Chapter Summaries

Minato Squad fought an Iwagakure reconnaissance team, but Uzumaki Kuming revealed he had trapped and anticipated the enemy leader before killing him. Afterward, the squad reached the border near the Land of Rain and prepared to begin its infiltration mission.

• Uzumaki Kuming sensed four Iwagakure ninjas approaching, and Minato Namikaze decided the squad should confront them after they changed course toward the Konoha team.
• The Iwagakure leader tried to escape with his three young students, but Minato Squad pursued and surrounded them.
• Might Duy and Hyuga Hiashi attacked the leader while Uchiha Fugaku defeated the three Genin, but the leader used a substitution and took Kuming hostage.
• Kuming revealed that Cursed Seals planted on a tree had immobilized the leader, then killed him; Hiashi killed the three Iwagakure Genin as Fugaku struggled with the decision.
• Minato buried the bodies, and Minato Squad continued toward the Land of Grass before camping near the border with the Land of Rain.

Uzumaki Kuming's squad infiltrated Lishou City and attacked an Iwagakure supply compound, only to discover it was guarded by Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. Roshi emerged from their combined assault in a red Chakra Cloak, leaving the squad facing a much stronger enemy.

• Minato Namikaze led the squad to scout Lishou City, and the team chose to infiltrate through the west gate after dark.
• Kuming rejected Minato's proposal to stage a feint and warned that the city might be more heavily guarded than it appeared.
• Kuming, Minato, Hiashi, Fugaku, and Might Duy slipped past the city's detection barrier and used Hiashi's Byakugan to locate a heavily guarded compound.
• Kuming identified the compound's barrier as one designed to contain something inside, and the squad entered and quickly defeated the guards outside the training hall.
• Kuming recognized the man inside as Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and warned the squad that he used Lava Style.
• Hiashi deflected Roshi's lava attack, and the squad struck him with several techniques, but Roshi emerged from the flames wrapped in a red Chakra Cloak.

Jiuming’s team escaped Roshi by trapping his Tailed Beast Bomb inside the barrier, but the blast disrupted Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade’s infiltration. The three Konoha shinobi were surrounded, then attacked by Roshi after his arrival.

• Minato apologized to Roshi’s group, but Uzumaki Kuming, Fugaku, and Hiashi urged their team to fight back as Jiuming prepared a sealing trap.
• Jiuming used Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to pull Minato, Fugaku, Hiashi, and Dai toward the barrier’s edge while his clones scattered Four Symbols Seal scrolls around Roshi.
• Roshi transformed and fired a Tailed Beast Bomb, but the barrier contained it until the bomb destabilized and exploded, allowing Jiuming’s team to escape into the forest.
• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were surrounded by Stone Ninja reinforcements after the explosion, while Minato Squad slipped out of the city.
• The Stone Ninja scattered as Roshi arrived, and the transformed Roshi attacked Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, smashing a crater into the ground.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru escaped Roshi after Jiraiya was wounded protecting Tsunade, while Roshi collapsed from the strain of using the Four-Tails’ Chakra. Kuming’s group rested in a cave, but three unknown people arrived as they prepared for a possible confrontation.

• Roshi attacked Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru with his transformed Four-Tails Chakra, and Tsunade pulled Jiraiya away from a collapsing wall.
• A hidden Stone Ninja stabbed Jiraiya while he shielded Tsunade, and Tsunade killed the ambusher with a punch.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda, carried Jiraiya and Tsunade away, and used Explosive Tags to slow their pursuers.
• Roshi ordered the Stone Ninja to pursue the escapees, then dispelled his transformation and collapsed from exhaustion and injuries.
• Kuming, Minato, Fugaku, and the others reached a secluded cave, where Minato apologized and Kuming tried to prompt him to develop a technique inspired by the Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Kuming sensed three people approaching the cave and hid his real body as his Shadow Clone watched them enter.

