Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Toko declared war on Kumogakure after the kidnapping of Konohamaru and led Konoha’s forces into battle. Sarutobi Hiruzen began forming thunderclouds for Toko’s Kirin while Toko fought the Tailed Beasts, ending with Susanoo piercing and blasting apart one of Matatabi’s tails.

• Uchiha Toko rejected C’s argument about who could declare war and rallied Konoha’s ninjas to fight Kumogakure.
• Uchiha Toko ordered the attack, and Kakashi led Konoha’s forces forward as Sarutobi Hiruzen joined him atop Susanoo.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen used two compound ninjutsu to devastate Kumogakure’s formation and create steam that gathered into thunderclouds.
• C and Yugito Nii recognized the danger of Uchiha Toko’s Kirin, while Yugito Nii entered her Tailed Beast Transformation state and charged with Gyuki and Killer B.
• Uchiha Toko engaged Matatabi and the other Tailed Beasts while Sarutobi Hiruzen continued his jutsu; Susanoo pierced Matatabi’s flaming tail and blasted it apart.

Uchiha Toko defeated Gyuki and Matatabi, turning the battle against Kumogakure and capturing the Two-Tails after its Jinchuriki was evacuated. Matatabi resisted Toko’s Genjutsu, so he called Kakashi to take control of it.

• Uchiha Toko blocked Gyuki’s Tailed Beast Bomb with Susanoo and Sealing Techniques, then wounded Gyuki and Matatabi with powerful sword strikes.
• Gyuki and Matatabi launched a combined assault, but Toko’s Dual-Wield Iaijutsu Slash devastated them and sent them crashing into Kumogakure’s army.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi helped Konoha rout the demoralized Kumogakure forces as C ordered A and the two Jinchuriki evacuated.
• Uchiha Toko let A be sent away, then used Sealing Techniques to extract the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails from the unconscious Jinchuriki.
• The Heavenly Transfer Technique squad escaped with the Jinchuriki, but Gyuki vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only an octopus leg; Toko retained Matatabi.
• Matatabi broke free of Uchiha Toko’s Tailed Beast Genjutsu, so Toko summoned Kakashi, who used his own Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu on it.

Uchiha Toko halted his attack when Kumogakure commander C offered to surrender, then accepted the surrender and had the surviving troops’ Chakra sealed. After returning to Konoha, Toko arranged a memorial for the fallen ninja, leaving the prisoners in custody while negotiations with the Land of Lightning remained ahead.

• Kakashi used a spatial portal to take the Two-Tails from the battlefield, and Inuzuka Gaku ordered Konoha’s army to withdraw.
• C offered Kumogakure’s surrender to prevent Uchiha Toko from unleashing Lightning Style: Kirin, and Toko gave the troops ten minutes to lay down their weapons and submit to Chakra sealing.
• C quelled a dispute between white and Black Kumogakure ninja and led the surviving troops to surrender and accept Toko’s seals.
• Konoha’s ninja took custody of the prisoners, who were escorted to the Land of Hot Water, while Kakashi arrived to guard them.
• Uchiha Toko returned to Konoha and ordered the fallen ninja’s names engraved on the Konoha Hero Memorial, announcing a public memorial service three days later.

Ōnoki decided Iwagakure would not aid Kumogakure and reflected on the danger Uchiha Toko’s power and ambitions posed to the Ninja World. In Konoha, Nagato trusted Toko’s commitment to peace, agreed to continue Akatsuki’s mercenary work, and gave him a ring to contact the organization.

