Chapter Summaries

Hozuki Gengetsu confronted Madara Uchiha in the underground of the Mizukage Building, and their fight destroyed the building. Rinto observed Madara’s Rinnegan and considered how he had restored both eyes before releasing Gengetsu from Impure World Reincarnation.

• Hozuki Gengetsu discovered Madara Uchiha in the basement and attacked after recognizing his Rinnegan.
• Madara used Shinra Tensei to counter Gengetsu’s exploding clone, demolishing the Mizukage Building and injuring the Third Mizukage.
• Madara sent Gengetsu’s clone flying with Shinra Tensei and rose into the air.
• Rinto wondered how Madara had regained both eyes and considered several theories about how the Rinnegan awakened.
• Rinto concluded that Madara remained powerful but had aged, then released Hozuki Gengetsu from Impure World Reincarnation.

Rinto revealed to Hozuki Gengetsu that he was Obito, a Root agent sent to disrupt Madara Uchiha’s plans in Kirigakure, and asked him to cooperate. Gengetsu agreed to help while secretly preparing to free the Third Mizukage from genjutsu and protect his own interests.

• Rinto summoned Hozuki Gengetsu and confronted him with proof that he knew Gengetsu had discovered he was not Suikazan Fuguki.
• Rinto identified the man from the previous day as Madara Uchiha, then introduced himself as Obito, a Konoha Root agent working against Madara.
• Rinto explained that he wanted to become an aide or advisor to the Third Mizukage so he could investigate Madara’s plans and prepare to disrupt them.
• Rinto demonstrated the Flying Thunder God Technique and restrained Hozuki Gengetsu, convincing him that resisting would be difficult.
• Hozuki Gengetsu agreed to hear Rinto’s plan while deciding to monitor him, contact trusted subordinates, and seek a way to break the Third Mizukage’s genjutsu.

Kirigakure launched a surprise attack on Uzushio Village while Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu watched from the battlefield’s edge. Rinto’s clones began kidnapping villagers, and the chapter ended as someone discovered their hiding place.

• Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu discussed Madara Uchiha’s urgency and Kirigakure’s weakened condition as the fleet approached the Land of Whirlpools.
• The Kirigakure fleet reached Uzushio Village under cover of fog, while Rinto’s clones spread Flying Thunder God formulae throughout the village.
• A Shadow Clone was destroyed, and Rinto suspected Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had come to take Nagato.
• The Third Mizukage ordered an attack on the village chief’s home, and Kirigakure’s ninja began their assault as Rinto ordered his clones to kidnap people.
• Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu stayed hidden under Mirage Gas, but a kunai flew toward them, and Rinto knocked it aside and demanded that the attacker reveal themselves.

Rinto encountered a Konoha team escorting a red-haired girl and pretended to be blind, then endured the Hyuga ninja’s Gentle Fist without falling. After letting the team leave, he revealed forehead protectors from Kumogakure and Amegakure, leaving Hozuki Gengetsu stunned.

• Rinto covered his eyes with a scroll and pretended to grope his way back to the ship while Hozuki Gengetsu watched in disbelief.
• The Hyuga ninja and his teammates attacked Rinto, but he remained standing after the Hyuga used Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Rinto threatened the Konoha team, and the ninjas escorted the red-haired girl away while the Hyuga stayed behind to hold him off.
• Rinto let the frightened Hyuga ninja leave, then met Hozuki Gengetsu in the alley.
• Rinto showed Hozuki Gengetsu forehead protectors from Kumogakure and Amegakure, prompting Gengetsu to curse Obito in shock.

After the mission against Uzushio Village, Rinto returned to Kirigakure with Hozuki Gengetsu and proposed working together to protect Amegakure and break the Third Mizukage’s genjutsu. Hozuki Gengetsu arranged for Rinto to become an Anbu squad captain and Rogue Ninja Hunter, giving him a faster route into Kirigakure’s power structure.

• Rinto teased Hozuki Gengetsu about his four legitimate village identities as they returned from Uzushio Village.
• Rinto explained that he planned to openly protect Amegakure while keeping his other identities concealed.
• Rinto proposed that Hozuki Gengetsu help him with his mission in exchange for help dealing with the Third Mizukage’s genjutsu, and Hozuki Gengetsu agreed to try breaking it.
• The cargo ship returned to Kirigakure with wealth, Fuinjutsu, and hostages from Uzushio Village.
• Anbu delivered a scroll appointing Suikazan Fuguki captain of the Second Squad of the Anbu Special Mission Execution Unit, a role whose duties made him a Rogue Ninja Hunter.
• Hozuki Gengetsu revealed that he had arranged Rinto’s appointment, and Rinto recognized it as a way to accelerate his rise in Kirigakure.

Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu traveled to Nijiyori Village to hunt the missing-nin Anajinro, where they encountered another Kirigakure squad pursuing the same target. As that squad began its attack, Rinto calmly claimed he could finish the battle in three seconds.

• Rinto accepted two missions and left Kirigakure with Hozuki Gengetsu to hunt Anajinro in Nijiyori Village.
• Rinto found Anajinro at a casino, where the missing-nin sat with the son of Nijiyori Village’s leader and several bodyguards.
• Suikazan Fuguki identified himself to Rinto and warned him not to attack, explaining that his squad had claimed Anajinro as its target.
• Rinto refused to cooperate and persuaded Fuguki’s squad to strike first while he watched from the bar with Hozuki Gengetsu.
• As Fuguki’s squad clashed with Anajinro’s bodyguards, Rinto said he would finish them in three seconds.

Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu killed the attackers in Nijiyori Village’s casino and recovered Anajinro’s body. At the harbor, Rinto gave the mission scroll to the Arrogant Man, while Samehada eagerly anticipated escaping Rinto’s foul chakra.

• The leader’s son confronted Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu, and Rinto bet he could defeat the men in three seconds.
• Rinto activated Lightning Style Chakra Mode and the Eighth Gate, killed the attackers in an instant, and won a year of sock-washing from Hozuki Gengetsu.
• Rinto gathered Anajinro’s head and body, and Hozuki Gengetsu sealed them in a scroll before they left the village.
• The Nijiyori Village chief refused to pursue Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu, fearing they were far too powerful.
• At the harbor, Rinto handed the mission scroll to the Arrogant Man and promised him Samehada if the target was fake, making Samehada wriggle with excitement.

Rinto returned to the ruins of Uzushio Village and found an intact building called the Mask Hall. An elderly scavenger warned him that the hall contained masks sealing terrifying beings called Jashin, leaving Rinto intrigued and uneasy.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed reports of Uzushio Village’s destruction and suspected Rinto had encountered the strange, fat Kirigakure ninja described by a Konoha squad.
• Hiruzen asked Tsunade to contact Rinto and explain what had happened, and Tsunade decided to ask him privately while keeping the news from Mito Uzumaki.
• Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu split up, with Gengetsu heading to the Land of Waves and Rinto traveling to the Land of Whirlpools.
• Rinto explored the scavenged ruins of Uzushio Village and approached an undamaged building marked Mask Hall.
• An elderly man stopped Rinto and warned him that the hall’s twenty-seven masks had sealed Jashin, though most of the beings had supposedly perished over time.

Rinto entered the Mask Hall and discovered that its mysterious guardian was the long-dead Uzumaki Ashina, who had preserved his soul by exploiting the Reaper Death Seal. Ashina trapped Rinto and explained why he remained in the hall, leaving Rinto to learn that Ashina could only use his former power there.

• Rinto sneaked into the Mask Hall and watched the white-bearded old man drive away other scavengers.
• Rinto examined the masks, felt their eerie presence, and was confronted by the old man, who recognized him from the night Uzushio Village was destroyed.
• The old man revealed Fuinjutsu markings on his arm and trapped Rinto with black chains after Rinto identified him as Uzumaki Ashina.
• Ashina explained that a clansman had used the Reaper Death Seal to place his soul in the Shinigami's belly, then sealed it back into his dead body using the Shinigami's mask.
• Rinto asked why Ashina had not defended Uzushio Village, and Ashina said he could only use his living power inside the Mask Hall.

Rinto used Uzumaki Ashina’s attempt to perform the Reaper Death Seal to make the Shinigami take the monster soul from his spiritual world. The Shinigami rejected the grass-growing soul and returned it to Rinto before vanishing, leaving him no rid of the troublesome creature.

• Uzumaki Ashina put on the Shinigami Mask while Rinto strained against the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and Rinto prepared the monster soul for the Shinigami to seize.
• The Shinigami reached into Rinto and pulled out the black, tentacled monster soul, while Uzumaki Ashina’s soul was pulled free along with chains that could drag him back into his body.
• Uzumaki Ashina used the chains to return his soul to his body as the Shinigami swallowed Rinto’s monster soul.
• The Shinigami spat out the monster after grass sprouted from its tongue, cut off its tongue, and complained about the disgusting soul.
• The Shinigami shoved the monster soul back into Rinto’s body and vanished.

