Chapter Summaries

Kaedeji demonstrated One's Own Life Reincarnation to Danzo, who coveted the forbidden technique’s power to extend life and sought to control Kaedeji. Kaedeji left the Root base without fighting, while Danzo plotted to use Orochimaru to pressure him; the chapter ended as the dried corpse began to explode.

• Kaedeji revived a dead Sand ninja with Corpse Release and used One's Own Life Reincarnation to transfer life force from the zombie to another Sand ninja.
• Danzo became interested in the technique’s potential to preserve his condition and extend his lifespan, and offered to promote Kaedeji as a village hero.
• Kaedeji refused to teach the forbidden technique to anyone, though he agreed to perform it for Danzo, and left the Root base amid a tense temporary cooperation.
• Danzo ordered Terai to contact Aburame Ryoma and tell Orochimaru about Kaedeji, hoping to make him a bargaining chip in their dealings.
• Danzo ordered the corpse and the Sand ninja locked up as experimental materials, but the dried corpse began sizzling and then exploded.

After Kaedeji escaped Danzo’s laboratory, an Explosive Tag hidden in a corpse killed a Root ninja and injured another, prompting Danzo to weigh capturing or recruiting him. The Third Hokage confronted Danzo at Root and promoted Kaedeji to Special Jonin, assigning him to lead a team to the front lines.

• An Explosive Tag detonated inside a corpse after Kaedeji left, killing one Root ninja and lightly injuring another.
• Terai suspected Kaedeji had used the Summoning Technique to place the Explosive Tag, while Danzo ordered the blast disguised as a ninjutsu experiment.
• Danzo rejected Terai’s proposal to capture Kaedeji, fearing the Hokage faction would learn about his valuable techniques.
• The Third Hokage entered Root, questioned Danzo about his bandages, and discussed Kaedeji’s talent and possible recruitment.
• The Third Hokage announced Kaedeji’s promotion to Special Jonin and assigned him to lead a team to the front lines, despite Danzo’s warning.

Kaedeji recognized that his combat techniques lacked a decisive burst of power and began experimenting with a high-damage ninjutsu. After receiving his Special Jonin appointment and a mission to support Dan Katō in the Land of Hot Water, he hinted that Hatake Sakumo should join his team.

• Kaedeji reflected on his lack of a powerful finishing technique and sent his zombies to test an idea.
• Kaedeji ran short on corpses and considered how he could replenish his supply without relying on Root.
• Kaedeji met Hatake Sakumo and Might Duy in Konoha and discussed the war and their current missions.
• An Anbu delivered Kaedeji his Special Jonin appointment and orders to lead a team north to support Dan Katō against an Iwagakure incursion.
• Kaedeji shared the mission details aloud, and Might Duy covered his ears to avoid hearing them.
• Kaedeji suggested adding an experienced ninja to his team, hinting that he wanted Hatake Sakumo to come along.

Kaedeji gathered his team at Konohagakure's gate and explained his abilities and the mission's preparations. The team members grew reassured by his confidence and the promise of powerful corpse allies as they prepared to depart.

• Kaedeji assembled Choza Fujiki, Hyūga Iroha, Shibi Aburame, Morino Ibiki, and Might Duy, while suspecting Danzo might have Root ninja follow them in secret.
• Might Duy enthusiastically pledged himself to the mission, and Morino Ibiki warned him not to hold the team back.
• Morino Ibiki shared what Morino Ise had told him about Kaedeji's corpse-summoning and Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Kaedeji said Tsunade's techniques had improved his Chakra condition and showed the team a scroll containing the corpses of Iwagakure's Explosion Release ninja.
• The team members found Kaedeji's corpse allies unsettling but felt reassured by his leadership.

Danzo ordered Root to keep Kaedeji alive while plotting to use Hashirama Cells and Kaedeji’s vitality technique to strengthen himself. As Kaedeji’s squad advanced toward the Land of Hot Water, White Zetsu reported that Dan Katō was about to die after the Four-Tails Jinchuriki triggered underground volcanoes.

