Chapter Summaries

Yuu detected and slashed Zetsu when he secretly observed the Tailed Beast Arena, then dismissed the injured fugitive and returned to his companions. Several kilometers from Konoha, Zetsu emerged badly wounded and struggled to understand how Yuu had found him.

• Yuu sensed Zetsu near the arena and slashed him before he could escape underground.
• Yuu realized Zetsu had fled, complained that defeating him earned no attribute points, and decided not to pursue him.
• Yuu sheathed Shusui and returned to enjoy wine with Tsunade and the others.
• Zetsu emerged several kilometers from Konoha, badly injured and terrified that Yuu had detected him.
• Zetsu recalled that even Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju had failed to notice him when he concealed himself.

Black Zetsu reeled from Saiki Yuu’s attack, which injured him and made him fear death for the first time. He realized Saiki Yuu wielded a power that could also hurt the Tailed Beasts, but resolved to press on because he already had the Rinnegan.

• Black Zetsu wondered whether Saiki Yuu’s sensory abilities surpassed those of the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura Otsutsuki.
• Black Zetsu’s wound caused him intense pain, and he realized the slash might have killed him without White Zetsu’s Robe Technique and his Wood Release.
• Black Zetsu roared in anger and pain, causing trees to burst from the earth and lash about.
• After calming down, Black Zetsu understood why the Two-Tails and Four-Tails feared Saiki Yuu and believed his power could harm the Tailed Beasts.
• Black Zetsu resolved to stay calm, reminding himself that he already had the Rinnegan.

Black Zetsu fled Konoha and resolved to accelerate his plan after fearing Saiki Yuu, while Yuu dismissed Zetsu as insignificant and focused on his own pursuits. The Tailed Beast Arena’s first day drew widespread attention, prompting nobles from other countries to organize trips to Konoha.

• Black Zetsu decided to avoid Konoha until his plan succeeded, then merged with White Zetsu’s main body and disappeared into the forest.
• Saiki Yuu considered Zetsu too weak to threaten him and continued spending time with Tsunade and the others.
• The Tailed Beast Arena gained fame across the Shinobi World after audiences watched the beasts battle and use their most destructive techniques.
• Nobles from various countries began organizing caravans carrying treasured fine wines to visit the Tailed Beast Arena.

Nobles across the world rushed to send rare wine to Konoha after a daimyo’s photograph riding the Four-Tails inspired envy. Konoha announced the Tailed Beast Arena’s weekly schedule and point system, leaving nobles eager to compete for exclusive access to the beasts.

• A remote-country daimyo gave up his winnings to ride the Four-Tails and took a photograph, making nobles and daimyo across the world envious.
• Nobles sent urgent orders for fine wine as caravans converged on Konoha ahead of the Tailed Beast Arena’s next opening.
• Konoha announced that the arena would generally open once a week for fights between two Tailed Beasts.
• Konoha explained that future winners could keep their winnings or exchange them for points, which could buy VIP boxes or access to the beast they had bet on.
• The nobles grumbled about the restrictions but accepted them because no other place offered a chance to see or approach a Tailed Beast.

Konoha’s Tailed Beast Arena drew nobles and dignitaries from around the world with the promise of a chance to ride the Nine-Tails, while its profits sent Konoha’s property prices soaring. Yuu told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Konoha’s land would eventually be worth enough to buy the entire Land of Fire.

• Nobles and dignitaries, eager for a chance to see and ride the Nine-Tails, dug out their finest wine and sent caravans toward Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Yuu that the Tailed Beast Arena had brought Konoha incredible gains and driven property prices to new highs.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Yuu’s use of hunger marketing and recognized that the arena’s point system was drawing daimyo and dignitaries into the scheme.
• Yuu dismissed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s outlook as too limited and predicted that Konoha’s land alone would one day be worth enough to buy the entire Land of Fire.

Yuu profited from the second Tailed Beast Arena match and amassed so much rare wine that he planned a vast storage base in Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders approved the land and began planning a major village renovation to address Konoha’s overcrowding.

• Yuu argued that Konoha could become wealthy enough to rival a nation, exciting Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• The Eight-Tails and One-Tail Shukaku fought in the second Tailed Beast Arena match, drawing crowds and large bets from dignitaries.
• Yuu collected an enormous amount of rare wine from the bets, filling the storage rooms he had built.
• Yuu chose a site in Konoha for a massive wine storage base, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders selected a suitable plot.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders passed resolutions to renovate and replan overcrowded Konoha.

Konoha began a major renovation funded by its growing wealth, and Danzo reflected on how the village had become more prosperous than the Capital of the Land of Fire. He stood beneath Hokage Rock, stunned by the bustling, brightly lit streets of the transformed Konoha.

