Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Chen overwhelmed Hatake Sakumo, Shikaku Nara, and their companions, then singled out Choza Akimichi for a humiliating lesson without intending to kill them. Choza’s Human Boulder attack failed against Chen, and two Elite Jonin stopped him after Chen sent him bouncing away.

• Uchiha Chen put away the Flowing Light Starfall Blade and advanced on the weakened Choza Akimichi, who had nowhere to escape.
• Choza tried to use the Partial Expansion Jutsu, but he could not release Chakra, so Chen slapped him out of Hatake Sakumo’s tent.
• Angry and bruised, Choza used the Human Boulder technique and rolled toward Chen.
• Chen stopped Choza’s Human Boulder with one finger, then flicked him bouncing into the distance.
• Two Elite Jonin caught Choza and asked what had happened inside Hatake Sakumo’s tent.

Choza Akimichi told Hyuga Kenji and Hyuga Hito that Uchiha Chen had incapacitated Hatake Moshuo, Shikaku, and Inoichi. After their Byakugan failed to detect any Chakra in Chen, Kenji ordered Hito to seek reinforcements while he entered with Choza to rescue the wounded.

• Choza Akimichi warned Hyuga Kenji and Hyuga Hito to retreat, then explained that Uchiha Chen had seriously injured Hatake Moshuo and left Shikaku and Inoichi unable to fight.
• Kenji and Hito activated their Byakugan and saw Chen at the tent entrance, but could not detect Chakra flowing through his body.
• The two Hyuga shinobi observed Chen again and concluded that his power let him conceal his Chakra from their Byakugan.
• Kenji ordered Hito to return to the gathering point and summon Orochimaru, while he went with Choza to rescue the wounded.
• Hito protested, but Kenji invoked his command authority and asked Hito to watch over his son Xiao as he prepared to enter.

Choza Akimichi and Hyuga Kenji planned to distract Uchiha Chen while Hyuga Hito recovered, but Choza’s attack failed immediately. Uchiha Chen pierced Choza’s palm with one finger and taunted him as the fight began.

• Hyuga Kenji sealed Hyuga Hito’s Chakra and shoved him away, then warned him to stay alive.
• Uchiha Chen left the tent and confronted Choza Akimichi, Hyuga Kenji, and Hyuga Hito, frightening Choza with his presence.
• Choza had Kenji release Hito’s Chakra seal and proposed stalling Chen while Hito recovered and then rescued the wounded ninjas.
• Choza swallowed a bag of snacks, used Expansion Jutsu, and struck at Chen with his enlarged hand.
• Uchiha Chen stopped Choza’s enormous palm with one finger and pierced through it, leaving Choza bleeding and injured.

Uchiha Chen overwhelmed Choza and evaded the Hyuga pair’s coordinated Gentle Fist assault, revealing that he knew the Hyuga Clan’s secrets. Kenji and Hyuga Hito remained unable to reach their captured companions, and Kenji realized Chen was no ordinary opponent.

• Uchiha Chen struck Choza in the stomach, leaving him badly injured and unable to stand.
• Hyuga Hito recovered his Chakra and silently agreed with Kenji that they would attack together and attempt to rescue their companions.
• Kenji and Hyuga Hito activated their Byakugan and attacked Uchiha Chen with Gentle Fist Sixty-Four Palms and Thirty-Two Palms.
• Uchiha Chen dodged every strike without leaving a small Eight Trigrams Formation traced by his steps.
• Uchiha Chen questioned how Kenji had learned Sixty-Four Palms as a Branch Family member, and Kenji was shocked that Chen knew the Hyuga Clan’s secrets.

Hyuga Kenji and Hyuga Hito tried to get past Uchiha Chen to rescue the injured men in the tent, but discovered that Inoichi Yamanaka and Hatake Sakumo could not safely be moved. Kenji realized Chen had fooled them and the Hyuga’s Byakugan, leaving the two Hyuga to stand guard.

• Kenji launched a Gentle Fist Sixty-Four Palms barrage while Hito shoved past Chen and rushed toward the tent.
• Hito found Shikaku Nara able to move, but saw that Inoichi and Sakumo’s damaged chakra pathways made moving them dangerous.
• Kenji realized Chen had never been restrained and retreated to keep him away from the tent.
• Hito told Kenji what he had found, and Kenji saw the injured men’s condition through his Byakugan.
• Kenji concluded that Chen had blocked the Hyuga’s vision inside the tent and ordered Hito to stand guard with him.

