Chapter Summaries

After Tsunade returned to Konoha, Danzō secretly killed the impostor who had posed as him and ordered Root to erase the evidence, while preserving the organization’s strength. Chen Fan returned home to Haku and Kurenai, learned that Hinata had become a Chunin, and realized he had not prepared a gift for her.

• Tsunade told the Third Hokage that she had found nothing, and he said Chen Fan’s actions had been the simplest way to stop Danzō’s threat.
• After the Third Hokage and Tsunade left, the real Danzō emerged with Root members, killed the fake Danzō, and ordered them to dispose of the foreign ninjas and leave no trace.
• Danzō explained that he had faked his death to keep the Third Hokage from dismantling Root, and he warned his followers not to pursue Chen Fan.
• Chen Fan returned home and reunited with Haku and Kurenai, who told him that Anko was busy handling the increased missions sent to Konoha.
• Kurenai told Chen Fan that Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Shino were well and that Hinata had become a Chunin, prompting Chen Fan to remember he owed her a promotion gift.

Chen Fan told Uchiha Sasuke that he had fought Uchiha Itachi and directed him to practice the Six Powers, while warning that neither would quickly make him strong enough to defeat Itachi. The Third Hokage later cautioned Chen Fan that Danzō would pursue their conflict, while privately considering a marriage between Chen Fan and Tsunade that Tsunade rejected.

• Chen Fan entertained Kurenai and Haku with stories about Tsunade, Shizune, and his fight with Tsunade, reassuring them that he had won.
• Uchiha Sasuke privately asked Chen Fan how he compared with Uchiha Itachi, and Chen Fan explained that he could not judge without a real fight.
• Chen Fan advised Uchiha Sasuke to ask Inuzuka Kiba and Shino to teach him the Six Powers, but warned that it would not be enough to defeat Itachi.
• The Third Hokage discussed Chen Fan's conflict with Danzō and suggested that Tsunade marry Chen Fan to strengthen Konoha's ties to him.
• Tsunade became furious at the marriage suggestion and nearly wrecked the Hokage Building, causing the Third Hokage to drop the subject.
• The Third Hokage warned Chen Fan that Danzō's substitute had been involved in the conflict and that Danzō would not let the matter go easily.

Chen Fan offered to remove the bone fragments threatening Rock Lee’s central nervous system so Tsunade could operate with a much better chance of success. After Tsunade prepared Rock Lee during a five-hour surgery, Chen Fan began using his ability to extract the fragments.

• The Third Hokage assured Chen Fan that he would prevent Danzō from acting recklessly.
• Tsunade told Rock Lee that his surgery had only a fifty percent chance of success, and Rock Lee chose to proceed despite the risk of death.
• Chen Fan offered to move the bone fragments out of Rock Lee, and Tsunade said the surgery would then have a one hundred percent chance of success.
• Tsunade and Chen Fan began the operation while Might Guy waited outside.
• After five hours, Tsunade finished her preparations and Chen Fan touched Rock Lee’s skin to begin extracting the bone fragments.

Chen Fan removed bone fragments from Rock Lee’s nervous system and cleared congenital obstructions while Tsunade and Shizune watched in astonishment. Elsewhere, Orochimaru learned Sasuke still had not arrived and began selecting a replacement vessel before his body failed.

• Chen Fan cleared bone fragments and other obstructions from Rock Lee’s nervous system, then Tsunade stitched and treated Rock Lee’s wound.
• Orochimaru killed the person delivering his medicine and demanded to know whether Sasuke had arrived.
• Yakushi Kabuto told Orochimaru that his body could not endure another day without a body transfer and explained that Konoha’s defenses had delayed Tayuya and the others.
• Orochimaru vowed to kill Chen Fan, then agreed to change bodies and followed Kabuto into the cave hall.
• Kabuto ordered more than fifty survivors of Orochimaru’s Curse Mark experiments to kill one another, with the last survivor to become Orochimaru’s vessel.

Orochimaru possessed the last survivor of his Curse Mark slaughter, while Tsunade and Shizune successfully operated on Rock Lee. Afterward, Tsunade questioned Chen Fan about his abilities and proposed examining Kurenai Yuhi the next day.

