Chapter Summaries

Hiruzen Sarutobi routed Kirigakure’s forces, defeated the Third Mizukage, and subdued the Three-Tails and Six-Tails. The chapter ended with the Mizukage realizing he had never been able to threaten Hiruzen.

• Suikazan Fuguki reported that Hiruzen Sarutobi had destroyed Kirigakure’s elite formation and killed most of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and the Third Mizukage ordered an orderly retreat to the coast.
• Hiruzen learned that the Three-Tails and Six-Tails were near the coastline, then advanced with Konoha’s forces to attack Kirigakure before it could regroup.
• Hiruzen countered the Third Mizukage’s Water Release and genjutsu, battered him, and disrupted the Tailed Beast Bombs the beasts prepared to fire.
• Hiruzen knocked the Three-Tails and Six-Tails unconscious by smashing their heads together and sealed their chakra with the Four-Symbols Seal.
• The Third Mizukage tried to recover with seawater, but Hiruzen turned toward him after capturing the two Tailed Beasts, leaving him stripped of his defiance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Third Mizukage’s collapse to secure the Land of Water’s cooperation, rebuild its government, and lead Kimimaro’s forces in pacifying the country. Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu realized that Hiruzen’s next move might be to make Gengetsu legitimize Hiruzen as Mizukage, but Gengetsu had not yet decided whether to comply.

• Hozuki Gengetsu learned that Mutori had destroyed Kirigakure, stolen its archives, and become a bandit, while Mu predicted that Konoha would avoid occupying the ruined Land of Water.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent officials and supplies to the Land of Water, negotiated a treaty with its Daimyo, and gained legal authority to oversee its reconstruction and security.
• Kimimaro persuaded the Mist shinobi under his command to support Hiruzen’s rebuilding effort, and his forces joined Konoha in hunting down rogue shinobi.
• Hiruzen and Kimimaro’s forces restored order across the Land of Water, while Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu watched the campaign succeed.
• Mu explained that Hozuki Gengetsu could legitimize Hiruzen as Mizukage by killing Mutori, losing to Hiruzen, and asking him to care for Kirigakure and the Land of Water.

Hiruzen Sarutobi directed Konoha’s defensive war while tightening Konoha’s control over Kirigakure and the Land of Water. As the Three-Tails and Six-Tails recovered in Konoha, the Nine-Tails prepared to bring them into the Will of Fire.

• Senju Tobirama reported that Konoha had repelled Kumogakure’s probing attack, and Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered defensive counterattacks, battlefield oversight, and proper support for the shinobi.
• Izuna explained that the war would temper Konoha’s shinobi, while Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Tobirama greater responsibilities and directed him to prepare for the other villages’ elite forces.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi tasked Kimimaro and Tenzo with rebuilding Kirigakure, gathering wandering shinobi, and restoring order across the Land of Water under Konoha’s system.
• Uchiha Madara watched Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plans and considered Kirigakure a new reserve for Konoha, while Ashina Uzumaki begged to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi and Black Zetsu worried that Madara was draining the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• At Ichiraku Ramen, the Nine-Tails argued with the Sage of Six Paths about his service to Konoha and learned that the Three-Tails and Six-Tails had awakened.
• The Nine-Tails went to Mito and greeted the recovering Three-Tails and Six-Tails, lamenting their condition.

Nine-Tails persuaded Three-Tails and Six-Tails to join Konoha, while Might Duy fought on the Kumogakure front and Tobirama used Impure World Reincarnation to prepare an explosive unit. The chapter ended with Nine-Tails announcing the news to Konoha’s front lines as the shinobi cheered.

• Nine-Tails convinced Three-Tails and Six-Tails that Konoha would protect them, and Mito formed small avatars for them to accompany him into the village.
• Nine-Tails brought the two tailed beasts to Ichiraku, where the Sage of Six Paths secretly erased their chakra and served them ramen.
• Might Duy used the Sixth Gate to defeat a Kumogakure squad, while Tobirama explained that Duy’s Hashirama and Yamato cells helped him recover and keep fighting.
• Tobirama used two captured Kumogakure ninja as sacrifices for Impure World Reincarnation, planning to combine the revived fighters with explosive tags and Flying Thunder God.
• Nine-Tails addressed Konoha’s front lines through the Heart-Pulse Ultimatum, reporting the Hokage’s gains in Kirigakure and Three-Tails and Six-Tails’ entry into the village.

Danzo reconsidered his rivalry with Hiruzen and resolved to seek a spectacular death in battle, while Kumogakure launched a concentrated assault on Konoha’s front. Konoha’s forces engaged the attackers, and the chapter left Tobirama and Minato facing the Fourth Raikage and Killer B.

