Chapter Summaries

Gawain secured the Jōnin Council’s approval as the next Hokage, while Hiruzen anticipated his plans to provoke a conflict and eventually unify the Shinobi World. As the Chūnin Exams approached and the Sand delegation arrived, Gawain tracked a hidden presence to the Valley of the End and confronted Black Zetsu.

• Hiashi Hyuga and Shikaku Nara backed Gawain’s appointment, and the clan jōnin’s votes made his selection as head of the Jōnin Council inevitable.
• After the meeting, Gawain told Hiruzen he planned to provoke the Sand ninja or Rain ninja into a conflict involving the tailed beasts before taking the Hokage position.
• The Sand Village delegation and other villages arrived in Konoha ahead of the Chūnin Exams, while the strained Anbu took on increased security duties.
• Gawain sensed presences underground and followed them at night to a location near the Valley of the End.
• Gawain called Black Zetsu out of the bushes, said he sensed Kaguya’s aura on him, and asked if he was his third child and what his name was.

Gawain accepted Black Zetsu as his child, empowered him, and promised to rescue Kaguya after unifying the world. Black Zetsu offered Akatsuki's help and explained Orochimaru's plans, while Gawain prepared to use the Konoha Crush as an opportunity to become Hokage.

• Black Zetsu revealed that Kaguya had created him to await Gawain's return, and Gawain gave him Six Paths power and accepted him as his son.
• Black Zetsu begged Gawain to rescue Kaguya, and Gawain promised to free her after becoming Hokage and conquering the world.
• Black Zetsu told Gawain about Akatsuki and reported that Orochimaru planned the Konoha Crush but seemed more hostile toward the Sand Shinobi than Konoha.
• Gawain concluded that Orochimaru still cared about Konoha and intended to let the Konoha Crush proceed as a chance to become Hokage legitimately.
• Gawain told Black Zetsu to keep running Akatsuki, gather information, and stay in his sleeve while Gawain personally taught him.

Naruto and the other genin advanced through the Chūnin Exams while Gawain let Orochimaru’s attack plan proceed, intending to use the crisis to defeat Shukaku and capture Orochimaru. As Shukaku erupted during the tournament, Gawain ordered the evacuation and prepared to confront it, while Orochimaru revealed that he had prepared Impure World Reincarnations of the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage.

• Black Zetsu’s intelligence confirmed that the Konoha Destruction Plan was unlikely to seriously damage Konoha, so Gawain allowed it to proceed.
• Naruto struggled through the written exam but remained in the room, and his team passed the Forest of Death examination without Orochimaru interfering.
• During the month before the final tournament, Naruto signed a summoning contract with Mount Myōboku, while the rookie nine trained separately.
• Danzo continued backing the attack without knowing Orochimaru had secretly killed the Fourth Kazekage, while Orochimaru impersonated him at the tournament.
• Shukaku erupted from Gaara during the matches, and Gawain ordered Kakashi, Guy, and the others to handle the attackers and evacuate civilians while he took on the tailed beast.
• Hiruzen recognized Orochimaru and feared Gawain would kill his former student, while Orochimaru revealed that he had prepared Impure World Reincarnations of the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage.

During the Konoha invasion, Naruto summoned Gamabunta while Gawain prepared to confront Shukaku. At the Hokage Tower, Orochimaru revived the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage to fight Hiruzen, but Tobirama discovered he could not break free of Orochimaru’s control.

• Sasuke and Neji watched Shukaku emerge as the Sand and Konoha ninjas fought across the examination grounds.
• Naruto summoned Gamabunta, who greeted Gawain deferentially and told Naruto that Gawain was a legendary figure.
• Shukaku woke after Gaara fell asleep, and Gawain turned toward the Hokage Tower before preparing to use Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.
• Orochimaru confronted Hiruzen and used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage.
• Minato and Tobirama awakened and recognized the invasion, while Tobirama failed to free himself from Orochimaru’s control.
• Hashirama looked toward Shukaku and the toads, delighted to see them again.

