Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hanzō of the Salamander confronted the Third Mizukage after Tokimitsu captured Karatachi Yagura, and they discovered that Uchiha Madara was behind the Mizukage’s identity. Their opening attacks failed to break the Mizukage’s Water Armor, and the battle continued as he drew two short swords.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu considered killing the sealed Karatachi Yagura rather than risk the political turmoil of bringing him back or releasing him.
• The Third Mizukage appeared with twenty-four Mist Anbu, and Tokimitsu recognized that the man was likely Uchiha Madara controlling the Mizukage.
• Hanzō of the Salamander arrived to support Tokimitsu, who revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned Hikari-no-Mikoto.
• The Third Mizukage attacked, and Tokimitsu and Hanzō countered with sword strikes, fire and water jutsu, and explosive tags.
• Tokimitsu ordered his subordinates to retreat with Karatachi Yagura after the Third Mizukage survived the bombardment behind his Water Armor.
• The Third Mizukage removed his ruined robe, drew two short swords, and prepared to fight Tokimitsu and Hanzō again.

Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hanzō of the Salamander trapped the controlled Third Mizukage in a modified Uchiha Flame Formation and bombarded him with multiplying Explosive Tags. As the Third Mizukage struggled to survive, Uchiha Madara’s control weakened and the Mizukage’s soul began resisting.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hanzō of the Salamander used antidote and Poison Gas before combining fire, swordsmanship, and ninjutsu against the Third Mizukage.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu confirmed that the opponent was the real Third Mizukage under outside control, then trapped him with a Flame Formation made from four fire dragons.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu transformed scattered kunai into Explosive Tags and unleashed the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag Technique inside the barrier.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu connected a second Sealing Scroll containing another twenty thousand Explosive Tags as the Mobile Unit fought the Mist Anbu outside.
• Uchiha Madara struggled to maintain control while probing the barrier, and the Third Mizukage’s soul began resisting and reclaiming control of his body.

Uchiha Tokimitsu's forces trapped the Third Mizukage in the Uchiha Flame Formation, but he escaped by detonating an enormous Scorching Violent Vapor Clone, and Tokimitsu let him flee. Badly wounded, the Third Mizukage returned to Kirigakure, purged the Elder Council, and declared peace negotiations with the Tokimitsu Shogunate and war against Kumogakure.

• The Third Mizukage repeatedly detonated his Scorching Violent Vapor Clone inside the Uchiha Flame Formation while Uchiha Tokimitsu poured thousands of Explosive Tags into the barrier.
• The Third Mizukage expanded the clone to enormous size and shattered the Flame Formation with its explosion.
• The Third Mizukage escaped underground, and Uchiha Tokimitsu stopped his forces from pursuing him as the Mist Anbu also retreated.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu brought the captured Karatachi Yagura back while restraining his army from attacking Kirigakure, which was shaken by the defeat and capture of its leaders.
• After Kumogakure's vanguard appeared off Kirigakure's coast, the bandaged Third Mizukage entered the Elder Council hall and ordered the deaths of elders who had not risen to greet him.
• The Third Mizukage announced peace negotiations with the Tokimitsu Shogunate and war against Kumogakure, and the surviving elders knelt in agreement.

After the Third Mizukage crushed dissent in Kirigakure, Biwa Juzo sought peace with Uchiha Tokimitsu and offered the Shogunate control of the southern Land of Water. Tokimitsu secured additional concessions for his forces and allies, and Kirigakure accepted them, bringing peace within reach while Kumogakure’s threat loomed.

• The Third Mizukage massacred Kirigakure’s elders, subdued the village’s opposing factions, and sent Biwa Juzo to negotiate with Uchiha Tokimitsu.
• Biwa Juzo asked Tokimitsu to make peace, while Hozuki Ayahiko, Mizuki Chiyono, and Uzumaki Kae challenged his defense of the Third Mizukage.
• Biwa Juzo offered the Shogunate influence south of the Daimyo’s Mansion and equal rights for its merchants and ninja in the Land of Water; Tokimitsu asked about the daimyo and heard that Kirigakure would replace him if necessary.
• Tokimitsu demanded Twin Swords: Hiramekarei for the Three Clans and proposed Shogunate trading posts in the eastern islands that Land of Water officials could not enter without permission.
• Tokimitsu promised the Three Clans the Hiramekarei wielder’s position and renamed them the Three Clans of Returning Righteousness; Biwa Juzo returned with the Mizukage’s approval of all Tokimitsu’s terms.

