Chapter Summaries

Karatachi Yagura delivered Kirigakure’s armistice proposal and a secret letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi, revealing that Uchiha Madara had controlled the Third Mizukage for years. The letter also warned that the Third Kage of several villages had mysteriously disappeared, leaving Hiruzen to face the possibility of a conspiracy targeting the entire shinobi world.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to review Kirigakure’s proposed armistice.
• Karatachi Yagura arrived with Hozuki Mangetsu, Momochi Zabuza, and Mei Terumi, offering the agreement and a secret letter from the Third Mizukage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi read that Kirigakure wanted Konoha to return Isobu, but he had no intention of removing the Three-Tails from Hatake Kakashi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the secret letter and learned that Uchiha Madara had controlled the Third Mizukage through genjutsu for many years.
• Karatachi Yagura had initially doubted the revelation but accepted it after examining evidence of another person’s Chakra in the Third Mizukage’s body.
• The Third Mizukage suspected that the disappearances of the Third Kazekage, Third Tsuchikage, and Third Raikage pointed to a wider threat that could also target Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi read the Third Mizukage’s secret letter and grew convinced that Uchiha Madara had been targeting the great villages and might threaten Konoha next. He agreed in principle to a ceasefire with Kirigakure but delayed the details as Karatachi Yagura urged him to act quickly and revealed that the Third Mizukage wanted a new Kage Summit.

• The Third Mizukage’s secret letter claimed that Uchiha Madara had infiltrated Kirigakure, attacked him, and gravely wounded him, while concealing that Madara had controlled him with genjutsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi connected the letter’s claims to the disappearances of the Third Kazekage, Third Tsuchikage, and Third Raikage, and suspected that Uchiha Madara was pursuing a vast conspiracy against the shinobi world.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed in principle to sign a ceasefire agreement with Kirigakure but said Konoha still needed to deliberate over its terms.
• Karatachi Yagura asked when Hiruzen Sarutobi would respond to the secret letter and the ceasefire proposal, then revealed that Kirigakure had contacted the other villages and hoped to convene a new Kage Summit.

Nara Kaikei and Tsunade discussed Kirigakure’s proposed ceasefire and Kage Summit, suspecting the summit was intended to reclaim the Three-Tails. Tsunade considered Kaikei a better Hokage candidate than Minato, while Kaikei dismissed the summit and urged her to finish training Wood Release as the war neared its end.

• Tsunade told Nara Kaikei that Mist envoys had arrived in Konoha to negotiate a ceasefire and propose a Kage Summit.
• Nara Kaikei considered why Mist wanted the summit and guessed that it planned to reclaim Isobu, the Three-Tails.
• Tsunade confirmed that Mist’s draft ceasefire agreement demanded the return of the Three-Tails and agreed that the summit might be another way to pursue it.
• Tsunade privately thought Nara Kaikei was more deserving of becoming Hokage than Minato.
• Nara Kaikei set aside the summit discussion and asked Tsunade about her Wood Release training, saying the war was nearly over and Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru had had enough time.

Karatachi Yagura and his three young Kirigakure subordinates waited in Konoha while peace talks continued, discussing the village’s future and the prospect of reclaiming the Three-Tails. A message arrived that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had agreed to a ceasefire, bringing the end of the war closer.

• Karatachi Yagura reflected on Konoha’s prosperity and his hope of becoming Fourth Mizukage and ending Kirigakure’s Bloody Mist era.
• Hozuki Mangetsu, Mei Terumi, and Momochi Zabuza shared their impressions of Konoha, and Mei Terumi stopped Mangetsu and Zabuza from fighting.
• Mei Terumi asked how long they would remain in Konoha, and Karatachi Yagura explained that the other villages’ decisions would shape the peace talks and that Konoha was unlikely to return the Three-Tails.
• A small clam delivered a scroll from Kirigakure, and Karatachi Yagura learned that Kumogakure and Iwagakure had both agreed to a ceasefire.

As the Third Shinobi World War neared its end, Konoha’s leaders discussed Uchiha Madara’s reported return and debated who Hiruzen Sarutobi would take to the Second Kage Summit. Hiruzen favored Minato Namikaze as his successor, rejecting Shimura Danzō’s push for Orochimaru.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi reported that Iwagakure and the Sand Village had agreed to ceasefires, leaving the war close to over.
• Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu questioned how Uchiha Madara had returned, while Shimura Danzō privately recalled his deal with the One-Eyed Uchiha and the route map he had given him.
• The leaders decided Konoha would attend the Second Kage Summit, and Utatane Koharu asked Hiruzen who he would bring as his attendant and potential successor.
• Shimura Danzō recommended Orochimaru as Hiruzen’s attendant, but Hiruzen said he favored Minato Namikaze.
• Shimura Danzō warned Hiruzen he would regret choosing Minato, whom he considered too young.

