Chapter Summaries

Lu You joined Konoha's Ninja Academy as an exchange student and revealed his overwhelming presence and shuriken skill. As Kakashi struggled with the village's condemnation of his father, the Third Hokage watched Lu You through a crystal ball.

• Lu You introduced himself to the class, unnerved the students with his presence, and took a seat beside Rin Nohara.
• Kakashi sensed Lu You's strength, reflected on his father's disgrace, and left to cook Hatake Sakumo's favorite meal.
• Lu You recognized Rin Nohara, asked whether she knew Kakashi, and learned that she knew of him but barely knew him personally.
• At the training ground, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and other students practiced while Obito Uchiha missed the target and Rin silently cheered him on.
• Lu You threw shuriken into the exact center of the target repeatedly, piercing through it, and the teacher awarded him full marks.
• The Third Hokage watched Lu You through the Telescope Technique and praised the Grass Shadow for raising a fine son.

Lu You stirred up Konoha by criticizing its clans while visiting them on behalf of Kusagakure, then headed toward the Senju compound with Kakashi and Kana. Tsunade intercepted them and warned Lu You to leave the Senju alone, but he grabbed her wrist and asked who had taught her that technique.

• Lu You learned ninjutsu and taijutsu after watching them twice, alarming Konoha High Command and the Third with his talent.
• Lu You criticized the Uchiha and Hyuga clans during visits, angering Uchiha Fugaku and prompting Hyuga Hiashi to confront him before his father sent him away.
• The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans declined to receive Lu You, and he set off for the Senju compound with Kakashi and Kana.
• Lu You told Kakashi that calming down could help him see a solution to his father's situation, giving Kakashi a glimmer of hope.
• Tsunade stopped the group near the Senju compound, warned Lu You that the Senju no longer existed, and pressed a hand onto his shoulder.
• Lu You grabbed Tsunade's wrist as pressure spread through his body and asked who had taught her that technique.

Lu You met Tsunade at the Senju compound and criticized the Senju for withdrawing from Konoha’s affairs, while sharing his views on the village’s failures. After two hours, he left with Kakashi and Kana and announced that the Hatake Clan was next.

• Tsunade confronted Lu You, then brought him to the Senju compound to talk away from the villagers.
• Shizune was surprised to see Lu You, whom she knew from the Ninja Academy.
• Lu You defended his criticism of the Uchiha and Hyuga and accused the Senju of abandoning their role in upholding Konoha’s ideals.
• Tsunade listened as Lu You discussed the village’s leadership and corruption, then worried that he might become an enemy and that the Third Hokage might let him leave Konoha.
• Lu You left the compound with Kakashi and Kana and said the Hatake Clan was his next stop, prompting Kakashi to wonder if he would be scolded too.

Lu You visited Hatake Sakumo and found him isolated in a hostile environment, while Kakashi struggled to care for him. Lu You told Kakashi to spread a story about being thrown out by Sakumo, leaving the reason for his plan unclear as his synchronization with the Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto Template increased.

• Kakashi reluctantly agreed to take Lu You to the Hatake home, hoping he might help Sakumo.
• Lu You saw the insults and rotten eggs around the house, then knocked on Sakumo’s door, but Sakumo refused to receive him.
• Lu You asked Kakashi if he wanted to change their situation, and Kakashi said yes.
• Lu You instructed Kakashi to tell people that Sakumo had argued with him and thrown him out; Kakashi agreed to do so the next day.
• Kana questioned why Lu You would help Konoha’s White Fang, and Lu You said heroes should not die from petty street insults.
• Lu You’s viewpoint received approval from the Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto Template, raising his Synchronization Value to 10% and unlocking two entries.

Lu You's plan restored Hatake Sakumo's standing in Konoha, and Sakumo returned from an S-rank mission to reconcile with Kakashi. The chapter ended with Lu You placing a chess piece and declaring check.

• Lu You inspected the Strongest Physique trait and planned to build synchronization with the old man before putting his plans into motion.
• Kakashi spread the story that Hatake Sakumo had outsmarted Lu You, while Shimura Danzō secretly helped publicize it.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Root helped revive Sakumo's reputation, and a month later Hiruzen asked him to take a solo S-rank mission.
• Sakumo completed the mission and returned to Konoha, where the villagers welcomed him and the Hatake Clan regained its peace.
• Sakumo apologized to Kakashi and called him his most precious treasure, and Kakashi broke down in tears.
• Lu You placed a carved chess piece in the center of his opponent's side and said, "Check."