• Ōnoki told Kitsuchi to condemn Kumogakure, send Konoha a message of sympathy, and abandon plans to aid Kumogakure.
• Ōnoki warned Kitsuchi that Uchiha Toko’s strength rivaled Madara Uchiha’s and that the Ninja World had no Hashirama Senju to stop him.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to remove Deidara’s bounty and declared that Iwagakure would resist rather than surrender if Toko’s plans threatened them.
• Uchiha Toko explained to Nagato that he had not invaded the Land of Lightning to avoid a costly Fourth Shinobi World War, and Nagato placed his full trust in him.
• Nagato said Akatsuki would send the Five Tails to the Tailed Beast Sanctuary and asked how the organization should operate afterward.
• Uchiha Toko told Nagato to keep Akatsuki working as mercenaries, and Nagato gave him a ring engraved with Wei so he could contact Akatsuki.

Uchiha Toko led Konoha in mourning the 479 people killed in the conflict with Kumogakure, then turned to the political fallout and arranging pensions for the fallen. At the memorial, Naruto remained troubled by a subconscious belief that Chakra should unite people rather than serve as a weapon of war.

• Nagato and Konan returned to the Land of Rain with their delegation, and Uchiha Toko began handling the aftermath of the conflict.
• Uchiha Toko delivered a memorial speech honoring Konoha's 479 fallen warriors, and the villagers and clan heads paid their respects.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konohamaru offered flowers at the memorial, and Konohamaru vowed to become stronger after learning what Konoha had sacrificed to rescue him.
• The Land of Lightning's Feudal Lord accused Uchiha Toko of provoking war and demanded the release of detained Kumogakure ninjas, prompting the Land of Fire's ministers to send a sharp reply.
• Uchiha Toko planned to personally deliver compensation to the fallen soldiers' households while waiting for A to recover before prisoner negotiations.
• Naruto touched the names on the memorial and struggled with the belief that Chakra should be a bridge between people, not a tool of war.

Naruto learned Ninshu from Kurama and used it to share their memories and emotions, but he still questioned whether understanding could prevent wars over scarce resources. Kurama explained how Ninshu's peaceful purpose gave way to combat techniques, while Naruto's doubts about the voice in his mind remained.

• Naruto visited Kurama in the Sealing Space and asked whether Chakra could connect people's hearts.
• Kurama fist-bumped Naruto, sharing memories that revealed his painful history with humans, while learning that Naruto's strange voice was familiar to him.
• Naruto mastered Ninshu and realized it could help people understand one another, but could not resolve conflicts over limited resources.
• When Naruto considered using Ninshu to fight alongside Sasuke and Neji, the voice returned and caused him severe pain.
• Kurama explained that Ninshu had once used Chakra for healing, cooperation, and resolving disputes before the Sage of Six Paths' sons' conflict turned Chakra toward combat.
• Naruto told Kurama that his Teacher had already explained how scarcity could still lead to war despite mutual understanding.

Naruto decided to leave Konoha to protect people from the coming war, believing that was his Ninja Way. After disguising himself and using a stolen travel permit to slip out, he left his friends worried and Sasuke determined to bring him back.

• Naruto told Kurama he wanted to travel the Ninja World and keep as many innocent people as possible from being harmed by the coming war, and Kurama agreed to support him.
• Naruto packed his limited-edition ramen, asked Karin to seal it, and left scrolls of ramen at Sasuke's and Neji's homes before setting out.
• At Konoha's west gate, Naruto was stopped for lacking travel authorization, so he knocked out a newly graduated genin team and used their permit to leave in disguise.
• Sasuke, Neji, and Hinata found the scrolls and gathered with their friends after learning a genin team had been attacked near the west gate.
• Sasuke suspected Naruto had escaped Konoha, went west to find him, and told Neji to inform Teacher.

Naruto left Konoha to travel the Ninja World and find his own Ninja Way, but Sasuke caught up with him and refused to let him go. Their confrontation brought them to the Valley of the End, where a battle seemed imminent.

• Naruto traveled west with Kurama, confident that Konoha would not discover his departure quickly.
• Sasuke left Konoha to pursue Naruto, while Uchiha Toko found Naruto’s note and told Neji to keep the news quiet.
• Sasuke caught Naruto with shuriken and steel wires, then demanded to know why he had left.
• Naruto explained that he wanted to reduce the pain caused by killing and protect ordinary civilians from war.
• Sasuke refused to let Naruto become a rogue ninja, and the two recognized the Valley of the End nearby.

