Chapter Summaries

After Tobirama and the Second Raikage were assassinated during peace talks, Yayoi mourned Tobirama while also recognizing the death of a formidable opponent. He sent Irori to Tobirama’s funeral and prepared to reassess the Land of Night’s plans as Konoha and Kumogakure drew closer together.

• Konoha and Kumogakure announced that the Second Hokage and Second Raikage had been killed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and that Ginkaku was dead while Kinkaku remained at large.
• A became the Third Raikage, and he and Sarutobi Hiruzen signed a ceasefire agreement in Konoha.
• Yayoi read the obituaries and reflected on his complicated friendship and rivalry with Tobirama, while keeping Kinkaku’s imprisonment in the Land of Night secret.
• Yayoi ordered Irori to attend Tobirama’s funeral and arranged for Kakuzu to go to Kumogakure.
• Yayoi left to walk and reconsider the Land of Night’s plans as Yaya and Komurasaki followed to guard him.

Yayoi weighed Konoha’s strength and expected its internal clan conflicts to weaken it after Tobirama’s death, so he chose not to interfere. After Izayoi reported on the Land of Fields, he told her to leave some dissenting voices in place as tools for testing policies and exposing internal enemies.

• Yayoi sent Kakuzu to offer condolences at the Raikage’s funeral while Irori traveled to Konoha for Tobirama’s funeral.
• Yayoi considered Konoha’s powerful clans and concluded that its internal problems could eventually weaken it without outside interference.
• Izayoi returned from the Land of Fields with a detailed report and asked whether she should pursue those still resisting the absorption.
• Yayoi told Izayoi that some discordant voices could help test policies and draw out internal enemies, while the most defiant should still be silenced.

After taking office as Third Hokage, Hiruzen struggled to secure support from Konoha’s clans while the Land of Night’s rise unsettled the great nations. He refused to yield the Hokage’s authority and began seeking allies among his friends.

• Foreign merchants and shinobi nations questioned Konoha’s prospects as the Land of Night emerged from the war with great prestige and spoils.
• Hiruzen gave the Hyuga Clan resources in exchange for its support, while resisting the Uchiha Clan’s demand to control the entire Police Department.
• Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Torifu Akimichi entered Hiruzen’s office and heard about his negotiations; Danzo explained that Kagami Uchiha was seeking support among Uchiha elders.
• Hiruzen learned that his friends had limited influence within their own clans, then told them he would place them in important positions and asked them to support him.

Uchiha Zhuiliu tried to rally Konoha’s clans behind his bid to replace Hiruzen Sarutobi as Hokage, but found no prominent clan willing to support him. He ended the meeting by ordering the Uchiha to consolidate control of the Police Department and vowed to visit the other clans himself.

• Zhuiliu asked the clan’s financial elder about available funds and learned the Uchiha had less than five billion ryo in liquid capital.
• The elder reported that the clan’s business had stabilized after wartime disruption but needed more diverse products and long-term customers.
• Zhuiliu asked whether other clan heads had agreed to support his bid for Hokage, and his envoys reported that the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka opposed it while the Inuzuka and Hyuga withheld clear support.
• Some Uchiha leaders urged Zhuiliu to avoid conflict and focus on rebuilding, but other clan members glared them down with their Sharingan.
• Zhuiliu declared that he would visit the other clans himself and ordered the Uchiha to quickly consolidate the Police Department.

Izayoi tested Rikuo’s Sharingan and taught him how to form a summoning contract with the Tsuchigumo Clan. When Rikuo performed his first Summoning Jutsu, he called forth an enormous beast that dwarfed Izayoi’s summon.

• Izayoi tested Rikuo’s Two-Tomoe Sharingan and praised his ocular power, then offered to teach him a new technique.
• Rikuo declined Izayoi’s amusement-park reward because he had arranged to see a puppet play with female classmates, then learned that he would summon from the Tsuchigumo Clan.
• Rikuo signed the Tsuchigumo contract scroll, and Izayoi summoned Yukino, a polite cat-faced spider, to demonstrate the technique.
• Rikuo performed the Summoning Jutsu and produced a cloud of Smoke containing the shadow of an enormous beast.
• Izayoi watched the giant summon loom over her and Yukino, astonished by the scale of Rikuo’s first summon.

