Chapter Summaries

Yakushi Kabuto arrived at Konoha as the young Sound Shadow and publicly accused Danzo of persecuting him and his adoptive mother. The Third Hokage apologized and promised an investigation, while Konoha’s foreign guests concluded that the Uchiha and Konoha were deeply divided; the Hokage was left worried about Shamu’s succession ceremony the next day.

• Yakushi Kabuto revealed himself as the Sound Shadow, and Anko and the Third Hokage recognized him as someone from Konoha’s past.
• Kabuto accused Danzo of forcing him into espionage and arranging for him and his adoptive mother to kill each other, while Shisui and the Uchiha stood behind him.
• The Third Hokage acknowledged Danzo’s crimes, apologized to Kabuto, and promised to provide an answer after investigating.
• Kabuto led the Hidden Sound group toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds, while the Third Hokage stopped Anko from following because Orochimaru was not with them.
• Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and the other foreign visitors took note of Kabuto’s ties to Konoha and the Uchiha’s open support for him.
• The Third Hokage worried that the Uchiha’s powerful ally left Konoha in a vulnerable position ahead of Shamu’s succession ceremony.

Shamu rebuked Jiraiya over his supposed love for Tsunade, then explained why he had excluded Jiraiya from efforts to save the Shinobi World. Jiraiya learned that Mount Myōboku’s toads had manipulated his path and accepted Shamu’s distrust of them.

• Shamu told Jiraiya that his choices and habits had never put Tsunade’s interests first, and that Dan Katō’s return had ended any hope Jiraiya had of winning her.
• Jiraiya asked Shamu why he had not included him in his plans to save the Shinobi World.
• Shamu explained that he opposed the toads of Mount Myōboku and told Jiraiya about Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s ambush and the Twins of Destiny’s predetermined fate.
• Shamu warned Jiraiya that the toads were unreliable and that excessive use of their Sage Mode could erode his consciousness.
• Jiraiya agreed the toads should not be involved and realized that Mount Myōboku had arranged his training and used him as a tool.

Shamu used the Rebirth Rinnegan Technique to revive Minato Namikaze, who agreed to help Orochimaru become Fifth Hokage for Naruto’s sake. Minato disguised himself as an Anbu guard and became Orochimaru’s subordinate.

• Shamu told Minato he could revive him and explained his plan to place Orochimaru in the position of Fifth Hokage; Minato agreed because he trusted Shamu and wanted to protect Naruto.
• Shamu used the Rebirth Rinnegan Technique, restoring Minato to life and freeing him from Impure World Reincarnation.
• Shamu gained Kurama Mode and Super Speed Reflexes after reviving and recruiting Minato.
• Minato discovered that Kurama’s Yin half was inside him, and Shamu told him to train and teach Naruto when the time was right.
• Minato changed into Anbu attire, put on a mask, and took up a close-guard position behind Orochimaru.

Ōnoki, the Raikage, and Mei Terumi assessed Uchiha Shamu’s motives and the fallout from the Fifth Hokage election. They anticipated further moves toward Uchiha independence while their villages monitored Konoha and weighed their own priorities.

• Ōnoki reflected on how changing his approach had helped him reconcile with Deidara and suspected Shamu planned to secure Uchiha independence without fighting Konoha.
• The Raikage and Dodai discussed Shamu’s election campaign, reports about Uchiha eye problems and Orochimaru’s cloning technology, and decided Kumogakure would stop funding cloning research for now.
• The Raikage ordered closer surveillance of Konoha’s intelligence.
• Mei Terumi reviewed the election reports and concluded Shamu had planned his campaign as a smokescreen while preparing for independence.
• Mei Terumi told Ao to monitor Konoha’s expected changes in its upper ranks.

Shamu recruited Jiraiya to investigate the Otsutsuki Sect and Kara, giving him a Human Sage Art scroll and a marked sword for emergencies. After gaining Jiraiya’s Unyielding Will talent, Shamu prepared to take Naruto, Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Haku to a place rich in Natural Energy.

• Shamu warned Jiraiya about the Otsutsuki Sect and Kara and asked him to investigate dangerous people while prioritizing his survival.
• Shamu gave Jiraiya the Human Sage Art scroll and a sealed Ninja Sword of Love bearing his Flying Thunder God mark.
• Jiraiya joined Shamu’s faction, and Shamu gained the Unyielding Will talent, increasing his Soul Strength and Vitality.
• Shamu suspected Obito was advancing his plan after learning Moryo had disappeared and decided to hinder Obito while strengthening his allies.
• Orochimaru gave Haku medicine to stabilize Kimimaro, and Shamu gave them the Human Sage Art scroll to study.
• Kimimaro and Haku asked to join Shamu’s trip to a place rich in Natural Energy, and Shamu agreed to leave after arranging matters in Hidden Radiance Village.