Lu You spent years strengthening Kusagakure while living in Konoha, but a letter from Abu revealed that Hanzō was massing troops along the Land of Grass’s border. Lu You prepared to return to Kusagakure as its leader and face the coming war.

• Lu You reflected on his years in Konoha, including his friendships with Minato Namikaze, Hatake Sakumo, and Kana.
• Might Duy met Lu You at the Academy playground and wondered whether war was coming again.
• Lu You used the Summoning Technique to send his ninjutsu notes to Kusagakure and received a letter from Abu.
• Abu reported Kusagakure’s progress in training, production, and agriculture, then warned that Hanzō was gathering troops along the Land of Grass’s border.
• Lu You burned Abu’s letter and prepared to return to Kusagakure after his three-year term ended.

Lu You and Kana left Konoha to return to Kusagakure after learning that Amegakure planned to invade the Land of Grass. Lu You prepared to face Hanzo’s forces, while Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped Danzo from pursuing them.

• Kana brought Lu You intelligence that Amegakure would attack the Land of Grass, and Lu You decided to return to Kusagakure with her.
• Lu You told Kana they would leave Konoha early the next morning without saying goodbye, while Minato Namikaze and Kakashi discussed his likely decision to return.
• Kakashi visited Lu You and tried to dissuade him from going back, but Lu You insisted Kusagakure would win and urged Kakashi to return before the Anbu grew suspicious.
• A shadowy informant told Lu You that Amegakure had sent 1,500 fighters, and arranged to help Lu You and Kana slip out of Konoha at three in the morning.
• The next morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi found Lu You and Kana gone, and he refused Danzo’s demand to send men after them.

Lu You returned to Kusagakure and found it facing an imminent offensive from Amegakure. He reassured Abu that he would lead Kusagakure's forces against Hanzo while Abu defended the village.

• Lu You and Kana crossed into the Land of Grass and were escorted into Kusagakure by Yamahara Kaede.
• Yamahara Kaede led Lu You and Kana to the Grass Shadow Building, where Abu waited for Lu You.
• Abu privately welcomed Lu You and admitted that Amegakure's army at the border had left him fearing for Kusagakure.
• Abu asked permission to lead Kusagakure's troops against Hanzo of the Salamander.
• Lu You told Abu to defend Kusagakure and said he would lead the troops into battle.

Lu You rejected Abu’s cautious plan to draw Amegakure into the Land of Grass and wear down its forces, choosing instead to lead Kusagakure in a decisive battle on the border. He warned that the Third Shinobi World War could follow soon, leaving the village little time to recover if it prolonged the fighting.

• Lu You showed Abu his current strength and agreed to demonstrate it to Kusagakure’s jōnin before taking command of the troops.
• Abu presented his plan to retreat strategically, disperse Kusagakure’s forces, and harass Amegakure as it advanced.
• Lu You and Abu discussed the likelihood that Konoha and Iwagakure would stay out of the dispute, and Lu You asked about Kannabi Bridge’s strategic importance.
• Lu You rejected Abu’s plan and ordered Kusagakure to attack Amegakure on the border, aiming to finish the conflict in one battle.
• Abu accepted Lu You’s decision and agreed to carry out his plan.

Abu gathered Kusagakure’s jonin to announce a plan to strike Amegakure, then revealed that Lu You would lead the dangerous mission. He tested Lu You with a clash of fire techniques, and Lu You’s golden flames overwhelmed Abu’s as the assembled ninja watched in shock.

• Abu summoned Kusagakure’s jonin to discuss a plan to keep Amegakure’s forces out of their country.
• Abu proposed sending three hundred ninja on a fast strike against the enemy, despite Kusagakure having only four hundred ninja in its reorganized forces.
• Abu announced that he would not command the mission and asked Lu You to lead it, startling the jonin.
• Abu and Lu You faced off across the training ground and each used Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame.
• Lu You’s golden flames overpowered Abu’s crimson flames, then dispersed after Lu You stopped feeding them chakra.

