Chapter Summaries

Gong Yi asked Fugaku to reveal the Mangekyō ability he had awakened, and Fugaku agreed in exchange for fulfilling the old condition. As Itachi trained Neji outside, Gong Yi examined Fugaku’s Susanoo, while Itachi sensed its powerful, unsettling presence.

• Fugaku considered offering the Uchiha Clan’s support for Gong Yi to become Fifth Hokage, but Gong Yi said he did not need their help to claim the position.
• Gong Yi explained that he had once intended to call on Fugaku to face powerful enemies, but his own strength had grown until he no longer needed that assistance.
• Gong Yi asked Fugaku to show him his Mangekyō ability, and Fugaku agreed to treat the demonstration as fulfilling his condition.
• Itachi coached Neji to anticipate the rhythm and direction of the swinging sandbags, and Neji successfully crossed the logs.
• Itachi sensed a strange, powerful presence inside the house as Gong Ling approached, but Gong Yi ordered Gong Ling to stand down.
• Gong Yi touched the enormous Gray Arm of Fugaku’s Susanoo and recognized it.

Gong Yi examined Uchiha Fugaku’s Susanoo, cut through it with Gold Style chakra, and deduced how Fugaku could develop it further. After Fugaku demonstrated Amaterasu, Gong Yi asked him to use the black flames on his finger.

• Uchiha Fugaku summoned Susanoo, and Gong Yi examined its chakra body and inferred its defensive properties.
• Gong Yi coated his hand in Gold Style chakra and severed four of Susanoo’s fingers.
• Gong Yi deduced that Fugaku could advance Susanoo beyond its initial form, startling Fugaku with his knowledge of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Fugaku dispelled Susanoo and demonstrated Amaterasu by burning away a teacup and its contents.
• Gong Yi asked Fugaku to use Amaterasu on his finger, and Fugaku objected that he was crazy.

Gong Yi tested Uchiha Fugaku’s Amaterasu, then realized Fugaku had trapped him in a convincing Mangekyō illusion. After escaping, Gong Yi identified the illusion as Susano, leaving Fugaku confused by his mention of Tsukuyomi.

• Uchiha Fugaku ignited Amaterasu on Gong Yi’s finger, and Gong Yi sealed the black flames after studying them.
• Gong Yi’s missing finger rapidly regenerated, astonishing Fugaku.
• A black-robed version of Gong Yi appeared in the illusion and urged the white-robed Gong Yi to wake up; Gong Yi then broke the illusion.
• Gong Yi noticed the tea in his cup was still there and concluded Fugaku had trapped him in the illusion when he asked to see Amaterasu.
• Fugaku confirmed the ability was called Susano, and Gong Yi laughed while asking about Tsukuyomi.

Gong Yi unsettled Fugaku by telling him a legend that seemed to echo the Uchiha’s ocular techniques, then tested Itachi’s Taijutsu against Neji. As Fugaku and Itachi headed home, Fugaku questioned why Gong Yi showed no interest in becoming Hokage.

• Gong Yi told Fugaku a legend about Izanagi, Izanami, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susano, leaving Fugaku wondering how it related to his ocular techniques.
• Gong Yi took Fugaku to meet Itachi and arranged a Taijutsu spar between Itachi and Neji.
• Gong Yi stopped the spar and praised Itachi’s strong foundation, judging him to be at least Chunin level.
• Itachi suggested Sasuke become Gong Yi’s disciple, but Fugaku explained that the Uchiha’s strained relations with the village made that unwise.
• Fugaku reconsidered Gong Yi’s motives and wondered why he had no interest in the Hokage Position.

Gong Yi learned that Mei Terumi had taken control of Kirigakure and planned a future visit while he continued to prioritize Konoha’s growth over becoming Hokage. He caught the mischievous Naruto, brought him to Erii’s house, and asked how old he was.

• Gong Ling told Gong Yi that Mei Terumi had made her move and was waiting until Kirigakure’s reconstruction was complete before announcing herself as Fifth Mizukage.
• Gong Yi decided to visit Kirigakure with Gong Ling to retrieve what they had come for, while explaining that he wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi to strengthen Konoha before he took over.
• Gong Ling asked Gong Yi to invite the woman he visited to live with them, and Gong Yi paused to consider it.
• Gong Yi caught Naruto after he broke a villager’s window, made him apologize, and used the Gravity Technique to stop him from running away.
• Gong Yi took Naruto to Erii’s house, where he asked the child how old he was, and Naruto answered that he was four.

