Chapter Summaries

Soji revealed that the Fourth Raikage also carried an Exploding Worm and pressured Kumogakure’s team into trading the Basho Fan for his help. After the Raikage signed and sealed a contract, Soji began removing the worms, starting with Rakai.

• Soji insisted that Iki examine the Fourth Raikage, and Iki discovered a small Exploding Worm inside him.
• The Fourth Raikage realized the worms had been planted in him, Nikai, and Rakai five days earlier and acknowledged the danger of returning to Kumogakure without Soji’s help.
• Iki accepted Soji’s offer to remove the Raikage’s worm in exchange for the Basho Fan, while Nikai and Rakai supported the deal.
• The Fourth Raikage wrote and sealed a contract promising Soji the Basho Fan, which was currently in Kumogakure.
• Rakai went first, and Soji used his Tenseigan to extract the Exploding Worm from Rakai’s chest and freeze it into ice crystals.

Soji removed the Exploding Worms from Rakai and the Fourth Raikage, secretly taking some of the Raikage’s lightning-nature Chakra in the process. The grateful Kumogakure group let Soji leave with the Basho Fan promised for later, then continued toward the Land of Lightning unaware that Tsunade was nearby.

• Soji removed the Exploding Worm from Rakai without injuring him, then treated the Fourth Raikage while Iki, Nikai, and Rakai watched anxiously.
• Soji secretly extracted about twenty percent of the Fourth Raikage’s Chakra along with the Exploding Worm and sealed both in a scroll, claiming he planned to study the worm.
• Iki examined the Fourth Raikage and confirmed that he was free of hidden dangers, prompting Nikai and Rakai to celebrate and embrace.
• Soji announced that he would leave and return later to collect the Basho Fan, and Iki, Nikai, and Rakai bowed to thank him for saving them.
• The Fourth Raikage agreed to drop the matter concerning his father and promised to prepare the Basho Fan for Soji, who departed on his Ice Wings.
• The Fourth Raikage and his subordinates resumed their journey, unaware that Tsunade was in a nearby town.

After checking on the Land of Snow and entrusting Pakura with its new Secret Ninjutsu Scroll, Soji waited for intelligence on Ōnoki. In the Land of Rain, Pain assigned Shisui and Orochimaru a mission to assassinate the Land of Fire's Daimyo, giving Orochimaru a chance to target Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Soji gave Pakura the Secret Ninjutsu Scroll and told her to gather information on Ōnoki instead of the Fourth Raikage.
• Soji returned to Konoha and waited for Pakura to find a way to approach Ōnoki, who remained in Iwagakure.
• Pain assigned Shisui and Orochimaru a Land of Fire mission to assassinate the Daimyo for a one-billion reward, while turning down Kakuzu's offer to join them.
• Shisui accepted the mission and resolved to protect the Daimyo, while deciding he might kill Orochimaru if the chance arose.
• Orochimaru accepted the assignment but planned to seize Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and defect from Akatsuki.

At an Akatsuki meeting, Pain assigned Shisui and Orochimaru to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, while Sasori secretly sent the mission details to Mizuki Ember for Soji. As Shisui and Orochimaru traveled toward Daimyo City, Orochimaru revealed his interest in taking Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan body.

• Sasori and Orochimaru traded insults until Pain ended the meeting and assigned them to separate roles.
• After the meeting, Sasori secretly sent a scroll to Mizuki Ember warning Soji about the assassination mission.
• Sasori teamed up with a reserve Akatsuki member to pursue money-making missions.
• Shisui considered contacting Soji and joining forces to kill Orochimaru without exposing his cover.
• Orochimaru praised Shisui’s growth and resolved to obtain his body for Living Corpse Reincarnation.

Soji learned that Shisui and Orochimaru were planning to target the Fire Daimyo and decided not to interfere in their rivalry. Concerned that the Akatsuki might keep pursuing the assassination, he planned to go to Daimyo City himself, then received word that Kakashi had come to visit and formed a new idea.

• Shisui secretly sent Soji a message about his and Orochimaru's operation against the Fire Daimyo while Orochimaru continued plotting to take Shisui's body.
• Soji read the messages from Shisui and Sasori, recognized that Shisui and Orochimaru were plotting against each other, and decided to let them handle their conflict.
• Soji decided the Fire Daimyo's safety was vital to Konoha and planned to travel to Daimyo City without alerting the village or Uchiha Clan.
• Soji wondered who had commissioned the assassination and considered asking Mizuki Ember to secretly protect the Daimyo.
• Hyuga Kiyoka told Soji that Kakashi Hatake was waiting in the reception room, and Soji asked her to bring him to the courtyard.

