Chapter Summaries

The chapter followed the worsening wars between the shinobi villages and Nagato’s resolve to break the world’s cycle of hatred. It ended with Jiraiya leaving his three Rain Country pupils to shape their country’s future themselves.

• Ōnoki exploited Konoha’s restraint to reclaim occupied territory, while the Third Raikage resumed fighting and the battles against Sunagakure intensified.
• Tsunade deciphered Chiyo’s poison, and Konoha organized teams to target Sunagakure’s Elite Puppet Masters; Uchiha Chen’s squad survived a two-day battle that killed forty enemy ninja at the cost of ten of its own.
• Hatake Sakumo returned from a high-risk mission badly wounded and unsuccessful, leaving Konoha’s ninja wondering when the war would end.
• Nagato told Jiraiya that he did not yet know the road to peace but would one day break the curse of hatred and hold peace in his hands.
• Jiraiya left Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, urging them to rely on their own strength to change the Land of Rain.

Jiraiya returned to the Base as a reinforcement leader and reunited with Uchiha Chen, who accompanied him to find Minato. Jiraiya revealed that he had written only four words of his new novel.

• Uchiha Chen saw Jiraiya at the Jonin Meeting, where Orochimaru announced that Jiraiya had arrived with reinforcements.
• Orochimaru reviewed Konoha's remaining forces and squad assignments before the Jonin Meeting ended.
• Jiraiya caught up with Uchiha Chen and asked about Minato, while denying that Tsunade had beaten him.
• Uchiha Chen asked Jiraiya about his new novel, and Jiraiya admitted that he had written only four words.

Uchiha Chen joined Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo, and Jiraiya as they led nearly two hundred Konoha ninja across the desert toward the main battlefield. The Third Kazekage rushed out to defend Sunagakure’s thinly staffed front, unaware that Jiraiya was with the approaching force.

• Uchiha Chen greeted Jiraiya at the base gate, then met Hatake Sakumo, who asked him to coordinate with the team.
• Orochimaru addressed the nearly two hundred assembled Konoha ninja and led them toward the main battlefield with Hatake Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Chen.
• Orochimaru reminded Uchiha Chen to follow their earlier coordination, relying on his genjutsu to support the force in battle.
• Sunagakure’s intelligence ninja discovered Konoha’s advance only after the force had crossed much of the distance to the battlefield.
• The Third Kazekage led a rush from the Sunagakure base to reinforce the weak defensive line, not knowing Jiraiya had joined Konoha’s force.

Uchiha Chen, Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo, and Jiraiya cut through the Sunagakure forces with Chen's hand-signless Genjutsu before confronting the Third Kazekage. The Third Kazekage attacked Konoha's rear unit with Iron Sand, and Orochimaru's Rashomon was overwhelmed.

• Uchiha Chen used Genjutsu to create openings as Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo defeated Sand ninja on the main battlefield.
• Jiraiya watched Chen's Genjutsu and wondered how it could be used without Hand Seals.
• A scout detected powerful Chakra, and Orochimaru identified the approaching Third Kazekage and ordered the rear unit to circle around.
• The Third Kazekage confronted Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Chen, then unleashed Magnet Release: Sandstorm Flow at the Konoha troops behind them.
• Orochimaru summoned Rashomon to shield the Konoha troops, but the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand swallowed the gate.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Sakumo, and Uchiha Chen coordinated their attacks against the Third Kazekage, who descended from the sky and fought them with Iron Sand. Sakumo’s rapid sword strikes failed to injure him, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Jiraiya used the Toad Mouth Bind Technique to swallow the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand attack while Orochimaru praised the defense.
• Uchiha Chen attacked the airborne Third Kazekage with Fire Release and Shuriken, while Sakumo sent Chakra blades upward to meet his Iron Sand.
• The Third Kazekage descended and faced Orochimaru and Sakumo head-on as Uchiha Chen prepared to support them with Genjutsu and Jiraiya waited to harass him from range.
• The Third Kazekage formed vibrating Iron Sand spears, but Orochimaru’s Hidden Shadow Many Snake Hands diverted them as Sakumo charged.
• Uchiha Chen failed to catch the fast-moving Third Kazekage with Genjutsu, and Sakumo’s rapid sword strikes clashed against Iron Sand without injuring him.

Orochimaru, Sakumo, and Uchiha Chen struggled against the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand, with Jiraiya’s taunt helping Orochimaru regain his composure. The team’s counterattack overwhelmed the Kazekage’s defenses, and a rain of Kusanagi Swords buried him.

