Chapter Summaries

Gengetsu encouraged Kisame to find a conviction of his own, and Kisame left determined to do so. After Konoha and Sunagakure drove the Mist Ninja from Wave Country, Gengetsu joined Kakashi in escorting Mist envoys to Konoha.

• Gengetsu told Kisame that conviction and purpose made people stronger than tools, and Kisame resolved to find his own conviction.
• Gengetsu said his convictions were the people he loved, immortality, the Sea of Stars, and a home on the other shore.
• Ao Cang warned that Gengetsu and Kisame might become enemies, but Gengetsu refused to kill Kisame over what he might do in the future.
• Gengetsu arrived in Wave Country and Tsunade assigned him and Kakashi to escort two Mist Ninja envoys to Konoha.
• Gengetsu summoned Black Feather, created a Shadow Clone to keep watch, and continued cultivating as Kisame wondered whether this was the power of conviction.

Gengetsu returned to Konoha, told Kakashi that Rin might be revived through a new form of Impure World Reincarnation, and settled into training and research. Three days later, a Shadow Clone alerted him that Sage Eight had developed bones protruding across its body.

• Gengetsu and Kakashi reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who approved Gengetsu's stance on the Mist Ninja peace talks and said Konoha would investigate Obito Uchiha and the other enemies after the war.
• Gengetsu told Kakashi that he might be able to develop an Impure World Reincarnation variant that could restore Rin in a genuine body, and urged Kakashi to grow stronger in case he faced Obito.
• Gengetsu returned home, learned there was no suitable battlefield mission for him, and agreed to help Kushina make Medical Talismans.
• Gengetsu assigned Shadow Clones to study Sealing Techniques, train Kushina's apprentices, and research Kekkei Genkai while he trained in Sage Transformation at Shikkotsu Forest.
• Three days later, Gengetsu rushed to the laboratory after a Shadow Clone's warning and found Sage Eight covered in protruding bones.

Gengetsu theorized that Kaguya Otsutsuki’s God Tree transformation was related to his Sage Transformation and discussed experiments to create stronger Heavenly Eyes. In Konoha, he learned that negotiations with the Mist Ninja had stalled over their demand for Wave Country, which Hiruzen Sarutobi had refused to surrender.

• Sage Eight explained that his uncontrolled pituitary-gland Sage Transformation had caused rapid bone growth but had not produced the Shikotsumyaku.
• Gengetsu theorized that Kaguya Otsutsuki’s God Tree transformation had awakened her Rinne Sharingan and Kekkei Mōra, and that the process might be related to his own Sage Transformation.
• Gengetsu and his clones discussed testing Sage Transformation on Shinsui or Hyuga Clan members, and creating clones with purer Ōtsutsuki Clan bloodlines to study their Heavenly Eyes.
• Gengetsu continued the pituitary-gland experiment with a new Sage Eight clone, then left the Laboratory Base to cultivate on the Giant Mushroom.
• Seven days after the Mist Ninja delegation arrived, Kushina told Gengetsu that Konoha had agreed to release Mist Ninja prisoners and return the Three-Tails but had refused to hand Wave Country to Kirigakure.

Gengetsu explained his view of Water Release to Kakashi and Kushina, demonstrating how it could draw on moisture in the air and water underground. Kakashi realized that Gengetsu's levels measured understanding of the nature transformation rather than a technique's difficulty or power.

• After Kakashi arrived, Kushina deduced that he had finished training his Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation, and Gengetsu invited him and Kushina to the training ground.
• Gengetsu froze the training ground and said they would analyze Wind Release and Water Release before practicing Ice Release.
• Kakashi explained the basic properties of Wind Release and Water Release, while Gengetsu argued that the explanation was incomplete and described wind as moving air caused by temperature differences.
• Kushina explained that Water Release could manipulate existing water or create water with Chakra, and Gengetsu demonstrated gathering water vapor from the air.
• Gengetsu summoned water from underground and called that level intermediate, prompting Kakashi to infer that his levels described a ninja's understanding of Water Release.

