Chapter Summaries

The tournament was canceled after the New Faces Team’s plan to resurrect Orochi came to light. Chris sacrificed himself to summon Orochi, who appeared in an incomplete form and immediately invited Bai Ye to join the Orochi Clan.

• Kensou lamented losing his chance to compete, while Terry, Andy, and other fighters headed over to see what had happened.
• Kim woke up and found Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan had stayed instead of escaping, which convinced him his reform was working.
• Bai Ye rescued Yuki, but Chris sacrificed himself and resurrected Orochi after Shinato and Sharmell failed to capture her.
• Chizuru Kagura warned Iori Yagami that Orochi could trigger his Rage of the Blood, and Iori trusted Bai Ye to restore his sanity if needed.
• Orochi learned from Shinato that Bai Ye had defeated Goenitz, sensed a familiar power in him, and asked him to join the Orochi Clan.

Bai Ye helped the Three Sacred Treasures Families stop Orochi’s resurrection from becoming a lasting threat, and Orochi was sealed again. With the KOF Tournament abandoned, Bai Ye left with Mai Shiranui after agreeing to fight Andy another time.

• Orochi triggered Iori Yagami’s Rage of the Blood, but Bai Ye shocked Iori back to his senses and prevented Orochi from controlling him.
• Bai Ye restrained Shinato and Sharmell while the Three Sacred Treasures Families suppressed Orochi and sealed him again.
• Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami withdrew from the tournament, and Bai Ye decided the event was over.
• Bai Ye took Mai Shiranui and left, then told Andy he would fight him next time.

After the KOF Tournament ended, Bai Ye left with Mai Shiranui, while the other fighters headed home or made plans to train. Bai Ye later complained in the Chat Group that the tournament had changed nothing, though he had begun considering having a child with Mai Shiranui.

• Bai Ye asked Andy whether he wanted to fight, then whispered to Mai Shiranui that they should head home early to try for a child; Mai Shiranui blushed and pulled him away.
• King invited Chizuru Kagura for a drink, and Chizuru Kagura accepted after deciding to bring wine to her younger sister later.
• Shingo Yabuki said goodbye to Kyo Kusanagi, while Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon left so Kyo Kusanagi could comfort Yuki.
• Kim caught Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan plotting to leave and said he would intensify their training; Athena, Chin Gentsai, and Kensou also departed, with Kensou upset that he had not fought.
• Yuri Sakazaki, Robert, and Ryo left after their team's loss, while Clark checked on Leona, who said she felt better now that her enemies were dead and Orochi had been sealed.
• Bai Ye complained in the Chat Group that the KOF97 plot had stayed the same, but admitted the tournament had made him consider having a child.

Bai Ye discussed the mysteries and possible coming flood of the One Piece World with his counterparts, while Pirate Byakuya prepared to confront Im without waiting for Nika. Hokage Byakuya revealed that Madara Uchiha’s revival had started the Fourth Great Ninja War, and he prepared to fight Madara and Black Zetsu.

• King of Fighters Byakuya said Orochi had revived but disappointed him with his weakness.
• Pirate Byakuya and the others speculated that the One Piece World faced an eight-hundred-year cycle and a great flood, while Pirate Byakuya prepared to act against Im without waiting for Nika.
• Hokage Byakuya told the group that Orochimaru had improved Impure World Reincarnation, revived Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage, and brought about the Fourth Great Ninja War.
• Bai Ye told Tsunade he welcomed the chance to defeat Madara Uchiha and eliminate the forces behind the Shinobi World’s tragedies.
• Bai Ye prepared to gather his forces and fight Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, then planned to deal with Cihang.

Bai Ye explained that Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had declared war to gather the Tailed Beasts and revive the Ten-Tails, and he warned the leaders that the Jinchuriki had to be protected. The allied villages agreed to fight, and Bai Ye sent them to prepare while promising to explain their enemies’ abilities.

• Tsunade questioned Bai Ye’s confidence, and he insisted that Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were no match for him.
• A, Pakura, Mei Terumi, Ōnoki, Shikaku, Shisui, and others entered to ask why the revived founders had declared war.
• Bai Ye explained that the enemy planned to gather the Tailed Beasts and revive the Ten-Tails, while Nagato revealed that he had once been deceived about the Akatsuki’s plan.
• Bai Ye told the group to protect the Jinchuriki, and the leaders agreed that they could not surrender them or avoid fighting.
• Bai Ye ordered everyone to prepare for war and promised to explain Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju’s abilities.

As the Ninja Alliance prepared to defend its newly won peace, Madara, Obito, and Black Zetsu learned that Bai Ye could summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and had awakened the Rinnegan. They debated how he gained his powers, while Madara welcomed the prospect of a worthy opponent and Obito identified Bai Ye as their true enemy.

