Chapter Summaries

Genitsu’s squad reached Konoha’s western front after defeating an Iwa ninja team, and Genitsu met Minato amid the stalemate in the Land of Rain. As he looked toward the rain-soaked country, he wondered whether Yahiko was still alive and whether Danzo had already conspired with Hanzo against Akatsuki.

• Aburame Shibi’s insects killed the last fleeing Iwa ninja, whose body had been weakened by an unknown toxin.
• Shibi praised Genitsu, Kazue, and Might Guy for defeating the Iwa squad before they continued to the western outpost.
• Shibi introduced his team to Minato Namikaze, who explained that he was leading the western front while Orochimaru recuperated.
• Kazue remarked that the western front seemed less intense than the eastern front, and Genitsu warned that it could decide the war.
• Genitsu gazed at the Land of Rain, called it suitable for growing rice, and wondered whether Yahiko was still alive and Danzo had yet to join forces with Hanzo against Akatsuki.

Over two months, Genitsu, Guy, and Kazue grew stronger while fighting on the western front, drawing the attention of Iwagakure and Sunagakure. When Iwagakure ninjas Changshi and Yantie ambushed them, Genitsu overwhelmed Yantie with a relentless barrage of Vibration Waves.

• Genitsu, Guy, and Kazue rested after a battle, and Genitsu reflected that refining his Chakra had brought his reserves to jonin level.
• Genitsu sensed a powerful enemy approaching, and Changshi attacked the trio with Earth Release techniques before they feigned retreat.
• Yantie emerged from hiding and attacked Genitsu, while Guy drove him back and Kazue and Guy engaged Changshi.
• Yantie resisted Genitsu's technique and charged through a fissure, but Genitsu unleashed repeated Vibration Waves and pulverized him.

Genitsu used his radiation poison to kill Yantie, while Kazue and Might Guy defeated Changshi. Afterward, Shibi asked Genitsu about his chakra-devouring insects, which had become too dangerous to keep inside his body.

• Genitsu revealed that Yantie had been exposed to radiation and killed him with a kunai after Yantie collapsed from the poison.
• Kazue trapped Changshi with genjutsu, and Might Guy killed him with a punch to the heart.
• Might Guy and Kazue reacted to Genitsu's remaining chakra and agreed that the Iwa ninja's hunt had ended.
• Shibi returned with the corpse of the man who had held him back and praised the group for defeating two special jonin.
• Shibi told Genitsu that some of his insects could rapidly devour chakra and grow drastically, making them dangerous to keep inside his body.

Genitsu and Shibi discovered that radiation exposure had mutated Kikaichū into insects that grew enormous after consuming Chakra, potentially giving the Aburame Clan a way to fight powerful beasts. Shibi delivered the western front mission report to Tsunade and told her that Genitsu’s young team had killed two Iwa special jonin.

• Shibi showed Genitsu a mutated Kikaichū that rapidly grew while devouring Chakra.
• Genitsu recognized the insects as Kidaichū and suggested they could be cultivated to fight large summoning beasts.
• Shibi realized the insects might give the Aburame Clan a way to challenge tailed beasts and invited Genitsu to discuss them after they returned to the village.
• Genitsu privately considered using the mutated insects to bind the Aburame Clan to his side.
• Shibi handed Tsunade a scroll containing the heads of two Iwa special jonin and one jonin, then told her Genitsu’s three subordinates had killed the special jonin.

Tsunade suppressed reports about Genitsu and his teammates as Shibi brought them back to Konoha, where the squad’s growing reputation and Shibi’s mutated Kidaichū drew attention. After returning, Kazue asked Genitsu to help her train, accepting that her power came at a price.

• Tsunade learned that Genitsu and the others had defeated two Iwa special jōnin and ordered information about them suppressed, though reports had already begun to spread.
• Shibi’s mutated Kikaichū, now called Kidaichū, went berserk on the journey home, so he sealed the insects away to sort through and cultivate them later.
• Shibi’s squad passed Konoha’s gate inspection and returned to the village, while Shibi went to report to the Hokage.
• Genitsu and Kazue talked about their plans, and Guy ran off to complete three laps around the village on his hands.
• Kazue connected the Kidaichū to Genitsu’s secret power and asked him to help her train, accepting the cost of the power he had given her.

