Arc 11The Empire and the Fourth Hokage

Jiraiya and the Empire defeated the remaining threats in the Shinobi World and began transforming it, while Nagato reunited with Konan and Yahiko. Minato came to the Empire and faced Naruto’s memories of suffering, leading to an emotional reunion and revelations about the choices that shaped Naruto’s childhood.

  • Hashirama defeated Nagato, but Naruto and Sasuke intervened, and Hashirama attacked Naruto after Minato mistook him for his dead son.
  • Naruto and Sasuke fought the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki Hashirama until Jiraiya arrived, subdued the fighters, and declared the Empire’s rule over the Shinobi World.
  • Jiraiya traveled to the moon, resealed Kaguya, and defeated Toneri, while Nagato received treatment and Madara considered visiting the Empire.
  • Uchiha Senju and the Empire confronted Isshiki, whom Naruto and Sasuke defeated, then set plans to develop World 64 and expand across other Shinobi Worlds.
  • Nagato awoke in a peaceful Rain Village, reunited with Konan and Yahiko, and resolved to protect the Empire’s world.
  • Naruto took Minato to the Empire, where Sasuke confronted Itachi about the Uchiha massacre and the clan began deciding Itachi’s fate.
  • Naruto told Minato about the abuse and loneliness he had suffered in Konoha, and Minato apologized as Naruto’s grief stopped him from disappearing.
  • Minato chose to remain in the Empire with Naruto and revealed that Kushina had been a Jinchuriki, while explaining how his decisions and the village’s neglect left Naruto without his parents.
Chapters 253–277 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 253Nagato vs. Hashirama

Hashirama unleashed Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands and overwhelmed Nagato’s summons and mechanized suits with Wood Release. Nagato remained determined and prepared his strongest technique, Six Paths Modified: Planetary Devastation, to seal Hashirama and extract his soul and Chakra.

  • Hashirama summoned the towering Thousand-Armed Kannon Wood Buddha, leaving the other Kage terrified by its power.
  • Hashirama used Wood Release: Binding to destroy Nagato’s six Summoning Animals and immobilize the two Asura Path mechanized suits.
  • Nagato recognized the vast gap between his power and Hashirama’s, but stayed excited and continued the battle.
  • Nagato formed hand seals and prepared Six Paths Modified: Planetary Devastation, an enhanced technique designed to seal Hashirama and extract his soul and Chakra.

Ch. 254Naruto and Sasuke Appear, Minato Is Shocked

Hashirama sealed Nagato, but Naruto and Sasuke arrived from another world and freed Nagato with Sasuke's Rinnegan. Minato learned that Naruto had been sent to reunite with his family, though the chapter left his own son's fate unresolved.

  • Hashirama used the Wood Buddha's sealing power to defeat Nagato, who admitted defeat.
  • Naruto and Sasuke appeared inside Nagato's barrier, and Sasuke's ocular power shattered its ninjutsu and Genjutsu.
  • The Third Hokage identified Naruto and Sasuke as variants from another world, prompting Minato to ask where his son was.
  • Naruto explained that his variant had been sent to another world to reunite with his family.

Ch. 255The Water Gate Sealed Again

Naruto sealed Minato in a Truth-Seeking Orb after Minato accused the Empire of killing his son, Naruto, and refused to believe he was alive. Hashirama intervened and attacked, leaving Naruto and Sasuke preparing to fight him.

  • Minato concluded that Naruto was dead and attacked Naruto, believing he had replaced his own son.
  • Naruto insisted that his Naruto was alive and offered to take Minato to the Empire to see for himself.
  • Naruto trapped Minato inside an Eight Trigrams Truth-Seeking Orb and absorbed it into his body.
  • Hashirama appeared as a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki with a Rinnegan and demanded Naruto release Minato.
  • Hashirama attacked Naruto, who dodged, activated Sage Mode, and called to Sasuke to prepare for battle.

Ch. 256Tobirama with Cheat Codes, Cross-Dimensional Power!

