Chapter Summaries

Anko reached Ryūchi Cave and reunited with one of Orochimaru’s Split Bodies, an enormous eight-headed python that could not speak. Meanwhile, Shin learned Orochimaru had taken Anko away and traveled to the Land of Fire’s capital, where the daimyo’s death left the heir and court under his influence.

• Three attendants welcomed Anko and Kushinadahime to Ryūchi Cave and led them to the temple where Orochimaru’s eight-headed python body waited.
• Anko recognized the python as Orochimaru, embraced one of its heads, and insisted that Kushinadahime refer to him as “him,” not “it.”
• Kakashi and Guy failed to locate Anko, and Shin told them that she had been taken away by Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Shin brought Kamado and Tsunade to the capital in a flying Hokage’s carriage and was welcomed by General Oda Isamu and the ministers.
• At the daimyo’s mourning hall, Shin met the daimyo’s principal wife and the young heir, while considering the royal family and ministers doomed to die.

Shin refused Oda Isamu’s request to suppress the rebellion while maneuvering around the succession crisis in the Land of Fire. After receiving news of unrest in Iwagakure, he returned to Konoha with nine former Guardian Ninja, leaving Prince Tomo and Oda Isamu awaiting his promised answer.

• Oda Isamu asked Shin to help suppress the rebels, but Shin hesitated and redirected Prince Tomo toward choosing new Guardian Ninja.
• Shin received an urgent letter reporting another disturbance in Iwagakure and left the capital, promising both Oda Isamu and Prince Tomo an answer soon.
• Outside the capital, Shin recruited nine former Guardian Ninja into Konoha as Chunin and flew back with them.
• Qinglian Valley told the former Guardian Ninja that Prince Tomo had gathered new Guardian Ninja.
• During the journey, Shin rested with his feet on Tsunade’s back after she questioned his decisions.

Zhen planned to expand Konoha and assigned Obito an S-rank mission to build houses using Wood Release. After his friends laughed at the assignment, Rin encouraged him, and Obito promised to complete it.

• Samui sent Qinglian Valley and the Guardian Ninja to register while Tsunade and Zhen left the carriage for the Hokage's Office.
• Zhen studied a map of the Land of Fire and decided to expand Konoha despite the village's tight finances.
• Zhen summoned Obito and assigned him to work with Earth Release ninja and construction craftsmen to expand the village for 200,000 ryo.
• At a barbecue gathering, Obito told his friends that his S-rank mission was to build houses, prompting them to laugh.
• Rin praised Obito's mission and urged him not to let Zhen down, and Obito vowed to complete the work perfectly.

After the rebels captured the capital, Shin gathered Konoha’s jonin and ordered them to save the Land of Fire. Later, he caught Anko in the wilderness and demanded Orochimaru’s whereabouts, but she pleaded with him to leave Orochimaru alone.

• A messenger reported that rebels had seized several cities, and Shin sent him to rest before returning to bed.
• Kamado informed Shin that the rebels had captured the capital, killed the royal family and generals, and left some officials alive.
• Shin convened Konoha’s jonin and announced a plan to take the capital, restore the major cities, and suppress and absorb the rebel forces.
• Shin sensed someone far from the village, found Anko in the wilderness, restrained her, and demanded to know where Orochimaru was.
• Anko begged Shin to let Orochimaru go, saying Orochimaru had already died once and their grudges should have been settled.

Shin refused Anko’s plea to spare Orochimaru, returned to the village, and left Anko in Anbu custody. At home, he spent time with his children before Ayari sent him to Ayano’s room for the night.

• Shin rejected Anko’s appeal and said he might spare Orochimaru if Orochimaru knelt and called him Hokage.
• Shin brought Anko back to the village, where Anbu took her to a holding cell for interrogation.
• Shin returned home, comforted Naruto and Sasuke, and tucked Neji in after the children asked him to stay.
• Ayari told Shin to treat the children equally and directed him to sleep in Ayano’s room.
• Shin entered Ayano’s room and pulled away her blanket, leaving her to curl up and complain that she was cold.

Shin pressured Anko into revealing Orochimaru’s hiding place and what she knew about his Split Bodies, then let her go. In Amegakure, Byakuryu struggled with his failing body and learned that Nagato was going to receive Naruto, who had arrived without warning.

