Chapter Summaries

Minato decided to meet Orochimaru, and Shinichi tracked the snake Orochimaru had used to monitor them to an abandoned underground laboratory. Shinichi and Minato teleported into the lab, where Orochimaru and Kabuto were conducting Hashirama cell research, and Minato prepared to speak with Orochimaru.

• Minato told Shinichi he wanted to find Orochimaru and discuss putting his talents to use.
• Shinichi marked Orochimaru’s white snake with a Flying Thunder God Mark and tracked it to an underground laboratory in Konoha’s back mountain.
• Shinichi found Orochimaru recording Hashirama cell reactions while Kabuto dissected active human tissue.
• Minato chose to meet Orochimaru, and Shinichi used the Flying Thunder God to bring them both into the laboratory.
• Orochimaru recognized Minato and Shinichi, told Kabuto to relax, and realized they had tracked his surveillance snake.
• Shinichi approached Kabuto and the tissue sample while Minato faced Orochimaru, leaving Kabuto tense beneath Shinichi’s killing intent.

Minato decided Orochimaru could be useful to Konoha and asked Shinichi to locate him. Shinichi tracked Orochimaru to an abandoned underground laboratory, where Minato and Shinichi confronted him and Yakushi Kabuto.

• Minato explained why he was willing to tolerate Orochimaru and wanted to recruit him for Konoha’s new department.
• Shinichi marked Orochimaru’s white snake with a Flying Thunder God Mark and tracked it to an underground laboratory where Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto were studying Hashirama Cells.
• Minato and Shinichi used the mark to teleport into the laboratory and surprised Orochimaru and Kabuto.
• Orochimaru warned Kabuto not to resist, while Shinichi examined the human tissue on the operating table and Minato prepared to negotiate with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru questioned Shinichi Hyuga and Minato Namikaze’s claims about the Sage of Six Paths, but agreed to cooperate after Shinichi showed him the sealed Ten-Tails. The chapter ended with Minato offering to arrange a laboratory as their tentative research partnership took shape.

• Orochimaru challenged Shinichi Hyuga’s account, asking why the Sage of Six Paths had left no trace in the Shinobi World.
• Shinichi offered to show Orochimaru the Ten-Tails, and Orochimaru agreed to go with him while telling Kabuto to leave if he did not return within half an hour.
• Shinichi linked his Chakra with Orochimaru’s and Minato Namikaze’s, then brought them through a spatial gate to the Ten-Tails’ sealed location.
• Orochimaru saw the Ten-Tails and believed Shinichi and Minato’s account, though he doubted Shinichi could control the creature.
• The Ten-Tails cowered when Shinichi approached, prompting Orochimaru to realize it feared him.
• Orochimaru accepted the cooperation project, and Minato offered to arrange a laboratory while Shinichi prepared samples.

Minato Namikaze launched a secret Ten-Tails research project with Orochimaru leading the work and Shinichi Hyuga overseeing security and supplies. The new Spark Laboratory was prepared, and Shinichi entered the Other Dimension to obtain the first Ten-Tails samples.

• Orochimaru agreed to collaborate with Minato Namikaze and Shinichi Hyuga, hoping Ten-Tails research could help him create a long-lasting reincarnation body.
• Minato Namikaze added Kushina Uzumaki to the project, invited Tsunade to join, and chose his remote training ground as the secret laboratory site.
• Minato Namikaze assigned Orochimaru to lead the research and Shinichi Hyuga to handle security and logistics, and Shinichi named the facility the Spark Laboratory.
• Shinichi Hyuga and Kabuto moved Orochimaru's equipment and records to the new laboratory, where Orochimaru installed and calibrated them.
• Shinichi Hyuga entered the Other Dimension and prepared to use a Shadow Clone to remove tissue from the sealed Ten-Tails.

Shinichi Hyuga’s Shadow Clone investigated the sealed Ten-Tails, which displayed emotions and continued evolving, then retrieved a God Tree Person’s body for Orochimaru to study. After the specimen reached the laboratory, Shinichi warned Orochimaru, Kushina, and Kabuto that the Ten-Tails had evolved.

