Chapter Summaries

Tsunade tested her Hogyoku Mode against Orochimaru, enduring his attacks and revealing overwhelming strength and rapid recovery. After they stopped fighting, Orochimaru explained that the Hogyoku had raised her potential as a perfect compatible user, while keeping his own transformed ability secret.

• Orochimaru tricked Tsunade with an Earth Clone and stabbed her through the chest, but she pulled out the Kusanagi Sword and hurled it at him with tremendous force.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru fought across the ruined battlefield as she healed from his elemental ninjutsu and chased him down.
• Shisui told Kagetsu that Tsunade's destructive power rivaled his second-stage Susanoo, though neither fighter was using their full strength.
• Tsunade ended the test, saying she could maintain Hogyoku Mode for days but saw no point in continuing while Orochimaru held back.
• Orochimaru deduced that Tsunade was a perfect compatible user whose Hogyoku power could raise her limits, and Tsunade questioned what her recovery ability truly was.
• Orochimaru explained that the Hogyoku had transformed his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, granting him the power to divide his soul and seize and replicate.

Tsunade continued her Sage Art training while Kagetsu paused the Sharingan experiments to redesign their research. He accepted the Slug Sage’s invitation and traveled with Tsunade to Shikkotsu Forest, where they learned about its Living Liquid Springs and their role in Sage Art training.

• Tsunade watched another Sharingan experiment fail, and Kagetsu halted the research to simplify its goals and conserve materials.
• Tsunade told Kagetsu that the Slug Sage wanted to meet him, and he agreed to go with her using a temporary Shikkotsu Forest contract.
• Kagetsu and Tsunade arrived in Shikkotsu Forest and sensed its dense, gentle Natural Energy among enormous white, skeletal trees.
• A Slug guided them to a gathering of Slugs, which merged into a Giant Slug and carried them toward the temple.
• The Giant Slug explained that Living Liquid Springs strengthened the body through painful stages and that the largest spring near the temple served as the final trial.

Kagetsu and Tsunade met the Slug Sage, who explained the Sage Lands’ ties to the outside world and shared fragments of the Shinobi World’s ancient history. The Slug Sage then asked Kagetsu whether he had created a new kind of energy distinct from Chakra and Natural Energy.

• Kagetsu and Tsunade arrived at the Slug Sage’s enormous body and greeted her as Katsuyu.
• Katsuyu explained that Gamamaru pursued prophecy, the White Snake Sage observed the past, and Shikkotsu Forest represented existence and the continuation of life.
• Katsuyu recalled that before ninja and Chakra, supernatural beings born from human thoughts existed, and that many were eliminated after Chakra spread.
• Katsuyu said the Sage Lands occupied separate spaces around the Shinobi World and that Gamamaru knew the most about the Sage of Six Paths.
• Katsuyu warned that the White Snake Sage might object if she appeared to recruit Kagetsu, then asked whether he had created a new energy beyond Chakra and Natural Energy.

Kagetsu and Tsunade met the Slug Sage, who revealed her interest in the Hogyoku and led them to a mysterious demon remnant. Kagetsu accepted the dangerous Wooden Stake as a gift and prepared to take it with him for research.

• The Slug Sage explained that Tsunade's new power had drawn her attention to the Hogyoku, then welcomed Kagetsu and offered to show him something useful.
• A Giant Slug guided Kagetsu and Tsunade through Shikkotsu Forest and explained that its plants and Living Liquid Spring were rich in Natural Energy but could be dangerous outside the forest.
• Kagetsu asked to collect samples from the forest, then examined its Natural Energy while Tsunade watched for signs of harm.
• The Giant Slug brought them to a massive Wooden Stake, identified as a fragment of a powerful demon that the Slug Sage had cast there a thousand years earlier.
• Tsunade touched the Wooden Stake and felt it devour her Chakra while sensing violent spiritual energy and a resemblance to Wood Release.
• The Giant Slug warned Kagetsu about the remnant's unknown dangers, but Kagetsu touched it, felt it devour his Chakra, and happily accepted it.

Kagetsu and Tsunade visited Amegakure after Yahiko became its Kage, and Kagetsu asked to borrow Nagato’s Rinnegan. Yahiko agreed in exchange for Tsunade teaching Konan medical ninjutsu, while Kagetsu and Tsunade discussed how to replace Nagato’s eye and preserve his strength.

