Chapter Summaries

Iwagakure celebrated Kitsuchi’s rise toward Kage-level strength and Dango’s mastery of Sage Mode, then confronted the threat posed by the captured White Zetsu clone. Yichen proposed a food-and-waste inspection to detect infiltrators, and the village began checking its own members.

• Yichen and the village leaders agreed to keep Kitsuchi and Kawakita’s strength secret while Konoha remained on the front line.
• Ikura formalized the Tsuchikage Assistant Class, with Kitsuchi as its leader and a voice at High-Level Meetings.
• Mei announced that Ninja Cat Dango had completed her senjutsu training, and Yichen urged Ikura to continue working toward Sage Mode.
• Mei reported that the White Zetsu clone had repeatedly nearly escaped and could absorb Chakra, plant spores, and imitate ninja indistinguishably, prompting the leaders to fear infiltration.
• Yichen proposed using the White Zetsu clone’s inability to eat and defecate to identify impostors, then had everyone in the meeting eat and ordered mutual inspections followed by checks of Anbu and the other ninja.

Yichen led Iwagakure’s investigation into White Zetsu infiltrators, then proposed selling the captured clones by pretending they were the result of Iwa research into Wood Release. Iwagakure completed deals with other villages and pressured Danzo into trading four S-rank Ninjutsu, while Ikura wondered how Yichen knew Wood Release could restrain the Sharingan.

• Yichen’s inspection found thirteen White Zetsu clones among Iwagakure’s clerical staff, while checks of combat personnel found none.
• After finding no White Zetsu among civilians, Yichen ended the screening and ordered public officials to verify code phrases before taking up their posts.
• Yichen proposed selling the captured clones as Iwa-developed Wood Release, and Ōnoki and the others approved the plan.
• A accepted an Iwa offer of a White Zetsu clone in exchange for an S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu, and the Iwa Anbu advised the Cloud representative to check for infiltrators.
• Ikura negotiated with Danzo by demonstrating a White Zetsu’s Wood Release and invoking its value against the Sharingan, securing four S-rank Ninjutsu.
• On the journey home, Ikura found the traded techniques mostly useless and wondered how Yichen knew Wood Release and the Sharingan could restrain each other.

Yichen’s White Zetsu transactions pushed the Great Ninja Villages to suspect Konoha, while Obito withdrew his exposed clones. Yichen then planned to visit Konoha, where he hoped to meet Neji Hyuga and assess the young genius.

• Ikura admitted that he had withheld the White Zetsu clone’s abilities from Danzō, then traded him another clone for the Eight Inner Gates.
• Rasa and Chiyo discussed the White Zetsu clones in Sunagakure, suspected Konoha, and agreed that Chiyo would take Ryosuke out to broaden his experience.
• Karatachi Yagura questioned a White Zetsu clone and learned that Iwagakure had captured Obito’s clones, while Obito said he had already withdrawn the others.
• Yichen’s dealings with the Lands of Wind, Water, and Lightning directed suspicion toward Konoha, and he planned to visit the village to pursue a meeting with Orochimaru and learn more about Neji Hyuga.
• Yichen considered Neji a rare, well-rounded genius and compared his potential with Kakashi Hatake’s.

Yichen decided to enter Konoha to recruit Neji Hyuga and exploit Orochimaru’s planned attack on Hyuga Hiashi, hoping Hiashi’s death would temporarily remove the threat of Neji’s Caged Bird. After Ōnoki agreed to accompany him, they flew toward Konoha and discussed the limits of Chakra and the Sage of Six Paths.

• Yichen concluded that killing Hyuga Hiashi could prevent the main family from activating Neji’s Caged Bird, giving Neji time to grow stronger.
• At the High-Level Meeting, Yichen argued that the Cloud Ninja envoy’s arrival might be connected to Orochimaru and his plans against Hyuga Hiashi, and proposed infiltrating Konoha.
• Ōnoki and the advisors objected, but Ikura suggested muddying the waters with a false mission to the Land of Grass, and Ōnoki decided to accompany Yichen.
• Yichen and Ōnoki set out for Konoha using the Light-Weight Rock Technique and Camouflage Jutsu, then tested their flight speeds and discussed the gravity space in Uzushio Village.
• Yichen speculated that the Sage of Six Paths may have mastered an extraordinary fusion of Chakra types, possibly combining all seven attributes.

