Chapter Summaries

Nagato returned with generous gifts from the Uzumaki Clan, while Ayu toured the Land of Wind before Minato welcomed him to Konohagakure. As Ayu traveled through Konoha’s vast rice fields, he began negotiating a discounted grain purchase.

• Nagato left with ninjutsu scrolls, Sealing Scrolls, investment documents, a share transfer, and jewelry from the Uzumaki Clan.
• Ayu examined Nagato’s gifts and became especially excited by the proposal to build pharmaceutical factories and hospitals in the Land of Rain.
• Ayu spent three days touring Sunagakure and the Land of Wind with Ebizo and Yunqing, then Rasa escorted him toward Konoha’s border.
• Minato welcomed Ayu with a grand reception and escorted him toward Konohagakure in a comfortable vehicle.
• Ayu saw Konoha’s extensive rice paddies and asked Minato about buying grain at a discount; Minato suggested he might personally offer thirty percent off.

After fruitless negotiations with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Ayu reconsidered his ambitions and decided to pursue prosperity for the Land of Rain by building roads and collecting tolls. The chapter left him writing down the plan in Konohagakure so he could assess whether it was feasible.

• Ayu left meetings with Hiruzen Sarutobi discouraged after being told the Land of Rain would need to demonstrate its strength to gain more benefits.
• While walking through Konohagakure's night market, Ayu feared dying before he had enjoyed the power and wealth he hoped to attain, then decided he could accept being a tool if he lived comfortably.
• Ayu imagined making the Land of Rain prosperous enough to rival Konohagakure and concluded that building roads could help it profit from its position between three major nations.
• Ayu regretted not bringing Kage or another companion, then thought about Nagato's tour of the Five Great Nations as a chance to visit Uzumaki relatives.
• Ayu bought a notebook and pen at a convenience store and began writing down his road-building plan to consider its feasibility.

Yunqing planned to retire after Sasori returned, while the Five Great Nations covertly supplied weapons and food to foment local conflicts. Minato Namikaze watched as Konoha’s young ninjas moved to intercept Murashita’s group near the Land of Waterfalls.

• Yunqing decided to send Sasori to the battlefield to earn military prestige before retiring, and kept his plan secret.
• The Five Great Nations used agents and spies to arm ambitious groups in the dark world, while Konoha sold grain to those seeking supplies for war.
• Minato Namikaze spotted Murashita’s lightly armed group advancing toward the Land of Waterfalls and ordered Konoha’s newly graduated ninjas to intercept them under Jonin protection.
• Murashita recalled how a leader had equipped and fed him, then led his group toward a guarded storage depot to seize food.

Minato Namikaze watched a young Konoha ninja kill the wounded Murashita for the first time and reflected on how war shaped children and made negotiation between unequal powers impossible. Back at camp, he saw the genin receive support after their first taste of killing and hoped his own future child would never have to fight.

• Murashita was wounded in an ambush, and his teacher instructed a frightened Konoha child to kill him with a gun.
• Minato Namikaze watched the child draw blood for the first time and considered how a ninja's understanding of conflict changed with age.
• Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha's camp, where the genin ate tomato noodles and received psychological counseling from their instructors.
• Minato Namikaze watched the genin recover with their instructors and hoped his future child could grow up without going to war.

Minato and Jiraiya discussed the Dark World's attacks in the Land of Waterfalls and concluded that Konoha's strength could withstand any surprise attack on the Land of Fire. They then discussed Nagato's timid temperament and extraordinary talent, leaving Jiraiya impressed by the Rinnegan wielder's abilities.

• Minato told Jiraiya that small groups of Dark World recruits had repeatedly attacked the Land of Waterfalls and suspected they were a diversion for an assault on the Land of Fire.
• Jiraiya agreed that the Dark World was likely using the raids to draw Konoha's attention, but Minato said Konoha's defenses and strength would make the plan ineffective.
• Jiraiya asked Minato about the Rinnegan wielder from the Land of Rain, and Minato identified him as Nagato, a capable high-ranking official and member of Kushina's clan.
• Minato described Nagato as timid and indecisive, then explained that Nagato had learned powerful sealing techniques after seeing them only once or practicing them briefly.
• Jiraiya was astonished by Nagato's talent and reassured himself that Minato was equally exceptional.

