Chapter Summaries

Ronglin encountered Uchiha Mikoto taking Itachi home for her birthday and reassured her that she could visit him. He let Itachi spend the day with his mother, who was pregnant with Sasuke.

• Ronglin saw Uchiha Mikoto leading Itachi through the street, and she nervously explained that she was bringing him home for her birthday.
• Itachi told Ronglin that he had missed his mother, and Ronglin noticed that Mikoto was pregnant.
• Ronglin told Itachi to spend time with Mikoto and his future sibling, then clarified that she and Diqin could visit Itachi anytime.
• Uchiha Mikoto thanked Ronglin and left with Itachi, happily kissing him as Ronglin wondered about Naruto and Minato.

The Third Hokage arrived to announce the outcome of the Fourth Hokage selection, after Ronglin, Tsunade, and White Fang spent days securing support. With the Daimyo backing Ronglin and the final decision in the Third Hokage’s hands, Ronglin’s appointment was effectively settled as the meeting began.

• Tsunade stabilized the Senju elders and helped secure their acceptance of an Uchiha Fourth Hokage.
• White Fang led the Hatake clan in supporting Ronglin, joining forces with the Uchiha.
• The Daimyo supported Ronglin after his wartime achievements had brought him prestige.
• The Third Hokage entered the meeting room, where the gathered leaders waited for his announcement.

Uchiha Ronglin was chosen as Konoha’s Fourth Hokage, and the Third Hokage planned to transfer authority to him over the next month. After the meeting, Tsunade celebrated the decision with Ronglin while the clan heads who opposed it left displeased.

• The Third Hokage announced that Uchiha Ronglin was the final candidate for Fourth Hokage, a decision made with the Daimyo.
• Ronglin accepted the position and promised to lead Konoha, while the Third Hokage arranged to help him take over the Hokage’s duties over one month.
• Hyuga Hiashi and several other clan heads reacted with anger as the meeting continued with discussions about the transition.
• After the meeting, Tsunade smacked Ronglin on the shoulder and expressed satisfaction at the clan heads’ reactions.
• Ronglin told Tsunade to meet him at their usual place later and went to the Hokage’s Office.

After winning the final result, Ronglin left the conference room and met with the Third Hokage, who asked him to let the others off. Ronglin refused, leaving the Third Hokage’s request unresolved.

• Ronglin reminded White Fang and Tsunade of their arrangement before leaving the conference room.
• White Fang and Tsunade laughed as Ronglin headed to the Hokage’s Office.
• The Third Hokage welcomed Ronglin and said he would soon become the master of the office.
• Ronglin joked about the office’s plain decor and said he would not bother renovating it.
• The Third Hokage asked Ronglin not to hold the matter against the others, and Ronglin refused.

Ronglin and the Third Hokage negotiated how he would handle the clans that had targeted him after becoming Fourth Hokage. Ronglin agreed not to cause major turmoil, but maintained that he would still take revenge, and he prepared to begin taking over the village’s affairs.

• Ronglin told the Third Hokage he would not forget those who had targeted him and would not let them off.
• The Third Hokage urged Ronglin to put Konoha’s stability first, and Ronglin promised not to cause major turmoil while holding to his intent to target individuals.
• The Third Hokage accepted Ronglin’s terms and said he did not expect the major clans to thank him for intervening.
• The Third Hokage told Ronglin to begin taking over the village’s affairs the next day, and Ronglin agreed to learn what he needed before handling them himself.

Ronglin appointed Uchiha Diqin as his Hokage secretary and told her to learn the work from Uchiha Mikoto. Diqin accepted the role, though she was surprised to hear that her sister was skilled at managing affairs.

• Ronglin decided Uchiha Diqin would become his secretary, reasoning that she was close to him and suitable for the position.
• Uchiha Diqin doubted she could handle the work because she had never managed documents, but Ronglin told her to learn and declared the matter settled.
• Ronglin considered Shizune unsuitable because Tsunade would be difficult to get past, and said Shisui, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Mei Terumi were enough as guards.
• Uchiha Diqin accepted the position, and Ronglin patted her butt while praising her.
• Ronglin told Uchiha Diqin to learn from Uchiha Mikoto, then explained that Mikoto was skilled at managing affairs.

Uchiha Diqin agreed to visit Uchiha Mikoto, while Mei Terumi hesitated before Ronglin as she prepared to say something. The chapter ended with Ronglin giving an indifferent response when Mei finally addressed him.

• Ronglin said he wished he had been born earlier so he could have pursued Uchiha Mikoto, and Uchiha Diqin realized he had been eyeing her sister.
• Uchiha Diqin worried that visiting Uchiha Fugaku's home might cause trouble, but Ronglin assured her Fugaku would welcome the visit.
• Uchiha Diqin left to visit Uchiha Mikoto and said she would return later to cook.
• Ronglin noticed Mei Terumi staring at him and told her to massage his shoulders.
• Mei Terumi hesitated before finally addressing Ronglin, who responded with an indifferent sound.

Mei Terumi asked Ronglin about the stalled trade agreement between Konoha and Kirigakure, hoping to help her former village recover. Ronglin said the promise still stood if Kirigakure took the initiative, then warned her against maintaining ties with it before leaving her shaken.

