Chapter Summaries

Akaseki explained the attack by a mysterious Wood Release user and discussed the incident with Tsunade and Ranwu, including his proposal to change how Konoha staffed its supply unit. They failed to uncover why Madara Uchiha and the mysterious ninja had appeared, and Tsunade noticed Jiraiya sneaking back to listen.

• Akaseki told Tsunade that Amegakure ninja had killed Land of Rain civilians and framed a Konoha Chunin.
• Tsunade said Akaseki's proposal to assign younger ninja to the supply unit was practical but difficult to implement because Konoha lacked personnel.
• Tsunade urged Akaseki to report that a stealthy Wood Release user had allied with the Rinnegan ninja, and Akaseki described the enemy's unusual abilities.
• Akaseki, Tsunade, and Ranwu speculated about why Madara Uchiha had attacked Konoha ninja but found no clear explanation.
• Tsunade signaled Akaseki and Ranwu to be quiet after noticing Jiraiya sneaking back to eavesdrop.

Ranwu joined Konoha’s supply unit to provide medical care to civilians in the Land of Rain while Akaseki’s report about Wood Release reached Konoha’s leaders. Hiruzen approved restarting experiments with Hashirama’s cells, and the chapter ended with Orochimaru arriving at the supply unit with Nawaki as his sole genin.

• Ranwu told Akaseki that Tsunade had assigned her to treat civilians at refugee settlements, and Akaseki welcomed the chance to improve Konoha’s image.
• Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu discussed Akaseki’s report of Wood Release and agreed Konoha should investigate the enemy’s identity.
• Danzo and Koharu persuaded Hiruzen to resume the Hashirama Cells Experiment, which Konoha restarted on January 30, Year 38.
• Orochimaru arrived at the supply unit on March 20 with Nawaki, explaining that the other two graduates had failed his test and returned to the Ninja Academy.
• Orochimaru said Nawaki would team up with him, then relayed Hiruzen’s praise to Jiraiya and told him to continue his leadership work.

Akaseki offered Orochimaru a chance to visit Ryūchi Cave and learn Sage Mode, while promising to help him gain acceptance from the White Snake Sage. Orochimaru agreed to strengthen Akaseki’s body and began weighing the opportunity against Hiruzen Sarutobi’s opinion.

• Orochimaru took Nawaki out with the graduates, and Akaseki followed to speak with him privately.
• Akaseki claimed the Sage of Six Paths had granted him a Ryūchi Cave contract and permission to bring others to learn Sage Mode.
• Akaseki explained that he needed to strengthen his body first and said he would take Orochimaru along, suggesting the White Snake Sage might accept him.
• Akaseki revealed that joining the Uchiha Clan through marriage could help secure Orochimaru’s acceptance, and Orochimaru agreed to help strengthen Akaseki’s body.
• After Akaseki left, Orochimaru considered whether access to Sage Mode was worth risking Hiruzen Sarutobi’s displeasure.
• Akaseki concluded that the bargain was worthwhile but wondered which eligible Uchiha woman might be suitable for Orochimaru.

Orochimaru presented Akaseki with three risky bodily enhancement plans, but Akaseki refused to choose before Jiraiya interrupted them with news of a Sand Ninja attack. Akaseki and Orochimaru rushed to the scene, where Akaseki learned Uchiha Ruyi was holding off the enemy alone.

• Orochimaru described three enhancement plans to Akaseki: activating his cells, adapting his body to Nature Energy, or using Ninja Beast modification fluid.
• Akaseki questioned the risks and rejected each plan without choosing one.
• Jiraiya told Orochimaru and Akaseki that Sand Ninja had attacked a wounded-soldier transport squad near the Land of Rain border.
• Akaseki joined Orochimaru on the rescue mission because Uchiha Clan members were among the attacked squad.
• An injured Uchiha told Akaseki that Uchiha Ruyi was holding off the Sand Ninja, and Akaseki hurried after her.

Akaseki rescued Uchiha Ruyi from Sand Ninja, but she died after entrusting Obito to him. Orochimaru declared that he would marry Ruyi and become Obito’s father, then told Tsunade he planned to join the Uchiha Clan.

