Chapter Summaries

Aozora advised Fugaku on handling intelligence about Danzo’s abuses and resisted being placed in charge of Root’s forces. He agreed to screen Danzo’s spies and recover those still loyal to Konoha.

• Aozora recommended exposing Danzo’s crimes to selected ninja, restoring disgraced Jonin to the Memorial Stone, recruiting Yamato, and taking control of the Black Market.
• Fugaku tried to assign Aozora responsibility for Danzo’s forces, but Aozora objected and explained how Shadow Clone training worked.
• Fugaku warned Kyūdai about the risks of Shadow Clone training, then appealed to Aozora’s experience organizing spies.
• Fugaku showed Aozora Inoichi’s list of Root spies, including Yakushi Nonō and Kabuto, and emphasized their value to Konoha.
• Aozora agreed to identify spies who had defected and bring back those who remained loyal, while Fugaku assigned the intelligence outposts to someone else.

Uchiha Aozora rescued Kabuto and Nonō from their near-fatal clash in Iwagakure and revealed he had come to bring them back to Konoha. After ordering them to flee, he confronted Orochimaru, whom he suspected of staging the ambush to make Kabuto dependent on him.

• Kabuto evaded an attack in the mountains, then nearly struck Nonō with a Chakra Scalpel before Aozora stopped them both.
• Aozora identified himself as their new superior and showed the Hokage's commission ordering him to summon them back to Konoha.
• Iwagakure shinobi surrounded the group, and Nonō and Kabuto each offered to stay behind so the others could escape.
• Aozora killed the surrounding shinobi with Great Fire Annihilation and ordered Nonō and Kabuto to return to Konoha.
• After Nonō and Kabuto left, Aozora called out Orochimaru, who emerged from the mountainside.

Aozora confronted Orochimaru to keep him from pursuing Nonō and Kabuto, then used Earth Release, his sword, and a sealing trap to corner and injure him. Orochimaru emerged in her true form and acknowledged Aozora’s abilities, while the confrontation remained unresolved.

• Aozora blasted Orochimaru’s Earth Clone with a Great Fireball and confronted him about targeting Kabuto.
• Orochimaru revealed that he wanted Kabuto as an assistant, and Aozora attacked while trying to delay him.
• Aozora drove Orochimaru out from underground with Earth Release, then used Blood Drinker to sever his snake body.
• Aozora trapped Orochimaru with the Draw Ground as Prison sealing technique and followed with a Great Fireball.
• Orochimaru escaped underground by shedding a body, but Aozora tracked and struck her until she crawled back to the surface in her true form.

Aozora trapped Orochimaru in a barrier and relentlessly attacked him to prevent him from using Impure World Reincarnation. Orochimaru summoned Manda to break free, but Aozora’s Solar Flare burned Manda to death even after he returned to Ryūchi Cave.

• Aozora confronted Orochimaru and attacked him inside a barrier that drained his Chakra.
• Aozora drove Orochimaru into a desperate retreat with flying daggers, fireballs, and earth spikes.
• Orochimaru began forming hand seals to summon help, and Aozora answered with Great Fire Annihilation.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda, but Aozora’s golden flames engulfed him before he could finish speaking.
• Manda returned to Ryūchi Cave with the Solar Flare still burning him and died before the cave’s three high-ranking residents arrived.

Aozora fought Orochimaru’s Eight Branches Technique in the Land of Earth and nearly destroyed the giant serpent with his Golden Fire Dragon. Orochimaru escaped underground, and Aozora withdrew before Iwagakure’s forces could arrive.

• In Ryūchi Cave, Ichikishimahime, Tagorihime, and Tagitsuhime watched Aozora’s flames consume Manda, and Tagorihime extinguished them with a torrent of Nature Energy.
• Aozora sensed Golden Droplets gathering and mistakenly concluded that Orochimaru had died, so he stopped casting Great Fire Annihilation.
• Orochimaru unleashed the Eight Branches Technique, shattered Aozora’s barrier, and fought back against Aozora’s Golden Fire Dragon with powerful water torrents.
• Aozora’s Golden Fire Dragon struck the Eight-Headed Serpent, leaving it badly burned and with only two heads remaining.
• Orochimaru escaped underground after shedding part of his serpent body, and Aozora contacted Taiyi before leaving the battlefield to avoid Iwagakure’s approaching forces.

Ōnoki identified Uchiha Aozora as the one who had fought Orochimaru and planned to enlist the Akatsuki Organization against him. Meanwhile, Aozora learned Yakushi Nonō and Kabuto had remained loyal to Konoha, then caught up with them as they traveled through the forest.