Naruto and Sasuke fought at the Valley of the End, where Naruto’s newfound speed and power overwhelmed Sasuke. Sasuke charged again with a devastating Chidori, and Naruto met him with a Rasengan, leaving their collision unresolved.

• Naruto and Sasuke raced to the Valley of the End, where Naruto dodged Sasuke’s attacks and struck him with wind-nature Chakra, sending him into the waterfall pool.
• Sasuke rose and attacked Naruto again with Chidori, unwilling to accept that Naruto was leaving Konoha.
• Naruto drew on Kurama’s Chakra, entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and formed a Rasengan as Sasuke concentrated his lightning into an unstable attack.
• Naruto and Sasuke collided above the waterfall, and their Rasengan and Chidori unleashed a destructive field that began breaking apart the statue beneath them.

Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during his clash with Naruto, and its black lightning turned Naruto’s Rasengan against him. After they resumed fighting, Sasuke used genjutsu to enter Naruto’s Sealing Space and confronted the Nine-Tails about tempting Naruto.

• Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan awakened as Naruto’s Rasengan and the Nine-Tails’ Chakra nearly overwhelmed him.
• Sasuke’s black lightning pierced Naruto’s Rasengan, causing it to explode and injuring both fighters.
• Sasuke and Naruto recovered and resumed their battle, with Naruto restoring his injured hand through Kurama Mode.
• Sasuke used Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu to enter Naruto’s Sealing Space.
• Sasuke accused the Nine-Tails of tempting Naruto, leaving the Nine-Tails bewildered.

Naruto defeated Sasuke at the Valley of the End and prepared to leave on his own mission to help people beyond the village’s reach. Uchiha Toko accepted Naruto’s decision after learning his plans and gave him a mission to look for the secret organization Kara.

• The Nine-Tails freed Naruto from Sasuke’s Genjutsu, and Sasuke challenged Naruto over abandoning his comrades and leaving the village.
• Sasuke attacked Naruto with black lightning and Susanoo, but Naruto countered with his speed and a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Their attacks devastated the Valley of the End, and Naruto emerged standing while Sasuke lay unconscious in the water.
• Uchiha Toko appeared, gave Naruto supplies, and explained that the destruction meant Naruto would have to be treated as a rogue ninja.
• Naruto bumped fists with Uchiha Toko, who learned about his plan and agreed he could pursue it if he remained committed after traveling.
• Uchiha Toko assigned Naruto a mission to watch for the secret organization Kara while he trained in the Ninja World.

Uchiha Toko brought Sasuke back to Konoha after Naruto left the village, then confronted Land of Lightning envoys who demanded a one-sided peace agreement. As Minamoto Mikoto prepared to punish the envoys, an emergency envoy from the Land of Lightning arrived.

• Uchiha Toko told Naruto to return before the war began, then brought the injured Sasuke to Tsunade after Naruto had already left the village.
• Uchiha Toko and Tsunade agreed to handle Naruto’s departure quietly, issue a symbolic rogue-ninja bounty, and have Jiraiya guide Naruto’s training.
• Neji and Hinata arrived to check on Sasuke, learned Naruto had left, and stayed with Sasuke while Uchiha Toko went to the Imperial Palace.
• Land of Lightning envoys presented an agreement demanding the release of their prisoners and offering inadequate compensation, and Uchiha Toko rejected it and threatened war.
• Minamoto Mikoto backed Uchiha Toko and ordered the guards to seize the envoys, but an emergency envoy from the Land of Lightning requested an audience.

Uchiha Toko pressured the Land of Lightning’s envoys over Kumogakure’s defeat and Raikage A’s kidnapping of the Third Hokage’s grandson. He rejected their proposed payment terms and demanded that the Land of Lightning return territory, including an ice-free port, to the Land of Hot Water.

