Chapter Summaries

Ōnoki learned that Minato Namikaze had destroyed Kannabi Bridge, cutting off Iwagakure’s supplies during Konoha’s assault. As the news spread through the camp and White Fang’s forces shouted about it in battle, Iwagakure’s morale began to collapse.

• Ōnoki questioned a wounded Iwagakure Chunin, who reported that Minato Namikaze and his men had destroyed Kannabi Bridge.
• Ōnoki raged against Minato, whom he could neither catch nor contain, and blamed Tobirama Senju for creating the Flying Thunder God technique.
• Ōnoki’s assistant warned him that the news had spread after the Chunin shouted about it while returning to camp.
• Ōnoki kicked the Chunin unconscious and ordered him taken away on charges of disrupting military morale.
• White Fang’s forces shouted that Iwagakure’s supply route had been cut off as Konoha continued its assault.

Konoha’s destruction of Kannabi Bridge cut off Iwagakure’s supply route and shattered the Stone Ninja’s morale, forcing Ōnoki to retreat and ending the years-long war. Konoha celebrated its victory as White Fang and Minato surveyed the battlefield and acknowledged the heavy losses.

• The news that Kannabi Bridge had been destroyed spread through Iwagakure’s camp, causing the Stone Ninja’s morale to collapse as Konoha attacked.
• Ōnoki ordered the Stone Ninja to retreat, and Konoha pursued them as they withdrew to the Land of Earth.
• The Third Hokage announced Konoha’s victory and credited Ronglin’s suggestion, earning Ronglin widespread attention.
• Konoha’s villagers celebrated the end of the war despite the village’s depleted state.
• White Fang and Minato surveyed the battlefield, noting their injuries, Konoha’s losses, and the need for the village to recover.

White Fang and Minato discussed Konoha’s costly victory and Ronglin’s extraordinary strength. After the fighting ended, the Third Hokage fell seriously ill and was admitted to Konoha Hospital.

• White Fang said Konoha’s heavy losses had been worth it because Ronglin’s success against Kirigakure let Konoha focus its forces on the other fronts.
• Minato described fighting Ronglin as an impossible challenge and compared his strength to Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju.
• White Fang and Minato laughed about how Ronglin’s constant surprises had made them feel their own lives were unremarkable.
• Konoha celebrated its victory and waited for the frontline troops to return.
• After the final battlefield’s victory, the Third Hokage fell ill from exhaustion and was admitted to Konoha Hospital.

As Konoha considered candidates for the Fourth Hokage, several clans united behind Minato to block Ronglin, who remained confident despite their opposition. Shisui worried about the Uchiha’s prospects, but Ronglin urged him to stay calm and hinted that he would remember those who opposed him.

• The Third Hokage recovered and resumed work as Konoha reopened the question of candidates for the Fourth Hokage.
• Villagers favored Tsunade, Uchiha Ronglin, and Minato Namikaze, while Ronglin’s support appeared strongest because Tsunade had little interest in the position.
• The Hyuga Clan publicly supported Minato to obstruct Ronglin, and other clans quietly joined the effort alongside the Shimura Clan.
• Uchiha members grew furious at the clans’ opposition, but Ronglin dismissed their alliance and resolved to remember those who stood against him.
• Shisui worried that the opposition would hurt the Uchiha, and Ronglin told him not to lose his composure before the struggle began.

Ronglin teased Shisui and Itachi while urging them to focus on training as they waited for the front-line troops to return and bring a decision. The chapter ended with Shisui pleading for Ronglin not to kill and stew his crows.

• Itachi reasoned that Tsunade would support Ronglin and that the Third Hokage’s decision meant Ronglin had little to worry about.
• Ronglin praised Itachi’s insight, teased Shisui, and ordered both of them to train harder while they waited for the front-line troops to return.
• Ronglin reminded Itachi of his earlier punishment, when he had been made to kiss ten women on the cheek, and warned them to pass his training checks.
• Ronglin threatened to slaughter Shisui’s crows and stew them into soup if Shisui failed a spot check in a month, and Shisui protested.

