Chapter Summaries

Kenichi Amamiya planned to summon Hashirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation so he could learn Senjutsu, while continuing his research and training. After learning that Kushina Uzumaki was pregnant, he asked whether they could obtain a piece of the Nine-Tails for research.

• Orochimaru warned Kenichi Amamiya that Third had become suspicious of him and reported that a test subject whose ribs had been removed had died after his lungs failed.
• Kenichi Amamiya considered summoning Hashirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation to learn Senjutsu, then spent a month preparing materials and improving his strength and ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru told Kenichi Amamiya that Kushina Uzumaki was pregnant, information kept secret because she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Kenichi Amamiya asked whether they could cut off a piece of the Nine-Tails for research.

Kenichi Amamiya discussed the Nine-Tails and the village’s disappearances with Orochimaru while examining an ancient parasite preserved in amber. A mission reward gave Kenichi a Thermobaric Bomb blueprint, and he began wondering whether Deidara could help him build one.

• Orochimaru warned Kenichi Amamiya to keep his distance from the Fourth Hokage Couple’s pregnancy, and Kenichi agreed to be careful.
• Kenichi Amamiya considered the Fourth Hokage’s death and Naruto’s childhood, then examined the Insect Amber that Orochimaru had identified as a long-extinct parasite.
• Kenichi Amamiya told Orochimaru about rumors of people disappearing, and Orochimaru said Kenichi should travel with him when visiting the laboratory.
• Kenichi Amamiya recalled that he had frozen Kushina Uzumaki’s separated Gene Chain and inspected his mission reward, a Thermobaric Bomb blueprint.
• Kenichi Amamiya wondered whether Deidara, whom he thought might still be in the village, could help him make the bomb.

Kenichi Amamiya met Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha while buying dango, then decided to ask Orochimaru to supervise an attempt to summon the First with Impure World Reincarnation. He hoped to ensure he could dismiss the First at will before beginning his research.

• Kenichi Amamiya considered recruiting Deidara and a child who resembled Kabuto, but decided to wait because their ages or circumstances made it impractical.
• Orochimaru reviewed Kenichi Amamiya's experiment records and approved them.
• Kenichi Amamiya shared a skewer of dango with Itachi Uchiha, and Shisui Uchiha arrived to retrieve the boy and checked that the food was safe.
• Kenichi Amamiya thought about obtaining Shisui Uchiha's Kotoamatsukami and changing the Ninja World, but resolved to develop his abilities gradually.
• After dinner and a stop at the bookstore, Kenichi Amamiya went to find Orochimaru so they could attempt to summon the First with Impure World Reincarnation.

Kenichi Amamiya asked Orochimaru to let him research the Impure World Reincarnation, but Orochimaru cautioned him against using it and instead agreed to provide a Chunin for his Cancer Bestowal Ninjutsu experiments. Kenichi Amamiya successfully induced lung cancer in the test subject, while Orochimaru watched.

• Kenichi Amamiya asked Orochimaru to help him study the Impure World Reincarnation, but Orochimaru warned that the technique was still being refined and risky to use on powerful targets.
• Orochimaru asked about Kenichi Amamiya's independent research, and Kenichi Amamiya explained that he was perfecting his Cancer Bestowal Ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru questioned whether the technique would work on Chunin and Jonin, and Kenichi Amamiya said he needed stronger experimental subjects to find out.
• Orochimaru agreed to provide Kenichi Amamiya with one Chunin-level experimental subject, and Kenichi Amamiya brought the subject to his research room.
• Kenichi Amamiya sprayed nicotine and injected refined Yang Release Chakra into the subject's lungs, successfully producing lung cancer as Orochimaru observed.

Kenichi Amamiya tested how Yang Release Chakra could induce lung cancer in a Chunin and discussed the technique’s limits with Orochimaru. After eating at Ichiraku Ramen and spotting Kakashi, Kenichi left and was greeted by Anko Mitarashi.

• Kenichi Amamiya showed Orochimaru that his technique had caused early-stage lung cancer in a Chunin, which the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique could not cure.
• Kenichi continued infusing Yang Release Chakra until the Chunin’s lung cancer reached a visible late-stage manifestation, and Orochimaru told him to improve the technique and record the subject’s symptoms and survival time.
• Kenichi considered using radioactive elements to induce cancer more efficiently, then went to Ichiraku Ramen after Orochimaru left.
• Kenichi saw Kakashi at the ramen shop, thought about obtaining both Kamui eyes, and ate without approaching him.
• Kenichi headed home after Kakashi had left, but Anko Mitarashi called out to him.

