Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected Uchiha Kazuna's plan despite trusting him to be plotting against the Hokage, while Iwagakure and Kumogakure launched a surprise joint attack on Konohagakure. Kazuna split his forces to confront the Raikage and Ōnoki, then provoked Ōnoki by claiming to be Madara Uchiha as they fought.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi refused Shikaku Nara's proposal, saying he trusted Uchiha Kazuna because Kazuna was surely plotting against him.
• After Shikaku Nara left, Kazuna sent word for Danzo to make his move, then learned Iwagakure was reinforcing its forces while Kumogakure remained suspiciously still.
• Iwagakure and Kumogakure attacked Konohagakure at the same time, and contact with Jiraiya's army was lost.
• Kazuna ordered Kakashi and Might Guy to face the Fourth Raikage, sent Uchiha Shinya and the other ninja toward Kumogakure, and charged at Ōnoki himself.
• Kazuna taunted Ōnoki by calling himself Madara Uchiha, dodged Dust Release, and attacked Iwagakure with Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation.
• Ōnoki ordered the Iwagakure ninja to surround Kazuna and use group ninjutsu, while Kazuna faced a massive Earth Release structure.

Kazuna fought Ōnoki and Iwagakure’s beehive formation, revealing a massive Susanoo and devastating two hives with Yasaka Blood Magatama. As Ōnoki continued battling him, a Tiger Masked man watched in frustration, realizing Kazuna had taken the identity he planned to use.

• Ōnoki surrounded Kazuna with thousands of Iwagakure shinobi and three beehives, describing how he had used the same tactic to kill the Third Raikage.
• Kazuna summoned a colossal Susanoo, blasted through one beehive with a Blood Orb, and destroyed it with a second attack after spotting its undefended rear.
• Killer B refrained from using the Tailed Beast Bomb because he had agreed with Kazuna not to use it unless either of them died.
• Ōnoki attacked Kazuna with Dust Release and crushed his Susanoo between two beehives, but Kazuna escaped and returned unharmed.
• A Tiger Masked man watched Kazuna impersonate Madara Uchiha and realized Kazuna had preempted his own plan to approach Ōnoki or the Fourth Raikage.

Uchiha Kazuna drove Ōnoki and Iwagakure from the battlefield, then helped Konohagakure force the Fourth Raikage and Kumogakure to retreat. Konohagakure survived the joint assault but lost more than fifteen hundred ninja, and Kazuna praised Uchiha Shinya for his fight against Darui and Shi.

• Obito and Zetsu discussed how Kazuna seemed to anticipate Obito's plans and considered testing Kazuna's unknown Mangekyo ability.
• Kazuna fought Ōnoki, whose attacks shattered Susanoo, and revealed that using his Mangekyo was strengthening his dojutsu while reducing its burden.
• Kazuna struck at Ōnoki with a Blood Orb, forcing him to order Iwagakure's retreat.
• Might Guy used the Seventh Gate's Daytime Tiger to tear three tails from the Eight-Tails, and Kazuna rallied Konohagakure as the Fourth Raikage ordered Kumogakure to withdraw.
• Kazuna organized the battlefield cleanup and learned that Konohagakure had lost more than fifteen hundred ninja, including over forty Uchiha.
• Kazuna praised Uchiha Shinya, who had sacrificed an eye to use Izanagi and ambush Darui.

After suffering heavy losses in a coordinated attack by Kumogakure and Iwagakure, Kazuna regrouped with Jiraiya and launched a counteroffensive, but Ōnoki escaped after Obito warned him. Kazuna turned toward Kumogakure while Obito and Ōnoki began discussing how to kill him, and the Fourth Raikage confronted Killer B over his agreement with Kazuna.

• Kazuna absorbed power from the Eight-Tails' severed tentacle after Shinya reported more than forty Uchiha deaths.
• Jiraiya arrived with his wounded forces and explained that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had used two thousand ninja and the Two-Tails and Five-Tails to block him.
• After learning that Konohagakure had suffered over a thousand casualties, Kazuna joined forces with Jiraiya and ordered him to pin down Kumogakure while he attacked Iwagakure.
• Kazuna found Iwagakure's main camp abandoned, learned that Ōnoki had withdrawn, and redirected his troops toward Kumogakure.
• Obito revealed that he had warned Ōnoki to retreat, offered him information about Kazuna, and arranged for Zetsu to serve as their contact.
• The Fourth Raikage questioned Killer B about failing to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb, then punched him after Killer B defended his agreement with Kazuna.

