Chapter Summaries

Mingye explained his plot to use Kinkaku and Ginkaku to kill the Second Raikage and Senju Tobirama, while warning Kakuzu not to pry into his secrets. After Kinkaku and Ginkaku attacked the alliance meeting and the Second Raikage died, Senju Tobirama and his disciples were pursued by the Kinkaku Unit and faced the choice of sending one of their own to hold it back.

• Mingye told Kakuzu that his scheme would turn Kinkaku and Ginkaku against the Second Raikage and Senju Tobirama, then threatened Kakuzu for questioning his identity.
• Senju Tobirama and his five disciples arrived in Kumogakure and exchanged signed alliance documents with the Second Raikage.
• Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s forces stormed the Raikage’s hall, and the Second Raikage helped Senju Tobirama escape through a secret passage before joining the battle.
• Kinkaku and Ginkaku fought the Second Raikage, who was ambushed by one of his own ninjas and died after Kinkaku and Ginkaku attacked him.
• Senju Tobirama sensed that the Kinkaku Unit had tracked them and proposed splitting up, while his disciples debated who would act as a decoy.

Senju Tobirama chose to serve as a decoy against the Kinkaku Unit, naming Sarutobi Hiruzen the Third Hokage and ordering him to lead the others safely home. Tobirama fought the elite Cloud ninja alone, and as Kinkaku and Ginkaku threatened his disciples, he unleashed a pale-blue chakra cloak before two enemies detonated Explosive Tags against him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō argued over who should act as the decoy, but Senju Tobirama took the role himself and taught them to work together in a crisis.
• Senju Tobirama appointed Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage and ordered him to bring the other disciples safely back to Konoha.
• Senju Tobirama lured the Kinkaku Unit toward him and battled the elite Cloud ninja, killing many while sustaining serious injuries.
• Kinkaku and Ginkaku caught up with the exhausted Tobirama and threatened to kill his disciples after him.
• Senju Tobirama unleashed a pale-blue chakra cloak, and two Kinkaku Unit members rushed him and detonated their Explosive Tags.

Mingye killed Kinkaku and Ginkaku after Tobirama used a water clone to survive their assault, then accepted a mission to deliver Tobirama’s final letter to the Daimyo. As Mingye and Torifu Akimichi tried to escape Konoha, a stone-bodied attacker ambushed them and struck Torifu into a stream.

• Tobirama’s water clone fooled Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and Mingye killed both brothers and the remaining Kinkaku Unit.
• Kakuzu discovered Tobirama’s decoy, and Mingye ordered him to slaughter the upper echelon of the Land of Lightning’s capital.
• Tobirama returned to Konoha, relinquished the Hokage’s authority, and was placed under house arrest by the Council of Elders.
• Tobirama entrusted Mingye and Torifu Akimichi with his final letter to the Daimyo, asking them to deliver it to Okayama.
• Mingye and Torifu slipped out of Konoha, but a stone-bodied attacker ambushed them at a mountain spring and knocked Torifu into the stream.

Mingye betrayed Torifu Akimichi during their fight, then staged his own apparent death, while Senju Tobirama lost hope after learning both children had been gravely wounded. Tobirama was declared dead, and Konoha’s leaders arranged a five-year delay before Sarutobi Sasuke’s son could pursue the Hokage position.

• Torifu Akimichi used his clan’s secret technique to fight Kakuzu, but Mingye stabbed him through the heart with Susanoo and burned him to ashes.
• Mingye told Kakuzu to keep a low profile, then stabbed himself to a tree to make it appear he had died.
• Uzumaki Mito reported that Torifu was dead and Wu’s heart meridians and chakra points were badly damaged, prompting Senju Tobirama to despair over sending them on the mission.
• Senju Tobirama was publicly declared to have died of illness, and Konoha held a funeral as the Third Raikage’s envoy confirmed the Fire-Lightning Alliance.
• Hyuga Tianren and Sarutobi Sasuke agreed that the Hokage position would remain vacant for five years, with Tianren offering to support Sasuke’s son if he could break through Tianren’s defense in three moves.
• An unseen man watched the leaders leave the memorial cemetery and poured out sake in tribute to Tobirama.