Kenichi Amamiya comforted Anko Mitarashi and helped her practice ninjutsu before Orochimaru took him to discuss summoning beasts. Orochimaru revealed that he wanted to investigate whether summoning beasts could get cancer, leaving Kenichi to consider the experiments this would require.

• Kenichi Amamiya reassured Anko Mitarashi that Orochimaru was busy rather than angry with her, then took her to practice ninjutsu.
• A thunderstorm reminded Kenichi Amamiya of Sasuke's future Lightning Release: Kirin, and he checked that his Three-Tomoe Sharingan research was at twenty-three percent.
• Orochimaru took Kenichi Amamiya aside and told him to focus on refining his ninjutsu instead of forming a summoning contract.
• Orochimaru asked whether summoning beasts could get cancer, and Kenichi Amamiya suggested that experiments might require examining Manda.

Kenichi Amamiya discussed smoking-related cancer risks with Orochimaru, who considered using the idea against Konoha’s elders and Danzo. Orochimaru then began combat training with Kenichi, whose nicotine-mist technique proved ineffective against a Great Fireball.

• Kenichi Amamiya learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Summoning Beast received Jonin benefits and joked that it might develop lung cancer from Hiruzen’s smoking.
• Kenichi explained secondhand smoke to Orochimaru, who considered whether exposure could make Konoha’s elders and Danzo more susceptible to cancer.
• Orochimaru took Kenichi to train and injured him when he lost focus during their fight.
• Kenichi used Wind Style Chakra to send nicotine mist toward Orochimaru, but Orochimaru’s Great Fireball evaporated it.

After sparring with Orochimaru, Kenichi was excused from the laboratory and went to train with Might Guy while Orochimaru visited Konoha Hospital to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi. Orochimaru left Hiruzen uneasy, then invited Kenichi to barbecue, and Kenichi eagerly went along, expecting trouble to unfold.

• Orochimaru treated Kenichi after their spar and told him to take the next day off, while Kenichi reflected on his progress and new ideas for ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru met Hiruzen Sarutobi at Konoha Hospital and exchanged cryptic remarks about smoking and basking in the sun.
• Orochimaru advised Hiruzen to smoke less and patted his shoulder, leaving Hiruzen suspicious despite finding no sign of a jutsu or Chakra mark.
• Orochimaru found Kenichi training with Might Guy and invited him to eat barbecue.
• Kenichi accepted the invitation, apologized to Might Guy, and looked forward to watching Orochimaru's plan unfold.

Kenichi Amamiya shared a barbecue meal with Orochimaru and Anko Mitarashi, then ran into Shisui Uchiha and Itachi at a bento shop. He returned home to continue developing his ninjutsu and began considering how to obtain radioactive material for his research.

• Kenichi Amamiya and Orochimaru discussed Orochimaru's tense relationship with the Third Hokage over lunch at the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant.
• Kenichi Amamiya invited Anko Mitarashi inside, and she joined them for barbecue and asked Orochimaru to take a group photo.
• Kenichi Amamiya bought bentos and met Shisui Uchiha and Itachi, while Shisui thanked him for looking after Itachi previously.
• Kenichi Amamiya considered collecting Shisui and Itachi's DNA for Orochimaru's cloning research but decided obtaining samples would be difficult.
• Kenichi Amamiya went home to work on his ninjutsu and put gathering radioactive material on his list of future research goals.

Orochimaru secretly spread rumors that he revered Hiruzen Sarutobi by sending him tobacco, while Hiruzen remained suspicious of his disciple. As Kushina’s due date approached, Hiruzen and Minato prepared to protect her, and Orochimaru anticipated that something would soon happen.

• Orochimaru began sending Hiruzen Sarutobi tobacco and smoking with him, prompting rumors that he had changed his ways.
• Hiruzen suspected Danzo had started the rumors, while Minato Namikaze struggled to manage the influence of the former Hokage and the Elder Council.
• Hiruzen warned Minato to keep Kushina’s approaching childbirth confidential and promised to help protect her.
• Kenichi Amamiya assisted Orochimaru with a First's Cells experiment, but the test subject began dying after the transplantation.
• Orochimaru told Kenichi Amamiya that the village’s apparent normality meant something was about to happen.

