Chapter Summaries

Tobirama persuaded Tomie to let go of her inherited hatred and accept treatment for her severe Kekkei Genkai disease, while Izuna warned that helping her could entangle Tobirama in a dangerous romance. The next morning, Tobirama brought Tomie to Root and asked Danzo for help.

• Tobirama sensed Tomie's illness and, with Izuna, decided to help her despite the risks of getting personally entangled.
• Tomie explained that she was torn between her family's hatred and Konoha's efforts to make amends, and believed she had no reason to keep living.
• Tobirama challenged Tomie's assumptions about what her deceased family wanted and offered to cure her, with Danzo and other village connections helping.
• Tomie agreed to let Tobirama research and treat her, and the two arranged to meet again the next day.
• Tobirama brought Tomie to Root and asked Danzo to help them.

Tobirama used Root’s resources to examine Tomie Uchiha and devised a plan to stabilize her illness with Uzumaki Shio’s life force, while Izuna warned him about the emotional complications. Meanwhile, Hiruzen welcomed Kakuzu into Konoha’s committee and prepared to discuss economic expansion.

• Tobirama brought Tomie to Danzo, who approved the equipment and personnel needed to examine her and praised Tobirama’s revised Wind Release Chakra Mode design.
• Tobirama and Izuna examined Tomie’s chakra and diagnosed a brain lesion caused by negative emotions, which damaged her blood and organs.
• Tobirama proposed draining and purifying Tomie’s blood while using Uzumaki Shio’s life force to protect her, and Izuna joked about the likely romantic misunderstandings.
• Tobirama told Tomie to restrain her emotions and wait two to three months while he researched a treatment, then returned to his experiments as she left.
• Hiruzen convened a Konoha Committee meeting, welcomed Kakuzu after Mito approved of him, and prepared to discuss expanding Konoha’s and the Land of Fire’s economies.

Hiruzen Sarutobi introduced Kakuzu to Konoha’s Committee Members and defended his decision to accept him, arguing that the Will of Fire should guide the village rather than the Shinobi World’s restrictive customs. The meeting ended with Hiruzen outlining plans to keep Kakuzu’s identity confidential and discuss Konoha’s economic transformation with Amegakure.

• Kakuzu assessed Konoha’s leaders and sat beside Minato as Hiruzen introduced him as a former friend of the First Hokage who had joined Konoha.
• Danzo questioned the village’s decision to take in a missing-nin, and Orochimaru explained that villages rejected missing-nin to preserve the Ninja Code and control their shinobi.
• Hiruzen argued that Konoha should distinguish between different missing-nin and prioritize the Will of Fire, prompting Isshin and Tenzo to reconsider their old-fashioned views.
• Kakuzu and Minato introduced themselves as friends, while Hiruzen considered pairing Kakuzu with Hiruko and Asuma to help him build ties in Konoha.
• Hiruzen told the Committee Members to inform relevant forces that Kakuzu was one of them, keep his identity secret for now, and prepare to discuss economic transformation with Amegakure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakuzu planned to bind Amegakure to Konoha through trade, outsourced production, and economic dependence, while preparing for Hanzo’s visit. After the meeting, Orochimaru asked Hizashi whether he wanted greater power to help their teacher.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakuzu explained that Konoha would sell Amegakure a weaker, more expensive version of Sage Land Pills and hire its craftsmen to produce scroll blanks and basic Ninja Tools.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said the arrangement would make Amegakure a de facto subordinate village and serve as a model for turning future enemies into sources of production for Konoha.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura warned that Hanzo might use his strength to demand better terms, while Orochimaru suspected he had acquired a secret technique.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said he would confront Hanzo if necessary, assigned Kakuzu to audit Konoha’s finances, and rejected proposals that he take concubines or form a marriage alliance.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the village to arrange Hanzo’s visit and a farewell gathering for the Kirigakure exchange students.
• Several days later, Orochimaru asked Hizashi whether he wanted greater power to help their teacher.

Hizashi underwent a dangerous operation to fuse Storm Release and Sage Village power through the Cursed Seal, and the procedure succeeded after his determination steadied his body. As Kirigakure’s exchange students headed home, Uchiha Madara used a White Zetsu to order them to hide Konoha’s strength and spread claims of its weakness.

