Recaps

At Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage warned Jiraiya that a person opposed to the Child of Prophecy threatened the Shinobi World's future. In Konoha, the elders struggled to respond to Karn's demand for triple payment and Danzo secured teams to complete a barrier that might counter Karn's Space-Time Ninjutsu.

• Jiraiya brought Minato Namikaze to Mount Myōboku, where the Great Toad Sage predicted that a mysterious person could end the Shinobi World if left unchecked.
• The Great Toad Sage said the person was an opposite extreme to the Child of Prophecy, but could recall few details before falling asleep.
• Minato Namikaze offered to help Jiraiya and promised to become stronger after they returned to Konoha.
• Tsunade told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Karn had demanded triple the price, and Hiruzen and Danzo admitted Root's failed operation had caused the dispute.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Tsunade to negotiate again and Mitokado Homura to seek other suppliers, while Danzo requested command of the Barrier Team and Sealing Squad.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Danzo's request to complete a barrier designed to counter Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Karn discussed Jiraiya’s prophecy with Tsunade and the others, then arranged a secret partnership with Orochimaru to develop a controlling Cursed Seal Jutsu. As Karn and Orochimaru planned their cooperation, Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to capture Karn the following night.

• Kushina left Karn after exchanging a massage for magical snacks, while Tsunade noticed the bag and planned to demand some of it.
• Jiraiya joined Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Karn at the izakaya with Minato Namikaze and Dan Katō, then argued that he would find the Child of Prophecy and change the Shinobi World.
• Karn asked Orochimaru to develop a Cursed Seal Jutsu that could influence or control a person, and Orochimaru proposed deepening their cooperation in secret.
• Orochimaru offered to use his summoning snakes to carry messages and supplies and warn Karn of danger.
• Danzo completed a barrier that suppressed Space-Time Ninjutsu and Summoning Technique, then agreed with Hiruzen Sarutobi to capture Karn the next night using three ANBU squads and two Root squads.

Karn used a TNT trap to destroy his home and the ANBU and Root teams Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent to capture him, then escaped through spatial transport. As Konoha’s leaders tried to control the aftermath, Karn returned and asked where his home was.

• Karn spotted ANBU and Root members approaching his residence, planted fifty kilograms of TNT, and escaped to the Marvel Universe before they entered.
• The ANBU and Root teams searched Karn’s empty house, found the TNT, and were killed when it exploded and shattered the Space-Time Isolation Barrier.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi blamed Danzo for the failed operation and ordered him to confine himself at home, while the Konoha Military Police Force and other ninja clans searched the wreckage.
• Tsunade arrived at the destroyed Karn Dessert Shop and tried to approach, but the Konoha Military Police Force and Jiraiya stopped her.
• As Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the gathered ninja to disperse, Karn arrived and loudly asked where his home was.

After Karn’s shop was destroyed in an explosion during an ANBU operation, Hiruzen agreed to pay for the damaged buildings while Karn blamed the Cloud Ninja. Tsunade brought Karn to the Senju Clan Compound, where Kushina later visited him and offered to massage his head.

• Hiruzen told Karn that an enemy had tried to harm him, and Karn blamed the Cloud Ninja for destroying his home and merchandise.
• Hiruzen accepted responsibility for the damaged buildings, while Fusuke Uchiha sent squads to guard the area and reassure civilians.
• Tsunade took Karn to the Senju Clan Compound, where Kushina welcomed him and Nawaki suspected the explosion was not the work of Cloud Ninja spies.
• Tsunade questioned Karn about the attack, and he claimed intruders had triggered traps in his house before agreeing to stay until it was repaired.
• Kushina visited Karn in his room, blamed the Cloud Ninja, and offered him a head massage in exchange for more snacks.

