Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru sent a hundred-person reinforcement team to the Land of Bears under Chiyue’s command, choosing mostly Chunin and Genin to conserve the camp’s core forces. Chiyue angrily cursed Orochimaru for making him babysit the newcomers, while Orochimaru sent Danzo a warning tied to their cooperation.

• Nara Shikaku worried that Konoha’s shortage of troops was straining Orochimaru’s battlefield plans and hoped reinforcements would arrive soon.
• After learning that the Mangekyō Sharingan had appeared, Orochimaru ordered Nara Shikaku to send one hundred people, including five medical ninja, to the Land of Bears under Chiyue’s command.
• Orochimaru chose mostly Chunin and Genin for the team, explaining that the village needed to preserve its core forces and that the newcomers could train under Chiyue.
• Orochimaru sent a scroll to Danzo, warning that their cooperation would be difficult to maintain unless Danzo dealt with what needed handling quickly.
• When the reinforcements reached him, Chiyue publicly cursed Orochimaru for burdening him with the task of guarding and training the inexperienced newcomers.
• The Uchiha Clan members watched Chiyue curse Orochimaru, and they looked to Uchiha Mikoto, who waved her hand.

After Kirigakure learned that Yagami Chiyue had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Third Mizukage decided to escalate the war by taking the Jinchuriki to the front lines. Meanwhile, Danzo learned of Chiyue’s eyes and promised Orochimaru he would keep his word.

• Yagura sent Kirigakure intelligence that Yagami Chiyue had used Susanoo against Kaguya Hono in the Land of Bears.
• The Third Mizukage and Black Zetsu discussed whether Chiyue could serve Uchiha Madara’s plans, then Black Zetsu suggested sending the Jinchuriki into battle to weaken Konoha.
• The Third Mizukage ordered himself and the Jinchuriki to the front lines, alarming Kirigakure and leaving Yagura stunned.
• Danzo read Orochimaru’s scroll about Chiyue’s Mangekyō Sharingan and cursed Kagami Uchiha for the condition of the eyes he had obtained.
• Danzo told Orochimaru’s messenger that he would fulfill his promise and that Orochimaru should wait for good news.

Danzo spread rumors blaming Hatake Sakumo for starting the war with Kirigakure, turning villagers against him and damaging his standing as a possible Hokage candidate. The Third Hokage suspected Danzo but chose not to suppress the rumors, while Tsunade concluded Danzo was trying to clear the way for Orochimaru.

• Danzo used his hidden contacts to spread rumors that Hatake Sakumo had assassinated the Third Mizukage and caused the war.
• Villagers blamed Hatake Sakumo for their losses, and some confronted the Hatake Clan; Kakashi grew furious while Sakumo urged him to stay calm.
• Hatake Sakumo suspected someone was smearing him to block his chance of becoming Hokage and considered retiring to spend more time with Kakashi.
• The Third Hokage suspected Danzo had orchestrated the rumors, warned him not to stir up trouble, and declined to control public opinion.
• Tsunade blamed Danzo for the rumors and concluded that he was paving the way for Orochimaru.

Hatake Sakumo, disillusioned by the Third Hokage’s failure to clear his name, applied to retire so he could spend more time with Kakashi. The Third Hokage refused to accept the request, and Sakumo left without knowing whether it would be approved.

• Tsunade suspected Danzo had engineered the scandal, while Danzo denied responsibility and expected the investigation to fail.
• After public attention faded, Hatake Sakumo asked Kakashi how he felt about his father staying home to keep him company.
• Hatake Sakumo submitted a retirement application to the Third Hokage, explaining that he wanted to be a more present father.
• The Third Hokage refused and tried to blame the request on Orochimaru’s ambitions, but Hatake Sakumo said the scandal had exhausted him and retirement would help Orochimaru too.
• Hatake Sakumo left the Hokage’s Office and planned to shop for vegetables and cook for Kakashi, while the Third Hokage fumed.

The Third Hokage confronted Danzo over the smear campaign against Hatake Sakumo, whose retirement application had reached the Hokage's Office. With Konoha already fighting Kirigakure and facing unrest in Sunagakure, the Third Hokage feared losing Sakumo would leave the village dangerously exposed.

• The Third Hokage left the Hokage's Office by jumping through a window and hurried to confront Danzo, while an Anbu ninja alerted Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• Tsunade read Hatake Sakumo's retirement application in the Hokage's Office and left documents for the Third Hokage to review and stamp.
• The Third Hokage accused Danzo of excluding Sakumo and using public opinion to attack him, while Danzo insisted he had done nothing against the village.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrived and learned that Sakumo intended to retire, become an ordinary person, and raise Kakashi.
• The Third Hokage warned that Konoha was still at war with Kirigakure and that Sunagakure might attack, making Sakumo's retirement a serious threat to the village.

