Chapter Summaries

After turning Danzo into a towering tree, Soji returned to Konoha, where the Third Hokage and the elders feared the destructive phenomena outside the village and worried that Danzo had died. The Third Hokage suspected the phenomena were connected to Konoha’s major crises and decided to investigate both the Nine-Tails Night and the coup.

• Soji visited the tree formed from Danzo, decided it could atone for Danzo’s crimes, and returned home with Night Duke.
• The Third Hokage and the Konoha elders were alarmed by reports of a meteor, a storm, and golden light near the village.
• The Third Hokage connected the disturbance to the route Danzo had taken while fleeing and feared Danzo had not survived.
• The Third Hokage recalled the Sky-Supporting Ice Lotus phenomenon during the Nine-Tails Night and suspected both disasters were linked to major incidents in Konoha.
• The Third Hokage decided to reinvestigate the Nine-Tails Night and examine the hidden details of the coup.

The Third Hokage found that Soji’s attacks had transformed the site of the Danzo incident into a desert and, later, a canyon, while publicly calling the change a natural disaster. Back in Konoha, the Uchiha Clan rebuilt its standing after the coup, and Soji and Uchiha Homura strolled through the village as people joked about their relationship; Homura then reminded Soji to restore his failing eyesight.

• The Third Hokage inspected the new desert, found no trace of Danzo or his followers, and told the villagers it was a natural disaster.
• The desert and a canyon formed by Soji’s attack became local attractions, drawing visitors and settlers from across the Land of Fire.
• The Uchiha Clan gained village support after the coup as Fugaku Uchiha changed the clan’s conduct and negotiated with other ninja clans.
• Soji and Uchiha Homura visited Naruto and walked through Konoha, where old friends teased them and Shikaku Nara gave them a knowing smile.
• Soji asked Uchiha Homura to keep his distance to prevent gossip, but Homura urged Soji to focus on restoring his deteriorating eyesight.

Soji began an operation to transplant Hashirama Cells into Uchiha Homura, hoping to restore his declining eyesight and give him new abilities. After preparing Homura and warning him about the pain, Soji injected the cultivated cells, leaving the transplant underway.

• Uchiha Homura agreed to have Soji perform the transplant immediately so his worsening eyesight could be restored.
• Soji brought Uchiha Homura to his basement laboratory, where Homura discovered Soji's forbidden equipment and promised not to report it.
• Soji prepared the operating room, restrained Uchiha Homura, measured his condition, and injected medicines to help temper the Hashirama Cells.
• Soji warned Uchiha Homura that the final step would be painful and told him to activate his Sharingan to suppress the cells' backlash.
• Soji slowly injected the cultivated Hashirama Cells into Uchiha Homura's body.

Soji transplanted Hashirama Senju's cells into Homura, whose Mangekyō Sharingan helped him survive the cells' violent growth and awaken the Power of All Creation. Homura recovered with improved vision, regenerative ability, and Wood Style power, then learned that Soji had used the First Hokage's cells without telling him.

• Soji injected Hashirama Cells into Homura, and Homura endured severe pain as the cells spread through his body.
• Homura activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to counter the cells, but the Hashirama Cells grew more active and branches began emerging from him.
• Soji urged Homura to activate his Mangekyō Sharingan, and its Yin-nature Chakra balanced the cells as the Power of All Creation formed within him.
• The branches retracted, the Hashirama Cells stabilized, and Homura's vision, health, and regenerative ability improved.
• Homura instinctively used the Impaling Technique, and Soji realized he had not told him that the transplant involved Hashirama Senju's cells.

After Uchiha Homura adapted to Hashirama Cells, Soji gave him Wood Style scrolls and warned him to keep them secret. Soji then extracted some of Homura’s Fire Release Chakra, adding it to the Wind Release Chakra he had taken from Danzo.

• Uchiha Homura discovered that Hashirama Cells had restored his eyesight, awakened Wood Release, and enhanced his Mangekyō abilities.
• Soji claimed he had dug up Madara Uchiha’s grave to explain how he knew about Hashirama Cells and to account for the Wood Style scrolls.
• Soji gave Uchiha Homura Wood Style Jutsu scrolls and warned him to study them secretly and return them afterward.
• Uchiha Homura agreed to help Soji, who extracted about twenty percent of his Chakra and sealed the Fire Release Chakra in a scroll.

Soji revealed that the Byakugan could evolve and offered Hyuga Chizuru and Hyuga Kiyoka a risky procedure to strengthen theirs. Chizuru’s procedure succeeded, awakening a pressure ability that left Kiyoka struggling to use her full strength.

