Chapter Summaries

After a year of research and work as Sixth Hokage, Shuji learned that Tobirama and Kabuto had removed Anko’s Cursed Seal but failed to recover Orochimaru’s consciousness from it. Tobirama suspected Orochimaru had already died and resurrected elsewhere, and he warned that Orochimaru’s next move might coincide with the Three-Tails’ rebirth.

• Jiraiya returned to Konoha after a year abroad, and Shuji chose not to pursue the vanished Orochimaru.
• Shuji sent prototype chakra Cameras to Nagato’s unit and Maru Ichikyu, while Tsunade and Neji continued their Byakugan and Sage transformation research.
• Shuji began planning further Cursed Seal trials with Guy and Choza after Neji’s eight White Zetsu cell infusions proved promising.
• Shuji met Tsunade outside the Laboratory Building and teased her for pretending to be blind to get money.
• Tobirama and Kabuto told Shuji that they had removed Anko’s Cursed Seal and cleared its soul fragments, but could not recreate Orochimaru’s consciousness.
• Tobirama reasoned that Orochimaru had already resurrected in another body and warned that the Three-Tails’ rebirth could draw a move from him this year.

Shuji monitored the Mother Stock’s growth, handled Anko’s recovery and village affairs, and responded to reports of coastal attacks and a coming Kaguya Clan visit. He approved Naruto and Sasuke’s early graduation as new threats and diplomatic concerns emerged.

• Shuji and Tobirama discussed the Mother Stock’s expanding will and the need to find a safe energy source for its transformation into a God Tree.
• Kabuto reported that Anko had awakened after her Cursed Seal removal, and Tsunade confirmed she could use her power without further laboratory visits.
• Shuji refused Anko a bonus but promised to treat her to dinner after work, then reviewed and rejected a proposal to expand Konoha Headquarters.
• Minato told Shuji that organized attacks had destroyed several coastal villages, so Shuji ordered an Anbu investigation and asked Jiraiya and Nagato to assist.
• Shuji read a notice that the Kaguya Clan would soon visit and considered the danger posed by the Otsutsuki on the moon.
• Minato told Shuji that Naruto and Sasuke had applied for early graduation, and Shuji approved both applications.

Shuji discussed early graduation and Sunagakure’s exiled spies with Gaara’s family, then encouraged Kankuro’s flying sword-puppet project. Meanwhile, Kaguya Yoichi spoke with Hiashi about Neji’s awakening and offered the Hyuga refuge, while Jiraiya investigated attacks overseas and received a warning from Aoi Rokushō.

• Shuji learned that many students, including Gaara, planned to graduate early and discussed Yura’s group and their possible return with Gaara.
• Kankuro demonstrated a chakra-powered flying sword puppet, and Shuji urged him to keep developing it before trying it himself.
• Kaguya Yoichi visited the Hyuga, sensed Neji’s awakening, and offered the clan refuge on Kaguya land.
• Jiraiya told Nagato that a new force was attacking overseas coastal regions, and Nagato agreed to investigate.
• Aoi Rokushō visited Jiraiya and warned him to be careful before disappearing.

Nagato assigned Shinnō and Hiruko to investigate a new overseas force while he tightened his oversight of Akatsuki’s territories. Kakashi mobilized smaller shinobi villages to defend the coast, and Hiashi secured permission to take Neji on a visit to the Kaguya Clan; as Yoichi’s carriage reached home, someone blocked the road.

• Nagato ordered Shinnō to search the nearby skies and waters, then tasked Hiruko with watching him during the investigation.
• Kakashi asked Muku to coordinate additional coastal defenses, and Muku agreed to seek manpower from Kusagakure and other smaller villages despite the risk of losses.
• Hiashi told Shuji he planned to take Neji with him on a return visit to the Kaguya Clan, and Shuji approved the trip after the branch office’s work was arranged.
• Hiashi informed Yoichi that the visit would be delayed for more than a month, and Yoichi said he would prepare to host his kin.
• Yoichi’s carriage set out the next morning and abruptly stopped when an unidentified person blocked the road near the Kaguya territory.

