Chapter Summaries

Ronglin placed Kimimaro under Hyuga Hiashi’s care and ordered a medical examination to monitor his health and the possible awakening of his Kekkei Genkai. Hyuga Hiashi took Kimimaro to the Medical Department, then would teach him.

• Ronglin asked Kimimaro whether he objected to coming to Konoha, and Kimimaro nervously said no.
• Ronglin ordered Hyuga Hiashi to take Kimimaro to Tsunade for an examination and report any problems or signs of an awakening.
• Ronglin assigned Kimimaro to Hyuga Hiashi, telling him to teach the boy without holding back and to be strict.
• Hyuga Hiashi led the silent, apprehensive Kimimaro toward the Medical Department.

Tsunade examined Kimimaro after Hyuga Hiashi brought him to the Medical Department on the Hokage’s orders. Kimimaro was healthy, but Tsunade warned that his Kaguya clan bloodline could bring a hereditary disease, and arranged monthly checkups.

• Hyuga Hiashi brought Kimimaro to the Medical Department for an examination ordered by the Hokage.
• Tsunade recognized Kimimaro as a member of the Kaguya clan and asked Shizune to prepare him for the examination.
• Tsunade examined Kimimaro and found that he was in very good health.
• Tsunade instructed Hyuga Hiashi to bring Kimimaro for monthly checkups and warned him not to conceal signs of his Kekkei Genkai or hereditary disease.

Tsunade warned Kimimaro that the Kaguya clan's hereditary illness was linked to its bone bloodline, while Hyuga Hiashi agreed to train him on Ronglin's orders. Meanwhile, Rasa erupted over Kumogakure and Iwagakure blaming Sunagakure for their losses and demanding money, leaving him determined not to pay.

• Tsunade examined Kimimaro and explained that Kaguya clan members who awakened the Corpse Bone Bloodline could inherit a fatal illness.
• Tsunade reassured Kimimaro that not everyone succumbed to the disease and said they had brought him to Konoha to seek a cure.
• Hyuga Hiashi took Kimimaro to the Hyuga clan grounds and promised to train him strictly because Ronglin had ordered it.
• Rasa smashed up the Kazekage's office after Kumogakure and Iwagakure blamed Sunagakure for their internal enemies and demanded payment.
• Rasa refused to pay, fearing that compromising would damage his standing with the Daimyo, who had already lost trust in him over Ronglin's actions.

Rasa and Sunagakure faced mounting pressure from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha after Uchiha Ronglin's actions worsened their conflict. Rasa vented his anger, but Granny Chiyo urged him to act with the dignity expected of the Fourth Kazekage.

• Ay and Ōnoki blamed Rasa for the enemy's infiltration and demanded that Sunagakure bear the losses.
• Rasa refused to compromise, fearing the Daimyo would lose faith in him, while the leaders argued over responsibility.
• Uchiha Ronglin's return reignited the dispute, and Iwagakure and Kumogakure threatened war to pressure Rasa.
• Rasa learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had retreated and left their seized supplies to Konoha, then angrily questioned Konoha's involvement.
• Granny Chiyo told Rasa to stop ranting and show the bearing expected of the Fourth Kazekage, and Rasa apologized for losing his temper.

Rasa and Granny Chiyo discussed Sunagakure’s worsening conflict with Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure, and Granny Chiyo decided to travel to Konoha to negotiate. Before leaving, she demanded that Rasa explain why Konoha had been targeting Sunagakure.

• Rasa argued that Sunagakure could not keep compromising and risked disaster if it retreated further.
• Granny Chiyo agreed that Sunagakure could not retreat but said it was too weak to start a major war, so it needed a compromise.
• Rasa regretted not having followed Konoha’s lead earlier and doubted that Ronglin would agree to reconcile.
• Granny Chiyo decided to go to Konoha herself to resolve the matter.
• Granny Chiyo demanded that Rasa explain why Konoha had targeted Sunagakure.