• Orochimaru watched the Curse Mark survivors kill one another until only one man remained, then possessed him after promising to spare the man's clansmen.
• Tsunade and Shizune completed Rock Lee's operation, and Chen Fan told Might Guy that Lee was safe and recovering.
• Might Guy saw Rock Lee sleeping peacefully and thanked Chen Fan, Tsunade, and Shizune for saving him.
• At a restaurant, Tsunade asked Chen Fan about removing bone fragments from a nerve center and whether he had deliberately caused Danzō's brain death.
• Chen Fan said his ability could not be taught and declined to become a medical ninja, explaining that he had no Chakra.
• Tsunade asked to examine Kurenai Yuhi's body, and Chen Fan suggested they wait until the next day so Tsunade could rest.

Chen Fan brought Tsunade to examine Kurenai, while Tsunade questioned whether his Six Powers should be taught more widely. The examination found that the unborn child was consuming Kurenai’s Chakra, leaving Tsunade unsure how to protect them both.

• Tsunade asked Chen Fan whether he had considered teaching the Six Powers widely, and he warned that doing so could destabilize the nations.
• Chen Fan and Tsunade arrived home, where Hinata, Shino, and Kiba greeted their teacher.
• Tsunade examined Kurenai and found that the unborn child was absorbing the Chakra she used to investigate it.
• Tsunade warned that Kurenai’s Chakra might be depleted within three years and said abortion was the only safe option she could see.
• Chen Fan asked how much Chakra the child would need, while Tsunade questioned his bloodline and Bloodline Limit.

Chen Fan told Kurenai and Tsunade he could save Kurenai and their unborn child by gathering tailed beasts for their chakra, despite the risks to the shinobi world. After handing Tsunade the body contracts, he teased her, and she chased him around with a smile.

• Chen Fan reassured Kurenai that he could keep her and their child healthy.
• Chen Fan proposed gathering tailed beasts to provide the chakra needed to save Kurenai.
• Tsunade warned that taking tailed beasts could endanger Naruto and plunge the villages into conflict, but Chen Fan said he would target other villages first and pointed to Akatsuki as a group already hunting tailed beasts.
• Tsunade examined Kurenai and asked Chen Fan for the body contracts for herself and Shizune; he handed over all four.
• Tsunade drifted into thought about her feelings for Chen Fan, then struck at him when he pinched her cheek.
• Chen Fan caught Tsunade's punch and teased her, prompting her to chase him around as she smiled.

Chen Fan’s relationship with Tsunade grew warmer as he focused on building his strength, but Tsunade summoned him after Orochimaru sent people to take Uchiha Sasuke. Chen Fan argued that Sasuke’s hatred would lead him to Orochimaru regardless, and Tsunade had to decide whether to let him go.

• Kurenai accepted Chen Fan’s growing closeness with Tsunade and asked him to protect and love everyone in his life.
• Chen Fan spent the following days developing his brain while Tsunade took over the Third Hokage’s work.
• Shizune summoned Chen Fan, and he carried her through the air to the Hokage Building.
• Tsunade told Chen Fan that Orochimaru had sent people to take Uchiha Sasuke as a vessel.
• Chen Fan explained that Sasuke’s hatred and desire for power made him likely to choose Orochimaru’s Curse Mark over the Six Powers.
• Tsunade urged Chen Fan to bring Sasuke back, but Chen Fan advised letting events take their course to avoid greater losses.

Chen Fan revealed that he had prepared a tracking insect to follow Sasuke and left to pursue Orochimaru, sharing a first kiss with Tsunade before departing. At Orochimaru’s base, Orochimaru realized Tayuya and the others had likely been followed.

• Tsunade urged Chen Fan to pursue Sasuke and kill Orochimaru, and Chen Fan showed her the male Kikaichū he had prepared to track Sasuke.
• Tsunade explained that Konoha had no one available to pursue Sasuke because the village’s shinobi were occupied with missions.
• Chen Fan reassured Tsunade that he would return safely, kissed her, and left to pursue Sasuke.
• Tsunade reflected on her feelings for Chen Fan after he had gone.
• Yakushi Kabuto told Orochimaru that Tayuya and the others had found Sasuke and were returning with him in about two days.
• Orochimaru sensed something was wrong and realized that Tayuya and the others had probably been followed.

Kimimaro volunteered to protect Orochimaru’s new vessel and intercepted the Sound Four as they carried Sasuke toward Orochimaru. After discovering Chen Fan had been following them, Kimimaro ordered the Sound Four to continue while he held Chen Fan back.

• Kimimaro volunteered to escort Orochimaru’s new vessel, and Orochimaru reluctantly sent him out.
• The Sound Four carried Sasuke in a barrel through the forest, unaware that Chen Fan was tracking them through a mark on Sasuke.
• Kimimaro stopped the Sound Four and warned them that Sasuke had been marked, then checked the barrel and found a Kikaichū in Sasuke’s ninja tool pouch.
• Kimimaro pointed out Chen Fan, whose sudden appearance terrified the Sound Four.
• Kimimaro told the Sound Four to go on while he stayed to hold Chen Fan back.