Uchiha Kazuna fought the retreating forces of Kumogakure and helped Konohagakure secure a costly victory, leaving him convinced that the other villages would soon target his village. Back in Konohagakure, tensions rose over the approaching threat of civil conflict, while Ōnoki received a letter about trouble inside the village.

• The Fourth Raikage ordered Kumogakure to withdraw, leaving Killer B and Yugito Nii to hold off Kazuna.
• Kazuna battled Killer B and Yugito Nii, then withdrew after Kumogakure completed its retreat and ordered scouts to track both enemy villages.
• Kazuna concluded that Konohagakure’s growing strength would provoke the other villages and decided to begin the next stage of his plan to become Hokage.
• Torifu Akimichi and Shikaku Nara helped calm tensions in Konohagakure, while Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Danzo over the alleged betrayal.
• Ōnoki showed Kitsuchi a letter about Konohagakure’s internal unrest and questioned his son’s judgment.

Kakashi’s harsh peace terms failed to stop the fighting, so Kazuna forced Kumogakure to pay 100 million ryo before returning to Konohagakure. There, Torifu confronted Hiruzen and the other elders over their role in the intelligence leak and offered Hiruzen a solution in exchange for a price.

• Kitsuchi urged Ōnoki to end the war, and Iwagakure and Kumogakure began peace talks with Konohagakure.
• Kazuna ordered Kakashi to demand heavy compensation, but Dodai and Kitsuchi rejected the terms before privately seeking negotiations.
• Kazuna ignored the Acting Hokage’s order to return and led his forces to Kumogakure, where the village agreed to pay Konohagakure 100 million ryo.
• Torifu confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and the other elders about the intelligence leak, then offered Hiruzen a solution in exchange for a sufficient price.

Uchiha Kazuna confronted Acting Hokage Torifu Akimichi over the peace deal, a 100 million ryo payment from Kumogakure, and leaked frontline intelligence. Torifu promised an investigation as Kazuna returned to the Uchiha compound, while Hiruzen Sarutobi accused Danzo of causing the leak.

• Torifu Akimichi told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had negotiated peace with Iwagakure and Kumogakure, and an Anbu announced Uchiha Kazuna had returned.
• Kazuna stormed into the Hokage's office, where Shikaku Nara restrained him with the Shadow Imitation Technique as he confronted Torifu.
• Kazuna revealed that Kumogakure had paid 100 million ryo in compensation after he led his forces there, and he rebuked Torifu for making peace without him.
• Kazuna and Jiraiya accused Torifu of allowing their battle plans and commanders' intelligence to be leaked, and Torifu promised to provide an explanation.
• Torifu considered bringing Tsunade back or handing the Hokage position to the Uchiha, while Kazuna returned to the clan compound and put the Uchiha clan into action.
• Hiruzen confronted Danzo over the intelligence leak and warned that investigators could narrow down who had access to the leaked information.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo sacrificed Mitokado Homura to contain the intelligence-leak scandal, driving the Mitokado and Utatane clans away from them and leaving their faction isolated. Torifu Akimichi ordered Tsunade to return or be branded a Rogue Ninja, while Uchiha Kazuna prepared for a final struggle over Konohagakure; Tsunade chose to return as the great villages began mobilizing.

• Danzo took responsibility for handling the crisis, and Mitokado Homura was killed and presented as the leaker; Torifu Akimichi ordered Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo out of his office.
• The Mitokado Family broke with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Utatane and Mitokado clans joined the Ino-Shika-Cho, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo with only their own clans.
• Torifu Akimichi gave Tsunade three days to return to Konohagakure or face being declared a Rogue Ninja alongside Shizune.
• Uchiha Kazuna urged the Uchiha to prepare for a final battle, and Uchiha Shisui declared that Kazuna was the best choice to become Hokage.
• After learning that Mitokado Homura had died and Jiraiya had become an elder, Tsunade decided to return to Konohagakure with Shizune.
• Iwagakure and Kumogakure began massing their forces, Sunagakure made restless moves, and Torifu Akimichi worried that the ceasefire was unraveling.