Yichen entered Konoha disguised as Orochimaru after Konoha sent Shimura Danzō to the border to face the Iwa threat. He knocked out the Gate Guardians and slipped past the barrier, but Konoha’s sensory team discovered them unconscious and raised the alarm.

• Orochimaru met Tawara Ayumi in an izakaya and arranged for the Cloud Ninja envoy to act in three days during the Hyuga Clan eldest daughter's birthday gathering.
• Konoha High-ranking officials learned of Iwa ninja mobilization and ordered Shimura Danzō to lead troops toward the Land of Grass border while monitoring both envoys.
• After learning Shimura Danzō had left Konoha, Yichen told Ōnoki he would enter the village that night.
• Yichen disguised himself as Orochimaru, approached Konoha’s main gate, and knocked out the two Gate Guardians before they could signal for help.
• Yichen passed through the Sensory Barrier and flew into Konoha, but a sensory Jonin found the Gate Guardians unconscious and sounded the alarm.

Yichen hid in Konoha after infiltrating the village, while Konoha's leaders focused their surveillance on the Cloud Ninja envoy. The next day, Yichen surveyed the village and found the envoy surrounded by Anbu before heading toward the Hyuga Clan compound.

• Yichen evaded Konoha's search by hiding in a civilian home under a cloak that concealed his Chakra.
• Tawara Ayumi ordered the Cloud Ninja envoy to avoid the search, question Konoha about the incident to demonstrate their innocence, and reopen settled negotiation terms.
• Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded the intruder was probably not Orochimaru and ordered more surveillance of the Cloud Ninja envoy; Hiruzen said he would deal with Orochimaru if necessary.
• Yichen wandered through Konoha, reflecting on the village's confidence despite its declining strength and influence.
• Yichen sensed forty Anbu surrounding the Cloud Ninja envoy and turned toward the Hyuga Clan compound.

Yichen reconsidered Konoha after Teuchi explained why he felt warmth and belonging there, and Kakashi’s visit helped him realize that people could pass warmth on to one another. Yichen’s surge of Chakra exposed him to Kakashi, who failed to track him and hurried to report that the infiltrator was likely Fourth Tsuchikage Yichen.

• Yichen visited Ichiraku Ramen, where Teuchi told him he had chosen Konoha because it felt warm and welcoming.
• Yichen saw Teuchi’s kindness stir Kakashi and realized that people could share warmth and help others emerge from darkness.
• Yichen’s heightened mental power caused a Chakra eruption that Konoha’s Sensory Barrier and Kakashi could detect, so he fled using the Body Flicker Technique.
• Kakashi summoned Bikk to track Yichen, but the hound could not distinguish his scent among the ramen customers.
• Kakashi decided against firing a signal flare to avoid provoking a powerful fight in Konoha and rushed to the Hokage Building, concluding that the infiltrator was Fourth Tsuchikage Yichen.

Yichen evaded Kakashi and learned that Konoha had identified him as the Fourth Tsuchikage, so he postponed his plan to take Neji Hyuga and waited to see what Orochimaru would do. Meanwhile, the Cloud ninja distracted Konoha with negotiations and sent Hashiryu into the Hyuga Clan compound, where a hidden snake watched him.

• Yichen disguised himself as a member of the Uchiha Police Force, then changed back into civilian clothes and moved away from Ichiraku Ramen.
• Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura discussed Yichen's suspected identity and decided to pursue negotiations with him.
• Yichen heard that Konoha had guessed he was the Fourth Tsuchikage and decided that killing Hyuga Hiashi was no longer worth the risk, while he waited to see what Orochimaru and the Cloud ninja did.
• Tawara Ayumi and Hashiryu pressured Konoha to withdraw most of the Anbu monitoring them, then Hashiryu used sealing clothes and his sensory abilities to evade the remaining guards.
• Hashiryu infiltrated the Hyuga Clan compound, unaware that a camouflaged snake nearby was watching him.

