Chapter Summaries

As the Five Great Shinobi Villages prepared to encircle the Land of Whirlpools, Shika Nara proposed splitting their forces and sending Minato ahead to destroy the Chakra Cannons. In the Land of Whirlpools, Hiruko saw that its citizens trusted Prince Xun to return, though he knew the military situation was grim, and resolved to do something himself.

• Shika Nara proposed surrounding the Land of Whirlpools and dividing the allied forces, believing they could win while Xun Uzumaki was missing.
• Shika Nara told Minato that the Third Hokage wanted him to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to draw the defenders’ attention and destroy their Chakra Cannons, and Minato agreed.
• Citizens of the Land of Whirlpools continued their daily routines and trusted that Prince Xun would return to save them.
• Hiruko bought pork from a stall owner, who thanked him and the academy’s teachers for protecting the country.
• Hiruko left with the pork and, despite reassuring the stall owner, resolved to do something to help the Land of Whirlpools.

Shisui sneaked out of the Uchiha compound to join the front lines and confront Clan Head Fugaku about leaving the Land of Whirlpools, but Obito stopped him. Obito sent Shisui back and revealed that the rule keeping children off the battlefield had originated with the First Hokage.

• Shisui slipped out of the Uchiha compound and said he wanted to reach the front lines and ask Fugaku why he had left the Land of Whirlpools.
• Obito caught Shisui, reassured him that Fugaku would return, and refused to let him go to war because he was under fifteen.
• Shisui revealed that he had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan, but Obito still insisted that he return to the clan compound.
• Obito told Shisui that he would go to the battlefield the next day and urged him to protect the clan members and himself.
• Shisui asked who had established the rule barring children from war, and Obito said it was the First Hokage, then mocked Konoha for letting children fight.

The Land of Whirlpools struggled with a severe troop shortage as the Shinobi Village Alliance split its forces, while Hiruko and Orochimaru’s research offered a possible answer. The chapter left the outcome uncertain as Orochimaru discovered something interesting about the Land of Whirlpools’ Life Potion.

• Qian Luo and Hiruko discussed reviving the elderly Madara with Impure World Reincarnation and worried about their research deadline.
• Mikoto returned to the hospital with her newborn after Xiangzi caught her trying to leave, and she gave the baby to Itachi while Kushina urged her to stay safe.
• Kakashi reflected on his father, his love for Konoha, and his hope that he and his fellow prisoners could help change the village.
• Juzo Biwa decided to head to the front lines to prove himself to his son, despite Suikazan Fuguki warning that he had only been slaughtering fish.
• Captured ninjas from various villages formed an independent defense force and helped the Land of Whirlpools cover its increasingly stretched front lines.
• At the Biological Research Institute, Orochimaru studied documents about the Land of Whirlpools’ Life Potion and said he understood how it worked.

The Land of Whirlpools’ defenders reflected on their comfortable lives as they fought the invading forces, while Black Zetsu searched for Tobi and Madara Uchiha’s Rinnegan. As the Five Great Shinobi Villages prepared to bring in their Kage and Tailed Beasts, Jie backed the younger generation and hinted that the Land of Whirlpools would take the fight to its enemies.

• A young and middle-aged Hyūga from the moon discussed how much they preferred ordinary life in the Land of Whirlpools, then returned to battle the invaders.
• Black Zetsu ordered White Zetsu clones to search for Tobi and the Rinnegan, worried that Xun Uzumaki might return.
• Zimu Uzumaki worried that the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ Kage and Tailed Beasts would overwhelm the Land of Whirlpools.
• Nagato and Konan volunteered to fight a Kage, and Jie encouraged them to prove their strength.
• Jie looked to the confident younger generation and suggested that the Land of Whirlpools could invade its enemies rather than merely defend itself.

Minato asked Orochimaru to help him overthrow Konoha’s corrupt leadership and rebuild the village, but Orochimaru proposed using someone else to do it. Elsewhere, Hiruko and Qian Luo began using the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to revive Director Madara.

• Orochimaru explained to Minato that his corpse research was legal in the Land of Whirlpools, though he had secretly taken the body from a battlefield.
• Minato asked Orochimaru to help transform Konoha into a peaceful and equal village, and Orochimaru argued that Konoha could never become like the Land of Whirlpools.
• Minato revealed that he wanted to destroy Konoha’s decayed structures and start over, and Orochimaru suggested someone else was better suited to bring it down.
• Qian Luo gave Hiruko the materials he had gathered for the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Hiruko apologized to Director Madara and cast the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

Itachi encountered the Kirigakure ninja Zabuza and Kisame while buying food in the Land of Whirlpools, and they tried to capture him after discovering his Three Tomoe Sharingan. Kisame was kicked out of the fog by an unknown figure, whose angry voice demanded to know who they were trying to take.