Jiraiya reflected on how Minato Namikaze made him famous, while attacks by the dark world against the Land of Fire ended without threatening Konoha. The chapter left the story with Konoha secure and the narrator reflecting on the unlikely outcomes of attacks on hidden villages.

• Jiraiya took pride in Minato Namikaze and compared his disciple favorably with Konoha’s other celebrated figures.
• The dark world attacked the Land of Fire, but Tsunade and Konoha’s assembled elite crushed the attackers without Jiraiya’s help.
• The narrator explained why attacking Konoha directly was difficult and why Orochimaru had fled after his assault in the original story.
• The narrator recounted how Nagato Uzumaki’s attack had ultimately benefited Konoha’s civilians, while Konan was left grieving him.

Yunqing reviewed recent events across the Ninja World and discussed Sunagakure’s response to the attack on the Land of Fire and its growing cooperation with the Land of Rain. He ordered strong support for the water conservancy project and left factory plans for further study.

• Pakura reported the major events of the past month, including the attack on the Land of Fire, Ayu’s visit to the Land of Water, Minato Namikaze’s victory over an unidentified force, and Sunagakure’s work in the Land of Rain.
• Ebizo urged Yunqing to consider Sunagakure’s reputation, Ayu’s completed tour, factory arrangements, and support for the water conservancy project.
• Yunqing said Konoha would answer the attack through Minato Namikaze and told Sunagakure’s technicians to give the Land of Rain project their strongest support.
• Yunqing proposed putting a meeting between the nations’ leaders on the agenda and ordered a list of possible factory arrangements for careful review.

Yunqing refused to interfere in Rain's affairs or lead Sunagakure into broader trade efforts, deciding to wait for other Kage to act and gradually reduce his influence. Meanwhile, Ebizo went to Sāmon's laboratory, where Sāmon anxiously awaited Yunqing's response.

• Yunqing told Ebizo that he would not imitate Ayu's tour unless Kage from other great villages began tours of their own.
• Yunqing decided to reduce his influence on Sunagakure over the coming years and prepare for retirement.
• Ebizo left Yunqing's office and went to Sāmon's laboratory, where he found Sāmon and Chiyo playing chess.
• Sāmon anxiously asked Ebizo about Yunqing's attitude, and Chiyo rebuked him for worrying so much.
• Ebizo and Chiyo exchanged glances and sighed at Sāmon's helplessness.

Sāmon regained his composure after Ebizo explained Yunqing’s attitude, and he was reassured that Yunqing would stay with him. Meanwhile, Yunqing reflected on his adoptive father and Madara, while Ayu delighted in the lavish gifts he received in the Land of Water.

• Ebizo told Sāmon about his conversation with Yunqing and advised him that he was overthinking Yunqing’s intentions.
• Sāmon concluded that Yunqing would stay with him and felt relieved, then invited Chiyo and Ebizo home to share food and wine.
• Yunqing sensed Sāmon’s improved mood and decided to wait until after Sāmon died before acting on his own plans.
• Yunqing drank alone, remembered his friendship with Madara Uchiha, and resolved to revive him when he had the chance.
• Ayu enjoyed the lavish gifts from the Third Mizukage, including a box of pearls and golden folding fans.

The Third Mizukage arranged for leaders across the Ninja World to choose finely crafted folding fans that reflected their countries and personalities. Ayu and the other Kage selected fans they liked, and the Mizukage’s idea helped make the Land of Water’s fan craft popular among rulers.

• The Third Mizukage decided to create symbolic folding fans for the Five Great Hidden Villages and the leaders of smaller countries.
• Before leaving the Land of Water, Ayu chose a heavy black-ribbed fan depicting a city in the rain and thanked the Third Mizukage.
• The Third Mizukage sent fans to the other rulers, and Yunqing chose one showing a traveler approaching a green city in the desert.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi chose a multicolored landscape fan, Ōnoki selected an earth-toned fan, and the Third Raikage chose one depicting a storm over a city.
• The rulers across the Ninja World were pleased with their carefully made fans.

