Recaps

Orochimaru challenged Tobirama’s views on the Uchiha by recounting Shisui’s sacrifice, while Tobirama explained why he wanted the clan to stop serving as ninja. The next day, Liao Wu and his companions reached the entrance to Ryūchi Cave’s underground barrier and discovered a village in the fog.

• Orochimaru told Tobirama that Jiraiya had taken Shisui Uchiha as a student and signed him to Mount Myōboku’s Summoning Scroll after Shisui awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Orochimaru explained that Shisui had used Kotoamatsukami to obtain information from Liao Wu, then destroyed both his eyes to keep Liao Wu from gaining its power.
• Orochimaru questioned Tobirama’s distrust of the Uchiha, and Tobirama said he wanted the clan to stop working as ninja because war could drive its members to extremes.
• Tobirama and Orochimaru agreed to focus on dealing with Liao Wu, with Tobirama condemning him for pursuing other women while involved with a Senju princess.
• The next day, Liao Wu woke near the entrance to Ryūchi Cave’s underground barrier and found a village among the fog and forest with Snake Totems at its entrance.

Liao Wu encountered the Jugo Clan, whose members attacked him after undergoing uncontrolled Sage Transformation. He captured them and learned Orochimaru had taken Jugo while promising to help the clan, leaving Liao Wu convinced the clan could not rely on him.

• Orange-haired villagers surrounded Liao Wu and Kitten Girl, and their leader Lu Bian ordered them to attack after Liao Wu laughed at his name.
• The villagers underwent Sage Transformation and charged, but Satoru killed the thin, bony man while Liao Wu captured the fleeing monsters with Wood Style.
• Liao Wu tortured Lu Bian and questioned him with his Sharingan, learning that Lu Bian was Jugo's father and that Orochimaru had taken Jugo because of his unusual ability to transform.
• Lu Bian explained that the Jugo Clan could only absorb Natural Energy near Ryūchi Cave and often went berserk, while Jugo could transform even where Natural Energy was scarce.
• Liao Wu rejected the clan's reliance on Orochimaru and recalled how Orochimaru had deceived and exploited the Iburi Clan.

Liao Wu learned why the Jugo Clan sacrificed people to the Snake Sage, then gained a primitive Curse Mark by absorbing Lu Bian’s Sage Enzyme. After testing its dangerous, inefficient Sage Transformation, he shut it off and decided to pursue genuine Sage Art instead.

• Liao Wu learned that the Jugo Clan sacrificed children to the Snake Sage because its population had dwindled, and Lu Bian had arranged for Orochimaru to take his child Jugo away.
• Lu Bian told Liao Wu that he had killed his wife during a rampage and hoped Jugo could escape the clan’s fate.
• Liao Wu absorbed Lu Bian’s cells and Sage Enzyme, forming a primitive Curse Mark, while Satoru fed on the clan’s negative emotions.
• Liao Wu activated the Curse Mark and found that Sage Transformation greatly increased his physical strength but brought violent, corrupting Natural Energy and poor efficiency.
• Liao Wu shut off the Curse Mark and concluded that he should seek genuine Sage Art rather than rely on Sage Transformation.

Liao Wu sent the Jugo Clan to Hozuki Castle to grow cotton, then went to the White Snake Sage’s altar to enter Ryūchi Cave and learn Senjutsu. He left Candy outside to summon him back if he was in danger, but she followed him into the statue’s mouth along with Satoru as they began to be transported.

• Liao Wu ordered Satoru to use the Box of Paradise to take the Jugo Clan to Hozuki Castle, where Candy told the Grass Village Ninja to train them with lashes.
• Satoru collected the remaining villagers, and Liao Wu took Candy and the others to the White Snake Sage’s altar at the entrance to Ryūchi Cave.
• Small Slug explained that the White Python statue’s mouth led to Ryūchi Cave, warned Liao Wu about the White Snake Sage, and vanished.
• Liao Wu told Candy to stay outside and summon him back if necessary, but she insisted on keeping in touch with Fish Ball and the others.
• Liao Wu carried Candy through the statue’s mouth and called Satoru over as they were transported into Ryūchi Cave’s barrier.