• Ōnoki inspected the battlefield, learned that Aozora’s Blaze Release had overwhelmed Orochimaru, and ordered his forces back to Iwagakure while planning to contact the Akatsuki Organization.
• Aozora asked Taiyi whether Nonō and Kabuto had acted suspiciously, and Taiyi reported that they had headed straight for Konoha without passing along information.
• Aozora told Taiyi to return to Konoha and summon him later, then flew away on the Blood Drinking Sword.
• Nonō told Kabuto that Aozora seemed unlike Danzo and urged him to ask Aozora to release him from Root.
• Aozora flew up behind Nonō and Kabuto as they raced through the forest, and the pair turned at the sound of his approach.

Aozora told Nonō and Kabuto that Root had been dissolved and explained how its spies would be screened and reassigned. Back in Konoha, he arranged for Taiyi to gather the remaining spies and agreed to attend a graduates’ gathering, while Shisui declined because of a mission.

• Aozora revealed that Orochimaru had manipulated Nonō and Kabuto into trying to kill each other and warned them to be careful returning to Konoha.
• Nonō asked Aozora to release Kabuto from Root, and Aozora explained that Root no longer existed and that its spies would be summoned and screened for other work or retirement.
• Aozora returned to Konoha and told Taiyi to receive the other spies, advising him to retreat if he encountered serious danger.
• Aozora explained Taiyi’s summoning abilities to Shisui and suggested ways Shisui could use them to escape danger.
• Shisui told Aozora about a gathering for recent Ninja Academy graduates, and Aozora agreed to attend while Shisui said he had a mission.

Aozora attended a gathering of Konoha ninjas to trade unused abilities and help others improve their ninjutsu, where he reunited with Sai and met Kakashi and other senior shinobi. The gathering ended with Kakashi acknowledging that Aozora was stronger than him, even by their current abilities.

• Aozora decided to use the gathering as an opportunity to trade Daoist magic and Divine Abilities and help other ninjas improve their ninjutsu.
• Aozora met Sai on the road, and they caught up before arriving together at Shenma Izakaya.
• Aozora joined Might Guy, Kakashi, Kurenai, and other senior ninjas at the gathering and paid special attention to Kakashi's left eye.
• Hyuga Iroha welcomed the guests, and the ninjas began eating, drinking, and discussing their missions and deceased comrades.
• Shiranui Genma asked who was stronger, Kakashi or Aozora, and Kakashi said Aozora was stronger than him even now.

At a gathering, Aozora argued that Kakashi’s transplanted Sharingan had held back his growth and began laying the groundwork to persuade him to return Obito’s eye. The conversation shifted to Aozora’s Blaze Release, and Yamashiro Aoba asked him about its difference from Fire Release.

• Kakashi told the group that Aozora was currently stronger than he was, surprising everyone.
• Aozora explained that Kakashi’s Sharingan had added little to his strength and had restricted his growth, while Kakashi silently acknowledged the point.
• Aozora decided against trying to convince Kakashi to give up Obito’s eye immediately and resolved to keep working on him over time.
• Aozora and the others answered visiting ninjas’ questions, with Aozora offering practical advice about Ninja Tool Throwing and combat.
• Iroha praised Aozora’s mastery of Blaze Release, and Yamashiro Aoba asked how it differed from Fire Release.

Aozora explained his method for purifying Fire Release Chakra and shared extensive combat knowledge with the gathered ninjas. He then invited them to exchange rare ninjutsu for techniques he had not learned, including his Blaze Release training method.

• Aozora demonstrated two kinds of flames and explained that repeatedly transforming Chakra into Fire Release Chakra could lead to Blaze Release.
• Aozora advised the group that storing transformed Chakra could strengthen ninjutsu and speed up casting, while warning them not to overdo it.
• Aozora shared insights on ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and other subjects, impressing the group and changing Kakashi's view of his strength.
• After the gathering, Yamashiro Aoba and the others thanked Aozora for his teachings, while Hayate and Sai watched with complicated feelings.
• Aozora asked the group to collect rare ninjutsu for him and offered to trade techniques, including his Blaze Release training method, according to their rarity.

Aozora tried to persuade Tsunade to remain in Konoha by offering her the title of Konoha Hospital's Honorary Dean and a chance to earn money through medical work and drug patents. Tsunade agreed to consider it, while Aozora continued exchanging techniques and coordinating the arrival of Root spies.