After Danzo’s actions against Hatake Sakumo threatened Konoha during wartime, Chiyue received a report about the scandal and publicly exposed Danzo to the rookies in his camp. The news reached Orochimaru, who laughed at Chiyue’s insults rather than taking offense.

• The Third Hokage warned Danzo that another reckless move would land him in Konoha Prison, while Utatane Koharu worried about Hatake Sakumo retiring before a possible war with Sunagakure.
• Chiyue received a coded intelligence scroll from Konoha and laughed at the news about Danzo and Hatake Sakumo.
• Chiyue asked Uchiha Mikoto to read the report aloud, then announced that Shimura Danzō had smeared Hatake Sakumo and identified Danzo as the culprit.
• Chiyue told the gathered shinobi that Danzo had also slandered him years earlier, while Uchiha Fugaku worried the public accusation would reach the village and anger its leaders.
• The news reached Coastline Camp that afternoon, and Orochimaru laughed at Chiyue’s description of Danzo despite its indirect insult to him.

The Third Mizukage ordered Kirigakure to abandon localized warfare, use its Jinchuriki to attack Konoha, and invite Sunagakure into the conflict. As Kirigakure’s retreat briefly eased the fighting, Chiyue’s public denunciation of Danzo spread across the battlefield, and Minato and Nawaki prepared to visit the Land of Bears Camp.

• Orochimaru told Nara Shikaku not to suppress news about Danzo and to focus on their enemies.
• Yagura explained that Konoha’s camps made a direct breakthrough difficult, but the Third Mizukage ordered him to commit the Jinchuriki to an assault anyway.
• The Third Mizukage instructed Yagura to invite Sunagakure to attack Konoha and to avoid engaging Chiyue in the southern Land of Bears.
• Kirigakure’s retreat gave the war a short respite, while Chiyue’s remarks calling Danzo sinister, cunning, and shameless spread across the battlefield.
• Minato reacted to Chiyue’s denunciation, and Nawaki invited him to visit the Land of Bears Camp; Minato agreed.

Two travelers received Orochimaru’s permission to visit Chiyue in the Land of Bears, while the Third Hokage reacted angrily to Chiyue’s public remarks about Danzo. Meanwhile, the Third Kazekage met with Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, and Pakura to consider Kirigakure’s offer of an alliance against Konoha, leaving Sunagakure poised to seize an opportunity.

• Two travelers reported to Orochimaru, gained permission to visit Chiyue in the Land of Bears, and brought a deer for cooking.
• The Third Hokage read an Anbu scroll about Chiyue’s remarks on Danzo and ordered it sent to Tsunade to handle.
• The Third Kazekage gathered Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, and Pakura to discuss Sunagakure’s worsening finances and war reparations.
• The Third Kazekage revealed Yagura’s message inviting Sunagakure to ally with Kirigakure and attack Konoha.
• Chiyo and Ebizo reacted with alarm to Kirigakure’s extreme plans, while the Third Kazekage saw the proposed war as an opportunity for Sunagakure.

Sunagakure agreed to consider joining the war against Konoha if Kirigakure sent its Jinchuriki to devastate the coastline, and the Third Mizukage ordered a full-scale assault. As Kirigakure’s fleet approached, Orochimaru prepared Konoha’s defenses and sent Minato to fetch Jiraiya and then Chiyue, leaving Minato exhausted in the Land of Bears.

• The Third Kazekage invited Chiyo and Ebizo to leave retirement and support Sunagakure, while Rasa vowed to avenge the humiliation Konoha had inflicted on the village.
• Yagura reported Sunagakure’s demand that Kirigakure prove its sincerity by sending its Jinchuriki to wreak havoc, and the Third Mizukage ordered a full-scale assault for the next day.
• Orochimaru readied Konoha’s forces as Kirigakure’s fleet assembled, then sent Minato to bring Jiraiya from the Land of Eddies camp and Chiyue from the Land of Bears if circumstances allowed.
• Jiraiya returned with Minato to Coastline Camp and asked Orochimaru why Kirigakure was abandoning its battlefield advantage, but Orochimaru said he did not know what had forced the assault.
• Minato reached the Land of Bears, where Chiyue gave him water as he recovered from repeatedly using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kirigakure launched its attack on the coastline under cover of the Hidden Mist Technique, and Orochimaru’s forces prepared to meet it. Yagura ordered thousands of ninja to combine Water Style into a massive flood, leaving Konoha’s defenders facing towering waves.

