Chapter Summaries

Ronglin ordered Hyuga Hiashi to retrieve Kimimaro from the Kaguya clan before the boy's Corpse Bone Bloodline awakened. Hyuga Hiashi prepared to travel to the Land of Water despite the danger of being mistaken for a Konoha spy.

• Ronglin told Hyuga Hiashi to bring back the person he wanted and said he would await news.
• Ronglin considered Kimimaro's young age and decided to act before his Corpse Bone Bloodline awakened.
• Hyuga Hiashi agreed to the mission and returned to the clan grounds to prepare for the journey.
• Hyuga Hiashi ordered his clansmen to write to the Kaguya Clan Head and leave for the Land of Water immediately.

Hyuga Hiashi left Konoha for the Land of Water to retrieve Kimimaro, while Ronglin focused on preparing to remove the Land of Fire's Daimyo and unite the country with Konoha. After White Fang reported that he had secured the necessary support, Ronglin called everyone to a meeting.

• Hyuga Hiashi took a small group of Hyuga clan members toward the coast to travel to the Land of Water.
• An Anbu member told Ronglin that Hiashi had left, and Ronglin continued waiting while White Fang handled preparations against the Daimyo.
• The Daimyo's envoys failed to meet Ronglin and returned from Konoha empty-handed.
• Ronglin read White Fang's report, learned that he had won over the available supporters, and ordered everyone to gather in the conference room.

Ronglin addressed Konoha’s leaders about the Daimyo’s response to the Temple of Fire’s destruction, arguing that the Daimyo had upset the balance between the Land of Fire and its ninja village. He left the room poised to explain his answer to the Daimyo’s threat.

• Konoha’s participants gathered for Ronglin’s meeting and speculated that it would concern the Daimyo.
• Ronglin entered, took his seat, and had Uchiha Diqin pour him tea.
• Ronglin said he would not repeat the events that had stirred up the Land of Fire.
• Ronglin acknowledged that some might consider his destruction of the Temple of Fire cruel and excessive.
• Ronglin said the Daimyo blamed him and Konoha, threatened to cut off their development funds, and had unbalanced the relationship between the Daimyo and the ninja village.

Ronglin turned the meeting against the Daimyo by using his funding threat to deepen Konoha’s resentment. He questioned how the Daimyo’s relationship with Konoha had changed since Tobirama Senju’s death, leaving the attendees to recognize that the Daimyo’s position had shifted.

• Ronglin let the meeting room’s anger grow as attendees condemned the Daimyo for threatening Konoha’s funding.
• The Aburame Clan Head asked Ronglin what they should do, but Ronglin instead asked the attendees to describe the relationship between the Daimyo and Konoha.
• Nara Shikaku and others said the Daimyo and Konoha relied on each other and exchanged support.
• Ronglin recalled that the First Hokage had arranged for the Daimyo to fund Konoha while Konoha protected the Land of Fire and the Daimyo.
• Ronglin said the Daimyo’s position had gradually changed after Tobirama Senju died, and the attendees realized that it had.

Ronglin warned Konoha’s leaders that the Daimyo’s growing influence could reduce the village to Sunagakure’s subordinate position, then faced questions about the consequences of losing the Daimyo’s funding. The meeting ended as Ronglin prepared to reveal his plan for Konoha’s finances.

• Ronglin described how the Daimyo’s influence over Konoha and other villages had grown, warning that the Land of Fire’s Daimyo might eventually dictate village decisions.
• Ronglin argued that if Konoha became like Sunagakure, it could lose its status as the strongest shinobi village to Kumogakure, Iwagakure, or Kirigakure.
• Ronglin said he had retaliated against those who provoked him and named the Temple of Fire as one sacrifice.
• The Hyuga Clan’s First Elder asked Ronglin what Konoha would do if the Daimyo cut off its funding.
• Ronglin acknowledged that Konoha depended on the Daimyo for money and prepared to reveal his solution.

Ronglin proposed overthrowing the Daimyo and bringing the Land of Fire under Konoha's control so the village could use the nation's tax revenue and resources. He confirmed the plan to the shocked Hyuga First Elder.

• Ronglin said Konoha depended on the Daimyo's money to sustain its development.
• Ronglin asked whether Konoha would still need the Daimyo if the village had sufficient funds of its own.
• Ronglin suggested removing the Daimyo and directing all of the Land of Fire's tax revenue to Konoha.
• The gathered families realized Ronglin intended to take control of the entire Land of Fire and reacted with shock, tension, and longing.
• The Hyuga First Elder asked whether Konoha would overthrow the Daimyo and take control of the country, and Ronglin confirmed it.