• The Ninja Alliance mobilized for war, and Bai Ye let White Zetsu learn of their preparations.
• Madara sensed that someone besides him could summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and concluded that Bai Ye possessed the Rinnegan.
• Black Zetsu and Obito struggled to explain how Bai Ye had awakened the Rinnegan and Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan without a brother or apparent Hashirama Cells.
• Madara dismissed concerns about Nagato and said Nagato could not use the Rinnegan effectively, while Obito named Bai Ye as their real threat.
• Obito recalled that Bai Ye had repeatedly ruined his plans and admitted that reviving Madara had not restored his control.

Obito, Madara Uchiha, and Black Zetsu discussed Bai Ye, whose strength and unknown abilities had repeatedly derailed their plans. Madara decided to face Bai Ye, Black Zetsu urged him to prepare White Zetsu for war, and Orochimaru arrived after abandoning his escape attempt.

• Obito reflected on how Bai Ye had ruined his plans for the Uchiha and Mist Village, leaving him with little choice but to allow Madara Uchiha's resurrection.
• Madara Uchiha asked Obito why he had not reclaimed his other Sharingan from Kakashi, and Obito refused to discuss the bond that kept him from taking it back.
• Black Zetsu and Obito admitted they did not know the full extent of Bai Ye's abilities because no one had forced him to reveal his strength.
• Madara Uchiha decided to make Bai Ye his opponent, saying Hashirama Senju was no longer strong enough to challenge him.
• Black Zetsu told Madara Uchiha to prepare White Zetsu as a key force for the coming war.
• Orochimaru entered and admitted that he had given up trying to escape after being caught easily.

Orochimaru admitted he could no longer control Hashirama Senju, prompting Madara Uchiha to confront him and discuss their situation. Hashirama learned that Madara had survived their battle at the Valley of the End, while Tobirama explained why he had kept his suspicions secret and began assessing the threat they now posed.

• Orochimaru told Madara Uchiha that he could no longer keep Hashirama Senju under control, and Madara went to confront Hashirama.
• Hashirama Senju complained to Tobirama Senju about the forbidden techniques that had led to their current predicament, while Tobirama defended his inventions as counters to the Uchiha.
• Madara Uchiha told Hashirama Senju that he was alive, and Tobirama revealed that he had long suspected Madara survived because his corpse disappeared.
• Madara Uchiha explained that he had used Izanagi to feign death, been taken back to Konoha, then revived and escaped after leaving a clone behind.
• Tobirama Senju explained that he had kept quiet because he had considered both that Hashirama took Madara's body and that Madara had survived, while preparing for the danger Madara could pose.
• Tobirama Senju concluded that Madara and Hashirama might now be strong enough to threaten even a united Shinobi World.

Madara Uchiha told Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju that Uchiha Byakuya had become the Fifth Hokage and unified the Shinobi World, prompting Tobirama to confront the consequences of his anti-Uchiha policies. The chapter ended with Hashirama learning that the Fourth Hokage had died fighting the Nine-Tails and reacting in disbelief that it could kill anyone.

• Tobirama Senju deduced that Madara Uchiha had used Impure World Reincarnation because his current enemy was powerful, and Hashirama Senju asked whether that enemy came from Konoha.
• Madara Uchiha explained that the Fifth Hokage had unified the Shinobi World, and Hashirama Senju objected that the conquest must have caused many deaths.
• Madara Uchiha revealed that the Fifth Hokage was Uchiha Byakuya, shocking Tobirama Senju and prompting Madara to criticize Tobirama's policies against the Uchiha.
• Tobirama Senju described the Uchiha Security Force, and Hashirama Senju recognized that Tobirama's policy had pushed the clan toward rebellion.
• Madara Uchiha recounted how Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo pressured the Uchiha, how Byakuya killed the Third Hokage and Danzo, and how Byakuya later unified the Shinobi World.
• Hashirama Senju learned that the Fourth Hokage had died at the hands of the Nine-Tails and asked in disbelief whether it could kill people.

Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju learned that Madara Uchiha considered Bai Ye’s peace temporary and intended to carry out the Moon Eye Plan. Madara refused to explain further and left, while the Senju brothers worried about the war and the coffins filled with Impure World Reincarnation summons.

• Tobirama Senju pieced together that Hiruzen Sarutobi had returned as Hokage after the Fourth Hokage died and the Uchiha rebellion succeeded.
• Madara Uchiha argued that peace depended on Bai Ye’s strength and would collapse after his death, while Hashirama Senju urged him not to disrupt the present peace.
• Madara Uchiha recalled Hashirama Senju’s supposed suicide attempt and said he no longer trusted Hashirama’s pleas.
• Madara Uchiha named the Moon Eye Plan but refused to explain it, then left.
• Tobirama Senju pointed out the many coffins and suspected they held Impure World Reincarnation summons bound for the battlefield, as the brothers considered how to stop the war.