• Uchiha Ruyi stayed behind to cover the wounded team’s retreat and was mortally wounded after fighting the Sand Ninja.
• Akaseki killed the pursuing Sand Ninja and reached Ruyi as she asked him to look after Obito before dying.
• Orochimaru declared that Ruyi was his wife and Obito was his son, and collected Ruyi’s body.
• Akaseki and Orochimaru returned to the Medical Unit, where Orochimaru told Tsunade he intended to formally ask the Uchiha clan head to marry Ruyi.
• Orochimaru explained that he would move into the Uchiha Clan as Uchiha Orochimaru, shocking Tsunade.

Tsunade questioned Orochimaru’s sudden plan to marry into the Uchiha Clan, while Akaseki and Orochimaru discussed Sunagakure’s desperate counterattacks and the risk of Iwagakure joining the war. Later, Orochimaru explained his theory of Wood Release to Akaseki and revealed that Danzo had given him the First’s cells with Hiruzen Sarutobi’s knowledge.

• Tsunade objected to Orochimaru’s plan to marry into the Uchiha Clan and warned him to face the old man’s wrath without involving her.
• Tsunade explained that Sunagakure’s rear attacks came from its inability to hold the front lines, and Akaseki concluded the war might soon end.
• Orochimaru warned that Iwagakure could still enter the conflict, then he and Akaseki returned to the supply force headquarters, where Jiraiya questioned Orochimaru’s marriage plans.
• Orochimaru reminded Akaseki to choose a strategy, and Akaseki asked him to explain Wood Release rather than rely on another person’s cells to awaken it.
• Orochimaru described Wood Release as a form of natural-energy absorption that plundered nutrients and energy, and Akaseki questioned whether Orochimaru’s cells were legally obtained.
• Orochimaru revealed that Danzo had given him the First’s cells and that Hiruzen Sarutobi knew about the arrangement.

Akaseki reconsidered how the First Hokage’s Wood Release might have drawn on the God Tree, then accidentally let Ranwu believe he was the one marrying into the Uchiha Clan. As Uchiha Jiancheng pressed Hiruzen Sarutobi to accept Orochimaru’s move into the clan, an urgent report arrived that Iwagakure had attacked the supply troops in the Land of Rain.

• Akaseki connected the First Hokage’s Wood Release and the Tailed Beasts to the God Tree, but could not decide how to recreate its power.
• Akaseki’s careless remarks led Ranwu to think he was discussing his own marriage before Nonō clarified that Orochimaru was marrying into the Uchiha Clan.
• Akaseki explained Orochimaru’s plan to Ranwu and claimed that Orochimaru had fallen in love at first sight.
• Uchiha Jiancheng visited Hiruzen Sarutobi and asserted that Orochimaru’s marriage into the Uchiha Clan made their families connected, while Danzo objected.
• Anbu operative Elephant reported that Iwagakure had launched a surprise attack on Konoha’s supply troops in the Land of Rain.

During a Deep Immersion, Akaseki experienced Hong Yan trying to stop classmates from abandoning the Gaokao for a promised AI payout, and found that the experience slightly increased his Yang Style. The immersion ended as Jiraiya learned Amegakure had attacked three Konoha strongholds, and Orochimaru took command and dispatched reinforcements, including Akaseki.

• Akaseki entered a Deep Immersion in The Sorrow of Dumpling and experienced Hong Yan's classmates believing an AI would pay them ten million to skip the Gaokao.
• Hong Yan warned his classmates and Teacher Zhang that the AI promise was not legally binding, but Teacher Zhang suspended him from class.
• Hong Yan called the police because he feared his classmates would actually skip the Gaokao, and Akaseki's Yang Style slightly increased as he experienced Hong Yan's benevolence.
• After the immersion ended, an alarm summoned Akaseki to headquarters, where Jiraiya reported that Amegakure had attacked three important Konoha strongholds and that Iwagakure might be involved.
• Orochimaru accepted command of the Supply Force, ordered Jiraiya to defend headquarters, and sent Akaseki alone to reinforce Cloud-Breaking Pass.

Akaseki reached Cloud-Breaking Pass and found the Konoha survivors trapped in the valley by Amegakure forces and poisonous mist. He arrived in the midst of their losing battle, cleared much of the poison, and revealed a powerful Susanoo that stunned both sides.

