Recaps

The Third Raikage’s arrival shattered the naval stalemate and inflicted heavy losses on Kirigakure, forcing Yagura to abandon his plan to let the war grind on. Yagura left for the battlefield to sabotage Kumogakure’s ships, while Genji stayed behind to stabilize the village.

• The Third Raikage took command of the naval campaign, and Dodai assumed command of the war against Iwagakure.
• The Third Raikage destroyed nearly twenty Kirigakure warships, turning the naval conflict sharply against Yagura’s plans.
• Yagura told Genji he would go to the battlefield and leave him to hold the village together.
• Yagura departed with Mizukage guards, sent them to the command warship, and went alone to sabotage Kumogakure’s ships.

Yagura attacked Kumogakure’s supply ships from underwater, prompting the Third Raikage to retaliate by targeting Kirigakure’s ships. In Konoha, Jingyi and Tsunade discussed how the escalating naval sabotage could reduce the war to small-scale raids.

• Yagura sank a Kumogakure supply ship and damaged two warships before escaping underwater.
• The Third Raikage learned of the attacks and ordered stronger protection for Kumogakure’s ships.
• The Third Raikage changed Kumogakure’s strategy to focus on destroying Kirigakure’s ships in retaliation.
• Jingyi and Tsunade reviewed intelligence about the naval war and predicted that the fighting could become small-scale homeland raids.
• Tsunade identified Yagura as the Kirigakure ninja behind the attacks and said Kumogakure could not catch him at sea.

Jingyi explained why the war between Kumogakure and Kirigakure would continue and why Kumogakure would hesitate to retaliate against Konoha. He then visited Killer B with Kushina, prompting the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails to recognize each other’s presence.

• Jingyi told Tsunade that Yagura could end the war after eliminating his rivals, but the stubborn Third Raikage would keep attacking the Land of Water even after the ships were destroyed.
• Jingyi reassured Tsunade that Konoha could protect itself from Kumogakure’s retaliation and reminded her that the Five Kage Summit’s restrictions still left Konoha with ways to threaten other locations.
• Jingyi flicked Tsunade on the head and escaped through the window, while her shouted threat caused a stir among the Hokage Office Building staff.
• Jingyi brought Kushina to the river, where Killer B had become intensely focused on training after repeated defeats by Minato Namikaze.
• The Eight-Tails sensed the Nine-Tails inside Kushina, and Killer B stopped training to greet Jingyi respectfully.

Kushina brutally beat Killer B after he mocked her, while the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails watched from their sealing spaces. Killer B surrendered and called her Big Sis, and Kushina decided to train him toward becoming a Perfect Jinchūriki.

• Killer B mocked Kushina after learning she was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
• Kushina struck Killer B with Chakra Enhanced Strength and beat him while Jingyi watched from a distance.
• The Nine-Tails stopped the Eight-Tails from intervening, saying the fight was a contest between Jinchūriki.
• Killer B surrendered and called Kushina Big Sis to make her stop hitting him.
• Kushina accepted the title and told Killer B she would train him to become a Perfect Jinchūriki.

Kushina bullied Killer B after he called her Big Sis, forbidding him from singing and sending him off to the hospital. On the way home, she and Kurama decided that Eight-Tails and Killer B were merely so-so, while they were destined to be the strongest pair.

• Kushina praised Killer B for calling her Big Sis, then threatened to beat him if he sang or changed his lyrics.
• Killer B agreed to stop singing and left for the hospital while Kushina celebrated with Jingyi.
• Kushina asked Kurama whether Eight-Tails was strong, and Kurama called it so-so.
• Kushina reasoned that a so-so Tailed Beast could only have a so-so Jinchūriki, pleasing Kurama.
• Konoha’s doctors verified Killer B’s identity as a Kumogakure guest and treated him, while he complained that Eight-Tails had not helped him.

Killer B realized the Eight-Tails had been right not to interfere with Kushina, then apologized to it. Kushina continued training Killer B while Jingyi checked on Minato’s preparations for the Jonin Exam and worried about Nawaki, ending with a cryptic remark about people who shared a personality but had different fates.