• Hizashi agreed to undergo both transplants despite the heightened risk, and Orochimaru, Hiruko, Tsunade, Kushina, and Kakuzu prepared the operation.
• The team implanted Storm Release and Sage Village substance in Hizashi, while Kushina sealed the rampaging power, Tsunade stabilized his organs, and Kakuzu repaired his injuries.
• After ten hours, Hizashi’s vital signs stabilized and the operation succeeded; Orochimaru and Hiruko discussed improving the Chimera Technique, while Hiruko planned to help Asuma develop Swift Release and Steel Release.
• Orochimaru and the others discussed recruiting Uchiha Aosui to assist with research on Hashirama Cells, unaware that Aosui had once been Senju Tobirama.
• Several days later, Kisame, Terumi Mei, Kimimaro, and Yuki left Konoha and considered how to report what they had seen to Kirigakure.
• A White Zetsu controlled by Uchiha Madara ordered the returning exchange students to portray Konoha as weak and conceal anything that could undermine the Bloody Mist Village.

Uchiha Madara deceived the Kirigakure exchange students into believing Konoha was weak so their false intelligence would encourage Kirigakure to pursue war, while he advanced plans involving Sky Hidden Village and Nagato. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi trained his fire resistance, approved Danzo’s request concerning Aosui, and wondered whether Hanzo intended to negotiate sincerely; Hanzo ended the chapter brooding over Hiruzen’s name.

• Uchiha Madara convinced Kisame, Terumi Mei, Kimimaro, and Yuki that Konoha’s strength and reforms were deceptive, and Kimimaro pretended to accept his claims.
• White Zetsu Ah Huo impersonated Genji and ordered the Kirigakure students to keep Madara’s warning secret while reporting that Konoha was weak.
• Uchiha Madara directed White Zetsu Ah Huo to prepare Sky Hidden Village’s forces and discussed using Hanzo and Danzo to expose Nagato’s Rinnegan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi practiced the Fire Sealing Method, increasing his fire resistance, and Danzo secured approval for Aosui’s cooperation with the Aburame Clan to treat Tomie.
• Danzo warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that Hanzo would visit Konoha in a week, and Hiruzen questioned whether Hanzo intended honest cooperation.
• Hanzo paced in his Amegakure office, then stared at the name Hiruzen Sarutobi written on a sheet of paper.

Hanzo reflected on how he had abandoned his ambitions and grown fearful, then resolved to travel to Konoha alone to pursue cooperation with Hiruzen Sarutobi. In Konoha, Tsunade completed an initial prototype of the Medical Chakra Scroll, while Orochimaru watched Tobirama’s research with surprise.

• Hanzo compared his decline with Hiruzen Sarutobi’s resurgence and recognized that fear had replaced his former ambition.
• Hanzo reconsidered his suspicion of the Akatsuki Organization and its rumored Rinnegan wielder, then resolved to atone by seeking cooperation with Konoha.
• Hanzo began restoring his combat readiness and preparing Amegakure’s proposals for a solo diplomatic visit to Konoha.
• Tsunade tested the Nawaki-class Medical Chakra Scroll and confirmed that it could rapidly repair a Cloned Limb, overcoming its initial release and preservation barriers.
• Tsunade decided to refine production specifications and leave negotiations for more Scroll Blanks to her teacher.
• Orochimaru watched Tobirama’s research and realized that Tobirama knew how to conduct research.

Tobirama, posing as Aosui, impressed Orochimaru with his research on treating Tomie's Kekkei Genkai Disease, joined the Hashirama Cell Research Group, and gained Orochimaru's trust. Meanwhile, Tomie helped Shisui and Obito train at Tobirama's home, and Hiruzen encouraged Hizashi to recover and prepare for his son’s birth.

• Tobirama conducted a Kikaichū experiment to develop a way to remove toxins from Tomie's blood, and Orochimaru offered detailed advice after recognizing his research ability.
• Tobirama accepted Orochimaru's offer to join the Hashirama Cell Research Group, explaining that he had become Danzo's disciple to monitor Danzo rather than to spy on Orochimaru.
• Izuna proposed that the Uchiha Clan serve as Konoha's supervisory force, while Tomie visited Tobirama's home and taught Shisui and Obito to use genjutsu.
• Hiruzen praised Hizashi's progress with Storm Release and the Cursed Seal, ordered him to rest and spend time with his family, and rejected his proposed name for his unborn son.
• Hizashi agreed to name his son Neji, and Hiruzen said he would arrange positions for Hiashi and Ko after Hanzo's visit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Hanzo to Konoha alone and showed him the village’s prosperity, military strength, and new medical technology as they discussed cooperation between Konoha and Amegakure. After seeing Konoha firsthand, Hanzo acknowledged its sincerity and proposed that Amegakure’s people could be its greatest resource, leaving deeper military cooperation under discussion.

