Chapter Summaries

After the Third Hokage died defending Konoha, the village mourned and began rebuilding while searching for a successor. Danzo’s bid to become Fifth Hokage was rejected, and Jiraiya recommended Tsunade; Lin Mu focused on training and preparing to take on the system’s missions.

• The Third Hokage died after expressing his regret that he would not see Konoha’s young people grow up, and Naruto Uzumaki and Konohamaru grieved beside his body.
• Lin Mu reflected on the Third Hokage’s Will of Fire as Konoha mourned him and rebuilt over the following month.
• At the Hokage selection meeting, Danzo’s supporters nominated him, but the village’s elders and other shinobi rejected the proposal because Root had contributed little during the war.
• Jiraiya declined the Hokage position and recommended Tsunade as the next candidate, and the others agreed with his suggestion.
• Lin Mu devoted himself to training, studied how the system worked, and prepared to attempt its less dangerous missions.

Lin Mu used his improved Wood Release technique to defeat a wolf king and earn Gold Coins, then completed his Willow Leaf Grass mission. He returned home with his strength increased to Upper Chunin and a new Shadow Leopard mission still ahead.

• Lin Mu shaped Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs into a chakra-infused wooden sword and defeated a wolf king after fighting its pack.
• The system awarded Lin Mu 50 Gold Coins for the wolf king, bringing his balance to 3,300 Gold Coins.
• Lin Mu reflected on reaching Upper Chunin, buying a Senju Hashirama Template Fragment, and increasing his module activation to 15%.
• Lin Mu collected 100 Willow Leaf Grass plants and completed the regular mission, earning 100 Gold Coins.
• Lin Mu checked that it was getting late and headed home, with a mission to slay a Shadow Leopard still listed.

Lin Mu upgraded the Lottery System and received a Senju Hashirama Template Fragment that taught him two Wood Style techniques. Jiraiya visited him and mistakenly concluded that Lin Mu was a pure-blooded Senju descendant.

• Lin Mu spent 3,400 Gold Coins to upgrade the Lottery System and received a Senju Hashirama Template Fragment.
• Lin Mu used the fragment, raising his template completion to 20% and learning Wood Release: Great Forest Technique and Wood Style: Four Pillar House Technique.
• Jiraiya secretly entered Lin Mu’s room and introduced himself.
• Jiraiya told Lin Mu that the Third had mentioned a candidate with a physique like the First’s and claimed Lin Mu must be a Senju descendant.
• Lin Mu was dumbfounded as Jiraiya confidently invented an explanation for his background.

Jiraiya concluded that Lin Mu was a descendant of the Senju Clan after seeing his Wood Style, and reported his discovery to Konoha's senior advisors. The advisors agreed to meet Lin Mu and followed Jiraiya to his home.

• Lin Mu decided Jiraiya's Senju theory could help explain his Wood Style and improve his standing in Konoha.
• Jiraiya promised to investigate Lin Mu's background and left through the window.
• Jiraiya told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that he had seen Lin Mu use Wood Style Jutsu.
• The advisors agreed to meet Lin Mu, and they followed Jiraiya to his home.
• Jiraiya greeted Lin Mu at the door and said he had entered through it this time.

Lin Mu convinced Konoha's advisors that his Wood Release had awakened during the Chunin Ninja Exams and that he could not remember his parents. After seeing through Lin Mu's act and concluding he was descended from the Senju Clan, Jiraiya invited him to travel together to meet Tsunade.

• Jiraiya introduced Lin Mu to Advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who asked him to demonstrate his Wood Release.
• Lin Mu said his Wood Release had awakened suddenly during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and he answered the advisors' questions about his past.
• Lin Mu pretended to be upset that he could not remember his parents, prompting Utatane Koharu to comfort him and leave with Mitokado Homura.
• After the advisors departed, Jiraiya revealed he had been listening and said Lin Mu was descended from the Senju Clan.
• Jiraiya invited Lin Mu to meet him at Ichiraku Ramen in a week so they could travel to find Tsunade.