• Killer B understood that the Eight-Tails could have lost control if it intervened against Kushina, and he apologized to the tailed beast for blaming it.
• Kushina repeatedly struck Killer B during training and scolded him for failing to maintain stability in even the smallest movements.
• Jingyi reassured Minato that Kushina was not using much strength, then left Killer B with her to continue the lesson.
• Jingyi asked Minato about his Jonin Exam preparations, and Minato said he was confident he would pass.
• Jingyi worried that Nawaki’s poor performance in subjects beyond combat strength could keep him from passing, and Minato defended Nawaki’s recent efforts.
• Jingyi remarked that Nawaki and someone else had the same personality and kindness but different fates, leaving Minato puzzled.

Jingyi compared Nawaki, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, explaining how their strengths differed and warning Orochimaru about Tsunade’s Yin Seal. The chapter ended with Jingyi suddenly scrutinizing Orochimaru, who had come out of his laboratory dressed in aristocratic clothes.

• Minato Namikaze asked Jingyi whether he worried Nawaki would become a dead last, and Jingyi joked that Nawaki already was one after leaving the Ninja Academy.
• Orochimaru joined Jingyi and Minato Namikaze, gave them juice, and asked whether Jiraiya was stronger than him.
• Jingyi said Orochimaru would win an unprepared fight, but Jiraiya could surpass him with enough time to use Senjutsu.
• Jingyi warned Orochimaru not to provoke Tsunade because her Yin Seal let her endure lethal injuries and keep fighting.
• Jingyi said the Yin Seal was suitable only for women, then wondered why Orochimaru had left his laboratory and abruptly began examining him.

Jingyi told Orochimaru about a story featuring an Orochi Princess who ended up with Jiraiya, prompting Orochimaru to confront Jiraiya. Their fight wrecked Pink Street, and Tsunade learned of the battle and headed there.

• Jingyi told Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze about a story in which an Orochi Princess and her companion Jiraiya became a couple, and Orochimaru left in anger.
• Orochimaru found Jiraiya drinking with two women on Pink Street and attacked him after Jiraiya joked about the Orochi Princess.
• Jiraiya tried to move their fight somewhere empty, but Orochimaru attacked with his Kusanagi Sword, and the two fought through Pink Street.
• Jingyi sensed the battle while taking Minato Namikaze out for ramen and went to investigate.
• Police Force members told Tsunade that Jiraiya and Orochimaru were fighting on Pink Street, and she set out to intervene.

Tsunade stopped Jiraiya and Orochimaru’s destructive fight on Pink Street and brought them to the Hokage Office to explain themselves. Orochimaru revealed that he attacked Jiraiya because Jiraiya had written a picture book mocking him, leaving Jiraiya to wonder what he had written.

• Fugaku Uchiha arrived at the fight and notified Tsunade, who rushed over and ordered Jiraiya and Orochimaru to stop.
• Tsunade sent Fugaku Uchiha and the Police Force to rescue the injured and arrange compensation for Pink Street’s damage.
• Tsunade brought Jiraiya and Orochimaru to the Hokage Office, where Katsuyu treated Jiraiya’s wounds and snake venom.
• Jiraiya claimed Orochimaru attacked him without cause, but Orochimaru said Jiraiya had written a picture book mocking him.
• Jiraiya tried to recall what he had written, while Orochimaru’s real grievance was that Jiraiya had paired him with Jiraiya in a story.

Jingyi explained that Orochimaru had attacked Jiraiya after mistaking a picture-book story for something Jiraiya had written. After learning that the story paired Orochimaru and Jiraiya, both men searched Konoha's bookstores for the book, but found nothing and turned their attention to its sellers.

• Tsunade warned Jiraiya not to write about her, while Orochimaru grew angry when Jiraiya mentioned the name Orochi Princess.
• Jingyi entered the Hokage Office and explained that Orochimaru had mistaken a story he had described for one of Jiraiya's picture books.
• Jingyi revealed that the story portrayed Orochimaru as a beautiful Orochi Princess who eventually became Jiraiya's partner, and Jiraiya fled in disgust.
• Tsunade asked Jingyi to lend her the picture book for research.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru searched Konoha's bookstores but could not find the book, so they began looking for the people who sold picture books.

