Chapter Summaries

Kakuzu survived, rescued Hidan by rolling him away inside Chiyo’s blood sphere, and stole Takigakure’s Hero Water. After recovering from the battle, the Konoha and Kirigakure groups left Takigakure with promises to help rebuild the village and rescue Fū.

• Kakuzu found Hidan sealed in a blood sphere and chose to roll him out of Takigakure rather than risk breaking the seal there.
• Kakuzu escaped past Takigakure’s weakened guards and stole all the Hero Water from the Sealing Cave.
• Shibuki told the recovering Konoha and Kirigakure groups that Kakuzu’s body and Hidan’s sealed sphere had disappeared, and Kakashi outlined possible explanations.
• The injured Konoha and Kirigakure members recuperated in Takigakure for half a month while their villages arranged reconstruction funding.
• The Konoha and Kirigakure groups left Takigakure after promising Shibuki they would help rescue Fū if possible.

Soji learned that Shinnō had taken Fū and focused on Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan awakening, which would help him gather the Chakra he needed to reach the Six Paths level. At the Akatsuki base, Pain learned that Kakuzu was believed dead and Hidan captured, but both unexpectedly returned alive.

• Soji learned from Oyakiro Homura that Shinnō had taken Fū and reasoned that she was likely safer with him than with the Akatsuki.
• Soji celebrated Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan awakening and decided to wait until Naruto and Sasuke recovered before extracting their Chakra.
• Pain heard Sasori’s account of the failed Takigakure mission and learned that Kakuzu had died while Hidan had been captured.
• The Akatsuki members eyed Hozuki Mangetsu and Biwa Juzo with suspicion over their survival, but an unofficial member announced that Kakuzu and Hidan had returned.
• Kakuzu and Hidan appeared at the base, and the Akatsuki members gathered around to confirm that both were alive.

Pain ended the Akatsuki Organization meeting after learning that another force had captured Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, assigning Kakuzu to identify the mysterious medical ninja. Meanwhile, Shinnō activated his flying fortress and revealed the Zero-Tails Void, formed after Fū’s chakra was extracted.

• Pain called off the mission after confirming that Kakuzu and Hidan had returned without losses, and Hidan recounted how Chiyo had sealed him before Kakuzu freed him.
• Konan asked about the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, and Zetsu reported that a mysterious medical ninja had captured the jinchuriki while the Akatsuki fought other opponents.
• Kakuzu agreed to investigate the medical ninja through the bounty exchanges, and Pain assigned him the task to complete within three days.
• Sasori asked how the Akatsuki would deal with Orochimaru, and Pain said he had already sent someone else after him.
• Shinnō celebrated as Angkor Fortress rose into the sky, then looked toward the unconscious Fū and the Zero-Tails Void above her.

Shinnō successfully created Zero-Tails Void using Seven-Tails Chakra and Dark Chakra, then sent Angkor Fortress into the sky to establish Sky Ninja Village as a sixth great shinobi village. After learning Orochimaru could locate the fortress at any time, Shinnō decided to honor their agreement and invite him aboard.

• Shinnō recalled how Orochimaru’s offer of cooperation led him to target Fū and use Seven-Tails Chōmei’s Chakra to create Zero-Tails Void.
• Shinnō ordered Zero-Tails Void to control Angkor Fortress and planned to use it as the fortress’s power source and a weapon for Sky Ninja Village.
• Shinnō considered killing Fū but chose to keep her confined because she still had research and bargaining value.
• A subordinate delivered Orochimaru’s letter, which revealed that he could pinpoint Angkor Fortress’s location at any time.
• Shinnō decided to honor his promise to give Orochimaru the Body Revival and Body Activation techniques and ordered someone to bring him aboard.

Orochimaru met Shinnō aboard Angkor Fortress and received the Body Revival and Body Activation techniques as payment for helping Shinnō capture Fū. Orochimaru then traded a promise to help Shinnō against the Akatsuki Organization for Fū, leaving the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki in Orochimaru's possession.

• Shinnō questioned how Orochimaru had found Angkor Fortress, but Orochimaru refused to reveal his method and accused Shinnō of intending to break their agreement.
• Shinnō gave Orochimaru the Body Revival and Body Activation scrolls, and Orochimaru verified that they were genuine.
• Orochimaru asked Shinnō to hand over Fū, explaining that he wanted to study a Jinchuriki rather than a Tailed Beast.
• Orochimaru promised to help Shinnō if the Akatsuki Organization came after him, and Shinnō agreed to give him Fū.