Hashiryu abducted Hinata from the Hyuga compound, prompting the clan to pursue him and attack the Cloud ninja envoy. Yichen stole the Cloud ninja’s Heavenly Transfer Technique base and watched the battle, while Orochimaru’s activity at the Hyuga compound remained unexplained.

• Hashiryu used a sealing barrier to evade the Byakugan, wrapped Hinata in detection-blocking cloth, and carried her out of the Hyuga compound.
• Hyuga Hiashi discovered Hinata was missing and raised the alarm, but Hashiryu escaped after a branch family member spotted him and warned the clan that the enemy could block the Byakugan.
• Tawara Ayumi led thirteen Cloud ninja to meet Hashiryu, while Yichen slipped into the envoy’s residence and removed its Heavenly Transfer Technique base.
• The Hyuga surrounded Tawara Ayumi’s group and attacked the Cloud ninja, killing three as Yichen observed and searched for Orochimaru.
• Yichen heard fighting near the Hyuga compound and suspected Orochimaru had gone after information about the Caged Bird; meanwhile, the Hyuga’s renewed assault killed three more Cloud ninja.

The Cloud ninja's attempt to take Hinata Hyuga's Byakugan failed, and their envoy died in Konoha. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Orochimaru at the Hyuga Clan compound as Yichen watched, then Yichen spotted Neji Hyuga and quietly left.

• Tawara Ayumi and several Cloud ninja used a forbidden technique to break through the encirclement and reach their residence, but Hashiryu found the transfer method missing and Hinata unharmed.
• Hashiryu and the remaining Cloud ninja died in explosions, while Yichen headed to the Hyuga Clan compound.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Orochimaru after Orochimaru stole information about the Caged Bird, and the two fought across the compound.
• Yichen watched Hiruzen Sarutobi suppress Orochimaru, then left the spectators when he wondered whether Orochimaru had another plan.
• Yichen sensed Neji Hyuga's Chakra among the Hyuga Clan members and walked away after meeting the boy's gaze.

Yichen encountered Tsunade just as Sasori of the Red Sands ambushed the Hyuga Clan with a puppet army, forcing Yichen to pose as a Root ninja and help Tsunade break through. As Konoha's forces joined the fight, Sasori came under mounting pressure, while his mission to steal the Byakugan was revealed.

• Yichen ran into Tsunade as Sasori of the Red Sands unleashed a puppet ambush on Hyuga Hiashi and the Branch Family.
• Tsunade ordered Yichen to signal an evacuation and join her in supporting the Hyuga Clan; Yichen fired an Iwagakure Signal Scroll and claimed his name was Ji, a Root codename.
• Tsunade ordered Yichen to use area-of-effect ninjutsu while Hizashi Hyuga protected him, and Yichen agreed to pass as a Root ninja.
• Yichen used Great Dragon Fire Jutsu to blast a path through the puppets, and Tsunade led the group toward the trapped Hyuga Clan.
• Anbu and other Konoha ninja joined the battle as Sasori felt increasing pressure.
• Sasori's mission from Nagato was revealed: cooperate with Orochimaru to steal the Byakugan for its scouting abilities.

Sasori of the Red Sands’s ambush in Konoha unraveled when Yichen exposed him, forcing Tsunade into battle. Sasori escaped after Tsunade destroyed Hiruko and his puppet body, while Yichen stayed behind to collect the scattered puppets.

• Nagato sent Sasori of the Red Sands to assist Orochimaru in capturing Hyuga Branch Family ninja and obtaining the Byakugan.
• Sasori began withdrawing his puppets, revealing his position, and Yichen used Earth Release: Rising Earth Technique to drag him aboveground.
• Tsunade shattered Hiruko with a Super Strength Punch, then endured Sasori’s high-pressure water cannon and slammed him into the ground.
• Sasori transferred himself into a puppet and used the Hundred Puppets Technique as cover to retreat, while Yichen’s Phoenix Fire Technique slowed the puppets.
• Tsunade pursued Sasori, and Yichen remained behind to gather Sasori’s scattered human puppets.

