Chapter Summaries

Ronglin watched the exhausted Nine-Tails fall after Hashirama Senju’s attacks, then prepared to face Hashirama alone. He charged the Wood Golem with Susanoo, seeking a fight despite knowing Hashirama’s endless power would eventually wear him down.

• Hashirama Senju diverted the Nine-Tails’ Tailed Beast Ball with Fivefold Rashomon, wasting the beast’s remaining Chakra.
• The Wood Golem and Wood Dragon continued attacking, and the Nine-Tails was sent flying and left exhausted.
• Ronglin returned Susanoo to its normal form and told the Nine-Tails to rest while he avenged it.
• Ronglin faced Hashirama Senju, knowing the battle had no possible outcome but wanting to fight.
• Ronglin shouted and charged Hashirama’s Wood Golem with Susanoo’s blade.

Ronglin used the Power of Time to overpower Hashirama Senju’s Wood Dragon and Wood Golem. After cutting them apart and severing the Wood Golem’s arm, he prepared to attack Hashirama directly.

• Ronglin imbued Susanoo’s blade with the Power of Time and split the Wood Dragon with one slash.
• Tsunade and the others, along with the Nine-Tails, were stunned by Ronglin’s strength.
• The Wood Golem tried to trap Susanoo’s blade, but Ronglin dragged it free and cut off part of its palm.
• Ronglin swept the blade upward and severed the Wood Golem’s left arm.
• Ronglin ordered Susanoo to advance, aiming for Hashirama Senju.

Ronglin repeatedly cut down Hashirama Senju, but Hashirama kept regenerating until the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu ended. Orochimaru fled, and Ronglin let him go as the summoned Senju brothers vanished, leaving two dead Iwagakure sacrifices behind.

• Ronglin used the Power of Time to strike Hashirama Senju, who rapidly regenerated from each wound.
• Ay chased after Orochimaru as he fled, while Ronglin stopped Tsunade from pursuing him.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju turned into scraps of paper when the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu ended, leaving their two Iwagakure sacrifices dead.
• Ōnoki grew furious when he saw that Orochimaru had used Iwagakure shinobi as sacrifices.
• Ronglin's Susanoo vanished, and he examined the ripples in space around his hand as someone asked why they had not chased Orochimaru.

After Orochimaru escaped, Ronglin reassured Tsunade and Ōnoki that Ay would be safe. Ōnoki returned to camp with the bodies, resolved to revise the battle plan and wary of both Orochimaru and Danzo.

• Tsunade asked Ronglin about Akatsuki, and he confirmed that the organization was powerful without revealing its full membership.
• Ōnoki asked whether Ay would be all right, and Ronglin said Ay could escape if Orochimaru threatened him.
• Ōnoki gathered the bodies of the two fallen ninjas from his village and proposed returning to camp to make a new battle plan.
• Ōnoki reflected that Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju had made the battle dangerous and that Orochimaru and Danzo posed a serious threat.

After Orochimaru escaped and the Impure World Reincarnation ended, Ronglin left with Tsunade and the wounded Nine-Tails. Ōnoki led the way while carrying a corpse, as the group continued onward.

• Ronglin regretted losing Hashirama Senju and his chance to use more abilities, while Tsunade scolded him for tormenting her grandfather.
• Ronglin asked whether the wounded Nine-Tails could walk, then mocked it for failing to reclaim its pride.
• Tsunade struck Ronglin for his teasing, and he promised not to torment Hashirama Senju next time.
• Ronglin and Tsunade climbed onto the Nine-Tails' head, and the beast accepted Tsunade's presence.
• The Nine-Tails followed Ōnoki, who carried a corpse, as someone cursed that Orochimaru had escaped and blamed Konoha's rogue ninja.

Ronglin, Tsunade, Ōnoki, Ay, and the Nine-Tails returned to Konoha after failing to catch Orochimaru, and Ōnoki indicated they had run into serious trouble. Rasa took them back to camp to discuss what had happened in private.

• Ay returned after failing to catch Orochimaru and warned Ronglin that he was exhausted.
• Ronglin warned Ay that Danzo was dangerous, though he did not know the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• The Nine-Tails refused to carry Ay, leaving him to follow behind while Ronglin and Tsunade rode on its back.
• Konoha's ninja cheered when Ronglin returned with the Nine-Tails.
• Rasa saw the group's injuries, and Ōnoki led everyone back to camp to discuss the trouble privately.

Ronglin joined Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa at the Command Center to reconsider their battle plans after Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. The three Kage asked Ronglin how they could counter the technique, and he began to consider his answer.

