Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Liuyun stormed Root headquarters demanding that Danzo Shimura return his mother, Asuka. After Liuyun’s Black Dragon demolished the base and he fought off Danzo and Root’s forces, he threatened to kill Danzo unless his mother was handed over.

• Liuyun barged into Root headquarters and demanded that the Root members hand over his missing mother, Asuka.
• Liuyun summoned the Black Dragon and ordered it to unleash its Water Release Sage Art against Root.
• Danzo Shimura ordered Root’s elites to attack Liuyun, but the Black Dragon’s flood swept them away and burst through the headquarters’ roof.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen heard that Root headquarters was under attack and raced there after an Anbu Hyuga reported the Black Dragon’s destruction.
• Danzo attacked Liuyun with Wind Release, but the Black Dragon blocked the technique, and Liuyun electrocuted the Root ninjas through the floodwater.
• Liuyun demanded Asuka’s return once more and threatened to kill Danzo if he refused.

Liuyun attacked Danzo Shimura after finding the Root base destroyed and believing Danzo had taken his mother, Asuka. Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped Liuyun from killing Danzo, promised to help find Asuka, and then restricted Liuyun’s freedom.

• Danzo Shimura attacked Liuyun with Wind Release, and Liuyun countered with Chidori and rushed to kill him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen intercepted Liuyun’s attack and demanded to know what was happening.
• Liuyun accused Danzo Shimura of capturing Asuka, while Danzo denied it and demanded that Hiruzen punish Liuyun for destroying the Root base.
• Liuyun summoned the Black Dragon and threatened to continue unless Asuka was returned, prompting Sarutobi Hiruzen to promise an investigation and a search.
• Danzo Shimura left with the Root members, and Liuyun sent the Black Dragon back to Ryūchi Cave.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Liuyun he would help find Asuka but would restrict his freedom, and Liuyun accepted.

Locked in a detention cell, Liuyun reviewed the suspicious events surrounding Kushina’s kidnapping and Asuka’s disappearance. He began to suspect Madara Uchiha might be behind the plot, while admitting he still lacked enough information to identify the mastermind.

• Liuyun questioned why a fourth Cloud Ninja had stayed hidden during Kushina’s kidnapping and concluded the survivor’s actions seemed intended to target him.
• Liuyun considered how his fame after defeating Hanzo had made him a potential target for enemies across the Shinobi World.
• Liuyun continued to suspect Danzo Shimura had abducted Asuka, while briefly considering the Uchiha Great Elder as another possibility.
• Liuyun wondered whether one mastermind was behind both the spy in the Cloud Ninja delegation and Asuka’s disappearance.
• Liuyun reconsidered Madara Uchiha as a possible mastermind after realizing his trust in the plot had caused him to overlook the threat.

Uchiha Fugaku led the clan’s forces toward the Wind-Fire Battlefield while Konoha searched desperately for Asuka, whose disappearance left Liuyun close to breaking out of confinement. Cloud Village then threatened war unless Konoha sacrificed Liuyun, and the Hokage advisors urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to accept the demand.

• Uchiha Fugaku took command of the Uchiha forces and led them toward the Wind-Fire Battlefield, determined to prove himself.
• Konoha’s Anbu searched for the missing Asuka while Liuyun repeatedly asked for news from his confinement room.
• Liuyun threatened the guards and nearly fought his way out, but the Anbu captain persuaded him to wait until nightfall for the search to succeed.
• The Third Raikage convened Cloud Village’s leaders, who decided to threaten war and demand that Konoha eliminate Liuyun.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen read Cloud Village’s threatening letter, and the Hokage advisors urged him to sacrifice Liuyun to avoid war.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was pressured by his advisors to sacrifice Uchiha Liuyun to avert war and uphold the Will of Fire. In the Detention Center, Root threatened Liuyun by revealing that they had captured his mother, and Liuyun roared in fury after the messenger vanished.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to hand Liuyun over, citing the threat of war and Liuyun's attack on Root.
• Mitokado Homura invoked the Will of Fire, prompting Hiruzen to reconsider sacrificing Liuyun for Konoha.
• An Anbu squad captain grew uneasy at Liuyun's silence and arranged for a Jonin to report his behavior to the Third Hokage.
• A Root ninja demanded to speak with Liuyun alone and revealed that Root had taken his mother, Asuka, hostage.
• Liuyun threatened to destroy Root and the Shimura Clan if Asuka was harmed, then bent the Confinement Room's steel bars.
• The Root ninja warned Liuyun not to defy Root and disappeared as a Shadow Clone, prompting Liuyun to roar Danzo's name and shake the Detention Center.