Neji prepared to accompany Hiashi on a goodwill visit to the Kaguya Clan, while Kabuto asked him to observe what the clan chose to reveal. Elsewhere, Hiruko concealed Shinnō’s activities from Nagato for now, and Jiraiya left Nagato’s base more convinced that Orochimaru and Zetsu were behind the danger.

• Neji asked Kabuto for leave to join Hiashi’s visit to the Kaguya Clan, and Kabuto asked him to observe the clan’s internal situation without probing too aggressively.
• A Kaguya attendant delivered a formal letter and an elaborate gift to Hiashi, who replied that he would bring Neji but not Hinata or Hanabi.
• Hiruko criticized Shinnō’s search operation and discussed the limits of his Chimera Technique with him aboard the Flying Fortress.
• After Shinnō showed Hiruko an item, Hiruko reported to Nagato that there were no abnormalities with Shinnō and that the mission was ongoing.
• Jiraiya warned Nagato that Orochimaru and Zetsu were likely controlling the attacks, but Nagato refused to share his location or entrust him with patrol duties.
• Jiraiya left Nagato’s base believing the danger still came from Orochimaru and wondering whether his old friend had to continue toward ruin.

Shuji uncovered a new threat involving the Gelel Stone and ordered an alert and coastal investigation, while Hiashi’s visit to the Kaguya estate ended with Toneri demanding that the Hyuga leave Konoha. Nagato and Konan prepared to purge the Akatsuki’s unstable members, and a White Zetsu arrived to announce that they would return.

• After finding no evidence that the Feudal Lords directed the attack, Shuji pieced together the plot and prepared a counterattack plan with Nagato handling the killing.
• When armored giants attacked the coast, Shuji recognized their connection to the Gelel Stone and ordered a full alert, coastal inspections, and restrictions on overseas visitors.
• Hiashi and Neji visited the Kaguya estate, where Toneri refused to let them see Yoichi and told them to plan how to bring their clan out of Konoha.
• Hiashi asked Neji how far his Byakugan could see after Toneri left the Hyuga party in a guest room.
• Nagato and Konan discussed purging suspected Akatsuki members, including Hiruko, Orochimaru, Zetsu, and Sasori, with Jiraiya’s help.
• White Zetsu appeared before Nagato and Konan, said they were going to return, and died after promising to explain how to protect the world later.

Jiraiya tried to dissuade Nagato from pursuing greater power through the Ten-Tails, while Hiashi and Neji investigated Kaguya Yoichi’s disappearance and negotiated with Toneri. After learning that Toneri might be preparing to move against Konoha, Shuji considered sending Hinata and decided he needed to speak with Nagato.

• Jiraiya questioned Nagato about the Ten-Tails and warned him that seeking uncontrollable power could not be undone, but Nagato insisted the world needed greater power.
• Hiashi used the Byakugan to search Toneri’s estate for Kaguya Yoichi and found no trace of him, leading Hiashi to suspect Yoichi might be dead.
• Hiashi agreed to send a letter asking Hinata to visit Toneri, while Toneri planned to have puppets bring Hinata and Hanabi out of Konoha before Neji returned to prepare the clan.
• Hiashi apologized to Neji for bringing him, and Neji accepted the danger, understanding that the village’s interest in him might protect him from the Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
• The Hyuga Clan received Hiashi’s letter, and a clan member hurried to inform the Hokage Office; Shuji returned to work and weighed whether to send Hinata to Toneri.
• Shuji considered the implications of Yoichi’s possible early death and concluded that he needed to talk with Nagato.

Shuji responded to Nagato’s application to reopen the Martial Exhibition by arranging plans to delay Toneri’s efforts and traveling overseas to meet Nagato. Jiraiya learned that Nagato already knew about the Ten-Tails threat and tried to persuade him to hear Shuji out, but Nagato left without agreeing.

• Nagato’s side applied to reopen the Martial Exhibition, prompting Shuji to adjust his plans around Toneri’s moves and the Hyuga Clan.
• Shuji instructed the Third Hokage to keep the Hyuga Clan’s response flexible and try to use the puppet to establish contact with Hiashi.
• Jiraiya realized Nagato had been probing him to verify information about the Otsutsuki, the Ten-Tails, and gnawing, and received a secret order for Nagato to go to the Land of the Sea.
• Jiraiya met Konan and Pain Deva Path in the rain and urged Nagato to cooperate with Shuji against the coming threat.
• Nagato hesitated at Jiraiya’s appeal but left into the rain without agreeing to meet Shuji.

