Chapter Summaries

Katsuki sought Otome’s advice about whether to accept Orochimaru and Minato’s offer to lead the Anbu, and Otome convinced him the role would suit his strengths. Katsuki accepted the appointment from Orochimaru and made clear he intended to leave routine paperwork to the Deputy Chief.

• Katsuki asked Otome whether her clan had records of past Hokage elections, and she agreed to search for them with her Shadow Clones.
• Katsuki told Otome that Orochimaru and Minato had invited him to lead the Anbu and that he feared trouble was brewing in the ninja world.
• Otome advised Katsuki to accept the position, suggesting Orochimaru wanted his strength and prestige more than his administrative skills.
• Katsuki realized that joining the Anbu would also free him from dealing with the Ninja Academy, and he went to speak with Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru formally offered Katsuki the vacant Anbu Chief position, explaining that the previous chief was hospitalized with a strained back.
• Katsuki accepted after clarifying that he would not handle routine paperwork, and Orochimaru said the Deputy Chief would manage it.

Katsuki, Minato, and Fugaku coordinated security for Orochimaru’s peaceful inauguration as the Fourth Hokage. As the ceremony crowd grew, Katsuki’s surveillance helped the forces quietly detain suspicious people, while Fugaku took charge of investigating the attackers who had repeatedly targeted Kakashi.

• Katsuki, Minato, and Fugaku gathered on a rooftop to oversee security, then sent Anbu, Root, and Police Force personnel to their posts.
• Katsuki said the planned operation against the black market would wait until after the inauguration, and revealed that Kakashi had been attacked six times in two days, even with Sakumo nearby.
• Fugaku offered to investigate the captured attackers, and Katsuki signed an order transferring them to the Police Force.
• As the crowd filled the streets, Katsuki and Hyuga Tenzan identified suspicious people and chakra activity, directing the forces to respond discreetly.
• Uchiha jōnin used genjutsu to subdue dangerous suspects, who were quietly removed from the crowd and detained.

Katsuki and Fugaku discovered that the attackers had been manipulated with a sophisticated Uchiha genjutsu as arrests filled the Police Force’s cells. Orochimaru was inaugurated as the Fourth Hokage, and the villagers welcomed him with loud cheers.

• Anbu, the Police Force, and Root arrested large numbers of attackers, filling the Police Force’s cells.
• Fugaku told Katsuki and Minato that the prisoners had been controlled by Inductive Genjutsu, a technique developed by the Uchiha Clan.
• Katsuki said he trusted the Uchiha Clan and suspected he knew who was responsible.
• Orochimaru appeared on the Hokage Building rooftop with Homura and Koharu and delivered his inauguration speech.
• The villagers cheered as Orochimaru took office as the Fourth Hokage.

Zetsu and Genso planned to exploit discord within the Uchiha Clan before turning to help Zen reclaim what belonged to him. In Konoha, Katsuki got Orochimaru’s approval to attack four black market bases, then met Sakumo and learned that Kakashi and his mother were at the hospital.

• Genso complained that the people he had controlled were captured in Konoha, but Zetsu explained that the operation could sow discord between the Uchiha Clan and the village.
• Genso accepted that weakening Konoha through division would require patience, and Zetsu said they would help Zen reclaim what belonged to him.
• Katsuki showed Orochimaru the locations of four black market bases and requested authorization to attack them.
• Orochimaru approved Katsuki’s operation, requiring him to keep it clean and gather evidence that the black market threatened Konoha and the Land of Fire.
• Katsuki met Sakumo in the Hokage Building corridor and learned that Kakashi was at the hospital with his mother for a checkup.

Katsuki prepared an Anbu operation against a black market, but Sakumo ordered him to bring ten-year-old Kakashi along for training. Katsuki also included his disciple Kuyue, and the chapter ended as the young shinobi chased after him with the Anbu force.

• Sakumo told Katsuki he had learned about his visit to the Hokage and ordered him to take Kakashi on the operation.
• Katsuki agreed to bring Kakashi, then decided to include Kuyue for practical training as well.
• Katsuki assembled sixty Anbu, and Qinghai confirmed that all twenty squads were ready for the mission.
• Katsuki ordered the Anbu to protect Kakashi and Kuyue while eliminating the black market's resistance.
• Katsuki sped off to begin the operation, and Kuyue and Kakashi hurried after him.

