Chapter Summaries

Nanfeng defeated Kazahana Dōtō and opened the Land of Snow’s sealed treasure, revealing the wish Kazahana Koyuki’s father had left for her. With their mission complete, Nanfeng and his companions departed as Koyuki, now queen, promised they would meet again.

• Kazahana Dōtō attacked Nanfeng with an Ice Release technique, but Nanfeng’s Fire Release melted the ice and destroyed the building and Kazahana Dōtō’s Chakra Armor.
• Kazahana Dōtō injected a drug that overwhelmed his body, while Nanfeng took the key to the treasury and Naruto prepared to finish the fight.
• Nanfeng opened the treasure, raising the temperature and melting the glaciers as Naruto struck Kazahana Dōtō with a Rasengan and killed him.
• A projection prepared by Kazahana Koyuki’s father appeared in the sky, revealing the wish Koyuki had made and moving those who watched.
• Nanfeng and his companions left the Land of Snow, and Kazahana Koyuki, now queen, promised to meet them again and share a drink.

Nanfeng left the Land of Snow after assuring Kazahana Koyuki that she was protected, then traveled by cruise ship toward the Land of Waves to visit Yuki Haku and Zabuza. The chapter ended with an older passenger asking Nanfeng about his nervousness on the boat.

• Nanfeng explained that he had placed a trigger-activated Lightning Current Ninjutsu inside Kazahana Koyuki to protect her.
• Nanfeng revealed that the teammate returning to Konoha was his Shadow Clone and that he had mastered an improved Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Nanfeng told Kazahana Koyuki he was stronger than most Jonin but still weaker than a true Kage Level expert.
• Nanfeng said goodbye to Kazahana Koyuki and left the palace for the Land of Waves.
• Nanfeng boarded a cruise ship and told an older passenger that his previous trip had left him badly seasick.

On the voyage to the Land of Waves, Nanfeng befriended Watanabe Sato while concealing his identity and assessing the old man’s strength. When a ship flying the Land of Waves’ flag appeared, Nanfeng realized Zabuza’s plan to collect fees by guiding ships through reef-filled waters was already underway.

• Nanfeng invented a convincing story about being an orphan from the Land of Fire, while Watanabe Sato introduced himself as a traveler from the Land of Wind bound for the Land of Waves.
• Nanfeng noticed Watanabe Sato had a trained body and faint traces of chakra, and learned that he was traveling to visit an old friend.
• A commotion broke out aboard the ship, and Nanfeng and Watanabe Sato learned that pirates were approaching.
• Nanfeng saw that the approaching ship flew the flag of the Land of Waves, and its commander demanded money in exchange for safe passage through the reefs.
• Watanabe Sato marveled at the scheme, while Nanfeng recognized it as part of Zabuza’s plan to earn money by guiding ships.

Akiba Nanfeng arrived in the Land of Waves and saw how much Zabuza and Yuki Haku had changed the country. Yuki Haku welcomed him and hinted that they had encountered a problem they needed to discuss.

• Pirates guided Nanfeng's ship safely through the reefs to the Land of Waves after collecting payment, and Nanfeng learned that the waterways had become important to trade.
• Nanfeng observed the Land of Waves' renewed hope and prosperity, then met Tanaka Jiro, who escorted him through the replanned streets and spoke about Zabuza's plans to establish a ninja village.
• Tanaka Jiro led Nanfeng to Zabuza's residence, explaining that the leader kept his identity secret even from his followers.
• Yuki Haku welcomed Nanfeng, served him tea, and said that although they had handled most recent problems, one issue remained that they had planned to tell him about.

Nanfeng learned that the Land of Waves was struggling to establish a ninja village because neighboring countries opposed its recruitment of wandering ninjas and missing-nin. After examining the enemy’s forces and defenses, Nanfeng promised to handle the threat while Zabuza focused on the country’s affairs.

• Yuki Haku told Nanfeng that the Land of Waves lacked healthy recruits and that its plan to enlist wandering ninjas had drawn hostility from the Land of Rice and the Land of Jade.
• Yuki Haku explained that the two countries had ninja villages and were targeting the Land of Waves, while Zabuza was still trying to build up its defenses.
• Zabuza told Nanfeng that the two countries had joined forces and that few mercenaries were willing to oppose them.
• Zabuza showed Nanfeng a map and explained that two Jonin led the enemy vanguard, while the Daimyo had hired powerful bounty hunters to guard them.
• Nanfeng told Zabuza he would handle the threat and ordered him to focus on managing the Land of Waves.

