Chapter Summaries

Ling halted Gaara’s transformation into Shukaku with a risky spatial Water Release attack, then Naruto and Gamabunta intervened as Gaara counterattacked. Ling left Naruto to face Gaara and joined Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji in the arena fight as Orochimaru’s assault on Konoha began.

• Gaara’s rampage intensified while the Four Violet Flames Formation sealed the viewing platform and the Konoha Crush attack erupted across the arena.
• Kabuto appeared near Ling and worsened the chaos as Gaara began transforming into Shukaku’s complete form.
• Ling used Water Release: Flying Water Instant Kill to pierce Gaara’s defenses and interrupt the transformation, but Gaara answered with a massive sand wave.
• Gamabunta appeared with Naruto and blocked the sand attack, while Naruto challenged Gaara and sent Ling to help the others.
• Ling joined Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji, helping them defeat Sound Ninja as the battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru began behind the barrier.

During the Konoha invasion, Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju through Impure World Reincarnation, and Tobirama unexpectedly resonated with the fragment of his soul inside Ling Hatake. As the Hokage fought, Tobirama sent Ling a cryptic warning about Kara and outsiders from another world, leaving Ling to face the battle and a new mystery.

• Ling, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji fought Sound and Sand Ninja while Naruto and Gamabunta battled Gaara.
• A surge of chakra from the Four Violet Flames Formation revealed Orochimaru summoning Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Reincarnated Tobirama sensed Ling and stared toward him, while the Tobirama fragment inside Ling felt an uncanny resonance between their souls.
• The resonance disrupted Tobirama's control seal briefly, but the seal suppressed his will and he joined Hashirama in attacking Hiruzen.
• Before his consciousness was suppressed, Tobirama sent Ling a warning about Kara and outsiders not of this world.
• Ino called Ling back to the fight after a Sound Ninja nearly struck him, as Orochimaru watched him with renewed interest.

Ling and Tobirama struggled to understand a warning about Kara and outsiders while the Konoha Crush raged. The Third Hokage sacrificed himself to seal the First and Second, leaving Konoha victorious but burdened by Tobirama’s final clue about Karma.

• Ling fought beside Ino and asked Tobirama about the reincarnated Tobirama’s warning concerning Kara and outsiders.
• Tobirama concluded the warning was important, urged Ling to focus on defending Konoha, and suggested watching Orochimaru for clues.
• The Third Hokage summoned Enma and used the Reaper Death Seal to restrain and seal the First and Second, grievously damaging Orochimaru’s arms.
• Before the reincarnated Tobirama fell silent, he sent Ling a final fragment: find Karma, the key.
• Orochimaru retreated under the Sound Four’s protection, and the Sound and Sand forces fled as the Konoha Crush ended.
• Ling remained amid the ruins, weighing the warnings about Kara, outsiders, and Karma as Tobirama asked him to help rebuild and discuss the future.

After the Konoha Crush, Ling helped the village recover while Tobirama urged him to watch Orochimaru and prepare for unknown threats. When Orochimaru sent coordinates and a snake symbol, Ling left camp to meet him, carrying instructions to protect himself and retreat if necessary.

• Team 7 and Team 10 joined the rescue effort, while Ling used Water Release to clear rubble and provide clean water.
• Tobirama set priorities for stabilizing Konoha, monitoring Orochimaru, strengthening Ling, and gathering unusual intelligence, and he planned training for Ino.
• Kakashi questioned Ling about the strange chakra and the Second's attention, but Ling gave their prepared explanation and returned to the camp under intensified Root surveillance.
• Tobirama outlined a mental-energy and taijutsu training regimen for Ino, which Ling memorized.
• A hidden sensing talisman received coordinates and a snake symbol, prompting Tobirama to prepare Ling with a Soul Protection Technique and warn him to retreat if threatened.
• Ling left the camp at night for the designated meeting with Orochimaru.

Ling met Orochimaru to negotiate an exchange of intelligence for help with Orochimaru’s sealed arms, offering a glimpse of spatial techniques and research into soul contracts. After Ling left, Root operatives ambushed him near Konoha and demanded that he go with them to Lord Danzo.

• Ling met Orochimaru at an abandoned training ground and demanded intelligence about Akatsuki, souls, Kara, and Outsiders in exchange for help with his arms.
• Ling demonstrated a spatial technique based on the Flying Thunder God Formula, persuading Orochimaru that he and his allies could offer valuable knowledge.
• Orochimaru shared selected information about Akatsuki and soul research, but said he had no direct knowledge of Kara or Outsiders.
• Ling gave Orochimaru a scroll outlining a preliminary approach to undoing soul contracts, and they agreed to continue their partnership.
• As Ling neared Konoha, Tobirama warned him that three Root operatives were waiting ahead.
• Root’s leader blocked Ling’s path and ordered him to come with them at Lord Danzo’s request.

