Chapter Summaries

Black Zetsu, disguised as Morihiru, persuaded Ōnoki to exploit Shimizu Soseki’s concern for those close to him, then learned he had to contact Mui and decided to keep his cover. At the Allied Forces camp, Soseki visited Nonō with his companions and was warmly admired by the children.

• Black Zetsu, disguised as Morihiru, urged Ōnoki to set a trap using people Soseki cared about, and Ōnoki told him to bring Mui.
• Black Zetsu searched Morihiru’s memories, realized the identity had too many responsibilities, and agreed to maintain the disguise for a few more days.
• Soseki walked through the Allied Forces camp as Leaf Village and Sunagakure ninja greeted him with admiration.
• Asuma joked with Soseki and Mizuki about Danzō, while the squad members praised Soseki for taking power from him.
• Nonō welcomed Soseki and his companions into her cabins, where the children excitedly praised Soseki and one shy child watched him longingly.

Nonō explained that the children at her temporary orphanage wanted to become ninja to support her, and asked Soseki to arrange their training. Soseki agreed to take responsibility for them.

• Nonō welcomed Soseki and the others, while Asuma and Mizuki bickered and fought outside the cabin.
• Nonō explained that the war had left many children orphaned and that caring for them alongside her hospital work had become too difficult.
• Nonō told Soseki that Danzō had tried to take the older children for Root and threatened to force her back into espionage when she refused.
• Nonō revealed that the children feared she would leave again and wanted to become ninja to earn money and support the orphanage.
• Nonō asked Soseki to arrange training for the children, and he agreed.

Soseki agreed to train Ren, Kiri, and Kabuto as Medical Ninja, then discovered that the Flying Thunder God mark he had left for Mui had vanished. Suspecting Iwagakure was moving and wary of a possible trap, Soseki used sage arts to send Mui a message, and Mui recognized it.

• Nonō said Ren, Kiri, and Kabuto had the talent to become Medical Ninja, and Soseki agreed to teach them.
• The other children accepted Soseki's decision, and Ren, Kiri, and Kabuto thanked him for taking them on as students.
• Soseki noticed that the Flying Thunder God mark on the paper he had left Mui had disappeared and suspected Iwagakure was making a move.
• Soseki decided to investigate while avoiding Chakra-based methods, then secretly traveled near Iwagakure and used sage arts to communicate with Mui.
• A gust of wind made spilled tea form the character for “god”; Mui understood Soseki's message, wrote in his notebook, and went to bed.

Mui met Soseki in a dream and discussed Rock Hidden’s plan to use him to lure out Soseki’s companions. Mui then presented Ōnoki and the other Rock Hidden leaders with a plan to make himself bait and use the Box of Paradise to draw Soseki into a confrontation.

• Mui used Soseki’s name to enter a dream and told Soseki that Rock Hidden wanted him to lure out people Soseki cared about.
• Soseki advised Mui to turn the plot against Rock Hidden, and Mui agreed to explain the plan the next day.
• Mui told Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, Hikari, and the others that he would act as bait because Soseki would be reluctant to distrust him without proof.
• Mui proposed that Ōnoki claim the Box of Paradise could end the war, capture Mui for its secrets, and create a threat that would compel Leaf Village to intervene.

Ōnoki’s forces planned to lure Shimizu Soseki into a trap using the Box of Paradise, while a Leaf Village spy uncovered their scheme and sent intelligence back. Soseki and the Konoha leaders decided to intervene, leaving Danzo eager to pursue the power Ōnoki sought.

• Mui persuaded Ōnoki to use Leaf Village spies to spread misleading information about Iwagakure seeking power to destroy the world.
• Mui proposed releasing the monster inside the Box of Paradise and using himself as bait to trap Soseki with his Heavenly Prison ninjutsu.
• Ōnoki and Kitsuchi confirmed that Mui had no way to communicate with the outside world and ordered that he remain isolated until the plan began.
• A Leaf Village spy overheard a furious argument in Iwagakure, learned about Hozuki Castle and Mui, and sent the intelligence to Konoha.
• Konoha’s leaders debated how to respond, and Soseki recalled the Box of Paradise’s destructive power before deciding to stop Iwagakure’s plan.
• Rasa offered to accompany Soseki, while Danzo insisted on joining because he coveted the power Ōnoki sought.

