Chapter Summaries

Shimura Danzō attacked the Konoha conference, revealing Hashirama Cells and Sharingan in his arm, while Minato Namikaze fought to stop him. Minato learned Danzō was using Izanagi and prepared to finish him, but the Third Hokage intervened.

• Shimura Danzō exposed his Sharingan-filled arm and attacked the meeting with Wind Release, causing the Hokage Building to collapse.
• Minato Namikaze struck Danzō with a Flying Thunder God: Rasengan, but Danzō revived with Izanagi and wounded Minato with Wood Release.
• Fugaku Uchiha identified Izanagi and explained that each use permanently blinded one Sharingan.
• Minato Namikaze and the Jonin attacked Danzō, while Minato summoned Gamabunta to battle Danzō's Baku.
• Minato used Flying Thunder God Kunai to counter Danzō's repeated revivals and struck him with Rasengan each time.
• The Third Hokage extended his staff between Minato Namikaze and Shimura Danzō, stopping Minato from attacking again.

Minato Namikaze spared Shimura Danzō at the Third Hokage’s request, but stripped him of his chakra abilities and Root’s power. After Minamoto Takuya reported Danzō’s crimes, Minato ordered a public condemnation and learned of a hidden collection containing Sharingan and cells with powerful life energy.

• The Third Hokage persuaded Minato Namikaze not to kill Shimura Danzō, and Minato agreed to disable him instead.
• Hyuga Hiashi destroyed Danzō’s chakra points, and Minato placed Sealing Jutsu on him to prevent him from using ninjutsu.
• Minato ordered Root dismantled and had Danzō taken to a room near the Third Hokage’s residence for supervision.
• Shimura Danzō admitted that the Sharingan in his arm had belonged to Kagami, shocking the Third Hokage and the two advisors.
• Minamoto Takuya reported that Danzō had imprisoned Konoha’s ninjas and villagers, and Minato ordered a public meeting to expose his crimes.
• Minamoto Takuya later told Minato about Danzō’s collection room, including Sharingan and cells containing powerful life energy.

Minato Namikaze uncovered the full extent of Shimura Danzō’s crimes, while Minamoto Takuya gained Wood Release and Hashirama Cells but decided to delay using them until he was better prepared. At Danzō’s public trial, the Third Hokage resigned from his posts, and Minato’s handling of the affair strengthened his standing in Konoha.

• Minato Namikaze examined the Sharingan and Hashirama Cells, ordered the Sharingan returned to the Uchiha Clan, and told the Anbu to dispose of the remaining evidence.
• Minamoto Takuya brought the newly acquired Wood Release and Hashirama Cells to his Experiment Base and considered changing his plans, but waited to fuse or transplant them until his research and abilities advanced.
• Minamoto Takuya decided to continue training the Spirit Transformation Technique and Eight Inner Gates while accelerating his Chimera Technique research and postponing use of his eye-awakening device.
• At Shimura Danzō’s trial, Minato Namikaze revealed Danzō’s crimes, and former prisoners testified, convincing the villagers that destroying the Hokage Building had been necessary.
• The Third Hokage apologized for failing to discover Danzō’s actions and resigned from his posts, while Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu kept theirs.
• Minato Namikaze accepted the villagers’ support and resolved to lead Konoha onward.

Orochimaru realized Minato Namikaze’s reforms could eventually expose his experiments, while Minamoto Takuya planned to hasten Orochimaru’s defection to weaken Konoha and provoke a war. Takuya tested the Eight Inner Gates and found he could safely sustain the Fourth Gate, but the Fifth Gate quickly exhausted him.

• Orochimaru learned that Root had been abolished and considered preparing an escape before his own experiments were exposed.
• Minamoto Takuya assessed the border tensions and concluded that Orochimaru’s defection could make Konoha look vulnerable to other nations.
• Takuya decided to use evidence of Orochimaru’s experiments to expose him, but postponed acting until his railway project and Spirit Transformation Technique were more prepared.
• Takuya opened the first five of the Eight Inner Gates, then stopped when the strain of the Fifth Gate became too severe.
• Takuya concluded he could use the Fourth Gate without damage, while safely sustaining the Fifth Gate for only a few minutes.

Minamoto Takuya endured having a new sealing technique inscribed into his flesh, giving him limited protection against elemental ninjutsu. Days later, he learned that the prison, Laboratory, and railway in the Land of Snow were finished ahead of schedule and prepared to inspect them.

• Minamoto Takuya had a Shadow Clone inscribe seals throughout his flesh, enduring severe pain as his body healed around the wounds.
• Minamoto Takuya tested the technique and found it negated D-Rank ninjutsu and weakened stronger elemental attacks, though it remained an imperfect safeguard.
• Minamoto Takuya rested briefly, then resumed training despite his body's exhaustion.
• Crow summoned Minamoto Takuya to the Land of Snow, where Nadare Rōga, Mizore Fuyuma, and Kazahana Dōtō reported the prison, Laboratory, and railway were complete.
• Minamoto Takuya agreed to inspect the completed projects and promised Gelel Stones if they met his standards.