Madara Uchiha challenged Bai Ye to a fair, decisive battle, and Bai Ye chose to fight him three days later. Madara ordered Orochimaru to prepare Impure World Reincarnation, while Obito wondered whether Itachi would return to the Ninja Nation.

• Madara Uchiha told White Zetsu to negotiate a time for an open war with Bai Ye rather than launch a sneak attack.
• White Zetsu mistakenly suggested that Bai Ye hand over the Tailed Beasts, but clarified that Madara had actually called for a direct fight.
• Bai Ye set the decisive battle for three days later and killed the White Zetsu clone so it could not leave.
• After learning the date, Madara ordered Orochimaru to use Impure World Reincarnation to revive everyone possible before the battle.
• Obito asked where Itachi was, and he and Black Zetsu debated whether Itachi might return to the Ninja Nation despite the danger.

Obito, Madara Uchiha, Black Zetsu, and Orochimaru each weighed their separate goals as their alliance frayed. In the Ninja Nation, Bai Ye explained that the Moon Eye Plan would turn humanity into White Zetsu, leaving Nagato and the others to confront the plan’s true purpose.

• Obito accepted Itachi Uchiha’s departure, while Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha dismissed him as unable to affect the coming battle.
• Orochimaru recognized that the group members had conflicting motives and began planning his escape.
• After Bai Ye dealt with White Zetsu, he told the others that White Zetsu was a product of Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Nagato realized that he had misunderstood the Moon Eye Plan and listened as Bai Ye explained its steps and the fate awaiting those trapped by it.
• Bai Ye questioned why the Sage of Six Paths had watched events unfold without intervening until Madara Uchiha nearly succeeded.

Bai Ye explained that the enemy’s war would likely involve Impure World Reincarnation and urged the leaders to protect the Jinchuriki. He volunteered to face Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, then received news that someone had returned.

• Mei Terumi and Ōnoki accepted Bai Ye’s warning that the enemy planned to capture the Jinchuriki and resurrect the Ten-Tails.
• Bai Ye predicted the enemy would use Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation to bring back powerful shinobi from the past.
• Bai Ye told the leaders to handle the reincarnated enemies while he faced Madara Uchiha.
• Bai Ye warned that Hashirama Senju would be too powerful for the others to defeat, and Ōnoki agreed.
• A guard whispered news to Bai Ye, and he reacted with a smile after learning that someone had returned.

Bai Ye left a war-planning meeting after learning that Itachi Uchiha had returned, while the gathered leaders speculated about his interest in Tsunade. As the villages prepared for war, their leaders urged Mei Terumi, Kurotsuchi, and Pakura to pursue Bai Ye, and Chiyo learned that Pakura had feelings for him.

• Bai Ye heard that Itachi Uchiha had returned and decided he should go back to his clan, then left the meeting to attend to something else.
• Mei Terumi and the other leaders questioned Tsunade about Bai Ye's happiness and brought up rumors about the two of them staying together in the Hokage's Office; Tsunade denied any special relationship and smashed the table.
• Genji urged Mei Terumi to consider finding a partner, but she remained uncertain about pursuing Bai Ye.
• Ōnoki told Kurotsuchi to pursue Bai Ye after the war, explaining that he believed Bai Ye could defeat Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju; Kurotsuchi accepted the advice if they won.
• Chiyo encouraged Pakura to act on her feelings for Bai Ye, and Pakura admitted that she liked him.

Pakura considered Chiyo's advice about telling Bai Ye how she felt, while Tsunade rejected Shikaku's attempt to push her toward him. Meanwhile, Itachi Uchiha returned to the Uchiha Compound and faced his clansmen, Shisui Uchiha, and Sasuke, leaving him to confront how thoroughly Bai Ye had changed the outcome he once thought inevitable.

• Chiyo urged Pakura to think carefully about her feelings for Bai Ye, and Pakura promised to take her advice seriously.
• Shikaku tried to persuade Tsunade to make her rumored relationship with Bai Ye real, but Tsunade told him she would act herself if she truly liked Bai Ye.
• Inoichi Yamanaka teased Shikaku about failing, and Choza Akimichi reminded him that Bai Ye's own feelings mattered.
• Shikaku and the others turned their attention back to the war and the threat of Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Itachi Uchiha returned to the Uchiha Compound without resisting capture, where Shisui Uchiha and Sasuke faced him with conflicted feelings.
• Itachi Uchiha reflected that he had once believed Bai Ye's coup would fail, but Bai Ye had succeeded.