Naruto and Sasuke fought Hashirama with their Six Paths powers while Hashirama held back some strength in case Nagato attacked. Unable to help his brother, Tobirama came up with a technique and began to use it.

  • Sasuke activated Six Paths Mode, awakened the Rinnegan, and joined Naruto to challenge Hashirama.
  • Naruto and Sasuke combined their speed, space-shifting, and Genjutsu to counter Hashirama’s powerful attacks.
  • Hashirama seized an opening and launched a massive ninjutsu, but Naruto raised a Truth-Seeking Orb barrier while Sasuke neutralized the assault.
  • Hashirama remained wary of Nagato, who watched from hiding without joining the fight.
  • Tobirama searched for a way to help Hashirama, then announced, “Steel ox... Devouring twist!”

Ch. 257Tobirama's Limit!

Tobirama devised a dangerous technique to transfer chakra to Hashirama, helping him overpower Naruto and Sasuke. Just as Hashirama prepared to finish the fight, Jiraiya appeared and erased his Wood Release techniques.

  • Tobirama tested a Taotie-inspired technique with Shadow Clones and used it to send chakra from himself and the others to Hashirama, severely damaging his own body.
  • Hashirama absorbed the chakra and pressed his attack, while Naruto distracted him and struck him with a Great Sun Rasengan that broke through his Wood Release defenses.
  • Hashirama recovered the Thousand-Armed Buddha's arm and shield, then unleashed an overwhelming wave of Wood Release techniques against Naruto and Sasuke.
  • Jiraiya appeared in the sky, and his white hair absorbed chakra as his presence caused Hashirama's Wood Release techniques to turn to dust.
  • The gathered fighters were stunned and frightened by Jiraiya's immense aura, and they wondered who he was.

Ch. 258Hashirama Was Instantly Defeated? Madara's Shock

Jiraiya offered the defeated shinobi submission to the Empire, then demonstrated his Singularity Rasengan and announced a new order ruled by the people. After Hashirama and the other resisters were killed, Madara despaired at the Empire’s overwhelming power but felt some anticipation about its promise to protect their world.

  • Jiraiya asked Hashirama and the assembled shinobi to submit to the Empire, but Hashirama refused and Jiraiya prepared his Singularity Rasengan.
  • Kakashi surrendered first, while the Raikage and Ōnoki refused; Jiraiya sent a signal that activated Imperial drones and projections across the Shinobi World.
  • Jiraiya declared the end of the shinobi village system and the beginning of rule by the people, then killed everyone except Kakashi and gave Sasuke a strand of his white hair.
  • Madara learned that Hashirama and the Ten-Tails had been absorbed into Jiraiya’s hair and considered abandoning the fight with Obito.
  • Jiraiya promised that the Empire would protect the Shinobi World from threats beyond the universe, and a strand of his white hair shot into the sky.

Ch. 259Striking the Moon

Jiraiya used Sage Jutsu to travel to the moon, where he confronted Otsutsuki Toneri and accused his people of plotting to destroy the Shinobi World. Their fight began with Jiraiya overpowering Toneri, who prepared to use another technique.

  • Jiraiya crossed the distance from the Shinobi World to the moon with Sage Art: Hair's-Breadth—Moon Realm Traversal.
  • Jiraiya examined the lunar buildings before Otsutsuki Toneri appeared and demanded to know who he was.
  • Jiraiya identified himself as the Empire's First Sage and accused Toneri's people of guarding evil entities and planning to destroy the Shinobi World.
  • Toneri denied the accusations and attacked Jiraiya with Chakra arms.
  • Jiraiya dodged Toneri's attack and struck him hard enough to make him cough blood.
  • Toneri said he lacked the power to perform one technique and decided to use another.

Ch. 260Saving Nagato, Yahiko's Struggle

Jiraiya survived Otsutsuki Toneri’s attack, resealed Kaguya, and defeated Toneri while the Shinobi World and Empire reacted to the battle. In the Empire, Yahiko brought the dying Nagato to Tsunade, who revealed a new technique that might save him.