• Uchiha Toko and Miura Kazuo mocked the first Land of Lightning delegation when a second group arrived to negotiate.
• Cameron told the first delegation that the Land of Lightning had suffered a crushing defeat, and its leader collapsed in fear.
• The second delegation called the first envoys traitors and promised to hold the Land of Lightning accountable for their provocation.
• Uchiha Toko condemned Raikage A’s kidnapping and demanded forty billion ryo in reparations within three years, increased prisoner ransoms, and detention costs.
• Uchiha Toko demanded that the Land of Lightning compensate the Land of Hot Water by returning nearly ten thousand square kilometers of territory and its ice-free port.

After Naruto left Konoha, Uchiha Toko classified him as a rogue ninja and sent a message to Jiraiya, then dispatched Sasuke and a team to protect the Miko of the Land of Demons. The team reached the Shrine and met Shion, whose prophecy that Sasuke would die prompted him to suggest she attend the Naka River Theology Seminar.

• Uchiha Toko arranged for Naruto to be treated as a rogue ninja, copied the Flying Thunder God Technique, and sent Uchiha Inaho to deliver his letter to Jiraiya.
• Uchiha Toko accepted the Land of Demons mission and assigned Sasuke, Neji, Sakura, Karin, and Rock Lee to protect the Miko and seal the demon.
• After recovering, Sasuke told Uchiha Toko about his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, and Uchiha Toko warned him about its risks before giving him the mission report.
• Neji's team reached the Land of Demons and rescued Shion and Ashisuke from armed pursuers at a Shrine.
• Shion prophesied that Sasuke would die, and Sasuke sarcastically recommended that she attend the Naka River Theology Seminar.

Naruto entered the Land of Wind and helped a northern village by digging a well, then rushed to confront Shukaku when the One-Tail attacked nearby. The Nine-Tails took control of Naruto’s body and battled Shukaku, while Sunagakure’s forces prepared to ambush them both.

• Shion and Neji ended their first meeting on hostile terms after Neji mocked the Naka River Theological Research Institute and Shion refused to dispute her predictions.
• Naruto crossed into the Land of Wind and dug a well for a village, earning the villagers’ gratitude before distant explosions interrupted them.
• The Nine-Tails sensed Shukaku approaching and asked Naruto to hand over control, warning that the villagers were in danger.
• Shukaku charged toward Naruto and fired a Tailed Beast Bomb, but Naruto countered before the Nine-Tails took control and struck him with Chakra arms.
• Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and Ebizo arrived with Sunagakure’s forces and set an ambush, hoping to claim both Shukaku and Naruto’s Tailed Beast.
• Shukaku taunted the Nine-Tails for being unable to fully transform and believed the desert gave him the advantage.

Naruto defeated Shukaku, rescued Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro from Sunagakure’s sealing ambush, and fled with them into the Land of Wind. At their camp, Gaara attacked Naruto after waking, but Naruto subdued him while Shukaku backed down.

• Kurama used Naruto’s body to overpower Shukaku with a Rasengan, forcing the One-Tail to retreat into its shell.
• Temari and Kankuro rushed to protect Gaara as Ebizo ordered Sunagakure’s Sealing Team to capture the Tailed Beast and sacrifice Gaara as bait.
• Naruto gave Temari and Kankuro Chakra, rescued them and Gaara from the sealing technique, and escaped with them despite Ebizo’s pursuit.
• At a camp in the desert, Temari explained that Shukaku had killed their father and that Gaara’s rampages had cost many villagers their lives.
• Gaara awoke and lunged at Naruto, but Naruto caught his arm and knocked him unconscious while Shukaku yielded to Kurama’s power.

Naruto learned about Gaara’s abuse and proposed helping Temari take the Kazekage position through a coup, summoning Pakkun to deliver a request for Konoha’s coup team. Meanwhile, Sasuke rejected the Land of Demons Miko’s prediction that he would die, and Uchiha Toko sent a sealed scroll toward the Land of Wind.

