Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Makoto rejected Tobirama Senju’s attempt to distance Konoha from Akatsuki Ninja Village and decided to pressure the Land of Fire’s ruling class by targeting its tobacco and liquor industries. He expected Tobirama to face a choice between loyalty to the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire and the money Konoha desperately needed.

• Tobirama Senju told Uchiha Makoto that Konoha would no longer cooperate with Akatsuki Ninja Village and threatened to stop him from harming the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire.
• Uchiha Makoto reminded Tobirama Senju that they had jointly assassinated the Land of Fire Elder’s family and accused him of trying to shift blame after sharing the stolen wealth.
• After Tobirama ended the communication, Uchiha Makoto considered the risks of attacking the Feudal Lord while Hashirama Senju remained alive and gravely injured.
• Uchiha Makoto identified tobacco and liquor as lucrative industries dominated by the Feudal Lord and noble families, and planned a campaign to take control of them.
• Uchiha Makoto planned to offer Konoha’s ninja clans shares of the tobacco and liquor profits, then use the industry’s accounts to test whether Tobirama would prioritize loyalty or Konoha’s need for money.

Uchiha Makoto finalized Akatsuki Ninja Village’s plan to acquire and monopolize the Land of Fire’s tobacco and alcohol industries, then enlisted the Uchiha Great Elder to quietly approach Konoha’s other clans. A week later, Tobirama Senju led Konoha’s delegation toward the capital for his inauguration, uneasy about the clans’ recent dealings and worried about Hashirama Senju’s health.

• Uchiha Makoto finalized a plan for Akatsuki Ninja Village to buy tobacco and alcohol businesses, using intimidation if owners refused to sell.
• Uchiha Makoto told the Uchiha Great Elder to circulate a proposal among Konoha’s clans while Tobirama Senju was away and keep the Uchiha Clan’s involvement limited.
• Tobirama Senju prepared to travel to the capital, worrying that Hashirama Senju’s failing health might be exposed and that Uchiha Makoto might disrupt the inauguration.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō reported that the delegation was ready, while Danzō resented Hiruzen’s growing influence.
• Tobirama Senju addressed Konoha’s assembled clans, ordered them to obey discipline and avoid acting without his orders, then led them toward the capital.

Tobirama Senju brought Konoha’s delegation to the Capital of the Land of Fire to seek the Feudal Lord’s support, hoping to keep Konoha from being overshadowed by Akatsuki Ninja Village. At the welcoming banquet, he faced Uchiha Makoto and discovered Shinji Uzumaki and the Uzumaki Clan standing with him.

• Tobirama Senju entered the prosperous Capital of the Land of Fire and reflected on how Akatsuki Ninja Village had grown into a rival power.
• A Feudal Lord’s attendant welcomed Konoha while making clear that Akatsuki Ninja Village had arrived earlier and that the Feudal Lord expected the delegations to meet.
• Tobirama Senju endured the attendant’s taunts and followed the Daimyo Palace procession into the city.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju led Konoha’s leaders to the palace banquet, where Uchiha Makoto arrived with Akatsuki Ninja Village’s upper ranks.
• Tobirama Senju saw Shinji Uzumaki and several Uzumaki Clan members standing beside Uchiha Makoto, while Konoha’s leaders silently watched.

Uchiha Makoto publicly challenged Tobirama Senju’s account of Uchiha Madara’s death at the Land of Fire Daimyo’s banquet, stirring suspicion among Konoha’s clans. Tobirama tried to restore order, while Makoto headed into the palace and the others prepared to attend the banquet.

• Hashirama Senju struggled to apologize to Uchiha Makoto, and Tobirama Senju insisted that Madara’s betrayal had been his own act and would not implicate the Uchiha Clan or disrupt Konoha’s alliance with Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Uchiha Makoto sarcastically congratulated Tobirama on becoming Second and mocked his explanation of Madara’s death as political maneuvering.
• Makoto suggested that the truth could not stay hidden forever, leading Konoha’s clan leaders to suspect foul play and consider closer ties with Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Tobirama recognized that Makoto had undermined the clans’ trust in him and resolved to finish Konoha Record of Awakening to teach them that the Uchiha were Naturally Evil.
• Makoto entered the palace because he was hungry, and Tobirama ordered Konoha’s clan leaders to join him at the Daimyo’s banquet.

