Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Sōken checked Akatsuki’s movements with Orochimaru and learned that Kazuma had been abducting Kekkei Genkai users, though no connection to Akatsuki was confirmed. A report from Kakashi and Mangetsu revealed strange Chimeras at Mount Sumeru and that Tsunade knew about them, so Sōken ordered them to bring her back to Konoha.

• Haku guided Uchiha Sōken to Orochimaru’s laboratory and declined Sōken’s offer to join Konoha.
• Orochimaru told Sōken that Akatsuki’s movements seemed normal and that Pain had recently held a meeting, while Kakuzu and Hidan were active near the Land of Rivers.
• Sōken told Orochimaru that Kazuma had been attacking the Cloud Ninja, Stone Ninja, and Mist Ninja to abduct Kekkei Genkai users, and they considered whether Akatsuki might be involved.
• After Sōken returned to the Hokage Building, Kabuto delivered a secret report from Mangetsu and Kakashi about Chimeras at Mount Sumeru and Tsunade’s familiarity with them.
• Sōken ordered Kakashi and Mangetsu to bring Tsunade back to Konoha, regardless of their difficulty locating Kazuma.

Kakashi and his team discovered that the laboratory at Mount Sumeru belonged to a former Konoha ninja, and Tsunade agreed to return to the village with them. At Mirou Mountain, Hiruko revealed that he needed the Sharingan to complete his evolution and promised Kazuma that he would resolve Kazuma’s bodily problem before their plan against Konoha began.

• Tsunade identified the laboratory’s equipment as following standards established by her great-uncle and ruled out Orochimaru as its owner.
• Tsunade told Kakashi that she suspected she knew who was behind the research and chose to return to Konoha, citing Torifu Akimichi’s failing health and the likely arrival of Anbu.
• Kakashi agreed to travel back with Tsunade and left the investigation’s next steps to the village.
• At Mirou Mountain, Hiruko returned in a new, childlike form and said he needed the Sharingan to complete his evolution.
• Hiruko questioned Kazuma about the White Zetsu he had brought, while Kazuma insisted their immediate goal was to destroy Konoha.
• Hiruko said the plan would begin soon and promised to resolve Kazuma’s bodily problem before then.

Haku punished Sound Village’s leaders for failing to gather intelligence for Orochimaru, while Tsunade returned to Konoha and connected recent attacks to Hiruko and the Chimera Technique. The chapter ended with Torifu Akimichi questioning how the forbidden technique could fuse Kekkei Genkai.

• Haku threatened Sound Village’s leaders with Orochimaru’s displeasure and killed an Elder who challenged him.
• Haku gave Sound Village one week to provide accurate intelligence, then worried that peace in the shinobi world might soon end.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha with Kakashi and Itachi Uchiha and went to visit Fifth Hokage Torifu Akimichi.
• Tsunade asked Torifu whether he had heard of Hiruko, and Sōken joined them after recognizing a possible link to the attacks and kidnapped Kekkei Genkai users.
• Sōken and Tsunade suspected Kazuma and Hiruko were working together to use the Chimera Technique to fuse Kekkei Genkai.
• Torifu questioned how the Chimera Technique could fuse Kekkei Genkai when he remembered it as a forbidden technique for fusing Summoned Beasts.

Tsunade examined Torifu Akimichi and found that his sight might recover, but only after a long period of rest that would force Konoha to replace him as Hokage. Meanwhile, Hiruko completed Kazuma’s treatment and prepared to test his newly acquired powers, while Obito Uchiha urged Kazuma to keep ready for a coordinated strike against Konoha.