• Shin threatened to have a Yamanaka ninja probe Anko’s mind unless she disclosed Orochimaru’s whereabouts.
• Anko told Shin that Orochimaru was hiding in Ryūchi Cave and identified Byakuryu as a Rain Ninja, one of Orochimaru’s stronger Split Bodies.
• Anko explained that Orochimaru’s soul had been divided into countless fragments, but she did not know where the other Split Bodies were.
• Shin reviewed materials on the Soul Secret Technique and concluded he needed to capture one of Orochimaru’s Split Bodies.
• Byakuryu injected himself with medicine and worried that his damaged body was too weak to defeat Hyuga Shin or devour the Split Bodies.
• Nagato told Byakuryu that Naruto had suddenly arrived in Amegakure and asked him to come along to receive him.

Shin captured the disguised Orochimaru in Rain Village and took him away after Byakuryu admitted to killing the Land of Fire's daimyo. Nagato discovered a strange scroll in Byakuryu's room, while Orochimaru shed his captured body and escaped.

• Shin exposed Byakuryu as a clone and had Kamado capture the real Byakuryu, who admitted to killing the daimyo.
• Yahiko handed Byakuryu over to Shin, who reassured Rain Village that Konoha's friendship would remain intact and reminded Yahiko about two wanted Konoha criminals.
• After Shin left, Yahiko asked Nagato to investigate Byakuryu's background, and Nagato found syringes and a miniature scroll in Byakuryu's room.
• Nagato opened the scroll, which released a force that struck him and left him unable to move.
• While Shin flew back to Konoha with Byakuryu, the captive's body swelled and died, and Shin realized Orochimaru had escaped by abandoning it.

Nagato investigated Byakuryu but found nothing, then learned Jiraiya planned to visit Rain Village and worried Yahiko would refuse to see him. Meanwhile, Shin weighed the threat of Orochimaru and prepared for Tsunade’s final day as his assistant, only for Samui to assign her one more task.

• Nagato found Byakuryu’s scroll blank, searched his room again without success, and sent subordinates to investigate him.
• Konan told Nagato that Jiraiya planned to visit, and Nagato realized Yahiko feared the visit could draw Konoha’s attention.
• Shin returned to the village with Kamado, worried that Orochimaru could grow as powerful as he did and escape capture again.
• Shin decided to let Tsunade finish her assistant duties the next day and met with Hyuga Clan elders as part of his plans to build political support.
• Tsunade arrived early for her last day, but Samui told her that her new task was to warm Shin’s bed before his afternoon nap.

Tsunade endured her final day of work for Shin, including warming his bed, while Shin handled village expansion plans and his usual duties. After Tsunade accidentally fell asleep and drooled on his pillow, Shin left without scolding her, and she considered taking the pillow home to wash it.

• Tsunade accepted Shin's order to warm his bed, deciding to endure it because it was her last day.
• Shin met with Obito and an architect to discuss village expansion, and promised to recognize Obito's contributions at a ceremony.
• Mabui gave Tsunade pastries as a parting gift, and Tsunade invited her to visit sometime.
• Tsunade lay down to warm Shin's bed and fell asleep while he continued working.
• Tsunade woke to find Shin eating beside her, apologized for drooling on his pillow, and watched him leave without blaming her.
• Tsunade decided she might take the soiled pillow home and ask Shizune to wash it.

Tsunade finished her final day as Shinichi’s assistant and returned his pillow, only to discover that Samui had already replaced it. After leaving the Hokage’s Office, Tsunade wandered into the village and entered the incense shop Samui had mentioned.

• Tsunade told Shinichi her last day had arrived, and he confirmed that her debt was fully repaid.
• Tsunade took the pillow home to wash, then stayed up fanning it dry with Shizune’s help.
• Tsunade brought the pillow back the next morning and found a new one already on the bed; Samui explained where to get the Hokage’s preferred incense.
• Shinichi asked for hot tea, and Tsunade brought him a cup before leaving the Hokage’s Office.
• Tsunade wandered through the village, remembered Samui’s offer of incense, and entered the incense shop.

Tsunade collected the Hokage’s aromatherapy, visited Biwako, and discussed Konoha’s political situation and her uncertain place in the village. After drinking and falling asleep at Biwako’s home, she encountered Shin, who told her she could return to work at Konoha Hospital.