• The Third Kazekage exploited Orochimaru’s lapse in focus, but Uchiha Chen deflected his spear with shuriken, leaving Orochimaru with a cut on his face.
• Jiraiya mocked Orochimaru and prompted him to steady himself, while Sakumo called for help as the Iron Sand Shield wounded him.
• Sakumo exposed himself to restrain the Third Kazekage, allowing Uchiha Chen to pierce the Kazekage’s arm with a Monstrous Strength Kunai and Chidori Sharp Spear.
• Orochimaru and Jiraiya rushed in to support Sakumo and Chen as Iron Sand spears battered the area.
• Orochimaru summoned a giant snake that unleashed Kusanagi Sword Shadow Clones, while Jiraiya’s long white hair trapped the Third Kazekage’s feet.
• The Third Kazekage was submerged beneath the rain of Kusanagi Swords.

Jiraiya and the others fought the Third Kazekage, whose Iron Sand overwhelmed Orochimaru and separated the group. Uchiha Chen briefly trapped the Kazekage with Genjutsu, allowing Jiraiya to destroy his Iron Sand with a combined fire-and-water attack, though the fight’s outcome remained unclear.

• The Third Kazekage broke apart his Iron Sand Shield, separated Orochimaru and Sakumo, and sent Orochimaru flying with a kick.
• Jiraiya asked Uchiha Chen to use Genjutsu on the Third Kazekage while he prepared a way to destroy the Iron Sand.
• Uchiha Chen used Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique to paralyze the Third Kazekage for a few seconds.
• Jiraiya and Gamabunta combined Toad Oil Bullet with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, engulfing the Third Kazekage in flames.
• Gamabunta doused the red-hot Iron Sand with Water Release, causing it to crack and break apart.

Uchiha Chen, Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya defeated and captured the Third Kazekage, then sent a victory signal to the Konoha forces. Tsunade announced the victory on the battlefield and urged Konoha's ninja to finish the fight.

• The Third Kazekage unleashed Iron Sand World Method, but Uchiha Chen, Sakumo, and Orochimaru attacked him while Jiraiya's contribution left him badly scalded.
• Uchiha Chen briefly caught the Third Kazekage in a Genjutsu, allowing Orochimaru to wound him and Sakumo to stab him in the chest.
• Orochimaru rendered the Third Kazekage unconscious, sealed his Chakra, tied him up, and carried him away as a prisoner.
• Jiraiya agreed to signal victory, but Sakumo summoned eagles to send the message after Jiraiya stalled to talk about naming a child with Tsunade.
• Tsunade announced that the Third Kazekage had lost and Konoha had won the war, prompting Konoha's ninja to charge.

Orochimaru declared Konoha's victory after arriving at the battlefield with Manda and the captured Third Kazekage. Chiyo attacked Hatake Sakumo, but Sakumo knocked her unconscious, and Orochimaru offered the Sunagakure forces unconditional surrender, ending the battle.

• Orochimaru and the others arrived atop Manda, and Orochimaru displayed the captured Third Kazekage as proof that Konoha had won.
• Chiyo charged at Hatake Sakumo, prompting the Konoha ninja to attack her with a combined Ninjutsu technique.
• Chiyo used her Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to absorb the attack, but Sakumo reached her and knocked her unconscious.
• Orochimaru offered the Sunagakure ninja the choice to keep fighting or surrender and leave the battlefield unharmed.
• After one Sunagakure Chunin surrendered, the rest followed, leaving only the Konoha ninja and the unconscious Chiyo and Third Kazekage on the battlefield.

As Konoha's army headed home, Uchiha Chen and Himeji discussed her father's failing eyesight and agreed that she would join Chen's team. Meanwhile, Jiraiya struggled to learn the Rasengan from Minato and failed again, leaving him furious.

• Uchiha Chen watched the war-scarred Land of Rivers and spoke with Himeji about the peace they hoped would return.
• Himeji told Uchiha Chen that her father's eyesight was worsening, and Chen suggested asking Tsunade to examine him.
• Uchiha Chen asked Himeji what she planned to do after returning to the village, and she agreed to stay on his team.
• Uchiha Chen found Minato teaching Jiraiya the Rasengan, which Jiraiya had failed to learn during the three days since he began practicing.
• Jiraiya's water balloon burst in his face, and he cursed in frustration.

