Chapter Summaries

Ronglin’s actions brought Minato and White Fang to the Akatsuki members’ hiding place near Kumogakure. Nagato and Obito clashed over Nagato’s choices before Konan released the seal, leaving both sides facing one another.

• Tsunade and the others hurried toward Kumogakure’s outskirts, unaware that Ronglin had acted to provoke Nagato and draw out the coming war.
• Minato and White Fang followed Ronglin’s coordinates to the hiding place.
• Konan cursed Ronglin for exposing them while Nagato, injured and bloodied, confronted Obito about their relationship.
• Nagato ordered Konan to break the seal, and she opened it despite hesitating.
• Minato warned White Fang as the cave appeared, revealing Obito, Nagato, and Konan inside.

Minato confronted Nagato and Obito, blaming Akatsuki for the world’s suffering, while Nagato insisted Minato was responsible. Jiraiya arrived, and Nagato fell silent at the sight of his former teacher.

• Minato recognized the masked Obito and struggled to contain his anger, while White Fang warned him to stay alert.
• Obito greeted Minato, and Nagato declared that everyone should die so the world could know peace.
• Minato condemned Akatsuki as a calamity, and Nagato angrily blamed him for everything.
• Jiraiya arrived after receiving treatment, and Nagato briefly fell silent when he saw his former teacher.
• Jiraiya observed how much Nagato and Konan had changed since they last met.

Orochimaru appeared at Nagato’s temporary hideout and confronted Jiraiya, who asked why he had betrayed the village. Tsunade, Ay, Ōnoki, and Rasa arrived, bringing the gathered forces closer to a clash with Akatsuki.

• Orochimaru appeared nearby and greeted Jiraiya, who had been searching for him since his departure from the village.
• Jiraiya asked Orochimaru why he had betrayed the village, but Orochimaru said Jiraiya would never understand his pursuit of ninjutsu and research.
• Obito interrupted their reunion, warning that the hideout was no place to talk.
• Tsunade, Ay, Ōnoki, and Rasa arrived, and Tsunade declared that the hideout would become Akatsuki’s burial ground.

Tsunade confronted Orochimaru while Nagato erupted with power to protect Konan. As Orochimaru and Obito withdrew from the fight, Tsunade called for Akatsuki’s destruction, and Konan stepped forward to defend Nagato.

• Tsunade challenged Orochimaru and accused him of sinking low.
• Nagato released a powerful aura after declaring that no one could hurt Konan, despite Konan warning him about the strain on his body.
• Orochimaru and Obito retreated instead of fighting, leaving Konan confused and enraged.
• Tsunade ordered the others to eradicate Akatsuki, and Konan moved in front of Nagato to protect him.
• Someone called out, “Thunder Fang!!!”

White Fang fought Konan while Nagato concentrated his chakra into Heavenly Path Yahiko. After surviving Konan’s explosive trap, White Fang remained ready to continue the battle.

• White Fang charged Konan, and their fight moved away from the others.
• Nagato dropped the Preta Path and gathered his chakra into Heavenly Path Yahiko as Ay and Minato warned everyone about the Rinnegan’s power.
• White Fang cut through Konan’s paper shield and spear with lightning-infused slashes.
• Konan detonated the spear, revealing it was made of Explosive Tags.
• White Fang emerged from the blast largely unharmed and acknowledged that Konan had caught him off guard.

Black Zetsu betrayed Nagato after Nagato concentrated his Chakra into Heavenly Path Yahiko, revealing that he and Konan had been used as pawns. Konan realized their supposed allies had manipulated them, while Nagato lay helpless and Yahiko's body collapsed.

• Heavenly Path Yahiko's Chakra aura grew stronger as Tsunade and the others retreated warily.
• Black Zetsu thrust his arm through Nagato's body while Nagato focused his Chakra on Heavenly Path Yahiko.
• Nagato became unable to move or gather Chakra, and Heavenly Path Yahiko collapsed to the ground.
• Konan abandoned her fight with White Fang and rushed toward Nagato, then demanded to know why Black Zetsu had attacked him.
• Black Zetsu said Nagato and Konan had lost their value as pawns, and Konan realized they had been manipulated.

Black Zetsu revealed that Nagato’s Rinnegan had never belonged to him, then controlled him into performing the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. Konan realized the technique would kill Nagato and might revive the person behind Black Zetsu and Obito, whom she suspected was the original owner of the Rinnegan.

• Black Zetsu told Nagato that he had never been the rightful owner of the Rinnegan and mocked him as a pawn.
• Black Zetsu controlled Nagato as he began forming hand seals, while Konan pleaded with him to stop.
• Nagato started the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, and the others retreated in alarm.
• Konan recognized that the technique would kill Nagato and could revive the person who had manipulated them.
• Konan connected Black Zetsu’s revelation to Uchiha Ronglin’s unrestricted use of the Rinnegan and concluded that someone behind Black Zetsu and Madara was its original owner.