Kimimaro confronted Chen Fan so the Sound Four could escape with Uchiha Sasuke, then offered information about Bloodline Limits and removing a Curse Mark in exchange for a chance to die protecting Orochimaru. Chen Fan accepted Kimimaro’s choice, and their battle began with both men’s finger attacks colliding evenly.

• Kimimaro told the Sound Four to take Uchiha Sasuke and leave while he held off Chen Fan.
• Kimimaro explained that Kabuto had told him about Chen Fan and revealed that he carried useful information inside his body.
• Kimimaro said he would risk his life to repay Orochimaru, and Chen Fan agreed to respect his choice.
• Kimimaro attacked with Finger Bullet Barrage, while Chen Fan countered with Finger Pistol: Ten-Finger Gun.
• Chen Fan’s air bullets collided with Kimimaro’s bone bullets, and neither gained the upper hand.

Chen Fan fought Kimimaro, who used his Dead Bone Pulse and Orochimaru’s Curse Mark to withstand Chen Fan’s attacks. The chapter ended with Chen Fan kicking Kimimaro in the chest as Kimimaro tried to keep him from reclaiming the Kusanagi Sword.

• Kimimaro attacked Chen Fan with bone spikes, but Chen Fan dodged them and cut off the spikes with his sword.
• Kimimaro activated the Curse Mark of Earth and transformed into State Two, then charged Chen Fan with his Strongest Spear.
• Kimimaro blocked Chen Fan’s slash and trapped the Kusanagi Sword with bones growing from his arm.
• Kimimaro formed another Strongest Spear and thrust it at Chen Fan, who stepped on the weapon and released his sword.
• Chen Fan used Tempest Kick: Dragon Sever to shatter the bone spear holding the Kusanagi Sword.
• Kimimaro tried to sweep the sword away with his tail, but Chen Fan kicked him in the chest.

Chen Fan overwhelmed Kimimaro as Kimimaro fought despite his fatal illness and tried to fulfill his mission for Orochimaru. Kimimaro unleashed his Early Fern Dance and trapped Chen Fan with a bone chain, but Chen Fan stopped his final thrust with an unexplained power.

• Chen Fan kicked Kimimaro into a boulder, took the Kusanagi Sword, and watched Kimimaro regenerate from his injuries.
• Kimimaro resumed the fight, while Yakushi Kabuto told Orochimaru that Kimimaro had taken research materials on Bloodline Limits.
• Orochimaru admitted that he had sent Kimimaro because Kimimaro could withstand Chen Fan, though Kimimaro was dying and Sasuke mattered more to him.
• After Chen Fan broke his arm and urged him to hand over the materials, Kimimaro repaired the arm and unleashed his Early Fern Dance.
• Chen Fan cut through Kimimaro's bone attacks and charged him, but Kimimaro bound him with a bone chain and thrust with the Strongest Spear.
• Chen Fan placed his hand on the Strongest Spear, and Kimimaro felt the force behind his attack disappear.

Chen Fan killed Kimimaro and recovered information about Bloodline Limits before returning toward Konoha. Meanwhile, Sasuke arrived at Orochimaru’s base seeking greater power, and the Sound Four revealed that they had encountered Chen Fan and Kimimaro.

• Chen Fan pierced Kimimaro’s heart, and Kimimaro revealed that the Bloodline Limits information was hidden inside the thickest bone before dying with a smile.
• Chen Fan searched the bones for more than half an hour, recovered the information without opening it, buried Kimimaro beneath the bones, and headed toward Konoha.
• A masked figure appeared above Kimimaro’s bones and watched Chen Fan leave before vanishing; Chen Fan briefly sensed someone watching him but saw no one.
• Uchiha Sasuke arrived at Orochimaru’s base and demanded more power, while Orochimaru promised him forbidden jutsu, ninjutsu, training, and other resources.
• Orochimaru avoided explaining his defeat to Chen Fan and led Sasuke toward another base; Yakushi Kabuto then learned from the Sound Four that they had encountered Chen Fan and Kimimaro.

Chen Fan encountered Uchiha Obito, who tried to recruit him into Akatsuki. Chen Fan refused, revealing that their goals would eventually bring them into conflict, and Obito left without fighting.