• Danzo reported that Hanzo had entered the Land of Fire alone, and Hiruzen decided to receive him personally while instructing Danzo to prepare the village.
• Hiruzen met Hanzo outside Konoha, and the two began discussing Amegakure’s financial troubles and the possibility of a lasting partnership.
• Hiruzen escorted Hanzo through Konoha, where Hanzo saw its busy commercial district, integrated clans, strong Academy students, and generous village provisions.
• A Kumogakure spy tried to flee during the tour, but Hizashi killed him with a precise long-range strike.
• Hiruzen brought Hanzo to Konoha Hospital, where Tsunade showed them the first Medical Chakra Scroll and described its battlefield potential.
• Hanzo told Hiruzen that Amegakure’s people were its greatest resource and that military strength would be essential to building trust between their villages.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hanzo began a full-strength spar at the Forest of Death to test their abilities and strengthen Konoha and Amegakure’s cooperation. Hiruzen gained the upper hand with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but Hanzo recovered and resumed the fight, leaving Hiruzen ready to counter his next move.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Hanzo’s challenge and chose the Forest of Death, while Tsunade prepared the enhanced Medical Scroll and Orochimaru joined her as an observer.
• Hanzo opened the spar with his Kusarigama and Water Release techniques, but Hiruzen blocked his attacks and studied his fighting style.
• Hanzo flooded the training ground, used Water Body Flicker and Hydrification to attack from unexpected angles, and gradually broke through Hiruzen’s Earth Spear defense.
• Hiruzen activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, disrupted Hanzo’s Hydrification, and struck him into the lake after Hanzo summoned Salamander Ibuse.
• Hanzo used the water to recover, sent Ibuse underground, and resumed the fight with ranged Water Release attacks that forced Hiruzen to cancel his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Hanzo recovered in Konoha and agreed to a wide-ranging cooperation plan with Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Hiruzen developed a technique to dismantle ninjutsu. Three months later, Uchiha Madara’s manipulation intensified the Bloody Mist Village, where Kisame stood bloodied as Kimimaro approached him.

• Hanzo praised Hiruzen’s consideration, accepted his treatment, and promised that Amegakure would become Konoha’s reliable ally.
• Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Hiruko examined Hanzo and confirmed his recovery before he met Hiruzen to discuss cooperation.
• Hiruzen drafted an agreement for Amegakure to take on missions, sell Sage Land Pills, supply processed materials, and help defend against other villages.
• Hanzo agreed to the plan and considered recruiting Akatsuki, including Nagato, as a bridge between Amegakure and Konoha.
• Hiruzen developed Spirit Release, a technique intended to disrupt the core structure of enemy ninjutsu, and planned to seek help from Tobirama and the Kurama Clan.
• Three months later, Uchiha Madara’s influence drove Mist Village deeper into the Bloody Mist crisis, and Kimimaro found Kisame standing over his bloodied hands.

Kimimaro persuaded Kisame to help build a secret alliance in Kirigakure that would protect dissidents and eventually overthrow the Third Mizukage with Konoha’s support. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned the Hyuga Main Branch diplomatic work and ended its authority to use the Caged Bird for punishment, while Aosui’s toxin-cleansing Kikaichū was ready for Tomie Uchiha’s treatment.

• Kimimaro revealed Kirigakure’s brutality to Kisame and explained how Konoha’s policies and prosperity worked, convincing Kisame that Konoha was not a deception.
• Kimimaro proposed secretly uniting Kisame, Terumi Mei, Yuki, and their clans to shelter Kirigakure shinobi, gain the Third Mizukage’s trust, and later coordinate with Tenzo and Konoha to remove the Mizukage; Kisame agreed to help.
• Kimimaro privately admitted that he wanted to become a Konoha Committee Member and saw Kirigakure’s gradual reform as a way to earn standing in Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi visited the Hyuga Clan and assigned Hyuga Ko and Hiashi to handle diplomacy with foreign Nobles while directing the Main Branch to abolish Caged Bird punishment.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Tenzo a Yamanaka secret technique to remove memories of the Caged Bird’s activation method from Main Branch members working outside the village.
• Aosui completed a toxin-cleansing Kikaichū with Orochimaru’s help, and Tobirama left to obtain Uzumaki Shio, the final catalyst for treating Tomie Uchiha.

