Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru left Konoha with a warehouse’s worth of supplies sealed in a rare high-capacity scroll, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hatake Sakumo explained that they wanted to keep him away from Jiraiya and Tsunade’s influence. The chapter ended with Hiruzen learning that Jiraiya was drunk in a tavern, loudly declaring that Konoha had changed.

• Orochimaru left Konoha carrying the supplies Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hatake Sakumo had given him in an exceptionally powerful Sealing Scroll.
• Hatake Sakumo confirmed to Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had departed and that he had watched the gates to ensure he did not return.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Hatake Sakumo that he had hurried Orochimaru away to keep Jiraiya and Tsunade from distracting him from his research.
• An Anbu reported that Jiraiya had gotten drunk and was loudly proclaiming in a tavern that Konoha had changed.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the Anbu and accepted the report wearily.

After Jiraiya caused a drunken disturbance in a Konoha tavern, Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Hatake Sakumo to subdue and confine him. Jiraiya woke up hungover in an Anbu cell and learned Sakumo planned to keep him locked up for ten days to half a month.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Hatake Sakumo to teach Jiraiya a lesson and lock him in the confinement room.
• Jiraiya drunkenly fought the Uchiha Guard and complained about Hiruzen Sarutobi while the guards tried to calm him.
• Hatake Sakumo paid Uchiha Sahyōe to withdraw the Guard, then knocked Jiraiya unconscious and carried him to the Anbu dungeon.
• Hatake Sakumo reported the incident to Hiruzen Sarutobi and went home, leaving Jiraiya restrained in the dungeon.
• Jiraiya woke up hungover, shouted for help, and tried to laugh off the situation when Hatake Sakumo brought him breakfast.
• Hatake Sakumo told Jiraiya that the Hokage had ordered him confined for ten days to half a month.

Hatake Sakumo placed Jiraiya in confinement after his drunken remarks angered Hiruzen Sarutobi, then challenged Jiraiya’s objections to Konoha’s actions. The chapter ended with Sakumo insisting that a person’s birthplace determined where their loyalties belonged.

• Hatake Sakumo refused Jiraiya’s request to return to the front lines and presented the confinement order signed by the Third Hokage.
• Hatake Sakumo freed Jiraiya so he could bathe and change, then escorted him back to the confinement room after Jiraiya caused no trouble.
• Jiraiya questioned Konoha’s experiments and conduct during peacetime, and Hatake Sakumo argued that Konoha needed strength to protect its people and territory.
• Jiraiya asked whether their experiments had gone too far, and Hatake Sakumo replied that the living mattered more than the dead, especially when the dead came from other hidden villages.
• Jiraiya argued that everyone was human, but Hatake Sakumo said birthplace made a great difference.

Hatake Sakumo used Hiruzen Sarutobi’s talking points to challenge Jiraiya’s ideas and watched Jiraiya’s arguments falter. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally apologized to the Uchiha Clan, settling the dispute amicably and leaving both sides satisfied.

• Hatake Sakumo repeated Hiruzen Sarutobi’s arguments to Jiraiya and grew wary of how effectively his teacher could influence people.
• Hatake Sakumo considered keeping the Hatake Family away from Hiruzen Sarutobi while Jiraiya’s resolve weakened.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi visited the Uchiha Clan with gifts to apologize for Jiraiya injuring several Clan Members.
• The Uchiha Clan Head received Hiruzen Sarutobi courteously, and Fugaku Uchiha poured him a drink.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi apologized to the injured Uchiha Clan Members and expressed concern for them and Fugaku Uchiha, resolving the matter peacefully.

Yunqing and the Uzumakis prepared to test their first Gene Potion, which was designed to extend life and enhance physical qualities. They injected it into a scorpion Ninja Beast called Little Scorpion, and Yunqing observed its transformation beginning.

• Yunqing asked who would test the Gene Potion, and Aizawa Uzumaki estimated it might extend a subject's lifespan by ten to twenty years.
• Yunqing chose a Ninja Beast instead of a human as the test subject.
• Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi brought in Little Scorpion, whose lifespan was nearly over, and prepared the equipment.
• Aizawa Uzumaki injected Little Scorpion with thirty milliliters of Gene Potion, and Yunqing used Angel's Eye and the Void Engine to monitor him.
• Yunqing saw Little Scorpion's metabolism speed up as the Gene Potion spread through his body, and the transformation began.