The White Snake Sage ordered the Three Great Snake Princesses to prepare a trial for Uchiha Ryobu while deciding that Anko and Yamato would be discarded if they failed to awaken from their illusions by the next day. Meanwhile, the Ninja Alliance assembled at the Land of Rain, where the Third Hokage and other leaders prepared to launch their campaign.

• The White Snake Sage recalled Indra's visit to Ryūchi Cave and ordered the Three Great Snake Princesses to prepare Uchiha Ryobu's trial.
• Tagitsuhime reported that Anko and Yamato had passed the first two trials but remained trapped in the third trial's illusions.
• The White Snake Sage refused to lower the trial requirements and ordered Anko and Yamato disposed of if they had not awakened by the next day.
• The White Snake Sage sensed Orochimaru and Senju Tobirama entering Ryūchi Cave and remarked on the cave's recent visitors.
• The Ninja Alliance assembled at the Land of Rain in three armies, with the First Unit positioned and awaiting orders.
• The Third Hokage, Danzo, Jiraiya, Minato, and other leaders joined the front lines alongside the Fourth Raikage, Bii, Mount Myōboku's sages and Toads, Kakuzu, and a hooded stranger.

The Third Hokage prepared the Leaf forces for battle against Madara Uchiha and had Hiruko summon the village’s dead heroes so they could decide whether to fight. At the logistics camp, Asuma boasted about his weapons and plans to capture Uchiha Ryobu, while Hong reminded him how outmatched they were.

• The Fourth Raikage pressed the Third Hokage to attack Amegakure, but the Third Hokage ordered the units back to camp and waited for other villages and news from Orochimaru.
• Hiruko told the Third Hokage he could summon Orochimaru’s Reanimation Bodies, including Sarutobi Sasuke, and the Third Hokage and Jiraiya said they would willingly protect the village after death.
• Sage Fukasaku warned that the dead should not be treated as puppets, so the Third Hokage asked Hiruko to summon the Leaf’s heroes and let them decide whether to fight.
• Hiruko summoned the Reanimation Bodies, including Sakumo, Might Duy, Kagami, and Dan.
• Asuma showed Hong and Shizune his Flying Swallows and declared that he would capture Uchiha Ryobu and become the youngest Jonin.
• Hong warned Asuma that their assignment was logistics and that Ryobu was far beyond their abilities, noting that even Jiraiya and Minato could no longer defeat him.

Hong learned how dangerous Liao Wu was, while Dan Katō and Sarutobi Sasuke returned through Impure World Reincarnation and reunited with their descendants. At Choza's squad, Might Duy and Hatake Sakumo appeared, and Duy tearfully embraced Might Guy.

• Hong ignored Asuma's boast that he would deal with Liao Wu after learning about Liao Wu's devastating record.
• Yūhi Shinkō introduced Dan Katō and Sarutobi Sasuke, who removed their Anbu masks and reunited with Shizune and Asuma.
• Shinnosuke explained to Asuma that Sarutobi Sasuke had returned through Impure World Reincarnation.
• Choza caught Ebisu reading a Smut Book, and Ebisu joked that he might join Madara Uchiha if the allied forces lost.
• Might Duy and Hatake Sakumo removed their disguises before Choza's squad, and Duy embraced Might Guy as they both wept.

Sakumo met Yugao and Jifeng and explained his return through Impure World Reincarnation, while Dai and Guy prepared to face Liao Wu. Torifu escorted the resurrected Kagami to the Uchiha encampment, where Kagami discovered that the clan was still isolated and under surveillance.

• Sakumo offered swordsmanship guidance to Yugao and Jifeng, then explained to the gathered Chunin that he had been revived through Impure World Reincarnation.
• Dai told Guy he was proud of him, and Guy resolved to give Liao Wu everything he had despite their gratitude toward him.
• Torifu brought Kagami to the Uchiha encampment and told him that his grandson Shisui had become Jiraiya's student and a renowned battlefield ninja.
• Kagami saw that the Uchiha were stationed apart from the other clans and watched by Anbu, and Torifu explained that Danzo had arranged their placement while the Uchiha had also chosen to keep their distance.