Uchiha Chen discovered that Mikoto had injured her hand meridians by training too hard to master Chidori. He took her to see Tsunade, while Minato watched their emotional exchange from a distance.

• Jiraiya angrily stomped on the water ball and left Minato and Uchiha Chen alone.
• Minato told Uchiha Chen that he could barely use the Rasengan because his Chakra reserves were too low.
• Uchiha Chen and Minato found Mikoto practicing Chidori beneath a rocky outcrop.
• Uchiha Chen saw that Mikoto’s hand meridians were badly swollen and learned that she had continued training despite the pain.
• Mikoto cried as Uchiha Chen apologized, then he took her to see Teacher Tsunade.

Uchiha Chen traveled with Konoha’s army as it escorted the captured Third Kazekage toward the Land of Fire, while Tsunade trained Nawaki and treated Mikoto’s injury. After another ambush, Orochimaru inspected the Kazekage’s seals and assured Chen they were under control, then learned Jiraiya had gone to show Tsunade his Rasengan.

• Tsunade harshly scolded Uchiha Chen for his reckless Ninjutsu and said Mikoto should consider giving up being a ninja if her dangerous training continued.
• Tsunade pushed Nawaki through brutal training, and Chen backed her up while ignoring Nawaki’s plea for help.
• Konoha’s army resumed its march with Orochimaru at the front, Sakumo at the rear, and the Third Kazekage guarded by Tsunade and Jiraiya.
• Two days later, Sand shinobi ambushed the army, but Konoha’s preparations prevented them from causing serious damage.
• Uchiha Chen and Sakumo checked the Kazekage’s cage seals, and Orochimaru inspected the seals before telling Chen everything was under control.
• Orochimaru asked where Jiraiya was and learned that Jiraiya had used the Rasengan in battle and gone to show it off to Tsunade.

As the Konoha group neared the Land of Fire, Uchiha Chen explained that the village had suspended Chunin evaluations to prepare for a joint Chunin Exams that would showcase its strength and attract missions and visitors. Meanwhile, the imprisoned Third Kazekage studied his cage’s seals and prayed for heavier rain to help him escape before they reached Konoha.

• Uchiha Chen recognized the group was approaching the Land of Fire from the greener scenery and more humid air, and explained how a joint Chunin Exams could aid Konoha’s postwar recovery.
• Nawaki worried about the exam’s theory portion, and Uchiha Chen joked that the exam scope was bigger than the ninja world.
• Heavy rain fell as the group traveled, while the Third Kazekage confirmed the cage’s sealing formulae repelled water.
• The Third Kazekage secretly analyzed the seals with his remaining Chakra and prayed the rain would slow the group enough to give him a chance to escape.

Uchiha Chen and his companions prepared to return to the Land of Fire while Jiraiya tried to recover from Tsunade dumping him. When the victorious army crossed the border, they found a large escort force waiting, apparently eager to claim credit for escorting the Third Kazekage.

• Jiraiya insisted that his hour-long date with Tsunade had ended in a breakup, and Uchiha Chen suggested a reckless way to win her back.
• Uchiha Chen told Minato to rest before the troops set out, and Minato said he was preparing bandages for Jiraiya.
• Uchiha Chen warned Nawaki and Minato that a battle might still occur because a major problem remained unresolved.
• The army crossed into the Land of Fire and cheered, while Orochimaru received a report that Konoha's escort team had arrived.
• Orochimaru recognized that the mixed escort force, led mostly by the Uchiha Clan, wanted to escort the Third Kazekage back and gain credit, while Jiraiya called them flies.

Orochimaru handed the prisoners over to a Konoha reception force led by Anbu and backed by the Uchiha Clan, despite the resentment this stirred among the returning shinobi. Two days into the journey toward Konoha, the imprisoned Third Kazekage broke the seal on his cage and prepared to take revenge.

• An Anbu shinobi presented the Hokage’s order and announced that his force would take charge of the prisoners, including the Third Kazekage.
• Orochimaru agreed to the handover while the returning shinobi recognized that Uchiha Yama and Danzo were seeking a share of the victory’s spoils.
• Jiraiya stayed silent as the force organized around the Kazekage’s cage and Chiyo, then set off toward Konoha.
• Two days later, the Third Kazekage used a counter-sealing formula he had drawn over nearly four days to break the seal on his cage.
• The Third Kazekage felt his Chakra returning and rejected the idea of forgiving Konoha, resolving to spill blood.

