Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi reassigned Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen to the Iwagakure front and sent Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Shikaku Nara to take over the Land of Rice Fields campaign. After handing over command, Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen left with dark expressions but decided to let the new commanders prove themselves.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders agreed to send Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen against the Iwagakure-Grass allied army while Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Shikaku Nara took command in the Land of Rice Fields.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi promised Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen rewards from the Book of Seals after the war and said this would be their final reassignment.
• Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Shikaku Nara, and their companions arrived at the Land of Rice Fields camp and received the handover from Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen.
• Orochimaru proposed secretly giving the new commanders laxatives, then explained that he had only shown them attitude to discourage further mistreatment.
• Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen decided to let Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Shikaku Nara face the campaign and see whether they could handle the enemy.

After Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen left the Land of Rice Fields front, Shinnosuke Sarutobi took command and the Hidden Cloud lured Konoha into a costly retreat. Konoha lost its camp and surrendered the gains Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen had made, returning the front to square one as they celebrated the news together from afar.

• Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen departed after warning that they would act against the Konoha higher-ups if the transfer order was not honored, and the Hidden Cloud leadership rejoiced at their absence.
• On the day Shinnosuke Sarutobi took command, the Hidden Cloud launched a frontal assault, which Konoha repelled before Dodai requested elite reinforcements from the Fourth Raikage.
• Dodai used the reinforcements to spring a second attack, but Shikaku Nara persuaded Shinnosuke Sarutobi to keep a reserve that held off the surprise strike and enabled Konoha's main force to retreat.
• Konoha suffered heavy losses, abandoned its camp, and withdrew to the central region of the Land of Rice Fields, giving up the gains Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen had won.
• Konoha's original forces resented the defeat, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained hopeful, and Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen exchanged a smile and drank together after receiving the news.

Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen led Konoha’s forces against the Iwagakure-Kusagakure alliance in the Land of Grass, deliberately holding back to prolong the war. Iwagakure retreated after Kusagakure withdrew, but the ensuing stalemate on multiple fronts left Hiruzen Sarutobi panicking over the mounting military costs.

• Orochimaru fought Han while Uchiha Gen held off Kitsuchi and another Iwagakure Jonin as the armies clashed.
• Uchiha Gen sent Zhurong to target Kusagakure’s forces while he and Orochimaru restrained their strength and saved Qiangliang for later.
• Kusagakure’s ninja retreated, leaving Iwagakure unable to gain the upper hand against Konoha.
• Kitsuchi ordered an orderly retreat, and Konoha declined to pursue before setting up camp.
• The Land of Rice Fields and Land of Grass fronts settled into prolonged stalemates, and Hiruzen Sarutobi panicked as military expenses mounted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to draw Sunagakure into the war against Iwagakure, while Ōnoki arranged countermeasures and sought an alliance with Kirigakure. The two sides’ plans were underway as Sunagakure’s force approached the Land of Grass.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected sending more Konoha forces to the existing fronts and proposed offering Sunagakure benefits in exchange for attacking Iwagakure.
• Konoha’s envoy reached Sunagakure, and Fourth Kazekage Rasa agreed to send Baki and Pakura with a thousand ninja to the Land of Grass.
• Iwagakure spies discovered that a Konoha envoy had visited Sunagakure, and Ōnoki warned the front line before convening Iwagakure’s leaders.
• Ōnoki arranged for Kitsuchi, Hanzō, hired ninja organizations, and a nine-hundred-ninja force to help delay or meet Sunagakure’s advance.
• After rejecting his leaders’ suggestion to sow discord between Konoha and Sunagakure, Ōnoki ordered an envoy to seek an alliance with Kirigakure and pressure Sunagakure’s border.

After learning Sunagakure had mobilized, Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen prepared for the allied forces’ arrival while continuing their covert activities against Iwagakure and Grass Village. Sunagakure eventually reached the front, and its commanders Baki and Pakura met Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen at Konoha’s camp.

• Uchiha Gen told Orochimaru that Sunagakure had deployed its forces, and they agreed to return to camp and resume preparations for battle.
• Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen speculated that Iwagakure had intercepted Sunagakure and sent reinforcements, but decided against sending support.
• Iwagakure’s reinforcements arrived the next morning, followed half an hour later by Sunagakure’s forces, which camped southeast of Konoha.
• Baki and Pakura brought several subordinates to Konoha’s camp and greeted Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen.
• Orochimaru invited Baki, Pakura, and their party inside, and they followed him and Uchiha Gen into the camp.

Orochimaru, Uchiha Gen, Baki, and Pakura agreed on cautious tactics and coordinated supplies for the Konoha-Sunagakure alliance, then shared an extravagant meal. The allied forces began probing attacks the next morning while Uchiha Gen continued his visits to Gangmen Town.

