Chapter Summaries

Asuma and Chiriku attacked Tongu and Heijian in Wufang City, but their ninjutsu failed to harm Tongu, forcing them to retreat. Tongu punished Heijian for failing to find the survivors’ hiding place and warned him not to disappoint her or a mysterious gentleman.

• Asuma struck Tongu’s palanquin with Ash Pile Burning, but Tongu emerged unharmed while Heijian’s Wind Release forced Chiriku back.
• Asuma recalled that Tongu, the Daimyo’s daughter, had turned people into Ghosts, taken control of Wufang City, and trapped its surviving residents inside.
• Asuma and Chiriku threw Smoke Bombs and fled after their attacks failed to hurt Tongu.
• Tongu emerged from the flames and demanded that Heijian find Asuma and Chiriku’s hiding place.
• Tongu severed Heijian’s right arm as punishment, warned him not to disappoint her or a mysterious gentleman, and spat out a bite of the arm in disgust.

Asuma and Chiriku returned to the hidden underground refuge in Wufang City after failing to defeat the Ghosts, leaving the Daimyo and the survivors with little hope. Enma, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s summoning partner, appeared before Asuma, giving him hope that Konoha could help.

• Asuma and Chiriku told the Daimyo that their attacks had failed and that they needed help from Konoha.
• The Daimyo left for his quarters while a young guard questioned Asuma and Chiriku about the battle.
• Asuma said his Fire Release had failed to hurt Tongu, and Chiriku reported that Heijian had grown stronger and could control wind.
• Asuma denied having a way to contact his father, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Enma appeared in a cloud of smoke, and Asuma recognized Hiruzen Sarutobi’s summoning partner.

Uzumaki Kuming and Minato learned that Wufang City was controlled by immortal Ghosts and that Asuma was trapped there, while Hiruzen insisted on leading a rescue mission. Outside the city, Orochimaru and Guren watched Konoha’s preparations and planned to let its shinobi scout ahead as Orochimaru pursued the secret of eternal life.

• Minato summoned Uzumaki Kuming to discuss Hiruzen’s request to lead the mission into Wufang City, and Kuming tried to dissuade him because of his age and the danger.
• Hiruzen revealed that Tongu controlled the Daimyo Mansion, Wufang City was sealed against departures, and Asuma’s team could not kill the Ghosts threatening them.
• Kuming offered to go to Wufang City himself, but Hiruzen refused and accepted a scroll that could summon one of Kuming’s shadow clones.
• Minato began assembling a team to accompany Hiruzen, while Kuming left the office.
• Orochimaru and Guren watched Wufang City with a chained Upper Moon Six Ghost, and Orochimaru decided to let Konoha’s shinobi scout ahead.

Minato Namikaze reviewed Konoha’s growing intelligence on Ghosts while Uzumaki Kuming faced an attack at home. Kuming killed Upper Moon Three and sealed the Ghost King, leaving Yoriichi Namikaze stunned by his power.

• Minato Namikaze read reports describing Ghost ranks, abilities, and their weakness to sunlight as Konoha’s forces advanced toward Wufang City.
• Uzumaki Kuming waited in his courtyard as Upper Moon Three and a suited young man broke into his home, while Yoriichi Namikaze and Uehara Akina watched from the hallway.
• Kuming killed Upper Moon Three with a lightning strike from the sky after the Ghost tried to leave.
• Kuming stabbed the suited young man, revealed the Heavenly Feather Blade, and used its sealing power against him.
• The suited young man, revealed to be the Ghost King, split into balls of flesh to escape, but Kuming stopped and sealed them while Yoriichi Namikaze watched in disbelief.

Yoriichi worried that Uzumaki Kuming would be tempted by the Ghost King's immortality, but Kuming reassured him that he only wanted to investigate its secret. Meanwhile, Orochimaru entered Wufang City as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared a daytime assault, only for Konoha's forces to discover the city was shrouded in darkness.

• Yoriichi asked Uzumaki Kuming why he had sealed the Ghost instead of killing it and warned him about the cost of eternal life.
• Uzumaki Kuming reassured Yoriichi that he would not succumb to temptation and said he planned to uncover the secret of the Ghost King's immortality.
• Orochimaru, Guren, and an Upper Moon Six Ghost entered Wufang City, where Orochimaru noticed a funeral goods shop with a long queue.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged a barrier around Wufang City and planned a daytime attack with Hyuga and Aburame shinobi to locate the Ghosts.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led his forces into Wufang City at daybreak, but they found the city covered in darkness and smelling of blood.