Lu You defeated Abu in a swordsmanship spar, convincing Kusagakure’s jonin of his strength. That evening, Lu You and Abu led three hundred shinobi out to kill Hanzo of the Salamander.

• Lu You explained how precise chakra control let him disrupt Abu’s grip, then fought him with swords and defeated him.
• The jonin watched Lu You win and abandoned their doubts, while Yamahara Kaede called him a monster.
• Abu addressed the assembled Kusagakure shinobi, denounced Amegakure’s threat, and declared that they would never surrender.
• Abu announced that Lu You would lead three hundred combat personnel to kill Hanzo of the Salamander as quickly as possible.
• Lu You commanded the troops to move out.

Lu You led Kusagakure’s force toward Amegakure’s camp and planned to kill Hanzō before the Rain Ninja could react. After locating Hanzō, Lu You launched his attack, leaving their confrontation underway.

• Lu You ordered the Kusagakure force to wait until three in the morning, then told Yamahara Kaede to charge when Hanzō was dead and call for the Rain Ninja to surrender.
• Lu You used the Body Flicker Technique to approach Amegakure’s camp alone and activated his strongest physique.
• Lu You surveyed the patrol routes and chose an ordinary tent near their intersection as a likely place to find Hanzō.
• Lu You disguised himself as a falling rock and landed by the tent, drawing Hanzō out to investigate.
• Lu You revealed himself beside Hanzō and attacked with South Heaven Gate.

Lu You attacked Hanzō at the Rain Ninja camp, using his overwhelming strength to survive fire and water techniques and overpower the famed shinobi. As Rain Ninja rushed to help Hanzō, Lu You charged through them and cut Ibuse in two.

• Lu You shattered a liquid decoy with his strike, then Hanzō ambushed him with an Exploding Flame Formation.
• Lu You walked unharmed through the fire and used Majestic Destroyer Flame, while Hanzō and the Rain Ninja countered with Water Release techniques.
• Lu You clashed blades with Hanzō and broke his arm with a single blow, then pressed the attack as Hanzō summoned Ibuse and used poison.
• Rain Ninja charged Lu You while Hanzō retreated, but Lu You smashed through the attackers and sliced Ibuse in two.

Lu You killed Hanzō, and the Grass Ninja used the signal flare to launch a devastating assault that drove the Rain Ninja from their camp. After the battle, Lu You ordered the wounded treated and the dead gathered, while the fate of the surrendered Rain Ninja remained undecided until daybreak.

• Hanzō ordered the Rain Ninja to retreat, but Lu You beheaded him and raised a signal flare.
• Yamahara Kaede saw the flare and led three hundred Grass Ninja in an assault on the Rain Ninja camp.
• The Rain Ninja’s morale collapsed after they learned Hanzō was dead, and the Grass Ninja routed them while suffering casualties of their own.
• After roughly two hours, the remaining Rain Ninja fled into the night, leaving more than three hundred bodies behind.
• Lu You told Yamahara Kaede to list and bury the fallen, treat the wounded, and wait until daybreak to deal with the Rain Ninja who surrendered.

News of Hanzō’s death reached the Five Great Nations, prompting their leaders to assess Kusagakure’s sudden rise and the danger of a wider conflict. As Lu You marked Kusagakure’s victory on the Land of Grass border, he gained the Shunpo trait and warned that the war had only begun.

• The Third Raikage questioned reports that a ten-year-old Kusagakure commander had killed Hanzō, then acknowledged that the Grass Ninja victory could make Kusagakure a major force.
• The Third Kazekage considered how Hanzō’s death would upset the balance among the small nations and lamented Sunagakure’s lack of talent.
• The Third Mizukage ordered a congratulatory letter to Kusagakure and renewed talks about trade shipping fees.
• Ōnoki berated his subordinates over the news that a ten-year-old had killed Hanzō, while mocking Hanzō’s fall.
• Danzo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi about letting Lu You leave Konoha, but Hiruzen rejected his demands and warned that Sunagakure and Iwagakure might invade the Land of Rain.
• Lu You sharpened his blade as Kusagakure’s ninja tended the battlefield dead, then declared that the war had only begun and gained the Shunpo trait after his Synchronization Value surpassed 20%.

After returning from the Land of Rain, Lu You left the story as the focus shifted to Sasori’s failed attempt to assassinate the Third Kazekage. Surrounded and outmatched, Sasori launched a poisoned-needle attack at the Kazekage.

