Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya told Minato that they would lead the second-generation group on a mission to assassinate Rōshi, and Minato agreed to go with him. Rōshi departed Iwagakure after Ōnoki warned him to be careful, leaving their complicated friendship on display.

• Jiraiya considered Minato’s future as Hokage and assigned him to manage the Land of Waterfalls and review documents.
• Jiraiya told Minato that Rōshi would inspect the Land of Earth in ten days and proposed that they lead the second-generation group in a long-range assassination attempt.
• Minato worried that bringing inexperienced companions would make the dangerous mission even harder, but Jiraiya said it would give them experience in war.
• Minato agreed to accompany Jiraiya, who was pleased with his disciple’s support.
• Ōnoki saw Rōshi off outside Iwagakure and warned him that he might encounter an ambush.

Rōshi was ambushed by Konoha’s fighters, and the battle made Minato Namikaze’s reputation as the Yellow Flash spread through the hidden villages. Yunqing considered the threat Konoha posed and suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi might turn to the Impure World Reincarnation in a crisis.

• Rōshi entered an ambush in the Land of Earth, where Konoha’s fighters attacked him with a barrage of techniques and weapons.
• Shikaku Nara claimed the attackers were rogue ninja, while Rōshi focused on Minato Namikaze and unleashed the Four-Tails during the chaotic battle.
• Reports described Rōshi as the victim of a terrifying attack, and Konoha publicly promised to find the culprits while secretly planning to promote Minato’s reputation.
• Yunqing dismissed the reports as exaggerated but recognized Minato Namikaze as a dangerous opponent and considered how Konoha’s many geniuses could be weakened.
• Yunqing suspected Hiruzen Sarutobi might use the Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju if Konoha faced a crisis.

Yunqing reflected on Konoha’s hidden techniques and concluded that strengthening his own village through a controlled war was better than weakening rivals through schemes. He left himself determined to use conflict to train capable fighters, while admitting that his own thinking was abnormal.

• Yunqing considered how Konoha had preserved powerful techniques and the bodies of famous shinobi, and suspected that Hiruzen Sarutobi had learned the Mutual Explosion Technique.
• Yunqing compared Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release with Yamato’s limited abilities and concluded that power depended on the person, not the technique or bloodline alone.
• Yunqing decided that an arms race and strengthening his own village were better than returning Madara Uchiha’s corpse or trading away power to undermine others.
• Yunqing explained that he had allowed a planned war to proceed so it could remain controlled and produce battle-hardened talents.
• Yunqing acknowledged that his cautious, self-congratulatory way of thinking was abnormal and unlike that of other Transmigrators.

Yunqing told Ebizo, Sāmon, and Chiyo that he had ordered the attack on Shimura Danzō and explained that he was escalating the shadowy attacks to regain control of the situation. The elders accepted his reasoning, and Yunqing left them with a plan to keep the existing conflict limited and controlled.

• Ebizo told Yunqing that Bunpuku had been attacked by forces from the Land of Earth led by Kitsuchi.
• Yunqing dismissed the idea that a hidden mastermind was behind the attacks, then revealed that he had ordered the attack on Shimura Danzō.
• Yunqing showed the elders documents indicating the attack on Shimura Danzō had not been intended to kill him, and Ebizo understood that Yunqing wanted to raise the stakes and muddy the waters.
• Yunqing argued that the attackers were holding back and that no one wanted to start a full war, persuading Sāmon, Ebizo, and Chiyo to accept his approach.
• Yunqing told the elders to maintain low-intensity clashes every few days and higher-intensity ones every few months, as long as no Kage-level fighters were deployed.

Rasa led a Sunagakure squad in an ambush against the Kaguya Clan Head, who turned the ranged attack into a fierce close-combat duel with him. The Hozuki Clan Head’s arrival ended the fight, and Rasa withdrew with his men while the two clan heads discussed the battle.

• Rasa’s Sand Shinobi fired on the Kaguya Clan Head, who tracked their shots and counterattacked with Bone Bullet Barrage.
• Rasa and his squad activated chakra barriers, but the Kaguya Clan Head reached them and challenged Rasa.
• Rasa fought the Kaguya Clan Head with Gold Dust, and both transformed into horned beasts that repeatedly rammed into each other.
• The Hozuki Clan Head arrived and blasted the fighters apart with a Water Cannon, allowing Rasa to retreat with his men.
• The Kaguya Clan Head praised the fight, while the Hozuki Clan Head criticized his enjoyment of violence.