The Third Mizukage’s fan giveaway turned into a booming business after the Five Kage and other leaders were seen using Kirigakure-made folding fans. Yunqing realized Kirigakure had accidentally seized the merchandising and celebrity-effect opportunity, while the Third Mizukage’s success would later be remembered as a masterstroke of commercial strategy.

• The Five Kage and other leaders used Kirigakure’s folding fans, and public praise made the fans wildly popular across the Ninja World.
• Kirigakure officials and citizens rushed to buy the fans, reviving the factory and leaving the Third Mizukage bewildered by its success.
• The Third Mizukage admired his own fan and returned to his official business, unaware that his actions would later earn him a reputation as the founding father of the celebrity effect.
• Yunqing woke to find fans selling rapidly in Sunagakure and investigated how the market had changed.
• Yunqing concluded that the Third Mizukage had accidentally captured the profits from celebrity-driven merchandising and lamented that he had missed the opportunity.

The Third Mizukage’s folding-fan promotion inspired Mina Uchiha to expand her endorsement business and Kakashi Hatake to plan a merchandise venture. As hidden villages looked for ways to copy the profitable maneuver, Yunqing prepared his own promotions in Sunagakure, unaware of Kakashi’s plans.

• Mina Uchiha realized that the Third Mizukage’s use of the Five Kage as endorsers had turned Kirigakure’s folding fans into a worldwide trend.
• Mina Uchiha broadened her endorsement deals and used the folding fans as an example while negotiating with wealthy families, earning plenty of money.
• Kakashi Hatake spotted a merchandise opportunity after seeing Obito Uchiha with a pirated folding fan and began secretly planning to sell products based on characters from his family’s books.
• Yunqing prepared celebrity endorsements and film and anime merchandise in Sunagakure, unaware that Kakashi was preparing to compete with him.
• The hidden villages began imitating the Third Mizukage’s maneuver in hopes of making money.

Leikai discovered how profitable Yunqing's Boonie Bears movie and its character dolls had become, while officials across the Ninja World rushed to compete in entertainment merchandise. Yunqing concluded that lasting profits required peace and resolved to push for a Kage Summit.

• Leikai watched children buy character dolls after the movie and realized the merchandise could generate steady profits.
• Ebizo reviewed orders from across the ninja world and saw how Yunqing's movie and doll factories had made money.
• Mina Uchiha tore up her clothing plan after someone beat her to the merchandise market, while Kakashi remained unconcerned about entering entertainment.
• The Five Great Hidden Villages worked to extend their influence and provide jobs so smaller nations would remain peaceful and profitable.
• Yunqing worried that Sunagakure had earned too little before other nations began making their own dolls, and decided to pursue a Kage Summit to build a more peaceful world.

Yunqing confronted Sunagakure’s leaders after refugees robbed a grain convoy and argued that the impoverished regions around the village needed support. The meeting ended with an agreement to provide aid gradually and place the regions under military administration.

• Yunqing questioned why a stolen shipment had left every escort unharmed, then explained that the escorts had willingly handed over the food to thousands of refugees.
• Yunqing had the escort captain detained for failing his duty, while acknowledging that the captain had acted out of conscience and assuring him he would keep his position.
• Yunqing urged Sunagakure’s leaders to improve conditions in the regions within its sphere of influence, but they warned that the costs and risk of war were too great.
• Yunqing argued that starving people could not serve as a buffer zone and proposed military administration, food cultivation, and gradual investment to keep them alive.
• Yunqing and the Council of Elders agreed to proceed with a phased plan rather than aid the regions all at once.

Sunagakure ninja distributed food and aid to refugees, where Sha Zhi learned from Ye Nan that she had no grounds to judge older ninja who had endured war. After a long day of work, Sha Zhi asked Shatu where she would stay, and he arranged for her to share Ye Nan’s room.

• Sunagakure ninja handed out food and rations to refugees in an unnamed small country.
• Sha Zhi criticized Shatu for speaking coldly about the refugees, and Ye Nan reminded her that older ninja had earned Sunagakure’s improved life through their sacrifices.
• Sha Zhi spent the day receiving supplies, tracking their use, keeping order, and helping with basic medical care.
• Sha Zhi realized she had nowhere to sleep and asked Shatu to help her find accommodation.
• Shatu took Sha Zhi to Ye Nan’s room, and Ye Nan agreed to share it with her.