Sunagakure ninjas discovered that Orochimaru had killed the Kazekage and impersonated him, while Jiraiya rejected pressure to become the Fifth Hokage. Jiraiya left to search for Tsunade, whom he said he could locate.

• A Sunagakure squad found the Kazekage's corpse and concluded that Orochimaru or Kabuto had impersonated him before the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Orochimaru complained about his injuries to Kabuto and said he had sacrificed his arms and ninjutsu to secure Sasuke Uchiha.
• Orochimaru recalled fearing Itachi Uchiha and explained that he had left the organization because Itachi was stronger than him.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu urged Jiraiya to lead an Emergency Executive Committee and take responsibility for Konoha.
• Jiraiya refused the Hokage position and left, saying he would search for Tsunade in a couple of days.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki entered Konoha and were confronted by Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai. As Kisame wounded Asuma and Itachi overcame Kurenai’s genjutsu, Kurenai was kicked into the river.

• Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai stopped Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki on a path outside Konoha and recognized them as former shinobi and wanted criminals.
• Asuma Sarutobi refused to let the pair pass, and Itachi Uchiha warned him and Kurenai not to interfere.
• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked Asuma Sarutobi with Samehada, tearing its cloth covering and cutting Asuma’s shoulder.
• Kurenai used a genjutsu to bind Itachi Uchiha, but Itachi reversed their positions and escaped the trap.
• Itachi Uchiha struck Kurenai with a kick, sending her into the river.

Kakashi Hatake arrived to help Kurenai and Asuma Sarutobi confront Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, while Jiraiya persuaded Naruto Uzumaki to travel with him. The chapter ended with Sasuke Uchiha remembering the night Itachi slaughtered his family.

• Kakashi Hatake appeared by the river and matched Kisame Hoshigaki's Water Shark Bomb Jutsu, then joined Asuma Sarutobi against Kisame and Itachi Uchiha.
• Kakashi Hatake questioned Itachi Uchiha about returning to the Hidden Leaf Village and prepared for a fight as Itachi produced shuriken.
• Jiraiya tried to persuade Naruto Uzumaki to join him on an interview trip, and Naruto agreed when Jiraiya threatened to take Sasuke instead.
• Sasuke Uchiha stood by the clan tablet and remembered the night Itachi Uchiha slaughtered his family.

Itachi Uchiha used Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi to torture Kakashi Hatake in an illusion that made seconds feel like hours. After releasing Kakashi, Itachi left him barely able to stand, and Kakashi asked whether Itachi was looking for Sasuke.

• Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai fought Itachi Uchiha by the river, but Itachi remained dry and effortlessly outmatched them.
• Kakashi warned Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai not to look at Itachi's eyes as Itachi activated Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi.
• Itachi trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi, bound him to a cross, and repeatedly stabbed him while controlling the illusion's time and space.
• Kakashi endured the torment as Itachi revealed that only one second had passed in the real world, then emerged from the genjutsu barely able to stand.
• Kakashi asked Itachi whether he was looking for Sasuke, and Itachi's eyes twitched slightly.

Kakashi recognized that Itachi and Kisame belonged to Akatsuki and were targeting Naruto, but Might Guy's arrival forced them to withdraw. During training with Jiraiya, Naruto learned that Jiraiya had chosen him because he resembled the Fourth Hokage, leaving him to ponder the connection.

• Kakashi realized Itachi was after the Nine-Tails inside Naruto and identified his organization as Akatsuki.
• Kisame attacked Kakashi, but Might Guy kicked him away and rescued Kakashi from the river.
• Itachi stopped Kisame from fighting further, and the two Akatsuki members left.
• Lin Mu joined Jiraiya and Naruto for ramen and training, then praised Jiraiya after Naruto ignored his boastful introduction.
• Jiraiya told Naruto he had chosen him because Naruto resembled the Fourth Hokage, and Naruto stayed behind to think about it.

Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, and Lin Mu traveled together while Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki watched them from afar. After Sasuke Uchiha learned Itachi was searching for Naruto, he rushed to the Post Town, where Jiraiya had taken Naruto and Lin Mu.