Uzumaki Jiuming’s squad reunited with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru in a cave after their failed missions in Lishou City disrupted one another. As Jiraiya accepted Minato as his student, Orochimaru returned with news that the enemy was approaching, leaving the group preparing for a fight.

• Orochimaru, Tsunade, and an injured Jiraiya entered the cave without triggering its traps, and Tsunade asked Jiuming to help support Jiraiya.
• Tsunade explained that a powerful toxin was preventing Jiraiya’s wound from healing, while Jiuming learned that their separate missions in Lishou City had collided during the Four-Tails’ Jinchuriki’s attack.
• Tsunade told Jiuming that Konoha had reached a ceasefire with the Land of Lightning and was sending forces toward the Land of Rain to confront the Stone Ninja.
• Jiraiya asked Minato to become his student because he believed Minato was the Child of Prophecy, and Minato accepted and signed Mount Myoboku’s Summoning Scroll.
• Jiuming reached for the summoning scroll and later wondered aloud about using an uncontracted Summoning Technique, so Tsunade restrained him and warned him not to take the risk.
• Orochimaru returned to the cave with Hiashi and Fugaku and announced that the enemy was approaching.

As Stone Ninja pursuers closed in on the cave, Orochimaru tried to kill the wounded Jiraiya to improve the others’ chances of escape, but Kuming, Minato, and Tsunade stopped him. Kuming opened a hidden exit and sent Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru ahead while he and the others stayed behind to face the pursuers.

• Orochimaru sensed the Stone Ninja pursuers, and Minato ordered the group to leave with the injured Jiraiya.
• Orochimaru argued that Jiraiya had to die for the others to survive, but Kuming and Minato intervened, and Tsunade threatened Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya showed Orochimaru a V sign, and a falling boulder forced them to stop arguing and carry Jiraiya together.
• Kuming activated a Four Symbols Seal to open a rear exit, and the group escaped just before a Tailed Beast Bomb destroyed the mountain.
• Orochimaru summoned Rashomon to shield the group while Kuming created over a thousand Shadow Clones and prepared to hold off the Stone Ninja.
• Tsunade left with Jiraiya and Orochimaru, while Kuming, Minato, Hiashi, Fugaku, and Duy stayed behind and charged toward the pursuers.

Uzumaki Kuming trapped Roshi with a Seal Binding Formation and wounded him with the Heavenly Feather Blade, but the formation collapsed and the Stone Ninja swarmed Kuming. Minato and the others rushed to help as Kuming faced the attackers alone.

• Uzumaki Kuming, Hyuga Hiashi, and Uchiha Fugaku ambushed the Stone Ninja in the smoke, killing several and injuring others before Roshi’s unit launched a counterattack.
• A Stone Ninja’s ground spikes wounded Dai, while Minato and the others were surrounded by the remaining Stone Ninja and Roshi focused on Kuming.
• Roshi revealed that he had recognized Kuming as the shinobi who blocked his Tailed Beast Bomb and prepared to attack him with magma spheres.
• Kuming immobilized Roshi and several Stone Ninja with the Seal Binding Formation, released the Yin Seal, and drew the Heavenly Feather Blade.
• Kuming struck Roshi with the Heavenly Feather Blade, leaving a deep gash in his waist, but Roshi broke free as the formation collapsed.
• The Stone Ninja rushed Kuming, and Minato and the others ran to help as Kuming began Leaf Style: Shinto Munen.

Hatake Sakumo rescued Uzumaki Kuming from Roshi’s Tailed Beast Bomb, and Kuming later woke after more than ten days in Konoha Hospital. After recovering and returning home, Kuming heard Uzumaki Mito call him to her study.

• Hatake Sakumo arrived as Kuming was surrounded, dismantled the Stone Ninja’s attacks, and rescued Kuming from Roshi’s Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Tsunade took the unconscious Kuming to Konoha Hospital while Hatake Sakumo and the others returned to the base.
• Kuming woke after more than ten days, learned that Uzumaki Mito had taken Heavenly Feather Blade, and heard that fighting on the Rain Country front had eased.
• Tsunade left for the Land of Rain, and Kushina stayed to care for Kuming as he recovered.
• Three days later, Kuming was discharged and walked home alone through a thriving Konoha.
• Uzumaki Mito called Kuming to her study as soon as he entered the house.