• Shinichi Hyuga’s Shadow Clone entered the seal, fought the Ten-Tails and its God Tree People, and observed that the Ten-Tails showed vigilance and could adapt its creations.
• Shinichi severed a God Tree Person’s Chakra link, collected its body in a Scroll, and sent the specimen outside the seal before dismissing his Shadow Clone.
• After the Shadow Clone vanished, Shinichi sensed that the Ten-Tails’ consciousness had grown clearer and considered how dangerous it could become as it learned and developed intelligence.
• At Spark Laboratory, Orochimaru eagerly asked whether Shinichi had obtained a specimen, and Shinichi handed him the Scroll.
• Orochimaru released the headless God Tree Person’s body, and Shinichi explained that it was a component of the Ten-Tails, which had evolved.

Orochimaru studied the God Tree Person with Kushina Uzumaki and Kabuto after Shinichi Hyuga revealed that the Ten-Tails could evolve rapidly. Meanwhile, Danzo discovered Orochimaru had vanished, and Itachi Uchiha began investigating missing persons cases in Konoha without yet understanding their connection.

• Shinichi Hyuga told Orochimaru that the Ten-Tails had evolved, and Orochimaru recognized the threat it posed to Earth while admitting he joined the project out of interest and personal benefit.
• Kushina Uzumaki opened the God Tree Person's body, revealing humanlike organs that still moved, and Orochimaru had Kabuto prepare samples for examination as Shinichi began security duty.
• Danzo learned Orochimaru had cleared out his laboratory and disappeared, sent Root to search for him, and began looking for another researcher to help with the Hashirama Cells.
• Fugaku Uchiha assigned separate teams to investigate new missing persons cases, including the disappearance of Interrogation Squad Special Jonin Qianyuan and a Konoha Hospital doctor.
• Itachi Uchiha questioned Morino Ibiki about Qianyuan, noticed the unusual lack of items in his desk, and ordered the locked filing cabinet taken for inspection.
• Itachi's subordinate reported Qianyuan's background and signs of a struggle at his home, but Itachi questioned why enemy spies would target him as Izumi Uchiha led a separate investigation into the missing doctor.

Orochimaru examined the God Tree Person with Kushina Uzumaki and Kabuto after Shinichi Hyuga warned that the Ten-Tails had evolved, while Danzo mistakenly believed Orochimaru had betrayed him and began searching for a replacement. The next day, Itachi Uchiha investigated the disappearance of Qianyuan, and Izumi Uchiha led a separate inquiry into a missing Konoha Hospital doctor.

• Shinichi Hyuga reported the Ten-Tails' evolution, and Orochimaru concluded that its rapid adaptation posed a future threat to Earth.
• Kushina Uzumaki opened the God Tree Person's body while Orochimaru and Kabuto examined its still-active organs, with Shinichi Hyuga overseeing security.
• Danzo discovered Orochimaru had vanished with the laboratory equipment and sent Root to search for him, believing he had been betrayed.
• The Konoha Military Police Force received reports that Qianyuan and a Konoha Hospital doctor were missing, and Fugaku Uchiha assigned separate investigations.
• Itachi Uchiha questioned Morino Ibiki and inspected Qianyuan's office, finding empty desk drawers and a locked cabinet of notes before heading to Qianyuan's home.
• Izumi Uchiha led another team to investigate the missing hospital doctor.

Izumi Uchiha told Itachi Uchiha that Doctor Ashimi’s son suspected Root was behind his father’s disappearance, and Itachi agreed to investigate with her. When they reached Shin Ashimi’s grocery store, they found it closed and discovered Shin dead in a chair.

