Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi trapped Hanzō and struck him with the Five Release: Great Consecutive Shots Technique, but Seiji recognized that Hanzō had escaped. The chapter ended with Hanzō appearing unharmed before Hiruzen, who had spent much of his Chakra.

• Salamander Ibuse emerged behind Hiruzen Sarutobi and released poisonous smoke as Hanzō charged under its cover.
• Enma caught Hanzō off guard with the Adamantine Prison Wall, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi and four shadow clones to surround him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and his clones unleashed the Five Release: Great Consecutive Shots Technique, creating a massive explosion.
• Seiji told Kushimaru Kuriarare, Munashi Jinpachi, Juzo Biwa, and Ao that Hanzō was likely still alive, and taught them not to lower their guard before confirming an opponent’s death.
• Hanzō appeared unharmed before Hiruzen Sarutobi after escaping the Adamantine Prison Wall with the Body Flicker Technique just before the attack landed.

After Hanzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi ended their battle, both claimed the encounter as a draw, while Hiruzen helped establish Hanzo’s reputation as a demigod. Seiji received a secret mission from the Third Mizukage and tracked down Fusheng Yi, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, to deliver a letter to the Raikage.

• Hanzo concealed his internal injuries, accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s praise, and withdrew after they agreed to stop fighting.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to bolster his reputation by portraying Hanzo as the strongest shinobi in the Ninja World, and the departing spectators spread Hanzo’s new demigod title.
• Seiji unsealed the Third Mizukage’s mission scroll, sent Hua and the others back, and sensed a powerful Kumogakure group moving north toward the Land of Grass.
• Fusheng Yi, also known as Blue B, slowed his group after his sensory Anbu detected Seiji approaching.
• Seiji recognized Fusheng Yi as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and delivered him the mission scroll containing a letter for the Raikage.

After completing his secret mission, Seiji rejoined his squad and overheard Yagura boasting about their past sparring matches. The group discussed Hanzō's duel with the Hokage, and Seiji explained that Hanzō had concealed serious injuries while arguing that the Third Mizukage could contend with him.

• Fusheng Yi accepted Seiji's scroll and promised to deliver it to his big brother, and Seiji left the Kumogakure group.
• Seiji caught up with Chino, Yagura, and the others and overheard Yagura claim that his sparring matches with Seiji had ended in draws.
• Chino, Ao, Juzo Biwa, and Kushimaru Kuriarare teased Yagura, and Seiji appeared and promised him a proper rematch in the village.
• Seiji asked Ao and the others for their assessment of Hanzō's battle with the Hokage, and they said Hanzō had won.
• Seiji explained that Hanzō had suffered serious injuries and suppressed them with his Chakra, then said the Third Mizukage could contend with Hanzō.

Seiji returned to the Land of Water while considering Third Mizukage Hyou’s plan to target the Uzumaki Clan for its Sealing Technique. He began devising a subtler strategy to bring the clan and its knowledge to Hidden Mist Village, and remained aboard ship refining it.

• Seiji taught his subordinates about Hanzō of the Salamander and explained why his group could cross the Land of Fire safely before they boarded a ship home.
• Seiji recalled Third Mizukage Hyou’s letter to the Third Raikage and realized Hyou was targeting the Uzumaki Clan’s Sealing Technique.
• Seiji considered Hidden Mist Village’s failed Jinchuriki experiments and concluded that Uzumaki sealing knowledge could support his plans to obtain the Ten-Tails and become an Otsutsuki.
• Seiji judged Hyou’s proposed joint attack with Kumogakure too crude and considered letting Kumogakure lead while Hidden Mist Village tried to persuade the Uzumaki Clan to leave Konoha.
• Seiji decided he needed a practical plan to present to his grandfather, Genji, and spent the voyage refining it in his room.

Seiji returned to Kirigakure and reported Hanzō’s battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi to Third Mizukage Hyou, who anticipated a coming war and ordered preparations. Madara Uchiha also heard about the battle and dismissed Hanzō’s demigod title and Hiruzen’s performance.

• Seiji and his team returned to Kirigakure, where Seiji reported the mission to Third Mizukage Hyou.
• Hyou judged that Hanzō would likely start a war and ordered Ken to send Anbu squads to the Land of Whirlpools to gather intelligence.
• Hyou sent Seiji to visit Elder Genji, while Ken returned to mobilize the Anbu squads.
• An Underground Exchange leader ordered agents to focus on gathering intelligence about the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Rain.
• White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha about Hanzō’s battle with Hiruzen, and Madara criticized both Hanzō’s title and Hiruzen’s conduct.