Gengetsu taught Kushina and Kakashi how to understand Water Release and Ice Release through changes in matter, then began cultivating Boil Release. At another training ground, he reunited with Orochimaru, who said the situation with the cloud ninja had mostly stabilized.

• Gengetsu demonstrated an adhesive liquid and explained that Water Release could manipulate liquids beyond ordinary water.
• Gengetsu showed how hydrogen and oxygen could be transformed into water, reducing the Chakra needed to create large amounts.
• Kakashi and Kushina reasoned that Ice Release came from combining Water and Wind Chakra to recreate the process of water freezing, then began training.
• Gengetsu planned to develop Boil Release by combining Fire and Water Chakra while he cultivated nearby.
• Orochimaru arrived at another training ground, confirmed that the cloud ninja situation had mostly stabilized, and remarked on Gengetsu's growth.

Gengetsu warned Orochimaru about the flaws in Living Corpse Reincarnation and offered to help him study Sage Art, then used Orochimaru’s research to advance his resurrection work. Five days later, Danzo returned to Konoha, and Gengetsu wondered who would become the Fourth Hokage if Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down.

• Gengetsu told Orochimaru that Madara Uchiha was the best match for the First Hokage’s cells and cautioned him about seeking Madara.
• Gengetsu identified flaws in Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation and offered to study Sage Art with him.
• Orochimaru gave Gengetsu a scroll of research notes and warned him to be careful of Danzo.
• Gengetsu studied the scroll and concluded that its findings could help him develop resurrection ninjutsu and possibly bring Rin back to life.
• Five days later, Danzo returned to Konoha while Kakashi left on another mission, and Gengetsu considered the coming Hokage succession.

Gengetsu resolved to kill Danzo and adjusted his training after Ao Cang urged him to prioritize Sage Transformation and Wood Release. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed to end the war because of Konoha’s weakness and the threat of Madara Uchiha, then announced he would resign as Third Hokage and pass the position to the Fourth Hokage.

• Gengetsu judged Danzo a threat to Konoha and decided he would kill him when the opportunity arose.
• Ao Cang advised Gengetsu to transform his pineal gland first and revealed that he had mastered Yang Release Chakra, prompting Gengetsu to rework his training plans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu debated the ceasefire treaties from Iwagakure and Kirigakure, with Danzo demanding greater gains and Hiruzen arguing that Konoha could not sustain the war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Madara Uchiha and a dangerous Akatsuki organization posed a threat, and Danzo’s concealment of the Rinnegan came to light.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted responsibility for ending the war and announced that he would resign as Third Hokage and pass the position to the Fourth Hokage.

Danzo pushed Orochimaru toward becoming the Fourth Hokage while Gengetsu trained his disciples and worked with Kushina to complete a technique that sealed the soul and spirit. Kushina named their new technique the Uzumaki Invincible Yin-Yang Spirit Sealing Grand Technique.

• Danzo told Orochimaru that he had nominated him for Fourth Hokage and urged him to prepare, while Orochimaru secretly planned to use Gengetsu for his own ends.
• Gengetsu's Shadow Clones trained Kaori and Naohide harshly as Jiraiya and Minato watched.
• Kushina found an error in their research and completed the soul-and-spirit sealing technique with Gengetsu.
• Kushina sealed Gengetsu's Shadow Clone, which lost control of its body and Chakra until she released the seal.
• Kushina's Shadow Clone broke free of Gengetsu's technique with Kurama's help, so Gengetsu proposed combining it with the Yin-Yang Seal.
• Kushina left the remaining refinements to Gengetsu and named the technique the Uzumaki Invincible Yin-Yang Spirit Sealing Grand Technique.

Gengetsu set priorities for his training and research, deciding to focus his five-year plan on completing Sage Transformation. He rushed to the laboratory after learning that two clones had reached a bottleneck, but Sage Katsuyu offered no clear explanation for how to overcome it.