• Konoha approved a new renovation project centered on Yuu's residence, the Tailed Beast Arena, and Yuu's liquor storage base.
• Renowned construction craftsmen began renovating Konoha at a rapid pace.
• After the second Tailed Beast Arena match ended, Danzo finally relaxed after his exhausting work overseeing its construction.
• Danzo surveyed Konoha at night and found its busy, brightly lit streets unfamiliar.
• Danzo recalled Konoha's reliance on the Land of Fire's resources and realized the village had surpassed the Capital of the Land of Fire in prosperity.

Danzo saw how Konoha’s rapid renovation and soaring land prices were making it rival the Land of Fire’s capital. He reflected on how Saiki Yuu had compensated him for demolishing his Root base, only for Konoha to sell the land for ten times as much, and recognized the scale of Yuu’s influence.

• Danzo compared Konoha’s bright, bustling streets and planned renovations with the Land of Fire’s capital and realized Konoha might surpass it.
• Danzo recalled scoffing at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s claim that Konoha’s real estate could eventually buy the entire Land of Fire.
• Danzo remembered Saiki Yuu having his new Root base demolished because its plot was planned for housing, then paying him a large compensation.
• Danzo learned that Konoha sold the plot for ten times the compensation he received and regretted accepting the deal.
• Danzo reflected that Konoha’s land prices were still climbing and credited Saiki Yuu’s methods for the change.

Danzo accepted that Saiki Yuu had made Konoha more prosperous than his own dream and decided to let go of his grudge. When a stranger suddenly appeared beneath Hokage Rock, Danzo threatened to kill him unless he explained himself.

• Danzo reflected that he had no confidence he could improve Konoha as Naruto and resolved to write off his grudge against Saiki Yuu.
• Danzo smiled at Konoha’s prosperity before a figure suddenly darted out of the shadows behind him.
• Danzo briefly thought about killing the intruder to claim credit from Yuu, then was disturbed by the thought and reminded himself he was not Yuu’s subordinate.
• The newcomer knelt and addressed Danzo as Lord Danzou, while Danzo demanded an explanation and threatened him.
• The frightened newcomer struggled to understand why Danzo was so hostile, as he had only come to secretly report some matters.

Danzo received a letter from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who wanted him to join them against Saiki Yuu. He killed their messenger and considered what to do with the letter, while making clear he had no intention of challenging Saiki Yuu.

• A trembling messenger told Danzo that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had sent him a letter.
• After taking the letter, Danzo killed the messenger with a Wind Blade.
• Danzo recalled that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had fled to the Land of Fire's capital after learning Saiki Yuu had ordered the Tailed Beasts to Konoha.
• Danzo realized the letter likely asked him to join their opposition to Saiki Yuu, but he refused to risk provoking Saiki Yuu.
• Danzo wondered whether he should destroy the letter.

Danzo waited outside Saiki Yuu’s mansion to deliver urgent news, fearing Yuu would punish him if he learned Danzo had seen a secret envelope. Yuu finally woke and attacked the visitor, leaving Danzo sprawled on the ground.

• Danzo worried that Saiki Yuu would discover the envelope and decided to act quickly.
• Danzo informed Hiruzen Sarutobi of the news, then waited outside Saiki Yuu’s mansion through the night.
• Tsunade woke Yuu in the morning by pointing out the persistent knocking, but Yuu tried to keep sleeping.
• Yuu grabbed Shusui, kicked open the door, and struck Danzo before recognizing him.
• Yuu cursed Danzo for knocking so early while Danzo cried out in pain.

Yuu beat Danzo before he could report that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had sent a letter plotting against Yuu. Yuu let Danzo keep his Wine Storage Room assignment, then demanded half of Danzo’s demolition compensation for a replacement door.

• Yuu beat Danzo, who had waited outside his door all night to deliver news.
• Yuu revealed that he already knew about the letter from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura and Danzo’s actions surrounding it.
• Yuu told Danzo that he could continue managing the Wine Storage Room project and ordered him to report for duty.
• Yuu demanded half of Danzo’s demolition compensation to replace the door, leaving Danzo grief-stricken.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on Danzo’s decision to give up his bid for Hokage and support Yuu. He and Yuu examined a secret letter revealing that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura planned to use Danzo’s laboratories to develop poison against Yuu.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi said Danzo had made the right choice by surrendering to Yuu, though the decision moved him because he and Danzo had competed for the Hokage position for decades.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yuu reviewed a secret letter from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to Danzo.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had proposed using Danzo’s laboratories and researchers to create drugs specifically to poison Saiki Yuu.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had rejected a direct attack on Yuu because of his overwhelming strength and instead believed poison could exploit his human weaknesses.