• Orochimaru delivered the mission orders assigning Kagetsu’s team to assist and protect Tsunade while they improved the Healing Tags, then learned about the Wooden Stake and the Living Liquid Spring.
• Kagetsu failed to preserve the Living Liquid Spring’s properties outside Shikkotsu Forest and set that research aside to focus on the Wooden Stake.
• Yahiko became Amegakure’s Kage after Hanzo’s defeat, with Konan and Nagato as advisors and Kage guards and Kakuzu as financial manager.
• Kagetsu and Tsunade arrived in Amegakure, where Konan guided them to Yahiko and Nagato in the Rain Kage’s office.
• Kagetsu asked to borrow Nagato’s Rinnegan, and Yahiko agreed in exchange for Tsunade teaching Konan medical ninjutsu.
• Kagetsu offered Nagato a Three Tomoe Sharingan to preserve some of his strength, and Tsunade proposed transplanting one Rinnegan first.

Kagetsu received one of Nagato’s Rinnegan and used it to study the Wooden Stake, while Tsunade trained Konan and Shizune in Medical Ninjutsu and joined the wartime effort. The chapter ended with Kagetsu revealing to Orochimaru that his research might have uncovered the origin of Chakra.

• Tsunade transplanted Nagato’s Rinnegan into Kagetsu, and she offered to take Konan away to teach her Medical Ninjutsu.
• Kagetsu brought Konan and Tsunade to Orochimaru’s Underground Base, where he used the Rinnegan to analyze the Wooden Stake and confirmed it was part of the God Tree.
• Tsunade trained Konan and Shizune on the battlefield and brought Konan into the Healing Tag improvement project.
• Orochimaru told Tsunade he planned to exploit her Hemophobia as bait for an Iwa assassination squad, with Minato, Kagetsu, and Shisui set to support her.
• Kagetsu emerged from the Laboratory with the Rinnegan and told Orochimaru that his discovery about the Wooden Stake concerned the origin of Chakra.

Kagetsu explained his research linking Chakra, the Wooden Stake, the Rinnegan, and the Tailed Beasts to Orochimaru and Tsunade. He revealed that he had made a conscious fragment of the Two-Tails his Jinchuriki and showed them a replica of Uchiha Madara’s War Fan.

• Kagetsu concluded that the Wooden Stake was the source and core component of Chakra, and Orochimaru asked to see his research records.
• Kagetsu said the Rinnegan had authority over the Wooden Stake and could nullify ninjutsu, then connected the stake to the Tailed Beasts.
• Kagetsu revealed that a fragment of the Two-Tails had reacted fearfully to the Wooden Stake and identified it as the Tailed Beasts’ common enemy.
• Tsunade learned that Kagetsu was the fragment’s Jinchuriki, and Kagetsu explained that it had become an independent, conscious entity through his experiments.
• Orochimaru examined Kagetsu’s modified replica of the Uchiha Clan’s War Fan, which had belonged to Uchiha Madara.

Kagetsu used the God Tree’s remains to replicate the Uchiha War Fan, and Tsunade and Orochimaru tested the powerful result. He offered to restore Shisui’s ocular power and agreed to make Anko a bloodline-amplifying glove, while the chapter ended with Orochimaru and Tsunade returning impressed by the fan.

• Tsunade doubted that Kagetsu could reproduce the Uchiha War Fan from clan records, but Orochimaru went with her to test his replica.
• Kagetsu told Shisui that he had found a way to restore his ocular power, though Shisui said he was managing without it.
• Anko asked Kagetsu to make her a glove-shaped ninja tool that would resonate with and amplify her bloodline, and he agreed.
• The base shook during Orochimaru and Tsunade’s test of the replicated War Fan.
• Orochimaru returned with the fan and said it seemed no inferior to the lost Uchiha War Fan, while Kagetsu suggested both weapons might have been made from the God Tree’s remains.

Ōnoki and Iwagakure's leaders debated whether Tsunade's suspected hemophobia made her vulnerable to assassination, while weighing the threat posed by Namikaze Minato. The chapter ended with Ōnoki learning that Konoha had eliminated Iwagakure's spies and assigned Danzo and Root to protect Tsunade.

• An Iwa Anbu reported that Tsunade was suspected of severe hemophobia, and Ōnoki and Kitsuchi examined the intelligence about her unusual role at the front.
• Hikari and Higashi Shinin proposed assassinating Tsunade, but Ōnoki questioned whether the report was a trap and pointed out that Namikaze Minato could foil the mission.
• Higashi Shinin suggested luring Namikaze Minato away by pressuring Mimura Hamaki's defense unit, while Hikari proposed abducting someone close to Minato as a safeguard.
• An Iwa Anbu delivered urgent intelligence stating that Konoha had eliminated all of Iwagakure's spies in Konoha.
• Ōnoki told the others that Danzo and his Root Ninja had been assigned to protect Tsunade.

Orochimaru’s plan drew Iwa into a rushed assault, while Minato left his students to support the battlefield and went to reinforce Mimura Hamaki. Iwa’s assassination squad attacked Tsunade’s camp with the Five-Tails, but Shisui and Kagetsu intervened, leaving the Jinchuriki alive and within reach.