• Soji showed Uchiha Homura his Tenseigan, and Homura left to train with the Wood Style Jutsu scrolls.
• Soji summoned Hyuga Chizuru and Hyuga Kiyoka and explained that he could help their Byakugan evolve, though the procedure carried serious risks.
• Chizuru and Kiyoka chose to undergo the procedure, and Soji used his Blood Crystal to operate on Chizuru while Kiyoka assisted.
• Chizuru endured the painful procedure without losing consciousness, and Soji confirmed that it had succeeded.
• Chizuru awakened Byakugan: Pressure, whose aura left Kiyoka feeling that she could use only around eighty percent of her strength.

Soji performed Byakugan evolution surgeries on Hyuga Chizuru, Hyuga Kiyoka, Hyuga Hiashi, and Hyuga Hizashi, bringing all four to the threshold of Kage-level strength. Each gained either Byakugan: Pressure or Void Strike, but none inherited Soji’s Ice Release or Shikotsumyaku.

• Hyuga Chizuru completed his surgery with stronger Byakugan and Gentle Fist techniques, gaining Byakugan: Pressure but not Void Strike, Ice Release, or Shikotsumyaku.
• Soji operated on Hyuga Kiyoka, who gained Void Strike instead of Byakugan: Pressure and inherited neither Ice Release nor Shikotsumyaku.
• After confirming the couple had adapted to their new strength, Soji brought them to challenge Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi, whose defeat convinced the brothers to undergo surgery.
• Soji operated on Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi at the same time, and each gained one of the two evolved Byakugan abilities.
• The four Hyuga adapted to their evolved Byakugan and became Kage-level powerhouses, with Hyuga Hizashi strongest, followed by Hyuga Hiashi, while Hyuga Chizuru and Hyuga Kiyoka were evenly matched.

After settling the Hyuga Clan’s affairs and appointing Itachi Uchiha as Ninja Academy principal, Soji began seeking ways to obtain Lightning and Earth Release Chakra from the Fourth Raikage and Third Tsuchikage. When Pakura reported that the Fourth Raikage had secretly traveled to the Land of Sugi with two subordinates, Soji decided to go there and pursue both his Chakra and the Basho Fan.

• Soji confirmed that Hyuga Hiashi and the other three could learn each other’s techniques, strengthening the Hyuga Clan while they kept a low profile.
• Soji appointed Itachi Uchiha principal of the Ninja Academy after seeing how quickly he handled its responsibilities.
• Soji asked Pakura to investigate the Fourth Raikage and Ōnoki, hoping to obtain their Lightning and Earth Release Chakra through a peaceful deal.
• Pakura activated spies in the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth, then reported that the Fourth Raikage had gone to the Land of Sugi with two subordinates.
• Soji decided to travel to the Land of Sugi and seek the Fourth Raikage’s Chakra and the Basho Fan.

Soji traveled to the Land of Sugi disguised as a merchant and investigated why the small country was unusually peaceful and prosperous. He learned that its daimyo guarded a Secret Ninjutsu Scroll and had hired a powerful mercenary organization to protect the country in exchange for studying it, leaving Soji to watch the daimyo and await the Fourth Raikage’s arrival.

• Soji arrived in the Land of Sugi as Mizuki Ember, transformed himself into a merchant, and questioned the landlady about the country’s unusual safety.
• The landlady told Soji that the daimyo’s Secret Ninjutsu Scroll was the reason the Land of Sugi remained peaceful and prosperous.
• Soji suspected the Fourth Raikage had infiltrated the country to steal the scroll and decided to secretly watch the daimyo’s residence.
• After several days of earning the landlady’s trust with gifts, Soji learned that the daimyo had hired a powerful mercenary organization to protect the country in exchange for studying the scroll.
• Soji pretended not to hear the landlady’s remarks about her late husband’s opposition to the daimyo’s arrangement, then returned to his room.

Soji watched the Fourth Raikage steal the Land of Sugi’s Secret Ninjutsu Scroll, then followed the mercenary group hired to hunt him down. The Xuanyuan Group pursued the Fourth Raikage while Soji trailed behind, eager to see the clash.

• Soji waited for the Fourth Raikage to act, hoping to take the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll after the Raikage stole it.
• The Fourth Raikage, Nikai, and Rakai entered the Daimyo’s Residence through a bribed gatekeeper and escaped with the scroll.
• Soji watched the guards fail to catch the Raikage’s group and waited for the daimyo’s mercenaries to respond.
• Five members of the Xuanyuan Group arrived and pursued the Fourth Raikage along his escape route.
• Water questioned whether the group had been rash to accept a mission targeting the Fourth Raikage, while Fire led the pursuit.

