Chapter Summaries

Neji’s escape from Kaguya Territory left him with a mysterious chakra and missing memories, while Shuji prepared for the threat targeting him. In the laboratory, Naruto accepted the task of containing stored Tailed Beast chakra, and Sasuke faced the possibility of awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan through an eye transplant as Shuji discussed plans to confront the enemy.

• Neji told Shuji that he could not remember what happened after he escaped into an underground river, and Nagato sensed foreign chakra and power within him.
• Toneri asked about the person who killed Yoichi, but Shuji warned that Toneri could not defeat him and said Neji might be the target.
• Kabuto brought Naruto and Sasuke to Tobirama’s laboratory, where Tobirama told Naruto to contain the stored Tailed Beast chakra.
• Naruto agreed to take in the chakra and promised to tell the others once he succeeded, while the Nine-Tails encouraged him to accept it.
• Tobirama proposed using Fugaku’s or Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan to stimulate Sasuke’s dormant power, but Sasuke refused before Shuji sent him for cell implantation.
• Shuji told Tobirama he would discuss an eye exchange with Fugaku and described plans to draw the enemy into a time gap, with a final measure if that failed.

Orochimaru, Madara, and Black Zetsu weighed Shuji’s Gelel Ore intelligence and prepared to move against Isshiki Otsutsuki while restoring Madara’s power. Meanwhile, Shuji set plans in motion across the war and heard Itachi identify the Kusanagi Sword as the Totsuka Blade.

• Nagato sent Akatsuki Shuji’s intelligence about Gelel Ore, and Orochimaru suspected the information was deliberately leaked to draw them toward a resource site.
• Madara decided to seize the Gelel Ore resource before Isshiki Otsutsuki completed his preparations, and Obito took him out of the Kamui dimension.
• Orochimaru and Black Zetsu discussed reviving Madara with his preserved eyes and agreed their goals aligned until Madara revived the Ten-Tails.
• Shuji arranged for the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth to leave an opening near the suspected ore vein, then sent Minato Namikaze to lead a sweep of the Land of Snow.
• Hyuga Hiashi returned with confirmation that the moon’s ecosystem remained active, while Shuji considered sending Hinata to meet Hamura and arranging an exchange with Toneri.
• Itachi asked Shuji for leave to investigate the Kusanagi Sword and revealed that it was the sealing blade called the Totsuka Blade.

Hiruko seized the Gelel Ore from Haido and studied it while Isshiki Otsutsuki collected the underground energy. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha attacked Isshiki, who withdrew and abducted Hyuga Neji after restoring his sealed memories.

• Hiruko watched Haido transform under the Gelel Ore's power, absorbed his energy attack, and used the Sharingan to learn that Temujin did not know where the processing device was.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki opened a passage to the underground ore vein, and Hiruko killed Haido, took the two gemstones, and left Temujin alive.
• After studying the ore as the underground energy settled, Hiruko was attacked and killed by the Impure World Reincarnated Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki confronted Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, fought their Wood Release and Susanoo, then withdrew into another dimension.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki sensed his Karma and appeared before Hyuga Neji, whose sealed memories returned, then knocked him unconscious and carried him away.

Neji discovered that Isshiki Otsutsuki had removed his Caged Bird mark and placed a Karma on his palm, then began training under Isshiki’s control. In Konoha, Shuji reassured Hiashi about Neji’s safety and monitored preparations as a new conflict seemed to approach the lake where the Three-Tails had lived.

• Neji woke in Isshiki Otsutsuki’s underground facility and saw that the Caged Bird mark had vanished from his forehead.
• Isshiki told Neji to train under his schedule and threatened to decide whether to kill Neji’s village and clan; Neji accepted the meal and found a black Karma mark on his palm.
• Konoha confirmed that Isshiki had taken Neji, and Shuji told Hiashi that Neji would be safe until the final moment.
• Hiashi reported that Toneri’s transplanted eyes caused no discomfort in daily use, then left Shuji’s office.
• Shuji reviewed the village’s recovery and intelligence that thick fog had risen over the lake where the Three-Tails had lived.