Rikuo summoned Kurono, a gigantic and fearsome spider-cat, and began getting acquainted with his future battle partner. Half a month later, Irori assessed Konoha’s political tensions before meeting Shikamon Nara, the late Second Hokage’s chief strategist.

• Rikuo summoned Kurono, who teased him after discovering the tiny boy had called her.
• Izayoi encouraged Rikuo to speak with Kurono and get to know his future battle partner.
• Irori stayed in Konoha after Tobirama Senju’s funeral and assessed the tensions between Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village clans.
• Irori suspected Mito Uzumaki was letting the clans test Hiruzen’s ability to lead as Hokage.
• Shikamon Nara arrived to meet Irori.

Irori negotiated revised cooperation between Konoha and the Land of Night with Shikamon, while Yayoi investigated Ginkaku’s unexplained state between life and death. After discovering that Ginkaku’s body had recovered but his mind or soul remained damaged, Yayoi and Nene decided to consult Hisana about Uzumaki sealing techniques.

• Irori met with Shikamon, who sought to adjust Konoha’s existing cooperation agreements after Tobirama Senju’s death.
• Irori amended parts of the agreements and changed Konoha’s primary representative from Tobirama Senju to Sarutobi Hiruzen, while Shikamon avoided revealing Konoha’s internal situation.
• Yayoi and Nene examined Ginkaku and found that medical treatment restored his body but failed to awaken him.
• Yayoi concluded that Ginkaku’s mind or soul had suffered serious damage, and Nene warned that further treatment could overfill his body with vitality.
• Nene suggested consulting Hisana about Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu that could affect the soul, including the Reaper Death Seal.

Hisana examined Ginkaku and discovered that his soul had been separated from his body and sealed inside it. She agreed to study the technique, leaving Ginkaku’s fate uncertain while Yayoi considered how to obtain the remaining Tailed-Beast Chakra for his plans.

• Hisana arrived at Nene’s laboratory and was shocked by the immense life force overflowing from Ginkaku’s body.
• At Nene’s urging, Hisana examined Ginkaku and found that he was alive but unable to awaken.
• Hisana sensed that a technique had separated Ginkaku’s soul from his body and sealed it inside a hidden space.
• Hisana explained that releasing the soul would require carefully studying the unknown Sealing Jutsu, since a mistake could kill Ginkaku.
• Yayoi reassured Hisana that she need not pressure herself, then considered seeking Tailed-Beast Chakra from other villages to fill the gaps in his collection.

Irori reported on Konoha’s new Hokage and the Uchiha Clan, while Yayoi judged the clan’s political maneuvering likely to strengthen Hiruzen Sarutobi. In the fractured Land of Rain, Kusagakure ninja looted a village until a masked attacker and a summoned beast slaughtered them.

• Irori returned from Konoha and told Yayoi about Hiruzen Sarutobi’s conflict with the Uchiha Clan.
• Yayoi praised Hiruzen Sarutobi’s focus on restoring Konoha and dismissed the Uchiha Clan’s bid for power as self-defeating.
• Kusagakure exploited Amegakure’s infighting to raid the Land of Rain, where its ninja plundered villages and captured women and children.
• A masked, yellow-haired attacker descended on a Kusagakure raiding party and killed its captain with a chained sickle.
• A massive summoned beast emerged from the ground and devoured and crushed the remaining Kusagakure ninja.

Hanzo and Salamander Ibuse wiped out a force of Hidden Grass Village ninja, and Hanzo left to continue fighting alone. An Amegakure Jonin captain believed Hanzo could defeat the enemy and would become a hero of the Land of Rain.

• Hanzo and Salamander Ibuse killed more than forty Hidden Grass Village ninja and freed the women and children they had abducted.
• Twenty Amegakure ninja arrived, and Hanzo told them to handle the cleanup before leaving with Ibuse to seek out more Hidden Grass Village ninja.
• A young Amegakure ninja tried to follow Hanzo, but the Jonin captain stopped him and said the war might soon be over.
• The Jonin captain said Hanzo was powerful enough to face the enemy alone and would become the Land of Rain's hero.
• The Amegakure ninja began arranging to resettle the rescued women and children in Amegakure.

Naraku visited the prisoners in his underground facility, where Kinkaku remained chained and imprisoned as experimental material. Meanwhile, Hidden Rain reversed Kusagakure’s invasion, and Yayoi agreed to work with Hidden Rock Village to mediate the war, recalling Doichi to take part.

