Chapter Summaries

Yunqing reluctantly accepted the position of Third Kazekage and planned to pull Sunagakure back from its wars. After learning that the Daimyo’s officials were cutting support and secretly selling military supplies to Sunagakure’s enemies, he ordered a withdrawal and a temporary halt to hostilities.

• Yunqing agreed to become Third Kazekage on the condition that Chiyo and the elders obey his commands.
• Yunqing told Suke to return to the front, withdraw the child soldiers, and coordinate with Bunpuku.
• Yunqing reassured Chiyo and Ebizo that Suke and Bunpuku could handle Konoha, while Sunagakure’s other forces would hold off Iwagakure.
• Chiyo and Ebizo showed Yunqing reports that the Daimyo’s Mansion was reducing Sunagakure’s supplies and that nobles were selling military goods to Konoha and Iwagakure.
• Yunqing ordered Sunagakure’s border forces to withdraw and temporarily stop fighting, and Chiyo accepted his decision.

After becoming the Third Kazekage, Yunqing persuaded Sunagakure’s leaders to withdraw from the war because supplies were dwindling and the Daimyo had abandoned them. Sunagakure pulled back from both fronts, while the other villages considered their next moves and Kirigakure began planning to study Tailed Beasts.

• At his succession ceremony, Yunqing promised to lead Sunagakure toward prosperity, winning the civilians’ confidence with his appearance and suggestion magic.
• Yunqing argued for withdrawing troops, and Chiyo, Ebizo, and Sunagakure’s elders and clan heads ultimately supported his proposal.
• Yunqing ordered a full contraction of the battle lines, and Suke led the retreat from the Konoha front with Bunpuku and others.
• Mu concluded that Sāmon had been incapacitated and returned to Iwagakure, leaving Ōnoki to face the approaching conflict with Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Danzo and Homura to apply strategic pressure against Sunagakure, while Hozuki Gengetsu discussed Kirigakure’s research into Jinchuriki and Tailed Beasts.

Suke’s forces escaped Konoha after stripping their former camp and using Bunpuku’s sandstorm to stop Danzō’s pursuit. Back in Sunagakure, Yunqing transformed newly acquired land into a forest, setting the village on its path to improve the desert.

• Danzō ordered Konoha’s forces to pursue Suke after discovering Sunagakure had stripped and burned the area around its camp.
• Suke and Rasa celebrated their haul of land and minerals, then hurried toward the border where Bunpuku waited.
• Bunpuku used Shukaku’s power to raise a sandstorm that blocked Danzō’s forces, and Homura urged Konoha to withdraw.
• Bunpuku stayed behind with Shukaku while Suke returned to Sunagakure to support the Kazekage.
• Yunqing used solidification and growth spells to secure the land and make trees grow until their roots reached the underground river.
• Yunqing told Ebizo to arrange daily watering and declared that Sunagakure would expand the forest across the desert.

After Sāmon recovered, Yunqing led Sunagakure through a dispute over whether to reconcile with the Daimyo and instead reorganized the village’s leadership. Yunqing rejected reconciliation and told Sāmon that Sunagakure could pursue a new path if it had enough strength, while Sāmon continued developing the project Yunqing had asked him to research.

• Sāmon told Yunqing that withdrawing from the war had been the right decision and agreed to keep serving Sunagakure.
• Sunagakure’s elders argued for repairing relations with the Daimyo, while Suke and the border ninjas opposed compromising.
• Yunqing ended the argument and appointed Chiyo to lead a hospital, Sāmon to lead a Research Department, Suke to command the border ninjas, and Ebizo to assist with government affairs.
• Sāmon questioned Yunqing about the Five Great Nations agreement, and Yunqing argued that Sunagakure could break from it if the village had enough deterrent power.
• Sāmon said the research Yunqing had requested was showing promise, and Yunqing urged him to continue.

Hiruzen Sarutobi halted Konoha’s offensive against Sunagakure and sent forces to meet threats from Iwagakure and Kumogakure. As peace talks approached, Yunqing prepared to profit from the negotiations and a scheme against the Land of Wind’s daimyo, who began suspecting Sunagakure of robbing him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi overruled Shimura Danzō’s demand to continue the offensive, citing Bunpuku’s sandstorm and the danger of attacks from Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Sakumo to negotiate with Sunagakure, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade to the Land of Rain, and Kagami Uchiha to the Land of Lightning border.
• Yunqing learned that Konoha and Iwagakure were preparing peace talks and told Ebizo to ready Sunagakure’s supposedly useless supplies and check on gifts for the daimyo.
• The Land of Wind’s daimyo ordered military trade with Konoha and Iwagakure cut off and reassigned border missions to himself after his goods disappeared.
• Scarface told the daimyo that Sunagakure had likely stolen the goods, and the daimyo authorized him to investigate.

