Chapter Summaries

Ronglin focused on mastering the Power of Time to survive inside the sealed space and avoid starvation. After slowing time throughout the space, he realized he had been exploring the power incorrectly and found the right path, while concluding that the feeling of being watched was only in his mind.

• Ronglin decided that his strongest attacks could not break the seal and considered using the Power of Time to slow time while trying to escape.
• Ronglin enveloped himself in silver light and steadily slowed time further as he trained his control over the power.
• Ronglin became absorbed in his training and forgot the passage of time.
• Ronglin slowed time throughout the entire space until his body's needs nearly stopped, and he discovered that he had been exploring the Power of Time incorrectly.
• Ronglin laughed as he realized he had found the right path and concluded that nothing was watching him.

Ronglin remained missing for a year while Konoha grew increasingly anxious and struggled to explain his absence. Tsunade tried to hold the village together, but the possibility of choosing a Fifth Hokage loomed if Ronglin did not return.

• As Ronglin stayed away for months, Tsunade faced increasingly urgent questions about where he had gone.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Shisui endured repeated interrogations, while many in Konoha blamed Kumogakure for Ronglin's disappearance.
• The Nine-Tails stayed hidden in the forest, convinced Ronglin was alive and that fleeing would bring dangerous consequences.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Minato questioned Katsuyu and the Toad Sage, who concealed that Ronglin was sealed away because they feared someone might break the seal.
• Konoha's leaders gathered after Ronglin had been gone for a year, and Tsunade said he was likely training even though she had no certainty.
• Konoha had not yet raised electing a Fifth Hokage, but the leaders would consider it if Ronglin did not return.

After two years without Ronglin, Tsunade became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage as the village could no longer wait for his return. That same year, Akatsuki’s influence over Kirigakure was exposed, setting off a civil war that drew the great nations into the conflict.

• Tsunade continued urging Konoha’s leaders to wait for Ronglin, but the Third Hokage argued that the village needed a leader and that she was the best candidate.
• The Uchiha clan refused to accept another candidate for Hokage, while Ronglin’s clan-head position remained vacant because the clan believed he would return.
• Tsunade became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage after years of managing the village’s affairs in Ronglin’s absence.
• News broke that Akatsuki had gained control of a faction in Kirigakure.
• Kirigakure and the Land of Water plunged into civil war, and the other great nations, including Konoha, were drawn into the fighting.

Ronglin struggled to choose between advancing his Power of Time and pursuing the Six Paths through the Rinnegan. After reflecting on his past and his journey, he settled on a path that brought him relief.

• Ronglin trained in a sealed underground space in Wochao Village, developing his Power of Time while trying and failing to use Black Rods to advance toward the Six Paths.
• Ronglin considered whether to strengthen his Power of Time or rely on the Rinnegan to pursue the Six Paths, since he could not advance both paths effectively at once.
• Ronglin reflected on memories of his previous life and the reasons he had come to this world.
• Ronglin laughed with relief and declared, “Time, reincarnation,” signaling that he had made his choice.

Ronglin chose to focus on the Power of Time rather than the Rinnegan, and his exploration of the River of Time led him closer to the Sage of Six Paths. After accidentally awakening the Tenseigan, he broke the seal trapping him and returned to the surface.

• Ronglin rejected the Rinnegan as too risky and devoted himself to mastering the Power of Time.
• Ronglin discovered the River of Time and became more certain that he had chosen the right path.
• Ronglin thanked Hamura Otsutsuki as his eyes transformed and his uncontrolled power shook the underground space.
• People near the former site of Wochao Village fled as fissures spread across the ground and a golden light erupted from below.
• Ronglin used the Tenseigan's Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion to break the seal and announced his return.

Ronglin escaped the underground seal after breaking it with the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, triggering a severe earthquake across the Land of Whirlpools. He flew toward Konoha, where newly graduated ninja students waited for Kakashi-sensei.

• Ronglin broke the seal and emerged into the air as an earthquake shook the Land of Whirlpools.
• Ronglin reflected on his evolved Tenseigan and his strength, then flew toward Konoha.
• Konoha held its annual Ninja Academy graduation day, keeping the academy and its branch schools busy.
• Three children waited on a bridge for Kakashi-sensei, and the blond boy complained that he was late.
• One child suggested that he and Sakura go get something to eat while they waited.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke waited for Kakashi to arrive for their team outing, and Kakashi finally appeared and offered to treat them to food. The group remained divided over what to eat as Naruto insisted on ramen.

• Naruto complained that he did not want to go with Kakashi, while Sakura invited Sasuke to eat with her.
• Sasuke rejected Sakura’s invitation and told her and Naruto to go without him.
• Kakashi appeared on the bridge, apologized for being late, and said they would set off right away.
• Kakashi offered to buy the team food, and Naruto demanded ramen while Sakura argued for barbecue.