• Akaseki flew to Cloud-Breaking Pass, spotted the Uchiha distress signal, and infiltrated the valley underground.
• Kamizuki Kongyun and the other Konoha survivors prepared to ambush nearby Amegakure ninja, while Rain Ninja spread poisonous mist through the valley.
• The Konoha counterattack inflicted casualties, but the outnumbered survivors were gradually overwhelmed, and Uchiha Yang fell after sending another distress signal.
• Akaseki used Air Release: Suction Collapse Technique to draw the poisonous mist into one area, then used Air Release: Air Burst Technique to clear most of it from the valley.
• Akaseki emerged inside a larger Susanoo, prompting the Rain Ninja to recoil and the Konoha survivors to recognize him as their rescuer.

Akaseki used his growing Susanoo and varied ninjutsu to withstand and defeat a Rain Ninja force, turning the battle in Konoha’s favor. After the Rain Ninja fled, he stopped his allies from pursuing them and ordered them to tend to the wounded.

• Rain Ninja surrounded Akaseki and attacked him with ninjutsu, weapons, and the combined Wild Rain Torrent, but his Susanoo blocked every attack.
• Akaseki used Hell's Gate to catch Rain Ninja who had tried to ambush him underground, causing two Giant Salamanders to disappear when their contracts ended.
• Encouraged by Akaseki, Konoha's troops joined his counterattack and drove the Rain Ninja into a rout, leaving more than half of them behind.
• Akaseki sensed no more ninja underground, called off the pursuit, and told his troops to check on the wounded.

After Akaseki helped Konoha retake Cloud-Breaking Pass, he learned that the other outposts had also suffered heavy losses and that Nawaki had died in an Iwagakure trap. The news enraged Akaseki and made him demand preparations to retaliate, while Jiraiya ordered the forces to hold their positions.

• Uchiha Yang woke alive in the valley after Akaseki healed him and reattached his severed arm.
• Akaseki and Kamizuki Kongyun discussed the casualties at Cloud-Breaking Pass and worried about the other outposts.
• Two days later, Kamizuki received a coded message reporting that Konoha had retaken Clear-Rain Mountain and held Wetlands Foothill, though both outposts had suffered heavy losses.
• Kamizuki told Akaseki that Nawaki had died in an Iwagakure explosive tag trap at Wetlands Foothill.
• Akaseki condemned Iwagakure and urged immediate preparations for a counterattack, but Jiraiya had ordered the forces to hold their positions.

At the Iwagakure Countermeasure Force headquarters, Tsunade broke down over Nawaki’s death while Akaseki completed a deep immersion that revealed Hong Yan’s classmates killed him and time rewound. After processing the immersion’s emotions, Akaseki was ready when Orochimaru called a meeting.

• Madara chose the unconscious boy as the means to carry out his resurrection plan despite Black Zetsu’s doubts.
• Orochimaru gave Tsunade Nawaki’s pendant, and Tsunade punched him before breaking down in grief.
• Akaseki arrived at the force headquarters, rested, and completed six hours of deep immersion.
• Akaseki recalled Hong Yan reporting his classmates’ plan to abandon the Gaokao, then being blamed after Lin Chuchu died and pushed from a rooftop.
• Hong Yan’s death rewound time by two months, and his classmates began promoting Dumpling’s offer again.
• Akaseki processed the immersion’s sorrow, regained control of his emotions, and joined the Jonin as Orochimaru prepared a meeting.

Orochimaru led the Iwagakure Countermeasure Force in planning to secure Konoha’s supply lines by seizing three strategic locations while the main army continued attacking Sunagakure. His aggressive strategy and the Uchiha Clan’s conspicuous support left Sarutobi Ryo suspecting that Orochimaru’s decisions might also serve Uchiha interests.