Ronglin teased Shisui about his crush, then relaxed in the sun while the Third Hokage learned that several clans were maneuvering over the Hokage position. The Third Hokage was furious to discover that even the Sarutobi Clan had become involved.

• Ronglin questioned Shisui about why he had been slacking and guessed that it was because of a woman.
• Shisui stopped Itachi from revealing the woman’s name and promised Ronglin he would work hard.
• Shisui accidentally covered Itachi’s mouth and nose, then apologized when Ronglin pointed out the danger.
• Ronglin sent Shisui and Itachi away and continued basking in the sun.
• An Anbu Ninja reported to the Third Hokage that the Shimura Clan, the Hyuga, the Sarutobi Clan, and other clans were involved in the rivalry for Hokage.
• The Third Hokage angrily condemned the Sarutobi Clan for joining the political maneuvering.

The Third Hokage worried that the Shimura and other clans were provoking Ronglin and stirring up conflict against the Uchiha. The Sarutobi Clan withdrew from the alliance, but the remaining clans continued spreading rumors while Ronglin and the Uchiha stayed quiet.

• The Third Hokage learned that the Shimura and Sarutobi clans had joined efforts against the Uchiha and asked an Anbu Ninja about the Uchiha’s response and Ronglin’s whereabouts.
• The Anbu Ninja reported that the Uchiha were furious but had not retaliated, while Ronglin was relaxing at home.
• The Third Hokage dismissed the Anbu Ninja and considered Ronglin’s support from him and the Daimyo, then returned to the Sarutobi Clan.
• The Sarutobi Clan withdrew from the alliance against the Uchiha, creating a rift with the Shimura Clan.
• The remaining clans spread negative rumors about Ronglin and the Uchiha, while the Uchiha stayed restrained and the Senju Clan remained uninvolved.

After Iwagakure confirmed its retreat, White Fang brought the main army back to Konoha, where villagers welcomed the returning forces and mourned the many dead. Ronglin and Minato shared a drink, and Minato told him that Kakashi had received Obito’s Sharingan.

• Iwagakure confirmed that it had retreated and would not continue the war.
• White Fang left some troops to guard the border and led the main army back to Konoha.
• Villagers welcomed the returning soldiers as heroes, while the village prepared to bury the war dead.
• Ronglin and Minato ate barbecue and drank together, and Minato mentioned that clans had come to see him.
• Minato told Ronglin that Kakashi had received Obito’s Sharingan.

Ronglin and Minato discussed Kakashi’s guilt over the recent tragedies, while Minato grew drunk and congratulated Ronglin on surpassing him. After Minato left for home, White Fang joined Ronglin for grilled meat and joked about Minato facing Kushina’s anger.

• Minato told Ronglin that Kakashi blamed himself for what had happened and had become increasingly ruthless on the battlefield.
• Minato promised that the clan would not give Kakashi trouble over the lost Sharingan, and said time might help him recover.
• Minato drank too much, congratulated Ronglin, and staggered off to find Kushina, leaving Ronglin to pay the bill.
• White Fang arrived after Minato had left, ate grilled meat, and laughed with Ronglin about Minato going home to Kushina.

Ronglin asked Uncle White Fang to agree to an alliance between the Uchiha and Hatake clans and promised to raise their standing in Konoha. Uncle White Fang accepted the alliance but pressed Ronglin for his next move, learning it could cost both clans many lives.

• Ronglin joked with Uncle White Fang about fearing his wife before asking whether he had considered the First Elder's proposal.
• Uncle White Fang agreed to an alliance between the Hatake and Uchiha clans and asked what Ronglin planned to do next.
• Ronglin said he intended to raise both clans' prestige in the village without fighting other clans for power.
• Ronglin warned that his plan could bring heavy casualties and asked whether Uncle White Fang was afraid.

