Chapter Summaries

Sasuke formed a Summoning Contract with Aoda and learned that the snake had spent centuries confined to Ryūchi Cave. After returning to the White Snake Sage, Sasuke began the next stage of sage training and arranged for Kabuto Yakushi to stay with him.

• Aoda asked Sasuke to form a Summoning Contract so he could leave Ryūchi Cave, and Sasuke agreed.
• Sasuke signed the contract with Aoda and rode him through the cave to meet Mizuhime and Kabuto Yakushi.
• The White Snake Sage told Sasuke to learn to draw Natural Energy and enter Sage Mode on his own.
• Sasuke asked to let Kabuto stay with him, and the White Snake Sage allowed it with a warning that Kabuto should not wander.
• Sasuke and Kabuto chose human lodging in Ryūchi Cave as they prepared for training.

Sasuke and Kabuto Yakushi began training to cultivate Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave, where Tagorihime taught Sasuke how to sense and absorb Natural Energy. The chapter ended with Tagorihime explaining that sages did not need to hibernate once they began cultivating.

• Kabuto Yakushi recovered enough to join Sasuke in training for Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave.
• Tagorihime appeared and told Sasuke to become as still as death so Natural Energy would enter his body.
• Sasuke realized the creatures of the Three Great Sage Regions were suited to Sage Mode because they hibernated.
• Tagorihime praised Sasuke's insight, said she had taught four people, and told him other sages could guide him if her instruction failed.
• Tagorihime added that sages did not need to hibernate once they began cultivating, leaving Sasuke puzzled.

Sasuke learned about Orochimaru’s Mind Awakening Pill and chose to cultivate Sage Mode without relying on it. He reached a strange state that resembled Sage Mode, but he had not yet succeeded in stabilizing Sage Chakra.

• Kabuto Yakushi explained that Orochimaru had developed the Mind Awakening Pill to trigger the Cursed Seal’s second stage and offered Sasuke a secret method for using it.
• Sasuke told Kabuto that he had found a way to erase Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal and wanted to try cultivating on his own first.
• After several hours, Kabuto noticed Sasuke sitting nearby with eyeshadow and could not sense his presence.
• Sasuke examined the snake-scale markings and dark purple eyeshadow that appeared on his face, then clarified that he had not mastered Sage Mode.
• Sasuke explained that he was easily affected while absorbing Natural Energy and balancing Sage Chakra, and that outside Natural Energy surged in as he consumed the chakra.

Sasuke continued learning Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave, refining Natural Energy while prioritizing his appearance over maximizing his power. As his control stabilized, he trained with the Snake Sages and relied on the Yin Seal and Shadow Clones to manage the risks of absorbing Natural Energy.

• Sasuke resumed meditating after telling Kabuto Yakushi he would fast and that Kabuto could eat without worrying about disturbing him.
• Several Snake Sages visited and discussed Sasuke’s progress and how the White Snake Sage had allowed him to stay.
• After three days, Sasuke stabilized his extraction of Natural Energy and chose a lower proportion to avoid unwanted snake-like features.
• The Snake Sages taught Sasuke Ryūchi Cave’s secret techniques and sparred with him, revealing their formidable physical strength.
• Sasuke stored balanced Natural Energy in his Yin Seal and relied on his Shadow Clones for reminders because Ryūchi Cave lacked a safeguard to expel excess energy.

Sasuke asked about Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode and learned why humans could not use the Giant Snake clan’s method of floating. After completing his training there, he asked the White Snake Sage how he could return, and she told him to have Aoda bring him.

• Sasuke learned that humans who absorbed too much Sage Chakra might become mindless snakes, while the Giant Snake clan stored it throughout their bodies to float.
• Sasuke spent nearly a month practicing Ryūchi Cave’s secret techniques and refining Sage Chakra before preparing to train in the outside world.
• Sasuke considered how to return to Ryūchi Cave and keep his options open, then went to say farewell to the White Snake Sage.
• The White Snake Sage told Sasuke to have Aoda bring him back and defended Ryūchi Cave’s different approach to summoning contracts.

Sasuke questioned the White Snake Sage about Ryūchi Cave and learned that its idea of a dragon encompassed all things. After leaving the cave, he unsealed more of his memories about Sage Jutsu and considered what to ask the sages next, before Kabuto asked about Sasuke’s ninjutsu.