• Gengetsu and Ao Cang concluded that joint casting still fell short of a true Kekkei Tōta, and Ao Cang urged Gengetsu to focus his efforts.
• Gengetsu drew up a five-year plan centered on reaching Sage Katsuyu's level of Sage Transformation, with Wood Release, Dust Release, Magnet Release, and the Spirit Contract Seal as major branches.
• Shizune told Gengetsu that Sage Transformation had hit a bottleneck, so he rushed with her to the Laboratory Base.
• Tsunade explained that Sage Number Seven and Sage Number Eleven could absorb Natural Energy through their transformed pineal glands and organs, but could not consciously control their cells to absorb it quickly.
• Gengetsu confirmed that the clones' cells matched Sage Katsuyu's, and Little Katsuyu said her main body had simply awakened from a nap able to control her cells.

Gengetsu and the others considered ways to gain finer control over Natural Energy, then Gengetsu asked Tsunade to witness him testing an improved Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. Tsunade agreed to be present as he prepared to reincarnate Hashirama and Tobirama, while keeping the experiment secret from the Third Hokage.

• Tsunade proposed researching microscopic control and subconscious awareness as separate ways to improve Natural Energy absorption, while Gengetsu chose to test the Eight Gates Formation.
• Gengetsu told Tsunade he wanted to test Impure World Reincarnation and explained that he had improved it so clones could serve as vessels instead of living sacrifices.
• Gengetsu said he planned to reincarnate the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, and Tsunade left after hearing his plan.
• Tsunade told Gengetsu that Hashirama and Tobirama were enough in her heart, then agreed to attend the experiment and asked him not to tell the Third Old Man.
• Gengetsu brought out two clones and began forming hand seals to perform Impure World Reincarnation.

Gengetsu discovered that Orochimaru had already taken the souls of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, then learned the Gate of Opening from Guy and used it to improve his Sage Transformation. The chapter ended with Gengetsu and Guy beginning a youthful spar as Hiruzen Sarutobi and the three Advisory Elders departed Konoha under guard.

• Gengetsu's attempt to summon the First Hokage and Second Hokage failed, so he went to Konoha and summoned the Third Raikage instead, sealing him before he could awaken.
• Gengetsu realized Orochimaru had obtained the First Hokage and Second Hokage, then set aside the possibility of trading for them because Orochimaru would demand his cells.
• Gengetsu met Guy at Might Duy's home and asked him to teach him how to open the Eight Gates.
• Guy explained the Gate of Opening, and Gengetsu successfully opened it and used a Shadow Clone to absorb Natural Energy through its pineal gland.
• Gengetsu thanked Guy, then accepted his invitation to spar as Hiruzen Sarutobi and the three Advisory Elders left Konoha under ANBU and Root protection.

Gengetsu watched Kanzuki Chiba demonstrate her mastery of Steel Release and unveil a devastating lightning-based technique. After praising its power and advising her to conserve Chakra, he told her and Uchiha Shinsui to train in Yang Release.

• Gengetsu tested Kanzuki Chiba’s Steel Release, and she trapped him and Uchiha Shinsui in a steel cage before electrifying it.
• Kanzuki Chiba created a vast field of iron thorns and guided natural lightning through them with her new Chiba Secret Art—Thorn Forest of Thunder Marsh.
• Gengetsu and Uchiha Shinsui praised the technique, while Uchiha Shinsui advised Kanzuki Chiba to use fewer Steel Thorns to reduce its Chakra cost.
• Gengetsu instructed Kanzuki Chiba and Uchiha Shinsui to begin training in Yang Release Chakra nature transformation.

Gengetsu continued developing his Sage Transformation methods while Konoha navigated a fragile postwar period. Minato passed the Jonin confidence vote to become the Fourth Hokage, and Gengetsu presented his proposed Four Great Realms of Immortal Cultivation to Jiraiya and the others.