Uchiha Chen overwhelmed Hyuga Kenji and Hyuga Hito outside Hatake Sakumo’s tent, while Sakumo and his injured comrades could only sense the fight. Shikaku Nara used a chair and his clothes to extend his shadow and briefly halted Chen.

• Hyuga Kenji realized Uchiha Chen likely knew how to counter the Hyuga Clan’s abilities, while Chen advanced on Kenji and Hito.
• Uchiha Chen covered Hyuga Kenji’s eyes and used Lightning Release Chakra to overwhelm him and ravage his chakra pathways.
• Hyuga Hito broke through Chen’s pressure and attacked, but Chen crushed his wrist and struck him with Lightning Release Chakra.
• Hatake Sakumo, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Shikaku Nara sensed the fight from inside the tent but were too injured to intervene directly.
• Shikaku Nara used a chair and his clothes to extend his shadow, connected it to Uchiha Chen’s, and stopped Chen’s movements and lightning briefly.

After Shikaku Nara’s failed attempt to restrain him, Uchiha Chen sensed his Chakra evolving and withdrew to the system space. There, his new power consumed his own Chakra and clashed with the Ten-Tails’ Chakra, leaving him enduring overwhelming pain.

• Shikaku Nara restrained Chen briefly, but Chen blasted him through the tent and knocked him unconscious.
• Kenji and Hito failed to escape when their Chakra turned against them, and Chen sensed his sealed Ten-Tails’ Chakra becoming unstable.
• Chen released Kenji and Hito, warned the survivors, and entered the system space to investigate his changing Chakra.
• Chen’s higher-grade Chakra consumed his reserves, changed his appearance, and began absorbing the Ten-Tails’ Chakra.
• The Ten-Tails’ Chakra shattered the Four Symbols Seal and fought Chen’s new power inside his meridians, causing him intense pain.

Uchiha Chen’s evolution spiraled out of control as two surges of Chakra and the Candle Dragon Power rampaged through his body while his eyes began merging. The system explained that the process was necessary to reach Perfect Form Six Paths Mode, but could find no way to stop the Candle Dragon Power, and Chen’s eyes transformed into a new pattern.

• Uchiha Chen lost control of the Chakra inside his body as the Ten-Tails Chakra and another surge clashed and damaged his meridians.
• The Candle Dragon Power joined the clash, chased the two Chakra surges through Chen’s body, and threatened to burn away his meridians.
• Uchiha Chen’s Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Rinnegan began merging as the system explained that his previous Six Paths Mode had been incomplete.
• The system identified the Candle Dragon Power as an unknown force from another world but failed to find a way to eliminate it.
• Uchiha Chen’s eyes regressed to the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then developed six Tomoe and nine Tomoe in his right eye as rings formed in his pupils.

Uchiha Chen completed the evolution of his eyes and gradually regained control of the Chakra inside his body, absorbing much of the Ten-Tails' power. After surviving the Candle Dragon Power's assault, he healed his injuries and emerged with a completed Sage Mode and greatly improved strength.

• Uchiha Chen's eyes evolved into a Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, a Mangekyō Sharingan, and a Nine-Tomoe Rinne-Byakugan.
• Uchiha Chen used his evolved eyes to control Chakra near his head and slowly absorb the unruly Chakra in his body, including much of the Ten-Tails' Chakra.
• Uchiha Chen regained control of his Chakra, and the Ten-Tails withdrew its remaining power after failing to break through the seal.
• Uchiha Chen's Sage Body repaired the damage from the Candle Dragon Power as his meridians adapted and his Chakra grew stronger.
• Uchiha Chen healed his injuries, completed his Sage Mode, and sensed that he could now face Kaguya Otsutsuki without being at a disadvantage.

Uchiha Chen tested the abilities he had gained after mastering Kekkei Mōra, while Konoha’s shinobi recovered from his visit to their encampment. Hatake Sakumo expected Chen to return and planned to demand compensation for the injuries he had caused.

