Chapter Summaries

Torifu Akimichi and Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed Konoha’s next Hokage while Uchiha Kazuna demanded the 100 million ryo he was owed. As the army’s return was delayed, Danzo revealed that his operation against the Uchiha had already begun and set out to attack Kazuna.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed Jiraiya as the Fifth Hokage, but Torifu Akimichi rejected the idea, and they agreed to consider Tsunade instead.
• Kirigakure named Mei Terumi its Fifth Mizukage, while Konoha’s divided leadership drew attention across the Shinobi World.
• Uchiha Kazuna confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi over his 100 million ryo appearance fee and insisted that the debt be paid.
• Torifu Akimichi and Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried the army back toward Konoha, but Hiruzen delayed the journey because he feared Kazuna was making preparations.
• Danzo told Hiruzen that he had arranged an ambush against Uchiha Kazuna and that the operation had already begun.
• Danzo undid the seal on his arm and left Hiruzen behind, telling him to join the attack.

Danzo launched an assault on Kazuna and the Uchiha, hoping to force Hiruzen into backing him, but Kazuna exposed Danzo’s forbidden experiments and defeated him repeatedly with Susanoo. As Danzo’s Izanagi kept him alive, Kazuna realized that someone else might be behind Danzo’s strange actions.

• Danzo recalled how his ambition to become Hokage had led him to target the Uchiha, and he planned to use their deaths to force Hiruzen’s hand.
• Hiruzen met Torifu Akimichi, who laid out three choices: fight Kazuna, kill Danzo and abandon their clansmen, or claim Danzo had ambushed them and stay out of the battle.
• Kazuna confronted Danzo, who revealed Sharingan and Hashirama Cells; Kazuna accused him of human experimentation, turning the watching ninja against him.
• Danzo attacked with Wind Release, but Kazuna’s Susanoo crushed him; Danzo revived behind Kazuna through Izanagi, only to be crushed again.
• Kazuna realized Danzo had collected ten Sharingan during the war and wondered whether someone else had caused Danzo’s behavior.

Kazuna overwhelmed Danzo with Susanoo, then slaughtered the Sarutobi and Shimura forces that Danzo ordered to attack him. Orochimaru joined the battle with the Kusanagi Sword and a giant snake, while Shibi Aburame and Guren blocked the other Konoha and Uchiha forces from intervening.

• Kazuna repeatedly killed Danzo, crushed his summoned Baku, and brushed aside Danzo's Wind Release shuriken with Susanoo.
• Danzo ordered the Shimura and Sarutobi clans to attack Kazuna, and Kazuna's four-armed Draw Cut Technique wiped out about half of their six hundred ninja.
• Orochimaru attacked Kazuna with the Kusanagi Sword and summoned a giant snake, prompting Konoha ninja to move against him.
• Orochimaru's forces, two summoned snakes, and more than one hundred ninja blocked Shibi Aburame and the Konoha forces.
• Guren summoned a Crystal Dragon to block the Uchiha and asked them to stop.

Uchiha Kazuna fought Orochimaru and Danzo, using genjutsu and powerful attacks to drive them from the battlefield. Afterward, he ordered his forces to capture Orochimaru’s remaining followers and singled out Guren as his next target.

• Guren used Crystal Style to defend herself and hold off the Uchiha ninja attacking her.
• Kazuna tricked Danzo with genjutsu, then fought Orochimaru while Danzo briefly attacked his own ally.
• Orochimaru and Danzo injured Kazuna, but he unleashed a Yasaka Blood Magatama that forced them to flee.
• Kazuna ordered Yashiro to capture Orochimaru’s remaining forces and claim Guren, while the Uchiha pursued the surviving enemies.

Uchiha Kazuna defeated Guren and helped the Uchiha forces crush Orochimaru and Danzo’s allies, then defended Orochimaru at an Akatsuki meeting despite Pain expelling him. As Kazuna set his sights on becoming Hokage, Obito and Black Zetsu resolved to sow chaos in Konohagakure and retrieve what Obito believed belonged to him.