Kagami visited the Uchiha encampment and learned about his injured son Zongyan and his grandson Shisui, who was supporting the family. After Shisui sensed Kagami and Torifu, he recognized his long-dead grandfather and met him for the first time.

• Kagami and Torifu discussed the Uchiha's isolation from the other villages and entered their encampment.
• Kagami saw Shisui teaching Itachi the Crow Clone Technique and learned that Zongyan had lost a leg in the previous war.
• Kagami reflected on family ties and resolved to stop Madara's Moon Eye Plan.
• Itachi learned the Crow Clone Technique, but Shisui told him to stay close and avoid confronting Liao Wu.
• Shisui sensed Kagami and Torifu, then recognized Kagami from his family's memorial portrait and called him Grandfather.

Kagami reunited with the Uchiha Clan and heard how Ryobu had fallen into becoming a feared rogue ninja before an alarm summoned everyone to the river border. There, the Ninja Cats of Nekomata City faced the alliance, having defected after Liao Wu lured them with promises of rank, food, and cat movies.

• Kagami calmed the Uchiha Clan’s anger over his grave being disturbed and expressed gratitude to Orochimaru for bringing him back.
• Fugaku explained Ryobu’s past and his defection, while Kagami recalled helping him enter the Ninja Academy.
• A patrol spotted enemy forces, and the ninja rushed to the river to face the approaching army.
• Kagami and Torifu saw that the opposing force was an army of Ninja Cats led by Nekomata.
• Fugaku told Kagami that Liao Wu had recruited the Ninja Cats of Empty Zone with promises of promotion, unlimited food, and cat movies, leaving Cat Granny alone to hold the area.

The Ninja Alliance gathered before the Ninja Cat army and dismissed its leaders until Madara Uchiha appeared at the front lines. His arrival stunned the Alliance and revealed that its assumptions about the enemy’s plans were wrong.

• The Alliance’s commanders and fighters questioned why Ryobu had sent a huge force of cats, while Asuma repeatedly asked to challenge them.
• Fish Ball and Cai Lai stepped forward to challenge the Alliance, and Itachi identified them as cats raised by Ryobu.
• Asuma accepted Cai Lai’s challenge, but Shinnosuke stopped him, warning that the cats might be laying an ambush.
• The Ninja Cats announced that their Old Ancestor had arrived, shocking the Alliance because it had expected Madara Uchiha to remain in Amegakure.
• Madara Uchiha appeared atop a white-browed tiger, and the Alliance’s leaders recognized the resurrected legend with fear and disbelief.

Liao Wu revealed himself to the Ninja Alliance after pretending to be Madara, turning a tense standoff into a chaotic reunion before both sides held back from fighting. As he assessed the assembled forces, he recognized several Hoshigakure figures, including Natsuhi Star, Fire Fly, and Akahoshi.

• Hizashi could not identify whether the apparent Madara was Liao Wu, but Jiraiya exposed him by tossing over a pornographic magazine, which Liao Wu caught before dropping his disguise.
• Liao Wu apologized for frightening the Third Hokage, and Shinnosuke confirmed to Sarutobi Sasuke that Liao Wu had used a Forbidden Technique to resurrect Madara.
• Itachi recognized his uncle, Might Duy became tearfully excited to see him, and Uchiha Clan members angrily demanded repayment of their loans.
• The Fourth Raikage and Mifune objected to the Leaf's joking, so Jiraiya told Liao Wu to stop laughing while both sides waited for their forces to take position.
• Liao Wu surveyed the Ninja Alliance and spotted Natsuhi Star, her husband Fire Fly, and Akahoshi among the Hoshigakure forces.

Liao Wu used his Sharingan to trap Natsuhi in the women-focused genjutsu Deep-Rooted, then drew Itachi into a cat-filled illusion. He challenged Itachi’s faith in the village by revealing his fear that Itachi would one day slaughter the Uchiha, and began explaining the clan’s history with the village.

• Natsuhi looked into Liao Wu’s Sharingan and fell into Deep-Rooted without the other Hoshigakure ninjas noticing.
• Liao Wu spotted the bald Itachi among the Uchiha and pulled him into his cat-filled illusion world.
• Itachi recognized Liao Wu as his uncle, asked why he had defected, and questioned whether he still cared about the village and clan.
• Liao Wu admitted that he loved the clan and village but feared Itachi would eventually kill the Uchiha, including him.
• Liao Wu changed the illusion to show the Uchiha-Senju conflict and began explaining the rift between the Uchiha and the Leaf Village.

