Chapter Summaries

Kenichi Amamiya admitted to Orochimaru that he had destroyed the old laboratory while testing explosives, then discussed his research and learned that chakra usually caused explosives to fail. After Orochimaru combined their funds for Akatsuki, Kenichi reached toward his teacher’s head to test a theory.

• Orochimaru surprised Kenichi in the Test Base, and Kenichi admitted that his experiment had blown up the previous laboratory.
• Kenichi explained that he was researching more powerful explosives, and Orochimaru shared his knowledge of how chakra affected them.
• Kenichi noticed that his explosives reacted violently to chakra, unlike the explosives Orochimaru described, and wondered whether their different properties explained the effect.
• Kenichi handed Orochimaru the money he had obtained from Gato, and Orochimaru added more than fifty million ryo from a wealthy merchant.
• After Orochimaru sealed the combined funds, Kenichi reached toward his teacher’s head to test a scientific theory.

Kenichi Amamiya failed to test whether his conditioning still affected Orochimaru after Living Corpse Reincarnation, then traveled to the Land of Rain with a scroll for the Akatsuki. There, he encountered Konan selling Dirt Cakes beside another ninja.

• Kenichi Amamiya plucked a white hair from Orochimaru and touched his head, but Orochimaru showed no visible reaction.
• Orochimaru took the hair to study and gave Kenichi Amamiya a scroll to deliver to the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain.
• Kenichi Amamiya set out with materials for his Thermobaric Explosive research, hoping to test the bomb in the coming conflict between Kumogakure and Konoha.
• Kenichi Amamiya crossed into the Land of Rain and reflected on the civilians' difficult lives after Hanzō's fall.
• Kenichi Amamiya stopped at a roadside food stall and learned from Konan that the black cakes she was selling were Dirt Cakes.

Kenichi Amamiya met the newly recruited Ao, whom he recognized as Sasori, and tried to gauge Nagato’s concern for ordinary people in the Land of Rain by buying Dirt Cake. Konan brought Sasori his Akatsuki clothes, but Kenichi’s blunt criticism of her handiwork left her displeased.

• Kenichi Amamiya bought Dirt Cake from Konan, intending to test whether Nagato cared about the poor in the Land of Rain.
• Konan introduced the new member Ao, and Kenichi Amamiya recognized him as Sasori of the Red Sands.
• Kenichi Amamiya greeted Sasori and expressed interest in his puppet techniques, while Konan handed Sasori his Akatsuki clothes.
• Kenichi Amamiya called the standard uniform unattractive, and Konan grew angry when he criticized the clothes she had made.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori arrived in Amegakure, where Nagato introduced them to Zetsu and Obito. After handing over mission funds, Kenichi offered Nagato a way to ensure the people of the Land of Rain could eat their fill, leaving Nagato to consider his proposal.

• Kenichi Amamiya chatted with Sasori about puppets on the way to Amegakure, and the two began communicating comfortably.
• Konan led Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori to meet Nagato, Zetsu, and Obito in Amegakure.
• Kenichi Amamiya enthusiastically greeted Zetsu and Obito, then secretly collected a small sample of Zetsu's skin.
• Kenichi Amamiya handed Nagato the mission funds and was told to continue raising money for Akatsuki.
• Kenichi Amamiya told Nagato he had a way to ensure the people of the Land of Rain ate their fill every day.

Kenichi Amamiya proposed researching higher-yield crops to ease hunger in the Land of Rain, and Nagato agreed to let him pursue the work. After Sasori asked to team up with Kenichi Amamiya to discuss puppet techniques, Nagato decided to recruit another member himself.

• Kenichi Amamiya explained to Nagato that he wanted to research crops that could increase food production in the Land of Rain.
• Nagato agreed to consider Kenichi Amamiya's plan if he produced research results, and allowed him time to work on it.
• Sasori asked Nagato to let him follow Kenichi Amamiya so they could discuss puppet techniques, and Nagato agreed.
• Konan asked Nagato about Kenichi Amamiya's proposal, and Nagato said it seemed possible because he and Orochimaru had conducted experiments.
• Nagato decided to travel to recruit Kakuzu for Akatsuki.