Uzumaki Mito transferred the Nine-Tails to Uzumaki Kuming and helped him seal Kurama in his mindscape. After giving her final instructions to Kuming, Nawaki, and Kushina, Mito died, leaving Kuming to face life as Konoha’s new Jinchuriki.

• Mito brought Kuming into the seal space, revealed the Nine-Tails, and chose him to inherit it.
• Mito transferred Kurama into Kuming, who bound the cage with his own lightning-powered seal and accepted his role as its vessel.
• Mito told Kuming that Heavenly Feather Blade was in the secret room, then sent him to bring Nawaki and Kushina to her.
• Hiruzen and Danzo discussed the new Jinchuriki outside the compound, and Hiruzen stopped Danzo from pressing the matter.
• Mito gave Nawaki and Kushina her final instructions, asked them to protect Kuming, and died as the compound’s barrier vanished.

After the Second Shinobi World War paused, Konoha kept Uzumaki Jiuming confined and guarded because he had inherited the Nine-Tails. When outsiders approached his estate, Jiuming suspected the danger came from Konoha’s leadership, and Danzō demanded that Hiruzen move the Nine-Tails and Mito’s sealing formula immediately.

• Konoha’s alliance with Hanzo helped force the Stone Ninja into ceasefire negotiations, and the Konoha Sannin returned to the village while Jiraiya stayed behind.
• Seven masked outsiders approached Jiuming’s guarded estate, fled when the Anbu attacked, and triggered an explosion in the woods.
• Jiuming threw Qifeng out of his courtyard for entering without permission, while the other Anbu learned only that Jiuming was Hiruzen’s fourth disciple.
• Jiuming trained with the Heavenly Feather Blade and told Kurama he believed the danger was coming from within Konoha, not from enemy villages.
• After reading Qifeng’s report, Hiruzen was confronted by Danzō, Homura, and Koharu, who demanded that he move Jiuming and Mito’s sealing formula at once.

Uzumaki Kuming sent a Shadow Clone to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders, who planned to move him and secure the Uzumaki Clan’s secret techniques. After Shimura Danzō placed a Cursed Seal on the clone, Kuming used the incident to turn Hiruzen against him, then left the real Kuming free at home to continue training.

• Kuming sent a Shadow Clone to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s office while his real body stayed at home and practiced swordsmanship.
• Utatane Koharu unexpectedly offered to take Kuming in as her grandson, but he politely refused.
• Shimura Danzō proposed moving Kuming to a secret facility and storing the Uzumaki Clan’s techniques there; Kuming argued that moving could endanger the Nine-Tails’ seal.
• Danzō grabbed Kuming’s throat and placed a Cursed Seal on him, prompting Kuming to plead that Danzō must have acted for Konoha’s sake.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzō to remove the seal, but Danzō left with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu instead.
• Kuming revealed himself to Hiruzen as a Shadow Clone, while his real body learned what happened and returned to training, expecting Hiruzen to suppress Danzō.

Shimura Danzō attacked Uzumaki Kuming’s residence to seize control of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but Kuming fought back, killed a Yamanaka Anbu, and forced Danzō to withdraw when reinforcements approached. The Third Hokage hurried to the residence, believing Qifeng’s report that the attackers were insect users from Iwagakure.

• Shimura Danzō and his subordinates killed or drove off the Anbu guarding Kuming, then attacked the residence with swarms of insects and grappling hooks.
• Kuming countered with Lightning Release, escaped a Mind Transfer attempt, and killed the Yamanaka Anbu after surviving attacks from the other two.
• Kuming surrounded Danzō’s group with Shadow Clones and launched Lightning Release attacks, but Danzō summoned Baku to swallow them.
• Kuming retreated behind the residence’s barrier as Danzō’s Wind Release shuriken failed to break through.
• An Anbu warned Danzō that someone was approaching, so Danzō and his remaining subordinates fled with the dead Yamanaka shinobi.
• The Third Hokage rushed toward Kuming’s residence with Anbu and concluded from Qifeng’s report that the attackers were from Iwagakure.