Mito examined the Hyuga Caged Bird and agreed to help remove its lethal effects, while Tenzo committed to reforming his clan. Tobirama then asked Uzumaki Shio to help save Tomie, and Shio arrived at the operating room to discover the patient was the woman Tobirama had chosen over her.

• Orochimaru persuaded Hyuga Tenzo to pursue comprehensive Caged Bird reforms, and Tenzo asked Mito to improve the seal.
• Mito said she could remove the Caged Bird's lethal module and reduce its blind spots, with Kushina and Uzumaki Shio assisting her research.
• Mito discussed possible future plans for Hashirama, the Nine-Tails, and Shio's potential, while the Nine-Tails considered lending its Chakra to a suitable candidate.
• Tobirama asked Uzumaki Shio to come to the Scientific Research Department and use her physique to help save a Konoha shinobi.
• Shio arrived at Tomie's operating room and found Tsunade, Orochimaru, and other influential Konoha figures waiting there.
• Tobirama began preparing to save Tomie as Shio recognized her and was shocked to see her affectionately looking at him.

Tobirama’s attempt to cure Tomie with Uzumaki Shio’s vitality deepened the misunderstandings between them, and Shio awakened Adamantine Sealing Chains before slapping him. The operation succeeded, while Tobirama and Izuna remained oblivious to the trouble their romantic missteps had set in motion; in Amegakure, Hanzo sought contact with the Akatsuki to strengthen ties with Konoha.

• Uzumaki Shio agreed to supply vitality for Tobirama’s dangerous blood-exchange operation on Tomie, while both women misunderstood Tobirama’s intentions and felt hurt by his apparent devotion to the other.
• Tobirama used Kikaichū to filter the toxins from Tomie’s blood, and Shio cut her arm to provide enough vitality for the treatment to succeed.
• Uzumaki Shio awakened Adamantine Sealing Chains and slapped Tobirama, then left with Tsunade; Izuna explained that Shio had mistaken the operation for a public declaration of Tobirama’s feelings for Tomie.
• Tobirama planned to explain the misunderstanding to Shio, but Izuna advised him to let matters cool; Tomie’s recovery and Shio’s training under Mito threatened to complicate the situation further.
• Hanzo ordered Amegakure’s ninja to improve their etiquette toward Konoha and the Land of Fire’s nobles, then sent an aide to contact the Akatsuki, especially Nagato.

Orochimaru chose Yakushi Kabuto from Konoha Orphanage as his disciple, giving Kabuto a path into Konoha and strengthening the orphanage’s ties to the Hokage Faction. Meanwhile, Tobirama reconsidered his approach to emotions after Izuna explained love and hatred, while Uzumaki Shio sought Mito’s help to become stronger.

• Orochimaru visited Konoha Orphanage, where Hizashi explained his inspection of the war orphans and recommended Kabuto.
• Kabuto demonstrated his medical Chakra control, impressed Orochimaru, and accepted his offer to become a disciple.
• Orochimaru took Kabuto to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Nonō saw Kabuto’s appointment as a sign of official support for the orphanage.
• Tobirama analyzed his conflict with Uzumaki Shio and recognized that his rigid, interest-driven outlook had caused their misunderstanding.
• Izuna explained his view of love and how profound trust could turn into hatred, prompting Tobirama to reconsider emotional understanding and his own extremes.
• Uzumaki Shio went to Mito and asked for the strictest training so she could gain power.

Mito helped Uzumaki Shio turn her desire for strength toward protecting Konoha, and the Nine-Tails willingly gave her a large amount of Chakra to master. Meanwhile, Hanzo brought Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan into closer cooperation with Amegakure and Konoha, prompting Uchiha Madara to head out to reclaim the Rinnegan.