The Xuanyuan Group caught up with the Fourth Raikage and his two subordinates over the stolen Secret Ninjutsu Scroll, and negotiations quickly turned into a fight. Soji watched from hiding, ready to exploit the battle, but the outcome remained uncertain.

• Fire explained that Kumogakure could not publicly retaliate over the scroll, and the Xuanyuan Group resumed pursuing the Raikage's party.
• Soji considered recruiting the mercenary group but decided he could not trust them because they worked for money.
• The Xuanyuan Group caught up with the Fourth Raikage, Nikai, and Rakai, and Fire demanded the return of the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll or their surrender.
• The Fourth Raikage refused and attacked Fire, only to discover he had struck a Shadow Clone as the real Xuanyuan Group appeared from the forest.
• Nikai and Rakai joined the battle, while Soji watched and hoped both sides would be weakened enough for him to take advantage.

The Fourth Raikage used Lightning Release Chakra Mode to break through the Xuanyuan Group’s coordinated elemental attacks, suffering only a wound on his left arm. He fought back against Fire, Water, and Lightning while Nikai and Rakai engaged Wind and Earth, and the battle continued with neither side yet defeated.

• The Xuanyuan Group launched five coordinated elemental ninjutsu attacks, and the Fourth Raikage activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode before charging through them.
• The Fourth Raikage broke through the Earth, Water, and Fire attacks, then endured Lightning and Wind, taking a bloody gash on his left arm from Wind Slash.
• Fire Boss directed the group to protect Wind and focus attacks on the Fourth Raikage, while Nikai engaged Wind and Rakai engaged Earth.
• The Fourth Raikage struck Lightning and dodged Fire and Water’s attacks, then missed an elbow strike on Water after Water used his Water Whip to pull himself clear.
• Fire attacked with Flame Meteor, but the small fireballs only reddened the Fourth Raikage’s skin as the fight continued.

Fire, Water, and Lightning used the Xuanyuan Group’s Combined Attack Technique against the Fourth Raikage, allowing them to share and amplify their ninjutsu. The technique burned the Raikage’s leg, but he broke through the attack and fractured both of Water’s arms, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Fire, Water, and Lightning concluded that they could not defeat the Fourth Raikage through ordinary attacks and activated their Combined Attack Technique while they waited for Wind and Earth to gain the upper hand.
• The Fourth Raikage launched a Guillotine Drop at Water as the three Xuanyuan Group members synchronized their auras.
• Water used Fire Style: Flame Tornado, amplified by the Combined Attack Technique, and burned the Fourth Raikage’s right calf.
• The Fourth Raikage forced his way through the Flame Tornado and struck Water, fracturing both of his arms.
• Soji observed the technique from hiding as the chapter explained that it let connected users share and amplify ninjutsu at the cost of greater Chakra consumption.

Wind joined Fire and Lightning in the Combined Attack Technique after Water and Nikai were forced out of combat, allowing the group to use Wind Style against the Fourth Raikage. The Fourth Raikage activated his Lightning Release Armor and targeted Wind as the greatest threat, but Wind protected himself with golden Lightning Armor before the Raikage's strike landed.

• Nikai was defeated by Wind and sent back to the Fourth Raikage, while Water withdrew after his arms were crippled.
• Wind joined Fire and Lightning's Combined Attack Technique, letting them use Wind Style Ninjutsu.
• The Fourth Raikage broke through Wind's defensive wall and withstood the group's wind attacks after activating Lightning Release Armor.
• The Fourth Raikage concluded that Wind was the main threat and rushed at him with Lightning Scythe: Hot Blade.
• Wind activated golden Lightning Armor and leaped back, making the Fourth Raikage's attack strike his chest instead of his neck.

The Xuanyuan Group used the Exploding Worm secret technique after the Fourth Raikage badly wounded Wind, secretly infecting the Raikage’s group with tiny eggs. Soji saw through the attack and followed the Raikage, whose group headed for medical help unaware that using Chakra would make the worms grow and eventually explode.

• The Fourth Raikage struck Wind with Lightning Scythe: Hot Blade, breaking his ribs, while both sides regrouped and assessed their injuries.
• Water and Wind urged Fire to use the group’s Exploding Worm, and Fire agreed despite Earth’s concerns.
• Fire pretended the Xuanyuan Group was retreating, then used a bright flash to send Exploding Worm eggs into the Fourth Raikage, Rakai, and Nikai.
• The Fourth Raikage’s group left to seek medical treatment, not knowing the eggs would absorb Chakra, hatch, and eventually explode inside them.
• Soji appeared at the battlefield, used his Tenseigan vision to identify the secret technique and the Xuanyuan Group’s plan, then followed the Fourth Raikage.