At the peace talks in the Land of Rain, Yunqing overwhelmed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s disciples in a contest of auras, revealing the gap between them and a Kage-level fighter. The standoff ended when Hatake Sakumo appeared and joined Hiruzen in confronting Yunqing.

• Yunqing surveyed the gathered leaders as Mu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Hanzo reacted to his presence at the peace talks.
• Hanzo and Mu encouraged Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to test Yunqing, while Hiruzen allowed the contest to continue.
• Yunqing’s aura gradually overpowered the three disciples, but Tsunade’s determination rallied them to hold on.
• Yunqing unleashed his full pressure, causing Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to falter.
• Hiruzen and the newly arrived Hatake Sakumo confronted Yunqing with their Kage-level auras, and Sakumo introduced himself to the assembled leaders.

Yunqing negotiated Sunagakure’s postwar terms with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mu, refusing to pay money and threatening guerrilla warfare rather than accept further demands. The sides signed an agreement confirming Sunagakure’s withdrawal from the war, with an announcement planned for later.

• Yunqing rejected land and money as compensation, saying Sunagakure would withdraw and cede border territory instead.
• When Mu threatened to invade Sunagakure, Yunqing vowed to abandon positions and wage guerrilla warfare with ten thousand ninja.
• Hanzo broke the standoff, and Yunqing offered ten years of Sunagakure neutrality and a pledge to restrain Kirigakure.
• Mu accepted Yunqing’s proposal, and Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed while demanding Sunagakure’s records about Jinchuriki.
• Yunqing agreed to provide the records, and the three sides signed an agreement setting a date to announce Sunagakure’s complete withdrawal from the war.

Yunqing led Sunagakure's recruitment drive in Amegakure while Hanzo watched the village's visitors and Hiruzen Sarutobi explained why Konoha had accepted a humiliating settlement. Hiruzen hinted that the Sannin would soon get their chance to face a Kage-level opponent after learning that Suke had left and Bunpuku had returned to Sunagakure.

• Yunqing recruited workers in Amegakure and advised Pakura to broaden her perspective beyond fighting.
• Hanzo allowed Sunagakure to recruit and ordered increased surveillance of Konoha and Iwagakure.
• Tsunade confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over Konoha's failure to retaliate, and Hiruzen said Konoha had secured Sunagakure's One-Tail research.
• Hiruzen explained that Konoha needed to understand how other villages used Tailed Beasts, while Tsunade pointed to Sunagakure's One-Tail-based Magnet Release.
• Hiruzen promised the Sannin a chance to fight a Kage-level opponent, then Hatake Sakumo reported that Suke had left and Bunpuku had returned to Sunagakure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Hatake Sakumo to help keep the Sannin in check as their unstable mindsets worsened. Yunqing met with Hanzo in Amegakure and secured a ten-year cooperation deal to bring water to Sunagakure in exchange for low-cost military supplies and support for the Land of Rain.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that the Sannin’s shattered mindsets required force, and asked Hatake Sakumo to help hold the line for them.
• Yunqing entered Amegakure with Pakura and left her with his aura and a seal before meeting Hanzo.
• Yunqing proposed that Sunagakure divert water from the Land of Rain, offering dam-building help, military support, and low-priced supplies.
• Hanzo agreed to send Amegakure workers for the water-diversion project in exchange for ten years of low-priced surplus military supplies from Sunagakure.
• Yunqing and Hanzo shook hands and discussed national matters, parting on good terms.

Yunqing fought Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain, overpowering them while preventing them from using their summoned beasts. He bound the Sannin after their teamwork improved, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Yunqing met the Sannin, and Tsunade declared that they would challenge the Third Kazekage to settle the enmity between Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru combined their ninjutsu, but Yunqing blocked their attack and countered with an explosive blast that broke through Orochimaru's Triple Rashomon.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, but Yunqing defeated the Sannin in a close exchange, driving Jiraiya, Gamabunta, Orochimaru, and Tsunade back.
• Orochimaru and Tsunade summoned Manda and Katsuyu, but Yunqing severed their connections and forcibly returned all three summoned beasts to the Summoning Realm.
• The Sannin combined ninjutsu and coordinated attacks against Yunqing, who cut through their techniques and bound them with Entangling Ribbon.

Yunqing defeated Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, then explained that Hiruzen Sarutobi had arranged the fight to teach them what it took to become Kage. Back in the Land of Wind, Yunqing defended his strategy and set his sights on the Land of Whirlpools as the war spread across the ninja world.