Nanfeng devised a covert plan to reach the royal palace in the Land of Rice and kill the Daimyo of the Land of Rice and the Land of Jade. After carrying out the assassination, he escaped before their Elite Jonin guards could catch him.

• Nanfeng told Zabuza he could complete the mission and asked him to prepare several things, then explained his plan.
• Nanfeng used Sharingan Genjutsu to control rats, marked them with Flying Thunder God seals, and received Zabuza's intelligence report locating the two Daimyo at the royal palace in the Land of Rice.
• Nanfeng traveled to the palace at night and sent the rats through a tunnel past the Elite Jonin guards.
• Nanfeng teleported behind the drunk Daimyo, killed them with a kunai, and sent the rats into a fireplace to destroy evidence.
• The Elite Jonin discovered the bodies and attacked, but Nanfeng vanished before they could identify or catch him.

Nanfeng killed the two countries’ Daimyo, ending the allied squad’s campaign against the Land of Waves, then returned to Konoha. There, he interrupted Naruto and Sasuke’s suspiciously staged fight and took them with him to discuss what was happening.

• Nanfeng assassinated the Daimyo, causing the allied ninjas to abandon their plan against the Land of Waves.
• Nanfeng told Zabuza the danger had passed, accepted a hundred thousand from him, and left for Konoha.
• After returning to Konoha, Nanfeng learned from his Shadow Clone’s memories that Naruto and Sasuke were fighting at Training Ground Seven.
• Sakura Haruno asked Nanfeng to stop Naruto and Sasuke, and he realized their fight was staged.
• Nanfeng told Naruto and Sasuke to stop fighting and follow him, and they hurried after him.

After Sakura watched Nanfeng take Naruto and Sasuke away, Kakashi comforted her and warned her that a ninja’s life was brutal. Nanfeng and Naruto then discussed Sasuke’s impending departure from Konoha, which Sasuke said he sensed through his Cursed Seal’s connection to Orochimaru.

• Sakura collapsed in tears after Sasuke left, and Kakashi stopped to ask what had happened.
• Sakura told Kakashi she felt distant from her former classmates, and he urged her to grow up and accept the brutality of a ninja’s life.
• Kakashi caught up with Nanfeng, Naruto, and Sasuke and asked why Naruto and Sasuke had fought.
• Sasuke admitted Naruto’s progress with the Rasengan had surprised him, then left Kakashi to complain about the damaged training grounds.
• At the Uchiha Clan compound, Sasuke told Nanfeng he felt lost about their coming separation, and Nanfeng reminded him they could keep in touch with Secret Techniques.
• Naruto asked how Sasuke knew he would leave Konoha, and Sasuke explained that his Cursed Seal let him sense Orochimaru.

Nanfeng realized that Sasuke's coming departure for Orochimaru might be part of Tsunade's plan, and promised to accompany Sasuke. Meanwhile, Orochimaru ordered the Sound Four to retrieve Sasuke and sent the dying Kimimaro on the mission, leaving Jugo to watch him go.

• Nanfeng considered Orochimaru's Cursed Seal and concluded that Tsunade might be using Sasuke's departure to protect him and keep Itachi in check.
• Nanfeng promised Sasuke he would go with him to see Orochimaru, while Naruto complained that Nanfeng would not help him train with the Toad Sage.
• Orochimaru ordered Tayuya, Jirobo, and Sakon Ukon to bring Sasuke back quietly, using Kabuto Yakushi's Sealing Techniques to make him appear dead.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto Yakushi to send Kimimaro on the mission, and Kabuto accepted despite Kimimaro's terminal illness.
• Kimimaro reassured Jugo that he had no regrets and asked him to treat Sasuke as a friend after he was gone; Jugo prayed as Kimimaro departed.

Tayuya and the Sound Ninja helped Sasuke fake his death and escape Konoha, but Sakura witnessed the defection and alerted Tsunade. Konoha's ninja pursued them, and Nanfeng went ahead to face Kimimaro while Sasuke waited nearby.

• Tayuya and two Sound Ninja entered Konoha and met Sasuke, who agreed to defect to gain power and kill his brother.
• Tayuya's group used Sealing Technique tags to make Sasuke appear dead, then led him out of Konoha while Sakura secretly watched.
• Sakura reported Sasuke's defection to Tsunade, who assembled the Konoha 11 and ordered them to bring him back.
• The Konoha 11 followed the Sound Ninja's trail, and Nanfeng sensed Kimimaro's powerful chakra ahead.
• Nanfeng left Shikamaru to handle the Sound Ninja and went to confront Kimimaro, where Sasuke was waiting.