• Izumi Uchiha searched Doctor Ashimi’s home, then considered how to verify Shin Ashimi’s claim about Root before reporting it to Fugaku Uchiha.
• Izumi visited Itachi Uchiha and told him about Hideaki Ashimi’s disappearance and his son’s suspicion that Root was involved.
• Itachi connected Doctor Ashimi’s case to the disappearance of Special Jonin Qianyuan and agreed to meet Shin with Izumi.
• After work, Itachi and Izumi went to Shin Ashimi’s grocery store, which was shut despite it being dinnertime.
• Itachi opened the unlocked door and found Shin Ashimi dead in a chair, with no visible external injuries.

Itachi Uchiha and Izumi Uchiha discovered Shin Ashimi dead and grew more suspicious that Root was involved in his father's disappearance and death. Itachi delayed investigating further to take Izumi to dinner, while Orochimaru continued trying to create an artificial human from the God Tree Person's cells.

• Itachi Uchiha examined Shin Ashimi's corpse and concluded he had likely died within hours, while Izumi Uchiha suspected Root had caused his death.
• Itachi connected Shin Ashimi's death to his father Hideaki Ashimi's disappearance and other missing-person cases, and decided the matter warranted further investigation.
• Izumi sent for the Police Force, and she and Itachi searched the general store but found no useful clues.
• Itachi chose to take Izumi to Ichiraku Ramen instead of investigating Root that night, and she happily went with him.
• At Spark Laboratory, Orochimaru studied an embryo made from the God Tree Person's cells as part of his effort to create an artificial human for reincarnation.

Itachi Uchiha and Izumi Uchiha investigated Shin Ashimi’s sudden death and grew more suspicious that Root was behind the Ashimi Family’s fate. Itachi postponed further action to protect Izumi and took her to dinner, while Orochimaru continued experimenting with the God Tree Person’s cells in the Spark Laboratory.

• Itachi Uchiha examined Shin Ashimi’s body and estimated that he had died within the past few hours, while Izumi Uchiha suspected Root was involved.
• Itachi Uchiha decided to keep investigating Root and had Izumi Uchiha alert the Police Force, but their search of the general store yielded no clues.
• The Uchiha Police Force reinforcements arrived, and Itachi Uchiha left with Izumi Uchiha, choosing dinner over investigating Root that night.
• Izumi Uchiha took Itachi Uchiha to Ichiraku Ramen, and he let her enjoy their time together rather than draw her into a dangerous investigation.
• Orochimaru continued studying the God Tree Person’s cells and used them to create a human embryo as part of his cloning experiments.

Shinichi Hyuga watched Orochimaru’s God Tree Person embryo experiment advance while worrying about the dangers of artificial humans. Meanwhile, Fugaku recruited Uchiha Hikari to help Itachi investigate Root, and the chapter ended with Hikari revealing her Mangekyō ability, Yachihoko.

• Orochimaru’s embryo rapidly matured, and Shinichi Hyuga worried that the ease of creating artificial humans could lead to disaster.
• Orochimaru argued that studying the embryo would reveal the Ten-Tails’ potential and might help Shinichi bear its power.
• Fugaku Uchiha chose Uchiha Hikari to assist Itachi with a dangerous, secret investigation of Root.
• Hikari agreed after asking whether Shinichi knew and informing Hiashi, who approved her leave and urged caution.
• Fugaku and Itachi briefed Hikari on Root’s clan techniques and planned the investigation with her.
• Itachi asked Hikari to disclose her Mangekyō ability, and she revealed that it was called Yachihoko.

Uchiha Hikari explained some of her Yachihoko dōjutsu to Itachi Uchiha and Fugaku Uchiha, then teamed up with Itachi to investigate Shimura Danzō. Itachi’s attempt to flush Danzo out exposed an underground Root laboratory, which Danzo evacuated and destroyed as the chapter ended.

• Uchiha Hikari described Yachihoko’s illusion and chakra-draining abilities, and Itachi revealed that he possessed Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu.
• Itachi and Hikari trained together in the Forest of Death, then began surveilling Shimura Danzō at his clan compound.
• After Danzo met with a Root subordinate and left for a house on Konoha’s outskirts, Itachi set the house on fire to draw its occupants out.
• Itachi captured an emerging Root ninja in a genjutsu, while Danzo learned of the fire and concluded that his underground laboratory had been discovered.
• Danzo ordered the laboratory evacuated, its research materials taken, and its equipment destroyed; Root planted Explosive Tags as they escaped through a secret passage.
• The Explosive Tags detonated beneath the fire scene, causing a major blast and cave-in as Root personnel clashed with the Konoha Military Police Force.

Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari followed Root ninja to their forest base, where Shimura Danzō exposed their cover and ordered them killed. As the pair fought back, Hikari’s Sharingan caused Fū to turn on Danzo, while an unexplained surge of Chakra empowered Itachi against Neit.

• The underground laboratory exploded, and the Police Force found its ruins in a massive sinkhole as Root ninja slipped away.
• Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari tracked the Root ninja to Training Ground Four, where Root surrounded them and Shimura Danzō accused Itachi of starting the fire.
• Danzo ordered the Root ninja to kill Itachi and Hikari, and the pair evaded a barrage of attacks and a falling boulder.
• Itachi charged into the forest and killed several Root ninja, while Danzo sent Neit and Fū to stop the pair.
• Fū met Hikari’s Sharingan and abruptly attacked Danzo, who countered his strike and fought back.
• An unexplained surge of Chakra entered Itachi as he faced Neit, and Itachi unleashed Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song.

Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari fought Danzo and Root, drawing Konoha’s attention and shifting the battle into a race against reinforcements. Itachi nearly killed Danzo with Amaterasu, then extinguished the flames and sent Root away with the injured leader as he and Hikari prepared to report the incident.

• Itachi Uchiha used Dragon Flame Song to set the training-ground forest ablaze and alert Konoha’s patrols, forcing Danzo’s Root to finish the fight before reinforcements arrived.
• Danzo restrained Fū after realizing Uchiha Hikari had controlled him with a Genjutsu he could not dispel, and he recognized her unusual Sharingan as a prize he wanted.
• Danzo used a Shadow Clone to distract Hikari, then attacked her from underground after driving her into the air with Wind Release-enhanced Shuriken.
• Itachi Uchiha struck Danzo with Amaterasu as Danzo reached for Hikari, and the flames spread to Danzo and several Root ninja.
• Itachi Uchiha extinguished Amaterasu and ordered Root to take the barely living Danzo to the hospital, while Root’s ninja threatened him and Hikari.
• Itachi Uchiha told Hikari they would report the fight to his father and Lord Hokage, and sent her to the Hyuga Clan.

After Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari severely wounded Danzo without finding evidence against him, Fugaku Uchiha sought Minato Namikaze’s help as Root and the village’s senior leaders reacted. Minato arranged for Itachi to leave Konoha temporarily as captain of the Daimyo’s guards, while warning that the conflict had become a contest between him and his opponents.

• Fugaku Uchiha took Itachi Uchiha to meet Minato Namikaze and sent Uchiha Hikari to ask Hyuga Hiashi for the Hyuga Clan’s support.
• Root reported Danzo’s critical injuries to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who hurried to Konoha Hospital as Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura also went there.
• Fugaku recounted the confrontation to Minato and Kushina, and Minato considered abandoning Itachi to shield himself and purge Root.
• Minato offered Itachi the position of captain of the Daimyo’s guards to move him away from Konoha temporarily.
• Itachi accepted the assignment, and Minato promised to bring him back after the village’s situation was settled.

Minato protected Itachi and Hikari after their mission went disastrously wrong, sending them out of the village on new assignments. At Konoha Hospital, Danzo’s hidden Hashirama-cell arm and Sharingan were exposed, and Hiruzen ordered the doctors to keep silent.

• Minato reassured Itachi that he supported him and arranged for him to serve as captain of the Daimyo’s guard, warning him to trust only intelligence from Minato or Fugaku.
• Minato sent Hikari to assist Shinichi on an escort mission and then went with Hiashi to the hospital.
• Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu forced their way into Danzo’s operating room and objected to how the Fourth Hokage had handled the incident.
• Doctors discovered Danzo’s abnormal white arm and the Sharingan hidden beneath his bandages.
• Hiruzen ordered the doctors to continue treating Danzo and to forget what they had seen, while reflecting on Danzo’s experiments with Hashirama Cells and the Uchiha.

