Chapter Summaries

After reaching Orochimaru’s Land of Wind base, Naoki Senju suspected the Ryūmyaku had acted with some awareness and decided to seek advice from Katsuyu Sage. Tsunade agreed to take him to Shikkotsu Forest, while Orochimaru arranged for her to visit a nearby gambling town with Naoki.

• Kabuto Yakushi found the engraved marker for Orochimaru’s Land of Wind base, and Naoki Senju wondered whether the Ryūmyaku had caused the sandstorm and their discovery of it.
• Naoki Senju sensed that the Wood Release chakra he had left in the Ryūmyaku was gone and remained unable to understand its purpose.
• Naoki Senju hugged Tsunade and said he wanted to meet Katsuyu Sage, and Tsunade agreed because he was now strong enough to visit Shikkotsu Forest.
• Orochimaru watched Naoki Senju and Tsunade’s affectionate exchange without objection, while Kabuto Yakushi decided to strengthen his relationship with Naoki and advance his research on immortal cells.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade about gambling houses in a nearby town and insisted that Naoki accompany her, and Tsunade agreed.

Pain accepted Danzo's assassination mission against Orochimaru and Naoki Senju, deciding to use it to damage Konoha's reputation. He assigned Kakuzu and Itachi to hunt the targets, who were together under Orochimaru's protection, and left them waiting for intelligence on Orochimaru's whereabouts.

• Konan showed Pain Danzo's letters requesting the assassination of Orochimaru and Naoki Senju, and Pain chose to accept the mission.
• Pain gathered the Akatsuki's core members, and Kakuzu volunteered after recalling his failed mission against Hashirama Senju.
• Pain assigned Kakuzu and Itachi to kill Orochimaru and Naoki Senju, who were currently together, and told White and Boar to recruit new members.
• Kakuzu questioned Itachi about his time with Orochimaru, and Itachi used his Sharingan to trap Kakuzu in a brief genjutsu.
• Konan gave Kakuzu and Itachi information on Orochimaru's techniques and said his whereabouts would arrive in three days.

Naoki Senju signed the Shikkotsu Forest summoning contract and summoned an enormous Katsuyu, accidentally crushing the hideout’s furnishings and trapping himself and Tsunade together. After Tsunade introduced him to Katsuyu, the slug confirmed that the Katsuyu Sage wanted to see them.

• Tsunade showed Naoki Senju the Shikkotsu Forest Summoning Scroll, and Naoki signed it in blood and left his fingerprints.
• Naoki performed the Summoning Technique, bringing a gigantic Katsuyu into the room and crushing the furniture against the walls.
• Naoki and Tsunade were squeezed together until Tsunade told Katsuyu to split into a smaller form.
• Tsunade introduced Naoki to Katsuyu as her younger brother and the Senju Clan’s new Wood Release wielder.
• Naoki sensed Katsuyu’s senjutsu and asked to meet the Katsuyu Sage, and Katsuyu relayed the Sage’s invitation to Naoki and Tsunade.

Naoki Senju and Tsunade reached the Katsuyu Sage’s shrine in Shikkotsu Forest, where Naoki saw natural energy gathering around them. After the Sage gave Naoki a wooden box, she learned he could see natural energy and asked him to demonstrate his Wood Release.

• Katsuyu guided Naoki Senju and Tsunade through Shikkotsu Forest, where Tsunade gave Naoki an antidote pill for the poisonous mushroom spores.
• Naoki and Tsunade entered the shrine and met the Katsuyu Sage, who praised Naoki’s steady aura and resilient mind.
• The Katsuyu Sage used natural energy to float a wooden box to Naoki, and Naoki recognized the energy she had used.
• The Katsuyu Sage asked Naoki whether he could see natural energy, and he claimed that he could.
• The Katsuyu Sage asked Naoki to demonstrate his Wood Release.

Naoki Senju received Hashirama’s Wood Release branch and necklace chakra, then learned that the Katsuyu Sage’s true body lay beneath Shikkotsu Forest. At the sage’s chosen clearing, he used Deep Forest Emergence to grow an immense forest that continued to spread.

• The Katsuyu Sage told Naoki Senju to open a box containing Hashirama’s branch, which Tsunade’s necklace transformed alongside into powerful chakra that flowed into Naoki.
• The Katsuyu Sage asked Naoki whether he knew Deep Forest Emergence and led him and Tsunade outside.
• Naoki asked Tsunade why the Katsuyu Sage’s body was so small, and Tsunade revealed that all of Shikkotsu Forest was the sage’s true body.
• Naoki considered the sage’s age and the extent of her body as they reached a clearing.
• Naoki used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, rapidly growing a vast expanse of enormous trees that continued to expand.