  • Otsutsuki Toneri’s Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion struck a Jiraiya substitute, while Jiraiya resealed Kaguya inside the moon’s core.
  • Madara Uchiha questioned whether shinobi alone could bring peace, and he said he wanted to visit the Empire.
  • Jiraiya bound and crushed Otsutsuki Toneri after Toneri exhausted his Chakra.
  • Orochimaru considered joining the Empire so he could study powerful beings and pursue immortality.
  • Yahiko brought Nagato to Tsunade for treatment, and Tsunade introduced her new Self-Life Revival Ninjutsu.

Ch. 261Emperor's Arrival, Capture Isshiki!

Uchiha Senju reflected on the Empire’s victory, then traveled to Ninja World 64 as the God Tree opened a passage between worlds and amplified his power. There, he and his allies confronted Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who had transformed from a monk, while Naruto and Sasuke prepared to fight him.

  • Uchiha Senju watched news of the Empire’s victory and resolved to protect the peace he had helped secure.
  • The God Tree awakened after the Ten-Tails shell was extracted and opened a passage between the two worlds, greatly increasing the power flowing into Uchiha Senju.
  • Uchiha Senju chose to grow stronger cautiously, while Kakashi restrained Guy and took responsibility for explaining it to his variant.
  • Imperial forces searched the Land of Fire for anomalies as Uchiha Senju, Jiraiya, Nagato, Naruto, and Sasuke arrived at a temple where a monk transformed into Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
  • Jiraiya told Naruto and Sasuke to take the lead against Isshiki, who awakened, assessed the assembled opponents, and suspected Naruto and Sasuke were descendants of Kaguya.

Ch. 262Isshiki Dies!

Naruto and Sasuke defeated Ōtsutsuki Isshiki with a series of combined attacks, destroying his Karma and body. Uchiha Senju then discussed Kaguya’s fate with Jiraiya and proposed sending her to the Empire’s fusion experiments.

  • Naruto and Sasuke fought Isshiki, broke through his Karma space-time prison, and temporarily knocked him down.
  • Isshiki revived his power with black markings, but Naruto and Sasuke combined their strength and destroyed his Karma.
  • Naruto’s Sage Art: Rasengan ground Isshiki to pieces, and he vanished as Uchiha Senju applauded.
  • Uchiha Senju inspected the world with Jiraiya and asked whether Kaguya was still on the moon.
  • Uchiha Senju proposed that Kaguya try the Empire’s fusion experiments because she and another variant both carried Ōtsutsuki Bloodline.

Ch. 263Nagato: Am I in Heaven or Hell?

Nagato awoke healthy in a peaceful Rain Village and wondered whether he had died or entered a new world. After learning that the Emperor had created the canyon that opened the village to sunlight, he realized he was in the Empire and set out to investigate.

  • Nagato woke in a sunlit hospital room and explored a prosperous, peaceful landscape, where a little girl gave him a wildflower.
  • Nagato resolved to protect the peaceful world and asked the girl where he was, wondering whether he could see Yahiko again.
  • The girl told Nagato that he was in the Rain Village, and he discovered that his Rinnegan was gone and his body had become healthy.
  • Nagato saw that the village’s enclosing mountains had been split by a vast canyon and asked when it had appeared.
  • The girl said the Emperor had created the canyon, then left to join her friends after asking Nagato to promise that there would be no more crying in the Empire.
  • Nagato realized he was in the Empire but could not tell whether it was the same Empire that had threatened him before, so he decided to look around.

Ch. 264Bonds and Friendship, in a World Where No One Carries Rice Anymore

Nagato wandered through a peaceful, prosperous world and was moved by its people’s warmth, though he could not find anyone he knew. He then heard Konan call his name, and the two reunited as she wept with relief.