Seiji returned home and asked Genji about Kirigakure’s plan to attack the Land of Whirlpools for the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques. Genji explained why Kirigakure wanted the techniques and revealed which Tailed Beasts each village possessed.

• Madara ordered White Zetsu to infiltrate Konoha for an Uchiha descendant and sent clones to the Land of Whirlpools after learning Kirigakure and Kumogakure planned to attack it.
• Seiji returned home and reunited with Genji before asking whether he knew of the Mizukage’s plot against the Land of Whirlpools.
• Genji revealed that he had suggested sending Seiji to Kumogakure with the letter and explained that Kirigakure needed the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing techniques for its Jinchuriki experiments.
• Seiji asked which Tailed Beasts Kirigakure possessed, and Genji recounted how the beasts had been divided among the villages.
• Genji told Seiji that Kirigakure had the Three-Tails and Six-Tails, which Seiji recognized as Isobu and Saiken.

Seiji explained why Hidden Mist Village's previous jinchuriki experiments had failed and proposed a plan to obtain the Uzumaki Clan's sealing arts while avoiding an immediate war with them. Genji approved the plan as feasible, and Seiji remained prepared to use force if the Uzumaki Clan refused to compromise.

• Seiji argued that jinchuriki needed exceptional vitality, vast chakra, and strong will as well as suitable Sealing Technique, and Genji realized the previous candidates had lacked the necessary traits.
• Seiji said the Uzumaki Clan were ideal jinchuriki candidates because of their sealing knowledge, vitality, and chakra, and argued that Hidden Mist Village should seek both their people and techniques.
• Seiji proposed that Hidden Mist Village and Kumogakure attack the Land of Whirlpools separately, with Hidden Mist intercepting Konoha's reinforcements while negotiating with the Uzumaki Clan.
• Seiji said Hidden Mist Village would attack the Uzumaki Clan if they refused to compromise, and Genji praised his strategic thinking and approved the plan.

Seiji’s plan to expand the Land of Rain’s influence was approved, and Hanzō tested the great nations’ resolve through a series of conquests and provocations. After Konoha failed to respond to his incursion, Hanzō decided on his next move.

• Genji refined Seiji’s proposal and persuaded Third Mizukage Hyou to approve it.
• Seiji turned fifteen and advanced toward Kage-level strength, but he still had not awakened his own eyes.
• Hanzō seized towns along the Land of Grass border and then occupied the Land of Birds, drawing condemnations and envoys from the great nations.
• Hanzō held a military exercise near the Land of Fire, claimed three shinobi were missing, and forced his way into Fire Country before leaving unharmed.
• Shimura Danzō urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to wage war, but Hiruzen dismissed the threat, and Hanzō decided to act after Konoha showed no response.

Hanzō launched a coordinated surprise attack against Konoha and Sunagakure’s border forces, then ordered his troops to seize nearby towns. By September 19, the Rain Shinobi had captured every border town facing the Land of Rain.

• Hanzō sent three thousand elite Rain Shinobi to attack the Rain-Fire and Rain-Wind borders at eight o’clock on September 18.
• Kamuda and Heiji led the Rain Shinobi’s surprise assault on Konoha’s border defenses, wiping them out with combined Water Release techniques.
• Kamuda received Hanzō’s order to split the troops and occupy towns near the Land of Rain, and he and Heiji prepared to lead separate groups.
• Hanzō personally led the attack on the Land of Wind’s border, where the Rain Shinobi annihilated Sunagakure’s defenses in twenty minutes.
• By September 19, the Rain Shinobi had captured every town along the borders of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind facing the Land of Rain.

Amegakure’s surprise invasion of the Land of Fire reached Konoha before the village understood what had happened. Hiruzen Sarutobi mobilized Konoha’s forces to repel Hanzō, and news of the war spread across the shinobi world.

• Hanzō advanced into the Land of Fire while Sunagakure mobilized and halted Amegakure’s advance in the Land of Wind.
• A Root squad led by Shimura Danzō discovered that Rain Shinobi had entered the Land of Fire and brought the intelligence to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Danzō confronted Hiruzen over failing to heed his warnings, and Hiruzen learned that Hanzō’s forces had pushed close to Tanzaku City.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzō to lead Root and Anbu against Amegakure, tasked Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu with rallying Konoha’s clans, and prepared to face Hanzō himself.
• On September 22, news of Amegakure’s attacks on Sunagakure and Konoha spread across the shinobi world, beginning a new Great Shinobi War.