Ronglin unexpectedly appeared behind Kakashi, who recognized him as the Hokage and asked where he had been. Ronglin learned that Tsunade had become the Fifth Hokage and accepted that she was leading Konoha.

• Kakashi struggled to manage Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke as they argued and Sasuke acted hungry but indifferent.
• Ronglin appeared behind Kakashi and teased him about getting older and being able to smile.
• Kakashi recognized Ronglin, knelt, and called him Lord Hokage, astonishing Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke.
• Kakashi asked Ronglin where he had been and told him that everyone, including Tsunade, hoped he would return.
• Ronglin learned that Tsunade was the Fifth Hokage and said she could manage Konoha well.

Ronglin returned to Konoha after being trapped for ten years and asked Kakashi to treat him to barbecue. Kakashi welcomed him back and took him into the village, while Sasuke defended Ronglin against Naruto’s mockery.

• Ronglin told Kakashi he had been trapped for ten years and had not eaten during that time.
• Ronglin asked to join Kakashi’s barbecue treat, and Kakashi accepted his explanation despite finding it difficult to believe.
• Naruto mocked Ronglin for claiming he had gone ten years without food, so Sasuke slapped him and nearly sent him into the river.
• Sasuke knelt respectfully before Ronglin and addressed him as the clan head, and Ronglin remarked on how much Sasuke had grown.
• Kakashi gave Sasuke and the other two a day off, then accompanied Ronglin into Konoha.
• Naruto demanded to know why Sasuke had hit him, and Sasuke said he had insulted the Fourth Hokage.

Sasuke realized that Ronglin was the Uchiha clan head and former Fourth Hokage, then rushed to tell his clan. An Anbu member informed Tsunade that the Fourth Hokage had returned, leaving her stunned.

• Sasuke left Naruto and Sakura to tell the Uchiha clan that Ronglin had returned.
• Sakura recognized Ronglin's resemblance to the statue of the Fourth Hokage, and Naruto worried that his father might lecture him.
• An Anbu member rushed into Tsunade's office while she was busy with Ninja Academy matters.
• Tsunade initially mistook the news for the Third Hokage's return, then learned that the Fourth Hokage was with Kakashi.

Tsunade learned that Ronglin had returned to Konoha after ten years and rushed to confront him at a barbecue restaurant. She ordered the village’s senior officials to gather there as well.

• An Anbu member told Tsunade that he had seen Ronglin walking with Kakashi.
• Tsunade asked where Ronglin was and learned he was at the barbecue restaurant by the village entrance.
• Angry that Ronglin had not come to see her, Tsunade stormed out and smashed through the office doors.
• Shizune told the guard to summon every senior village official to the barbecue restaurant.

Ronglin returned to a greatly expanded Konoha after ten years away and celebrated by eating barbecue with Kakashi. Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Shisui, Mei Terumi, and Itachi arrived to greet him, and he welcomed them to join the meal.

• Ronglin noticed how much Konoha had grown, and Kakashi explained that Tsunade's residency policy had brought more families and children to the village.
• Ronglin urged Kakashi to treat him to barbecue, and they went to a restaurant near the village entrance.
• Ronglin devoured the barbecue after going ten years without food, while Kakashi watched in amazement.
• Kisame Hoshigaki, Uchiha Shisui, Mei Terumi, and Itachi arrived after learning of Ronglin's return from Sasuke and Shisui.
• Ronglin recognized his former followers, invited them to sit and eat, and the four were deeply moved to see him again.

Ronglin reunited with Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Mei Terumi, and the others over a meal in Konoha, reflecting on how much they had changed during his ten-year absence. News of his return brought Konoha’s leaders rushing to the restaurant, where someone angrily called his name.

• Ronglin let Kisame Hoshigaki and the others stand behind him, while Kakashi remained stuck beside him.
• Ronglin remarked that Itachi and Mei Terumi had matured during his ten-year absence, then joked about time grinding people down.
• Ronglin resumed eating grilled meat with the group.
• Konoha’s upper ranks learned that Uchiha Ronglin had returned and hurried to the Barbecue restaurant.
• An angry voice shouted Ronglin’s name, and he suspected his return had caused a serious problem.

Tsunade confronted Ronglin after he returned to Konoha, and Uchiha Diqin and several other prominent figures soon arrived to see him. Ronglin proposed moving the gathering to the conference room to discuss how Konoha and the Land of Fire had developed while he was away.

• Tsunade stormed into the barbecue restaurant and confronted Ronglin for returning without seeking her out.
• Kisame Hoshigaki, Mei Terumi, Shisui, Itachi, and the others greeted Tsunade as Hokage.
• Uchiha Diqin arrived with several Uchiha elders and became tearful when she saw Ronglin.
• Hatake White Fang, Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, the Third Hokage, and others arrived at the restaurant.
• Ronglin suggested moving the gathering to the conference room so he could hear about Konoha and the Land of Fire.
• The Third Hokage and Tsunade agreed, and the group left the restaurant.