  • Nagato explored the Rain Village, watched residents enjoy their peaceful lives, and listened to an elderly group play chess.
  • Nagato watched children fly kites and listened to stories at a teahouse, where the owner let him pay for his tea later.
  • Nagato stood by a river at night and softly wondered whether Konan was all right.
  • Nagato wandered through a beautiful but unfamiliar place, feeling lonely without his friends and family.
  • Konan called to Nagato, and when they saw each other, she broke down in tears and exclaimed that she was glad he was all right.

Ch. 265New Five-Year Plan!

Konan reunited with Nagato and Yahiko in the Rain Village and told Nagato about the world’s circumstances, leaving the three friends together after a long night of conversation. In the Empire, Uchiha Senju announced a five-year plan to expand the Empire, strengthen its people, and improve World 64.

  • Konan embraced Nagato and told him what had happened, leaving him shaken by the Empire’s power and circumstances.
  • Yahiko appeared before Nagato, and the three friends reunited and talked together until dawn before falling asleep in the Rain Village.
  • Kaguya Empress Consort swallowed Kaguya, while the Ten-Tails became an information server and the Ten-Tails of World 64 linked the passages between worlds.
  • Uchiha Senju ordered the Empire to conquer at least ten parallel Shinobi Worlds and nurture five more Six Paths-level experts within five years.
  • Uchiha Senju ordered World 64 developed to Empire standards and called for its hatred, hunger, and poverty to be eliminated within five years.
  • Uchiha Senju called for an end to discrimination and expanded education and public health, and the assembled leaders applauded their commitment to the plan.

Ch. 266Sasuke Comes Home!

Naruto brought Minato to the Empire, where Minato remained distrustful and feared that he had failed Naruto and Kushina. Later, Naruto visited the Uchiha Clan Grounds, mistook Sasuke Uchiha for his friend Sasuke, and joined him and Itachi for a meal.

  • Naruto brought Minato back to the Empire and suggested that Minato stay with him, but Minato remained suspicious and insisted he would need to see the truth for himself.
  • Naruto went to the Uchiha Clan Grounds to find Sasuke, and Itachi Uchiha told him Sasuke was not there.
  • Sasuke Uchiha appeared, and Naruto mistook him for Sasuke, pinched his cheek, and teased him.
  • Sasuke Uchiha clarified that he was Sasuke Uchiha, then punched Naruto after Naruto continued confusing him with Sasuke.
  • Itachi Uchiha soothed Naruto and invited him to eat with them, while Sasuke Uchiha asked his brother to make hot and sour shredded potatoes.

Ch. 267Sasuke Meets Itachi

Sasuke told Naruto about his battles in the Empire, then brought Sasuke to confront Itachi. Itachi struggled to decide whether to reveal the truth behind his actions, leaving Sasuke demanding an answer.

  • Sasuke described to Naruto how he and his allies defeated the Sage of Six Paths and fought Hashirama, while Naruto praised him enthusiastically.
  • Sasuke invited Naruto to train with him and warned him not to believe his variant’s boasts.
  • Itachi cooked lunch, and Sasuke joined the family meal after Fugaku was summoned away to a meeting.
  • Sasuke told Sasuke that he had brought Itachi back, and Sasuke insisted on seeing his brother.
  • Sasuke confronted Itachi in a secret chamber and demanded to know why he had acted as he did.
  • Itachi wrestled with whether to tell Sasuke the truth, while Sasuke threatened to use the Empire’s techniques to force him to speak.

Ch. 268Forgive Me... For the Last Time...

Itachi told Sasuke that he massacred the Uchiha Clan under orders to prevent a rebellion and spare Sasuke, but Sasuke rejected his justification and condemned him for not resisting the Hidden Leaf Village. Itachi apologized and asked for forgiveness as Sasuke remained torn between hatred and their family bond.

  • Itachi explained that the Hidden Leaf Village's leaders had forced him to choose between killing the Uchiha Clan himself or allowing the clan to be exterminated, and that he had spared Sasuke.
  • Sasuke accused Itachi of killing their family for his own benefit and challenged him for choosing to slaughter the clan instead of resisting the village.
  • Itachi defended his choice as a way to reduce casualties and protect both Sasuke and others, while Sasuke called him a coward and said he had become a stranger.
  • Itachi apologized for the past and urged Sasuke to let go of hatred, while Sasuke said he hated Itachi and himself for being unable to forgive or escape hatred.
  • Itachi wept and asked Sasuke to forgive him for the last time.