Ōnoki and the Stone Hidden tried to use Han’s Chakra to open the Box of Paradise while Soseki’s group attacked Hozuki Castle. The fighting left the Stone Hidden under pressure, but Ōnoki thought Soseki might be weakened when he saw him fighting Rōshi evenly.

• Han channeled Chakra into the Box of Paradise as Mui explained how the seal could be opened, while Ōnoki warned the others not to underestimate Soseki.
• Soseki sensed the Stone Hidden above and questioned whether Black Zetsu was involved; Danzo blasted through the roof, prompting Soseki to draw out the enemy’s attacks and bring his group onto the rooftop.
• Soseki demanded that Ōnoki release the Grass Hidden prisoners, but Ōnoki refused, so Soseki began the battle with a spreading frost technique.
• Rōshi blocked Soseki’s frost with molten fire, and the two sides clashed as Danzo hung back and Rasa used Magnet Release to pressure the Stone Hidden.
• Ōnoki saw Rōshi holding even with Soseki and concluded that Soseki might be exhausted from his recent battles.

Soseki battled the Iwa ninja while searching for Black Zetsu, then confronted Wu after Han opened the Box of Paradise and wished for Soseki’s death. Wu repeatedly failed to harm Soseki, but turned on Han and overwhelmed him, leaving the battle in chaos.

• Soseki scattered Shuriken across the crowded rooftop, wounding and killing Iwa ninja while Rōshi and Ōnoki struggled to counter him.
• Black Zetsu, disguised as Morihiru, narrowly avoided Soseki’s assassination when a gust of wind pushed him aside, prompting Soseki to suspect something was wrong.
• Han activated the Box of Paradise and wished for Shimizu Soseki to be killed, summoning the monster Wu.
• Wu charged Soseki but was repeatedly knocked down by his Big Ball Rasengan and other attacks.
• Wu demanded Han’s Chakra, dodged Han’s punch, and smashed him into the ground.

Soseki effortlessly defeated Wu while the monster evaded the attacks of Ōnoki, Han, and Rōshi. Soseki and Mui secretly identified Morihiru as suspicious and launched their plan, which ended with Ōnoki and Kitsuchi caught in the blast of a Dust Release attack.

• Wu dodged Ōnoki, Han, and Rōshi’s attacks and taunted them, but Soseki quickly overpowered it again.
• Soseki grabbed Wu’s finger and slammed it into the ground before releasing it toward Kitsuchi.
• While rescuing Mui, Soseki secretly asked him to identify anyone acting strangely, and Mui named Morihiru.
• Soseki and Mui began their operation, and Mui appeared to hit Soseki with his Fire Release sealing technique.
• Ōnoki used Dust Release on Soseki, but Soseki blocked the attack with a Space-Time Barrier despite the apparent seal.
• Mui aimed a shuriken at Ōnoki and Kitsuchi, and its white light engulfed Ōnoki’s left leg and Kitsuchi’s right arm.

Soseki exposed the trap at Hozuki Castle, turned the tide against Iwagakure, and sealed Black Zetsu after destroying Morihiru’s body. As Ōnoki and the surviving Iwagakure ninja escaped into the sea, Soseki prepared to pursue them with Ice Age.

• Soseki revealed Mui’s allegiance and attacked, prompting Ōnoki to flee with Kitsuchi while Han urged the Iwagakure ninja to escape into the sea.
• Wu seized the Box of Paradise and flew away as the battlefield descended into chaos.
• Soseki struck Morihiru with an Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan containing a Sage Art Rasengan, destroying Black Zetsu’s body and sealing him.
• Ōnoki noticed Soseki’s intense efforts to seal Black Zetsu, but Soseki postponed explaining the situation and ordered the Allied Forces to pursue the fleeing Iwagakure ninja.
• Soseki stepped from the castle wall and reached into the sea, calling out Ice Age as he prepared to pursue the escapees.

Soseki revealed that he had turned Iwagakure’s scheme into a trap, freezing the sea and helping drive the enemy away at great cost. Black Zetsu realized Soseki might have discovered his existence and decided to avoid him by seeking another candidate to test.

• Soseki froze a vast stretch of sea, and Rōshi melted the ice to free his trapped Iwagakure comrades.
• Iwagakure fled after losing a third of its elite ninja, and Soseki admitted he had joined forces with Mui to turn the enemy’s plan into a trap.
• Soseki said the black mud’s owner was the true mastermind, while Danzo marveled at Soseki’s wisdom and worried about how he had worked with Mui.
• Black Zetsu mourned the damage to the body he considered his mother’s gift and feared Soseki had discovered his existence.
• Black Zetsu resolved to avoid Soseki and planned to test Namikaze Minato on another battlefield.