Katsuki led Kakashi, Kuyue, and sixty ANBU elites to a black market and ordered them to eliminate its traders while preserving evidence of foreign collusion. After the ANBU swept through the village, the team prepared to attack the Bounty Office, which had placed a bounty on Kakashi.

• Katsuki stopped the team to rest and used sensory ninjutsu to locate the black market, ordering the ANBU to spare slaves and children under six while gathering airtight evidence.
• Katsuki led the ANBU to a hidden market in an abandoned village and ordered them to attack.
• The ANBU killed the black market's merchants and noble retainers while leaving the enslaved people unharmed, and Kakashi and Kuyue joined the assault.
• Kakashi accidentally sprayed blood over himself and Kuyue after cutting a wandering ninja's carotid artery, prompting Katsuki to tease him and warn him to avoid major arteries.
• Katsuki told the team that the Bounty Office was their main target because it had issued Kakashi's bounty, and they advanced toward it.

Katsuki and the Anbu raided a Bounty Office hidden inside a public toilet, uncovering the corpses of six murdered jōnin. After the raid, Katsuki corrected Kakashi and Kuyue’s combat techniques, and the team continued toward its next destination.

• Katsuki ordered the Anbu to storm the Bounty Office, where they killed the rogue ninja and captured two leaders for interrogation.
• Katsuki found six jōnin corpses in a secret chamber, including three missing Konoha ninja, and ordered evidence recorded and black markets across the country destroyed.
• Katsuki asked Kakashi and Kuyue about the fight, then criticized their killing methods and gave them advice on improving their combat skills.
• The Anbu confirmed the support force could take over the scene, and Katsuki led the team toward the next marked destination.

Zetsu negotiated an alliance with Hanzō against the Akatsuki Organization, demonstrating the power of Zen and Uchiha Genso. Hanzō agreed to let them deal with Nagato as preparations began for their next move.

• Zetsu met with Hanzō and proposed joining forces against the Akatsuki Organization.
• Zen and Uchiha Genso attacked Hanzō’s guards with Wood Release and Sharingan genjutsu, leaving all eight Rain Ninja immobilized.
• Hanzō had Genso release the genjutsu and questioned the visitors about their ties to Konoha.
• Zetsu told Hanzō their larger goal was to crush Konoha and asked to handle the red-haired Nagato themselves.
• Hanzō agreed to leave Nagato to Zetsu’s group and dismissed Zen and Genso to make preparations.

Yahiko and his companions shared a meal at an Akatsuki garrison before Nagato detected an attack by Hanzō and his allies. The ambush was exposed by Nagato’s barriers, and as the Akatsuki members evacuated, Yahiko and Nagato stayed behind to confront the attackers.

• Yahiko praised his teacher’s book and recalled how the Sannin had taken in him, Konan, and Nagato.
• Nagato sensed attackers and warned that Hanzō had arrived with powerful reinforcements.
• Yahiko ordered Kyusuke, Konan, and Great Buddha to lead the Akatsuki members in retreat while he and Nagato covered them.
• Nagato’s Deva Path Clone exposed the approaching group when White Zetsu carrying Uchiha Genso ran into the barriers outside the village.
• Hanzō berated Zetsu for ruining the stealthy approach, and Zetsu slipped underground while Uchiha Genso dodged the Deva Path’s attacks.

Zen, Uchiha Genso, and Hanzō attacked the Deva Path Clone with Wood Release, wind techniques, and a massive Explosive Tag trap. The Clone escaped with serious injuries, and Hanzō recognized the body controlling it as his former subordinate Chi.

• Zen used Wood Release to raise enormous pillars that blocked the ravine and forced the Deva Path Clone to retreat.
• The Deva Path Clone attacked with wind-shrouded shuriken, but Hanzō deflected them and vanished while Zen and Uchiha Genso stayed hidden.
• Zen launched wooden pillars from above, and the Deva Path Clone used Shinra Tensei to repel and shatter them.
• Hanzō trapped the Deva Path Clone in Explosive Tags, but it survived by defending itself and was seriously injured.
• Hanzō recognized the Clone’s face as Chi, his former guard who had died five months earlier, and Zen warned him that the ability was classified.

Uchiha Genso and Zen used their preparations to counter the Deva Path Clone while Nagato and Yahiko watched and questioned the newcomers’ abilities. Zetsu ambushed them at their hideout, but Nagato summoned a rhinoceros before Zetsu confronted them with a giant Wood Golem.

