Chapter Summaries

Akihara Kagura explained the Uchiha massacre to Madara Uchiha and brought him to watch Uchiha Itachi recount Madara’s history to the gathered Uchiha. Itachi’s version of the story ended with Madara supposedly stealing Izuna Uchiha’s eyes, leaving Madara stunned by the false account.

• Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha discussed Akihara Kagura’s disruption of the Moon Eye Plan and the brothers Uchiha Itachi and Second Pillar.
• Akihara Kagura described how Shimura Danzō had worked with Uchiha Itachi and Obito to massacre the Uchiha Clan, while Madara Uchiha questioned Itachi’s supposed motive of protecting his younger brother.
• Akihara Kagura introduced Madara Uchiha to a surviving Uchiha and explained that he had kept survivors to take revenge on Uchiha Itachi.
• Madara Uchiha watched from above as Uchiha Itachi told the gathered Uchiha about Madara Uchiha and Izuna Uchiha.
• Uchiha Itachi claimed that Madara had gone blind and taken Izuna’s eyes by force, prompting Madara Uchiha to react with disbelief.

Uchiha Itachi claimed he sought the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and condemned the Uchiha clan, while Second Pillar rebuked him for taking the wrong path. Madara Uchiha appeared in the warehouse, confirmed parts of the clan’s history, and watched as Second Pillar prepared to face his brother.

• Uchiha Itachi described Madara Uchiha’s history and declared that he would surpass Madara by taking Sasuke’s eyes and killing him.
• Second Pillar rejected Itachi’s justification for seeking power, explained how Madara received Izuna’s eyes, and condemned Itachi for killing his family and clan.
• Madara Uchiha arrived through the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, and the Uchiha in the warehouse recognized him.
• Madara praised Second Pillar’s composure, identified Tobirama Senju as the source of his knowledge, and denied being Akihara Kagura’s subordinate.
• Madara sat down and said he would not interfere with the revenge, but offered to kill Itachi if Sasuke awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Second Pillar fought Uchiha Itachi and proved that his new strength could overwhelm his ailing brother. The duel ended with Second Pillar charging at Itachi, convinced that one mistake would let him kill him.

• Madara Uchiha began the duel as referee, and Uchiha Itachi opened with flaming shuriken while Second Pillar countered with marked kunai and a charge.
• Uchiha Itachi forced Second Pillar back with a Clone Explosion and a Great Fireball, but Second Pillar raised an Earth Flow Wall and pressed forward.
• Uchiha Itachi trapped Second Pillar in Tsukuyomi and warned that Akihara Kagura was using him, but Second Pillar defended his loyalty to Kagura and Root.
• Second Pillar broke Tsukuyomi with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and Madara Uchiha praised his feat as Uchiha Itachi suffered from the strain.
• Second Pillar activated Lightning Chakra Mode and nearly struck Uchiha Itachi, who escaped with a Crow Clone before Second Pillar renewed his attack.

Uchiha Itachi and Second Pillar fought as Itachi escalated from his first Susanoo to its armored form, wielding the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade. Itachi used the blade to strike Madara Uchiha and attempted to seal him, but Madara began manifesting his own Susanoo as the confrontation intensified.

• Second Pillar used Lightning Chakra Mode to overwhelm Itachi in close combat, breaking his kunai and forcing him to summon his first-form Susanoo.
• Second Pillar combined Lightning Chakra Mode with Chidori to shatter Itachi's first Susanoo, but Itachi formed an armored Susanoo with the Yata Mirror and Totsuka Blade.
• Itachi's Totsuka Blade missed Second Pillar and struck Madara Uchiha, drawing Madara's soul toward its sealing power.
• Itachi revealed that he had deliberately used the apparent accident to try to seal Madara, whom he considered a threat to Second Pillar.
• Madara resisted the Totsuka Blade and summoned a pale blue skeletal Susanoo, warning Itachi that he had provoked him.

Madara Uchiha defeated Uchiha Itachi by destroying his Susanoo, leaving Itachi dying among the ruins as the Uchiha surrounded him. Akihara Kagura then privately threatened to expose the truth of the clan massacre to Sasuke unless Itachi cooperated, before revealing that he had prepared a way to resurrect him.

