Chapter Summaries

After Baron Pizza surrendered, Bane learned that the Ajin mercenaries were controlled with Mental Shock Bombs and discovered that the Empire’s energy detectors identified Zoro and Fubuki as S-class. The baron eagerly led Bane’s group to his study and offered the Orantok Family’s service as they prepared to ask him for help.

• Bane called off the attack after Baron Pizza surrendered, then asked about the Ajin mercenaries and learned they could be subdued with Mental Shock Bombs.
• Baron Pizza explained how the Empire’s Energy Detector ranked ability users and supplied three detectors for Bane’s group to inspect.
• Bane scanned Zoro, and the detector flashed red and broke; Fubuki’s scan did the same, convincing Baron Pizza that both were S-class.
• Baron Pizza arranged for his people to clear the estate and led Bane’s group to his private study, while Zephyr told Ain that he and Dr. Genus were coming to meet them.
• Bane introduced himself as Kantis Bane, a former resident of Sphinx Street, and Baron Pizza offered the Orantok Family’s full service.

Bane took control of the Orantok Family’s plans for its World-Crossing Gate after learning it isolated part of Tokyo and would likely close within a year. He stopped the family from destroying Tokyo and made studying the gate the priority, leaving Dr. Genus to begin work at Orantok Manor.

• Bane asked to study the World-Crossing Gate, and Baron Pizza agreed to cooperate and explained how the gates restricted and separated parts of other worlds.
• Baron Pizza revealed that the Orantok Family planned to release a lethal plague in Tokyo to identify Ajin and weaken the city before the gate closed.
• Issho objected to killing Tokyo’s civilians, and Bane ordered the Orantok Family to abandon its destruction plan.
• Bane and his companions halted the family’s other gate plans and took control of New Dar City as a temporary base.
• Dr. Genus arrived at Orantok Manor with Teacher Zephyr and Mr. Garp, began examining the World-Crossing Gate, and requested materials and equipment.

At Orantok Manor, Dr. Genus and Zephyr speculated that absorbing environmental energy could help strengthen ability users, while Bane decided to explore another world. Bane and his companions prepared to leave in two days, with Issho staying behind and the others packing supplies.

• Dr. Genus explained that the Energy Detector had rated the Logia types as S-rank in energy, though that did not necessarily mean they matched The Empire's S-ranks in strength.
• Zephyr and Dr. Genus speculated that The Empire's powerful fighters grew stronger by absorbing environmental energy, and Bane considered how that might apply to Logia users.
• Bane told Dr. Genus and Zephyr that he wanted to visit another world, and they supported his plan.
• Zoro said he had begun sensing a connection to the outside world while meditating, but agreed to travel with Bane.
• Bane invited his companions to leave in two days; Issho chose to stay and help Zephyr, Garp, and Dr. Genus, while the others prepared supplies and clothes.

Bane’s soul was summoned to the Pure Land, where he met Hatake Sakumo and realized he had entered the Naruto world. He told Sakumo about Kakashi’s fame, and Sakumo offered to answer Bane’s questions.

• While Bane remained unconscious at the mountain camp, Nami, Robin, Fubuki, Wyper, and Zoro agreed to wait three days before seeking help outside the mountains.
• Bane searched an endless barren land in soul form and found a campfire beside a lone silver-haired man.
• The man mistook Bane for Kakashi, then introduced himself as Hatake Sakumo and explained that he was waiting to meet his son.
• Bane recognized Sakumo and the Pure Land from the Naruto world, then told Sakumo that Kakashi was famous as the Copy Ninja and Konoha’s Number One Technician.
• Sakumo was delighted by the news about Kakashi and offered to answer Bane’s questions in return.

Bane explored the Pure Land, discovered that its sand contained pure Soul Power, and grew stronger by eating it. After seeing the Death God and being expelled from the Pure Land, he woke to find Nami and the others watching him.

• Hatake Sakumo told Bane that the road led to the Pure Land, gave him a torch, and said he would keep waiting to meet Kakashi.
• Bane found that the sand contained pure Soul Power and ate it as he traveled farther into the wasteland.
• Bane crossed into the Pure Land, where he found only a barren desert and discovered he could not step back across its boundary.
• After Bane consumed more sand, the sky lit up and he saw the Death God, forming a connection he could not activate.
• The Pure Land rejected Bane and expelled him; he woke as Nami wiped his face and complained that he might have missed his chance to become a god.

After Bane explained the Ninja World and his experience in the Pure Land, the group agreed to pursue Ninjutsu, Tailed Beasts, Sage Art, and space-time knowledge. They descended from the mountain to gather intelligence, while Zoro’s presence caught Jiraiya’s attention and prompted him to consider returning to Konoha for the upcoming Chunin Exams.