Nanfeng approached Sasuke and Kimimaro to negotiate a secret partnership with Orochimaru, offering to cure Kimimaro’s bloodline illness in exchange for Orochimaru training Sasuke to defeat Itachi within three years. Orochimaru accepted, and Nanfeng prepared to conceal their deal by faking evidence of a fight.

• Nanfeng told Kimimaro he wanted to make a deal with Orochimaru, and Kimimaro contacted Orochimaru through his Cursed Seal.
• Nanfeng promised Orochimaru he would not become his follower and proposed that Orochimaru train Sasuke to defeat Itachi within three years.
• Orochimaru questioned what Nanfeng could offer, and Nanfeng said he could cure Kimimaro’s bloodline illness.
• Orochimaru accepted the deal and agreed that Kimimaro’s body should be frozen until treatment began.
• Nanfeng asked Kimimaro to help fake evidence of a fight so their agreement would remain secret.

Nanfeng used Kimimaro’s Cursed Seal to contact Orochimaru and arranged for Kimimaro’s body to be taken away, while keeping his plan to help Sasuke awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan secret. As Shikamaru restrained the Sound Ninja trio, Naruto set off to confront Sasuke, intending to die rather than bring him back.

• Nanfeng replicated Kimimaro’s communication Ninjutsu and contacted Orochimaru through the Cursed Seal, impressing Orochimaru with his understanding of Ninjutsu.
• Nanfeng staged signs of a battle, froze Kimimaro with Ice Release, and sent him away with a summoned snake after arranging a meeting with Orochimaru.
• Nanfeng reflected that he and Naruto had agreed to make Sasuke willingly leave Konoha and awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, even if Naruto had to die.
• Naruto and the other rookies struggled against the transformed Sound Ninja trio, whose attacks used sound waves.
• Shikamaru used a flashlight to extend his shadow and briefly restrain the Sound Ninja trio, then urged Naruto to go after Sasuke.
• Naruto broke through and headed toward Sasuke, concealing that he intended to fight him and die rather than bring him back.

Naruto and Sasuke fought at the Valley of the End, unleashing their full powers under the influence of the Nine-Tails Chakra and the Cursed Seal. They charged into a final clash between Naruto’s Rasengan and Sasuke’s Chidori, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Naruto arrived at the Valley of the End, where Sasuke had been waiting, and they discussed Nanfeng’s prediction that they were destined to be brothers and rivals.
• Sasuke attacked with an imitation of Nanfeng’s Lightning Current, but Naruto’s enhanced strength sent him crashing into the mountainside.
• Sasuke’s Cursed Seal activated and grew stronger as he fought Naruto, while Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra developed a second tail.
• Naruto and Sasuke exchanged powerful attacks, including a Great Fireball, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, a shadow clone, and a Rasengan and Raikiri.
• Naruto and Sasuke charged at each other and their Rasengan and Chidori collided.

Naruto and Sasuke’s final clash ended with Naruto letting Sasuke wound him, awakening Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan. Nanfeng secretly ensured Sasuke’s defection proceeded as planned, then spoke with Tsunade about the village’s future and Danzo’s silence.

• Naruto and Sasuke recovered enough chakra to launch one final Rasengan and Chidori, but Naruto dispersed his attack and let Sasuke pierce his chest.
• Sasuke panicked over Naruto’s wound, and the emotional shock transformed his Sharingan into a Mangekyō Sharingan before he collapsed.
• Nanfeng healed Naruto and left Sasuke untreated, expecting the Sound Ninja’s Four to take him away.
• Nanfeng had already given Tsunade information about Kimimaro and planned to treat him after a month, while arranging matters behind Sasuke’s defection.
• Tsunade confronted Nanfeng about pretending to be heartbroken, and they discussed Danzo’s inactivity, Naruto’s departure with Jiraiya, and Nanfeng’s growing importance to Konoha.

Nanfeng discussed the Hyuga elders’ efforts to gain control over the Branch Family with Tsunade, then visited Hyuga Hiashi to address the situation. He asked whether Hinata knew what they planned to do, leaving Hiashi puzzled.