• Danzo concluded that he could never catch up to Hiruzen through governing and decided that dying while defeating powerful Kage could secure his legacy.
• The Third Raikage ordered Kumogakure’s forces to break through Konoha’s line and seize the forward command headquarters and its supplies.
• Tobirama assigned Minato to face the Fourth Raikage and sent Danzo and Might Duy to engage Yugito, while Konoha’s other shinobi defended the front.
• Might Duy and Danzo overwhelmed Yugito, and Danzo ordered Konoha’s forces to draw Kumogakure reinforcements toward the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Minato and Tobirama confronted the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, who charged into battle with Lightning Release Chakra Mode and the Eight-Tails’ power.

Tobirama and Minato fought the A-B Combination on the Kumogakure front, crippling the Fourth Raikage and driving the Eight-Tails to sacrifice its tails to escape capture. Tobirama then used Impure World Reincarnation to turn the Kumo-nin pursuing Danzo and Duy into victims of an explosive ambush, while Madara watched Obito boast on the Iwagakure battlefield.

• Tobirama used Izuna’s Mangekyō power and Flying Thunder God Technique to overwhelm Killer B, forcing the Eight-Tails to take control and enter Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Minato and the Fourth Raikage exchanged blows as Minato revealed he had learned Lightning Release Chakra Mode from slain Kumogakure spies.
• The Fourth Raikage and Killer B attempted a Double Lariat against Tobirama, but Tobirama and Minato countered, leaving the Fourth Raikage without an arm and badly wounding Killer B.
• The Eight-Tails broke free of Tobirama’s Water Release attack by sacrificing its tails, and Minato sealed the severed tails while the Raikage and Killer B escaped.
• Tobirama used Impure World Reincarnation to disguise revived Kumo-nin among Danzo and Duy’s pursuers, then detonated Mutual Explosion Tags after both forces withdrew.
• Madara turned his attention to the Iwagakure battlefield and saw Obito boast while standing near a row of Explosive Tags.

Obito, Kakashi, and Nohara Rin were caught in Iwagakure’s minefield during a surprise offensive and were pursued by elite Iwa-nin. A group of reanimated former Kage rescued them, while the main Konoha forces remained locked in battle with Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki and elite troops.

• Obito stepped on a concealed Explosive Tag, and Kakashi and Nohara Rin discovered Iwagakure’s new explosive traps and rushed to report them.
• Kakashi realized Iwagakure had launched a major assault, but he, Obito, and Nohara Rin were trapped between mines and pursuing Iwa-nin.
• Uchiha Madara agreed that Ah Huo could intervene, and Ah Huo sent the Second Raikage, Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and Ashina Uzumaki to rescue the team.
• Taiseki, Toshito, and Hiko overwhelmed the exhausted Team Minato, but the reanimated group arrived and defeated the Iwa-nin.
• Ashina Uzumaki treated and sealed Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Obito before the rescuers departed, while Fugaku, Uzumaki Shio, Tomie, Isshin, and Jiraiya continued fighting Iwagakure’s vanguard.

Konoha repelled Iwagakure’s coordinated breakthrough as Tomie and Uzumaki Shio defeated the Five-Tails Jinchuriki and Fugaku awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan while fighting Roshi. The chapter ended with Iwagakure retreating, Kazuya surviving through Kakuzu’s help, and Obito waking among the Four Kage and believing he was dead.

• Ōnoki arranged simultaneous breakthroughs against Konoha, while Kushina and Ida surveyed the battlefield and Isshin assigned Tomie and Uzumaki Shio to Han and Fugaku’s Uchiha forces to Roshi.
• Tomie and Uzumaki Shio linked their Chakra with Adamantine Sealing Chains and combined Susanoo with Tailed Beast Chakra, then exploited their shared senses and Tomie’s Kuebiko to wound Han and drive back Iwagakure’s forces.
• Tomie and Uzumaki Shio severed the Five-Tails’ tail, collected it for Konoha, and forced Han to retreat while Kushina’s aerial support disrupted Iwagakure’s coordinated attacks.
• Kazuya died after refusing to use his remaining Izanagi, and his Mangekyō power helped Fugaku awaken Takeminakata and manifest a Crow Tengu Susanoo that severely wounded the Four-Tails.
• Kitsuchi trapped Fugaku with Earth Mountain Jutsu and led the retreat as Jiraiya broke through Iwagakure’s central army; Kazuya remained alive with help from Kakuzu and the Medical Chakra Scroll.
• Ashina Uzumaki greeted Obito after he awoke among the Four Kage, and Obito wondered whether he had entered an illusion or the world after death.