• Naruto Uzumaki excitedly decided that resembling the Fourth Hokage meant he could become Hokage, then argued with Jiraiya after stepping in dog shit.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki watched Jiraiya, Naruto, and Lin Mu, and Itachi said Jiraiya was too dangerous to fight directly.
• Sasuke Uchiha learned that Itachi had returned and was looking for Naruto, then left to search for him.
• Teuchi told Sasuke that Naruto and Lin Mu had gone with Jiraiya to the Post Town, so Sasuke ran out of the village after them.
• Jiraiya took Naruto and Lin Mu to an inn in the Post Town, gave Lin Mu the room key, and told Naruto to train before bed while he went off on his own.

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki came to capture Naruto Uzumaki, but Lin Mu stepped in to protect him. Lin Mu wounded Kisame in the inn and pressed his attack as the fight continued.

• Sasuke Uchiha raced toward Naruto, believing him to be in danger, while Lin Mu prepared for whoever was knocking at their door.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki appeared and ordered Naruto to come with them, revealing that they knew he contained the Nine-Tails.
• Lin Mu pushed Naruto back into the room and challenged Kisame as Itachi watched without intervening.
• Kisame swung Samehada at Lin Mu, who blocked the blow with a wooden blade and redirected its force into the floor.
• Lin Mu extended his other blade into Kisame's abdomen, then charged after the wounded swordsman with repeated strikes.

Lin Mu battled Kisame Hoshigaki with Wood Release but was driven from the inn and nearly exhausted in the woods outside Post Town. Inside, Sasuke Uchiha confronted his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, but Itachi stopped Sasuke’s Chidori with ease, leaving Naruto unable to help.

• Lin Mu used his Wood Release to fight Kisame Hoshigaki, but Kisame struck him through the inn’s wall and pursued him outside.
• Uchiha Itachi trapped Naruto Uzumaki with his Sharingan as Sasuke Uchiha confronted his older brother and declared his intent to kill him.
• Sasuke charged Itachi with Chidori, but Itachi caught his wrist and redirected the lightning into the wall, stopping the attack.
• Lin Mu and Kisame continued fighting in the woods outside Post Town, where Lin Mu was nearly out of chakra while Kisame remained comparatively fresh.

Lin Mu used two Intermediate Chakra Pills to replenish his chakra, then summoned a gigantic wooden golem to fight Kisame Hoshigaki. After the golem’s kick badly injured Kisame, he fled into the forest, and Lin Mu pursued him.

• Lin Mu bought and swallowed two Intermediate Chakra Pills, restoring his strength and chakra.
• Lin Mu crushed a card and summoned a gigantic wooden golem with Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique.
• Kisame Hoshigaki charged the golem with Samehada, but Lin Mu kicked him away with its massive leg.
• Kisame spat blood, realized he was outmatched, and ran into the forest.
• Lin Mu spotted Kisame fleeing and charged after him in the wooden golem.

Lin Mu defeated Kisame Hoshigaki and took Samehada, while Jiraiya arrived to protect Naruto from Itachi Uchiha. Itachi identified Naruto as Akatsuki’s highest-priority target, and Jiraiya refused to hand him over.

• Lin Mu smashed Kisame Hoshigaki into a crater and stomped him until he was unconscious.
• Lin Mu claimed Samehada, which stopped resisting and rubbed against his shoulder.
• Jiraiya appeared behind Naruto carrying the woman, and Naruto called him Pervy Sage.
• Jiraiya realized Lin Mu and Kisame Hoshigaki were missing, while Itachi released Sasuke and explained that Akatsuki had ordered him to capture Naruto.
• Jiraiya stood between Itachi and Naruto and refused to hand Naruto over.

Jiraiya arrived to confront Itachi Uchiha, but Sasuke insisted on fighting his brother alone and was repeatedly beaten. Itachi trapped Sasuke in a genjutsu that recreated the night the Uchiha Clan was massacred, where Sasuke found Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha.

