Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya and the Konoha forces tried to trap Shukaku, but Yura's Sealing Team killed Gensuke and triggered Shukaku's Tailed Beast Ball, killing the beast and devastating the battlefield. Sarutobi Hiruzen's battered group reorganized, while reports of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's presence threatened to provoke the Uchiha.

• Jiraiya, Gamabunta, and the Water and Earth Release ninja drenched Shukaku and trapped him in a swamp.
• Yura ordered the Sealing Team to torment Gensuke, causing Shukaku to panic and fire a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Yura's team broke the sealing chains and killed Gensuke, causing Shukaku's second Tailed Beast Ball to explode in his mouth and kill him.
• The blast flattened much of the forest, scattered the fighters, and sent Hiruko fleeing after his clash with Sekishu Sarutobi.
• Observers learned that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had been with Sarutobi Hiruzen's group, while casualties and desertions weakened the group's ranks.
• Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and others confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen, who placated them by revealing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as a trump card.

Kumogakure received detailed intelligence that Konoha had lost the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and suffered major losses, while the messengers who delivered it died by suicide. In Konoha, Senyo continued his plan by assigning Karin to help detect spies and White Zetsu.

• Dodai and the Raikage examined intelligence about Sarutobi Hiruzen's departure, Konoha's losses, and the Anbu who had gone with him.
• The three messengers died by suicide after handing over another scroll, and C identified them as death warriors with restrictions and poison in their bodies.
• Dodai matched the scroll's mark to an old mark from Konoha's intelligence source, and the Raikage wondered whether it came from Danzo.
• Senyo took Karin around Konoha for food, then learned that Sekishu Sarutobi had been summoned away and ordered a statement issued by Konan and the others.
• Senyo kept Karin in the village to use her Mind's Eye of the Kagura to find spies and White Zetsu.

Senyo and Karin captured White Zetsu infiltrators before Konoha’s detection formation was activated, while Karin pushed herself to expand her search. Anko apologized to Senyo and Orochimaru for her former naivety after realizing how badly Sarutobi Hiruzen had harmed Konoha.

• Karin used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to find White Zetsu near the mission hall, and Senyo captured one with help from the Uchiha.
• A clansman told Senyo that the Miko would activate the detection formation in ten minutes, so he asked Karin to search as widely as she could.
• Karin found two more White Zetsu but weakened herself by using too much Chakra; Senyo took her north, where they captured the two spies and brought them to Orochimaru's laboratory.
• Anko, shaken by Konoha's split and Sarutobi Hiruzen's actions, asked Senyo why she had not been assigned work.
• Senyo said he had left Anko idle because she seemed unwilling to work, and Anko apologized to him and Orochimaru for having been naive.

Anko chose to keep her Heavenly Cursed Seal and learn senjutsu as Orochimaru used it to reunite with the version of himself sealed inside her. Orochimaru then used the Death God’s mask and Impure World Reincarnation, leaving his soul merged with Senyo’s clone.

• Orochimaru offered Anko the choice between removing her cursed seal and improving it so she could learn senjutsu, and Anko chose the second path.
• Orochimaru led Senyo and Anko to his underground laboratory, where the Sound Four, Jugo, Suigetsu, and Guren greeted him, and he extracted tissue from Jugo.
• Kushina told Senyo that the masks could serve as ritual implements and strengthen the Uzumaki Clan’s Fuinjutsu, then left to retrieve Minato’s memories.
• Orochimaru placed Jugo’s tissue on Anko’s Heavenly Cursed Seal, drew out the Orochimaru sealed within her, and absorbed him into himself.
• Orochimaru donned the Death God’s mask, used the Death God to release souls, and performed Impure World Reincarnation on the White Zetsu.
• Orochimaru sent a snake carrying his soul into Senyo’s clone, which transformed to look like Orochimaru.

Orochimaru and Senyo revived Minato, restored his memories, and helped him awaken Sage Fox Mode. As Konoha’s weakened state and the public accusations against Sarutobi Hiruzen spread, the other villages began mobilizing for war.

• Orochimaru completed the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and revived Minato, while Kushina restored his memories.
• Minato thanked Senyo and Orochimaru, then combined Kurama Mode with Sage Mode to awaken Sage Fox Mode.
• Senyo showed Minato Naruto’s Rasenshuriken training and battlefield Rasengan use, then told him to train and develop stronger ninjutsu in his Reanimated Body.
• Orochimaru discovered that Senyo’s clone could store Sage Chakra without leaking it, making it a valuable subject for his research.
• Konoha’s Uchiha publicly accused Sarutobi Hiruzen’s group of stealing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Akatsuki Organization announced that it would pursue its traitors and hold Hiruzen accountable.
• Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure began mobilizing as news of Konoha’s weakness spread.