• Yunqing captured Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, mocked them by granting them the title of Sannin, and left them alive before returning to the Land of Wind with Pakura.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi freed the injured trio and explained that facing a Kage-level opponent had taught them what strength and resolve a Kage needed.
• Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya asked Hiruzen Sarutobi what to do next, and he told them to recover and continue following their own paths.
• Yunqing told Pakura that cooperation with the Land of Rain was a victory and hinted that Sunagakure would eventually clash with Kirigakure.
• Yunqing planned to seek power from the Land of Whirlpools, while the war escalated as Sunagakure blockaded Kirigakure and Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure fought on multiple fronts.

Yunqing toured Sunagakure’s Research Department with Sāmon and Pakura, where Sāmon unveiled powerful Chakra tools made using sealing techniques. They discussed exploiting the war to sell the tools and decided to send Ebizo and Bunpuku to the Land of Whirlpools, trusting Bunpuku and Shukaku to face Hozuki Gengetsu.

• Yunqing and Sāmon teased Pakura about her possible feelings for Yunqing as they toured the Research Department.
• Sāmon demonstrated an axe that used sealed Chakra to cut through sandstone, impressing Yunqing with the new Chakra tools.
• Yunqing and Sāmon agreed they could profit from the war by selling the tools, with Hozuki Gengetsu likely to help their plans.
• Yunqing proposed sending Ebizo and Bunpuku to the Land of Whirlpools, and Sāmon accepted despite concerns about Shukaku’s strength at sea.

Yunqing explained why Sāmon’s work as head of the Research Department suited both his governing philosophy and Sunagakure’s needs. As they headed back to the Kazekage Building, Pakura considered the value of balancing strength with wisdom.

• Yunqing and Sāmon shared a practical governing philosophy, though Sāmon prioritized military strength while Yunqing also pursued public welfare.
• Yunqing left the Research Department with Pakura and headed toward the Kazekage Building.
• Pakura wondered why Yunqing and Sāmon worked together so smoothly, and Yunqing explained that Sāmon trusted him and valued his research contributions.
• Yunqing said Sāmon’s discoveries could strengthen Sunagakure and had helped shift its policy toward rescuing the Land of Whirlpools to gain its sealing specialists.
• Pakura thought seriously about Yunqing’s explanation and her family’s advice to develop her intelligence alongside her combat power.

Hozuki Gengetsu prepared Kirigakure’s forces to invade the Land of Whirlpools, while Ebizo and Bunpuku arranged a diplomatic mission from Sunagakure to counter the threat. Bunpuku then returned to his consciousness space to meditate.

• Hozuki Gengetsu ordered Kirigakure’s ten thousand ninja and fifty warships to prepare to invade the Land of Whirlpools.
• Hozuki Gengetsu told Mizunaki Kuchiki to deploy sensor and reconnaissance ninja and monitor the Land of Wind’s border.
• Ebizo asked Bunpuku to sense for Kirigakure forces, and Bunpuku reported murderous intent in the wind despite sensing no nearby chakra.
• Ebizo decided that he and Bunpuku would travel openly to the Land of Whirlpools as Sunagakure envoys.
• Bunpuku entered his consciousness space and began meditating and chanting scriptures.

Bunpuku and Shukaku traveled with Ebizo toward the Land of Whirlpools while Kirigakure prepared to confront Sunagakure’s interests there. Hozuki Gengetsu concluded that Sunagakure wanted the Land of Whirlpools’ population and specialized workers, but believed its delegation would not change who claimed the land and Sealing Techniques.

• Shukaku complained that Bunpuku left him to research ninjutsu, but Bunpuku persuaded him to continue their sutra lesson by reminding him of Yunqing’s promised statue.
• Bunpuku carried Ebizo and four Sunagakure Jonin over the sea on Floating Sand while Shukaku showed off a new technique that could spread sand for reconnaissance and attacks.
• Ebizo reassured the Jonin that Bunpuku could help them evade Hozuki Gengetsu and said Kirigakure already knew their itinerary.
• Bunpuku confirmed that the Sand Shinobi sent ahead had reached the Land of Whirlpools and that its Ninja Village was preparing for their visit.
• Hozuki Gengetsu and Mizunaki Kuchiki discussed Sunagakure’s motives, and Hozuki Gengetsu decided Sunagakure was interested in the Land of Whirlpools’ population and specialized skills.

Masahiko Uzumaki confronted Ebizo, whose blunt remarks forced the Uzumaki leader to face the clan’s weakness and uncertainty about Konoha’s support. With Kirigakure’s fleet expected in about seven days, Masahiko ordered the clan to prepare to defend itself if Konoha did not respond.