Ling Hatake was taken to Shimura Danzō’s underground base, where Danzō questioned his abilities and tried to recruit him into Root. Ling feigned interest and delayed his answer, but Danzō ordered him watched, leaving Ling and Tobirama aware that the danger had only begun.

• Ling accepted the Root ninja’s summons while secretly marking the route with chakra and memorizing the path to the base.
• Shimura Danzō questioned Ling about his powers and his unusual encounter with Tobirama Senju, and Ling blamed his abilities on his Yuki Clan heritage.
• Danzō urged Ling to join Root, but Ling cited his loyalty to Team 7 and the village’s need for stability to request time to consider.
• Danzō let Ling leave and ordered Root to investigate his mother and everyone suspicious who had contacted him during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Ling returned from the base, and Tobirama warned him that Danzō would keep pursuing him.

After Danzo failed to recruit Ling, Tobirama helped him strengthen Ino discreetly while Ling advanced his plans with Orochimaru and trained in Flying Thunder God. As Root intensified its surveillance, the Hokage Advisors summoned Ling to the temporary command center.

• Ling escaped Root's surveillance after meeting Danzo, and Tobirama urged him to accelerate his plans with Orochimaru and master Flying Thunder God.
• Tobirama taught Ling to secretly assist Ino's mental healing through chakra carried in water vapor, and Ino used his guidance to calm a traumatized girl.
• Over the next few days, Ling covertly helped Ino improve her mental stamina and technique while she credited her progress to experience and his advice.
• Ling contacted Orochimaru, provided details about breaking the seal, and received intelligence on Kakuzu and Hidan in return.
• Root increased its surveillance of Ling, and an Anbu ninja summoned him to meet Hokage Advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Ling withstood the advisors’ interrogation about his Water Release, Tobirama’s interest, and suspected contact with Orochimaru without revealing his secrets. The chapter left Konoha under Jiraiya’s temporary leadership as Orochimaru and his forces became targets for a kill-on-sight hunt.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu questioned Ling about his abilities, Tobirama’s attention, and alleged contact with Orochimaru, but Ling denied wrongdoing and pledged loyalty to Konoha.
• Ling left the tent and privately discussed the advisors and Danzo with Tobirama as Root continued watching him.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji checked on Ling, showing concern and acknowledging his strength.
• Konoha’s leadership appointed Jiraiya Acting Hokage after the Third Hokage’s death.
• Konoha designated Orochimaru and his Otogakure forces the highest-priority hostile targets, ordering their deaths on sight.

Jiraiya took Naruto Uzumaki and Ling Hatake out of Konoha to find Tsunade, both to protect Naruto and to get Ling away from Danzo’s scrutiny. In Tanzaku Town, Ling spotted Kabuto Yakushi and followed him, beginning a planned meeting connected to his secret partnership with Orochimaru.

• Jiraiya rejected becoming Fifth Hokage and set out to bring Tsunade back, taking Naruto and Ling with him.
• Ling understood that the journey would let him avoid Danzo’s surveillance and potentially meet Orochimaru, and he exchanged gifts with Ino before leaving.
• Jiraiya, Naruto, and Ling departed Konoha and traveled toward Tsunade while Naruto trained and Ling practiced his jutsu.
• The group reached Tanzaku Town, where Jiraiya entered a gambling house and Ling searched the crowd for chakra.
• Ling recognized Kabuto Yakushi, told Naruto he was going to look for supplies and information, and followed Kabuto into the crowd.

Ling negotiated with Orochimaru in Tanzaku Town, trading Tobirama's theories about the Reaper Death Seal for intelligence on Pain and Danzō. Orochimaru accepted a proposal to side with Konoha during a future crisis in exchange for access to its secrets, and Ling left to meet Jiraiya and Naruto.

• Ling offered Orochimaru Tobirama's theories on the Reaper Death Seal in return for information about Pain's Rinnegan, his corpse-control technique, and Danzō's role in Yahiko's death.
• Ling urged Orochimaru to support Konoha during a future threat to the world, tempting him with Konoha's hidden knowledge and the chance to study a godlike power.
• Orochimaru accepted the proposal, and Kabuto gave Ling a confidential scroll containing the requested information.
• Ling exchanged the intelligence scroll for the first portion of Tobirama's theories, reserving further material until they verified the information and saw results concerning Tsunade.
• Ling left the estate to meet Jiraiya and Naruto as the forces gathering in Tanzaku Town drew closer.

