Chapter Summaries

The auction ended with Kirigakure winning the ninja sword, but Kakuzu demanded payment before handing it over. As the Mizukage sought a loan, a Sand Ninja arrived with an alarming letter for the Kazekage.

• Kakuzu watched the bidding exceed ten billion, and the Mizukage offered eleven billion for Frostmourne.
• Black Zetsu learned that ninja villages had gathered in the Land of Iron and discussed recruiting a wandering ninja organization.
• The Raikage and Tsuchikage called for a campaign against the Goddess Alliance, while the Kazekage and Mizukage focused on their swords.
• Kirigakure won the auction, but Kakuzu refused to hand over Joy of Fire without payment.
• Xun Uzumaki arrived and urged Kakuzu to return to the Land of Whirlpools with the money, and the Mizukage agreed to arrange payment.
• A Sand Ninja rushed in and handed the Kazekage a letter, reporting that something terrible had happened.

Black Zetsu learned that the Five Great Shinobi Villages had targeted the Goddess Alliance over stolen ninja swords and realized Xun Uzumaki had framed them. Back in the Land of Whirlpools, Xun discussed weapons and funding with Qian Luo before leaving to arrange more money.

• Black Zetsu learned that Kumogakure demanded the return of its Legendary Ninja Swords and that Sunagakure blamed the Goddess Alliance for stealing its sword.
• Black Zetsu realized Xun Uzumaki had set up the organization and cursed him.
• Xun returned to the Land of Whirlpools with Kakuzu and privately wished Black Zetsu luck as the villages grew suspicious of the Goddess Alliance.
• Xun asked Qian Luo about the Phantom Tank and guided missiles, but Qian Luo dismissed them as impractical.
• Qian Luo told Xun that the Chakra Cannon had reached A-rank power and was undergoing testing, then complained that the Research Institute needed more funding.
• Xun promised Kakuzu would allocate funds, suggested Qian Luo train assistants, and left using Flying Thunder God.

In February, the Land of Whirlpools celebrated new citizenships and home purchases before holding Xun Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha’s wedding. As Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived at the border, they found the checkpoint deserted and no boats in sight.

• Black Zetsu scattered the Goddess Alliance across the Shinobi World to evade the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ crackdown.
• The Land of Whirlpools relaxed its citizenship requirements, allowing many outsiders to become citizens and buy homes.
• The newly settled residents hosted feasts throughout February, and even the Minister of Finance attended several meals.
• At the outdoor wedding, Madara Uchiha walked Mikoto Uchiha to Xun Uzumaki, while Nagato teased Xun about Kushina and the other women’s displeasure.
• Zicheng told Xun Uzumaki that Oyashiro En had been captured by Night Bee while helping him escape.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived at the border of the Land of Whirlpools and found no boats or staff at the checkpoint.

Jiraiya brought Tsunade to the Land of Whirlpools, where a police officer’s arrival left her shocked. At Xun Uzumaki and Mikoto’s wedding, Xun noticed Kushina’s distress and, with Mikoto’s encouragement, went to speak with her.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade waited for a bus on a deserted road until a police car arrived, and Tsunade was stunned when the young officer stepped out.
• Uchiha Qi photographed the wedding while Muxin Tree assisted and complained about the exhausting work.
• Nagato sat anxiously with Konan, Yahiko, and Kushina, then nearly dropped his food when everyone stared at him.
• Xun Uzumaki noticed Kushina’s reddened eyes and changed appearance, and decided he needed to talk with her.
• Mikoto took Xun to Kushina’s table, saying she wanted to speak with her too.

Black Zetsu learned that Xun Uzumaki was getting married and that the organization had suffered heavy losses, while the wedding gathering exposed tensions between Xun and his childhood friends. Kushina reunited with Xun and asked whether he loved her, leaving his answer unresolved.

• White Zetsu told Black Zetsu that Xun Uzumaki was getting married and that many organization members had been captured, so Black Zetsu ordered them to keep hiding.
• Jiraiya arrived at the wedding gathering, ate without giving a gift, and handed Kushina a book called Pickup Manual after misunderstanding the women's feelings.
• Kushina left when Xun Uzumaki approached with Mikoto, and Mikoto stayed behind to talk with Xiangzi and Nonō while Xun followed Kushina.
• Muxin Tree recognized Tsunade when she arrived at the gathering.
• Xun Uzumaki caught up with Kushina, comforted her, and she hugged him before asking whether he liked her.