Kenichi Amamiya discussed Artificial Intelligence with Sasori and considered recruiting him for research while planning experiments to gain Akatsuki’s support. He returned to the Lab Base to report to his teacher and found him holding an arm.

• Kenichi Amamiya decided to pursue Hybrid Rice research so he could bring experimental results to Nagato and secure support.
• Kenichi Amamiya explained Chakra-powered puppets and Artificial Intelligence to Sasori, who became eager to try the idea.
• Sasori invited Kenichi Amamiya to help establish a base in the Land of Rain, but Kenichi declined so he could report to his teacher and continue his research.
• Kenichi Amamiya returned to the Lab Base and found his teacher holding an arm.

Kenichi Amamiya visited Orochimaru, who was attempting to prepare a replacement arm for the Third Hokage, and they discussed Konoha and Akatsuki. Orochimaru then revealed he had found a test subject with no Rejection Reaction, and they agreed the subject could be invaluable for cloning research.

• Kenichi Amamiya helped Orochimaru examine a replacement arm intended for the Third Hokage and asked about Konoha's condition.
• Orochimaru told Kenichi Amamiya that the Third Hokage had been coughing frequently and that Danzo and the Third had improved their relationship.
• Kenichi Amamiya described Akatsuki's new recruit, Sasori of the Red Sand, while keeping what he knew about Zetsu and Obito to himself.
• Orochimaru asked Kenichi Amamiya how someone with no Rejection Reaction could be used, and Kenichi suggested cloning them or preserving their cells.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had obtained a test subject with no Rejection Reaction, and Kenichi urged him to begin cloning research.

Kenichi Amamiya helped Orochimaru with experiments, developed a stable formula for a Thermobaric Explosive, and met the special transplant subject Hajun Shin. Orochimaru asked Kenichi to help find a way to provide the Third with a complete arm, prompting Kenichi to consider cancer cells.

• Orochimaru’s cloning experiment failed again as Kenichi Amamiya assisted him and heard that the Third was paying for a transplant arm.
• Kenichi used Multiple Shadow Clones to research Thermobaric Explosive proportions, and after seven days he found a relatively stable, powerful combination.
• Kenichi decided to build one Thermobaric Bomb because he lacked materials for a second.
• Orochimaru introduced Hajun Shin, a volunteer whose body had accepted every transplanted body part without rejection.
• Orochimaru asked Kenichi to help develop a complete arm for the Third, and Kenichi thought of cancer cells as the only new cells he knew about.

Kenichi Amamiya helped Orochimaru induce bone cancer in Hajun Shin’s arm using Fragrant Oil, which was benzene, and collected cancer cells to culture. He then returned to his laboratory to finish building an ordinary thermobaric bomb, planning to test it before making a chakra-infused version.

• Orochimaru secured Hajun Shin to the operating table and asked Kenichi Amamiya to induce cancer in his arm.
• Kenichi Amamiya learned that the Ninja World’s Fragrant Oil was benzene and used it to successfully induce bone cancer in Hajun Shin’s arm.
• Kenichi Amamiya took a sample of the cancer cells and used Yang Release Chakra to make them proliferate in a Petri dish.
• Kenichi Amamiya returned to his laboratory and finished assembling an ordinary thermobaric bomb for testing.

Kenichi Amamiya finished handcrafting a crude Thermobaric Bomb and stored it in a Sealing Scroll. At an Akatsuki meeting, Nagato paired the members and assigned Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori to assess Jūzō Biwa as a potential recruit.

• Kenichi Amamiya used Chakra and the Sharingan to craft a five-ton Thermobaric Bomb, then sealed it in a Sealing Scroll.
• Kenichi Amamiya joined Nagato, Konan, Orochimaru, Sasori, and Kakuzu in the mysterious meeting space.
• Nagato paired North with Kong and Ao with Gyokunyo, and reminded Kenichi Amamiya to continue his research.
• Nagato assigned Orochimaru and Kakuzu to earn money through bounty missions.
• Nagato sent Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori to the Land of Water to assess Jūzō Biwa for Akatsuki, with orders to recruit him or kill him and collect the bounty.