• Yakushi Kabuto questioned why Chen Fan needed information about Kimimaro and noted that Orochimaru had not discussed his final clash with Chen Fan.
• Chen Fan sensed someone watching him in the forest and called for them to come out.
• Uchiha Obito emerged and offered Chen Fan a place in Akatsuki, but Chen Fan declined because he wanted to create and rule a real world.
• Chen Fan told Uchiha Obito that their goals would eventually conflict, and Obito asked whether Chen Fan was declaring war on Akatsuki.
• Uchiha Obito called Chen Fan a hypocrite and vanished, leaving their confrontation for another time.

Chen Fan reported that Orochimaru had taken Sasuke, but explained that Sasuke was not in immediate danger and left the pursuit to Kakashi’s team. After returning to Konoha, Chen Fan briefed the Third Hokage and Tsunade, then went home to study Bloodline Limit records.

• Chen Fan told Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi that Orochimaru had escaped with Sasuke and that Sasuke had roughly three years before Orochimaru could change bodies again.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi continued pursuing Sasuke, but Pakkun lost his scent at the site of Chen Fan’s battle with Kimimaro.
• Kakashi stopped Naruto from pursuing alone and led the team to retreat after they realized the danger and could not track Sasuke.
• Chen Fan returned to Konoha and reported the incident to the Third Hokage and Tsunade.
• Chen Fan went home, intending to study Konoha’s Bloodline Limit records as well as Orochimaru’s materials.

Konoha prepared for the Mizukage of Hidden Mist Village to visit as rumors spread about the purpose of her trip. The chapter left the visit’s outcome uncertain, with the Three-Tails dispute raising fears of conflict.

• Chen Fan learned that Naruto had returned from his encounter with Sasuke and began training with Jiraiya, while Sakura studied medical ninjutsu under Tsunade.
• Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, and Chen Fan helped her overcome opposition and establish a mission-sharing policy with the Land of Wind.
• When Kurenai’s Chakra dwindled during her unusually long pregnancy, Chen Fan defeated the Three-Tails and had it sealed into her, allowing her body to recover.
• Konoha refused demands from other nations to surrender the Three-Tails, while Akatsuki decided to target other Jinchuriki before confronting Konoha.
• Konoha grew tense after news spread that the Fifth Mizukage would visit during the upcoming Chunin Exam jointly held with Hidden Sand Village.

Chen Fan agreed to escort the Mizukage to Konoha and help secure an alliance with the Hidden Mist Village. Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Hidan cornered Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, in the Land of Lightning.

• Konoha's leaders planned to return the Three-Tails to the Hidden Mist Village in exchange for a strategic alliance led by Konoha.
• Chen Fan accepted Tsunade's request to meet the Mizukage and protect the visiting group from Akatsuki and other ninja villages.
• In the Land of Lightning, Yugito fled through an underground waterway while Kakuzu and Hidan pursued her.
• Hidan taunted Yugito, and Kakuzu warned him not to underestimate the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Hidan prepared to pray to his god before attacking Yugito.

Yugito trapped Kakuzu and Hidan in a sealed chamber, transformed into Matatabi, and was eventually subdued. The two Akatsuki members then received a new mission to kill the Fifth Mizukage.

• Yugito detonated Paper Bombs to seal the exits and declared that she would kill Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Yugito transformed completely into Matatabi and attacked Kakuzu and Hidan with her paw and a blast of Chakra.
• About thirty minutes later, Kakuzu and Hidan had subdued Yugito, who was pinned to a wall and covered in blood.
• A mysterious voice assigned Kakuzu and Hidan a mission to kill the Fifth Mizukage, and Hidan eagerly accepted.

Chen Fan left Konoha for the Land of Water while Akatsuki planned to stop Mei Terumi from forming an alliance with Konoha. Mei Terumi and her guards continued toward Konoha under repeated attacks, and she explained why the Hidden Mist Village needed Konoha’s support.

• Pain ordered Hidan and Kakuzu to kill Mei Terumi and anyone who came to meet her, because her planned alliance with Konoha threatened Akatsuki’s interests.
• Kakuzu chose a route he thought Mei Terumi was unlikely to take, while Chen Fan left Konoha with a map from the Hidden Mist Village.
• Mei Terumi used Lava Style to melt attackers wearing Konoha forehead protectors as Juro and Ao helped defend her.
• Juro and Ao warned Mei Terumi that repeated attacks were draining their Chakra and questioned why she was going to Konoha.
• Mei Terumi said the Hidden Mist Village needed Konoha’s help to rise again, pointing to the Hidden Sand Village’s strength after allying with Konoha.