• The White Snake Sage told Sasuke that the sage regions were neutral and would not take responsibility for trouble he caused with his contracted snakes.
• Sasuke asked what Ryūchi Cave meant by a dragon, and the White Snake Sage answered, “Embrace all things, and all things may become dragons.”
• Sasuke chose to leave Ryūchi Cave through the surrounding forest with Kabuto Yakushi and planned to mark the route back.
• Sasuke unsealed memories containing Sage Jutsu training details and added the White Snake Sage’s answer about dragons to his records.
• Kabuto asked whether Sasuke had learned his explosion-like ninjutsu from Deidara and whether it was difficult to learn.

Sasuke taught Kabuto Yakushi about Earth Style while Kabuto admitted he wanted to try Orochimaru’s Human Augmentation techniques and learn senjutsu. Sasuke pushed him into a near-death experience to help him understand Natural Energy, and Kabuto woke remembering Yakushi Nonō before accusing Sasuke of using genjutsu.

• Sasuke confirmed that Kabuto Yakushi knew Earth Style better than fire and began teaching him how to knead clay in midair.
• Kabuto Yakushi told Sasuke he wanted to try Orochimaru’s Human Augmentation techniques, and Sasuke warned him not to make himself look unnatural or attempt risky experiments alone.
• Kabuto Yakushi said he could sense Natural Energy but could not grasp the sensation of death, so Sasuke kicked him from thousands of meters in the air.
• As Kabuto Yakushi fell, he experienced terror, pain, and a strange sense of becoming one with the wind and water.
• Kabuto Yakushi heard Yakushi Nonō call him by name and woke in Sasuke’s arms above a sea of clouds.
• Kabuto Yakushi accused Sasuke of using genjutsu on him again.

After Kabuto Yakushi survived Sage Mode cultivation, Sasuke arranged for Sasori to turn Manda’s corpse into a giant puppet and sought Hoshigakure’s meteorite for research. He secretly replaced the sealed Star with a convincing imitation and escaped with the real one.

• Kabuto Yakushi questioned Sasuke about his Sage Mode cultivation, and Sasuke explained how his precautions had helped it go well.
• Sasuke brought Manda’s corpse to Sasori, who agreed to work on turning the giant snake into a puppet despite complaining about the workload.
• Sasuke considered Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method and decided to investigate the village’s meteorite, the Star.
• A Sasuke clone learned that Hoshigakure’s meteorite had been shattered during infighting and sealed somewhere in the village.
• After the villagers fell asleep, Sasuke deepened their sleep, stole the real Star, and left behind a convincing imitation made from fragments and energy ore.

Sasuke visited Karin at one of Orochimaru’s bases, revealed himself, and asked her to join him after saying Orochimaru was gone. Karin agreed, but learned she would need to keep overseeing the base while Sasuke gathered help for his plans.

• Karin sensed that the visitor’s Chakra did not belong to Orochimaru and challenged him.
• Sasuke dispelled his Transformation Jutsu, and Karin recognized him.
• Sasuke invited Karin to work for him, and she agreed after he started to leave.
• Sasuke told Karin to keep Orochimaru’s death secret and said he needed everyone’s help for a plan.
• Karin explained that the base held more than a hundred captives, mostly weak and unaware of the base’s coordinates.

Sasuke toured an offshore base with Karin, transferred its staff and equipment, and then went to retrieve Suigetsu for a mission. Suigetsu threatened to escape and cause trouble, but Sasuke told him that Orochimaru was dead.

• Karin showed Sasuke around the offshore base, and he arranged to move its valuable equipment and personnel while leaving a Shadow Clone behind.
• After Sasuke left, Karin asked Kabuto Yakushi whether Sasuke usually stayed at the main base and which room was his.
• Sasuke went to the laboratory and freed Suigetsu from his experimental tank, telling him there was a mission.
• Suigetsu vowed to escape and cause trouble for Sasuke, who told him that Orochimaru was dead.

Sasuke recruited Suigetsu and gave him the broken Kubikiribōchō to use until he could defeat Sasuke. Suigetsu agreed to join, though he remained wary of Karin and Kabuto, and Sasuke kept his plans secret until the others gathered.