After Mitokado Homura’s death pushed the villages toward war, Black Pheasant caused the Nine-Tails inside Naruto to run wild in Konohagakure. Torifu Akimichi and the others struggled to stop Naruto and summoned Uchiha Kazuna, who suspected they were holding back and delayed his response.

• Iwagakure and Kumogakure decided to target the Uchiha, while Torifu Akimichi learned that Mitokado Homura’s death had helped drive the Shinobi World toward war.
• Black Pheasant attacked Naruto, causing the Nine-Tails to emerge, and Jiraiya and Torifu Akimichi tried to restrain him as the Third Hokage refused to let the Uchiha approach.
• Torifu Akimichi discovered that Hiruzen Sarutobi had concealed Tenzo, an Anbu with Wood Release, and Tenzo briefly bound Naruto before the Nine-Tails broke free and unleashed a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Torifu Akimichi sent an Anbu to summon Uchiha Kazuna, who continued eating with Yugao and said the other leaders were holding back to test him.

Kazuna subdued Naruto’s Nine-Tails rampage with his Susanoo after Torifu Akimichi and Jiraiya called him to help. He left with the crisis resolved, while Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Kazuna as the main obstacle to moving against the Uchiha.

• Kazuna agreed to go help with the Nine-Tails rampage and questioned whether Torifu Akimichi had approved his involvement.
• At the scene, Kazuna mocked Danzo for being missing again, while Jiraiya warned that Naruto was nearing a fifth tail and needed to be restrained.
• Jiraiya restrained Naruto briefly, and Kazuna used his Susanoo to pin him down and exhaust the leaked Nine-Tails power until Naruto passed out.
• Kazuna reminded Torifu to punish Danzo once he was found, then departed as Torifu ordered Hiruzen to focus on his duties.
• Hiruzen concluded that Kazuna had to be dealt with before the Uchiha, while Kazuna reflected on having obtained power from four Tailed Beasts.

Kazuna planned to secure Chakra from the Tailed Beasts while his victory over the Nine-Tails strengthened his standing in Konohagakure and further undermined Danzo and Hiruzen. Meanwhile, Obito pushed Kirigakure to prepare an attack on Konohagakure, leaving the other villages’ involvement uncertain.

• Kazuna studied the Shinobi World map and considered taking Chakra from the Three-Tails, Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, Four-Tails, and Five-Tails before Akatsuki could claim them.
• Konohagakure’s ninja praised Kazuna for overpowering the Nine-Tails and criticized Danzo for failing to appear during the crisis.
• Hiruzen and Danzo discussed their dwindling forces, trusted Uchiha Itachi’s intelligence, and learned that Kirigakure planned to attack Konohagakure and eliminate the Uchiha.
• Obito watched Pain in Amegakure before leaving, while Nagato dismissed him as a threat and trusted in the power of his Sage’s Eyes.
• Obito met the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, who said Kirigakure would be ready to march toward Konohagakure’s border within three days.
• Obito learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had not committed to the attack and denounced them for hesitating.

Karatachi Yagura planned to attack Konohagakure despite Kirigakure’s weakness, prompting Genji and Mei Terumi to prepare to oppose him and enlist Zabuza. In Konohagakure, Torifu Akimichi confronted Shimura Danzō over his dealings with Kirigakure as Kazuna joined the discussion, which ended with the village leaders examining unreliable ninja-strength reports.

• Karatachi Yagura confirmed his plan to attack Konohagakure, and Genji and Mei Terumi warned that Kirigakure could not afford another war.
• Genji urged Mei Terumi to act against the Mizukage and told her to contact Zabuza, who planned to assassinate him alone.
• Torifu Akimichi learned that Kirigakure had deployed ninja to the border and ordered that Konohagakure would meet war with war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō entered Torifu Akimichi’s office, where Torifu accused Danzō of conspiring with Kirigakure against the Uchiha.
• Kazuna arrived and challenged Danzō’s justification for targeting the Uchiha; Danzō admitted that he considered cooperation with Kirigakure worthwhile.
• Torifu Akimichi presented the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ registration figures, and Kazuna and Torifu pointed out that the numbers were unreliable and Kirigakure had fewer than ten thousand ninja.