• Sōken explained how Hiruko and Kazuma could have developed forbidden techniques further, and Tsunade and Torifu Akimichi agreed that Konoha might be their target.
• Sōken revealed that he had restricted clan members from leaving Konoha alone and warned the Hyuga to protect their Main House members.
• Tsunade told Torifu Akimichi that his sight might return after at least a year of rest, making it impossible for him to continue serving as Hokage.
• Tsunade said she would remain in Konoha for a while but had no interest in becoming Hokage or taking part in village affairs.
• After seven hours of surgery, Hiruko fused the Tsuchigumo Clan’s forbidden technique into Kazuma and went to train with his new powers.
• Obito Uchiha told Kazuma to act separately from Hiruko but stay alert for a plan that could deal Konoha a heavy blow.

Hotaru Tsuchigumo trained with Uchiha Toka and Yakumo Kurama before they spotted a strange bird above Konoha. At the village gates, the former Konoha ninja Hiruko revealed his power and unleashed an army of monstrous animals on his homeland.

• Hotaru, Toka, and Yakumo trained at the Police Force and went to Ichiraku Ramen for lunch.
• The girls spotted Naruto and Sasuke in the ramen line, then noticed a strange bird circling overhead and shedding feathers.
• Hiruko arrived at Konoha’s main gate, identified himself as a former Konoha ninja, and drew the attention of the guards.
• Hiruko killed the Anbu squad that attacked him using lasers and magma-like powers.
• Hiruko summoned Strange Birds, Strange Dogs, and Strange Snakes to swarm Konoha’s gates.

Hiruko launched an assault on Konoha with an army of monsters and feathers that exploded on impact, forcing Sōken to impose emergency measures and organize the village’s defense. As the attack spread, Naruto used Shadow Clones and Super Beast Imitating Drawing to intercept the bomb-like feathers, while the group still needed to find a way to strike back.

• Sōken and Kabuto watched surveillance footage of Hiruko defeating Anbu Elite and summoning monsters, then Sōken ordered Level 1 martial law and the protection and evacuation of villagers.
• Sōken told Kabuto to contact Shisui about the Barrier Team and to ensure Naruto’s safety if the barrier had been compromised.
• Yakumo sensed chakra in the falling feathers, and she, Toka, and Hotaru realized the feathers exploded when struck.
• Naruto and Sasuke joined the girls as two Chunin tried to shield them and send them to shelter.
• Naruto created more than a hundred Shadow Clones, which used Super Beast Imitating Drawing to send ink sparrows into the sky and intercept the falling feathers.

Hiruko’s monsters attacked Konoha as the village imposed Level 1 Martial Law, and its clans and young fighters joined the defense. Tsunade headed for the Hokage Building to learn what was happening, while Kazuma decided to target Konoha’s young talents as the battle continued.

• Uchiha Arashiyama mobilized the Police Force to defend the village gates and guide civilians to nearby shelters after Level 1 Martial Law was declared.
• Tsunade set out for the Hokage Building with Shizune to find out whether Hiruko was behind the attack.
• Akimichi Choza told Torifu Akimichi that Hiruko had sent monsters against Konoha, and Torifu ordered Choza to send some clan members to fight while protecting their families.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru fought the Strange Birds near Ichiraku Ramen Shop, with Yakumo using her Five Senses Control to bring the effects of her Genjutsu into reality.
• Kazuma watched the young fighters and decided to kill some of Konoha’s promising youngsters, urging Hiruko to intensify the attack at the village gates.

Konoha’s ninja held off Hiruko’s Chimeras while villagers evacuated, and Hiruko attacked arriving Uchiha reinforcements. At the Barrier Team’s office, Shisui found thirty-seven dead members, then used a hidden Flying Thunder God marker to return and confront Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu.

• Konoha’s ninja gradually retreated while protecting the villagers, and Hiruko searched the battlefield for Uchiha with powerful Sharingan.
• Hiruko attacked a group of reinforcements with magma projectiles, but Inabi Uchiha and Tekka Uchiha combined their techniques to blunt the strike.
• Shisui arrived at the Barrier Team’s office and found all thirty-seven members dead from precise throat wounds.
• Shisui left to protect Naruto, while Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu emerged from hiding and discussed their next move.
• Uchiha Obito noticed chakra-active crows outside, and Shisui reappeared using a marker he had left behind, confronting Obito and Black Zetsu.