At the Daimyo’s banquet, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire tried to inflame tensions between Konoha and Akatsuki Ninja Village and probe Hashirama Senju’s health. Uchiha Makoto publicly rebuked him and led Akatsuki Ninja Village’s delegation out, leaving Tobirama Senju to consider how the insult might benefit Konoha.

• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire arranged for the Konoha and Akatsuki Ninja Village delegations to arrive together, then watched them take separate seats at the banquet.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire questioned Hashirama Senju about his health after his battle with Uchiha Madara, but Tobirama Senju insisted that Hashirama had recovered.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire asked Uchiha Makoto for his view of Uchiha Madara’s defection, and Uchiha Makoto mocked the Daimyo’s attempt to disrupt the alliance between Konoha and Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Uchiha Makoto thanked the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire for the meal and left the hall, with Shinji Uzumaki and Akatsuki Ninja Village’s officials following him.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire’s guards did not stop the departing group, while Tobirama Senju privately considered how Uchiha Makoto’s defiance could serve Konoha.

After Uchiha Makoto publicly humiliated the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire and left the banquet, Tobirama Senju returned to the palace to exploit the Daimyo’s anger and negotiate support for Konoha. He blamed the Akatsuki Ninja Village and Uchiha Makoto for Konoha’s past actions and pledged to protect the Land of Fire, leaving the Daimyo to consider his offer.

• Uchiha Makoto left the welcoming banquet without showing the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire respect, and the Daimyo forced the shaken guests and performers to resume the celebration.
• After the banquet, Tobirama Senju sent Hashirama Senju and the others back to the inn, then returned alone to meet the Daimyo.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire raged in his bedchamber over Uchiha Makoto’s insult, but calmed down when he learned Tobirama Senju had arrived.
• Tobirama Senju saw the wrecked room and decided the Daimyo’s anger gave him an opportunity to win support for Konoha against the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Tobirama Senju warned that Uchiha Makoto might threaten the Daimyo, then blamed Makoto and the Uchiha Clan for Konoha’s past conduct and pledged Konoha’s loyalty to the Land of Fire.

Tobirama Senju met privately with the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire, who used memories of Uchiha Makoto’s past promises to stir Konoha’s resentment toward Akatsuki Ninja Village. Tobirama pledged Konoha’s loyalty and protection, then began asking the daimyo for financial support.

• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire recalled how Uchiha Makoto had once made similar pledges while seeking support for Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• The Feudal Lord recounted how Uchiha Makoto had warned him about Konoha and persuaded him to fund and legitimize the rival village.
• Tobirama Senju angrily denied the accusations against Konoha and blamed Uchiha Makoto for misleading the daimyo.
• The Feudal Lord encouraged Tobirama’s hostility toward Akatsuki Ninja Village, while privately doubting Konoha’s innocence and fearing Hashirama Senju’s power.
• Tobirama pledged that Konoha would protect the Land of Fire, then admitted that Konoha lacked financial resources.

Tobirama Senju negotiated with the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire for Konoha’s funding, using Uchiha Makoto’s threat against the Daimyo to secure an advance increase. He left with the Daimyo’s promise of support while blaming his agreement with Makoto’s ruthless tactics on the aftereffects of his corrupted soul.

• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire refused to fund Konoha further until it proved its loyalty by taking action against Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Tobirama Senju decided Konoha had to accept the Daimyo’s demand and expose Uchiha Makoto’s plot against him.
• Tobirama Senju warned the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire that Uchiha Makoto planned to harm him and might target other nobles.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire agreed to increase Konoha’s funding for the coming year by one-third, with further aid depending on Konoha’s actions.
• Tobirama Senju recognized that Makoto’s threat-based approach had worked, then blamed his own agreement with it on the effects of his corrupted soul.