Soji watched the Xuanyuan Group use the Exploding Worms to trap the Fourth Raikage’s group, then intervened when Nikai was about to explode. His Ice Release stopped the explosion, and his appearance as Mizuki Ember stunned both sides.

• Soji observed an Exploding Worm hatch inside the medical ninja Iki and grow while the Fourth Raikage’s group waited for Nikai to recover.
• The Xuanyuan Group ambushed the Fourth Raikage’s group again and stalled the battle, expecting the Exploding Worms inside their opponents to mature.
• Soji realized Nikai’s danger could give him a chance to negotiate with the Fourth Raikage, and waited for the group to fall into dire straits.
• Nikai’s Exploding Worm reached its final stage, causing his stomach to swell as the Fourth Raikage, Rakai, and Iki watched helplessly.
• Soji appeared and used Ice Release—Ice Tomb to freeze Nikai and halt the impending explosion.
• Fire recognized Soji as Mizuki Ember, whose legendary reputation left both the Fourth Raikage’s group and the Xuanyuan Group stunned.

Soji used Mizuki Ember's reputation to halt the battle between the Fourth Raikage's group and the Xuanyuan Group. The Xuanyuan Group retreated after Soji revealed he knew about their Exploding Worms, leaving him pleased that his attempt to make both sides give him face had succeeded.

• Soji told the Fourth Raikage's group and the Xuanyuan Group that he wanted them to end their battle, while admitting the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll was one of his targets.
• The Xuanyuan Group debated whether to defy Soji, with Fire weighing their options as the deciding vote.
• Soji mentioned the Exploding Worms, making the Xuanyuan Group believe he had secretly followed them and could counter their technique.
• Fire announced that the Xuanyuan Group would retreat for as long as Soji was present, and the five members left without attacking.
• Soji celebrated that both sides had given him face and resolved to punish anyone who refused in the future.

Soji offered to trade the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll for saving Nikai, whom he had frozen before an Exploding Worm could detonate. The Fourth Raikage agreed, but Rakai seized the scroll and refused the deal, choosing Kumogakure’s interests over his brother’s life.

• After the Xuanyuan Group left, Soji told the Fourth Raikage he wanted to make a deal rather than fight.
• Soji revealed that Nikai was still alive and that he could save him, then used the shrinking time limit to pressure the Fourth Raikage over the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll.
• The Fourth Raikage agreed to hand over the scroll if Soji saved Nikai without harming him.
• Rakai snatched the scroll from the Fourth Raikage, and Soji chose to watch rather than intervene.
• Rakai explained that he would refuse the deal because he believed Nikai would not want the scroll traded for his life and Kumogakure needed it.

Soji, disguised as Mizuki Ember, accepted a copy of Kumogakure’s Secret Ninjutsu Scroll and saved Nikai by removing and draining the Exploding Worm. After the Fourth Raikage asked whether their deal was complete, Soji revealed that he wanted to make another transaction.

• Rakai refused to hand over the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll, but the Fourth Raikage persuaded him to exchange it for Nikai’s life.
• Soji offered to accept a copied scroll, and Iki copied the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll for him.
• Soji verified the copy, took it, and used his abilities to remove the Exploding Worm from Nikai and drain its Chakra.
• Soji thawed Nikai, who recovered and learned from Iki how Mizuki Ember had saved him.
• The Fourth Raikage asked whether their transaction was complete, and Soji said they had only finished the first transaction.

Soji demanded Kumogakure’s Basho Fan in exchange for saving Rakai, then revealed that Rakai had an Exploding Worm implanted near his heart. After Iki found no safe cure and Soji warned that Chakra would make the worm grow, the Fourth Raikage struggled over how to save Rakai without surrendering the fan; Soji ended by announcing another piece of bad news.

• Soji asked the Fourth Raikage to trade the Basho Fan for a second deal, but the Raikage refused because the tool belonged to the Kinkaku and Ginkaku Clan.
• Soji revealed that Rakai had an Exploding Worm beneath his chest, and Iki discovered it was connected to Rakai’s heart and too dangerous to remove.
• Iki estimated that Kumogakure’s medical equipment might give Rakai a fifty-percent chance of survival, while Rakai and Nikai urged the Raikage to return to the village without trading the fan.
• Soji warned that Chakra would feed the Exploding Worm and that the Xuanyuan Group would likely return, making the journey back dangerous if Rakai could not use Chakra.
• The Fourth Raikage resolved to fight the Xuanyuan Group, but Soji announced that he had another piece of bad news.