Chapter Summaries

Kagetsu told Tobirama Senju that Uchiha Madara had survived, and explained the evidence linking Madara to Shimura Danzō, the Rinnegan, and the White Zetsu. Tobirama accepted Kagetsu’s account of the modern Uchiha and learned that Madara’s whereabouts remained unknown, with the Land of Water especially difficult to investigate.

• Tobirama Senju demanded proof after Kagetsu said Uchiha Madara had not died, and questioned whether the Uchiha might be plotting against Konoha.
• Kagetsu explained that the current Uchiha were loyal to Konoha, had two Mangekyo users, and could awaken their eyes through a safer method developed by the Technology Development Department.
• Tobirama accepted that the current Uchiha posed no immediate threat and asked Kagetsu how he had determined Madara was alive.
• Kagetsu told Tobirama that Shimura Danzō had cooperated with one of Madara’s intelligent plant-like creations, then briefed him on Nagato’s Rinnegan, Jiraiya’s Rain Country disciples, and the Uchiha Stone Tablet.
• Tobirama insisted that Nagato’s Rinnegan be protected, while Kagetsu said Konoha could support Nagato when needed.
• Kagetsu reported that investigators had found an empty suspected hideout near Kannabi Bridge and that the Land of Water was difficult to investigate.

Kagetsu discussed Madara's possible survival with Tobirama Senju, who resolved to travel to Kirigakure and investigate. Before Tobirama left, Kagetsu revealed the Hollow Power sealed within him and explained that mastering it could help him break through his limits.

• Tobirama Senju warned Kagetsu that Madara was powerful enough to threaten the Shinobi World and insisted they learn his current condition.
• Kagetsu argued that Madara might be too old to pose an immediate threat, but Tobirama Senju decided to gather intelligence on him himself.
• Kagetsu agreed to let Tobirama Senju investigate Kirigakure and experience the modern Shinobi World, while Tobirama reaffirmed that he remained a Konoha shinobi.
• Kagetsu told Tobirama Senju that their preparations had left an unfamiliar force deep within his body and consciousness.
• Tobirama Senju sensed the force resisting his mind and asked whether it was like a Tailed Beast; Kagetsu explained it was Hollow Power born from his other self.
• Kagetsu said that mastering and awakening Hollow Power could increase Tobirama Senju's strength enough to break his power bottleneck and face Madara.

Tobirama Senju learned about Hollow Power and became eager to develop a system of techniques for Hollows and ninja who wielded it. Kagetsu asked him to lead the research, and Tobirama was left weighing the opportunity against his search for Madara.

• Tobirama Senju studied the intelligence on Hollows and grew excited by the potential of Hollow Power and its unique awakenings.
• Kagetsu explained that Hollow Power lacked a developed technique system and proposed that Tobirama create one for Hollows and Hollow-powered ninja.
• Tobirama Senju recognized the promise of the techniques already documented but asked why their creators could not continue the work.
• Kagetsu said the research lacked enough talented people and explained that Tobirama was better suited than the retired Third Hokage to lead it, including its taboo studies.
• Tobirama Senju hesitated because he still wanted to find Madara, so Kagetsu suggested that Orochimaru create a Soul Shadow Clone to search on his behalf.

Tobirama Senju watched Orochimaru use an altered Impure World Reincarnation to restore Nawaki, while the two discussed how Hollow Power tied souls to Hollow Circle and the risks of drawing powerful souls from the Pure Land. Nawaki awakened in Tsunade’s arms and, seeing Orochimaru and Tobirama, feared that they had died too.

• Tobirama Senju recognized that Orochimaru had used his Impure World Reincarnation, and Orochimaru explained how he had modified it to bind and contaminate souls.
• Tobirama Senju said Kagetsu had told him about Hollow Circle and planned to prepare a Hogyoku Awakening Ceremony for him.
• Orochimaru warned that souls marked by Hollow Power could not return to the Pure Land and considered the risks of drawing more powerful souls from it.
• Tsunade held the newly resurrected Nawaki as he awoke and asked whether she and Orochimaru had died too.

Tobirama Senju agreed to undergo the Hogyoku Awakening Ceremony, hoping to gain a power that would help him develop new techniques and support Kagetsu’s side. Three days later, Tsunade summoned the Hogyoku at an underground base as Tobirama felt its call.

• Tobirama Senju asked Orochimaru about learning the Soul Shadow Clone, but Orochimaru explained that the technique depended on a user's Hogyoku Mode and awakened ability.
• Tobirama Senju asked to undergo the Awakening Ceremony as soon as possible, and Orochimaru warned that failure could turn him into a Great Hollow beyond the reach of resurrection.
• Orochimaru scheduled a medical and soul examination with Tsunade for three days later, while Tsunade accepted Tobirama’s decision despite her misgivings.
• Tsunade prepared to leave for the Land of Fire’s capital after the ceremony, planning to bring Nawaki back under the cover story that he was a Senju descendant she had found there.
• At an underground experimental base, Tsunade summoned a Slug, which produced the Hogyoku, and Tobirama Senju sensed its power calling to him.