Konoha blamed Root for the explosion while preparing for war, and Karn left the village to expand his business. Jiraiya helped Minato Namikaze obtain the Flying Thunder God Technique, but Minato ended the chapter by asking how to make someone he liked fall in love with him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the advisers blamed Root for the explosion, transferred two Root squads to the ANBU, and requisitioned clan ninja for reconnaissance and war preparations.
• Jiraiya failed to get answers about the incident or Karn from Tsunade, then decided Minato Namikaze should study the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Karn declined Kushina's offer to teach him sealing jutsu for now and told her he would bring her gifts when he returned.
• Karn left Konoha to pursue trade with Sunagakure, while Hiruzen Sarutobi warned Danzo not to move against him until they had a certain plan.
• Jiraiya gave Minato Namikaze access to the Flying Thunder God Technique and offered his help, and Minato asked how to make someone he liked love him too.

Karn negotiated a trade deal with the Third Kazekage, who planned to stockpile supplies before expanding into the Land of Rivers. Karn then arranged a base in the Land of Tea and left for the Land of Waves after hearing that Terumi Shin was waiting there.

• Karn offered Sunagakure food, medicines, and medical supplies in exchange for resources such as petroleum and iron ore, and the Third Kazekage agreed after Karn promised annual missions for the village.
• Karn and the Third Kazekage signed a Trade Contract, with goods to be shipped by sea to a coastal location near the Land of Tea.
• After Karn departed, the Third Kazekage ordered Rasa to summon senior officials and prepare for a meeting, intending to stockpile supplies and conquer the Land of Rivers.
• While traveling, Karn studied Kushina's sealing jutsu scroll and sent Orochimaru a letter, a magical photograph, and fire dragon flesh and blood through a summoning snake.
• Karn established plans for a port, military camp, arms factory, and other facilities in the Land of Tea, then left after assigning the work to his subordinates.
• Karn headed for the Land of Waves after receiving word that Terumi Shin was waiting at the Chamber of Commerce base.

Karn persuaded Terumi Shin to consider turning Kirigakure’s internal conflict into a war, while arranging to acquire a shipyard and its workers. In Konoha, Kushina rejected Minato Namikaze’s awkward invitation and decided to try communicating with the Nine-Tails as Karn had advised.

• Terumi Shin told Karn that a failing shipyard and nearly a hundred workers could be transferred to him, then described the Third Mizukage’s executions and Blood Mist Policy targeting bloodline clans.
• Karn urged Terumi Shin to consider war as a way to redirect Kirigakure’s internal conflict, and offered him refuge if he could no longer stay there.
• Karn considered expanding his adoption of war orphans and continued managing business in the Land of Waves and the Land of Tea.
• Kushina rejected Minato Namikaze’s invitation to dinner and threw a kunai past him after he persisted with Jiraiya’s misguided advice.
• Kushina recalled Karn’s suggestion to treat tailed beasts as people and decided to try communicating with the Nine-Tails, despite the danger to her seal.

Karn reviewed the Biological Research Center’s experiments and ordered Les to prepare a fusion serum dose for him to try the next day. After dinner with Betty Ross, he used her interest in the Extremis Virus research to draw her into an intimate encounter.

• Karn brought Aoda to the Biological Research Center and had Les report on the Phoenix cells and fusion-serum experiments.
• After reviewing the results, Karn ordered Les to prepare a dose of fusion serum for the following day and assigned the research team to study Aoda.
• Karn visited Maya and Killian’s laboratory and noted Killian’s continuing hatred of Tony Stark.
• Betty Ross took Karn to dinner, then asked to see the laboratory’s research documents at his villa.
• Karn offered Betty the Extremis Virus project file in exchange for a massage, and they became intimate.

After Betty Ross took Karn’s Extremis research report to persuade her father, Karn underwent a successful serum treatment that greatly increased his strength. He then discovered he could use magic, but his first attempt at a fire-breathing ability set his house wall ablaze.