• Orochimaru assembled the twelve jonin of the Iwagakure Countermeasure Force and explained that Iwagakure and the Rain Ninja had attacked Konoha’s positions in the Land of Rain.
• Orochimaru rejected plans to shift Konoha’s main forces to the Land of Rain and instead insisted that they intensify their campaign against Sunagakure while the countermeasure force protected the supply lines.
• Orochimaru showed the force a map and proposed holding the supply strongholds while seizing two positions near Lingering Rain Mountain and Kannabi Bridge to limit enemy movements.
• Orochimaru assigned himself to take charge of Lingering Rain Mountain and entrusted Kannabi Bridge to Torifu Akimichi.
• Yangyong and Gongzhi Jiu mocked Sarutobi Ryo for questioning the plan, while Akaseki intervened to calm the argument.
• Sarutobi Ryo suspected that Orochimaru’s determination to defeat Sunagakure might be connected to the Uchiha Clan’s proposed contracting agreement and Orochimaru’s planned marriage into the clan.

Orochimaru divided the Iwagakure Countermeasure Force and assigned Torifu Akimichi and three Uchiha to launch a surprise attack on Kannabi Bridge, where they might face Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki. Torifu organized their tactics and squads, including Root’s Yakushi Nonō, while preparing to retreat if both Jinchuriki transformed.

• Orochimaru assigned five Jonin and most of the Chunin to protect supply lines, kept Tsunade and Jiraiya ready to attack Lingering Rain Mountain, and sent Torifu Akimichi with three Uchiha toward Kannabi Bridge for a coordinated dawn strike five days later.
• Torifu asked Yangyong, Gongzhi Jiu, and Akaseki how well their Three-Tomoe Sharingan could restrain Jinchuriki, and Yangyong said the three Uchiha could limit both Iwagakure Jinchuriki from drawing on their Tailed Beasts.
• Torifu explained that Iwagakure might station a Jinchuriki at Kannabi Bridge and instructed the Uchiha to attack before a Tailed Beast Transformation, with Torifu restraining any transformed Jinchuriki alongside Akaseki.
• Torifu said the team would retreat if both Jinchuriki transformed, then organized twelve Chunin into four mixed squads and chose two Akimichi Chunin and Yakushi Nonō for his own squad.
• Danzo had asked Torifu to bring Yakushi Nonō so Root could observe how much influence the Uchiha had over Tailed Beasts without Kagami.

Akaseki assembled a squad for the surprise attack on Kannabi Bridge and persuaded Orochimaru to let Minato join them. Meanwhile, Nawaki escaped Madara Uchiha but was captured by Root and sent to a laboratory, where Black Zetsu planned to make him witness Konoha’s experiments.

• Akaseki recruited Ranwu, Hizashi, and Minato for his squad before setting out for the Kannabi Bridge attack.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had brought Minato in for an important mission, but Akaseki convinced him to let Minato join the assault force.
• Madara Uchiha sent Black Zetsu to watch Nawaki after Nawaki escaped rather than believing Madara’s claims about Konoha’s betrayal.
• Nawaki reached the Land of Fire badly injured and was seized by Root operatives posing as Konoha ninja.
• Root took Nawaki to a laboratory for Hashirama cell rejection tests, while Black Zetsu followed and planned to keep him from revealing his identity.

During the joint squad’s exhausting journey, Akaseki digested memories of Hong Yan’s second life, in which he tried to warn his classmates about a fake AI promise of money for skipping the Gaokao. The scam kept most of the class away from the exam, and Akaseki realized his Gate of Opening was influencing Hong Yan’s behavior; the chapter ended with Hong Yan facing furious teachers and parents after the exam.

• Akimichi agreed to the Uchiha Jonin’s accelerated travel schedule, and Akaseki assigned Minato to oversee sentry duty while he focused on digesting memories.
• In Hong Yan’s second life, he warned his classmates that [Dumpling]’s promise of ten million for skipping the Gaokao was false, but Teacher Li suspended him and the class ignored his warning.
• Hong Yan warned Chen Qingqing before going home to study, while Akaseki found the memories easier to digest because Hong Yan’s personality had changed drastically after the reset.
• On the day of the Gaokao, most of Class Three stayed away, but Chen Qingqing came to take the exam after checking the claim with [Hundred Answers] and [Big Money].
• Reporters questioned Teacher Li as parents were escorted away, while Hong Yan watched from the examination room and laughed; Akaseki noticed Hong Yan’s smile seemed influenced by his own personality.
• After the exam, furious teachers and parents blocked Hong Yan, and Dongdong warned readers not to trust claims about skipping or postponing the Gaokao for compensation.