Tobirama Senju awakened Hogyoku Mode and discovered that its power surpassed the limits of a ninja, then tested his newly awakened ability with Orochimaru. The Hogyoku was sent to the Katsuyu Sage for its transformation, while Tobirama and Orochimaru returned to the Underground Base.

• Tobirama Senju resisted the Hogyoku's illusion and awakened Hogyoku Mode, sensing that his Chakra reserves limited its full power.
• Tobirama Senju agreed to test his new power with Orochimaru, and the two vanished from the Underground Base.
• Kagetsu explained that the Three Great Sage Locations had agreed to share the Hogyoku, with the Katsuyu Sage receiving the first right to use it.
• Tsunade had a small Slug swallow the Hogyoku and then left to return to Nawaki.
• Tobirama Senju and Orochimaru returned after a brief exchange, and Tobirama Senju described his new ability as one that restrained ninjas and ninjutsu.

Orochimaru explained the risks and requirements of creating a Soul Shadow Clone, but Tobirama Senju refused to let him or Kagetsu operate on his soul. Orochimaru gave Tobirama an information scroll and warned him to divide his soul carefully as Tobirama considered developing the technique himself.

• Orochimaru described how Soul Shadow Clones differed from ordinary Shadow Clones and warned Tobirama Senju about their severe side effects.
• Orochimaru said the technique required soul surgery and a Cursed Seal, but Tobirama rejected receiving one because he did not trust its risks.
• Tobirama asked Orochimaru for the technique's complete process or theoretical information so he could find his own way to divide his soul.
• Orochimaru handed Tobirama an information scroll about the Soul Shadow Clone and said he wanted to see what form the technique would take in Tobirama's hands.
• Orochimaru warned Tobirama not to divide his soul too purely, citing the fanatical clones he had created and later eliminated.

Tobirama Senju spoke with Kabuto, who told him that he would leave the village with Kagetsu for a mission. Kabuto explained that the mission concerned the Waterfall of Truth, which the Fourth Raikage had revealed during the final stage of negotiations between the four villages.

• Tobirama Senju left his laboratory and greeted Kabuto, reflecting on the talents of Kagetsu’s three disciples.
• Kabuto told Tobirama Senju that he would accompany Kagetsu outside the village and suggested Tobirama ask Kagetsu for another assistant if needed.
• Kabuto explained that negotiations with the Cloud Ninja had advanced to a cooperation agreement involving the four villages.
• Kabuto said the Fourth Raikage had revealed the Waterfall of Truth after Konoha declined the offered Perfect Jinchuriki as a bargaining chip.
• Kagetsu and the Hokage became interested in visiting the Waterfall of Truth.

Konoha’s delegation arrived in Kumogakure to negotiate sharing Hollow Power techniques and researching the Waterfall of Truth. Kagetsu’s reunion with Yugito ended in a clash between the Two-Tails and Cat Matatabi, the creature he had separated from it.

• Dodai welcomed Namikaze Minato and Konoha’s delegation, then led them into Kumogakure as the two villages prepared to share Hollow Power techniques and Waterfall of Truth research.
• Dodai took Namikaze Minato to meet the Raikage while a young Yugito confronted Kagetsu at the delegation’s accommodations.
• Yugito accused Kagetsu of stealing part of her power, and Kagetsu summoned Cat Matatabi and tossed it into her arms.
• Cat Matatabi recognized Yugito, and black flames from its body collided with the Two-Tails’ blue flames.

Yugito’s Two-Tails went berserk after sensing Hollow power from Kagetsu’s summoned Two-Tails, and Kagetsu restrained her with a Spirit Suppressing Stone net. The Fourth Raikage arrived ready to confront the Konoha delegation, but Yugito explained what had triggered the rampage.

• Yugito’s Two-Tails began struggling to take control after sensing Hollow power from Kagetsu’s summoned Two-Tails.
• Yugito’s rampaging Chakra alerted A and Namikaze Minato, who rushed toward the Konoha delegation’s lodging.
• Kagetsu used a shadow-linked net to restrain Yugito and interrupt her partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Yugito regained control but remained bound by the Spirit Suppressing Stone net, which weakened her Chakra and muted the Two-Tails.
• A tried to tear the net apart, and Kagetsu explained that it suppressed a rampaging Tailed Beast and restricted Chakra.
• Yugito told A that the Two-Tails had lost control because Kagetsu’s summoned Two-Tails carried Hollow power.