Shisui and Itachi were ambushed by Obito in a cave, but Shamu arrived through Reverse Summoning and joined them in battle. Shisui prepared to leave while Shamu and Itachi faced Obito, whose identity and Kamui technique Shamu knew well.

• Obito attacked Shisui and Itachi in a cave, but Shisui awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Susanoo to blast open an escape route.
• Itachi attacked Obito with shuriken and Tsukuyomi, but Obito broke free and evaded the follow-up attacks.
• Shisui used a Reverse Summoning scroll to bring Shamu to the battlefield, and Shamu joined Itachi against Obito.
• Shamu told Shisui to contact Gui and arrange to be Reverse Summoned away, then provoked Obito by mocking his identity and love for Rin Nohara.
• Obito tried to use Kamui on Shamu, but Itachi's Amaterasu forced him to defend with Susanoo, and Obito demanded to know how Shamu understood his Sharingan.

Asuma returned the Chakra Blades Sarutobi Hiruzen had bought him, but Minato let him keep them as a wedding gift and said he would not pursue the recovered money further. After Kakashi’s letter told him the clan’s reckoning had nothing to do with him, Asuma urged the Sarutobi Clan to repay its debts and stay quiet, while Sarutobi Takamasa pushed for resistance.

• Asuma met Minato, returned his Chakra Blades, and learned Minato would not pursue the money once it was repaid; Minato returned the weapons as an early wedding gift.
• Asuma visited Kakashi, who left him a letter saying the matter had nothing to do with him and that Asuma could not stop Tsunade from pursuing it.
• Asuma returned to the Sarutobi Clan and told Sarutobi Ko and Sarutobi Takamasa that he had not gone to see Tsunade and that the clan should repay its debts and behave itself.
• Sarutobi Takamasa argued that the clan should resist Orochimaru by declaring independence, but Asuma warned that the disgraced clan would be branded rogue shinobi and killed.

Shion enjoyed exploring Konoha and found that her cultivation improved, but a strange power suddenly showed her countless deaths. Traumatized, she clung to Taraho and asked her to take her away.

• Shion spent her days exploring Konoha and discovered that her spiritual perception and cultivation had improved.
• Shion went to a hot spring while Taraho waited outside the women's changing room.
• Shion opened her eyes and saw visions of hundreds or thousands of common people dying unnatural deaths.
• Taraho rushed into the hot spring after hearing Shion scream and found her in a state of shock.
• Shion clung to Taraho and asked her to take her there, and Taraho agreed to leave with her.

Shamu challenged Madara’s authority and mocked the Rinnegan, prompting Madara to demonstrate its power with Tengai Shinsei. The Allied Shinobi Forces escaped the meteor, leaving Madara’s attack to strike empty ground.

• Shamu accused Madara of abandoning Uchiha dignity and stealing Hashirama’s power, turning the clan against him.
• Shamu revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan’s immense ocular power and ridiculed the Uchiha stone tablet as a fake.
• Madara summoned a Two-Faced Susanoo and used Tengai Shinsei to call down a meteor.
• Following Shamu’s instructions, the shinobi fled, with Minato transporting those who could not escape in time.
• The meteor struck an empty area, and the Allied Shinobi Forces mocked Madara after comparing it to the meteor that destroyed the Cloud Village.

Ninjas from various villages attacked Tonika Village, and Leo and Mina escaped the burning village with their teacher, Doc. After Doc returned to search for survivors, the children found him alive the next evening with three other children.

• Leo and Mina woke to find Tonika Village under attack by Disornas's Impure World Reincarnation Ninjas, while their grandfather and the village guards fought back.
• Doc rescued Leo and Mina from their burning house and carried them beyond the village.
• Doc returned to search for survivors, telling Leo and Mina to go to Hachi Town if he did not come back.
• Leo and Mina waited through the night, then walked among the village ruins before setting out toward Hachi Town.
• After the exhausted children stopped walking, Doc appeared at sunset with three children, and Mina ran to embrace him.

Shamu stopped Hidan’s ritual, crushed and buried his body, and joined Shisui’s team as they prepared to destroy the Evil God Cult’s headquarters. After warning the group about the cult’s curse and possible immortals, Shamu sent Kisame into the cave and followed to observe his strength.