Ch. 269What Goes Around Comes Around

Sasuke confronted Itachi over the Uchiha massacre and rejected his brother’s pleas for understanding, after which Itachi was handed over to the clan. Fugaku then asked Uchiha Senju how the Empire would handle controversial recruits, and Senju left Itachi’s fate to the Uchiha clan.

  • Sasuke accused Itachi of choosing a bloody path instead of waiting for the Empire and told him that their family’s warmth in this world only deepened his pain.
  • Left Sasuke asked whether Sasuke had anything else to say, then arranged for Itachi to be handed over to the Uchiha clan.
  • The clan learned of Itachi’s crimes, but his punishment was temporarily delayed because Obito Uchiha had also slaughtered clan members.
  • Fugaku Uchiha visited Uchiha Senju and asked about the Empire’s policy toward controversial talents, including Itachi.
  • Uchiha Senju said the Uchiha clan should decide Itachi’s fate and asked Fugaku whether the clan feared keeping him.

Ch. 270The Angry Kushina, the Innocent Minato

Naruto struggled with how to comfort Sasuke after learning about his painful past, then returned home to a lively family dinner. Kushina scolded Naruto for skipping his usual routines, while Minato watched, and the chapter ended with Naruto using Shadow Clones to wash his hands.

  • Naruto watched Sasuke leave and told Itachi to contact him if Sasuke needed anything or his situation changed.
  • Naruto returned home troubled by Sasuke's past and found Kushina's dinner waiting.
  • Minato noticed Naruto's mood and tried to cheer him with news of his favorite fried chicken.
  • Kushina scolded Naruto for grabbing food without washing his hands and for not changing his shoes.
  • Naruto defended his habits, apologized, and used two Shadow Clones to scrub his hands while Kushina tried to hide her amusement.

Ch. 271What About the Fourth Hokage?

Minato watched Naruto’s happy family reunion in the Empire, then listened as Naruto boasted about his mission in Ninja World 64. Naruto asked whether the Fourth Hokage had appeared among the successive Hokage, and the answer left him uneasy and wondering what kind of person his biological father had been.

  • Minato saw an affectionate family reunion and wondered whether life in the Empire was better than in his world.
  • Kushina asked Naruto about his campaign, and Naruto boasted that he had faced the Six Paths Sage and the successive Hokage.
  • Another Naruto challenged the boast, saying Sasuke had described himself as doing most of the fighting.
  • Naruto asked whether the Fourth Hokage had been among the Hokage they encountered, and Naruto confirmed that he had.
  • Naruto worried that his father might have been cruel and questioned why Konoha had hidden his identity and treated him so badly.

Ch. 272A Family of Four, Pressuring Minato

Naruto chose to meet Minato, who had been brought back through Impure World Reincarnation, and confronted him with the harm Naruto had endured. Minato apologized but admitted he still knew little about Naruto’s life in the Hidden Leaf Village.

  • Naruto told Minato that he had rejected the Empire and remained hostile to its peace, leaving Minato ashamed and hurt.
  • Kushina comforted Naruto, and Naruto agreed to meet his father after learning Minato could see their conversation.
  • Naruto asked Minato and Kushina to stay for the meeting, wanting to know whether Minato still held on to the village.
  • Minato apologized for failing to care for Naruto, while Naruto challenged him for not noticing Naruto’s suffering as Hokage and a Jonin.
  • Minato explained that the earlier conversation had involved only a fragment of his consciousness and admitted he had only begun to learn about Naruto’s situation.

Ch. 273Naruto Should Have Turned Evil

Naruto confronted Minato with the pain and anger of his childhood in the Hidden Leaf Village, describing the abuse, isolation, and struggles caused by being the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki. He asked whether Minato had considered what sealing the Nine-Tails inside him would mean, leaving Minato to face Naruto’s accusation.