Ronglin and White Fang finalized an alliance between the Uchiha and Hatake clans, agreeing to share benefits and hardships. Afterward, they joked about Ronglin’s absence from the Iwagakure battlefield while others watched their unusually close friendship.

• Ronglin and White Fang agreed that the Uchiha and Hatake clans would ally and share benefits and hardships.
• Ronglin assured White Fang that the alliance would not ruin the Hatake Clan, and they toasted to their agreement.
• White Fang complained that Ronglin had left him exhausted on the Iwagakure battlefield by not coming to help.
• Ronglin joked that his absence had let White Fang earn more credit, while keeping his real reasons to himself.
• White Fang became more outspoken after several drinks, and onlookers discussed how close he and Ronglin were.

The Hatake Clan allied with the Uchiha, worrying Konoha’s other clans, while the Third Hokage let the news pass without comment. Two months later, the Daimyo raised the question of electing the Fourth Hokage, and Ronglin guessed that the Hokage’s meeting concerned the succession.

• The Hatake Clan formed an alliance with the Uchiha, prompting anger and concern among Konoha’s other clans.
• The Third Hokage accepted news of the alliance without comment as Konoha entered its postwar recovery.
• Two months later, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire raised the election of the Fourth Hokage, catching the Third Hokage off guard.
• The Third Hokage summoned Konoha’s higher-ups, and Ronglin attended on behalf of the Uchiha beside White Fang and Tsunade.
• Ronglin guessed the meeting concerned the Fourth Hokage and told Tsunade and White Fang to wait for the result.

The Third Hokage announced that Konoha would begin selecting a Fourth Hokage because age had made him unable to continue leading the village. Hyuga Hiashi opposed the sudden decision and nominated Tsunade, while the choice remained open.

• The Third Hokage told the meeting that the Daimyo had asked about his successor and that age had made him feel unequal to the task.
• The Third Hokage formally began the selection of the Fourth Hokage and invited the attendees to propose candidates.
• Hyuga Hiashi questioned why the selection was starting before the village had stabilized.
• The Third Hokage rejected Hyuga Hiashi's objection, saying that choosing a successor was inevitable.
• Hyuga Hiashi nominated Tsunade as Fourth Hokage, and the Third Hokage asked if anyone else had a candidate.

At a meeting to nominate candidates for the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage accepted Uchiha Ronglin’s nomination despite Hyuga Hiashi’s objections. After eliminating fringe candidates, he asked Tsunade for her opinion, leaving her response unknown.

• White Fang nominated Uchiha Ronglin for the Fourth Hokage position on behalf of the Hatake Clan.
• Hyuga Hiashi and other attendees objected that Ronglin was too young, but the Third Hokage accepted his nomination because of his prestige and merits.
• Ronglin silently mocked Hyuga Hiashi, who angrily stood up but denied having an objection when the Third Hokage challenged him.
• The attendees put forward candidates, and the Third Hokage eliminated the fringe nominees.
• The Third Hokage asked Tsunade, who was also a leading nominee, what she thought.

The Third Hokage held a meeting to discuss candidates for the Fourth Hokage, with Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Ronglin emerging as the main choices. After villagers voted overwhelmingly for Ronglin, he openly insulted the clan heads who opposed him and vowed to settle accounts with them.

• Tsunade rejected the nomination and said she supported Uchiha Ronglin, mocking Hyuga Hiashi and the other clan leaders for calling Ronglin too young and unqualified.
• The Third Hokage named Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Ronglin as the two leading candidates, and many clan leaders shifted their support to Minato.
• The Third Hokage ended the meeting and announced that villagers would also vote in the selection of the Fourth Hokage, though the final decision rested with him and the Daimyo.
• About seventy percent of the villagers who voted supported Ronglin, while fewer supported Minato.
• Hyuga Hiashi and the other opposing clan leaders left angrily, and Ronglin called them fools before promising to settle accounts with them later.