• Betty Ross woke at Karn’s home, accepted his research report, and left to try to persuade General Ross to work with him.
• Karn had Les inject him with the cell-fusion serum while a shadow clone watched, and the treatment completed successfully.
• Karn recovered with food, discovered his new strength by breaking a heavy laboratory door, and paid Les before ordering him to back up and delete the experimental data.
• Karn returned home and practiced controlling his strength before trying Wingardium Leviosa with a spellbook and Kettle’s recordings.
• Karn successfully levitated a vase, then released a stream of flame from his mouth and set a wall on fire.

Karn demonstrated his enhanced abilities to General Ross and secured a military partnership for Extremis Virus Serum and Restoration Potion. Afterward, he arranged for Betty Ross to serve as his liaison, while she struggled with her growing attraction to him.

• Karn practiced magic after his fire damaged the first floor of his villa, and he quickly learned nearly all the spells he had brought back.
• Betty Ross brought General Ross and his team to meet Karn, who demonstrated his strength and insisted that the military negotiate with him as the owner of the Extremis Virus project.
• Karn led General Ross's party through the Biological Research Center, and General Ross approved a partnership after several days of discussion.
• Karn's company agreed to supply the military with Extremis Virus Serum and Restoration Potion, earning major annual orders and a boost in reputation.
• Karn asked General Ross to direct retiring soldiers toward his Military Security Company and to assign Betty as a liaison, and Ross agreed.
• Betty accepted more dinner invitations from Karn and found herself increasingly attracted to him despite having a boyfriend.

Danzo investigated Karn’s medicine and lost agents while Karn expanded his manufacturing plans and returned to Konoha. He found his shops reopening, then Kushina hurried to see him after learning he was back.

• A Root ninja told Danzo that agents inside the Karn Chamber of Commerce had been killed during a delivery, and Danzo ordered Root to investigate the medicine trade and strengthen its remaining agents.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Danzo’s request for more funding and ten Ninja Academy graduates for Root.
• Karn reprimanded Damu for delaying the Land of Tea factory and ordered him to deal with a local noble who was obstructing recruitment.
• Damu’s guards killed the noble and his guards, and Karn arranged for the site to become a pharmaceutical, arms, and ninja tool production base.
• Karn returned to Konoha, where Nanami reported that his rooms had been rebuilt and his shops were preparing to reopen.
• Kushina learned Karn had returned and hurried inside to ask him when desserts would be available.

Karn returned to Konoha and massaged Kushina’s shoulders, while Minato saw her leaving his shop looking flushed and unsteady and grew jealous. Later, Tsunade told Karn that she had completed three medicines and asked him to lower the price for Konoha, but he refused to offer the village the discount he would give her personally.

• Kushina offered to massage Karn, and he rested his head on her thighs while she kneaded his muscles.
• Minato spotted Kushina outside Karn’s shop, misread her flushed and unsteady appearance, and decided to ask Jiraiya about it the next day.
• Karn used Episkey to restore Kushina’s legs, then went with her to the Senju Clan Compound.
• Tsunade told Karn that she had developed three specific medicines and would give him their formulas, though she had not completed the fourth.
• Tsunade asked Karn to lower medicine prices for Konoha, and he offered her a thirty-percent discount while keeping Konoha’s price unchanged.

Tsunade bought medicine from Karn and sought to mend their strained relationship, while Karn studied sealing jutsu with Kushina. Yakushi Nonō concluded that someone had influenced Tsunade against Karn and secretly sent Karn her intelligence, leaving Tsunade unaware of her actions.

• Tsunade bought medicine from Karn at a reduced price, then gave him the medicines and formulas she had prepared.
• Kushina taught Karn sealing jutsu in her room for nearly three hours.
• Tsunade told Mitokado Homura and Hiruzen Sarutobi that she could secure Konoha's medical supplies at a steep discount, and Hiruzen ordered the shipment inspected.
• Jiraiya asked Hiruzen for permission to leave Konoha to gather intelligence and pursue the Child of Prophecy, but Hiruzen refused.
• Yakushi Nonō challenged Tsunade's suspicions of Karn, then sent Karn the names, times, and conclusions she had gathered about who had influenced Tsunade.