After Shimura Danzō attacked Kuming, the Third Hokage acknowledged what happened but avoided confronting Danzō directly, then compensated Kuming for his broken gate. Kuming learned that he would leave for a secret mission in the Land of Rain with Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi under Jiraiya’s leadership, and understood that the Third Hokage meant to protect him from Danzō while building his bonds with his teammates.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi visited Kuming’s residence, recognized Baku’s hoofprints, and promised that the Stone Ninja would not run wild in Konoha without directly addressing Danzō’s attack.
• Kuming dismissed Hiruzen and demanded fifty million ryo for his broken Huanghuali gate, then Hiruzen left Anbu under Qifeng’s command to guard the residence.
• The next morning, Qifeng gave Kuming a replacement gate and a thirty-five-million-ryo bank slip as compensation from Hiruzen.
• Kushina, Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi visited Kuming and told him the Third Hokage had assigned their team to investigate the Land of Rain alongside Jiraiya.
• Kuming learned the mission was top secret and realized Hiruzen intended to keep him away from Danzō’s influence while strengthening his bonds with Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi.

Uzumaki Kuming left Konoha with Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi for the Land of Rain, while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Qifeng to keep Root from leaving the village. In a town in the Land of Rain, Kuming’s group encountered Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato as they searched for Jiraiya, and Kuming stopped Yahiko’s sudden attack.

• Kushina stayed at Jiuming’s house to study Fuinjutsu, and two days later Uzumaki Kuming gave her the key to the Fuinjutsu storage before leaving on his mission.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Qifeng to take command of Root and prevent any Root ninja from leaving Konoha without permission.
• Hiashi spotted eight Anbu following Uzumaki Kuming’s group, but Kuming told Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi to ignore them.
• Minato received a message that Jiraiya was in a town in the heart of the Land of Rain, so the group crossed the border and headed there.
• Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato heard approaching ninja and hurried through the woods, where Uzumaki Kuming’s group blocked their path and asked for Jiraiya.
• Yahiko attacked Kuming, who caught his wrist, disarmed him, and revealed his Konoha Forehead Protector.

Jiuming and his team reached Jiraiya’s home after meeting his students, Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, on the way. Jiuming introduced himself as their senior and demonstrated a barrier technique, which Nagato’s Rinnegan appeared able to perceive.

• Jiuming’s team intercepted Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, and Fugaku used genjutsu to learn where Jiraiya was staying.
• Jiuming identified Nagato’s eyes as the Rinnegan and told Fugaku they were said to belong to the Sage of Six Paths.
• Jiuming and the others found Jiraiya, who welcomed them and explained that he had been living in the Land of Rain with his students.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan arrived at Jiraiya’s home, and Jiraiya introduced them to Minato, Fugaku, Hiashi, and Jiuming.
• Jiuming offered to teach the younger students a fuinjutsu, then demonstrated the Heavenly Cover Formation barrier without forming hand seals.
• Nagato reached toward the barrier, and Jiuming realized that the Rinnegan could see it.

Uzumaki Jiuming gave Nagato and the others a scroll teaching a rare sensory barrier technique, then secretly tried to place a seal on Nagato’s Rinnegan. Jiraiya stopped him, and Jiuming agreed to leave Nagato unsealed while warning Jiraiya that he would be responsible if the Rinnegan became an enemy; a strange watcher then recognized the Uzumaki barrier technique.