Shuji urged Nagato to investigate the Otsutsuki, offering him Hashirama Cells to help his body travel, while the moon grew larger and attacks on the coast intensified. As Kakashi prepared for war and Sasuke chose early graduation, a mysterious figure entered his office and confronted him.

• Shuji met Nagato at the Land of the Sea and persuaded him to consider investigating the Otsutsuki Clan, giving him a bottle of Hashirama Cells to verify.
• Nagato left to test whether his main body could travel, while Shuji waited and worried about Toneri and Akatsuki's declining controllability.
• A week later, the moon had visibly grown larger, and the Joint Affairs Bureau faced questions from the villages as coastal attacks increased.
• Kakashi learned that an unknown Flying Fortress-like weapon had appeared over the target area, and the Joint Affairs Bureau mobilized its forces.
• Kakashi asked Sasuke about choosing early graduation as war loomed, but Sasuke clocked out and went home.
• A figure swung upside down through Kakashi's office window and challenged him, revealing a Sharingan.

Kakashi and Itachi learned from Obito that Orochimaru had reincarnated him to obtain information about Shisui’s ocular technique, while Obito warned them not to trust Nagato too much. Meanwhile, Toneri stole Hiashi’s Byakugan and took him and part of the Hyuga clan toward the moon; Neji escaped with their intelligence, only to see a gigantic meteorite descending over the Joint Affairs Bureau.

• Kisame’s squads investigated Kakashi after an anomalous chakra alarm, and Itachi confirmed Kakashi’s identity and cleared the office.
• Obito told Kakashi and Itachi that Orochimaru had reincarnated him to learn about Shisui’s ocular technique, and he warned them not to trust Nagato too much.
• Toneri immobilized Hiashi, took his Byakugan, and ordered him to lead part of the Hyuga clan to the moon.
• Tokuma told Neji how to reach the moon-bound route, and Neji escaped the mansion while the remaining Hyuga fought the puppets.
• Shuji and Nagato met Neji outside Kaguya territory, and Neji relayed the intelligence before Konoha ninja carried him back toward the village.
• Neji saw a massive meteorite suspended above the Joint Affairs Bureau begin accelerating toward the ground.

Madara Uchiha’s meteors devastated the Comprehensive District, and Itachi, Kakashi, and Shisui pursued him while Minato and the Tailed Beasts tried to stop the next impact. Tobirama and Guy joined the battle against Madara, and Guy unveiled a powerful new form.

• A masked shinobi used a sealing net to divert the first meteor, but its distant impact devastated the surrounding area, and a second meteor was also redirected.
• Itachi awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and revealed that his eyes could absorb damage and return it to its caster as he and Kakashi followed the Tomoe toward the attacker.
• Killer B, Utakata, Han, and Yugito transformed into their Tailed Beasts and helped Minato brace against a third meteor while Itachi, Kakashi, and Shisui found Madara Uchiha.
• Madara used Wood Clones and Susanoo to fight the three, while Itachi returned damage to Madara and Kakashi and Shisui attacked his Susanoo.
• Madara expanded his Susanoo into its perfect form, but Senju Tobirama and Might Guy arrived, and Guy entered a new state he called Super Youth.

Might Guy and the allied shinobi fought Madara and the resurrected Kage, but Madara reached the Stadium District and attacked the evacuation effort. Obito tried to trap Madara in Kamui and seal him, only to discover Madara had already freed himself from Impure World Reincarnation and could control Obito.

• Guy combined Sage Mode with the Seventh Gate, cracked Madara's complete Susanoo with a kick, and pierced it with Daytime Tiger before Tobirama's sealing attempt was interrupted by Dust Release.
• The Second Mizukage, Second Tsuchikage, and Third Raikage appeared, while Madara used Chibaku Tensei and then descended toward the Stadium District.
• Fugaku attacked Madara with Amaterasu and Susanoo, and Minato, Killer B, and Gyuki joined the fight as Kisame confronted Yugito, Utakata, and Han.
• Madara used Wood Release to bind the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails and spread pollen across the Stadium District; Han transformed into Kokuō to buy time, and Guy arrived to clear the pollen with an air cannon.
• Obito took Madara into Kamui and presented a blank sealing scroll, but Madara revealed that he had already undone his reincarnation control and froze Obito as he tried to break the technique.