Akaseki’s Deep Immersion in Hong Yan’s exam storyline sharply improved his Water Style while Hong Yan exposed a plot against him and earned admission to Qingbei with a perfect score. The Uchiha-Akimichi Joint Squad prepared to attack Kannabi Bridge, where Minato had detected Roshi but could not rule out sealed areas hiding other threats.

• Ranwu noticed Akaseki acting unusually pleased, while Akaseki continued traveling with the squad and strengthening his Water Style through Deep Immersion.
• Hong Yan used recordings and livestreams to disprove Teacher Li and his classmates’ accusations, then prepared for their planned rooftop attack.
• Hong Yan was pushed from the rooftop, but landed safely on an inflatable cushion bearing congratulations for his perfect score and admission to Qingbei.
• Akaseki recalled Hong Yan’s victories and teased Ranwu about his Water Style before warning her and Hizashi to coordinate during the coming assault.
• Minato used Sensory Ninjutsu to assess Kannabi Bridge, detecting three chakra signatures at ordinary Jonin level and recognizing Roshi, but failing to probe areas protected by Sealing.
• The Uchiha-Akimichi Joint Squad rested at its staging point and prepared to launch its surprise attack in the early hours of April 10.

Akaseki demonstrated his new Mud-Stealth Technique and persuaded Torifu Akimichi to let him lead the first strike against the Stone Ninja at Kannabi Bridge. As Konoha’s squads moved into position, Minato warned Akaseki that powerful sensing could detect his approach, leaving the ambush underway but not yet begun.

• Akaseki proposed sending his Mirror Clones underground to assassinate the Stone Ninja Jonin while his real body restrained Roshi.
• Akaseki demonstrated that his Mud-Stealth Technique concealed underground movement and weakened Byakugan detection, persuading Torifu Akimichi to approve the plan.
• Akaseki explained that a Kamizuru Clan insect-user’s bees made approaching aboveground especially risky, and Yangyong questioned whether Akaseki should expose his real body.
• Konoha’s joint force split into four groups to encircle Kannabi Bridge, and Minato warned Akaseki that he could detect the technique from thirty meters and pinpoint Akaseki within twenty.
• Akaseki acknowledged the warning and prepared to target the other three Jonin while briefly restraining Roshi if he moved to intervene.

Akaseki launched a coordinated surprise attack on Roshi and the Stone Ninja stronghold, using Mirror Clones and Susanoo to ambush the defenders. Minato and the other Uchiha arrived, and the chapter left Akaseki charging Roshi while the group tried to restrain the Jinchuriki.

• Akaseki used his underground sensing to approach Roshi, but Roshi sensed hostility and woke before the attack began.
• Akaseki’s six Mirror Clones raised stone pillars beneath three Jonin, striking two and engaging the Kamizuru Jonin with Susanoo.
• Roshi used Earth Style: Moving Earth Core to crush Akaseki underground, but Akaseki broke through the compacted earth inside Susanoo.
• Minato attacked Roshi from behind, but Roshi’s Lava Style Chakra Mode and Tailed Beast Cloak blocked the strike and drove Minato back.
• Yangyong and Gongzhi Jiu joined Akaseki and surrounded Roshi, while Akaseki charged him to restrain him.

Akaseki and the other Uchiha pressured Roshi while Konoha forces defeated Iwagakure’s defenders and destroyed the sealing at Kannabi Bridge. The seal’s final surge triggered a space-time disturbance, and an enormous white beast appeared as Minato sensed the danger.

• Akaseki, Yangyong, and Gongzhi Jiu used Susanoo, genjutsu, and Lightning Style to suppress Roshi and provoke his tailed-beast chakra into damaging his body.
• Konoha’s forces killed the remaining Stone Ninja Jonin, while Akaseki told Roshi that Konoha planned to target Iwagakure above all else.
• Roshi rejected Akaseki’s bluff and fought on, even as his anger made the tailed-beast chakra spread faster across his body.
• Torifu Akimichi tore out the support pillar that powered Iwagakure’s sealing technique at Kannabi Bridge.
• The seal released a final burst of space-time power, and an enormous white beast appeared as Minato sensed the disturbance.