Torifu Akimichi persuaded Konohagakure to wage war against Kirigakure, believing he could force the village to retreat and strengthen his bid to become Hokage. Kirigakure instead launched a surprise attack on Konohagakure’s camp, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing Torifu into battle.

• Torifu Akimichi secured Danzo’s agreement to contact Kirigakure and arranged for Konohagakure’s forces to march without the Uchiha, who were granted time to recover.
• Torifu Akimichi gathered a five-thousand-ninja army and led it to the Kirigakure border, while Kazuna anticipated the two villages would weaken each other.
• The other ninja villages reacted to Konohagakure’s show of force by communicating more closely and considering a united response.
• Torifu Akimichi arrived at the front lines expecting Kirigakure to retreat, but Kirigakure launched a surprise attack on the camp.
• The attack killed several hundred Konohagakure ninja and wounded over a thousand, while Kirigakure also lost several hundred fighters; Torifu Akimichi began commanding the battle in earnest.

Torifu Akimichi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō struggled as Kirigakure’s suicidal tactics inflicted heavy losses on Konohagakure’s forces. Back in the village, Kazuna refused to expose the losses, confident the truth would eventually emerge, while Itachi suspected he had plans of his own.

• Kirigakure used explosive tags, poison gas, and large-scale Water Release attacks that struck its own troops, killing more than a thousand Konohagakure ninjas in five days.
• Torifu Akimichi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō discussed their losses, and Hiruzen told Danzō to contact Kirigakure about joining forces against the Uchiha.
• Shikaku Nara concealed Konohagakure’s casualties in reports, while Kazuna stayed at the Uchiha grounds and did not interfere.
• Fugaku Uchiha gave Kazuna the Clan Leader’s office and publicly addressed him as Clan Leader Kazuna, while Itachi worked on clan paperwork beside him.
• Itachi suggested revealing the concealed reports about the battlefield losses, but Kazuna said the casualties would eventually force the Acting Hokage’s side to admit the truth.

Kazuna refused to help Shikaku with the disastrous front-line war, while Kirigakure’s suicidal attacks and Kaguya Clan fighters devastated Konohagakure’s forces. With only about two thousand Konoha ninja remaining, Torifu Akimichi decided they would keep fighting rather than retreat.

• Kazuna told Itachi that the Mizukage had gone insane and urged Shikaku to suppress the news, hoping the resulting scandal would drive a Konohagakure leader from power.
• As casualty reports mounted, Shikaku summoned Kazuna, who denied knowing the details and refused to go to the front lines until he was ready.
• Kirigakure continued its mutual-destruction attacks, and the Kaguya Clan’s bone techniques inflicted heavy losses on Konohagakure.
• Torifu Akimichi’s forces fell to around two thousand ninja, while Shikaku could not spare reinforcements because Iwagakure and Kumogakure were massing troops.
• After asking whether the Blood Mist Village could produce such fighters, Torifu Akimichi declared that Konohagakure would keep fighting and that anyone who retreated would be a grandson.

Torifu Akimichi sought to destroy Kirigakure for a victory that could secure his position as Hokage, while Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Uchiha Kazuna brought in to reduce Konoha's losses. After Kazuna refused Shikaku's invitation to the front, Danzo visited the Uchiha grounds and offered him 100 million ryo to deal with Kirigakure.

• Torifu Akimichi ordered reinforcements sent to the front so he could wipe out Kirigakure, while Hiruzen Sarutobi urged him to bring Uchiha Kazuna in.
• Danzo sent a clone to Konoha and, on Hiruzen's advice, tried to recruit Kazuna with money.
• Kazuna taught Uchiha children and ninja, then refused Shikaku Nara's invitation to return to battle.
• Danzo's clone entered the Uchiha grounds, where Kazuna identified him as a clone and mocked his appeal to their shared homeland.
• Danzo offered Kazuna 100 million ryo to take care of Kirigakure, and Kazuna teased him about doing it for Torifu Akimichi.