• Masahiko Uzumaki met Ebizo and the Sand Shinobi outside the village, and the two exchanged hostile remarks about the Uzumaki Clan and Sunagakure.
• Ebizo said Sunagakure had come to make a deal because it doubted the Uzumaki Clan could withstand Kirigakure’s attack, while its army was stationed at the border.
• An Uzumaki Elder insisted that Konoha and Mito Uzumaki would protect them, but Ebizo challenged the clan to find out Konoha’s position and hinted at the princess recently sent there.
• Masahiko Uzumaki ordered Qiu Ze to escort Ebizo’s group to their rooms, then told the Elders to wait for news from Konoha and gather the clan’s children under the young people’s protection.
• Masahiko Uzumaki acknowledged that the clan’s combat strength had declined after decades without war and said they would have to rely on themselves if Konoha did not respond.

As Kirigakure threatened the Land of Whirlpools, Mito Uzumaki refused En Uzumaki’s plea for Konoha’s help, severing her remaining ties with her clan. The Land of Whirlpools’ daimyo arranged to send its young people to the Land of Wind and committed to relying on Sunagakure, while Masahiko Uzumaki remained sealed inside the ancestral hall.

• Mito Uzumaki told En Uzumaki that she could not persuade Konoha to help, and En left with his people.
• Ebizo learned that craftsmen from the Land of Whirlpools had boarded a ship for the Land of Wind and praised the daimyo’s willingness to help his people.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools told Masahiko Uzumaki to send the clan’s young people to the Land of Wind and leave the older generation behind.
• Masahiko Uzumaki protested that Konoha might still help, but the daimyo called him stubborn and had four shinobi seal him inside the ancestral hall.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools went to the council hall to arrange further evacuations, concluding that Sunagakure was the only path left.

Yunqing entrusted Rasa with Suke’s duties and explained why he believed in him. He then ordered Ebizo to help the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools seize control of Kirigakure, predicting that the Land of Whirlpools’ coming war would surprise everyone.

• Yunqing questioned Rasa about why he should temporarily take over Suke’s duties, then encouraged him and named him a trusted subordinate.
• Rasa left the Kazekage Building and happily reunited with Karura, while Yunqing and Pakura discussed his appointment.
• Yunqing explained that Bunpuku had sensed Chakra among the craftsmen and suspected the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools was pursuing a larger plan.
• Yunqing praised the Daimyo’s political vision and wrote to Ebizo, instructing him to assist the Daimyo in taking control of Kirigakure.
• Yunqing told Pakura that the coming war would be between Kirigakure and the Land of Whirlpools, and that the Land of Whirlpools’ unified power would make it exceed expectations.

The Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools learned that Konoha would not help and agreed to evacuate the Uzumaki Clan under Sunagakure’s protection. As the clansmen boarded ships, he charged En Uzumaki and Aizawa Uzumaki with rebuilding their people in a new homeland while he prepared to face Kirigakure.

• Ebizo and Bunpuku discussed Masahiko Uzumaki’s sealing ability and Ebizo inferred that Yunqing had arranged a calculated show of support for Kirigakure and the Daimyo.
• En Uzumaki reported that Konoha would not help the Land of Whirlpools, and the Uzumaki Clan’s Great Elder agreed to follow the Daimyo’s evacuation plan.
• Suke’s Sand Shinobi arrived at the harbor as Uzumaki children, women, and young men were loaded onto ships.
• The Daimyo ordered En Uzumaki and Aizawa Uzumaki to lead the evacuees and establish a new Uzumaki homeland, then urged the clansmen to accept their duty.
• Ebizo told Suke that sending the families away would leave the remaining fighters with nothing to hold them back, and Suke said their despair might give rise to unexpected strength.

As Kirigakure attacked the Land of Whirlpools, Yunqing watched the battle and helped Sunagakure profit from the conflict. With the Uzumaki Clan’s defeat looming, he prepared to use the clan’s Chakra-rich survivors and craftsmen for Sunagakure’s next step.

• Hozuki Gengetsu ordered Mizunaki Kuchiki and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to attack the Land of Whirlpools after Sunagakure’s ships departed.
• Mizunaki Kuchiki and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen clashed with Masahiko Uzumaki and the Whirlpool Shinobi, destroying the harbor and beginning a fierce battle.
• Yunqing watched the fight with Sāmon and Chiyo as the massive eye in the sky linked the battlefield to him and copied the combatants’ ninjutsu.
• Yunqing told Sāmon to sell completed Combat Ninja Tools to the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, while Chiyo and Sāmon celebrated Sunagakure’s gains.
• After Hozuki Gengetsu led Kirigakure’s main force into the battle, Yunqing told Pakura to gather the higher-ups and said the Uzumaki Clan’s Chakra-rich survivors would enable Sunagakure’s next step.