Ronglin presented his plan to kill the Daimyo and bring the Land of Fire under Konoha’s control, claiming he had already won the support of commanders and politicians. As the leaders weighed the risks, Tsunade asked him about the chances of success, and Ronglin answered that they were certain.

• Ronglin said he had uprooted the Temple of Fire and secured the support of military commanders and politicians for Konoha’s move against the Daimyo.
• Ronglin urged the leaders to act while other major villages were distracted, arguing that Konoha could then stabilize and control the Land of Fire.
• The leaders fell silent, and the Hyuga First Elder voiced concerns about the risks while the Uchiha First Elder supported Ronglin’s plan.
• Tsunade asked Ronglin what the odds were, and he replied that success was ten out of ten.

Ronglin warned Konoha’s leaders that leaking the meeting’s plans would bring extermination, then received an unexpected first show of support from the Hyuga Clan. The meeting’s next steps remained unsettled as everyone wondered why the Hyuga had approved his plan.

• Ronglin teased Tsunade during the meeting while the leaders discussed the internal matter in the Land of Fire.
• Ronglin ended the discussion period and warned that anyone who leaked the meeting’s contents would be exterminated.
• The Hyuga Clan unexpectedly became the first to agree with Ronglin’s plan.
• The leaders stared at the Hyuga First Elder, who asked whether something was wrong, and they awkwardly blamed a mosquito.

Ronglin arranged security and government leadership for the plan he would begin in three days. He left Nara Shikaku in charge of stabilizing the capital and managing its affairs.

• Ronglin announced that the plan would begin in three days.
• Ronglin ordered the Hyuga First Elder and Uchiha First Elder to guard every village and hold them responsible for any trouble.
• Ronglin asked Nara Shikaku to accompany him and manage the capital's government affairs.
• The assembled leaders were surprised that Ronglin chose Nara Shikaku rather than someone from the Uchiha clan.

Ronglin appointed Nara Shikaku to represent him in government affairs and issued orders for the coming transition, warning that rebellion would be crushed. After the meeting, Jiraiya arrived with the Third Hokage to face Ronglin and Tsunade.

• Ronglin chose Nara Shikaku to manage governmental affairs temporarily and planned to abolish the Daimyo position once the Land of Fire stabilized.
• Ronglin ordered the Aburame Clan Head and others to mobilize, warning them to kill anyone who stirred up trouble or rebelled.
• Ronglin ended the meeting with a threat against anyone who tried to obstruct him, while Tsunade remained in the village.
• The departing officials encountered Jiraiya and the Third Hokage at the doorway and wondered how Ronglin would punish Jiraiya for repeatedly abandoning the camp.
• Ronglin sent Uchiha Diqin away, then Jiraiya entered with the Third Hokage and awkwardly greeted Ronglin and Tsunade.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha without finding Orochimaru and tried to change the subject as Tsunade and Ronglin confronted him. He agreed to accept punishment, but first asked to hear what had happened in Konoha.

• Jiraiya told Ronglin that he had not found Orochimaru.
• Tsunade mocked Jiraiya for spending his time admiring the world's beautiful scenery.
• Jiraiya congratulated Ronglin and tried to avoid discussing his absence.
• Tsunade and Ronglin accused Jiraiya of having no conscience and running away before a battle.
• Jiraiya agreed to accept punishment and asked what had happened in Konoha.
• Ronglin said that Konoha had fought back after others caused trouble.

Jiraiya questioned Ronglin about the hidden forces behind recent events, and Ronglin warned him about Akatsuki’s strength and its leader. Jiraiya then asked how Akatsuki compared to Ronglin.

• Jiraiya reflected on how the Artisan Ninja Village attack and Nine-Tails incident had sent events off course, and asked Ronglin whether he had found useful intelligence.
• Ronglin told Jiraiya that catching Orochimaru would reveal everything, prompting Jiraiya to say he had instead gathered intelligence about Akatsuki.
• Ronglin warned Jiraiya not to get too close to Akatsuki and described its members as powerful S-rank rogue ninjas.
• Ronglin singled out Akatsuki’s leader as an unparalleled existence, and Jiraiya asked how the organization compared to Ronglin.

Ronglin reassured Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the Third Hokage that he could handle Akatsuki's leader. He then punished Jiraiya for repeatedly leaving by ordering him to teach at the Ninja Academy, but Jiraiya refused to accept the assignment.

• Jiraiya asked Ronglin whether he or Akatsuki's leader was stronger, and Ronglin said he could defeat the leader if they met.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the Third Hokage felt reassured by Ronglin's confidence.
• Jiraiya invited Ronglin out for a drink, and Ronglin agreed after asking whether Jiraiya would stay in the village.
• Ronglin assigned Jiraiya to teach at the Ninja Academy as punishment for running off.
• Jiraiya protested that he would not accept the teaching job.