• Bane described his encounter with the Pure Land and speculated that merging with the Death God might grant him power over souls, though Zoro and Wyper warned that he could lose his identity and freedom.
• Bane briefed the group on the Ninja World, Chakra, Ninjutsu, Tailed Beasts, and the Three Great Sage Regions, and Robin helped establish their goals of acquiring knowledge, power, and technology.
• The group abandoned their mountain camp and descended to a village to investigate the outside world, leaving Zoro to wait while the others gathered intelligence.
• Jiraiya noticed Zoro eating in the village, sensed his strength, and sketched a portrait of him for future reference.
• Jiraiya considered returning to Konoha for the upcoming Chunin Exams, suspecting that Orochimaru might also return during that time.

Bane was unexpectedly transported to Ryūchi Cave, where Ichikishimahime escorted him to meet the White Snake Sage. Mistaking Bane for a dragon-like Spirit Venerable, the White Snake Sage welcomed him and asked him to reveal the form of a True Dragon.

• Robin, Nami, Wyper, Ain, and Fubuki shared intelligence about the Land of Rivers, Konoha Year Sixty, and the upcoming Chunin Exams in July.
• Ain contacted Bane after he failed to return, and he explained that a strange mist had teleported him away from the village.
• Bane found himself outside Ryūchi Cave, where Ichikishimahime introduced herself and invited him inside on the White Snake Sage's orders.
• Ichikishimahime led Bane through the cave to meet the White Snake Sage, who transformed into an old woman and addressed him as Spirit Venerable.
• The White Snake Sage explained that she had sensed the aura of dragons and gods around Bane, then asked him to show her the form of a True Dragon.

Bane revealed his dragon form and overwhelming power to the White Snake Sage, who begged him to teach the snakes of Ryūchi Cave how to become dragons. He agreed to become their master, planning to use their desire for transformation and their connections in the mortal world to his advantage.

• Bane transformed himself and Shindo into dragons and unleashed his aura, overwhelming Ichikishimahime and most of the snakes in Ryūchi Cave.
• The White Snake Sage recognized Bane as a True Dragon and, driven by her thousand-year desire to become a dragon, begged him to enlighten her.
• Bane considered using a Pink Dragon Devil Fruit to transform the White Snake Sage and learned that Ryūchi Cave could help him study mortal-world powers through its summoner Orochimaru.
• The White Snake Sage and Ichikishimahime knelt and offered Ryūchi Cave’s service, pleading for Bane to stay and guide them.
• Bane pretended to yield and accept mastery of Ryūchi Cave, and Ichikishimahime went to summon its snakes to pay their respects.

Bane established himself as Ryūchi Cave’s Spirit Venerable, promising the White Snake Sage a path to dragon transformation while gaining access to the cave’s knowledge. After ordering Orochimaru summoned, Bane asked to join Ryūchi Cave’s Summoning Contract.

• Bane told the White Snake Sage that dragon transformation required reshaping the soul and claimed a True Dragon could use Dragon Fruit to transform snakes forcibly.
• The White Snake Sage accepted Bane’s teachings and agreed to watch for his subordinates, whom he said would find Ryūchi Cave.
• Bane asked the White Snake Sage to bring Ryūchi Cave’s cultivation materials and Orochimaru, then examined the books she and the Snake Princesses brought.
• Bane learned how Summoning Jutsu and Ryūchi Cave’s contract worked, including the cave’s power to summon contractors without their consent.
• Bane asked whether he could be added to Ryūchi Cave’s Summoning Contract.

Bane joined Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Contract and summoned Orochimaru to meet him as its Spirit Venerable. After Bane revealed that he had seen through Orochimaru's soul damage, he healed it with soul energy, leaving Orochimaru grateful and in awe.

• Bane signed Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Contract, then dressed in a dark blue-green haori and prepared an imposing appearance for Orochimaru's arrival.
• Orochimaru met with Baki in Sunagakure after the Fourth Kazekage refused to see him, leaving a small snake as a way for Rasa to contact him.
• The White Snake Sage summoned Orochimaru from Sunagakure, and he arrived at Ryūchi Cave before Bane, who lay on an Azure Dragon, the White Snake Sage, and Ichikishimahime.
• The White Snake Sage explained that Bane had returned from the Pure Land and wanted to ask about the mortal world, while Orochimaru knelt and greeted him as the Spirit Venerable.
• Bane recognized Orochimaru's damaged soul and his attempt to defy death, then healed the damage with soul energy, prompting Orochimaru to thank him.