Jiraiya was beaten by Tsunade, who was troubled by what she had learned about Konoha and the Senju and Uchiha clans. Meanwhile, Xun Uzumaki planned the Land of Whirlpools’ security, industry, and wartime preparations, then decided to involve Tsunade in revising the academy’s textbooks.

• Tsunade beat Jiraiya, then healed his injuries while he asked when she would return to Konoha.
• Tsunade reflected on Shuzen Senju’s revelations about Konoha’s treatment of the Senju and Uchiha clans and said she needed time to decide what to do.
• Tsunade said Fugaku Uchiha had told her where Jiraiya was, and Jiraiya planned to invite Fugaku for drinks after work.
• Xun Uzumaki directed Hibiki Uzumaki to halt car production, focus on exporting balance scooters, finish border defenses, and prepare war supplies.
• Hibiki Uzumaki reported that Jiraiya taught at the academy and Tsunade had become a medical theory instructor.
• Xun Uzumaki ordered Clan Head to organize textbook revisions and include Tsunade, then planned to visit people around the Land of Whirlpools.

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered the Goddess Alliance, the Land of Whirlpools, and the missing Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu, then sent Danzo a mission that pushed him toward a Wood Release plan. In the Land of Whirlpools, Obito began his police internship under Fugaku Uchiha and prepared to patrol with him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi wondered why Jiraiya and Tsunade had disappeared and questioned the Goddess Alliance's ideals and leadership.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on the missing Sealing Jutsu and the Land of Whirlpools, then decided it was time for his good friend to act.
• Danzo received a mission from Hiruzen Sarutobi and decided to put his plan involving Wood Release into action.
• Obito arrived at the Public Security Bureau for his internship, and Fugaku Uchiha told him to learn the procedures and join him on patrol.

Black Zetsu abandoned the Goddess Alliance’s bases in the five great nations as the anti-crime campaign crushed its ranks, while Konoha ended the crackdown after pressure from the daimyos. Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Minato to help Kakashi, and, fearing other villages would pursue the Legendary Ninja Swords, he considered striking first at the Land of Whirlpools.

• Black Zetsu ordered the Goddess Alliance to abandon its bases in the five great nations and rebuild in smaller countries.
• The Five Great Shinobi Villages halted their anti-crime campaign after the daimyos demanded an end to the operation and the release of arrested civilians.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Minato to help Kakashi recover from his grief and learn to value his comrades.
• Minato agreed to take responsibility for Kakashi and left the Hokage Building to teach his team.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Iwagakure and other villages would start a war over the Legendary Ninja Swords and considered striking first at the Land of Whirlpools.

Rumors accusing the Five Great Shinobi Villages of killing civilians intensified tensions across the Shinobi World as rival villages prepared for conflict. In the Land of Whirlpools, Xun Uzumaki readied defenses and planned to root out spies, while Obito looked forward to completing his probation as a police officer.

• Rumors blamed the Five Great Shinobi Villages for abducting and killing civilians, prompting the daimyos to demand explanations as the villages searched for the source.
• Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure began forming an alliance and strengthening their defenses against Konoha and Kirigakure.
• Xun Uzumaki identified Black Zetsu as the likely source of the rumors and discussed preparations for the coming war with Hibiki Uzumaki.
• Xun Uzumaki ordered Hibiki Uzumaki to raise Chakra Center prices, attract more shinobi, and help the military protect civilians while clearing spies from the Land of Whirlpools.
• Fugaku Uchiha warned Obito to stay alert on patrol and hinted that a successful assignment could end his probation, prompting Obito to vow he would do well.

During the Land of Whirlpools festival, Xun Uzumaki spent time with Kushina and the pregnant Mikoto, then visited Juzo Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki’s grilled fish restaurant. The festival continued around them as Kakashi focused on his mission, while Xun left feeling at peace with the happy life his companions had built.

• Kushina brought Xun Uzumaki to Mikoto, who told him her pregnancy was healthy and that Xiangzi and Nonō would deliver the baby.
• Kushina led Xun, Mikoto, and the others to enjoy the festival’s food.
• Kakashi refused Rin Nohara and Shizune’s offers of takoyaki and went to check the area while keeping his attention on their mission.
• Xun visited Juzo Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki’s busy grilled fish restaurant and learned that Juzo’s son would start school the following year.
• Suikazan Fuguki served grilled fish, and Xun praised it as he shared it with Mikoto and the others.

Xun Uzumaki and Mikoto avoided interrupting Madara Uchiha during the festival, while Tobi argued with Madara over his pancake. Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha confronted Shizune and Rin Nohara over their entry permits and was about to arrest them when someone intervened.