Tobirama Senju secured increased funding from the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire while Konoha’s clans secretly sought protection and cooperation with Akatsuki Ninja Village. Uchiha Makoto learned that major clans, including the Hyuga Clan and Ino-Shika-Cho, wanted investments and Blue Cards, leaving him pleased with Konoha’s growing internal divisions.

• Tobirama Senju concluded his deal with the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire, securing next year’s funding and a one-third increase.
• Konoha’s ninja clans weighed their fears of Tobirama Senju against Akatsuki Ninja Village’s support and began secretly hedging their bets.
• The Uchiha Great Elder told Uchiha Makoto that Shimura Danzō and Anbu had barred him from leaving the inn under Tobirama Senju’s orders.
• The Uchiha Great Elder reported that several clans had joined the tobacco and alcohol venture, while the Hyuga Clan and Ino-Shika-Cho sought broader cooperation and easier access to Blue Cards.
• Uchiha Makoto welcomed the clans’ requests and concluded that Tobirama Senju’s efforts to consolidate power were making Konoha’s established clans increasingly uneasy.

Uchiha Makoto ordered the Uchiha Great Elder to bind Konoha’s clans to Akatsuki Ninja Village through investments, core members, and intelligence support. Tobirama Senju became Konoha’s Second at a lavish ceremony, but the nobles he tried to win over regarded him with contempt.

• Uchiha Makoto instructed the Uchiha Great Elder to offer Konoha’s clans Blue Cards in exchange for clan members, business shares, and secret support for Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Tobirama Senju’s inauguration ceremony began in the Capital of the Land of Fire, attended by nobles and delegations from the other Great Ninja Villages.
• Hashirama Senju handed Tobirama Senju the Hokage Hat, and Tobirama accepted the position before the gathered crowd.
• Tobirama Senju delivered a speech praising Konoha’s strength and vowing to defend the Land of Fire, pleasing the Feudal Lord.
• Tobirama Senju worked the banquet to secure noble support while Uchiha Makoto watched, noting that nobles on both sides held Tobirama in contempt.

Uchiha Makoto accelerated Akatsuki Ninja Village’s tobacco and liquor acquisitions and ordered a violent test of the Land of Fire’s response. In Konoha, Tobirama Senju struggled with stalled Hashirama Cells experiments and tensions between Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi before an injured noble confronted him, prompting Tobirama to suspect Uchiha Makoto.

• Uchiha Makoto’s representatives bought out much of the Land of Fire’s tobacco and liquor market, while the remaining giants refused to sell because powerful figures backed them.
• Uchiha Makoto ordered an Anbu ninja to make several holdouts die in a staged bandit shootout and test the reactions of the Land of Fire and Konoha.
• Tobirama Senju considered using children or Senju Clan members to advance his Hashirama Cells experiments but rejected both options as too dangerous or inhumane.
• Tobirama Senju praised Hiruzen Sarutobi’s administrative work, then rebuked Shimura Danzō for bringing routine defense reports directly to him.
• An injured Land of Fire Finance Ministry minister burst into Tobirama Senju’s office and accused Konoha of failing to protect him, leading Tobirama to suspect Uchiha Makoto.

After the Finance Minister reported an assassination attempt, Tobirama Senju ordered Danzō to investigate without restraint, hoping to secure the Land of Fire’s backing and pressure Akatsuki Ninja Village. The chapter ended by revealing that Uchiha Makoto had anticipated the risks, built support among Konoha’s clans, and expected Konoha’s own leaders to complicate Tobirama’s investigation.

• The Finance Minister accused Tobirama Senju of failing to protect him and demanded that Konoha explain the attack.
• Tobirama Senju promised an investigation and arranged round-the-clock Anbu protection for the Finance Minister, who stayed in Konoha.
• Danzō warned Tobirama Senju that following the evidence could implicate powerful forces, while Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to understand their exchange.
• Tobirama Senju ordered Danzō to investigate to the end and hand over all evidence, framing anyone who obstructed Konoha as an enemy of the Land of Fire.
• Tobirama Senju planned to use evidence against Akatsuki Ninja Village to force Uchiha Makoto into a political compromise and win the Daimyo’s support.
• Uchiha Makoto had already secured support from Konoha’s major clans, and he expected Konoha’s deeply implicated leaders to undermine Tobirama Senju’s investigation.