Kushina discovered that Danzo had a transplanted Sharingan during his operation, while Hiruzen claimed Kagami Uchiha had entrusted it to him. After Danzo was moved to intensive care, Minato raised the issue with Fugaku, leaving the Third Hokage and his advisors on the defensive as Fugaku reacted with fury.

• Kushina joined Danzo's surgery, sensed the unusual chakra in his arm, and discovered his transplanted Sharingan.
• Hiruzen told Kushina that Kagami Uchiha had entrusted Danzo with the Sharingan before his death.
• Kushina helped the doctors finish the operation, and the lead surgeon said Danzo remained in critical condition.
• Minato and Kushina discussed Danzo's condition while Hiruzen and the advisors waited in silence outside intensive care.
• Fugaku returned to the hospital, and Minato asked whether he knew that Danzo had transplanted a Sharingan from Kagami.
• Fugaku reacted with shock and anger, while Minato watched the Third Hokage and the advisors become more passive.

Fugaku confronted the Third Hokage and the advisors over Danzo’s Sharingan, insisting the Uchiha Clan had the right to reclaim it. Minato sided with Fugaku, but stopped the two leaders from fighting and deferred Danzo’s eye until he woke.

• Fugaku accused the village leaders of knowing how Danzo obtained the Sharingan and demanded an explanation.
• The Third Hokage tried to redirect attention to Danzo’s injuries and ordered Fugaku to capture Itachi, but Fugaku kept pressing for the Sharingan’s return.
• Fugaku declared that he would reclaim Danzo’s Sharingan and challenged the Third Hokage when he blocked the hospital room.
• Minato told Fugaku to act while Danzo was still anesthetized, prompting the Third Hokage to accuse Fugaku of shielding Itachi.
• Fugaku rejected the Third Hokage’s authority and tried to force his way into Danzo’s room, but Minato stepped between them and backed Fugaku’s claim to the eye.

Minato Namikaze backed Fugaku and declared Root would be disbanded, while refusing to punish Itachi for injuring Danzo. Fugaku offered Danzo’s recovered Sharingan to Minato as leverage for a fair investigation, and the dispute was left pending Danzo’s recovery.

• Minato let Fugaku enter Danzo’s room despite Hiruzen Sarutobi’s objections and announced that Root would be disbanded.
• Hiruzen warned Minato that the Shimura Clan would oppose him, but Minato said the Uchiha Clan could help settle their anger.
• Hiruzen demanded that Itachi be detained, but Minato said Danzo had tried to kill Itachi and that Itachi had been sent to guard the Daimyo.
• Fugaku returned with the Sharingan he had removed from Danzo and asked Minato to investigate its ownership and decide Danzo’s punishment.
• Minato accepted the Sharingan and said they would wait for Danzo to wake before deciding the matter.

Fugaku confronted Hiruzen and the elders over Danzo’s Sharingan, insisting the Uchiha Clan had the right to reclaim it. Minato backed Fugaku, and the dispute over Danzo and Itachi remained unresolved as the chapter ended.

• Fugaku questioned whether Hiruzen and the advisors knew how Danzo obtained the Sharingan, then demanded an explanation tied to Uchiha Kagami.
• Hiruzen tried to shift attention to Danzo’s injuries and ordered Fugaku to capture Itachi, but Fugaku pressed the claim that Danzo’s Sharingan had to be reclaimed.
• Fugaku declared he would take Danzo’s Sharingan and moved toward the hospital room, while Hiruzen blocked his way and accused him of threatening Konoha.
• Fugaku awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and challenged Hiruzen, warning that anyone obstructing the Uchiha would become their enemy.
• Minato told Fugaku to reclaim the Sharingan while Danzo remained unconscious, then stepped between Fugaku and Hiruzen and urged them to postpone the confrontation.