• Naraku delivered newspapers and offered food to Kinkaku, who ignored his cheerful concern while imprisoned and drained of chakra.
• Kusagakure invaded the Land of Rain and advanced rapidly, but a single Hidden Rain shinobi forced the invaders to retreat back to the Land of Grass.
• The surrounding Great Nations were surprised by Hidden Rain’s sudden counterattack and suspected that its powerful shinobi had outside backing.
• Yayoi received Hidden Rock Village’s proposal to mediate the Amegakure-Kusagakure War in exchange for a share of the Land of Rain’s gains.
• Yayoi agreed to cooperate with Hidden Rock, ordered Irori to arrange an upper-level meeting, and recalled Doichi to gain experience in the conflict.

Third Raikage finished suppressing the remnants of Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s faction, then struggled to accept that the Red Gourd was still missing. He stopped most of the search, ordered two Anbu squads to investigate a body-strengthening technique, and judged that Hanzo’s small nation could not withstand the great powers.

• Third Raikage crushed the planned rebellion by Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s remaining followers and gave surrendered ninja positions of trust.
• Third Raikage learned that Anbu had found no trace of the Red Gourd, which was needed alongside the Golden Rope and Seven Stars Sword to seal targets.
• Robui urged Third Raikage to end the search, and Third Raikage recalled most of the Anbu while keeping two squads searching for a technique to counter the Hyuga Clan’s Gentle Fist.
• Third Raikage and Robui discussed the Rain-Grass War, and Third Raikage decided that Hanzo’s Hidden Rain Village could not survive the pressure of the great nations.

Hanzo learned that Amegakure’s new chief, Songkang, had been forced to negotiate a ceasefire with Kusagakure after Iwagakure and the Land of Night intervened. At the Heaven-Earth Bridge, Hanzo accompanied Songkang and prepared for negotiations, resentful that Amegakure’s victory was being treated like defeat.

• Songkang offered Hanzo command of Amegakure’s Anbu after Hanzo routed Kusagakure’s main forces in the Land of Grass.
• Songkang told Hanzo that Iwagakure and the Land of Night had pressured Amegakure into ceasefire talks, and Hanzo reluctantly agreed to accompany him.
• A Hidden Rain shinobi reported that an envoy from the Hidden Sand Village had requested an audience, and Songkang brought Hanzo to meet the envoy.
• In December, Songkang and five Hidden Rain Jonin, including Hanzo, reached the Heaven-Earth Bridge on their way to negotiations at an abandoned shrine.
• Hanzo readied his scythe, then released it after Songkang urged him to relax, though he still felt that Amegakure’s victory was being treated as a loss.

Songkang attended a peace meeting expecting Amegakure’s victory to protect it, but discovered that the proposed agreement demanded enormous reparations for Kusagakure. As Kusagakure denied responsibility for the war and Hidden Sand Village stayed silent, Danzo realized Amegakure had been isolated by a temporary alliance.

• Songkang led Hanzo and the other Amegakure Jonin to an abandoned shrine where representatives of several nations and factions had gathered.
• Songkang read the agreement and found that it demanded enormous war reparations from Amegakure to Kusagakure.
• Songkang protested that Amegakure had won the war and should not have to pay reparations.
• Kusagakure’s leader denied that his village had invaded the Land of Rain and threatened to fight unless Amegakure paid compensation.
• Danzo noticed that Hidden Sand Village’s representative offered no support to Amegakure and inferred that Hidden Sand Village had joined Iwagakure and the Land of Night in backing Kusagakure.

Hidden Rain Village faced a punitive ceasefire agreement after Hidden Rock Village and its allies sidelined it in negotiations, while Danzo refused to intervene. Songkang delayed signing so he could consult the village, and Hanzo resolved to remember the humiliation and keep fighting for Hidden Rain Village.

• Danzo recognized that Konoha could not support Hidden Rain Village and ignored Songkang’s appeal during the talks.
• Songkang stopped Hanzo from attacking the Hidden Rock Village advisor, and Hanzo backed down before renewing his resolve to overcome their opponents.
• Hidden Rock Village gave Hidden Rain Village half a month to accept the ceasefire agreement and pay reparations, while the allied parties divided the profits.
• Songkang requested time to consult Hidden Rain Village before signing, and Hidden Rock Village agreed to the delay while waiting in Kusagakure.
• Doichi lamented missing a chance to fight Hanzo, while Mifune and Aburame Jūjirō discussed Hanzo’s abilities and Doichi recalled his rivalry with the Third Raikage.