Madara and Hashirama clashed over their opposing plans for the world while fighting at the Gelel Ore Vein, and Obito escaped with a warning for Kakashi. Shuji and Kakashi followed Obito into Kamui space and discovered the stolen Gelel gems, which Shuji ordered them to move before Madara arrived.

• Madara rejected Hashirama's proposal to unite against the Otsutsuki and explained that he intended to use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to impose lasting peace.
• Hashirama resisted Madara's control and unleashed roots throughout the ore vein, disrupting Madara's efforts to suppress him and Obito.
• Obito escaped with Black Zetsu through Kamui and appeared in the Hokage Building, calling himself a gift for Kakashi before vanishing again.
• Shuji and Kakashi entered Kamui space, found the crates of Gelel gems, and Shuji urged Kakashi to move them before Madara came after them.

Shuji recovered the Gelel Ore and fed part of it to the Mother Stock while preparing to leave for Kirigakure to confront Isshiki. Meanwhile, Madara was resurrected in a living body and began restoring his power as the Three-Tails’ revival approached.

• Kakashi exhausted himself transferring the Gelel Ore from Kamui, and Shuji arranged for him to recover at the Hokage Building under the Third Hokage’s care.
• Shuji delivered half the ore to the Mother Stock, which consumed it after he cut back its grasping roots, and Kabuto reported that Toneri’s Tenseigan would stabilize in about half a month.
• Shuji learned that Naruto could communicate with the Tailed Beasts, then ordered two more crates of ore and prepared to depart for Kirigakure, leaving Toneri in the village and planning to meet Itachi there.
• Madara learned that Obito had sent the Gelel Ore to Konoha, declined to attack Iwagakure and Sunagakure, and ordered the priestess’s body fed to Moryo to intensify the western front’s conflict.
• Madara transferred his soul into a prepared body and was resurrected with his own Sharingan eyes, then used the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to restore his chakra as the Three-Tails’ revival neared.

Shuji met Mei Terumi at the great lake and arranged for Kirigakure to withdraw most of its forces before the Three-Tails revived. Madara appeared with the Rinnegan and overwhelmed Shuji’s clones, but Shuji escaped repeatedly and struck him with Sage chakra; Madara agreed to wait at the lake until the Three-Tails fully revived.

• Shuji arrived at the great lake, where Haku and Zabuza received him and Mei Terumi met with him.
• Shuji asked Mei Terumi to act as an inside ally and withdraw Kirigakure’s forces except the Barrier Team, while he prepared for the Three-Tails’ imminent revival.
• Madara appeared with the Rinnegan and destroyed Shuji’s Wood Clones before capturing him with an invisible force.
• Shuji escaped using Flying Thunder God and attacked Madara with Wood Release and successive clones while probing the limits of Madara’s abilities.
• Shuji landed a Sage chakra-enhanced punch that drove Madara back, then vanished again before Madara could respond.
• Madara said he would wait for Shuji at the lake until the Three-Tails fully revived, warning that his patience was limited.

Uchiha Itachi joined Shuji to fight the revived Madara Uchiha as the Three-Tails emerged from the lake. Shuji and Itachi forced Madara to withdraw, but Madara escaped through Kamui after capturing more than half of the Three-Tails’ chakra, leaving the weakened beast behind.

• Itachi reached Shuji, who explained Madara’s abilities and why they would fight him without gathering more allies.
• Madara used Shinra Tensei to clear the lake, shatter Shuji’s Wood Clone, and expose the newly revived Three-Tails.
• Shuji and Itachi coordinated attacks against Madara, and Itachi used Futsu-no-Mitama to crack Susanoo before stabbing Madara with the Totsuka Blade.
• Madara escaped the Totsuka Blade, used Limbo to attack Shuji, and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to begin absorbing the Three-Tails.
• Shuji summoned the Mother Stock to restore his strength and raised True Several Thousand Hands, but Madara used Kamui to escape with more than half of the Three-Tails’ chakra.