Shuji and Nagato invaded the artificial moon to confront Toneri, who used the Giant Tenseigan to overwhelm them. As Nagato and Shuji continued the battle outside, Shuji brought Hyuga Homura to the blind Hiashi, intending to use his Hamura bloodline in a risky attempt to turn the conflict.

• Tobirama ordered the survivors brought into Konoha and preparations made for the Four Red Yang Formation as the lunar attack approached.
• Shuji and Nagato entered the artificial moon with Hyuga Homura and fought through Toneri's puppet defenses inside the artificial sun.
• Toneri's green chakra orb severed Nagato's control of the Preta Path, and Toneri awakened the Tenseigan's power to cloak himself in chakra.
• Shuji and Nagato attacked Toneri together, then lured him beyond the moon as the Statue of Hamura Otsutsuki followed him.
• Shuji and Homura found the blind Hyuga Hiashi in the floating castle, and Shuji told him he might have to risk his life.

Nagato and Shuji fought Toneri on the moon as Toneri used the Super Tenseigan to drive the moon and a storm of meteorites toward the ninja world. Shuji destroyed the Super Tenseigan and subdued Toneri, who revealed that his father, Otsutsuki Yoichi, had been attacked in the ninja world; Shuji suspected that someone else was still hiding.

• Nagato and Shuji used their attacks to distract Toneri, but Toneri realized they were drawing him away from the Super Tenseigan and unleashed its power to send the moon and meteorites toward the ninja world.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to fight the Hamura Statue while Shuji attacked Toneri, and Nagato used Chibaku Tensei to divert most of the falling meteorites.
• Shuji reached the Super Tenseigan with Hyuga Homura and Hyuga Hiashi, then summoned the Mother Stock and cracked the giant eye with a Composite Water Blade.
• The Super Tenseigan shattered, stripping Toneri of Tenseigan Mode, and Shuji bound and questioned him.
• Toneri said his father, Otsutsuki Yoichi, had been attacked in the ninja world, and Shuji drained Toneri's chakra when the Byakugan began gathering toward him.

Shuji defeated Toneri’s assault on the moon, restored Hiashi’s sight, and negotiated a truce with Nagato, who planned to infiltrate Konoha to investigate its preparations against the Otsutsuki. Toneri recovered a pair of Byakugan and agreed to help find his father’s true killer as Shuji led the group back toward the ninja world.

• Shuji returned Hiashi’s Byakugan and ordered him to leave the cavern with Homura once he woke, while Shuji went to the lunar surface and found Nagato badly injured.
• Nagato argued that the world needed the Ten-Tails and greater power, but Shuji persuaded him to investigate Konoha instead; Nagato warned that this would be their last exchange before he betrayed Shuji.
• Shuji spared Toneri and offered him a choice between death and helping Konoha find his father’s true killer, while requiring the moon to compensate for the damage caused.
• Toneri entered the cavern, found a pair of Byakugan that answered his chakra, and implanted them in his empty eye sockets.
• Toneri revealed that someone had nearly found the teleportation array to the moon the previous year, and Shuji arranged for Hiashi to evacuate the Hyuga personnel before taking Toneri and Nagato back to the village.

Madara used Obito and White Zetsu’s failed deception to learn that Konoha’s leaders had prepared safeguards against him, then trapped the village inside an enormous Chibaku Tensei. He left with Obito after learning Shuji’s chakra had appeared, calling the attack a greeting for their next encounter.

• The Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Hokage activated the Four Red Yang Formation, shielding Konoha from the remaining meteors.
• White Zetsu disguised as Obito offered Madara’s chakra sample, but Itachi attacked him, exposing the trap and driving Black Zetsu away from Shisui.
• Madara mocked Obito and Konoha’s precautions, then Black Zetsu took control of half of Obito’s body.
• Obito’s Kamui transported Madara and himself outside Konoha, where Madara used Chibaku Tensei to lift the village and encase it in a massive sphere of rock.
• Black Zetsu told Madara that Shuji’s chakra had appeared, and Madara left with Obito after declaring the attack a greeting for their next dance.