Tsunade and Jingyi used rumors and public information to shape events in Konoha, while the village’s residents compared their wartime hardships with conditions elsewhere. The chapter left Konoha’s civilians less resentful about rising prices and Jingyi preparing to expose Madara Uchiha’s plan.

• Rumors about Orochimaru as the Orochi Princess spread through Konoha, and Orochimaru and Jiraiya were stuck splitting a huge compensation bill.
• Jiraiya abandoned his plan to write a story about the Orochi Princess after public interest faded.
• Pakura delivered scrolls from the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans to Jingyi as he prepared to expose Madara Uchiha and his scheme.
• Konoha published information about prices and living conditions in other villages, prompting its residents to reconsider their complaints about wartime costs.
• Tsunade credited Jingyi’s suggestion for easing public resentment by helping Konoha’s civilians see their lives as comparatively comfortable.

The Third Hokage read how Tsunade had resolved Konoha’s unrest by publicizing intelligence and wondered why he had not thought of the same approach. He and Mitokado Homura set aside their regrets and focused on the war, where Iwagakure continued strengthening its defenses.

• The Third Hokage read intelligence about Tsunade’s handling of the villagers’ complaints and felt resentful that they praised her but not him.
• The Third Hokage concluded that Jingyi could handle major problems because he offered useful advice, despite avoiding routine work.
• The Third Hokage recalled Jingyi’s warning against allying with Kumogakure and regretted that he had chosen the alliance instead of Jingyi’s preferred Iwagakure.
• Mitokado Homura read the intelligence and urged the Third Hokage to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the war.
• The Third Hokage resolved to fight well for the sake of their clans, and Mitokado Homura reported that Kitsuchi kept reinforcing Iwagakure’s positions rather than launching a large offensive.

Mitokado Homura returned from the Land of Grass front to seek help breaking the deadlock against Iwagakure’s fortified positions. He went to Jingyi and admitted that Konoha could not break through, leaving Jingyi to respond.

• Iwagakure’s Earth Release fortifications stalled Konoha and Sunagakure, while Kumogakure could press forward with Lightning Release.
• Mitokado Homura told the Third Hokage that a Lightning Release squad would have limited impact, and the Third Hokage agreed that reinforcements were needed.
• The Third Hokage rejected going around Iwagakure’s positions because he wanted to avoid heavy casualties among Konoha’s front-line ninja.
• Mitokado Homura left the front that night, reported the situation to Tsunade, and then went to find Jingyi.
• Mitokado Homura asked Jingyi whether the village had a way to break the deadlock and admitted that the front could not advance.

Jingyi gave Mitokado Homura a powerful Lightning Release technique that could help Konoha break through Iwagakure’s fortified defenses. Homura left with the scroll and Jingyi’s warning about using the technique safely, intending for the Third Hokage to study it.

• Jingyi told Mitokado Homura that Konoha could either attack Iwagakure’s defenses head-on or attempt to invade the Land of Earth from behind, and both options carried major risks.
• Mitokado Homura admitted that Hiruzen had already tried using Lightning Release to break through but had failed.
• Jingyi gave Homura a scroll for his Lightning Release: Lightning Dragon Technique, which could be powered up by multiple shinobi working together.
• Jingyi warned Homura that the technique could become uncontrollable if a weak shinobi led a group using it.
• Homura recorded Jingyi’s warning and promised to remember his help before leaving with the scroll.

Jingyi reassured Mitokado Homura that Tsunade intended to keep him in charge of the Logistics Department after the war, provided he earned merit and repaid his clan’s diverted funds. Homura then brought the Third Hokage a new collaborative Lightning Release technique intended to break the deadlock at the front.

• Jingyi told Mitokado Homura that Tsunade had reserved the Logistics Department position for him and explained why he remained a useful choice.
• Mitokado Homura left relieved, then returned to the front-line camp exhausted and delivered ninjutsu scrolls to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage hid the scroll from Chiyo before studying its contents.
• Mitokado Homura explained that Jingyi had developed the Lightning Release technique from the Fire Dragon and Water Dragon techniques, and that multiple ninjas could combine their chakra to increase its destructive power.
• The Third Hokage began studying the technique, while Chiyo doubted it could work because of the original Water Dragon Technique’s many hand seals.