• Shamu explained Hidan’s blood-linking ritual to Yoya, then used Susanoo to crush Hidan’s head and body into pulp and bury them.
• Shisui’s team and Kisame’s group arrived, and Shamu confirmed that they were allies before learning Shisui had received stabilizing medicine from Orochimaru.
• Shisui reported that the team had destroyed three cult strongholds and located the Evil God Cult’s headquarters in a cave to the northwest.
• Shamu warned the Uchiha about the cult’s curse technique, magic circles, and possible immortals as they approached the cave.
• Shisui’s team entered the cave, Shamu sent Kisame to help, and he followed while leaving Haku, Kurita Kyoko, and Kimimaro outside.

Shamu and his team met Fujikaze Yukie’s manager, Sandāyu, and learned that their mission was to help Kazahana Koyuki reclaim the Land of Snow from Kazahana Dōtō. The chapter left Shamu preparing to take on the mission after Hidden Sound Village had already thwarted several assassination attempts.

• Shamu summoned a Hidden Sound Village squad, and Kami-shuku reported that the Sound Shadow would arrive in about two days.
• Shamu, Naruto, and Hinata followed Kami-shuku to the film studio, where Naruto spotted Fujikaze Yukie.
• Kami-shuku introduced Shamu to director Okamura and Sandāyu, then handed over the mission.
• Sandāyu explained that Kazahana Dōtō had seized the throne of the Land of Snow and that Fujikaze Yukie was actually Princess Kazahana Koyuki.
• Shamu learned that Sandāyu wanted help restoring Kazahana Koyuki to the throne, while Sound Ninja had already stopped several attacks against her.

Shamu oversaw the Uchiha Clan’s growth and the opening of the Hidden Radiance Village ninja academy while training in medical ninjutsu, Wind Release, and the Flying Thunder God Technique. Two years passed as the Land of Radiance’s ships began profitable regular voyages.

• Shamu paid Kakuzu sixteen million for intelligence, then returned to the Land of Radiance after news spread that Utakata had returned to the Hidden Mist Village.
• The Uchiha Clan’s new ninja academy opened, with Uchiha Kei as principal and Kazuki as director, while Shamu set rules for ideological education and assessments.
• Shamu arranged special training for Uchiha members with Mangekyō Sharingan potential, and Itachi intensified his own and Sasuke’s training after their fight with Urashiki.
• Shamu studied medical ninjutsu and learned the basics of the Rasengan from Minato, then practiced the Rasenshuriken to master Wind Release.
• Minato taught Shamu the Flying Thunder God Technique for three days, while Shamu continued researching human Sage Techniques and modifying the Yin Seal.
• The Land of Radiance’s ships returned safely and began profitable voyages every three to four months, and two years passed.

Shamu arranged for Orochimaru to pose as an Uchiha undercover agent in Konoha and build political achievements while monitoring the village. He checked on Kimimaro and Haku, encouraged them to support Orochimaru, and reminded them to protect themselves.

• Shamu spoke with Rikuto at the training ground and learned that Rikuto was recovering while Oura still could not walk freely.
• Shamu visited Orochimaru's underground laboratory, where Keimei was assisting with research and learning quickly.
• Shamu told Orochimaru he would send him to Konoha as an undercover agent to monitor the village and feign betrayal during a conflict.
• Shamu gave Orochimaru a proposal to present to the Land of Fire Daimyō as a political achievement.
• Shamu visited Kimimaro and Haku, discussed their training, and told them they would soon assist Orochimaru in the spotlight.
• Shamu reminded Kimimaro and Haku that he needed them but that they had to protect themselves, and both agreed.

Anko settled Orochimaru’s subordinates into his old residence, while Minato assigned them tasks and considered how to protect Naruto and support Shamu. Orochimaru then told the Third Hokage that Shamu was preparing the Uchiha for the coming conflict, and the Third Hokage agreed to wait for Cloud Village to make its move before acting.

• Anko assigned rooms to Orochimaru’s subordinates and mistook Haku for a girl who was living with Kimimaro before Karin revealed Haku was a boy.
• Minato, known as Number One, gave Karin, Haku, Kimimaro, and Jūgo their tasks and planned to prepare weapons and investigate Konoha when the timing was right.
• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Shamu had sent him to go undercover in Konoha and monitor its actions.
• Orochimaru explained that Shamu planned to have him pressure Yakushi Kabuto to recall the Uchiha, while Itachi and Shisui went to Hidden Sound Village amid Obito’s threat.
• The Third Hokage suspected the Uchiha would either join the war between Cloud Village and Hidden Mist Village or wait for an opportunity to strike Konoha.
• Orochimaru promised to repay Shamu for controlling him with genjutsu, and the Third Hokage agreed to cooperate after Cloud Village started fighting.