Naoki Senju experienced senjutsu chakra and entered Sage Mode, where he met a chakra remnant of Hashirama Senju. Hashirama asked about Konoha, while Naoki reflected on how much he disagreed with Hashirama’s ideals.

• Naoki Senju stopped Deep Forest Emergence and sensed senjutsu chakra, while the Katsuyu Sage explained how it was formed.
• The Katsuyu Sage poured natural energy into Naoki Senju, causing his Sage Mode to manifest as black markings spread across his face and neck.
• Naoki Senju found himself in a mental space and met Hashirama Senju, who explained that he was a remnant of chakra he had left behind.
• Naoki Senju introduced himself as Tobirama Senju’s grandson and explained that his family branch lived in the Land of Fire’s capital.
• Hashirama Senju asked how Konoha was doing, and Naoki Senju privately judged Hashirama’s ideals as naive and favored Tobirama Senju and Madara Uchiha’s harsher philosophies.

Naoki Senju told Hashirama Senju how Konoha prospered under Tobirama, then recounted the wars and Tobirama’s death. Hashirama was devastated by the losses but brightened when he learned Tsunade had become one of Konoha’s Sannin, while Naoki withheld news of Nawaki’s death.

• Naoki Senju explained that Hashirama’s death had been kept secret and that Tobirama became Hokage in Konoha Year 14.
• Naoki described Tobirama’s reforms and how Konoha entered the First Shinobi World War after Hashirama’s death became known.
• Naoki recounted Konoha’s victories and Tobirama’s final stand, during which he killed Ginkaku and crippled Kinkaku before dying.
• Naoki told Hashirama that the war ended after Tobirama’s death and that Hiruzen Sarutobi later became the Third Hokage.
• Naoki described the Second Shinobi World War and revealed that Tsunade had risen to prominence as one of the Konoha Sannin.
• Hashirama laughed with joy at Tsunade’s success, while Naoki chose not to tell him that Nawaki had died.

Naoki Senju told Hashirama Senju how war and tragedy had devastated Konoha and the Senju, then declared that Konoha was responsible for the clan's destruction. He rejected destroying the village and planned instead to help Tsunade become Fifth Hokage and strip its corrupt powers, while Hashirama accepted him as family.

• Naoki Senju recounted the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars and the deaths and departures of Konoha's prominent shinobi.
• Naoki Senju revealed that the Uchiha had been wiped out and that he was the Senju Clan's sole survivor, saved by Sister Tsunade.
• Hashirama Senju asked whether Naoki Senju suspected Konoha, and Naoki declared that Konoha was the only possible culprit.
• Hashirama Senju asked how Naoki Senju would take revenge, ready to stop him if he planned to destroy Konoha.
• Naoki Senju explained that he would help Sister Tsunade become the Fifth Hokage and cripple the people who held power in the village.
• Hashirama Senju approved of Naoki Senju's plan and asked him to call him Grandpa.

Naoki Senju woke after briefly mastering Sage Mode, and Tsunade discovered that he had also given her a small amount of senjutsu chakra. When he asked Katsuyu Sage about the Ryūmyaku’s spirit, her shocked response suggested Naoki had encountered a deity.

• The markings on Naoki Senju’s face receded as he emerged from Sage Mode, and Tsunade sensed his aura had grown more dangerous.
• Naoki woke and playfully embraced Tsunade, whose body weakened after he touched her head.
• Naoki explained that he had given Tsunade weakened senjutsu chakra so she could gradually adapt and practice senjutsu.
• Katsuyu Sage said Hashirama Senju had passed Naoki a method for cultivating Wood Release senjutsu and invited him to keep training in Shikkotsu Forest.
• Naoki asked whether the Ryūmyaku had a spirit, and Katsuyu Sage exclaimed that he might have seen the deity.

Naoki Senju learned that the Ryūmyaku’s consciousness was part of Otsutsuki Kaguya’s scattered soul, then returned from Shikkotsu Forest to find the Akatsuki closing in on Orochimaru’s hideouts. He confronted Orochimaru and asked which Akatsuki members were coming for them.

• The Katsuyu Sage revealed that part of Otsutsuki Kaguya’s soul resided in the Ryūmyaku and advised Naoki Senju to reinforce its seal and ask the Toad Sage at Mount Myōboku for more information.
• Tsunade’s Shadow Clone dispelled, so she and Naoki Senju left Shikkotsu Forest and returned to the hideout.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade and Naoki Senju that the Akatsuki had destroyed three hideouts and was approaching their base in the Land of Wind.
• Orochimaru stared at Naoki Senju’s divine markings until Tsunade blocked his view and warned him not to threaten her little brother.
• Naoki Senju challenged Orochimaru over whether he had led the Akatsuki to the hideouts, then asked who was pursuing them.
• Orochimaru named Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu as the Akatsuki members coming after them.