Bane summoned Orochimaru to learn about Ninjutsu and offered to help him in exchange for Forbidden Jutsu and possible Tailed Beast offerings. During Orochimaru’s lesson, Bane struggled to form Chakra until his Soul Power helped him fuse mental and physical energy, and he discovered his Darkness Element could store vast amounts of Chakra.

• Bane asked Orochimaru to teach him Ninjutsu and agreed to provide assistance when Orochimaru needed it.
• Orochimaru offered Forbidden Jutsu as offerings and agreed to seek Tailed Beasts if an opportunity arose.
• Orochimaru explained Chakra and its nature transformations, then guided Bane through the basics of creating it.
• Bane’s Haki erupted during his first attempts, but his Soul Power eventually guided his mental and physical energy into a Chakra cloak.
• Bane absorbed the leaked Chakra and discovered that his Darkness Element could store an almost unlimited amount of it.

Bane learned to refine Chakra and discovered that his Darkness Element altered Chakra-paper tests and absorbed Orochimaru’s Fire Style attack. Orochimaru explained Chakra attributes and began teaching Bane the basics of Ninjutsu, while concealing his desire for Bane’s unusual power.

• Bane quickly refined Chakra again, and Orochimaru praised his talent before testing his Chakra nature.
• Bane’s Chakra turned the test paper black, and the paper absorbed Orochimaru’s Chakra when he examined it.
• Bane explained that his power absorbed energy, and Orochimaru attacked him with Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Bane absorbed Orochimaru’s flames with the Darkness Element, stirring Orochimaru’s hidden greed for his power.
• Bane restrained the Darkness Element and tested again, causing the paper to display all five basic Chakra attributes.
• Orochimaru gave Bane Ninjutsu books and began explaining hand seals and the basics of using techniques.

Bane continued studying Ninjutsu and Sage Art in Ryūchi Cave, discovering that Natural Energy strengthened his body and helped him use Darkness Power. As he pondered how to unify his different energies, Zoro and the others arrived at Ryūchi Cave, where Tagitsuhime sensed a frightening pressure from Nami.

• Bane taught Orochimaru about Haki while continuing his Ninjutsu studies and gathering Chakra.
• Bane began cultivating Sage Art and found that Natural Energy entered his body harmlessly, strengthening his constitution and expanding how he could use Darkness Power.
• Bane pondered how to fuse Chakra, Natural Energy, Soul Power, and Darkness Element into a single power of his own.
• Ichikishimahime told Bane that the group he had been expecting had arrived, and he asked Tagitsuhime to bring them in.
• Zoro, Fubuki, Nami, and the others reached Ryūchi Cave, where Tagitsuhime sensed a terrifying, predator-like pressure from Nami.
• Nami asked Ain why Tagitsuhime kept staring at her, and Ain replied that Tagitsuhime seemed afraid of her.

Bane reunited with Zoro and the others in Ryūchi Cave and explained how he had become its Spirit Venerable. The group discussed learning the world's techniques and planned to pursue training opportunities, especially the Eight Gates, before Bane called them to decide their next steps.

• Tagitsuhime led Zoro and the others through Ryūchi Cave to meet Bane, who sealed the grotto and explained how he had become its Spirit Venerable.
• Nami transformed into a phoenix and argued with Robin and Fubuki over who was most suited to be Bane's wife.
• Bane showed Zoro the Sage Art materials, and Zoro said he could sense Natural Energy while meditating.
• Wyper showed interest in taijutsu, so Bane recommended the Eight Gates and suggested visiting Kumogakure for its Nintaijutsu.
• Bane realized Nami's phoenix healing could let her use the Eight Gates with little burden and concluded they should target Konoha for the technique.
• Bane considered possible training paths for Ain, Fubuki, and Robin, then asked the group to discuss what to do next.

Bane introduced his companions to the White Snake Sage, the Three Snake Princesses, and Orochimaru, while everyone settled into a peaceful routine in Ryūchi Cave. After a month of study and training, Orochimaru received a message from Rasa and left to begin putting the Konoha Crush Plan into action.

• Bane introduced Zoro, Wyper, Ain, and his wives to the White Snake Sage, the Three Snake Princesses, and Orochimaru, revealing Nami as a Phoenix and Robin as a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.
• Bane, Zoro, and Fubuki absorbed Natural Energy while Wyper, Ain, Robin, and Nami studied under Orochimaru and the others.
• Orochimaru taught Nami Medical Ninjutsu and suggested combining her healing Blue Flames with medical techniques.
• A snake delivered Orochimaru a message that Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, wanted to meet him, so Orochimaru left Ryūchi Cave to begin the Konoha Crush Plan.

