Chapter Summaries

Fugaku hosted Minato and Soseki to resolve the Uchiha Clan's demand to reclaim Obito's Sharingan from Kakashi. The clan agreed to stop pursuing the matter if Kakashi proved himself in battle, while Fugaku, Minato, and Soseki concealed that they had coordinated their positions.

• Fugaku welcomed Minato and Soseki to the clan meeting, where they explained they had intervened for Kakashi and Obito as teacher and friends.
• Minato argued that taking back the Sharingan would divide the village's clans, while White Crane insisted the Uchiha Clan had a right to reclaim it.
• Sanka and Chisato suggested waiting until Kakashi died, but Soseki argued that Obito's gift embodied friendship, the Will of Fire, and the village's greater good.
• Fugaku proposed that the Uchiha Clan would drop its claim if Kakashi proved himself in battle, and Minato, Soseki, and White Crane agreed.
• The Uchiha attendees relaxed, impressed by Fugaku's mediation, as he exchanged knowing smiles with Minato and Soseki.

Hiruko considered how to counter Kakashi and his allies’ Flying Thunder God Technique, while Madara tested Obito’s bonds through an illusion. Obito broke the illusion in horror, leaving Madara confused about what mattered most to him.

• Hiruko read intelligence about a possible test involving Kakashi and planned to stir up the Uchiha Clan so Kakashi would be checked for Flying Thunder God markings.
• Obito tried to leave the underground hideout to find Rin and Kakashi, but Madara knocked him unconscious.
• Madara learned that Obito’s Sharingan had awakened when Kakashi was in danger and ordered the White Zetsu to make Obito witness Rin killing Kakashi.
• Black Zetsu suggested testing Obito with an illusion, and Madara agreed.
• Obito saw Rin kill Kakashi in the illusion, then watched the dying Kakashi kill Rin and shattered the illusion.
• Madara knocked Obito unconscious again, ordered the White Zetsu to watch Rin, and wondered whether he or Obito was the one who was wrong.

Soseki gave Kakashi and Rin Ice Crystal Pendants to protect them from puppet curses and help them survive critical injuries. Three days later, Leaf, Cloud, and Mist forces clashed on the eastern front, where A and Hozuki Crescent Moon fought amid mutual accusations and deception.

• Soseki gave Kakashi an Ice Crystal Pendant that helped preserve consciousness and explained its protective purpose.
• Soseki gave Rin a pendant that could track its wearer, provide medical treatment, and induce suspended death if broken.
• Kakashi thanked Soseki and vowed not to let him down, while Mizuki wondered why Kakashi's expression seemed familiar.
• Three days later, A, Hozuki Crescent Moon, and Jiraiya fought during the chaotic battle between Leaf, Cloud, and Mist forces.
• A struck Jiraiya's Needle Jizo defense, then Hozuki Crescent Moon trapped A in an acid-filled water sphere; a giant toad suddenly landed on them both.

Shimizu Soseki returned to the battlefield after a year away and overwhelmed Hozuki Crescent Moon with his Sage Art. He left the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist forces stunned by the scale of his power while Jiraiya continued fighting A.

• Jiraiya summoned Bunta into the battlefield, where Bunta angrily slashed at him after landing on two enemies.
• Soseki arrived and froze the flames and acid spreading across the battlefield, drawing the attention of the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist forces.
• A rejected Dodai’s suggestion to retreat, and Hozuki Crescent Moon proposed that he and A fight Soseki together; A insisted they each take him on separately.
• Hozuki Crescent Moon attacked Soseki with corrosive liquid, but Soseki entered Sage Mode and froze the assault with his Ice Release.
• Soseki trapped Hozuki Crescent Moon in ice and blasted him away with a Sage Art: Mini Compressed Spiraling Sphere, leaving a trench several kilometers long.
• Jiraiya watched Soseki’s enormous display of Sage Chakra while battling A and was distracted by envy.

Shimizu Soseki overwhelmed the berserk Six-Tails with an enormous summoned slug and redirected its Tailed Beast Bombs into the Hidden Mist and Cloud forces. The Mizukage arrived and cut Saiken in half, allowing it to escape the sealing attempt while part of its body was sealed.