• Kazuna fought Guren, who insisted Orochimaru was invincible, and left her unconscious.
• The Uchiha and Konoha forces killed most of Orochimaru’s and Danzo’s followers, captured about thirty, and detained the Sarutobi and Shimura members who had not fought.
• Kazuna told Yashiro and Shibi to escort the prisoners and wounded while he led the Uchiha ahead, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi in an awkward position.
• At Akatsuki’s gathering, Pain expelled Orochimaru and ordered members to kill him, while Kazuna claimed they were on good terms and admitted he had taken Orochimaru’s Ring after breaking his arm.
• After Kazuna left, Pain and Konan discussed his chance of becoming Hokage, and Konan secretly hoped the Uchiha would take the position.
• Obito Uchiha ordered Black Zetsu to stir up chaos in Konohagakure and decided to retrieve what he believed belonged to him.

After Torifu Akimichi returned from a disastrous campaign and resigned as Acting Hokage, the jonin began choosing a successor, with Tsunade quickly gathering widespread support. Kazuna had earlier declared his own intention to become Hokage, and the chapter ended with him urging Tsunade to accept the role.

• Tsunade returned to Konohagakure, questioned Kazuna about the front-line news, and smashed the ground after he provoked her before fleeing.
• Kazuna reunited with Shizune, Shiraha, and Uzuki Yugao, declared he would become Hokage, and cultivated Sage Art by absorbing life energy.
• Torifu Akimichi returned with Hiruzen Sarutobi after the force lost about four thousand ninja, then resigned as Acting Hokage.
• Shikaku Nara convened the jonin to select a Hokage, and Kunugi Mokume, Torifu Akimichi, and Jiraiya helped rally nearly a hundred recommendations for Tsunade.
• Tsunade objected to becoming Hokage, but Kazuna backed Hiruzen Sarutobi's appeal for her to protect Konohagakure, leaving the assembly stunned.

Uchiha Kazuna let Tsunade win the Hokage vote, then announced that the Uchiha would leave Konohagakure and become independent. The Aburame Clan declared it would leave with them, while the village leaders struggled to respond to the Uchiha’s departure.

• Shibi Aburame nominated Uchiha Kazuna, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and many others backed Tsunade; Hyuga Hiashi also nominated Tsunade, pushing her past the winning threshold.
• As Jonin cast their votes, Tsunade’s total rose above one hundred and ninety while Kazuna received only a little over thirty.
• Kazuna cast the Uchiha votes for Tsunade, bringing her total above two hundred and declaring her the Fifth Hokage.
• Kazuna announced that the Uchiha would leave Konohagakure and become independent, and Fugaku revealed his Mangekyo alongside Kazuna.
• Shibi Aburame announced that the Aburame Clan would leave Konohagakure with the Uchiha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi called the departure betrayal and Tsunade questioned Kazuna.

The Uchiha Clan announced that they would leave Konohagakure, forcing the village leaders to confront the loss of its strongest fighters and the enemies Kazuna had provoked. Kazuna returned to the meeting and explained his grievances and preparations, while Tsunade remained the chosen Fifth Hokage and received his pointed encouragement.

• Kazuna led Fugaku Uchiha, Shibi Aburame, and more than ten Uchiha supporters out of the meeting, prompting the Third Hokage and the others to realize Konohagakure could lose nearly two thousand ninja.
• Shikaku Nara argued that the Uchiha Clan could not be allowed to leave, but Tsunade challenged the leaders to explain how they would stop Kazuna and the clan.
• Shikaku asked Kurenai to bring Kazuna back, and she persuaded him to return to the conference room.
• Kazuna confronted Kunugi Mokume over choosing Tsunade despite her Hemophobia and accused Konohagakure of excluding the Uchiha while sending them to the front lines.
• Kazuna revealed that he had prepared a defensible valley and three months of supplies for the Uchiha, while warning that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure might target Konohagakure after the clan left.
• Tsunade offered to recommend Kazuna as Hokage, but Kazuna refused and declared that the Uchiha believed in her as the new Hokage.

Uchiha Kazuna’s plan to leave Konohagakure stirred public anger against the Uchiha into outrage at the village leadership, while Tsunade concluded he would become Hokage. As Sunagakure began moving troops and more than two thousand shinobi prepared to leave with the Uchiha, Konohagakure faced growing danger.