Itachi Uchiha returned to the Uchiha clan after learning that the Moon Eye Plan threatened the Shinobi World, despite the clan viewing him as a traitor. He explained his past choice to Bai Ye, who questioned why he had left then and returned now.

• Uchiha clansmen condemned Itachi Uchiha as a traitor and wanted to attack him, while Shisui Uchiha protected him and urged them to wait for Bai Ye.
• Bai Ye arrived and asked Itachi Uchiha why he had returned, suspecting that he had learned about the Moon Eye Plan.
• Itachi Uchiha said the plan was insane and would drag the Shinobi World to its death, so he had decided to return.
• Bai Ye told Itachi Uchiha that he had left when he should have stayed and returned when he should not have.
• Itachi Uchiha explained that he had once believed the Uchiha would be destroyed in a conflict with Konoha, so he made a deal with Konoha's leaders to save his younger brother.

Itachi Uchiha returned to accept punishment for his betrayal and to oppose Madara Uchiha’s plan, but Bai Ye postponed deciding his fate. The Uchiha prepared to focus on Madara and the Great Ninja War, leaving Itachi’s future uncertain.

• Itachi Uchiha explained that he had returned to atone and would accept any punishment, while the Uchiha clansmen demanded his death.
• Itachi Uchiha stopped Shisui Uchiha from pleading on his behalf, as Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Fugaku worried about his fate.
• Bai Ye considered killing Itachi Uchiha but ordered him taken away until after they prepared for the Great Ninja War.
• Shisui Uchiha led Itachi Uchiha away, and Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Fugaku, and Sasuke remained uncertain about what would happen next.
• Uchiha Jin questioned Bai Ye’s decision, and Bai Ye said Itachi’s survival or death made no difference to him as they turned their attention to Madara Uchiha.

Bai Ye reassured Uchiha Jin that he could handle Madara Uchiha and told the clan to fight normally while he faced the strongest opponents. Shisui Uchiha then asked how Bai Ye would deal with Itachi Uchiha, accepting that the clan must judge Itachi for his past betrayal.

• Uchiha Jin identified Madara Uchiha as their greatest threat and asked whether Bai Ye could defeat him.
• Bai Ye insisted he could handle Madara Uchiha and said the Uchiha clan should fight normally rather than rely on numbers against powerful enemies.
• Uchiha Jin accepted Bai Ye's confidence, and Bai Ye left to prepare for the battle and limit casualties.
• Shisui Uchiha asked Bai Ye how he intended to deal with Itachi Uchiha, but could not bring himself to ask that Itachi be spared.
• Bai Ye said the Uchiha clan would judge Itachi, and Shisui admitted that Itachi deserved punishment for leaving despite Shisui's earlier attempt to persuade him.

Bai Ye refused to forgive Itachi Uchiha and prepared the Shinobi World for its agreed battle against Madara Uchiha. As the armies gathered and the Impure World Reincarnation coffins appeared, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi watched from under surveillance, with Orochimaru hoping Bai Ye would win.

• Bai Ye told Shisui Uchiha that Itachi Uchiha had to face the consequences of his choices, then urged Shisui to prepare and survive the war.
• The shinobi mobilized, recalled those on missions, and gathered supplies while Madara Uchiha rejected White Zetsu and Black Zetsu's suggestions to launch an ambush.
• Obito Uchiha worried that Madara Uchiha's living revival had taken control of the plan away from him and dreaded facing Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
• Madara Uchiha arranged the location for a decisive battle and planned to take the Jinchuriki after winning; both sides gathered their forces for the agreed fight.
• As Impure World Reincarnation coffins appeared, Kabuto Yakushi asked Orochimaru whether they would simply watch, and Orochimaru said they had to wait and see how the battle went.
• Orochimaru admitted he hoped Bai Ye would win because Madara Uchiha's Moon Eye Plan would trap everyone in an illusion and prevent Orochimaru from pursuing his research.

Orochimaru and Kabuto considered whether to interfere with the coming battle but decided they had little choice but to wait. On the battlefield, Madara Uchiha unleashed an army of Impure World Reincarnation figures, while Bai Ye realized Madara himself had been truly revived with the Rinnegan.

• Orochimaru told Kabuto that their enemies would not allow them to tamper with the situation, and he kept his plans for later to himself.
• Madara Uchiha prepared to fight as Hashirama Senju urged him to reconsider, while Tobirama Senju warned that the war was inevitable.
• Black Zetsu summoned coffins, and the battlefield's shinobi saw numerous past Kage and powerful figures emerge through Impure World Reincarnation.
• Bai Ye concluded that Madara Uchiha's army was part of the preparations behind his decision to start the war.
• Ōnoki noticed that Madara Uchiha had no Impure World Reincarnation cracks, and Bai Ye confirmed that Madara had been truly resurrected.