A year after Wu’s rampages stalled the war, Soseki trained Kabuto, Ren, and Kiri at the temporary hospital while Asuma visited with a coded scroll. Soseki deciphered a mission to Rōran and planned to take Asuma, but Asuma’s bruised feelings left the question of who would accompany him unresolved.

• Soseki healed an injured chunin and praised Kabuto, Ren, and Kiri for their growing medical skills.
• Asuma visited the hospital, and the children defended Soseki while teasing Asuma about his arranged dates and appearance.
• Asuma delivered a coded scroll from the Hokage, and Soseki left to decipher it.
• The children told Asuma that admirers had been deliberately injuring themselves to receive treatment from Soseki.
• Soseki returned and revealed that he had a mission to Rōran, but Asuma’s complaint about his injured feelings made him consider finding another companion.

Soseki recruited Asuma for a mission to Rōran, planning to draw Wu there with Dragon Vein Chakra while protecting the civilians. After failing to learn Yin-Yang Release, Soseki reflected on the Dragon Vein’s potential and resolved to obtain the technique for controlling it.

• Asuma eagerly accepted Soseki’s mission, and Soseki explained that they intended to lure Wu to Rōran with its Dragon Vein Chakra.
• Soseki assigned Asuma and the others to protect Rōran’s civilians while he fought Wu, and described a plan to expose the conspiracy and let Dragon Vein Chakra leak out.
• Soseki failed to make progress learning Yin-Yang Release and regretted not first exploiting Black Zetsu’s guidance before taking his body.
• Soseki considered whether Dragon Vein Chakra could enhance his senjutsu and serve his future plans.
• Soseki decided that he needed to obtain the technique for controlling Dragon Vein Chakra.

Danzo manipulated Wu into flying to Rōran by convincing it that Dragon Vein Chakra was its only chance to surpass Soseki. As Soseki’s team prepared to expose Rōran’s minister and rescue civilians, they found an unconscious Yamato, who woke up confused by the unfamiliar Leaf shinobi.

• Wu read Danzo’s thoughts, but Danzo argued that Wu needed Dragon Vein Chakra to keep pace with Soseki.
• Wu accepted Danzo’s warning and flew toward Rōran with its box, while Danzo revealed that he had manipulated it.
• Soseki explained the team’s plan to expose the minister, protect civilians, and rescue the prisoners at the base.
• Mizuki brought an unconscious shinobi in a Leaf flak jacket to the team, and Soseki recognized him as Yamato.
• Soseki healed Yamato, who woke up in Rōran and stared in shock at the unfamiliar Leaf shinobi, especially Guy.

Yamato and Naruto encountered Soseki’s Leaf ninja squad in a parallel space-time while searching for Mukade and Sara. After Naruto attacked Soseki, the group reunited and Soseki announced that he had come to save Rōran.

• Yamato told Soseki that his mission was to capture Mukade in Rōran, then realized Naruto was missing.
• Soseki led his squad to search for Naruto, and Yamato noticed their exceptional coordination and recognized that Mizuki and Asuma carried ninja tools from Kiri.
• Naruto found and rescued Sara, Queen of Rōran, after she fell from a tower, and Soseki’s group arrived to speak with her.
• Naruto mistook Soseki’s squad for a threat and attacked him, but Soseki disarmed and restrained Naruto with ease.
• Yamato apologized for Naruto’s impulsive attack, and Soseki introduced himself as a Leaf Village jonin who had come to save Rōran.
• Naruto assumed Soseki was a short senior with a growth-stopping disease, angering Soseki’s squad.

Naruto and Yamato claimed to be from the future, but Soseki recognized them as visitors from a parallel world. After confirming Naruto carried the Nine-Tails, Soseki resealed him and removed lingering effects from an earlier seal.

• Mizuki and Naruto mistook each other for enemies, and Soseki stopped their attacks before they could clash.
• Naruto and Yamato explained that they came from the future, but Asuma and the others doubted Naruto's account of Mizuki's betrayal.
• Soseki identified Naruto's Nine-Tails aura and used genjutsu to stop Yamato while he checked Naruto's seal.
• The Nine-Tails emerged briefly, recognized Soseki's Eight Trigrams Sealing Style, and was sealed again.
• Soseki explained that Naruto's original seal had been affected by the Five Elements Seal and said he had resealed him to remove its lingering effects.