Gawain arrived during the battle against the reanimated First and Second Hokage after a single palm sent Shukaku flying back toward the Land of Wind. He moved the fight to the Forest of Death, revealed that he had first appeared in the Shinobi World about a thousand years ago, and destroyed Hashirama’s Wood Release constructs, leaving Hashirama to respond with sage arts.

• Tobirama fought Hiruzen and warned him to send Uzumaki Clan ninja to seal Shukaku, while Hashirama’s Wood Release absorbed Tobirama’s flood.
• Minato secretly placed Flying Thunder God seals as he fought, questioned Hiruzen about Naruto, and worried that Orochimaru was controlling the reanimated Hokage.
• Hashirama demanded to know why no one else was protecting Konoha from Shukaku, then Shukaku was hurled away by a powerful palm strike from an unseen attacker.
• Gawain emerged from a black hole, confused Hashirama and Tobirama by calling Hashirama his grandfather, and moved the battle to the Forest of Death with Amenominaka.
• Gawain introduced himself as someone who had first appeared in the Shinobi World around a thousand years earlier, then destroyed Hashirama’s Wood Human and Wood Dragon with Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack.
• Hashirama began using sage arts against Gawain, despite Tobirama’s warning that Gawain was a Konoha junior rather than an enemy.

During the Konoha invasion, Gawain matched Hashirama’s Wood Release with an even greater True Several Thousand Hands, then stopped Orochimaru’s escape and used the Rinnegan’s Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato. The three Hokage awoke alive and beyond Orochimaru’s control, while a stunned Jiraiya and Hiruzen witnessed Gawain’s power.

• Sakura, Kakashi, and other Konoha shinobi watched as Hashirama’s Top Transformed Buddha rose in the Forest of Death, and Guy prepared to sacrifice himself before Kakashi urged him to trust Gawain.
• Gawain summoned his own True Several Thousand Hands, and it defeated Hashirama’s smaller Buddha in a devastating clash that damaged Konoha.
• Orochimaru controlled Minato and tried to escape with Tobirama, but Gawain used Yomotsu Hirasaka to stop their Flying Thunder God escape.
• Gawain revealed the Rinnegan and used the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato, freeing them from Impure World Reincarnation.
• Tobirama knocked Orochimaru down and celebrated their revival, while Jiraiya and Hiruzen stared in shock.

After Gawain’s defeat of Orochimaru and Shukaku, the Third Hokage stepped down and Gawain became the Fifth Hokage, then ordered Konoha to gather the dead for mass resurrection. Kakashi’s classmates and Hashirama’s wife returned first, and Madara awoke to find Hashirama and Tobirama fully alive.

• Gawain imprisoned the Sand ninja, and Gaara welcomed his captivity because Shukaku no longer kept him from sleeping.
• The Third Hokage stepped down, and the daimyo approved Gawain’s appointment as Fifth Hokage.
• Gawain ordered Konoha’s leaders to gather remains and use prisoners for Impure World Reincarnation before reviving the dead with the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
• Konoha residents dug up graves for three days, and Kakashi used Rin’s ashes to bring her back to life.
• Hashirama revived Mito Uzumaki, who grew angry when he tried to move on to Madara before addressing her return.
• Madara Uchiha awakened through Impure World Reincarnation and was stunned to see Hashirama and Tobirama alive without its cracks.

Madara Uchiha secretly assessed Gawain’s power as Gawain revived the dead, while Konoha celebrated the return of its lost loved ones. That night, Sakumo pressured Kakashi to marry and continue the Hatake family line, as Kakashi anticipated that Gawain would start a major war to make room for the revived powerhouses.