Trapped inside Madara Uchiha’s Chibaku Tensei, Konoha faced a dwindling air supply and the possibility of abandoning people to escape. Kakashi and the villagers saw Shuji arrive atop a colossal wooden giant and tear open the stone prison.

• Sasuke helped gather the village’s population lists while the shinobi worked to keep order among the frightened residents.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura told Kakashi that Konoha’s air supply was the urgent concern, communication was cut off, and Kamui might be their only way to evacuate people.
• Kakashi considered the possibility of using Kamui to transfer the village’s most important people, while Guy recovered from his failed attempt to break through the stone.
• Yakushi Kabuto told Kakashi that the tree had been summoned away again, and the stone sphere began to shake and crack.
• A colossal wooden giant tore open Chibaku Tensei, letting daylight into Konoha, while Kakashi recognized Shuji standing on its head.

Shuji used a Wood Golem and vines to stop Konoha from falling after Madara's attack, then returned to the village as its Sixth Hokage. With the other shinobi villages also under attack, Madara prepared to test a new method of resurrection.

• Shuji's Wood Golem and the vines slowed Konoha's descent, while Minato and Gaara helped cushion the village with Gaara's sand.
• Minato sent Naruto into Konoha to help with recovery as the village settled back onto its foundations.
• Shuji sent Nagato and Minato to Toneri, then entered Konoha and learned from Kakashi that Moryo's Undead Army had attacked the coast while Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and the Land of Snow faced threats.
• Madara rebuked Obito and Black Zetsu for their failures, while Orochimaru explained why he had chosen to revive Madara rather than serve Isshiki Otsutsuki.
• After learning that Shuji had used a Wood Golem to save Konoha, Madara ordered Orochimaru to prepare his resurrection using a cultivated Senju-Uchiha body.

Shuji warned Nagato and the others that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path could revive Kaguya and explained the danger posed by Isshiki. As the village prepared for a possible early war, Jiraiya followed orders to return toward the Land of Wind, leaving a mysterious monk to pursue Hiruko’s trail.

• Shuji met the Four Kage, reviewed the battle losses, and reaffirmed that Konoha would keep pressuring its enemies despite the destruction.
• In Konoha’s underground laboratory, Shuji revealed the Mother Stock and explained to Nagato, Toneri, Minato, Tobirama, and Yakushi Kabuto that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Tailed Beasts formed the Ten-Tails, whose revival could bring back Kaguya.
• Shuji warned that the Ten-Tails could become a God Tree by consuming an Ōtsutsuki, and he identified Isshiki as a threat who might already have found a suitable body.
• Shuji told Nagato to keep contact with his overseas network, withdraw his people, and prepare for the possibility that they would need the Demonic Statue as a backup.
• Minato sent Jiraiya orders to support Sunagakure, delay the Undead Army, and receive Konan; Jiraiya stopped pursuing Hiruko and turned toward the Land of Wind.
• A mysterious monk continued along Hiruko’s trail after Jiraiya left, remarking that Jiraiya had made one lucky choice.

After the meteor strikes, Shuji helped Konoha shelter evacuees and questioned Tsunade about his health while considering Isshiki’s interest in the Gelel Ore. Suspecting Neji might be a suitable vessel for Isshiki, Shuji gathered Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke at the laboratory and asked Neji to recount everything he had seen in Kaguya Territory.

• Shuji and Yamato built longhouses for Konoha’s displaced residents, and Shuji told Yamato that restoring people’s confidence mattered as much as fighting.
• At Konoha Hospital, Tsunade reported that Shuji was healthy but warned the Mother Stock’s roots might remain inside him, then agreed to have her wages withheld.
• Shuji planned to use Nagato to prompt Madara’s faction to investigate the Gelel Ore, hoping to expose a split within Akatsuki.
• Shuji saw Hinata treating Neji and suspected Isshiki might have encountered Neji in Kaguya Territory and considered him a suitable vessel.
• Shuji brought Naruto and Sasuke to the Laboratory Building, directed Kabuto to take them to Tobirama, and asked Neji to recount everything he had seen in Kaguya Territory.