Shinnō traded the unconscious Fū to Orochimaru, then showed him the Zero-Tails Void and earned his admiration. After Team Kakashi returned to Konoha, Soji waited at the village gate to meet them, leaving Kakashi wondering why he was there.

• Shinnō handed Fū over to Orochimaru in exchange for protection against one attack, and Orochimaru transported her in a summoned snake.
• Shinnō revealed the Zero-Tails Void to Orochimaru, who recognized its dangerous abilities and praised Shinnō's creation.
• Orochimaru left for his base with Fū so he could treat and study her.
• Soji ordered Kirigakure's returned operatives to stop investigating the Akatsuki, then considered extracting Naruto's Yang-nature Chakra and Sasuke's Yin-nature Chakra.
• Team Kakashi returned safely to Konoha and found Soji waiting at the village gate, prompting Kakashi to ask why he was there.

Soji waited at Konoha's gate for Team Kakashi, teased Kakashi, and confirmed that Sasuke's Yin-attribute Chakra and Naruto's Yang-attribute Chakra met his extraction requirements. After Soji went home, Team Kakashi reported their Takigakure mission to the Third Hokage, while Naruto kept Shisui's undercover role secret.

• Soji ruffled Kakashi's hair in front of Naruto, Sasuke, and the gate guards after Kakashi joked about Soji's laziness.
• Soji explained that he had come to deliver the Third Hokage's request for Team Kakashi to report on their Takigakure mission.
• Soji confirmed that Sasuke's Yin-attribute Chakra and Naruto's Yang-attribute Chakra met his extraction standard, then left for home after delivering the message.
• Kakashi and his three students went to the Hokage Office Building and reported every detail of the Takigakure mission to the Third Hokage.
• Naruto considered asking the Third Hokage about Shisui but kept quiet because he had promised Shisui and did not know whether the Hokage had arranged his undercover role.

Soji met Naruto in their old training spot, fed him, and extracted part of Asura's Chakra from his body. Naruto was left feeling clearer after the extraction, while Soji held the dark-blue Chakra.

• Naruto left the Hokage's Office hungry and followed Soji, who had appeared in person, to their old training spot.
• Soji wore a mask and brought Naruto a meal, then told him he needed to obtain something from him.
• Naruto trusted Soji and agreed not to resist while Soji extracted Chakra from his body.
• Soji found Asura's nearly half-awakened Chakra and seized a portion, sending Asura's consciousness back into slumber.
• Naruto noticed that nearly twenty percent of his Chakra was gone and that his mind felt clearer.

Soji extracted Asura’s Yang Release Chakra from Naruto, then sealed it in the Amber Purifying Pot as part of his plan to gather seven nature Chakras. He planned to obtain Yin Release Chakra from Sasuke and, after seeing Sasuke provoked into fighting Naruto, decided to discipline him to make it happen.

• Soji extracted Asura’s Chakra from Naruto, weakening Asura’s influence over him, and answered some of Naruto’s questions without explaining the reincarnation.
• Soji sparred with Naruto and stopped him before he used Nebula Chains, leading Naruto to suspect that Soji commanded Shisui and was watching over him.
• Soji returned home and sealed the Yang Release Chakra in the Amber Purifying Pot, leaving only Yin Release Chakra to complete his collection.
• Soji confirmed that Sasuke’s Chakra could provide the Yin Release Chakra but hesitated to ask or use force against him.
• A few days later, Soji saw Sasuke’s companions egging him on to fight Naruto and decided to discipline Sasuke.

After losing to Naruto again, Sasuke was provoked by the masked Soji into wagering on a fight. Sasuke accepted, risking twenty percent of his Chakra if he lost, while demanding that Soji reveal his face and apologize to the Uchiha Clan if Sasuke won.

• Sasuke wandered through a remote part of the village after another defeat by Naruto.
• Soji ambushed Sasuke, but Sasuke evaded the kunai and traded blows with him.
• Soji mocked Sasuke and the Uchiha Clan, provoking Sasuke into activating his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Soji proposed a wager, and Sasuke demanded that Soji reveal his face and apologize to the Uchiha Clan if he lost.
• Soji said Sasuke would owe him twenty percent of his Chakra if Sasuke lost, and Sasuke accepted.

Soji lured Sasuke into the Reincarnation Mirror space to fight without drawing attention and test his strength. The battle began with Soji deliberately making their taijutsu exchange seem evenly matched, intent on teaching Sasuke a lesson.