• Madara Uchiha hid among the Impure World Reincarnation bodies, learned about Gawain’s strength, and decided to wait until he was fully revived before pursuing his plans.
• Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha reunited with Sasuke, while Kushina Uzumaki embraced Naruto and angrily confronted the Third Hokage and Jiraiya for concealing Naruto’s parentage.
• Gawain revived everyone present with the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique at the cost of only one heavy breath, making Madara abandon thoughts of challenging him.
• Konoha celebrated the revived loved ones, and Madara chose to remain in the village and observe.
• Sakumo Hatake scolded Kakashi for neglecting his home and urged him to find a wife and continue the Hatake bloodline.
• Kakashi accepted his father’s pressure with affection and foresaw that Gawain would likely start a war to provide territory and livelihoods for Konoha’s returned powerhouses.

Mikoto and Fugaku struggled to deal with Sasuke’s hatred of Itachi, while Gawain prepared to let Madara attend the Hokage meeting. The chapter ended with Gawain declaring Madara could stay and asking the Hokage who objected.

• Sasuke told Mikoto and Fugaku that he planned to kill Itachi and wanted Gawain to train him, leaving his parents unsure how to stop their sons from fighting.
• Mikoto and Fugaku decided to wait for a better chance to explain why they had supported Itachi’s actions, then stayed awake after Sasuke fell asleep.
• Shikaku told Gawain that Madara wanted to attend the meeting of the Hokage of all generations, and Gawain agreed to let him join.
• Shikaku interpreted Gawain’s response as support for Madara and decided to urge the Ino–Shika–Chō clans to volunteer for war on easier fronts.
• Gawain arrived at the Hokage’s office, found Danzo kneeling outside, and declared that Madara could participate in the meeting because he was both a founder of Konoha and Gawain’s grandson.

Tobirama endorsed Gawain’s plan to unify the Shinobi World and urged Konoha to prepare for war, while Madara joined the mobilization. After the meeting, Gawain privately summoned Madara and called out Zetsu, introducing him as his son.

• Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato accepted Madara’s return, while Hashirama reconciled with Madara and called him his older brother.
• Tobirama argued that war and the unification of the Shinobi World were necessary to prepare for future threats from the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
• Madara joined Tobirama and Hiruzen in planning the coming war, and Konoha issued orders for full war readiness.
• Gawain sent the other Hokage away and asked Madara to stay, then mentioned his Saiyan-like hair.
• Gawain ignored Madara’s questions about Saiyans and introduced Zetsu as his son.

Madara learned that Black Zetsu had deceived him about the Eye of the Moon Plan, then vented his anger by joining Hashirama to fight Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Gawain moved the battle to the Valley of the End, where Madara’s resolve faltered again after his Amenonuhoko shattered.

• Gawain introduced Black Zetsu as Kaguya’s son and Madara’s uncle, and Black Zetsu admitted that the Eye of the Moon Plan and the altered stone tablet were lies meant to save Kaguya.
• Madara left the Hokage’s office after learning that his lifelong ambitions had been built on deception, and he headed toward the fighting in Konoha.
• Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki arrived in Konoha to gather intelligence and capture the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki, but Hashirama and Madara attacked them.
• Hashirama used Wood Release to restrain Kisame while Madara’s flames forced Itachi to reveal his Susanoo.
• Gawain used Amenominaka to move the fighters to the Valley of the End, where Madara shattered Itachi’s Susanoo and attacked it with Amenonuhoko.
• Itachi’s Yata Mirror nullified Madara’s attack, but Madara’s weapon shattered as his thoughts returned to the lies behind his plan.

After Madara defeated Itachi and captured him and Kisame, Konoha's revived leaders pushed for war while Madara argued against it. In prison, Itachi learned that his parents had returned to life, as Fugaku tried to explain the truth behind Itachi's actions to Sasuke.

• Madara defeated Itachi after Itachi exhausted his ocular power and went blind, and Kisame was captured with him.
• Konoha's citizens clamored for war, and Tobirama urged Gawain to launch an immediate attack.
• Madara argued that conquering the Shinobi World would bring unnecessary burdens, while Tobirama recognized him as a political rival in the peace faction.
• Fugaku and Mikoto brought Sasuke to visit Itachi in Konoha Prison, where Sasuke reacted furiously to seeing his blind brother.
• Mikoto and Fugaku revealed that they had been revived, and Fugaku explained that Itachi had betrayed the Uchiha to protect Sasuke and had staged his cruelty to make Sasuke stronger.