Yuu asked Hiruzen Sarutobi how he would handle Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura after they schemed to poison Yuu and back Danzo for Hokage. Hiruzen recognized that their plan threatened both Yuu and Konoha’s prosperity, leaving him determined not to let anyone endanger the village.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura offered to fund the research and support Danzo’s bid to become Fourth Hokage if it succeeded.
• Yuu asked Hiruzen Sarutobi how he planned to deal with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• Hiruzen recalled his former closeness with the two advisors and how they had become politicians after he became Third Hokage.
• Hiruzen reflected that Yuu’s Tailed Beast Arena had made Konoha wealthy, powerful, and increasingly independent.
• Hiruzen concluded that Yuu’s death could unleash the Tailed Beasts and bring about Konoha’s destruction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi decided that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had crossed the line by threatening Konoha to seek revenge on Yuu. Yuu told him to have the Land of Fire Daimyo send their heads to Konoha, leaving Hiruzen stunned.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's plan to target Yuu endangered Konoha and crossed his bottom line.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Yuu he would leave the two advisers to him and explain the matter to the Land of Fire.
• Yuu mocked Hiruzen Sarutobi for trying to look cool, and Hiruzen Sarutobi angrily considered challenging him before abandoning the idea.
• Yuu told Hiruzen Sarutobi to ask the Land of Fire Daimyo to send Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's heads to Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Yuu in disbelief at his demand.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura waited in the Land of Fire’s capital for their messenger to return from Konoha, suspecting Danzo had dealt with him. Koharu insisted Danzo would join their effort against Saiki Yuu, while Homura remained uneasy.

• Mitokado Homura told Utatane Koharu that their messenger had not returned or sent any news.
• Utatane Koharu said Danzo had likely killed the messenger and remained determined to take revenge on Saiki Yuu.
• Mitokado Homura questioned whether Danzo would accept their invitation, given his role in completing Konoha’s Tailed Beast Arena.
• Utatane Koharu argued that Danzo’s humiliation by Saiki Yuu would make him eager to join them.
• Utatane Koharu challenged Homura’s doubts by reminding him what Saiki Yuu had done to those who opposed him and to Danzo.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu considered how Saiki Yuu’s power had driven them from Konoha and threatened their political influence. They concluded that Saiki Yuu had to die if they wanted to return and regain authority.

• Utatane Koharu warned Mitokado Homura that they could not keep their high positions in the Land of Fire without Konoha as their foundation.
• Mitokado Homura recalled that Saiki Yuu had destroyed Root and feared they would be unable to survive a confrontation with him.
• Mitokado Homura realized their influence in Konoha would fade while they remained in the capital, leaving them vulnerable to the Daimyo’s advisers and other officials.
• Mitokado Homura concluded that Saiki Yuu’s death was the only way for them to return to Konoha.
• Utatane Koharu urged Mitokado Homura on by claiming they would regain even greater authority once Saiki Yuu was dead.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura planned to poison Saiki Yuu and steal his Black Blade Shusui, but the Daimyo’s forces surrounded their residence. As the Twelve Guardian Shinobi prepared to deliver their heads to Saiki Yuu, Koharu realized Danzo had betrayed them.

• Utatane Koharu assured Mitokado Homura that Danzo’s poison could weaken Saiki Yuu enough for them to steal the Black Blade Shusui.
• The Twelve Guardian Shinobi and armored samurai surrounded Koharu and Homura’s residence.
• The leader of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi told Koharu and Homura that the Daimyo had ordered their heads delivered to Saiki Yuu.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura realized Saiki Yuu was behind the move, and Koharu accused Danzo of betraying them.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura learned that the Daimyo had handed them over to Saiki Yuu in exchange for a chance to ride the Nine-Tails. They faced execution by poison on Saiki Yuu and the Third Hokage’s orders.

• Utatane Koharu demanded to know why the Daimyo had ordered the Twelve Guardian Shinobi to kill them.
• The leader of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi revealed that the Daimyo had traded their heads for one chance to ride the Nine-Tails.
• The Twelve Guardian Shinobi surrounded Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura’s residences, while the Daimyo’s staff welcomed their impending deaths.
• The leader told Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Saiki Yuu and the Third Hokage had ordered their execution and that the poison before them would leave their corpses intact.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura realized Saiki Yuu was using the poison they had planned to use against him.

Mitokado Homura regretted joining Utatane Koharu in conspiring against Saiki Yuu, recognizing that their greed had brought them to their deaths. Before taking the poison, he killed Utatane Koharu and prepared to face the Second Lord with some dignity.

• Mitokado Homura realized Hiruzen Sarutobi had tacitly accepted their deaths because Saiki Yuu was vital to Konoha.
• Mitokado Homura regretted letting Utatane Koharu and his own greed lead him into opposing Saiki Yuu.
• Utatane Koharu cursed Saiki Yuu, Danzo, and Hiruzen while Mitokado Homura held the poison.
• Mitokado Homura stabbed Utatane Koharu with his short blade, and she died.
• Mitokado Homura apologized to the leader of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi and said he could face the Second Lord with some dignity.