Uchiha Tokimitsu negotiated with the Land of Water’s Daimyo over the Southern Islands, taxes, and Shogunate concessions in the Eastern islands. The Daimyo issued an edict placing the Southern Islands under Tokimitsu’s rule, while the Third Mizukage declared war on Kumogakure.

• After the Third Mizukage’s ceasefire with the Shogunate, Uchiha Tokimitsu withdrew his forces from the Eastern islands and Kinki but demanded an edict confirming his permanent rule over the Southern Islands.
• Konoe Atsushi and other court officials persuaded the Daimyo to issue the edict, arguing that it would help restore order and let them gain influence in the Eastern islands.
• Konoe Atsushi negotiated with Uchiha Tokimitsu, who agreed on mutual freedom of movement and domestic tax rates while reserving foreign-related taxation for the Shogunate.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu and Konoe Atsushi settled on three county-castle concessions, two waterway concessions, and extraterritorial rights for Shogunate ninja; Konoe Atsushi then returned to obtain the edict.
• In December of Konoha Year 37, the Daimyo designated the Southern Islands as Shogunate territory under Uchiha Tokimitsu, and the Third Mizukage declared war on Kumogakure.

Uchiha Tokimitsu secured control of the Southern Islands and organized the Shogunate’s military, administrative, and tax systems. After arranging for Hanzō of the Salamander to return to Amegakure with part of his forces, Tokimitsu prepared to return to Konoha and pursue research into White Zetsu cells and Wood Style.

• Konoe Atsushi delivered the Daimyo’s Original Imperial Edict, and Uchiha Tokimitsu explained his plans to govern the Southern Islands with light taxes and greater autonomy.
• Hanzō of the Salamander arranged to take three hundred Amegakure shinobi home while leaving the rest to serve with the Shogunate.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu reflected on the need to strengthen himself and considered using the White Zetsu corpse for research at the Uzumaki Research Institute and Orochimaru’s Laboratory.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu divided the Southern Islands into three defense zones and assigned them to the Hozuki, Mizuki, and Kaguya clans.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu placed affiliated-clan personnel in administrative posts and appointed Hyuga Nobuhiro to lead the Tax Authority.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu ordered the divisions to fulfill their duties and looked ahead to returning to Konoha.

Uchiha Tokimitsu visited the Uzumaki Research Institute and reviewed its progress on cell extraction and bloodline Chakra research. He assigned the researchers a new project involving Karatachi Yagura and Tailed Beast Chakra, then asked whether they knew about Zero-Tails.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu returned to the Land of Whirlpools and inspected the Uzumaki Research Institute’s enormous Cell Centrifuge, ordering the researchers to miniaturize it and requesting more funding.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu reviewed the research findings on Kekkei Genkai and learned that the researchers lacked Kekkei Tōta samples and had made little progress studying organ-based abilities.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu praised the researchers’ theory that some bloodline abilities might have descended from a shared ancient power, and took their report to share with the Uchiha Clan.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu proposed using Karatachi Yagura to study how to separate Tailed Beast Chakra without killing the Jinchuriki, and ordered a dedicated laboratory built.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu described plans to miniaturize Tailed Beasts and use them as controlled energy sources and weapons, then asked the researchers about Zero-Tails.

Uchiha Tokimitsu negotiated a lucrative arms deal with Biwa Juzo, selling Kirigakure three new ironclad ships, torpedo launchers, and hundreds of thousands of explosive tags. After learning about Kirigakure’s shortages and conflict with Kumogakure, he offered to help build a ship repair facility while planning to use the trade to strengthen the Shogunate.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu agreed to sell Biwa Juzo three ironclad ships undergoing sea trials and offered him a five-percent share of the deal.
• Biwa Juzo ordered torpedo launchers and five hundred thousand of the Uchiha Clan’s special waterproof explosive tags, with regular ninja tools to follow.
• Biwa Juzo explained that Kirigakure faced internal discontent, a growing Kumogakure invasion, and shortages that prevented a major counterattack.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu offered to subsidize a ship repair facility for Kirigakure and folded its cost into the procurement deal.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu intended to use the facility to assess Kirigakure’s technology and the arms sales to fund the Shogunate’s weapons development.

