Chapter Summaries

Naruto rejected Orochimaru’s offer concerning Konoha but proposed exchanging techniques and secrets, stirring Orochimaru’s interest. Yakushi Kabuto brought Karin to the hideout, where Naruto reunited with her and promised he had come to get her.

• Naruto declined Orochimaru’s offer to handle matters in Konoha himself.
• Naruto hinted that he could share techniques and secrets, and Orochimaru became intrigued.
• Naruto and Orochimaru agreed to revisit their discussion after Orochimaru studied the scroll.
• Yakushi Kabuto entered with Karin, drawing Neji and Yakumo’s attention to her.
• Naruto greeted Karin warmly and promised he had come to get her, and Karin stood beside him.

Naruto and his companions settled into a safe house in Otogakure and prepared to plan their next moves, while Orochimaru watched Naruto with dangerous interest. Meanwhile, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Shizune returned to Konoha as Tsunade prepared to become the Fifth Hokage.

• Orochimaru offered Naruto and his companions a place to stay, then watched them leave and mused about Naruto's potential.
• Kabuto led Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Yakumo, and Karin to a quiet house and warned them not to leave the area.
• Naruto agreed to respect the restriction and said he looked forward to cooperating with Orochimaru.
• Naruto and his companions entered the house, secured it against spying with Karin's help, and began their first informal organization meeting.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shizune arrived outside Konoha, where Izumo and Kotetsu recognized them.

Jiraiya and Tsunade returned to Konoha amid the village’s crisis, but Jiraiya remained troubled by Naruto’s defection and what he knew about the village. Tsunade urged him to act decisively as she prepared to take power and confront Shimura Danzō.

• Izumo and Kotetsu welcomed Jiraiya and Tsunade as they entered Konoha with Kakashi and Shizune.
• Jiraiya brooded over Naruto’s defection and the possibility that Naruto knew the truth about his past.
• Tsunade argued that Naruto’s possible ties to Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō made the village’s problems urgent.
• At the Hokage Office Building, Tsunade told Jiraiya that Konoha’s problems had to be dealt with without hesitation.

Tsunade returned to Konoha, accepted the position of Fifth Hokage, and was formally inaugurated with the village’s support. Watching from the outskirts, Itachi grew anxious after learning that Sasuke had defected with Naruto and might be heading toward Orochimaru.

• Tsunade decided to return to Konoha and become Fifth Hokage, with Jiraiya promising to support her.
• Tsunade met with Homura and Koharu, and Konoha secured the Daimyo’s approval before announcing her appointment.
• Tsunade was inaugurated as Fifth Hokage in a ceremony attended by thousands of ninja and civilians, while Danzo watched resentfully.
• Kisame and Itachi observed the celebrations from a secluded vantage point and discussed Tsunade’s suitability for the role.
• Itachi recalled learning that Naruto and Sasuke had defected together and feared Orochimaru would target Sasuke for his Uchiha bloodline.

Uchiha Itachi learned that Uchiha Sasuke was with Orochimaru and left with Kisame Hoshigaki, worried about his younger brother. After the upheaval in Konoha, Naruto's group prepared to leave Otogakure, while Sasuke stayed behind to learn from Orochimaru.

• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki agreed to return to their organization after learning that Sasuke was with Orochimaru and Naruto's whereabouts were unknown.
• Reports of the war, Tsunade becoming Fifth Hokage, and Naruto's group's defection spread through the Shinobi World, though Konoha concealed Naruto's status as a missing-nin.
• Tsunade struggled to control Danzo and the Anbu because she lacked manpower and faced obstruction from the Hokage Advisors.
• Naruto's group prepared to leave Otogakure, which Naruto had treated as a temporary stop to avoid deeper involvement with Orochimaru.
• Naruto told Sasuke that everything from then on depended on him, and Sasuke stayed in Otogakure alone to take advantage of Orochimaru's resources.