• Uchiha Genso warned that the Deva Path Clone was attacking, and he and Hanzō evaded as Zen used Wood Style to withstand Shinra Tensei.
• Uchiha Genso attacked the Deva Path Clone with Lightning Release, prompting the Preta Path Clone to appear and absorb the lightning.
• Uchiha Genso followed with an Earth Release attack, but the Deva Path Clone repelled the mud bullets with Shinra Tensei.
• Nagato and Yahiko watched through the Rinnegan’s shared vision and discussed the strange combination of Wood Style and Sharingan, with Yahiko suggesting they contact Katsuki.
• Zetsu emerged inside the house and attacked Nagato and Yahiko with Wood Style vines, but Nagato summoned a rhinoceros that destroyed the house and crushed the vines.
• Zetsu created a colossal Wood Golem and demanded that Nagato surrender, threatening him and his companions.

Zen and Uchiha Genso trapped the Deva Path Clone and Preta Path Clone while Nagato kept the other clones focused on the enormous wooden humanoid. The two sides resumed fighting, and Zen decided Hanzō would pay with his life for holding back.

• Hanzō reacted to the enormous wooden humanoid, and Uchiha Genso directed him to focus on the Deva Path Clone and Preta Path Clone.
• Zen formed a vast swamp beneath the two clones, but the Deva Path Clone used Banshō Ten'in to launch them toward a mountain wall.
• Uchiha Genso brought down the mountain wall, and the Deva Path Clone used Shinra Tensei to clear the falling rocks before the Preta Path Clone sank into the mire.
• The Deva Path Clone attacked Zen, Genso, and Hanzō with Vacuum Great Ball, forcing Hanzō back and driving Zen and Genso behind wooden pillars.
• Zen solidified the swamp, and the Deva Path Clone pulled the Preta Path Clone free before Zen and Genso counterattacked.
• Genso noted that Hanzō was holding back, and Zen said Hanzō would later pay for it with his life.

Katsuki’s team finished wiping out four black markets before he received an urgent call from Yahiko and learned that Madara Uchiha’s forces had attacked Yahiko and Nagato. Nagato and Yahiko were hiding in a cave in the southern Land of Grass, with Nagato recovering from a fight against a powerful Wood Release user.

• Kakashi and Kuyue rested after helping the ANBU take down four black markets without casualties.
• A cat-faced ANBU asked Katsuki to recruit Kakashi and Kuyue, but Katsuki said Kuyue’s assignment was his decision and Kakashi’s depended on his teacher.
• Katsuki received an unexpected long-distance call and found Yahiko badly exhausted in a dark space.
• Yahiko told Katsuki that Hanzō, other attackers, and powerful white monsters had pursued them and targeted Nagato.
• Nagato said they were hiding in a cave in the southern Land of Grass near a large lake while he recovered chakra after fighting a Wood Release user.

Katsuki learned that Nagato and Yahiko were under attack in the Land of Grass and raced there after spotting a Wood Golem. Nagato had lost all his clones, and Yahiko was near death as the battle continued.

• Nagato told Katsuki that Konan had left before the battle and that he did not know whether she was safe.
• A Wood Golem blasted through the cave ceiling, disrupting Katsuki's connection before he could finish speaking to Nagato.
• Katsuki checked a map, ordered Kuyue, Kakashi, and the Anbu team to return to the village, then flew toward the Land of Grass on the Thunderclap Chariot.
• Katsuki suspected Zetsu was controlling the Wood Golem and worried that Nagato might not survive until he arrived.
• Nagato used Shinra Tensei against the Wood Golem, but the attack barely pushed it back after all his Six Paths Clones had been destroyed.
• Yahiko, gravely wounded, urged Nagato to flee and find Konan while Nagato struggled to protect him.

Konan and her group were overwhelmed by a White Zetsu ambush until Jiraiya arrived with Gamabunta and rescued her. The White Zetsus attempted to retreat, and Jiraiya urged Gamabunta to stop them.

• White Zetsus emerged from underground, killed several of Konan's comrades, and surrounded Konan, Kyusuke, Great Buddha, and the injured survivors.
• Kyusuke and Great Buddha raised a cement wall while Konan fought from the air, but the White Zetsus' numbers and strength wore down the group.
• Konan's chakra ran low, and she fell as White Zetsus prepared to finish her with Wind Release attacks.
• Jiraiya arrived on Gamabunta, deflected the attacks, and caught the unconscious Konan.
• The White Zetsus ordered a retreat after recognizing Jiraiya, and Jiraiya urged Gamabunta to pursue them.

