Chapter Summaries

Mito struggled to choose whether Misaki or Kushina should inherit the Nine-Tails, so she decided to ask them what they wanted. After Kawafune and Tsunade left, Misaki told Nawaki that she was pregnant.

• Tsunade recommended Misaki as Mito’s successor, citing her temperament, sealing skills, and knowledge of tailed beasts.
• Mito said neither candidate’s advantages settled the matter and agreed with Tsunade and Kawafune that she would ask Misaki and Kushina what they wanted.
• Mito reassured Tsunade that she still had time, then sent Kawafune and Tsunade away to avoid arousing suspicion.
• Misaki noticed that Tsunade seemed unusual, but Nawaki and Kushina had not noticed anything.
• Nawaki carried Misaki toward their bedroom, where Misaki revealed that she had detected a faint life force and believed she was pregnant.
• Nawaki celebrated the news and wanted to tell Mito, but Misaki suggested waiting until morning.

Tsunade learned that Mito’s life was nearing its end and grieved with Kawafune, while Mito prepared to choose the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The chapter left Misaki and Kushina inside Mito’s sealing world, face-to-face with the Nine-Tails.

• Kawafune told Sakumo and Nayuki that Mito was dying and that she had summoned him and Tsunade to discuss who would reseal the Nine-Tails.
• Kawafune comforted Tsunade as she cried over Mito’s condition, and agreed to handle her work so she could spend more time with her grandmother.
• Mito woke after dreaming of Hashirama and shared breakfast with her family.
• Mito took Misaki and Kushina aside, clasped their hands, and brought them into her sealing world.
• Misaki and Kushina saw the bound Nine-Tails and reacted with awe and fear.

Mito brought Misaki and Kushina into her sealing world and explained that she planned to die with the Nine-Tails rather than force either girl to become its Jinchuriki. Both volunteered to take the Nine-Tails, but Mito left the choice undecided, especially after learning Misaki was pregnant.

• The Nine-Tails protested being sealed again, and Mito silenced it by whipping it with her Chakra chains.
• Mito told Misaki and Kushina that she was near death and would leave with the Nine-Tails if neither chose to become its Jinchuriki.
• Misaki and Kushina both offered to take the Nine-Tails, while Mito warned them that controlling its power would be difficult.
• Misaki revealed that she was pregnant, and Kushina argued that she should become the Jinchuriki to protect the baby.
• Mito postponed the decision and sent the girls back to think it over, while Kushina planned to get Nawaki to persuade Misaki.

Kushina agreed to become the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki, and Mito set the sealing for three months later. Kawafune proposed splitting the Nine-Tails between Kushina and Minato, leaving everyone stunned by his plan.

• Kushina convinced Misaki to support her becoming the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki without telling Nawaki.
• Kawafune, Tsunade, and Minato joined Misaki in meeting Mito and Kushina at the Senju Estate.
• Mito said she could safely seal the Nine-Tails for three more months, and Tsunade persuaded her to set the date three months away.
• Kawafune suggested splitting the Nine-Tails so Kushina would bear one half and Minato the other.
• Mito and Tsunade questioned whether Minato could handle a tailed beast, while Kawafune insisted he could.

Kawafune and the others planned to develop a jutsu that could split the Nine-Tails, allowing Minato to share Kushina’s burden as a Jinchuriki. Mito agreed to work on it with help from Orochimaru and Jiraiya, while Tsunade confirmed Minato was qualified to host half the beast and Kawafune returned to the Hokage’s office.

• Minato agreed to become a Jinchuriki to help Kushina, but Tsunade insisted on examining him first.
• Tsunade proposed adapting the Reaper Death Seal to divide the Nine-Tails, and Mito agreed to develop a less costly jutsu within three months if possible.
• Kawafune assigned Misaki to find Orochimaru and Kushina to find Jiraiya, while Tsunade warned that Kushina might still have to bear the burden alone if the research failed.
• Tsunade examined Minato, and Mito judged that his Chakra and willpower made him qualified to host half the Nine-Tails.
• Tsunade stayed with Mito, and Kawafune returned to the Hokage’s office, where Shota greeted him with a resentful look.