• Tsunade obtained a gift box of the Hokage’s special aromatherapy from the shop owner and brought alcohol and gifts to Biwako.
• Tsunade and Biwako discussed the fallen royal family, Shin’s ambitions, and Tsunade’s grievances about serving as his assistant.
• Biwako urged Tsunade to remain in the village, control her temper, and make friends, while Tsunade thought of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Mabui.
• Tsunade drank with Biwako, fell asleep at the Sarutobi residence, and left after waking in the dark.
• Shin found Tsunade near the Sunlight Tower, asked about her gift box, and told her she could return to work at Konoha Hospital.

Neji discussed his hopes for the future with Toneri and Jugo while the Land of Fire struggled to recover after Konoha subdued the rebels. At the Biotechnology Research Institute, Zhen awakened the Tenseigan through Kabuto’s experiment and ordered him to shift his focus to creating artificial Jinchuriki.

• Neji complained about his lessons and told Toneri and Jugo he wanted to join the Crown Guard like Itachi.
• Neji said he did not want to become Hokage because he wanted to spend more time with his mother, and invited Toneri to join the Crown Guard.
• Konoha subdued the rebels, took control of the capital, and helped officials restore the Land of Fire’s administration as rumors spread that Zhen planned to replace the daimyo.
• Kabuto told Zhen that cloning experiments had produced Byakugan and Tenseigan serum, and Zhen awakened the Tenseigan after receiving an injection.
• Zhen demonstrated the Tenseigan’s power and ordered Kabuto to stop the Tenseigan experiment, continue mass-producing Byakugan, and focus on artificial Jinchuriki.

Zhen explored the Tenseigan’s powers while overseeing Konoha’s expansion and developing an artificial Jinchuriki. He successfully transferred the Two-Tails from Yugito into the prototype and planned to spread his influence across the Shinobi World.

• Zhen returned home with Tenseigan eyes, surprising his family, and spent the following half month overseeing Konoha’s expansion and selecting merchants and new residents.
• Kabuto completed a spherical artificial Jinchuriki made from Hashirama Cells, Uzumaki Clan cells, and a White Zetsu body.
• Zhen arranged a transfer ceremony outside the village and removed the Two-Tails from Yugito, sealing its Chakra into the artificial Jinchuriki.
• Yugito fainted and recovered in the hospital, while Zhen removed the seals on Yugito, Samui, and Mabui as compensation.
• Zhen tested the new container and told Kabuto to continue developing artificial Jinchuriki and other projects, intending to end the thousand-year war and extend the Sunlight Tower’s reach across the Shinobi World.

Rin agreed to have the Three-Tails extracted and was hospitalized after Shin completed the ritual. As Shin visited her, their unresolved attraction culminated in a kiss, and Rin anticipated seeing him again the next day.

• Rin learned Shin planned to extract the Three-Tails and, after talking with Kushina, returned two days later and agreed to the procedure.
• Shin led the transfer ritual, and Rin lost consciousness before waking in the hospital; her friends visited, and Shin came to see her that evening.
• The next day, Shin read a letter from ministers urging him to take further political action, while he considered the risks and investigated Stone Ninja spies in the Land of Fire.
• Shin visited Rin late at night, openly said he wanted to kiss her, and kissed her after she hid beneath the covers.
• Shin promised to visit Rin again the next day, and she spent the night thinking about preparing for his next visit.

Rin struggled with her feelings for Shin and confronted him about their relationship, his family, and his unwillingness to be exclusive. The chapter ended with Rin asking Shin to let her go before he destroyed her.

• Rin learned she could leave the hospital the next day, while Obito visited her with flowers and fruit.
• Shin visited Rin as she showered, teased her, and kissed her after she got dressed.
• Rin asked Shin what their relationship was and said she wanted him to be with only her, but Shin admitted he could not do that.
• Rin and Shin argued over when he would make time for her, and Shin suggested she move into his house with Kushina.
• Rin told Shin he was selfish, kissed him, and asked him to let her go before he destroyed her.

Shin advanced Konoha’s transformation by developing a giant Chakra Metal construct, expanding the city, and reorganizing the Land of Fire’s independent shinobi groups into a state-recognized Ninja Guild. As winter continued, Konoha absorbed new residents and wealthy buyers, and Shin predicted that the village would be completely transformed after spring.