• Sasuke told Suigetsu to work for him, and Suigetsu jokingly threatened him before backing down.
• Suigetsu offered to join if he could search for the Seven Ninja Swords and fight Sasuke for Kubikiribōchō.
• Sasuke revealed that he already had Kubikiribōchō and told Suigetsu not to publicize Orochimaru's death.
• Sasuke named Karin, Kidomaru, Kabuto, and Jugo as others he knew, while Suigetsu complained that Karin and Kabuto had helped Orochimaru experiment on him.
• Sasuke handed Suigetsu the broken Kubikiribōchō as a loan, promising it would be his if he defeated Sasuke.

Sasuke and Suigetsu dealt with dangerous Test Subjects at the base, then Sasuke gathered everyone to discuss the children Orochimaru had left behind. The group questioned Sasuke’s plans, and he had not yet explained what he wanted them to do.

• Suigetsu told the chained demi-humans that Orochimaru was dead, and Sasuke killed them so Suigetsu could restore the Kubikiribōchō.
• Sasuke returned to the base and found that Kabuto had brought Yugimaru, a child Orochimaru had kept in Otogakure.
• Kidomaru teased Sasuke about the Clones who would soon be born, and Sasuke considered raising them in Incubation Tanks until they were older.
• Jugo admitted he wanted to raise Kimimaro’s Clones but feared losing control and endangering them.
• Suigetsu asked Sasuke to explain why he had gathered everyone and what he planned to do.

Sasuke explained that he intended to inherit Orochimaru’s forces and eventually establish a village that could shelter people with special abilities, but he would wait until after settling his family matters and the coming Akatsuki crisis. He left his followers asking what preparations they should make before the Akatsuki acted.

• Sasuke said he would keep Orochimaru’s death secret, remain outwardly affiliated with Konoha, and use the time to consolidate Orochimaru’s forces.
• Sasuke told Kabuto Yakushi and the others that he suspected Konoha had been involved in the Uchiha massacre and wanted their help reviving the Uchiha.
• Sasuke rejected using Orochimaru’s base in the Land of Fields because its history and proximity to Konoha would attract trouble, and he said he had other ideas for where to build a village.
• Sasuke said he would wait until after settling his family matters and anticipated that the Akatsuki Organization would target the tailed beasts within roughly three years.
• Sasuke said his followers could display their strength amid the resulting turmoil before openly founding a village and nation, or build more slowly afterward.
• One of the followers asked what preparations Sasuke wanted them to make before the Akatsuki Organization moved.

Sasuke assigned Orochimaru’s former followers training goals and asked Suigetsu if he wanted to become Kirigakure’s Mizukage. Suigetsu rejected the idea, though Sasuke explained that Kirigakure had gone years without selecting a new leader.

• Sasuke told Kabuto to keep Orochimaru’s bases running and make it seem as if Orochimaru were still around, without adding new test subjects.
• Sasuke urged the former followers to aim to reach Kage-level strength within two or three years and offered to provide resources and sparring partners.
• Suigetsu asked Sasuke to help him obtain Kirigakure’s ninja swords, and Karin criticized him for it.
• Sasuke asked Suigetsu whether he wanted to become Mizukage and explained that Kirigakure had been ruled by elder Genji since Yagura’s death.
• Suigetsu refused, saying he wanted the Seven Ninja Swords rather than the burden of leading Kirigakure.

Sasuke offered to help Kidomaru with his Cursed Seal by sharing what he had learned about senjutsu and eventually optimizing its harmful effects. The discussion turned to Sasuke and Kabuto's visits to Ryūchi Cave, leaving Jugo curious about what Sasuke had learned about his constitution.

• Sasuke asked Kidomaru what he wanted and offered to lend him his strength, and Kidomaru asked for less lab work so he could fight.
• Sasuke explained that the Cursed Seal's power came from Jugo and Natural Energy, and offered to share his senjutsu insights to reduce the seal's harm.
• Kidomaru said diluting the Cursed Seal with Chakra took hours each day and left him exhausted.
• Kidomaru asked whether Sasuke and Kabuto Yakushi had learned senjutsu, and Sasuke said he had only just begun.
• Kabuto Yakushi admitted he was far less skilled than Sasuke and had survived Ryūchi Cave because Sasuke succeeded.
• Jugo asked whether Sasuke had learned anything about his special constitution.