Gong Yi told Erii that Naruto would soon need to live independently so she could move in with him after his return. Gong Yi and Gong Ling traveled to the Land of Water to collect the Water Release Ninjutsu Mei Terumi had promised, and arrived by ship two days later.

• Gong Yi told Erii that four-year-old Naruto was old enough to live on his own, and she agreed to prepare to move in with him after his trip.
• Gong Yi and Gong Ling set out for the Land of Water to collect Mei Terumi's promised techniques.
• Gong Yi told Gong Ling she no longer needed to hide her face, and she removed her hat, revealing how much she had changed from Rin Nohara.
• Gong Yi assured Gong Ling that Mei Terumi would honor her promise and threatened to destroy Kirigakure if it tried to trap them.
• Gong Yi and Gong Ling arrived in the Land of Water aboard a ship two days later.

Gong Yi and Gong Ling traveled openly through the Land of Water while Kirigakure’s ninja watched them. After settling into a hot spring inn, Gong Yi waited for Mei Terumi to arrive and discuss Kirigakure’s Water Release Ninjutsu.

• Gong Yi and Gong Ling spent several days sightseeing, fishing, and eating in the Land of Water.
• Gong Yi pointed out a Jonin watching them and explained that Kirigakure would avoid provoking him.
• Gong Yi and Gong Ling booked an expensive room at a hot spring inn and relaxed in its private pool.
• Gong Yi thought about how Mastery of All Dharmas helped him learn Ninjutsu and could let him remove Naruto Uzumaki’s Eight Trigrams Sealing Style.
• Mei Terumi arrived at the inn at night, and Gong Yi told her to come down because he had been waiting for her.

Mei Terumi visited Gong Yi to discuss Kirigakure’s future and arrange a handover of the Water Release Ninjutsu he had requested. When Gong Yi and Gong Ling went to meet her the next night, Mei Terumi was absent and Kirigakure was engulfed in turmoil.

• Mei Terumi told Gong Yi that the requested Ninjutsu were stored at a secret location and asked whether Kirigakure and Konoha could coexist peacefully.
• Gong Yi declined to speak for Konoha and directed Mei Terumi to seek an answer from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Mei Terumi arranged to deliver the Ninjutsu outside Kirigakure the following night and recognized Gong Ling as the Three-Tails Jinchuriki she had fought before.
• Gong Yi and Gong Ling went to Kirigakure’s outskirts for the meeting, but Mei Terumi did not appear as a fire broke out and fighting erupted inside the village.

Gong Yi met Orochimaru above Kirigakure during the Kaguya Clan’s renewed rebellion and revealed that he had mastered Wood Style and Sage Mode. After warning Orochimaru that Kimimaro’s Kekkei Genkai Disease would likely kill him, Gong Yi left to intervene in the battle.

• Kimimaro was released from prison and joined the Kaguya Clan’s attack on Kirigakure.
• Gong Yi recognized Orochimaru, who arrived to observe the rebellion and investigate the Kaguya Clan’s bloodline.
• Gong Yi demonstrated Wood Style and discussed Pain’s Rinnegan and Orochimaru’s interest in Kimimaro.
• Gong Yi told Orochimaru that Kimimaro had a severe Kekkei Genkai Disease and would likely die before adulthood.
• Gong Yi and Orochimaru exchanged contact snakes, then Gong Yi revealed his Sage Mode and flew toward Kirigakure.

Gong Yi rescued the young Kimimaro from Mist Ninja and invited him to follow him as his Master. After healing Kimimaro, Gong Yi and his companions reached Kirigakure’s outskirts, where Mei Terumi delivered copied Ninjutsu scrolls and noticed the boy.

• Gong Ling chased after Gong Yi, while Orochimaru returned to his hut as it sank into the ground.
• Gong Yi arrived in the sky and rescued Kimimaro by defeating the Mist Ninja surrounding him.
• Gong Ling told Gong Yi that the Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure had been wiped out.
• Gong Yi asked Kimimaro to come with him, and Kimimaro accepted him as his Master.
• Gong Yi healed Kimimaro with his upgraded Rejuvenation Technique, restoring his wounds and Chakra.
• At Kirigakure’s outskirts, Mei Terumi gave Gong Ling copied Ninjutsu scrolls and looked at Kimimaro.