• Lu You led the Kusagakure ninja back after killing Hanzo, and they regarded him with awe.
• Several days later in Sunagakure, Sasori lay in wait outside the Third Kazekage’s residence with puppets resembling his parents.
• Sasori subdued the guards and sent his puppets into the house, where they stabbed a substitute instead of the Third Kazekage.
• The Third Kazekage’s forces surrounded Sasori, and iron sand trapped his feet and immobilized two of his puppets.
• The Third Kazekage urged Sasori to surrender, but Sasori released a cloud of poisoned needles from the female puppet toward him.

Sasori escaped after his failed attempt to assassinate the Third Kazekage, who sent scouts toward the Land of Rain and ordered Sunagakure to deploy there. Hiruzen Sarutobi responded to Sunagakure’s advance by placing Konoha on full war readiness and sending forces to both fronts.

• Sasori severed his legs, replaced them with prepared mechanical ones, and fled toward the Land of Rain after the Third Kazekage defeated his assassination attempt.
• The Third Kazekage ordered five hundred shinobi to scout the Land of Rain and wait for reinforcements.
• At a council meeting, the Third Kazekage announced an S-rank wanted notice for Sasori and ordered Pakura and Ebizo to lead five thousand shinobi into the Land of Rain, while Granny Chiyo was told to rest.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura discussed Sunagakure’s advance and the risk of Kumogakure attacking from the east.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi placed Konoha on level-one war readiness and ordered Jiraiya to lead three thousand shinobi east to guard against Kumogakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo to lead five thousand shinobi west, enter the Land of Rain, and drive Sunagakure back.

Konoha’s Western Front fought Sunagakure across the Land of Rain as Orochimaru tried to hold the expanding front and enlist local support. Meanwhile, Yahiko chose to prioritize refugees over joining the battle, then went to Amegakure to seek food and meet Konoha’s Shikaku Nara.

• Orochimaru and Konoha’s commanders agreed to use the Land of Rain’s terrain and Rain Ninja to resist Sunagakure’s advance.
• Hatake Sakumo broke the stalemate against Sunagakure, while Rasa briefly held him off and Granny Chiyo later helped stabilize the Sand Ninja’s formation.
• Pakura’s Scorch Release and Sunagakure’s growing force pushed Konoha toward defense, prompting Orochimaru to consolidate forces including Amegakure and Akatsuki.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan cared for refugees in a devastated town, where food was running low and war had left civilians homeless and starving.
• Yahiko rejected Konoha’s request for Akatsuki to join the fighting, saying the group needed to protect the refugees instead.
• Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato went to Amegakure, where Shikaku Nara was waiting to meet them.

Yahiko and the Akatsuki struggled to secure food for refugees in the Land of Rain and decided to seek help from Kusagakure. As the Third Shinobi World War widened, Lu You discussed the need for a lasting order, and the chapter ended with Kumogakure joining the war.

• Yahiko learned that Amegakure and Konoha would provide only surplus grain, and the Akatsuki members worried that refugees would starve amid the fighting.
• An Akatsuki member suggested seeking help from Kusagakure, and Yahiko decided to travel there with Nagato and Konan.
• Lu You practiced Shunpo while Abu warned that the war could spread to the Land of Grass.
• Lu You told Abu that he wanted an enduring order built through the work of many people, not one that depended on his strength.
• Abu received intelligence that Kumogakure had joined the war.

Minato Namikaze confronted Kumogakure’s A-B Combo on the eastern battlefield and forced them to retreat with the Flying Thunder God Technique. After Minato warned Jiraiya, the fighting escalated as the Third Raikage led Kumogakure’s main forces into the Land of Fire.

• Minato Namikaze tracked A, Killer B, and two other Kumogakure ninja as they probed Konoha’s defenses.
• A and Killer B attacked Minato together, but he evaded their strikes with the Flying Thunder God Technique and demonstrated his speed.
• A recognized Minato as the Yellow Flash, and he and Killer B withdrew from the forest.
• Minato returned to report to Jiraiya, and the eastern front’s fighting escalated within days.
• The Third Raikage led Kumogakure’s main forces into the Land of Fire, overwhelming Konoha ninja with his speed and Lightning Release Armor.