Chapter Summaries

After the Land of Snow’s victory, Kazahana Koyuki renamed it the Land of Spring and assigned her new government key diplomatic and military tasks. Meanwhile, Yuhan turned Hongshi and his companions’ water-training into a new film, while a hidden clone of Hongshi remained active in Snow Castle.

• Hongshi, Yuhan, and Rock Lee mourned Hieimon at his grave before the Konoha party departed by ship, leaving Kazahana Koyuki behind.
• Hongshi, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee trained across the sea as Yuhan and the director watched; Yuhan staged a mock battle with them for a sequel film.
• Kazahana Koyuki told Kazahana Kinji and Sandayu that the Land of Snow would become the Land of Spring, appointing Sandayu foreign minister and Kinji great general and protector.
• Kazahana Koyuki ordered Sandayu to travel to Konoha for the Chunin Ninja Exams and establish diplomatic ties, while Kinji was sent to the Land of Iron to buy metal ore.
• Hongshi’s nuclear clone sneezed while studying blueprints with Hieimon in Snow Castle’s classified archives.

Hongshi established the Nuclear Ninja Village in the Land of Spring, assigning his allies roles in its defense, training, research, and administration. After Hieimon defeated Captain Jack in a sparring fight, Kakuhei declared that governing through technology mattered more than governing through force.

• Hongshi used Sage Art: Earth Release: Village Construction Jutsu to create the Nuclear Ninja Village and named his nuclear clone Kakuhei, its First Nuclear Shadow.
• Kakuhei assigned the Gotei 13 to training, Captain Jack and Kazahana Dōtō's team to defense, Hieimon to ninja tool research, and Gato and Red Beard to finance and interior affairs.
• Captain Jack attacked the exhausted Kakuhei, but Hieimon stepped in and caught the Kubikiribōchō with his bare hands.
• Hieimon used Nuclear Release techniques and lightning armor to block Captain Jack's attacks and overwhelm him with rapid slashes.
• Kakuhei said governing through technology mattered more than governing through force as the thirteen children watched the fight.

Gaara transformed into Shukaku and killed Dosu Kinuta, while Gekko Hayate overheard Kabuto and Baki discussing Orochimaru and Sunagakure’s plan to seize Sasuke and Hongshi. Baki nearly killed Hayate, but Hongshi appeared after healing his wounds and sealed his mind to keep him unconscious.

• On a full-moon night at Kikyo Castle, Gaara transformed into Shukaku and crushed Dosu Kinuta, who had tried to kill him for Orochimaru’s promised Cursed Seal of Heaven.
• Gekko Hayate overheard Kabuto and Baki reveal their alliance and plan to seize Sasuke and Hongshi, then realized Baki had detected him.
• Baki fought Hayate, who used his recovered strength to wound Baki with his sword techniques, but Baki trapped his katana and struck him with Wind Release: Wind Blade.
• Hayate escaped using a smoke bomb, collapsed in the forest with severe wounds, and was healed by a Four Symbols Seal formula on his chest.
• Hongshi appeared, said Hayate could not yet interfere with Orochimaru’s plan, and sealed Hayate’s mind to keep him unconscious.

Hongshi and his companions returned to Konoha after filming their movie, where Sakura revealed how much she had grown during a month of training with Hongshi’s Shadow Clone. The group learned that Dosu had been killed and Hayate was comatose, then discussed the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams matches as Naruto and Jiraiya reunited with them.

• Hongshi and the others returned to Konoha after their sea voyage ran long because they filmed the second Hongshi Ninja Scroll movie.
• Sakura met the group and showed her stronger, changed appearance; she and the others learned that Hieimon had died in the Land of Spring.
• Sakura told Neji that Dosu Kinuta had been killed and Hayate-sensei was in a coma, prompting Neji to voice his suspicions.
• Naruto and Jiraiya arrived, and Hongshi impressed Jiraiya with an elaborate alternative introduction before the two decided to go to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Sakura told Naruto that Hongshi had trained her with a Shadow Clone for a month and revealed the four exam matches, including a three-way battle between Yuhan, Hinata, and Kiba.

At the Chunin Exams, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Kazekage discussed the contestants as Konoha prepared for a possible attack by Orochimaru. Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha began the first match, revealing Sakura’s new elemental skills and improved fighting style.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konoha jonin to stay alert while Inoichi Yamanaka investigated the comatose Gekko Hayate.
• The Fourth Kazekage arrived, discussed Yuhan and the Land of Spring with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and noticed Hongshi sleeping in the stands.
• Genma Shiranui announced Sakura Haruno versus Sasuke Uchiha as the first match, and the two began fighting.
• Sasuke Uchiha attacked with Fire Style, but Sakura Haruno blocked the flames with an Earth-Style Wall and countered with Water Release.
• Kakashi suspected Hongshi had changed Sakura’s fighting style, while Danzo recognized the large scroll on Sakura’s back as the First’s scroll.