Soseki reassured Asuma and Mizuki about their grim fates in Naruto’s timeline, then revealed to Sara that Rōran’s cheerful streets concealed a population of puppets and forced laborers. Sara learned that Minister Anrokuzan had staged the kingdom’s prosperity while building a puppet army.

• Naruto and the others described Soseki’s victories over several Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, astonishing Naruto and Yamato.
• Naruto and Yamato told Asuma that his counterpart had died, and that his father and brother had died before him.
• Naruto said he had never heard of Soseki in his timeline, and Soseki suggested he might have died early there before reassuring Asuma and Mizuki that their future had changed.
• Soseki stopped Sara from leaving and persuaded her to inspect the crowd in Rōran.
• Sara discovered that the lively crowd consisted of puppets, and Soseki explained that Anrokuzan had hidden the real citizens or forced them to build his puppet army.

Soseki planned to expose Anrokuzan’s use of the Dragon Vein and protect Rōran’s civilians, while Naruto and Yamato learned about Soseki’s remarkable achievements. The group set out to investigate, and Naruto and Yamato asked Soseki to teach them how to make Medical Scrolls.

• Soseki told Sara that Anrokuzan was using the Dragon Vein to build a puppet army, and Sara agreed to help prove him innocent.
• Soseki sensed locations across Rōran, marked civilian hiding places on a map, and sent Kurenai and Shizune to protect and evacuate the people.
• Naruto asked to join the trip to investigate Anrokuzan, and Soseki agreed to take him and Yamato along.
• Asuma told Naruto and Yamato about Soseki’s early promotion and major battlefield achievements, leaving them awestruck.
• Naruto and Yamato asked Soseki to teach them to make Medical Scrolls, but Soseki pointed out that they lacked the required medical and sealing skills.

Soseki led Sara and the others to the Dragon Vein convergence point, where they found captured laborers and puppet production. After rescuing the civilians, he fought Anrokuzan, who used the Dragon Vein to regenerate and become a giant puppet, and asked Sara to shut off its power source.

• Sara led the group to an exhaust vent and revealed that the Dragon Vein convergence point lay below it.
• Soseki found captured laborers and a puppet assembly line, then summoned slugs to help treat and rescue the civilians.
• Soseki used Ice Release: Ice Age to freeze the base and its puppet guards while leaving the civilians untouched.
• Soseki cut Anrokuzan in half, but Anrokuzan regenerated with Chakra Threads and merged with the frozen puppets to become a giant puppet.
• Soseki repeatedly hammered the regenerating giant puppet into the ground, then told Sara to shut off the Dragon Vein source.

Wu attacked the underground base, but Soseki saved Sara and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to keep Wu from escaping. As Naruto and the others evacuated the prisoners, Yamato began suspecting Soseki was Naruto’s father, while Mizuki declared that Soseki would become the Fourth.

• Sara went to shut off the Dragon Vein, but Wu burst into the base and attacked her before Soseki rescued her.
• Wu fought Naruto and the others, dodging their attacks and causing the underground base to collapse as the prisoners fled.
• Soseki blasted Wu with a Big Ball Rasengan and ordered the others to evacuate Sara and the prisoners.
• Soseki revealed that he had marked Wu with the Flying Thunder God Technique formula and teleported to strike it again.
• Yamato wondered whether Soseki was Naruto’s father and asked who might become the Fourth in his time period, prompting Mizuki to shout that it would be Soseki.

Soseki subdued Wu while Naruto and the others fought Anrokuzan, who sought to escape. Wu planned to reach the Dragon Vein, but Anrokuzan accidentally freed it from its ice prison and exposed its hidden tunnel.

• Soseki redirected Wu’s energy cannon, then grabbed and brutally battered the wounded creature.
• Anrokuzan tried to flee, but Yamato, Asuma, Mizuki, Naruto, and Guy stopped him and set his puppet ablaze.
• Mizuki told Sara to shut down the Dragon Vein, while Wu secretly planned to reach it and gain power.
• Soseki trapped Wu in ice but held off on sealing it, intending to weaken it further first.
• Anrokuzan shattered Wu’s ice prison with beams, revealing a tunnel to the underground courtyard, and realized he had ruined Wu’s plan.