Uchiha Kazuna agreed to go to the front lines after Danzo promised him 100 Million Ryo, while news of Konohagakure's heavy casualties sparked unrest in the village. Kazuna set out with Uchiha Jonin, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Torifu Akimichi prepared for the consequences, trusting that Kazuna could end the Kirigakure crisis.

• Danzo offered Uchiha Kazuna 100 Million Ryo to head to the front lines, and Kazuna accepted after deciding Konohagakure's losses had gone far enough.
• Kazuna ordered Uchiha Jonin to proceed with his plan as news that Konohagakure's casualties had reached a one-to-one ratio spread through the village.
• Shikaku Nara learned that Torifu Akimichi wanted him to stop Kazuna, but Hezi warned that no one could make Kazuna change his mind.
• Kazuna left Konohagakure with several dozen Uchiha, kicking apart Danzo's clone and demanding that the 100 Million Ryo be ready.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo discussed Kazuna's arrival and the cost of his payment while Torifu Akimichi reacted angrily to the news.

Torifu Akimichi learned that Uchiha Kazuna was heading to the front and weighed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō’s offer of support for his bid to become Hokage. On the way to the front, Kazuna’s group was ambushed by Rogue Ninja, and Kazuna trapped and began slaughtering them.

• Torifu Akimichi ordered the army to hold its position and wait for Uchiha Kazuna, then confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō about bringing Kazuna to the front.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Torifu Akimichi the support of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans in exchange for helping them, and Torifu Akimichi left to consider the offer.
• Uchiha Kazuna and his companions were ambushed by Rogue Ninja, including members of the Xuanyuan Clan, but repelled their traps and attacks.
• Kazuna’s Uchiha forces killed many attackers with coordinated combat and Explosive Tags, while a portion of the Rogue Ninja fled.
• Kazuna and four allies raised a Four Violet Flames Formation around the remaining attackers, and Kazuna killed them one by one until only one remained.

Kazuna and the Uchiha defeated the Rogue Ninjas on their way to Konohagakure's shinobi army camp, while Ōnoki abandoned his planned ambush. At the camp, news arrived that Kirigakure had withdrawn, and Torifu Akimichi blamed Kazuna and charged at him.

• Kazuna killed most of the Rogue Ninjas, captured four Xuanyuan Clan members, and continued toward the army camp with the Uchiha.
• Ōnoki watched Kazuna from several kilometers away, decided against attacking, and left with the Iwagakure Jonin.
• Kazuna arrived at the camp and traded insults with Torifu Akimichi, the Third Hokage, and Danzo.
• A ninja reported that Kirigakure had withdrawn and was likely returning home.
• Torifu Akimichi accused Kazuna of causing Kirigakure's withdrawal, and Kazuna joked that he had stolen a skewer of dango.
• Torifu Akimichi lost his temper and charged at Kazuna with his staff.

Kazuna arrived at the front lines just as Kirigakure withdrew, prompting suspicion and arguments among Konohagakure’s leaders. After learning the retreat followed a coup in Kirigakure, the commanders ordered a withdrawal, while Kazuna’s confidence and battlefield record strengthened support for him as Hokage and pushed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi toward cooperation.

• Shibi Aburame asked Kazuna whether he had caused Kirigakure’s retreat, and Kazuna denied knowing anything about it.
• Kazuna accused Danzo of colluding with Kirigakure, but the intelligence report revealed that Genji and other Kirigakure Ninja had overthrown the Fourth Mizukage and installed the Fifth Mizukage.
• Torifu Akimichi learned Konohagakure had suffered greater losses than Kirigakure, and Kazuna confronted him after he took offense at being called trash.
• Kazuna reassured the Jonin that Konohagakure could face its remaining enemies, while Torifu ordered the troops to withdraw from the front lines.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Torifu to cooperate against the Uchiha, and Torifu reluctantly asked what Hiruzen planned to do.