The Third Kazekage used Magnet Release to escape his cage and fought off the surrounding Konoha forces. Orochimaru’s plan to exploit the breakout was underway, while Uchiha Chen stopped Sakumo from interfering and the Kazekage searched for a way through the encirclement.

• The Third Kazekage secretly gathered Iron Sand from his cage and the earth beneath the convoy, while Orochimaru warned Uchiha Chen to keep his squad away from the coming fight.
• The Third Kazekage caused an explosion and attacked a nearby Anbu squad with Iron Sand, prompting Uchiha Chen to order his squad to retreat.
• Orochimaru ordered the Uchiha Clan and Root forces to capture the Third Kazekage, then left to gather Jonin while letting the fighting wear down his political rivals.
• Uchiha Chen stopped Sakumo from joining the battle before the Third Kazekage could be killed too quickly.
• The Third Kazekage held off the combined Anbu and Uchiha assault with his Iron Sand Shield and looked for an opening to escape.

Orochimaru intervened to protect the Konoha reinforcements from the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand attack, allowing Uchiha Chen and Hatake Sakumo to subdue him. Chen then reunited with the surviving Uchiha, whose awe at his strength left Uchiha Kan uneasy.

• The Third Kazekage unleashed Iron Sand World Method, trapping the Root and Uchiha Ninja as the Konoha forces sheltered behind a combined Earth Wall.
• Orochimaru summoned snakes to shield the trapped ninja from the Iron Sand needles.
• After the attack faded, Uchiha Chen and Hatake Sakumo rushed the exhausted Kazekage, and Chen subdued him with Genjutsu.
• The surviving Uchiha praised Chen’s strength, while Uchiha Kan recalled bringing him to the clan years earlier and recognized how much he had grown.
• Chen greeted Uchiha Kan and left the clansmen to receive treatment as they admired his strength and politeness.

Uchiha Chen reflected with Orochimaru on death, war, and the briefness of life as they returned from sealing the Third Kazekage. Back with Jiraiya and Minato, Chen learned Jiraiya planned to travel with Tsunade, while Jiraiya said he would leave the village after settling the remaining matters.

• Uchiha Chen found Orochimaru resealing the unconscious Third Kazekage and reflected on survival, death, and the people he cherished.
• Orochimaru told Uchiha Chen about graduating at six during the First Great Ninja War, Konoha’s turmoil after the Second Hokage’s death, and his belief that conflict came from desire while people died because mortal life was brief.
• Orochimaru finished redrawing the Third Kazekage’s seal and suggested that Uchiha Chen bring Minato Namikaze to study the unfinished sealing work.
• Jiraiya told Uchiha Chen that Tsunade had invited him to travel with her, and he planned to take enough money for their trip.
• Jiraiya said he would leave the village after dealing with the remaining loose ends, as he preferred life outside Konoha’s struggles.

Kushina arrived early at Uchiha Chen’s house for their planned outing and accidentally discovered him sleeping naked. After they argued over her breaking his furniture and sneaking in with a copied key, she found his hidden book and made him agree to leave with her.

• Kushina let herself into Chen’s house with a hidden key and screamed when she found him sleeping naked.
• Chen covered himself with a blanket, and Kushina opened the curtains while he awkwardly greeted her.
• Chen noticed that Kushina had broken all the living-room furniture while cleaning and asked why she had come early.
• Kushina reminded Chen that they had planned to go out at eight, and he realized he had forgotten.
• Chen questioned how Kushina had entered, and she threatened to read his hidden book with Mikoto.
• Kushina found the book in a hidden compartment, so Chen gave in and agreed to go out with her.

Uchiha Chen took Kushina through the Uchiha Clan's Commercial Street and learned why clan members had begun treating him like a hero. The chapter ended when Kushina recognized a cut cake seller who had once overcharged her and forced her to buy an enormous piece.

• Uchiha Chen brought Kushina to the Uchiha Clan's Commercial Street, where clan members crowded around to welcome him and offer him food.
• Kushina remarked that Chen was more popular than he had been at the Ninja Academy, and Chen attributed the reception to his growing battlefield reputation and the clan's dissatisfaction with Uchiha Yama.
• Chen showed Kushina around the xenophobic Commercial Street, where the Uchiha members' stares made her uncomfortable.
• Kushina pointed out a cut cake seller and told Chen that he had once cut her a huge piece after agreeing to sell her only a little.
• Kushina explained that the seller had demanded five hundred taels and threatened to call the Police Force if she refused to buy the cake.