Chapter Summaries

Naruto prepared to announce his enthronement as the First Snow Shadow while Jiraiya left uncertain about whether to oppose him. As delegations from the major villages and nations set out for the Land of Snow, the ceremony took shape as a summit to negotiate a new division of power and interests.

• After meeting Jiraiya, Naruto told Karin and Utakata to monitor him and keep him away from critical areas.
• Naruto received reports that Konoha, Cloud Ninja, Rock Ninja, and Sand Ninja would send delegations to his enthronement ceremony.
• Kazahana Koyuki, Sandayu, and the others worked to prepare for the delegations arriving in the Land of Snow.
• Sunagakure chose Fuyi to lead its delegation, with Temari and Kankuro accompanying him after Baki rejected sending Gaara because he was a Jinchuriki.
• Mei Terumi chose the still-injured Ao to lead Kirigakure's delegation and assigned Chojuro to guard him.
• About a week after Jiraiya's arrival, the delegations began setting out for the Land of Snow.

Delegations from the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning arrived in the Land of Snow ahead of Naruto’s succession ceremony and saw how greatly the country had developed. Ao headed toward Snow Ninja Village intent on improving Kirigakure’s position, while the Lightning delegation arrived later and discussed the Snow Ninja’s growing power.

• The Land of Snow arranged for daimyo envoys to meet Kazahana Koyuki at Kazahana Castle before joining the ninja delegations at Snow Ninja Village for Naruto’s succession ceremony.
• The Water and Lightning delegations arrived first, and their members were impressed by Lin City’s prosperity and the Land of Snow’s rapid development.
• Ao led the Mist Ninja toward Snow Ninja Village, reflected on Kirigakure’s devastating defeat, and vowed that his conflict with Namikaze Naruto was only beginning.
• The Lightning Daimyo’s younger brother arrived in Lin City with Darui and remarked that the Land of Snow’s rise would give the Raikage plenty to worry about.
• Darui played down his knowledge of the Raikage’s thoughts while agreeing that Snow Ninja Village had developed at an astonishing pace.

Darui and Samui arrived in the Land of Snow and were surprised by the Snow Ninja Village’s rapid growth and apparent strength. As Naruto watched the Cloud delegation enter, he noticed Darui sensing his presence and remarked on Darui’s potential to become Raikage.

• The Minister of the Left hinted to Darui that their visit required him to understand and report back on the Land of Lightning’s interests.
• Asama Sandayu and Fushimi welcomed the Land of Lightning delegation at Kazahana Castle, where the Minister of the Left stayed while Darui led the Kumogakure delegation onward.
• Darui, Samui, and the other Cloud Ninja saw the Snow Ninja Village’s scale and development and reconsidered how much of a threat it could pose.
• Samui warned Darui that the Snow Ninja Village could become a dangerous neighbor, and Darui agreed while sensing Naruto nearby.
• Naruto watched the Cloud Ninja enter and praised Darui’s sharp senses, prompting Neji to ask whether Darui was a candidate for the next Raikage.

Naruto discussed Neji’s progress sensing Natural Energy and warned that Darui was likely the strongest contender among the approaching powers. He set Snow Ninja Village’s priorities for the upcoming summit and instructed Neji to report on Konoha’s delegation as soon as it arrived.

• Naruto told Neji that Darui was likely near the strength of an average Five Kage and that Neji would probably need Sage Mode to defeat him.
• Naruto encouraged Neji to develop his ability to sense Natural Energy gradually, explaining that their Sage Modes would differ.
• Neji told Naruto that Jiraiya had left the village two days earlier, apparently heading toward the Land of Lightning or the Land of Frost.
• Naruto set aside Jiraiya’s departure and focused on the coming summit, identifying the Sand Ninja and Rock Ninja as potential allies and the Cloud Ninja and Konoha as the main concerns.
• Naruto told Neji to watch Darui closely and report the details as soon as Konoha’s delegation arrived.

Naruto tasked Neji with sounding out the Cloud Ninja and monitoring Konoha ahead of the summit, while he managed Snow Ninja Village’s preparations and kept the Akatsuki in check. Delegations began arriving in the Land of Snow, and news of Konoha escorting the Land of Fire’s envoy raised tensions around the summit.