Konoha’s elders unanimously pushed Uchiha Senyo to become the Fifth Hokage as the other great villages prepared for war. Meanwhile, Moryo’s stone golems attacked the Land of Demons, and priest Zhiyan sought Miroku’s help from Konoha.

• Konoha’s elders unanimously voted to nominate Uchiha Senyo as Hokage, and Senyo agreed after Tsunade urged him to act before the people lost heart.
• Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure prepared for war as smaller villages watched for the coming conflict.
• Moryo’s stone golems attacked an outpost near Ibou Town, destroyed its walls, and trampled the defenders.
• The stone golems flattened Ibou Town, forcing civilians to flee as the Land of Demons struggled to resist them.
• Priest Zhiyan sent a plea for help to Miroku, who was in Konoha.

Miroku faced Moryo’s attacks on the Land of Demons, but Senyo proposed evacuating its civilians to Konoha instead of sending a small force to fight. He arranged for Minato to use Flying Thunder God to move them in batches, and Senyo’s chakra-charged clone joined him as they prepared to leave.

• Miroku told Senyo that she had to return to the Land of Demons, while Shion pleaded not to be separated from her mother.
• Senyo proposed moving the Land of Demons’ civilians to Konoha, and Miroku agreed that the plan might work but asked how they could make the journey.
• Senyo introduced Miroku to the reanimated Minato and explained Minato’s abilities, including his Nine-Tails chakra and Flying Thunder God.
• Senyo asked Minato to evacuate about twenty thousand civilians from the Land of Demons in batches before Moryo’s Ghost Legion could destroy more towns.
• Senyo sent a chakra-filled clone with Minato to help with the evacuation.

Senyo learned that Sarutobi Hiruzen had sold Konoha properties to trading companies before fleeing the village. After Shikao urged caution, Senyo met the companies’ representatives and asked how they wanted him to handle the deception.

• Shikao showed Senyo documents proving that Sarutobi Hiruzen had sold Konoha houses and shops to trading companies.
• Senyo said the daimyo could be replaced, but Shikao warned that Konoha needed stable relations and logistical support before the war.
• Shikao brought fifteen representatives to meet Senyo on behalf of forty-seven trading companies.
• Ryuzaki Sando explained that Sarutobi Hiruzen had tricked the companies into buying properties by claiming Konoha was expanding and the clans were relocating.
• Ryuzaki Sando told Senyo that the daimyo had refused to meet them, and Senyo asked the representatives how they wanted the matter handled.

Senyo told the trading companies he would pursue Sarutobi Hiruzen for the money they had lost, while Sarutobi Hiruzen persuaded Jiraiya that taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and leaving Konoha were necessary for survival. Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to send civilians to the Daimyo's Mansion and use his control of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Nue as leverage against Konoha and its enemies.

• Ryuzaki Sando gave Senyo a ledger showing that forty-seven trading companies had spent money buying properties from Sarutobi Hiruzen, including Hirata Trading Company's seven billion.
• Senyo said the debts belonged to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but offered to pursue repayment while warning that he could not promise how much the companies would recover.
• Senyo hinted that Sarutobi Hiruzen might endanger the daimyo, and Ryuzaki Sando understood that the companies should act accordingly.
• Jiraiya challenged Sarutobi Hiruzen for taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but Sarutobi Hiruzen argued that it would protect his clan and let him support Konoha if it were attacked.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Jiraiya to send the civilians to the Daimyo's Mansion, while planning to use Nue and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as leverage and await conflict among the hidden villages.

Sasuke and Naruto trained together before Senyo helped the grieving Hinata leave the training ground with Naruto and arranged for Hanabi to attend school. Sasuke admitted he could not beat Karin, who demanded that he call her Senior Sister.

• Sasuke and Naruto sparred at the Uchiha Training Ground, using their Sharingan, Shadow Clones, and weapons.
• Hinata and Hanabi arrived looking troubled, and Senyo explained that Naruto and Sasuke were being kept off missions because they could become targets.
• Senyo used genjutsu to tell Naruto to take Hinata around Konoha, and Naruto led her away by the hand.
• Hanabi agreed to attend school, and Senyo sent Rinto to arrange a class for her.
• Sasuke admitted he was no match for Karin, and Karin demanded that he call her Senior Sister.