Shimura Danzō left to investigate the assassinations as Uchiha Makoto’s campaign shook the Land of Fire and let Akatsuki Ninja Village seize much of its tobacco and alcohol market. The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire demanded that Tobirama Senju produce public proof and force Makoto to surrender the businesses, leaving Tobirama under pressure and considering an appeal to his big brother.

• Shimura Danzō accepted Tobirama Senju’s assignment and left Konoha with Root’s ninja to investigate Uchiha Makoto.
• After nobles and officials were assassinated, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire increased his security and united the country’s elite against Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• Uchiha Makoto publicly promised an investigation and suspended the killings while Akatsuki Ninja Village acquired nearly half the Land of Fire’s tobacco and alcohol market.
• Shimura Danzō’s reports linked the targeted figures to the tobacco and alcohol industry, prompting the feudal lord to demand that Tobirama Senju expose Makoto and make him give up the businesses.
• The feudal lord threatened to withhold Konoha’s military funding unless Tobirama resolved the crisis within a month, and Tobirama considered seeking help from his big brother.

As Akatsuki Ninja Village entered its tenth year, Uchiha Makoto took a rare New Year shopping trip with pregnant Tsubaki Uzumaki and their young son, Uchiha Taiichi. He kept Taiichi in his arms to prevent the energetic child from wandering off after secretly learning to extract Chakra, while the village enjoyed the prosperity of its growing industry.

• Akatsuki Ninja Village’s people dismissed the Land of Fire newspapers’ accusations over the assassinations and continued celebrating their comfortable lives.
• Uchiha Makoto took a day off from his piled-up reports and went shopping with Tsubaki Uzumaki and Uchiha Taiichi.
• Tsubaki Uzumaki revealed her concern for Taiichi’s future as she stroked her pregnant belly; the medical division had confirmed her unborn child was a girl.
• Uchiha Makoto held Taiichi tightly because the two-year-old had learned to extract Chakra from Two-Tails Matatabi and might lose control in the crowded streets.

Tsubaki Uzumaki asked Uchiha Makoto to arrange a meeting between their betrothed children, Uchiha Taiichi and Tsunade, and he agreed, expecting Tobirama Senju to provide an opening. Meanwhile, Konoha’s investigation into the assassinations stalled, leaving Tobirama to consider bluffing Uchiha Makoto before deciding whether to fabricate evidence.

• Tsubaki Uzumaki asked Uchiha Makoto to arrange for Uchiha Taiichi and Tsunade to meet, and he agreed while planning to strengthen their bond for the Akatsuki Ninja Village’s long-term interests.
• Uchiha Makoto explained that Konoha’s investigation into the tobacco and alcohol industry assassinations had found no decisive evidence and that Tobirama Senju would soon be under pressure from the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire.
• Uchiha Taiichi struggled in his father’s arms while Tsubaki Uzumaki told him he would soon meet Tsunade and should make a good impression.
• In Konoha, Tobirama Senju questioned Shimura Danzō about the investigation, and Danzō admitted that the clues pointed toward multiple ninja villages but proved nothing.
• Tobirama Senju dismissed Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi, then decided to contact Uchiha Makoto and bluff him before considering the Daimyo’s suggestion to fabricate evidence.

Uchiha Makoto spent New Year’s Eve with his family, teasing Uchiha Taiichi as the boy fought with Matatabi, until an Anbu brought news that Uchiha Madara had been revived. The chapter ended with Uchiha Makoto learning that the highest-security chamber’s seal had been triggered from within.