Nara Kaikei returned to Kikyo Castle and discussed the Kage Summit with Tsunade, learning that Konoha’s leaders were debating whether Orochimaru or Minato should accompany the Third Hokage. Tsunade then asked Kaikei whether he wanted to become the Fourth Hokage.

• Nara Kaikei dismissed Tsunade’s question about Konoha’s Kage Summit representatives and called himself an ordinary jonin.
• Tsunade explained that Konoha’s jonin were arguing over whether the Third Hokage should bring Orochimaru or Minato Namikaze.
• Nara Kaikei realized the debate concerned the Fourth Hokage succession and praised Minato as the better choice.
• Tsunade asked Nara Kaikei why he had not considered himself a successor.
• Nara Kaikei declared loyalty to Tsunade, and she asked whether he wanted to become the Fourth Hokage.

Tsunade urged Nara Kaikei to pursue the Fourth Hokage position, arguing that his strength and wartime achievements outweighed his youth. Kaikei admitted he lacked much ambition for the role and asked whether he could become a Hokage who only enjoyed its rights, leaving Tsunade to realize he wanted to be a mascot like Hashirama.

• Tsunade named Nara Kaikei a potential Fourth Hokage because of his command status and battlefield record.
• Kaikei agreed that his wartime contributions surpassed Orochimaru's and Minato Namikaze's, but raised his youth as a major obstacle to becoming Hokage.
• Tsunade argued that age did not matter if Kaikei was strong enough and cited Hashirama Senju's rise to Hokage.
• Kaikei recalled asking Nara Shikano whether he could become clan head without fulfilling its obligations, then asked Tsunade if he could do the same as Hokage.
• Tsunade realized Kaikei wanted to be a Hokage mascot like Hashirama.

Tsunade reconsidered Nara Kaikei’s proposal to become Hokage and decided to help him pursue the Fourth Hokage position. After Tsunade left to rally support, Nara Kaikei told Pakura he intended to become Hokage and asked whether she wanted to become Sunagakure’s Fourth Kazekage.

• Tsunade weighed Nara Kaikei’s willingness to become Hokage against his desire to avoid most of the job’s duties.
• Tsunade reasoned that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elder councilors might retain power and handle much of the work, making Nara’s plan feasible.
• Tsunade decided to contact the clan elders and the Ino–Shika–Chō families to support Nara’s nomination.
• Pakura asked Tsunade why she seemed so energized, and Nara Kaikei said she had found a life goal: raising a Hokage.
• Nara Kaikei told Pakura he was the prospective Fourth Hokage and asked whether she wanted to become Sunagakure’s Fourth Kazekage.

Nara Kaikei explained Sand Village’s weakened position after the war and urged Pakura to become the Fourth Kazekage. Pakura questioned his motives and was left to consider the proposal.

• Pakura reacted with disbelief when Nara Kaikei suggested she become the Fourth Kazekage.
• Nara Kaikei explained that the war had ended after several villages agreed to cease hostilities, leaving Sand Village too weak to continue fighting.
• Pakura resented Nara Kaikei for disrupting Sand Village’s strength, then asked why he was telling her about the village’s situation.
• Nara Kaikei argued that Pakura’s Scorch Release and Swift Release made her qualified to become Kazekage, while Rasa was Sand Village’s other likely candidate.
• Nara Kaikei said he wanted Pakura as Kazekage so Konoha and Sand Village could form an alliance, and Pakura lowered her head to think it over.

Pakura wrestled with Nara Kaikei’s offer to help her become Kazekage, wishing instead for the freedom to return to Sunagakure. At the temporary base, Samui showed her progress with Matatabi-powered swordsmanship, but Nara Kaikei received news from his clone and told her they would leave the next day.

• Pakura considered whether to accept Nara Kaikei’s offer, weighing the chance to return home against becoming Kazekage with Konoha’s help.
• Nara Kaikei returned to the temporary Research Base and decided he would let Pakura go home if she wanted, though he preferred an acquaintance to control Sand Village.
• Samui demonstrated Cloud Style: Flame Slash, combining Matatabi’s flames with her swordsmanship, and Nara Kaikei praised her progress.
• Nara Kaikei told Samui they would eventually return to Konoha and planned to send a clone ahead with her.
• After receiving a memory from his clone at the main camp, Nara Kaikei told Samui to pack because they would leave the next day.

