Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi gathered Konoha’s leaders to figure out why Sunagakure was investing so heavily in the surrounding territories. Mina Uchiha proposed that Sunagakure was building future markets and production, and the Nara Clan Head supported her explanation.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Konoha’s major figures to review intelligence on Sunagakure’s spending and discuss its plans.
• The Uchiha Clan Head offered a vague warning about the Third Kazekage, while the Hyuga Clan Head criticized him and questioned Sunagakure’s motives.
• Hatake Sakumo suggested Sunagakure was creating a buffer zone, but Mitokado Homura and others argued that the investment was too costly for that purpose.
• Mina Uchiha proposed that Sunagakure was developing poor regions into future markets and sources of low-cost production and food.
• The Nara Clan Head backed Mina Uchiha’s theory, explaining that poverty kept the surrounding regions from buying medicines.

Hiruzen Sarutobi backed a staged investment plan to expand Konoha's influence in the small countries, while Shimura Danzō agreed after Hiruzen warned that Konoha would decline if it did nothing. The Five Great Hidden Villages began a poverty alleviation campaign that pushed the Dark World out of their territories, and Ayu ordered Kage to help with the purge.

• Utatane Koharu asked Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō to give their opinions on the proposed expansion.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi supported Mina Uchiha's plan, arguing that factories and local resources would let Konoha profit while appearing to help the small countries.
• Shimura Danzō objected to the scale of the investment, but Hiruzen Sarutobi persuaded him to accept a staged approach for Konoha's survival.
• Konoha's clans pledged manpower and resources, and Hiruzen Sarutobi sent his theories to the other hidden villages.
• The Five Great Hidden Villages began poverty alleviation efforts and purged Dark World members from the small countries in their spheres of influence.
• Ayu told Kage to take half the ninja army and support the Five Great Hidden Villages in clearing out the Dark World.

Ayu lured Dark World ninjas into the Land of Rain and crushed them, presenting the purge as a way to protect the country and gain favor with the Five Great Hidden Villages. In the Kazekage's Office, Yunqing defended Ayu's strategy to Ebizo and explained why the villages would never let Ayu use their investments to build an independent power.

• Ayu's forces ambushed the Dark World ninjas who had come to seize the Land of Rain, and Ayu tested a captured leader's curse before killing him.
• Yunqing laughed at reports of Ayu's scheme, while Ebizo warned him that Ayu was insidious and ruthless.
• Yunqing argued that Ayu had invited the Dark World members in order to eliminate them and show the Five Great Hidden Villages that he was no longer one of them.
• Yunqing explained that the villages' investments in the Land of Rain were meant to let them control and profit from it, not help Ayu develop it.
• Ayu convinced the three little ones that Dark World members would destroy the Land of Rain, and they joined the purge, proving their strength rivaled the young Sannin.

After months at sea, Yagura decided the voyage had brought enough treasure and ordered the crew to return home before their growing conflicts caused a crisis. The sailors’ spirits improved once their destination was clear, and the fleet began preparing for the journey back.

• Yagura grew weary of repeated fights among the sailors and decided that the fleet should return home with its spoils.
• Yagura summoned Suke, Orochimaru, and the others, ordered them to send word to their villages, ration supplies, and take turns steering the ship back.
• Sasori learned of the order from Suke and heard the lower-ranking sailors cheer at the prospect of returning.
• The sailors’ resentment faded after they confirmed the fleet was returning, and Sasori even saw Orochimaru and Suke smile.

Yagura’s crew decided to turn back after a difficult voyage along an unexplored sea route, and he reported the expedition’s findings to the Third Mizukage. Suke informed Yunqing of the decision, and Yunqing approved the return while ordering the crew to document their route and observations.