• Tsunade told Nanfeng that Sakura Haruno wanted to learn Medical Ninjutsu, and Nanfeng recommended that Shizune train her.
• Tsunade warned Nanfeng that the Hyuga Elder Council was approaching Neji Hyuga and seeking influence over the Branch Family.
• Nanfeng agreed to handle the Hyuga elders and suggested joining Anbu while Team 7 was disbanded.
• Nanfeng visited Hyuga Hiashi and asked whether Hinata knew about their plans.
• Nanfeng urged Hiashi not to keep Hinata in the dark, and Hiashi looked puzzled.

Nanfeng and Hyuga Hiashi planned to use Neji to draw out the Hyuga Clan elders, while Hiashi prepared to gather support. Nanfeng then reassured Hinata about Sasuke’s departure and revealed that the Hokage had tacitly approved it as a way to protect them and help Sasuke grow.

• Hyuga Hiashi told Nanfeng that the elders were still trying to get close to Neji, and Nanfeng proposed using Neji to uncover their location.
• Nanfeng assured Hyuga Hiashi that he had a way to find the elders, and Hiashi agreed to quietly gather manpower while Nanfeng handled the plan.
• Nanfeng visited Hinata and watched her train, then praised her progress and reassured her that he was safe.
• Nanfeng told Hinata that Sasuke’s departure had been planned with the Hokage’s tacit approval to help Sasuke grow and protect them from people who wanted to use them.
• Hinata asked whether the village and Hyuga Clan elders were among those people, and Nanfeng realized she already understood the danger.

Nanfeng reassured Hinata about the danger of confronting the Hyuga elders, then visited Neji to learn more about his situation and ask for his help. He left Neji exasperated after boasting about his many accomplishments, but had not yet explained what he needed.

• Nanfeng comforted Hinata about his plan to help her father confront the Hyuga elders, and they shared a meal and spent the afternoon together.
• After seeing Hinata off, Nanfeng decided to visit Neji and sneaked into the Branch Family grounds to observe him training.
• Nanfeng overheard Neji complain that the elders’ broken promises and a difficult mission had disrupted his training.
• Nanfeng revealed himself and teased Neji by listing his status and achievements until Neji demanded to know why he had come.
• Nanfeng said he had come to check on Neji’s mental health and might need Neji’s help with something.

Nanfeng told Neji that Hyuga Hiashi and the Hokage’s side opposed the Caged Bird system, then used Neji’s blood to analyze his seal. He revealed that he could remove it and explained a plan to Neji, leaving him hopeful but wary.

• Nanfeng asked Neji about the clan elders seeking him out and warned that they wanted to use his talent to stall Konoha’s actions.
• Nanfeng told Neji that Hyuga Hiashi also opposed the Main Family and Branch Family system and the Caged Bird Seal.
• Nanfeng drew and analyzed Neji’s blood, then revealed the Caged Bird Seal on Neji’s forehead.
• Nanfeng said he knew how to remove the seal and explained his plan to Neji.
• Neji reacted with disbelief and hope after hearing Nanfeng’s plan and learning he had mastered an unfamiliar Ninjutsu.

Neji agreed to help Nanfeng and Hyuga Hiashi take down the Hyuga elders, who had hidden their base near the border of the Land of Fire. The operation began that night, and Neji confronted the elders by demanding more than the benefits they had offered.

• Nanfeng secretly placed a tracking mark on Neji and arranged for him to contact the elders while Nanfeng notified Hyuga Hiashi.
• Neji used the elders’ Sealing Technique to summon them, then let their guards seal his eyes and escort him to their concealed base.
• The elders checked Neji for hidden chakra and Sealing Techniques before bringing him inside.
• Nanfeng learned the mark had been moved by a scroll-based technique to a hidden location near the Land of Fire border, then set out with Hyuga Hiashi to reach it.
• The elders asked Neji if he had decided to work with them, and Neji replied that their offered benefits were insufficient.

Akiba Nanfeng rescued Neji from the Hyuga elders and killed the Head Elder after neutralizing the Caged Bird Seal. As Hyuga Hiashi and other reinforcements arrived, Nanfeng sent Neji away from the coming fight.

• Neji mocked the elders as the Head Elder activated the Caged Bird Seal and tortured him.
• Akiba Nanfeng arrived and challenged the elders, claiming he could free Neji from the seal.
• Nanfeng revealed his purple eyes, and the Caged Bird Seal stopped working.
• Nanfeng appeared behind the Head Elder and stabbed him while condemning his rule over the Branch Family.
• Nanfeng sensed Hyuga Hiashi and other powerful figures approaching, then told Neji to leave.