Recaps

Ronglin seized control of the Land of Fire, used its wealth to strengthen Konoha, and stirred tensions between Sunagakure and its Daimyo. After Shisui lost his right arm on a mission, Ronglin resolved to seek a way to restore him.

• White Fang and the Anbu killed the Guardians Twelve, abducted the Daimyo, and delivered him to Ronglin as his forces took control of the capital.
• Ronglin ordered Nara Shikaku to stabilize the Land of Fire, seize the treasury, and punish the Daimyo’s supporters while Konoha shinobi helped secure the country.
• Ronglin provoked tension between Sunagakure and its Daimyo by publicly supporting Rasa, while Granny Chiyo warned Rasa not to imitate Konoha’s takeover.
• Nara Shikaku transported the Daimyo’s treasury and confiscated wealth to Konoha, and Ronglin planned to invest in finding and educating children with ninja potential.
• After learning Shisui had been seriously injured during the Two-Tails mission, Ronglin sent Tsunade and Shizune to Kumogakure to treat him.
• Tsunade saved Shisui’s life but could not save his right arm, and she hid the loss from Ronglin until Shisui returned to Konoha.
• Ronglin confronted Tsunade and Shisui, accepted Shisui’s decision not to regret the mission, and offered to restore him despite the risk of severe side effects.
• Ronglin planned to take Shisui out of Konoha to seek Black Zetsu’s help, while Shisui told Kisame Hoshigaki and Mei Terumi that he would go with Ronglin after resting.

Ronglin confronted Akatsuki over the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, exposed Black Zetsu’s identity, and secured help for his injured guard. He then went to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode from Slug Sage, while Black Zetsu reported Ronglin’s terms to Akatsuki.

• Ronglin challenged Nagato’s control of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, prompting Akatsuki to investigate his intentions.
• Ronglin revealed that he knew Black Zetsu was the Will of Kaguya Otsutsuki and negotiated for White Zetsu to help his injured guard.
• Ronglin confronted Jiraiya about complaints over his peeping and ordered him to apologize or pay fines.
• Ronglin sought Black Scale’s help reaching Ryūchi Cave, but instead accepted Slug Sage’s invitation to Shikkotsu Forest.
• Slug Sage kept Ronglin in the forest until he mastered Sage Mode, while Tsunade handled urgent Hokage duties in his absence.
• Katsuyu taught Ronglin to sense and absorb Natural Energy, balance it with physical and spiritual energy, and calm himself by blending into nature.
• Black Zetsu told Nagato, Konan, and Obito that Ronglin would not interfere with Akatsuki if they helped his injured guard, though Konan objected.

After six months away, Ronglin returned to Konoha, resumed its development, and began plans to cultivate the Land of Rain. As Sunagakure faced pressure from Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Granny Chiyo traveled to Konoha to negotiate with him.

• Ronglin returned to Konoha after training in the forest, reassured Tsunade and the Third Hokage, and reviewed the village’s records.
• Ronglin proposed building basic Ninja Academies across the Land of Fire, with promising students sent to Konoha for advanced education.
• Ronglin ordered Uchiha Diqin to tell Iwagakure and Kumogakure that Konoha supported them and that Sunagakure should compensate them for their losses.
• Ronglin brought Kimimaro to Konoha for medical care and assigned Hyuga Hiashi to train him strictly.
• As Iwagakure and Kumogakure pressed Sunagakure for compensation, Granny Chiyo concluded Rasa’s conflict with Ronglin had put the village in danger and decided to negotiate with Konoha.
• Ronglin sent the Muroku Brothers to test rubber-tree cultivation in the Land of Rain and told Uchiha Diqin he planned to develop the region and resettle its people.
• Granny Chiyo and Baki discussed Konoha’s growing strength and Chiyo’s fear that Ronglin intended to annex nearby small countries.
• Granny Chiyo and the jōnin traveling with her reached prosperous Konoha, where a guide told them Ronglin was waiting at the Hokage's Office Building.

Ronglin humiliated Sunagakure’s delegation and pressured Granny Chiyo to secure the Land of Wind’s mineral resources, then traveled to the Land of Rain to develop rubber cultivation and negotiate with Konan and Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu agreed to obtain Indra and Asura’s Chakra for Ronglin within two months.

• Ronglin challenged Baki to fight Kisame Hoshigaki, who overwhelmed him with Samehada and drained his Chakra while Ronglin pressured Granny Chiyo for access to the Land of Wind’s minerals.
• Ronglin threatened Sunagakure with force if it refused his demands, then promoted Kisame Hoshigaki to Kage-level status and set out for the Land of Rain with Kisame and Shisui.
• Ronglin learned from the Muroku Brothers that rubber trees could grow in the Land of Rain, supplied them with protection and equipment, and helped build metal houses from salvaged materials.
• Ronglin confronted Konan and Black Zetsu, teased Konan, and then explained that Nagato’s reliance on the Rinnegan made it difficult for him to stop using it.
• Ronglin offered to protect Konan if she came to harm and discussed taking control of the Land of Rain, while Konan hoped he would keep its people safe.
• Ronglin asked Black Zetsu for Indra and Asura’s Chakra so he could study Yin-Yang Release, and Black Zetsu agreed to provide it within two months.