• Sage Number Seven and Sage Number Eleven reported that opening the Gate of Opening improved their ability to absorb Natural Energy and train cellular control, though it remained less efficient than Sage Katsuyu's method.
• Gengetsu focused his training on transforming his pineal gland with Natural Energy as peace negotiations with Iwa Ninja and Mist Ninja continued and Cloud Ninja remained in the Land of Hot Water.
• Gengetsu and Tsunade attended the Jonin confidence vote at the Hokage Tower, where every Jonin present supported Minato.
• Gengetsu gathered Tsunade, Kushina, Minato, and Jiraiya at Minato's home and showed them his scroll outlining the Four Great Realms of Immortal Cultivation.

Gengetsu taught Kushina, Minato, Jiraiya, and Tsunade the first two realms of Sage cultivation, explaining how Unity of Heaven and Man and pineal-gland transformation improved Sage Mode. He demonstrated his Heavenly Eye and shared his memories of entering Unity of Heaven and Man, leaving Jiraiya and Minato considering the years of training they would need.

• Gengetsu explained that Sage Mode was the first realm and warned Jiraiya that relying on Sage Chakra in combat rapidly depleted the body.
• Gengetsu described how sensing Natural Energy and entering Unity of Heaven and Man allowed even ninja with little Chakra to cultivate Sage Mode.
• Gengetsu revealed his Heavenly Eye, transmitted his memories of entering Unity of Heaven and Man to Tsunade, Kushina, Minato, and Jiraiya, and showed that he could remain in the state for two hours.
• Gengetsu and Tsunade explained that the second realm, the Heaven's Gate Realm, required transforming the pineal gland with Sage Chakra to sustain Unity of Heaven and Man without side effects.
• Gengetsu estimated that Jiraiya would need at least two years to transform his pineal gland and teased him about spending time with pretty ladies, while Minato noted that his own training could take longer.

Gengetsu explained the four realms of Immortal Cultivation and watched Tsunade begin cultivating Sage Chakra at Shikkotsu Forest. Meanwhile, Obito and Zetsu planned to use two pawns and Danzo to create an opening to attack Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails.

• Gengetsu described the Gate of Heaven, Sage Transformation, and Sage realms, while Tsunade outlined the stages of Sage Transformation.
• Minato, Jiraiya, and Tsunade praised Gengetsu’s work, and Gengetsu declared that he intended to surpass the Sage of Six Paths.
• At Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade entered Unity of Heaven and Man, refined Natural Energy into Sage Chakra, and developed facial markings resembling Hashirama Senju’s.
• In Amegakure, Nagato’s Six Paths of Pain killed Hanzo and those connected to him, and Deva Path Pain declared that divine punishment had begun before naming Konoha as the next target.
• Obito warned Pain against attacking Konoha immediately, then told Zetsu he would use two pawns to create an opportunity to capture the Nine-Tails.
• After learning Minato had become Fourth Hokage, Obito proposed persuading Danzo to stand aside by offering him the lives of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato.

Gengetsu helped Minato establish his new administration by arranging ANBU appointments and training the Hokage Guards. After Kushina announced her pregnancy, Gengetsu moved back in with Minato and Kushina to protect her, leaving him alone to endure their PDA.

• Minato became the Fourth Hokage, though Hiruzen and Danzo retained substantial power during the transition.
• Gengetsu arranged for Shisui to join Minato's direct ANBU and offered to take Itachi as his disciple, while a clone proposed Hyuga Mana for the ANBU.
• Gengetsu began training Genma Shiranui, Namiashi Raidō, and Iwashi Tatami to strengthen Minato's guard squad.
• Kushina told Minato and Gengetsu that she was going to be a mother, and Minato and Kushina embraced happily.
• Gengetsu decided to move back to guard Kushina, and Minato explained that Kakashi was not there because the ANBU were short-staffed.

Gengetsu worried that Obito and Nagato would target Kushina when her seal weakened during childbirth, and urged Minato to consider moving her somewhere safer. While training Flying Thunder God, Gengetsu discovered that opening his Heavenly Eye prevented him from getting lost, allowing precise teleportation; he then planned to plant marked kunai throughout Konoha.

