Chapter Summaries

Karn rescued future Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake from Orochimaru and took them away to talk. Meanwhile, Orochimaru’s growing popularity alarmed Hiruzen Sarutobi, who suspected his student was pursuing the Hokage position and ordered plans to contain his influence.

• Kakashi Hatake fought off Orochimaru’s snake attacks while protecting Naruto Uzumaki, but Karn arrived and stopped Orochimaru from capturing Naruto.
• Karn recognized that Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake had come from the future, and he took them away with Apparition.
• Shinobi World Weekly praised Orochimaru’s victory over Sunagakure, building his reputation throughout Konoha and the Land of Fire.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo that Orochimaru might be seeking to become the Fourth Hokage, but he would not entrust the position to him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Mitokado Homura to secure peace with Sunagakure and sent Danzo, Root, and two ANBU squads to the Land of Grass.

Karn studied the Dragon Vein runes and sent Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi back to their own time without learning about the future. He then examined the future technology carried on Naruto’s watch and considered building a space fleet, while Konoha’s victory left Sunagakure in a desperate position.

• Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake explained how they had traveled through the Dragon Vein, and Naruto gave Karn his mission watch containing recorded footage.
• Karn used Red Queen to inspect the Dragon Vein footage, then spent ten days deciphering enough of its runes to activate the return spell.
• Karn refused Kakashi’s request to discuss the future and used his Fire Dragon to take Naruto and Kakashi to Rōran, where he sent them back through the Dragon Vein.
• Red Queen revealed that Naruto’s watch held extensive future technology, including space fleet designs, improved viruses, cyborg soldiers, and powered armor, prompting Karn to consider building a Helicarrier with Umbrella.
• Konoha reclaimed the Land of Rivers, while Sunagakure suffered heavy losses and territory setbacks; the Third Kazekage restrained his anger and received Konoha’s envoys.

Mitokado Homura and the Third Kazekage failed to agree on peace terms, while Karn made deals to supply Sunagakure and aid the Terumi Clan. Months later, the Third Raikage chose to seek peace with Konoha and said A would inherit his title, though he still intended to reclaim losses for Kumogakure.

• Mitokado Homura and the Third Kazekage argued over compensation, then paused negotiations without reaching an agreement.
• Ebizo agreed that Sunagakure would trade desert minerals for supplies, receive medical staff, accept missions, and undertake mining work for Karn.
• Terumi Shin's cousin told Karn that Shin had died and asked for help relocating Terumi Clan members; Karn offered refuge and assistance.
• After months of war, the Third Raikage read Dodai's message about delayed reinforcements and, urged by young A's warning about Kushina, decided to make peace and name A his successor.
• The Third Raikage privately resolved to reclaim some of Kumogakure's losses, even at the cost of his life.

Kushina and Tsunade discussed the Cloud Ninja’s peace offer as Minato Namikaze took command of Konoha’s forces in the Land of Grass. The Cloud Ninja envoy later presented more reasonable terms, but Hiruzen Sarutobi still faced a deadlock because the Six Paths Tools were not in Konoha.

• Kushina rejected the idea of surrendering the Six Paths Tools, while Tsunade reassured her that Kumogakure could not force its demands.
• Jiraiya welcomed Minato Namikaze and arranged for him to take over as supreme commander of the Land of Grass battlefield, supporting his path toward becoming Hokage.
• Minato Namikaze took command with the backing of Jiraiya, the Sarutobi Clan, and the Ino-Shika-Cho, while Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Rin Nohara discussed the news.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected the Cloud Ninja’s first peace terms, and their envoy returned more than ten days later with revised terms.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated over the revised terms because the Cloud Ninja still demanded the Six Paths Tools, which Konoha did not possess.

After Konoha and Cloud Ninja signed a peace treaty, Kushina returned to the village and reunited with Karn, who told her about Naruto Uzumaki. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya planned to destroy Kannabi Bridge to disrupt Iwagakure’s supplies, and Minato hoped the mission would help him become Hokage.

• Cloud Ninja and Konoha signed a peace treaty after Cloud Ninja accepted Konoha’s demands and agreed to pay ransom for the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and their captives.
• Kushina returned to Konoha, left a shadow clone with the procession, and hurried to Karn’s home.
• Karn surprised Kushina, showed her a newspaper celebrating her battlefield achievements, and told her that Naruto Uzumaki was connected to her.
• Karn massaged Kushina, and she agreed to meet Naruto Uzumaki.
• Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya devised a plan to destroy Kannabi Bridge and disrupt Iwagakure’s supply lines.
• Minato Namikaze vowed to complete the mission and hoped becoming Hokage would help resolve his misunderstandings with Kushina.