Granny Chiyo realized that Rasa had personally offended Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Ronglin, and demanded to know what he had done. She left the Kazekage's office warning Rasa not to drag Sunagakure into ruin, while Rasa's resentment toward Ronglin deepened.

• Granny Chiyo reasoned that Konoha's repeated opposition to Sunagakure stemmed from Rasa offending Uchiha Ronglin.
• Rasa's guilty reaction confirmed Granny Chiyo's suspicion, and she demanded he explain what had happened.
• Granny Chiyo told Rasa to handle the matter himself if he would not tell her the truth.
• Granny Chiyo left the Kazekage's office, warning Rasa that his words and actions represented Sunagakure and could make him a sinner of the village and the Land of Wind.
• Rasa suppressed his anger until Granny Chiyo had left, then roared Ronglin's name and focused his resentment on him.
• Ronglin regarded the conflict as only beginning and intended to deal with Rasa slowly.

Konoha began establishing elementary Ninja Academies in populous cities across the Land of Fire, aiming to gather talent and strengthen the village. In the former capital, the Third Hokage and Nara Shikaku faced the challenge of testing applicants, but they resolved to use available resources and continue.

• Konoha allocated funds and sent the Third Hokage to survey cities and arrange publicity for new Ninja Academies.
• The plan to recruit children in local schools and send the strongest students to Konoha drew attention across the Ninja World.
• Konoha's control of the Land of Fire gave it the money and staff needed to build the schools, while the local population showed enthusiasm and offered help.
• Nara Shikaku reported to the Third Hokage that testing potential students in the former capital would be difficult.
• The Third Hokage relayed the Fourth Hokage's permission to use available resources, and Nara Shikaku agreed to assign more assistants.

Ronglin oversaw preparations for a spacious Ninja Academy in the capital and learned that local civilians were helping with construction. He confirmed that a message had been sent to Mizukage Yagura, then asked whether the people he had ordered found could be brought in.

• The Third Hokage ordered the demolition of buildings around the planned Ninja Academy after residents received compensation.
• Konoha ninja and local civilians worked together to clear the site and build the academy.
• Ronglin was surprised that civilians volunteered to help so their children could attend the school.
• Uchiha Diqin told Ronglin that his message to Mizukage Yagura had been sent and asked whether it might draw other villages' attention.
• Ronglin dismissed her concern, then asked whether the people he had ordered found had been located.
• Uchiha Diqin confirmed they had been found and asked whether they should be brought over immediately.

Ronglin recruited the Muroku Brothers to assess which cash crops could grow in the Land of Rain. The brothers were stunned by his assignment but were told they would have protection.

• Ronglin welcomed the Muroku Brothers to the Hokage's Office and asked about their experience with cash crops.
• The elder Muroku Brother confirmed that they knew how to match valuable crops to different environments.
• Ronglin pointed out the Land of Rain on a map and asked whether they had visited it.
• The Muroku Brothers described the Land of Rain's constant rain, poor growing conditions, and ongoing chaos after its ninja village was destroyed.
• Ronglin ordered the brothers to test the Land of Rain's soil and find suitable cash crops, promising to send guards with them.

Ronglin tasked the Muroku Brothers with testing whether rubber trees could be cultivated in the Land of Rain, promising funding and saying he would visit in ten days. After they left under Anbu protection, Uchiha Diqin asked whether Ronglin planned to make a move against the Land of Rain.

• The Muroku Brothers warned Ronglin that the Land of Rain’s harsh environment limited cash crops, though rubber trees might grow there.
• The older Muroku Brother explained that the Land of Rain had previously attempted to grow rubber trees but abandoned the effort when funding ran out.
• Ronglin ordered the brothers to select a suitable site and begin cultivation trials, promising Konoha’s funding and results within ten days.
• Ronglin said he would personally visit the Land of Rain in ten days, and the Muroku Brothers left with a six-person Anbu squad assigned to protect them.
• After the brothers left, Uchiha Diqin asked Ronglin whether he intended to make a move against the Land of Rain.

