Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Jin assured Shibi Aburame that the Uchiha would support its allies, while Fugaku worried over his shortcomings as clan leader. Shisui arrived from the Frontline Camp and explained that he had returned to make his apparent loyalty to Hiruzen Sarutobi convincing.

• Uchiha Jin promised that the Uchiha would respect and aid the ninja clans that joined their alliance.
• Shibi Aburame said Jin's assurances made the alliance feel secure, while Fugaku silently acknowledged his own uncertainty as clan leader.
• Fugaku opened the door and was stunned to find Shisui, who said he had come to see Jin.
• Jin invited Shisui inside and asked why he had left the Frontline Camp and how he had returned.
• Shisui said Kazama had urged him not to let Jin return alone, and that he had used the Body Flicker Technique to look appropriately travel-worn and persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi of his loyalty.

Shisui returned from meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi and reported that the Hokage had agreed to his apparent defection, leaving Uchiha Jin suspicious of how easily it had gone. As Jin analyzed the meeting, Shisui explained why he had abandoned his faith in the Will of Fire and reaffirmed that protecting the Uchiha was his goal.

• Shisui told Uchiha Jin, Shibi Aburame, and Fugaku that he had rushed back after Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to support him, though he still felt the Hokage did not trust him.
• Uchiha Jin explained that Shisui's apparent defection was part of a double act to lower the village's guard, secretly build strength, and obtain resources from the Hokage.
• Uchiha Jin asked Shisui to recount every detail of his meeting with Hiruzen Sarutobi so he could analyze the Hokage's quick agreement.
• Fugaku asked Shisui how Uchiha Jin had changed his beliefs, and Shisui said Jin had made him reconsider human desires, power, and the history of the Senju, Uzumaki, and Sakumo Hatake.
• Shisui said he had realized that the Uchiha's conflict with the village stemmed from their strength and resources, and that his goal had always been to protect the Uchiha.

Shisui warned Uchiha Jin that Hiruzen Sarutobi had recalled Shikaku Nara and would investigate, so Jin abandoned his original plan and proposed provoking a public fight to force Hiruzen to support Shisui. Fugaku and Shisui doubted the scheme, but Shibi Aburame spoke up before Jin could answer.

• Shisui said he no longer trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi and regretted once believing in him.
• Shisui told Uchiha Jin that Shikaku Nara was being urgently recalled and that Hiruzen would investigate the lack of conflict at the Frontline Camp.
• Jin proposed that Shisui reveal his Mangekyō Sharingan, rally Uchiha opponents, and stage a fight with Jin before seeking Hiruzen's help and demanding resources.
• Fugaku questioned whether Hiruzen and the other clans would fall for the plan, while Shisui said he would rather avoid its humiliating risks.
• Shibi Aburame spoke before Jin could respond to their objections.

Shibi Aburame explained that smaller ninja clans valued a faction’s credibility above all, since choosing the wrong side could destroy them, and argued that Hiruzen Sarutobi had to accept Shisui’s apparent defection. Uchiha Jin agreed and assigned Shisui a leading role in the next performance, leaving Shisui reluctantly preparing to act the following day.

• Shibi Aburame told Fugaku and Shisui that small clans would not join a faction without absolute trust and that Hiruzen Sarutobi could not publicly abandon Shisui.
• Fugaku and Shisui realized why smaller clans had been reluctant to approach the Uchiha, while Fugaku regretted failing to understand their concerns.
• Uchiha Jin said the Uchiha still thought like people of the Warring States Period and agreed with Shibi’s explanation.
• Uchiha Jin told Shisui that he would be the protagonist of the next performance.
• Shisui reluctantly agreed to begin acting after he woke up the next day, and Uchiha Jin ended the meeting.

Uchiha Jin learned he had forgotten to check on Aburame Ryoma, then encountered Itachi, who was overwhelmed by school and Jin’s assignments. Itachi asked Jin to change his schoolwork and admitted he could no longer bring himself to praise the Will of Fire.

• Shibi Aburame asked Uchiha Jin whether Ryoma had a special mission at the Frontline, and Jin confessed he had forgotten about him.
• Shibi Aburame accepted Jin’s explanation and left after confirming Ryoma was safe.
• Itachi stopped Uchiha Jin as he was leaving Fugaku’s house and complained about his schoolwork.
• Itachi said he could not befriend his classmates or find a girlfriend and did not want to praise the Will of Fire anymore.