• Mei Terumi approached Ronglin to ask about the agreement between Konoha and Kirigakure.
• Ronglin said Kirigakure had to initiate trade and hinted that turmoil was about to begin there.
• Ronglin assured Mei Terumi that Konoha was not planning to target Kirigakure and said he would honor his promise if Kirigakure acted first.
• Ronglin questioned whether Mei Terumi still felt attached to Kirigakure and warned her against improper thoughts.
• Ronglin told Mei Terumi to change her scent and left the courtyard, while she slumped into her chair in shock.

Ronglin became Konoha’s Fourth Hokage and spent a month handling the village’s affairs before receiving urgent intelligence from the border. He laughed after reading the report, leaving the Anbu who delivered it unsure what it meant.

• Mei Terumi accepted that she could not resist Ronglin and bitterly reflected on being his personal property.
• Uchiha Mikoto began teaching Uchiha Diqin management, while Uchiha Fugaku encouraged Mikoto to support her.
• Ronglin was announced as the Fourth Hokage, and he began learning the Hokage’s duties under Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• After a month, Ronglin officially took over as Hokage, and his likeness was carved onto Hokage Rock.
• Ronglin finished a day’s work and received urgent border intelligence from an Anbu, then laughed after reading it.

Ronglin told White Fang that Kumogakure’s border activity could lead to a war and become an opportunity for them to rise. Since Konoha could not openly start a conflict, Ronglin decided they would wait for Kumogakure to make the first move.

• Ronglin summoned White Fang and showed him a report about Kumogakure forces appearing near the Land of Fire’s borders.
• Ronglin reminded White Fang that Kumogakure had attacked Iwagakure during the Second Shinobi World War when Iwagakure was occupied elsewhere.
• Ronglin predicted that Kumogakure was seeking an opportunity to exploit Konoha’s weakness and said a war could help them rise.
• White Fang accepted that the Hatake Clan would follow the Uchiha Clan into the conflict and asked what they should do.
• Ronglin told White Fang to wait because Konoha could not afford to start the war itself.

Ronglin ordered White Fang to contact Hyuga Hiashi while wondering why the Third Raikage was still alive. Meanwhile, the Third Raikage was trapped in the Land of Earth, where Ōnoki’s forces relentlessly pursued him and wore down his strength.

• Ronglin told White Fang to notify Hyuga Hiashi that he had something important to discuss.
• White Fang left the Hokage's Office to personally gather intelligence about the Uchiha and Hatake clans.
• Ronglin wondered why the Third Raikage had not yet died, unaware that he was fleeing through the Land of Earth.
• Ōnoki sent Stone Ninja after the Third Raikage after learning he had infiltrated a secret base to steal confidential information.
• The Third Raikage ordered his subordinates and guards to escape, then found himself surrounded by overwhelming numbers of Stone Ninja and forced into a draining fight.

While the Third Raikage battled Iwagakure forces alone, Ronglin ordered Hyuga Hiashi to lead Hyuga clansmen to the border under the pretext of scouting Kumogakure. Ronglin continued placing Uchiha and Hatake members throughout Konoha’s departments to strengthen his control.

• The Third Raikage grew exhausted after fighting Iwagakure’s army alone for two and a half days, while his returning men were slowed by their injuries and pursuit.
• Ronglin reflected on the war and the Third Raikage’s strength, unaware that the Raikage was being hunted.
• Ronglin told Hyuga Hiashi that Kumogakure might be preparing to attack Konoha and ordered him to take Hyuga clansmen to the border for reconnaissance.
• Hiashi accepted the order, recognizing that Ronglin had used the village’s security and the Hyuga Clan’s Byakugan to make refusal difficult.
• Ronglin continued installing Uchiha and Hatake members in Konoha’s departments after the Hyuga Clan members had left the Anbu.

Ronglin sent Hyuga Hiashi and several hundred Hyuga Clan members to guard Konoha’s border after reports of Kumogakure shinobi appearing there. White Fang went to investigate, while Hyuga Hiashi worried that Ronglin was targeting his clan.

• Ronglin ordered Hyuga Hiashi to prepare the Hyuga Clan for border duty and said White Fang would accompany them.
• Hyuga Hiashi led several hundred Hyuga Clan members to Konoha’s border, prompting rumors among the villagers.
• The Third Hokage visited Ronglin and learned that Kumogakure shinobi had repeatedly appeared near the border.
• Ronglin assured the Third Hokage that White Fang was investigating and the Hyuga Clan could respond quickly if trouble arose.
• The Third Hokage accepted Ronglin’s arrangements and returned home, while Hyuga Hiashi remained anxious about Ronglin’s intentions.

Hyuga Hiashi led the Hyuga Clan to monitor the border despite suspecting Konoha had singled them out, while news of the Third Raikage’s death in battle with Iwagakure shook the Ninja World. Ronglin and Tsunade discussed the Raikage’s death, and Ronglin hoped the more reckless Fourth Raikage would rise to power.