Hiruzen Sarutobi investigated the empty, blood-soaked Wufang City and fought the Upper Moon Five ghost guarding the Daimyo Mansion. As an underground Progenitor Demon swallowed the ghost and attacked, Orochimaru appeared, but the creature consumed Hiruzen’s Shadow Clone before he could question his former disciple.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Shadow Clones into Wufang City after the Hyuga shinobi found it empty and Aburame Shibi reported that the Kikaichū inside had been killed.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Shadow Clone found ghosts guarding the Daimyo Mansion and used Earth Style and Fire Style to overwhelm them, while the Upper Moon Five ghost escaped.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi fought the Upper Moon Five ghost, disarmed him, and cut off his head, then prepared to seal his regenerating body.
• An enormous creature erupted from underground, swallowed the Upper Moon Five ghost, and attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi with regenerating fleshy claws.
• Orochimaru appeared and identified the creature as the Progenitor Demon, but it swallowed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Shadow Clone before he could question him.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to help fight the Progenitor Demon beneath Wufang City, while Hiruzen Sarutobi joined the battle. After the worm transformed into a young woman whose power incapacitated Guren, Hiruzen summoned a red-haired ally whose identity was revealed at the end.

• Orochimaru and Guren trapped the Progenitor Demon in a Crystal Release barrier, and Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
• Hashirama Senju restrained the giant worm with Wood Release and Sage Art, but it absorbed Chakra and broke free; Hashirama protected Orochimaru and Guren from the flying debris.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived and explained that demons had appeared in the Shinobi World, while the worm shrank into a metallic-looking cocoon.
• Tobirama Senju bombed the cocoon, but it survived and opened to release a young woman whose voice caused Guren to collapse in pain.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi used a summoning scroll, and a red-haired ally appeared, greeting Orochimaru, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju.

Kuming joined Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Orochimaru in fighting the strange Colored-hair Girl, whose hidden attacks and rapid healing made her difficult to defeat. Hashirama struck at the barrier over the battlefield as Kuming summoned his real body, and the chapter ended with the girl facing a transformed, sword-wielding Kuming.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi's Reverse Summoning brought Kuming's Shadow Clone to the battlefield, where Tobirama Senju warned him that the Colored-hair Girl could absorb Chakra.
• The girl struck Kuming with an unseen attack, but he recovered and pierced her chest before Tobirama cut off his arm to free him.
• Hiruzen and Tobirama fought the girl's rapidly healing body while Orochimaru summoned a giant python to carry the unconscious Guren away.
• Kuming detected a barrier masking the night sky and attacked it with Senjutsu-powered lightning, causing the girl to falter without breaking the barrier.
• Hashirama summoned True Several Thousand Hands and punched the barrier as Kuming used Reverse Summoning to bring his real body to the battlefield.
• The girl unleashed wind attacks that wounded Hiruzen, but a golden-cloaked Kuming appeared with a sword and cut her in two.

Uzumaki Kuming attacked the canopy over Wufang City, causing it to break and sunlight to destroy the Flesh Cocoon. The enemy vanished, Orochimaru was missing, and Tobirama Senju returned to the Pure Land after encouraging Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Uzumaki Kuming recognized the girl's attacks, transformed with Kurama, and launched a powerful Tailed Beast Bomb at a cracked point in the canopy.
• The girl turned into a Flesh Cocoon as the blast struck the canopy, causing a devastating shock wave across Wufang City and nearly hitting Shikaichi Nara's group.
• Uzumaki Kuming's Chakra shield protected Shikaichi Nara and the others, while sunlight through the broken canopy dissolved the Flesh Cocoon into black sludge.
• Uzumaki Kuming searched for the vanished enemy and Orochimaru, then suspected Orochimaru had taken her before undoing Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tobirama Senju praised Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils and vanished, while Hiruzen vowed to bring Orochimaru back to the village.

After Wufang City was destroyed, Minato negotiated the Daimyo’s support for Konoha in exchange for eradicating every Ghost in the Land of Fire. Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kuming discovered that Yoriichi struggled to control Chakra through most Hand Seals, but the chapter ended with Yoriichi showing remarkable skill and enthusiasm while practicing Taijutsu with a wooden sword.

• Minato told the Daimyo that Konoha would help rebuild his capital but needed financial support, and the Daimyo agreed to fund the village if it wiped out every Ghost in the Land of Fire.
• Uzumaki Kuming taught Yoriichi to sense and gather Chakra, then found that Yoriichi could not use most Hand Seals to guide it.
• Uzumaki Kuming reassured Yoriichi that poor jutsu aptitude did not rule out becoming a shinobi and took him to the dojo to train in Taijutsu.
• Minato, Kushina, and Naruto arrived for their weekly dinner and found Yoriichi enthusiastically sparring with Uzumaki Kuming, displaying impressive swordsmanship.