• Soji stopped Sasuke from fighting in the village and led him to a secluded area, where he opened a portal to the Reincarnation Mirror space.
• After Soji provoked him about the Uchiha Clan’s honor, Sasuke entered the portal despite his suspicions, and Soji followed.
• Sasuke found the space safe and impressive, while Soji explained that they could fight there without restraint.
• Sasuke and Soji began exchanging taijutsu, with Soji deliberately holding back to make Sasuke believe he could win.

Soji overpowered Sasuke in their fight, then used the Genjutsu Dovanten to reverse Sasuke’s attempted illusion and make him believe he had killed Soji. Sasuke broke free and, furious at Soji’s insults to the Uchiha, prepared to unleash his Mangekyō Sharingan’s power.

• Sasuke attacked Soji with shuriken and a wire-guided Fire Style technique, but Soji evaded the trap and punched through the flames.
• Soji struck Sasuke with his Body Flicker speed and mocked the Uchiha Clan, prompting Sasuke to activate his Curse Seal and Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Soji blocked Sasuke’s kicks, grabbed his ankle, and hurled him to the ground before Sasuke tried to trap him with Genjutsu: Sharingan.
• Sasuke charged with Chidori and believed he had pierced Soji’s heart, but Soji revealed the scene was an illusion and mocked Sasuke again.
• Sasuke recognized the Genjutsu, broke free using his Mangekyō Sharingan, and prepared to unleash its power against Soji.

Soji repelled Sasuke’s Amaterasu with the Tenseigan and kept battling him while provoking him, helping Sasuke learn to control his temper. Exhausted but determined to defend the Uchiha Clan’s honor, Sasuke prepared to reveal the Mangekyō dojutsu in his right eye for the first time.

• Sasuke cast Amaterasu, but Soji used Rotation as Desired: Yang to blast away the black flames and send some rebounding toward Sasuke.
• Sasuke realized Soji had used Dojutsu Power, considered possible identities for his opponent, and grew more cautious of Soji’s provocations.
• Soji continued to suppress Sasuke through their battle, while Sasuke grew more composed and even activated Curse Seal Level 2 without landing a hit.
• Sasuke asked Soji who he was and why he had intercepted him, but Soji only told him to guess.
• Sasuke vowed to defend the Uchiha Clan’s honor and decided to use the Mangekyō dojutsu in his right eye, which he had mastered that day.

Soji underestimated Sasuke’s right-eye Mangekyō Sharingan ability and fought off his attacks with Wind and Water Release. Sasuke then trapped Soji in a strange universe-like space and revealed the Dojutsu’s name: Amaterasu’s Wellspring.

• Soji assumed Sasuke would use Kagutsuchi to control the lingering Amaterasu flames, unaware that Sasuke’s right-eye Dojutsu had changed.
• Sasuke attacked with Chidori Senbon, but Soji deflected them with Wind Release and countered Sasuke’s Fire Release with Water Release.
• Soji charged through the steam toward Sasuke, believing Kagutsuchi could not threaten him while he stayed away from the black flames.
• Sasuke’s right-eye Dojutsu transported Soji and Sasuke into a boundless universe-like space.
• Sasuke told Soji that the ability was his right-eye Dojutsu, named Amaterasu’s Wellspring.

Soji tested Sasuke’s Amaterasu’s Wellspring and discovered that its domain made Sasuke absolutely inviolable, preventing attacks from reaching him while allowing him to counterattack. After Sasuke repeatedly struck Soji during the fight, Sasuke grew exhausted and struggled to maintain the domain.

• Soji noticed that the stars and apparent outer space around him and Sasuke were part of a special domain rather than real space.
• Soji tested the domain by attacking Sasuke, but its shifting space kept his strikes from reaching him.
• Sasuke used Chidori to cut the corner of Soji’s Anbu mask while Soji tried to retreat.
• Soji learned that Amaterasu’s Wellspring stretched his attacks away from Sasuke and praised the Dojutsu’s power.
• Sasuke counterattacked Soji several more times, then began panting as Amaterasu’s Wellspring wavered.

Soji fought Sasuke through Amaterasu's Wellspring and pushed him to awaken Susanoo, then easily shattered it and defeated him. After extracting twenty percent of Indra's Chakra, Soji had gathered all seven chakra attributes and was ready to fuse them into a Truth-Seeking Orb to reach the Six Paths level.