• Ronglin told the injured Nine-Tails to rest, then left Tsunade and headed to the Command Center.
• Ronglin found Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa waiting to discuss how the battle plans had changed after the appearance of the Senju brothers.
• Ay said they could not continue the previous plan because Orochimaru might use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu again.
• Ōnoki asked Ronglin whether there was a way to counter the jutsu, and Ay and Rasa turned to hear his answer.
• Ronglin rubbed his chin and thought before answering.

Ronglin explained that the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu had several possible counters, though the gentler approach depended on finding Orochimaru and forcing him to release it. The Kage realized Orochimaru could cast the technique from far away, and Ay asked Ronglin about the brutal alternative.

• Ronglin reassured Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa that the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu had weaknesses and could be countered in several ways.
• Ay complained that Ronglin had first told them there was no way to deal with the jutsu.
• Ronglin offered gentler, brutal, and sacrificial methods, and Rasa asked to hear the gentler one.
• Ronglin said they could find Orochimaru and make him release the jutsu, but warned that Orochimaru could cast it from a great distance.
• Ay dismissed the gentler method as impractical and asked Ronglin about the brutal version.

Ronglin explained that the revived enemies could be stopped through the Reaper Death Seal or by having sealing specialists from the four villages seal them, though both choices would cost lives. Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa chose the final method.

• Ronglin explained that the Reaper Death Seal could prevent souls from being revived but would also sacrifice the person using it.
• Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa fell silent rather than volunteer to use the Forbidden Jutsu.
• Ronglin proposed having sealing specialists from the four villages seal the revived people until the battle ended, warning that many would die.
• Ronglin joked that they could learn the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, then the three chose the sealing method.

Ronglin and the other Kage agreed to use a costly method to counter the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, leaving Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa to find their own sealing specialists. Ronglin confirmed Orochimaru had appeared and warned Shisui that he was not ready to challenge him.

• Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa agreed to the sacrifice-heavy plan for dealing with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Ronglin accepted their decision and told the Kage to prepare within three days, predicting Orochimaru would avoid reckless action.
• Ronglin revealed that Konoha had no sealing specialists in the operation, forcing Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa to choose candidates from their own villages.
• Shisui asked Ronglin whether Orochimaru had truly appeared, and Ronglin confirmed it.
• Ronglin warned Shisui that he was too inexperienced to face Orochimaru and told him to wait until he awakened the Mangekyo.

Ronglin warned Shisui, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Mei Terumi that they were not yet strong enough to face S-rank rogue ninjas and cautioned Shisui against relying on genjutsu against powerful opponents. The three accepted his advice, though Ronglin expected they might test themselves in battle someday.

• Ronglin told Shisui that even Kisame Hoshigaki and Mei Terumi were not yet qualified to fight Orochimaru or Danzo.
• Ronglin warned the three not to underestimate opponents and said they might encounter powerful enemies on the battlefield.
• Ronglin explained that S-rank rogue ninjas and Kage-level experts varied in strength, so confronting one could be dangerous.
• Ronglin cautioned Shisui not to use genjutsu casually against Kage-level experts or S-rank rogue ninjas.
• Shisui thanked Ronglin and said he would be careful, while Kisame Hoshigaki respectfully answered Ronglin.

Ronglin advised Kisame Hoshigaki to seek ninjutsu instruction from the Third Hokage, then confronted Mei Terumi about her appearance and questioned why she had not used her Kekkei Genkai when Kisame chased her. The chapter ended with Ronglin scolding Mei Terumi for failing to use her abilities.

• Ronglin told Kisame Hoshigaki to focus on techniques suited to him and recommended that he learn ninjutsu from the Third Hokage.
• Kisame Hoshigaki agreed to seek the Third Hokage's instruction after they returned to the village.
• Ronglin dismissed Kisame Hoshigaki and ordered Mei Terumi to raise her head.
• Ronglin noticed Mei Terumi's clothes and asked how much she had spent on them.
• Ronglin recalled Kisame Hoshigaki chasing Mei Terumi with his sword and demanded to know why she had not used either of her Kekkei Genkai.

Ronglin confronted Mei Terumi for failing to fight back against Kisame Hoshigaki, and she admitted she had been afraid of hurting him. He threw Shisui and Kisame Hoshigaki out of the tent and left Mei Terumi to face his anger.

• Ronglin demanded to know why Mei Terumi had let Kisame Hoshigaki chase her without fighting back.
• Mei Terumi quietly admitted she had been afraid of hurting Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Shisui and Kisame Hoshigaki exchanged looks, and Ronglin threw them out of the tent.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Shisui stood outside the tent and listened, expecting Ronglin to punish Mei Terumi.

Ronglin harshly reprimanded Mei Terumi for holding back during her spar with Kisame Hoshigaki and ordered her to improve her Chakra control. Mei accepted the criticism and was sent to learn from Tsunade.

