Chapter Summaries

Habara arranged a mission with Kakuzu and oversaw Shisui and Fugaku’s White Zetsu cell experiments before leaving Konoha. On the road to the Land of Bears, Habara redirected their route through the Land of Earth, where Akatsuki confronted Deidara and began testing him for recruitment.

• Habara met Kakuzu, discussed Akatsuki’s intelligence, and scheduled their departure for a week later.
• Habara watched Shisui and Fugaku undergo increased White Zetsu cell injections, then confirmed their condition remained stable after a day of observation.
• Habara secured Tsunade’s agreement to teach members of the Uchiha clan and left to travel with Kakuzu toward the Land of Bears.
• Habara offered Kakuzu an extra five hundred thousand ryo to take a route through the Land of Earth instead of the Land of Rain.
• Sasori, Orochimaru, Kisame, and Uchiha Itachi confronted Deidara at an abandoned temple and invited him to join Akatsuki.
• Uchiha Itachi challenged Deidara, who exploded a clay spider and trapped Itachi with a clay centipede as Kisame questioned whether Deidara was about to blow himself up.

Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure forces to capture Deidara after locating him near the border, while Deidara joined Akatsuki after Itachi’s Sharingan genjutsu nearly made him detonate his clay bomb. Habara and Kakuzu unexpectedly encountered Akatsuki in the Land of Earth, and their groups launched a coordinated attack after pretending to part peacefully.

• Ōnoki learned that Deidara was hiding near the Land of Earth’s border and ordered forces to seal the roads and capture him.
• Itachi trapped Deidara in a genjutsu, and Deidara followed Kisame and the others after honoring his bet.
• Habara and Kakuzu traveled through a remote area of the Land of Earth and unexpectedly came upon Akatsuki.
• Sasori questioned Kakuzu about Hidan, while Habara confronted Orochimaru and challenged Itachi.
• Habara and Kakuzu pretended to leave peacefully, then turned and attacked as Akatsuki struck back, setting off a violent clash.

Iwagakure forces detected a battle near Deidara, and Kitsuchi ordered units to surround the area. Habara and Kakuzu fought the Akatsuki members after a failed attempt to part peacefully, and the chapter ended as Kisame attacked Habara’s newly formed Susanoo.

• An Iwagakure patrol sensed a battle ahead, and Kitsuchi sent fast units to surround the area and prepare to intercept aerial targets.
• Habara, Kakuzu, Deidara, and the Akatsuki members survived an initial exchange of attacks, then turned back and resumed fighting after pretending to leave peacefully.
• Habara clashed with Kisame and tried to recruit him, while Kakuzu fought Sasori, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Itachi.
• Kisame flooded the battlefield and attacked Habara with water techniques, but Habara tracked him through the steam and prepared to counter.
• Kisame charged Habara with Samehada, and Habara’s Sharingan awakened a skeletal Azure Chakra giant around him.

Habara fought Kisame and the Akatsuki members after Kisame rejected his offer, while Kitsuchi led Iwagakure forces toward the battle. Orochimaru summoned Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, and Hashirama attacked Habara to test Konoha’s ruler.

• Habara struck Kisame with a Susanoo blade; Kisame used Samehada Fusion to survive, then demanded that Uchiha Itachi reveal what he knew about Habara.
• Habara demanded that the Akatsuki leave and surrender Itachi, but the group chose to fight, and Kitsuchi ordered his Iwagakure forces to advance.
• Habara battled Sasori, Orochimaru, and Itachi, avoiding Amaterasu and resisting their coordinated attacks as Orochimaru summoned two coffins marked First and Second.
• Kakuzu recognized the summoned dead as Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, who learned that Habara ruled Konoha and that Itachi had turned against his clan.
• Hashirama appeared before Habara with the Body Flicker Technique and swung at him to test his strength.

Habara fought Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, using Susanoo and powerful ninjutsu to defeat their Impure World Reincarnation bodies while learning what they wanted to know about Konoha. As Iwagakure shinobi arrived, Orochimaru’s group moved to escape, and Habara unleashed an even larger Susanoo, leading Senju Tobirama to declare him the next Uchiha Madara.

• Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama attacked Habara to test his strength and gather information, and Habara countered with Susanoo and a massive Fire Release technique.
• Habara questioned the Senju brothers about Konoha’s leadership, explained that Sarutobi Hiruzen had treated the village as his own, and twice severed Senju Tobirama’s head.
• Senju Hashirama used Wood Dragon Technique against Habara, who answered with Ten Thousand Thunder Prison and a towering Susanoo that destroyed the Wood Dragon and obliterated both brothers’ bodies.
• Habara appeared before Orochimaru, Sasori, Kisame, Uchiha Itachi, and Deidara as hundreds of Iwagakure shinobi approached, and Orochimaru offered to help them break through.
• Habara empowered his Susanoo despite his dwindling chakra, and the resurrected Senju Tobirama watched its power and called Habara the next Uchiha Madara.

Habara devastated Iwagakure’s forces, then explained to Kakuzu that he had spared Uchiha Itachi to isolate him within Akatsuki and eventually make Sasuke and Konoha turn against him. As Habara and Kakuzu fled toward the Land of Bears, Habara confronted an unfamiliar pursuer whose face surprised him.

• Habara ended his assault after routing the Iwa-nin, then teleported away with Kakuzu while Senju Hashirama dismissed Senju Tobirama’s suggestion about dealing with him later.
• Habara told Kakuzu that he had spared Uchiha Itachi to let Akatsuki’s members resent him and to leave Sasuke to take revenge on his brother.
• Habara described how Uchiha Itachi’s survival would let Sasuke, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Konoha reject the beliefs he had acted to protect, horrifying Kakuzu with his plan.
• Kitsuchi counted 183 dead and 77 severely injured, ordered his remaining forces to return to their defense zones, and reported that the mission had failed.
• As Habara and Kakuzu traveled toward the Land of Bears, Habara sensed a flyer following them, called the pursuer down, and froze when he saw the person’s face.

Habara agreed to let Deidara join his group and assigned Kakuzu to supervise and train him for a monthly fee. After completing a weapons transaction with the Third Hoshikage, Habara and his companions sensed chakra locking onto them as they departed.

• Deidara explained that he had abandoned his agreement with the Akatsuki group and wanted to follow Habara to pursue his art, so Habara decided to take him along and have Kakuzu keep watch over him.
• Habara offered Kakuzu an extra five hundred thousand per month to train Deidara and improve his behavior, with additional pay if Kakuzu succeeded within a year.
• While traveling on Deidara's Giant White Bird, Habara encouraged him to study Dust Release as a way to develop more powerful explosions, and Deidara resolved to learn Wind Release and seek Habara's help.
• Habara's group met the Third Hoshikage, completed their transaction, and arranged another trade before Kakuzu handed the payment scroll to the Nara and Akimichi Convoy.
• As Habara, Kakuzu, and Deidara left, they sensed an unknown stream of chakra locking onto them.

Habara killed Kitsuchi during a confrontation in the Land of Bears, then returned to Konoha with Deidara and arranged to conceal responsibility for the death. At Akatsuki, the failed mission deepened tensions around Uchiha Itachi, and Nagato assigned him to recruit the rogue shinobi Hiruko.

• Habara caught Kitsuchi in a genjutsu and fatally stabbed him with his lightning-charged sword.
• Deidara asked to bury Kitsuchi, and Habara agreed before the group returned to Konoha.
• Habara told Konoha's clan heads about Kitsuchi's death, and they discussed blaming other shinobi while monitoring Iwagakure.
• Nagato learned that Sasori, Kisame, and Orochimaru did not want to work with Uchiha Itachi and decided to keep Itachi in Akatsuki for now.
• Nagato ordered Uchiha Itachi to recruit the rogue shinobi Hiruko as compensation for the failed mission.

Habara negotiated with Hiashi Hyuga over the Hyuga Clan’s internal crisis, then defeated Jiraiya in their writing contest and claimed a future favor. At home, Habara discovered that the Uchiha Clan’s development had earned enough points for a skill draw and faced a difficult choice between new abilities.