• Tsunade and Shizune approved Orochimaru’s plan to exploit Iwa’s spies and force Ōnoki into a hurried operation.
• Iwa launched fierce attacks against Konoha’s defenses, and Minato left Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to continue their mission while he went to support Mimura Hamaki.
• Orochimaru’s preparations helped Konoha withstand Iwa’s assault, while a ten-man Iwa squad infiltrated Tsunade’s camp to assassinate her.
• The Five-Tails launched a Tailed Beast Ball at the camp, and Shisui used Triple Rashomon to block part of its blast.
• The Five-Tails’ Jinchuriki charged Tsunade, but Kagetsu used Shinra Tensei to blast him into a crater.

Kagetsu fought Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, while Tsunade and Shisui faced the Iwa attackers. After using a controlled Iwa shinobi and the Rinnegan to counter Han, Kagetsu summoned a wooden sword and prepared to test his first Asauchi against him.

• Han ordered Huoshi and the Iwa Jonin to attack Tsunade while he held off her guards.
• Shisui countered the Iwa earth dragons with a fireball as Kagetsu used his Shadow Secret Technique to turn one dragon against the other.
• Kagetsu chose to fight Han and controlled an Iwa shinobi to use Earth Release techniques that slowed and buried the Jinchuriki.
• Han escaped the swamp in a half-Tailed Beast Transformation, killed Puppet Iwa, and attacked Kagetsu.
• Kagetsu avoided Han's strike with Shadow Puppet Substitute, then repelled him with Shinra Tensei.
• Kagetsu manifested a wooden katana he called an Asauchi as Han charged at him again.

Kagetsu used his Wooden Sword and shadow techniques to strip Han of portions of his Tailed Beast Chakra and Boil Release, then turned Han’s own Boil Release against him. Han struggled to understand the sword’s power as Kagetsu continued pressing the attack.

• Kagetsu slashed away Han’s Tailed Beast Chakra cloak and used his shadows to shape the stolen chakra into a miniature Tailed Beast that attacked Han.
• Han used Boil Release to smash apart the miniature Tailed Beast and charged Kagetsu, but Kagetsu trapped him inside a Shadow Coffin.
• Han burst out of the Shadow Coffin and unleashed Steam Burst, but Kagetsu’s Wooden Sword cut through the steam and stripped Han of Boil Release.
• Han tried to avoid the Wooden Sword and countered with Rock Fist Technique, but Kagetsu blocked the blow and released scalding Boil Release steam at him.
• Han realized Kagetsu could use Boil Release and wondered whether Kagetsu possessed the Kekkei Genkai or had taken it from him.

Kagetsu overwhelmed Han with blue fire pillars created through his Allocation ability, leaving the Five-Tails and its Jinchuriki badly injured. As the Iwa ninja fled and Tsunade secured the battlefield, Kagetsu approached Han and prepared to strip away the Natural Energy.

• Han realized that his abilities were weakening during the fight and suspected Kagetsu could drain and reallocate an opponent's power.
• Han borrowed the Five-Tails' Chakra and restored his Boil Release, but Kagetsu surrounded him with blue fire pillars.
• Tsunade recognized the danger, ordered Shizune and Anko to move the wounded, and watched as the fire pillars exploded around the Five-Tails.
• The four surviving Iwa ninja retreated, and one who tried to tunnel toward Han had his Chakra disrupted by a foreign energy.
• Kagetsu found Han severely burned but alive, revealed that his power was Allocation, and raised his wooden sword to remove the Natural Energy.

Kagetsu used his Hogyoku Mode to divide Han, stripping away his Boil Release, the Five-Tails, and his soul, then created a fruit that could grant Boil Release to someone who ate it. Tsunade warned him to keep his ability secret and asked what he planned to do with the countless fragments of the Five-Tails.

• Kagetsu explained that his Allocation ability let him divide Han and strip away his Boil Release, the Five-Tails, and his soul.
• Tsunade arrived and was stunned to see the Five-Tails split into many small beasts, which Kagetsu restrained with his shadows.
• Kagetsu used his Hogyoku Mode to grow a fruit containing Boil Release and offered it to Tsunade.
• Kagetsu explained that eating the fruit could awaken Boil Release, depending on the eater's talent and Chakra nature.
• Tsunade returned the fruit, told Kagetsu to hide his ability, and asked what he would do with the Five-Tails fragments.

Kagetsu sealed away most of the Five-Tails’ power and left its Jinchuriki, Han, alive, prompting Orochimaru and Tsunade to discuss what to do with him. As Tsunade treated the camp’s wounded, Namikaze Minato arrived carrying a badly injured Obito and begged her to save him.