Orochimaru reported that his experiments had succeeded, while Hiruzen ordered him to prepare the Wood Style Restart Plan and investigate Uchiha Tokimitsu’s aims. After returning to Konoha, Tokimitsu met with the Hawkish Faction and Great Elder Setsuna, who discussed clan succession, new bloodline research, and Tokimitsu’s marriage.

• Orochimaru told Hiruzen that his preliminary experiments had succeeded, and Hiruzen instructed him to proceed with the Wood Style Restart Plan and remove the Uchiha assistants from his Laboratory.
• Hiruzen asked Orochimaru to sound out Tokimitsu about the Uzumaki Laboratory, then suggested Orochimaru might succeed him as Hokage.
• Tokimitsu returned to Konoha with the Dark Guard and Red Force First Division, met Hatake Sakumo, and received visits from members of the Hawkish Faction.
• Tokimitsu told Great Elder Setsuna about the visitors and learned that retrieving Madara’s hidden treasures and the Uchiha Gunbai could win Setsuna’s support for changing the clan’s inheritance order.
• Tokimitsu gave Setsuna research on a Chakra-synthesized Bloodline Limit for the clan to share.
• Setsuna proposed that Tokimitsu marry Uchiha Makoto, and Tokimitsu accepted the Great Elder’s arrangements.

Uchiha Tokimitsu discussed governance in the Southern Islands and the future of ninja rule with Hatake Sakumo, then heard about activity by the Sarutobi Shogunate and protests from Takigakure. The conversation ended when Orochimaru arrived to meet Tokimitsu.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu showed Hatake Sakumo the Chakra-metal engagement ring Emiko had made and explained its Dust Removal Technique.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu argued that the old order had to be destroyed to establish a new one, and described village autonomy, harsh laws, and tax farming in the Southern Islands.
• Hatake Sakumo learned that the Southern Islands' Shogunate had reduced burdens on commoners and merchants while supporting its ninja army through taxes and foreign trade.
• Hatake Sakumo told Uchiha Tokimitsu that the Sarutobi Shogunate planned to enter buffer countries and that Takigakure's envoys had stopped protesting after Tokimitsu defeated Kirigakure.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu wondered whether the revived Two-Tails Matatabi had ties to the Ninja Cat Clan, then invited Orochimaru to join him and Hatake Sakumo.

Orochimaru ended his laboratory partnership with Uchiha Tokimitsu after Sarutobi Hiruzen offered to fund his research, while Tokimitsu hinted at the Uchiha institute’s work on immortality. Orochimaru returned to Hiruzen and revealed that immortality was the research direction he had learned about.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu sent an Attendant Ninja to deliver addresses, then received Orochimaru and reviewed his research report with Hatake Sakumo.
• Orochimaru told Tokimitsu that he was ending their laboratory partnership because Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to invest in his laboratory, and that he had returned the Uchiha experimental assistants.
• Tokimitsu warned Orochimaru to keep the new laboratory safe and out of residential areas, then mentioned immortality as a possible research interest.
• Orochimaru left the Konoha Military Police Force and walked through the street as villagers kept their distance from him.
• Orochimaru returned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and reported that Uchiha Tokimitsu’s laboratory was researching immortality.

Uchiha Tokimitsu obstructed Orochimaru’s laboratory work while using the Shogunate’s new currency and bonds to raise funds for industrial development. A Kirigakure battle report revealed the Shogunate’s ironclad ships had routed Kumogakure forces, and Kirigakure placed a massive new arms order.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu ordered surveillance of Orochimaru’s secret laboratories, forcing Orochimaru to seal one and plan harder-to-find facilities.
• The Shogunate introduced Golden Yuan Notes and issued three large construction bonds to finance shipyards, infrastructure, and advanced industry in the Southern Islands.
• The bond-driven surge in equipment prices depleted Orochimaru’s laboratory funds, and Sarutobi Hiruzen struggled to provide more.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu showed Uchiha Shifang a battle report stating that three Shogunate ironclad ships had destroyed nearly a thousand Cloud Village Ninja with a Torpedo volley.
• Kirigakure ordered six more Ironclad Ships, six hundred thousand Explosive Tags, and other Ninja tools for a total of four and a half billion ryo, while Tokimitsu explained that the bond funds would help the Shogunate expand and profit.