• Gengetsu warned Minato and Kushina that Obito might attack when Kushina gave birth, but Kushina believed Obito could still be reasoned with.
• Gengetsu told Minato that Obito and Nagato could exploit the weakened seal, and Minato agreed to discuss the danger with the Third Hokage.
• Gengetsu practiced Flying Thunder God in the Forest of Death but kept appearing several meters from his marked kunai.
• Ao Cang suggested Gengetsu open his Heavenly Eye before using Flying Thunder God, and Gengetsu found he could teleport accurately to every kunai.
• Gengetsu collected his kunai and set out to make more so he could plant Flying Thunder God marks throughout Konoha.
• Ao Cang suggested Gengetsu could use spatial distortion to create genjutsu that disrupted an enemy's perception, and Gengetsu challenged the idea.

Gengetsu prepared Flying Thunder God kunai and learned that Minato, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the advisers had refused to move Kushina somewhere safer before she gave birth. Expecting Obito Uchiha to target the weakened Nine-Tails seal, Gengetsu decided to strengthen Uchiha Shinsui with First Hokage cells.

• Gengetsu bought a thousand kunai and planned to turn them into Flying Thunder God and sensory relay points throughout Konoha.
• Kushina questioned how Gengetsu had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, and he realized the Heavenly Eye had helped him see through illusions.
• Gengetsu's Shadow Clone modified the kunai with Dragon Vein Chakra and embedded Flying Thunder God formulas in them.
• Minato told Gengetsu that Danzo and the advisers had opposed moving Kushina from Konoha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi had hesitated; Minato believed Gengetsu's new technique could protect them.
• Gengetsu asked Minato to lend him Uchiha Shinsui, then told Tsunade he wanted to transplant First Hokage cells into Shinsui to prepare for Obito Uchiha's attack.

After learning that someone had approached Shikkotsu Forest, Gengetsu decided to strengthen Uchiha Shinsui against Obito Uchiha by transplanting First Hokage cells. Shinsui’s transplant succeeded, awakening Wood Release and increasing his Mangekyō’s power, while Gengetsu wondered what further changes might come if Shinsui became a Sage.

• Tsunade told Gengetsu that Sage Katsuyu had sensed someone watching Shikkotsu Forest, prompting him to prepare for the threat to their predecessors’ treasures.
• Gengetsu secretly followed Shinsui and Uchiha Miko, discovered they were a couple, and teased Shinsui before telling him about transplanting First Hokage cells to counter Obito Uchiha.
• Shinsui agreed to the transplant, and Gengetsu brought him to Shikkotsu Forest the next morning.
• Gengetsu guided Shinsui through the transplant, which gave him Wood Release and Yang Release power while strengthening his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shinsui sensed his ocular power continuing to improve, and Gengetsu looked forward to seeing what might happen if Shinsui became a Sage.

Gengetsu trained Uchiha Shinsui in Immortal Cultivation and learned that Nagato had secured Amegakure and formed the Akatsuki. When Orochimaru sought him out to learn Sage Art, Gengetsu taught him Immortal Cultivation, and the two established a cooperative relationship.

• Gengetsu's Shadow Clone taught Uchiha Shinsui to sense Natural Energy, and after three days of training, Shinsui achieved Sage Mode.
• Gengetsu's Wood Clones reported that Nagato had taken control of Amegakure, Akatsuki had begun attracting attention, and Yagura had become the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru visited Gengetsu, who sent a Shadow Clone with him to an underground laboratory away from Kushina.
• Orochimaru showed Gengetsu clones made with First Hokage Cells and Uchiha Clan cells, then confirmed that the Six Paths of Pain had nearly killed him.
• Gengetsu taught Orochimaru the methods of Immortal Cultivation, but declined Orochimaru's invitation to leave Konoha.
• Orochimaru gave Gengetsu records on Hashirama Cells, clones, and Impure World Reincarnation, along with a Summoning Scroll, and arranged to contact him through snakes.