• Madara Uchiha summoned his Perfect Susanoo and shattered Uchiha Itachi's red Susanoo despite the Yata Mirror blocking his slash.
• Akihara Kagura protected the Root ninjas and others from the shockwave, while Itachi collapsed and the Uchiha surrounded him with murderous intent.
• Akihara Kagura brought Second Pillar to Itachi, but Second Pillar rejected Itachi's apology and left when Kagura asked to speak with him alone.
• Akihara Kagura threatened to reveal that the Uchiha had died for Sasuke and warned that Sasuke could lose his place among the surviving clan members.
• Akihara Kagura told Itachi that Sasuke's future depended on how he performed, then said he had prepared a resurrection surprise for him.

After Itachi’s death, Akihara Kagura sent Madara to attack Konoha and Sasuke’s team to pursue Obito, while preparing to leave Root and waiting for the nations to unite against him. At Konoha, Sage Fukasaku and Hanzo arrived separately to speak with Tsunade, and Hanzo brought an injured white-haired ninja for treatment.

• Madara learned that Hashirama had been revived and raced toward Konoha to fight him and search for Nagato.
• Kagura arranged for Karin to give Itachi’s eyes to Sasuke, then sent Sasuke and Root ninjas to hunt Obito while dismissing Kisame’s escape as unimportant.
• Kagura told Karin he might leave Root, and Shisui collected Itachi’s body before Kagura proposed waiting for the Five Great Nations to launch a campaign against him.
• Kagura chose the Valley of the End as a place to rest and fish before the real war began.
• Sage Fukasaku and Gama Bunta arrived at Konoha to meet Tsunade, followed by Hanzo, who brought an injured white-haired ninja for treatment.

Tsunade learned that Jiraiya had survived, but that Akihara Kagura had secretly colluded with the Akatsuki Organization and Orochimaru while pursuing Nagato’s Rinnegan. Jiraiya warned that Kagura planned to use the Rinnegan’s war weapon to destroy the ninja world, and the chapter ended as Tsunade proposed destroying the Rinnegan and Orochimaru appeared at the window.

• Sage Fukasaku told Tsunade that Jiraiya had died, but an ANBU soon reported that Jiraiya had returned with Hanzo of the Salamander.
• Tsunade met the injured Jiraiya, Konan, Nagato, and Hanzo, and Jiraiya explained that Akihara Kagura had nearly killed him in the Land of Rain.
• Jiraiya revealed that Akihara Kagura had long colluded with the Akatsuki Organization and Obito Uchiha, using his position to conceal their activities while seeking Nagato’s Rinnegan.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that Kagura had also worked with Orochimaru, who had helped Nagato and Konan escape and remained missing.
• Jiraiya warned that Kagura intended to use the Rinnegan’s war weapon to destroy ninja villages and remake the ninja world.
• Tsunade proposed destroying Nagato’s Rinnegan, but Konan, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru objected, with Orochimaru appearing through the window.

Orochimaru revealed that Akihara Kagura had manipulated Konoha’s leaders and secretly controlled the revived Hokages, shocking Tsunade and the others. Tsunade ordered the Anbu and sealing squads to contain the Hokages, while Hanzo reminded Nagato that Danzo’s actions had helped lead him to seek a weapon of war.

• Orochimaru warned Jiraiya and the others that Kagura had an alternative way to obtain the Rinnegan and might target Sasuke and Itachi.
• Tsunade revealed that Root and several teams had been sent after Itachi and Obito, including Team 7, and worried Kagura might also seize the tailed beasts.
• Orochimaru explained that Kagura had arranged Danzo’s death, revived the previous Hokages, and used their revival and political roles to keep Tsunade under his influence.
• Tsunade smashed through a hospital wall in anger, then ordered the Anbu and sealing squads to seal the four previous Hokages before Kagura could use them against Konoha.
• Jiraiya argued that the previous Hokages might cooperate, while Nagato offered help and accepted blame for seeking a weapon of war.
• Hanzo told Nagato that Danzo’s threat had driven him toward killing Yahiko and pursuing those plans.