Inoichi discovered that Orochimaru, Otogakure, and Sunagakure planned to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Sasuke and Sakura fought in the arena. Sakura defeated Sasuke with Wood Release and left him seriously injured, and Hongshi declared his mission to beat Sasuke was one-twelfth complete.

• Inoichi searched Hayate's mind and revealed Orochimaru's alliance with Otogakure and Sunagakure and their plan to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen ordered Konoha's noncombatants evacuated and instructed the Jonin and Anbu to prepare for battle after learning Gaara was the One-Tail Jinchuriki.
• Inoichi warned the Jonin that impostors had infiltrated the arena, and Kakashi and Guy confirmed that at least thirty apparent Anbu were enemies.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan and Chidori to attack Sakura, but Sakura countered with Wood Release: Cherry Blossom Impact Fist.
• Sasuke crashed into Sakura's wooden fist, suffered serious injuries, and was carried away by the medical team as Hongshi said his mission was one-twelfth complete.

Sakura revealed her Wood Release and defeated her opponent, while the Chunin Exam matches continued until Yuhan noticed a genjutsu and ended his fight against Hinata and Kiba. A Sound Ninja invasion began, but Konoha's forces counterattacked quickly; Gaara ignored the plan and flew toward Sakura to challenge her.

• Sakura used Wood Release as the Three-Tails' jinchūriki, impressing the spectators and winning her battle.
• Neji defeated Shino, and Temari won after Shikamaru trapped her and then surrendered.
• Yuhan fought Hinata and Kiba, then knocked them out after Inoichi warned him to end the match and he spotted signs of an infiltration.
• A genjutsu put many spectators to sleep, and masked Sound Ninja attacked the arena, but Konoha's Anbu, jonin, and chunin quickly fought back and protected the civilians.
• Baki ordered Gaara to use the Feigning Sleep Technique, but Gaara ignored him, flew toward Sakura, and launched Sand Shower.

Orochimaru launched an attack on Konoha during the exams, while his forces abducted Yuhan and Hongshi amid the fighting. Sakura battled Gaara and Temari, and after Gaara crushed her with Sand Binding Coffin, she spoke with a slight smile.

• The Kazekage declared the attack, and Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized him as Orochimaru.
• Tayuya revealed herself and used her flute to incapacitate Genma Shiranui before abducting Yuhan.
• Neji protected Sakura and Hongshi from Gaara, Temari, Sakon, and Ukon, but Sakon and Ukon carried Hongshi away.
• Neji chased after the kidnappers while Sakura stayed behind to fight Gaara and Temari.
• Sakura used Wood Release to defend against Gaara’s sand, but Gaara and Temari shattered her barrier and Gaara crushed her with Sand Binding Coffin; Sakura then spoke with a slight smile.

Hongshi trained Sakura to develop Wood Release, but repeated attempts left her temporarily transformed into wood. After Sakura discovered how to balance her body and will, she succeeded and spent the next twenty days developing Wood Release techniques alongside Genjutsu.

• Hongshi brought Sakura to their old training ground and explained that she could attempt to create Wood Release by combining Earth, Water, and Yang chakra.
• Sakura repeatedly produced small plants but suffered strange wooden transformations, which Hongshi reversed with his chakra rod and the Preta Path.
• After three days of failure, Hongshi and Sakura consulted the First's scroll, then went to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal.
• Teuchi's remarks about putting one's will into ramen inspired Sakura to realize that Wood Release required balance between the body and the will.
• Sakura successfully grew a thick tree, then trained for twenty days to combine Wood Release with Genjutsu.

Sakura trapped Gaara and Temari with Wood Release and Genjutsu while Orochimaru began his attack on Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation. Hiruzen prepared to face Orochimaru, who summoned someone with Impure World Reincarnation.

• Sakura caught Gaara and Temari in Cherry Blossom Genjutsu, bound them with Great Tree Binding, and put them to sleep.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had killed the Kazekage and confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage's viewing stand.
• Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Yuhan and Hongshi arrived, and Tayuya and the others erected the Four Violet Flames Formation around Orochimaru, Hiruzen, Hongshi, and Neji.
• Neji tried to attack Tayuya through the barrier, then used Wind Release with Gentle Fist to counter Orochimaru's Great Breakthrough, but Hongshi caught him as he was blown backward.
• Hiruzen blocked Orochimaru's wind with an earthen wall and prepared to fight, but Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hizashi inside the barrier as Gaara awoke and transformed into One-Tail Shukaku in the arena. Shikamaru coordinated an effort to wake Gaara, and as Shukaku prepared to attack, Sakura unleashed her Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique.

• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hizashi, while Neji recognized his father.
• Gaara awoke, and sand engulfed him as he transformed into One-Tail Shukaku.
• Naruto, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Shikamaru joined Sakura, and Shikamaru learned from Temari that waking Gaara would stop Shukaku.
• Shikamaru planned a coordinated attack while Sakura channeled her cursed seal energy.
• Naruto's clones distracted Shukaku, Tenten blasted open Gaara's sand shield, and Rock Lee kicked Gaara in an attempt to wake him.
• Shikamaru briefly restrained Shukaku as Rock Lee struck Gaara, but Shukaku began a Drilling Air Bullet attack before Sakura summoned a Wood Golem.

Sakura and the others defeated Shukaku, but Gaara attacked them until Sasuke stopped him. Inside the barrier, Hongshi and Hiruzen trapped Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hizashi with a coordinated shuriken and wire attack, while Orochimaru countered Hiruzen’s fire technique.

• Sakura used Wood Release with Lee and Naruto to break Shukaku’s defense, and Gaara awakened as Shukaku returned to the seal.
• Gaara restrained Sakura, Tenten, Shikamaru, Lee, and Naruto, but Sasuke struck Gaara with Chidori and stopped him from using ninjutsu.
• Sakura offered the injured fighters Hongshi’s enhanced military ration pills, and Shikamaru took one as the group prepared to recover.
• Tobirama sensed Sakura’s newly awakened Wood Release and urged Hiruzen to protect and train her, while Orochimaru used talismans to control the reanimated Hokage and Hizashi Hyuga.
• Hongshi and Hiruzen combined Wind Release, giant shuriken, and steel wire to restrain Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hizashi, then Hiruzen attacked them with Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Orochimaru used Great Breakthrough to blow Hiruzen’s fire dragon back, creating a stalemate that heated the barrier and turned the steel wires red.

Hongshi used Spirit Transmission to restore Hiruzen Sarutobi to his youthful peak, allowing him to overpower Orochimaru’s reanimated Hokage and temporarily seal Hashirama and Tobirama. Hongshi then approached Tayuya, who maintained the Four Violet Flames Formation, and tried to persuade her to become his little sister.

• Tobirama countered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Fire Dragon Flame Bullet with a Water Formation Wall, while Hashirama attacked with Wood Release and Neji engaged Hizashi Hyuga.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma, and Hongshi used Spirit Transmission to restore Sarutobi’s strength and youth at the cost of all his chakra.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his shadow clones used the Five Dragon Combo Bullet and Roaring Thunder to defeat Hashirama and Tobirama’s attacks, then sealed both reanimated Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s clones pressed Orochimaru in combat as Hongshi recovered and admired himself in Hokage robes.
• Hongshi touched the Four Violet Flames Formation without being hurt and sat by Tayuya, asking her to become his little sister.

Neji and Hongshi fought Hizashi Hyuga while Hiruzen Sarutobi battled Orochimaru, and Hongshi overwhelmed Hizashi with his own version of Gentle Fist. After Hiruzen sealed the reanimated fighters, Neji began speaking with his father and the Hokage started moving again.

• Neji used Shadow Clone: Gentle Fist, Three Heavens Rotation, but Hizashi Hyuga countered it and sent Neji flying with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
• Hongshi let Hizashi strike him with Gentle Fist, then blasted him apart with four powerful palm strikes.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi struck Orochimaru while Hongshi fought, and one of Hiruzen’s Shadow Clones sealed the reanimated Hizashi Hyuga again.
• Hiruzen’s Shadow Clone told Neji to guard Hizashi and Hongshi to watch Hashirama and Tobirama before it disappeared.
• Hashirama and Tobirama began moving, Tobirama questioned Hongshi about his powerful chakra, and Neji started speaking with Hizashi Hyuga.

Neji learned that Hizashi had chosen to die to protect the Hyuga Clan and Konoha, while Hongshi debated peace and shinobi strength with Hashirama and Tobirama. Hongshi extracted the brothers’ souls to keep them in the world and began preparing to show Neji something.

• Hizashi told Neji that he had willingly died to protect the Hyuga Clan and Konoha, and Neji broke down as his resentment toward the Main Family lifted.
• Tobirama sensed the immense chakra hidden inside Hongshi and questioned his motives, leading Hongshi, Hashirama, and Tobirama to argue about peace, bloodlines, will, and dialectics.
• Hongshi offered to keep Hashirama and Tobirama in the world as souls sealed inside a host, and Tobirama agreed so they could help prevent catastrophe.
• Hongshi used Human Path: Soul Devouring to extract Hashirama’s and Tobirama’s souls, leaving Kin and Zaku’s Impure World Reincarnation bodies behind.
• Hongshi drew Hashirama’s soul into himself, hid Tobirama’s soul behind his back, and called Neji over to show him something.