Liao Wu explained the Uchiha and Senju clans’ history to Itachi, including Madara and Hashirama’s friendship and the founding of Leaf Village. Hashirama reflected that the Five Great Shinobi Nations’ conflicts continued an unfinished age of war, leaving the future to the new generation.

• Liao Wu told Itachi that the Uchiha and Senju clans had fought for generations and explained Madara’s hatred of war and friendship with Hashirama.
• Liao Wu described how the Senju gained the upper hand, Tobirama killed Izuna, and Hashirama spared Madara to pursue peace between their clans.
• Itachi said Hashirama would spare Madara again because he was the First Hokage, and Liao Wu agreed that Hashirama’s nature shaped his choices and tragedies.
• Hashirama sneezed while cultivating at Shikkotsu Forest and suspected that Tobirama was cursing him.
• Hashirama said the past was over and the new generation should decide the future, then considered how the Five Great Shinobi Nations had emerged from centuries of conflict.

The Slug Sage explained that Hashirama and Madara were the reincarnations of Asura and Indra, brothers bound by fate who strengthened and influenced each other. Hashirama doubted he could stop Madara, but the Slug Sage urged him to believe he was the only one who could.

• The Slug Sage asked Hashirama whether he would have spared Madara, and Hashirama said he would because he considered Madara a close friend and brother.
• The Slug Sage revealed that Hashirama and Madara were Asura and Indra’s chakra reincarnations, making them brothers and opponents bound by fate.
• Hashirama questioned how reviving Izuna could change Madara’s plan to trap the world in an illusion, and the Slug Sage explained that the reincarnations grew stronger alongside each other.
• The Slug Sage told Hashirama he could receive instruction in Yin Yang Release and gain Six Paths Power, then urged him to believe he could stop Madara.
• Hashirama doubted himself, recalling that his system of Five Great Nations had failed to prevent later wars and that he would have to oppose Madara again.

The Slug Sage told Hashirama that Kaguya had ruled the world and used the Divine Tree to turn people into White Zetsu, just as Madara’s Moon Eye Plan would. Hashirama concluded that someone had altered the Uchiha Stone Tablet and deceived Madara, and he asked to go warn him.

• The Slug Sage told Hashirama that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was the mother of Hagoromo and Hamura, and that she had used the Divine Tree to turn people into White Zetsu.
• The Slug Sage warned Hashirama that Madara’s Moon Eye Plan would transform humanity into White Zetsu, prompting Hashirama to vow to stop him.
• Hashirama explained that Madara had found his goal in the Uchiha Stone Tablet, which he believed had been left by the Sage of Six Paths.
• The Slug Sage said the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura had sealed Kaguya rather than pass down the Moon Eye Plan, so someone must have tampered with the tablet.
• The Slug Sage suspected a hidden figure had manipulated Indra’s incarnations and stirred conflict between them and Asura’s incarnations.
• Hashirama concluded Madara had been deceived and asked the Slug Sage to let him go tell Madara that the tablet had been altered.

Hashirama trained in Yin Yang Release after the Slug Sage told him Madara had been deceived, resolving to become strong enough to save his friend. The Slug Sage and Hagoromo discussed Kaguya’s hidden influence, the disrupted future, and plans to revive Hashirama, though his willingness to return remained uncertain.

• The Slug Sage stopped Hashirama from confronting Madara and urged him to continue training until he could surpass his friend.
• Hashirama renewed his resolve to save Madara and resumed cultivating Yin Yang Release.
• The Slug Sage told Hagoromo that Hashirama knew Madara was being used, and they discussed Kaguya’s power and the shadow behind Indra.
• Hagoromo explained that Gamamaru could no longer foresee the main thread of the future and that Madara’s unexpected return had disrupted it.
• The Slug Sage and Hagoromo agreed that Hashirama needed to be resurrected, and Hagoromo arranged for Gamamaru to teach the Slug Sage how to make the Sage Talisman.
• The Slug Sage warned that the real difficulty would be whether Hashirama would choose to return to life.