Genitsu examined Kazue and discovered that the power she had used to grow stronger had caused cancerous changes throughout her body. Kazue chose to keep training despite the risk of dying within a few years, while Genitsu considered whether Chakra might offer a way to save her.

• Genitsu examined Kazue in her basement and found rapidly dividing cancerous cells throughout her body.
• Genitsu warned Kazue that stopping her training might let her live ten to twenty years, but continuing could leave her with only one to three years.
• Kazue explained how she had spent a year consuming plants and soil from Genitsu's creation, awakened the Sharingan, and chose a brief chance to shine over a mediocre life.
• Kazue asked Genitsu to help her train, accepting the risk despite losing her hair and worsening health.
• Genitsu told Kazue he might find another path to save her and considered whether Chakra could use cancer cells as stored bodily energy.
• Genitsu watched Kazue leave and wondered whether she could survive and become a roc soaring above the nine heavens.

Kazue defeated a Uchiha chunin, but Setsuna recognized that she was suffering from Kekkei Genkai disease and offered the clan’s support. After leaving the compound, Genitsu went to relax in the food street, where he unexpectedly met Anko and Orochimaru.

• Kazue used her Sharingan genjutsu and Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu to defeat a Uchiha chunin during training.
• Setsuna confronted Kazue about her pale appearance and concluded that she had Kekkei Genkai disease.
• Setsuna suspected Genitsu’s new Kekkei Genkai had contributed to Kazue’s illness and told her to seek his help if she needed it.
• Genitsu left the Uchiha compound, sent two shadow clones to help at Obito’s house, and headed to the food street.
• Genitsu ran into Anko and Orochimaru, who greeted him as an excellent junior.

Genitsu met Orochimaru, whose interest in Genitsu’s cell-mutating Kekkei Genkai heightened the danger of being drawn into his experiments. Meanwhile, Danzō ordered Root to recruit Genitsu and Kazue, and Genitsu resolved to use a White Zetsu corpse to investigate Chakra and approach Godzilla’s power.

• Genitsu met Orochimaru, who praised his awakened Kekkei Genkai and said he might become his subordinate.
• Orochimaru took Anko away, while Genitsu worried that Orochimaru might target him before he became strong enough to resist.
• Danzō pressed Orochimaru to begin experiments combining Hashirama cells and Sharingan, then ordered Shikuroo to monitor Shibi’s team and brainwash Kazue and Genitsu into joining Root.
• Genitsu reached the ninety-meter limit from Godzilla in his inner space and found that even jōnin-level Chakra barely stirred the giant.
• Genitsu decided to use the White Zetsu corpse he possessed to study Chakra and pursue Godzilla’s power.

Genitsu experimented with White Zetsu cells and cancer cells to create a Nuclear Release Clone that could withstand radiation and remain stable. He produced a humanoid Cancer Clone resembling himself, but it was still uncontrollable, leaving him searching for a way to connect its immense cellular vitality to spiritual energy.

• Genitsu studied White Zetsu cells and concluded they could not keep his Nuclear Release Clones alive under prolonged radiation.
• Genitsu induced cancer cells from his own tissue and fed them Chakra, causing them to multiply rapidly into a growing mass of flesh.
• The mass resisted Genitsu’s Fire Style, developed humanoid features resembling him, and crawled toward the Chakra sustaining it.
• Genitsu cut off its Chakra supply, causing the mass to shrink, and reasoned that Chakra and his spiritual energy had guided the cancer cells toward a form like White Zetsu.
• Genitsu recognized the result as a Cancer Clone with immense cellular vitality and began seeking a way to connect that vitality to spiritual energy.

Genitsu emerged from his laboratory after advancing his shadow-clone research and learned that Minato had returned to Konoha as a hero. At a training ground, he intervened when Kakashi attacked Genma, then accepted Kakashi’s challenge with a warning that he might kill him.

• Granny Madara sensed an unfamiliar White Zetsu presence, but Genitsu’s shadow clones kept her lying down and she vowed to kill him someday.
• White Zetsu told Madara that Genitsu’s bloodline disrupted him, but Madara dismissed Genitsu as insignificant.
• Genitsu realized that shadow clones returned all their memories and concluded he had grasped half the key to creating a Cancer Clone.
• Genitsu joined Konoha’s crowds to watch Minato return and saw the wounded Umino Kawamiya among the welcoming shinobi.
• Might Guy brought Genitsu to the training ground, where Kakashi beat Genma and then targeted Genitsu after learning Minato considered him a rival.
• Genitsu stopped Kakashi from striking Genma, heard Genma explain his duty as the Shiranui clan head, and accepted Kakashi’s challenge with a deadly warning.