Minamoto Takuya inspected the Snow Ninja Village’s underground prison and laboratory, rewarded his subordinates, and ordered them to capture targets alive in preparation for a future war. Back in Konoha, he planned to trade Jugo’s cells with Orochimaru and arranged a discreet watch on ninja he suspected might be abducted.

• Minamoto Takuya approved the Snow Ninja Village’s facilities and gave Nadare Rōga, Kazahana Dōtō, and their companion Gelel Stones.
• Minamoto Takuya helped Tsurugi Fubuki use a Gelel Stone and ordered the Snow Ninja Village to capture ninja alive and target dangerous rogue ninja ahead of a future war.
• After returning to Konoha, Minamoto Takuya reviewed disappearance records and considered trading Jugo’s cells to Orochimaru for Cursed Seal research materials.
• Minamoto Takuya selected marginal ninja he believed Orochimaru might target and ordered the squad captain to watch them without following them closely.
• Minamoto Takuya directed the squad captain to gather the targets’ scented belongings and borrow an Anbu operative’s ninja hounds to find anyone who disappeared.

Kakashi Hatake and an Anbu traced a missing shinobi to a concealed cave, which Minamoto Takuya identified as Orochimaru’s base. Minato Namikaze ordered the Combat Department to move in, while Minamoto began tracking Orochimaru in case he fled.

• Kakashi Hatake and his ninja hounds followed a missing shinobi’s faint scent to a cave hidden by a barrier.
• Orochimaru realized that his hideout had been discovered and recognized Minamoto Takuya’s skill, but showed no fear.
• Minamoto Takuya confirmed that the missing shinobi’s trail ended near Orochimaru’s base and sent the Combat Department to investigate.
• Minamoto Takuya informed Minato Namikaze, who left the Hokage Office to take action after learning Orochimaru might be responsible.
• Minamoto Takuya used a Shadow Clone to mark Orochimaru’s chakra, then took flight to search for him before he could escape Konoha.

Minamoto Takuya tracked Orochimaru to his hidden base, where Minato Namikaze confronted him over his experiments but chose to save an injured comrade when Orochimaru escaped. Minamoto then followed Orochimaru to a cliff outside Konoha, where Orochimaru turned to face the Fox Mask.

• Minamoto Takuya reasoned that Orochimaru would eventually flee to the Land of Rice Fields and used his Shadow Clones and Mind's Eye of the Kagura to locate him.
• Minato Namikaze found Orochimaru conducting experiments in a hidden Laboratory and confronted him about his pursuit of immortality.
• Orochimaru revealed that the injured ninja on the experimental table was still alive, then escaped while forcing Minato to choose between pursuing him and saving the captive.
• Minato Namikaze rescued the injured ninja with the Flying Thunder God Technique, choosing his comrade's life over chasing Orochimaru.
• Minamoto Takuya sensed Orochimaru outside Konoha and pursued him to a cliff, where Orochimaru turned toward the approaching Fox Mask.

Minamoto Takuya confronted Orochimaru and offered Jugo’s cells in exchange for Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal research materials. Orochimaru rejected the sample as insufficient, and Minamoto Takuya prepared to leave and research the cells himself.

• Minamoto Takuya neutralized Orochimaru’s snake attack and demanded all of his Cursed Seal research materials.
• Orochimaru questioned how Minamoto Takuya knew about the secret research, but Minamoto Takuya refused to reveal his source.
• Minamoto Takuya identified the Land of Waterfalls as the source of Orochimaru’s test subjects and revealed that he had Jugo’s cells.
• Orochimaru demanded Jugo himself, but Minamoto Takuya gave his Shadow Clone a vial of Jugo’s cells, which shattered and erased its contents after Orochimaru examined them.
• Orochimaru called the sample insufficient for a trade, so Minamoto Takuya formed chakra wings and prepared to leave.

Minamoto Takuya fought Orochimaru after Orochimaru ambushed him rather than accept a deal for Jugo’s cells. After seeing Minamoto Takuya’s strength, Orochimaru stopped the fight and agreed to trade a piece of the Eight-Tails’ horn, though both men regarded each other as dangerous.

• Orochimaru attacked Minamoto Takuya with Hidden Shadow Many Snake Hands after Minamoto Takuya offered him research materials in exchange for Jugo’s cells.
• Minamoto Takuya countered with the Mysterious Peacock Method and punched apart Orochimaru’s giant snake with Monster Strength.
• Minamoto Takuya struck Orochimaru with a Wind Release—Rasenshuriken, but Orochimaru survived by emerging from a decoy body using the Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique.
• Orochimaru abandoned the fight and proposed a deal, while Minamoto Takuya asked for a small piece of the Eight-Tails’ horn.
• Orochimaru agreed to the exchange, and both men created Shadow Clones as a precaution against each other.