• Shika Nara grew concerned that the Fourth Hokage had not acted according to plan and wondered whether he had been stopped or someone had returned.
• Zabuza and Kisame entered the Land of Whirlpools to recover Kirigakure's ninja swords and considered capturing its residents for directions.
• Itachi encountered Zabuza and Kisame while carrying roast chicken and milk candies for his baby brother, then refused to guide them.
• Itachi threw kunai at the two mist ninja and revealed his Three Tomoe Sharingan as Zabuza attacked.
• Kisame spread thick fog and attacked Itachi, but an unknown figure burst out of it and sent Kisame flying.

Madara Uchiha appeared to protect Itachi, defeated Kisame and Zabuza, and revealed himself to the boy as his grandfather. As Madara prepared to finish off the mist ninja, someone emerged through a spatial distortion and blocked his sword.

• Madara Uchiha appeared before Itachi and threatened the mist ninja, then revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan and declared he would kill them.
• Madara attacked Kisame and Zabuza with a huge fireball, taijutsu, and Uchiha-style swordsmanship, breaking Zabuza’s blade and knocking both men down.
• Itachi recognized Madara from family stories and a statue, and Madara confirmed they had met when Itachi was little.
• A black-haired man in red armor joined them, spoke familiarly with Madara, and remarked on how much he had changed.
• Madara turned back toward the kneeling Kisame and Zabuza and raised his blade, but a figure appeared through spatial fluctuations and blocked the strike.

Uchiha Obito arrived during a battle and mistook Madara Uchiha for an impostor who had taken Itachi. After Hiruko explained that Madara and Hashirama Senju had been revived with Impure World Reincarnation, Obito accepted the truth, while Kisame and Zabuza faced the surrounding whirlpool ninja.

• Obito arrived, saw Madara Uchiha with Itachi, and demanded that he release the boy and leave the Land of Whirlpools.
• Madara attacked Obito, who used his space-time ability to evade the blade and absorb Madara’s huge sea of flames to protect nearby civilians.
• Itachi told Obito that the Mangekyo user was Grandpa Madara, but Obito accused Madara of impersonating the dead Uchiha.
• Hiruko explained that Madara had been revived with Impure World Reincarnation and that Orochimaru had summoned Hashirama Senju.
• Obito recognized Madara and greeted him happily, while Kisame and Zabuza realized they were surrounded by hostile whirlpool ninja.

Madara and Hashirama debated whether the dead should intervene as Obito and Itachi urged them to trust the Land of Whirlpools’ defenders. Madara gave Obito the Rinnegan, then left with Itachi to visit Mikoto, who had been anxiously searching for her son.

• Madara prepared to kill Kisame and Zabuza, but Hashirama stopped him and promised to judge Konoha’s condition himself.
• Obito and Itachi persuaded Madara that the Land of Whirlpools could defend itself, and Itachi offered him roast chicken and milk candies.
• Obito delivered Fugaku’s sealed box to Hiruko, and Madara identified the Rinnegan inside and transplanted it into Obito.
• Madara gave Itachi his own box containing another Rinnegan and a piece of milk candy, then decided to visit Mikoto with him.
• Mikoto searched frantically for Itachi and threatened to smack him when he returned, and Itachi arrived with Madara.

Tobi stayed hidden underground and continued drawing while Madara and Hashirama welcomed a baby into the family and discussed Konoha’s corruption. Obito exposed Kirigakure’s attempt to kidnap Itachi, and the Uzumaki Clan Head ordered the captured Mist ninja punished as Obito’s new idea went unheard.

• Tobi resisted his craving to leave his hiding place, then resumed drawing and declared himself a great artist.
• Madara and Hashirama admired the baby, while Kushina criticized Konoha’s treatment of the Land of Whirlpools and Hashirama lamented what Konoha had become.
• Tsunade entered the room and recognized Madara as her great-grandfather.
• Obito brought two captured Mist ninja to the Uzumaki Clan Head and explained that they had tried to kidnap Itachi.
• The Uzumaki Clan Head ordered the Mist ninja taken away to be fed to the fish, while Obito quietly mentioned that he had just thought of a good idea.