Yayoi heard Doichi’s account of the negotiations between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass, then advised him on how to balance sympathy for others with the duty to protect himself and his people. Doichi left understanding that he needed to grow strong enough to safeguard the Land of Night before helping outsiders.

• Yayoi spent his time off feeding the pond fish and considered writing an essay about the pampered ninja cats.
• Doichi returned and reported how Iwagakure had pressured Amegakure into accepting the negotiation outcome, while Hidden Sand Village had sided with Iwagakure.
• Yayoi considered the failed talks and explained that Hidden Sand Village had likely abandoned negotiations after suspecting Amegakure’s former leader’s death was connected to it and finding its demands too high.
• Doichi said the negotiations made him feel like the bad guy and sympathized with Amegakure’s humiliating position.
• Yayoi told Doichi that sympathy was admirable, but he needed to protect himself and those close to him before helping outsiders.
• Doichi accepted his father’s advice, and Yayoi sent him to rest after his travels.

After the Land of Night absorbed the Land of Harada and continued to prosper, Konoha announced a Joint Chunin Ninja Exams that drew widespread interest. Rikuo, the General’s powerful younger son, agreed to enter after hearing that many cute girls would participate, insisting he would bring glory to the nation.

• Hidden Rain Village signed a ceasefire agreement with Kusagakure and paid half of the enormous reparations, while the Land of Night received nearly half of the spoils.
• Over two and a half years, Yayoi’s Land of Night absorbed the Land of Harada, grew to more than forty-two million people, and expanded its employment, infrastructure, and agricultural programs.
• Konoha invited ninja from every nation to a Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, and rumors that the God of Shinobi’s granddaughter would compete increased interest in the event.
• Rikuo defeated a talented fellow student with two taijutsu punches during a practical combat class at the National Defense Comprehensive Military School.
• Jonin Oishi invited Rikuo to the exams, and Rikuo eagerly accepted after hearing that many cute girls would take part.

Yayoi activated the altar to awaken Murasame Maru in its complete form. In Konoha, Hiruzen worried about the upcoming Joint Chunin Ninja Exams and learned that Jiraiya and Tsunade were in trouble.

• Yayoi prepared the altar with the chakra he had gathered and activated Murasame Maru’s awakening.
• Travelers, officials, and merchants began arriving in the Land of Fire ahead of the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen worried that Konoha would fail to impress the other villages and hoped Tsunade would win.
• An Anbu member told Hiruzen that Orochimaru was training, Jiraiya had been caught peeping into a women’s bath, and Tsunade was being chased over a gambling debt.

Hiruzen began special training Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade for Konoha’s Joint Chunin Ninja Exams. Meanwhile, Izayoi agreed to let Rikuo enter the exams but ordered him to replace one teammate with Chunhua Qianxiao, the Land of Night’s successful Wood Release experiment subject.

• Hiruzen warned Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade about the approaching exams and said they would train under him until they began.
• Jiraiya distracted himself with fantasies about bathhouses, so Hiruzen punched him; Tsunade mocked him, and Hiruzen stopped her from fighting him.
• Hiruzen told the three to attack him together so he could identify their weaknesses, and they entered combat mode.
• Rikuo asked Izayoi for permission to participate in Konoha’s Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, and she agreed.
• Rikuo presented consent forms for Xia Yu Lingling and Dong Xue Jixiang, but Izayoi ordered him to replace Lingling with Chunhua Qianxiao, the Land of Night’s sole successful Wood Release experiment subject.

Yayoi and the others witnessed Murasame awaken as the blade spirit of Murasame Maru. After Murasame challenged Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki to fight her together, Yayoi watched with interest as the confrontation began.

• The nine tanks' Tailed-Beast Chakra and a lightning strike awakened Murasame within Murasame Maru.
• Murasame emerged from the altar, ran to Yayoi, and said she felt better than ever.
• Yaya demanded that Murasame greet her older sisters, but Murasame called Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki defective products.
• Murasame drew Murasame Maru and challenged Yaya, Irori, and Komurasaki to fight her together.
• Yayoi approved of Murasame's confidence and looked forward to watching the fight.