• After enduring dangerous seas and frequent fights among the crew, Yagura’s expedition decided to return rather than continue exploring.
• Yagura contacted the Third Mizukage through a water-made Three-Tails and reported the journey’s intelligence and gains; the Third Mizukage froze the lake and told him to return alive.
• Suke contacted Yunqing and explained that the crew’s morale had deteriorated, with hundreds of fights in a month.
• Yunqing told Suke to follow the captain’s decision, bring back the nautical route, and record everything the crew had seen and heard.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Orochimaru a message asking him to document his experiences and prioritize returning safely. After receiving Kari’s report about the sea, Ōnoki and the Third Raikage mobilized to build fleets and seize the resources and technology they needed.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the messenger snake to ask Orochimaru to record his experiences, prepare a report on the sea, and put his safety first.
• Ōnoki received Kari’s intelligence and called an urgent meeting about Iwagakure’s maritime ambitions.
• Iwagakure’s elders agreed to mobilize timber, acquire shipbuilding technology from Kirigakure, and take resources from smaller countries if necessary.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to produce a fleet within a month so the village could claim the benefits of the sea.
• The Third Raikage decided Kumogakure would seize resources from small countries and plunder the sea to expand its military power.

Suke and Sasori returned to Sunagakure and reported the dangers and discoveries of their voyage to Yunqing and the elders. With Sunagakure’s fleet ready at Harbor Port, the meeting ended with the village still needing an experienced captain.

• Yagura and the returning crew reached the Land of Water, where the Third Mizukage welcomed them with a banquet and learned they had grown sick of eating fish at sea.
• The travelers departed to report their experiences to their villages, while the Fourth Raikage beat Killer B, ate a roasted cow, and was then punished for delaying his report.
• Chiyo turned Sunagakure’s meeting into a tea party, and Yunqing let Suke and Sasori eat her pastries before Suke recounted the voyage’s dangers, strange islands, madmen, and treasures.
• An elder told Yunqing that Sunagakure’s fleet was ready but lacked a seasoned captain, and Yunqing silently looked to Suke.

Sasori returned to Sunagakure after enduring a dangerous voyage, and Yunqing told him he now had the qualifications to compete for Kazekage. Sasori left more confident and mature, while Yunqing reflected on why he admired Sasori’s audacity.

• Suke reluctantly accepted that he was Sunagakure’s only experienced sailor and would have to go to sea.
• After the Elders left, Chiyo reminded Sasori to go home to his waiting family, and Yunqing questioned him about how the voyage had changed him.
• Yunqing told Sasori he could compete for Kazekage, while Sasori questioned why Yunqing believed he was suited for the position.
• Sasori left feeling relieved and wary, having learned to speak less and think more during his voyage.
• Yunqing reflected on Sasori’s boldness and compared his strength with other notable ninja.

Sasori reflected on the responsibility of becoming Kazekage and how Yunqing had sent him out into the world to correct his increasingly radical mindset. He returned home to celebrate his growth with his family, while Chiyo promised to stay by his side and teach him.

• Sasori recalled how he had become determined to prove his talent after learning that people respected him because Yunqing had chosen him.
• Sasori remembered how Yunqing sent him out to sea to broaden his horizons, and how the hardships changed his attitude toward others.
• Sasori resisted the temptations of the food street by thinking of the feast waiting for him at home.
• Chiyo, Ebizo, Senra, and Sasori's mother welcomed him with a family dinner, gifts, and a cake.
• Chiyo told Sasori she had resigned as an advisor so she could stay home with him, and promised to teach him.

Yunqing struggled to create a management system for Sunagakure’s new fleet and forced the village’s advisers, Elders, and young people to help him think of solutions. The chapter left Sasori miserable after Yunqing made him deputy captain and handed him responsibility for the fleet’s plans.

• Yunqing summoned Suke, Bunpuku, and Sunagakure’s advisers and Elders to the conference room to devise a system for the fleet.
• When no one offered ideas, Yunqing threatened to keep everyone there until they reached a conclusion.
• Suke recommended recruiting young people and named Sasori as a promising candidate.
• Yunqing summoned Sasori and other recommended young people, then asked them to offer suggestions for the fleet.
• Yunqing made Sasori deputy captain under Suke, leaving Sasori worried about the fleet’s needs and the responsibility for any problems.