Kenichi Amamiya met Sasori in Amegakure, where Sasori showed him Unit-01, a massive metal puppet built from Kenichi’s theories. The two traveled toward the Land of Water through the Land of Fire to observe Jūzō Biwa, while Sasori kept his anger toward Konoha in check.

• Kenichi met Sasori in Amegakure and learned that Sasori had built a large metal puppet called Unit-01, which was durable and agile but consumed considerable Chakra and could not use ninjutsu.
• Kenichi suggested that Sasori try Chakra-conductive metals and improve the puppet’s defense against ninjutsu as Nagato and Konan watched them.
• Kenichi and Sasori set out to observe Jūzō Biwa and used Kenichi’s Vanishing Facial Copy Technique to disguise Sasori as they crossed the Land of Fire.
• Sasori grew cold at the sight of Konoha, but Kenichi reminded him to focus on the mission, and Sasori agreed to continue through the forest.
• Kenichi thought about the escalating clashes between Konoha and Kumogakure and considered dropping a Thermobaric Bomb on the battlefield after their return.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori traveled to the Land of Whirlpools to investigate why Jūzō Biwa had gone there, and they found him resting by the water. Sasori prepared to test him with Unit-01.

• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori learned from Nagato that Jūzō Biwa had left the Land of Water and was likely in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Kenichi and Sasori discussed the destroyed Land of Whirlpools, the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques, and the possibility that Jūzō was searching for treasure.
• Kenichi considered the abandoned island as a secluded place for a laboratory, then used a technique to search for Jūzō while Sasori followed.
• Kenichi and Sasori found Jūzō Biwa resting by the water and changed into their Akatsuki clothes.
• Sasori brought out Unit-01 and offered to test Jūzō.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori went to recruit Jūzō Biwa into Akatsuki, but Jūzō rejected their claims and attacked. Kenichi and Sasori defeated him, leaving Kenichi with a chance to take Kubikiribōchō.

• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori approached Jūzō Biwa and invited him to join Akatsuki.
• Jūzō Biwa questioned Akatsuki’s goal of collecting the Tailed Beasts, while Sasori declared that he wanted Kubikiribōchō for Unit-01.
• Jūzō Biwa filled the area with mist and attacked, prompting Kenichi to dispel it with a Sage Art fire technique as Sasori deployed his puppets.
• Jūzō Biwa damaged Unit-01 with Kubikiribōchō, but Kenichi pierced the sword with Sage Art: Chidori and Sasori’s Iron Sand Spikes struck Jūzō’s abdomen.
• Jūzō Biwa tried to flee, but Kenichi and Sasori’s puppets caught him, and Kenichi pierced his chest with Chidori.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori defeated Jūzō Biwa, then searched the Land of Whirlpools for the Reaper Masks. Kenichi took the masks for research and asked Sasori about Sunagakure's records of Gods.

• Kenichi Amamiya gave the Kubikiribōchō to Sasori, who used Jūzō Biwa's blood to repair it while Kenichi looted the corpse.
• Kenichi Amamiya found more than thirty million ryō in Jūzō Biwa's Sealing Scroll and burned his remains, keeping a finger for possible Impure World Reincarnation research.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori searched several buildings in the Land of Whirlpools and found a wall full of Reaper Masks.
• Kenichi Amamiya took all the Reaper Masks to study their connection to souls and the Shinigami.
• Kenichi Amamiya asked Sasori whether Sunagakure had legends or records about Gods.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori investigated the Reaper Masks before leaving the Land of Whirlpools, and Kenichi decided to test his Chakra Thermobaric Bomb during the war between Kumogakure and Konoha. He learned that Akatsuki had taken a bounty commission from Konoha and set off for the Land of Lightning to cause damage and earn money.

• Sasori told Kenichi Amamiya the legend of the Desert God, and Kenichi mentioned rumors of an Evil God who granted immortality.
• Kenichi decided to postpone research on the Reaper Masks and the Evil God, prioritize modifying crops, and test the Chakra Thermobaric Bomb first.
• Kenichi and Sasori left the Land of Whirlpools after Kenichi dismissed recruiting Jūzō Biwa.
• Kenichi contacted Nagato and learned Akatsuki had accepted Konoha's commission to collect bounties on Kumogakure ninja.
• Kenichi told Sasori they were heading to the Land of Lightning to test the bomb and confirm battle losses, then reconsidered bombing the middle of the battlefield to collect bounties from both sides.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori traveled toward the Land of Lightning through the Land of Iron, while Kenichi planned to test a Thermobaric Bomb and search for Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s graves. They entered the Land of Iron disguised as merchants and continued their journey after bribing border officials.