Obito was captured by Uchiha Madara’s organization, where Madara revealed his identity, recruited him, and planned an intense training regimen while trying to steer him toward the Infinite Tsukuyomi. At the Sunagakure front, Hanzo proposed attacking the unusually passive forces to capture the One-Tail.

• Obito woke up with missing limbs, explained Konoha’s welfare benefits to the gathered Kage, and told Ashina Uzumaki about Hiruzen Sarutobi’s abilities and relationship with Mito Uzumaki.
• Ah Huo brought Obito to Uchiha Madara, who used genjutsu to appear as Senju Tobirama before revealing himself and recruiting Obito.
• Obito defended Madara and Hiruzen Sarutobi, earning Madara’s favor and agreeing to train under Madara and the organization’s members.
• Madara arranged Hashirama Cell limbs and a demanding weekly training schedule for Obito, while planning to use Danzo’s recklessness and future events to influence him.
• At the Sunagakure front, Hanzo, Sakumo, and Nagato observed that many Sunagakure shinobi avoided serious fighting, and Hanzo suggested attacking to capture the One-Tail.

Hanzo, Hatake Sakumo, and Nagato launched a flood-based offensive against Sunagakure, exploiting divisions among its leaders and the weakness of its sand-based abilities in water. Sasori learned of the plan through a mysterious contact and kept Pakura from walking into an ambush, while the chapter ended as Hanzo attacked Rasa and Sakumo confronted the Third Kazekage.

• Hanzo proposed opening the dam and attacking the Third Kazekage’s command post while Nagato prepared to deal with the One-Tail and Konan created a diversion against Sasori and Pakura.
• Amegakure flooded Sunagakure’s front, and Sasori received intelligence from Ah Huo that Hanzo and Hatake Sakumo were advancing toward the Third Kazekage.
• Sasori warned Pakura that Rasa’s orders would send her into danger, then claimed he had been communicating with the deceased Second Kazekage, Shamon.
• Konan and Yahiko’s force bombarded empty positions while Sasori ordered the Puppet Masters to answer with a show of firepower rather than inflict casualties.
• Hanzo and Hatake Sakumo struck the Central Command Tent, and the flood weakened Rasa’s control of Gold Dust and the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand.
• Hanzo emerged behind Rasa with a spinning purple water wheel as Sakumo’s blade split the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand Shield.

Hanzo and Hatake Sakumo routed Sunagakure’s forces, captured Third Kazekage, Rasa, and Chiyo, and turned the battle toward seizing the One-Tail. After Sasori released Shukaku to cover the Sand ninja’s retreat, Nagato helped defeat the tailed beast and sealed it into himself.

• Hanzo flooded the battlefield and poisoned Rasa, while the Rain ninja used the terrain to overwhelm Sunagakure’s troops.
• Hatake Sakumo cut apart Chiyo’s puppets, and Hanzo defeated Third Kazekage with an explosive, poison-filled salamander trap.
• Sasori rescued Chiyo and organized the Sand ninja’s retreat, then released Shukaku as cover.
• Nagato struck Shukaku down, and Hanzo and Hatake Sakumo joined him in attacking the tailed beast.
• Nagato used Adamantine Sealing Chains to absorb Shukaku and became the One-Tail’s jinchuriki.

Orochimaru and Hiruko organized Konoha’s changing war effort, research, and postwar arrangements while Mito pressed for Hashirama’s Impure World Reincarnation. In the Land of Water, Hiruzen Sarutobi developed his power and guided Kimimaro’s work before Kisame reported that Mutori had been found.

• Orochimaru and Hiruko discussed Sunagakure’s Magnet Release research, Dragon Vein studies, and returning the crippled Third Kazekage and Rasa to Sunagakure as Konoha negotiated its gains.
• Orochimaru outlined Konoha’s controlled war strategy, battlefield training, compensation plans, and preparations to improve Impure World Reincarnation after Mito demanded a Hashirama vessel.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi cultivated in the Land of Water, judged Hashirama a potential deterrent, and considered how to use his newly developed Spirit Release and sealing techniques.
• Kimimaro reported that the Land of Water’s administration was stabilizing, and Hiruzen advised him on governing while offering support for his health and future as a Konoha ally.
• Kimimaro declined the prospect of becoming Mizukage and said he wanted to return to Konoha after supporting Terumi Mei.
• Kisame reported that Mutori’s traces had been found, and Hiruzen set out as Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu also approached the Previous Mizukage.