The Sage of Six Paths and the Slug Sage debated whether Uchiha Ryobu was a threat, while Liao Wu explained to Itachi how Konoha’s policies had isolated the Uchiha. Itachi struggled to accept the truth, and Liao Wu was surprised to learn that Jiraiya had taken Shisui as his disciple.

• The Slug Sage urged the Sage of Six Paths to deal with Uchiha Ryobu, but Hagoromo argued that Ryobu had done nothing wrong and should be left alone unless he threatened the world or released Kaguya.
• At the border of the Land of Rain, Liao Wu recounted to Itachi how the Senju and Konoha leadership had gradually confined the Uchiha to the Police Force and shut them out of positions of influence.
• Liao Wu asked Itachi how the Uchiha could break out of their predicament, but Itachi rejected his account and insisted the Hokage would not mistreat the clan.
• Liao Wu explained that the Third Hokage’s support was limited by political pressure and warned Itachi that Danzo carried on Tobirama’s hostile views toward the Uchiha.
• Itachi revealed that Jiraiya had taken Shisui as his disciple and arranged for him to sign Mount Myōboku’s Summoning Scroll, surprising Liao Wu.

Liao Wu showed Itachi a vision of the Nine-Tails attack and the events leading to the Uchiha coup, arguing that Danzo manipulated the clan and stole Shisui’s eye for power. Itachi was left shaken as Liao Wu dismantled his faith in Danzo and the village’s leadership.

• Liao Wu refused Itachi’s plea not to expose the clan, explaining that he wanted the Uchiha to suffer so his own defection would seem justified.
• Liao Wu accused Danzo of stealing Sharingan and helped Itachi enter an illusion depicting Madara releasing the Nine-Tails and Root agents keeping the Uchiha from helping.
• The vision showed the village relocating and ostracizing the Uchiha after the attack, driving the clan toward a coup while Itachi served as a double agent under the Senju name.
• The vision showed Danzo’s Root attacking Shisui to take his eye, after which Shisui entrusted his remaining eye to Itachi and killed himself.
• Itachi questioned why Danzo had taken Shisui’s eye, and Liao Wu said Danzo wanted the Uchiha’s power and hoped to provoke them into rebellion.

Liao Wu used an illusion to show Itachi a possible future in which he massacred the Uchiha Clan, but Itachi still believed the Uchiha could be accepted by Leaf Village. The chapter left Liao Wu furious at Itachi’s faith in the village and warning that Shisui’s bond with Jiraiya could make him prioritize Leaf Village over his clan.

• Liao Wu forced Itachi to witness a vision of himself killing the Uchiha Clan, including Fugaku and Mikoto, and then embarrassed him with an illusion of Itachi and Shisui embracing.
• Itachi pleaded with Liao Wu to return home, mentioning that Mikoto was pregnant and that Fugaku had chosen the name Sasuke for their child.
• Liao Wu explained his resentment over Mikoto’s marriage to Fugaku and declared that he would reclaim everything he had lost.
• Liao Wu asked Itachi whether he still considered Leaf Village the Uchiha Clan’s home, and Itachi insisted that the village would accept them.
• Liao Wu argued that the Uchiha would remain unwelcome while Senju descendants held power, and warned that Jiraiya might train Shisui to put Leaf Village above the Uchiha.

Liao Wu failed to change Itachi's beliefs in their Illusion Technique conversation and resolved to find a way to save Mikoto from the Uchiha Clan. After Itachi reported Liao Wu's warnings to the clan, the Uchiha grew furious over his claim that Danzo had stolen their Sharingan, but Fugaku stopped them from confronting him in public.

• Liao Wu told Itachi that the Uchiha would eventually face a choice between the clan and the village, then promised to return to Leaf Village before ending the Illusion Technique.
• Liao Wu reported his conversation to his main body and concluded that reason would not change Itachi's beliefs, while he considered how to save Mikoto.
• Shisui and the Uchiha leaders questioned Itachi about the Illusion Technique, and Itachi said Liao Wu had promised to return and predicted that Itachi would one day slaughter the clan.
• The Uchiha leaders dismissed Liao Wu's prediction, while Kagami considered whether Itachi could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Itachi revealed that Liao Wu had said Danzo's bandages concealed stolen Uchiha Sharingan, enraging the clan.
• Fugaku stopped Tekka from confronting Danzo, explaining that the Uchiha could not expose the matter publicly while serving in the Ninja Alliance.