Ling helped Jiraiya and Naruto find Tsunade and witnessed Orochimaru offer to restore her hands in exchange for her Medical Ninjutsu. When Tsunade’s fear of blood left her vulnerable, Ling shielded her and urged her to protect those around her, and she overcame her fear and summoned Katsuyu.

• Jiraiya, Naruto, and Ling found Tsunade outside a casino, but she refused Jiraiya’s request to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Over the next few days, Jiraiya tried to persuade Tsunade while Ling waited for Orochimaru to arrive.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto confronted Tsunade and offered to let her see Dan and Nawaki in exchange for healing Orochimaru’s hands.
• Kabuto used spilled blood to trigger Tsunade’s hemophobia while he fought Shizune and Orochimaru kept Jiraiya occupied.
• Ling used Water Release to shield Tsunade from the blood and urged her to protect Shizune, Naruto, and the village.
• Tsunade overcame her fear, rejected Orochimaru’s offer, and summoned Katsuyu.

Tsunade overcame her fear of blood, defeated Kabuto, and helped drive Orochimaru from the battlefield. After Ling secretly sent Orochimaru the final materials for their deal, Tsunade agreed to return to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage, and the group set out for the village.

• Tsunade healed Shizune and struck Kabuto with enough force to break his arms, while Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta to face Orochimaru and Manda.
• Ling held Naruto back from the battle and watched Orochimaru as the summons fought.
• After Tsunade struck Orochimaru, Ling sent him a scroll containing the final ritual materials and precautions for Soul Contract Transfer.
• Orochimaru and Manda withdrew, and Kabuto escaped as the battle ended.
• Tsunade thanked Ling, then accepted Jiraiya's request to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Ling, Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tsunade set out for Konoha.

Ling, Jiraiya, Naruto, Shizune, and Tsunade returned to Konoha, where Tsunade took up the office of Fifth Hokage. Ling and Tobirama planned to use the calmer period ahead to build strength and investigate Akatsuki, Danzo, and Ling’s family history.

• On the road to Konoha, Jiraiya thanked Ling for protecting Tsunade and questioned his unusual abilities, while Ling offered a plausible explanation for his Water Release and keen senses.
• During a rest stop, Ling and Tobirama discussed Orochimaru’s research, their dangerous partnership, and the need to investigate Akatsuki, Danzo, Ling’s mother, and the Yuki Clan.
• Several days later, Tsunade and the others reached Konoha, where villagers welcomed them amid the village’s reconstruction.
• Tsunade declared that she would succeed as the Fifth Hokage and do everything she could to restore Konoha.
• Ling watched hope return to the village and prepared to report to the Hokage’s Office to collect his reward and receive new assignments.

Tsunade promoted Ling Hatake to special jōnin and rewarded him for helping bring her back to Konoha. After Ling considered how to use his new privileges, an Anbu member arrived to take him to Root at Danzo’s request.

• Tsunade promoted Ling Hatake to special jōnin, granted him access to the restricted section of the Scroll of Seals reading room, and awarded him five million ryō.
• Naruto demanded similar rewards, and Jiraiya scolded him for nearly ruining the mission.
• Tsunade asked Ling about the dangerous individuals he had sensed in Tanzaku Town, and Ling reported suspected contact with Orochimaru without revealing their deal.
• Ling returned to the Hatake Clan's old residence and, with Tobirama, planned to investigate his mother's origins, study sealing or spatial theory, and develop a water sword style.
• An Anbu member summoned Ling to Root at Danzo's request, and Ling agreed to go.

Ling met with Danzō, rejected his invitation to join Root, and left expecting increased scrutiny. He then headed to the Secret Archives to study the Scroll of Seals and strengthen himself.

• Ling followed an Anbu operative to Root's underground base and met with Danzō.
• Danzō questioned Ling about Orochimaru, and Ling claimed he had only sensed Orochimaru's chakra and reported it to Jiraiya.
• Danzō invited Ling to join Root, but Ling refused and cited his duties as a Special Jōnin under Tsunade.
• Danzō warned Ling that Konoha's enemies worked in the shadows, and Ling calmly affirmed his commitment to protect the village.
• Tobirama warned Ling that Danzō might increase surveillance or create trouble to pressure him into seeking Root's help.
• Ling headed to the Secret Archives to access the Scroll of Seals.

Ling Hatake studied obscure space-time theories, ancient contract runes, and records of the Land of Water in Konoha's Scroll of Seals Reading Room. He uncovered clues linking his Pure Water constitution to a mutated branch of the Yuki Clan and left to put his new knowledge into practice.