With Konoha preparing to elect a new Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō received their first Academy students, prompting Danzō to seek Mingye’s help securing Orochimaru. Mingye warned Danzō that strength mattered more than political skill in becoming Hokage, and Danzō left determined to compete anyway, with a suggestion to use Hatake Sakumo’s early graduation to strengthen his credentials.

• Hyuga Tianren addressed the instructors and distributed files for Konoha’s first true Ninja Academy graduating class as the Hokage election approached.
• Shimura Danzō saw Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade assigned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and angrily declared he would not lose to him.
• Danzō asked Mingye to help bring Orochimaru into his group, but Mingye argued that Hiruzen’s strength gave him an advantage in the Hokage contest.
• Mingye explained how the Uchiha Clan’s military strength had supported its political victories and urged Danzō to accept that becoming Hokage might not be his destiny.
• Danzō decided to fight for the position once more, and Mingye suggested arranging Hatake Sakumo’s early graduation to improve Danzō’s credentials.

Mingye recruited orphaned children as expendable future spies, using food and genjutsu to secure their cooperation. He later encountered Jiraiya training near Konoha and saw the boy’s determination beneath his mischief.

• Mingye told Shimura Danzō he opposed Sarutobi Hiruzen becoming Hokage, then encouraged Orochimaru after he graduated from the academy.
• Mingye used food, an Explosive Tag, and Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu to persuade a group of orphaned children to become his weapons.
• Mingye explained to Kakuzu that he would train the children through Tsukuyomi’s illusions rather than physical conditioning.
• Jiraiya struggled up a cliff carrying a boulder and vowed to have his face carved on Kage Rock.
• Mingye arrived with a wolfhound, and Jiraiya and an Inuzuka Clan shinobi argued about Jiraiya’s failed cat-catching mission.
• Mingye stopped the Inuzuka shinobi from pursuing Jiraiya and reflected that the mischievous boy’s happiness was enviable.

Mingye helped plan Kage Rock’s renovation as Konoha’s final refuge, then found Jiraiya struggling alone and offered him food, training scrolls, and clothes. Jiraiya refused ongoing meals but accepted Mingye’s support, ending the chapter overwhelmed by gratitude.

• An Inuzuka Clan ninja asked Mingye what structure Kage Rock should become, and Mingye proposed turning it into a shelter and final refuge.
• The ninja told Mingye that Kagami Uchiha would soon marry, and Mingye said attending depended on whether he was invited.
• Mingye watched Jiraiya return to his small home and found him trying to eat moldy food.
• Mingye brought Jiraiya a meal, spoke with him about loneliness and caring for others, and invited him to eat at his home twice a day.
• Jiraiya declined the offer of regular meals, and Mingye gave him training scrolls and clothes, leaving Jiraiya sobbing with gratitude.