At the Senju Estate, Mito, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya worked to develop a jutsu to split the Nine-Tails, while Nawaki learned that Mito had little time left. Jiraiya returned from Mount Myōboku with the Great Toad Sage’s insight, giving the researchers a way to continue their work before the deadline.

• Nawaki learned that Mito did not have much time left and began staying by her side with Tsunade.
• Tsunade told Kawafune that the new jutsu was progressing well but still lacked a key point.
• Jiraiya arrived late and told Mito and Orochimaru that the Great Toad Sage had inspired him during a visit to Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya explained that the Reaper Death Seal could not destroy a tailed beast but could extract its spiritual energy, or Yin-nature Chakra.
• Mito and Orochimaru realized the research direction remained valid, while Tsunade and Nawaki listened in confusion.

Kawafune and Orochimaru reviewed a sealing technique designed to divide the Nine-Tails’ chakra between two users, and Kawafune chose Fugaku as his partner. As Mito’s three-month deadline neared, Mito named the technique the Spirit Division Seal.

• Kawafune picked up the scroll, and Orochimaru explained that the technique required two people with strong Yang- and Yin-nature Chakra to divide the Nine-Tails’ Chakra evenly.
• Kawafune volunteered to use the technique with Fugaku, and Orochimaru agreed that Fugaku was a suitable candidate.
• Minato proposed the name Uzumaki Orochi Dual Sealing Beast Freedom Method, but the others rejected it.
• Kawafune suggested Soul Separation Great Method, but Tsunade rejected that name too.
• Orochimaru suggested that Mito name the technique as her final work, and Mito named it the Spirit Division Seal.

Mito led the extraction and division of the Nine-Tails, sealing one half into Kushina and the other into Minato. The sealing succeeded, but Mito collapsed after losing the tailed beast, her life hanging by a thread.

• Sakumo and the Anbu secured the clearing while Tsunade and Orochimaru prepared sealing arrays around Kushina and Minato.
• Mito released the Nine-Tails and restrained it with Adamantine Sealing Chains as she taught Kushina and Misaki the technique.
• Kawafune and Fugaku used the Spirit Division Seal to draw the Nine-Tails' Chakra into two equal portions.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru completed the Eight Trigrams Seals, placing one half of the Nine-Tails inside Kushina and the other inside Minato.
• Mito collapsed after the sealing, and Kawafune caught her as Tsunade tearfully confirmed that the procedure had gone smoothly.

Mito spent her final moments with her family and died peacefully at home. Kawafune arranged her funeral, and she was buried beside Hashirama as Konoha’s leaders and her descendants paid their respects.

• Orochimaru told Sakumo that Mito had little time left, and Kawafune took her home.
• Mito reunited with Nawaki and Misaki, reassured them that Kushina and Minato were safe, and said goodbye to her family.
• Ginji arrived to see Mito, who spoke her final words and died with a smile.
• Kawafune stopped Tsunade and Misaki from using Chakra to prolong Mito’s life and began making funeral arrangements.
• Kawafune arranged prayers at Mito’s funeral, and three days later the family buried her beside Hashirama.

Fugaku waited anxiously outside the delivery room while Tsunade helped Mikoto give birth, and Orochimaru arrived to claim the newborn Itachi as his future disciple. The chapter ended with Tsunade announcing that Mikoto and her son were safe, and Fugaku rushing to see them.

• At dinner, Kawafune learned that Mikoto had been admitted to the hospital and was due to give birth soon.
• Two afternoons later, Fugaku anxiously waited outside the delivery room with Kawafune and Shisui while Tsunade attended Mikoto.
• Fugaku told Kawafune that he had chosen the name Uchiha Itachi for his son.
• Orochimaru arrived and reminded Fugaku that he intended to make Itachi his disciple, and Fugaku agreed to let him teach the child as he saw fit.
• Tsunade announced that Mikoto and her son were safe, and Fugaku rushed into the delivery room.

Tsunade and her family visited Mito and Hashirama’s graves, bringing offerings and introducing Misaki and Nawaki’s baby daughter, Senju Karin. After leaving the cemetery, the family went their separate ways, and Kawafune strolled through Konoha, hoping to protect its peaceful people.