Ronglin argued that Konoha should annex the Land of Rain despite the costs and the risk of sharing a border with the Land of Earth. He maintained that the Land of Fire could settle the Rain’s residents and eliminate the criminals causing unrest.

• Uchiha Diqin realized Ronglin intended to annex the Land of Rain and warned that it would bring poverty, refugees, rogue ninjas, and a dangerous border with the Land of Earth.
• Ronglin acknowledged the costs but insisted the Land of Fire could support the Rain’s people and deal with its rogue ninjas, bandits, and thieves.
• Ronglin cited the successful settlement of earlier refugees, explaining that they received land, food, and seeds and repaid the initial aid through taxes after harvest.
• Ronglin argued that population growth would bring long-term benefits to the Land of Fire and that troops and Konoha ninjas could prevent unrest and protect the settlers.

Ronglin explained his plans to develop the Land of Rain and said his trip would also be for Shisui. He learned that Granny Chiyo was coming to Konoha to negotiate with him, showing how desperate Sunagakure had become.

• Ronglin told Uchiha Diqin that refugees in the Land of Fire had become self-sufficient and that he planned to develop rubber-tree farming in the Land of Rain.
• Ronglin said his trip to the Land of Rain was also for Shisui, and Uchiha Diqin stopped trying to dissuade him.
• Ronglin opened a scroll from Sunagakure and read that Granny Chiyo would come to Konoha to negotiate.
• Ronglin told Uchiha Diqin that Rasa lacked the power to handle the matter himself and that Sunagakure had been driven into a corner.

Granny Chiyo traveled to Konoha to seek Uchiha Ronglin’s help, fearing that Konoha might join the Land of Lightning and Land of Earth's front against Sunagakure. Ronglin agreed to receive her, and Chiyo continued onward despite Baki’s concern that the visit made Sunagakure look desperate.

• Granny Chiyo decided to approach Konoha because Sunagakure could not withstand a war against three villages.
• Uchiha Diqin asked Ronglin whether he would decline Chiyo’s request, and he said Chiyo was already on her way to Konoha.
• Ronglin agreed to meet Chiyo, and Uchiha Diqin sent word to Sunagakure.
• Baki questioned whether Chiyo’s journey would make Sunagakure appear to be begging Konoha.
• Granny Chiyo told Baki that Sunagakure could not approach Konoha as an equal in its current situation.

Baki and Granny Chiyo discussed Sunagakure’s weakness compared with Konoha and regretted that Uchiha Ronglin had been born in Konoha. The chapter left them acknowledging that Ronglin’s strength and bold leadership might have changed Sunagakure’s fortunes.

• Baki reflected on Sunagakure’s military and financial inferiority to Konoha and its growing gap under Uchiha Ronglin’s leadership.
• Granny Chiyo praised Ronglin’s strategic judgment, rise to power, wartime strength, and success in strengthening Konoha.
• Baki questioned whether Ronglin could have changed Sunagakure, given its longstanding weakness.
• Granny Chiyo argued that Ronglin might have prevented Sunagakure’s defeat in the Third Shinobi World War and its continued stunted development.
• Baki conceded that Ronglin had achieved bold things others would not dare to attempt, including taking control of the Land of Fire and building Ninja Academies.

Granny Chiyo and Baki traveled from Sunagakure to Konoha to seek Uchiha Ronglin’s help, while Chiyo worried that Konoha’s intelligence gathering in neighboring small countries signaled plans for expansion. They arrived in Konoha and were escorted to meet the Hokage.