• Danzo blamed Hiruzen for sending Kaedeji to a secondary battlefield and dispatched Root ninjas to ensure Kaedeji survived.
• Kaedeji led his squad toward the Land of Hot Water, noting the grim, numb atmosphere among Konoha’s ninja.
• Kaedeji used his zombie network to investigate the front lines, astonishing his squad with the reach of his intelligence gathering.
• A zombie beneath a distant tree summoned White Zetsu and Black Zetsu, who discussed Kaedeji’s abilities.
• White Zetsu reported that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki had detonated underground volcanoes and that Dan Katō was about to die.

Kaedeji realized Iwagakure had unleashed the Four-Tails to trigger volcanic eruptions along the Land of Hot Water’s Earth Vein, devastating Konoha’s forces. He led a rescue party into the disaster zone and finally learned that Dan Katō was fighting the Four-Tails’ jinchūriki.

• Kaedeji recognized that Konoha’s forces faced annihilation and ordered his group to hurry north.
• Iroha and Shibi observed widening fissures, erupting magma, and the blood-red sky as Kaedeji identified the Four-Tails’ power behind the disaster.
• Kaedeji sent out fifty zombies and Might Duy opened the Gate of Life as the group entered the Land of Hot Water to rescue survivors and search for Dan Katō.
• Iroha used his Byakugan to locate scattered Konoha ninja while Kaedeji’s zombies pulled survivors from the devastated terrain.
• One of Kaedeji’s zombies found Dan Katō fighting the Four-Tails’ jinchūriki.

Kaedeji sent his zombies to rescue Konoha Ninja during the geological disaster, then went alone to save Dan Katō from Rōshi. As Kaedeji headed for the coastline, Dan launched a final Spirit Transformation attack against Rōshi, who unleashed the Four-Tails’ power.

• Kaedeji used Corpse Manipulation to send zombies into the disaster zone, where they rescued endangered Konoha Ninja at the cost of their own bodies.
• After learning that Dan Katō had stayed behind to hold off the enemy Jinchuriki, Kaedeji ordered his team to stop and went to the coastline alone.
• Kaedeji’s team obeyed his order and continued rescuing comrades, while Iroha spotted a squad approaching from the southwest.
• At the coastline, Dan used the Spirit Transformation Secret Technique for a final attack on Rōshi, despite his injuries and nearly exhausted Chakra.
• Rōshi intensified his tailed beast transformation and fired Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Technique at Dan.

Rōshi battled Dan Katō while struggling to control the Four-Tails and the unstable earth vein, and Dan Katō’s spirit entered Rōshi to try to cripple him. Just as Dan Katō’s body was nearly destroyed, Kaedeji rescued it and caught his fading spirit, leaving his survival uncertain.

• Rōshi attacked Dan Katō’s physical body with Lava Release while preparing to resist his spirit.
• Dan Katō entered Rōshi’s mind, but their souls clashed without either gaining a decisive advantage.
• A Lava Ball destroyed much of Dan Katō’s body as the earth vein erupted toxic fumes and destabilized the battlefield.
• Dan Katō resolved to use his remaining strength to cripple Rōshi, despite his body being mortally damaged.
• Kaedeji used Corpse Transfer: Void Realm Technique to recover Dan Katō’s body and caught his returning spirit.

Kaedeji tried to keep Dan Katō alive while Tsunade treated him, then moved them out of danger as Rōshi began losing control to Four-Tails. Kaedeji launched his unfinished Void Realm Technique Stage Two to attack Rōshi and seize Four-Tails's Chakra, but the outcome remained uncertain.

• Dan Katō told Kaedeji not to waste time trying to save him, but Tsunade rushed over and began treating his fatal injuries.
• As Rōshi began expanding into a Full Tailed Beast Transformation, Kaedeji transferred Tsunade and Dan Katō behind a rock and prepared to hold him back.
• Kaedeji refused Tsunade's request to transfer Dan Katō to Konoha and charged at Rōshi, hoping to obtain Four-Tails's Chakra.
• Kaedeji summoned Sandstorm Araki and his Explosion Release Zombies to attack Rōshi, then used an ordinary zombie to summon the others for a point-blank explosion.
• Kaedeji sent more zombies into the blast to seize Four-Tails's Chakra and considered summoning Might Duy if Rōshi completed his transformation.