Sasuke discussed ways to control Jugo’s dangerous transformations, proposing further physical enhancement or safer Sage Mode experiments while warning about Ryūchi Cave. Kabuto agreed to help with Sasuke’s human augmentation, and Karin reluctantly offered her assistance, prompting Sasuke to clarify that her identity mattered greatly to him.

• Sasuke explained that Jugo’s forced accumulation of Natural Energy caused violent emotions and uncontrolled transformations, and suggested strengthening his body to extend the cycle.
• Sasuke told Jugo that developing a safer treatment could take years and reassured him that technology could prevent his condition from being inherited by a child.
• Sasuke warned Kabuto that Ryūchi Cave’s residents might eat him if he failed to cultivate Sage Mode, and offered to improve the Cursed Seal or try a normal environment first.
• Karin questioned what Sasuke had promised Kabuto, and Kabuto revealed that Sasuke had agreed to undergo human augmentation surgery.
• Karin reluctantly agreed to help, and Sasuke told her that her identity was important to him.

Sasuke proposed a marriage alliance between his House and the Uzumaki Clan to Karin, asking whether she was willing. Karin accepted, leaving Sasuke’s plan for the alliance settled.

• Karin blushed and lost herself in fantasies while Sasuke waited for her answer.
• Sasuke explained that, as head of his House, he wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Uzumaki Clan and asked Karin’s opinion.
• Suigetsu teased Karin about refusing, and Karin’s Golden Chains blasted through his head.
• Karin asked whether Sasuke would choose another Uzumaki if she refused, and Sasuke said he had found other surviving clan members.
• Karin anxiously told Sasuke she was willing.

Karin accepted Sasuke’s proposal, asking him to become head of the Uzumaki Clan before marrying into the Uchiha. Sasuke revealed his goal of rebuilding the Land of Whirlpools someday, then turned his attention to examining Yugimaru.

• Karin accepted Sasuke’s proposal and asked him to declare himself head of the Uzumaki Clan once he was strong enough.
• Suigetsu teased Karin, while Kabuto inferred that Sasuke’s goal was the Uzumaki Archipelago.
• Sasuke confirmed his goal but said the group would focus on getting stronger before dealing with the Land of Whirlpools in a few years.
• Kabuto introduced Yugimaru, a ten-year-old who had never learned ninjutsu, and Sasuke asked whether he could become a genin within two years.
• Yugimaru asked Sasuke if he was his destiny, and Sasuke called him over to examine him.

Sasuke agreed to take Yugimaru in and told him to train until he could face Zabuza, while Suigetsu challenged the comparison. Sasuke then hosted a team-building dinner for the expanded base staff, leaving Suigetsu amazed by the meal after years of living on nutrient solution.

• Sasuke examined Yugimaru and agreed to take him in, telling him to gain enough strength to escape danger.
• Yugimaru set Zabuza as his goal, and Suigetsu objected that Sasuke had given the child an unrealistic standard.
• Sasuke explained that he was building influence by recruiting people to settle and work the land, rather than relying on them to fight powerful enemies.
• Sasuke used Shadow Clones to cook for the base staff, and Suigetsu marveled at the meal after his time sealed in a tank.

Sasuke managed the underground base’s food and facilities while Suigetsu and Karin bickered over ice cream. A message delivered to Karin by a small spider changed her attitude toward the desserts, while Sasuke continued expanding the base with Ryūchi Cave’s Inorganic Reincarnation.

• Suigetsu ate several ice cream sundaes and teased Karin, who argued back and checked whether she had gained weight.
• Sasuke reflected on the base’s food supplies and how cold drinks and sweets were easier to prepare and store than hot meals.
• A small spider delivered a message to Karin, who then questioned the desserts, sampled several portions, and praised the chef.
• Sasuke assigned training tasks and weight requirements to ordinary employees because the base had too few training assignments.
• Sasuke used Ryūchi Cave’s Inorganic Reincarnation to expand and strengthen the underground base.