The Hyuga Clan Head explained why merchants trusted the Tokimitsu Shogunate’s bonds and offered loans to allied clans, while Hizashi Hyuga considered the shifting balance of power. Uchiha Tokimitsu moved to bring the Kawaki Shogunate into his sphere and prepared to exploit Kirigakure’s war against Kumogakure to pursue the revived Two-Tails.

• After reports of Kirigakure’s victory and expanded arms orders spread, other Konoha clans failed to attract bond buyers, and the Hyuga Clan Head offered them loans instead.
• The Hyuga Clan Head questioned Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga, warning that other clans could not imitate Uchiha Tokimitsu’s rise and discussing the changing village system.
• Hatake Sakumo asked Uchiha Tokimitsu to help the Kawaki Shogunate raise funds, and Tokimitsu proposed that the United Aquatic Products Company lend to it.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu ordered an attendant to arrange a meeting with Cat Grandma after the Ninja Cat Clan reported that Two-Tails Matatabi had revived.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu sent Kirigakure its ordered weapons early and dispatched Hyuga Nobuhiro with low-interest war loans to urge Kirigakure to attack Kumogakure soon.

Uchiha Tokimitsu signed the Ninja Cat Clan’s Summoning Contract and traveled to the Empty Ruins to seek information about Matatabi and Natural Energy. After the Ninja Cats located Matatabi, Tokimitsu set a beaver trap and confronted her, beginning an attempt to capture the Two-Tails.

• Tokimitsu learned from Uchiha Nakagen and Emiko that the Ninja Cat Clan guarded its secrets and had no Sage Art inheritance, though Nakagen could sense Natural Energy.
• Tokimitsu signed the Ninja Cat Clan’s Summoning Contract, and Nekomata brought him and the Dark Guard to the Empty Ruins.
• Cat Grandma told Tokimitsu that the Ninja Cats were locating Matatabi, and he agreed to wait in the Empty Ruins while they investigated.
• The Ninja Cats reported three places Matatabi frequented, and Tokimitsu chose one to lure her with beavers.
• Matatabi took the bait and startled the Ninja Cats, but a stone revealed Tokimitsu’s hidden position.
• Tokimitsu trapped Matatabi with the Uchiha Flame Formation and confronted her, saying he was arresting her for stealing beavers.

Uchiha Tokimitsu fought the Two-Tails Matatabi and subdued her with Susanoo, Hikari-no-Mikoto, and genjutsu. He persuaded her to sign an equal Summoning Contract in exchange for beavers, and she shrank to tiger size and demanded her food.

• The Two-Tails Matatabi rejected Uchiha Tokimitsu’s offer of peace and attacked him with Fire Rat Ball and her claws.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu countered with sword energy and Fire Style, while Hikari-no-Mikoto bit and entangled the Two-Tails Matatabi.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu used Susanoo to knock down and beat the Two-Tails Matatabi as she resisted and tried to form a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu used Mangekyo Pupil Techniques and genjutsu to interrupt the Tailed Beast Ball, then continued attacking until the Two-Tails Matatabi stopped resisting.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu offered protection and an equal Summoning Contract, and he and Two-Tails Matatabi haggled over her beaver allowance.
• Two-Tails Matatabi signed the Summoning Contract, shrank to tiger size, and demanded beavers as Uchiha Tokimitsu petted her.

Uchiha Tokimitsu bonded with the Two-Tails Matatabi through petting and Yin Fire Chakra, then rode away with Uchiha Makoto. Later, Blue B investigated the ruined battlefield, sensed evidence of the Two-Tails, and wrongly concluded that Hanzō of the Salamander had captured it.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu fed and petted the Two-Tails Matatabi, and their Chakra mingled to create a new power that made them both feel stronger.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu introduced Uchiha Makoto to Matatabi and arranged for her to ride on its back in exchange for five more beavers each month.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu, Uchiha Makoto, Matatabi, and the Ninja Cat Clan left for Empty Ruins as the Dark Guard cleaned their escape route.
• Half a month later, Blue B investigated the battlefield but found no useful traces, while Gyūki evasively concealed what it had sensed.
• Blue B realized that the Two-Tails had likely reappeared and, after ruling out other villages, blamed Hanzō of the Salamander and rushed back to Kumogakure.