Shisui confronted Obito Uchiha and Zetsu, revealing that he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. After his Kotoamatsukami failed against Zetsu, Shisui and Obito fought at high speed as Flying Thunder God clashed with Kamui, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Shisui identified Obito Uchiha as the man claiming to be Madara and attacked Zetsu with Kotoamatsukami, but the technique had no effect.
• Obito Uchiha trapped Shisui with Wood Style, but Shisui escaped using the Flying Thunder God Technique and stabbed Obito.
• Shisui and Obito fought with their Space-Time Ninjutsu while avoiding large attacks to conserve Chakra and limit the commotion.
• Obito and Shisui continued exchanging attacks for over two and a half minutes without either gaining a decisive advantage.
• Black Zetsu watched from the Cherry Tree and worried that the Uchiha clan might disrupt his plans again, but chose not to reveal his final trump card.

Sōken learned that Hiruko’s attack was part of a wider threat and sent Kabuto to investigate the powerful enemy confronting Shisui. After Naruto, Toka, Hotaru, Yakumo, and Sasuke defeated the strange birds, Kazuma ambushed them and confronted Hotaru.

• Tsunade questioned Sōken about Hiruko, and Sōken explained that a man claiming to be Madara Uchiha was a greater concern than Hiruko.
• Shisui’s crow reported that he was fighting a powerful enemy near the Barrier Team, so Sōken sent Kabuto to find Inoichi and identify the opponent.
• Naruto, Toka, Hotaru, Yakumo, and Sasuke finished off the strange birds and rested with two Chunin nearby.
• Kazuma’s Wind Blade cut down a Cherry Tree, and Yakumo spotted the fallen Konoha ninja and Anbu around him.
• Hotaru recognized Kazuma as her grandfather’s killer, swallowed a Military Rations Pill, and tried to stand, but Yakumo pushed her back down as Kazuma attacked.

Kazuma attacked Yakumo, Toka, Hotaru, and Naruto’s group, but Yakumo’s genjutsu and the group’s countermeasures forced him underground. Kazuma unleashed the Tsuchigumo Clan’s Forbidden Jutsu, Nuregami, destroying Ichiraku Ramen and the surrounding area, while Sōken confirmed the enemy forces’ locations and prepared to act.

• Kazuma launched a Wind Blade at Yakumo, Toka, and Hotaru, but Yakumo’s genjutsu made him mistake illusions for reality and left him trapped underground.
• Kazuma escaped the genjutsu with help from his Shadow Clone, then hid underground as Naruto sent ink-drawn creatures to search for him.
• Kazuma prepared Nuregami beneath Ichiraku Ramen, but Hotaru warned the others, and Naruto carried the group into the sky on an ink bird.
• Kazuma released Nuregami, erasing Ichiraku Ramen and everything within a twenty-meter radius, and Uchiha Arashiyama led Kurenai Yuhi, Hayate Gekko, and Aburame Muta toward him.
• Sōken saw the white beam, and Kabuto identified it as Kazuma’s Nuregami after Tsunade explained the technique’s limitations.
• Yamanaka Inoichi reported seeing Shisui fighting Obito Uchiha near a pitcher-plant-like creature, and Sōken decided the confirmed enemy positions allowed them to act without holding back.

Hiruko escalated his attack on Konoha by unleashing a swarm of fused monsters, and Sōken arrived to stop them. The chapter ended with Sōken revealing his Mangekyō Sharingan technique, [Ishanagihime], and turning nearly a hundred monsters to stone.

• Hiruko captured Tekka Uchiha as a spare and failed to awaken a Mangekyō Sharingan in Inabi Uchiha.
• Hiruko summoned and fused his remaining Chimeras into a swarm of powerful flying monsters, sending them deeper into Konoha.
• Akimichi Choza and ten other Akimichi Jonin used the Super Expansion Jutsu to intercept the monsters, but suffered heavy injuries while fighting them.
• Sōken arrived in his Crimson Susanoo and told the Akimichi ninja to clear his path.
• Sōken used his Mangekyō Sharingan technique, [Ishanagihime], to petrify nearly a hundred monsters at once.