The Hozuki Clan Head and the Kaguya Clan Head argued over their fighting styles after the Kaguya Clan Head let Rasa escape. As attacks on high-ranking shinobi made the underground world more dangerous, Ayu ordered the Bounty Hunter's Guild to retreat from risky dealings and share intelligence with the Five Great Hidden Villages.

• The Hozuki Clan Head said he had returned from intercepting the Third Raikage's shadow without seriously injuring him, while the Kaguya Clan Head criticized him for not letting him join the mission.
• The Hozuki Clan Head left with his subordinates, and the Kaguya Clan Head believed his argument had persuaded him.
• Major hidden villages announced attacks on their high-ranking members, making would-be troublemakers more cautious.
• Ayu and Shadow discussed underground figures plotting to kill major village leaders, and Ayu decided the Guild would not follow them into danger.
• Ayu told Kage to sell off goods quickly, then send copies of the Guild's intelligence to the Five Great Hidden Villages to repair relations.

Ayu sent the Five Kage firsthand intelligence to show that he would cooperate rather than oppose them, and Yunqing agreed to work with him through Kakuzu. The chapter ended with Yunqing giving Kakuzu orders to pass along as the new partnership began.

• Ayu sent the Five Kage a letter confirming that he was a survivor of the Bounty Hunter's Guild and offering the information as a token of allegiance.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected a subordinate's suggestion to kill Ayu and said Konoha should help him turn over a new leaf.
• Kakuzu delivered Ayu's letter to Yunqing in Sunagakure and explained that Ayu had once taken him in after he defected from Takigakure.
• Yunqing agreed to cooperate with Ayu and gave Kakuzu a batch of orders to pass along.

Shadow paid Kakuzu to secure a reply from the Third Kazekage and orders from Sunagakure, then returned to the Land of Rain and reported his negotiations to Ayu. On the way, he spoke with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, whose concern about bandits led them to decide they needed to be more ruthless.

• Ayu paid Kakuzu to arrange contact, and Kakuzu delivered the Third Kazekage’s reply and several major Sunagakure orders to Shadow.
• Shadow gave Kakuzu another chest of money, and Kakuzu advised Ayu to visit Sunagakure in person since his identity had already been revealed.
• Shadow returned to the Land of Rain and considered how different its climate was from the Land of Wind.
• Shadow met Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan and told them he had gone to Sunagakure to negotiate business for the Bounty Hunter's Guild.
• Shadow complained that bandits were disrupting trade, and Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan concluded they should wipe the bandits out.

After hearing Kakuzu’s advice, Ayu decided to openly declare his leadership of the Land of Rain and visit the Third Kazekage in Sunagakure. He sent Kage to arrange the trip and ordered Yahiko and the others to suppress the bandits, leaving Kage excited about doing business under a legitimate identity.

• Kage praised the three youngsters’ armed force and reported the results of his journey to Ayu.
• Kage relayed Kakuzu’s suggestion that Ayu meet the Third Kazekage and step into the open.
• Ayu considered Kakuzu’s public success and decided his organization had been overestimating the risks of revealing itself.
• Ayu ordered Kage to prepare goods for a visit to Sunagakure and told him to have Yahiko and the others crack down on bandits.
• Ayu declared that he would tell the ninja world he had taken control of the Land of Rain, and Kage celebrated the prospect of doing business openly.

Ayu publicly became the leader of the Land of Rain and named Amegakure its capital, then assigned his allies roles in securing the country and building its economy. He felt happy and newly responsible for the people who trusted him, while representatives of the great villages considered how to profit from the unified Land of Rain and whether Ayu would cooperate.

• Ayu declared himself leader of the Land of Rain, named Amegakure its capital, and promised to lead the country toward prosperity and strength.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were tasked with forming Amegakure's standing forces and eliminating threats, while Kage was assigned to contact hidden villages and secure factory orders.
• After his allies left, Ayu reflected that leading openly meant accepting responsibility and said he felt truly happy to be trusted.
• The people of the Land of Rain celebrated their improved lives and hoped Ayu would lead them toward a better future.
• Representatives from the great villages discussed the benefits of the Land of Rain's resources and labor and wondered whether Ayu would cooperate with their plans.