After Karn and Kushina discussed the war and her possible rewards, Karn met with Orochimaru to plan how to secure support for Orochimaru's bid to become Fourth Hokage. Orochimaru asked Karn to persuade Uchiha Fugaku to back him, leaving Karn to negotiate with the Uchiha Clan.

• Karn and Kushina discussed the Land of Grass battlefield and Kushina offered to exchange her achievements for forbidden techniques Karn wanted to study.
• Kushina returned to the Senju Clan Compound, where Tsunade teased her about her relationship with Karn and suggested she could have a baby.
• Karn met Orochimaru, who said his bid for Hokage still lacked support from a prestigious Ninja Clan and could be disrupted if fighting broke out during the election.
• Karn and Orochimaru agreed that Uchiha Fugaku's support could solve both problems, and Orochimaru asked Karn to negotiate with him.
• Orochimaru gave Karn authority to promise the Uchiha Clan benefits, including ANBU positions, in exchange for its support.

Karn offered Uchiha Fugaku a chance to support Orochimaru for Fourth Hokage in exchange for greater opportunities for the Uchiha Clan. Fugaku decided the clan should lean toward Orochimaru and asked Mikoto to build a connection with Kushina, whom Mikoto encountered near the Dessert Shop the next morning.

• Karn met with Uchiha Fugaku and secured his agreement to cooperate with the Karn Chamber of Commerce.
• Karn urged Fugaku to support Orochimaru, explaining that the Daimyo would appoint Orochimaru and that the Uchiha Clan faced prejudice within Konoha High Command.
• Fugaku discussed the Hokage election with Mikoto and concluded that the Uchiha Clan's chances were slim, eventually leaning toward Orochimaru.
• Fugaku asked Mikoto to keep in touch with Kushina Uzumaki, and Mikoto agreed.
• The next morning, Mikoto went to the Dessert Shop and saw Kushina approaching.

Karn strengthened ties between Orochimaru and the Uchiha while advancing construction and technology projects across the Land of Fire and the Land of Tea. Minato Namikaze’s destruction of Iwagakure’s supply route forced a peace agreement, and he returned to Konoha disappointed that Tsunade was not there to welcome him.

• Karn agreed to let Kushina build their new home, and she grew closer to Mikoto as the Uchiha and Orochimaru negotiated an alliance.
• Uchiha Fugaku accepted opening the Security Force to recruitment in exchange for Uchiha access to ANBU positions and other village departments.
• Karn warned Orochimaru that Kirigakure was becoming increasingly violent, then secured the Daimyo’s approval for fiber-optic networks and signal towers.
• Karn established a steelworks in the Land of Tea to support Red Queen’s plans to build construction robots.
• Minato Namikaze destroyed Kannabi Bridge repeatedly, cutting off Iwagakure’s supplies and forcing Iwagakure to sign a peace agreement with Konoha.
• Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha, where Minato was disappointed that Tsunade had not come to welcome him.

At a Jonin meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed Konoha’s peace agreement with Iwagakure and the threat of Kirigakure gathering near the Land of Fire. Orochimaru agreed to lead the response, but Uchiha Fugaku requested the assignment for his clan, and Orochimaru suggested Nawaki accompany him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the terms of Konoha’s peace agreement with Iwagakure and reviewed the war’s course and rewards.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reported that Kirigakure was harassing the Land of Fire’s border and that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had been spotted there.
• Shikaku Nara and other Jonin recommended Orochimaru to guard the coast, and Orochimaru accepted the assignment.
• Uchiha Fugaku asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to give the coastal mission to the Uchiha Clan so they could prove their service to Konoha.
• Orochimaru supported Fugaku’s request and suggested that Nawaki accompany him if Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned.

Uchiha Fugaku took command of the Land of Water battlefield, while Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru over Orochimaru’s bid to become Fourth Hokage and his plans for Konoha. At Karn’s new home, Kushina tested its concealment magic and learned she could invite friends over while Karn was away; Karn then thought about obtaining Kakashi’s Sharingan.

• Uchiha Fugaku became general commander of the Land of Water battlefield, and the Uchiha and Hyuga clans sent ninja to support the campaign.
• Jiraiya invited Orochimaru and Tsunade to drink, then asked Orochimaru why he wanted to become Hokage.
• Orochimaru explained that he planned to eliminate threats to Konoha and prepare the village for Nawaki, but Jiraiya rejected his approach and left their argument unresolved.
• Jiraiya urged Tsunade to support Minato Namikaze, but Tsunade refused and took food and shochu home.
• Kushina tested Karn’s enhanced concealment charm without her magical accessories and found the new residence difficult to detect.
• Karn told Kushina she could invite friends to the house, then considered taking Kakashi’s Sharingan for its Kamui ability.

Karn arranged a magical means to keep Rin Nohara alive and have Yakushi Nonō treat her, while the Shinobi World Weekly exposed the Konoha High Command’s alleged aid to the enemy and sparked unrest in Konoha. As the Security Force struggled to contain the backlash, Orochimaru decided to make his position known.

