Chapter Summaries

After two days of rest, Ronglin resumed leading the Anbu and organized a mission to protect Konoha’s rear from enemy infiltrators. He split the Anbu between hunting those enemies and gathering intelligence, then led a team into the forest to track them down.

• Ronglin woke after two days of rest and returned to his duties as Anbu captain because White Fang had become Commander-in-Chief.
• Ronglin reviewed the Anbu’s intelligence reports and ordered the members to divide into teams for intelligence gathering and eliminating enemies threatening Konoha’s rear.
• Ronglin rejected a proposal to infiltrate the Land of Wind, explaining that its harsh terrain and weather made such an operation too risky.
• The Anbu split into two teams, and one delivered its reports to White Fang while the other joined Ronglin.
• Ronglin led his team of sensory and tracking specialists through the forest to find enemy ninja who had infiltrated the Land of Fire.

Ronglin’s Anbu squad found four Sunagakure infiltrators sabotaging Konoha’s supply routes in the Land of Fire. After Ronglin revealed himself, the Suna captain ordered his team to scatter and warn their commanders about the search.

• A four-member Sunagakure squad moved through the forest to target Konoha’s supply transports.
• Ronglin’s Anbu squad tracked the infiltrators, and Ronglin confronted them from a tree.
• Ronglin counted the four enemies and mocked them for being too few to earn much battle merit.
• Ronglin removed his mask, and the Sunagakure ninjas recognized him as Uchiha Ronglin.
• The captain ordered his team to run and report that Ronglin was searching the rear for infiltrators.

Ronglin trapped the fleeing Sunagakure ninja and faced their squad captain, whose fear turned to panic. He used his growing Time Stop ability to kill the captain effortlessly, leaving the other enemies for his subordinates to capture.

• Ronglin ordered his three followers to stop the fleeing Sunagakure ninja and promised to share the rewards.
• The Sunagakure captain confronted Ronglin while overcome by fear of his reputation.
• The captain charged at Ronglin, but Ronglin stopped time within five meters and disarmed him.
• Ronglin used a Kunai to cut the captain's throat when time resumed, killing him without a drawn-out fight.

Ronglin used intelligence gathered with his Mangekyo to eliminate Sunagakure’s infiltrating squads and earn substantial battle merit. After his squad returned, he asked about the front line and was told the situation was not optimistic.

• Ronglin ordered his squad to rest briefly before continuing their mission to eliminate the infiltrators.
• Ronglin learned the enemy’s routes and contact signals by controlling captured Sunagakure shinobi with his Mangekyo.
• Ronglin and his squad wiped out the remaining Sunagakure squads infiltrating the Land of Fire in a single night.
• Ronglin’s squad celebrated its battle merit and discussed how the losses would affect Rasa and Granny Chiyo.
• Ronglin asked about the front line, and he was told the situation was not optimistic.

Ronglin and White Fang discussed Konoha’s worsening position against Sunagakure and the risk of other nations entering the war. White Fang sent Ronglin to rest and prepare for battle while Konoha awaited reinforcements.

• White Fang said Konoha had to hold its positions because Sunagakure’s forces were growing and reinforcements had not arrived.
• Ronglin reassured White Fang that Sunagakure could not break through quickly and urged him to stay alert to Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.
• White Fang said he was mainly concerned about the Land of Earth and doubted the distant Land of Lightning and Land of Water would join the fighting soon.
• Ronglin reflected that Kage-level fighters could influence individual battles but could not control an entire war, and rejected using Hashirama Senju’s cells to gain Wood Style.
• White Fang told Ronglin to rest and prepare for battle, while leaving intelligence gathering to others.

After leaving headquarters, Ronglin returned to the wooden house and reunited with Uchiha Diqin, who had been helping with medical and logistics work. They teased each other as she prepared bathwater for him.

• Ronglin left headquarters after settling his business, leaving White Fang to stew in frustration.
• Uchiha Diqin happily welcomed Ronglin back to the wooden house.
• Ronglin noticed that Uchiha Diqin looked tired from her work in the Medical Department and logistics.
• Uchiha Diqin remarked that Ronglin was growing taller, and their teasing turned flirtatious before she blushed and protested.
• Ronglin asked Uchiha Diqin to prepare bathwater, and she went to do so while muttering about freezing him.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha’s camp after a secret mission and warned White Fang that Sunagakure might use a Tailed Beast in the war. White Fang doubted the enemy would take that risk, but Jiraiya urged the camp to prepare for the possibility.

• Konoha’s reinforcements arrived, and White Fang led a counterattack that repeatedly drove Sunagakure back.
• White Fang confronted Jiraiya for leaving camp while serving as Commander-in-Chief.
• Jiraiya claimed he had infiltrated the Land of Wind to learn whether Sunagakure planned to use a Tailed Beast.
• White Fang considered the threat unlikely, while Jiraiya argued that they still needed to guard against it.
• White Fang asked Ronglin what he thought.