• Jiuming demonstrated a sensory barrier and gave Nagato a scroll so he, Yahiko, and Konan could study it.
• Jiraiya explained the technique’s strategic value, and Minato studied the barrier while the others rested.
• Jiuming used a seal to try to enter Nagato’s eyes, but Jiraiya grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
• Jiuming told Jiraiya he wanted to safeguard against the Rinnegan falling into enemy hands, while Jiraiya insisted Nagato was the Child of Prophecy.
• Jiuming agreed not to seal Nagato and told Jiraiya he would have to stop the Rinnegan if they became an enemy.
• A strange figure watched Jiuming and Jiraiya leave, recognized the Uzumaki Clan barrier technique, and sank into the earth.

Uzumaki Jiuming joined Jiraiya's training session and easily exposed Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan's weaknesses in an ambush exercise. After Jiraiya promised to intensify their training, Jiuming announced that he would show them what real combat training felt like.

• Jiuming learned that Jiraiya had taken Nagato and the others to train, then agreed to join them as a sparring partner.
• Yahiko and Nagato ambushed Jiuming in the woods, but he caught their Kunai and threw Yahiko to the ground.
• Jiuming threw Yahiko toward Nagato's fireball and used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Konan, forcing Jiraiya to save Yahiko with a Water Formation Wall.
• Jiraiya scolded Yahiko for attacking carelessly and promised to make the group's training ten times stricter.
• Jiuming challenged Jiraiya's gentle approach and said he would teach the students to develop proper battle instincts.

Uzumaki Kuming began training Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan after Jiraiya agreed to watch over them. While Nagato practiced Fuinjutsu with Kuming, Yahiko faced a stranger threatening Konan and demanding that he choose who would die.

• Jiraiya agreed to let Kuming train the three children while he watched from nearby.
• Kuming tested the children, praised their teamwork, and assigned Nagato Chakra-control training while his Shadow Clones taught Yahiko and Konan Taijutsu.
• Kuming introduced Nagato to Storage Scrolls, but Nagato struggled to control his Chakra and accidentally set a scroll on fire.
• Jiraiya saw that Kuming and Nagato were training without trouble, then went to a shelter in the forest and began writing in a book.
• A middle-aged man pinned Konan beneath his foot, held a Kunai to her throat, and demanded that Yahiko choose between his own life and hers.

Uzumaki Kuming tested Yahiko’s resolve and taught him to fight back rather than surrender to threats, while the group discovered signs that the Land of Wind might enter the war. The next morning, Kuming learned that Minato, Fugaku, and Hiashi had been sent on a separate mission and that he was expected to remain with Jiraiya for his own protection.

• Uzumaki Kuming used an illusion in which Konan was threatened to test Yahiko, then criticized Yahiko for offering his life instead of fighting back.
• Uzumaki Kuming reflected that protecting Yahiko could keep Nagato from being led astray by Madara Uchiha’s plans.
• Minato reported that merchants from the Land of Wind had been appearing in town, and Jiraiya warned that the Land of Wind might be preparing to join the war.
• Nagato grew despondent over the possibility of renewed fighting, and the group ate dinner in a troubled silence.
• Kuming saw Minato, Uchiha Fugaku, and Hiashi leave on a separate mission and realized the Third had sent him to stay with Jiraiya for his protection.
• Jiraiya told Kuming to remain with him until the Third sent new orders, and Kuming left the wooden house with the Heavenly Feather Blade.

Over a year and a half, Uzumaki Kuming sharpened his swordsmanship while continuing to train Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, but he made little progress learning the Flying Thunder God Technique. Jiraiya then revealed that the Great Toad Sage wanted to meet Kuming, and Kuming agreed to go to Mount Myoboku.

• Kuming completed the integration of Chakra nature and form transformations into his swordsmanship and continued struggling to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kuming encouraged Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to work together if they wanted to change the Land of Rain, while warning them that ideals and strength were both necessary.
• Jiraiya told Kuming that the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku wanted to meet him.
• Kuming pretended he could not move unless he was taught Senjutsu, then agreed to meet the Great Toad Sage when Jiraiya suggested asking it for help.
• Jiraiya performed the Reverse Summoning Technique, taking himself and Kuming away from the snowy Land of Rain.