Sasori proposed copying Kirigakure’s fleet management methods, and Yunqing appointed him and Suke to organize Sunagakure’s fleet and training. Yunqing explained that he wanted to test Sasori’s potential and challenge the elders’ fear of taking risks.

• Sasori suggested that Sunagakure copy Kirigakure’s fleet methods and adapt them after testing them in practice.
• Yunqing praised Sasori and assigned him and Suke responsibility for fleet formation, staffing, supplies, and sailor training.
• Sāmon suspected Yunqing and Suke had arranged for Sasori to shine, but Yunqing said he was giving Sasori an opportunity to prove himself.
• Yunqing told Sāmon that he wanted to test Sasori’s limits and argued that giving young people authority could help Sunagakure avoid stagnation.
• Yunqing criticized the elders for staying silent about a workable option out of fear, and said Sunagakure needed to break such ridiculous habits itself.

Yunqing waited alone in the Kazekage Building and met with the Sage of Six Paths, confronting him about teaching Nagato. They disagreed over Nagato’s rapid growth and whether the Ninja World’s uneasy peace should be preserved.

• Yunqing dismissed everyone from the Kazekage Building and waited alone in the dark conference room, reading by moonlight.
• The Sage of Six Paths appeared and marveled at the room’s chair and sound-activated light.
• Yunqing accused the Sage of Six Paths of teaching Nagato and insisted he could recognize the truth about Nagato’s Rinnegan.
• The Sage of Six Paths admitted he had guided Nagato and defended his right to help a descendant with the Rinnegan.
• Yunqing warned that Nagato’s rapidly growing strength could upset the balance and trigger war, while the Sage of Six Paths criticized the Five Great Hidden Villages’ rivalry and defended his vision of peace.
• Yunqing dismissed the Sage of Six Paths’ idealistic vision and argued that the current world was better than the hardships people once endured.

Yunqing and the Sage of Six Paths argued over whether the Ninja World's violent order was healthy, then tried to settle their disagreement in a day-long battle. Yunqing left at dawn, and the Sage of Six Paths restored the land their fight had devastated.

• Yunqing rejected the Sage of Six Paths' claim that the world was malformed, and they argued over war and the strong oppressing the weak.
• Yunqing and the Sage of Six Paths moved to an uninhabited area and fought with their weapons and abilities, including Chibaku Tensei, Saint Dragon's Roar, and Shinra Tensei.
• Yunqing and the Sage of Six Paths exchanged large-scale Chakra attacks until both were injured.
• After fighting through the night, Yunqing returned home at dawn, leaving the Sage of Six Paths behind.
• The Sage of Six Paths used natural energy and Yin-Yang Chakra to restore the ruined land with Wood Release.

Sha Huo reflected on how his document-distribution job had taught him valuable skills and connections before Yunqing startled him at the Kazekage Building. Yunqing teased him about Sha Zhi and offered to transfer them together, leaving Sha Huo flustered and fleeing back to work.

• Sha Huo arrived at the Kazekage Building early and checked the meeting room, noticing a book and signs that a chair had been moved.
• Yunqing returned to retrieve his book and startled Sha Huo, who leapt away and drew a kunai.
• Yunqing recognized Sha Huo as Sha Zhi's friend and recalled their visit to a tavern.
• Yunqing offered to transfer Sha Huo and Sha Zhi together, and Sha Huo denied wanting to be with her before running off.

After fighting through the night, Yunqing returned to the Kazekage Building to sleep while the Sage of Six Paths experimented with altering the soil. Black Zetsu hid in Nagato’s office, waiting for a chance to manipulate him, but loneliness made the long wait difficult.

• Yunqing returned to the Kazekage Building, greeted the young workers, and went to sleep before regular work hours.
• The Sage of Six Paths experimented with combining chakra and Natural Chakra to change the soil.
• Black Zetsu watched the guarded Leader Building and recalled how Nagato had attacked him when he last tried to approach.
• Black Zetsu hid in Nagato’s office, hoping to find a chance to deceive him, but grew restless from waiting alone.

