Chapter Summaries

Nanchuan You secured Kumogakure’s agreement to let the Konoha Group expand across the Land of Lightning in exchange for investments and profits. After the negotiations, he urged Uzumaki Sōmei to reconsider relocating the Uzumaki Clan to the Land of Fire.

• Nanchuan You offered Kumogakure interest-free loans and investments in exchange for protecting Konoha Group operations in the Land of Lightning, and the Third Raikage agreed.
• The Kumogakure delegation departed satisfied, while Shimura Danzō predicted they would eventually regret the deal.
• Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō began cleaning up the Land of Whirlpools battlefield.
• Nanchuan You reminded Uzumaki Sōmei that he had warned him about Kumogakure and invited the Uzumaki Clan to relocate to the Land of Fire, where Konoha would provide them territory.

Nanchuan You persuaded Uzumaki Sōmei to relocate the Uzumaki Clan to land near Konoha, offering favorable terms and a seat on Konoha’s Advisory Council. He then asked Uzumaki Mito to teach him the Reaper Death Seal and revealed that he believed Uchiha Madara might still be alive.

• Nanchuan You showed Uzumaki Sōmei a map and offered the Uzumaki Clan land near Konoha, and Sōmei agreed to relocate after consulting the Clan Elders.
• Nanchuan You promised that the Uzumaki Clan head could join Konoha’s Advisory Council and that the clan would receive preferential treatment.
• Nanchuan You asked Uzumaki Mito to teach him the Reaper Death Seal, explaining that it could help him face a powerful enemy.
• Nanchuan You told Uzumaki Mito that his research suggested Uchiha Madara had survived his battle with Senju Hashirama by using Izanagi.
• Uzumaki Mito acknowledged that Izanagi could explain Madara’s survival but doubted he would have chosen to hide and wait for Hashirama to die.

Nanchuan You gained Uzumaki Mito’s agreement to teach him the Reaper Death Seal, then anticipated that his Wood Release would attract Black Zetsu’s attention. Black Zetsu discovered that Nanchuan You carried a trace of Otsutsuki Kaguya’s presence and reported his findings to Uchiha Madara, who became interested in the Uchiha with Wood Release.

• Nanchuan You explained to Uzumaki Mito that he wanted the Reaper Death Seal as a precaution against Uchiha Madara, and she agreed to teach him.
• Uzumaki Mito urged Nanchuan You to prepare for his wedding with Tsunade, and he agreed.
• Nanchuan You suspected Black Zetsu had noticed his Wood Release and began considering what might come next.
• Black Zetsu sensed that Nanchuan You possessed Asura’s chakra and a faint presence resembling Otsutsuki Kaguya’s, but found he was not Indra’s reincarnation.
• Black Zetsu returned to Uchiha Madara and reported what he had learned, prompting Uchiha Madara to take an interest in Nanchuan You.

Uzumaki Sōmei and most of the Uzumaki Clan moved from the Land of Whirlpools to land near Konoha, where they marveled at the prosperous village and their new home. Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara considered Nanchuan You as a potential agent but dismissed the idea and continued cultivating his powers.

• Uchiha Madara heard reports about Nanchuan You and regretted that the Hokage could not serve as his agent for the Eye of the Moon Plan.
• Uchiha Madara briefly manifested the Rinnegan while drawing on Yin Release and Yang Release, then resumed his cultivation.
• Uzumaki Sōmei and the other migrants arrived in Konoha and were astonished by its modern streets, vehicles, shops, and prosperous residents.
• Mitokado Homura welcomed the Uzumaki Clan and led them to the land Nanchuan You had arranged for their settlement.
• Uzumaki Sōmei and the others admired the fertile land, while most of the clan had already agreed to leave the Land of Whirlpools.
• Mitokado Homura told the Uzumaki Clan that Nanchuan You had arranged supplies to help them settle, and Konoha's clans reacted differently to their arrival.

The Hyuga Clan held a meeting as its leaders confronted how their conservatism had left them behind Konoha’s reforms and other clans’ growing wealth and influence. With Branch Family members growing dissatisfied and their combat advantages eroding, the Clan Head acknowledged that they could no longer keep living as before.

• The Hyuga Clan Head and Elders discussed how other clans had gained wealth, status, and new opportunities through Konoha’s development.
• The elders recognized that the Hyuga Clan had repeatedly avoided Konoha’s reforms, including school enrollment, construction projects, and expansion.
• The Hyuga leaders noted that Konoha’s expanding education system was producing ninjas who could rival the Hyuga despite lacking clan backgrounds.
• The Clan Head admitted that most Hyuga clansmen were dissatisfied because other clans had grown wealthier while their own lives remained unchanged.