Nagato revived Uchiha Madara with the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, revealing that Madara had been behind Obito and Black Zetsu. Madara took back his Rinnegan and, newly restored, laughed as the others watched in shock.

• Nagato completed his final hand seal, and a blinding light began to form a humanoid figure.
• Uchiha Madara emerged and greeted Obito and Black Zetsu, while Tsunade recognized him.
• Black Zetsu released Nagato, and Madara said the plan had changed but that he knew.
• Madara dug Nagato's Rinnegan out and implanted them into his own eye sockets.
• Nagato was left blind and near death as Madara felt the power of his Chakra and laughed.

Uchiha Madara revealed his plan to bring peace through war and demanded the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. He left the battlefield after declaring war, leaving Black Zetsu and Obito to continue the fight.

• Madara taunted Tsunade and said Ronglin should have learned the truth from the stone tablet in the Uchiha Shrine.
• Nagato's presence faded, and Konan sank to the ground in despair.
• Madara said he was pursuing world peace, prompting Ōnoki to angrily challenge his arrogance.
• Madara recognized Ōnoki and dismissed him before sensing the ongoing battle.
• Madara told Black Zetsu and Obito to handle the rest, formally declared war on the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and demanded that Ay hand over Killer B.
• Ay refused to surrender Killer B.

Madara left after declaring war on the Five Great Shinobi Villages, while Obito took Orochimaru and Black Zetsu disappeared. Tsunade urged everyone to return and seek answers from the Fourth Hokage.

• Madara told Black Zetsu and Obito to handle the rest as he went to see old friends.
• Obito took Orochimaru and began to vanish with him.
• Minato recognized Obito and challenged him about his identity, but Obito only chuckled before disappearing with Orochimaru.
• Black Zetsu warned the gathered leaders to prepare for war, then sank into the ground and vanished.
• Tsunade told everyone to return and ask the Fourth Hokage what had happened.

The Five Kage and their allies rushed to Kumogakure to confront the crisis, while Jiraiya stayed behind with Konan to bury Yahiko and Nagato. Konan asked whether the tragedy could be undone, and Jiraiya said it could—but he was no longer able to do it.

• Tsunade led the Five Kage and the others toward Kumogakure, while Jiraiya stayed behind with Konan and Nagato's body.
• Jiraiya carried Nagato and Yahiko's bodies to a quiet place and began digging their graves as Konan followed silently.
• Konan asked Jiraiya whether there was a way to undo what had happened, and he said there was but he could no longer manage it.
• Konan recognized that Akatsuki had collapsed and that she would have to rely on herself to seek revenge against Uchiha Madara and his allies.

Konan buried Nagato and Yahiko after Jiraiya failed to dissuade her from seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Ronglin waited on a mountain near Kumogakure, where Uchiha Madara arrived to meet him.

• Jiraiya warned Konan against doing something she would regret, then left when she would not be persuaded.
• Konan buried Nagato and Yahiko beneath a small mound and vowed to bring their killers down with them.
• Ronglin sat on a mountain with food and wine while Itachi and Kimimaro waited nearby.
• Itachi and Kimimaro sensed a powerful Chakra presence approaching, and Uchiha Madara arrived beside Ronglin.
• Madara remarked that Ronglin had not changed, and Ronglin teased him about being jealous.

Ronglin confronted Uchiha Madara, who tested him with his overwhelming aura and warned him not to interfere with his plan. Ronglin reaffirmed that he had kept his promise but could still make the plan fail, leaving Madara uncertain about Ronglin’s motives.

• Uchiha Madara pressured Ronglin with his aura as Itachi and Kimimaro prepared to act, but Ronglin signaled them to stand down.
• Ronglin mocked Madara’s temper and said he was willing to fight if Madara wanted to test his strength.
• Ronglin reminded Madara that he had kept their agreement and warned that he could make Madara’s plan fail if he chose.
• Madara wondered why Ronglin supported the arrangement despite having no apparent benefit, then warned him he would regret breaking his promise.
• Ronglin smiled and told Madara he would see.

Ronglin explained to Itachi and Kimimaro that the man who had just left was the real Uchiha Madara, revived through the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. Tsunade and the others arrived shortly after Madara departed.

• Uchiha Madara left to familiarize himself with the world and ensure the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan had no mistakes.
• Itachi and Kimimaro asked Ronglin who the visitor was, and Ronglin revealed he was the real Uchiha Madara while the masked man had been an impostor.
• Ronglin reflected on Nagato's death and how his Uzumaki Clan blood had led Madara and Black Zetsu to choose him for the Rinnegan.
• Tsunade and the others hurried to Ronglin after sensing his Chakra, and he confirmed that Uchiha Madara had left.