Uchiha Tokimitsu tried to draw Matatabi into trusting him by discussing fate, prophecy, and the forces shaping the Ninja World, then returned to Konoha and learned that Kumogakure had pressured Amegakure over a stolen Tailed Beast. He promised Hanzō help and planned to involve Hatake Sakumo, while considering how the crisis might serve his wider plans.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu left Matatabi in Empty Ruins under the Ninja Cat Clan's care before preparing to return to Konoha.
• Matatabi asked Uchiha Tokimitsu whether he believed in fate and brought up Indra, while Tokimitsu pretended his Mangekyō Sharingan could see the past and future.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu told Matatabi that strength could change destiny and promised to thwart the plans involving Otsutsuki Hagoromo and the Rabbit Goddess, then left her stunned.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu received an urgent letter from Uchiha Kamon explaining that Kumogakure had accused Hanzō of the Salamander of stealing a Tailed Beast and demanded inspections in Amegakure.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu wrote Hanzō a supportive reply, promising Uchiha assistance, and decided to discuss the crisis with Hatake Sakumo and involve Konoha.

Uchiha Tokimitsu persuaded Hatake Sakumo to mediate between Kumogakure and Amegakure through a show of force, and Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly authorized the plan. Konoha deployed forces toward Kumogakure and announced its intervention, while Mitokado Homura was sent to negotiate.

• Uchiha Tokimitsu proposed an armed mediation plan that would send shogunate forces to block Kumogakure’s routes and keep his own army in reserve.
• Hatake Sakumo agreed to advance the plan through the Reform Association and presented it to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reluctantly approved the mediation after Hatake Sakumo invoked Tobirama, requiring Konoha’s ninja army not to strike first and Mitokado Homura to travel to Kumogakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly ordered the Sarutobi Clan to assemble its forces and prepare for emergencies.
• Hatake Sakumo moved Konoha forces north, and Konoha publicly announced its intervention and sent Mitokado Homura to negotiate peace.

Konoha deployed forces to block Kumogakure’s advance into the Land of Rain and sent Mitokado Homura to mediate, with Hatake Sakumo ready to support the talks by force. Hanzō of the Salamander decided to meet Uchiha Tokimitsu and send Rain Village troops to help defend the Shogunate camp.

• The Third Raikage condemned Konoha’s troop deployment as a provocation but accepted Mitokado Homura’s mediation because Kumogakure could not fight Konoha and Kirigakure at once.
• A Cloud Village Jonin reported that Blue B had relocated Turtle Island and was concealing it while Kumogakure moved its other secret assets.
• Mitokado Homura traveled north with Hatake Sakumo and worried that the Uchiha-led Shogunate’s growing influence was making Konoha’s clans more eager for war.
• Hatake Sakumo told Mitokado Homura that the Konoha Ninja Army would support the mediation, while signaling that talks could become armed intervention if they failed.
• Hanzō of the Salamander learned that Uchiha Tokimitsu was stationed at the Land of Fire’s northern border and ordered a meeting with him.
• Hanzō ordered Rain Village troops to assist with the defense of Uchiha Kamon’s Northwestern Shogunate.

Mitokado Homura presented Kumogakure with Konoha’s harsh mediation terms, while Uchiha Tokimitsu secured Hanzō of the Salamander’s support and received an offer of help from Iwagakure. The Third Raikage refused to accept the terms and ordered A to move the army south without attacking first.

• Mitokado Homura arrived in Kumogakure and was confined to a guarded courtyard while he waited to mediate.
• Uchiha Tokimitsu welcomed Hanzō of the Salamander, who pledged Amegakure’s support if conflict broke out with Kumogakure.
• Mitokado Homura demanded that Kumogakure halt its campaign, apologize to Hanzō, cede the Land of Frost, and withdraw from the buffer states.
• The Third Raikage rejected the terms, and the Kumogakure elder questioned Konoha’s motives before Homura left without reaching an agreement.
• The Third Raikage ordered A to bring Blue B and the army south into the Land of Fields but not to attack first.
• Mahiru arrived on Ōnoki’s orders and offered Iwagakure’s help to Uchiha Tokimitsu and Hanzō of the Salamander.