Tsunade organized a response to Akihara Kagura’s threat while Hanzo of the Salamander set out to unite the shinobi world. As Konoha prepared for more trouble, a powerful stranger arrived atop Hokage Rock: Madara Uchiha.

• Tsunade accepted responsibility for Konoha’s crisis and ordered forces to prepare to seal the four previous Hokages and search for Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke.
• Hanzo of the Salamander proposed gathering the shinobi world to fight Akihara Kagura, and Tsunade agreed to hold a Five Kage Summit in Amegakure.
• Hanzo left to contact the other villages, while Nagato warned Tsunade that Sasori of the Red Sands might help Konoha.
• Orochimaru suspected Sasori and Kabuto Yakushi were Akihara Kagura’s subordinates, so Tsunade ordered ANBU to arrest Kabuto at Konoha Orphanage.
• Nagato sensed an unfamiliar but strangely familiar chakra approaching Konoha, and the village raised its alarm.
• A red-armored figure ignored Konoha’s barrier and landed on Hokage Rock.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru confronted the resurrected Madara Uchiha after he demanded that Konoha hand over Nagato and the Rinnegan. With their summoned allies, the Three Sannin drove the battle into the forest, where Madara revealed a more powerful Susanoo and the fight continued.

• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru identified Madara Uchiha as an Edo Tensei user and went to confront him.
• Madara demanded Nagato and his Rinnegan, but Tsunade refused and struck him to stop him reaching Konoha Hospital.
• The Three Sannin attacked together, but Madara countered their techniques and unleashed Great Fire Annihilation and Susanoo.
• Gama Bunta, Sage Fukasaku, and a slug joined the fight, and the group pushed Madara toward the forest behind Hokage Rock.
• Orochimaru summoned Second Manda, but Madara formed a towering Susanoo with legs and knocked the giant snake into the forest.
• Tsunade prepared the Three Sannin and their summoned allies to face Madara, noting that more Edo Tensei users still threatened Konoha.

Madara Uchiha overwhelmed Konoha's defenders with his Perfect Susanoo until Hashirama Senju arrived to stop him. Meanwhile, Tsunade learned the Hokage had been under Akihara Kagura's control, then joined Jiraiya and Orochimaru in sealing Hiruzen Sarutobi after he turned their confrontation into a final test.

• Akihara Kagura told the revived Hokage that Konoha knew they were under his control and asked them to confront Madara Uchiha.
• Madara Uchiha's Susanoo defeated the Summoning Beasts and grew into its Perfect form, threatening to destroy Konoha.
• Hashirama Senju blocked Madara's attack with a wooden giant, while Tobirama Senju urged Tsunade and the others to withdraw and revealed why the Hokage had not warned her about Akihara Kagura.
• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru faced Hiruzen Sarutobi, who began a final test by attacking them with a shuriken.
• The Three Sannin worked together to bind and seal Hiruzen Sarutobi, who congratulated them as he disappeared.

Madara Uchiha discovered that Akihara Kagura controlled his Impure World Reincarnation and intended to use him to destroy and recreate the ninja world. As Madara fought Hashirama Senju, he asked Black Zetsu to bring Nagato so Nagato could revive him, while Tsunade’s group spotted Kabuto Yakushi arriving at Konoha Hospital.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi was sealed by the Three Sannin while Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha battled outside Konoha.
• Hashirama Senju revealed that he could not break free from Akihara Kagura’s control, and Madara Uchiha failed to perform the release hand seal.
• Akihara Kagura told Madara Uchiha that the Moon Eye Plan was not his and ordered him to serve as a tool for destroying and creating the world.
• Madara Uchiha continued fighting Hashirama Senju while secretly asking Black Zetsu to bring Nagato and have him use the Rebirth Technique to revive Madara.
• Tsunade’s group guarded Nagato, and Tsunade recognized Kabuto Yakushi arriving at Konoha Hospital.

Kabuto Yakushi gave Tsunade a mysterious piece of bark, prompting Konoha’s leaders to suspect it held Senju Clan secrets and that Akihara Kagura had orchestrated his own rise to Wood Release. As Tobirama and Minato moved to reclaim it and Black Zetsu prepared to steal it, Orochimaru and Tobirama concluded that Kagura was descended from the Senju Clan.