Konan and Kakuzu revived Hidan and tried to recruit him into Akatsuki. In Cloud Village, A ordered Mabui to send spies to investigate Hidden Mist Village after hearing Uchiha Shamu's claims about Karatachi Yagura.

• Konan and Kakuzu uncovered Hidan's headless body and reattached his head, bringing him back to life.
• Hidan used his ritual to destroy one of Kakuzu's hearts, and Konan stopped them from fighting.
• Konan told Hidan that joining Akatsuki would help him spread the Evil God Cult's teachings, but he remained reluctant.
• Dodai reported Uchiha Shamu's terms to A, including a promise to hold back Konoha and send Itachi and Shisui to the front lines.
• A and Dodai discussed the intelligence that Karatachi Yagura was dead and the need to verify Hidden Mist Village's situation.
• A ordered Mabui to dispatch all Cloud Village spies to investigate Hidden Mist Village.

Shamu negotiated with Ao to trade islands for Akatsuki’s help defending Hidden Mist Village, while Orochimaru revealed a scheme against the Uchiha. Shamu then escorted Chojuro toward the Land of Water under the alias Flying Waterfall and introduced his organization as Akatsuki.

• Shamu offered Ao three levels of military aid from an organization, with prices ranging from five hundred million to four billion, and proposed islands as payment.
• Ao asked Shamu to send someone to relieve the pressure while Hidden Mist Village considered the deal, and Shamu agreed to take charge.
• Orochimaru told the Third Hokage that Shisui, Itachi, and the other Uchiha had vanished, then revealed he planned to give the Uchiha restaurant recipes to the Land of Fire’s daimyo.
• Chojuro reported that the Third Hokage had postponed a decision, then met Ao and Shamu, who was disguised as Flying Waterfall.
• Shamu told Ao that Akatsuki companions would join them by the next day and named their organization as they headed toward the Land of Water.

Pain sent Akatsuki members to the Land of Water to kill Cloud Village personnel, while Flying Waterfall traveled there with Ao and Chojuro. Shamu revealed a powerful Water Release technique that sped their boat toward the battlefield and reinforced his disguise as a former Hidden Mist Village veteran.

• Pain ordered the Akatsuki members to follow Flying Waterfall and target the Cloud Village force landing in the Land of Water.
• Obito dismissed concerns about the mission’s payment while Danzo’s experiments reached full progress.
• Flying Waterfall, Ao, and Chojuro reached the Land of Fire coast, where Ao produced a small boat propelled by Water Release.
• Chojuro and Ao took turns driving the boat, but their stamina and speed made the journey seem likely to take seven days.
• Flying Waterfall showed Ao a slashed Hidden Mist Village forehead protector and claimed he no longer belonged to the village.
• Shamu took over with Water Release: Water Fang, driving the boat much faster as Ao activated his Byakugan to steer around obstacles.

Shamu captured Deidara and persuaded him to come along by promising to show him a more dazzling form of art. At Tsuzawa Island, Shamu met Kisame and revealed that their next target was Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Shamu's Cursed Seal faded after a day of travel, and he created a Shadow Clone to steer while he spoke with the awakened Deidara.
• Shamu convinced Deidara that art was the brilliant flash of an explosion and promised to show him a better kind of art if he came along.
• Shamu freed Deidara and showed him Scorpion's sealed true body, claiming he was taking Scorpion home to visit his grandmother.
• Shamu's clone waited at Tsuzawa Island, where Kisame arrived and said Kyoko was doing well in Hidden Sound Village.
• Shamu told Kisame he would be the main force against their target, Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Shamu persuaded Ōnoki to postpone an attack on Cloud Village by revealing that Hidden Mist Village had set a trap for its forces. He then offered to make Deidara obedient and willing to become Ōnoki’s successor.

• Ōnoki challenged Shamu’s attempt to stop Hidden Stone Village from attacking Cloud Village and demanded to know what the Uchiha Clan wanted.
• Shamu claimed Hidden Mist Village had trapped the Cloud Village forces and urged Ōnoki to wait half a month rather than risk an attack.
• Ōnoki agreed to wait after Shamu guaranteed Cloud Village would suffer crippling losses.
• Shamu asked about Ōnoki’s successor, and Ōnoki admitted Deidara’s talent was wasted by his unruly temperament.
• Shamu offered a way to make Deidara obey Ōnoki, learn Dust Release, and accept the role of Tsuchikage’s successor.