Kaedeji stole the Four-Tails’ Chakra and escaped its Tailed Beast Bombs, while the Four-Tails attacked both Konoha and Iwagakure forces. Dan Katō died despite Tsunade’s efforts, but Kaedeji prepared to use a technique on him.

• Kaedeji sealed away the Four-Tails’ Chakra harvested by his Explosion Release Zombies, but Rōshi lost consciousness and the Four-Tails took control.
• The Four-Tails formed a Tailed Beast Bomb, so Kaedeji abandoned the fight, gathered his zombies’ life force, and escaped with Tsunade and Dan Katō using the Void Realm Technique.
• The Four-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Kaedeji’s former position, then launched another at the Iwa ninja, targeting the village that had tormented it.
• Tsunade tried to heal Dan Katō, but his vitality faded and he died after saying his sacrifice had saved many comrades.
• Kaedeji crouched beside Dan Katō and told Tsunade he was about to perform a technique.

Kaedeji used the forbidden One's Own Life Reincarnation technique to restore Dan Katō, replacing his missing organs and spine with parts from an Explosion Release zombie. Dan awakened alive and stronger than before, while Tsunade embraced him in disbelief.

• Kaedeji told Tsunade he could revive Dan Katō and began performing One's Own Life Reincarnation.
• Kaedeji explained that Dan's missing organs had to be replaced, then transplanted organs and a section of spine from the Explosion Release zombie.
• Tsunade helped arrange Dan's organs as Kaedeji poured life force into his body and restored his flesh and bones.
• Kaedeji collapsed from exhaustion, and Dan Katō opened his eyes, confused to find himself alive.
• Tsunade embraced Dan, who cried out that she had broken several of his ribs, and Kaedeji assured them his remaining life force could heal the injuries.

Kaedeji revived Dan Katō and concealed the full cost of his technique while encouraging Dan Katō and Tsunade to marry and name their future son Naruto. The Konoha force withdrew toward the Land of Fire border, where the surviving ninjas praised Dan Katō and Kaedeji for their roles in the battle.

• Kaedeji told Dan Katō that his revival repaid the trust Dan had shown him, and Tsunade examined Kaedeji but found no injuries.
• Kaedeji urged Dan Katō and Tsunade to marry after the war and suggested they name a son Naruto, hoping their child might become Asura's reincarnation.
• Dan Katō said he would accept responsibility for the comrades lost or wounded, while Kaedeji reassured him about the battle's casualties.
• The surviving Konoha ninjas gathered around Dan Katō, Tsunade, and Kaedeji, and Dan Katō credited Kaedeji and Tsunade for helping him return alive.
• Dan Katō ordered the force of over a thousand men to withdraw to the Land of Fire border, and Hyūga Iroha noted that Kaedeji was now a Special Jonin.

After the battle, Kaedeji privately discussed with Hyūga Iroha whether his resurrection technique might free Branch Family members from the Caged Bird Seal, while concealing Dan Katō’s revival from the village. Konoha declared the costly retreat a major victory, and Danzo and the Third Tsuchikage each grew suspicious of the battle’s outcome as the war continued.

• Morino Ibiki noticed Iroha’s unease, and Kaedeji realized the Hyūga had seen something through his Byakugan.
• Kaedeji took Iroha on a supposed patrol and explained that his resurrection technique might restore the Byakugan of a dead Branch Family member, potentially overcoming the Caged Bird Seal.
• Root ninja appeared and asked whether Iroha should be eliminated, but Kaedeji dismissed the proposal and returned with him to the main force.
• Konoha’s report concealed Dan Katō’s death and revival; two days later, an Anbu messenger announced that the Four-Tails had destroyed Iwagakure’s force and fallen into a coma, making the mission a celebrated victory.
• Iroha returned to the village and began taking action, while Danzo privately doubted the official account and resolved to control Kaedeji and advance his experiments.
• The Third Tsuchikage learned that most of Iwagakure’s force had been killed and Rōshi was comatose, then considered withdrawing and later striking Kumogakure.