• Soseki summoned a colossal slug that pinned down Hozuki Crescent Moon’s berserk Six-Tails, Saiken.
• Soseki redirected Saiken’s successive Tailed Beast Bombs into the surrounding forces, devastating both the Hidden Mist and Cloud camps.
• Saiken sprayed corrosive acid at Soseki, but the giant slug swallowed it before it could reach him.
• Soseki began an Eight Trigrams Sealing Style as the Mizukage approached, making the Hidden Mist ninja believe Saiken was about to be sealed.
• The Mizukage used Super Pressure Water Blade to cut nearly half of Saiken’s body into the sealing scroll, while the rest escaped.

Shimizu Soseki outmaneuvered the Mizukage and collected the Six-Tails’ Chakra, forcing the battle to a halt. The villages began withdrawing, though Soseki expected the war to continue for several more months and considered how to bring it to an end.

• The Mizukage realized Soseki had tricked him into helping injure the Six-Tails, then restrained the beast and sealed it back inside Hozuki Crescent Moon.
• The Mizukage called for the war to end, and Jiraiya, A, and the other shinobi agreed to withdraw and treat the wounded.
• Asuma asked Soseki about Kakashi, and Soseki explained that the war would likely last another three to six months despite the Mizukage’s announcement.
• Jiraiya explained that the Cloud Village and Hidden Mist Village were still releasing long-standing conflicts, and warned that the Leaf Village remained a possible target.
• Soseki and Jiraiya predicted that the Cloud and Stone Villages’ next moves could hasten the war’s conclusion, while Soseki privately considered giving the conflict a grand finale.

The Raikage and the Hidden Mist leaders discussed Shimizu Soseki’s strength and their plans for the war. Meanwhile, Kakashi used Chidori to take down a four-man squad, then complained that his Sharingan drained too much Chakra.

• The Raikage doubted A’s claims about Soseki, but agreed that the Leaf Village was difficult to fight and that the Hidden Mist Village would shape the war.
• The Raikage proposed fabricating a spy report to justify continuing the war if the Hidden Mist Village called for a truce.
• Mizukage-sama told Genji that Soseki had outmaneuvered him, and Mei said Soseki’s concern for others might be a weakness but warned that traps involving people he cared about would fail.
• Genji advised the Hidden Mist Village to avoid confronting Soseki, reclaim its ninja swords, and withdraw from the war; Mizukage-sama agreed.
• Kakashi told Rin to wait while he attacked a four-man squad with Chidori, then explained that using the Sharingan had exhausted his Chakra.

Kakashi and Rin were confronted by Hiruko, whose Puppet Curse was disrupted by Kakashi’s Ice Crystal Pendant. Kakashi’s Chidori failed against Hiruko’s Dark Release and Steel Release, and the fight continued as Hiruko revealed he could return absorbed attacks.

• Rin and Kakashi encountered Hiruko in the forest, and Hiruko used Puppet Curse on Kakashi.
• Kakashi’s Ice Crystal Pendant trembled and freed him from the Puppet Curse, and he attacked Hiruko with Chidori.
• Soseki sensed the threat and teleported with Asuma, Mizuki, Kurenai, and Shizune to support Kakashi and prepare the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hiruko absorbed Kakashi’s Chidori and kicked him into a tree, then revealed he possessed Dark Release and Steel Release.
• Hiruko said he planned to take Kakashi’s Sharingan, and Kakashi summoned eight Ninja Hounds to fight beside him.
• Hiruko used Dark Release: Evil Self Destruction, and Kakashi realized Hiruko could return the attacks he absorbed.

Kakashi, Rin, and the Ninja Hounds fought Hiruko, but Hiruko fused three Summoning Beasts into a powerful monster. Kakashi tried to find a way to defeat it and ended the chapter attempting to use Sharingan Genjutsu before Hiruko slapped him down.

• Kakashi coordinated staggered attacks by the Ninja Hounds and Rin, and they wounded Hiruko with bites, Shuriken, and a Great Fireball.
• Hiruko summoned a turtle, an eagle, and a tiger, then fused with them using the Chimera Technique.
• The fused monster absorbed Kakashi’s Chidori and attacked with lightning and steel wings, forcing Kakashi to protect Rin and rethink his approach.
• Kakashi tried to use his Sharingan to make Hiruko believe he was a dog, but Hiruko slapped him down.

Kakashi and Rin struggled to hold off Hiruko until Soseki arrived and overwhelmed him. Soseki used Genjutsu to force Hiruko to release the Chimera Technique, and as the group prepared to take him back to the village, Hiruko shouted for them to kill him.