Senyo announced that he would become the Fifth Hokage, then took office in a ceremony attended by Konoha’s clans and villagers. He pledged to lead Konoha through its challenges as the crowd celebrated his succession.

• Senyo told Sasuke and Karin that Sasuke had scored zero on the test, prompting Sasuke to admit his mistake and call Karin Senior Sister.
• Senyo announced that he would ascend as the Fifth Hokage the next day and told his disciples to prepare for the news.
• Konoha’s Elders selected Uchiha Senyo as Fifth Hokage and proceeded directly to his inauguration, skipping the jonin confidence vote.
• Tsunade introduced Senyo’s accomplishments at the ceremony, and the gathered villagers and clan members cheered as he took the platform.
• Senyo promised to make Konoha stronger, accepted the Hokage Hat from Torifu Akimichi, and was hailed by the crowd as Fifth Hokage.

Minato, Zen Kong, and Miroku reached the Land of Demons, where Senyo used Miroku’s Miko power and appearance to draw Moryo’s attention while Miroku organized the civilians’ evacuation and formation. Senyo’s new formation suppressed the stone puppets and Moryo’s dark power, and the chapter ended with Senyo surprising Moryo by kicking him through three puppets.

• Minato, Zen Kong, and Miroku arrived at the Land of Demons and planned their response to Moryo’s attack on Sakata Town.
• Senyo unlocked Miroku’s fourth bond star, gained her Miko power, and transformed to look like her so Moryo would target him.
• Miroku and another figure entered Sakata Town, where a formation spread across the town as Moryo’s stone puppets attacked.
• Senyo, disguised as Miroku, confronted Moryo and used Miko power to block his attack while the formation weakened the puppets and suppressed Moryo’s dark energy.
• Moryo lunged at Senyo, but Senyo struck him with a sweeping kick and sent him smashing through three stone puppets.

Senyo disguised himself as Miroku to keep Moryo occupied while the real Miroku and Minato evacuated the town’s citizens. Moryo pursued the decoy into the town, only to find it completely empty.

• Senyo, disguised as Miroku, fought Moryo with taijutsu and deliberately concealed how much strength he had left.
• The real Miroku summoned the citizens to the town square and used a formation to help Minato teleport them to a valley in a neighboring country.
• Minato and his Shadow Clones moved more than a thousand citizens in batches while Moryo remained unaware of the evacuation.
• After the town’s defensive formation gave the signal to retreat, Senyo blasted Moryo away and fled into the town.
• Moryo chased Senyo into the town and discovered that Miroku and all the citizens had vanished.

Uchiha Senyo and Miroku arranged for the civilians of the Land of Demons to relocate to Konoha as Moryo’s threat grew. Senyo replenished the Shadow Nine-Tails’ chakra, enabling Minato to continue transporting people.

• Miroku introduced Senyo to the rescued civilians and announced that Konoha would take them in.
• Senyo confirmed the relocation and told the civilians they would become Konoha citizens and follow its laws.
• Miroku explained that Izumo Town was the last remaining gathering point, and Senyo planned to move its people in batches.
• Minato said the Shadow Nine-Tails needed time to recover between transports, but declined to take in the other half of Kurama so Naruto would retain protection.
• Senyo used the Star of Bonds to draw chakra from Kurama Yang and Kurama Yin, increasing the Shadow Nine-Tails’ chakra and shortening its recovery time.
• Minato confirmed the Shadow Nine-Tails had grown stronger, and he and Senyo continued moving the civilians.

Moryo and Obito found the town empty and speculated that Miroku had used an unknown method to evacuate its people. Moryo exposed the White Zetsu spores hidden in Obito’s body, revealing that Madara had placed multiple safeguards on him, while another remained inside Obito’s right arm.

• Moryo searched the ruined town but found no people, including Miroku, and Obito joined him in wondering how they had disappeared.
• Moryo suspected the people in another town had also been evacuated, so Obito sent a White Zetsu to scout Izumo Town.
• Obito asked Moryo how he could speed up learning Dark Medical Ninjutsu, and Moryo offered a way in exchange for Obito’s help.
• Moryo made Obito hold his purple-black energy and burned more than a dozen White Zetsu spores out of his body.
• Obito sent the remaining spores into the Kamui Dimension, and Moryo told him he could sense something else inside his right arm that he could not remove.

Obito learned that Moryo needed the lost Spear of Heaven to advance his Dark Medical Ninjutsu, but their search for Miko Miroku’s weakness failed when Izumo Town proved empty. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at the Daimyo’s Mansion and began waiting for the other ninja villages to invade.