Soji invited Kakashi to accompany him to Daimyo City in the Land of Fire to visit Hatake Sakumo, and Kakashi eagerly agreed so he could see his father and seek guidance on his swordsmanship. Soji realized he needed the Third Hokage’s approval to leave Konoha, but Kakashi asked to delay their trip to avoid running into Might Guy.

• Soji decided to travel to the Land of Fire himself and investigate who had commissioned the Daimyo’s assassination by looking into the people around the Daimyo.
• Kakashi visited Soji’s home while hiding from Might Guy, who had chased him through Konoha seeking another contest.
• Soji invited Kakashi to join him on a trip to Daimyo City to visit Hatake Sakumo, and Kakashi agreed, hoping to improve his swordsmanship.
• Kakashi reminded Soji that he needed leave to leave Konoha, so Soji decided they should ask the Third Hokage for approval.
• Kakashi hesitated to leave right away because he feared Might Guy would find him, so Soji sat back down and continued talking with him.

Soji and Kakashi traveled to Daimyo City to investigate a possible threat to the Daimyo, which Soji suspected might come from someone close to him. They reached Hatake Sakumo’s residence, where Soji reunited with the still formidable former Konoha ninja.

• Soji and Kakashi received leave from the Third Hokage and departed Konoha for Daimyo City.
• Soji told Kakashi that a disturbance might threaten the Daimyo and asked him to investigate people around the Daimyo.
• Soji explained his suspicion that someone close to the Daimyo might be using Shisui and Orochimaru to distract the guards while planning a direct attack.
• Two days later, Soji and Kakashi entered Daimyo City and went to Hatake Sakumo’s residence.
• Soji saw Hatake Sakumo again after more than a decade and noted that he still looked vigorous and formidable.

Soji and Kakashi warned Hatake Sakumo that the Daimyo was in danger, and Sakumo revealed a string of suspicious accidents and a terrifying nightmare that had left the Daimyo ill. The three agreed that a hidden attacker was plotting against the Daimyo, and Kakashi explained their plan to use Sakumo as bait to expose the enemy.

• Soji and Kakashi visited Hatake Sakumo in Daimyo City and warned him that someone intended to harm the Daimyo.
• Hatake Sakumo described the Daimyo's poisoned meal, collapsing roof beam, and collapsing bridge, each of which had been treated as an accident.
• Sakumo recounted how the Daimyo returned from the Temple of Fire, dreamed of muddy-footed zombies invading his room, and fell ill after finding muddy footprints.
• Soji and Sakumo concluded that someone was targeting the Daimyo, while Soji revealed that Shisui and Orochimaru were also coming to assassinate him.
• Kakashi explained the plan he and Soji had devised, which required Sakumo to pretend to be restrained so they could draw out the hidden attacker.

Soji, Hatake Sakumo, and Kakashi finalized a plan to protect the Daimyo of the Land of Fire from an expected assassination attempt. Their discussion was interrupted by Asuma’s visit, and his reunion with Kakashi ended with Asuma enthusiastically grilling his friend about Kurenai Yuhi.

• Soji assigned Hatake Sakumo to stop the attackers, Kakashi to investigate the mastermind, and himself to secretly protect the daimyo.
• Asuma arrived at Hatake Sakumo’s home for swordsmanship training, and Hatake Sakumo invited him to stay with his guests.
• Asuma recognized Kakashi, who was shocked by Asuma’s delinquent appearance; Asuma explained that he dressed differently in Daimyo City.
• Asuma and Kakashi went outside to catch up, but Asuma soon peppered Kakashi with questions about Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kakashi endured Asuma’s relentless questions and resolved to avoid meeting him on future visits to Daimyo City.

Soji agreed to help Hatake Sakumo get Kakashi transferred out of the Anbu and into a mentor-teacher role, while Kakashi and Asuma began investigating the incidents surrounding the Daimyo. As the investigation continued, Soji suspected the Radical Faction of the Guardians of the Twelve Ninja was behind the incidents, but knew he needed evidence.

• Hatake Sakumo asked Soji to help arrange Kakashi's transfer from the Anbu to a mentor-teacher position, and Soji agreed to petition the Third Hokage.
• Kakashi asked Asuma to help investigate the Daimyo's suspicious misfortunes and nightmares, and Asuma agreed.
• Soji stayed out of public view while Kakashi visited Hatake Sakumo and investigated with Asuma, and Soji monitored the Daimyo using the Reincarnation Mirror.
• Soji learned that the Guardians of the Twelve Ninja were divided between the Hokage Protection Faction and the Radical Faction, with Hatake Sakumo trying to remain neutral.
• Soji considered whether the Hokage Protection Faction had targeted the Daimyo, rejected that suspicion as too obvious, and decided the Radical Faction was more likely responsible.