Gong Yi brought Kimimaro from Kirigakure to Konoha, treated his illness, and arranged for him to settle in the village. He rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer of the Hokage Position and left Kimimaro registered as a Konoha ninja, with plans for him to attend the Academy.

• Mei Terumi tried to stop Gong Yi from taking Kimimaro, but Gong Yi overpowered her and continued on his way.
• Gong Yi treated Kimimaro’s Kekkei Genkai Disease and planned to teach him the Eight Inner Gates.
• Gong Yi returned to Konoha with Kimimaro, found him a place to live, and arranged a second room for Naruto Uzumaki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Gong Yi why he had gone to the Land of Water and offered him the Hokage Position, but Gong Yi refused and told Hiruzen to keep running the village.
• Gong Yi watched as Kimimaro’s identity was registered as a Konoha ninja and told him he would start at the Ninja Academy in a month.

Gong Yi enrolled Neji and Kimimaro in the Ninja Academy, then tried to comfort Naruto as Erii prepared to move in with him. After telling Naruto about his own hardships and shinobi career, Gong Yi asked whether Naruto had a dream.

• Gong Yi told Neji to become the Ninja Academy's top student and instructed Kimimaro to focus on his studies and avoid fighting outside practical lessons.
• Neji and Kimimaro entered the Ninja Academy, while Hizashi Hyuga waited to take care of Neji.
• Erii worried about leaving Naruto alone as she prepared to move in with Gong Yi.
• Gong Yi found Naruto hiding outside and asked whether Naruto hated him for leaving.
• Gong Yi shared how he grew up as an orphan and survived dangerous missions and battles, easing Naruto's sadness as he listened.
• Naruto said he wanted Gong Yi to become Hokage, and Gong Yi asked Naruto what his own dream was.

Gong Yi encouraged Naruto to pursue his dream of becoming Hokage, then moved in with Erii and Gong Ling while considering new uses for his second Divine Sense Seed. At the academy, Neji watched Kimimaro win a spar and challenged him on the way home.

• Gong Yi urged Naruto to proudly declare his dream, and Naruto announced he would become Hokage and earn the villagers’ recognition.
• Gong Yi moved Erii into his home, where she and Gong Ling met warmly and agreed to live together.
• Gong Yi considered studying Kirigakure’s Water Release techniques and explored how his second Divine Sense Seed could act independently to counter Genjutsu.
• Neji observed Kimimaro defeat a classmate and realized Kimimaro’s Taijutsu might surpass his own.
• Neji stopped Kimimaro near Gong Territory and challenged him.

Neji challenged Kimimaro and learned how badly he was outmatched by Kimimaro’s combat experience and Shikotsumyaku. Gong Yi began training Neji in Taijutsu, while a second Gong Yi secretly worked to create an independent External Incarnation.

• Neji and Kimimaro fought, and Kimimaro gained the upper hand despite Neji combining Strong Fist and Gentle Fist.
• Gong Yi showed Neji the full reach of Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku and explained why Neji was not yet his match.
• Neji chose to specialize in Taijutsu so he could defeat Kimimaro, and Gong Yi began his training with doubled gravity and a sparring match.
• A second Gong Yi examined a recently deceased ninja and judged that his Wood Style and Divine Sense Seed clones still fell short of the independent External Incarnation he wanted.

Mei Terumi secured the Land of Water’s support and traveled to Konoha to establish peaceful relations with the Mist Village. Kisame asked Pain to stop the alliance, and Pain agreed, seeing Konoha’s growing ties as a threat to Akatsuki’s plans.

• Mei Terumi crushed rebellions by the Kaguya and Yuki clans, won the Feudal Lord of the Land of Water’s trust, and announced the Mist Village’s return from isolation.
• Konoha accepted the Mist Village’s proposal, and Mei Terumi set out for Konoha with a delegation, where Hiruzen Sarutobi sent a welcoming party.
• Kisame went to Pain and asked him to stop the Mist Village from forming an alliance with Konoha, saying he could not accept the village seeking friendship after Konoha’s past attacks.
• Pain agreed to help Kisame on the condition that Kisame permanently sever his ties with the Mist Village and devote himself to Akatsuki.
• Pain told Konan that the alliance could make Akatsuki’s future actions harder and argued that people needed to remember the pain and suffering caused by war.

Akatsuki attacked a Konoha delegation escorting Mei Terumi, killing Sarutobi Asuto and his wife, Sarutobi Zhengchi, and sending Deidara to bomb Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi drove Deidara off the village center, but a gigantic Mystic Yellow Great Hand rose to seize him as he fled.