The Hyuga Clan leaders discussed how conservative Main Family policies had left the clan’s Branch Family increasingly resentful and the clan excluded from Konoha’s expanding power structure. The Hyuga Clan Head called for reforms and a closer relationship with Lord Hokage, while an elder urged them to secure an Advisor position.

• The Hyuga Clan Head warned that Branch Family members might slip out of the Main Family’s control as resentment over the clan’s lack of prosperity grew.
• The elders recognized that the Caged Bird and shared clan interests could not guarantee the Main Family’s rule if Branch Family members chose to leave.
• A Hyuga Clan Elder warned that the Hyuga Clan was being pushed out of Konoha’s circle of power and had gained no influence from the reformation.
• The Hyuga Clan Head said the clan must ease its restrictions and stop shutting itself away to avoid growing resentment and becoming marginal in Konoha.
• A Clan Elder urged the Hyuga Clan to build a good relationship with Lord Hokage and secure an Advisor position.

The Hyuga Clan discussed gaining influence with Hokage Nanchuan You and decided to prepare an impressive wedding gift. After returning, Nanchuan You reunited with Tsunade and heard about Orochimaru and Hiruko's research before Hiruko asked why Nanchuan You's Wood Release was stronger than his.

• The Hyuga Clan Head and elders agreed to prepare an impressive gift for Nanchuan You and Tsunade's wedding to demonstrate their sincerity.
• Nanchuan You returned to the laboratory, where Tsunade hugged him and checked him for injuries after his fight with the Third Raikage.
• Orochimaru and Hiruko reported their ongoing work refining forbidden techniques, including Impure World Reincarnation.
• Nanchuan You encouraged Orochimaru and Hiruko to keep improving the techniques even if results took time.
• Hiruko asked Nanchuan You why his absorbed Wood Release was much stronger than Hiruko's, and Orochimaru listened with interest.

Nanchuan You warned Hiruko that absorbing the Nine-Tails’ flesh and blood could overwhelm him with its instincts, and promised a low-concentration sample for safe testing. Later that night, Hiruko secretly stole a vial from the laboratory and left with it.

• Nanchuan You demonstrated the Nine-Tails’ chakra and explained that its power helped strengthen his Wood Release.
• Hiruko wanted to absorb the Nine-Tails’ flesh and blood, but Nanchuan You warned that he could go mad unless he strengthened his will.
• Nanchuan You and Orochimaru agreed to prepare a low-concentration sample so Hiruko could experience the power with less risk.
• Nanchuan You sent Orochimaru to rest and pointed out that Jiraiya was waiting outside the laboratory.
• Hiruko sneaked into the laboratory late at night, found a vial of the Nine-Tails’ flesh and blood, and stole it.

Nanchuan You warned Hiruko to stop attempting to absorb the Nine-Tails’ cells after Hiruko’s failed experiment, then revived Hiruzen Sarutobi from a sealed coffin. Hiruzen awoke confused, and Nanchuan You welcomed him back to Konoha.

• Hiruko returned to Nanchuan You’s lab pale and exhausted after failing to absorb the Nine-Tails’ cells, and Nanchuan You warned him that another attempt could kill him.
• Hiruko asked how Nanchuan You had mastered the Nine-Tails’ cells, but Nanchuan You said his method would not work for anyone else and cautioned Hiruko against trying again.
• Hiruko thanked Nanchuan You for protecting him, and Nanchuan You replied that caring for his student was natural.
• Nanchuan You decided it was time to release Hiruzen Sarutobi and summoned the coffin containing him at his residence.
• Nanchuan You undid the sealing technique, and Hiruzen Sarutobi revived, mistook Nanchuan You for Tsugi, and asked whether he was in the world of the dead.
• Nanchuan You told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he was back in Konoha and greeted him as Teacher Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha after years of absence and toured the transformed village, learning how much Nanchuan You had changed and expanded it. He discovered Konoha had become a major city and was asserting control over the Land of Fire, while its influence over other powers had grown.