Ye Nan took Sha Zhi in for the night and spoke with her about the brutal wars of the past, Shatu’s comrades, and why Sha Zhi had come to the front lines. By the end of their talk, Ye Nan understood Sha Zhi’s family background and felt safe enough to sleep.

• Shatu left Sha Zhi in Ye Nan’s care, and Ye Nan invited Sha Zhi to share her room.
• Ye Nan and Sha Zhi settled in for the night, and Ye Nan told her that past wars had been far bloodier than movies showed.
• Ye Nan explained that Shatu and his comrades had earned high positions through their service and military merits.
• Sha Zhi revealed that her father was close to Shatu and that she had volunteered for the front lines without telling her parents.
• Ye Nan said she had come to serve as Logistics Supervisor, then relaxed after learning Sha Zhi’s background.

Sha Zhi endured exhausting work at the military camp and grew into a capable, hardened worker. When Shatu prepared to return to Sunagakure, she wrote a detailed letter home, and he offered his support against her overprotective father.

• Sha Zhi spent more than ten days handling a range of camp duties and learned to work and eat without her former refinement.
• Shatu wrote to Sha Zhi’s father about her transformation, prompting her father to send him angry letters.
• Shatu told Sha Zhi he was returning to Sunagakure and offered to deliver a letter to her parents.
• Sha Zhi wrote five pages describing her daily life and gave the letter to Shatu.
• Shatu sympathized with Sha Zhi’s difficult relationship with her father and promised to help her if she needed anything.

Shatu reported Sunagakure’s refugee settlement and construction progress to Yunqing and the Council of Elders, who agreed the costly project had to proceed gradually. Yunqing remained committed to cautious expansion, recognizing that Sunagakure could not afford economic collapse or manage the disorder that would follow destroying the other hidden villages.

• Shatu reported that refugees had been gathered, construction was advancing quickly, and farmland preparations were complete, with self-sufficiency expected by next year.
• The Elders reviewed the surveys and costs, and one Elder warned Yunqing to expand the project step by step rather than invest too much at once.
• Yunqing agreed that the undertaking had to be long-term, and the Council supported his cautious approach.
• Yunqing considered historical examples of states weakened by costly projects and wars, concluding that military strength alone could not prevent economic decline or political backlash.
• Yunqing decided that destroying the other hidden villages would not solve the problem because Sunagakure could not take over and maintain order across the ninja world.

After the Elders left, Yunqing spoke with Shatu about the burdens of governing and questioned what Sunagakure should strive for after achieving its original goals. Shatu was left shaken by Yunqing’s fear that the village might lose its purpose and eventually fall apart.

• The Elders heard about the refugees, factories, and inspections, then left to resume their work.
• Shatu sat with Yunqing and described how exhausting it was to govern a region and bear responsibility for its people.
• Yunqing told Shatu that experienced leaders needed to take risks so younger people like Sha Zhi could learn and grow safely.
• Yunqing asked what Sunagakure should pursue after its old goals had been achieved, and Shatu realized he had no answer.
• Yunqing worried that unifying the Ninja World would not prevent Sunagakure from eventually collapsing like the legendary Ninja Creed, leaving Shatu trembling and covered in cold sweat.

After Yunqing left, Shatu struggled to recover from their conversation and kept its frightening impact to himself. He and Shayun ate together, then went on a shopping spree for Shayun’s daughter, Sha Zhi.

• Shayun found Shatu shaken in the conference room, helped him change, and asked what had happened, but Shatu refused to explain.
• Shayun asked about Sha Zhi, and Shatu reassured him that she was eating well and staying in Ye Nan’s cabin.
• Shatu and Shayun went to a tavern, where Shatu ate ravenously while Shayun worried about how difficult life was for his daughter.
• Shayun persuaded Shatu to accompany him to buy snacks and supplies for Sha Zhi, and the two old men ended up carrying armfuls of shopping bags through Sunagakure.