Sarutobi Hiruzen told Liuyun he would not sacrifice him to appease Cloud Village, then learned that a Root ninja had visited the boy and suspected Danzo Shimura had taken Asuka. Danzo denied the accusation and argued that someone had impersonated Root, but Hiruzen refused to believe him and demanded Asuka's release.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen found Liuyun still in his confinement room despite the damaged bars and told him Konoha's leaders wanted to abandon him to prevent war with Cloud Village.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen invoked the Will of Fire and promised he would not sacrifice Liuyun, while Liuyun briefly felt moved before insisting that no one could make him die.
• An Anbu squad captain reported that a Root ninja had visited Liuyun, leading Sarutobi Hiruzen to suspect Danzo Shimura had kidnapped Asuka.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned Liuyun about the visitor, but Liuyun stayed silent, so Hiruzen summoned Danzo Shimura to the Hokage Tower.
• Danzo Shimura denied sending the Root ninja and claimed someone had framed him; an Anbu Jonin identified the visitor's mask as belonging to a Root member confirmed dead the previous night.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen dismissed Danzo Shimura's defense and demanded that he release Asuka.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stripped Danzo Shimura of his Root leadership and ordered an investigation after Asuka disappeared, while Danzo denied abducting her and left in anger. The Hokage advisors urged Uchiha Liuyun to sacrifice himself for Konoha, but he agreed only on the condition that he see his mother first, and the village continued searching for her.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen relieved Danzo Shimura of his position as Root leader and ordered Anbu to question Root ninjas about Asuka.
• Danzo Shimura denied taking Asuka, accused Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Hokage advisors of blaming him, and left the Hokage's office.
• Ten Jonin were assigned to guard Uchiha Liuyun in the Confinement Room.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu urged Liuyun to give his life to prevent war, promising to find Asuka.
• Liuyun said he would accept death only after seeing his mother, and warned the advisors not to deceive him with empty promises.
• Konoha expanded its search for Asuka beyond the village while Liuyun stayed, believing the search could find her and pressure Danzo into releasing her.

Madara Uchiha ordered White Zetsu to hide an unconscious woman deeper in the Death Forest and chose Uchiha Yang as his next target. Meanwhile, Cloud envoy Sachi threatened war unless Konoha executed Uchiha Liuyun, and the Uchiha elders struggled to find a way to save him before Yang announced he had a solution.

• Madara Uchiha ordered White Zetsu to move the unconscious woman deeper into the Death Forest, then selected Fifth Elder Uchiha Yang as a target.
• Cloud envoy leader Sachi demanded Uchiha Liuyun's execution and threatened to declare war if Konoha did not provide an answer.
• Utatane Koharu and the other Hokage adviser failed to persuade Sachi to accept compensation, and he left after issuing a final ultimatum.
• The Uchiha elders met to discuss Liuyun's fate, but Uchiha Fourth Elder argued that the clan could not save him without going to war.
• Uchiha Yang broke his silence near the end of the meeting and claimed he had an excellent solution.

Uchiha Yang proposed using Izanagi to save Liuyun, and the clan elders approved the plan. In confinement, Liuyun received proof that Asuka had been captured and a threat demanding that either he or his mother die within two days.

• Uchiha Yang suggested using Izanagi to save Liuyun, and the Uchiha elders agreed to the plan.
• Uchiha Yang claimed he understood Izanagi better than anyone and received authorization to proceed.
• A masked Shadow Clone emerged into Liuyun's confinement room, but Liuyun crushed it before it could escape.
• Liuyun opened the clone's envelope and found Asuka's golden bracelet and a letter threatening to kill her unless he died within two days.
• Liuyun decided he would choose Asuka's survival if forced to choose, and blamed Danzo Shimura for the threat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that the Uchiha elders had a plan to resolve Liuyun’s crisis, and Uchiha Yang taught Liuyun how to fake his death using Izanagi. The chapter ended with Konoha formally announcing that Liuyun would be executed at noon the next day.