• Nanchuan You told Hiruzen Sarutobi he was free to return home and could seek him out in a few days.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi entered Konoha and was stunned by its high-rises, streetlights, busy streets, and extensive construction.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Konoha's population had grown close to one million as newcomers arrived for work and business.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered that the Land of Lightning had signed a ceasefire and the Raikage had submitted to Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that the Uzumaki Clan had agreed to merge with Konoha and that Konoha had risen above the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that Konoha controlled the Land of Fire's transportation routes and had established military bases across its regions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted that Nanchuan You had strengthened Konoha and decided not to interfere with his rule. After Shimura Danzō recognized him and welcomed him back, Hiruzen found himself overwhelmed by Konoha’s luxurious hotel.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi saw how Konoha’s military bases and control of the Land of Fire had left the Daimyo powerless while the village prospered under Nanchuan You.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to keep his return secret, avoid hindering Nanchuan You, and go home to the Sarutobi Clan compound.
• A Root ninja mistook Hiruzen Sarutobi for an impostor, and Shimura Danzō arrived to confront him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted Shimura Danzō, who recognized him and was overjoyed to discover that his friend was alive.
• Shimura Danzō took Hiruzen Sarutobi to Konoha’s finest hotel, where Hiruzen felt uneasy amid its luxury and entertainment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted to Konoha’s new prosperity, resisted Shimura Danzō’s attempt to recruit him, and resolved to protect the village from corruption. After leaving the luxurious hotel, he returned home and reunited with his overjoyed clan.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed at a luxurious hotel with Shimura Danzō, who explained that Konoha’s shinobi now held power over the Land of Fire’s nobles and merchants.
• Shimura Danzō invited Hiruzen Sarutobi to ally with him, but Hiruzen declined to decide before learning more about Konoha.
• Shimura Danzō told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Utatane Koharu was his superior and that his old friends had become divided by political conflicts.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi spent two days receiving lavish gifts and attention from merchants and nobles, then left before their offers could tempt him further.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi resolved to protect Konoha and eventually warn Nanchuan You that some shinobi were being corrupted by power and wealth.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi returned home at night, and the Sarutobi Clan celebrated his unexpected return.

After returning from a three-year disappearance, Hiruzen Sarutobi reunited with his family and found Konoha transformed into a prosperous village under Nanchuan You. Troubled that comfort might leave Konoha without enough defenders, he sought answers from Nanchuan You, who took him to the Ninja Academy to show him its students.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reunited with Biwako Sarutobi and their children, then learned that Tsugi had helped make the family wealthy while he was gone.
• Biwako Sarutobi argued that Asuma Sarutobi should be allowed to avoid becoming a ninja, but Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about who would protect Konoha if others thought the same way.
• The Sarutobi Clan Head and leaders from Konoha's clans visited Hiruzen Sarutobi with gifts and requests, leaving him unsettled by how much the village had changed.
• After spending several days adjusting to life at home, Hiruzen Sarutobi visited Nanchuan You and voiced his concern that Konoha's prosperity could weaken its military strength.
• Nanchuan You used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Ninja Academy, where Hiruzen saw its many students.

Nanchuan You explained to Hiruzen Sarutobi how Konoha’s expanding Ninja Academy and industries would educate and employ growing numbers of ninja, easing Hiruzen’s fears about the village’s future. Hiruzen accepted the plan, then asked Nanchuan You about Shimura Danzō’s recent changes.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi was astonished to learn that Konoha’s Junior Ninja Academy had more than ten thousand students.
• Nanchuan You explained that free academy enrollment gave Konoha’s children the chance to choose their futures and ensured a steady supply of trained ninja.
• Nanchuan You warned that too many ninja could drive down their pay and create unrest, so Konoha was developing industries and institutions to employ them beyond combat missions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi felt reassured by Nanchuan You’s plan and agreed not to interfere with his work.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Nanchuan You whether he knew how much Shimura Danzō had changed, and Nanchuan You confirmed that he did.

Nanchuan You appointed Hiruzen Sarutobi as Konoha’s first Deputy Hokage, a role designed to share village affairs and succeed the Hokage in wartime. After the appointment stirred excitement and jealousy across Konoha, attention turned to Nanchuan You and Tsunade’s modest wedding, where Senju and Uchiha leaders gathered together.

• Nanchuan You explained that Shimura Danzō’s willingness to target powerful nobles made him useful during Konoha’s reforms, and Hiruzen Sarutobi acknowledged Danzō’s resolve.
• Nanchuan You offered Hiruzen Sarutobi the new Deputy Hokage position, and Hiruzen accepted after learning he would assist the Hokage and take over if the Hokage died in wartime.
• News of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s appointment spread, prompting Shimura Danzō to grow jealous and decide to visit Hiruzen, while many others sought to congratulate him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received a congratulatory letter from the Daimyo and a flood of invitations, then left the Sarutobi Clan Head to handle his visitors.
• Nanchuan You held a modest wedding with Tsunade, attended by the Land of Fire’s Daimyo and prominent guests from Konoha and other countries.
• Uchiha Kawaaki and the Senju Clan Head sat together at the wedding, while guests anticipated the descendants of the Uchiha and Senju union.