• Kazuna left with Fugaku and the Uchiha, and news of their planned departure spread through Konohagakure.
• Kazuna’s supporters redirected villagers’ anger toward the Konoha High Command by highlighting its treatment of the Uchiha and its double standard toward Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Jiraiya that Kazuna would become the Fifth Hokage and explained that the Uchiha’s departure could invite attacks from other villages.
• An Anbu summoned Tsunade and Jiraiya to a meeting after Shikaku received reports of Sunagakure troop movements.
• Shikaku told the meeting that the Aburame Clan and civilian Jonin families were also preparing to leave, bringing the known departing force to more than two thousand shinobi, including fifty-three Jonin.

Konohagakure’s leaders realized Uchiha Kazuna had engineered their weakened position and concluded they had to ask him to become Fifth Hokage. Shikaku went to make the request, but the Uchiha refused to let him see Kazuna and warned that the clan would leave the next day unless Konohagakure showed greater sincerity.

• Shikaku described Konohagakure’s military strengths and vulnerabilities, while Utatane Koharu raised the danger that Danzo might reveal village secrets.
• Tsunade said Kazuna could summon her to Shikkotsu Forest, and Jiraiya revealed that Kazuna had reinforced the Nine-Tails’ seal, leaving both unable to fight Konohagakure’s potential war with the Uchiha.
• Tekka Uchiha arrived with fruit, and Inabi appeared alive, revealing that the Uchiha had not lost the ten Jonin they had supposedly lost in earlier conflicts.
• Shikaku proposed that Kazuna become Fifth Hokage, and the gathered leaders let him go make the request.
• Uchiha guards refused to let Shikaku meet Kazuna, while Yashiro showed him supplies being moved into the clan grounds and said the Uchiha would leave tomorrow unless Konohagakure sent someone with greater status and sincerity.

As Sunagakure massed shinobi at the border, Tsunade and Hyuga Hiashi pushed Konohagakure’s leaders to seek an agreement with Uchiha Kazuna. The Inuzuka Clan joined Kazuna first, while Hiashi and other clan leaders arrived at the Uchiha grounds to negotiate.

• Shikaku reported Kazuna’s demands to Konohagakure’s leaders, who grew furious, while Kazuna told Fugaku that his second step was beginning.
• An Anbu reported that Sunagakure had gathered more than five thousand shinobi at the border, and Tsunade said Kazuna had likely made an agreement with Sunagakure.
• Tsunade refused to take action without orders from the Fifth Hokage, and Hyuga Hiashi led several clan leaders out to see Kazuna.
• Hiashi and Tsume Inuzuka arrived at the Uchiha grounds, where Hiashi found that Tsume had arrived first and the Inuzuka Clan had joined Kazuna.
• Kazuna and Fugaku discussed Kazuna losing their bet about who would arrive first, and Fugaku accepted a bottle of Kazuna’s medicine.

Uchiha Kazuna’s growing support forced Konohagakure’s clans and factions to choose sides as the Third Hokage struggled to retain power. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Torifu Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara went to the Uchiha Clan Grounds, as Kazuna’s succession as the Fifth Hokage became imminent.

• Kazuna explained that the Uchiha’s Dojutsu-enhancing medicine came from a split Divine Tree Fruit, while Fugaku said he had bought a bottle for Sasuke.
• Kazuna warned Fugaku that Hiruzen Sarutobi might make a final move, even as villagers increasingly supported Kazuna over Tsunade and Acting Hokage Torifu Akimichi.
• Hyuga Hiashi and representatives from several clans gathered at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, urging the Uchiha to stay and Kazuna to become Hokage.
• Shikaku Nara proposed cooperating with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Third Hokage’s faction reached a temporary understanding with Ino-Shika-Cho.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya watched as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Torifu Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara arrived at the Uchiha Clan Grounds, where Tsunade said it was time to welcome the new Hokage.