• Uchiha Chen tested the durability of an All-Killing Ash Bone and formed six Truth-Seeking Orbs, discovering that he could reshape the spaces around him.
• After Chen left, Hatake Sakumo and the other conscious shinobi breathed a sigh of relief, while Sakumo worried that Chen had shaken the younger fighters’ confidence.
• Hyuga Kenji carried Hyuga Hito to Sakumo’s tent, then found Shikaku Nara and Choza Akimichi and brought them back as Konoha’s main force arrived.
• Yakushi Tenshin and the medical ninja treated the injured, and Sakumo explained that he had sparred with a friend and evacuated the camp to protect everyone.
• Yakushi Tenshin revealed that he had heard the commotion the previous night, and Sakumo privately resolved to make Uchiha Chen pay for the damage and injuries.

Shikaku Nara and Choza Akimichi woke after the confrontation with Uchiha Chen and learned that Hatake Sakumo remained blinded by an unbroken genjutsu. They discussed how Chen had left, agreed not to dwell on the incident, and Sakumo warned Choza against acting recklessly again.

• Shikaku Nara and Choza Akimichi woke under medical care and asked about Lord Moshuo and Hatake Sakumo.
• Hatake Sakumo arrived still unable to see, and Moshuo explained that he could not break the genjutsu created by the Second Hokage.
• Shikaku, Choza, and Hatake Sakumo each tried to take responsibility for the confrontation with Uchiha Chen, until Tenshin urged them to focus on recovering.
• Shikaku asked how Uchiha Chen had left, and Hatake Sakumo explained that Chen had vanished after asking them to care for his two young disciples.
• Shikaku concluded that Chen had only intended to intimidate them, and Hatake Sakumo warned Choza not to be reckless again.

Hatake Sakumo and Shikaku Nara discussed how Konoha should handle Uchiha Chen after their dispute, agreeing to report the truth and seek friendly relations. Shikaku proposed sending Chen’s two disciples to Konoha, where they could be cared for and provide a way to stay in contact with him.

• Hatake Sakumo told Shikaku Nara to recover before visiting the more seriously injured Inoichi and Hyuga Kenji.
• After Nonō sent the medical ninja away, Shikaku asked Hatake Sakumo how Konoha should deal with Uchiha Chen.
• Hatake Sakumo said he would report the incident truthfully and hoped the Third Hokage would support rebuilding friendly relations with Chen.
• Choza Akimichi agreed to apologize to Chen again and offer him barbecue.
• Shikaku asked about Chen’s two disciples, then suggested assigning a kunoichi to escort them to Konoha and care for them there.

Shikaku Nara planned to bring Uchiha Chen’s two disciples to Konoha and win their attachment to the village, hoping to keep Chen connected to it. Hatake Sakumo agreed to report the plan to the Third Hokage but insisted that the girls be treated kindly and kept away from the Elder Council.

• Shikaku Nara explained that Konoha could tie Uchiha Chen to the village by bringing his two disciples back and influencing them to stay.
• Hatake Sakumo objected to manipulating the girls, though he acknowledged the plan could succeed.
• Hatake Sakumo agreed to report Shikaku’s plan to the Third Hokage, provided the girls were never harmed or forced into anything.
• Shikaku promised that the Nara Clan would protect the girls and that he would not hand them over to the Elder Council.
• Shikaku said he would write a report and advised Hatake Sakumo to build a friendship with the girls while they waited for the Third Hokage’s approval.

Hatake Sakumo urged Shikaku Nara to recover and prepare for their next move, then wrote a confidential report about Uchiha Chen for the Third Hokage. He sent the report by Anbu and remained alone with his concerns as night settled over the camp.

• Hatake Sakumo reminded Shikaku Nara to prepare for their departure and urged him to focus on training after he recovered.
• Shikaku solemnly assured Hatake Sakumo he would follow through, and Hatake Sakumo returned to his tent with Yakushi Nonō's help.
• Hatake Sakumo considered how to report the encounter with Uchiha Chen while weighing his responsibilities as commander in the Land of Wind.
• Hatake Sakumo wrote a confidential account of the affair and his and Shikaku's views on Uchiha Chen, then sealed it for the Third Hokage.
• Hatake Sakumo ordered an Anbu member to deliver the report safely, then sat alone in the darkened tent.

An Anbu squad delivered Hatake Sakumo’s urgent message to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi on the Land of Earth battlefield and warned him that Sakumo could no longer open his eyes. Hiruzen opened the letter but struggled to understand its messy handwriting, realizing only after three readings that it was written in ordinary language.