Genitsu and Kakashi fought a brutal duel as the Third Hokage and Minato watched. Genitsu defeated Kakashi and revealed that his weakening ability had already killed him before the final attack.

• Might Guy carried the injured Genma outside the training ground and insisted that Genitsu could defeat Kakashi.
• Genitsu let Kakashi stab his shoulder, then struck him and used his regenerative ability to heal the wound.
• Kakashi gathered lightning for an incomplete jutsu, while Minato tried to stop the fight and the Third Hokage urged him to wait.
• Genitsu blasted Kakashi with Nuclear Release: Vibration Wave, then stomped through Kakashi's Shadow Clone and pulled the real Kakashi from the ground.
• Kakashi tried to use Chidori, but his chakra cut off and his body convulsed as Genitsu told him he had already died before using Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu.

Shiranui Genitsu defeated Hatake Kakashi and confronted him over the hatred he had directed at others after his father’s death. Genitsu left the training ground, while Kakashi lay defeated with Genitsu’s words lingering in his mind.

• Minato and the Hokage watched Genitsu defeat Kakashi, and the Third Hokage chose to see what Genitsu would do next.
• Genma and the others were stunned by Genitsu’s victory, while Might Guy declared that he had always believed Genitsu was the strongest in their class.
• Genitsu held Kakashi by the throat and rebuked him for blaming others for his father’s death and treating Genma cruelly.
• Genitsu struck Kakashi, then stopped short of killing him and explained that Kakashi’s hatred had clouded his judgment.
• Genitsu left the training ground after saying he intended to eliminate hatred and war in his own way, and Kakashi stared after him.

After Genitsu defeated Kakashi, rumors spread through Konoha and fueled excitement among young ninja, while spies began targeting him. Genitsu spent time with Genma and Might Duy, then went to visit Teacher Shibi and found Aburame Shikuroo waiting outside the Aburame compound.

• The Third Hokage discussed Genitsu’s exam answers with Minato and considered who might take Genitsu as a disciple.
• Rumors that Genitsu had defeated Kakashi spread through Konoha, inspiring his classmates and drawing the attention of spies.
• Genitsu shared dinner with Genma, Might Guy, and Might Duy, and showed them that his shoulder wound had mostly healed.
• Genitsu advised Genma not to carry his clan’s burdens alone, but insisted that leading the clan was Genma’s responsibility.
• Genitsu visited the Aburame Clan compound and found Aburame Shikuroo waiting outside.

Genitsu visited the Aburame Clan compound, where Shikuroo tried to recruit him into Root and attacked him after he refused. Genitsu destroyed Shikuroo’s Nano Venom Bugs with nuclear radiation and left Shikuroo fatally injured.

• Shikuroo led Genitsu away from the Aburame residential area and urged him to join Root, but Genitsu refused.
• Genitsu warned Shikuroo that he had detected the Nano Venom Bugs placed on him.
• Shikuroo unleashed a massive swarm of Nano Venom Bugs, but Genitsu’s power killed them before they could harm him.
• Genitsu sent a cloud of nuclear radiation surging into Shikuroo, destroying his cells and causing him to collapse in agony.

Genitsu defeated Aburame Shikuroo’s nano-insect attacks with his radiation, and Shibi intervened before Genitsu could kill him. Shikuroo was taken back to Root, where Danzo ignored him and left him alone.

• Shikuroo attacked Genitsu with nano insects, but Genitsu’s radiation killed the insects and left Shikuroo gravely injured.
• Shikuroo used his incomplete Pot Poison Technique to release more nano insects, but the radiation destroyed them before they could spread.
• Shibi entered the barrier, stopped the fight, and apologized to Genitsu for the Aburame Clan’s failure as hosts.
• Genitsu told Shikuroo he would consider serving Danzo but would not join an organization he knew nothing about, then followed Shibi away.
• Root ninja carried Shikuroo to Danzo, who listened to a medical report and left without responding to him.