• Neji agreed to contact the Cloud Ninja and watch Konoha’s delegation for signs of their intentions.
• Naruto explained that Neji was trusted to oversee Snow Ninja Village’s affairs and handle the summit’s key arrangements while Naruto prepared for later negotiations.
• Neji went to the Cloud Ninja’s lodging, and Naruto returned to his office to monitor the nations, the Akatsuki, and Orochimaru.
• Naruto resolved to use the Akatsuki and the Tailed Beasts for his own plans while preventing Kaguya and the Ten-Tails from emerging.
• The remaining villages arrived in the Land of Snow, and word that Konoha had escorted the Land of Fire’s official envoy heightened the summit’s anticipation.

The Konoha Delegation traveled from Kazahana Castle to Snow Ninja Village, where the prosperity and strength of Snow Country unsettled the visiting shinobi. As they reached the village gates, Shikamaru wondered what Naruto intended to do, while Sakura and Hinata reflected on their past and personal ties to him.

• Kakashi and Shikaku left guards to protect Konoha’s minister, then led the rest of the delegation toward Snow Ninja Village.
• Kakashi, Shikaku, and Might Guy assessed Snow Country’s prosperity, defenses, hospitality, and capable Snow Ninja, while Yamanaka Fu and Sai recorded intelligence for Danzo.
• Sakura told Kiba that Snow Country had been poor and colder when she visited two and a half years earlier, and she recalled Team 7 and Kazahana Koyuki.
• Shikamaru doubted whether their plan could work and resolved to learn whether Naruto intended revenge on Konoha or its destruction.
• Hinata thought of Naruto and Neji as the delegation crossed the mountains and arrived at Snow Ninja Village’s main gate.

Neji received the Konoha delegation at Snow Ninja Village, where his former comrades and teachers were struck by his transformation and new status. He calmly welcomed them on Naruto’s orders, while Yamanaka Fu and Sai watched him as possible sources of intelligence.

• Kakashi, Shikaku, and the Konoha delegation were astonished by Snow Ninja Village’s scale and the Snow Shadow Office Building.
• Neji greeted Guy, Kakashi, Shikaku, and his former teammates after more than two years apart, and they noticed his changed appearance, bearing, and strength.
• Yamanaka Fu and Sai assessed Neji as an important Snow Ninja figure while considering how to gather intelligence for Danzo.
• Neji told the delegation that Naruto had assigned him to receive them, remaining calm despite his old companions’ reactions.

The Konoha delegation arrived in Snow Ninja Village, where Neji guided them to their quarters ahead of the summit. The delegates confronted the significance of Naruto’s title as Snow Shadow, while Naruto’s plans kept the visiting villages separated and under watch.

• Neji called Naruto the Snow Shadow, and the Konoha delegation reacted to the weight of his title.
• Iruka felt pride and happiness for Naruto as he looked toward the Snow Shadow Office Building.
• Neji warned the Konoha delegation to follow village rules and led them inside.
• Naruto arranged for the Five Great Shinobi Villages to stay apart and ordered extra surveillance of Konoha and Kumogakure.
• The Konoha delegation crossed Snow Ninja Village, where residents showed little surprise at their arrival.

The Konoha delegation surveyed Snow Ninja Village and met Neji, whose formal distance and composure made Shikaku and Kakashi wary about their mission. When Kiba grabbed Neji’s hand, the Snow Ninjas nearly attacked, but Neji calmly ordered them to stand down.

• Kakashi, Shikaku, and the others observed Snow Ninja Village’s buildings and prosperous residents as they assessed the village.
• Neji showed the Konoha delegation their prepared compound and said they could move around by day but should notify Snow Ninja Village before going out at night.
• Shikaku asked when the delegation could meet Naruto, and Neji said the meeting would depend on Naruto’s schedule but would happen soon.
• Shikaku and Kakashi found Neji’s calm, formal manner difficult to read and worried that their mission would be challenging.
• Kiba rushed forward and grabbed Neji’s hand, prompting the Snow Ninjas to prepare for a fight.
• Neji told the Snow Ninjas to stand down, and they immediately returned to their calm demeanor.

Neji confronted the Konoha delegation over their disrespectful behavior and kept them at a formal distance, leaving Hinata shaken by how much he had changed. As Neji turned to leave, Shikamaru asked whether the Snow Shadow would meet with them sooner to address their unresolved matters.

• Kiba reacted to the Snow Ninja's killing intent, and Neji warned him to behave appropriately outside Konoha.
• Neji rebuked Kiba, Lee, and Tenten for addressing him casually and demanded that Kakashi and Shikaku keep the delegation in line.
• Kakashi apologized for the younger shinobi's rudeness and promised they would respect the Snow Shadow.
• Hinata feared that Naruto had changed as coldly as Neji and struggled to face the prospect of seeing him.
• Neji began to leave after Kiba stayed silent, but Shikamaru stopped him to ask for an earlier meeting with the Snow Shadow.