Ayu negotiated an agreement with five powerful visitors to exchange the Land of Rain’s goods for food, technology, and necessities, while refusing their offer to intervene in his country’s unrest. As the visitors departed, Ebizo invited Ayu to visit the Five Great Nations, and Shimura Danzō left resolved to reclaim Nagato’s Rinnegan for Konoha.

• Ayu discussed the Land of Rain’s needs and resources with Shimura Danzō, Ebizo, the Hozuki Clan Head, the Iwagakure Elder, and the Kumogakure advisor.
• Ayu and the five visitors signed an agreement for their nations to exchange goods and supplies.
• Ayu refused the Iwagakure Elder’s offer to send troops into the Land of Rain, insisting that his own armed forces were sufficient.
• Ebizo told Ayu that the Third Kazekage had invited him to visit the Five Great Nations and discuss deeper cooperation.
• Shimura Danzō suspected that Nagato’s Rinnegan had belonged to Madara Uchiha and vowed to take the eyes back for Konoha.

Ayu rejected Black Zetsu’s attempts to manipulate him and drove him from Amegakure, then entrusted Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan with an account of his past and the Rinnegan. He committed himself to the Land of Rain and planned to build its strength with the three young ninjas.

• Shimura Danzō left the Land of Rain, while Nagato sensed lingering malice around him.
• Ayu asked Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan whether they would still trust him if they learned he had once been a schemer, and they affirmed their loyalty.
• Ayu admitted to Black Zetsu that he had been guarding against him and refused his offers of revenge and world domination.
• Ayu summoned help, and Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan fought Black Zetsu until he fled Amegakure.
• Ayu gave the three young ninjas a notebook about Black Zetsu, his past, and the Rinnegan, and told them to destroy it after reading.
• Ayu told Shadow that they had severed their ties to the past and would commit themselves to the Land of Rain’s future.

Yunqing and Ebizo discussed the benefits of a unified Land of Rain and plans for trade and diplomacy, while Konoha celebrated Shimura Danzō’s success in securing a major grain export deal. The chapter ended with Danzō dismissing the welcome he received.

• Yunqing and Ebizo agreed that unifying the Land of Rain would benefit them, though Konoha would profit most by supplying its food.
• Ebizo proposed securing outsourced orders from the Land of Rain, and Yunqing suggested consolidating orders and logistics to lower costs.
• Yunqing asked whether Ebizo had urged Ayu to conduct diplomacy abroad, and Ebizo said he expected Ayu to accept the opportunity.
• Ebizo left after arguing with Yunqing over whether national leaders should travel to other countries.
• Konoha celebrated Shimura Danzō’s return because it had secured a long-term grain export market in the Land of Rain.
• Shimura Danzō disdainfully dismissed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s grand welcome, believing the achievement would not make him Hokage.

Ayu led Amegakure’s five-thousand-ninja army to crush unrest across the Land of Rain, revealing the village’s strength and restoring order. He then decided to visit the Five Great Nations to clarify his intentions and prepared to travel with Nagato Uzumaki.

• Ayu divided Amegakure’s army into three forces and sent them across the borders of the Wind, Earth, and Fire countries to destroy underworld strongholds, bandit dens, and robber groups.
• Amegakure’s campaign ended the unrest in the Land of Rain and demonstrated that the village had several Quasi-Kage and could soon have Kage-level figures.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha’s elders debated how to respond, and Hiruzen expected Ayu to visit Konoha and negotiate.
• Ayu explained to Yahiko that visiting the Five Great Nations was necessary to state his position after revealing Amegakure’s strength.
• Ayu finalized his itinerary and chose Nagato Uzumaki, the strongest expert among the younger generation in the Land of Rain, to accompany him.

Ayu began a widely publicized state visit to Sunagakure, where the lavish welcome revealed how far the Land of Wind had advanced beyond the Land of Rain. During the journey, Rasa pointed Nagato toward Aizawa Uzumaki, offering a path for the visitors to gain support from the Uzumaki Clan.

• Ayu announced that Sunagakure would be the first stop on his state visit, drawing attention across the ninja world.
• Yunqing ordered an elaborate welcome for Ayu, and Sunagakure broadcast the ceremony live to the other nations.
• Ayu and Nagato traveled through the prosperous Land of Wind and recognized the great gap between it and the Land of Rain.
• Ayu told Nagato to record what they saw and learn from Sunagakure's development.
• Rasa told Nagato that Aizawa Uzumaki valued members of the Uzumaki Clan and that Nagato could receive benefits through their connection.