Shuji extracted most of Isobu’s chakra but chose to take the surviving Three-Tails with him rather than absorb it completely. Madara and his allies realized Konoha had gathered chakra from every Tailed Beast, forcing them to abandon their plan to seize the Jinchuriki and consider waiting for Shuji’s eventual fight with Isshiki Otsutsuki.

• Shuji withdrew his wooden statue, reduced Isobu to human size, and told Itachi to take the Three-Tails away by ship.
• Isobu recognized Shuji’s power, while Shuji explained that he was not the Sage of Six Paths and reflected that his tree still needed far more energy to transform into a Bloodline Snare.
• Madara questioned when Konoha had begun developing its tree, then returned to the base and heard Orochimaru and Zetsu assess the statue’s power.
• Madara decided they could no longer seize the Jinchuriki because Konoha had gathered chakra from every Tailed Beast and would protect them more resolutely.
• Orochimaru proposed either seizing Konoha’s tree or waiting for Shuji to fight Isshiki Otsutsuki, and said they should restore peace to the world before that battle.

Shuji returned Isobu to the Jinchuriki Squad, handed Kakashi the Hokage’s hat, and agreed to attend the Ninja Academy graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, Orochimaru discussed Akatsuki’s future with Black Zetsu and revealed his intention to join the Joint Affairs Bureau as the Shinobi World changed.

• Shuji brought Isobu to the Jinchuriki Squad’s camp, where Killer B teased the shrunken Three-Tails and the other jinchuriki commented on its condition.
• Shuji visited Kakashi, left him the Hokage’s hat, and said he would stay in the West Suburbs while Kakashi chose to be the six-and-a-halfth or Seventh Hokage.
• Kakashi told Shuji that the Ninja Academy would hold its delayed graduation ceremony, and Shuji agreed to attend.
• Orochimaru told Black Zetsu that the Demonic Statue could recover its complete state if supplied with enough chakra, despite the risks of acting near Konoha.
• Orochimaru explained that he planned to join the Joint Affairs Bureau and believed Madara would eventually use the statue to survive and return if he lost the current battle.

The narrator’s foot cramped while trying a massage chair, and moving the right foot hurt. With their head still buzzing, they took the day off.

• The narrator tried out a massage chair and wondered if their posture was wrong.
• The narrator’s foot cramped, and moving their right foot hurt.
• The narrator took the day off because their head was still buzzing.

Shuji prepared to fuse with the Mother Stock in a forest behind the Old Residence, hoping to break through into Kekkei Mōra. As Tsunade stayed to support him and the sealing array activated, he disappeared inside the Mother Stock, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Orochimaru and Zetsu discussed Madara gathering external energy sources, including Moryo and Shinnō, and worried that Shuji would have little left to use.
• Shuji, Tobirama, and Kabuto planned to move the Mother Stock to the forest and considered using Gelel Ore and Tailed Beast chakra to supply the fusion.
• Naruto and Sasuke sparred with Nagato while Toneri watched, and Shuji briefly spoke with Toneri about Hamura's warning.
• Shuji arranged for Gaara and the others to leave the forest, then prepared a sealing array among the trees for his breakthrough attempt.
• Tsunade joined Shuji at the array, and the Mother Stock emerged from his body and enveloped him as the seals formed a barrier.
• Shuji said, "Goodnight," before vanishing inside the Mother Stock, and Tsunade urged him not to forget to wake up.

Tobirama ordered defenses against the Mother Stock's spreading roots while Kabuto concealed evidence that they were also growing deeper underground. Isshiki Otsutsuki pushed Neji's training further, then sensed a faint attempt to draw on the Shinobi World's power near Konoha and suspected Orochimaru was trying to awaken Kaguya.

• Tobirama ordered the Fourth Hokage to prepare power and the Barrier Team to stop the Mother Stock's roots from reaching the Laboratory Building, then went to the site himself.
• Kabuto concealed data showing the Mother Stock's roots were probing deeper into the earth, saying more time was needed before Shuji woke up.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki attacked Neji during training, and Neji said he had seen Isshiki's unease and panic.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki sensed Karma's decompression had advanced and decided Neji needed stronger opponents to develop further.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki detected a faint pulse near Konoha and suspected Orochimaru had betrayed him and was trying to awaken Kaguya.

Isshiki Otsutsuki attacked Konoha to seize the Mother Stock after hiding Neji in Daikokuten, but Tsunade, Guy, and Toneri confronted him. Elsewhere, Orochimaru advised Black Zetsu to inform Madara and steer him toward watching the battle, leaving the conflict poised to draw Madara into the fight.

• Isshiki Otsutsuki resolved to act, drained some chakra from the imprisoned Ten-Tails, and hid Neji in Daikokuten before entering Konoha.
• Isshiki Otsutsuki breached Konoha's barriers and reached the Mother Stock, where he attacked Tsunade after she tried to stop him.
• Little Live Oyster channeled Shuji's and the Mother Stock's chakra into Tsunade, allowing her to break free and fight Isshiki Otsutsuki.
• Guy and Toneri arrived to aid Tsunade, and Toneri confronted Isshiki Otsutsuki over his father's death.
• Black Zetsu told Orochimaru that Isshiki Otsutsuki had attacked Konoha, and Orochimaru urged him to tell Madara and guide him toward watching the battle.

Madara learned that Isshiki had entered Konoha and chose to confront him, while cutting ties with White Zetsu and questioning Black Zetsu’s identity. After allowing Hashirama and Obito to leave for Konoha, Madara headed there himself to pursue his own plans.

• Zetsu reported Isshiki’s arrival in Konoha, but Madara rejected the suggestion that he wait for Konoha and Isshiki to weaken each other.
• Madara pierced White Zetsu and Black Zetsu with a Black Receiver, then killed White Zetsu and demanded to know why Black Zetsu had not returned to him.
• Black Zetsu claimed it had merged with another will and believed the Ten-Tails and its Jinchuriki held the world’s future, and Madara accepted the explanation.
• Madara summoned Obito Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, revealed he had been revived, and said he would deal with Isshiki before deciding who to strike next.
• Hashirama and Obito left for Konoha through Kamui, and Madara crushed White Zetsu’s remains before leaping toward Konoha.

Isshiki Otsutsuki fought Toneri, Guy, and Tsunade while Konoha’s leaders sought help from the allied villages and Hashirama and Obito joined the battle. Isshiki revealed his true form and used Daikokuten to crush the battlefield, leaving Guy and Toneri gravely struck and Obito’s body pinned beneath falling pillars.

• Isshiki Otsutsuki overwhelmed Toneri, but Kuoshu’s healing fluid restored Toneri and replenished Guy as they continued fighting alongside Tsunade.
• Tobirama sent Hiruzen Sarutobi to coordinate with the village representatives, while Kakashi explained Konoha’s Tailed Beast research and asked the alliance for help.
• Obito and Hashirama arrived in the conference room, then left with Kakashi to help counter Isshiki’s space-time abilities.
• Hashirama’s Wood Release restrained Isshiki, and Obito and Kakashi disrupted his attempt to escape through another dimension as Toneri and Guy struck him.
• Isshiki transformed into his true form, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, and summoned massive black cubes that crushed the forest and pierced Guy with Black Receivers.
• Daikokuten knocked Toneri out of Tenseigan mode, Obito sent Kakashi into the Kamui dimension, and stone pillars crushed Obito’s Impure World Reincarnation body.

Hashirama and the others tried to hold off the unleashed Isshiki, but Guy opened the Eighth Gate and forced Isshiki to flee. As Tsunade and Nagato tried to keep Guy alive, Tobirama prepared the defenses and questioned Hashirama about Madara, who had not yet arrived.

• Hashirama used the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Wood Release to rescue Guy and Toneri and delay Isshiki until Tobirama, Obito, and Kakashi joined the fight.
• Isshiki overwhelmed the group, but Guy recovered and opened the Eighth Gate, striking Isshiki with a series of Evening Elephant punches.
• Isshiki escaped into another dimension when Guy's attacks shook his black cubes, and Guy asked Kakashi to take him after him.
• Tobirama stopped Guy from pursuing Isshiki and explained that Tsunade and Nagato could preserve his body and soul, giving him a chance to survive.
• Tsunade treated Guy while Nagato used the Human Path to hold his soul in place; Tobirama ordered Kakashi and Obito to block Isshiki's routes into the West Suburbs and Konoha.
• Tobirama asked Hashirama where Madara was, then noted that the Jinchuriki were transferring chakra and that Shuji would wake sooner.

Isshiki returned Neji’s Karma and set him a trial while reconsidering Konoha’s defenses and Madara’s possible plans. As the Mother Stock completed its transformation, Shuji met Hagoromo and emerged changed, leaving the defenders facing his new form.

• Isshiki released Neji into an alternate dimension, told him to run as a trial, and warned that failure would mean punishment and a new vessel.
• After Konoha twice disrupted his attempts to open a passage, Isshiki concluded Madara might be targeting him and resolved to deal with both Madara and Konoha within two days.
• As Naruto’s and Sasuke’s chakra joined the Mother Stock, Shuji met Hagoromo, who explained he could not yet lend his full power to Naruto and Sasuke.
• Hagoromo touched Shuji’s consciousness and offered him assistance, calling him the one who had guided the future.
• The Mother Stock burst through Konoha’s defenses, then collapsed inward and was absorbed by Shuji, who emerged with white hair, Truth-Seeking Orbs, and purple ripple-patterned eyes.

After absorbing the Bloodline Snare tree and gaining the Rinnegan, Shuji confirmed his identity and learned that Guy was recovering. He decided to pursue Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in another dimension, entering through a portal opened by Kakashi and Obito while leaving Toneri to defend Konoha.

• Tobirama asked Shuji whether he still remembered who he was, and Shuji asked after Guy before confirming his identity.
• Shuji reasoned that Isshiki had targeted the tree and would continue attacking, then asked whether Neji's location could be found.
• Tobirama explained that Neji was hidden in another dimension, and Obito offered to open a route there with Kamui.
• Shuji stopped Toneri from joining the mission and told him to stay behind in case Madara Uchiha appeared.
• Tobirama warned Shuji that his new power was untested, but Shuji argued that Isshiki would be forced to protect Neji in the other dimension.
• Kakashi and Obito opened the passage, and Shuji, Kakashi, and Obito entered the dimension where Neji and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki were present.

Shuji, the Sixth Hokage, fought Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in another dimension to prevent him from reaching Hyuga Neji. Shuji killed Isshiki with his Sacred Pillars ability, but Isshiki warned that other Ōtsutsuki would return.

• Isshiki sensed intruders in the other dimension and headed toward Hyuga Neji, but stopped when he realized the Sixth Hokage was approaching first.
• Shuji used Shinra Tensei, Banshō Ten'in, and hidden force-field nodes to repel Isshiki, restrain him, and disrupt his attacks.
• Isshiki analyzed Shuji's Sacred Pillars and attacked through a forest of Daikokuten cubes, while the two fought for several hours.
• Isshiki broke through Shuji's defenses after the ninth Sacred Pillar appeared, but Shuji revealed that a tenth pillar had been on him all along.
• Shuji combined all ten Sacred Pillars to rewrite the force field, pierced Isshiki with a Truth-Seeking Orb sword, and killed him after revealing that Neji would have to die before being taken back.
• Isshiki warned Shuji that other Ōtsutsuki would return to reclaim what belonged to them before his body crumbled away.