Nanchuan You and Tsunade celebrated their wedding as guests reflected on their future and Konoha’s next generation. Black Zetsu infiltrated the banquet, sensed Kaguya’s aura on Nanchuan You, and spotted a tiny Nine-Tails before slipping away.

• Guests discussed the powerful bloodlines and potential children Nanchuan You and Tsunade might have, while the Senju Clan Head considered whether their child could inherit Wood Release.
• Jiraiya bragged to Orochimaru and Hiruko about his academy prospects, unaware that both were already Elite Jonin.
• Nanchuan You and Tsunade exchanged affectionate words on the dais as their guests watched the wedding.
• Black Zetsu infiltrated the banquet disguised as a guard and wondered why Nanchuan You carried Otsutsuki Kaguya’s aura.
• A tiny Nine-Tails noticed Black Zetsu, who was confused because Uzumaki Mito still held the Nine-Tails and then quietly left.
• The Nine-Tails told Nanchuan You that someone had just been there.

After his wedding to Tsunade, Nanchuan You learned that Black Zetsu was spying on him but chose not to act until the celebration was over. A month later, Konoha offered the Second Kazekage aid and cheap supplies in exchange for a closer alliance, leaving him intrigued by the proposal.

• Nanchuan You declined the Nine-Tails' suggestion to capture Black Zetsu during his wedding and told the Nine-Tails to stop keeping watch.
• A month after Nanchuan You's wedding, the Second Kazekage arrived in Konoha seeking an alliance during a drought and economic crisis in the Land of Wind.
• Mitokado Homura offered Sand Village food and other supplies from Konoha's surplus in return for an alliance.
• Mitokado Homura showed the Second Kazekage a list of goods Konoha could provide at prices far below market rates.
• The Second Kazekage became interested when Mitokado Homura offered to supply as much as Sand Village needed.

The Second Kazekage accepted Konoha’s alliance terms, including trade and employment arrangements that Nanchuan You intended to use to extend Konoha’s influence. Nanchuan You then lured Black Zetsu out at the Uchiha Clan’s stone tablet and challenged his claim to be Uchiha Madara’s will.

• Mitokado Homura persuaded the Second Kazekage to sign an alliance agreement covering trade, the Ninja Alliance, and Konoha employment for Sunagakure shinobi.
• Nanchuan You ordered aid for Sunagakure and funding for newspapers to promote Konoha’s ties with the village.
• Nanchuan You considered using similar deals to draw other ninja villages into Konoha’s economic sphere, then went to the Uchiha Clan compound to meet Black Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu emerged behind Nanchuan You and claimed to be the manifestation of Uchiha Madara’s will.
• Nanchuan You told Black Zetsu that he believed Black Zetsu was someone else’s will, startling him.

Nanchuan You revealed that he knew Black Zetsu’s true connection to Otsutsuki Kaguya, then deceived him by claiming Kaguya had chosen him as her Karma vessel. After hearing Black Zetsu’s plans for reviving Kaguya, You learned that awakening the Rinnegan required both Indra’s Sage’s Eye and Asura’s Sage Body to reach their limits.

• Nanchuan You named Otsutsuki Kaguya and confronted Black Zetsu with the truth about his origins.
• Nanchuan You activated his Karma and convinced Black Zetsu that he was Kaguya’s chosen representative and revival vessel.
• Black Zetsu believed You’s story and considered him a more convenient pawn than Uchiha Madara.
• Black Zetsu explained that he had stayed hidden from Otsutsuki Hagoromo and had manipulated Indra and Asura’s reincarnations while pursuing the Rinnegan.
• Nanchuan You asked whether he could awaken the Rinnegan, but Black Zetsu said he lacked Indra’s Sage’s Eye and would need both powers developed to their utmost potential.

Nanchuan You deceived Black Zetsu about his allegiance while learning that Uchiha Madara’s Rinnegan was beginning to form. After absorbing an Eight-Tails tentacle and testing his enhanced powers against the Nine-Tails, he decided to begin practicing Senjutsu.

• Nanchuan You convinced Black Zetsu that he supported reviving Otsutsuki Kaguya, and learned that Uchiha Madara’s unstable Rinnegan was starting to take shape.
• After Black Zetsu left, Nanchuan You obtained the Eight-Tails tentacle delivered by Kumogakure and absorbed its power using the Chimera Technique and Karma.
• Nanchuan You tested his new Tailed Beast Cloak and fought the Nine-Tails, finding that the Eight-Tails’ chakra strengthened his transformation and Wood Release.
• Nanchuan You used Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique to restrain the Nine-Tails, who said his Wood Release was approaching Senju Hashirama’s level.
• Nanchuan You returned to Konoha and decided his transformed body and expanded chakra reserves made it time to practice Senjutsu.