Chapter Summaries

Ronglin and Tsunade watched Konoha escort hundreds of war orphans back to the village, and Ronglin hoped they could recover from the war and grow up safely. Tsunade wondered what Ronglin would do if Orochimaru ever returned to Konoha.

• Ronglin asked that the war orphans' backgrounds be investigated before they were settled in Konoha.
• Konoha accepted the orphans, and Ronglin assigned a squad to escort them back to the village.
• Ronglin and Tsunade watched the escort leave and discussed whether Konoha's kindness toward the orphans could bring trouble.
• Ronglin hoped the children would overcome the shadow of war, prompting Tsunade to think of Orochimaru.
• Ronglin comforted Tsunade and urged her to trust that Jiraiya would find Orochimaru.
• Tsunade asked Ronglin what he would do if Orochimaru returned to Konoha.

Ronglin told Tsunade that Orochimaru could remain a Konoha S-rank ninja if he accepted investigation and punishment, but warned he would oppose him if he came to cause trouble. In Sunagakure, the Land of Wind Daimyo blamed the village's leaders for losing the war and demanded answers.

• Ronglin told Tsunade they should first see why Orochimaru had come and judge his response.
• Ronglin put his arm around Tsunade's shoulders and urged her to return to the village to handle their work.
• The Land of Wind Daimyo gathered Sunagakure's leaders in the Kazekage's office and raged over the lost war and the money he had invested.
• The Land of Wind Daimyo scolded Rasa and the other leaders while Granny Chiyo avoided his anger; the group stayed silent.

After Sunagakure lost the war, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind threatened to cut its funding and give missions to Konoha, forcing Rasa to plan a smaller, elite village force. Ronglin and Tsunade returned to Konoha with their main force, ready to redirect resources toward the ongoing war with Iwagakure.

• The Daimyo of the Land of Wind angrily blamed Sunagakure's leaders for the defeat and threatened to cut funding and issue missions to Konoha instead.
• Granny Chiyo intervened, and the Daimyo said he would not reconsider the funding cuts unless Sunagakure showed results.
• After the Daimyo left, Rasa decided Sunagakure would reduce its numbers and focus on elite ninja to endure the funding shortage.
• Granny Chiyo accepted that Rasa had to face the consequences as Kazekage and left the decisions to him.
• Ronglin and Tsunade led Konoha's main force back to the village after leaving a small group at the border, while Konoha prepared to commit more resources against Iwagakure.

With Kirigakure and Sunagakure defeated, Konoha regained the initiative against Iwagakure, leaving Ōnoki increasingly worried as White Fang held the front in a stalemate. Ronglin and Tsunade returned to a cheering welcome near Konoha, while Shisui doubted that defeating Iwagakure would be easy.

• After Sunagakure’s defeat, Iwagakure faced Konoha alone as Konoha regained the initiative.
• Ōnoki grew anxious because White Fang refused to take his bait, keeping the battle in a stalemate.
• Iwagakure placed Uchiha Ronglin at the top of its blacklist and hated him for his role in Konoha’s advantage.
• Villagers welcomed Ronglin and Tsunade with cheers and flowers as their group neared Konoha.
• Uchiha Diqin said Ronglin could lead Konoha to defeat Iwagakure, but Shisui warned that Iwagakure was powerful and would not be easy to defeat.

Ronglin and Tsunade returned to Konoha after the village’s victory over Kirigakure, where the villagers welcomed them as heroes. At the Hokage’s Office, Tsunade asked for time to rest, and the Third Hokage agreed to arrange it.

• Kisame Hoshigaki said that Ronglin entering the battlefield would spell disaster for Iwagakure, and Shisui agreed that Ronglin was invincible.
• Ronglin warned Kisame Hoshigaki and Shisui not to make careless remarks in front of the villagers.
• The villagers welcomed Ronglin, Tsunade, and the returning ninjas from several kilometers outside Konoha into the village.
• Ronglin sent Kisame Hoshigaki and the others away, then went with Tsunade to the Hokage's Office.
• Tsunade told the Third Hokage she was exhausted and needed to rest, and he agreed to make arrangements.

Tsunade and the Third Hokage discussed his declining health and Konoha’s ongoing war, while Ronglin arranged for Nara Shikaku to handle negotiations with Sunagakure. The Third Hokage had no news of Orochimaru or Jiraiya, while Orochimaru and Danzo secretly continued their experiments.

• Tsunade urged the Third Hokage to take care of himself, and he said he would retire after the war with Iwagakure ended.
• Ronglin asked who would negotiate the ceasefire and compensation with Sunagakure, and the Third Hokage assigned the matter to Nara Shikaku.
• Ronglin returned to deal with Uchiha affairs, and Tsunade asked the Third Hokage whether there was any news of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
• The Third Hokage told Tsunade that Jiraiya had searched for Orochimaru without finding useful information.
• Danzo asked Orochimaru about the experimental subjects, and Orochimaru said he had corrected a problem and would wait to see how the next batch developed.

Danzo and Orochimaru continued their secret research after defecting and vowed to return to Konoha. Meanwhile, Ronglin saw the Uchiha clan becoming more open to outsiders before Kurenai called out to him.