Naruto and Sasuke parted ways after accepting their separate paths, with Sasuke remaining in Otogakure to train under Orochimaru. Naruto led Yakumo, Neji, Karin, and the others toward the Land of Snow, stopping in the Land of Hot Water to seek passage across the sea.

• Orochimaru gave Naruto a scroll through Yakushi Kabuto, and Naruto thanked him before leaving with his companions.
• Sasuke returned to Otogakure and vowed to surprise Naruto the next time they met, gripping the marked Kunai in his pocket.
• Naruto led the group east through the Land of Fields toward the Land of Hot Water, hoping to reach the Land of Snow by ship.
• The group arrived in the Land of Hot Water after half a day, and Naruto explained they would head to its largest port to find or buy a ship.
• Naruto told Yakumo and Karin that the Land of Snow was colder than the mainland but warmer than before because of the previous Daimyo's inheritance.

Naruto explained why he intended to establish his forces in the Land of Snow and warned that taking over the Snow Ninja Village would bring hidden resistance despite appearing easy. He left Neji, Yakumo, and Karin assured by their strength and Kazahana Koyuki’s support, while the girls became curious about Naruto’s connection to the female Daimyo.

• Naruto told Neji, Yakumo, and Karin that the Land of Snow offered a useful foundation for building their forces, including the Snow Ninja Village and his prior agreements with the Daimyo.
• Neji asked how large the village was and whether they could take it over smoothly, and Naruto said it had only a few hundred Ninja but that they would face trouble beneath a smooth public welcome.
• Naruto explained that officials and powerful figures might oppose his group or fear for the Land of Snow’s safety, though he trusted Kazahana Koyuki to support them.
• Naruto said their strength and the Daimyo’s backing gave them a major advantage, then identified Koyuki as Kazahana Koyuki, also known as actress Fujikaze Yukie, and recounted how Team 7 helped her reclaim the throne.
• Yakumo and Karin focused on Koyuki being a woman and wondered about Naruto’s relationship with her, but his matter-of-fact explanation left them disappointed.

Naruto and his companions traveled across the Land of Hot Water to its largest port city, hoping to find a ship to the Land of Snow. They reached the busy docks at dusk and began looking for a way to continue their journey.

• Karin pressed Naruto about whether he had a special connection with Koyuki, and Naruto denied it, explaining that their plans were political and practical.
• Naruto led Neji, Yakumo, and Karin east across the Land of Hot Water while they avoided towns and people along the way.
• Naruto and Neji traveled without their forehead protectors, and the group used disguises when entering the port city.
• Naruto, Neji, Yakumo, and Karin arrived at the largest port city on the eastern coast at dusk.
• Naruto suggested checking the docks for a cargo ship that could take them to the Land of Snow, and the group headed there.

Naruto secured passage to the Land of Snow by taking a paid guard job with Miki’s merchant caravan, then brought Neji, Yakumo, and Karin aboard. The group settled into their room and discussed the arrangement as the ship prepared to depart.

• Naruto negotiated with Miki and agreed to guard his caravan in exchange for passage, expenses, and a commission.
• Miki paid Naruto an advance and arranged a large room for Naruto and his companions aboard the ship.
• Naruto took Neji, Yakumo, and Karin into town to buy supplies before they returned to the docks and boarded.
• Yakumo teased Naruto about earning money, and Naruto explained that he trusted Miki’s practical approach.
• Neji agreed that Miki’s discretion could spare the group unnecessary trouble.

Naruto investigated the ship’s passengers and discovered that Miki’s trusted aides, Iori and Mizawa, were working for Land of Snow Minister of the Interior Asama Sandayu. He learned Miki was entangled in smuggling and political schemes, and decided to keep him safe while considering how to use the situation.

• Naruto told Neji, Yakumo, and Karin to stay in their cabin while he investigated information about the Land of Snow’s leadership.
• Neji, Yakumo, and Karin stayed inside as Naruto questioned people aboard the ship using basic genjutsu.
• Naruto learned that Iori and Mizawa worked for Asama Sandayu and had infiltrated Miki’s merchant caravan.
• Naruto used genjutsu on Miki and discovered that Miki knew little about his aides’ work and believed the other group was involved in smuggling.
• Naruto decided to ensure Miki returned safely from the Land of Snow while considering the opportunity the political conflict presented.