Uchiha Kazuna took office as the Fifth Hokage, attended an Akatsuki gathering, and began confronting Konohagakure’s financial problems. He demanded repayment from Hiruzen Sarutobi’s allies and left Torifu Akimichi facing a request to lend more money.

• Kazuna attended Pain’s Akatsuki gathering and agreed to discuss cooperation with Konan.
• Kazuna asserted his authority as Fifth Hokage, delayed visiting the Daimyo, and said he would make Sunagakure withdraw its forces at the border.
• Kazuna taunted Hiruzen Sarutobi during a Hokage meeting, while Shikaku Nara and Torifu Akimichi restrained the Third.
• Three days later, Kazuna confronted Shikaku, Torifu, and Hiruzen over Konohagakure’s financial holes and threatened to expose the ledgers unless the money was returned.
• Hiruzen offered 400 million ryo from several clans, but Kazuna demanded more and prompted Hiruzen to ask Torifu for a loan.

After becoming Fifth Hokage, Kazuna used a major financial settlement and reforms to strengthen Konohagakure and build support, while keeping the Daimyo at arm’s length. A year later, the Third Hokage saw Uchiha Itachi’s promotion as a chance to undermine Kazuna, unaware that Itachi was playing both sides.

• Torifu Akimichi and Shikaku helped the Third Hokage raise another 50 million ryo, bringing the funds Kazuna received to 450 million and draining Ino-Shika-Cho’s savings.
• Kazuna became Fifth Hokage as the Shinobi World entered a brief peace, then promoted many civilian Special Jonin to Jonin and began building roads and expanding his strength.
• A year passed, and Uchiha Itachi told Kazuna that the Daimyo had sent a third request for him to visit and receive formal investiture; Kazuna instead asked about the Third Hokage’s movements.
• After a staged Uchiha dispute, Kazuna appointed Itachi Head of the Konoha Military Police Force and Uchiha Vice Clan Leader, while naming Shisui Hokage Assistant.
• The Third Hokage secretly met Itachi and considered using him to obtain Uchiha secrets or kill someone close to Kazuna, not realizing Itachi was already feeding him fabricated information.

Itachi reported that Hiruzen planned to leak real secrets to win Kazuna’s trust, while Kazuna continued weakening Hiruzen’s faction and delaying a confrontation with the Daimyo. Kazuna discovered Konohagakure’s finances were strained, but decided to proceed with his projects, confident he could obtain more money.

• Hiruzen told Itachi he would share real secrets for Itachi to pass to Kazuna, but Itachi objected that Kazuna was too suspicious to be easily deceived.
• Hiruzen explained his opposition to civilian ninja becoming Jonin, and Itachi realized Kazuna’s reforms might challenge the Land of Fire’s wider social order and the Daimyo’s rule.
• Itachi told Kazuna that Hiruzen planned to offer secrets and sacrifice some people, while Kazuna said he would accept what was sent and keep delaying action against the Daimyo.
• Uzuki Uzumaki visited Kazuna, and he instructed her and Uzuki Yugao to prepare and inform Shiraha; Yugao also reported that Shikaku had visited but left without meeting him.
• Uzuki Uzumaki warned Kazuna that road construction and housing renovations had drained Konohagakure’s funds, and Kazuna rejected asking Hiruzen’s faction for more money.
• Kazuna considered the Daimyo’s wealth and decided his plans would continue as usual, saying he had the richest woman and the best money-maker in the Shinobi World on his side.

Kazuna bargained with Konan for Explosive Tags and told her about Impure World Reincarnation, prompting her to think of Yahiko. He then warned her that Madara Uchiha could be resurrected and was far stronger than Nagato, leaving Konan worried and determined to seek more information from Kazuna.

• Kazuna pressured Konan for Explosive Tags, and she eventually agreed to give him two million in exchange for valuable intelligence.
• Kazuna explained Impure World Reincarnation to Konan and Nagato, describing it as a forbidden technique that bound the dead in a vessel.
• Konan reacted to the possibility of resurrection by thinking of Yahiko, while Kazuna warned that the technique was a form of punishment.
• Kazuna told Konan that Nagato could last only three to five moves against Madara Uchiha and offered to sell her more information for two million Explosive Tags.
• Kazuna revealed that Madara Uchiha had planned to return to life and had multiple resurrection trump cards, leaving Konan intent on meeting Kazuna again.