After returning to Kirigakure, Rinto discussed the Third Mizukage’s control by Madara Uchiha with Hozuki Gengetsu and proposed cooperating to weaken Madara and seize his Sage Eyes. He explained that his plan relied on rising through Kirigakure’s ranks and manipulating the Third Mizukage, whose loyalty could be exploited.

• Rinto and Hozuki Gengetsu returned to Kirigakure after their mission, and Rinto handed over the scroll containing the sealed corpse.
• Hozuki Gengetsu complained that Madara Uchiha’s genjutsu had permanently influenced the Third Mizukage and suggested they kill Madara together.
• Rinto rejected a direct attack because they might lose, could not find Madara, and could not protect Kirigakure forever.
• Rinto proposed weakening Madara and taking his Sage Eyes, prompting Hozuki Gengetsu to seek a detailed plan and offer cooperation.
• Rinto explained that he would rise into Kirigakure’s leadership, influence the Third Mizukage, and gradually approach Madara Uchiha by exploiting the Third Mizukage’s loyalty.

Rinto advanced into Kirigakure’s Intelligence Division while Madara learned that the Uzumaki clan members were in Amegakure and tracked Gengetsu’s reanimated body. More than two years later, as the great nations prepared for war, Danzo succeeded in using an Uchiha Sharingan and set his sights on Kagami’s eyes.

• Rinto spent three months completing missions with Hozuki Gengetsu and, with Gengetsu and Genji’s help, entered Kirigakure’s Intelligence Division.
• White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha that the captured Uzumaki clan members had been moved to Amegakure, while Black Zetsu reported that Nagato was in the Land of Grass.
• Black Zetsu revealed that Gengetsu’s body had vanished from the Hozuki graveyard and that his reanimated body was staying with Suikazan Fuguki; Madara ordered them to watch Amegakure and Fuguki while prioritizing Nagato.
• In Konoha Year 32, Danzo successfully used an Uchiha Sharingan after concluding that the Uchiha’s brain-produced Chakra was essential to controlling it.
• Danzo wrapped his newly acquired Sharingan and decided to obtain Kagami’s eyes as the nations’ border tensions grew and Konoha accelerated its training of young ninja.

Shimura Danzō schemed around the Jonin instructor assignments as students awaited their teams at the Ninja School. Jiraiya and Orochimaru collected their students, while Tsunade faced two competing rosters and a request to find Sakuta Rinto.

• Shimura Danzō smiled as he considered the danger Kagami could face if he took disciples and went on missions.
• Nakaryu Taiku announced the class assignments, and Jiraiya collected Minato Namikaze, Sarutobi Taiga, and Shimura Seki as his students.
• Minato Namikaze recognized Jiraiya as a perverted uncle from his past and worried Kushina Uzumaki might be assigned to the other shady uncle.
• Orochimaru collected Nawaki and his other Team Eight students from the classroom.
• Tsunade reviewed the village's roster and Shikajiro Nara's alternate roster, which asked her to find Sakuta Rinto to teach Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.

Tsunade summoned Rinto and handed him Shikajiro Nara’s request to teach Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi. Rinto accepted the boys as students and took them to Ichiraku for ramen, leaving Shikaku and Inoichi doubting the solemn master they had expected.

• Tsunade summoned Rinto and gave him the roster of students Shikajiro Nara had entrusted to him.
• Rinto recognized Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi as the sons of the Ino-Shika-Cho clan leaders and accepted them as students.
• Tsunade took Kushina Uzumaki, Uchiha Mikoto, and Ikusato Tengen out of the classroom.
• Rinto introduced himself to the three boys, then cut short their introductions and offered to treat them to ramen at Ichiraku.
• Choza eagerly accepted Rinto’s offer and called him big brother, while Shikaku and Inoichi reacted in disbelief at their new teacher.

Rinto established Team 11 with Choza, Shikaku, and Inoichi, then took them to Ichiraku Ramen, where he reunited with Teuchi and met the enthusiastic Duy. After Teuchi and Rinto quietly plotted to put the new disciples through a harsh training experience, the team ate ramen, leaving Shikaku and Inoichi uneasy about Rinto’s interest in their seafood preferences.

• Rinto formed Team 11 with Choza, Shikaku, and Inoichi and led them to Ichiraku Ramen.
• Rinto found Teuchi and Duy energetically kneading dough and shouting about youth.
• Teuchi recognized Rinto as his teacher, and Rinto introduced the three boys as his new disciples and Teuchi’s junior disciples.
• Teuchi asked whether Rinto was leaving on a mission, and Rinto confirmed that they would depart after the meal.
• Teuchi served the group ramen, and Rinto smiled when Shikaku and Inoichi said they liked seafood.