Uchiha Ronglin returned to Konoha, where Uchiha Diqin and Tsunade welcomed him after managing the Uchiha clan and the village in his absence. The Nine-Tails appeared in Konoha, and someone confronted Ronglin by saying he had not died.

• Uchiha Ronglin comforted Uchiha Diqin as she cried with relief at his return.
• Tsunade pulled Uchiha Diqin away and scolded Ronglin for leaving her to bear the pressure of managing the Uchiha clan.
• Uchiha Diqin defended Ronglin and praised Tsunade for managing Konoha and the Land of Fire.
• The Nine-Tails roared in Konoha, startling newcomers while longtime residents recognized it as Ronglin's pet.
• Someone told Ronglin, "You really didn't die."

After breaking through the seal, Ronglin returned to Konoha, and the Nine-Tails sensed their restored summoning contract and headed there too. Ronglin reached the village first and told Itachi to keep the Nine-Tails on the back mountain until he could meet it.

• Ronglin broke through the seal, restoring the summoning contract with the Nine-Tails.
• The Nine-Tails recalled how it had stayed peacefully in the forest during Ronglin’s ten-year absence, while Tsunade had rejected proposals to seal it away.
• The Nine-Tails set off for Konoha after sensing Ronglin, but Ronglin arrived first.
• Ronglin heard the Nine-Tails roar and told Itachi to instruct it to wait obediently on the back mountain.
• Itachi addressed Ronglin as Lord Hokage, as he had always done.

Ronglin returned to Konoha and let Tsunade remain Hokage, saying he wanted time to catch up and avoid the exhausting duties of the office. The meeting began with the village leaders laughing together at his teasing.

• Ronglin and the others entered the conference room, where everyone hesitated over who should take the Hokage's seat.
• Tsunade started toward her former seat, but Ronglin stopped her and told her to keep leading Konoha as the Fifth Hokage.
• Ronglin sat in Tsunade's old seat and explained that he had been gone for ten years and needed time to learn how things had changed.
• Tsunade agreed to remain in office, while Ronglin decided to focus on other things instead of taking on the Hokage's duties.
• Ronglin joked about his handsome, youthful appearance, making Tsunade and the other attendees laugh.

Ronglin told everyone he had been tricked by the Toad Sage and the Slug Sage into entering a supposed Sage of Six Paths relic, where he was trapped in an underground seal. He left the meeting room furious and vowing revenge on them.

• Tsunade asked Ronglin where he had been and why he had not changed, but he evaded her question by asking whether she ate braised slugs.
• Ronglin asked Jiraiya whether he ate roasted toads, then said the others were curious about where he had gone.
• Ronglin cursed the Toad Sage and the Slug Sage for claiming Kumogakure was not his enemy and promising a place left by the Sage of Six Paths.
• Ronglin explained that the place had been empty and tiny, and that he had been trapped inside a powerful underground seal he dared not break.
• Tsunade recognized that the Toad Sage and the Slug Sage had tricked Ronglin, who vowed to catch and stew them all.

Ronglin told Tsunade and Jiraiya that the Toad Sage and Lord Slug had trapped him in a sealed space for ten years, nearly starving him. He remained furious and threatened to settle the score, then asked what had happened while he was gone.

• Ronglin described the tiny sealed space where he had been trapped without food or water.
• Tsunade was shocked to learn he could have starved, while Jiraiya tried to excuse the Toad Sage and calm Ronglin.
• Ronglin threatened to stew the Toad Sage and Lord Slug if they failed to explain themselves.
• Minato warned Jiraiya not to provoke Ronglin and suggested they speak with Bunta after the meeting.
• Ronglin asked what interesting things had happened while he was away.

After returning from ten years away, Ronglin heard Tsunade’s account of Akatsuki’s failed assault on Kirigakure and Konoha’s growth. He declined to resume leadership of Konoha, choosing instead to rest and deal with the Uchiha Clan, then asked Tsunade whether Ay had sent the person he sought.

• Tsunade told Ronglin that Akatsuki had tried to seize the Land of Water and Kirigakure, but the Four Great Ninja Villages drove it back at great cost to Kirigakure.
• Tsunade described Konoha’s development, the Land of Rain’s recovering economy, and the expanding branch Ninja Academies during Ronglin’s ten-year absence.
• Ronglin refused Tsunade’s offer to have Shizune bring him Konoha’s documents and said he would not take over as Hokage.
• Ronglin said he would rest, train, and deal with troublemakers in the Uchiha Clan.
• Ronglin asked Tsunade whether Ay had sent the person he was looking for to Konoha.