• Orochimaru and Tsunade warned Sarutobi Hiruzen that they would return from the front lines if anything happened to Liuyun.
• The Uchiha Great Elder told Sarutobi Hiruzen that the clan elders had found a way to solve Liuyun’s situation: he would be driven to death and then reborn.
• Uchiha Yang visited Liuyun in the detention center and explained that he could use Izanagi to fake his death and deceive the Cloud Village Delegation.
• Liuyun briefly suspected Uchiha Yang was connected to Madara Uchiha, but lowered his killing intent and listened as Yang taught him Izanagi.
• The two Hokage advisors announced to the Cloud Village Delegation that Liuyun would be executed at noon the following day.

Liuyun agreed to sacrifice one of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to settle the dispute with Cloud Village and secure his mother's release. He arrived at the Hokage Tower under guard, where the Cloud Ninja delegation confronted him and Sachi demanded his life.

• Liuyun considered how he might recover his eyesight after using Izanagi and judged that losing one eye would not greatly diminish his strength.
• The next morning, Anbu and elite Jonin escorted Liuyun through sealed streets to the Hokage Tower, where Konoha's leaders and Uchiha elders awaited him.
• Liuyun asked why Danzo Shimura was absent and warned Sarutobi Hiruzen to ensure his mother was released after his death.
• Liuyun told Sarutobi Hiruzen that this was his last chance to keep his promise, then entered the tower and waited for the Cloud Ninja delegation.
• Sachi questioned whether Liuyun had killed Cloud Village shinobi, and Mitokado Homura identified him by his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and overwhelming pressure.
• Sachi declared that Liuyun had to pay for killing a Cloud Village shinobi with his life.

Liuyun accepted Sachi’s challenge and let the Cloud Ninja kill him, condemning Konoha for betraying its own hero. The Yūhi Clan Head stopped Sachi from beheading Liuyun, and Sachi bowed to the fallen warrior.

• Liuyun told Sachi to avenge his companions by killing him and threatened Mitokado Homura when the adviser tried to intervene.
• Liuyun let Sachi drive a sword through his heart without resisting.
• The Yūhi Clan Head caught Sachi’s sword barehanded and warned him not to dishonor Liuyun by cutting off his head.
• Sachi stepped back, sheathed his sword, and bowed respectfully to Liuyun’s body.

After Liuyun failed to revive seven hours after Sachi killed him, the Leaf High Command confronted Uchiha Yang about the forbidden technique. Yang discovered that it had not activated, leaving everyone to fear that Liuyun had died for good.

• Sachi and the Cloud Ninja delegation confirmed Liuyun's death and left Konoha, unaware that someone was waiting to kill them on their route home.
• Seven hours passed without Liuyun reviving, despite Uchiha Yang's prediction that the forbidden technique would bring him back.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen questioned the Uchiha elders, and Uchiha Yang rushed to examine Liuyun's eyes.
• Uchiha Yang said the forbidden technique had not activated and demanded to know what had happened.
• Uchiha Great Elder pulled Uchiha Yang aside and asked whether he had taught Liuyun the technique incorrectly.

Uchiha Yang declared that Liuyun had chosen to die rather than use the forbidden technique, then killed himself after accepting responsibility. Sarutobi Hiruzen kept Liuyun’s body in a preserved coffin in hopes he would revive, and learned that Asuka had safely returned and awakened.

• Uchiha Yang told the Leaf High Command that Liuyun had died by choice and offered to accept responsibility.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Yūhi Clan Head angrily challenged Uchiha Yang’s account, but Yang insisted the forbidden technique had been taught correctly.
• Uchiha Yang used the Body Flicker Technique to smash his head against a wall and died, leaving the Uchiha Great Elder and the others shocked and grieving.
• The Uchiha Great Elder ordered his clansmen to take Yang’s body back to the clan grounds and said Liuyun might still come back to life.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen waited nearly two hours, had Liuyun’s body placed in a preserving coffin, and returned to the Hokage’s office.
• An Anbu ninja reported that Asuka had returned home and awakened, but Sarutobi Hiruzen lost the courage to order her brought to him.

Asuka woke from a strange, exhausting sleep and learned that Anbu had been assigned to protect her, then went to the Hokage Tower to find out what had happened to Liuyun. Utatane Koharu told her that Liuyun had died, and Asuka fainted before Koharu carried her to his coffin.