Sōken used Ishanagihime to petrify the monsters attacking Konoha, then advanced on Hiruko at the village gate. Hiruko revealed a Wood Release giant and blocked Susanoo’s first attack, but Sōken began petrifying it as the fight continued.

• Sōken petrified nearly a hundred flying monsters, and Konoha’s shinobi cheered before batting the falling stones toward uninhabited areas.
• Sōken led Susanoo toward the village gate to confront Hiruko, while Tsunade watched and recognized the Mangekyō Sharingan’s power.
• Black Zetsu observed that Obito and Shisui remained locked in a stalemate and wondered whether Hiruko could challenge Sōken.
• Hiruko summoned a Wood Release Wood Golem and enclosed himself in a Wood Locking Wall to shield himself from Sōken’s gaze.
• The Wood Golem blocked Susanoo’s flying kick, but Ishanagihime began petrifying its arm and wooden defenses.
• Sōken welcomed the chance to test Ishanagihime against the Wood Golem and hoped Hiruko would provide a challenging fight.

Sōken defeated Hiruko’s Wood Golem, captured him with the ocular technique Konohanasakuya, and rescued Tekka Uchiha as Konoha’s defenders celebrated. As Sōken prepared to deal with the remaining threats, he sensed that the barrier beneath Naka Shrine had been broken and suspected Sasori was responsible.

• Sōken’s Susanoo and powerful Fire Style attacks destroyed Hiruko’s regenerating Wood Golem.
• Hiruko fled toward his Strange Bird and Tekka Uchiha, but Sōken caught him in the illusion Konohanasakuya and drained his spiritual energy until he lost consciousness.
• Sōken turned the Strange Bird into stone with Ishanagihime, rescued Tekka, and carried Hiruko back toward Konoha.
• Sōken announced Hiruko’s capture, and Konoha’s Ninja cheered as they continued fighting the remaining monsters.
• Sōken considered the threats posed by Obito Uchiha and Kazuma, then sensed the barrier beneath Naka Shrine had been broken and suspected Sasori.

Sasori escaped from the laboratory beneath Naka Shrine while Hiruko’s attack drew the Uchiha away. Sōken helped Shisui wound Obito Uchiha, who escaped but left behind two legs that could help identify him.

• Sasori used his surveillance devices to exploit the chaos caused by Hiruko’s attack and escaped Naka Shrine, leaving his research behind.
• Sōken spotted Sasori fleeing but let him go, then headed to support Shisui against Obito Uchiha.
• Sōken activated [Ishanagihime] to petrify the room, giving Shisui an opening to cut off Obito Uchiha’s legs.
• Obito Uchiha escaped, and Sōken told Shisui to seal the legs and have Yakushi Nonō compare the bloodied one against Madara Uchiha’s and other Uchiha’s genetic information.
• Sōken urged Shisui to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to check whether Naruto and Toka were safe near Ichiraku Ramen.

Sōken reunited with Toka and the others after Kazuma escaped, then criticized their performance in battle. Elsewhere, Black Zetsu saved the severely wounded Obito, who began planning how the Akatsuki Organization could overcome Konoha; Black Zetsu ended on news that White Zetsu had found someone they had been searching for.

• Sōken learned that Kazuma had escaped underground and that Sasori had also slipped away.
• Sōken reunited with Toka, Naruto, and the others, confirmed they were not seriously injured, and reprimanded them for exhausting their Chakra.
• Obito reached his meeting place with Black Zetsu after Uchiha Sōken and Uchiha Shisui had severed both his legs and turned his left hand to stone.
• Black Zetsu stopped Obito's bleeding and replaced his missing limbs with White Zetsu parts, allowing him to survive.
• Obito described the ambush and discussed the threat posed by Sōken, Shisui, and Fugaku Uchiha, while Black Zetsu said the Akatsuki Organization lacked the strength to defeat Konoha.
• Black Zetsu told Obito that White Zetsu had discovered the whereabouts of someone they had previously been unable to find.