• Moryo explained that he needed an Earth Vein Energy Collector and described the ancient artifact called the Spear of Heaven to Obito.
• White Zetsu reported that Izumo Town had no living creatures, leaving Moryo unable to draw out Miko Miroku.
• Obito warned that the Ghost Legion would need at least two months to reach Konoha, and Moryo decided to proceed despite the delay.
• The Land of Fire merchant guilds warned the daimyo against admitting Sarutobi Hiruzen, so he let the civilians enter the city while keeping most ninja outside.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen met the daimyo, learned that Uchiha Senyo had become the Fifth Hokage, and asked the daimyo to mediate while he waited for the other villages to invade.

Orochimaru identified the Chimera Technique’s fatal flaw: the Chimera would eventually overpower Hiruko and devour his soul, and their symbiosis had already begun. After becoming Fifth Hokage, Senyo rebuilt the Anbu under Itachi and Shisui while Kakashi and Rin remained focused on their own goals and Obito.

• Orochimaru and Senyo concluded that Hiruko’s Chimera had gathered the conditions needed to evolve his Sharingan into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Orochimaru explained that the Chimera absorbed souls as well as Kekkei Genkai, threatening Hiruko with mental collapse or eventual death.
• Orochimaru revealed that Hiruko’s symbiosis with the Chimera had already begun, making it too late for him to abandon it safely.
• Senyo disbanded the old Anbu and placed the rebuilt organization under Itachi and Shisui after becoming Fifth Hokage.
• Kakashi refused a place in the Anbu so he could train in swordsmanship, while Rin studied Medical Ninjutsu and waited for Senyo’s summons.

Senyo strengthened Konoha’s defenses and prepared Tsunade to confront her hemophobia so she could take revenge on Sarutobi Hiruzen. The chapter ended with Senyo gathering Nagato, Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade for their planned attack on Hiruzen.

• Senyo assigned Konoha’s patrols and warning posts to the Hyuga, gave other clans administrative roles, and kept education under his control.
• Minato and Miroku relocated the people of the Land of Demons to Konoha while Miroku and Senyo helped build new defensive and communication barriers.
• Karin used the enhanced Mind’s Eye of the Kagura to catch nineteen spies, while Senyo’s withdrawal of border defenses left the rival villages wary of invading.
• Senyo forced Tsunade to confront her hemophobia by submerging her in blood and invoking the deaths of Dan Katō, Nawaki, and the Senju Clan.
• Tsunade overcame her fear and prepared for the meeting, where Senyo assembled Nagato, Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade to seek revenge on Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Senyo assigned the fight against Sarutobi Hiruzen to Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade, while they agreed to banish Jiraiya. As Sarutobi Hiruzen's camp tested the powerful Nue, Pain and Konan arrived to confront him.

• Senyo explained that Kushina was a soul using one of his eye-technique clones and warned Minato and Tsunade about the Reaper Death Seal.
• Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade agreed that Tsunade would handle Sarutobi Hiruzen and that Jiraiya would be treated as a stranger and banished.
• The Akatsuki Organization demanded the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki or fifty billion, while Konoha declared Sarutobi Hiruzen and his followers Rogue Ninja.
• Ryunosuke Sarutobi tested Nue's strength and chakra absorption, and Shigaraki Tanuki explained that Nue could regenerate as long as Ryunosuke's Gozu Tennō Mark remained.
• Konan and Pain arrived at Sarutobi Hiruzen's camp, where Jiraiya recognized Yahiko's appearance and the Rinnegan.
• Pain identified himself as the Akatsuki Organization's leader and called Sarutobi Hiruzen out to speak.

Pain demanded that Sarutobi Hiruzen return Konoha’s assets and pay fifty billion or surrender the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Minato and Kushina attacked Hiruzen’s forces. Minato removed Jiraiya from the battlefield, and Hiruzen’s reinforcements surrounded the remaining attackers as Pain watched.

• Pain confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen, demanded the return of Konoha’s assets and fifty billion or the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and declared he had accepted Uchiha Senyo’s mission to eliminate him.
• Minato, Kushina, and Tsunade broke through the Sarutobi Clan’s forces, and Minato cut down the clan members in his path.
• Jiraiya confronted Minato, who asked whether he had ever visited Naruto before taking him by Flying Thunder God to the border of the Land of Demons and leaving him there.
• Minato returned to Kushina, while Sarutobi Hiruzen prepared for battle and signaled his allies to surround the attackers.
• Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Shimura Kosuke, and their clans’ elites arrived, and Pain remained still as the encirclement tightened.