Kagetsu explained that the Spirit Suppressing Stone was restraining Yugito’s Two-Tails and offered Kumogakure a regular supply as part of Konoha’s alliance. The Raikage recognized that the stones could make Hollowfication training safer, while the origin of Konoha’s Hollow-powered Two-Tails remained unclear.

• The Raikage questioned Yugito about the small Two-Tails, and she explained that it seemed to be a powerful Hollow-filled summon connected to the Two-Tails’ lost power.
• Namikaze Minato warned the Raikage not to remove the net because the Spirit Suppressing Stone was suppressing Yugito’s Two-Tails.
• Kagetsu explained that the stone rendered Chakra inert, and Yugito confirmed that it had weakened her Chakra and ninjutsu.
• Kagetsu offered to supply Kumogakure with Spirit Suppressing Stones alongside the Gelel Stone as part of the alliance.
• The Raikage considered how the stones could help control Hollowfication training, which had left most Cloud Ninja unable to master the power safely.

Kagetsu and Namikaze Minato negotiated with Raikage A over Konoha sharing its Hollowfication technology in exchange for cooperation and valuable Cloud Ninja research. Raikage A agreed to honor the alliance treaty and consider deeper collaboration once trust was established.

• Raikage A asked whether Konoha would share Hollowfication power with the Cloud Ninja, and Kagetsu said it would in return for a sufficient price.
• Kagetsu explained that the Cloud Ninja's Hollowfication Mode differed from Konoha's and could not simply be improved with Konoha's techniques, while proposing joint research and reciprocal disclosure.
• Kagetsu offered Konoha's help stabilizing Jinchuriki and improving the Cloud Ninja's Hollowfication Mode, citing the Spirit Suppressing Stones as proof of Konoha's capabilities.
• Raikage A agreed that the Cloud Ninja would honor the alliance treaty and fulfill its clauses, while postponing deeper cooperation until trust grew.
• Namikaze Minato remained with the delegation to deter hostile actions and relay intelligence to Konoha, as Raikage A's appetite for war diminished.

Namikaze Minato and Raikage A stopped Yugito’s rampaging Two-Tails during another Hollowfication Mode experiment, and Kagetsu healed her injuries. Yugito and the Two-Tails remained miserable about the training, but Raikage A planned to continue after she rested.

• Namikaze Minato crushed the out-of-control Two-Tails with a Water Stream Rasengan, turning the attack into a waterspout that dragged it across the ground.
• Raikage A struck the Two-Tails with Heavy Current Storm, shattered its mask, and revealed the badly injured Yugito.
• Kagetsu healed Yugito with Medical Ninjutsu while Raikage A asked how the training had gone.
• Yugito asked to stop Hollowfication Mode training and complained that the Two-Tails no longer wanted to talk to her, but Raikage A refused.
• Kagetsu explained that the Two-Tails resisted Hollow’s power, while Cat Matatabi mocked it from atop Kagetsu’s head.
• Raikage A told Yugito to rest before the next experiment, noting that she had been able to stay conscious in Hollowfication Mode for longer each time.

Kagetsu’s delegation prepared to leave Kumogakure after helping stabilize and improve the Cloud Ninja’s Hollowfication Mode. Raikage A decided to deepen cooperation with Konoha, and Kagetsu and Namikaze Minato parted from their hosts with a Four Kage Summit ahead.

• Raikage A acknowledged that Konoha’s research help had made Hollowfication Mode controllable for several Cloud Ninja and greatly strengthened Kumogakure.
• Kagetsu invited Kumogakure to send a delegation to Konoha and seek technology through trade or cooperation instead of stealing it.
• Raikage A resolved to send a delegation to Konoha to establish closer communication and gain further benefits before Konoha changed its policies.
• Yugito challenged Kagetsu to a rematch while the Two-Tails glared at Cat Matatabi, which emerged from Kagetsu’s shadow.
• Kagetsu and Namikaze Minato said goodbye to Yugito and Raikage A and looked ahead to the Four Kage Summit.

Namikaze Minato and Kagetsu reported to Orochimaru and learned that Mist Village had attacked Amegakure. Orochimaru explained that the Third Mizukage had likely sent the Hozuki and Kaguya clans to eliminate rivals and redirect Mist Village’s internal unrest, while Minato asked for news of Nagato and his companions.

• Namikaze Minato and Kagetsu submitted the cooperation treaty between Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning to Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru shared intelligence that Mist Village had attacked the Rain Country with forces from the Hozuki and Kaguya clans.
• Orochimaru explained that the Third Mizukage was under pressure after the war and might be using the mission to purge powerful opponents and preserve his position.
• Namikaze Minato and Kagetsu realized the Third Mizukage was targeting Amegakure’s leadership to keep the two clans occupied and competing for the Fourth Mizukage’s position.
• Namikaze Minato asked Orochimaru for the latest information on Nagato and the others.