Mingye discussed Hatake Sakumo’s training and Kagami’s invitation with Sarutobi Hiruzen, then received reports from Kakuzu while planning to recruit powerful people. Sarutobi Sasuke asked Mingye to cast a public vote in the coming Hokage election, and Mingye agreed.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly added medicinal herbs to Jiraiya’s bath, then told Mingye that Hatake Sakumo had graduated from the Academy two years early.
• Mingye defended separating Sakumo from other children, declined to join Hiruzen in visiting Kagami, and watched Sakumo spar with Zuo Yan under Danzō’s supervision.
• Mingye left Danzō and returned to the Ninjutsu Pavilion, while Danzō asked whether he had any regrets and Mingye said he had to face reality.
• Kakuzu reported that three children had been delivered in the Land of Wind and that Chiyo was married and pregnant; Mingye ordered Kakuzu to watch the other countries and find powerful recruits.
• Sarutobi Sasuke asked Mingye to cast a public vote in the upcoming election to help Konoha choose a Hokage, and Mingye agreed.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage and Shimura Danzō established Root, Mingye observed Konoha’s new era while spending time with Wu, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Senju Nawaki. A report revealed that Danzō was away in the Land of Rain, prompting discussion of Ibuse Hanzo’s power and the costs of the country’s independence.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage, Sarutobi Sasuke died, and Shimura Danzō formed Root within Konoha’s Anbu the following day.
• Mingye recorded Hiruzen’s rise in the Chronicles of the Warring States and watched a boy visit Wu at the Ninjutsu Pavilion.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru argued while Senju Nawaki asked Orochimaru to make him a disciple after he graduated with perfect marks.
• Mingye read Orochimaru’s report and learned that Shimura Danzō had gone to the Land of Rain and had not returned.
• Jiraiya described Ibuse Hanzo’s strength, and Mingye considered how Hanzo had secured the Land of Rain’s sovereignty while also causing more orphans through his militarism.

Mingye visited Shimura Danzō to handle cipher documents and warned him against pursuing the Hokage seat, arguing that Sarutobi Hiruzen should remain in office. Danzō then revealed his plan to make Orochimaru the Fourth Hokage by securing Senju Tsunade’s support, leaving Mingye wary of Danzō’s influence over him.

• Mingye left Orochimaru and went to a Root base with Shimura Danzō’s authorization to decode documents.
• Shimura Danzō reunited with Mingye, who criticized his methods and reminded him that Sarutobi Hiruzen was stronger and better positioned to remain Hokage.
• Mingye told Danzō that Konoha’s changing political circumstances made ending the ten-year Hokage term sensible.
• Shimura Danzō showed Mingye photographs of Orochimaru and Tsunade together and proposed working with Orochimaru as a future Hokage candidate.
• Mingye acknowledged that Tsunade’s support could advance Orochimaru’s prospects but objected to Danzō imposing his principles on him.

Mingye arranged for Senju Nawaki to die on a mission, leaving Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade devastated. At Nawaki’s memorial, Orochimaru embraced the idea of pursuing immortality, and Shimura Danzō began recruiting him by offering access to forbidden techniques tied to Wu’s notebooks.

• Mingye ordered Dan Kato promoted and Senju Nawaki placed under surveillance, then arranged for Nawaki to be killed by Explosive Tags during a mission at Muliang Mountain.
• Orochimaru captured the figure responsible for the explosion and left the other students behind as he went into the forest.
• Mingye told Kakuzu that genjutsu had kept Orochimaru from seeing him and said they should watch the four countries because the Second War was approaching.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived at the cabin, where Orochimaru gave Tsunade Nawaki’s pendant and walked away into the rain.
• At Konoha’s ninja memorial cemetery, Orochimaru said he believed immortality was possible, and Shimura Danzō offered him resources and described Wu’s access to the forbidden jutsu archive.

Orochimaru agreed to secretly copy Wu’s research notes for Shimura Danzō, while Mingye comforted Tsunade and helped her reaffirm her resolve to protect Konoha. Jiraiya revealed that he had trained at Mount Myoboku and received a prophecy, leaving Mingye wary of the Great Toad Sage but unwilling to kill Jiraiya yet.

• Shimura Danzō told Orochimaru that Wu had secretly researched reincarnation, cloning, and reviving the dead, then asked him to copy all of Wu’s notes.
• Orochimaru planted the carnation and walked away from Tsunade, saying he no longer needed to hide anything.
• Mingye comforted Tsunade at the Ninja Memorial, and she resolved to protect the village and her family’s dream.
• Jiraiya told Mingye he planned to travel and revealed that the Great Toad Sage had prophesied he would lead a revolution and train a world-changing disciple.
• Mingye concealed his alarm at Jiraiya’s news and decided Jiraiya still had value, though the Great Toad Sage threatened his plans.