Hozuki Gengetsu killed the Third Mizukage Mutori and challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi for Kirigakure’s leadership. As the battle began, Gengetsu asked Hiruzen how the Land of Water had recovered so quickly, leaving Hiruzen poised to explain his methods.

• Mu and Mustache discussed Mutori’s escape and watched Hiruzen Sarutobi restore stability and supplies to the Land of Water.
• Ah Huo directed Gengetsu and Mu to test Hiruzen, while Uchiha Madara mistakenly believed the operation had been his own plan.
• Gengetsu ambushed and executed Mutori, then killed Genji and the Kirigakure shinobi who had supported the Third Mizukage.
• Hiruzen recognized Gengetsu’s Rinnegan-enhanced abilities and sent Kimimaro, Kisame, and the other Mist shinobi away before facing him.
• Gengetsu challenged Hiruzen to a duel for the title of Mizukage and asked how Hiruzen had made the Land of Water prosper without war spoils.

Hiruzen Sarutobi defeated Hozuki Gengetsu with Spirit Release and sealing techniques, then countered Mu’s Dust Release and began reproducing it. After taking control of Kirigakure, Hiruzen helped Kimimaro pursue his dream of writing, while Isshiki decided to observe him as a potential vessel and Ah Huo urged Obito to train to become Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi used Spirit Release to dismantle Hozuki Gengetsu’s summons and explosive clones, then sealed Gengetsu with a blow and won his acknowledgment as the new First Mizukage.
• Mu attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi with Dust Release, but Hiruzen’s Spirit Release degraded the technique, letting him grasp its structure before Mu escaped with Hozuki Gengetsu.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi took charge of Kirigakure, assigning Kisame and Kimimaro to register and screen its shinobi, and explained how Ice Release dispelled Gengetsu’s illusion.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Kimimaro an outline for a book called Orphans of the Mist, then warned him that greater dangers remained in the Shinobi World.
• Isshiki identified Hiruzen Sarutobi and another hidden figure as potential vessels and planned to observe Hiruzen in Konoha.
• Ah Huo encouraged Obito to become stronger and pursue the Hokage position, and Obito eagerly promised to follow his guidance.

Obito strengthened his bond with Uchiha Madara while demonstrating his developing Wood Release, and Ah Huo brought Konoha briefings for the Warring States-era Kage to analyze. As the group studied Hiruzen Sarutobi’s plans for integrating conquered territories and preparing Konoha for future threats, Madara began planning the Crimson organization’s debut, while Ōtsutsuki Isshiki’s disguise drew the attention of Konoha’s Ramen Sage.

• Obito failed his first attempt at Wood Release: Cutting Technique, then succeeded after Ah Huo encouraged him, earning praise and permission to rest while learning about Konoha’s changes.
• Ah Huo delivered optimized Konoha briefings to Uchiha Madara, who asked the gathered Kage and Obito to analyze the village’s new policies.
• The Kage explained Konoha’s tiered integration of Amegakure, Kirigakure, and Rōran, along with its limited-war strategy and plans to strengthen ninjas through Hashirama Cells and Natural Energy.
• The Kage realized Obito might become Hokage and began imagining how to cultivate a favorable relationship with him, leaving Obito unnerved by their attention.
• Uchiha Madara decided the Crimson organization should eventually take over Iwagakure and Kumogakure, using Danzo as a future opening after Hiruzen had completed his training.
• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki entered Konoha in the guise of an Amegakure border merchant and locked eyes with the village’s Ramen Sage, making both suspect the other.

The Sage of Six Paths and Isshiki met in Konoha, negotiated rather than fought, and the Sage decided to help Hiruzen prepare the Shinobi World to face Isshiki while using Madara as part of a plan to resolve his family conflict. A year later, Konoha’s next generation faced a crowded field of prodigies, while Madara prepared a new trial for the village.

• The Sage of Six Paths and Isshiki sensed each other’s strength, shared ramen, and agreed to part without fighting after Isshiki revealed his interest in Hiruzen and the Rinnegan.
• The Sage of Six Paths planned to help Konoha develop techniques for resisting Otsutsuki and to use Isshiki’s attempt to reach Madara as a test of his beliefs about Indra and Kaguya.
• Konoha maintained localized fighting against Iwagakure and Kumogakure while the Sage of Six Paths improved the Stone Tablet and Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal research, and Hiruzen continued developing his techniques.
• A year later, Asuma warned Itachi about the many powerful shinobi and rivals in Konoha, while Nagato and the One-Tail discussed the Nine-Tails’ growing influence.
• Itachi found Sasuke happily eating ramen with the Sage of Six Paths and chose not to interrupt them, unaware that the Sage was growing attached to Sasuke as Indra’s reincarnation.
• Madara reviewed Ah Huo’s report that Danzo and Aosui were at the front and learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure planned a feigned counterattack, so he prepared Konoha’s next trial.