Kakashi presented his investigation into who might benefit from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire’s death, identifying the Daimyo’s three children and younger brother as suspects. Soji and Hatake Sakumo assessed their motives, but Enshi Jo and Enshi Kaede remained equally suspicious as the chapter ended.

• Kakashi showed Soji and Hatake Sakumo files on Enshi Rin, Enshi Jo, Enshi Miki, and Enshi Kaede, the Daimyo’s relatives and possible successors.
• Soji realized the four could benefit from the Daimyo’s death through succession, and he agreed Kakashi’s investigation was more promising than his own suspicion of the Guardians of the Twelve Ninja.
• Soji and Hatake Sakumo ruled out Enshi Miki as the least likely suspect because she had saved the Daimyo and had little chance of inheriting his position.
• Hatake Sakumo and Soji judged Enshi Rin the least suspicious of the remaining three, while acknowledging that impatience or fear of losing succession could still give him a motive.
• Kakashi asked how to assess Enshi Jo and Enshi Kaede, and Soji and Hatake Sakumo concluded that the two were equally likely to want the Daimyo harmed.

Soji, Kakashi, and Hatake Sakumo narrowed the suspects behind the Daimyo’s illness and assassination attempts to Enshi Rin, Enshi Jo, and Enshi Kaede. They planned to investigate discreetly and intercept the incoming attackers outside Daimyo City, leaving the mastermind’s identity unresolved.

• Soji identified Enshi Jo and Enshi Kaede as highly plausible suspects, while ranking Enshi Rin as less likely.
• Hatake Sakumo said the Daimyo had no recent conflicts and was a benevolent ruler, leading Soji to conclude that one of the three royal relatives was responsible.
• Hatake Sakumo rejected Soji’s proposal to question the suspects without evidence, and Kakashi said he and Asuma would keep investigating them in secret.
• Soji warned Hatake Sakumo that attackers would arrive within two days and advised him to intercept them outside the city; he hinted that one attacker was an old friend.
• Hatake Sakumo inferred that Orochimaru was among the attackers and went to the Daimyo’s Residence, while Soji stayed behind to monitor the Daimyo.

Shisui and Orochimaru reached the outskirts of Daimyo City while concealing their true motives from each other. Hatake Sakumo confronted them, and Shisui eagerly prepared to face the famed swordsman as Orochimaru watched for an opening.

• Orochimaru questioned Shisui about how to approach the daimyo, but neither man revealed his contacts or real intentions.
• Orochimaru decided he would later ask Hyuga Soji to investigate Shisui and the Uchiha Clan.
• Hatake Sakumo appeared and urged Orochimaru to leave, but Orochimaru said his mercenary contract prevented him from withdrawing.
• Hatake Sakumo recognized Shisui as the rogue ninja who had conspired with Danzo and realized he faced both men alone.
• Shisui welcomed the chance to test his swordsmanship against Hatake Sakumo, while Orochimaru observed the change in Shisui's mood.

Hatake Sakumo faced Shisui and Orochimaru while they attempted to assassinate the Daimyo, then fought Shisui in a blade-technique duel. After Sakumo’s devastating One Line Sky forced Shisui to evade with the Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Shisui prepared to use more than blade technique in their next exchange.

• Hatake Sakumo questioned Shisui and Orochimaru about their shared Akatsuki robes, and both concealed the organization’s true purpose.
• Shisui asked Orochimaru not to interfere and challenged Hatake Sakumo to a duel; Orochimaru stepped back to watch.
• Hatake Sakumo and Shisui traded rapid blade strikes, with Shisui gradually taking cuts while Sakumo remained uninjured.
• Hatake Sakumo unleashed One Line Sky, carving a huge fissure through the forest, and Shisui escaped the slash using the Phantom Body Flicker Technique.
• Shisui acknowledged Sakumo’s superior blade technique and declared that he would use other abilities in their next battle.

Hatake Sakumo broke Shisui’s Phantom Body Flicker Technique with One Yuan Annihilation, then used the dust and Shisui’s assumptions to draw him into a counterattack. Meanwhile, two conspirators prepared to strike the Daimyo’s residence, while Soji focused on exposing their mastermind.

• Shisui attacked Hatake Sakumo with the Great Dragon Fire Technique and a swarm of phantoms, but Sakumo destroyed them all with One Yuan Annihilation.
• Sakumo’s circular slash carved through the surrounding forest, and Shisui narrowly avoided it as it passed over his face.
• Soji saw the disturbance and reasoned that the mastermind would soon act, while two conspirators discussed their plans to restrain Sakumo, handle Kakashi, and deal with the Guardians of the Twelve Ninja.
• Shisui approached Sakumo through the dust and tried to cast a genjutsu, but Sakumo used the reflection in his sword to track him and revealed that he had lured Shisui into attacking.