Tsunade took command after Orochimaru explained that Akatsuki’s core included powerful missing-nin, and she prepared to face Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu. Later, Naoki told her that he had informed Hashirama Senju about the destruction of the Senju and Uchiha clans, while Tsunade wondered whether Hashirama had urged them to contact the Senju Clan’s former allies.

• Naoki Senju recognized Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu as the two Akatsuki members who had arrived to hunt Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade that Akatsuki had five core members before Uchiha Itachi joined, and that its members were powerful, difficult-to-handle missing-nin.
• Tsunade took command and ordered Orochimaru, Naoki, and Shizune to follow her orders.
• Tsunade stopped Naoki from undressing her and asked what he and Hashirama Senju had discussed.
• Naoki explained that he had told Hashirama about the destruction of the Uchiha and Senju clans, and Tsunade asked whether Hashirama had told them to contact the Senju Clan’s former followers.

Naoki Senju told Tsunade that he and Hashirama Senju had agreed to help her become the Fifth Hokage while punishing those involved in the Senju Clan deaths. At a secret base in the Land of Wind, Tsunade’s group prepared to ambush Akatsuki after scouts detected its members approaching.

• Tsunade pressed Naoki Senju to reveal Hashirama Senju’s real opinion, and Naoki said they had agreed that no one connected to the Senju Clan deaths would escape.
• Uchiha Itachi showed Kakuzu a powerful Sharingan, then left the Land of Rivers base with him as Zetsu emerged and followed them.
• Naoki Senju struggled to master Sage Mode and identified chakra control as his problem, so Tsunade offered to train him in medical ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru reported that Akatsuki members had entered the Land of Wind and would reach the base within a day.
• Tsunade ordered Orochimaru to check weapons and evacuate his subordinates, Shizune to prepare medicines and poisons, and Naoki to inspect the traps for their ambush.

Tsunade, Naoki, and Orochimaru prepared an ambush for Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu at Orochimaru’s base in the Land of Wind. Their explosive-tag trap injured Kakuzu and destroyed one of his hearts, while Itachi escaped nearly unharmed, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Black Zetsu followed Itachi and Kakuzu toward Orochimaru’s base after sensing familiar chakra in the earth.
• Tsunade and Naoki finished laying explosive-tag traps, and Shizune and Guren reported that the Akatsuki pair had reached the first perimeter.
• Itachi and Kakuzu approached the base cautiously, then hundreds of explosive tags detonated around them after someone snapped their fingers.
• Kakuzu survived the blast but lost a heart, while Orochimaru launched his sea of snakes at Itachi’s hiding place.
• Itachi escaped the snakes by transforming from a flock of crows, while Kakuzu’s cloud-patterned robe was blasted to shreds.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the Third Kazekage and tried to make him fight Uchiha Itachi. As Naoki Senju attacked Kakuzu with Wood Release, Orochimaru sealed the Third Kazekage into a mindless puppet, and Itachi re-formed from crows after being struck by the Kazekage’s attacks.

• Orochimaru summoned the Third Kazekage with Impure World Reincarnation and ordered him to fight for him.
• The Third Kazekage refused Orochimaru’s command and attacked him with black iron sand while Uchiha Itachi watched.
• Kakuzu completed his Earth Grudge Fear transformation and prepared to attack Orochimaru, but Naoki Senju’s wooden spikes struck him from above.
• Orochimaru bound the weakened Third Kazekage with Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and used a sealing tag to turn him into a puppet.
• Uchiha Itachi recognized the Wood Release as the legendary First Hokage’s technique, then faced the puppet Third Kazekage’s iron sand attacks.
• Uchiha Itachi re-formed from crows in front of Orochimaru and answered that genjutsu had no effect on the reincarnated Kazekage.

Uchiha Itachi exposed Orochimaru’s disguise but was badly wounded and forced to face the Third Kazekage. Meanwhile, Naoki Senju unleashed the Second Hokage’s legendary Hard Vortex Water Blade against Kakuzu, who endured the attack and began hardening his body.

• Uchiha Itachi trapped the disguised Orochimaru in genjutsu, then turned to help the Senju Clan member with Wood Release.
• The Third Kazekage ambushed Uchiha Itachi with iron-sand senbon, and the real Orochimaru revealed that the genjutsu victim was Kabuto Yakushi wearing a stolen face.
• Orochimaru taunted Uchiha Itachi as the Third Kazekage charged him with iron-sand weapons.
• Naoki Senju split Kakuzu’s combined flame-and-wind attack with Water Severing Wave and plunged toward him with Hard Vortex Water Blade.
• Kakuzu recalled the Second Hokage’s deadly pursuit of him alongside Kinkaku and Ginkaku as Naoki’s waterspout tore through him and his Earth Grudge Fear creatures.
• Kakuzu drew his remaining wind- and fire-attribute creatures into his body and used Multiple Hardening Technique to resist the waterspout.