• Habara met Hiashi Hyuga, who asked for help controlling the Hyuga Clan’s internal factions and preserving their cooperation.
• Habara offered Hiashi two extreme ways to deal with the clan’s elders and demanded talented Hyuga members for the Military Police Force and support when their interests aligned; Hiashi agreed to consider the options.
• Habara showed Jiraiya his manuscript, won their contest, and took it back after Jiraiya admitted defeat, leaving Habara to choose a favor later.
• Habara returned home and learned that the Uchiha Clan’s comprehensive growth had raised its prosperity enough to earn a skill draw.
• Habara viewed the available abilities, including Nightfall Ballad and Hero’s Entrance, and became tempted by the prospect of summoning Galio.

Habara acquired Friend of the Forest, absorbed Natural Energy, and awakened Sage Mode. He then confronted Asuma and offered him a choice: help the clans accept punishment and deal with the Daimyo, or face the consequences.

• Habara chose Friend of the Forest and discovered he could sense and absorb Natural Energy without suffering its usual dangers.
• Asuma asked Jiraiya to support the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane Clans against the Seven Great Clans, but Jiraiya warned him not to act against Konoha's new order.
• Habara practiced in a forest with Kakuzu and Deidara, absorbed Natural Energy, and activated Sage Mode.
• Kakashi directed Asuma to meet Habara in the Eastern Forest, where Habara challenged him to face his father's actions and abandon thoughts of revenge.
• Habara offered to spare the Three Clans if Asuma helped them surrender their assets, punish those responsible for past abuses, and curb the Daimyo's ambitions.

Habara tested his newly acquired Sage Mode against Kakuzu, then attended a gathering for Kakashi’s departure from the Anbu and encouraged him to move on from the past. Asuma decided to protect his clan by cooperating with Habara, while Habara offered to help Anko with the mark Orochimaru had left on her.

• Habara sparred with Kakuzu in Sage Mode and discovered how greatly Natural Energy boosted his strength, speed, and Chakra.
• Asuma chose not to pursue revenge for his father and resolved to bring willing Sarutobi clan members into cooperation with Habara.
• Habara joined Kakashi’s gathering after Kakashi left the Anbu, and urged Kakashi to live for himself and rely on his friends.
• Anko told Habara she had sensed Orochimaru’s return, and Habara explained that Orochimaru had visited Konoha before leaving again.
• Habara offered Anko another kind of help by hinting that he could address the mark Orochimaru had left on her.

Habara confronted Anko and Tenzō after they followed him, arranged to examine Anko’s Cursed Seal, and learned that Tenzō wanted to join the Military Police Force. Meanwhile, Asuma brought information about the Daimyo to Jiraiya and Shikaku, while Orochimaru successfully strengthened his Impure World Reincarnation of Uchiha Madara.

• Habara explained his interest in Anko’s Cursed Seal, maintained friendly ties with Might Guy, and left the gathering with a favorable impression from its guests.
• Habara ran into Yoshino, explained why he had avoided her, and admitted that he had written the embarrassing manuscript himself.
• Asuma told Jiraiya and Shikaku that he was working to reconcile with Konoha’s peace-minded Sarutobi faction, then gave them a scroll containing information about the Daimyo.
• Habara confronted Anko and Tenzō; he arranged for Anko to visit him on weekends so he could examine her Cursed Seal.
• Tenzō told Habara that he wanted to join the Military Police Force.
• Orochimaru tested an improved Impure World Reincarnation and summoned a stronger Uchiha Madara, then looked toward Konoha with satisfaction.

Habara examined Anko’s Cursed Seal and learned that its Natural Energy could help her grow stronger, though her stalled development might limit her progress. After Shisui returned from treatment, Habara discussed his recovery and assigned him to lead Tenzō while preparing for a major meeting about Asuma’s operation and the Daimyo; the chapter ended with Habara anticipating a massacre within the Sarutobi Clan.