Uchiha Jin refused Itachi’s request to graduate early and explained that Itachi’s intelligence had left him without the childhood experiences he needed. He used Kakashi’s painful past as a warning, then began describing how Kakashi had also been fortunate.

• Itachi asked Jin if he could graduate from the Ninja Academy the following year because he could no longer stand school.
• Jin refused and insisted that Itachi complete all six years at the Academy.
• Itachi admitted that he felt smarter than his classmates and looked down on them, and Jin warned that this could make him extreme and short-sighted.
• Jin urged Itachi to join in children’s games and learn from their innocence, even if he got into trouble.
• Jin compared Itachi with Kakashi, explaining that Kakashi’s early maturity and his father Sakumo’s suicide had led to an unstable, lonely life.
• Jin began to explain that Kakashi had also been fortunate because Sakumo had left him many connections.

Uchiha Jin persuaded Uchiha Itachi to stay at the Ninja Academy and make friends instead of graduating early, warning him that being too far ahead would isolate him. Itachi agreed, and Fugaku and Mikoto thanked Jin before Fugaku asked him to explain his advice further.

• Uchiha Jin told Uchiha Itachi that the Ninja Academy was his best chance to make friends and urged him to stay for all six years unless ordered to graduate.
• Uchiha Itachi understood Jin's warning and promised to try to befriend his classmates and stop asking to graduate early.
• Uchiha Jin advised Itachi to seem more ordinary, explaining that being half a step ahead made someone a genius while being a full step ahead made them a madman.
• After Itachi returned to sleep, Mikoto thanked Uchiha Jin for recognizing her son's problem, and Fugaku admitted he had pushed Itachi too hard.
• Fugaku said he would stop making Itachi compete with geniuses and asked Uchiha Jin to explain what it meant to be half a step ahead.

Uchiha Jin explained to Fugaku why Uchiha Madara had been called a madman for advocating unification, then discovered Madara watching him near the Naka River and invited him home for tea. Madara accepted, leaving Jin surprised and open to discussing cooperation.

• Jin told Fugaku that Madara’s plan to unify the ninja world had been practical before the villages developed strong identities, and that the three Ninja Wars showed Madara had foreseen the consequences.
• Fugaku admitted that he and the Uchiha clan had misunderstood Madara and called him a true genius.
• Jin detected Madara with Observation Haki while crossing a wooden bridge by the Naka River and invited him to his home for tea.
• Madara revealed himself with an aged appearance and recalled that no one had invited him for tea since Izuna’s death and his break with Hashirama.
• Jin was surprised when Madara agreed to go with him, and considered talking with him before deciding whether they could cooperate.

Uchiha Jin welcomed Uchiha Madara into his home and, over tea, explained why he believed Madara and Izuna had been the Uchiha clan’s greatest talents. Madara listened as Jin argued that Izuna’s death and Madara’s inability to read others had left the clan vulnerable, while Madara was drawn into memories of his brother.

• Uchiha Jin invited Uchiha Madara to drink tea, and Madara recognized it as tea Jin had taken from the Sarutobi household.
• Uchiha Madara said Jin’s earlier words about him had convinced him to talk rather than treat Jin as an enemy.
• Uchiha Jin praised Madara’s foresight and said Izuna’s skill and judgment would have matched Tobirama Senju’s.
• Uchiha Jin blamed Madara’s failure to understand people and Izuna’s early death for the Uchiha clan’s decline.
• Uchiha Madara sank into longing as Uchiha Jin spoke about Izuna.

Uchiha Jin declined to join Uchiha Madara’s Moon Eye Plan but proposed that they pursue separate plans while helping each other. Madara agreed to the alliance and arranged for a missing Uchiha to act as his representative after his death.

• Uchiha Madara invited Uchiha Jin to join the Moon Eye Plan and explained that he intended to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Uchiha Jin refused to join Madara’s plan, saying he preferred a practical backup plan and would not interfere with Madara’s efforts.
• Uchiha Jin proposed that he and Madara keep their own plans while offering each other help when needed.
• Uchiha Madara agreed and said a recently disappeared Uchiha would serve as his representative after his death and help Uchiha Jin.
• Uchiha Madara said he would later convince Uchiha Jin that the Moon Eye Plan was the true path to peace.