• Danzo urged Orochimaru to speed up their experiments, and Orochimaru demanded more test subjects.
• Danzo brooded over his losses and swore that he would return to Sarutobi.
• Konoha gradually stopped discussing Danzo and Orochimaru’s defection as the village moved on.
• Ronglin noticed that outsiders were visiting the Uchiha clan grounds and that villagers were beginning to accept the clan.
• Kurenai called to Ronglin as he walked through the clan grounds.

After returning from the battlefield, Ronglin learned that the Uchiha and Kurenai’s clan had merged their compounds and that several small clans were aligning with the Uchiha. A clan meeting reassured him that the Uchiha’s reforms were gaining support, though he still had one major change he wanted to make.

• Kurenai told Ronglin that the Uchiha and her clan had merged their compounds after their elders agreed to the arrangement.
• Kurenai explained that several small clans were also moving closer to the Uchiha because of Ronglin’s reforms and the clan’s prospects.
• Ronglin ended his conversation with Kurenai and went to learn more about the changes within the Uchiha.
• Ronglin summoned the Uchiha leaders to a clan meeting at the shrine and learned that Uchiha Kuolie had managed the alliances well.
• Ronglin welcomed the growing support for Uchiha reform and considered how the elders might develop plans without his constant supervision.

Ronglin reflected on the Uchiha Clan’s poor social habits while enjoying time away from the front line, where White Fang continued fighting Ōnoki. By Konoha Year 47, Ronglin told Minato Squad he would soon leave the village on private business.

• Ronglin considered how the Uchiha Clan’s aloof manner made it difficult for them to form bonds with others.
• The Third Hokage kept Ronglin and Tsunade in the village despite White Fang’s requests for their support against Iwagakure.
• Konoha’s early victory over Sunagakure allowed it to reinforce White Fang and counterattack Iwagakure.
• Ronglin met Minato Squad at a barbecue restaurant, where Minato lamented the gap between himself and Ronglin.
• Ronglin congratulated Kakashi on becoming a Special Jonin and said he would soon leave the village for private matters.

Ronglin declined Minato’s request to join Konoha’s struggling front lines, choosing instead to focus on his unstable Sharingan and its possible evolution. The chapter ended with him teasing Kakashi about hiding his face.

• Rin interrupted Kakashi and Obito’s bickering and urged everyone to eat.
• Minato told Ronglin that Iwagakure’s strength and Ōnoki’s Dust Release had made the front lines difficult, and that White Fang had suffered a small setback against him.
• Minato asked Ronglin to go to the front, but Ronglin refused because he had urgent matters involving his Sharingan.
• Minato and Minato Squad expressed regret that Ronglin would not join them at the front.
• Ronglin raised his wine cup and teased Kakashi about keeping his face covered.

Ronglin shared a meal with Minato and his team, then reflected on the dangers awaiting them as they prepared for the battlefield. Before leaving the next day, he told Tsunade he wanted to seek evidence about whether they could have children.

• Kakashi removed his face covering to eat while Rin secretly admired him and Obito grew jealous.
• Ronglin reminded Obito that Shisui had already passed the jonin assessment, prompting Obito to vow he would become Hokage.
• Ronglin and Minato drank and joked with the team before parting ways.
• Ronglin watched Minato's team leave and worried about the dangers they might face on the battlefield.
• Ronglin told Tsunade he was leaving the next day and wanted to investigate whether they could have children.

Ronglin told Tsunade he had to leave Konoha to search for what might awaken his Eternal Mangekyo into the Rinnegan, then departed despite the village’s fragile condition. He searched the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning but found no sign of what he was seeking.

• Ronglin teased Tsunade about having children, and she challenged his belief in the Uchiha stone tablet and urged him to stay in Konoha.
• Ronglin explained that he needed to search for something that could evolve his eyes and said he would not be gone long.
• Ronglin touched and kissed Tsunade, told her he liked conquering a queen, and left her in the Hokage’s office.
• Ronglin departed Konoha the next day, known to Tsunade, Minato, a few others, and the Uchiha leadership; the Third Hokage learned of it later.
• Ronglin searched the Land of Fire and then the Land of Lightning, but neither gave him the feeling or discovery he sought.

Ronglin reached the Land of Grass, where Konoha and Iwagakure were fighting, and realized White Zetsu was watching him. He called out to Uchiha Madara, believing Madara was hidden underground, but the chapter ended before Madara appeared.

• Ronglin considered whether Kumogakure would join the war and which side it might attack.
• Ronglin arrived at the Land of Grass and reflected on Kusagakure's betrayal of Konoha.
• Ronglin sensed someone watching him but could not see anyone.
• Ronglin realized White Zetsu was observing him and suspected Uchiha Madara was hiding underground.
• Ronglin laughed and called out to Madara, asking him to meet.

Uchiha Ronglin confronted the hidden Uchiha Madara, whose failing body depended on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Ronglin recognized the statue as the source of the catalyst he had sought, while Madara questioned how Ronglin had obtained the Eternal Mangekyo.