• Mito explained Tobirama's poor dating history to Uzumaki Shio, who decided to grow stronger for Konoha rather than for Aosui.
• The Nine-Tails agreed to give Uzumaki Shio a large amount of Chakra, and Mito used Adamantine Sealing Chains to help her control it.
• Hanzo invited Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to work with him, assigning Yahiko to coordinate with Konoha and oversee village finances and Konan to lead Amegakure's processing industry.
• Black Zetsu learned that Hanzo had allied with Nagato and worried that the Rinnegan would be exposed, while Ah Huo told Uchiha Madara that Hanzo's change was tied to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Uchiha Madara decided to go with Ah Huo to take back the Rinnegan.

Hanzo led Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan through plans for Amegakure’s development and cooperation with Konoha, but Uchiha Madara suddenly attacked and stole Nagato’s Rinnegan. Hanzo lost his left arm protecting Yahiko, and Madara demanded that Namikaze Minato summon Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Hanzo explained Konoha-backed flood-control, drainage, and production plans to Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, and told them Namikaze Minato would guide their cooperation.
• Hanzo described how Amegakure’s reservoirs could support peaceful development and serve as a weapon in war.
• Uchiha Madara, disguised as Tobi, emerged and removed Nagato’s eyes, then drained his Chakra to restore some of his own vitality.
• Uchiha Madara attacked Yahiko, and Hanzo shielded him; when the black receivers disrupted Hanzo’s Hydrification Technique, Hanzo cut off his ruined left arm.
• Namikaze Minato arrived and attacked Uchiha Madara, but Madara stopped him and demanded that he bring Hiruzen Sarutobi if they wanted Nagato to live.

Uchiha Madara confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi about the failure of Konoha’s peace, but Hiruzen defended the village’s founding and its imperfect order. The chapter ended with Madara arguing that endless war would force Konoha to abandon its principles.

• Uchiha Madara released Nagato after Hanzo offered himself as a hostage and sent Minato to fetch Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi trained his Spirit Release, then brought Minato, Aosui, Fugaku, and Hizashi to Amegakure using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the attacker as the same hidden figure who had attacked Uchiha Yashiro and demanded to know his purpose.
• Uchiha Madara argued that the One Village One Country system could not bring peace, while Hiruzen defended Hashirama and Madara’s role in ending the Warring States Period.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi described Madara as a warning that Konoha needed reform, angering Uchiha Madara, who insisted that hatred and war would eventually corrupt the village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi secured cooperation between Konoha and Amegakure after Uchiha Madara attacked, while Yahiko, Konan, and Hanzo strengthened their ties with him. Fugaku volunteered for dangerous Kekkei Genkai research and proposed giving Nagato transplanted eyes; the chapter ended with Izuna suggesting that the mysterious enemy resembled Senju Tobirama.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged treatment for Hanzo, reassured Yahiko and Konan, and accepted Konan's Paper Style research scroll.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Konoha and Amegakure to coordinate their defenses and build a Flying Thunder God network after Uchiha Madara's attack.
• Fugaku asked to undergo Kekkei Genkai transplantation research and proposed using Izanagi to survive up to three failed operations, while Hiruzen Sarutobi told him to consult his family first.
• Fugaku suggested that Nagato receive transplanted Sharingan, and Hiruzen Sarutobi referred the decision to Mito and the clans involved.
• Orochimaru treated Hanzo's severed arm at Konoha Hospital, while Tobirama and Izuna discussed the unknown enemy's identity.
• Izuna told Tobirama that the mysterious strongman seemed to resemble Senju Tobirama.

Izuna reasoned that the mysterious strongman might be Senju Tobirama, citing his methods, motives, and possible survival, while Tobirama secretly struggled to defend himself as Aosui. Tobirama proposed what he would do if he were the strongman, and the chapter ended with Uchiha Madara planning to prepare for another verbal clash with Hiruzen.

• Izuna argued that the strongman's Warring States origins, techniques, and pressure-testing of Konoha resembled Senju Tobirama's methods and motives.
• Izuna suggested reanimating Tobirama to test the theory, then reasoned that Tobirama might have left a way to escape after being reanimated.
• Izuna considered an Uchiha or Uzumaki as alternative identities, ruled out Uchiha Madara, and further argued that Tobirama might have faked his death to test Konoha.
• Tobirama, disguised as Aosui, described how Tobirama would test Konoha with new techniques and reanimated enemies, and Izuna agreed that it sounded plausible.
• Izuna and Aosui returned to work, while Tobirama vowed to uncover the mysterious strongman's identity and clear his name.
• Uchiha Madara reviewed his argument with Hiruzen and decided he would outtalk him next time, then asked Ah Huo to find his armor.