Hiruzen Sarutobi planned a Shinobi World information network with Orochimaru while reporting on Konoha’s research and honoring Obito as a fallen hero. Meanwhile, Madara’s training and schemes advanced, and Danzo and Tobirama’s deep strike behind enemy lines went wrong when Tobirama lost contact with their Flying Thunder God Marks.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed building an information platform, and Orochimaru agreed to make it the Scientific Research Department’s highest priority.
• Orochimaru reported on Hashirama cell transplants, Cursed Seals, and preparations to Impure World Reincarnate Hashirama, while Hiruzen Sarutobi urged him to proceed according to each shinobi’s compatibility.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to honor Obito in Konoha’s textbooks and visit the families of fallen shinobi, while suspecting Madara had taken Obito and was trying to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Obito recalled Hiruzen Sarutobi’s visit and public praise as Madara continued training him, and Madara ordered Ashina Uzumaki to mark Flying Thunder God Marks across the battlefield.
• Danzo and Tobirama led an elite Konoha force deep behind enemy lines, but Tobirama suddenly lost contact with the Flying Thunder God Marks.

Tobirama, Danzo, and their squad were trapped after Ashina Uzumaki appeared with the Deva Path and disrupted their escape. As they plunged deeper into enemy territory, Hiruzen learned they had lost contact and faced an ambush, leaving him to decide how to respond.

• Tobirama and Izuna speculated that Ashina Uzumaki had erased the Flying Thunder God markings and orchestrated the crisis as a test.
• Danzo offered to stay behind and sacrifice himself, but Tobirama rebuked him and urged him to survive and protect Konoha for future threats.
• Ashina Uzumaki emerged, repelled Danzo's attack with Shinra Tensei, and revealed his Impure World Reincarnation body while fighting Tobirama's group.
• Ashina Uzumaki overwhelmed the squad with his Rinnegan powers and Adamantine Sealing Chains, then warned them not to use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Tobirama, Danzo, and the others withdrew into enemy territory to evade the encirclement and wait for reinforcements.
• Orochimaru told Hiruzen that Aosui and Danzo had lost contact, the Heart-Pulse Ultimatum had failed, and Iwagakure and Kumogakure had mobilized defensive forces; Hiruzen sprang up in alarm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to rescue Danzo and Aosui by attacking the enemy front alone, believing a hidden third-party force had caused their predicament. As Konoha and its allies mobilized to support him, Hiruzen descended into battle intending to test his strength and refine the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts within him.

• Orochimaru and Hizashi explained the risks of a frontal assault, but Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded that Danzo and Aosui's capture involved a third-party force and that Konoha could not yield.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the village to prepare a coordinated advance, then set out alone to disrupt Iwagakure and Kumogakure's defenses and draw their strongest forces toward him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi named Orochimaru as his successor if he failed to return and instructed Hizashi to assist him.
• Hizashi and Orochimaru mobilized Konoha's forces, while Kimimaro, Kisame, Hanzo, and the other allied leaders abandoned their current operations to support Hiruzen.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi descended onto the battlefield and prepared to refine the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts within his body.

Hiruzen Sarutobi plunged into the allied Iwagakure and Kumogakure army, using Sage Art and overwhelming force to shatter its forward formations and draw the enemy leaders toward him. As Han prepared a deeper line of defense and Tobirama and Danzo moved to escape their pursuers, the Kage watching the battle waited to see whether Hiruzen could overcome the massed Warfare Ninjutsu.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi fell from the sky and unleashed Sage Art: Meteor Volcano: Ape's Wrath Descends, devastating the enemy formation with lava fists and a halberd strike.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi combined Lava Release and Boil Release Chakra Modes as he carved a path through Iwa-nin and Kumo-nin and advanced into the Land of Earth.
• Han abandoned the shattered column, withdrew to organize the next line, and persuaded the Five-Tails to lend him Chakra for a final attempt against Hiruzen.
• Tobirama sensed Hiruzen's arrival and urged Danzo to avoid rushing into danger while they sought a way to rendezvous with Konoha's other shinobi.
• Madara and the other Kage watched Hiruzen's assault as Han's next force prepared a large-scale Warfare Ninjutsu to stop him.