• Hiruko abandoned his fight with Kakashi and attacked Rin, but Kakashi used Earth Release to trap him while she evaded his strikes.
• Hiruko blasted Kakashi and Rin with exploding feathers, then Soseki arrived and smashed him across the forest with Sage Art: Meteor Bone Fist.
• Hiruko tried to escape, but Soseki trapped him with a barrier and used Illusion Technique: Bewitchment to make him release the Chimera Technique.
• Hiruko woke in his bandaged form after losing his wings, and Soseki explained that he lacked a Bloodline Limit to resist Genjutsu.
• Asuma asked whether they should take Hiruko back to the village, and Hiruko shouted, "Kill me!"

Hiruko offered Soseki his Kekkei Genkai and Chimera Technique, but Soseki refused and promised to find a successor. Mizuki volunteered to inherit the technique, while Soseki agreed to help with the operation and Asuma resolved to train harder.

• Hiruko asked Soseki to take his Kekkei Genkai and Chimera Technique, explaining that he wanted his life’s work to survive.
• Soseki refused to use the technique himself, saying he trusted his own strength and could develop five Kekkei Genkai on his own.
• Soseki promised to find a suitable successor for the Chimera Technique, but Kurenai and Asuma rejected it.
• Mizuki volunteered to receive the technique, saying he would seize any chance to increase his strength.
• Soseki encouraged Mizuki and agreed to perform the operation, while Asuma resolved to seek guidance from his father.
• Hiruko welcomed Mizuki’s choice and said he would not regret inheriting the technique.

After Soseki transplanted Dark Release and Steel Release into Mizuki, Mizuki recovered and tested his new defensive powers. The group discussed the risks of bloodline transplants and the conditions for Hiruko’s final form before Soseki left to bury Hiruko.

• Mizuki emerged from the medical tent, and Asuma asked why the surgery had not made him look uglier.
• Soseki warned Asuma and the others that transplanting two bloodlines at once could cause genetic collapse, even though Mizuki had survived the procedure.
• Mizuki said he felt fantastic with Dark Release and Steel Release, while Soseki cautioned him not to rely on the abilities too much.
• Mizuki explained that Hiruko’s final form required five Kekkei Genkai, Mount Sumi, and a golden-ring solar eclipse, which would not be visible there for more than a decade.
• Asuma joked about the Hokage using Invisibility Release, and Kakashi stopped the conversation before Rin could ask more.
• Soseki told the others to rest and went to bury Hiruko.

After Hiruko died, Soseki revived his soul and offered him a chance to continue researching the Chimera Technique. Hiruko accepted Soseki’s guidance and agreed to serve under a new identity, leaving his future experiments in Soseki’s hands.

• After burying Hiruko, Soseki used the Death God Mask to draw out Hiruko’s soul.
• Soseki told Hiruko he could continue his research but challenged his claim that the Chimera Technique could create a perfect, immortal ninja.
• Soseki demonstrated Yin-Yang Release, showing Hiruko a power beyond the five elements and pointing him toward a broader path for his research.
• Hiruko explained that he sought the Sharingan for precise Chakra control during his ritual and described how he planned to harness natural Chakra.
• Soseki said he would seal Hiruko away until the time was right, then alter his identity and some of his memories to protect the secret.
• Hiruko accepted the new identity, saying that names and appearances did not matter as long as he could continue his research.

Two months after Hiruko’s capture, Soseki and the others learned that the Third Raikage had died fighting an army from the Hidden Stone Village. The Eastern Front commanders warned their forces to watch for a desperate response from the Hidden Cloud Village.

• Kakashi and Shūnen sparred at the Eastern Front camp, and Shūnen used his three-tomoe Sharingan to evade Kakashi’s Chidori.
• A Chunin summoned Soseki to a meeting at Orochimaru’s request.
• Orochimaru told Soseki, Minato, and Jiraiya that the Third Raikage had died after holding off ten thousand Hidden Stone ninja and killing more than a thousand of them.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru warned that the Hidden Cloud Village might retaliate, and Minato and Soseki agreed to strengthen patrols and caution their forces.

The Mizukage decided to use Rin as leverage to pressure Leaf Village into returning the ninja swords, and Hidden Mist sealed the Three-Tails inside her and erased her memories of the plan. Chi left her alive with a seal that could break when her emotions flared and planned to arrange a reunion with the three people she most wanted to see.