• Hyuga Hiashi rebuked a Branch Family clansman who questioned why only the Hyuga Clan had been sent to the border, then led the clan there under orders.
• Kumogakure noticed the Hyuga Clan monitoring the border, but its ninja received news that the Third Raikage had died after Iwagakure’s forces surrounded and exhausted him.
• Iwagakure spread news of the Third Raikage’s death to Kumogakure and other villages, provoking grief and calls for revenge in the Land of Lightning.
• Ronglin discussed the Third Raikage’s death with Tsunade and said he preferred the more reckless Fourth Raikage as his successor.

Ronglin warned Tsunade that Kumogakure was more likely to target weakened Konoha than fight Iwagakure, because the Land of Fire’s wealth was too tempting. He reassured her that Konoha was monitoring the border and preparing for a possible war, leaving Tsunade calmer.

• Tsunade hoped Kumogakure would fight Iwagakure and weaken both villages.
• Ronglin explained that Kumogakure would avoid Iwagakure and likely target Konoha for its wealth and weakened state.
• Tsunade grew alarmed when Ronglin pointed to Cloud ninja gathering near the Land of Fire’s border as evidence of their intentions.
• Ronglin said Hyuga Clan members were monitoring the border and that Kumogakure would not attack before its leadership stabilized.
• Ronglin assured Tsunade that Konoha was prepared for war, and she felt reassured.

Ronglin teased Tsunade in her office, and she left embarrassed but still concerned for Konoha’s safety. As winter brought heavy snow to Konoha, Kumogakure mourned the Third Raikage without retaliating against Iwagakure, despite the Fourth Raikage’s grief.

• Tsunade warned Ronglin not to let past events happen again, but he interrupted her and teased her in the Hokage's Office.
• Tsunade pushed Ronglin away, left the office, and thanked Kisame Hoshigaki for guarding him.
• Ronglin wondered what kind of child a union between Uchiha and Senju might produce and considered pursuing Tsunade.
• After the Third Raikage died, Kumogakure held a grand burial but did not attack Iwagakure because it could not afford another war.
• Deep winter arrived, and heavy snow fell on Konoha.

In Konoha Year 48, Uchiha Ronglin kept Hyuga Hiashi and hundreds of Hyuga clansmen stationed at the border, allowing resentment to grow among those separated from their families over the New Year. Hiashi recognized Ronglin’s plan but lacked confidence that the Hokage would agree to rotate the personnel.

• Uchiha Ronglin left Hyuga Hiashi and several hundred Hyuga clansmen on the border to monitor Kumogakure’s ninja movements.
• Hyuga clansmen gathered around a bonfire and complained that they had been kept away from their families for months, suspecting that the feud between Hiashi and Ronglin was behind it.
• A Hyuga clansman urged Hiashi to ask the Hokage to rotate the personnel.
• Hiashi told his wife that Ronglin had deliberately stationed him at the border to stir dissatisfaction among the clan.
• Hiashi’s wife suggested requesting a partial rotation, but Hiashi doubted Ronglin would agree.

Hyuga Hiashi requested permission to rotate his clan members off the border, and Ronglin approved while excluding Hiashi himself and using the decision to stoke resentment within the Hyuga Clan. Ronglin also found a secret technique targeting the Hyuga and prepared to use it against Hiashi.

• Hyuga Hiashi agreed to ask the village to rotate Hyuga Clan members off the border after his wife urged him to try.
• Ronglin approved the rotation request but barred Hyuga Hiashi from leaving and planned to let the clan blame him for asking too late.
• Hyuga Clan members privately criticized Hiashi for delaying the request, while Ronglin intended to keep fueling their resentment.
• Ronglin discovered a technique developed by Tobirama Senju to counter the Hyuga in records confiscated from Root.
• Ronglin anticipated revealing the technique as a trump card against Hyuga Hiashi.

Ronglin learned that Danzo and Orochimaru had appeared in the Land of Rain and considered sending powerful Konoha shinobi to deal with them. He ordered White Fang to return, while weighing whether Minato could leave Naruto and Kushina behind.

• Ronglin regarded his secret trump card against Hyuga Hiashi as a way to threaten the Hyuga Clan, while Hiashi continued guarding the border unaware.
• An Anbu report told Ronglin that the rogue ninja Danzo and Orochimaru had appeared in the Land of Rain.
• Ronglin ordered White Fang to return to Konoha for a mission and considered pairing him with Minato to confront Danzo and Orochimaru.
• Ronglin hesitated to send Minato because Naruto would be left behind and Kushina was weakened, though he recognized her formidable sealing skills and strength.

Ronglin sent White Fang to investigate a threat in the Land of Rain while keeping himself in Konoha. White Fang also reported that Kumogakure still planned to act against Konoha despite the Third Raikage’s death.

• Ronglin considered the arrangements needed to release the Nine-Tails and hoped the event would happen sooner rather than later.
• Ronglin summoned White Fang from the border and ordered him to lead Anbu to the Land of Rain.
• White Fang objected when Ronglin said he had originally wanted to go himself, insisting the Hokage remain in Konoha.
• White Fang gave Ronglin intelligence showing that Kumogakure had not abandoned plans to target Konoha after the Third Raikage’s death.