• Minato warned Chiyue that Kirigakure was gathering warships and that Orochimaru had called Sensei to Coastline Camp.
• Yagura ordered Kirigakure’s forces to blanket the sea and coastline with the Hidden Mist Technique as they approached.
• Orochimaru explained that Konoha should conserve its chakra and stamina, while Nara Shikaku assured Jiraiya that preparations were in place to counter Kirigakure’s attacks.
• Yagura ordered Kirigakure’s combined unit to prepare, while the Third Mizukage watched from a warship.
• Thousands of Kirigakure ninja combined the Great Waterfall Technique and Wild Water Wave, sending enormous waves toward the coastline and alarming Konoha’s defenders.

Kirigakure’s combined Water Style attack battered Konoha’s defenses before Kaki Clan shinobi launched a surprise assault from within the waves. As the two villages’ forces clashed, Orochimaru and Yagura watched each other from afar, while an unseen speaker asked whether the Jinchuriki had been sent out.

• Orochimaru ordered Konoha shinobi to raise layered Earth Flow Ramparts and retreat to higher ground as Kirigakure’s waves surged ashore.
• The weakened waves broke through the first defenses but were stopped by a second rampart, prompting Konoha shinobi to celebrate.
• Kaki Clan shinobi concealed by the seawater sent chakra sharks leaping at Konoha’s troops, catching them by surprise.
• Kirigakure shinobi rode the waves onto shore, and Jiraiya joined Konoha’s forces in the ensuing melee.
• Orochimaru and Yagura watched the battle from opposite sides as an aged voice asked whether the Jinchuriki had been sent out.

Kirigakure sent its Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki into battle, where Jiraiya and Gamabunta confronted them. After Gamabunta struck them, the injured Jinchuriki’s seals broke and both Tailed Beasts emerged, revealing Kirigakure’s plan to devastate Konoha.

• Yagura told the Third Mizukage that the two Jinchuriki had joined the attack and that more Kirigakure ninja would follow as cover.
• Orochimaru assigned Jiraiya to hold off the Jinchuriki, and Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta to help.
• The Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki ignored Jiraiya and charged toward groups of Konoha ninja as their tails increased.
• Gamabunta’s sword struck the Jinchuriki, who stopped resisting and caught the blade with enormous red Chakra hands.
• The injured Jinchuriki’s seals broke, allowing the Three-Tails and Six-Tails to take control and appear on the battlefield.

The Six-Tails and Three-Tails broke free and rampaged across the battlefield, devastating both Konoha and Kirigakure forces. As Yagura withdrew and Orochimaru struggled to contain the beasts, Chiyue received Orochimaru’s urgent message and prepared to join the fight with Minato.

• The Six-Tails spewed acidic gas and corrosive slime, killing ninja from both villages as Gamabunta fled.
• The Three-Tails broke free and unleashed a Tailed Beast Ball, while both beasts attacked everyone in sight.
• Yagura ordered Kirigakure’s forces to retreat, leaving Konoha to face the rampaging tailed beasts.
• Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima, then asked Orochimaru to buy him time as Orochimaru led the jonin squad into battle.
• Orochimaru sent a small snake to summon Chiyue, who told Minato they should wait a few minutes before heading to the front.
• Chiyue and Minato left the Land of Bears, while Uchiha Mikoto warned Chiyue to be careful and Uchiha Fugaku reflected on the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Chiyue and Minato arrived at the coastal battlefield to find the Three-Tails and Six-Tails rampaging through the flooded camp. Chiyue drew the Three-Tails away while Orochimaru and Jiraiya arranged the evacuation, and the chapter ended as the Three-Tails prepared a Tailed Beast Ball against Chiyue.

• Fugaku and Mikoto discussed the Uchiha Clan’s lack of freedom and Chiyue’s relationships.
• Minato brought Chiyue to the coastal battlefield, where the Three-Tails and Six-Tails were overwhelming Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the others.
• Minato rescued Jiraiya from the Three-Tails’ Tailed Beast Ball, then brought him back to Chiyue.
• Chiyue attacked the Three-Tails with Lightning Burst and drew its attention while Jiraiya and the others withdrew or went to assist Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru and Minato lured the Six-Tails away as Jiraiya organized the evacuation and rescue of the wounded.
• The Three-Tails fixed its gaze on Chiyue and began forming a Tailed Beast Ball.

Chiyue drove off the Three-Tails with a Spiral Tailed Beast Ball and Lightning Style, while Jiraiya watched the fight and reconsidered his own abilities. The Three-Tails escaped into the sea, and Jiraiya decided to ask Chiyue to teach him Lightning Style.

• Chiyue struck the Three-Tails with a black giant hand and hit it with a Spiral Tailed Beast Ball, severing one of its tails.
• Jiraiya ordered the wounded treated and the fallen comrades and enemy bodies gathered as Chiyue attacked the Three-Tails with the Raijin Sword.
• Chiyue used Lightning Style to break the Three-Tails' head armor, and the beast fled into the sea.
• Chiyue noticed cracks in the Raijin Sword and decided to ask Orochimaru to compensate him, possibly with a Kusanagi Sword.
• Jiraiya resolved to learn methods for fighting Tailed Beasts and considered asking Chiyue to teach him Lightning Style.