Orochimaru summoned the Third Raikage as his trump card after Hiruzen Sarutobi exhausted much of his chakra. Hongshi replenished Hiruzen’s strength, then fought the Third Raikage inside the barrier and unleashed a powerful Nuclear Heavy Fist, leaving everyone bracing for the blast.

• Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the Third Raikage, whose coffin blocked Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attack.
• Hongshi sealed Tobirama’s soul inside Neji and was surprised when Orochimaru revealed the Third Raikage.
• Hongshi used Flying Thunder God and Spirit Transformation Technique: Spirit Transfer to restore Hiruzen Sarutobi’s chakra.
• The Third Raikage attacked Hongshi with One-Finger Nukite, but Hongshi grabbed his arm and took only a red mark to the chest.
• Hongshi struck the Third Raikage with Nuclear Release: Nuclear Heavy Fist, filling the barrier with white light as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru defended themselves.

Konoha’s forces repelled the attackers in the arena, while Snow Ninja protected the dignitaries and secured the Land of Spring a diplomatic opening. Hiruzen Sarutobi survived Orochimaru’s explosive attack, but Orochimaru escaped; Hongshi captured Tayuya and prepared to show Sakura something as Neji tried to warn her.

• Kakashi’s team fought off the Sound and Sand Ninja, while Izumo Kamizuki sent Team Kurenai Yuhi to escort Gaara back to prison.
• Four Snow Ninja in Chakra Armor froze the Sound Ninja who tried to seize the daimyo and senior officials, and Asama Sandayu secured the Land of Fire daimyo’s agreement to establish diplomatic relations.
• Kakashi split the Konoha fighters into groups to confront the remaining invaders, then an explosion shattered part of the Four Violet Flames Formation around Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Orochimaru after the blast, but Orochimaru escaped using a snakeskin decoy, and the Sound Four fled in separate directions.
• Hongshi stopped Tayuya from escaping with Neji over his shoulder, but Sakura struck Tayuya unconscious with Wood Release after she opened the barrier.
• Hongshi beckoned Sakura over to show her something, while Neji warned her not to approach.

After the invasion of Konoha, Itachi and Kisame encountered Yuhan while she was being carried away by Kidomaru and discovered her immense chakra. Yuhan revealed her Ice Release and challenged Kisame, leaving their fight about to begin.

• After Orochimaru's forces retreated, Itachi and Kisame arrived in Konoha to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and investigate Hongshi.
• Itachi and Kisame spotted Kidomaru fleeing with Yuhan and intercepted him in the forest.
• Yuhan woke and denied being under Kidomaru's control, while Kisame and Itachi recognized that she was a Jinchuriki; Kidomaru fled after seeing Itachi's Sharingan.
• Itachi and Kisame prepared to capture Yuhan, but she revealed her Ice Release and said she had heard about them from their boss.
• Yuhan created nearly a hundred ice mirrors with her technique Cold Moon Frost Blossoms as Kisame prepared to fight her.

Yuhan fought Kisame but was defeated after Itachi caught her in a genjutsu, and Kisame took her away. In Konoha, Hongshi revealed that Tobirama and Hashirama had been sealed inside Neji and Sakura, then realized he could no longer sense Yuhan’s Flying Thunder God mark and hurried to find her.

• Kisame overwhelmed Yuhan’s ice techniques by absorbing chakra, and Itachi urged him to finish the fight.
• Yuhan unleashed her jinchūriki chakra and froze Kisame inside a giant ice lotus, but Kisame broke free and wounded her.
• Yuhan tried to escape, but Itachi put her under a genjutsu; Kisame captured her and summoned a giant shark to carry her away.
• At the tournament arena, Hongshi told Neji that Tobirama had been sealed inside him, and Tobirama confirmed it.
• Hashirama appeared from Sakura and learned that Hongshi had sealed him inside her to teach her Wood Release.
• Hongshi sensed that Yuhan’s Flying Thunder God mark had vanished and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave.

Hongshi tracked down Kisame and Itachi while searching for Yuhan, then killed Kisame after Samehada absorbed his chakra. He trapped Itachi in his Mental World and prepared to question him about Yuhan.

• Tobirama learned that Hongshi had enormous chakra, then ordered Neji to serve as his transportation and promised to handle the Hyuga Clan's affairs.
• Hongshi used Sage Mode to locate Kisame and Itachi, then pursued them with Nuclear Energy Lightning Armor.
• Hongshi attacked Kisame, demanded Yuhan's whereabouts, and killed him with Human Path: Soul Devouring when Kisame refused to answer.
• Hongshi searched Kisame's mind and learned that Yuhan had gone to find Pain.
• Itachi attacked Hongshi with Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, but Hongshi countered the flames and trapped Itachi in his Mental World.