Karn and Orochimaru negotiated with the White Snake Sage to supply Ryūchi Cave with fire dragons in exchange for Sage Mode training and valuable snake tissue. As they left, Orochimaru gave Karn the Cursed Seal Jutsu he had developed for him.

• Orochimaru brought Karn to Ryūchi Cave, where the White Snake Sage explained that she wanted fire dragons because eating one had made her feel healthier and might help her evolve.
• The White Snake Sage offered Orochimaru Perfect Sage Mode training and Ryūchi Cave senjutsu, including help from the Snake Princesses to control natural energy, in exchange for a regular supply of dragons.
• Orochimaru agreed to provide six fire dragons each month, and Karn secured regular fist-sized samples of flesh and blood from the White Snake Sage and the three Snake Princesses.
• Orochimaru and Karn left Ryūchi Cave with their agreement, and Karn demonstrated magic to Orochimaru using the Levitation Charm.
• Orochimaru gave Karn a scroll containing the Cursed Seal Jutsu, which could influence targets with the caster's spiritual energy and grant them the caster's chakra.

Jiraiya trained Minato Namikaze in combat and advised him to develop stronger finishing attacks. Meanwhile, Karn studied Cursed Seal Jutsu with Kushina, who hinted that she wanted a massage, and he offered to give her one.

• Jiraiya sparred with Minato Namikaze and defeated him after Minato's attacks failed to overcome Jiraiya's hair techniques.
• Jiraiya advised Minato Namikaze to strengthen his Flying Thunder God fighting style and consider learning Hatake Swordsmanship.
• Jiraiya asked Minato Namikaze how his pursuit of Kushina was going, then gave him another book to read.
• Karn arranged to stay in Konoha while Orochimaru prepared a dragon mount and planned to study Cursed Seal Jutsu and establish a newspaper.
• Kushina taught Karn Cursed Seal Jutsu, and after he thanked her, she hinted that her neck and shoulders hurt.
• Karn recognized Kushina's hint and tentatively offered to give her a massage.

Karn prepared to leave Konoha, expanded his plans for gathering people and influence, and traveled to Ryūchi Cave to begin training in Sage Mode. Ichikishimahime began guiding him by channeling natural energy into his body.

• Karn received Fire Dragon Embryos from Orochimaru and learned that Orochimaru wanted him to record his Sage Mode training insights.
• Karn learned from Yakushi Nonō that Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, or Dan Katō might have turned Tsunade against him, then instructed Nonō to investigate cautiously.
• Karn left Konoha and told Xia Chuan to relocate the orphans and acquire land and businesses on the southern peninsula of the Land of Fire.
• Karn asked Miki to provide staff for a newspaper, then visited his pharmacy and prepared to leave for Ryūchi Cave.
• Karn asked the Snake Princesses to help him train, and Ichikishimahime explained the balance needed for Sage Mode before biting his neck and flooding his body with natural energy.

Karn mastered Sage Mode after Ichikishimahime helped him absorb natural energy, and the Phoenix Gene transformed the excess energy into increased magic. He forced Ichikishimahime to reveal Ryūchi Cave’s secrets and signed a summoning contract with her before returning to the Capital of the Land of Fire to examine his changes and plan his next steps.

• Ichikishimahime helped Karn absorb natural energy, but flames erupted from his body and burned for nearly an hour as the Phoenix Gene processed the excess energy.
• Karn woke with increased magic, used Petrificus Totalus on Ichikishimahime, and questioned her under Veritaserum about Ryūchi Cave.
• Karn bound Ichikishimahime with stone, made her agree to become his summoning beast, and had her create a Summoning Scroll that he signed.
• Karn returned to the Capital of the Land of Fire and discovered that his Phoenix Gene and abundant magic let him maintain Sage Mode continuously.
• Karn decided to learn more spells but first planned to put his affairs in the Shinobi World in order.