Orochimaru told Kagetsu that Uchiha Setsuna was in the Land of Water and asked him to warn the Second Hokage to investigate secretly. He also revealed that Hiruko carried Orochimaru’s Hogyoku Cursed Seal and had encountered Setsuna, whose Mangekyō Sharingan had disrupted their connection.

• Orochimaru warned Minato that he might need to provide rapid aid to Amegakure while Jiraiya was stationed in the River Country.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu to inform the Second Hokage that Uchiha Setsuna was in the Land of Water and might be working for Madara.
• Orochimaru revealed that Hiruko carried his Hogyoku Cursed Seal and had been guided toward Madara’s side after discovering something.
• Kagetsu doubted the Second Hokage would investigate without a convincing reason, and Orochimaru accepted that Hiruko might die before completing the Chimera Technique.
• Orochimaru told Kagetsu to warn the Second Hokage that Setsuna had the Mangekyō Sharingan, which had interfered with Hiruko’s Cursed Seal connection.

After Sunagakure reported that Hollows were appearing and multiplying in Wind Country, Pakura learned that the monsters might be connected to the Dragon Vein. Kagetsu suggested the Dragon Vein had created a breach between worlds, but the cause remained uncertain as Wind Country depended on its power.

• A Ninja Hawk delivered Sunagakure’s report to Konoha, and Pakura joined Orochimaru and Kagetsu to review it.
• Pakura read that Hollows killed ninja and infected their souls, causing the dead to become more Hollows and threatening Wind Country’s oases and the Oasis Project.
• Pakura asked whether something in Wind Country attracted the Hollows, and Kagetsu proposed that the Dragon Vein might be involved.
• Kagetsu explained that Mukade had traveled through time using the Dragon Vein and carried Hollow power, which might have affected it.
• Pakura feared Wind Country could not give up the Dragon Vein, while Kagetsu said its altered power might have formed a Heavy Reishi Ground and weakened the barrier between worlds.

Orochimaru sent Kagetsu and a team to support Sunagakure against the Hollows terrorizing the Wind Country. As Rasa fought a Great Hollow outside an oasis, he relied on gold dust to expose and restrain it, knowing that only Sealing Technique could stop it for good.

• Orochimaru decided to send Kagetsu and a team to the Wind Country after discussing the matter with Pakura.
• A sensor ninja detected four Hollows breaching the barrier around an oasis, and Rasa went to intercept them.
• Rasa used Iron Sand World Rain to reveal the Hollows and drew the largest one away from the oasis by attracting it with his Chakra.
• Rasa buried the pursuing Great Hollow in golden quicksand with Gold Dust Grand Burial, but knew he needed Sealing Technique to prevent it from recovering.

Rasa fought a powerful Great Hollow that broke free of his Gold Dust seal and repeatedly attacked him with devastating black beams. Unable to wait for help from the ongoing battle at the oasis, he restrained the Hollow and began sealing it again.

• The Great Hollow broke out of Rasa’s Gold Dust pyramid and its oppressive presence left him momentarily unsteady.
• Rasa’s Gold Dust arms failed to stop a black beam, which annihilated his arm and shoulder before his Gold Dust Clone dispersed and he escaped.
• The Great Hollow charged Rasa, who raised a forest of iron pillars that pierced its body and drove it to the ground.
• The Hollow quickly healed and continued attacking with Hollow Flash, while Rasa realized he could not win a battle of attrition or wait for his subordinates.
• Rasa and his Gold Dust Clone restrained the Great Hollow with Gold Dust arms and lowered a pyramid over it to seal it.

Kagetsu arrived in Sunagakure with Konoha’s reinforcements as Hollows spread across the Wind Country, and he explained their origins and the danger they posed to Rasa. He revealed that Konoha had developed techniques capable of harming Hollows, leaving Rasa with a possible alternative to relying solely on Sealing Techniques.

• Rasa welcomed Kagetsu and Kushina as Sand Shinobi displayed Hollows sealed in rune-covered pyramids outside the oasis.
• Kushina explained that Naruto was staying with Mikoto and Sasuke while she and Minato had come to help.
• Rasa told Kagetsu that Rōran had become a Heavy Reishi Ground and that Queen Sara had relocated its citizens as a precaution.
• Kagetsu gave Rasa a classified scroll explaining that Hollows were connected to Hollow Circle and the souls of the dead.
• Kagetsu described Konoha’s past Hollow research and said the Hollowfication Masks had been dangerously powerful and unstable.
• Kagetsu revealed that Konoha had developed techniques that could effectively harm Hollows.