Naoki Senju overwhelmed Kakuzu with his immense Water Release, destroying another of Kakuzu’s hearts before Kakuzu recovered and attacked. As Kakuzu launched his Tentacle Fist, Naoki countered with Monster-Strength-Fist.

• Guren was convinced by the scale and power of Naoki Senju’s Water Release.
• Uchiha Itachi battled Orochimaru with successive Fire Style attacks, while Orochimaru used the Third Kazekage’s iron sand to defend.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu watched the battle and wondered whether Naoki’s Wood Release meant Asura had appeared.
• Naoki increased the power of Hard Vortex Water Blade, cutting through Kakuzu’s defenses and destroying another of his hearts.
• Kakuzu’s black tentacles consumed his wind-attribute Earth Grudge Fear, restoring his limbs and strengthening the tentacle monster.
• Kakuzu charged at Naoki with Tentacle Fist, but Naoki seized the tentacles and struck with Monster-Strength-Fist.

Naoki Senju fought Kakuzu with Monster Strength Fist and destroyed his final heart. Kakuzu died in the desert, while Naoki was left injured.

• Naoki Senju punched through Kakuzu's tendril limbs and smashed his face, but Kakuzu severed his right hand to escape the blow.
• Kakuzu chose to stand and fight instead of fleeing, and Naoki Senju met his charge head-on.
• Kakuzu struck Naoki Senju with Earth Flow Spears, but Naoki used a Wood Clone to take the attack.
• Naoki Senju tangled Kakuzu's tendrils with vines and landed three punches on the same spot, breaking through his Hardening Technique.
• Naoki Senju pulled out and crushed Kakuzu's final heart, killing him.

Uchiha Itachi defeated Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation of the Third Kazekage and headed toward Naoki Senju’s battlefield. The two met and began fighting, leaving their confrontation unresolved as Naoki unleashed Wood Release.

• Uchiha Itachi used Fire Style to demagnetize the Third Kazekage’s iron sand, then trapped Orochimaru in Genjutsu.
• Uchiha Itachi made Orochimaru release the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, and the Third Kazekage returned to his coffin.
• Uchiha Itachi left to rescue Naoki Senju, while Naoki headed to rescue Itachi, and they met on the way.
• Naoki Senju attacked Uchiha Itachi with Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, forcing White Zetsu and Black Zetsu to retreat underground.

Naoki Senju revealed his identity to Uchiha Itachi and acknowledged that Konoha had wronged the Uchiha and Itachi in the massacre. He blamed Danzo and urged Itachi to leave the Akatsuki and return to Konoha, where Naoki planned to support Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.

• Black Zetsu hoped Naoki Senju would kill Uchiha Itachi and provoke the Akatsuki into retaliating.
• Naoki introduced himself as the Second Hokage's grandson and Tsunade's student, while Itachi wondered whether his undercover role had been exposed.
• Naoki asked whether Itachi would make the same choice before the Uchiha massacre, and Itachi said he would.
• Naoki admitted that Konoha had wronged the Uchiha, Itachi, and Sasuke Uchiha, then promised to fight for the clan.
• Naoki named Danzo as the massacre's mastermind and said he would support Tsunade as Fifth Hokage.
• Naoki urged Itachi to leave the Akatsuki and return to Konoha.

Naoki Senju and Uchiha Itachi exchanged intelligence and discussed Itachi’s loyalty to Konoha and his wish to keep the Uchiha massacre’s truth from Sasuke. Itachi agreed to continue investigating the Akatsuki, and Naoki prepared to disguise him before he left.

• Uchiha Itachi gave Naoki Senju a crow for communicating with him and warned him that the Akatsuki was targeting Orochimaru.
• Uchiha Itachi handed Naoki a scroll containing intelligence on Akatsuki bases, operatives, and members, including Kakuzu and Orochimaru.
• Uchiha Itachi asked Naoki not to reveal to Sasuke that he had carried out the mission against the Uchiha Clan, so Sasuke could direct his hatred at him.
• Naoki gave Uchiha Itachi medicine to ease physical strain, and Itachi promised to uncover the Akatsuki’s objectives and strength for Konoha.
• As Uchiha Itachi prepared to leave, Naoki stopped him and proposed disguising him in another staged act so the Akatsuki would not suspect him.