• Madara learned that Ronglin had discovered his existence and ordered him admitted to the underground hideout.
• Ronglin followed a Chakra presence through the underground passages and entered Madara’s sealed cavern.
• Ronglin told Madara that everyone else believed him dead and noted that his life depended on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Madara saw Ronglin’s Eternal Mangekyo and questioned how he had acquired it without a brother.
• Ronglin said Madara had watched him as a potential substitute, then identified the statue as the catalyst he had sought.
• Madara demanded to know who Ronglin was after Ronglin mentioned the Sage of Six Paths.

Uchiha Ronglin confronted the aged Madara, revealed that he knew about Madara’s plan, and said he would neither oppose it nor help with it. Ronglin left seeking the Rinnegan’s secrets, confident his eyes would evolve without Madara’s assistance.

• Ronglin told Madara he knew about his plan and mocked his age and Nagato’s inability to use the Rinnegan’s full power.
• Madara asked whether Ronglin planned to expose him, and Ronglin said he had no interest in stopping or revealing Madara’s plan.
• Ronglin said he had come to meet Madara and investigate the Rinnegan, and asked him to leave the Nine-Tails alone.
• Madara offered to help Ronglin in exchange for a small favor and promised not to touch the Nine-Tails.
• Ronglin rejected Madara’s offer, saying he would obtain the Rinnegan himself and would not help Madara.

Ronglin discussed Madara’s collection of Uchiha corpses and the clan’s history, while reflecting on why Madara had turned against his clan. The two remained in the sealed cave, with Madara focused on his plan and unwilling to discuss the Uchiha further.

• Ronglin questioned Madara about collecting Uchiha corpses, and Madara said he intended to use everything to its fullest.
• Ronglin noted that recovering Sharingan from fallen Uchiha kept their eyes from reaching enemies, though stolen eyes were difficult to use without Uchiha blood.
• Ronglin told Madara that the outside world believed he had died at the Valley of the End and that the Uchiha had reduced him to a figure of history.
• Madara dismissed the Uchiha as ignorant and made clear that he no longer cared whether the clan survived.
• Ronglin reflected that the Uchiha had sought a peaceful life while Madara saw their refusal to follow him as betrayal, and he noted that Madara had not destroyed Konoha partly to protect his plan.

Ronglin discussed the Uchiha clan’s changing attitudes and his approach to leading them with Uchiha Madara. They parted without becoming enemies, with Ronglin warning Madara not to target the Nine-Tails or the people close to him.

• Ronglin argued that the Uchiha had changed because their leaders had allowed them to, and recalled how the clan had been destroyed in the original timeline.
• Ronglin explained that he had kept Shisui and Itachi close to teach them, while Danzo remained a fugitive outside Konoha.
• Ronglin and Madara spent several hours discussing the Uchiha, the Senju, and the risks of being too forceful as a clan leader.
• Ronglin told Madara not to touch the Nine-Tails or the people around him, and Madara agreed to his terms.

Ronglin awakened the Rinnegan and made clear that he would not let Madara or Black Zetsu control him. Madara realized Ronglin had become the greatest obstacle to the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan and struggled to explain his rapid Sharingan evolution.

• Ronglin's Eternal Mangekyo transformed into the Rinnegan late at night.
• Ronglin let Madara know he had awakened the Rinnegan and would oppose him if he threatened what Ronglin considered his.
• White Zetsu reported Ronglin's awakening to Madara, who recognized him as a major threat to the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
• Madara wondered how Ronglin had progressed from Mangekyo to Eternal Mangekyo and then Rinnegan despite the evolution's usually severe requirements.

Ronglin left Madara with a warning that made Madara consider accelerating his revival and the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. He returned to Konoha and found Tsunade and the Third Hokage reviewing war casualties late at night.

• Ronglin warned Madara not to touch the people around him or the Nine-Tails, and Madara endured the threat while waiting for his revival.
• Ronglin reasoned that Black Zetsu would avoid Konoha and target the Gold and Silver Brothers instead, potentially allowing Madara to revive earlier.
• Ronglin left, dismissing any harm Kushina might suffer as unrelated to his actions and calling Kurama destined for imprisonment.
• Tsunade and the Third Hokage discussed heavy casualties from the war with Iwagakure in the Hokage's Office.
• Ronglin climbed through the office window, greeted Tsunade and the Third Hokage, and said his trip had brought him a major increase in strength.

Ronglin learned from Tsunade and the Third Hokage that Iwagakure had driven the front line into chaos by continually sending reinforcements. He concluded that Ōnoki and Iwagakure were panicking, and Konoha expected to win if it could withstand the assault.

• Ronglin met Tsunade and the Third Hokage before dawn and asked about the front line.
• Tsunade said the war in the Land of Grass had spread, with both sides sending more troops and battles breaking out daily.
• The Third Hokage worried that Iwagakure's relentless attacks had disrupted Konoha's plans and strained the village.
• Ronglin concluded that Ōnoki and Iwagakure were anxious about losing, while White Fang struggled to hold the line against their larger forces.
• Tsunade said Kirigakure and Sunagakure's defeats had frightened Iwagakure, and Ronglin said Konoha would win if it endured the current offensive.