As Konoha’s finances recovered, Jingyi learned that Tsunade had assigned him an unusually lucrative caravan-protection mission. The merchants demanded absolute safety on a route through several war-torn villages, and Jingyi questioned how anyone could guarantee it.

• Konoha’s finances began recovering while Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure struggled with the costs of the ongoing war.
• Tsunade summoned Jingyi to the Hokage Office and handed him a joint commission from several merchant caravans.
• Jingyi discovered the merchants were offering nearly three times the usual reward and demanding that Konoha guarantee their safety or pay double compensation.
• Jingyi pointed out that the caravan planned to travel from Konoha to Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure despite the war, and questioned how its safety could be guaranteed.

Jingyi accepted a lucrative mission to escort a joint merchant caravan through dangerous war zones, taking Pakura along while Tsunade kept Kushina, Nawaki, and Minato in the village. The caravan set out under Jingyi’s protection, and he spent the slow journey teasing Pakura and asking about her Scorch Release training.

• Tsunade assigned Jingyi to protect the joint caravan and told him not to take Kushina, Nawaki, or Minato.
• Jingyi agreed to the mission, chose Pakura as his companion, and learned that Tsunade expected the caravan partnership to continue through the war.
• Jingyi and Pakura joined the caravan, which departed from Konoha less than two hours after he left the Hokage Office.
• The caravan representatives worried that only two Konoha shinobi had been assigned, but Jingyi told them to stay with the goods and follow his instructions if danger arose.
• Jingyi released puppets to protect the caravan, then rode with Pakura and asked how her Scorch Release training was progressing.

Jingyi and Pakura escorted a merchant caravan by land and sea to the Land of Wind, where Pakura worried about returning to her former home. The Third Kazekage appeared after noticing the caravan's puppet scouts.

• Jingyi declined the caravan leader's dinner invitation and took Pakura into the forest to prepare their own meal.
• Jingyi explained that the joint merchant association had to stop at southern ports and villages to sell goods and buy cargo.
• After half a month, Jingyi and Pakura boarded a ship with the caravan, which stopped at several southern locations before reaching the Land of Wind.
• Pakura felt relieved when the caravan sold goods in towns and oases instead of entering Sunagakure.
• Jingyi spotted an approaching visitor and warned Pakura to rest inside the carriage if she wanted; the visitor turned out to be the Third Kazekage.
• The Third Kazekage came to investigate after learning that the caravan's scouts were puppets.

Third Kazekage met Jingyi after spotting his scouting puppets and invited him and the caravan to Sunagakure. The caravan’s leader agreed to change their route after Third Kazekage offered a three-percent tax reduction.

• Third Kazekage flew to meet Jingyi after noticing special puppets scouting the caravan’s path through the desert.
• Pakura told the caravan to continue, then decided not to meet Third Kazekage because she had joined Konoha.
• Jingyi explained that he was escorting the caravan because its merchants had offered a high reward for guaranteed safety amid the war.
• Third Kazekage invited Jingyi to Sunagakure and offered to reduce the caravan’s entry taxes by three percent.
• Jingyi told the caravan’s leader about the invitation, and the leader agreed to visit Sunagakure after hearing about the tax cut.

The Third Kazekage welcomed Jingyi to Sunagakure, where Pakura reunited with her former teammates and Jingyi met the young Sasori. Over dinner, Jingyi and the Third Kazekage discussed the worsening wars, ending with Jingyi noting Yagura’s troubles in the Land of Water.

• The caravan changed its destination to Sunagakure after the Third Kazekage offered to lower its taxes, and Jingyi reassured conflicted Pakura about returning to the village.
• After the caravan arrived, Pakura slipped away to meet her former teammates, who were surprised to see her.
• The Third Kazekage introduced Jingyi to Sasori, and Jingyi said his disciple Minato Namikaze did not know Puppet Technique.
• Jingyi and the Third Kazekage discussed Ōnoki’s increasingly fierce campaign against Kumogakure and Iwagakure’s inability to sustain a prolonged war.
• Jingyi remarked that Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, must be troubled by the war in the Land of Water.