• Kabuto Yakushi told Tsunade that Kagura had planned to become an enemy of the ninja world and handed her a piece of bark he had secretly taken from Kagura.
• Orochimaru realized Kagura might have deliberately approached him as a child to undergo a First Hokage cell transplant and awaken Wood Release.
• Kagura ordered Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze to seize the bark, and they attacked Tsunade while Jiraiya and Orochimaru intercepted them.
• Tobirama told Tsunade that the bark was a Senju Clan heirloom containing crucial history, but Tsunade realized Konoha had no Wood Release ninja available to decipher it.
• Black Zetsu recognized the bark as shed skin from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and resolved to keep its information from being revealed.
• Orochimaru and Tobirama concluded that Kagura was a Senju descendant who had known the bark’s secret and deliberately obtained Wood Release.

Tobirama Senju and Orochimaru deduced that Akihara Kagura was a Senju descendant who had learned the ninja world’s history and was using the fight over the clan’s bark to conceal his aims. While Black Zetsu tried to seize the bark and then possessed Nagato, it revealed that Nagato’s Rinnegan belonged to Madara Uchiha.

• Tobirama Senju and Orochimaru pieced together Akihara Kagura’s Senju origins, his awakening of Wood Release, and his plan to exploit Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha’s scheme.
• Black Zetsu decided to obtain the Senju Clan’s bark, then slipped toward Nagato while Konoha’s fighters were distracted by the battle over it.
• Kabuto Yakushi offered to help Tsunade hold back the reincarnated Hokage, while Tsunade refused to summon Dan Katō from the underworld.
• Konan joined Kabuto Yakushi in restraining Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze, leaving Nagato briefly isolated.
• Black Zetsu attached itself to Nagato and warned the gathered ninja that killing it would kill Nagato too.
• Black Zetsu told Nagato that the Rinnegan belonged to Madara Uchiha and that Nagato was only a tool for Madara’s plan.

Black Zetsu revealed that Nagato’s life and Akatsuki’s history had been manipulated, then used Nagato to attempt Madara’s revival while Konoha’s ninjas and Akihara Kagura’s controlled Edo Tensei fighters struggled to stop it. Madara was revived and believed he had won, while Akihara Kagura calmly questioned whether Madara had escaped being a pawn.

• Black Zetsu told Nagato and Konan that Madara, Obito, and Black Zetsu had orchestrated Nagato’s Rinnegan transplant and Akatsuki’s tragedies to drive him toward the Moon Eye Plan.
• Black Zetsu controlled Nagato, repelled the Konoha ninjas with Shinra Tensei, and tried to use the Rebirth Technique to revive Madara.
• Madara and Hashirama fought outside Konoha as Madara summoned meteors and Hashirama destroyed them with True Several Thousand Hands.
• Tobirama summoned Madara and Hashirama to Konoha, where Akihara Kagura ordered them to kill Zetsu and Nagato and seize Nagato’s Rinnegan.
• Black Zetsu summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and used Nagato’s Outer Path: Rebirth Technique to revive Madara.
• Madara declared victory as his control faded, while Akihara Kagura watched a fish take his bait and asked whether Madara had truly escaped being a pawn.

Madara Uchiha revived, reclaimed the Rinnegan, and used Limbo: Border Jail to overpower the Konoha fighters. As Madara approached the Senju Clan’s bark, whose secrets Akihara Kagura wanted to protect, the story left Tobirama Senju, Minato Namikaze, and Hashirama Senju unable to stop him.

• Madara Uchiha revived as a living person, fought off the Three Sannin, and manifested Susanoo without eyes.
• Black Zetsu took one Rinnegan from Nagato and delivered it to Madara Uchiha while the others tried to stop them.
• Akihara Kagura restrained Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju, explaining that the bark held secrets about the Sage of Six Paths and had to be secured.
• Madara Uchiha blasted away his attackers and restored his sight by placing the Rinnegan in his eye socket.
• Madara Uchiha used Limbo: Border Jail to strike Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze and restrain Hashirama Senju, then walked toward the bark.