• Tsunade, Nawaki, Kawafune, Ginji, Kushina, and Misaki visited Mito and Hashirama’s graves and cleared away the dead flowers and leaves.
• The family placed offerings at the graves, including Ginji’s dango, Tsunade’s gifts, and Nawaki’s roses.
• Nawaki introduced his daughter, Senju Karin, and she laughed when her hand touched the gravestone.
• Kushina told Mito that she and Minato had safely learned to use the Nine-Tails’ power, while Misaki and Ginji shared their feelings and hopes.
• The family said goodbye at the cemetery, then Tsunade went to the Hokage Building and Ginji went to find Aotsuki.
• Kawafune wandered through Konoha and hoped to protect the villagers’ smiles and keep war from coming.

Yahiko and the Akatsuki Hidden Village leaders discussed a wartime alliance with Kumogakure, which Fourth Raikage A said was seeking land and power through war. The talks ended with Akatsuki demanding a Tailed Beast in exchange for its support, leaving Fourth Raikage A to seek the Third Raikage’s approval.

• Fourth Raikage A pressed Yahiko for a decision on an alliance, and Yahiko finally agreed to discuss it with Kumogakure’s delegation.
• Nonō asked why Kumogakure wanted a wartime alliance during peacetime, and Fourth Raikage A revealed his father’s interest in the inland lands.
• Fourth Raikage A offered status, wealth, land, and population as benefits, but Kakuzu said those promises were not enough.
• Kakuzu demanded a Tailed Beast, and Nagato’s Rinnegan revealed that Killer B was a Jinchuriki.
• Fourth Raikage A said he could not authorize giving up the Two-Tails, and Yahiko promised Akatsuki’s full support if Kumogakure provided a Tailed Beast.
• Fourth Raikage A left with Killer B to report the demand to the Third Raikage.

Yahiko and the others discussed whether Kumogakure would accept Kakuzu’s demand for the Two-Tails. Nagato argued that Kumogakure was desperate enough to trade it, and the group agreed to keep his ability to control Tailed Beasts secret.

• After the Raikage and Killer B left, Nonō asked whether Kumogakure would agree to the deal, and Kakuzu said there was hope.
• Nagato judged that Kumogakure had more than a fifty percent chance of handing over the Two-Tails because it was a burden and the village needed to cooperate.
• Nagato explained that few people knew he could control Tailed Beasts, so Kumogakure would not expect Akatsuki to use the Two-Tails quickly.
• Yahiko agreed with Nagato and reminded everyone to keep his ability secret.
• Nonō concluded that Kumogakure could trade the Two-Tails, which required guards, for Akatsuki’s cooperation without losing out.

Nagato told Tsunade and Kawafune that the Akatsuki Hidden Village had demanded a tailed beast from Kumogakure as part of their negotiations. Kumogakure had gone to discuss the demand, leaving its outcome undecided.

• Kakuzu argued that the Akatsuki Hidden Village deserved a high price because of its strength, and Yahiko and the others agreed to wait for Kumogakure's response.
• Kakuzu left the reception room, and Nagato summoned Katsuyu to contact his teacher.
• Kawafune abruptly left Onoda Ei and used Flying Thunder God to appear in the Hokage's office, where Tsunade and Shota were meeting.
• Nagato used Katsuyu's vision-sharing ability to tell Tsunade and Kawafune that Kumogakure's representatives had left after the Akatsuki Hidden Village demanded a tailed beast.
• Tsunade teased Nagato about the demand, and Nagato admitted that whether they would receive a tailed beast remained uncertain.

Kawafune advised Nagato and the others to prepare for an alliance with Kumogakure as war approached, while warning that they could only protect their own peace. The group caught up through Katsuyu’s visual-sharing ability until Katsuyu complained about being used for casual conversation.

• Kawafune told Nagato to agree to a wartime alliance with Kumogakure whether or not it gave them the Two-Tails.
• Yahiko and Nagato acknowledged that war was near, and Kawafune said ambition made lasting peace impossible.
• Kawafune advised the group to focus on protecting their own peace rather than pursuing a grand solution for the Shinobi World.
• Tsunade sent Shota to gather the higher-ups, while Nonō asked her questions about Medical Ninjutsu and the others chatted.
• Katsuyu complained that the group was using her clones as chatting tools.