• Sasuke's Amaterasu's Wellspring exhausted most of his Chakra, and he ended the domain without Soji finding a way to break it.
• Soji determined that an opponent could escape Amaterasu's Wellspring by moving away from Sasuke, though he had no Space-Time Ninjutsu to test another counter.
• Sasuke's anger and remaining Chakra triggered his first-stage Susanoo, which he proudly tried to use against Soji.
• Soji struck Susanoo apart with one palm and knocked Sasuke unconscious, claiming twenty percent of his Chakra as their wager.
• Soji found and extracted twenty percent of Indra's Chakra, completing his collection of all seven chakra attributes.

Soji prepared to fuse the seven Chakra natures, leaving Sasuke at home before beginning the dangerous process under Otsutsuki Genji’s watch. After the five elemental natures erupted inside him, Soji used the Basho Fan to study how it converted Chakra between natures, leaving the fusion in progress.

• Soji carried the unconscious Sasuke home and left him at the Uchiha compound, where Mikoto Uchiha brought him inside.
• Soji returned to the Reincarnation Mirror’s space, and Otsutsuki Genji prepared to guard him while he absorbed the seven Chakra natures.
• Soji absorbed Water, Wind, and Earth Release Chakra, then forced Fire and Lightning Release Chakra into his body, triggering a violent upheaval.
• Soji called for the Basho Fan, caught the Six Paths Tool Otsutsuki Genji threw to him, and sensed its Chakra shifting among the five elemental natures.

Soji absorbed all seven Chakra natures and understood their essence, but still needed to strengthen them evenly before fusing them into a Truth-Seeking Orb. After he left the Reincarnation Mirror space, the Uchiha Clan investigated Sasuke’s mysterious attack, while Uchiha Homura suspected Soji was responsible.

• Soji used the Basho Fan to balance the five elemental Chakras, then absorbed Yin and Yang Chakra with the Tenseigan calming the resulting disturbance.
• Soji realized he had comprehended the essence of all seven Chakra natures, though he still needed to equalize their strength before attempting to create a Truth-Seeking Orb.
• Otsutsuki Genji celebrated Soji’s success, then learned Soji had not reached the Six Paths level and dismissed him from the Reincarnation Mirror space.
• Soji returned to his bedroom and considered introducing Otsutsuki Genji to younger members of the Hyuga Clan to help ease his grief.
• Fugaku Uchiha allowed an investigation into Sasuke’s attacker, while Uchiha Homura privately suspected Soji had exhausted Sasuke’s Chakra in a fight.

Uchiha Homura reassured Itachi that the person who attacked Sasuke meant no harm, while Fugaku ordered stronger patrols after the intruder reached the clan head’s residence unseen. The family decided to trust Homura’s judgment and leave the mysterious person’s identity alone.

• Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, Itachi, and Uchiha Homura discussed Sasuke’s attack but could not explain how the attacker reached the residence undetected.
• Fugaku Uchiha asked Uchiha Homura to strengthen patrols around Uchiha territory, and Homura agreed to tighten the clan’s defenses.
• Itachi walked Uchiha Homura outside and asked whether he knew who had attacked Sasuke; Homura said the person bore no hostility toward Sasuke or the Uchiha Clan.
• Uchiha Homura reassured Itachi that the clan should continue as usual, then flicked his nephew’s forehead and left.
• Itachi told Fugaku Uchiha what Homura had said, and Fugaku decided the clan would not investigate the mysterious person.

Fugaku Uchiha explained to Itachi why they should respect Uchiha Homura’s secrets as long as he did not harm the clan, leaving Itachi reassured about his uncle and impressed by his father. The next day, Sasuke woke and refused to reveal who had defeated him, while privately noticing that his urge to compete with Naruto had faded.

• Fugaku Uchiha told Itachi that he trusted Uchiha Homura and that they should not pry into his secrets while he remained loyal to the Uchiha Clan.
• Itachi thanked Fugaku Uchiha for his guidance and reflected that he still had much to learn from his father, uncle, and Shisui.
• Fugaku Uchiha returned to Mikoto Uchiha, and the couple stayed up discussing Itachi and the possibility of arranging his marriage to Izumi Uchiha.
• After Sasuke woke, he told his family he would handle his attacker himself and refused to answer further questions.
• Sasuke realized his constant urge to compete with Naruto had weakened and wondered whether Soji’s extraction of his Chakra had caused the change.