• Temari told Naruto how Gaara’s father had treated him as a weapon and repeatedly attempted to have him assassinated, and she explained that becoming Fifth Kazekage was her best chance to save him.
• Naruto suggested Temari stage a coup and offered to summon Konoha’s professional coup team; Temari agreed to consider his plan, then asked when the team could arrive.
• Naruto summoned Pakkun and sent a letter to Uchiha Toko describing the situation and requesting help.
• At the Shrine in the Land of Demons, Ashisuke explained that the Miko’s prophecies had never failed, but Sasuke declared that he would break the fate predicting his death and revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Uchiha Toko read Naruto’s letter and sent a Messenger Snake carrying a sealed scroll toward the Land of Wind.

Uchiha Toko advised Temari on how to pursue a coup in Sunagakure, while Naruto took Gaara away to care for him. Temari and Kankuro returned to the village with Yashamaru, where acting Kazekage Seki Issai ordered them seized as rogue ninja.

• Uchiha Toko told Temari to present herself as Sunagakure's princess, gather information through her uncle, and distance herself from Gaara while she pursued the Kazekage position.
• Naruto offered to care for Gaara, and Temari entrusted her brother to him as Uchiha Toko's Messenger Snake remained with her.
• Naruto left at dawn with the sleeping Gaara, while Temari and Kankuro made superficial wounds to support their cover story.
• Yashamaru arrived and told Temari and Kankuro that Chiyo and Ebizo had appointed Seki Issai acting Kazekage, and that Seki Issai had already declared Gaara a rogue ninja.
• Yashamaru escorted Temari and Kankuro back to Sunagakure, where Seki Issai ordered guards to seize them and interrogate them about Gaara's whereabouts.

Temari defied Acting Kazekage Seki Issai’s attempt to detain her and Kankuro, while Uchiha Toko helped her plan to secure Sunagakure’s leadership. Seki Issai discovered the village could not pay its bills and ordered a full lockdown.

• Baki arrived with former Fourth Kazekage subordinates and challenged Seki Issai’s attempt to take Temari and Kankuro into custody.
• Temari denounced Seki Issai’s accusations, promised to bring Gaara back to face judgment, and forced Seki Issai to withdraw.
• Uchiha Toko advised Temari to wait for Seki Issai to expose his weaknesses and offered to send Sunagakure some of Konoha’s low-rank missions if she became Kazekage.
• Seki Issai learned Sunagakure lacked funds to pay hospital and Anbu salaries, then ordered their pay delayed.
• Seki Issai heard that Baki, Yashamaru, and senior jonin had gathered at the Fourth Kazekage’s residence and ordered Sunagakure into a full lockdown in three hours.

Seki Issai imposed martial law and delayed Anbu wages as he tried to strengthen his hold on Sunagakure, while Temari and her allies prepared to resist him. When Anbu appeared at Temari’s door to enforce the order, Uchiha Toko reacted with disbelief from the Hokage Office.

• Seki Issai ordered martial law, then privately vowed to become the true Kazekage so he could bring back the rogue ninja Sasori and revive Jian Xi as a human puppet.
• Seki Issai’s secretary told the Anbu their wages would be delayed, and the Anbu Captain agreed while his subordinates worried about their expenses.
• An Anbu delivered the martial-law order to headquarters, where the delayed wages provoked anger and one ninja feared he could not pay for his mother’s medical care.
• Temari told Baki and Yashamaru to keep watch on Seki Issai’s Puppet Unit and the two elders, arguing that the Anbu might hesitate to support him while the Fifth Kazekage position remained unsettled.
• Uchiha Toko advised Temari on how her father might have seized power, then told her to wait for Seki Issai to expose a weakness.
• Anbu confronted Temari and Kankuro at their home to enforce martial law, and Uchiha Toko laughed at the order before coughing in the Hokage Office.