Yoriichi Namikaze completed an intense training session with Uzumaki Kuming and then defeated his older brother Naruto in a spar, revealing his extraordinary battle instincts and Transparent World. Naruto celebrated Yoriichi’s talent and asked him to become his right-hand man, while Kuming anticipated Guy’s arrival in Konoha within days.

• Kuming stopped Yoriichi’s sparring with him, and Kushina scolded Kuming for pushing her four-year-old son too hard.
• Kuming arranged for Naruto to spar with Yoriichi, and Minato encouraged Yoriichi to fight freely.
• Yoriichi entered the Transparent World, predicted Naruto’s movements, swept him to the floor, and held a wooden sword at his throat.
• Naruto praised Yoriichi as a genius and asked him to be his right-hand man when he became Hokage; Yoriichi agreed.
• Minato asked how long Yoriichi had trained, and Kuming said it was Yoriichi’s first formal fight before noting Guy was likely to arrive in Konoha soon.

Shisui Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki reported that Akatsuki was backing popular rebel groups across several small countries, prompting Uzumaki Kuming to recognize a far-reaching plan to overthrow governments and build Akatsuki’s power. After sending them to rest, Kuming reflected on how he had once vowed to change the Shinobi World but had settled for protecting Konoha and his family.

• Shisui Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki returned from their investigation and told Uzumaki Kuming that Akatsuki supported growing Righteous Armies in the Land of Rivers, the Land of Birds, and the Land of Grass.
• Shisui warned that the Righteous Armies had popular support, had sparked civil wars, and had begun appearing in the Land of Fire.
• When Kuming asked how Konoha should respond, Shisui favored persuading the Righteous Armies to surrender because he believed their cause was just.
• Kuming argued that the groups likely aimed to overthrow the small countries’ governments and that Akatsuki intended to use them to expand its power.
• Kuming sent Shisui and Kisame to rest, then pondered his past promise to change the Shinobi World and his present contentment with protecting Konoha and his family.

Uzumaki Jiuming reaffirmed his goals, then helped Yoriichi Namikaze pursue sword training and arranged for Might Guy to teach him Taijutsu. The story left off in Konoha Year 60, as Naruto Uzumaki faced his Ninja Academy graduation exam.

• Uzumaki Jiuming returned home after a night by the waterfall, spoke with Kisame, and went to watch Shisui Uchiha and the children at the dojo.
• Yoriichi Namikaze’s wooden sword broke during his spar with Uchiha Itachi, and Itachi caught the flying fragment before it could hit Yoriichi.
• Uzumaki Jiuming approved Yoriichi’s request for a katana and Wakizashi, then bought Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga katanas as gifts.
• Uzumaki Jiuming later asked Might Guy to become Yoriichi’s Taijutsu teacher, and the two formed an unlikely but successful master-student pair.
• Time passed until Konoha Year 60, when Naruto Uzumaki turned twelve and faced his Ninja Academy graduation exam.

Uzumaki Jiuming revised the Ninja Academy graduation exam system and refined its practical test to make rankings fairer. At the academy, Yoriichi Namikaze accepted Konohamaru’s challenge and effortlessly blocked his opening punch.

• Uzumaki Jiuming reviewed Iruka’s graduation exam plan and replaced student-drawn fights with judged matches, rankings, and a single opportunity to challenge someone ranked higher.
• Yoriichi Namikaze heard classmates admire Naruto and felt envious of his older brother’s popularity.
• Konohamaru accused Yoriichi of entering the advanced class through family connections and challenged him to prove his ability.
• Yoriichi accepted the challenge to stop rumors from spreading, and Konohamaru attacked him in the classroom.
• Yoriichi casually blocked Konohamaru’s punch and told him he was no match for him.

Yoriichi defeated Konohamaru in a classroom spar, while Sasuke watched and Naruto confronted him. Iruka announced new graduation exams, and Mizuki began plotting to obtain the Scroll of Sealing as Yakumo asked him for help passing.

• Yoriichi used a feint and a shoulder throw to subdue Konohamaru, cushioning his landing so he was not hurt.
• Sasuke watched Yoriichi, Naruto stepped between them, and Sasuke left for the field with Naruto following.
• Iruka announced that October's graduation exams would include written and practical tests, with students needing to pass either one and place in the top 80 percent to become Genin.
• Parents, teachers, and students began intensifying their preparation for the exams.
• Mizuki, jealous of Iruka and frustrated by his lack of access to powerful techniques, resolved to steal the Scroll of Sealing.
• Yakumo asked Mizuki to help her pass the exams, and he suggested that he had a way.