After Konoha defeated Hiruko’s attack with few casualties, Sōken’s reputation rose, and Jiraiya and Tsunade came to ask to see their former comrade. Sōken agreed to accompany them to the Police Force’s Dungeon to try to persuade Hiruko to reveal his secrets, leaving Kabuto and Shizune to handle the office work.

• Konoha’s casualty report showed fewer than a hundred dead, while villagers and ninja praised Sōken for stopping Hiruko’s assault.
• Jiraiya returned to the village and asked Tsunade whether she had seen Hiruko; they decided to visit him together.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade asked Sōken for permission to see Hiruko, and he explained that conventional interrogation and mind-reading techniques had failed.
• Sōken agreed to accompany them and asked Kabuto to handle his documents, then told Shizune to stay and assist him.

Jiraiya and Tsunade questioned the imprisoned Hiruko about his Wood Style and his crimes, uncovering the jealousy and failed dream behind his descent into forbidden techniques. Hiruko revealed that Kazuma had given him the Wood Style and speculated that Orochimaru had changed after Nawaki’s death, while Sōken began arranging an interrogation in exchange for possible leniency.

• Sōken led Jiraiya and Tsunade through the empty temporary cells to see Hiruko, who was restrained by chains covered in Chakra-suppressing formulas.
• Tsunade asked Hiruko where he had obtained his Wood Style, and Hiruko said Kazuma had given it to him but that he did not know who stood behind Kazuma.
• Tsunade told Hiruko she had once considered him a reliable comrade, leaving him to confront the emptiness of a dream that had been twisted by jealousy.
• Hiruko explained to Jiraiya that he had pursued forbidden techniques because he lacked talent and wanted to keep pace with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
• Hiruko guessed that Orochimaru had grown tired of death after Nawaki died, describing a terrifying change in Orochimaru that he had noticed during the war.
• Sōken said Hiruko would suffer for the deaths of nearly a hundred comrades but offered a quicker death if he cooperated, then ordered the Police Force to begin questioning him.

Torifu Akimichi summoned Konoha’s leaders and announced that he would step down as Hokage because he was blind and could no longer manage the village. As the meeting began considering successors, Hyuga Masayuki recommended Uchiha Sōken, while Mokume Kōtō nominated Tsunade.

• Torifu Akimichi decided to resign and ordered Nara Shikaku to summon Konoha’s leaders and Tsunade.
• Tsunade reluctantly left a tavern after an Anbu delivered Torifu Akimichi’s message, making the Anbu pay her bill.
• Tsunade reunited with Mokume Kōtō, and they joined the gathered officials at the Akimichi compound.
• Torifu Akimichi announced that he would step down and called for candidates to succeed him as the Sixth Hokage.
• Hyuga Masayuki recommended Uchiha Sōken, and Mokume Kōtō recommended Tsunade.

Tsunade withdrew from consideration, leaving Uchiha Sōken as the sole candidate for Sixth Hokage pending the Council of Elders’ approval. After the meeting, Sōken told Hiruko to prepare to atone, while Hyuga Hiashi considered making Hanabi his disciple and challenging the Hyūga Clan’s Caged Bird customs.

• Tsunade firmly refused to become a candidate, and no one else was recommended to oppose Uchiha Sōken.
• Torifu Akimichi confirmed Sōken as the sole Sixth Hokage candidate and said the decision would go to the Council of Elders.
• Sōken visited Hiruko in the Police Force’s Dungeon and warned him to prepare to atone by continuing his former work.
• Hyuga Hiashi discussed asking Sōken to take Hanabi as his disciple and hoped the opportunity could help free his daughters from the Caged Bird Seal.
• News of the Hokage succession spread throughout Konoha, prompting discussions among its clans.