• Habara examined Anko’s Cursed Seal and told her it was dangerous but contained Natural Energy that she might learn to use against Orochimaru.
• Habara left Anko with Uchiha Izumi, then learned that Shisui had recovered his combat ability and that his Kotoamatsukami cooldown had shortened.
• Shisui returned to the Clan, described how the treatment had strengthened his body and eyes, and agreed to help Habara deal with Orochimaru.
• Habara told Shisui that Tenzō had left the Anbu to join the Military Police Force and assigned Shisui to supervise him.
• Habara told Shisui about bringing Deidara to Konoha and killing Kitsuchi, then said he planned to nominate Shisui for an upcoming operation.
• Habara arrived at the Hokage Building for a high-level meeting and anticipated a new Clan Massacre Night targeting the Sarutobi Clan.

After Kitsuchi’s remains were found, Ōnoki considered blaming Konoha to divert pressure from Iwagakure. In Konoha, Habara helped arrange support for Asuma and led a mission targeting the Daimyo’s influence, while Asuma began a bloody operation to purge extremists from the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans; Habara and Hyuga Hiashi discussed the costs of reforming the Hyuga Clan.

• An Iwa-nin search party discovered a Stone Tablet marking Kitsuchi’s remains, and Ōnoki resolved to shift the conflict toward Konoha and the Uchiha.
• At a Konoha leadership meeting, Habara proposed redirecting political pressure toward the Daimyo, and the group appointed Shisui captain of a force assembled from the Seven Great Clans.
• Asuma gathered shinobi to confront extremists in the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, while Anbu, Inuzuka, and Aburame members surrounded the clan lands.
• Asuma killed three Sarutobi guards who resisted him, then led his people into the clan lands, sparing those who surrendered and ordering his followers to kill those who fought back.
• Habara watched the operation with Hyuga Hiashi, then left after judging Asuma’s resolve; Hiashi told him he hoped to abolish the Caged Bird Seal.

Habara considered Hiashi’s effort to end the Hyūga Clan’s Caged Bird tradition as Konoha dealt with the aftermath of the Three Clans’ destruction. Shisui confronted the Fire Daimyo over Konoha’s funding, Ōnoki prepared Iwagakure for conflict, and Habara proposed using Ōnoki’s accusation to redirect public attention.

• Habara reflected on Hiashi’s refusal to brand Hinata and Hanabi with the Caged Bird Seal and suspected Hiashi wanted to dismantle the Main and Branch Family system.
• Konoha residents saw the Three Clans’ territory reopen after Asuma’s forces crushed an alleged coup, while Shisui and six allies arrived at the Fire Daimyo’s palace to deliver Jiraiya’s funding demand.
• The Daimyo resisted Konoha’s requested fifty percent increase, and Shisui warned him that defying the shinobi system would bring its backlash; Kazuma and the Guardian Ninja moved to defend the Daimyo.
• Ōnoki silenced an Iwagakure official who opposed war and showed the assembled leaders a report describing the near-extinction of Konoha’s Three Great Clans.
• Jiraiya received Ōnoki’s demand that Konoha surrender Habara over Kitsuchi’s assassination, and Habara suggested exploiting the accusation to shift public attention.

Habara explained why Ōnoki had blamed Konoha and argued that it should respond firmly while keeping any fighting limited. Meanwhile, Shisui’s team returned with a new Daimyo after the previous Daimyo died, and Jiraiya began publicly explaining Konoha’s recent crises and reforms.

• Habara concluded that Ōnoki had blamed Konoha to redirect pressure from Iwagakure’s internal problems, and he urged Konoha to stand its ground and use the crisis to restore morale.
• Shisui’s team defeated the Daimyo’s Guardian Ninja, and the Daimyo died after Shisui’s Mangekyo frightened him into a fatal heart attack.
• A Nara Clan member proposed installing a successor, and Shisui’s team arranged for a young man to become the new Daimyo and brought him to Konoha.
• Shisui told Jiraiya that the dead Daimyo’s followers had been collecting Nine-Tails chakra, and Jiraiya ordered the team to keep the details quiet while allowing news of the succession to spread.
• Jiraiya addressed Konoha’s residents, explaining the Three Clans’ attempted rebellion and the Daimyo’s replacement before announcing reforms to shinobi welfare and medical care.