• Xun Uzumaki spotted Madara Uchiha at a pancake stall but chose not to disturb him, and he and Mikoto rejoined Kushina.
• Tobi teased Madara about his teeth before handing him a fresh-meat pancake, which Madara carefully put away.
• Fugaku Uchiha questioned Shizune and Rin Nohara about their entry permits and confirmed their Chakra seals were in place.
• Obito reported over the police radio that Kakashi was refusing to cooperate, and Shizune and Rin feared their mission had been exposed.
• Fugaku prepared to arrest Shizune and Rin after they took fighting stances, but a familiar voice told him to wait.

Tsunade persuaded Shizune and Rin Nohara to conceal their visit to the Land of Whirlpools and abandon their investigation. Jiraiya intervened when Obito tried to arrest Kakashi, leaving Obito determined to continue enforcing the law.

• Xun Uzumaki let Shizune and Rin Nohara go, choosing not to worsen relations with Tsunade.
• Shizune and Rin told Tsunade that Minato-sensei had sent them to investigate the Land of Whirlpools and help Kakashi relax.
• Tsunade ordered them not to mention the Land of Whirlpools to Konoha and took them to enjoy the festival instead of continuing their mission.
• Jiraiya stepped between Kakashi and Obito as Kakashi's sword threatened Obito, then praised Kakashi's swordsmanship.
• Obito refused to stop enforcing the law, so Jiraiya turned to Kakashi and tried to keep the incident from escalating into war.

After more than two years in the Land of Whirlpools, Hiruko reflected on his peaceful life and discussed the country’s energy shortage with Qian Luo. Hiruko proposed studying plants as a source of Chakra, but their conversation was interrupted by Jiraiya.

• Hiruko greeted Qian Luo and went with him to get breakfast, while considering how his life in the Land of Whirlpools had changed.
• Qian Luo and Hiruko discussed the Land of Whirlpools’ growing energy shortage and the lack of progress in extracting Chakra externally.
• Hiruko suggested that plants might absorb Chakra and proposed studying how they gained it.
• Hiruko said he had imported Chakra Tree seeds through Gato and given them to Yuta to cultivate.
• Jiraiya greeted Hiruko and Qian Luo, interrupting their conversation.

Hiruko spent the morning with Jiraiya, then planned to visit Yuta and check on chakra plant cultivation. Meanwhile, Xun Uzumaki reorganized the Land of Whirlpools' security forces and rejected Konoha's demand to return rogue ninja, leaving the country to prepare for growing tensions.

• Jiraiya joined Hiruko for breakfast, and Hiruko agreed to meet him again at noon despite Jiraiya's freeloading and material-gathering habits.
• Hiruko reflected on becoming dean of the College of Biology and planned to get a haircut before visiting Yuta about chakra plant cultivation.
• Xun Uzumaki decided to create security branch offices as the Land of Whirlpools expanded into newly acquired territory.
• Xun Uzumaki appointed Miyakado as Minister of National Security, Fugaku as Director of the Public Security Bureau, and Zongxiu as Director of the New City Branch.
• Hibiki Uzumaki told Xun Uzumaki that Konoha demanded the return of rogue ninja, but Xun refused and prepared for possible conflict.

As the Five Great Shinobi Villages condemned the Land of Whirlpools and prepared to seize its wealth and technology, Xun Uzumaki explained that war was unavoidable and called on the country’s clans to unite. The clan leaders pledged their support, while Xun left service in the coming war voluntary for other former rogues and Kekkei Genkai clans.

• The Five Great Shinobi Villages denounced the Land of Whirlpools for sheltering rogue ninja, and Konoha threatened to dissolve its alliance over the Uchiha Clan’s presence there.
• Xun Uzumaki told the Land of Whirlpools’ officials that its wealth, technology, and political system had made it a target, so war could not be avoided.
• Clan Head agreed to fight, and Miyakado, Fugaku Uchiha, and Aoba Kamitsuru pledged their clans’ support for the Land of Whirlpools.
• Xun Uzumaki said the country should trust its new citizens but would not force rogue ninja and Kekkei Genkai clans to fight, even as he expected them to defend their homeland if they chose to stay.

As the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ threat pushed the Land of Whirlpools toward war, Shusen Senju and Roshi wrestled with their divided loyalties and hopes for peace. Meanwhile, Xun Uzumaki prepared to meet Konoha on behalf of the Akatsuki Organization, suspicious of its motives.