Karn established a newspaper in the Land of Fire’s capital and secured the Daimyo’s official backing by accepting a propaganda post. He then reviewed Xia Chuan’s progress buying up a southern peninsula’s properties, while Kakuzu remained occupied with covert work and had to keep a low profile.

• Karn learned that his new medicine was selling quickly and told the pharmacy manager to ignore people asking about him.
• Karn organized the newspaper’s staff, planned its coverage and distribution, and secretly placed cursed seals on its managers.
• Karn met the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, who appointed him Kugyo in charge of propaganda and offered official support for the newspaper.
• Karn received Xia Chuan’s report that she had spent nearly a hundred million ryo buying a noble’s houses, shops, and farmland.
• Karn decided Xia Chuan should keep purchasing the properties of the southern peninsula’s nobles, while Kakuzu continued serving as his covert enforcer from the Land of Hot Water.

Terumi Shin agreed to use a Kirigakure mission against the Land of Lightning's finance minister’s fleet to provoke Kumogakure and advance the bloodline clans’ chances of seizing power. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed Karn’s abilities and deaths caused by his failed capture, then ordered Minato Namikaze, Dan Katō, and Jiraiya to prepare a secret countermeasure.

• Karn told Terumi Shin to arrange a Kirigakure commission to destroy the finance minister’s fleet and docks, expecting Kumogakure to retaliate.
• Terumi Shin accepted Karn’s plan, and Karn warned that the bloodline clans had little chance of taking power unless they acted decisively or waited for the Third Mizukage to make a mistake.
• Karn considered how to profit from the coming war and expand his influence through trade, industry, and alliances.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze, Dan Katō, and Jiraiya that Karn had caused the explosion and killed five squads of ANBU and Root after Danzo’s space-isolating Barrier failed.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained Karn’s regenerative abilities and Space-Time Ninjutsu, then tasked Minato Namikaze and Dan Katō with preparing a joint countermeasure once their techniques were ready.
• Jiraiya promised to keep the confidential mission secret, and Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the group.

Jiraiya left the village on a long-term mission after making Minato Namikaze captain of his squad, and Minato resolved to develop a new technique and improve the Flying Thunder God Technique. When he tried to warn Kushina to stay away from Karn, she bound and threw him with her Adamantine Sealing Chains, prompting ANBU to intervene and report the incident to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Jiraiya supported Minato Namikaze's plan to develop a hand-seal-free ninjutsu, told him he could seek advice from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and announced that he was leaving the village.
• Jiraiya treated his students to a farewell meal, made Minato Namikaze captain, and departed; Minato then arranged for his squad to take three B-rank and three C-rank missions each month.
• Minato Namikaze worried that Kushina did not know how dangerous Karn was and went to warn her without revealing the village's confidential information.
• Kushina rejected Minato Namikaze's warning and bound him with her Adamantine Sealing Chains before throwing him down the road.
• ANBU took over after the Security Force arrived, then escorted Kushina and reported the incident to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who remained concerned about her growing closeness to Karn.

After returning to the Marvel Universe, Karn assessed his gains and resumed work on his businesses, research center, and plans to recruit Whiplash. He arranged for Betty to help expand the research center, secretly bound Killian with a cursed seal, and launched development of three miracle drugs before heading to his new home with Betty.

• Karn confirmed that natural energy existed in the Marvel Universe and planned to strengthen his magic, while postponing the fire dragons until he had more power or loyal subordinates.
• Karn called Betty, interrupting her date with Bruce Banner, and she left to meet him; he promised to delegate some of her workload to Laura.
• Betty drove Karn to the Biological Research Center, where he reviewed the progress of the Extremis Virus and the Restoration Potion and accepted Killian's resignation on condition that he stay another year.
• Karn secretly placed a Chakra Cursed Seal on Killian, then told Les and his research team to produce finished versions of his formulas for drugs against cancer, AIDS, and uremia.
• Karn avoided explaining the formulas to Betty and went with her to inspect his new home.