Shikaku worried about his new teacher, Sakuta Rinto, and questioned why Teuchi had become a ramen shop owner instead of a Chunin. At dinner, Shikajiro explained Rinto’s immense influence and said that becoming his student would help keep Shikaku safe.

• Shikaku finished ramen with Choji, agreed to begin their mission in three days, and went home feeling uneasy about Teuchi and Rinto.
• Shikaku’s mother noticed his troubled expression, and he told her that Teuchi had once been Rinto’s student and had reacted smugly to the planned mission.
• At dinner, Shikajiro confirmed that Rinto had come and shared the high council’s assessments of Rinto, Teuchi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Sakuta Rie.
• Shikajiro told Shikaku that Rinto’s standing made him difficult to control and that his reputation alone could protect his students.
• Shikaku memorized his father’s words and was stunned by the village’s powerful, seemingly untouchable teacher.

Rinto searched the Land of Iron for a White Zetsu to borrow from Madara, preparing to confront the old Uchiha despite his danger and Rinto’s weakness to genjutsu. When Madara approached, Rinto drew him in with a feint and prepared a concealed attack.

• Rinto stole a water basin, made Shadow Clones, and began searching for the Graveyard of Mountains so he could find a White Zetsu.
• Rinto covered his face with the basin and planned to use Sage Mode perception and long-range attacks to avoid Madara’s genjutsu.
• On the second evening, two strange Chakra signatures destroyed one of Rinto’s clones, alerting him to Madara’s approach.
• Rinto changed his plan so his clones could search for a White Zetsu while he distracted Madara.
• Rinto threw shuriken at Madara and shouted “Flying Thunder God Slash,” prompting Madara to stop and brace for the technique.
• Rinto concealed a Heavenly Transfer Technique and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tag beneath his Lightning God Armor as Madara faced him.

Rinto fought Madara Uchiha to stall him, using explosions and the Dance of Youth to damage his Susanoo while avoiding direct contact. Madara recognized Rinto as Raimui and the Immortal Body, then revealed he had tracked Rinto’s past schemes in the Land of Lightning, leaving Rinto shocked.

• Rinto retreated from Madara’s explosions, but Madara used Shinra Tensei and Limbo: Border Jail to send him crashing into a mountain.
• Rinto charged Madara at high speed and unleashed the Morning Peacock against Madara’s Susanoo, forcing Madara’s Chakra consumption to rise as its ribs cracked.
• Rinto teleported away before Madara’s Susanoo could strike him, having avoided direct contact to keep his stalling strategy safe.
• Madara told Rinto he looked familiar and identified him as Raimui and the Immortal Body.
• Madara recounted how Rinto had manipulated events involving the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Third Raikage, leaving Rinto stunned that his past had been discovered.

Rinto celebrated stealing a large number of White Zetsu clones from Madara and sealed them into scrolls, then prepared to lead Team Eleven on a trip. As Konoha's leaders debated the growing threat of war, Hiruzen announced that Rinto would arrive soon, silencing Danzo and Homura.

• Rinto's clones killed Madara's wooden body at the Graveyard of Mountains and seized many White Zetsu clones, while Rinto escaped Madara's Banshō Ten'in with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Rinto used Fuinjutsu to seal the White Zetsu clones into scrolls and reflected on his improved Flying Thunder God 2.0.
• Shikajiro Nara, Shikaku, and the other clan leaders' sons arrived at Rinto's home with travel gear, and Rinto led Team Eleven toward the Hokage Building.
• Hiruzen and Konoha's leaders debated preparations for a possible war with Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
• Danzo demanded command of forces at the Land of Rain border, but Hiruzen said Rinto would arrive soon, causing Danzo and Mitokado Homura to fall silent.

Rinto proposed an A-rank infiltration mission in Kirigakure for himself and three young ninja, then assured Konoha's leaders that Amegakure would not oppose them. He offered three increasingly costly plans for Amegakure's role in the coming war, leaving the leaders to consider prices reaching two billion ryo.

• Rinto asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to approve a mission for himself, Rie, Teuchi, and Fugaku to infiltrate Kirigakure and steal its secrets.
• Shikajiro Nara supported the mission and requested funds, but Hiruzen Sarutobi approved it without paying, so Rinto led the children out.
• Danzo stopped Rinto and demanded to know Amegakure's position in the coming war.
• Rinto promised that Amegakure would not attack Konoha or aid its enemies, but said greater involvement would require payment.
• Rinto offered three plans for Amegakure's participation, priced at one hundred million, one billion, and two billion ryo.