• Karn created a magical accessory that could delay Rin Nohara’s death and transport her to a prepared destination, then asked Yakushi Nonō to heal her if the plan unfolded.
• Karn gave Yakushi Nonō a standard magical necklace, and she offered him a massage.
• The Konoha Newspaper’s staff prepared a Shinobi World Weekly report questioning whether the Hokage had sent supplies and money to the enemy, then distributed the issue across the Land of Fire.
• Readers reacted with anger and disbelief, arguments and fights broke out in Konoha, and the Security Force ran out of room to detain people.
• Uchiha Yashiro went to the Hokage Building to address the overcrowding, while Orochimaru read the weekly and decided to make his position known.

Hiruzen Sarutobi faced a scandal after Shinobi World Weekly exposed the secret agreement with Sunagakure, while unrest spread through Konoha. As ANBU moved against the Konoha Newspaper, the Security Force challenged them, and an unidentified voice interrupted Jiraiya’s intervention.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mitokado Homura discussed the leak and the political fallout, and Homura agreed to resign as an elder.
• Uchiha Yashiro reported that the newspaper had sparked thirty-seven fights, and Hiruzen ordered the Security Force to release detainees after they signed pledges.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to monitor Orochimaru, Karn, their associates, and the Uchiha Clan, and promised Danzo more authority and funding.
• ANBU arrived at the Konoha Newspaper to arrest its staff over alleged collusion with Sand Ninja spies, but Uchiha Aoki challenged their authority and positioned the Security Force against them.
• Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze arrived, and Jiraiya ordered the Security Force to leave the matter to ANBU before an unidentified voice questioned when Jiraiya had visited the Hokage Building.

Orochimaru forced the ANBU to withdraw after Jiraiya confronted him, while news of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s actions stirred anger across the Land of Fire. Karn then told Kushina to attend an upcoming Jonin meeting, where Konoha’s political conflict was set to continue.

• Jiraiya challenged Orochimaru over the ANBU’s actions, but Orochimaru rejected his criticism and used his presence to silence the ANBU squad leader.
• Jiraiya shielded the ANBU, who withdrew, while Uchiha Aoki told the Security Force to keep watch nearby.
• Jiraiya sent Minato Namikaze to consult Shikaku and went to the Hokage Building to question Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Fire grew furious after reading Shinobi World Weekly and set out for Konoha with Guardian Ninja and ministers.
• Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto discussed Hiruzen Sarutobi, travel plans, and their private lives while spending time together.
• Karn arrived and told Kushina to attend an upcoming Jonin meeting and follow Tsunade or Uchiha Yashiro's lead.

At the Jonin meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi admitted Konoha had secretly signed a peace agreement with the Sand Ninja and tried to defend the decision as a way to save comrades’ lives. Karn examined Utatane Koharu’s financial ledger and exposed apparent discrepancies, leaving the meeting focused on possible financial misconduct.

• The Daimyo of the Land of Fire demanded that Hiruzen Sarutobi explain the peace agreement reported in Shinobi World Weekly, and Hiruzen admitted it was real.
• Hiruzen defended the agreement as necessary to protect Konoha’s ninja, while Karn mocked his appeal to comrades’ lives by recalling Hatake Sakumo’s ordeal.
• The Daimyo questioned why Konoha had paid compensation despite winning, and Mitokado Homura claimed the agreement had been his suggestion while Utatane Koharu presented a ledger to support Hiruzen.
• Karn drew the ledger to himself, and Orochimaru stopped Shikaku Nara from using his shadow technique to interfere.
• Karn cited evidence that the ledger overstated payments to Kusagakure and Takigakure and questioned the recorded cost of medicine bought from the Karn Chamber of Commerce.

After evidence of financial fraud damaged Konoha’s standing with the Land of Fire, the Daimyo forced an immediate Hokage election by threatening to suspend funding and mission assignments. The vote chose Orochimaru over Minato Namikaze, leaving Hiruzen’s tenure ended and Orochimaru poised to become the Fourth Hokage.

• The Daimyo rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s explanation of the financial discrepancies and demanded a new Hokage, threatening to suspend Konoha’s funding and mission assignments.
• Danzo opposed replacing Hiruzen, but the Daimyo stood firm, and Hiruzen agreed to hold the election immediately.
• Shikaku Nara proposed Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Minato Namikaze as candidates, but Tsunade withdrew and nominated Orochimaru while Jiraiya withdrew and supported Minato.
• The Jonin cast their votes, and Shikaku Nara announced that Orochimaru won with 197 votes against Minato Namikaze’s 45.