After Chiyue drove off the Three-Tails and helped Konoha retreat, Orochimaru offered him a Kusanagi Sword as compensation for his damaged Raijin Sword. Chiyue chose the sword that transmitted Lightning Chakra well, then renamed it Lightning after learning Orochimaru called it Sakura.

• Chiyue drove off the Three-Tails while Konoha's forces celebrated, and Jiraiya ordered them to clean up and withdraw.
• Chiyue and Jiraiya covered the retreat as Chiyue joked about eating the Three-Tails' severed tail to gain its Chakra.
• Konoha's main force retreated thirty kilometers from the coast, and Orochimaru and Minato returned to camp exhausted.
• Orochimaru accepted responsibility for the defeat and ordered the scattered forces to regroup.
• Chiyue asked Orochimaru to replace his cracked Raijin Sword with a Kusanagi Sword, and Orochimaru let him choose from his collection.
• Chiyue selected the middle Kusanagi Sword, learned it was called Sakura, and insisted on renaming it Lightning.

Jiraiya claimed Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword and asked Chiyue to teach him Lightning Style. Chiyue explained its risks and suggested Ice Style instead, then hinted he might share his research under certain conditions.

• Jiraiya took Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword as his reward, and Orochimaru reluctantly let him keep it.
• Jiraiya joined Chiyue for grilled meat and asked to learn his Lightning Style.
• Chiyue explained that his Lightning Style used seal-less, powerful lightning Chakra control but risked damaging the user’s body.
• Chiyue suggested Jiraiya consider Ice Style and demonstrated his own attempt to fuse water- and wind-nature Chakra.
• Jiraiya asked about Chiyue’s Ice Style research, and Chiyue refused to share his findings unless Jiraiya met some condition.

Chiyue offered Jiraiya his Lightning Style training experience in exchange for capturing a Snow Clan ninja with a Kekkei Genkai, but Jiraiya postponed the dangerous trip because Konoha needed him after its defeat. Chiyue explained his Lightning Style training to Jiraiya, while the rebuilt camp remained burdened by sorrow and fear.

• Chiyue asked Jiraiya to capture an awakened Snow Clan ninja in exchange for his Lightning Style training experience, and Jiraiya agreed after Chiyue mentioned Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya asked Minato to fly him into the Land of Water, but they decided they could not leave Konoha's camp after its defeat.
• Minato encouraged Jiraiya to study Chiyue's damaging Lightning Style and offered to help with patrols.
• Jiraiya returned to Chiyue and postponed the Snow Clan mission, then asked to discuss Lightning Style instead.
• Chiyue explained his training process and difficulties to Jiraiya, while Orochimaru oversaw construction of a secure camp that remained shrouded in sorrow and fear.

Konoha reeled from the devastating losses caused by Kirigakure unleashing the Three-Tails and Six-Tails on the battlefield. The Third Hokage and Tsunade focused on preparing to face Kirigakure’s expected invasion of the Land of Fire, while the Uchiha Clan’s absence from the battlefield had spared them the disaster.

• Uchiha Fugaku returned to the new camp with his people and supplies, relieved that most of the Uchiha Clan had been away from the Coastline Camp during the attack.
• The Third Hokage read the front-line report and learned that more than half of Konoha’s elite forces had been lost to the rampaging Tailed Beasts.
• Tsunade arrived, read the report, and angrily condemned Kirigakure for bringing the Tailed Beasts onto the battlefield; Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were also shocked by the news.
• The Third Hokage told the others that Kirigakure had also lost two Tailed Beasts and argued that their priority was preparing for the enemy’s next offensive.
• Tsunade urged the village to focus on reinforcements, medical ninja, and supplies, while the Third Hokage said he would explain the defeat to the Daimyo.

After Konoha suffered heavy losses against Kirigakure, Orochimaru assigned Chiyue to patrol and intercept enemies alone across a huge stretch of the front. Chiyue set out to defend it as a heavy storm broke over the area.

• Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Tsunade agreed to organize reinforcements, medical ninja, and supplies for the front.
• Tsunade warned the Third Hokage that Sunagakure might exploit Konoha's defeat, and he decided to have Anbu monitor them.
• Orochimaru summoned Chiyue and explained that the undermanned camp needed him to patrol and intercept enemies across a wide area by himself.
• Chiyue protested Orochimaru's assignment, then packed food into a Sealing Scroll and left camp for his post.
• As Chiyue reached the area he had to defend, heavy rain and thunder swept across the battlefield.