Hizashi Hyuga learned that Kaedeji had revived Dan Katō and given him an Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai, leading Hizashi to wonder whether Kaedeji could free the Hyūga from the Caged Bird Seal. As Kaedeji recovered from the resurrection technique, he sensed a sudden outbreak of zombies at the front lines and prepared to investigate, suspecting Orochimaru was responsible.

• Hizashi Hyuga heard Iroha’s account of Kaedeji reviving Dan Katō and used his Byakugan to confirm that Dan could wield Explosion Release.
• Hizashi returned to the clan, considering whether Kaedeji’s abilities could loosen the Hyūga’s centuries-old fate under the Caged Bird Seal.
• Tsunade and Dan Katō discussed her longing for Nawaki, while Dan urged her not to ask Kaedeji to revive him.
• Kaedeji left Konoha Hospital and sensed that a large number of zombies had appeared at the front lines, which he suspected was connected to Orochimaru.
• Kaedeji ordered a White Zetsu clone to gather a hundred fresh corpses so he could replenish his zombies and investigate the front lines.

Orochimaru discussed the war’s likely end while coveting Kaedeji’s life-preserving techniques, then confronted Aburame Ryoma over a leaked experiment involving Kaedeji’s corpse fragments. Kaedeji appeared in the central camp and greeted Orochimaru after a zombie blast cleared the area.

• Orochimaru told Senju Touka that Iwagakure would likely withdraw after the Four-Tails’ defeat, but allowed her to lead the Senju into another attack.
• Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi sensed a Chakra surge at the camp’s center, where Root members barred others from approaching Orochimaru’s tent.
• Uchiha Setsuna suggested that missing clan members might be connected to the village’s higher-ups, and Fugaku warned him not to make claims without evidence.
• Orochimaru confronted Aburame Ryoma, who had interfered with research using Kaedeji’s corpse fragments and caused a virus leak that turned subordinates into zombies.
• One zombie unleashed Lightning Release, and Kaedeji appeared in its place, introducing himself to Orochimaru as a Special Jonin of the Corpse Disposal Unit.

Kaedeji arrived at the front lines and used his Corpse Release Secret Technique and Void Realm Technique to save Konoha Ninja and sow chaos among Iwagakure’s forces. As the decisive battle intensified, he escaped Ōnoki’s attack and warned him that their conflict would continue.

• Kaedeji confronted Orochimaru and Aburame Ryoma in the main camp, revealed Sandstorm Araki, and convinced Orochimaru to send Ryoma away.
• Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure’s forces into a final offensive after learning that Kaedeji had used corpses to fight Rōshi and restore Dan Katō.
• Ōnoki attacked Kaedeji with Dust Release, and Kaedeji repeatedly used the Void Realm Technique to rescue Konoha Ninja at the cost of his zombies.
• Kaedeji replenished his Chakra and used Corpse Transformation Technique to make fallen Iwagakure ninja rise and attack their comrades, disrupting the enemy’s ranks.
• Orochimaru entered the battle as the fighting escalated, while Ōnoki charged Kaedeji and destroyed Konoha Ninja and corpses with Dust Release.
• Kaedeji escaped Ōnoki’s attack with the Void Realm Technique and told him that Iwagakure had lost the war and that they would clash again.

Kaedeji helped Konoha defeat Iwagakure in the final battle of the Second Great Ninja War, earning widespread fame for his Corpse Release techniques. As the villages began plotting for future conflict, the Third Hokage approved advancing forbidden experiments, with Senju clan members identified as suitable test subjects for First Hokage cell research.