• Deidara and Sasori ambushed Sarutobi Asuto's escort, while Deidara pursued the wounded Sarutobi Zhengchi toward Konoha.
• Sasori attacked Asuto and the remaining Konoha ninja with poisoned needles, while Deidara flew toward the village.
• Sarutobi Zhengchi reached Konoha and died after warning Hiruzen Sarutobi that they had been attacked.
• Deidara dropped explosive clay over Konoha, and Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma and struck Deidara's white bird with the Adamantine Staff.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed to stop Deidara's large clay bomb as Deidara fled, but a gigantic Mystic Yellow Great Hand reached up to grab him.

Gong Yi stopped Deidara’s attack on Konoha by shielding the village from his devastating self-destruction with the Glazed Sky Curtain. After the villagers celebrated, Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Gong Yi that the Akatsuki had attacked the Kirigakure delegation, and Gong Yi flew off to investigate.

• Deidara broke free of the Mystic Yellow Great Hand with explosions, but Gong Yi’s lightning pillar stopped his C4: Garuda from detonating.
• Deidara triggered his self-destruction, and Gong Yi protected all of Konoha with the Glazed Sky Curtain while the blast devastated the surrounding mountains.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned everyone not to touch the curtain, and Gong Yi explained what the technique was called.
• The villagers cheered Gong Yi for saving the village, and he told them they could return to their usual activities.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Gong Yi that the Akatsuki had attacked the squad escorting the Kirigakure delegation, and Gong Yi flew off to investigate.

Mei Terumi fought Kisame Hoshigaki while Pain’s summoned beasts joined the battle, and she unleashed her Kekkei Genkai in a desperate attempt to destroy them all. Pain repelled her attacks, but Gong Yi arrived, rescued Mei Terumi, and confronted Pain.

• Mei Terumi battled Kisame Hoshigaki with Water Release techniques while arguing over Kirigakure’s submission to Konoha.
• Long-haired Pain summoned three beasts to attack Mei Terumi, and Chojuro struck the red dog with Hiramekarei, only for it to regenerate.
• Mei Terumi ordered Ao to evacuate Chojuro and the officials, then unleashed Boil Release and Lava Release attacks that engulfed the battlefield.
• Pain used Shinra Tensei to reverse Mei Terumi’s lava and boiling mist, while the Masked Man rescued Pain and Kisame from Gong Yi’s descending Mystic Yellow Great Hand.
• Gong Yi lifted Mei Terumi from the lake, shielded her, and addressed Pain.

Gong Yi fought Pain and his allies after saving Mei Terumi, forcing most of them to retreat and killing Animal Path Pain. He left Kirigakure’s delegation stunned by his strength and questioning whether they could afford to oppose him.

• Gong Yi rescued Mei Terumi, sent her to safety, and confronted Pain, the Masked Man, Animal Path Pain, and Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Pain repelled Gong Yi’s attacks with Shinra Tensei and pulled him close with Banshō Ten'in, but Gong Yi broke Pain’s black rod and blinded the fighters with White Rage Technique.
• Gong Yi trapped the group with Inorganic Reincarnation, but the Masked Man, Pain, and Kisame Hoshigaki escaped while Animal Path Pain remained caught.
• Gong Yi attacked Animal Path Pain and his summoned beasts with several Ninjutsu at once, then killed Animal Path Pain with a massive golden sword.
• Chojuro and Ao witnessed Gong Yi’s overwhelming power, and Mei Terumi questioned whether Kirigakure could afford to make an enemy of him.

Gong Yi defeated the Akatsuki members who attacked Mei Terumi’s delegation and brought them back to Konoha, while Nagato discovered a distance weakness in the Six Paths of Pain. At Konoha’s gate, Hiruzen Sarutobi identified Sasori as the killer of his son and faced Gong Yi as he arrived.

• Gong Yi defeated the summoned beasts and praised Chojuro before escorting Mei Terumi and the Kirigakure delegation toward Konoha.
• Nagato revealed to Konan that distance weakened the Chakra supply and control of the Six Paths of Pain, and learned the Animal Path had been lost.
• Nagato suspected that Uchiha Madara was weaker than expected after he failed to attack Gong Yi.
• A wounded Konoha shinobi reported that a puppet master had killed Asuto, and Hiruzen Sarutobi identified the attacker as Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Gong Yi arrived at Konoha’s gate, where Hiruzen Sarutobi met his gaze in silence.