• Workers in the Land of Whirlpools worried that war was coming and cursed the Five Great Shinobi Villages while Shusen Senju listened, conflicted over Konoha and the Senju Clan’s future.
• Shusen Senju wondered whether Hashirama’s Will of Fire had truly been right as he considered Lady Tsunade’s place in the clan and the country.
• Roshi questioned whether he should protect the Land of Whirlpools or stand by Iwagakure, and Four-Tails urged him not to worry about a war he could not control.
• Roshi reaffirmed his belief that outstanding people such as Hashirama Senju and the Land of Whirlpools’ daimyo could guide humanity toward peace.
• Xun Uzumaki learned that Konoha had requested a meeting with Kakuzu, the Akatsuki Organization’s leader, and decided to find out what Konoha intended.

Black Zetsu decided to wait for Madara Uchiha to die before trying to take the Rinnegan, while Xun Uzumaki went to Konoha disguised as Deva Path Pain to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi. In the Land of Whirlpools, Sasori reunited with his family and told Chiyo he would serve as a soldier in the coming war, leaving her worried for his safety.

• Black Zetsu rejected acting against Xun Uzumaki directly and planned to wait for Madara Uchiha to die before attempting to retrieve the Rinnegan and cause trouble for the Land of Whirlpools.
• Xun Uzumaki arrived at Konoha disguised as Deva Path Pain and told the gate guard that Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned him.
• Chiyo prepared Qian Luo and Kiko for the coming birth, while Qian Luo assured her that a doctor and transport were ready.
• Sasori returned home, embraced Qian Luo, and greeted Chiyo and Kiko before joining them for a meal.
• Sasori told Chiyo he was a soldier of the Land of Whirlpools and could not avoid serving in the coming war, and Chiyo urged him to stay alive.

Xun Uzumaki rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s proposal that the Akatsuki Organization remain neutral, but agreed to sell military equipment to the Five Great Shinobi Villages. After the villages declared war on the Land of Whirlpools, Xun stayed confident as some residents fled while others volunteered to support the country.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered the Akatsuki Organization a testing ground and promised weapons purchases if it stayed neutral, and Xun Uzumaki agreed to sell the equipment without committing to neutrality.
• The Five Great Shinobi Villages declared war on the Land of Whirlpools, accusing it of violating treaties by refusing to return rogue shinobi.
• About ten thousand migrant workers left the Land of Whirlpools, and Xun Uzumaki accepted their departure without trying to stop them.
• Hibiki Uzumaki reported that weapons deliveries to the five villages were complete and that workers were volunteering, forming a worker corps, and donating supplies to the military.
• Xun Uzumaki refused the workers’ donations of money, accepted their supplies, and declared that the Land of Whirlpools would win.

The Senju Clan stayed behind in the Land of Whirlpools rather than join the war, leaving Muxin Tree conflicted until Uchiha Qi challenged him to choose. Madara read about communism and criticized Hashirama’s village system as the chapter ended.

• Tsunade refused to let the Senju Clan leave to fight, and Shusen Senju sent the frustrated clansmen back to their rooms.
• Muxin Tree wondered whether he was abandoning his comrades and recalled his family’s deaths and the Senju Clan’s troubled history with Konoha.
• Uchiha Qi confronted Muxin Tree, called him a coward for making excuses, and said the Senju Clan had truly lost by staying behind.
• Madara read about communism, criticized Hashirama’s one-country, one-village policy, and called Hashirama an idiot.

As the Five Great Shinobi Villages prepared to invade the Land of Whirlpools, its citizens and police worked to keep the home front stable while its soldiers prepared for battle. Obito continued his police duties as Uchiha Qi and Muxin Tree served on the eastern front, where Muxin Tree held on to a red egg given by an elderly civilian as a reminder of the people relying on them.

• The Five Great Shinobi Villages began marching toward the Land of Whirlpools, and the Whirlpool Ninja destroyed the bridge connecting it to the Land of Fire.
• The Land of Whirlpools maintained stable supplies and sent police officers to reassure citizens, while many civilians, wandering shinobi, and merchants left the country.
• Obito continued visiting households and monitoring the country, though Director Fugaku refused to let him join the front lines.
• Uchiha Qi gave Muxin Tree his boxed lunch on the eastern battlefield, where their forces were assigned to face Kirigakure.
• Muxin Tree explained that he planned to keep the red egg an elderly civilian had given him until the war ended, because it reminded him of the people's hopes and his duty as a soldier.