• Kaedeji used his corpses and Void Realm Technique to support Konoha while evading Ōnoki, and secretly collected valuable corpses from the battlefield.
• Fugaku praised Kaedeji and offered to recommend Uchiha disciples, while Uchiha Setsuna warned him that his talent could alarm Konoha's leaders.
• After fighting from dawn until night, Konoha drove Iwagakure's forces into retreat, and the battlefield erupted in cheers as the Second Great Ninja War ended.
• Orochimaru invited Kaedeji to visit his laboratory and cooperate on human experimentation, while Konoha ninja discussed the frightening potential of Kaedeji commanding an army of corpses.
• News of Kaedeji's power spread across the ninja world, and other villages marked him as a high-priority target for elimination.
• The Third Hokage reviewed the reports, accepted Kaedeji's wartime conduct, and approved advancing forbidden experiments, beginning with First Hokage cell research on Senju clan members.

After returning to Konoha, Kaedeji gained the Third Hokage’s approval to record the Void Realm Technique and chose the Reaper Death Seal from the Scroll of Seals. He left the village to establish a remote base, transplanted two Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and began studying the sealing technique.

• Kaedeji met with the Third Hokage, agreed to record the Void Realm Technique in the Scroll of Seals, and refused to inscribe Corpse Release.
• Kaedeji chose the Reaper Death Seal instead of the Mutual Exploding Tag, and the Third Hokage gave him a blood-locked scroll containing the technique.
• Orochimaru approached Kaedeji about joining his human experimentation research and asked to learn the Eight Gates Technique; Kaedeji refused to teach it but offered to negotiate a trade.
• Kaedeji left Konoha using the Void Realm Technique and established a temporary base deep in the Land of Fire.
• Kaedeji transformed a captured Uchiha corpse, transplanted both of its Three-Tomoe Sharingan into himself, and adapted to the eyes.
• Kaedeji unlocked the scroll and began deciphering the Reaper Death Seal, finding it more complex than the One's Own Life Reincarnation technique.

Fugaku investigated the disappearance of Uchiha corpses while Danzo secretly killed Yuto to take his Sharingan and traveled to the Land of Rain to uncover what Jiraiya and Kaedeji had encountered. Kaedeji agreed to intervene after learning Danzo and Hanzō were searching for Jiraiya, and Danzo finally spotted Nagato’s Rinnegan as their forces confronted one another.

• Fugaku blamed an unknown threat for the missing bodies of three Uchiha Sharingan users and Yuto, but rejected Setsuna’s unsupported accusations against Kaedeji.
• Danzo admitted to killing Yuto and taking his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then left Konoha with Terai and two Root squads to investigate Jiraiya and Kaedeji in the Land of Rain.
• Uzumaki Mito began preparing Kushina to learn the Reaper Death Seal, while Kaedeji struggled to develop a way to use the technique without sacrificing his soul.
• Black Zetsu told Kaedeji that Danzo and Hanzō were searching the Land of Rain for Jiraiya, and Kaedeji agreed to step in and protect Nagato.
• Jiraiya, Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan prepared to face the pursuing Root squad, and Jiraiya recognized Terai among them.
• Danzo looked past Jiraiya at Nagato and realized that the boy possessed the Rinnegan.

Jiraiya fought Danzo's Root forces after Nagato's Rinnegan was revealed, while Danzo tried to recruit Nagato by promising to revive his parents. Hanzō joined the conflict against Jiraiya, and just as Nagato began summoning something with the Rinnegan, Kaedeji appeared and stopped him.

• Jiraiya and the Root ninjas clashed, and Nagato's skill with all five chakra natures helped his side resist until Danzo revealed his Sharingan and joined the fight.
• Danzo offered to make Nagato his disciple, promising to revive his parents and eventually make him Hokage, but Nagato refused after learning Danzo had led Konoha's forces in the war that killed his parents.
• Danzo ordered Terai and the Root ninjas to capture Nagato alive, but Hanzō arrived with over a hundred ninjas and agreed to oppose Jiraiya after Danzo threatened the Land of Rain.
• Jiraiya prepared to hold off Danzo and Hanzō so Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan could escape, while Nagato began forming hand seals to use a Rinnegan technique.
• Kaedeji emerged from beneath the ground, appeared in a God's Robe, and stopped Nagato from activating the technique, warning that he could not control it.