Nagato sensed that Jiraiya and Madara had entered the Land of Rain, while Madara and Jiraiya argued over Madara’s plan to reclaim the Rinnegan from Nagato. Jiraiya confronted the Akatsuki leader, who appeared through Yahiko’s body, and Nagato recognized Madara’s chakra as his own.

• Nagato grew uneasy about Itachi and Kisame’s mission, noticed Zetsu’s intelligence had declined, and ordered an investigation while telling Konan to prioritize the Land of Rain’s safety.
• Madara and Jiraiya approached the Land of Rain, where Jiraiya accused Madara of endangering his former disciples and urged him to follow Gawain’s order to recruit talent before reclaiming his eyes.
• Madara insisted that he would reclaim his Rinnegan and warned that he might fight Nagato’s group if they resisted, while Jiraiya recalled his past failure to help Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
• Nagato detected Jiraiya and Madara through the Rain Tiger at Will Technique and realized that Madara’s chakra felt familiar because Nagato’s own chakra resembled Madara’s.
• Nagato met Jiraiya in Yahiko’s body, confirmed that he was Nagato controlling the puppet, and expressed disbelief that Jiraiya had arrived with Madara.

Jiraiya tried to stop Konan and Nagato from fighting by promising to revive Yahiko, but Konan’s explosive tags surged again when Nagato screamed. Gawain arrived, neutralized Konan’s attack, and prepared to change the Hidden Rain Village’s rainy skies.

• Madara severed Deva Path Yahiko’s connection, and Jiraiya caught the fallen corpse before Madara headed for the tower to reclaim his Rinnegan.
• Konan confronted Jiraiya and spread hundreds of billions of explosive tags, threatening to destroy the Hidden Rain Village and everyone there.
• Jiraiya begged Konan to trust him, promised to revive Yahiko, and summoned a toad to ask Gawain for help.
• When Nagato screamed, Konan’s explosive tags surged forward, but Gawain arrived and stored them away with Amenominaka.
• Gawain restrained Konan, promised to repay the Hidden Rain Village, and unleashed Ultra Almighty Push toward the sky.

Gawain secured control of the Land of Rain, where Nagato reunited with Yahiko and joined Konoha’s side. Black Zetsu warned Obito about Konoha’s new power, but when Obito went to investigate, Gawain tracked him to his hideout and confronted him.

• Jiraiya brought Konan to Gawain, who revealed Madara’s deception and ordered that Nagato be kept alive.
• Madara returned with Nagato, and Gawain assigned the Land of Rain to Konoha’s secret control as a staging area for the coming war.
• Kakashi Hatake and Shikaku Nara arrived in the Land of Rain, where Nagato reunited with Yahiko and yielded to Konoha’s demands.
• Black Zetsu urged Obito to revive Madara after reporting that Konoha had a powerful Wood Release ninja, but Obito insisted on investigating first.
• Black Zetsu led Obito toward Konoha, but Gawain followed him to his hideout and confronted him about spying on Konoha.

Gawain confronted Obito and revealed Rin to him, provoking Obito into losing control. After Gawain and Black Zetsu captured him, Rin removed his mask and recognized him, and Gawain revealed that Obito had killed Minato and his wife.

• Obito attacked Gawain with the Stake Insertion Technique, but Gawain summoned a giant Wood Human that overwhelmed him.
• Gawain brought Rin to the battlefield, and Obito believed she had been revived through Impure World Reincarnation.
• Rin recognized Obito's voice, while Obito grew furious at Gawain for touching her and tried to attack him with Kamui.
• Gawain exposed Obito's disguise, and Black Zetsu grabbed him as he entered the Kamui dimension.
• Rin removed Obito's mask and recognized him, and Gawain told her that Obito had killed Minato and his wife.