Minamoto Takuya traded Jugo cells to Orochimaru and erased the signs of their battle, while Minato Namikaze tried to contain the news of Orochimaru’s defection. As border tensions pushed Konoha toward war, Minamoto decided to use the strongest Genjutsu to escape the limits of his Intelligence Division post.

• Minamoto Takuya exchanged Jugo cells with Orochimaru for forbidden research scrolls, then buried the summoned snake corpses and disappeared.
• Minato Namikaze found the ruined battlefield and suspected Orochimaru, the mysterious Madara Uchiha, or another hidden enemy had fought there.
• Minato tried to suppress news of Orochimaru’s experiments and defection, but the story spread through the Shinobi World and reached Konoha.
• Minato declared Orochimaru a defector at an emergency meeting and ordered Konoha to begin war mobilization amid pressure from Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
• Minato sent a letter to Jiraiya by toad, while Minamoto reviewed the escalating border tensions and resolved to use the strongest Genjutsu to leave his constrained post.

Minamoto Takuya asked Minato Namikaze to let him support Konoha’s tense northern front, and Minato agreed to send him with Jiraiya after the latter returned. The chapter ended with Minato privately deciding to ask Jiraiya to watch over Takuya, who worried that spending time with the perceptive Sannin could expose his secrets.

• Minamoto Takuya removed his Anbu mask and told Minato Namikaze he had decided to go to the northern front against the Land of Lightning.
• Minato agreed to Takuya’s request after Takuya explained he would focus on logistical support, protective barriers, and medical work.
• Minato told Takuya to wait in Konoha because Jiraiya was returning, and the two would travel to the front together.
• Minato warned Takuya to be careful and decided to privately ask Jiraiya to watch over him.
• Takuya accepted the plan but worried that Jiraiya might detect the secrets he carried.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha, learned how Orochimaru became a rogue ninja and heard that war with Kumogakure was imminent. He prepared to leave for the front, while Minato remained in the village to protect it from the mysterious Black-Clad Man.

• Jiraiya asked Minato what had happened during the Nine-Tails attack and how Orochimaru had defected, and Minato explained the attack, Minamoto Takuya's sealing feat, and the exposed experiments by Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō.
• Jiraiya grieved over Orochimaru's betrayal, then praised Minamoto Takuya after Minato described his exceptional Sealing Jutsu and decision to support the battlefield from the rear medical unit.
• Minato told Jiraiya that fighting with Kumogakure had escalated and could become an all-out war within days, so Jiraiya decided to visit Kushina and Hiruzen before heading to the front.
• Minato asked Jiraiya to watch over Minamoto Takuya, and Jiraiya promised to protect him as he left the Hokage Office.
• Jiraiya passed Hiruzen without approaching him, while Hiruzen watched Shimura Danzō depart and reflected on the ruin both men had suffered.

Jiraiya and Minamoto Takuya rushed to the Land of Fire border as full-scale war between Konoha and Cloud Village erupted. Jiraiya’s arrival rallied Konoha’s forces, and he joined the leaders there to assess the battle while Takuya headed to the logistics and medical area.

• Jiraiya thanked Minamoto Takuya for saving Kushina during the Nine-Tails Incident, then set out with him for the border.
• Minato Namikaze watched the two leave and silently prayed for their safety.
• Jiraiya and Takuya reached the battlefield, where Konoha and Cloud Village were engaged in a full-scale war.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta into the Cloud Ninja ranks, killing several enemies and mistakenly earning cheers as the Fourth Hokage and Yellow Flash.
• Jiraiya and Takuya met Inoichi Yamanaka, Nara Shikaku, Choza Akimichi, and Fugaku Uchiha, while Takuya went to the logistics and medical area.

Minamoto Takuya earned the trust of Konoha’s front-line forces by saving wounded ninjas with exceptional medical skill and became the head of the medical forces. As new casualties arrived, he continued his work while seeking a way to obtain the Two-Tails’ chakra through Yugito Nii’s concern for her comrades.

• Minamoto Takuya joined the chaotic battlefield medical station and stabilized several severely wounded ninjas with his precise chakra control.
• Jiraiya watched Minamoto Takuya’s work, compared his skill to Tsunade’s, and decided he could serve as acting deputy commander of the medical division.
• Over the following months, Minamoto Takuya treated countless Konoha ninjas, gained the camp’s gratitude, and took charge of its medical forces during the stalemate with the Cloud Village.
• Minamoto Takuya considered how to obtain the Two-Tails’ chakra without exposing his Collector identity or making enemies of both Konoha and the Cloud Village.
• When another batch of wounded soldiers arrived, Minamoto Takuya told the medical unit to move and led them toward the medical area.