Kenichi Amamiya considered his plans for leaving Konoha as the Nine-Tails Attack approached, including gathering research materials and possibly joining Akatsuki. At Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi tried to follow his teacher’s advice to make friends, and Kenichi reassured him that they already were friends.

• Kenichi Amamiya finished an experiment with Orochimaru and considered Akatsuki as a future source of research subjects and funding.
• Kenichi planned to collect materials before leaving Konoha, including Nine-Tails Chakra, clan blood, and copies of jutsu from the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll.
• Kenichi went to Ichiraku Ramen to enjoy Konoha’s food before the Nine-Tails Attack and found Kakashi there.
• Kakashi sat beside Kenichi and explained that his teacher had told him to make more friends.
• Kenichi told Kakashi they were already friends, and Kakashi recognized Kenichi’s expression as resembling Might Guy’s.

Kenichi Amamiya visited Kakashi and persuaded him to teach him Chidori while secretly plotting to take Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan during the Nine-Tails Attack. He began preparing for the attack, hoping to obtain the eye, research materials, and funds, but worried that Obito would react if Kakashi lost his Sharingan.

• Kenichi Amamiya went to Kakashi’s house after they ate ramen and learned that Kakashi’s Sharingan drained a great deal of Chakra.
• Kenichi Amamiya considered studying Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan and asked Kakashi to teach him Chidori.
• Kakashi agreed to teach Kenichi Amamiya Chidori, and Kenichi Amamiya hid his interest in Kakashi’s eye.
• Kenichi Amamiya considered exhausting Kakashi’s Chakra and taking his Sharingan during the Nine-Tails Attack.
• Kenichi Amamiya worried that Obito would cause trouble if he discovered Kakashi’s eye was gone, then began preparing his plan for the attack.

Kenichi Amamiya watched Orochimaru test Impure World Reincarnation on captured Konoha ninja, learning that the summoned dead could not use their abilities when placed in civilian bodies. After Orochimaru ended the experiment, Kenichi recognized the frightened female ninja as a possible future target of Living Corpse Reincarnation.

• Orochimaru brought Kenichi Amamiya to his laboratory, where Kenichi asked to use the captured Jonin and his squad as test subjects, but Orochimaru refused.
• Orochimaru successfully used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Dan Katō with a civilian body, but Dan could not use the Spirit Transformation Technique or attack a restrained ninja.
• Orochimaru tested Dan's ability to follow commands, then dispelled him and repeated the experiment using a Genin, who could perform ordinary ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru ended the experiment and studied Kenichi Amamiya's report while the surviving captives remained restrained.
• Kenichi Amamiya noticed the trembling female ninja and suspected she might become Orochimaru's future Living Corpse Reincarnation target.

Kenichi Amamiya and Orochimaru discussed Kakashi's Sharingan and the possibility of taking it during the Nine-Tails Attack, while Orochimaru reflected on Konoha's unequal treatment of its clans. They delivered tobacco to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Orochimaru greeted his former teacher.

• Kenichi Amamiya considered experimenting with the soul and planned to take Kakashi's Sharingan during the Nine-Tails Attack.
• Orochimaru criticized Kakashi's reliance on the Sharingan, and Kenichi Amamiya weighed ways to seize the eye without being held accountable.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Orochimaru agreed to deliver tobacco to Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom Orochimaru secretly had given early-stage lung cancer.
• Orochimaru and Kenichi Amamiya arrived at the Sarutobi Clan compound, where Orochimaru remarked on its privileged position.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi came out to meet them, and Orochimaru greeted him warmly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wondered why Orochimaru had been bringing him tobacco and urging him to look after his health. Kenichi Amamiya prepared for his future Akatsuki plans and invited Kakashi to spend evenings with him, intending to be near when Kushina Uzumaki gave birth.

• Biwako questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi about Orochimaru’s months of gifts, while Hiruzen remained suspicious and continued coughing from smoking.
• Kenichi Amamiya packed materials for researching Thermobaric Bombs and imagined combining weapons technology with Chakra, though he lacked the resources to begin.
• Kenichi Amamiya noticed Kakashi had stayed in Konoha as Kushina Uzumaki’s due date approached and invited him to hang out at night.
• Kakashi accepted Kenichi Amamiya’s invitation, and Kenichi planned to use the opportunity to obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan when Kakashi was distracted.