  • Naruto told Minato that he remembered his years in the Hidden Leaf Village as a painful hell.
  • Naruto recalled being bullied by village children and crying alone at home, resenting the parents who had abandoned him.
  • Naruto said that after the Third Hokage intervened, physical bullying stopped but insults and isolation continued.
  • Naruto described training to earn respect, only for the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to disrupt even his basic techniques.
  • Naruto said his suffering ended only when he came to the Empire, then challenged Minato over sealing the Nine-Tails inside him.

Ch. 274Never See You Again—I'm Afraid My Parents Will Get the Wrong Idea

Kushina confronted Minato over the suffering Naruto endured, while Minato condemned the choices that had brought Naruto into a dangerous world. Naruto rejected the Fourth Hokage, and Minato apologized and accepted that Naruto now had parents who loved him.

  • Kushina lifted Minato by the collar and slapped him, accusing him of being unfit to be a father.
  • Minato silently endured Kushina's anger, overcome with shame and guilt over Naruto's hardship.
  • Minato criticized the Shinobi Village System and questioned why the Fourth Hokage had brought a child into such a dangerous life.
  • Naruto told the Fourth Hokage that they should not see each other again because his parents might get the wrong idea.
  • Minato apologized to Naruto and said he was glad Naruto had loving parents, then admitted he should never have placed the village before him.

Ch. 275Saving Minato, Naruto's Growth

Naruto tearfully begged Minato to stay as the Fourth Hokage began to disappear, then Naruto used his power to halt Minato’s fading and keep him in the living world. Naruto admitted that he truly wanted his father with him, and the chapter ended with Minato safely remaining beside him.

  • Minato apologized to Naruto for his past mistakes as Naruto broke down in tears.
  • Minato began to fade away, and Naruto begged him not to leave.
  • Naruto's grief sent his Chakra out of control, but another Naruto told Minato to stay and rejected fate as an excuse.
  • Naruto unleashed a mysterious power that stopped Minato from disappearing and resisted the boundary between life and death.
  • Naruto apologized to Minato and admitted that he wanted his father to stay with him.

Ch. 276Is Mom a Jinchuriki Too?

Naruto reassured Kushina and Minato that he would protect them and repay their love, and Minato agreed to remain in the Empire rather than return to the village. When Kushina asked why Minato had made Naruto a Jinchuriki, Minato revealed that Kushina had once been the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, leaving Naruto shaken by the discovery.

  • Naruto tearfully told Kushina and Minato that he would become strong and protect them for the rest of his life.
  • Minato said he would stay peacefully in the Empire and set aside his duties to the village for Naruto.
  • Kushina confronted Minato about making Naruto a Jinchuriki despite knowing how Jinchuriki were treated.
  • Minato revealed that Kushina had been the previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, shocking everyone in the room.
  • Naruto realized that Kushina had endured the same fate and felt his hostility toward the Nine-Tails begin to lessen.

Ch. 277Dying for Love, the Village's Shamelessness

Minato explained why he made Naruto a Jinchuriki and admitted that after Kushina died, he chose the Dead Demon Consuming Seal partly because he wanted to die with her. He condemned the village for abandoning Naruto after his death.

  • Kushina asked Minato whether his wife was her variant, and Minato called his Kushina gentle, angering her.
  • Kushina challenged Minato over making Naruto a Jinchuriki, and he explained that he believed the Nine-Tails would protect Naruto from the Masked Man and other threats.
  • Minato described how the Masked Man released the Nine-Tails during Kushina's childbirth and forced him to choose between maintaining her seal and saving Naruto.
  • Minato admitted that after Kushina died, he selfishly used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and failed to consider how much Naruto would need a parent.
  • Kushina cried as she realized Minato had made his decision partly so he could die with her, while Minato confessed he had expected the village to care for Naruto.
  • Minato accused the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Kakashi of avoiding Naruto after his death and denounced the village's supposed Will of Fire.
Arc 11 of 14