Ronglin, Tsunade, and White Fang discussed the clan alliance and the risks it posed over drinks, but Ronglin remained unconcerned and said he would simply wait to become Hokage. He left White Fang stunned by joking that he would marry the Senju princess if the Senju elders caused trouble, while Tsunade blushed but did not deny it.

• Ronglin dismissed the clan alliance as fragile and said he planned to wait until he became Hokage.
• White Fang warned Tsunade to prevent the Senju elders and other clans, especially the Hyuga Clan, from causing trouble.
• Tsunade assured White Fang that the Senju elders would not interfere, and the three continued drinking.
• Ronglin joked that he would marry the Senju princess if the Senju elders made trouble.
• White Fang was shocked by Ronglin's bold remark, while Tsunade blushed and scolded him without striking him.

Ronglin told Tsunade that the Third Hokage had made him promises and that he would accept the outcome of the Hokage election. After returning to the Uchiha grounds, he faced clan elders urging him to counter efforts supporting Minato.

• Ronglin and Tsunade sent the drunken White Fang away from the Uchiha-owned tavern.
• Tsunade guessed that the Third Hokage had promised Ronglin something, and Ronglin confirmed it.
• Ronglin said he would develop the Uchiha and withdraw from village affairs if an accident made Minato Hokage.
• Ronglin returned to the Uchiha clan grounds and went to the Ancestral Hall.
• Uchiha elders urged Ronglin to act against other clans' efforts to win villagers' support for Minato.

Ronglin calmed the Uchiha elders’ anger over the slander against the clan and ordered them to wait for events to unfold. He left the meeting after warning everyone not to act recklessly, still complaining about having drunk too much.

• Ronglin silenced the arguing Uchiha and explained that the clan could not retaliate while he was involved in the affair.
• The First Elder asked whether they had to let other clans slander Ronglin’s reputation, and Ronglin called the slanderers clowns who would eventually pay.
• Ronglin warned the Uchiha not to take action and threatened consequences for anyone who disobeyed him.
• The Uchiha agreed to wait, and Ronglin dismissed the meeting because his head hurt from drinking.
• Ronglin left with Kisame Hoshigaki and Shisui, blaming Tsunade for his hangover, while Shisui and Kisame Hoshigaki exchanged a cautious look.

Ronglin and Shisui discussed the Uchiha elders’ urgency to prove themselves and the clan’s longstanding desire for the Hokage position. Ronglin warned Shisui that the Uchiha’s deep attachment to their feelings could become dangerous if they went astray.

• Ronglin asked Shisui why the Uchiha elders were in such a hurry, and Shisui said they wanted to prove themselves.
• Ronglin explained that the Uchiha’s repeated exclusion from the Hokage position had deepened the clan’s obsession with it.
• Ronglin asked Shisui what he cared about most, and Shisui blushed and tried to avoid answering.
• Ronglin told Shisui that Uchiha who valued their feelings too deeply could become terrifying if they took the wrong path.
• Shisui remained confused while Kisame Hoshigaki listened.

Ronglin used Shisui’s grief over Kagami Uchiha and the Uchiha’s treatment in the village to provoke him, then trapped him in a genjutsu. He sent Kisame Hoshigaki to take Shisui home, hoping the experience would cause Shisui’s Sharingan to evolve.

• Ronglin told Shisui that Kagami Uchiha had wanted the village to accept the Uchiha and blamed Tobirama Senju for targeting the clan.
• Ronglin reminded Shisui that the Uchiha had been moved from the village center to its outskirts, stirring Shisui’s emotions.
• Ronglin used his Eternal Mangekyo to place Shisui under a genjutsu.
• Ronglin told Kisame Hoshigaki the genjutsu would release itself and ordered him to take Shisui home to rest.
• Kisame carried Shisui away as Ronglin hoped the stimulation would make Shisui’s Sharingan evolve.