Neji rejected the Konoha group’s hopes of reconnecting with him, leaving the young ninjas shaken as they considered what his departure meant. Shikaku advised Shikamaru to account for Snow Ninja Village’s circumstances and choose the right time and place to pursue his goals.

• Neji left the Konoha group and headed to the Snow Shadow Office Building, while Might Guy recognized that Neji had no desire to return to Konoha.
• Lee, Tenten, and Hinata struggled with the gulf between Neji and their former ties, and Hinata feared how Naruto might treat her when they met again.
• Kakashi urged the group to rest and reminded them that the world of ninjas could not be judged in simple terms.
• The Konoha Rookies went to the lounge, and Shikaku asked Shikamaru what he thought of Neji’s reaction.
• Shikamaru admitted he could not tell whether Neji had changed, was acting, or was following Naruto’s instructions.
• Shikaku told Shikamaru that his goal and resolve were not necessarily wrong, but he needed to respect Snow Ninja Village and consider the right time and place.

Shikaku nudged Shikamaru to reconsider his approach, and Shikamaru understood while resolving to keep trying. Neji returned to Naruto, who was struggling with his lingering attachment to people in Konoha, and told him the delegation was eager to see him.

• Shikaku warned Shikamaru that his plan was too naive and encouraged him to think further.
• Shikamaru realized what his father meant and decided to keep trying.
• Neji returned to the Snow Shadow's office and found Naruto watching the area where the Konoha Delegation was staying.
• Naruto struggled with his feelings for Iruka, Hinata, and his other former companions while holding to his determination to oppose Konoha's leaders.
• Neji told Naruto that arrangements were complete and that the delegation seemed eager to see him.

Naruto considered whether to persuade Hinata and Iruka to leave Konoha, knowing the risks their departure could pose to the Hyuga Clan. Neji urged him to speak with Hinata privately, and Naruto resolved to try while recognizing the decision ultimately belonged to her.

• Neji told Naruto that Kakashi and Shikaku were concerned about Shikamaru and hinted at further complications.
• Naruto reflected on why he had concealed his love for Hinata and kept distance from those he wanted to protect.
• Naruto realized Hinata and Iruka's presence in the Konoha delegation offered a chance to bring them away from Konoha, but worried Hinata would not endanger her clan by leaving.
• Naruto explained that he had tasked Neji with receiving the delegation to sound them out, and acknowledged that the arrangement could strain Neji's old friendships.
• Neji advised Naruto to speak with Hinata alone, and Naruto agreed to try while leaving the choice to her.

Naruto and Neji discussed protecting the Land of Snow’s growing power while preparing for the summit and deciding how to handle the visiting delegations. Naruto also ordered support for Sasuke as Orochimaru seemed poised to act, leaving his plans focused on securing Sasuke’s safety and the village’s interests.

• Neji warned Naruto that the Land of Snow’s recent expansion had left it vulnerable if its leaders were lost, and Naruto agreed to keep current arrangements while investigating Tsunade’s delegation and Danzo’s two Root members.
• Naruto assigned Fushimi to receive the Sand and Rock delegations, while prioritizing relations with Konoha, Kumogakure, and the Mist Ninja and watching the Grass and Waterfall villages.
• Naruto noted that Takigakure leader Shibuki’s presence offered a chance to plan around the village’s Tailed Beast, but said the time was not right to act.
• Naruto told Neji to have the Anbu prepare to assist Sasuke because Orochimaru might make a move soon.
• Naruto decided Sasuke’s safety mattered more than obtaining everything from Orochimaru and considered other ways to help Sasuke awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Naruto managed the political arrangements for the summit and prepared for his inauguration as Snow Shadow, with the major nations and villages reaching a broad understanding. On the eve of the ceremony, he sensed Kabuto in his residence and confronted him as Kabuto emerged from hiding.

• Naruto and Neji discussed key summit matters, and Neji left to handle the remaining arrangements.
• Naruto monitored the delegations’ private dealings, intervening when needed and steering them toward accepting the Snow Ninja Village’s place among the great powers.
• The six great nations reached a broad consensus after more than three days of negotiations, while the villages also appeared to have reached an understanding.
• Kazahana Koyuki arrived with the national delegations, leaving two days before Naruto’s inauguration ceremony.
• After the ceremony details were discussed, Naruto sensed Kabuto hiding in his courtyard and called him out.
• Kabuto stepped from a shadowy corner and greeted Naruto, addressing him as Snow Shadow-sama.