On the night Naruto Uzumaki was due to be born, Kenichi Amamiya drugged Kakashi and replaced Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. As the Nine-Tails rampaged through Konoha, Kenichi set out to collect its chakra but was stopped by Orochimaru.

• Kakashi visited Kenichi Amamiya, who gave him a drink laced with anesthetic before striking him with Yang Release Chakra and knocking him unconscious.
• Kenichi removed Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan and replaced it with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan he had obtained from Orochimaru, then preserved the Mangekyō in a glass bottle.
• The Nine-Tails was released and began rampaging through Konoha as Kenichi moved the unconscious Kakashi out of sight.
• Kenichi took a mask from an unattended stall and headed out to collect some of the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Orochimaru approached Kenichi and asked where he was going.

During the Nine-Tails Attack, Kenichi Amamiya and Orochimaru took advantage of the chaos to pursue their own goals, and Kenichi obtained a mass of Nine-Tails Chakra before escaping an ambush. The chapter ended as the Nine-Tails began gathering energy for a Tailed Beast Bomb.

• Kenichi Amamiya asked Orochimaru to collect Nine-Tails Chakra and other materials, and Orochimaru agreed to go after the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll while Kenichi gathered supplies and funds.
• Kenichi found a writhing mass of Chakra and sealed it in a scroll, believing it was Nine-Tails Chakra.
• An unseen attacker launched a water dragon at Kenichi, who dodged and countered with Dragon Fire Technique before fleeing when Anbu arrived.
• Kenichi suspected the attacker was one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and considered confronting him later.
• Kenichi sensed a huge energy gathering and saw the Nine-Tails preparing a Tailed Beast Bomb.

During the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha, Kenichi Amamiya searched for newborn Naruto Uzumaki to obtain a blood sample and study his lineage. He found Naruto’s hidden room, collected his hair and blood, and escaped before Minato Namikaze returned; Kenichi then went back to Orochimaru’s laboratory.

• Kenichi Amamiya watched Minato Namikaze teleport the Tailed Beast Bomb away and decided to seek Naruto Uzumaki’s blood for research.
• Kenichi searched for Naruto but could not locate him at home or find the place where Kushina had given birth.
• Kenichi reasoned that Minato had hidden Naruto far from the Nine-Tails and searched rooms on the opposite side of the village.
• Kenichi found a concealed room protected by a weak barrier, broke in, and collected Naruto’s hair and a drop of blood.
• Minato returned after Kenichi fled, confirmed Naruto was safe, and decided to pursue the suspected Madara Uchiha and the Nine-Tails.
• Kenichi returned to Orochimaru’s underground laboratory while the other Konoha forces remained occupied.

After the Nine-Tails Attack, Konoha mourned Minato Namikaze and the other dead while Kenichi Amamiya learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had lost an arm during the battle. As the village faced an uncertain succession, Kenichi concealed his involvement from Kakashi and secretly took a strand of Minato’s hair.

• Orochimaru explained that the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself to stop the Nine-Tails, while Hiruzen had lost his left hand fighting a second Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Kenichi wondered who would become the Fifth Hokage, and Orochimaru noted that Jiraiya had been away from the village.
• Kakashi told Orochimaru that Hiruzen wanted to see him, then asked Kenichi whether he had been safe during the attack.
• Kenichi claimed he had seen only a blur before being knocked unconscious, and Kakashi accepted his explanation before walking away in grief.
• Kenichi joined the mourners at Minato’s coffin and secretly took a strand of the Fourth Hokage’s hair.

After the Fourth Hokage's funeral, Kenichi Amamiya considered how Orochimaru might help Hiruzen Sarutobi recover his lost arm and proposed a mechanical replacement. Orochimaru approved the idea for spare-time research, while Hiruzen chose a transplant and asked Orochimaru to clone him an arm.

• After the funeral, Kenichi speculated that Orochimaru might be helping Hiruzen Sarutobi regain his arm so he could become Hokage again.
• Kenichi considered cloning an arm, using the First's Cells, and building a mechanical arm from Chakra-conductive metal.
• Orochimaru returned to the laboratory and asked Kenichi how Hiruzen's arm could be restored.
• Kenichi explained how a precise mechanical arm could use puppet-control methods to form Hand Seals, conduct Chakra, and block weapons.
• Orochimaru approved the idea and promised to allocate research funds for Kenichi to study it in his spare time.
• Orochimaru told Kenichi that Hiruzen planned to transplant someone else's arm and had also asked him to clone an arm as soon as possible.