Uchiha Jin asked Uchiha Madara for several valuable resources and his help reviving Izuna, arguing that the Ninja World would need its historical powerhouses to face future threats. Madara agreed to provide the requested items and revive Izuna after completing the Moon Eye Plan, though he still believed the plan was the better path.

• Uchiha Madara came to confront Uchiha Jin but agreed to hear his requests because of Izuna.
• Uchiha Jin asked Madara for Hashirama Cells and White Zetsu Cells, then requested several seals and binding techniques.
• Uchiha Jin said he planned to use Impure World Reincarnation to summon Izuna and asked Madara to revive him with the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
• Uchiha Jin explained that he wanted to unite the Ninja World and eventually revive its past powerhouses to prepare for the Otsutsuki Clan.
• Uchiha Madara agreed to give Jin the requested items and revive Izuna after completing the Moon Eye Plan, while maintaining that the plan would prove Jin wrong.

Uchiha Madara gave Uchiha Jin several jutsu, Hashirama Cells, White Zetsu Cells, and the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu before leaving to prepare for his revival. Jin reflected on Madara’s unexpected generosity and planned to learn the techniques, while accepting that he might need to save Madara in the future.

• Uchiha Madara gave Uchiha Jin a scroll containing several jutsu, including Impure World Reincarnation, and left him Hashirama Cells and White Zetsu Cells.
• Uchiha Madara told Jin he did not expect his plans to succeed and left to prepare for his final arrangements and revival.
• Uchiha Jin worried that accepting Madara’s gifts had created an emotional debt, but decided he might save Madara if necessary.
• Uchiha Jin reviewed the Transcription Seal, Gedo Statue Seal, and Binding Spell, planning to learn them and have the system manage them.
• Uchiha Jin wondered how Uchiha Madara had obtained Impure World Reincarnation and considered that Hashirama Senju might have taught it to him.

After learning that Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to sacrifice Rin Nohara, Minato Namikaze began building support among other Jonin so he would have real influence if he became Fourth Hokage. Kushina understood his reasons and rallied Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to care for him, while Obito asked how serious Rin’s situation was.

• Uchiha Jin finished his work, washed up, and went to sleep.
• Minato returned home after drinking with several Jonin, having decided to build alliances ahead of his expected appointment as Fourth Hokage.
• Kushina angrily confronted Minato for staying out drinking instead of spending time with her.
• Minato explained that Hiruzen intended to sacrifice Rin Nohara and that he wanted to avoid becoming a powerless Hokage.
• Kushina accepted Minato’s reasoning and asked Kakashi and Obito to help him while she took Rin to the kitchen.
• Obito poured Minato water and asked whether Rin’s situation was serious.

Minato told Kakashi, Obito, and Rin that Hiruzen planned to sacrifice Rin, but vowed to protect them and keep them safe at home. He warned that Danzo was less predictable than Hiruzen and prepared to handle matters outside while Kushina guarded the children.

• Minato confirmed that Hiruzen intended to sacrifice Rin and promised to protect his disciples, summoning Jiraiya if necessary.
• Kakashi and Obito despaired over Hiruzen's decision, and Kakashi remembered how his father, Sakumo Hatake, had been treated.
• Kushina encouraged the worried group, and Rin brought Minato sobering soup.
• Minato ordered Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to stay inside and asked Kushina to protect them while he dealt with matters outside.
• Minato said he was less concerned about Hiruzen than Danzo of Root, whose actions he could not predict.

Minato worried that Danzo might try to take Rin Nohara while he was away, so Kushina vowed to keep Rin and the others safe at home. Meanwhile, Hiruzen argued with the elders over reparations from Stone Village before Danzo stormed in and challenged his leadership, leaving the reason for Danzo’s visit unanswered.

• Minato worried that Danzo might target Rin Nohara while he was away and kept Obito’s Mangekyo secret to avoid drawing the village’s attention.
• Kushina promised to stay home and ordered Rin, Kakashi, and Obito to behave themselves.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed whether to demand reparations from Stone Village with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
• Danzo entered the Hokage’s office, criticized Hiruzen for being weak, and urged him to step down.
• Hiruzen told Danzo that he planned to resign after the war but demanded to know why Danzo had come.