• Uchiha Makoto returned home exhausted from shopping with Tsubaki Uzumaki and relaxed with Uchiha Taiichi during his vacation.
• Matatabi fought Uchiha Taiichi and pinned him, while Uchiha Makoto mocked his son instead of intervening.
• Tsubaki Uzumaki caught Uchiha Makoto joining in the bullying, so he hastily pretended to discipline Matatabi and comforted Taiichi.
• An Anbu ninja reported that the outer seal of the highest-security underground chamber had been triggered from within.
• Uchiha Makoto realized that Uchiha Madara had finally been revived.

Uchiha Madara awakened after using Izanagi and learned from Uchiha Makoto that Hashirama was dying and Tobirama had become Hokage. Makoto offered Madara a place in Akatsuki Ninja Village, while secretly deciding to make him teach at the Ninja Academy.

• Uchiha Madara awoke in a sealed chamber and confirmed that Izanagi had revived him at the cost of his right eye.
• Uchiha Makoto explained that he had rescued Madara's body and reported that Hashirama had stepped down and Tobirama had become the Second Hokage.
• Makoto told Madara that the Uchiha Clan was lying low while he planned to take control of Konoha, and Madara left the plan to him.
• Madara revealed Hashirama's flesh and said he intended to awaken the Rinnegan and carry out the Moon Eye Plan.
• Makoto invited Madara to stay in Akatsuki Ninja Village and privately decided to employ him as a Ninja Academy teacher to train his son, Uchiha Taiichi.

Uchiha Makoto persuaded Uchiha Madara to teach at the Ninja Academy, partly so Madara could mentor Makoto's son Taiichi under a new identity. As Makoto left, Madara asked to hear immediately if there was any news about Hashirama Senju, while claiming he only worried about his plan.

• Uchiha Makoto suggested that Uchiha Madara take a public cover identity and teach at the Ninja Academy.
• Uchiha Makoto reminded Uchiha Madara that he had promised to teach Taiichi and argued that teaching would help repay the village for supporting his research.
• Uchiha Madara recalled Taiichi's fearlessness as a baby and agreed to teach, warning that he would not go easy on the children.
• Uchiha Makoto arranged for food, medicine, and clothes to be brought to Uchiha Madara while he recovered in the basement.
• Uchiha Madara asked Uchiha Makoto to tell him immediately if he heard news about Hashirama Senju, claiming Hashirama was the only one who could stop him.

Uchiha Makoto proposed holding a grand funeral for Uchiha Madara to draw Hashirama Senju to Akatsuki Ninja Village and exploit the event politically. Madara agreed, concealing his eagerness to see Hashirama again behind concern for his reputation.

• Uchiha Makoto told Uchiha Madara that Hashirama Senju was gravely injured and they might never meet again.
• Uchiha Makoto proposed a grand funeral and obituary that could persuade Hashirama to visit Akatsuki Ninja Village while undermining Tobirama Senju and revealing Hashirama’s condition.
• Uchiha Madara weighed his pride against his desire to see Hashirama Senju, then accused Uchiha Makoto of using the funeral for political gain.
• Uchiha Makoto accepted Madara’s accusation and called the plan a win-win strategy.
• Uchiha Madara approved the funeral, demanded that it not disgrace his name, and told Uchiha Makoto to leave while he recuperated.

On New Year’s Day, Uchiha Makoto hosted Akatsuki Ninja Village’s leaders and influential guests while their children gathered at his villa. Uchiha Taiichi enjoyed rare, carefree play with children his own age, and Makoto watched as he reflected on how long that innocence could last.

• Clan heads, department leaders, nobles, and wealthy merchants visited Uchiha Makoto to offer New Year greetings and lavish gifts.
• The visiting ladies subtly asked about Uchiha Taiichi, hoping their own children could grow close to the Lord Shadow’s son.
• Uchiha Makoto gave candy and red envelopes to the children, who soon gathered around him and ran off to play.
• Uchiha Taiichi eagerly joined the children in a game of ninja hide-and-seek, delighted to have so many playmates his age.
• Uchiha Makoto let Taiichi play in the snow and watched, knowing the children’s carefree friendship would change once they understood the village’s hierarchy.