security duties and needed his workload reduced.

Gu Sheng used evidence of a bomb plot in Konoha to expose Danzō’s failure to secure the village. After Danzō admitted his negligence, Gu Sheng moved to strip him of responsibilities beyond security and patrols.

• Gu Sheng presented inspection records and a crate of Exploding Tags, showing that more than a hundred crates had been planted around Konoha, including the Hokage Building.
• Danzō and Utatane Koharu questioned the evidence, but Utatane recognized the tags as genuine, and Danzō agreed to search the areas Root had blocked off.
• Gu Sheng and Danzō found an Exploding Tag at Root’s headquarters, and Danzō admitted that the security failure was his fault.
• Gu Sheng said Danzō’s other duties would be handed to someone else, using the crisis to curtail his authority.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha after three years away and found the village transformed under Gu Sheng’s influence. At the Hokage Building, Kushina mistook him for a fraud before Minato identified him as one of Konoha’s Three Ninja.

• Danzo accepted Gu Sheng’s reprimand and watched him leave, then struck a pillar in anger.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha after three years in the Rain Country and learned that Sarutobi Hiruzen was fighting in the Land of Wind while Tsunade remained in the village.
• Jiraiya noticed Konoha’s lively streets and unfamiliar young guards as he hurried toward the Hokage Building.
• Kushina challenged Jiraiya at the entrance and mocked his appearance and claim to be Konoha’s hero.
• Minato introduced himself to Jiraiya, and then quietly explained to Kushina that Jiraiya was one of Konoha’s Three Ninja.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha and saw how the village had changed under Gu Sheng's reforms. Minato explained that Root now handled village security while Konoha's ANBU and Security Force fought on the Land of Wind front, and the reforms had helped the village grow stronger despite the war.

• Kushina doubted Jiraiya's importance, but Minato apologized and led him into the Hokage Building.
• Jiraiya encountered Danzo, who was patrolling Konoha with Root members, and exchanged greetings with him.
• Minato told Jiraiya that Konoha had sent its ANBU and Security Force to the Land of Wind Battlefield, leaving Root to maintain security.
• Minato explained that Konoha had changed its strategy after heavy casualties among young graduates and had implemented reforms to protect its future.
• The chapter described how the reforms and medical ninja system helped Konoha preserve manpower and emerge stronger despite years of war.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha after three years and met Uchiha Sheng, the respected Acting Hokage who had led the village’s reforms. After learning how hard Tsunade had worked while he was away, Jiraiya agreed to stay and serve Konoha, but Tsunade confronted him over leaving without saying goodbye.

• Minato told Jiraiya that Uchiha Sheng had led Konoha’s reforms while the Third Hokage was away at the Land of Wind Battlefield.
• Jiraiya entered the Hokage’s office and found Tsunade asleep at her desk while Uchiha Sheng, wearing the Hokage hat, asked him to be quiet.
• Uchiha Sheng explained that Tsunade had spent two years working on the Medical Ninja Reform System and introduced himself as Orochimaru’s student and Acting Hokage.
• Jiraiya saw Nawaki and other staff members show Uchiha Sheng great respect, then praised Konoha’s changes during a meeting with him.
• Jiraiya decided to put aside his travels and serve Konoha after returning from his three-year absence.
• Tsunade burst into the conference room and angrily confronted Jiraiya for leaving without saying goodbye.

Tsunade confronted Jiraiya over his three-year absence, but Gu Sheng calmed her and revealed that she had decided to date him. Jiraiya was stunned by the news as Tsunade dismissed his claims that his past peeping was research for writing.

• Jiraiya cowered when Tsunade arrived and prepared to strike him for disappearing during the war.
• Gu Sheng restrained Tsunade and explained that he understood she was trying to protect Jiraiya from criticism over his absence.
• Gu Sheng and Tsunade sat together hand in hand, and Jiraiya realized their relationship was more than friendship.
• Gu Sheng told Jiraiya that Tsunade had decided to date him, leaving Jiraiya stunned and dejected.
• Tsunade called Jiraiya a pervert, while he insisted he had been gathering material for writing.

Gu Sheng rejected Jiraiya’s request to join the war in the Land of Wind and instead asked him to supervise Konoha’s Ninja Academy Training Camp while Gu Sheng trained at Ryūchi Cave. Jiraiya was surprised that Gu Sheng trusted him with the important post.

• Jiraiya teased Tsunade about her violent temper, and Gu Sheng calmed her before she could strike him.
• Jiraiya said he wanted to make up for his absence and asked to serve on the front in the Land of Wind, but Gu Sheng refused because Konoha’s military methods had changed.
• Gu Sheng explained that he planned to train in Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave and needed a trusted person to manage the Ninja Academy Training Camp.
• Gu Sheng asked Jiraiya to supervise the Training Camp, and Jiraiya questioned why Gu Sheng trusted him with the responsibility.

Gu Sheng asked Jiraiya to take Minato and Kushina as his direct disciples, explaining why each needed his guidance. Jiraiya considered the request, particularly Minato’s potential, but had not yet given an answer.

• Gu Sheng assured Jiraiya that he trusted the judgment of Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the Hokage, and Jiraiya accepted the reassurance.
• Gu Sheng called Minato and Kushina into the room and praised Minato’s talent and recent promotion to Chunin.
• Gu Sheng introduced Kushina as a relative of Mito and the princess of the Whirlpool Country, prompting her to snort at his description of her temper.
• Gu Sheng asked Jiraiya to make Minato and Kushina his direct disciples, citing Minato’s need for a teacher and Kushina’s need for guidance in sealing techniques.
• Jiraiya weighed the responsibility of accepting Minato as a direct disciple while recognizing that Gu Sheng also wanted him to protect Kushina.

Jiraiya agreed to work with Gu Sheng and reunited awkwardly with Tsunade, who left after hearing about his life in the Rain Country. Later, Tsunade confessed her fear that Gu Sheng would be gravely hurt again while pursuing Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode, but he remained determined to continue.

• Jiraiya agreed to Gu Sheng’s proposal, and Gu Sheng left to arrange his future work.
• Tsunade spoke briefly with Jiraiya, then ended their conversation and left without revisiting their past.
• Gu Sheng found Tsunade drunk at an Izakaya, where she clung to him and admitted she feared he would leave or be injured.
• Tsunade urged Gu Sheng to give up Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode and form a contract with Slug, but he said Shikkotsu Forest’s Sage Mode did not suit him.
• Gu Sheng recalled how merging with the White Snake Sage’s Chakra had severely injured him two years earlier and how he had sought another way to master the Sage Mode.

Gu Sheng returned to Ryūchi Cave to attempt Sage Mode training, while Tsunade and his friends saw him off. After reaching the cave, he reunited with Qing Ling and met the elders, who prepared to begin his trial.

• Gu Sheng decided to return to Ryūchi Cave, and Tsunade asked him to carry her through the streets.
• Gu Sheng reassured Chu Xin, Mei Daizi, and Tsunade before using the Reverse Summoning Technique to leave.
• Gu Sheng arrived at Ryūchi Cave and used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to clear the fog.
• The White Snake Sage watched Qing Ling train and sent Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime to bring Gu Sheng to her.
• Tagorihime led Gu Sheng into the main hall and offered him a meal before the trial; Gu Sheng used his Three Tomoe Sharingan to reveal that the dishes were dried bones.