With the war winding down, Nara Kaikei learned that Konoha was recalling its forces and decided to bring Samui back early. He secretly took her to Nara Forest to keep the Two-Tails Jinchuriki safe, where a Nara shinobi arrived with a summons from the Old Clan Head.

• Nara Kaikei learned that Konoha planned to withdraw its forces from the Land of Hot Water and decided to bring Samui back early.
• Nara Kaikei reassured the nervous Samui that they would avoid Konoha Village and stay in Nara Forest.
• Nara Kaikei flew with Samui to Nara Forest on a [Shadow Creature], where the clan had prepared a cabin for them.
• A Nara shinobi told Nara Kaikei that the Old Clan Head wanted him to come home.

Nara Kaikei left his disciple Samui in Nara Forest and met with Old Clan Head Nara Shikano, who asked whether he planned to run for Fourth Hokage. Kaikei confirmed it and explained that he wanted the Hokage’s authority without its administrative duties, and Nara Shikano pledged the clan’s support.

• Nara Kaikei told Samui to stay in Nara Forest while he returned to the village, keeping her identity as a Jinchuriki secret from the clan.
• Nara Kaikei used Flying Thunder God: Shadow Stream Blade to appear inside Nara Shikano’s home.
• Nara Shikano told Nara Kaikei that Princess Tsunade had said he wanted to run for Fourth Hokage.
• Nara Kaikei confirmed his candidacy and said he wanted the Hokage’s authority but not its obligations.
• Nara Shikano promised that the Nara Clan would firmly support the New Clan Head.

Nara Shikano planned to build support for Nara Kaikei to become the Fourth Hokage, but Kaikei revealed that Tsunade intended to fight Orochimaru and had learned Wood Release from him. Shikano was left stunned by the revelation.

• Nara Shikano explained his plan to rally the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Senju Clans behind Nara Kaikei's Fourth Hokage nomination.
• Nara Shikano urged Nara Kaikei to publicly defeat a rival to strengthen his claim, and Kaikei told him that Tsunade planned to confront Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō.
• Nara Shikano questioned Tsunade's ability to fight after her long absence from the front lines, and Nara Kaikei revealed that she had acquired Wood Release.
• Nara Shikano realized Tsunade's Wood Release could make her an even stronger Hokage candidate, then asked whether she had awakened the Senju bloodline limit.
• Nara Kaikei clarified that Tsunade had learned Wood Release from him, leaving Nara Shikano speechless.

Nara Kaikei revealed that he had mastered Wood Release and developed a method to manufacture Wood Release chakra, convincing Nara Shikano that the Nara Clan could secure the Fourth Hokage position. The chapter ended with Nara Kaikei revealing that the girl he brought back from the front lines was a Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Nara Kaikei demonstrated Wood Release to Nara Shikano, who became ecstatic about the possibility of producing Wood Release ninja.
• Nara Kaikei explained that Wood Release was not inherently superior to other Kekkei Genkai and that Hashirama Senju's achievements came from his own abilities.
• Nara Shikano concluded that Nara Kaikei would become the Fourth Hokage and imagined having Nara Shikaku take over the Hokage's administrative duties.
• Nara Shikano asked about the girl Nara Kaikei had brought back from the front lines, and Nara Kaikei revealed that she was a Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

Nara Kaikei told Nara Shikano that he had captured four Tailed Beasts without relying on Wood Release, and discussed raising the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Samui, as a Konoha ninja. Before leaving, he asked Shikano to secretly investigate the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B, whom he intended to claim custody of.

• Nara Shikano was astonished that Nara Kaikei had captured the Five-Tails, Three-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Two-Tails, and asked whether Wood Release had helped him.
• Nara Kaikei said he had captured the Tailed Beasts through his own strength and asked Shikano to keep Samui's identity secret.
• Nara Kaikei explained that Samui called him Teacher and that he wanted to raise her into a Konoha ninja; Shikano offered to bring training books and materials to Nara Forest.
• Nara Kaikei reassured Shikano that Samui and the Two-Tails got along well, and suggested treating the beast like a Summoning Beast.
• Nara Kaikei asked Shikano to investigate where Konoha was holding Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, so he could take responsibility for him.

Nara Kaikei returned to Konoha with Five-Tails Kokuō, reunited with Samui and Matatabi, and submitted their completed mission scrolls. Hiruzen Sarutobi then gave Kaikei and Minato Namikaze a secret mission, revealing that Uchiha Madara had been resurrected again.