Yichen left Konoha with Ōnoki after looting Sasori of the Red Sands and avoiding the village’s scrutiny. As Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi investigated a mysterious Root ninja called Ji, they realized he had likely been Yichen in disguise, and Tsunade feared how close she had come to being killed by his Dust Release.

• Yichen left Konoha with the base of the Heavenly Transfer Technique and met Ōnoki outside the village.
• The Barrier Team reported Yichen’s departure, while Hiruzen Sarutobi learned the Uchiha Clan had made no unusual moves during the chaos.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade discussed the Cloud ninja envoy’s deaths and prepared for the arrival of an Iwa ninja envoy.
• Tsunade asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to identify Ji, a powerful Root ninja who had helped rescue Hyuga Hiashi but nearly provoked Sasori of the Red Sands into fighting to the death.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi found no one matching Ji on Orochimaru’s former-subordinates list and concluded the man was probably a disguised ninja from another village.
• Tsunade and the advisors realized Ji had likely been Yichen, the Fourth Tsuchikage, and Tsunade recalled that he may have prepared Dust Release while she was injured.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders suspected Orochimaru had learned how to evolve the Byakugan, while Yichen returned to Iwagakure with Ōnoki and reported the events in Konoha. The chapter ended with Yichen revealing the spoils he had taken from Sasori of the Red Sands.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed Tsunade and the elders clues from the Hyuga Clan records and suggested Orochimaru sought a way to evolve the Byakugan.
• Yichen used a Shadow Clone disguised as Iwa Ninja Anbu to give Hirubu Junichi instructions before the Iwa Ninja envoy continued toward Konoha.
• Yichen told Ōnoki that he had stolen the Heavenly Transfer Technique's base, preventing the Cloud Ninja envoy from sending the Byakugan to Kumogakure.
• Yichen and Ōnoki returned to Iwagakure, where Yichen ordered Ikura to monitor Danzo and learned that Iwa had caught a high-ranking Konoha intelligence shinobi.
• Yichen briefed Iwagakure's High-Level Meeting on the Cloud Ninja abduction attempt, Orochimaru's infiltration, and Sasori's attack on the Hyuga Clan.
• Yichen displayed the puppets he had collected after Sasori fled the Hyuga Clan.

Yichen discussed the Cloud ninja’s Space-Time Ninjutsu research and proposed using publicity to strengthen Iwagakure’s confidence and pride. The senior officials agreed to his plan and trusted him to lead the village’s reforms.

• The High-Level Meeting assigned the Heavenly Transfer Technique base to Atsumi Akino for research.
• Yichen explained to Ōnoki that he had sent Iwagakure’s signal flare while Tsunade believed he was Konoha Anbu, then handed Sasori’s puppet scrolls to Mei and kept three ninjutsu scrolls to study.
• Yichen warned that the wiped-out Cloud Ninja envoy could provoke the Fourth Raikage and told Saka to prepare for a possible conflict.
• Yichen argued that Iwagakure should use publicity to build villagers’ and ninjas’ pride by highlighting the village’s progress and achievements compared with Konoha.
• Mei and Ōnoki supported Yichen’s publicity plan, while Saka praised him as a worthy future Tsuchikage and felt relieved that he had chosen a capable successor.

Iwagakure’s publicity campaign spread stories of the village’s growing strength and Konoha’s decline, increasing villagers’ and ninja’s pride and confidence. Yichen then addressed the villagers and publicly demonstrated the village’s research achievements, confirming the rumors and showcasing its abilities.

• Iwagakure’s villagers spread claims that the village had advanced in Medical Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, Lightning Release, and other fields while Konoha had weakened.
• Returning ninja heard the villagers’ claims, acknowledged many of them, and felt their confidence and combat ability improve.
• Yichen observed the growing confidence in the village and decided to address the villagers directly.
• Yichen told the gathered crowd that the recent news was true and announced that he would report Iwagakure’s research achievements.
• Yichen demonstrated the village’s Lightning Release, Medical Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, summoning beasts, Porcelain Release, Flame Release, and Sage Jutsu.