• Kenichi Amamiya told Sasori to be cautious when forging Kubikiribōchō’s unusual metal, since different methods could produce different results.
• Sasori asked whether Orochimaru was a woman, and Kenichi confirmed that his teacher was a girl after learning Nagato had revealed it to Konan.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori reached the Land of Iron’s port and prepared to travel onward to the Land of Lightning.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori used merchant disguises and paid a thousand ryō to bypass inspection and enter the Land of Iron.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori traveled to the Land of Lightning, where Kenichi tested a Sage Art variation of Impure World Reincarnation. The experiment succeeded, summoning the remains from a town cemetery to kneel before him.

• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori crossed from the Land of Iron into the Land of Lightning using the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique, though Kenichi was extorted for two thousand ryo at the border.
• Kenichi told Sasori he wanted to find Kinkaku and Ginkaku and explained his experimental idea for summoning spirits without sacrifices.
• Kenichi and Sasori found a public cemetery near a town, and Kenichi entered Sage Mode and donned Akatsuki clothing before beginning the experiment.
• Kenichi channeled Sage Art Chakra underground, causing the remains in the cemetery’s graves to emerge with mud-and-stone armor and kneel before him.

Kenichi Amamiya tested an Impure World Reincarnation technique that raised weak, mindless skeletons, then tried using the jutsu directly on a living man and failed. Sasori left him with the idea of using a ninja’s extracted soul as artificial intelligence.

• Kenichi Amamiya raised skeletons with a modified Impure World Reincarnation, but his Great Fireball Technique easily destroyed them.
• Kenichi Amamiya found that the skeletons could follow only simple commands and had no awareness or independent thought.
• Kenichi Amamiya wondered whether Impure World Reincarnation could kill and revive a living target, then tested it on a bound man using Sage Art Chakra.
• The man died without being reincarnated, and Kenichi Amamiya concluded that the jutsu’s required steps could not be skipped.
• Sasori asked whether a ninja’s soul could serve as artificial intelligence, and Kenichi Amamiya questioned how it could be made to obey orders.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori discussed ways to control machines with sealing techniques, then headed toward Kumogakure to find the grave of Kinkaku and Ginkaku and test a Thermobaric Bomb. They encountered Killer B on the way, and Kenichi Amamiya claimed they were fans of his rap.

• Kenichi Amamiya considered researching machine-control seals with Sasori and finding information in the Land of Lightning Daimyo's graveyard.
• Fourth Raikage A dismissed reports about revived bones, ordered more support on the battlefield, and smashed tables while complaining about B.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori set out for Kumogakure to search for Kinkaku and Ginkaku's burial place and test the Thermobaric Bomb.
• Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori noticed they were being followed and recognized Killer B when he emerged from the forest.
• Killer B asked whether they had come to his concert, and Kenichi Amamiya said they admired rap, surprising Sasori and Killer B.

Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori tried to deceive Killer B, briefly controlled him with the Sharingan, then escaped and disguised themselves as merchants. They headed toward Kumogakure under the cover of a supply caravan, where Kenichi planned to capture ninjas for experiments.

• Killer B grew suspicious when Kenichi Amamiya and Sasori claimed to be Akatsuki members seeking wartime missions.
• Kenichi asked Killer B about rhyming, distracting him long enough to use his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and control him briefly.
• Kenichi grabbed Sasori and fled with the Body Flicker Technique before Killer B broke free, then used Sage Mode to escape pursuit.
• Kenichi and Sasori joined a merchant caravan after Kenichi replaced two merchants’ faces and disposed of their corpses.
• The pair passed increasingly strict patrols and inspections on the way to Kumogakure, while Kenichi planned to capture muscular Kumogakure ninjas for his experiments.