• Orochimaru told Baki and Pakura that Iwagakure's reinforcements had arrived and agreed to use conventional tactics rather than risk a decisive battle.
• Uchiha Gen and Pakura eased tensions as the commanders discussed coordination and arranged for Konoha to provide Sunagakure's daily supplies.
• Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen hosted Baki and Pakura for a lavish lunch, and the four finished all twelve dishes.
• The Konoha-Sunagakure alliance maintained a defensive posture, then sent a small force of Jonin to launch a probing attack against the Iwagakure-Grass alliance the next morning.
• Uchiha Gen continued his routine visits to Gangmen Town, where he enjoyed the hot springs and a meal at a luxurious restaurant.

Uchiha Gen spotted Anna Uzumaki and her young daughter Karin being escorted by Kusagakure ninjas and decided to rescue them. After driving the ninjas away, he introduced himself and learned the pair's names.

• Uchiha Gen recognized Anna and two-year-old Karin as Uzumaki Clan members while watching them from a restaurant.
• Uchiha Gen followed the group and saw Anna and Karin share two skewers of dango, despite their apparent hardship.
• Uchiha Gen offered to buy Anna and Karin from the Kusagakure ninja leader, then revealed his identity as a Konoha shinobi when the ninjas hesitated.
• The Kusagakure ninjas recognized Uchiha Gen and fled after he asked why they had not left.
• Anna identified herself and her daughter as members of the Uzumaki Clan and introduced them as Anna Uzumaki and Karin Uzumaki.

Uchiha Gen offered Anna Uzumaki and Karin a safe life in Konoha and arranged for Anna to learn chakra refinement and medical skills. After feeding and clothing them, he took them toward the Konoha camp on Qiangliang.

• Uchiha Gen invited Anna Uzumaki and Karin to live in Konoha after the war and promised to protect them.
• Anna Uzumaki revealed Karin's healing ability, and Uchiha Gen explained that it consumed her life force and offered to teach her chakra refinement and medical knowledge.
• Uchiha Gen took Anna Uzumaki and Karin to eat dango and bought them new clothes.
• Uchiha Gen summoned Qiangliang, and the three flew toward the Konoha camp.

Uchiha Gen brought Anna Uzumaki and Karin to the Konoha frontline hospital, while the war widened after Kirigakure joined Iwagakure against Sunagakure. Konoha agreed to offer Sand a share of its missions, but sent the negotiations to the young frontline commanders, hoping they would secure a cheaper deal.

• Uchiha Gen brought Anna Uzumaki and Karin to the Konoha camp, where Anna began studying chakra refinement and medical knowledge while helping at the frontline hospital.
• Iwagakure's envoy persuaded Kirigakure to send troops, and Mist forces attacked Sunagakure's border outposts instead of landing near the Land of Whirlpools.
• Rasa and the Sand leadership sought to withdraw troops and demand benefits from Konoha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and his advisers debated how to respond.
• Iwagakure announced its alliance with Kirigakure, prompting Sunagakure to seek greater benefits from Konoha and join it against Iwagakure.
• Konoha's leadership agreed to return a share of missions to Sunagakure, then assigned negotiations to the frontline commanders so they could offer less.

Uchiha Gen negotiated with Baki and Pakura over Sunagakure’s share of Konoha’s missions, rejecting their arguments for increased compensation before they hinted they could offer him something in return. Gen became interested and considered using his ocular technique to secure a favorable deal for Konoha.

• Sunagakure’s leaders ordered Baki and Pakura to win a larger share of Konoha’s missions, while Orochimaru left Gen in charge of negotiations.
• Baki and Pakura met Gen at Konoha’s camp and argued that Sunagakure deserved more compensation for its losses and financial hardship.
• Gen challenged their claims, pointed out that Sunagakure had acted for its own benefit, and offered only a three-percent increase.
• Baki and Pakura bargained up to seven percent, but Gen refused to budge.
• Baki hinted that they could show Gen mercy afterward, and Pakura confirmed they had authority to obtain his approval at any cost.
• Gen perked up at the offer and considered using Ama-no-Uzume's Decree to secure exceptionally favorable terms for Konoha.

Uchiha Gen left Baki and Pakura to decipher what gift would satisfy him, and the Sand ninja guessed he was interested in Pakura. After Tajin failed to confirm the theory, Pakura proposed studying beauty-based intelligence tactics to negotiate without sacrificing too much.