Tsunade reunited with Hashirama and told him that her father and Nawaki had died protecting Konoha, while Kushina explained that the Senju had survived by changing their surname to Mu. Hashirama learned that Xun, the Land of Whirlpools' daimyo who had saved the clan, had disappeared, and Madara began explaining what happened at the Valley of the End.

• Tsunade questioned whether Hashirama was really her great-grandfather, then recognized him and embraced him after learning he had been resurrected with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hashirama asked about Tsunade's family, and she revealed that her father and her younger brother Nawaki had died protecting Konoha.
• Kushina explained that the Senju Clan had nearly been wiped out but survived through Xun's help, changing their surname to Mu to avoid Konoha's retaliation.
• Hashirama asked to thank Xun, but Tsunade told him that Xun had disappeared and had not been found.
• Mikoto asked Madara what he knew about Xun's disappearance, and Madara began recounting events that started with his battle against Hashirama at the Valley of the End.

Black Zetsu learned that Fugaku Uchiha had appeared in Konoha while Madara and Hashirama discussed Xun Uzumaki’s disappearance and prepared to address Konoha’s problems. Madara left to find Xun, and a red-haired man returned to the desert.

• Black Zetsu learned that Fugaku Uchiha had been spotted in Konoha and decided to investigate personally.
• Madara dismissed the possibility that Black Zetsu had killed Xun and said he would question him after dealing with the current problems.
• Hashirama declined to return to the Senju Clan, then learned from Tsunade that Kuhon was being mistreated in Konoha because of the war and her Jinchuriki status.
• Hashirama and Madara decided to set out for Konoha, and Madara handed the sleeping baby to Mikoto before promising Itachi he would bring Xun back.
• A red-haired man looked across a desolate desert and said he had finally returned.

After returning to Konoha Year 48, Xun Uzumaki opened the coffin where he expected to find Qianmu Zi and discovered only a piece of milk candy. In Konoha, Hiruzen ordered Danzo to prepare to mistreat Minato’s newborn son, while the masked figure watched the village and reflected on the Uchiha’s suffering.

• Xun Uzumaki returned to early October of Konoha Year 48 after a year away and entered the chamber where the Dragon Vein had been preserved.
• Xun Uzumaki opened the gold-sand coffin to wake Qianmu Zi, but found only a piece of milk candy inside.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Danzo that Minato’s son should grow up amid hardship as a Jinchuriki, and Danzo realized Hiruzen expected him to carry out the plan.
• Kuhon, waiting in a Konoha courtyard, wondered when Minato would return before their child was born.
• A masked figure watched Konoha and recalled the blood, tears, and sweat the Uchiha had given the village before vowing to end the hatred.

Xun Uzumaki reunited with Gamamaru, now the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, and learned that the Dragon Vein he had created gave Gamamaru the ability to foresee the future. Meanwhile, Shika Nara waited for word from the Fourth Hokage and began to suspect that the Land of Whirlpools' Daimyo disappearance was part of a conspiracy.

• Xun Uzumaki asked Fukasaku to arrange a meeting with the Great Toad Sage and hurried past Shima's bowl of grilled bugs to the temple.
• The Great Toad Sage recognized Xun Uzumaki as his teacher, and Xun realized the toad was Gamamaru from the past.
• Gamamaru began recounting how he gained the ability to foresee the future through the Dragon Vein Xun had created with Chakra and Sage Jutsu.
• Shika Nara ordered the Konoha shinobi to keep waiting for the Fourth Hokage rather than charge through the enemy artillery.
• Shika Nara wondered whether the Land of Whirlpools' Daimyo had never disappeared and whether the situation was a conspiracy.

Xun Uzumaki learned why Qianmu Zi and Kaguya had waited and acted to bring him back, then left to seek a way to free Kaguya. Hashirama and Madara approached Konoha to confront its leadership, while Black Zetsu and White Zetsu felt a growing chill.

• Gamamaru told Xun Uzumaki that Qianmu Zi had founded the Ancient Kingdom of Roran and later chose to die rather than wake to a ruined Lan Village or miss Xun.
• Gamamaru explained that Kaguya had sought the Chakra Fruit to meet Xun, allowed herself to be sealed, and that he had guided events toward the future they had foreseen.
• Xun Uzumaki received a golden Cat's Eye Gem from Gamamaru and left to seek a way to free Kaguya and meet Hagoromo.
• Hashirama hoped to persuade Little Monkey and Konoha's leaders, while Madara warned that he would destroy Konoha if talks failed.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu shivered from an increasing cold until a voice behind them remarked that it was late autumn and they needed warmer clothes.