Karn managed his businesses and recruited Anton Vanko and Ivan Vanko in Moscow by offering to restore Anton’s health and support their Arc Reactor research. The Vanko father and son accepted his offer and prepared to leave for the United States.

• Karn asked Betty Ross to investigate Helen Cho and Eugene Genetics Laboratory, then arranged for her to take over as CEO while Laura completed the handover.
• Karn replenished Cursed Seals and set plans for expanding Umbrella Military Security Company as he continued funding its growth.
• Karn traveled to Moscow and found Anton Vanko and Ivan Vanko living in a rundown apartment building.
• Karn entered Anton’s room, used magic to improve Ivan’s health, and offered both Vankos money, restored health, and support for their Arc Reactor research.
• Anton Vanko accepted Karn’s invitation for himself and Ivan, agreeing to sell their Arc Reactor technology to Karn’s company.

Karn returned to Diagon Alley after nearly a year away and found that Kettle’s shop had become crowded with magical materials. He began planning to expand the business and pursue fire dragon supplies, while arranging to meet Newt Scamander and writing to Hermione.

• Karn returned home, dismissed Phil and Isaac’s worried fussing, and read the Daily Prophet for news about the wizarding world and possible potion imports.
• Karn tried unsuccessfully to learn house-elf Apparition, then visited his shop and discovered Kettle had turned it into a magical materials shop.
• Karn told Kettle to buy the two neighboring shops, package potion ingredients into sets, and place a notice seeking a highly capable wizard to teach him magic.
• Karn learned that Romania supplied Europe’s fire dragon materials and contacted Newt Scamander, who invited him for afternoon tea.
• Karn learned Hermione had visited Diagon Alley during Christmas and sent her a letter describing things he had supposedly seen in the United States.

Karn visited Newt Scamander to secure an introduction to the Romania Dragon Sanctuary, where he negotiated an exclusive deal to buy all its fire dragon materials. After signing a contract with the sanctuary, Karn began his plan to monopolize magical ingredients across Europe.

• Karn asked Newt Scamander to introduce him to the Romania Dragon Sanctuary so he could buy its fire dragon materials.
• Scamander used his Kneazle to investigate Karn and learned that phoenix and fire dragon blood had given Karn powerful magic; Karn demonstrated his abilities before leaving.
• Scamander wrote to Dumbledore about Karn after Karn departed for Romania with him.
• Karn offered Gates an annual donation of seven thousand Galleons, double prices for fire dragon materials, and membership cards for the sanctuary's friends.
• Gates agreed to sell all the sanctuary's fire dragon materials to Karn, and they signed a magical contract with an eight-hundred-thousand-Galleon breach penalty.

Hermione reunited with Karn and spent the summer visiting him while Dumbledore considered Newt’s recommendation that Karn teach at Hogwarts and become a school governor. Dumbledore arrived at Karn’s home with Remus Lupin, who had come to apply for the wizarding tutor position.

• Hermione reunited with Karn after leaving Hogwarts, and he told her he had made progress on the Squib problem and hired a wizard to teach him spells.
• Hermione told her parents about Hogwarts over dinner with Karn, then returned home with them while hoping to learn more about the Squib matter.
• Newt told Dumbledore that Karn had become a powerful wizard, mastered spells quickly, and might make a suitable Defence Against Dark Magic professor and school governor.
• Dumbledore decided to approach Karn about joining Hogwarts and potentially becoming a school governor, believing he could help address interference from pure-blood families.
• Hermione spent much of the summer at Karn’s home, where she studied potions and admired his wandless and nonverbal magic.
• Dumbledore arrived at Karn’s home with Remus Lupin, who said he had come to apply for the summer wizarding tutor position.