The Ninja Alliance and Liao Wu’s forces faced off as Uchiha tensions flared over suspicions that Danzo had taken Sharingan from missing clan members. Liao Wu provoked the Alliance while the Third Hokage held Jiraiya back and waited for orders to stall for time.

• Yashiro accused Danzo of targeting Uchiha Police Force members for their Sharingan, but Fugaku and Kagami stopped the Hawk Faction from confronting him while the Alliance watched.
• Shisui urged the Uchiha to investigate Danzo in secret, and Yashiro reluctantly accepted Fugaku’s warning not to create division during the standoff.
• Akahoshi warned Hoshigakure’s Ninja against looking into the Sharingan and announced they would use the Mysterious Peacock Method to make their village famous.
• Shemu demanded that Liao Wu return Takigakure’s Seven-Tails and Ancient Tree, but Liao Wu ignored him, frightening the Takigakure Ninja with his Sharingan.
• Liao Wu confronted the Third Hokage across the river, and Jiraiya threatened to fight him until the Third Hokage stopped him and ordered him to wait for headquarters’ command.

Ryobu used the river and the Fourth Raikage’s lack of sensory abilities to trap him in thick mist and provoke him into staying in the fight. As the Fourth Raikage struggled to find Ryobu, Ryobu launched a Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

• The Fourth Raikage charged at Ryobu despite Killer B trying to stop him, and Ryobu decided to fight without revealing that he was a clone.
• Ryobu and Nekomata prepared to use genjutsu, then Ryobu covered the river in mist with the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Ryobu tracked the Fourth Raikage through the mist and taunted him about his father until the Raikage flew into a rage.
• The Fourth Raikage tried to clear the mist with his punches, but Ryobu continually replenished it and then goaded him into staying so he would not damage the Cloud Village’s reputation.
• Ryobu began his next attack with the Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

Uchiha Ryobu exploited the Fourth Raikage’s weaknesses and fought him with a series of underhanded attacks in the fog. The Fourth Raikage admitted defeat and returned to the Ninja Alliance, resolving to train to overcome his shortcomings.

• Hizashi reported that the Fourth Raikage was at a disadvantage in Ryobu’s fog and water, while Danzo tried to send a sensory ninja to help him and Mifune and Killer B objected.
• Hizashi revealed that Ryobu used Magnet Release, poisoned weapons, and Wood Style to attack the Fourth Raikage and absorb his chakra.
• The Third Hokage urged Cloud Village to recall the Raikage, and their sensory ninja reached him and told him to calm down and retreat.
• The Fourth Raikage used Liger Bomb, escaped the water, recognized his weaknesses, and declared that he had lost to Uchiha Ryobu.
• The Fourth Raikage withdrew to the Ninja Alliance’s position, where his defeat surprised no one given Ryobu’s reported accomplishments.

After the Fourth Raikage lost to Ryobu, the Ninja Alliance questioned why Ryobu seemed to be holding back and sent Minato to face him. Minato suspected Ryobu was a clone and stalled while Shikaku prepared Plan B, as Ryobu struggled to find a willing fighter among his cat soldiers.

• The Fourth Raikage accepted comfort from the Third Hokage and Mifune after losing to Ryobu, while Kakuzu and Jiraiya suspected Ryobu was a clone or was concealing his true condition.
• Ryobu dispersed the mist and challenged the Ninja Alliance, and Minato stepped forward to fight him.
• Minato suspected that Liao Wu was a clone, and Liao Wu backed away and sent Minato to face a subordinate instead.
• Minato told Shikaku his suspicions, and Shikaku asked him to stall while the three major units moved into position for Plan B.
• Liao Wu threatened to cut his cat soldiers’ pay and cat food unless one volunteered, and Fish Ball and Cai Lai immediately offered to fight.