Madara Uchiha read the Senju Clan’s bark, which described a distorted history of Hagoromo Otsutsuki, Kaguya Otsutsuki, and the founding clans. The final passage revealed that Black Zetsu was a portion of Hagoromo’s dark will, leaving Madara staring coldly at Black Zetsu.

• Madara Uchiha used Wood Release Chakra to reveal the writing on the Senju Clan’s bark and began reading its account of the Sage of Six Paths and the Divine Tree.
• Madara Uchiha learned that the Uchiha and Senju ancestors, Indra and Asura, were brothers, and that Kaguya Otsutsuki was recorded as Hagoromo’s youngest daughter and the ancestor of the Hyuga Clan.
• Madara Uchiha read the bark’s account of Kaguya swallowing the Divine Tree’s fruit, becoming the Ten-Tails, and being sealed by Hagoromo, while Black Zetsu endured the false history without correcting him.
• Madara Uchiha reached the final passage stating that a portion of Hagoromo’s dark will was called Black Zetsu, then turned his cold gaze toward Black Zetsu.

Madara Uchiha read a Senju Clan bark that portrayed Black Zetsu as a manipulator who altered the Uchiha stone tablet and tempted Indra to revive the Ten-Tails. As the account echoed Madara’s own plans, he recognized the familiar pattern and erupted with killing intent toward Black Zetsu.

• Black Zetsu tried to explain the bark’s account of an ancient Black Zetsu by claiming the Sage of Six Paths could have created one like Madara had created him.
• Madara read that Black Zetsu had sought to revive the Ten-Tails and Kaguya, while Black Zetsu suggested the ancient figure might be controlling Akihara Kagura.
• Madara read that Black Zetsu had altered the Uchiha Clan’s stone tablet and realized the history he had relied on could have been manipulated.
• Madara read that Black Zetsu had impersonated Indra’s will and tempted him to attack Asura and gather the tailed beasts to revive the Ten-Tails.
• Madara told Black Zetsu that Indra’s story felt familiar, then released his chakra and killing intent as he realized it resembled his own experience.

Madara Uchiha confronted Black Zetsu after a Senju Clan bark exposed their deception, and Black Zetsu admitted it was Kaguya's will. With Akihara Kagura mocking and challenging it, Black Zetsu began recounting Kaguya's history, leaving Madara furious over how many times it had lied to him.

• Madara Uchiha accused Black Zetsu of impersonating his will and manipulating him, while Black Zetsu denied the accusations and blamed another Black Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu admitted it was Kaguya's will, claiming Kaguya was Hagoromo Otsutsuki's mother rather than his daughter.
• Akihara Kagura spoke through Minato Namikaze, mocked Madara, and challenged Black Zetsu to prove its identity and explain where the bark came from.
• Black Zetsu began its account of Kaguya arriving from beyond the heavens, planting the Divine Tree, and using the Infinite Tsukuyomi to end human wars.
• Black Zetsu revealed that people caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi became White Zetsu and admitted it had lied to Madara about their origins, enraging him further.

Akihara Kagura maneuvered events to expose Black Zetsu’s deception and separate it from Madara Uchiha, then revealed how he had orchestrated the chain of events that led Madara to discover the Senju Clan’s tree bark. Black Zetsu escaped, and Madara realized the bark had been deliberately guided into his hands.

• Black Zetsu claimed Kaguya Otsutsuki had created it to revive the Ten-Tails, but Akihara Kagura undermined its story by mentioning another historical record.
• Madara Uchiha moved to kill Black Zetsu, but Akihara Kagura ordered Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze to help it escape.
• Black Zetsu burrowed underground with the Mayfly Technique after Akihara Kagura promised to explain the hidden dangers behind the events.
• Madara Uchiha demanded Black Zetsu back, and Akihara Kagura explained that he had planned the events to expose Black Zetsu and sever its alliance with Madara.
• Akihara Kagura revealed that he had deliberately leaked the Senju Clan’s tree bark to Kabuto Yakushi, knowing it would pass through Tsunade’s hands and reach Madara.