Naruto learned that noble families in the Land of Snow were preparing to rebel against Daimyo Kazahana Koyuki, while Sandayu made counterplans. After arriving in Lin City with Neji, Yakumo, and Karin, Naruto declared the Land of Snow their new home and the start of their plans.

• Naruto verified that the noble families were plotting to seize power and that Sandayu had begun preparing to stop them.
• Naruto erased traces of his presence, then spent the voyage out of sight except when he scared off pirates at Miki's request.
• People working for Sandayu and the noble families tried to recruit Naruto, but he avoided committing to either side.
• After more than ten days at sea, Naruto's ship arrived at Lin City, the largest port in the Land of Snow.
• Naruto told Neji, Yakumo, and Karin that the Land of Snow would be their new home, and the four stepped ashore.

Naruto traveled to Kazahana Castle to contain the coming rebellion and use it to remove his political enemies. He decided to meet Asama Sandayu before approaching Kazahana Koyuki and reached Sandayu’s residence alone.

• Naruto left Lin City with Karin, Yakumo, and Neji and arrived in Kazahana Castle around dusk.
• Naruto declined Miki’s invitation and led his companions into the capital through a blind spot in the guards’ watch.
• Naruto told Neji he would meet Asama Sandayu first because the minister’s views on control of the Snow Ninja Village could obstruct his plans.
• Naruto sent Neji, Yakumo, and Karin to a safe inn, then made his way past the patrols to Sandayu’s residence.

Naruto secretly followed Asama Sandayu to his residence and discovered that the Minister of the Interior was ruthlessly pursuing suspected rebels. After disabling the guards with genjutsu, Naruto confronted Sandayu to discuss confidential matters, leaving Sandayu wary but outwardly welcoming.

• Naruto watched Asama Sandayu return to his residence and noted how much his bearing had changed since becoming Minister of the Interior.
• Naruto followed Sandayu and learned that he was using every available means to track down potential rebel forces.
• Naruto waited until Sandayu had finished urgent work, then put the guards and Snow Ninja protecting him under genjutsu.
• Naruto revealed himself to the startled Sandayu and said he had returned to discuss important, confidential matters.
• Sandayu composed himself, welcomed Naruto, and sat beside him to signal trust.

Naruto offered Sandayu a deal: control of the Snow Ninja Village in exchange for helping the Land of Snow become a sixth great nation. Sandayu was open to cooperation but asked how Naruto would preserve the Queen’s authority and protect the country from Konoha and the Land of Fire.

• Naruto told Sandayu he had left Konoha to pursue revenge and needed the Snow Ninja Village’s help, promising to elevate the Land of Snow among the great nations.
• Sandayu asked why Naruto had defected, and Naruto gave a guarded explanation involving a grudge and a desire for revenge.
• Sandayu warned that handing Naruto the Snow Ninja Village could weaken the Queen’s authority and create an independent military power.
• Sandayu asked how Naruto would protect the Land of Snow if Konoha and the Land of Fire attacked after taking him in.
• Naruto listened to Sandayu’s concerns, which established the conditions he needed to address for their cooperation.

Naruto addressed Sandayu’s concerns about cooperating with him, arguing that Konoha was too weakened to pursue him soon and that Sandayu could not truly control Snow Ninja Village. He offered to eliminate the rebels threatening the Land of Snow, leaving Sandayu visibly shaken.

• Naruto explained that Konoha’s recent attack and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death would keep it occupied for at least two years, giving Snow Ninja Village time to grow stronger.
• Sandayu realized that the Land of Snow had not yet heard about Konoha’s defeat and the Third Hokage’s death.
• Naruto pointed out that Sandayu controlled fewer than a third of the Snow Ninja and questioned whether even those shinobi truly obeyed him.
• Naruto offered to eliminate the rebels in the Land of Snow quickly while minimizing the country’s losses.
• Sandayu’s expression changed dramatically after Naruto made his offer.

Naruto and Sandayu agreed to cooperate, with Naruto taking responsibility for the Land of Snow’s military affairs and gaining control of Snow Ninja Village after its problems were resolved. Naruto returned to the inn to prepare with Neji, Yakumo, and Karin for a meeting with Queen Koyuki the next morning and the coming conflict with the rebels.

• Naruto revealed that he knew Sandayu could not control Snow Ninja Village and reaffirmed his offer to work with the Land of Snow.
• Sandayu agreed to Naruto’s terms, including handing over Snow Ninja Village after the crisis and letting Naruto handle military affairs at home and abroad.
• Sandayu arranged for Naruto to meet Queen Koyuki the next morning and issued orders after Naruto left.
• Naruto returned to the inn, where Neji, Yakumo, and Karin had been waiting for news of the negotiations.
• Naruto told his companions that an agreement had been reached and said they needed to prepare to defeat the rebels while minimizing casualties.

Naruto brought Neji, Yakumo, and Karin to the palace to meet Kazahana Koyuki and discuss the Land of Snow's support for him. Koyuki welcomed Naruto warmly and promised to support him with everything the country had.

• Naruto, Neji, Yakumo, and Karin traveled to the Daimyo Palace after breakfast.
• Asama Sandayu guided them through the palace to the reception hall, where Kazahana Koyuki was waiting.
• Koyuki greeted Naruto with delight, and Naruto introduced Neji, Yakumo, and Karin as his trusted companions.
• Naruto asked Koyuki about supporting him, and she promised the Land of Snow would help him without hesitation.

Naruto and his companions gained Kazahana Koyuki’s trust, and she agreed to let them remain in the Land of Snow. As Koyuki ordered everyone to leave so they could speak privately, Naruto sensed that her guard Tianqi was hiding something, and a golden figure suddenly moved behind him.

• Koyuki agreed without hesitation to let Naruto and his companions stay in the Land of Snow, and Naruto chose to trust her.
• Naruto interrupted Koyuki before she could say more, and she dismissed the maids and guards so they could discuss secrets in private.
• Naruto noticed Xuelan and Tianqi hiding nearby, and Koyuki ordered both Snow Ninja to leave as well.
• Xuelan accepted the order, but Tianqi objected and insisted he stay to protect Koyuki.
• Koyuki firmly repeated her command, but before Tianqi could answer, a golden figure flashed behind him and a frigid aura made him freeze.

Naruto intimidated Tianqi into leaving the palace, then sent Neji to investigate him after noticing his suspicious behavior. With Kazahana Koyuki reassured, Naruto and Sandayu turned to discuss their most important matter.

• Naruto used his speed and killing intent to frighten Tianqi into obeying Kazahana Koyuki's order to leave.
• Tianqi and Xuelan withdrew from the palace, and Naruto noticed a spiteful look from Tianqi as he departed.
• Naruto called on Neji, who understood the signal and vanished to investigate.
• Naruto told Kazahana Koyuki he suspected Tianqi but would apologize if the investigation found nothing.
• Sandayu shifted the conversation to the most important matter, and Naruto became solemn.

Naruto reassured Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu that he could defeat the rebels, who controlled a substantial share of the Land of Snow's military forces. He said their main concern should be preventing the rebels from causing riots and escaping after their defeat.

• Naruto had Karin search the area with her Mind's Eye of the Kagura, but they found no one else nearby.
• Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu asked Naruto for his plan as they discussed the threat the conservative nobles posed to her rule.
• Naruto said defeating the rebels would be easy and that he wanted to minimize harm to civilians.
• Sandayu warned that the rebels controlled more than a third of the country's forces and might command hundreds of Snow Ninja.
• Naruto dismissed the Snow Ninja as weak and said the real danger was rebels starting riots across the Land of Snow to create chaos and escape.