Black Zetsu endured three days of watching Nagato stay in his office, then searched Nagato’s room and planted a scroll of secret rumors in his safe. He returned to his base and sent White Zetsu to gather intelligence and monitor Nagato, knowing his lack of strength forced him to rely on schemes.

• Black Zetsu watched Nagato spend three days in his office before Konan called him away on a mission.
• Black Zetsu hid from three cleaners, then emerged after they left and complained about Nagato and the Land of Rain.
• Black Zetsu found Nagato reading trashy novels and secretly planted a scroll of secret rumors in Nagato’s safe.
• Black Zetsu returned to his base and ordered White Zetsu to investigate the Ninja World and monitor Nagato.
• Black Zetsu reflected that power decided everything and that his weakness forced him to plan carefully.

After Nagato’s strength unsettled him, Black Zetsu set out to build an army by cultivating White Zetsu and experimenting with ninja as raw material. He captured a small squad and began using them to hatch more White Zetsu, determined to become strong enough to challenge the ninja world alone.

• Black Zetsu sent White Zetsu to monitor the ninja world, then began cultivating an army in the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path using Kaguya's laboratory and research.
• Black Zetsu produced a White Zetsu but found it had only basic abilities, so he decided to use ninja as nourishment to create stronger ones.
• Black Zetsu and several hundred White Zetsu ambushed and dragged a small squad of ninja underground, draining their Chakra.
• Black Zetsu fed the captured ninja to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and began hatching more White Zetsu, intending to challenge the ninja world by himself.

Black Zetsu experimented with combining White Zetsu and animals, creating formidable monsters, then took control of the Land of Fields to secure a steady supply of people for his army. As the new daimyo, Heifu, he planned to build a force of hundreds of thousands of White Zetsu and take revenge on the Five Great Hidden Villages.

• Black Zetsu fused White Zetsu with animals and created savage monsters whose combat ability rivaled ordinary Jonin.
• Black Zetsu decided to take over the Land of Fields to obtain more people for his experiments.
• The old daimyo's collaboration with Dark World rogue ninjas plunged the Land of Fields into chaos, and he killed himself out of shame.
• Heifu took over as daimyo, drove out the rogue ninjas, formed a ninja army, and promised tax relief for disaster-stricken regions.
• Heifu sold some family lands to the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, secretly gaining experimental subjects in return.
• Black Zetsu revealed that he controlled the Land of Fields and planned to create a White Zetsu army numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Black Zetsu enjoyed ruling the Land of Fields through White Zetsu while trying to win Nagato over with a deceptive scroll. Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan rejected the scroll’s attempt to turn them against Ayu and Kage, leaving Black Zetsu’s plan thwarted.

• Black Zetsu reflected on how comfortable life had become after he assimilated the Land of Fields’ leaders into White Zetsu and took control of the government.
• Black Zetsu asked White Zetsu how Nagato had reacted to the scroll, then grew furious when he learned Nagato had not turned against Ayu and Kage.
• Nagato sensed Black Zetsu’s presence in his office, found the scroll, and read its account of Ayu and Kage’s past.
• Nagato told Yahiko and Konan about the scroll, and Yahiko said they should judge the Leader by how he led the Land of Rain rather than by his past.
• Konan pledged to support Yahiko and Nagato, and all three decided not to trust Black Zetsu’s attempt to make them rebel against Ayu.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan confronted Ayu after finding a letter that revealed his original plans, but Ayu explained his motives and asked whether the sincerity of his feelings mattered given how well the Land of Rain and the children had fared. After learning Black Zetsu had planted the letter, Ayu urged them to focus on stabilizing the Land of Rain, leaving the threat unresolved.

• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan brought the letter to Ayu and asked whether he had used them to conquer the Ninja World.
• Ayu admitted his former ambitions and explained that he now wanted to improve the Land of Rain and prepare for retirement.
• Yahiko backed down from his confrontation, and Nagato revealed that he had found the letter after sensing Black Zetsu in his room.
• Ayu said they should focus on the Land of Rain and take no action against Black Zetsu unless they could locate him.
• Nagato suggested strengthening their defenses and pursuing Black Zetsu only if they had the time and resources.