Jiraiya rescued Konan and the Akatsuki members from the White Zetsu, then brought them to a nearby hideout to recover. After Konan woke, she warned him that Yahiko and Nagato faced a powerful enemy, and Jiraiya waited for his shadow clone to find them.

• Gamabunta failed to catch the White Zetsu, who escaped after clearing away the battlefield, and Jiraiya sent him back.
• Jiraiya learned from Kyusuke that Hanzō had attacked the Akatsuki and that Yahiko and Nagato had stayed behind to hold him off.
• Jiraiya sent Gamakichi and a shadow clone toward the camp where Yahiko and Nagato had last been seen.
• Kyusuke and the others led Jiraiya and the unconscious Konan to an abandoned village hideout, where they treated their injuries and warmed themselves by a stove.
• Konan woke, recognized Jiraiya, and warned him that Yahiko and Nagato had encountered a powerful enemy; Jiraiya told her he had sent a shadow clone to gather information.

Konan told Jiraiya that Madara Uchiha might still be alive, while Jiraiya’s shadow clone and Gamakichi investigated the devastated battlefield. They found Hanzō fighting Zen and Uchiha Genso, and the chapter left Genso poisoned and struggling against Hanzō.

• Konan told Jiraiya she remembered the white monsters and asked whether Madara Uchiha was still alive.
• Konan recounted what had happened eight years earlier as Jiraiya’s shadow clone and Gamakichi reached the flattened battlefield.
• Jiraiya’s shadow clone and Gamakichi found signs of Wood Release and followed sounds of battle north.
• The shadow clone recognized Hanzō fighting Zen and Uchiha Genso.
• Hanzō evaded Genso’s attacks and poisoned him, while Zen fought Ibuse and promised to help Genso.

Zen and Uchiha Genso killed Hanzō after defeating Nagato's Deva Path and Preta Path clones, and Zen claimed Hanzō's body as a vessel. Their next encounter was with Jiraiya's shadow clone, which Zen destroyed before the pair withdrew with Hanzō's corpse.

• Zen, Uchiha Genso, and Hanzō destroyed Nagato's Deva Path and Preta Path clones, then Zen and Genso turned on Hanzō.
• Zen and Genso killed the Rain Ninja who answered Hanzō's signal and overwhelmed him with their bloodline abilities.
• Zen pinned Hanzō with Wood Release and killed him, saying he would make use of Hanzō's body as a vessel.
• Uchiha Genso attacked the visitors in the forest, but Jiraiya's shadow clone blocked his Earth Style technique.
• Zen unleashed Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence and destroyed Jiraiya's shadow clone, then he and Genso withdrew with Hanzō's corpse.

Jiraiya learned that Madara Uchiha was alive and had manipulated Nagato’s past, then decided to take Konan to Konoha to seek help. In the Land of Grass, Black Zetsu defeated Nagato and plucked out one of his Rinnegan eyes while Nagato urged Yahiko to live.

• Konan told Jiraiya that investigations had uncovered evidence that Madara Uchiha had secretly manipulated Nagato and caused his parents’ deaths.
• Jiraiya discovered that his shadow clone had been defeated by Wood Release and worried that Yahiko and Nagato were in danger.
• Jiraiya asked Konan to go with him to Konoha so they could investigate Nagato and Yahiko’s whereabouts, and Konan agreed to consider the plan.
• In the Land of Grass, Nagato carried the unconscious Yahiko away from the wooden figure pursuing them, but he exhausted his strength and ran out of options.
• Black Zetsu seized Nagato and plucked out one of his Rinnegan eyes as Nagato told Yahiko to live.

Black Zetsu took Nagato’s Rinnegan and killed him before Katsuki arrived and destroyed the wooden giant. Katsuki found Yahiko alive and Nagato dead, then worried about how Yahiko would react when he woke.

• Black Zetsu removed Nagato’s second eye, and Nagato accepted his death as a ninja who had chosen to endure for his friends.
• Katsuki arrived on a lightning chariot and destroyed the wooden giant, killing White Zetsu, while Black Zetsu escaped with the Rinnegan.
• Katsuki searched the area with the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura and found no trace of Black Zetsu.
• Katsuki found Yahiko alive but badly injured and Nagato dead, with both eyes removed and a stab wound through his heart.
• Katsuki reflected that Nagato had died while Yahiko survived and worried that Yahiko might seek to destroy the world when he woke.