Kumogakure’s leaders considered the Akatsuki Hidden Village’s demand for the Two-Tails after Fourth Raikage A and Killer B returned from negotiations. Third Raikage A brought the village’s high-ranking officials together, where they reacted angrily to the demand.

• Konoha’s leaders agreed to hold their ground and wait for the right opportunity to join the war.
• Fourth Raikage A and Killer B returned to Kumogakure and reported that the Akatsuki Hidden Village wanted the Two-Tails.
• Third Raikage A summoned Kumogakure’s high-ranking officials to an urgent meeting.
• Third Raikage A told the officials that the Akatsuki Hidden Village had relented but demanded the Two-Tails.
• Kumogakure’s officials erupted in anger, rejecting the demand while some suggested discussing other terms.

Third Raikage A led a debate over whether Kumogakure should hand the Two-Tails to the Akatsuki Hidden Village in exchange for an alliance. After weighing the village’s strained finances and need for support, he left the room with the Akatsuki Hidden Village positioned as the most suitable ally.

• Third Raikage A silenced the arguing factions and told the conference to speak properly.
• Dodai argued that the Two-Tails was a burden to Kumogakure and could be recovered after the war.
• A dissenting speaker argued that a tailed beast would be more valuable in the long run, while the neutral faction accepted either choice.
• Third Raikage A warned that the Daimyo might not keep funding Kumogakure’s peak military strength for long.
• Third Raikage A said the village needed a powerful ally and that the Akatsuki Hidden Village was the most suitable choice.

Third Raikage A persuaded Kumogakure’s leaders to hand over the Two-Tails to Akatsuki Hidden Village, despite objections from those who feared the loss. He refused to deliver it himself, insisting that Akatsuki Hidden Village come to collect it as a final test of sincerity.

• Third Raikage A argued that Kumogakure could recover the cost of giving up the Two-Tails in future wars.
• Opposing leaders questioned whether Akatsuki Hidden Village would cooperate, but Third Raikage A said further negotiations would waste time and pointed to pressure from the Daimyo.
• Third Raikage A urged Kumogakure to trust its strength and said it could win back other tailed beasts from Konoha.
• The opposition accepted Third Raikage A’s judgment to hand over the Two-Tails.
• When Fourth Raikage A offered to deliver the Two-Tails, Third Raikage A told him to make Akatsuki Hidden Village come and collect it.

Madara learned that Nagato had gone to the Land of Lightning and shifted his attention to finding new pieces, Obito and Shisui, while preparing White Zetsu bodies infused with Hashirama Cells. Nagato and Kakuzu sailed for the Land of Lightning to obtain a Tailed Beast, with Kakuzu already wondering how much it could sell for.

• Zetsu told Madara that Nagato had gone to the Land of Lightning and named Obito and Shisui as possible candidates for Madara's plans.
• Madara ordered Zetsu to keep watching Obito and Shisui, leave Nagato alone, and leave behind several White Zetsu clones.
• Madara decided to fuse White Zetsu with Hashirama Cells to strengthen his future pieces.
• On the ship to the Land of Lightning, Nagato teased Kakuzu that he had brought him along because Kakuzu had requested the mission.
• Kakuzu asked Nagato if he could keep the Tailed Beast, then claimed he was not planning to sell it after quickly estimating its price.

Nagato and Kakuzu traveled to the Land of Lightning to collect a tailed beast, but Nagato delayed the trip by acting like a carefree tourist. After they reached Kumogakure, Third Raikage A welcomed them without raising the matter, leaving Nagato's purpose uncertain to his hosts.

• Nagato refused Kakuzu's suggestion to sell the tailed beast as their ship neared the Land of Lightning.
• Nagato asked the Cloud Ninja captain to show them around instead of heading straight to Kumogakure.
• Nagato and Kakuzu spent several days sightseeing while the captain paid for their expenses and received progress inquiries from Third Raikage A.
• Nagato agreed to leave after lunch, then chose an expensive restaurant that forced the captain to spend his last coin and write an IOU.
• Two days later, the Cloud Ninja brought Nagato and Kakuzu to Kumogakure and quickly left them with the welcoming party.
• Third Raikage A welcomed Nagato and Kakuzu and invited them to enjoy the village, while Nagato enthusiastically praised the scenery.