Xun Uzumaki returned and confronted Black and White Zetsu, while mistaking Black Zetsu’s fear for the loneliness of an abandoned son. After forgiving him for the invasion plot, Xun was interrupted by a huge blast and the appearance of the Nine-Tails.

• Black and White Zetsu realized their clones had failed to report that Xun Uzumaki had returned from the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran.
• Xun Uzumaki treated Black Zetsu as his neglected son and tried to comfort him, while the terrified Zetsus feared he had discovered their schemes.
• Xun Uzumaki told Black Zetsu not to flee and asked why he was in Konoha.
• Black Zetsu asked whether Xun knew the Five Great Shinobi Villages had invaded the Land of Whirlpools, and Xun said he forgave him.
• A tremendous explosion and scorching Chakra erupted nearby, and Xun Uzumaki and Black Zetsu recognized the Nine-Tails.

Fugaku Uchiha used his Mangekyo to control the Nine-Tails and unleash it on Konoha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed to confront the beast. The chapter ended as the masked Fugaku appeared before Hiruzen atop the Nine-Tails.

• Fugaku Uchiha injected a green liquid into the Fourth Hokage's wife after the Nine-Tails' eyes changed to Mangekyo.
• Xun Uzumaki learned that Fugaku had acted alone, while Black Zetsu denied being involved and endured Xun's lecture.
• Hashirama and Madara saw Konoha burning, and Hashirama sprinted toward the village after learning the Nine-Tails' extraction could kill his daughter.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered villagers evacuated and learned that the Fourth Hokage could not arrive until the next day.
• Hiruzen charged at the Nine-Tails, but the masked Mangekyo wearer appeared on its head and greeted him.

Xun Uzumaki watched Konoha burn as Fugaku Uchiha and the Nine-Tails attacked, while Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to use Minato’s infant son as a Jinchuriki. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha appeared to intervene, but Madara stopped Hashirama by reminding him that the dead should not interfere with the living.

• Xun Uzumaki refused to stop Fugaku Uchiha, while Black Zetsu worried that the attack would expose their plans and bring blame on the Land of Whirlpools.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi placed Minato’s crying infant son on an altar, intending to make him the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki.
• Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha suddenly appeared, and Hashirama kicked Hiruzen away before rescuing the infant.
• White Zetsu revealed that someone from the disadvantaged Land of Whirlpools had used a Forbidden Jutsu to summon Hashirama and Madara.
• Hashirama handed the infant to an Anbu ninja and turned to face the Nine-Tails and the masked Mangekyo user.
• Madara Uchiha grabbed Hashirama and reminded him that the dead should not interfere with the world of the living.

Hashirama tried to stop the masked man from destroying Konoha, but Madara sided against him and the two began fighting, causing even greater devastation. As the battle raged, Xun sent Black Zetsu and White Zetsu to investigate every Jinchuriki, while Hiruzen prepared to confront the masked man.

• Hashirama urged Madara to help stop the masked man and save Konoha, but Madara insisted the dead should not interfere in the living world.
• Hashirama attacked Madara with Wood Dragon Jutsu, and Madara answered with Majestic Destroyer Flame, turning their rescue effort into a destructive battle.
• Xun watched the fight and ordered Black Zetsu and White Zetsu to investigate the strength, backgrounds, habits, and relationships of every Jinchuriki.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu accepted the mission and fled underground, unnerved by Xun's promise of family reunions.
• Hiruzen watched the fighting reduce Konoha to ruins, then demanded to know the masked man's identity.

Fugaku Uchiha continued laying waste to Konoha while Madara and Hashirama clashed over justice, hatred, and the law. As Nagato’s group arrived and encountered Prince Xun, Hashirama tried to stop Fugaku, but Madara insisted that only killing him could end the destruction.

• Madara told Hashirama that Konoha had wronged Fugaku Uchiha and argued that justice required laws to restrain people’s desires.
• Fugaku Uchiha armored the Nine-Tails with Susanoo, and Hiruzen Sarutobi charged at him, determined to get close enough to control him.
• Nagato and the whirlpool ninjas considered turning back after seeing Konoha mostly destroyed, but Prince Xun appeared behind them.
• Hashirama summoned a Wood Golem to attack the Nine-Tails and promised to punish Hiruzen Sarutobi if he had made a mistake.
• Madara blocked the Wood Golem with Susanoo and told Hashirama that Fugaku had come prepared to die, leaving killing him as their only way to stop him.