Jiraiya tried to avoid being assigned to teach at the Ninja Academy, while Ronglin and Tsunade let his punishment slide. The Third Hokage then revealed that he wanted to join the academy, leaving Ronglin wondering what he intended to do there.

• Jiraiya refused to accept teaching at the Ninja Academy as punishment and tried to change the terms.
• Ronglin gave up on pressing Jiraiya and asked the Third Hokage why he had come.
• The Third Hokage said he wanted to join the Ninja Academy.
• Ronglin questioned why the Third Hokage wanted to return to the academy after losing his authority.

Ronglin agreed to let the Third Hokage become principal of the Ninja Academy, where he planned to teach Konoha’s next generation. After the Third Hokage left to prepare, Jiraiya invited Ronglin and Tsunade for a drink.

• Ronglin agreed to give the Third Hokage the Ninja Academy principal position.
• The Third Hokage said he would prepare to return to the Academy and left.
• Ronglin reflected on the strengths and flaws of Konoha’s Will of Fire and its education.
• Jiraiya invited Ronglin and Tsunade for a drink, and Tsunade agreed only if they did not go drinking with women.
• Jiraiya coughed and stared at the ceiling after Tsunade’s condition.

Ronglin, Jiraiya, and Tsunade went to their favorite tavern, where Jiraiya tried to drown his sorrows and get Ronglin drunk. Ronglin kept sipping his wine slowly, leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade speechless.

• Ronglin, Jiraiya, and Tsunade left the Hokage's Office Building and went to the tavern they used to frequent.
• Jiraiya ordered wine and food, and the three took their usual seats.
• Tsunade poured Ronglin wine, prompting Jiraiya to drink heavily and brood over his troubles.
• Jiraiya challenged Ronglin to drink in big gulps, but Ronglin continued sipping slowly.
• Ronglin said handsome people tended to drink slowly, leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade speechless.

Ronglin and Jiraiya discussed Jiraiya’s unsuccessful search for peace and the tense atmosphere in Konoha. Jiraiya promised to support Ronglin as long as he did not harm Konoha’s interests.

• Ronglin teased Jiraiya about his looks, and Jiraiya stopped arguing after nearly choking on his wine.
• Ronglin asked Jiraiya whether his travels had brought him anything, and Jiraiya said he had gathered material but found little else.
• Jiraiya explained that he had also been searching for peace, while Ronglin said peace meant different things to different people and was impossible to secure everywhere.
• Jiraiya asked whether Konoha had recently been involved in fighting, and Ronglin said there had been no battles, only special operations.
• Ronglin said he did not know which side Jiraiya would take, and Jiraiya promised to stand with him unless he harmed Konoha’s interests.

Ronglin and Jiraiya shared a drink and reaffirmed Jiraiya’s support, while Tsunade and Jiraiya pretended to be drunk after the tavern gathering. Ronglin left to handle business at the Hokage’s Office Building, and Tsunade returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

• Jiraiya promised to support Ronglin as long as Ronglin did not endanger Konoha’s interests.
• Ronglin stopped drinking and left the tavern after Jiraiya and Tsunade became too drunk to stand.
• Ronglin carried Tsunade outside, where she revealed that she and Jiraiya had only pretended to be drunk.
• Ronglin parted ways with Tsunade and headed to the Hokage’s Office Building.
• Tsunade returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound and greeted Uchiha Diqin while drunk.

Ronglin launched a covert operation against the Daimyo after Konoha spent days preparing its forces. White Fang led the Anbu into the palace, where they cleared the guards and moved farther inside.

• Jiraiya’s return strengthened Konoha, while Ronglin continued his plan to unify the Land of Fire.
• Ronglin ordered Konoha’s forces into action after three days of preparations.
• The Daimyo dismissed his advisers and put off addressing his dispute with Konoha until the next day.
• White Fang led the Anbu through the Daimyo’s palace after they eliminated its outer guards.
• An Anbu operative reported to White Fang that everyone in the surrounding area had been dealt with.

Ronglin and White Fang carried out their plan to seize control of the Land of Fire, beginning by abducting the Daimyo from his residence. The Guardians Twelve discovered the Anbu as they left, and White Fang ordered his men to eliminate them.

• White Fang agreed with his Anbu that they would visit the Daimyo and take control of the capital.
• Ronglin led his forces into the capital, where his allies and Konoha ninja waited for his signal.
• White Fang's Anbu knocked out the sleeping Daimyo and carried him away alive.
• Ronglin ordered his forces to disperse and begin their operation at the agreed time.
• The Guardians Twelve encountered the Anbu as they left with the Daimyo and raised the alarm.
• White Fang split his Anbu between escorting the Daimyo and fighting the Guardians Twelve.