• Nara Kaikei rode Five-Tails Kokuō back toward Konoha, and an Anbu ninja summoned him to the Hokage Building.
• Nara Kaikei returned to Nara Forest, where Samui greeted him and Matatabi briefly emerged before retreating into her body.
• Nara Kaikei invited Samui to meet the Ninja Cats in a few days and left Five-Tails Kokuō to watch over her.
• Nara Kaikei used Flying Thunder God: Shadow Stream Blade to reach Konoha and submitted his and Five-Tails Kokuō's mission scrolls to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Nara Kaikei and Minato Namikaze a secret mission and revealed that Uchiha Madara had been resurrected again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Minato Namikaze and Nara Kaikei to the Land of the Falls to investigate Uchiha Madara’s supposed return, though Kaikei knew the reports blamed Madara for events he had not caused. The search found no traces, and Kaikei opened his S-Rank Ninja Scroll to obtain Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi briefed Minato Namikaze and Nara Kaikei on reports that Uchiha Madara had attacked several villages and ordered them to investigate his former hideout in the Land of the Falls.
• The panel offered Nara Kaikei an S-Rank mission, Uchiha’s Undying Spirit, and he accepted the journey knowing the investigation would find nothing.
• Minato Namikaze used Flying Thunder God marks to transport himself and Nara Kaikei from Konoha to the waterfall in the Land of the Falls.
• Minato Namikaze sensed no traces of Uchiha Madara and went to inspect the waterfall at close range while Nara Kaikei checked his reward.
• Nara Kaikei opened the S-Rank Ninja Scroll and received the S-Rank jutsu Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, whose high chakra cost disappointed him.

Nara Kaikei and Minato Namikaze searched Uchiha Madara’s abandoned waterfall base and found no sign of him. Their conversation about Uchiha Obito revealed that Minato believed Obito had returned to the village, while Kaikei did not know where he was, leaving them concerned about Obito’s whereabouts.

• Nara Kaikei considered Wind Style: Rasenshuriken too costly in Chakra to suit him, despite its power and potential for developing other Rasengan techniques.
• Minato Namikaze inspected the waterfall cave and surrounding area, found no traces of Uchiha Madara, and concluded Madara had not returned there.
• Minato Namikaze sent a mission report to the Third Lord with Kosuke the Toad and waited with Nara Kaikei for the village’s reply.
• Minato Namikaze thanked Nara Kaikei for finding Uchiha Obito, but Kaikei clarified that a patrol squad had discovered him.
• Nara Kaikei said Uchiha Obito had supposedly returned to the village, while Minato Namikaze revealed he thought Obito was still with Kaikei’s forces and grew uneasy.

Nara Kaikei suspected that Root had taken Uchiha Obito because Konoha linked his White Zetsu modifications to Uchiha Madara. After returning to Konoha, Kaikei completed an S-Rank mission while Minato stayed behind to ask Hiruzen about Obito, who was under investigation.

• Nara Kaikei reassured Minato Namikaze that Uchiha Obito was probably in Konoha, while privately suspecting Root had taken him.
• Kaikei reasoned that Konoha's knowledge of White Zetsu and Uchiha Obito's altered body had led the village to connect him to Uchiha Madara.
• Kosuke the Toad delivered Hiruzen Sarutobi's order for Minato and Kaikei to return to Konoha.
• Minato and Kaikei used the Flying Thunder God Technique to travel back to Konoha, where Kaikei submitted his S-Rank mission scroll and completed the mission.
• Hiruzen said the investigation into Uchiha Madara would pause as he prepared for the Kage Summit, and Kaikei left the Hokage's Office.
• Minato asked Hiruzen where Uchiha Obito was, and Hiruzen replied that Obito was undergoing an investigation.

Minato Namikaze learned that Uchiha Obito had been abducted by Uchiha Madara, modified with White Zetsu, and deliberately returned to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Minato a secret search for Madara’s base and ordered him to accompany Hiruzen to the upcoming Kage Summit.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze that Obito was being investigated because nearly half his body had been modified with White Zetsu.
• Hiruzen explained that Obito had been abducted during the Battle of the Land of Hot Water and taken to Uchiha Madara’s secret base.
• Hiruzen reasoned that Madara had deliberately sent Obito back to Konoha, though he could not determine why.
• Hiruzen assigned Minato a secret mission to search for Madara’s base in the Land of Hot Water and nearby small countries.
• Hiruzen ordered Minato to accompany him to the upcoming Kage Summit.