Seiji rushed to a high-level meeting where Third Mizukage Hyou announced that the Great Shinobi War had begun and laid out Kirigakure’s plan to attack the Land of Whirlpools. The chapter ended with Kirigakure preparing to launch the campaign when circumstances allowed.

• Seiji received the combat readiness alert and hurried to the Mizukage Tower after reading urgent intelligence from the Underground Exchange.
• Seiji saw Kaguya Musashi at the meeting and restrained his hatred toward him.
• Third Mizukage Hyou announced that Amegakure had attacked the Lands of Wind and Fire and that Hanzō of the Salamander had led Rain Shinobi into the Land of Fire.
• Hyou said Kirigakure would stay out of the war for now and explained that the conflict gave the village an opportunity to attack the Land of Whirlpools.
• Hyou declared that Kirigakure needed its own Jinchuriki and sealing techniques, revealed that he had contacted Kumogakure, and ordered preparations for war against the Land of Whirlpools.

Hyou announced the selection of seven Ninja Sword wielders to form Mist Hidden’s Shadow Guard and asked Seiji to compete. A week into the war, Hiruzen Sarutobi rallied Konoha as its forces fought Hanzo’s Rain Shinobi.

• Hyou revealed seven Ninja Swords and announced an open village selection, with the chosen wielders joining his Shadow Guard.
• Hyou summoned Seiji and urged him to enter the selection as a step toward becoming Shadow Guard captain and a future Mizukage; Seiji agreed.
• A week after the war began, Konoha’s Root and Anbu vanguard, led by Shimura Danzō, halted Hanzo’s advance for the time being.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed Konoha’s people, condemned Amegakure’s invasion, and vowed the village would endure and win.

Hiruzen Sarutobi declared total war as battles between Sunagakure, Amegakure, and Konoha continued to strain Hanzō’s forces. Meanwhile, Kirigakure held a selection for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, with four of Seiji’s subordinates competing.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi declared that Konoha had entered a state of total war and urged its people to fight for victory.
• Sunagakure and Konoha pushed their fronts into the Land of Rain, forcing Hanzō to struggle to hold them back as the fighting eased near year’s end.
• Iwagakure and Kumogakure completed preparations to enter the war.
• On December 31st of Mist Hidden Year 34, Kirigakure held the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist selection at Training Ground No. 15.
• Seiji attended with his subordinates, while Suikazan Fuguki, Juzo Biwa, Kushimaru Kuriarare, and Munashi Jinpachi took part in the selection.

Third Mizukage Hyou introduced the Seven Ninja Swords and explained the selection process for their wielders. Seiji and four members of his squad chose swords suited to their abilities, and the first battle for Executioner's Blade began.

• Hyou summoned the Seven Ninja Swords, described their abilities, and announced that candidates would compete in free-for-all battles before testing their compatibility with a sword.
• Seiji chose Twin Swords Hiramekarei, valuing its strength and its wielder's political and leadership prospects.
• Suikazan Fuguki chose Samehada, Juzo Biwa chose Executioner's Blade, Kushimaru Kuriarare chose Nuibari, and Munashi Jinpachi chose Shibuki.
• Several other ninjas gathered to compete for Executioner's Blade, while the candidates for the other swords took their places.
• Hyou put away the swords, the spectators moved clear, and the selection battle for Executioner's Blade began.

Juzo Biwa defeated Yusuke Hozuki in the Executioner's Blade selection and claimed the sword. Suikazan Fuguki won Samehada, while Kushimaru Kuriarare and Jinin Akebino received Nuibari and Kabutowari.

• Juzo Biwa used the Hidden Mist Technique, but Yusuke Hozuki swiftly defeated the other participants using his sensory ability.
• Yusuke Hozuki attacked Juzo Biwa, who trapped him with a prepared Water Clone and the Water Prison Technique.
• Juzo Biwa detonated his chakra inside the Water Prison, seriously injuring Yusuke Hozuki and winning the duel.
• Juzo Biwa accepted the Executioner's Blade from Third Mizukage Hyou and returned to the First Division, where Seiji praised him.
• Suikazan Fuguki defeated the other Samehada candidates with two powerful Water Release techniques and claimed the blade.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare obtained Nuibari, and Jinin Akebino obtained Kabutowari.

The selection for the Twin Swords Hiramekarei began as Seiji faced four veteran Hidden Mist ninja in a public battle. Seiji defeated Fujiwara Naoki and advanced, while Terumi Hiroshi and Miyajima Kimiko remained on the field.