Yakumo Kurama stole Konoha’s Scroll of Sealing, believing Mizuki could use it to cure her frail body, while Kakashi followed her to uncover the plot. In the Forest of Death, Mizuki took the scroll and tried to kill Yakumo, but Kakashi rescued her and confronted him.

• Yakumo Kurama subdued the guards outside the Hokage Building and entered the Hokage’s office while Kakashi watched from concealment.
• Yakumo stole the Scroll of Sealing and headed toward the Forest of Death, with Kakashi secretly following her.
• Uzumaki Kuming sensed the office barrier had been triggered and used Kagura Mind Eye to locate Kakashi and Yakumo.
• Mizuki met Yakumo in the forest, took the scroll, and revealed his murderous intent by attacking her with a Kunai.
• Kakashi cut Mizuki’s Kunai, rescued Yakumo, and identified Mizuki as the one who had put her up to stealing the scroll.

Mizuki stole the Scroll of Sealing, but Orochimaru appeared, took the scroll, and killed him. Kakashi fought to protect Yakumo Kurama, but Orochimaru overpowered him until Minato appeared with a kunai at Orochimaru’s throat.

• Mizuki attacked Kakashi and tried to flee with the Scroll of Sealing, but Kakashi stopped him with Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet.
• Mizuki threatened to destroy the scroll, but a giant white serpent seized him as Orochimaru took the scroll.
• Orochimaru offered to cure Yakumo Kurama’s Kekkei Genkai Disease and invited her to come with him, prompting Kakashi to attack.
• Orochimaru blocked Kakashi’s attacks, killed Mizuki, and battered Kakashi despite his Lightning Armor.
• As Orochimaru raised the Kusanagi Sword to kill Kakashi, Minato appeared and held a kunai to Orochimaru’s throat.

Minato arrived in time to save Kakashi and Yakumo Kurama, only to discover Orochimaru had summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. As Kakashi took Yakumo to seek reinforcements, Minato prepared to face the two former Hokage alone.

• Minato confronted Orochimaru, who released a purple mist and unleashed a massive Water Style attack.
• Orochimaru revealed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, resurrected as his puppets through the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Tobirama attacked Minato with the Flying Thunder God, but Minato escaped with Kakashi and Yakumo Kurama.
• Minato ordered Kakashi to take Yakumo back to the village and summon the Third and Jiuming, while Kakashi wanted to stay and help.
• Kakashi left with Yakumo, and Minato faced the former Hokage alone as he threw a Kunai into the sky and began forming Hand Seals.

Minato defeated Orochimaru with a massive Sage Art attack and decapitated him, but Orochimaru revived and escaped with the Scroll of Sealing. Uzumaki Kuming intervened at the last moment to keep Orochimaru from taking the scroll, then joined Minato beneath the moonlight.

• Minato unleashed a rain of Flying Thunder God Kunai that devastated the battlefield, then used his speed to decapitate Orochimaru.
• Hashirama and Tobirama remained after Orochimaru's apparent death, and Tobirama explained how Minato could release their Impure World Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru's corpse burst into white snakes that reassembled into his body, and he tried to escape with the Scroll of Sealing.
• Tobirama and Hashirama delayed Minato as Orochimaru retreated, but a purple lightning bolt struck beside Orochimaru and severed the scroll's strap.
• Orochimaru recognized Uzumaki Kuming's killing intent and fled, while Hashirama and Tobirama vanished in white smoke.
• Minato recovered the Scroll of Sealing and reproached Uzumaki Kuming, who said he had protected it because it had belonged to Uzumaki Mito.

Naruto Uzumaki handed in an almost blank graduation exam and received a score of four, forcing him to confront his careless attitude toward the written test. After Jiuming and Minato spoke with him, Naruto was left to prepare for the upcoming combat test.

• Several months after Yakumo Kurama's case, Naruto Uzumaki and his classmates began the Ninja Academy graduation exam with a written test.
• Naruto gave up early, handed in his nearly blank paper, and received a score of four after Jiuming saw it.
• Jiuming scolded Naruto for failing to read the whole test and told him to go home, reflect, and prepare for the combat test.
• Naruto asked Choji Akimichi whether he had looked at every question, then went home without answering Shikamaru and Choji.
• Minato signed Naruto's test paper and reassured him that a poor written score would not prevent him from becoming a great ninja.
• Naruto found a portion of food Kushina had left for him, while the teachers stayed late to mark exams and rank the students.