Hatake Sakumo’s One Character Zen shattered Shisui’s Susanoo, but Orochimaru seized the opening and trapped Shisui with snakes. Shisui revealed that the bound figure was a Crow Clone and escaped, leaving Orochimaru’s ambush exposed.

• Shisui retreated as Hatake Sakumo pursued him, while Orochimaru quietly positioned venomous snakes around the battlefield and waited for a chance to capture Shisui.
• Hatake Sakumo unleashed One Character Zen, and Shisui summoned his second-stage Susanoo to withstand the horizontal slash.
• One Character Zen cracked and shattered Shisui’s Susanoo, though Shisui survived and blocked the slash’s remaining force with his Wakizashi.
• Orochimaru attacked Shisui with Shadow Snake Limbs and venomous snakes, binding him and injecting poison into his limbs.
• Shisui revealed that Orochimaru had caught his Crow Clone, escaped the snake binding, and told Orochimaru that he had been waiting for him to attack.

Shisui fought Orochimaru after Orochimaru betrayed the Akatsuki and tried to take Shisui’s body, while Hatake Sakumo watched without intervening. As Orochimaru’s Byakugan protected him from ordinary genjutsu and his regenerative techniques kept him alive, Shisui unleashed a new genjutsu called Kotoamatsukami—Radiance.

• Shisui caught Orochimaru in a genjutsu, but Orochimaru escaped with help from the Byakugan transplanted into his left palm and back.
• Hatake Sakumo watched as Orochimaru admitted that he had joined the Akatsuki to target Shisui, and Shisui prepared to fight him under the organization’s rules.
• Orochimaru attacked Shisui with his Kusanagi Sword, Shadow Many Snake Hands, and snake-like body transformations, but Shisui countered with his Phantom Body Flicker Technique and Susanoo.
• Shisui snapped Orochimaru’s neck with Susanoo, but Orochimaru shed his body and emerged unharmed.
• Shisui avoided using his long-cooldown Kotoamatsukami and activated his alternative genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami—Radiance, which affected anyone who saw him.

Shisui trapped Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo in Kotoamatsukami - Light and began erasing Orochimaru’s spirit. Soji sent Night Duke to rescue Orochimaru, and Night Duke used Soji’s Dojutsu Power to break the genjutsu.

• Shisui pulled Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo into his illusion, where Orochimaru failed to escape using the Byakugan.
• Orochimaru tried to recruit Hatake Sakumo to fight Shisui, but Hatake Sakumo refused and chose to find his own way out.
• Orochimaru summoned a vast swarm of venomous snakes, but Shisui erased them with the golden light of the illusion’s moon.
• Shisui’s golden light began destroying Orochimaru’s spiritual body, threatening his ability to revive.
• Soji sent Night Duke to Orochimaru, and Night Duke used Soji’s Dojutsu Power to release Orochimaru from Shisui’s genjutsu.

Night Duke rescued Orochimaru from Shisui’s genjutsu, then pretended to be Orochimaru’s subordinate and reinforced Shisui and Hatake Sakumo’s belief that Orochimaru had planted him in Konoha. As Orochimaru struggled to explain, Night Duke left him looking like the mastermind behind the failed attack on Shisui.

• Night Duke helped Orochimaru escape Shisui’s genjutsu, while Shisui released Hatake Sakumo from the illusion.
• Shisui recognized Night Duke and concluded he was Orochimaru’s agent, a theory Hatake Sakumo also accepted.
• Night Duke greeted Shisui familiarly, then acted like Orochimaru’s loyal subordinate and claimed they had planned to capture Shisui.
• Night Duke pretended to help the injured Orochimaru while patting him hard enough to make him cough, preventing him from explaining.
• Night Duke falsely claimed Orochimaru still wanted Shisui’s body and promised they would try again after Orochimaru recovered, leaving Orochimaru bewildered and unable to clear his name.

Night Duke rescued Orochimaru from the battlefield, then angered and confused him by claiming he wanted to become his follower. Orochimaru suspected Night Duke was acting for Hyuga Soji and left to recover, planning to contact Soji later, while Soji secretly worried that his teacher had figured him out.

• Night Duke whisked Orochimaru several kilometers from the battlefield before Orochimaru could explain himself to Shisui Uchiha and Hatake Sakumo.
• Orochimaru questioned Night Duke’s identity and purpose, but Night Duke claimed he admired Orochimaru and wanted to follow him.
• Orochimaru suspected Night Duke worked for Hyuga Soji, and Soji secretly panicked while Night Duke denied the connection and praised Soji.
• Orochimaru concluded that Night Duke was probably Soji’s subordinate, decided to rely on Soji’s help, and said he would send subordinates to visit him.
• Orochimaru escaped using Orochimaru's Body Replacement Technique, while Soji resolved to deny controlling Night Duke if Orochimaru confronted him.