Tsunade confronted Ronglin about failing to stop Uchiha Madara and demanded to know what he had hidden from them. Ronglin defended his choice and reacted with surprise to Madara’s declaration of war, while Tsunade pressed him to answer directly.

• The shinobi criticized Ronglin for not stopping Uchiha Madara, but Ronglin said Madara had not come for him and fighting there would have destroyed Kumogakure.
• Ronglin’s warning made the others realize that a battle in the village would have caused catastrophic casualties.
• Tsunade confronted Ronglin about what he had concealed and told him that Uchiha Madara had declared war on the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Ronglin expressed surprise at Madara’s declaration and reasoned that Madara had the strength to challenge the entire world.
• Tsunade accused Ronglin of changing the subject, and Ronglin smiled at her anger.

Ronglin explained Uchiha Madara and Akatsuki’s plan to use the tailed beasts to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and proposed demonstrating Tsukuyomi on Ay. He left out some details, including Kaguya Otsutsuki.

• Ronglin invited Itachi to use Tsukuyomi on Ay to demonstrate the technique, surprising both men and alarming Tsunade.
• Ronglin said the Uchiha Clan’s stone tablet contained ancient secrets passed down from the Sage of Six Paths, visible only to those with sufficient Dojutsu.
• Ronglin explained that Akatsuki and Uchiha Madara planned to trap the world in the Infinite Tsukuyomi and that affected people would become like Black Zetsu.
• Ronglin said Akatsuki was gathering the tailed beasts to create the Ten-Tails, whose Jinchuriki would gain the Sage of Six Paths’ power.

Ronglin explained how Uchiha Madara could revive the Ten-Tails and become a threat on the Sage of Six Paths’ level, but refused to intervene against the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. Tsunade challenged him over his inaction and the deaths of Jiraiya and Minato.

• Ronglin explained that the Ten-Tails could be born by sealing all nine tailed beasts inside a single entity, and that Madara could become its jinchuriki.
• Tsunade suggested hiding Killer B and keeping the Nine-Tails close to prevent Madara from completing his plan.
• Ronglin warned that Madara could find a replacement for the Nine-Tails and remain invincible to them even without becoming the Ten-Tails jinchuriki.
• Tsunade asked why Ronglin refused to act and accused him of being willing to let Jiraiya and Minato die while Madara pursued the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Minato offered to sacrifice himself to appease Ronglin and asked the Fourth Hokage to help stop Uchiha Madara and Akatsuki. Ronglin rejected Minato’s self-sacrificing nature as something he both disliked and respected.

• Minato declared that he was willing to sacrifice himself to bring peace to the world.
• Minato asked the Fourth Hokage to assist in stopping Uchiha Madara and Akatsuki, but not to involve Jiraiya.
• Ronglin questioned Minato about his willingness to sacrifice himself and asked whether that included Jiraiya.
• Ronglin told Minato that he, Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage shared a self-sacrificing compassion that Ronglin disliked but recognized as a strength.
• Ronglin called himself a selfish person.

Ronglin explained that his selfish choices had strengthened Konoha and agreed to help against Uchiha Madara, but not against Akatsuki unless Madara acted. After the others left, Ronglin, Minato, and White Fang sat down to drink together.

• Ronglin told Minato that prioritizing himself and Konoha had brought better results than self-sacrifice.
• Ronglin invited Minato to drink with him and promised to intervene if Uchiha Madara made a move, while warning that he would not help if Akatsuki acted alone.
• Tsunade ordered the others to return to the village, treat the wounded, and plan how to fight Akatsuki.
• Ōnoki, Ay, Rasa, and the others left, while Minato and White Fang stayed behind.
• White Fang took Ronglin's bottle and joined him and Minato for a drink, reminiscing about their time together.

Ronglin explained to White Fang, Minato, Itachi, and Kimimaro how the feud between the Uchiha and Senju began with the Sage of Six Paths' sons, Indra and Asura. He left off describing Indra's growing hatred after he killed someone close to awaken a stronger Sharingan.

• White Fang asked Ronglin how powerful Uchiha Madara was and how Akatsuki could challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Ronglin said Madara could defeat them with ease and had the Sharingan, the Rinnegan, and Wood Release.
• White Fang and Minato asked why Madara could use the First Hokage's Wood Release.
• Ronglin began recounting how Indra and Asura, ancestors of the Uchiha and Senju, started their clans' conflict.
• Ronglin explained that the Sage of Six Paths chose Asura as his successor, prompting Indra to seek greater power and kill someone close to awaken his Sharingan further.