• Ling entered the Scroll of Seals Reading Room with the Fifth Hokage's authorization and found the requested nonmilitary materials.
• Ling and Tobirama studied fragments of space-time theory and ancient contract runes, recording ideas relevant to Flying Thunder God and soul research.
• Ling found a historical account claiming that a Yuki Clan branch had developed pure water manipulation and that surviving members had scattered.
• Tobirama concluded that Ling's Pure Water constitution likely came from a mutation of the Yuki bloodline and said they would need to investigate the Land of Water.
• Ling left the archive and began training, applying his new understanding of spatial nodes to Water Release.

Ling developed a way to use water droplets as Flying Thunder God coordinates and successfully teleported to one. After secretly marking a Root observer, he returned to the Hatake Residence to study his technique.

• Ling inscribed miniature Flying Thunder God marks into twelve water droplets after refining their spatial runes with Tobirama's guidance.
• Ling teleported a hundred meters to a marked droplet but staggered when maintaining a distant Water Clone disrupted his concentration.
• Ling sensed a Root member watching him and secretly attached a water coordinate to a leaf near the observer.
• Ling left the training ground at sunset, aware that he could track the Root member's movements through the hidden coordinate.
• Ling returned to the Hatake Residence and organized his notes on spatial runes.

Ling accepted a B-rank escort mission with Asuma and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, hoping to learn about ancient ruins linked to the Land of Water. When a bridge rope snapped, he used his developing Water Body Flicker to save Ino and the assistant, earning his teammates’ respect as the group continued toward the Land of Tea.

• Ling kept training his Water Release techniques while secretly misleading the Root watcher about his progress.
• Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji invited Ling to join Asuma’s escort mission to the Land of Tea, and Ling accepted after Tobirama urged him to look for information about ancient clans.
• Ling met Asuma and the clients at Konoha’s gates, and the group set out with the archaeologist and his assistant.
• On the third day, a suspension bridge rope snapped, sending Ino and the assistant toward the river below.
• Ling used Water Body Flicker and Water Release: Water Vapor Jet to catch Ino and the assistant and carry them safely to the opposite bank.
• Ling described his technique as an emergency use of Water Release, while Asuma and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio gained new respect and trust in him.

Ling and his teammates were ambushed in the Land of Tea by rogue Kirigakure ninja seeking Dr. Mitsui’s research, and Ling killed two attackers before capturing their leader. The interrogation revealed a connection between the Thousand-Draw Stone ruins, the ancient water god faith, and the Yuki clan, while Ling’s teammates and the archaeologists regarded him with new fear and awe.

• Ling sensed three concealed, hostile chakra signatures near the team’s camp, and Ino failed to penetrate their icy mental barrier.
• Three masked rogue ninja attacked under cover of the Hidden Mist Technique, but Ling blocked their poisoned senbon and guided Ino and Choji to kill one attacker.
• Ling killed a second rogue ninja with Water Release: Water Severing Wave and restrained the fleeing leader with water whips.
• Ling searched the leader’s memories and learned that a disguised merchant had hired the Kirigakure rogues to steal Dr. Mitsui’s research on the Thousand-Draw Stone ruins.
• Dr. Mitsui explained that the ruins were tied to an ancient water god and the origins of the Yuki clan, drawing Ling’s attention to his own heritage.
• Asuma ordered the team to clean up, and the group’s view of Ling changed after witnessing his ruthless strength.

After surviving a rogue ninja ambush, Ling's team learned that the Thousand-Draw Stone ruins were tied to the Yuki Clan and the Pure Water Descendants, then reached the site. Ling sensed a hostile presence underground, and the team came under attack by living mud-and-water tentacles.

• Ling told Asuma that the captured rogue ninja's memories revealed a three-man squad had been ordered to intercept them, but a mental restriction concealed their employer and plans.
• Dr. Mitsui explained that ancient legends linked the ruins to Water Heaven, the Yuki Clan, and a branch known as the Pure Water Descendants.
• Asuma ordered the team to reach the ruins quickly and return to Konoha after the survey, and the group traveled there over the next several days.
• At the ruins, Ling sensed ancient water chakra resonating with his bloodline and Tobirama detected spatial fluctuations in the Thousand-Draw Stone.
• Ling warned the others of an underground threat as mud-and-water tentacles erupted from the ground and attacked Dr. Mitsui and the team.
• Ling raised a Water Formation Wall to shield Dr. Mitsui, while Asuma drew his Chakra Blades and fought the tentacles attacking from all sides.