• Aozora studied Kakashi's Chidori scroll and had urged Kakashi to seal his Sharingan to guard against Obito reclaiming it.
• Aozora told Fugaku that the Root spies had been notified through Summoning Beasts and defended exchanging the Blaze Release cultivation method for comparable S-Rank Ninjutsu.
• Fugaku asked Aozora to help keep Tsunade in Konoha after she refused the Medical Department Head position, and Aozora proposed making her Konoha Hospital's Honorary Dean.
• Aozora explained that the honorary role required little work and offered an annual salary, extra income from medical work, and patent profits from medicines; Tsunade said she would consider it.

Aozora defended his loyalty to the Akatsuki Organization when Pain questioned his ties to Konoha, then joined a meeting where Pain assigned members to two-person teams and bounty missions. Pain left Aozora's fate to Obito, who had already chosen a graveyard for him.

• Aozora encouraged Tsunade to accept the position of Honorary Dean at Konoha Hospital and invited her to bring Shizune to his home.
• Pain confronted Aozora about serving as Hokage Assistant and changing Konoha's defenses, and Aozora defended his actions and denied betraying the Akatsuki Organization.
• Pain announced that the Akatsuki Organization would take on bounty missions and conduct operations in teams of two, assigning Aozora to Kisame and Orochimaru to Sasori.
• After the meeting, Pain asked Obito whether he should remove Aozora, and Obito said he would deal with him if he failed to prove his loyalty before the tailed beasts were captured.
• Obito had already chosen a graveyard for Aozora.

Aozora offered former Root operatives two ways to be screened, and Nonō and Kabuto left to undergo the Intelligence Department’s Mind-Reading Technique. Meanwhile, Fugaku took Mikoto, Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto through Konoha for sweets, leaving Sasuke jealous of the affection Naruto received.

• Aozora explained that the former Root operatives could either submit to the Mind-Reading Technique or join the Sleeping Dragon Team under surveillance for three years.
• Aozora revealed Danzo’s corpse to show that he had already used the Mind-Reading Technique to uncover their intelligence.
• Nonō and Kabuto bowed to Aozora, chose the first screening option, and left the dark room for the sunlight.
• Fugaku walked through Konoha with Mikoto, Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto, then promised to buy them Three-Colored Dango.
• Fugaku carried Naruto while Mikoto carried Sasuke, making Sasuke resentful as Naruto felt comforted by the family’s warmth.

Itachi shared the last two Three-Colored Dango with Sasuke and Naruto, then reunited with Izumi. At Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage foretold a devastating war centered in the Land of Fire, and Jiraiya resolved to find the Child of Prophecy and prevent it.

• Itachi gave the last two dango skewers to Sasuke and Naruto, and Naruto happily tasted his.
• Izumi called out to Itachi from behind, and he recognized her as she held a pastry box.
• Fukasaku brought Jiraiya to meet the Great Toad Sage, who described a strange dream of war spreading beyond the Shinobi World.
• The Great Toad Sage said the main battlefield might be in the Land of Fire and recalled being blinded by golden light before waking.
• Fukasaku urged Jiraiya to investigate the Land of Fire, and Jiraiya vowed to find the Child of Prophecy and stop the coming war.

Aozora met Kisame on an abandoned pier and tried to win him over by explaining why he wanted to destroy the corrupt shinobi world. Kisame questioned his support for the Moon Eye Plan, but Aozora challenged his faith in Uchiha Madara and left for their mission with Kisame following.

• Aozora met Kisame at the pier, where Kisame admitted he had summoned sharks as a precaution because Aozora had nearly killed him before.
• Kisame questioned why Aozora had remained in the Akatsuki Organization despite his promising position in Konoha, and Aozora said he wanted to destroy the world.
• Aozora condemned the ninja village system and the way powerful leaders treated ninja as tools, and Kisame recognized his own resentment in Aozora's words.
• Kisame asked whether Aozora supported Mr. Madara's Moon Eye Plan, but Aozora argued that Infinite Tsukuyomi would impose Uchiha Madara's ideal world and pointed to Kirigakure's Blood Mist Policy as evidence.
• Aozora left for the mission, telling Kisame their target was about to appear, and Kisame hurried after him.

Aozora and Kisame completed several Akatsuki missions, and Aozora explained how political power struggles continued beneath the Shinobi World's apparent peace. Kisame questioned the bridge demolition mission's effects on islanders and grew doubtful of Obito's vision as he wondered what kind of world Aozora wanted to create.