• Ronglin scolded Mei Terumi for worrying about Kisame Hoshigaki getting hurt instead of attacking during their spar.
• Ronglin forced Mei Terumi to meet his eyes and challenged her to curse him if she disagreed.
• Mei Terumi apologized and promised not to repeat her hesitation.
• Ronglin told Mei Terumi to learn Chakra control from Tsunade so she could use her Chakra more efficiently.

Ronglin arranged further training for Mei Terumi and Shisui to address their weaknesses. Shisui left relieved after agreeing to study genjutsu with the Kurama Clan when they returned to Konoha.

• Ronglin sent Mei Terumi to study chakra control under Tsunade, and Mei Terumi left the tent with reddened eyes.
• Ronglin summoned Shisui and told him to study genjutsu with the Kurama Clan after returning to Konoha.
• Ronglin warned Shisui to learn humbly and respect the Kurama Clan despite its decline.
• Shisui promised to study seriously and avoid acting arrogantly.
• Ronglin dismissed Shisui, who later let out a heavy sigh of relief as he walked away with Kisame Hoshigaki.

Ronglin considered how to discipline arrogant members of the Uchiha clan, while Tsunade put Mei Terumi to work in the Medical Department. Mei began cleaning a wounded Sand shinobi’s injury, leaving him puzzled about why the Hokage’s personal guard was treating him.

• Kisame Hoshigaki and Shisui agreed to fight again someday and bumped fists.
• Ronglin wondered how to teach the increasingly arrogant Uchiha clan members a harsh lesson.
• Tsunade told Mei Terumi to work hard in the Medical Department and said she would inspect her work.
• Tsunade assigned Mei to clean a wounded Sand shinobi’s injury, and Mei nervously began the task.
• The Sand shinobi wondered why the Hokage’s personal guard was treating his wound.

Tsunade corrected Mei Terumi’s harsh manner while she treated injured shinobi, ordering her to act like a gentle member of the Medical Department. Mei tried to smile at a patient, but her smile frightened him and left her furious.

• A sand shinobi screamed when alcohol stung his wound, embarrassing himself in front of the others.
• Mei Terumi scolded the sand shinobi for making such a fuss over a minor injury.
• Tsunade reminded Mei that she was now a Medical Department member, not the Hokage’s guard, and told her to speak gently and smile.
• Mei reluctantly smiled at her patient, who recoiled in fear and nearly bumped into someone else.
• Mei flushed with anger and felt the urge to kill someone.

Mei Terumi struggled to control her anger while treating wounded shinobi in the Medical Department under Tsunade’s supervision. After bandaging a frightened Sand Chunin, she approached the next patient with forced patience.

• Mei Terumi frightened a wounded Sand Chunin and ordered him to come closer.
• Tsunade reminded Mei Terumi to watch her attitude, and Mei reined in her anger.
• Mei Terumi apologized and resumed treating the Sand Chunin while he cautiously allowed her to bandage his wound.
• Tsunade reflected that Mei Terumi needed to temper her impulsiveness and watched her approach another wounded patient.

Ronglin criticized Mei Terumi for holding back during live sparring and confronted Rasa over the allied forces’ reluctance to continue fighting after Orochimaru’s return. The Four Kage’s meeting ended with Rasa still trying to explain Sunagakure’s concerns as Ronglin challenged his commitment to the war.

• Ronglin watched Mei Terumi hold back against Kisame Hoshigaki during sparring and hoped Tsunade would temper her personality.
• Ōnoki, Rasa, and Ay selected ninjas skilled in sealing techniques in preparation for Orochimaru using the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu again.
• Ronglin criticized the Four Kage for letting the war become a battle of attrition and asked whether their nations could not outlast the enemy.
• Rasa objected that a prolonged war would consume too many people and supplies, and Ronglin accused him of being afraid to contribute.
• Rasa began to explain himself, but Ronglin told him Sunagakure had no right to call itself a great village if it could not afford the losses.

Ronglin, Ōnoki, Ay, and Rasa agreed to wage a war of attrition against the enemy, with Ronglin promising to handle Orochimaru if he appeared. Rasa reluctantly accepted the plan, and the leaders prepared to arrange reinforcements.

• Ronglin mocked Rasa for wanting war while fearing its losses, and Ōnoki and Ay intervened to stop their argument.
• Ōnoki proposed a war of attrition, arguing that their ninja were stronger despite the enemy's greater numbers.
• Ay asked Ronglin to confront Orochimaru if he appeared, and Ronglin agreed while warning them not to summon him for every minor matter.
• Ronglin and Ay offered reinforcements, and Rasa reluctantly agreed to the plan.
• Ōnoki said he would return to make the necessary adjustments.