Mingye asked Jiraiya about entering Mount Myoboku, then discussed Orochimaru’s grief, the Hokage term, and Konoha’s looming political and military crises with Sarutobi Hiruzen. The chapter ended with Hiruzen preparing to act while Mingye urged him to keep training.

• Mingye asked Jiraiya if he could enter Mount Myoboku, but Jiraiya said only those who inherited its legacy could enter.
• Orochimaru secretly translated and copied Mingye’s notes for Danzō, who told him about a concealed plan for Konoha to achieve victory without casualties.
• Mingye and Sarutobi Hiruzen discussed abolishing the Hokage’s term and the risk that Konoha lacked a new generation of leaders.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Mingye that the Daimyo was being courted by militant factions and that the Land of Lightning had reported fighting with the Land of Earth.
• Mingye and Sarutobi Hiruzen assessed the likely alliances in a coming war and considered using a dangerous ninjutsu as a possible defense.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen left to begin his work, and Mingye reminded him to maintain his physical, chakra, and ninjutsu training.

Mingye found Bunpuku and used Shukaku’s rampage against Sunagakure to increase tensions and encourage war. Back in Konoha, he met the bullied Might Duy and offered to train him on one condition, which the chapter left unrevealed.

• Mingye found Bunpuku in a ruined temple, subdued Shukaku, and left the One-Tail to attack Sunagakure.
• Shamon subdued Shukaku after the beast damaged Sunagakure, and Mingye departed with Kakuzu, hoping conflict would spread between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning.
• Mingye found Might Duy beaten by academy students, gave him a healing pill, and encouraged his determination to become a ninja.
• Mingye told Might Duy that he could make him a genius if he accepted one condition, leaving Might Duy eager to hear what it was.

Mingye tested Might Duy’s resolve with a punishing training task while discussing whether effort could make him a genius. As war spread across several nations, Sarutobi Hiruzen led an assault on the Land of Mountains and summoned Enma to fight its ninja leader.

• Mingye challenged Might Duy to run one hundred laps around Konoha Academy within an hour while wearing a twenty-kilogram tracksuit, and Might Duy vowed to try.
• Mingye told Sarutobi Hiruzen that extraordinary effort could create another kind of genius, as Might Duy repeatedly struggled to move in the heavy outfit.
• An Anbu ninja reported that the Sand Ninja had declared war on the Land of Rain, and Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Konoha to mobilize.
• Shimura Danzō warned Hiruzen that the Land of Mountains was preparing to attack and that several other nations were entering the conflict; Hiruzen sent Danzō to the Land of Rain and went to confront the Land of Mountains.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen’s force was stopped by the Heat Haze Ninja Village, whose chief defended his decision to resist Konoha, and Hiruzen summoned Enma to attack him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen broke the Land of Mountains’ ambush barrier and secured his troops, while Shimura Danzō confronted Hanzo about the war in the Land of Rain. Near Heat Haze Ninja Village, Yanwu planned to send Gen to plant Explosive Tags throughout Konoha, as Mingye and Kakuzu waited to capture Yanwu’s secret technique.

• Yanwu attacked Sarutobi Hiruzen with fire-based puppet techniques, but Hiruzen destroyed a mountain peak and broke the barrier trapping Konoha’s main force; the Konoha troops suffered seventy-two injuries and no deaths.
• Shimura Danzō met Hanzo and challenged his reasons for fighting, but Hanzo insisted the Land of Rain would not surrender and mocked Danzō’s strength.
• Mingye waited outside Heat Haze Ninja Village with Kakuzu, hoping to learn Yanwu’s secret technique and test a new technique of his own.
• Yanwu summoned Gen and ordered him to plant Explosive Tags throughout Konoha so Heat Haze could launch a surprise attack and destroy the village.