• Asuka woke with chest pain and found that the food and ingredients in her kitchen had spoiled.
• Two Anbu Ninja revealed they were guarding Asuka under the Third Hokage's orders, and she headed to the Hokage Tower to ask about Liuyun.
• A Hidden Leaf Ninja reported that all twelve members of the Cloud Ninja delegation had been killed inside the Land of Fire, and Sarutobi Hiruzen rushed to the scene.
• Utatane Koharu took Asuka aside and began explaining what had happened to Liuyun.
• Asuka lost consciousness when Koharu told her that Liuyun had died, and Koharu carried her to the room where he lay in a coffin.

Asuka grieved over Liuyun’s body and took him home with Might Duy’s help, while Hiruzen found the Cloud Ninja delegation slaughtered. Madara Uchiha watched his plan unfold, expecting Liuyun to awaken in seven days and despair enough to accept the Tsukuyomi.

• Asuka woke, clung to Liuyun’s body, and insisted that he would wake up and come home with her.
• Asuka accused Konoha of causing Liuyun’s death and refused the Anbu’s help until Might Duy arrived and carried Liuyun away.
• Hiruzen found the twelve Cloud Ninja corpses outside Konoha and ordered their remains gathered so he could seek reconciliation with Cloud Village.
• Madara Uchiha learned that Asuka had taken Liuyun home and planned to let her despair before Liuyun awoke in seven days.

After Liuyun remained dead for three days, Cloud Village prepared to attack Konoha, while Mito Uzumaki learned the truth about his death. The chapter ended with Mito furiously kicking Sarutobi Hiruzen through a wall.

• Asuka tended Liuyun's corpse and watched her hope that he would awaken fade.
• A border report revealed that Cloud Village was mobilizing ninja forces, and Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Konoha to prepare its defenses.
• An Anbu reported that Mito Uzumaki had injured the guards outside her home and demanded to see Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen confessed that Liuyun was dead and explained how he had died, causing Kushina to faint in grief and guilt.
• Mito Uzumaki kicked Sarutobi Hiruzen, sending him through a wall at the Senju Clan Grounds.

Mito Uzumaki confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen over Liuyun’s death, forcing him to acknowledge his failure and promise to resign after the war. Kushina and Asuka grieved beside Liuyun’s body, until Asuka suddenly regained her clarity on the sixth day after his death.

• Mito Uzumaki scolded Sarutobi Hiruzen for sacrificing children in the name of peace, and he accepted responsibility for Liuyun’s death.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said he would resign as Hokage after the war, then told Mito that Liuyun could not be revived.
• Kushina woke, rushed to Liuyun’s home, and collapsed when she saw his body in the refrigerated coffin.
• Kushina embraced Liuyun’s body and fell asleep, while the Anbu ninja later carried her out and cared for her and the collapsed Asuka.
• Kushina and Asuka spent the following days guarding Liuyun’s body in grief, until Asuka suddenly regained her senses on the sixth day.

Six days after Liuyun’s death, Asuka began to emerge from her grief and urged Kushina to eat and carry on living. Kushina rejected the idea that Liuyun was gone, holding on to his promise to marry her and cook for her when they grew up.

• Asuka woke Kushina and comforted her, telling her she had never hated her and cared for her like family.
• Kushina broke down crying in Asuka’s embrace, then looked toward Liuyun’s coffin and was plunged back into grief.
• Asuka invited the female Anbu guarding her home to share breakfast and said her protection was no longer needed.
• Asuka urged Kushina to eat for Liuyun’s sake, but Kushina insisted he would wake because the forbidden technique might only be delayed.
• Kushina said she believed Liuyun would keep his promise to marry her and cook for her for the rest of their lives.

Asuka arranged a grave and funeral for Liuyun, then made Kushina promise to eat and live well before secretly drugging her. After leaving Kushina asleep with a letter and a will, Asuka opened Liuyun’s coffin and cut her wrist, intending to die beside her son.

• Asuka told the female Anbu to report to the Third Hokage that she no longer needed guarding, then bought adjoining burial plots for herself and Liuyun.
• Asuka arranged Liuyun’s funeral and prepared Kushina’s favorite meal, urging her to eat and live well.
• Asuka invited Kushina to make Liuyun’s house her permanent home, and Kushina accepted.
• After dinner, Kushina grew drowsy and collapsed; Asuka carried her to bed and tucked her in.
• Asuka wrote a will transferring her property and a final letter telling Kushina to live well, then opened Liuyun’s coffin and cut her wrist over a basin.