Little Scorpion survived the Gene Potion transformation, becoming healthier, stronger, and younger. Yunqing assigned Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi to develop the next potion and make the successful formula affordable, then left with potions for Sunagakure's elders.

• Little Scorpion endured the painful transformation as its shell broke and regenerated, its body recovered, and its lifespan extended.
• Yunqing ordered Aizawa Uzumaki to examine Little Scorpion, and the tests found no side effects and major gains in its health, chakra, and physical strength.
• Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi told Yunqing the Gene Potion experiment had succeeded.
• Yunqing assigned Uzumaki Kōshi to research the next stage of the potion and Aizawa Uzumaki to simplify the formula for wider access.
• Yunqing took potions for Sunagakure's elders and left, pleased with his obedient subordinates.

Yunqing planned to use the Gene Potion on Sunagakure’s annual holiday, when officials from across the Land of Wind returned to report to him. He remained cautious about using his space ninjutsu to invade other villages, and the chapter ended with him preparing for the gathered officials’ arrival.

• Yunqing reflected on how Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha had squandered the Uchiha Clan’s chance to seize power, reinforcing his preference for Sunagakure.
• Yunqing kept the Gene Potion’s purpose quiet while Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi worked on simplifying and further developing it.
• Sunagakure and the Land of Wind celebrated the anniversary of Yunqing becoming Kazekage, and officials returned to report their work.
• Yunqing considered how his space ninjutsu could rapidly deploy powerful fighters, but decided not to teleport into other villages and provoke them.

Sunagakure hosted a festival and duty-reporting day as officials from across the Land of Wind gathered at the Kazekage Building. Yunqing had Shatu escorted away for disrupting the reports, but Shatu was not punished and later relaxed in the Kazekage's Office with Yunqing and the others while they waited for Sasori.

• Officials from across the Land of Wind returned to Sunagakure to report on their regions, and Ebizo received many newly risen small-city lords.
• Shatu offered supplies and assistance to the young officials, disrupting their reports until two Anbu carried him away.
• Yunqing's public response pleased the officials, who felt that he had shown respect for their work by removing Shatu.
• Shatu joined Yunqing, Suke, Rasa, and others in the Kazekage's Office, where they ate snacks and drank tea instead of punishing him.
• Shatu remarked that Sasori would join them once he arrived, and Suke said Sasori's late arrival was understandable.

Yunqing called Sasori to his office, where Sasori impressed the senior leaders with his humility and calm demeanor. After keeping everyone waiting through an afternoon of paperwork, Yunqing led them out at night, leaving them to suspect that something serious was about to happen.

• Sasori arrived at Yunqing's office and greeted Yunqing, Shatu, Suke, and Rasa.
• Shatu praised Sasori's work in Harbor City, and Sasori responded modestly while thinking about the need to appear approachable.
• Yunqing continued processing documents as the others spent the afternoon chatting, drinking tea, and waiting.
• Yunqing stood up and led the four others outside, surprising them with his unusually cool manner.
• Night fell as the group walked past shops illuminated by neon lights for the visiting dignitaries.

Yunqing brought Sunagakure’s leaders and experts to a hidden research base, where Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi revealed a Gene Potion that improved health, lifespan, and strength. After the group received injections, the potion’s effects became clear, especially for the elderly and veteran fighters.

• Yunqing led four companions through Sunagakure without drawing notice and took them through a secret passage to a research base.
• Chiyo questioned Yunqing about gathering Sunagakure’s senior combatants, and Yunqing said he had a gift for them.
• Aizawa Uzumaki announced that he and Uzumaki Kōshi had developed a Gene Potion that could extend lifespan and improve bodily functions.
• Suke received the potion, and the testing machine and Sensor Ninjas recorded improvements in his appearance, Chakra, and recovery.
• A veteran Quasi-Kage received the potion and regained vitality, with his Chakra rising to a new level.
• Yunqing oversaw the injections for everyone present; the strongest visible changes appeared in elderly fighters, while Sasori’s changes showed mainly in the test data.