Ronglin confronted Jiraiya for abandoning his command without warning and revealed that he had reported the incident to the Hokage. Jiraiya, embarrassed by Ronglin’s calm reprimand, finally confessed before Ronglin could say more.

• Jiraiya awkwardly asked Ronglin whether he minded being left in charge, and Ronglin silently protested while pretending not to understand.
• Ronglin said he understood and would not blame Jiraiya, making Jiraiya feel guilty.
• Ronglin described how Jiraiya’s sudden departure had left him overwhelmed and unable to eat or sleep peacefully.
• Ronglin revealed that he had written a report to the Hokage about Jiraiya abandoning his duties and told him to explain himself.
• Jiraiya cut Ronglin off and confessed.

Jiraiya worried about returning to Konoha after abandoning his post, but he escaped responsibility by claiming he was unfit to take over the front line. Ronglin left White Fang to handle the mess, then Jiraiya dragged Ronglin away and accused him of setting him up.

• Jiraiya fretted over the blame he expected from Tsunade, Orochimaru, Minato, and Konoha’s villagers after leaving the front line.
• White Fang said no one would publicize Jiraiya’s actions and urged him to make up for his mistake through merit.
• Jiraiya told White Fang he was unfamiliar with the current arrangements and offered to help only when asked, then slipped away.
• Ronglin told White Fang he could not help after witnessing Jiraiya escape responsibility, then left the command center.
• Jiraiya grabbed Ronglin outside and accused him of screwing him over, while Ronglin threatened to report Jiraiya’s abuse of public office.

Ronglin hinted to Jiraiya that Sunagakure might unleash Shukaku, prompting Jiraiya to worry about the Nine-Tails and Kushina. On the battlefield, Ronglin attacked Sunagakure from the shadows as the Puppet Unit drove Konoha’s ninja to retreat.

• Ronglin hinted that Sunagakure might release Shukaku if driven into a corner, then left for the battlefield.
• Jiraiya realized Ronglin was warning him about a possible clash involving the Nine-Tails and worried about Kushina, Minato, and Konoha’s response.
• Ronglin used Wind Style: Cutting Technique from the shadows to kill Sunagakure ninja and support Konoha’s fighters.
• Sunagakure called for resources and its Puppet Unit as fighting intensified across the forward position.
• The Puppet Unit’s attacks increased Konoha’s casualties, and Konoha’s ninja began retreating.

Ronglin summoned Black Scale to stop Sunagakure’s Puppet Unit from killing Konoha’s retreating ninja and turned the battle against Sunagakure. As Black Scale’s rampage pushed Sunagakure’s casualties past two hundred, Elite Jonin rushed out to confront them.

• Ronglin summoned Black Scale, who blocked the Puppet Unit and disrupted its attack on the retreating Konoha ninja.
• Ronglin ordered Black Scale to target Sunagakure’s puppeteers rather than their puppets.
• Black Scale charged across the battlefield, killing many Sunagakure ninja while Ronglin assisted.
• Granny Chiyo recognized Ronglin and ordered several Elite Jonin to attack him and Black Scale.

Ronglin escaped Granny Chiyo’s ambush after helping Black Scale devastate the pursuing Sand Ninja and cover Konoha’s retreat. As the main battlefield paused for reorganization, Konoha celebrated Ronglin’s growing reputation, while White Fang and Jiraiya wondered how his rise might affect Uchiha and the village’s future.

• Ronglin recognized that the Sand Ninja’s Elite Jonin were bait for an ambush and withdrew with Black Scale once his mission to cover Konoha’s retreat was complete.
• Black Scale and Ronglin’s attacks killed many pursuing Sand Ninja, and Granny Chiyo cursed as the surviving force could not safely chase them.
• Konoha’s ninja cheered Ronglin as invincible, and he realized he enjoyed their acclaim.
• During a lull in the war, White Fang praised Ronglin and the Third Hokage’s judgment, while Jiraiya worried that Uchiha might grow too powerful.
• White Fang suggested Ronglin might change the future, and Jiraiya laughed at the uncertainty.

As Sunagakure suffered heavier casualties than Konoha, Granny Chiyo and Rasa discussed how to break the stalemate. They settled on trying to persuade Iwagakure to join the war, though the chapter left that plan uncertain.

• Granny Chiyo angrily objected after Uchiha Ronglin overturned another advantageous battle for Sunagakure.
• Rasa urged Sunagakure to seek a breakthrough rather than continue losing a war of attrition.
• Granny Chiyo asked where Sunagakure could find that breakthrough, and the gathered leaders looked to Rasa.
• Rasa proposed seeking an alliance with Iwagakure to force Konoha to fight on two fronts.
• A Sunagakure leader questioned how they could persuade Iwagakure, and the command post fell silent.
• Granny Chiyo urged them to offer enough benefits to tempt Iwagakure, then quieted the arguing leaders.