Hiruzen Sarutobi erupted at Danzo for demanding Rin Nohara and the Three-Tails, citing the risk to Leaf Village's peace and his ties to Minato Namikaze. He summoned Enma and ordered him to transform into the Adamantine Staff.

• Danzo asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to give Root the Three-Tails and Rin Nohara.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi angrily rejected Danzo's request and warned that taking the Three-Tails could restart the war with Mist Village and alienate Minato Namikaze.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi berated Danzo for ignoring the political consequences and Minato's connection to Rin Nohara.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stayed silent and stepped back as Hiruzen Sarutobi continued shouting.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma and ordered him to transform into the Adamantine Staff.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Danzo flying after Danzo demanded the Three-Tails, then made Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura agree to his terms for the Stone Village peace treaty. As Hiruzen went home to rest and fumed over Uchiha Jin stealing his tea, Koharu and Homura stayed behind to prepare for the treaty signing and worried about the village accepting his terms.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi transformed Enma into the Golden Cudgel and struck Danzo, sending him flying through a wall and into the sky.
• Danzo shouted at Hiruzen as villagers came outside to see what was happening, then returned home when they realized the Hokage and an elder were fighting.
• Hiruzen dismissed Enma and asked Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to handle the Stone Village peace treaty according to his plan, and they agreed without protest.
• Hiruzen went home, discovered Uchiha Jin had stolen his favorite tea set and Jade Gyro tea, and cursed him before going to sleep.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stayed at the Hokage Building to prepare for the treaty signing, and Koharu worried that the village would reject Hiruzen's terms.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura discussed the humiliating agreement Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted them to sign and the blame they would bear for it. Homura argued that they had to accept the blame to keep their power, while the chapter left their strained ties with Hiruzen rooted in political interests rather than loyalty.

• Utatane Koharu complained to Mitokado Homura that the agreement would damage Konoha's reputation and suggested waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to reconsider.
• Mitokado Homura concluded that Hiruzen Sarutobi could preserve his influence by stepping down, while the elders would be left to take the blame or lose their authority.
• Mitokado Homura told Utatane Koharu that their clans' weakness had made them useful to Hiruzen Sarutobi as controllable elders and scapegoats.
• Mitokado Homura urged Utatane Koharu to accept the blame, retain their power, and secure benefits for their clans and younger generation.
• Mitokado Homura reflected that the former disciples' bonds had given way to ambition and schemes after Hiruzen Sarutobi became the Third Hokage.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu recognized that Hiruzen Sarutobi was making them scapegoats and that they lacked the power to resist him. They agreed to appear loyal while quietly preparing to play the Hokage and Uchiha against each other and secure their own escape.

• Mitokado Homura reflected on how Konoha's elders had weakened the Senju Clan, killed Nawaki Senju and Dan Katō, and pursued control over Konoha's Great Clans.
• Mitokado Homura acknowledged that Hiruzen Sarutobi had secured his position, Danzo remained useful, and he and Utatane Koharu were being cast aside as scapegoats.
• Utatane Koharu agreed that they were too weak to oppose Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.
• Utatane Koharu proposed that she and Mitokado Homura subtly obstruct both Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Uchiha so each side would suffer losses, while they prepared a way out.
• Mitokado Homura accepted the plan and said they must appear to be acting in Lord Hokage's interests.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura secretly planned to turn Shimura Danzō against Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, while Uchiha Jin rested at home, unaware of the upheaval his return had sparked. As Konoha’s leaders negotiated a treaty with the Stone Delegation and Minato Namikaze built support among Jonin, the village’s factions continued maneuvering.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura agreed to visit Shimura Danzō after the treaty negotiations and encourage him to resent Shin'nosuke Sarutobi’s control of the Anbu.
• Uchiha Jin woke late, ate at Ichiraku Ramen, and relaxed in his courtyard, unaware of the village’s political turmoil.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura negotiated with the Stone Delegation while pursuing their own conflicting plans.
• Minato Namikaze chatted with Jonin he hoped to recruit, while Kushina Uzumaki stayed home to guard the children of Minato Squad.