Shatu and the other elderly Sunagakure leaders celebrated the effects of Yunqing’s Gene Potion, which restored their vitality and eased old injuries. As the banquet revealed that many recipients struggled to control their boosted strength, Yunqing explained that Bunpuku’s training focused on his state of mind because he carried the One-Tail.

• Shatu felt his vitality and Chakra surge after receiving the Gene Potion, and Yunqing suggested that even better versions might be developed in the future.
• Yunqing welcomed the elderly leaders to enjoy the potion’s benefits, and he opened a banquet hall where they celebrated and Sasori met many of Sunagakure’s senior figures.
• Suke demonstrated his rapid recovery, while Rasa and Karura showed that their sudden increase in strength had left them struggling to control it.
• Yunqing advised Rasa and Karura to continue training and explained to Karura that Bunpuku focused on tempering his state of mind because he carried the One-Tail.

Yunqing and Suke taught Rasa and Karura to stay humble after their strength increased, pointing to Bunpuku’s discipline and lifelong perseverance as examples. Rasa thanked Suke, while Yunqing left to meet Sāmon, who asked what had happened.

• Yunqing explained that Bunpuku’s mastery of the One-Tail and disciplined life made him a powerful example for Rasa and Karura.
• Suke told Rasa and Karura that Bunpuku’s decades of steady effort could make him formidable even without the One-Tail.
• Yunqing urged Rasa and Karura to learn from everyone and left after seeing Sāmon wave to him.
• Suke compared Bunpuku’s persistence to White Fang’s daily sword practice, and Rasa thanked him for his guidance.
• Sāmon asked Yunqing why he had spoken with Rasa and Karura, and Yunqing said he had advised them after their sudden increase in strength unsettled them.

Yunqing and Pakura sparred at a training ground in Sunagakure, where Pakura celebrated how much the Gene Potion had improved her stamina. Yunqing carried her home, and Pakura happily praised him as unmatched among men in the ninja world.

• Yunqing and Pakura fought an intense taijutsu spar for thirty minutes without using ninjutsu.
• Pakura said the Gene Potion had increased how long she could keep fighting, and Yunqing encouraged her to compare herself with her past self.
• Yunqing picked Pakura up and carried her home after their training.
• Pakura rested against Yunqing and said she was happy to have such a strong, handsome husband.
• Pakura compared Yunqing with other men, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Sasuke, and Naruto, and concluded that everyone had flaws.

After the banquet, Sunagakure’s residents tested the improvements from the Gene Potion, while Bunpuku and Shukaku shared a quiet evening. Shukaku felt hopeful that Bunpuku would live longer, and Bunpuku’s affection for his longtime companion showed in his smile.

• Chiyo practiced with the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu and noticed that her strength and control had improved.
• Ebizo trained, Sasori practiced boxing, and Bunpuku copied scriptures before going to sleep.
• Shukaku teased Bunpuku about his crooked writing, then watched him quietly as Bunpuku continued copying scriptures.
• Shukaku remembered how the Nine-Tails had been mistreated and felt pleased that his own life with Bunpuku was more peaceful.
• Shukaku felt relieved that the Gene Potion could extend Bunpuku’s life, while Bunpuku smiled with affection for his longtime companion.

Bunpuku accepted that his bond with Shukaku kept him from becoming detached from worldly ties, and reached a state of inner completeness. He told Yunqing that Shukaku wanted to contribute to the Gene Potion, leaving Yunqing amused by the One-Tail’s offer.

• Shukaku told Bunpuku he would provide whatever he could for the Gene Potion, and Bunpuku urged him to leave Sunagakure if Bunpuku and the Kazekage were gone.
• Bunpuku assured Shukaku he would keep walking alongside him, then realized his affection for Shukaku was unfinished business that kept him from becoming a Buddha.
• Bunpuku attained a state of enlightenment, and Yunqing noticed his newfound ease when they met the next day.
• Bunpuku told Yunqing that Shukaku wanted to do his part for Sunagakure, and Yunqing recalled how he had beaten Shukaku into submission.

Yunqing asked Shukaku to become his sparring partner, but Shukaku and Bunpuku fled rather than risk his punishing fists. They went to seek out Aizawa Uzumaki instead, who welcomed Bunpuku and considered the benefits of building a relationship with him.