Minamoto Takuya used his sensory abilities and the Snow Ninja Force to capture Cloud Ninja scouts while concealing how they vanished. After Cloud’s reinforced scout team also disappeared, Yugito Nii decided to investigate personally.

• Minamoto Takuya learned that Nadare Rōga’s team had captured twelve unconscious Cloud Ninja and ordered them transferred to the Land of Snow prison.
• Minamoto Takuya used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to locate enemy squads and arranged for Snow Ninja to collect them from hidden positions.
• Yugito Nii ordered Cloud Jonin to escort new scout teams and discover why the scouts kept disappearing.
• A reinforced Cloud reconnaissance squad vanished shortly after entering its assigned area, leaving Yugito Nii and the command staff stunned.
• Yugito Nii rejected her Jonin’s objections and decided to take part in the investigation herself.

Minamoto Takuya lured Two-Tails Yugito away from her unit and attacked her, hoping to capture her after she became enraged. Yugito’s transformation gave her the upper hand, leaving Takuya battered as their fight escalated.

• Minamoto Takuya used Earth Release: Spiral Sealing to subdue and seal a Cloud Ninja Jonin, then considered ending his campaign against Cloud’s scouting teams.
• Takuya detected Two-Tails Yugito among a Cloud Ninja unit and sent her a note identifying himself as the “Two-Tails—Collector.”
• Yugito went alone to search for Takuya despite her comrades’ warnings, and he waited until she was away from both villages before ambushing her.
• Takuya used Adamantine Sealing Chains, shuriken, and a trapped Cloud Ninja to provoke Yugito into a berserk half-tailed transformation.
• Yugito’s claws shattered when she struck Takuya’s Monster Strength, but her two tails then blasted him away and she advanced into a stronger Half-Tailed Beast Transformation.

Minamoto Takuya fought Yugito, overpowering her half-tailed form before she transformed completely into Two-Tails Matatabi. He unleashed a devastating six-gate punch that drove her into the ground, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Yugito entered a half-tailed transformation and attacked Minamoto Takuya, but his chakra python struck her and sent her crashing into the ground.
• Minamoto Takuya pursued Yugito and drove a purple Rasengan into her chest and abdomen, severely injuring her.
• Yugito transformed fully into Two-Tails Matatabi and unleashed a massive fireball at Minamoto Takuya.
• Minamoto Takuya used Shadow Clone Technique and Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind Matatabi, then charged through the flames.
• Minamoto Takuya struck Matatabi’s head with a six-gate punch, driving her into the earth and creating a massive crater as the chains shattered.

Minamoto Takuya defeated Two-Tails Matatabi, sealed away most of its chakra, and left Yugito Nii alive. As she realized he was not from Konoha, he demonstrated what appeared to be Kumogakure’s Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, leaving his true allegiance uncertain.

• Minamoto Takuya used Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to devastate Two-Tails Matatabi, then bound it with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Minamoto Takuya used the Chakra Severing Technique to extract a portion of Matatabi’s chakra, returning Yugito Nii to human form.
• Yugito Nii, badly injured, urged Minamoto Takuya to kill her, but he said he had wanted to trade her life for some of Matatabi’s chakra.
• Yugito Nii realized Minamoto Takuya was not from Konoha after he explained his intentions and showed her a Rasengan.
• Minamoto Takuya surrounded himself with lightning that convinced Yugito Nii he could use Lightning Release: Chakra Mode.

Minamoto Takuya left the badly wounded Yugito Nii to escape and returned to his Snow Ninja stronghold with a Cloud Ninja captive. After Jiraiya investigated the battlefield and suspected a powerful third party was targeting the Cloud Village, Takuya ordered his forces to stop ambushing Cloud squads and focus on recovering fallen shinobi.

• Minamoto Takuya called himself the “Collector” and urged Yugito Nii to flee before Konoha arrived; she vowed to grow stronger and kill him before collapsing into unconsciousness among her rescuers.
• Jiraiya found the ruined battlefield, detected signs of the Two-Tails, and concluded that an unknown, formidable third party had fought there and might be targeting the Cloud Village.
• Minamoto Takuya returned to the hidden stronghold with an unconscious Cloud Ninja captive, and Nadare Rōga and the Snow Ninja reacted with awe at his survival and victory over the Two-Tails.
• Minamoto Takuya ordered Nadare Rōga to cancel ambushes and have the Snow Ninja focus on recovering fallen Cloud Ninja for materials.
• Minamoto Takuya judged that pursuing Killer B and the Fourth Raikage would be too risky and inefficient, then vanished from the stronghold.