Ayu’s visit to the Land of Wind impressed him, while the other hidden villages watched Sunagakure’s prosperity and worried about matching its display. Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konohagakure to prepare an extravagant welcome for Ayu, centered on its rice fields.

• Ayu looked forward to meeting Yunqing after Rasa promised him benefits from the visit.
• The other Four Great Hidden Villages watched the broadcast and saw the Land of Wind’s prosperous towns, roads, and elite ninja.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi admitted that he had underestimated Sunagakure, and Mitokado Homura suggested the Third Kazekage had managed the country well.
• Shimura Danzō warned that Konohagakure needed to plan an impressive welcome for Ayu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered two thousand elite ninja, a Kage-level greeter, a scenic route, a new vehicle, and a road lined with rice paddies.

Ayu arrived in Sunagakure as the Land of Rain’s representative and met the Third Kazekage, Yunqing, during a historic public welcome. The other hidden villages watched Sunagakure’s prosperity with envy as Yunqing welcomed Ayu inside for their first formal meeting.

• Ebizo and Sunagakure’s elders welcomed Ayu at First Ray of Sky, where Nagato and Aizawa Uzumaki recognized each other from afar.
• Ayu and the other visitors were struck by Sunagakure’s prosperity, towering buildings, confident citizens, and abundant greenery.
• Ayu met Yunqing beneath the Kazekage Building, thanked him, and was invited inside for their historic meeting.
• Yunqing declared the gathering a historic moment, prompting Sunagakure’s citizens to share his happiness and the rival villages’ leaders to grumble.

Yunqing hosted Ayu and the Land of Rain’s delegation in Sunagakure before negotiating an agreement over the Land of Rain’s water sources. They agreed Sunagakure would build hydroelectric dams in exchange for water, while Ayu secured management authority and a promise of investment in factories.

• Yunqing led Ayu and the officials through Sunagakure’s lavish reception hall, impressing viewers across the Ninja World.
• The Five Great Hidden Villages’ leaders stopped watching the broadcast and considered how to deal with Ayu, while the Third Mizukage ordered Kirigakure to make an even grander display of wealth.
• After the cameras left, Yunqing addressed Ayu as the leader of the Land of Rain and proposed using its water for Sunagakure.
• Ayu agreed to the water arrangement after Yunqing offered to deepen and extend rivers and build hydroelectric dams, with Ayu retaining management authority.
• Yunqing declined to provide direct technical support but promised investment and technology-oriented factories in the Land of Rain.

Yunqing rejected Ayu’s request for free technology but began preparing to move polluting and outdated businesses from the Land of Wind to the Land of Rain. Meanwhile, En Uzumaki received Nagato and explained why his mother had not been brought to the Land of Wind, leaving Nagato unable to decide how to respond.

• Yunqing rejected Ayu’s request for technological support, though their meeting ended pleasantly and Ayu’s visit neared its end.
• Yunqing worked late to prepare the transfer of businesses from the Land of Wind to the Land of Rain, keeping the Kazekage Building staff busy through the night.
• En Uzumaki left work to receive Nagato at Aizawa Uzumaki’s home because Aizawa was occupied with official duties.
• En apologized to Nagato and invited him to ask questions, then explained that his mother had been among the residents the Uzumaki clan could not save.
• Nagato understood the harsh circumstances in the Land of Whirlpools but felt helpless after hearing En’s explanation.

Nagato struggled with the Uzumaki Clan’s past and asked En Uzumaki how to train his Rinnegan, learning that the clan had no such method and that someone else had given him his eyes. En warned him about being manipulated and offered the clan’s support, then sent him away with an investment proposal, a share transfer, and wedding gifts.

• Nagato struggled to reconcile the Land of Whirlpools’ choices with his feelings, and En Uzumaki urged him not to let the past cloud his judgment or hate his clan.
• Nagato asked En for a way to train the Rinnegan, but En revealed that no Uzumaki had ever awakened it and that the Sage’s descendants claim was unreliable.
• En told Nagato that someone had given him his eyes and warned him to distrust strangers who spoke grandly about pain or world peace.
• En promised Nagato that the Uzumaki Clan could ask the Third Kazekage to help if an enemy targeted him.
• Nagato left with En’s investment proposal, share transfer document, and several chests of supposed wedding gifts, baffled because he had no girlfriend.