Genitsu helped Shibi develop Kidaichū, earning the Aburame Clan’s support and prompting its elders to consider securing his bloodline for the clan. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage confronted Danzo over Shikuro’s attack, but Danzo’s unusually restrained response left Hiruzen suspicious.

• Shibi showed Genitsu the dangerous Kidaichū specimens and asked him to help cultivate insects capable of fighting giant summons and Tailed Beasts.
• Genitsu stayed with the Aburame Clan, using radiation to select Kidaichū with promising traits and consulting with the clan’s senior members.
• After Genitsu left, Aburame elders praised Shibi’s alliance with him, rejected Shikuro’s allegiance to Root, and discussed arranging a match to preserve Genitsu’s bloodline.
• The Third Hokage confronted Danzo about Shikuro attacking Genitsu, and Danzo claimed Shikuro had acted without orders.
• Danzo said Shikuro would be punished but did not use his injury to demand that Genitsu join Root, leaving the Third Hokage wary.

Genitsu resumed his routine by arranging for shadow clones to care for Obito’s grandma, who was actually Madara, while Obito left to meet Minato Namikaze. Genitsu then went to Kazue’s home and encountered the young Uchiha Itachi.

• Might Guy visited Genitsu early in the morning, and they headed to the Uchiha compound to train with Kazue.
• Genitsu sent shadow clones to take over caring for Obito’s grandma, and Madara endured their attentive care while growing increasingly irritated.
• Obito left to meet his Jonin instructor, Minato Namikaze, as Genitsu suspected Minato’s team was about to form.
• Genitsu and Might Guy went to Kazue’s home, where Genitsu recognized the boy beside Izumi as Uchiha Itachi.

Genitsu, Might Guy, and Kazue trained together, where Kazue’s Sharingan and genjutsu still could not overcome Genitsu and Guy. After receiving a new mission, they went to the Hokage Building and found Obito, Kakashi, Rin, Minato Namikaze, and Aburame Shibi waiting.

• Genitsu and his squad left the Uchiha compound after meeting Uchiha Setsuna, whom Kazue identified as a powerful clan elder.
• At the training grounds, Kazue used her Sharingan, genjutsu, fireballs, and hidden shuriken against Genitsu, who broke the illusion and fought using a physical clone.
• Kazue sensed the radiation from Genitsu’s collapsing clone, but Might Guy opened the Gate of Life and defeated her with taijutsu.
• Genitsu retrieved his Nuclear Release Clone and helped Kazue up as an ANBU member delivered orders for the squad to report to the Hokage Building.
• Genitsu, Might Guy, and Kazue arrived at the Hokage Building and found Obito, Kakashi, Rin, Minato Namikaze, and Aburame Shibi there.

A year into the war, Genitsu’s team defeated their last Iwa ninja and reunited amid their usual bickering. Kazue’s worsening illness remained a secret, and Genitsu told Rin not to interfere as the team prepared to continue its mission.

• Genitsu detected an underground Iwa ninja, and Kakashi killed him with Lightning Blade.
• Rin offered to heal the team, but Genitsu used Super Regeneration to mend his own wounds.
• Genitsu challenged Obito to give the team password, then recited the embarrassing Black Cat Sheriff phrase.
• Rin warned Kazue that her pallor and worsening cough suggested a serious respiratory illness, but Kazue insisted she knew her condition.
• Genitsu ordered Rin to keep Kazue’s illness secret and not interfere, even if the Hokage asked.

After returning from a successful mission, Minato and Shibi brought their squads to the western front headquarters, where they encountered Hiruko and reported to Orochimaru. Orochimaru revealed his suspicion of Hiruko’s alliance with Danzo and his interest in Genitsu’s bloodline.

• Minato and Shibi returned after defeating the enemy’s main force, and their group headed back to the western front camp.
• Minato and his companions encountered Hiruko outside the command tent, where Hiruko praised Genitsu, scrutinized Kazue, and looked contemptuously at Obito before leaving.
• Minato and Shibi submitted their mission reports to Orochimaru, who praised Genitsu and told the group they could rest.
• After the group left, Orochimaru read Danzo’s secret letter and suspected Hiruko had allied with him for a dangerous purpose.
• Orochimaru reflected that he wanted Genitsu’s bloodline power but had failed to recruit him, then destroyed Danzo’s letter with a snake.