• Jiraiya confronted Itachi Uchiha and said he would deal with him before taking on Kisame.
• Sasuke rejected Naruto Uzumaki's help and charged Itachi, but Itachi repeatedly struck him down.
• Itachi grabbed Sasuke and told him he was weak because he did not hate Itachi enough.
• Itachi activated his Sharingan and trapped Sasuke in a genjutsu of the night the Uchiha Clan was wiped out.
• Sasuke reached a familiar house in the illusion and found Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha kneeling before him.

Itachi Uchiha trapped Sasuke in a relentless Tsukuyomi illusion before escaping Jiraiya’s toad-mouth technique with Amaterasu. He fled across a river badly weakened, while Sasuke passed out and Naruto and Jiraiya remained behind.

• Itachi Uchiha made Sasuke relive the Uchiha massacre in Tsukuyomi until Sasuke passed out.
• Naruto Uzumaki charged at Itachi to protect Sasuke, and Jiraiya trapped them inside the Rock Lodging Great Toad’s esophagus.
• Itachi broke free of the flesh bindings and searched for an escape while Jiraiya’s technique tried to crush him.
• Itachi used Amaterasu to burn a hole through the toad’s esophagus and escape, leaving Jiraiya and Naruto behind.
• Itachi ran across a distant river, suffering from severe strain and chakra loss after using Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu.

Jiraiya sealed the mysterious black flames and assessed Sasuke's severe injuries while Naruto angrily demanded to pursue Akatsuki. As Jiraiya urged Naruto to grow stronger and planned to find Tsunade, Lin Mu offered to use his Wood Style Body to help heal Sasuke.

• Jiraiya used the Fire Sealing Method to seal the black flames and destroyed the Rock Toad's intestines.
• Naruto caught Sasuke as he fell, and Jiraiya diagnosed broken bones and severe mental trauma.
• Naruto vowed to chase the two cloaked attackers, but Jiraiya warned that he was too weak and scolded him for risking his life.
• Jiraiya said Tsunade might be the only person who could save Sasuke, and Naruto urged them to find her.
• Lin Mu offered to use his Wood Style Body and chakra to help heal Sasuke.

Lin Mu used his remaining chakra to heal Sasuke Uchiha after the fight with Kisame Hoshigaki, then claimed Samehada had chosen him and helped him defeat Kisame. With Sasuke recovering and the group accepting Lin Mu’s explanation, Jiraiya suggested they go find Tsunade.

• Lin Mu transferred his remaining chakra into Sasuke Uchiha, healing his wounds until Sasuke woke.
• Naruto Uzumaki celebrated Sasuke’s recovery, while Lin Mu privately joked that Naruto and Sasuke were the real couple.
• Naruto noticed Samehada, and Lin Mu falsely claimed the sword had turned against Kisame Hoshigaki and helped him win.
• Jiraiya believed Samehada had chosen Lin Mu because of his Wood Release chakra and called him lucky.
• Lin Mu reflected that the fight had brought him close to breaking through to elite jonin strength.
• Jiraiya declared the matter settled and proposed that they go find Tsunade.

Lin Mu’s determination to change the Naruto World’s tragedies triggered a breakthrough to the lower Jonin level and earned him new Wood Release techniques. He purchased another Senju Hashirama Template Fragment, eager to grow stronger.

• Lin Mu struggled to break through his chakra bottleneck while Naruto Uzumaki snored beside him at the inn.
• Lin Mu resolved to use his system and knowledge of the future to prevent the deaths of people such as Itachi Uchiha, Jiraiya, Chiyo, and Neji Hyuga.
• Lin Mu’s chakra surged, breaking through to the lower Jonin level and earning him a Senju Hashirama Template Fragment and two Wood Release techniques.
• Lin Mu studied Wood Style: Multiple Wood Clone Technique and Wood Style: Explosive Spear Tree, then opened the System Shop.
• Lin Mu purchased another Senju Hashirama Template Fragment despite its increased price.