Granny Chiyo warned that persuading Iwagakure to fight Konoha would cost Sunagakure too much, leaving the decision unresolved. Ronglin received orders to leave the battlefield and gather intelligence in the Land of Earth, and the chapter ended with Konoha’s front-line ninja protesting his transfer.

• Granny Chiyo said Iwagakure would demand an enormous price to wage war on Konoha, and the Sunagakure leaders could not reach agreement.
• Ronglin destroyed the scroll ordering him to leave the battlefield and gather intelligence in the Land of Earth.
• Ronglin told Uchiha Diqin to return to the village while he went on a special mission.
• Jiraiya and White Fang understood why Ronglin had been transferred but could not stop the order.
• Konoha ninja who had benefited from Ronglin or been saved by him demanded an explanation from White Fang and Jiraiya.

Ronglin returned to the village after being transferred from the front lines, and the Third Hokage urged him to rest while worrying about the anger Ronglin kept hidden. After meeting Kurenai and his former classmates, Ronglin agreed to join their gathering.

• Ronglin left the front lines with Uchiha Diqin and brought her back to the village two days later.
• Ronglin met with the Third Hokage, who told him to rest and reflected on the pressure that had forced the transfer.
• Ronglin encountered Kurenai and his former classmates near the clan grounds.
• Kurenai invited Ronglin to their gathering, and Ronglin agreed to join them.

Ronglin ended the classmates’ argument over whether they could afford barbecue by offering to treat everyone. The group eagerly headed for the restaurant, while Kurenai remained concerned about his generosity.

• The classmates argued over whether to choose affordable dumplings or barbecue, which they could not afford as a group.
• Sarutobi Asuma suggested that Ronglin pay because he had earned money from high-level missions, drawing everyone’s attention to him.
• Kurenai objected to Asuma’s suggestion, and Asuma tried to explain himself.
• Ronglin interrupted Kurenai and offered to treat everyone, calling it compensation for missing past gatherings.
• The classmates cheered, and Ronglin reassured Kurenai as they prepared to go to the barbecue restaurant.

Ronglin treated Kurenai and the others to a barbecue meal after warning Sarutobi Asuma not to provoke him. As the gathering ended, Kurenai asked Ronglin to walk her home.

• Ronglin comforted Kurenai, and the group headed to the barbecue restaurant together.
• Ronglin threatened Sarutobi Asuma, reminding him of Dan Katō's beating, and Asuma swallowed his anger and followed him inside.
• Ronglin invited everyone to order whatever they wanted, and Kurenai joined in after he reassured her about the cost.
• The group ate and chatted until the gathering ended, and Kurenai asked Ronglin to walk her home.

After dinner, Uchiha Ronglin walked Kurenai home, where she confessed that she liked him. Sarutobi Asuma angrily followed Ronglin, who later knocked him unconscious with a light tap to the back of the head.

• Kurenai asked Uchiha Ronglin to walk her home, and they talked about the war along the way.
• At her door, Kurenai shouted that she liked Ronglin, then hurried inside in embarrassment.
• Sarutobi Asuma grew furious when he learned Kurenai still liked Ronglin and vowed to make him pay.
• Ronglin approached Asuma with an altered voice and knocked him unconscious with a tap to the back of the head.

Ronglin abducted and publicly humiliated Sarutobi Asuma, prompting an Anbu Ninja to report the incident to the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage suspected Uchiha Ronglin, but the Anbu Ninja had no proof and was wary of accusing him.

• Ronglin grinned, picked up the unconscious Sarutobi Asuma, and left.
• A young inn worker found Asuma naked, scribbled on, and tied to a utility pole with a note calling him a tiny bird.
• The Police Force, nearby Anbu Ninja, and Uchiha Clan members gathered; the Uchiha laughed while an Anbu Ninja went to report the incident.
• The Third Hokage dropped his document in shock and asked whether Asuma had clashed with anyone.
• The Anbu Ninja said Asuma might have crossed Uchiha Ronglin, but admitted he had no proof.

Ronglin’s retaliation against Sarutobi Asuma turned Asuma into a village-wide laughingstock, while Ronglin learned who had arranged his transfer back. He planned to leave in three days, after sending Uchiha Diqin home, and calmly considered the clans that had conspired against him.

• Ronglin used his status as a junior to challenge anyone who gave him trouble, and the Third Hokage dismissed the matter for lack of evidence.
• Sarutobi Asuma became famous after Ronglin’s prank, and villagers mocked him until he began hiding at home and sneaking out before missions.
• Ronglin told Uchiha Fugaku he would leave in three days and wanted Uchiha Diqin sent home because gathering intelligence was dangerous.
• Ronglin asked who had been involved in his transfer, and Uchiha Fugaku named the Shimura Clan, the Hyuga Clan, and several Senju elders who had pressured Tsunade to back down.
• Ronglin concluded that the Shimura Clan had acted to help Orochimaru, while the Hyuga Clan had opposed his growth.