• Aozora proposed that Kisame handle ordinary missions while he supported him, and Kisame agreed to consider a third strategy.
• Kisame defeated the guards escorting Lord Fujiwara and killed the noble inside his sedan.
• Aozora explained that nobles and shinobi used the Akatsuki Organization to weaken each other without openly breaking the peace.
• Aozora and Kisame destroyed an island's only bridge, and Kisame discovered the island's noble had ordered it to keep the villagers isolated.
• Aozora admitted he would violate his principles to achieve certain goals, then left Kisame behind.
• Obito questioned Kisame about Aozora, but Kisame later doubted Obito's insight and wondered what kind of world Aozora wanted.

More than six years into Fugaku’s era as Hokage, the ninja world remained outwardly peaceful while Konoha’s reforms drew ridicule and other villages grew stronger. In Kyoto, Aozora met Long Xian after years of absence, and Long Xian sensed the danger behind Aozora’s calm demeanor.

• Iwagakure invaded the Land of Fire, but Fugaku led a surprise counterattack before succeeding Hiruzen as the Fifth Hokage after Hiruzen died.
• The Akatsuki became a renowned bounty organization, while a mysterious black-haired figure abducted gifted youths and targeted Kekkei Genkai clans.
• Mōryō raised an undead army in the Land of Demons, but Miko Miroku sealed him, and Aozora traveled there to investigate.
• Other villages mocked Konoha’s schools, academy curriculum, Uchiha kindergarten, and sale of medicines as Konoha’s reforms narrowed its advantages.
• Aozora met Long Xian on a Kyoto rooftop, where Long Xian complained that Aozora had left them waiting for years.
• Aozora asked whether Long Xian had a grievance, and Long Xian felt that his life was in Aozora’s hands.

Aozora met with Long Xian and Natsuki in Kyoto City, preparing for a plan involving the Land of Fire’s leadership while assessing the powerful figures who might interfere. The Twelve Guardian Ninja were nearing a final confrontation, and Aozora judged his own plan risky but decided he could adapt if it failed.

• Long Xian asked Aozora to ensure his son Ryoma could receive the Uchiha surname and attend the clan’s kindergarten, and Aozora agreed that Ryoma would be old enough when it opened.
• Aozora ordered Long Xian to continue observing Tsukahara Musashi and instructed him to disguise himself as Musashi to stabilize Kyoto City when notified; Long Xian warned that Musashi was a Sword Saint and that the Twelve Guardian Ninja posed a threat.
• Natsuki arrived and reported that Kazuma’s radical faction and Chiriku’s faction had become irreconcilable and planned a final discussion at Tengoku Gorge; Aozora warned her to stay cautious while she operated among Kazuma’s followers.
• Natsuki identified a powerful monk at the Temple of Fire, General Sanada Shinichi, experts in the Daimyo’s Mansion, and strong samurai among Kyoto’s noble families as potential obstacles.
• Aozora assessed the risks to his plan in Kyoto City and concluded that it remained unstable, though he could disguise himself again if it failed.

Fugaku and Kyūdai approved Aozora’s plan to exploit the impending split among the Twelve Guardian Ninja, with Aozora leading and Shisui on standby. At Tengoku Gorge, Kazuma and the opposing Guardian Ninja began fighting, while Itachi and Gen'an watched from hiding.

• Black Feather reported that the Twelve Guardian Ninja were nearing civil war and that Aozora saw an opportunity.
• Kyūdai argued that the Daimyo was restricting Konoha and urged Fugaku to support Aozora’s plan; Fugaku agreed to proceed with Aozora and Shisui prepared as backup.
• Fugaku decided Itachi could join the Sleeping Dragon Team’s operation without special instructions to protect him.
• Two days later, Kazuma declared that Konoha should be dissolved and the Land of Fire’s military placed under the Daimyo, while Chiriku and the others opposed him.
• Gen'an told Itachi to stay hidden unless Natsuki was in danger, and Itachi agreed.
• Hokone threw a kunai at Kazuma, who deflected it and ordered an attack, starting the battle at Tengoku Gorge.

Aozora returned to the Temple of Fire, warned Hiroshi of an impending disaster, and released the seal suppressing Sora’s power. As Sora’s violent chakra erupted, the Land of Fire’s Daimyo waited for a plot against Konoha to succeed and saw a crimson pillar rise into the sky.

• Hiroshi received a mission signal from Aozora and learned that Aozora had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to enter the Temple of Fire.
• Aozora told Hiroshi to protect the monks and prepare to become the next abbot if Jōjin and Chiriku died.
• Aozora found Sora’s room, broke through its detection seal, and released the Five Elements Seal on Sora.
• Sora lost control as violent chakra poured from him, formed a red pillar, and began to shape into tails.
• The Daimyo and Hiroki discussed their plan to destroy Konoha, and the Daimyo spotted the crimson pillar in the southern sky.