• An Anbu squad left Konoha at Hatake Sakumo’s request to deliver an urgent message to Hiruzen Sarutobi on the Land of Earth battlefield.
• The squad traveled for two days with little rest before reaching Hiruzen’s camp.
• The Anbu squad leader told Hiruzen that Sakumo had not opened his eyes for days and that medical ninja could not cure him.
• Hiruzen dismissed the squad to recover and wondered what genjutsu could have taken away Sakumo’s sight.
• Hiruzen opened Sakumo’s letter and, after reading it three times, realized it was written in everyday Konoha language rather than code.

Hiruzen Sarutobi deciphered Hatake Sakumo’s report about Uchiha Chen using the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, which had blinded Sakumo and injured his companions. Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō realized Chen’s use of the Second Hokage’s forbidden technique raised urgent questions, and Hiruzen planned to speak with Kagami Uchiha.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi deciphered Hatake Sakumo’s report and learned Sakumo had been the only one able to write it after Uchiha Chen injured the others and sealed Sakumo’s vision with the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.
• Hiruzen wondered how Chen knew the Second Hokage’s technique and decided he needed to speak with Kagami Uchiha.
• Hiruzen hurried to Shimura Danzō and showed him Sakumo’s report, but Danzō initially mistook its barely legible writing for a prank.
• Hiruzen explained how Sakumo had written the report while blind, and Danzō recognized Sakumo’s handwriting and read the message.
• Danzō questioned whether the report was reliable, but Hiruzen explained that the classified information could not have been forged by the enemy.
• Danzō concluded that Chen’s knowledge of the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique meant there was more to the situation than they understood.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo discussed Hatake Sakumo’s letter and how Konoha should approach the mysterious Uchiha Chen. Hiruzen suggested Chen might be connected to Madara Uchiha, leaving them to consider winning him over.

• Danzo searched Hatake Sakumo’s letter for a hidden message but found nothing beyond what was written.
• Hiruzen and Danzo debated whether to recruit Uchiha Chen and how much to investigate his origins and techniques.
• Danzo questioned how Chen had learned the Bringer-of-Darkness and Flying Thunder God techniques, while Hiruzen reasoned that few people could have accessed the Scroll of Seals.
• Hiruzen stopped Danzo from saying the name aloud, and the two connected Uchiha Chen to Madara Uchiha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo mistakenly concluded that Uchiha Chen was Madara Uchiha’s descendant and debated how to handle him. They agreed to follow Hatake Sakumo’s plan and avoid provoking Chen until the war ended, while preparing to fight if he threatened Konoha.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo suspected that Uchiha Chen was Madara Uchiha’s descendant and decided he should be watched without being provoked.
• The two questioned whether Hatake Sakumo’s plan to win Chen over was trustworthy, since his appearance and actions seemed too convenient.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen argued that Konoha lacked the forces to confront Chen during the war and chose to follow Hatake Sakumo’s plan.
• Danzo accepted Hiruzen’s decision but vowed to fight Chen if he threatened Konoha.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen declared that he would be the first to act against Chen if necessary, as the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo discussed the Elder Council’s demand to bring Uchiha Chen back to Konoha and turn him into a weapon. They agreed that Hiruzen would consult Uchiha Kagami while Danzo kept the council occupied.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Danzo that the Elder Council wanted Uchiha Chen returned to Konoha and brought under their control.
• Danzo condemned the Elder Council and recalled how its members had opposed him and targeted his clan after he refused to join them.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen urged Danzo to endure the council’s interference and suggested involving their teacher if necessary.
• Danzo proposed consulting Uchiha Kagami about Uchiha Chen, and Hiruzen agreed to speak with him.
• Hiruzen left Danzo’s tent with documents requiring his approval while Danzo continued handling the village’s affairs.

Sarutobi Hiruzen told Kagami Uchiha that he and Danzo suspected Uchiha Chen was a descendant of Madara Uchiha. Kagami struggled to assess the theory and worried that believing it could change the Uchiha Clan’s standing with the village.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Kagami Uchiha and asked whether he had found clues about the person under investigation.
• Kagami reported that the Uchiha Clan’s records and inquiries had revealed no likely orphan or missing Sharingan.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed that the person was named Uchiha Chen and said he and Danzo suspected Chen descended from Madara Uchiha.
• Kagami recognized who Hiruzen meant and reacted with disbelief, then listened as Hiruzen explained their reasoning.
• Kagami said he needed time to process the possibility and worried that the Uchiha Clan might be branded traitors if it supported Madara’s descendant.