• Uchiha Gen rejected Baki's offer of money, told him and Pakura to study his stated preferences, and ended the negotiations.
• Baki and Pakura gathered Sunagakure Jonin, and one proposed that Uchiha Gen's lavish praise meant he had taken a liking to Pakura.
• The Sand Jonin considered offering Uchiha Gen young women, but Baki ordered Tajin to sound him out first.
• Tajin returned after Uchiha Gen threw him out before he could probe the matter, leaving the Sand ninja uncertain about what to do.
• Pakura suggested Uchiha Gen's youth might let them negotiate without giving up too much and decided to study Sunagakure female spies' beauty-based intelligence records.

Pakura visited Uchiha Gen to negotiate Sunagakure’s share of missions and used the seductive approach her village had prepared. Gen agreed to a seven-percent share, then kept Pakura close while sending a Shadow Clone to collect their meal.

• Baki told Pakura that Sunagakure would provide materials and honor her contributions, and she left to prepare for the mission.
• Rasa appealed to Pakura’s love for Sunagakure, and she resolved to secure more missions for the village even if it meant sacrificing her chastity.
• Pakura visited Uchiha Gen’s camp, where he showed her Konoha’s document setting a seven-percent bottom line for Sunagakure’s share.
• Pakura accepted the seven-percent offer and moved close to Gen, laying her legs across his thighs and embracing him.
• When a servant announced that the Set B meals had arrived, Gen created a Shadow Clone to bring the food while he kept Pakura in place.

Uchiha Gen persuaded Pakura to consider becoming his girlfriend in Sunagakure, offering to help her improve her Scorch Release and strengthen Sunagakure’s ninjutsu foundation. Pakura agreed to a relationship with limits on physical intimacy, but Gen immediately resumed touching her.

• Uchiha Gen sent his Shadow Clone away with Zhurong, Wusheng, and Qiangliang, then explained to Pakura that they came from his unique second Kekkei Genkai.
• Uchiha Gen described his ninjutsu skills and asked Pakura to become his girlfriend, arguing that he could help her improve her Wind and Fire Release.
• Pakura weighed the personal and political benefits, then worried that she was older than Gen; he reassured her that the age difference did not matter.
• Pakura agreed to be Gen’s girlfriend if he refrained from taking their relationship further for now, and Gen accepted her terms.
• Uchiha Gen began touching Pakura again, prompting her to cry out.

Uchiha Gen and Pakura grew more intimate while discussing plans for the coming battle against Iwagakure and Grass's allied army. They agreed to fight alongside Orochimaru and Konoha, and the chapter ended with Uchiha Gen preparing to heat their food and serve Pakura grilled steamed buns.

• Pakura questioned Uchiha Gen's interest in her figure, and he persuaded her to let him satisfy his curiosity.
• While they were together, Pakura asked how Konoha and Sand would confront Iwagakure and Grass's allied army.
• Uchiha Gen explained that he and Orochimaru planned a direct assault, arguing that their side had the advantage and could limit casualties by ending the battle quickly.
• Uchiha Gen said he and Orochimaru could hold off the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, and Pakura agreed to the plan.
• Uchiha Gen helped Pakura dress, suggested she patch an opening in her tent, and offered to heat their food and make grilled steamed buns.

Uchiha Gen and Pakura became an openly acknowledged couple as Konoha and Sunagakure finalized their agreement, then joined forces to prepare for a decisive battle against the Iwagakure–Grass Allied Forces. The chapter ended with their combined army charging toward the enemy.

• Pakura reported that she had secured a seven-percent share for Sunagakure, and Baki and the other Jonin praised her success.
• Uchiha Gen and Pakura confirmed their relationship to Baki and the Sand delegation before signing the agreement; Orochimaru gave Pakura two ninjutsu scrolls as a gift.
• Pakura told Uchiha Gen that she dreamed of becoming a legendary female ninja and Kazekage, and they spent time together before she returned to her duties.
• Sunagakure praised Pakura and Baki, while Konoha's leaders and the Uchiha Clan reacted to the relationship; both villages prepared openly for the decisive battle.
• Seven days later, Konoha and Sand ninja assembled at Konoha Camp and charged toward the Iwagakure–Grass Allied Forces.

The Konoha-Sand allied forces were trapped by the Iwagakure-Grass allied forces’ earthen maze, so Uchiha Gen called on Qiangliang to raise a storm cloud over it. The chapter left Kitsuchi and Han preparing a Tailed Beast Ball while Uchiha Gen, Orochimaru, and Pakura watched from above the clouds.