After securing Rasa’s cooperation for the Konoha Crush Plan, Orochimaru assigned Kabuto Yakushi to steal Konoha’s Scroll of Sealing and discussed Kimimaro Kaguya’s illness. In Ryūchi Cave, Bane planned for his group to exploit the coming chaos in Konoha and disguise themselves as Akatsuki members.

• Orochimaru left Sunagakure after meeting Rasa and noticed a lone figure he identified as Rasa’s son before departing.
• Kabuto Yakushi reported that Sasuke Uchiha had awakened the Sharingan during a mission in the Land of Waves and was likely to enter the Chunin Exams.
• Orochimaru explained that the Konoha Crush Plan would target the Third Hokage and ordered Kabuto Yakushi to steal the Scroll of Sealing during the attack.
• Orochimaru told Kimimaro Kaguya that he might have found a way to reverse Kimimaro’s Kekkei Genkai disease.
• Bane told the group in Ryūchi Cave to seize the Scroll of Sealing during the chaos in Konoha and had Ain prepare Akatsuki-style cloaks for their disguises.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shikaku Nara discussed the Chunin Exams, Danzo, and Jiraiya’s possible return as Bane arrived in Konoha. Bane settled in near Ichiraku Ramen and planned to find the Uzumaki Clan’s Death God Mask and the Kato Clan’s Spirit Transformation Technique, but he had no map to guide him.

• Shikaku Nara reported that several smaller villages wanted to enter the Chunin Exams, and Hiruzen Sarutobi told him to watch Otogakure closely.
• Shikaku Nara warned Hiruzen Sarutobi about concerns surrounding Danzo, but Hiruzen Sarutobi said he trusted his former comrade.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to pressure Jiraiya into becoming Hokage when he returned, and Shikaku Nara mentioned information about Tsunade in the Land of Birds.
• As the Chunin Exams drew near, Bane arrived in Konoha alone and ate ramen near the bustling commercial street.
• Bane planned to search for the Uzumaki Clan’s Death God Mask and the Kato Clan’s Spirit Transformation Technique, but complained that Konoha did not sell maps.

Bane met Rock Lee in Konoha and persuaded him to guide him to the Uzumaki Clan’s former residence. Kakashi and Hyuga Tokuma spotted Bane during their patrol and grew suspicious of him.

• Bane encountered Rock Lee training in the street, praised his effort, and learned Lee was entering the Chunin Exams.
• Bane asked for directions to the Uzumaki Clan’s former residence, and Rock Lee offered to lead him there.
• As they walked, Bane encouraged Rock Lee to embrace his strength in taijutsu and shared advice about effort and talent.
• Kakashi noticed Bane and Rock Lee from a rooftop, and Hyuga Tokuma joined him after arriving for his patrol shift.
• Kakashi told Tokuma that something seemed off about Bane and pointed him out.

Bane visited the abandoned Uzumaki Clan residence with Rock Lee while Kakashi watched him, though the Byakugan found no Chakra in his body. After Jiraiya sensed unusually active Natural Energy and learned about Bane, he suspected the stranger might be connected to it and urged greater caution.

• Hyuga Tokuma used the Byakugan to examine Bane and reported that he had no Chakra, while Kakashi remained uneasy about him.
• Bane had Rock Lee show him the Uzumaki Clan's abandoned compound and memorized its location, planning to return after nightfall.
• Bane treated Rock Lee to grilled meat, while Kakashi went to investigate the Uzumaki residence and found nothing unusual.
• Kakashi encountered Jiraiya, who said he had sensed unusually pure, active Natural Energy nearby and followed it to the area.
• Jiraiya learned that Kakashi had seen a suspicious man with no Chakra and wondered whether Bane could be connected to the Sage Art he sensed.

Bane entered the Uzumaki Clan's former residence to retrieve a mask from the Mask Storage Hall, overpowering Jiraiya and Kakashi when they tried to stop him. The Mount Myoboku sages recognized him as Ryūchi Cave's Spirit Venerable and a True Dragon, and Bane left after claiming the item.

• Bane broke into the Uzumaki Clan's former residence, and Jiraiya and Kakashi confronted him at the gate.
• Kakashi and Jiraiya attacked Bane, but he defeated them and pinned them down with his aura.
• Jiraiya summoned Fukasaku and Shima, who recognized Bane as a True Dragon and respectfully addressed him as Spirit Venerable.
• Bane returned from the Mask Storage Hall with a demonic-looking mask and said he had retrieved an item from the Pure Land.
• Bane vanished from the courtyard, and Jiraiya asked the sages to explain who he was.