• The Mizukage rejected a counterattack on Hidden Cloud Village and approved a plan to threaten Leaf Village with a Three-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Chi captured Rin, and the Mizukage sealed the Three-Tails inside her.
• Rin realized Hidden Mist wanted the tailed beast to endanger Leaf Village and tried to stab herself, but Chi's cursed seal stopped her.
• Chi used Memory Sealing on Rin and said he would arrange her reunion with the three people she most wanted to see.

Kakashi received a threat demanding that he come alone to the Silent Forest, where Rin had been taken hostage, and planned to use his Ice Crystal Pendant to alert his senior once he reached the meeting place. Meanwhile, Chi led a Hidden Mist squad carrying Rin and explained that their plan was to lure Kakashi out and beat him badly, using the ordeal to destabilize Rin’s seal.

• Kakashi read a note threatening Rin’s life unless he came alone to the Silent Forest at noon.
• Kakashi decided not to notify his seniors or teacher because he feared the kidnappers were watching him.
• Kakashi planned to shatter his Ice Crystal Pendant at the meeting place so his senior would understand the danger while coming to help.
• Chi told the Hidden Mist jonin that the Mizukage had changed the plan to use Rin to lure Kakashi out and injure them both.
• Chi planned to exploit Rin’s distress as Kakashi was beaten to break through the flawed seal he had placed.

Kakashi came to rescue Rin from the Hidden Mist ninja, but exhaustion left him overwhelmed as they counterattacked. Rin’s distress broke the seals on her body and memories, allowing Pakkun and the Ninja Hounds to snatch her away.

• Obito hurried toward the battlefield while White Zetsu taunted him about Kakashi and Rin.
• Aka revealed that the Hidden Mist ninja had used Rin to lure Kakashi, then refused to release her when Kakashi arrived.
• Kakashi attacked with Shadow Clones and Chidori, killing many Hidden Mist ninja before his strength gave out.
• The Hidden Mist ninja beat Kakashi while Rin watched in anguish, and Rin’s seals began to break.
• Pakkun answered Kakashi’s call, and eight Ninja Hounds burst from the ground and carried Rin away from her guards.

Kakashi and Rin fled the Hidden Mist ninja, but Rin revealed she was the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and urged Kakashi to kill her before she could be used to destroy the village. Obito arrived just as Kakashi pierced Rin’s chest, and Kakashi awakened a new eye pattern before collapsing.

• Kakashi trapped the Hidden Mist ninja in an Earth Release barrier and escaped with Rin on Burū and the other Ninja Hounds.
• Rin revealed that the Hidden Mist had sealed the Three-Tails inside her and planned to make her rampage in the village.
• As the pursuing ninja caught up, Rin asked Kakashi to kill her, and he pierced her chest while Obito watched from the forest.
• Kakashi shattered Rin’s Ice Crystal Pendant, awakened a pinwheel pattern in his left eye, and fainted; the Ninja Hounds vanished, leaving Kakashi and Rin’s bodies on the ground.

Obito awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan after Rin’s apparent death and slaughtered the Hidden Mist shinobi, then escaped when Black Zetsu warned him that Soseki was approaching. Soseki reached Rin in time to preserve her body and use a portion of the Three-Tails’ Chakra to stabilize her, then prepared to take the remaining Chakra.

• Obito’s Mangekyo ability let Hidden Mist attacks pass through him, and he massacred the shinobi around him.
• Black Zetsu urged Obito to leave by suggesting Soseki might create a world where Rin could live, and Obito vanished through a space distortion.
• The surviving Hidden Mist shinobi approached Kakashi and Rin, but Soseki arrived and silenced them with Shadow Clones.
• Soseki found Rin still salvageable and stopped her body from decaying with Ice Release.
• Soseki placed a portion of the dispersing Three-Tails’ Chakra inside Rin to stabilize her, then prepared to take the rest.

Kakashi woke in Konoha Hospital grieving Rin and blaming himself for her and Obito’s deaths. Soseki helped him resolve to become stronger, then invited him to his house that night to learn something about Rin.

• Kakashi woke after three days and learned that Rin had died.
• Asuma, Kurenai, Shizune, Guy, and Mizuki tried to comfort Kakashi, with Mizuki confronting him about wasting the life Obito and Rin had saved.
• Soseki spoke with Kakashi alone and urged him to overcome his helplessness by striving to become stronger.
• Kakashi vowed to become strong enough to prevent such pain from happening again.
• Soseki invited Kakashi to his house that night and told him to keep the visit secret, leaving Kakashi excited by the possibility of learning about Rin.