Jiraiya announced sweeping reforms that won Konoha’s support, then revealed that Iwagakure was mobilizing and refusing to back down over its accusations against Uchiha Habara. As war approached, Ōnoki hired Akatsuki as mercenaries, while Konoha chose Tsunade to command its forces and Habara prepared to join her with Shisui and Uchiha Jonin.

• Jiraiya announced reforms to ninja benefits, education, and medical care, including stricter evaluations and greater authority for Jonin.
• Jiraiya told Konoha that Iwagakure had accused Habara of killing Kitsuchi, and the crowd rejected another compromise and supported resisting Iwagakure.
• Ōnoki resolved to wage war against Konoha, ordered Iwagakure to prepare, and hired Akatsuki mercenaries for the coming conflict.
• Jiraiya and Konoha’s leaders learned that Iwagakure’s forces were advancing and discussed sending a commander to keep the war limited.
• Habara recommended Tsunade as commander, agreed to go with Shisui and ten Uchiha Jonin, and requested that Nara Yoshino join his squad.

Habara prepared for Konoha’s war with Iwagakure while planning to use the conflict to extend Konoha’s influence and guard against Kumogakure. After Sasuke asked to join the battlefield and Habara received a new system draw, he discovered the Kindred Mark ability, which could improve a skill after he hunted a marked enemy.

• Habara considered using Konoha’s victory over Iwagakure to expand its influence into nearby small nations, while warning that Kumogakure might intervene.
• Sasuke asked Habara for permission to fight in the war, and Habara told him to prepare and discuss it with his parents before he decided.
• Habara assigned Uchiha Fugaku to lead reforms of the Military Police Force and begin planning a Legal Affairs Director position, then told him about Sasuke’s request.
• Habara and Shisui discussed monitoring the Land of Hot Water for Kumogakure and planned to bring Yoshino on their mission.
• Habara received a system skill draw and gained Ravenous Flock, Shadow Haunting, and Kindred Mark, which could improve one chosen ability after he hunted a marked enemy.

Habara received the Kindred Mark skill and learned that his first marked targets were Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama. As Konoha’s forces entered the war against Iwagakure, Habara prepared his team to investigate Iwagakure’s plans and Akatsuki’s involvement, ending with him and Orochimaru unexpectedly encountering each other in the Land of Grass.

• Habara chose Kindred Mark, then learned the system had marked two compatible targets: the brothers Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
• Habara, Shisui, and Yoshino departed with Konoha’s forces for the Land of Grass as the war against Iwagakure began.
• Orochimaru agreed to take part in the war and planned to test his improved Impure World Reincarnation using Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
• At the frontline camp, Habara declined Hyuga Heiji’s offer to hand over command and questioned him about Iwagakure’s forces and Jinchuriki.
• Yoshino proposed that the team identify Iwagakure’s commander, conduct sabotage, and uncover the village’s backup plan; Habara suggested searching for Akatsuki members.
• Orochimaru encountered Habara, Shisui, and Yoshino as they rushed through the Land of Grass.

Habara and Shisui encountered Orochimaru, who revealed that Akatsuki had joined the war and that its leader possessed the Rinnegan. Orochimaru revived Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, and Habara confronted Hashirama over his beliefs about peace before their battle escalated.

• Habara and Shisui met Orochimaru, who said Akatsuki had accepted a war mission and that Uchiha Itachi was recruiting Hiruko while their leader possessed the Rinnegan.
• Orochimaru summoned Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation, and Habara ordered Shisui to protect Yoshino.
• Habara challenged Hashirama's belief that the shinobi villages had brought peace, arguing that they had made wars larger and more destructive.
• Hashirama agreed to fight Habara over their opposing convictions, and they exchanged rapid sword blows while Shisui and Yoshino watched.
• Habara unleashed an amplified Great Fire Annihilation, but Hashirama stopped its flames with Wood Release: Wood Wall.
• Habara rose into the air and prepared to attack Hashirama with Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction.