Chapter Summaries

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha transported supplies for a diplomatic mission to Sunagakure, but Jueming secretly hid most of the cargo in his Great Scroll in case the village betrayed Konoha. At the border of the Land of Wind, Pakura welcomed the group before Sunagakure ninja launched a surprise attack.

• Jueming and Tekka Uchiha set out with supplies while Minato Namikaze handled diplomacy and Kakashi joined for training.
• Jueming opened the supply scroll at camp, warned Tekka Uchiha that Konoha's leaders might be sacrificing their interests, and transferred most of the cargo into his Great Scroll.
• The group crossed the Land of Rivers and met Pakura and Sunagakure ninja at the Land of Wind border.
• Two Sunagakure ninja drew Kunai and attacked Jueming and Tekka Uchiha as more attackers emerged from the sand.
• Minato Namikaze retreated with Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha was wounded, and Jueming cut down the attacker with his Leaf Blade Sword.

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha fled a Sunagakure ambush while Pakura pursued them, and Minato Namikaze escaped with Kakashi instead of rescuing the two. Minato planned to warn Konoha of Sunagakure’s betrayal, leaving Kakashi shaken by the decision to abandon Jueming and Tekka.

• Jueming killed the Sand Ninja attacking Tekka Uchiha, then used Mito Uzumaki’s Puppet Blade technique to kill another pursuer before fleeing with Tekka.
• Minato Namikaze and Kakashi faced hundreds of Sand Ninja, and Pakura ordered her forces to capture or kill Jueming and Tekka.
• Jueming carried the injured Tekka into the desert, and Tekka and Mito Uzumaki used their Body Flicker Techniques to boost his speed as Pakura chased them.
• Minato Namikaze used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Kakashi to a marked location, explaining that he could not bring Jueming and Tekka too.
• Minato Namikaze decided to return to Konoha to report Sunagakure’s betrayal, while Kakashi’s Will of Fire cracked as he realized they would leave Jueming and Tekka to fend for themselves.

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha fled across the Great Desert while Pakura’s Sand Ninja pursued them, and they fought back with help from Mito Uzumaki. After learning the real supplies were still with Jueming, Pakura renewed the chase, while Jueming discovered the scroll held goods worth 100 million taels and gained a new ability from eating grass.

• Jueming and Tekka Uchiha escaped the Sand Ninja ambush and treated Tekka’s wound while fleeing across the desert.
• Jueming had Tekka taunt their pursuers, drawing them closer so Mito Uzumaki could strike them with the Leaf Blade Sword.
• Jueming, Tekka, and Mito fought off attacks and ran through the night, then rested behind a rock as Jueming ate grass and Tekka took Ration Pills.
• Pakura learned the scroll they had taken contained only decoy supplies and ordered her Sand Ninja to chase Jueming and Tekka for the real supplies.
• Jueming found that the supplies in his scroll were worth 100 million taels and gained Grass Release—Body—Root after eating grass.

Jueming’s internal organs and resistance to Mutation strengthened, making him faster and harder to injure as Pakura realized how dangerous he was. Minato reported Sunagakure’s betrayal to Hiruzen, while the Third Kazekage ordered Rasa to lead the main force’s assault on Konoha.

• Jueming’s Grass Release strengthened his internal organs, improved his bodily functions, and raised his resistance to Mutation from 20 to 25.
• Jueming sped up, surprising Tekka Uchiha and Pakura, who recognized him as a major threat to Sunagakure.
• Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha and told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Sunagakure had betrayed the alliance and that he had failed to save Jueming and Tekka.
• Hiruzen summoned Konoha’s senior officials and Jonin Squad to plan for Sunagakure’s approaching main force, while Minato comforted Kakashi.
• The Third Kazekage ordered Rasa to command the offensive, and Sunagakure prepared to send more than eighty percent of its main force toward Konoha.

Chiyo renewed her hatred of Konoha, while Sasori quietly headed toward the conference room with tea. In the Land of Fire, Shennong revealed Dark Chakra to Yahiko and described his plan to create a monster capable of rivaling a Tailed Beast.

• Chiyo vowed to avenge her son and daughter-in-law, and Ebizo reminded her that Konoha's White Fang was dead.
• Chiyo greeted her grandson Sasori, who carried tea toward the conference room for the Kazekage.
• Shennong treated Yahiko and admitted he studied the darkness in people's hearts through war.
• Yahiko watched Konan and Nagato work with Explosive Tags, then followed Shennong into a grove.
• Shennong showed Yahiko Dark Chakra, which he said came from his despair.
• Shennong explained that his Zero-Tails Project aimed to shape Dark Chakra into a monster that could rival a Tailed Beast.

Shennong challenged Yahiko to prove his ideals by accepting the Dark Chakra Technique, while Root researchers made their first successful fusion of Senju Takeshi’s body fragments with a weapon. The chapter left Yahiko undergoing Shennong’s technique and Danzo preparing the Mutation Weapon project as Sunagakure’s attack on Konoha approached.

• Shennong taunted Yahiko’s doubts about his leadership and pushed him to define his dream as a world where ordinary people could control their own destinies.
• Shennong injected the Dark Chakra Technique into Yahiko’s forehead.
• Aoki and several White Zetsu emerged near the Land of Wind border, learned that Senju Jueming had not returned from the desert, and anticipated Sunagakure’s offensive against Konoha.
• Hiru used the Chimera Technique to fuse Senju Takeshi’s body fragments with a kunai, achieving the experiment’s first preliminary success.
• Danzo ordered the researchers to improve their weapons and pursue a Mutation Weapon, then left after learning that Hiruzen had called a Jonin Squad meeting.
• Hiru watched the caged Senju Takeshi monster with hunger and fanaticism for power.

Kakashi sought help from the Senju Clan to rescue Jueming, but the clan could not spare anyone, so Momoka Senju gave him access to a technique archive. As Kakashi hurried toward the Land of Wind, Jueming and Tekka Uchiha decided to head for Sunagakure and strike behind enemy lines.

• Kakashi visited the Senju Clan Shrine and told the Great Elder and Momoka Senju that he wanted to rescue Jueming.
• Momoka Senju explained that the Senju Clan could not help, then used Mirror Heaven and Earth Transformation to let Kakashi choose a technique.
• Kakashi selected Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall, memorized its training method, and raced toward the Land of Wind.
• Jueming warned Tekka Uchiha that Sunagakure’s main force posed a greater danger, then proposed striking at Sunagakure’s headquarters.
• Jueming sped toward Sunagakure without stopping to rest.

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha reached an oasis where a Sunagakure squad was resting, and Tekka awakened a Two-Tomoe Sharingan on the way. Their ambush began with Jueming and Tekka attacking Karura’s squad.

• Karura bid Rasa farewell as he led thousands of Sand Ninja away from Sunagakure, then returned to help patrol the Land of Wind’s border.
• While traveling through the Great Desert, Tekka realized Jueming had been surviving on grass and cried over his friend’s care, awakening a second tomoe in his Sharingan.
• Jueming and Tekka reached an oasis near Sunagakure, where Jueming warned Tekka to prepare for enemies and planned to capture the resting squad for intelligence.
• Jueming attacked the four Sunagakure ninja with Kunai and the Leaf Blade Sword while Tekka immobilized one of them with his Sharingan.
• Karura recognized the Puppet Blade technique and sent eight Kunai at Jueming, but they bounced off his body as he charged toward her.

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha defeated Karura and extracted intelligence about Sunagakure’s invasion of Konoha. With a plan to break the siege, Jueming set off for the village with Karura in tow.

• Jueming and Mito Uzumaki killed the Sand Ninja guarding Karura, while Tekka Uchiha finished off his opponent and learned that nearly ninety percent of Sunagakure’s forces were attacking Konoha.
• Karura used her unusual Mental Strength to control sand, but Jueming dodged her attacks and knocked her down.
• Tekka Uchiha’s Sharingan Illusion Technique failed to extract information from Karura, so Jueming beat her until she was too exhausted to resist.
• Tekka Uchiha used his Sharingan Illusion Technique to learn that Rasa led the invasion, Karura was his lover, and Chiyo was among the senior Sand Ninja involved.
• Jueming declared that he had a plan to save Konoha and headed back toward the village with Karura, despite Tekka Uchiha’s concern about their exhaustion.

Kakashi found Jueming alive and raced with him toward Konoha as the village’s defenses collapsed on multiple fronts. With Sunagakure nearing Konoha, Hiruzen and Danzo considered deploying Momoka Senju and the other Senju Mutants, and Danzo volunteered to approach them himself.

• Kakashi reunited with Jueming and Tekka Uchiha, then struggled to keep pace with Jueming as they hurried toward Konoha.
• Fugaku Uchiha retreated after Kumogakure’s forces captured the Uchiha Stronghold, and his Sharingan transformed as he vowed to use its new power.
• Karatachi Yagura let the Seven Ninja Swordsmen continue their advance after warning them not to push too far ahead.
• Rasa’s Sunagakure army drove Konoha’s forces back to the village while Hiruzen Sarutobi stayed behind to defend Konoha.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to deploy Momoka Senju and the Senju Mutants, then offered to visit them himself.

As Sunagakure’s army prepared to attack Konoha, Danzo urged Momoka Senju to join the defense, while Rasa rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s peace appeal and condemned Konoha for denying his village fertile land. Just as battle seemed inevitable, a booming voice challenged the Sand forces from their flank.

• Danzo arrived at the Senju compound and asked Momoka Senju to fight, and she accepted that she could not let the village and her clan perish.
• Konoha’s remaining defenders assembled on the walls, where Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha stood among the young ninja facing the threat.
• Aoki Senju told Black Zetsu that Jueming had returned and kidnapped Karura, while Black Zetsu said Jueming’s mind might obstruct their plan.
• Rasa rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s peace appeal and accused Konoha of refusing Sunagakure fertile land and resources.
• As the Sand army roared and Konoha braced for battle, an unknown voice challenged Sunagakure from the flank.

Jueming and Tekka Uchiha disrupted the Sand Ninja’s attack on Konoha by claiming that the Land of Wind’s nobles had exploited their families and betrayed Sunagakure. The chapter ended with Tekka claiming the Third Kazekage was dead and ten thousand Iwa Ninja were poised to invade Sunagakure.

• Jueming revealed Karura to Rasa, who initially believed she was being used as a hostage but decided he would not yield to threats.
• Jueming claimed he had not intended to threaten Rasa and instead made a crude boast about his relationship with Karura.
• Jueming accused the Land of Wind’s Feudal Lord and nobles of abusing Sand Ninja families while the soldiers fought for them.
• Tekka Uchiha used his Two-Tomoe Sharingan to control Karura, who confirmed Jueming’s accusations to Rasa and the Sand Ninja.
• Tekka claimed the Third Kazekage had been poisoned and that the Land of Wind’s leaders had sold out Sunagakure to Iwagakure, whose ten thousand ninja were ready to invade.

Jueming’s taunts and the kidnapping of Karura shattered the Sand Ninja assault, but Rasa pursued him with a large force. Jueming, Kakashi, and Tekka Uchiha combined into Vortex Ketsutekka to escape, and Jueming gained a muscle-strengthening skill as his body neared its limit.

• Kakashi recited provocative passages to the Sand Ninja, then Jueming taunted them while fleeing with Karura, causing most of their force to retreat toward Sunagakure.
• Rasa charged after Jueming, and Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha’s ninja in pursuit of the retreating Sand Ninja.
• Black Zetsu ordered Aoki to change their plan and find another way to capture and recruit Jueming.
• Rasa attacked Jueming with gold-dust hands, tearing his cloak and revealing his face, while Jueming and his allies introduced their combined form as Vortex Ketsutekka.
• Jueming, Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha, and Mito Uzumaki combined their techniques to speed away, but Jueming’s muscles began to fail.
• Jueming obtained Grass Release—Body—Leaf, a skill that greatly strengthened his muscles and gave him eight demonic abs.

Jueming’s team lured 1,500 Sand Ninja into a trap and detonated 5,000 Explosive Tags, then escaped underground while leaving Karura behind. Rasa recovered Karura but was stabbed by her, and he withdrew with his forces as Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Konoha troops pressed the attack.

• Jueming’s Grass Release enhancement restored his strength, and he led Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha, and Mito Uzumaki toward their trap while taunting Rasa.
• Mito Uzumaki’s Body Flicker boost ended after she was shocked by Jueming’s internal condition, but Jueming warned the others that they were entering the trap zone.
• Jueming, Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha, and Mito Uzumaki detonated the Explosive Tags, scattering and killing or maiming many Sand Ninja.
• Tekka Uchiha used Earth Style: Fish in Mud to help the group escape underground, while Jueming left Karura on the battlefield.
• Rasa reunited with Karura, but Karura stabbed him in the back before Tekka Uchiha’s control over her ended.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Konoha forces attacked the weakened Sand Ninja, and Rasa prepared to retreat after seeing an insulting message on an Earth Flow Wall.

After Konoha defeated Sunagakure, Utatane Koharu ordered the village to conceal the achievements of Jueming, Kakashi, and Tekka Uchiha. Outside Konoha, Aoki learned the truth about Kaguya and joined Black Zetsu’s plan to recruit Senju clan members.

• Jueming, Kakashi, and Tekka returned to Konoha, where the villagers recognized them as heroes after the battle ended in victory.
• Utatane Koharu told everyone to keep the three young ninjas’ deeds secret, rejecting Kakashi and Tekka’s protests that they wanted recognition.
• Aoki watched the celebration from outside Konoha and heard a voice that revealed Kaguya Otsutsuki’s connection to the Infinite Tsukuyomi and White Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu urged Aoki to recruit his Senju clansmen while Konoha was occupied with postwar cleanup, and Aoki agreed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Jueming how Konoha’s clan interests limited his authority, then offered him the Monkey Clan Summoning Contract as compensation for his wartime contributions. Jueming was left with the chance to gain powerful allies by signing it.

• Jueming asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for recognition and rewards, joking that he should become the Fourth Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi avoided discussing his appointment as Third Hokage in front of Shimura Danzō, who left to attend a meeting.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that Tobirama Senju’s distribution of Konoha’s benefits had created powerful clan interest groups that constrained the Hokage.
• Jueming acknowledged Hiruzen Sarutobi’s difficulties but insisted that he also had his own concerns.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi presented Jueming with the Monkey Clan Summoning Contract, which would let him summon the Monkey King, Enma, after signing it.

Aoki secretly rescued Jing Senju and the other imprisoned traitors, while Jueming dealt with Konoha’s political fallout and continued developing his power. Momoka Senju praised him, urged him to grow stronger, and warned him to stay safe from Sunagakure.

• Aoki rescued Jing Senju, Ryota Senju, Otsuki Senju, and the others, replacing them in their cells with disguised White Zetsu clones.
• Jueming argued with Mito Uzumaki about Konoha’s decision to give him the Monkey Contract and bury his achievements.
• Sayuri envied Jueming’s influence and resolved to become one of Konoha’s higher-ups; Jueming teased her and raised Aburame Chiharu’s Type-A Mental Energy Collection Progress to 65/100.
• Jueming visited Momoka Senju, who praised him for saving Konoha and advised him to train and avoid going out while Sunagakure might target him.

Aoki prepared to turn captured Senju into White Zetsu-like beings and hoped Konoha would resume human experimentation, while Konoha mourned its losses and struggled with defeats on several fronts. At a crisis meeting, Shimura Danzō proposed resuming Forbidden Jutsu experiments, and Hiruzen Sarutobi postponed his decision as the discussion moved to surrendering territory.

• Aoki bound Jing Senju, Ryota Senju, Otsuki Senju, and others in the underground cavern, intending to fuse them with White Zetsu Cells and send them back to corrupt Konoha.
• Konoha mourned its dead, while Rin Nohara and other young ninja reflected on the village’s losses and Tekka Uchiha and Kakashi trained to become stronger.
• Obito Uchiha went to challenge Senju Jueming but learned from the Great Elder that Jueming was in secluded training.
• Shimura Danzō proposed that Konoha resume Forbidden Jutsu experiments, and Hiruzen Sarutobi said he needed more time to consider it.
• Konoha’s meeting moved on to a proposal to relinquish some Land of Fire territory in exchange for improving internal resource circulation and self-sufficiency.

Ōnoki learned that Konoha had decisively defeated Sunagakure and ordered more intelligence gathering before Iwagakure acted. In Sunagakure, Sasori poisoned the Third Kazekage and defected, while Rasa blamed the Land of Wind’s Feudal Lord for the Kazekage’s disappearance and prepared to take power.

• Ōnoki read that Sunagakure had retreated after Konoha’s crushing victory and sent scouts to investigate the battle and Senju Jueming’s Wood Release.
• Sasori poisoned the Third Kazekage, paralyzed him, and left him missing from his office.
• Rasa accused the Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind and the nobles of murdering the Third Kazekage, and Chiyo urged him to become the Fourth Kazekage before seeking revenge.
• Sunagakure failed to find the Third Kazekage and discovered that Sasori had vanished, so it sent a rescue squad after him.
• Sasori attacked the rescue squad and defected from Sunagakure, earning the later name Sasori of the Red Sands, while Chiyo sensed something was wrong.

Jueming collected New Year money, received a Chakra Absorption Technique from Momoka Senju, and underwent a health check that left her astonished by his strength. Meanwhile, Hiru continued developing mutant weapons for Danzō, and Aoki Senju’s transformed captives awakened in the Land of Grass with stabilized Mutation and enhanced bodies.

• Jueming collected New Year money from the clan and received the C-Rank Chakra Absorption Technique from Momoka Senju, which the system said could be converted into Grass Release.
• Jueming persuaded Momoka Senju to examine him, and she was shaken by his enhanced muscles and unusual physical condition.
• Hiru told Danzō that the mutant metal weapons still attacked everyone and that Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release Cells would intensify the Mutation rather than stabilize it.
• In the Land of Grass, Jing Senju, Ryota Senju, Otsuki Senju, and the other captives awakened as White Zetsu hybrids with stronger bodies and stabilized Wood Release Factors.