Karn gave Orochimaru evidence of Danzo’s experiments as Orochimaru took control of Konoha and planned new appointments. After Kushina declined to lead the Sealing Squad, Karn confronted Minato Namikaze with the voting records and explained why he had lost the Hokage election, leaving Minato devastated.

• Karn handed Orochimaru evidence of Danzo’s Hashirama-cell experiments, and Orochimaru said he would give it to Tsunade and ensure Root did not survive in the village.
• Orochimaru began reorganizing Konoha’s government, assigning clan ninja to the border and considering Hyuga Hiashi for Hokage Advisor and Nawaki for future leadership roles.
• Karn met Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto outside the Hokage Building, and Kushina declined Orochimaru’s offer to lead the Sealing Squad because she planned to leave the village.
• Karn told Mikoto that the Uchiha Clan would soon face new arrangements and asked her to warn Uchiha Fugaku if she could reach him.
• Minato Namikaze confronted Karn, but Karn showed him the ballots and explained how money and voters’ assumptions had helped Orochimaru win, leaving Minato questioning the point of his efforts.

Minato learned that the jonin had overwhelmingly voted for Orochimaru, leaving him crushed, while Hiruzen and the allied clans planned how to protect themselves from Orochimaru’s coming rule. Kakashi arranged for Rin to manage money for Obito’s grandmother and went to meet his father, while Karn and Kushina planned to visit the hospital the next morning.

• Minato asked Shikaku about the Hokage election and learned that the other jonin had voted for Orochimaru, while his own votes came from allied clans, Jiraiya, and the Daimyo.
• Jiraiya suspected Karn matched the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy, and Hiruzen urged Minato to recover as they prepared for Orochimaru to take office.
• Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza planned to pause clan members’ entry into ninja service and expand their businesses outside the village, while Hiruzen agreed to speak with the advisory elders.
• Rin met Kakashi at a dumpling shop, received his bankbook with ten million ryo for Obito’s grandmother, and learned he was going to meet his father.
• Kushina told Karn that Mikoto had taught her a way to improve the chances of having a baby, then asked him to accompany her to the hospital the next day.

Kushina visited Konoha Hospital to investigate why she had not become pregnant, while Karn discussed Kakashi’s Sharingan with Rin Nohara and Kakashi Hatake. Meanwhile, Orochimaru rejected Jiraiya’s request to leave the village on a personal search for the Child of Prophecy and warned that leaving would cost him his status as a Konoha Ninja.

• Kushina asked about Tsunade and received an examination from Yakushi Nonō, while Karn waited at the hospital.
• Rin Nohara brought Kakashi Hatake to have his Sharingan examined, and Karn said the Uchiha Clan would not demand that it be returned.
• Kushina received her examination report, and Karn realized his altered body might be the reason she had not conceived.
• Orochimaru rejected Jiraiya’s application to search for the Child of Prophecy, telling him to submit a commission through the Mission Department.
• Orochimaru warned Jiraiya that leaving the village would mean giving up his status as a Konoha Ninja, and Jiraiya left the Hokage Building angry.

Rin learned that Kakashi could not control his transplanted Sharingan without the special chakra that awakens it, but Yakushi Nonō hinted that classified knowledge about Nawaki might offer a path forward. Meanwhile, Orochimaru reshaped Konoha’s appointments, and Jiraiya warned Tsunade that they might become enemies as he prepared to investigate the Daimyo.

• Yakushi Nonō explained to Rin that Kakashi lacked the special chakra needed to adapt to the transplanted Sharingan, then hinted that Nawaki’s recovery and Wood Release were tied to classified information.
• Rin told Kakashi she had found a possible way to help him and resolved to become a medical Jonin so she could learn more about Nawaki.
• Orochimaru gave Uchiha Yashiro appointment documents for Uchiha clan members and reassured him that newcomers to the Security Force were on friendly terms with the clan.
• Orochimaru assigned capable ninjas to suitable posts and left the divided ANBU largely untouched before his inauguration.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade he intended to investigate the Daimyo’s abnormal behavior and warned that he did not want her to be the one sent after him if they became enemies.

Orochimaru became the Fourth Hokage and sent ninja reinforcements to the Kirigakure battlefield, while Madara Uchiha prepared to exploit the deployment to set his plan for Rin Nohara in motion. Team Kakashi departed with the reinforcements, unaware of the danger awaiting them.

• Orochimaru became Hokage, classified Jiraiya as a missing-nin after he left the village, and ordered reinforcements for the war with Kirigakure.
• Orochimaru assigned the Hyuga Clan a surprising appointment and sent the Ino-Shika-Cho clans and Sarutobi on demanding border and intelligence missions.
• Madara Uchiha learned that Konoha had assigned his target to the Kirigakure battlefield and revealed that Rin Nohara was suited to become a jinchūriki.
• Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Ibiki Morino joined a force of three hundred Konoha ninja and departed for the Kirigakure battlefield.