Kazuna absorbed White Zetsu, strengthened his connection to the Divine Tree, and continued consolidating his power as Hokage while building ties with Amegakure. Three years later, Danzo sought Orochimaru’s help to reclaim Konoha, and Kazuna prepared to attend the Chunin Exams in Kumogakure.

• Kazuna captured White Zetsu and absorbed him, gaining a surge of life force that activated the Divine Tree and made its fruit more vivid.
• Danzo met Orochimaru, learned that Kazuna had become the Fifth Hokage, and recruited Orochimaru to help him take Konoha back.
• Konan visited Konoha to negotiate peace and cooperation with Kazuna, and exchanges between Amegakure and Konoha increased.
• Jiraiya took eight-year-old Naruto out of the village for training, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to confront Kazuna before Uchiha guards and clan leaders nearly clashed.
• Shikaku Nara and Torifu Akimichi worried that their opposition to Kazuna had left their clans vulnerable as his influence grew.
• Kazuna decided to attend the upcoming Chunin Exams, which would be hosted by Kumogakure with participants from all Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Kazuna learned that Akatsuki had captured the Four-Tails after its Jinchuriki attacked Amegakure, prompting Nagato to advance Akatsuki’s plans. He offered Konan Tailed Beast Chakra as an alternative to targeting Gaara, leaving her to consider his proposal.

• At a Konohagakure Jonin meeting, Kazuna insisted on attending the Chunin Exams in Kumogakure after revealing the Four-Tails had disappeared, and he chose Kakashi and Might Guy to accompany him.
• Kazuna contacted Konan through the Ring and learned Akatsuki had captured the Four-Tails after Roshi attacked Amegakure and confronted Nagato.
• Konan told Kazuna that Nagato had decided to move up Akatsuki’s operation, which threatened Gaara and Sunagakure.
• Kazuna argued that Akatsuki should avoid making enemies of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and offered to provide Tailed Beast Chakra instead of having them target the One-Tails.

Kazuna persuaded Konan to consider sparing the One-Tails and Nine-Tails and letting Nagato relocate to Konohagakure, then prepared to travel to Kumogakure via Amegakure. As he departed, Orochimaru’s reported presence in Tea Country prompted Kazuna to send a pursuit squad, while Kumogakure prepared for the Chunin Exams and Killer B eagerly anticipated Kazuna’s arrival.

• Konan agreed to help Kazuna obtain Four-Tails Chakra and said she would discuss Nagato’s safety with him.
• Kazuna returned to the Hokage’s office, decided to pursue becoming a Jinchuriki, and ordered the Iron Fire Squad to capture Orochimaru alive in Tea Country.
• Uzuki Uzumaki briefed Kazuna on village affairs, including the Daimyo’s renewed demand for a meeting, before Kazuna announced he would leave for Kumogakure the next day.
• Kazuna told Uzuki to manage Konohagakure during his absence and planned to stop in Amegakure on the way.
• Kumogakure prepared for the Chunin Exams while Killer B rallied shinobi with his “Victory” headbands and music, despite the Raikage’s anger.

Kazuna took Ido and Guren to one of Orochimaru’s secret bases, where they survived his explosive trap and discovered he had only left a clone behind. After asking about Impure World Reincarnation and their old agreement, Kazuna gathered Orochimaru’s research materials and left with Yakumo and Ido.

• Kazuna traveled toward Kumogakure with elite Genin, including Yakumo, and recognized that Ido had taken control of her body.
• An Anbu led Kazuna and Guren to Orochimaru’s secret base, where Guren opened the entrance with her seals.
• Kazuna pushed into the laboratory and triggered a Kunai-and-Explosive Tag trap, while Guren used Crystal Style to protect them and support the passage.
• Orochimaru’s clone questioned Guren’s betrayal and discussed their old agreement with Kazuna; Ido set the clone on fire before it dispersed.
• Ido yielded control to Yakumo, and Kazuna asked her to collect the valuable research materials Orochimaru had left behind.