Mingye arranged to destroy the Heat Haze Ninja Village and draw Konoha deeper into war while Sarutobi Hiruzen signed a peace treaty with the Land of Mountains and prepared to confront the Land of Water. On the battlefield, Chiyo, Jiraiya, and Tsunade fought amid clashes between Konoha, Sand, and Rock forces as Ibuse approached.

• Mingye ambushed Yanwu, used Godshock to injure him, and told Kakuzu to arrange the destruction of the Heat Haze Ninja Village.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen signed a peace treaty with the Land of Mountains, unaware that Sa Kenjiro expected the agreement to fail.
• Kakuzu ambushed the village guards and raised a barrier around the Heat Haze Ninja Village.
• After learning that the Land of Water had invaded the Land of Fire's border, Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered a protest and prepared Konoha forces to depart for the coast.
• Chiyo fought Konoha forces with her Ten Puppets while Jiraiya and Tsunade joined the battle against the Sand and Rock Ninja.
• Ibuse crashed through the forest toward the battlefield as the fighting continued.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade fought Hanzo while a disciplined Sunagakure force struck and withdrew, leaving Konoha to reassess the war. At the Ninjutsu Pavilion, Mingye proposed hiring Cloud Ninja mercenaries by conceding trade with the Land of Moon, warning that Konoha’s growing entanglements could draw the Land of Lightning into the war against it.

• Hanzo poisoned Orochimaru and attacked Jiraiya, but Orochimaru and Jiraiya survived as the battle spread poison across the flooded field.
• A Sunagakure commander ordered a disciplined retreat, and Shimura Danzō recognized that the attack had been meant to confuse the enemy before ordering Konoha’s forces to withdraw.
• Orochimaru reported Konoha’s casualties to Shimura Danzō and dismissed Jiraiya’s suggestion that he seek medical care.
• Mingye asked Mitokado Homura about the Land of Lightning’s likely plans and proposed hiring Cloud Ninja mercenaries in exchange for Konoha’s trade with the Land of Moon.
• Mingye warned Mitokado Homura that Konoha’s entanglement in the Land of Rain and the stalemate with the Land of Water could tempt the Land of Lightning to attack.

Mingye helped Konoha prepare for the possibility of a Cloud Ninja attack, then took responsibility for Uzumaki Kushina’s schooling and taught her to face her future as the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki with optimism. After Kushina was suspended for fighting classmates who mocked her red hair, Mingye comforted her and urged her to use her strength to protect others.

• Mingye proposed offering the Land of Lightning a deal to attack the Rock Ninja while monitoring Konoha’s borders to guard against a surprise assault.
• Uzumaki Mito asked Mingye to look after Uzumaki Kushina, who would become the Nine-Tails’ future jinchuriki, and he enrolled her at Konoha Academy.
• Kushina introduced herself to her classmates and declared that she dreamed of becoming the first female Hokage, but the children mocked her red hair.
• After three months of war, Kushina was suspended for a week after fighting classmates, and Mingye took her home.
• Mingye explained that Kushina was wrong to hit her classmates and encouraged her to accept her red hair and view being a jinchuriki as a chance to protect Konoha.

Konoha’s forces forced Hanzo to surrender in the Land of Rain, while the Land of Lightning’s invasion of the Land of Earth eased Konoha’s greatest threat. At a war debriefing, Sarutobi Hiruzen excluded Shimura Danzō, and Mingye recognized the political move as a way to weaken Danzō’s standing.

• Hanzo fought Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade until a peace signal prompted him to spare them and name them the Konoha Sannin.
• Shimura Danzō negotiated Hanzo’s surrender to Konoha, and the Land of Rain’s rain ninja laid down their arms.
• The Land of Lightning invaded the Land of Earth under the Third Raikage, easing pressure on Konoha as Mingye reviewed reports of the war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Konoha’s elite jōnin for a war debriefing and told Mingye that Danzō had manipulated events in the Land of Rain.
• Mingye observed that Danzō’s absence from the debriefing weakened his authority, while Sarutobi Hiruzen said he was only giving Danzō a warning.