• Yunqing decided Shukaku could not help with anything except serving as a punching bag, then suggested that he become Yunqing's sparring partner.
• Bunpuku and Shukaku silently left the Kazekage Building, agreeing that Yunqing's fists were too dangerous.
• Bunpuku warned Shukaku not to help Yunqing, and Shukaku recalled how Yunqing's casual punches had injured him.
• Bunpuku and Shukaku chose to visit Aizawa Uzumaki and offer themselves as experimental materials instead.
• Aizawa Uzumaki hurried to greet Bunpuku, hoping to build a useful relationship with him and strengthen the Uzumaki Clan's standing.

Aizawa Uzumaki struggled to find a way for Bunpuku to help with Sunagakure’s Gene Potion research. After Bunpuku offered his resources and volunteered for experiments, Aizawa realized that Bunpuku and Shukaku could assist with research into Tailed Beasts and immortality.

• Aizawa Uzumaki wondered why Bunpuku had come, since the Uzumaki Clan and Bunpuku had never had much contact.
• Bunpuku offered to help with Sunagakure’s work, but Aizawa explained that the Gene Potion research required specialized knowledge Bunpuku lacked.
• Bunpuku offered his accumulated contribution points, resources, and connections, and Aizawa asked him to use those connections to find rare and unusual items.
• Bunpuku volunteered to serve as a test subject, prompting Aizawa to consider experiments involving Bunpuku and Shukaku.
• Aizawa reasoned that studying Tailed Beasts might reveal clues to immortality because they had outlasted generations of humans.

Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi began researching Tailed Beast immortality after Bunpuku and Shukaku agreed to share information and samples. Their discussion led them to investigate whether Chakra quality influenced lifespan, and they planned to compare bloodline genes and Clan Member life records.

• Aizawa Uzumaki summoned Uzumaki Kōshi, and they asked Bunpuku and Shukaku whether they could research Shukaku.
• Shukaku gave his permission and wondered why he could outlive powerful people, while suspecting Yunqing's unusual vitality was not explained by the Tai Chi Sealing Technique alone.
• Bunpuku shared information about Shukaku's Chakra and condition, and provided physical samples for research.
• Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi considered whether high-quality Chakra might contribute to longer lifespans.
• Uzumaki Kōshi decided they needed bloodline limit genes and detailed life records of Clan Members for comparison, and Aizawa Uzumaki said resources would be available.

After seeing how the Gene Potions restored their strength and extended their prospects, Sunagakure’s older leaders became more devoted to Yunqing. They pooled rare resources and research materials for Aizawa Uzumaki so the younger generation could benefit, leaving Yunqing’s sincerity toward them repaid with their own.

• Several banquet guests found their Chakra reserves and strength greatly increased after using the Gene Potions, and they believed some among them could reach Kage-level.
• Seven or eight Sunagakure bigwigs gathered at a restaurant, compared their recoveries, and praised Yunqing for treating them with integrity.
• The bigwigs reasoned that Yunqing had given the costly first batch of Gene Potions to them instead of the younger generation because he valued them.
• The gathering’s leader urged everyone to give Aizawa Uzumaki unusual resources to help the young people grow faster.
• The bigwigs offered bloodline-limit materials, Forbidden Jutsu research, and Sengoku-era family relics to Aizawa Uzumaki.

Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi received an astonishing collection of clan treasures and experimental notes from Sunagakure’s elders, who offered them to repay Yunqing’s trust after receiving the Gene Potion. Yunqing reviewed the gifts with Pakura and saw that his longtime companions had contributed even rarer items than he had expected.

• Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi examined rare resources and frozen Kekkei Genkai bodies delivered to the laboratory.
• More clan members brought experimental notes from the Warring States era, and Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi admired their contents.
• Aizawa Uzumaki and Uzumaki Kōshi realized that Bunpuku, Chiyo, and others had also contributed valuable clan treasures, including several Kekkei Genkai bodies.
• Yunqing read his subordinates’ report and told Pakura that his longtime companions had repaid his efforts without disappointing him.
• Pakura saw that the gifts included a Senju Clan Kekkei Genkai body, and Yunqing explained that Sunagakure had acquired it through decades of fighting Konoha.