• Granny Chiyo told Baki she believed Uchiha Ronglin would accept Sunagakure as a follower, since he lacked a suitable ally.
• Granny Chiyo said she feared Ronglin was gathering intelligence to annex nearby small countries and expand the Land of Fire.
• Baki wondered whether Ronglin intended to destroy peace among the major ninja villages, and Chiyo said she hoped her suspicions were wrong.
• Granny Chiyo and the jōnin traveling with her reached Konoha in two days and saw its prosperity compared with Sunagakure.
• A guide told Granny Chiyo’s group that the Hokage was waiting for them at the Hokage's Office Building.

Granny Chiyo met with Fourth Hokage Ronglin to negotiate over Kazekage Rasa’s actions. She offered Sunagakure’s pledge to follow Konoha’s lead, leaving Ronglin to decide whether to accept.

• Ronglin welcomed Granny Chiyo and her delegation to a meeting room in the Hokage’s Office Building.
• Ronglin asked Granny Chiyo how she intended to persuade him, citing Rasa’s actions and the agreements he had previously honored with Sunagakure.
• Granny Chiyo argued that Rasa’s actions were personal and did not represent all of Sunagakure.
• Granny Chiyo offered that Sunagakure would follow Konoha’s lead if Ronglin put the dispute aside.

Granny Chiyo offered Sunagakure’s submission to Ronglin, who questioned her sincerity and rebuked Baki for interrupting. Ronglin then called for Kisame, leaving his response to the offer unstated.

• Granny Chiyo declared that Sunagakure was willing to submit and left the decision to Ronglin.
• Ronglin asked whether Granny Chiyo was joking, and she insisted that Sunagakure was sincere.
• Baki interrupted to defend Granny Chiyo, and Ronglin questioned who he was before recognizing him.
• Ronglin mocked Baki for speaking as a guard and demanded that he explain what sincerity meant.
• Ronglin called for Kisame, who answered him.

Ronglin demanded that Kisame Hoshigaki and Baki fight as proof of Sunagakure’s sincerity, promising not to target Sunagakure if Kisame won. Granny Chiyo reluctantly agreed to the duel after Ronglin’s taunts and Baki’s insistence.

• Ronglin declared that Kisame Hoshigaki would fight Baki, and promised to leave Sunagakure alone if Kisame won.
• Baki accepted the challenge and asked Granny Chiyo to let him fight for Sunagakure.
• Granny Chiyo warned Baki that Kisame was no ordinary opponent, but Ronglin mocked them for hesitating.
• Baki continued to insist, and Granny Chiyo finally agreed to the duel.
• Ronglin led everyone away to watch the fight.

Ronglin rejected Sunagakure’s bid to follow Konoha, distrusting its leaders and coveting the Land of Wind’s mineral resources instead. He cleared a training ground so a Sunagakure ninja could spar with Kisame Hoshigaki, inviting Konoha’s shinobi to watch.

• Ronglin dismissed Sunagakure’s offer, arguing that it lacked credibility and that Konoha had no need for unreliable followers.
• Ronglin focused on the mineral resources controlled by the Land of Wind as Sunagakure’s real value to him.
• Anbu surrounded the training ground, alarming the shinobi practicing there until Ronglin arrived and explained the reason.
• Ronglin announced that a Sunagakure companion wanted to spar with Kisame Hoshigaki and invited everyone to stay and watch.
• The shinobi cleared the training ground and gathered to see who would win.

Kisame Hoshigaki prepared to fight Baki after Ronglin promised to announce his Kage-level status if he performed well. The chapter ended with Kisame raising Samehada and Baki rejecting his confidence.

• The onlookers debated whether Kisame Hoshigaki or Baki would win, with most favoring Kisame.
• Granny Chiyo entrusted the fight to Baki, who promised not to disgrace Sunagakure or Rasa.
• Ronglin told Kisame Hoshigaki that a strong performance could earn him public recognition as a Kage-level fighter.
• Kisame Hoshigaki removed Samehada, pointed it at Baki, and apologized in advance for making the fight embarrassing.
• Baki called Kisame Hoshigaki's remark a joke.