Jingyi warned the Third Kazekage that Sasori’s hatred was directed at him, not Jingyi, and urged him to recognize the danger. The Third Kazekage learned that his relationship with Sasori could threaten his life and the stability between Sunagakure and Konoha.

• The Third Kazekage mocked Yagura for underestimating the Third Raikage’s determination to continue the war.
• Jingyi explained that Kumogakure’s raids on the Land of Water caused humiliation even when they did little damage, and the Third Kazekage recalled Kirigakure’s raids on Sunagakure’s coastal ports.
• After Sasori left their meal, the Third Kazekage dismissed his guards so Jingyi could speak privately.
• Jingyi told the Third Kazekage that Sasori’s deep resentment was aimed at him, and perhaps partly at Hatake Sakumo.
• The Third Kazekage listened as Jingyi explained that Sasori’s hatred could lead to his death and endanger relations between Sunagakure and Konoha.

Jingyi warned the Third Kazekage that Sasori wanted to kill him and proposed closer economic ties between Konoha and Sunagakure. After Jingyi left Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage discussed Sasori and Konoha’s new Tenseigan intelligence with Chiyo.

• Jingyi warned the Third Kazekage about Sasori’s murderous intent and explained that Sasori’s death could destabilize Sunagakure and strain relations with Konoha.
• Jingyi proposed selling Sunagakure’s wine as a high-end product through cooperation with Konoha, and the Third Kazekage became interested.
• Jingyi helped Pakura rethink her painful encounters with former comrades by considering their changed allegiances and the villages’ current relationship.
• After the caravan departed Sunagakure, Chiyo showed the Third Kazekage intelligence confirming that Konoha had a Tenseigan wielder and reported Tsunade’s interest in deeper cooperation.

Chiyo took Sasori to the battlefield to teach him about war and the reasons Sunagakure had fought Konoha. She revealed that the village had gone to war for resources and development, and told Sasori not to hate the Third Kazekage; the chapter ended with her saying there was still hope of reviving his parents.

• Chiyo asked the Third Kazekage to let her keep Sasori close and guide him after learning he had developed murderous intent toward the Kazekage.
• Chiyo returned to the camp and asked the Third Hokage for permission to take Sasori onto the battlefield, and he agreed.
• Chiyo brought Sasori into battle, where he used his own puppet to kill two enemy shinobi and struggled with the experience.
• Chiyo told Sasori that Sunagakure had joined the war for profit and resources, not simply to support Konoha.
• Chiyo explained that she, Ebizo, Sasori's parents, and the Third Kazekage had all supported war to break Sunagakure's stagnant development.
• Chiyo told Sasori not to hate the Third Kazekage, embraced him, and said she had always wanted to revive his parents and that hope remained.

Chiyo tried to guide Sasori away from his dark path by explaining his parents’ sacrifice and exposing him to the cruelty of war, while promising that he might see them again through the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. After the Third Hokage refused to teach her the forbidden technique, he arranged for her request to reach Tsunade, leaving its fate to Jingyi.

• Chiyo told Sasori that his parents had willingly fought for Sunagakure and said the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu might let him see them again.
• Chiyo led Sasori away as Iwagakure ninja tracked them, and he was wounded when fighting broke out.
• Chiyo explained to the Third Hokage that she wanted the jutsu to fulfill Sasori’s wish, but he refused to teach it and suggested she ask Jingyi through Tsunade.
• The Third Hokage arranged for Chiyo to write to Tsunade, and the letter reached Tsunade, who read it in silence.

Tsunade contacted Jingyi about Chiyo’s request to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, and he directed her to Orochimaru, whom he believed had already studied it. Orochimaru confirmed he had copied and researched the forbidden jutsu, leaving Tsunade stunned.

• Tsunade sent Mikoto Uchiha away and used a puppet to contact Jingyi about Chiyo’s request to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Jingyi told Tsunade to ask Orochimaru and said that strengthening ties with Sunagakure could help Konoha after the war.
• Tsunade ordered Mikoto to summon Orochimaru to the Hokage Office.
• Orochimaru reviewed the puppet’s recording, left his underground laboratory, and went to see Tsunade.
• Tsunade confronted Orochimaru, who admitted he had copied the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu from the forbidden jutsu scroll and researched it.