Rin exposed Obito as the traitor who had killed Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, and Gawain let Minato take him away. A week later, Konoha’s jonin gathered as war approached, while Konan’s remark revealed that Jiraiya may have missed his chance with Tsunade because he stayed behind to care for her and his other students.

• Rin slapped Obito after he silently confirmed Gawain’s accusation, and Gawain took him back to Konoha for Minato to handle.
• Kakashi and Minato confronted Obito, and Minato punched him before taking him away at Gawain’s permission.
• Rumors spread about screams and Adamantine Sealing Chains near Minato’s home, and a week later Konoha’s jonin assembled for a meeting about the coming war.
• Tsunade told the assembled jonin to prepare for war, while Dan Kato tried to comfort her and Jiraiya watched them unhappily.
• Konan reminded Jiraiya that he had stayed in the Hidden Rain Village to teach her and the other orphans while Dan appeared at Tsunade’s side, prompting Tsunade and the jonin to react.

Gawain launched Konoha’s war against the other shinobi villages, and Madara’s forces conquered Iwagakure Village within three days. As the war spread, Sasori and Deidara reflected on the loss of their villages while Kakuzu and Hidan considered what to do about the Akatsuki, and Kakuzu decided they should retire into seclusion.

• Gawain summoned Konoha’s resurrected shinobi and assigned Madara, Hashirama, Minato, Sakumo, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Tobirama to attack the other villages.
• Madara conquered Iwagakure Village in three days, leaving most of its shinobi dead and Deidara enraged that he could no longer return to make it the culmination of his art.
• Sasori told Deidara that Sand Village’s destruction stirred regret in him, especially because Sakumo had killed his parents.
• Deidara asked Sasori about the Akatsuki leader and the purple-haired woman, but Sasori said he did not care about the organization as long as its money remained with him.
• Hidan attributed the resurrected shinobi to Jashin and suggested that he and Kakuzu abandon the Akatsuki to spread the faith and enjoy life.
• Kakuzu rejected Hidan’s suggestion to challenge Hashirama and decided that they should retire into seclusion instead.

Madara Uchiha conquered Iwagakure Village after Ōnoki refused to surrender, while Konoha's forces surrounded Kirigakure Village and secured Mei Terumi's surrender. At the Sand Village, Chiyo agreed to surrender and asked Sakumo Hatake to protect Gaara and his siblings.

• Madara Uchiha defeated Ōnoki, who refused to sign the surrender documents, and killed him with a kunai.
• Madara led his forces into Iwagakure Village, imprisoned the holdouts, and reassured the civilians and merchants.
• Senju Tobirama's forces surrounded Kirigakure Village, and Mei Terumi offered to surrender in exchange for preserving its people's peace and memories.
• Tobirama decided Mei Terumi's fate would be left to Lord Gawain, while Tsunade punched Jiraiya after he made an inappropriate remark.
• Sakumo Hatake urged Chiyo to surrender the Sand Village, and Chiyo agreed after asking him to guarantee Gaara and his siblings' lives.

Gawain released the tailed beasts into a private habitat, then brought Kaguya back from her seal on the moon so she could reunite with her family. Kaguya learned that the Ōtsutsuki Clan no longer threatened her, but quickly forgot Black Zetsu after greeting her grandsons.

• Gawain reassured the nine tailed beasts and created a private space where they could live in environments of their choosing.
• Black Zetsu told Gawain that the major shinobi villages had surrendered and urged him to bring Kaguya down from the moon.
• Gawain summoned Madara, Hashirama, Sasuke, and Naruto, then took them to the space between the Shinobi World and the moon.
• Gawain dismantled the moon's layers, released Kaguya from the sealed space at its core, and restored the moon afterward.
• Kaguya embraced her four grandsons and worried about the threat of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, but Gawain told her the Ōtsutsuki Clan could no longer threaten her.
• Kaguya acknowledged Black Zetsu briefly, then forgot about him while he wept at seeing her again.