• At the Mechanical Science Research Institute, Tonokawa told Shin that the giant’s Chakra Metal skeleton was assembled, while Kabuto’s Flesh Armor and limb-movement experiments remained in progress.
• Shin attended a merchants’ banquet after Konoha completed its new city district and formally awarded Obito a medal for his construction work.
• Shin pushed ahead with plans for a Land of Fire Ninja Guild that would register and manage mercenary groups, shinobi factions, and Rogue Ninja under Konoha’s authority.
• After the rebellion left fields barren and the country short of relief supplies, Shin used gold mined on the moon to buy grain from neighboring countries.
• As Adofuku Street residents moved into Konoha, wealthy buyers drove up housing prices in the new district, prompting Konoha to intervene in the open market.
• During a snowfall, Shin told Samui that Konoha would be completely transformed after spring, then returned to his office.

Rin, Anko, and Obito spent an evening exploring Konoha’s prosperous new district and discussed the village’s changes, Obito’s ambitions, and rising housing prices. Their outing ended when they ran into Zhen, Ayari, and Kushina, leaving Rin awkwardly greeting the Hokage’s family while Anko stayed silent.

• Rin and Anko admired the busy food street with Obito, who proudly said he had helped build the new district.
• They ran into Itachi, Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke, and Rin asked why Obito had not joined the Crown.
• Obito explained that he planned to become Hokage, and Rin teased him about needing to grow strong enough to defeat his guards.
• Rin and Anko learned that houses in the new district cost ten million ryo, while Obito had received five hundred thousand ryo for his S-rank rebuilding mission.
• Anko suggested they head back, but Rin and Obito encountered Zhen, Ayari, and Kushina, and Rin greeted them while Anko remained silent.

Shinichi, Ayari, and Kushina spent the day shopping and encountered Obito, Rin, and Anko, whose cold treatment of Shinichi drew Ayari’s attention. That night, Kushina hinted that she had news about the rogue ninja the village was hunting, then asked Shinichi to let her sleep.

• Ayari greeted Anko, who barely acknowledged her, and Rin explained that Itachi had brought the children to buy snacks.
• After parting from Obito and the others, Ayari asked Shinichi about Anko’s disrespect, and Shinichi told her not to overthink their history.
• Ayari teased Kushina about Rin, Obito, and Kakashi, while Shinichi joked with the women and affectionately greeted Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji at the snack stall.
• Anko said her mood had turned bad and left with Rin, while Obito followed them and tried to keep the outing going.
• At home, Hinata chased and beat Naruto and Sasuke after they teased her, until Hyuga Natsu scolded all three children.
• That night, Kushina told Shinichi she had received news about the rogue ninja the village was searching for, then said she was tired and asked to sleep.

Yahiko hid a letter from Jiraiya, while Shin refused Tsunade’s request to show leniency toward the fugitive. Tsunade realized Rain Village’s participation in the Chunin Exams might give her a way to contact Jiraiya.

• Konan confronted Yahiko about a hidden letter, learned it was from Jiraiya, and urged him to find a way to lift Konoha’s warrant.
• Yahiko admitted he had refused Jiraiya’s request to visit Rain Village and promised Konan he would protect him.
• Shin learned Jiraiya and Minato were in the Land of Hot Water, ordered Jiraiya’s novel banned, and had a copy sent to Tsunade.
• Tsunade asked Shin to be lenient toward Jiraiya, but Shin said the village had already decided how to handle him.
• Tsunade learned Rain Village would participate in the Chunin Exams and realized she might use Jiraiya’s students to contact him.

Konan and Nagato questioned Konoha’s plan to take in Rogue Ninja before Tsunade asked them to help Jiraiya. Meanwhile, Minato warned Jiraiya that his whereabouts had been exposed, then argued with a voice speaking from his shadow about his motives and Jiraiya’s other students.

• The Hokage proposed that small villages help Konoha contact Rogue Ninja and mercenaries about stable work, and their representatives agreed to report the offer to their leaders.
• Konan and Nagato discussed Konoha’s transformation and its plan to take in Rogue Ninja as they headed to their guest residence.
• Tsunade brought Konan and Nagato to her home and said she wanted their help with Jiraiya, while Konan denied that they knew his whereabouts.
• In the Land of Hot Water, Minato visited Jiraiya and warned him that his location had been exposed, prompting Jiraiya to agree to leave the next day.
• After Minato left the inn, a voice from his shadow accused him of fearing that Konoha would capture Jiraiya and questioned why he had not asked about Jiraiya’s other students.