Yakushi Kabuto arrived in Snow Ninja Village on Orochimaru’s orders and offered Naruto a sealed scroll as a succession gift. After reading its contents, Naruto realized Orochimaru wanted to cooperate over mysterious masks and ancient secrets, and Kabuto tried to persuade him by invoking the Death God, Jashin, and Moryo.

• Naruto sensed Kabuto nearby and summoned Anbu to surround him.
• Naruto dismissed the Anbu and demanded to know why Kabuto had come without warning.
• Kabuto said Orochimaru had sent him with a gift for Naruto’s succession and handed over a sealed scroll.
• Naruto inspected and opened the scroll, then recognized that Orochimaru had learned about something significant.
• Kabuto proposed cooperation and claimed Orochimaru could help Naruto investigate mysterious masks, ancient secrets, and the Sage of Six Paths’ legacy.

Naruto weighed Orochimaru’s offer to share information about the Sage of Six Paths and agreed to cooperate on limited terms. He asked Orochimaru to obtain research materials and specimens from the Land of the Sky’s descendants, leaving Kabuto to report the condition.

• Orochimaru sent Yakushi Kabuto to meet Naruto and propose cooperation, hoping to learn about the vanished Uzumaki masks and the Tailed Beasts.
• Naruto considered the possible secrets behind the Death God, Jashin, and Moryo, and judged that cooperating with Orochimaru carried manageable risks.
• Naruto agreed to share more Three-Tails and Six-Tails chakra but refused to hand over the masks for now.
• Naruto asked Orochimaru to obtain the Land of the Sky descendants’ research materials and specimens as a condition for continued cooperation.
• Kabuto accepted Naruto’s condition and said he would report it to Orochimaru.

Naruto rejected Orochimaru’s proposal involving the mask but agreed to supply chakra from the Three-Tails and Six-Tails in exchange for Orochimaru’s cooperation. As Yakushi Kabuto left the Snow Ninja Village, Sasuke and Orochimaru separately prepared for the coming struggle, with Naruto’s coronation set for the next day.

• Naruto warned Yakushi Kabuto that he must leave the Snow Ninja Village and would not be welcome back.
• Naruto vowed to keep using Orochimaru while warning Sasuke to stay alert as their plan began.
• Sasuke threatened that Orochimaru’s time was nearly up, while Orochimaru declared that the real struggle was just beginning.
• Naruto’s subordinates obtained small amounts of the Three-Tails and Six-Tails’ chakra from Karin and Utakata, and Neji delivered them to Yakushi Kabuto.
• Yakushi Kabuto left the Snow Ninja Village under Neji’s watch, while key figures awaited Naruto’s coronation the next day.

The Snow Ninja Village celebrated Naruto’s succession as its First Snow Shadow, marking its rise as a power alongside the Five Great Shinobi Villages. The ceremony began amid jubilant crowds, while the Konoha delegation remained anxious that Naruto had not met with them.

• Residents and foreign delegations gathered at dawn as the Snow Ninja Village celebrated its growing strength and solid foundations.
• The Konoha delegation worried over Naruto’s continued failure to meet them, leaving Hinata, Iruka, and their companions anxious and Shikamaru unable to act on his plans.
• The succession ceremony began at the Snow Shadow Office Building, with viewing platforms prepared for the delegations and Kazahana Koyuki.
• Kazahana Koyuki waved to the cheering residents, whose cries for the Snow Ninja Village and its leaders intensified.

At the Snow Ninja Village’s founding ceremony, Kazahana Koyuki’s leadership and the Land of Snow’s growing strength drew renewed attention from foreign envoys. Naruto appeared as the founding Snow Shadow, leaving Darui and the other leaders to assess him as a potential threat.

• The foreign envoys reconsidered Kazahana Koyuki and the Land of Snow’s prosperity, resources, and military strength, with Kumogakure and Kirigakure especially wary.
• The envoys from smaller nations gathered for the ceremony, and some appeared pleased with the contacts or promises they had received from Naruto.
• The host announced the ceremony, and tens of thousands of Snow Ninja Village residents cheered as Naruto appeared in a Hokage Cloak and Snow Shadow Hat.
• Ao, Darui, Kitsuchi, and Fuyi watched Naruto, while Darui seriously assessed him as a powerful rival and a threat Kumogakure needed to monitor.