• The Iwagakure-Grass allied forces raised a vast maze of earthen walls and attacked the retreating Konoha-Sand troops with volleys of weapons and stone bullets.
• Uchiha Gen told Baki to lead Sand’s troops around the rear, then kept Pakura with him to help drive the enemy out of the maze.
• Uchiha Gen summoned Qiangliang and rode its cloud above the maze with Orochimaru and Pakura.
• Qiangliang spread an immense storm cloud over the maze, filling it with lightning and darkening the battlefield.
• Kitsuchi asked Han to fire a Tailed Beast Ball at the commanders overhead, and Han agreed to try while Kitsuchi’s group protected him.

Uchiha Gen used storm-guided lightning and aerial fire attacks to devastate the Iwagakure-Grass Allied Forces before the armies engaged. After harvesting souls and lifespans from wounded enemies, he joined the main battle and headed toward the Jonin known as Explosion Release Hunter.

• Uchiha Gen directed Qiangliang’s lightning to wound more than a hundred enemy ninjas while Zhurong, Orochimaru, and Pakura burned many Genin with dragon fire.
• Han transformed into the Five-Tails and launched a Tailed Beast Ball, but Kitsuchi’s stone giant shielded Han from Uchiha Gen’s lightning, and the Tailed Beast Ball failed to destroy the storm clouds.
• Kitsuchi ordered the allied forces to abandon their maze fortress and charge, but aerial attacks and a volley of weapons left them with nearly five hundred casualties before direct combat.
• The Iwagakure-Grass Allied Forces engaged the Konoha-Sand Allied Forces and were quickly surrounded and put at a disadvantage.
• Uchiha Gen harvested the souls and lifespans of grievously wounded enemies with a fear-based genjutsu, then went to the main battlefield as Orochimaru fought Han and Kitsuchi fought Baki and Pakura.
• Uchiha Gen sent Zhurong to aid Pakura and charged toward the Jonin called Explosion Release Hunter.

Uchiha Gen routed Iwagakure’s forces with his lightning attacks, forcing Kitsuchi to order a retreat while Gen pursued and battered the fleeing troops. As Gen considered how to keep Kitsuchi from escaping, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, arrived on the battlefield.

• Uchiha Gen defeated Explosion Release Hunter and several Iwagakure ninja, then absorbed the souls and lifespans of the fallen.
• Uchiha Gen continued hunting Iwagakure’s Jonin and Chunin, weakening the allied forces until their surviving leaders urged Kitsuchi to retreat.
• Kitsuchi fired a retreat signal, and the Iwagakure–Grass Allied Forces withdrew as the Konoha–Sand Allied Forces pursued them.
• Han transformed into the Five-Tails and held back some pursuers, while Uchiha Gen chased Kitsuchi from the air and inflicted heavy losses on his forces.
• Uchiha Gen spotted the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, approaching across the sky.

Uchiha Gen helped Konoha and Sand defeat Iwagakure’s forces, after which Iwagakure and Kusagakure made peace and paid compensation. Before the armies withdrew, he told Pakura that he planned to have more girlfriends so enemies could not use her as leverage against him.

• Ōnoki arrived with Iwagakure’s border troops, ordered Kitsuchi to wait, and led the remaining fighters to reinforce Han.
• Uchiha Gen warned the pursuing Konoha and Sand forces, helped them defeat Iwagakure’s suicide squad, and hunted down ninja fleeing north and south.
• Ōnoki proposed peace talks, and Iwagakure paid compensation to recover a small number of wounded, prisoners, and fallen ninja.
• Konoha and Sand pressured Kusagakure into surrendering, changing sides, and paying compensation before preparing to withdraw.
• Uchiha Gen walked with Pakura and explained that he wanted more girlfriends because an enemy might otherwise use her to threaten him.

Uchiha Gen used his Mangekyō Sharingan to make Pakura accept his desire to find more girlfriends, then spent the evening growing closer to her. On the journey back to Konoha, Danzo tried to claim Anna Uzumaki and Karin Uzumaki for Root, so Gen planned to have Kushina confront him.

• Uchiha Gen used Ama-no-Uzume's Decree on Pakura, who agreed to let him find more girlfriends, and the two shared an intimate evening by the river.
• Uchiha Gen secretly marked Pakura with the Flying Thunder God Technique before they returned to camp, and Sand departed the next morning.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen to return to Konoha ahead of the frontline troops, preventing a public homecoming that could bolster Orochimaru's standing as a candidate for Fifth Hokage.
• A Konoha envoy told Uchiha Gen that Danzo wanted Anna Uzumaki and Karin Uzumaki for Root, but Orochimaru said he obeyed the Hokage's orders, and Gen refused Danzo's demand.
• Uchiha Gen decided to send Kushina into action against Danzo, and Orochimaru anticipated that she would confront Root to protect her remaining clanswomen.