• Kagetsu used a Sealing Technique to absorb most of the Five-Tails’ power, leaving Han and three conscious split bodies behind.
• Orochimaru heard from Anko and Shisui that Kagetsu had defeated Han, then questioned how Konoha should handle the captured Jinchuriki.
• Tsunade treated the wounded with the help of her Slug and told Orochimaru that Kagetsu wanted Han used as research material in the Technology Development Department.
• Tsunade gave Orochimaru a Bloodline Fruit extracted from Han that could awaken Boil Release in someone with compatible Chakra nature.
• Namikaze Minato arrived carrying a bloodied Obito and urgently asked Tsunade to save him.

Tsunade treated Obito's life-threatening injuries after Minato brought him back from a battle with Iwa ninja. Using Hogyoku Mode in Orochimaru's underground base, she began restoring his damaged body.

• Anko recognized the gravely wounded Obito as Minato brought him to Tsunade and Orochimaru.
• Tsunade determined that Obito's earlier treatment and Blut Vene had helped keep him alive, and she promised Minato she could save him.
• Minato left to retrieve Kakashi and Rin while Tsunade prepared to operate on Obito.
• Tsunade entered Orochimaru's underground base with Shisui and Kagetsu, then began healing Obito with Hogyoku Mode.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Advisors reviewed reports of Konoha’s victories against Iwa and discussed the rising prospects of Orochimaru, Minato, and Kagetsu. Hiruzen left the Fourth Hokage decision open while the war continued.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi read a report describing Iwa’s crushing defeat, including Minato’s destruction of an assault squad, Orochimaru’s repulse of Ōnoki, and Kagetsu’s capture of Han.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu praised Orochimaru, Minato, and Kagetsu after reading the intelligence.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on Kagetsu’s strength and the Advisors suggested promoting Kagetsu and Kakashi to Jonin.
• Utatane Koharu warned that Orochimaru and Kagetsu were too close to the Uchiha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi acknowledged the village’s unresolved rift with them.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu asked whether Hiruzen had chosen Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage, and Hiruzen said he would wait until the war ended.

Obito woke from his severe injuries and learned that Rin and Kakashi had survived, while Kakashi and Kagetsu were being sent back to the village for promotion to Jonin. On a hillside, Kagetsu tested the Spiritual Weapon he had forged for Shisui and explained that Shisui needed to communicate with the separated part of his soul to unlock its deeper power.

• Obito awoke to find Rin and Kakashi beside him, and Rin explained that Minato had brought him to Tsunade, who saved him.
• Rin told Obito that his eye had not been transplanted into Kakashi, and Tsunade said Obito could return to the village to recover.
• Tsunade revealed that Kakashi and Kagetsu were returning to the village to report and be promoted to Jonin, while Iwa's offensive would ease after its losses.
• Kagetsu removed Shisui's bandages and confirmed that his restored eyes could see and activate the Three Tomoe Sharingan.
• Shisui awakened his Mangekyo and formed a Susanoo, but he could not sustain it beyond the armor stage and suffered backlash when he reached for greater power.
• Kagetsu explained that Shisui needed to communicate with the separated part of his soul and earn the Spiritual Weapon's recognition to unlock its deeper abilities.

After Uchiha Fugaku learned that Nara Kagetsu had been promoted to Jonin, he sent Itachi back to the village so the boy could pursue an apprenticeship with Kagetsu. In the Hokage's Office, Kagetsu, Shisui, and Kakashi received permission to choose techniques from the Book of Seals, and Kagetsu selected an unfinished soul technique he intended to reshape.

• Uchiha Fugaku received word that Nara Kagetsu had become a Jonin, and the Uchiha clansmen celebrated the news.
• Fugaku ordered Uchiha Minghuo to escort Itachi back to the village so he would not miss the chance to become Kagetsu's disciple.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Kagetsu, Shisui, and Kakashi and granted each of them an opportunity to choose a Forbidden Technique from the Book of Seals.
• Kagetsu quickly chose an unfinished technique devised by Tobirama Senju that could separate a ninja's soul from their body.
• Kagetsu took the technique's scroll, planning to develop it into a method for greatly strengthening his soul.

Shisui regained his sight with Kagetsu’s help and brought Itachi gifts from Kagetsu, including a Kekkei Genkai Fruit. Itachi ate the fruit, and Shisui planned to take him to meet Kagetsu that night as his future teacher.

• Shisui explained to Itachi and the Uchiha that Kagetsu had restored his sight, surprising the clan.
• Shisui agreed to take Itachi to meet Kagetsu about becoming his disciple.
• Shisui gave Itachi a scroll of Kagetsu’s cultivation insights and techniques, along with a fruit said to awaken Boil Release.
• At the Elder’s urging, Itachi ate the fruit, and the Elder ordered the clan to keep the Kekkei Genkai Fruit secret.
• Shisui said he would take Itachi to meet Kagetsu that night, once Kagetsu had dealt with the Technology Development Department’s backlog.