Yichen’s speech convinced Iwagakure that it could rival Konoha, strengthening the villagers and Yichen himself. He agreed to help the Fourth Raikage pressure Konoha in exchange for access to the True Waterfall, then headed to the Land of Lightning with Han and his disciples, where he began teaching Riori and checked Kiyoshi’s training.

• Yichen presented fabricated comparisons showing Iwagakure’s progress, inspiring the villagers and helping several ninja—and Yichen—grow stronger.
• The Fourth Raikage asked Yichen to help pressure Konoha and obtain the Byakugan; Yichen agreed to send Ikura and two thousand elite ninja, provided Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki could use the True Waterfall.
• Yichen and Iwagakure’s leaders agreed to the plan, and the Fourth Raikage accepted Yichen’s terms while warning that Cloud would not take responsibility if the Tailed Beast caused trouble.
• Yichen sent Ikura to the border and flew with Han and his six disciples toward the Land of Lightning; on the way, Riori reported her progress, and Yichen learned she felt no shock when her Shadow Clones dispersed.
• Yichen decided to teach Riori the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, then asked Kiyoshi about his Water Style training; Kiyoshi said he had learned all the C-rank jutsu Yichen had assigned him.

Yichen brought Han and the others to Turtle Island so Han could face his dark self at the True Waterfall. Han reconciled with the shadow by remembering his reasons for becoming a Jinchuriki, and the shadow faded away.

• Ishinose Kiyoshi told Yichen he had found a vague path through Water Release training, and Yichen gave him B-rank and C-rank Water Style Jutsu to study.
• Han told Yichen that he and Toda Yui were making progress with Boil Release, with Yui nearing the ability to generate its chakra independently.
• Yichen and the group met Cloud Ninja guides and traveled to Turtle Island, where Han agreed to enter the True Waterfall despite the danger of being overtaken by his dark side.
• Han's dark self urged him to release Kokuō and take revenge on Yichen and Iwagakure, but Han apologized for the suffering the shadow had endured.
• Han reminded the shadow that they had chosen to become a Jinchuriki to protect the village and now had companions and disciples who trusted them, and the shadow faded after congratulating him.

Han emerged from True Waterfall having recognized his ninja way and advanced to quasi-Kage, prompting Yichen to classify the news as Top Secret. At the front lines, Iwagakure’s deployment and Han’s presence undermined Tsunade’s belief that Yichen would only restrain the Cloud ninja, while Konoha remained uncertain about Iwagakure’s delegation.

• Han completed his trial at True Waterfall and emerged as a quasi-Kage, with improved compatibility with Boil Release.
• Yichen ordered Han and the others to keep Han’s advancement secret, then took the group back to the Land of Earth.
• Yichen told Ikura that Han had become a quasi-Kage, and Ikura rejoiced that Iwagakure now had six Kage-level figures when counting its quasi-Kage.
• Ikura led thousands of Iwa ninja elites toward the front lines, and Konoha received word that Yichen had arrived with a Jinchuriki.
• Tsunade resisted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s push to sacrifice the Hyuga Clan’s interests, but began doubting her plans after learning of Yichen and the Jinchuriki’s arrival.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Tsunade that Shikaku believed Iwagakure’s delegation knew little about the Tsuchikage’s plans and had been acting unusually cautiously.

Tsunade refused to sacrifice the Hyuga Clan to secure peace, but Hizashi Hyuga died and Iwa demanded that Neji Hyuga be sent to Iwagakure instead. Neji learned he could leave without the Caged Bird being activated, and eagerly asked whether the promise was real.

• Tsunade rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi's suggestion to trade a Hyuga for peace, while Danzo spread rumors that pressured the clan.
• Hizashi Hyuga died, ending the rumors about handing over Hiashi Hyuga.
• Hirubu Junichi offered peace in exchange for Neji Hyuga, threatening that Iwa and the Cloud would keep their forces at the border if Konoha refused.
• Tsunade agreed to let Neji choose whether to go to Iwagakure and promised the Hyuga Main Family would not activate his Caged Bird.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi described Iwa's offer to Neji, and Hirubu Junichi assured him the Caged Bird would not be activated; Neji asked if that was true.