• Munashi Jinpachi won the selection for the Exploding Blade Shibuki, while a Saito Clan Jonin codenamed Shadow claimed the Lightning Blade Kiba.
• Seiji entered the Hiramekarei selection without using Shikotsumyaku to avoid revealing it to Kaguya Musashi.
• Hozuki Chizuru opened the melee with a Water Release technique, and the contestants countered with their own ninjutsu.
• Seiji tracked Fujiwara Naoki through the smoke, but Naoki used a Water Clone to evade Seiji’s attack and tried to absorb his Chakra.
• Seiji used a Water Clone to escape Naoki’s grasp, then paralyzed him through the water-covered ground with Lightning Release: Earth Run.
• Fujiwara Naoki conceded, and after the smoke cleared, Terumi Hiroshi and Miyajima Kimiko remained to face Seiji.

Seiji fought Miyajima Kimiko in a one-on-one match while Hozuki Chizuru faced Terumi Hiroshi. After Kimiko wounded Seiji and shattered his sword, he counterattacked with a punch, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Seiji proposed one-on-one matches, and the fighters paired Hozuki Chizuru with Terumi Hiroshi and Seiji with Miyajima Kimiko.
• Miyajima Kimiko attacked Seiji with Crystal Release techniques, and her laser pierced his shoulder as ANBU First Division watched in alarm.
• Seiji pressed his attack despite the wound, broke through Kimiko’s hastily formed crystal shield, and narrowly missed her with his sword.
• Kimiko met Seiji’s next attack with a Jade Crystal Blade, which shattered his ninja sword.
• Seiji dropped the broken sword, spun, and punched at Kimiko, who blocked his fist as he smiled.

Seiji defeated Miyajima Kimiko with Water Severing Wave, while Hozuki Chizuru defeated Terumi Hiroshi and then conceded to Seiji. The selection ended with all seven swords claimed, and Kirigakure officially established the first Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in Mist Year 35, with Seiji as their captain.

• Seiji disarmed Miyajima Kimiko, struck her with Water Severing Wave, and forced her to surrender after her Crystal Release defenses failed.
• Hozuki Chizuru endured Terumi Hiroshi's Boil Release mist and defeated him with an enhanced Great Water Arm Technique strike.
• Hozuki Chizuru conceded to Seiji, leaving Seiji able to claim Hiramekarei and the captaincy of the Shadow Guard.
• The selection battles ended, and the onlookers congratulated the seven ninja who had claimed the swords.
• Kirigakure officially formed the first Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist at the beginning of Mist Year 35, with Seiji Otsutsuki as captain.

After months of training, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had grown into a force of Jonin-level fighters, and Hyou prepared them to begin missions. Meanwhile, Hanzō planned a secret transfer of elite Rain ninja to strike Sunagakure, as Seiji received a scroll that could summon all seven blades.

• Over more than six months, Seiji mastered all the ninja blades while the other six Seven Ninja Swordsmen became proficient with their own weapons.
• At a war council in Hidden Rain Village, Hanzō announced that he would secretly move half the elite forces facing Konoha and launch a major counteroffensive against Sunagakure in ten days.
• Hanzō ordered Kamuda to keep the transfer secret and assigned Heiji to lead the transferred elites to the Sunagakure front.
• In Kirigakure, Hyou told Seiji and Ken that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were ready to begin missions and handed Seiji the Ninja Blade Summoning Scroll.

Seiji received a summoning scroll for the Twin Swords Hiramekarei as Hyō and Ken discussed delaying Kirigakure's attack on the Land of Whirlpools until Konoha was too occupied to intervene. Ten days later, Hanzō led Amegakure's forces into a decisive battle against Sunagakure, where Chiyo and Ebizo prepared to meet them.

• Seiji sealed the Twin Swords Hiramekarei into the summoning scroll and stored it in his ninja tool pouch.
• Ken advised Hyō to wait until fighting between Konoha and Amegakure escalated before attacking the Land of Whirlpools, and Hyō ordered more squads to monitor the war zone and told Kumogakure to wait.
• Hyō told Seiji that the Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki would soon be unable to hold on and instructed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to stay ready.
• On October 25th, Sunagakure's sensors detected Amegakure's main force advancing under Hanzō, prompting Chiyo and Ebizo to assemble their forces.
• Chiyo mocked Hanzō before the armies, and Hanzō called for the battlefield to decide the outcome.