Chapter Summaries

Hashirama Senju learned that Anbu had beaten and detained hundreds of villagers, and he hurried to confront Tobirama Senju. Tobirama kept the villagers imprisoned and prepared for Hashirama’s anger, but Hashirama arrived before he could explain himself.

• A frightened villager told Hashirama Senju that Anbu had beaten hundreds of villagers and taken them away.
• Hashirama realized Tobirama Senju had likely ordered the Anbu’s actions and hurried to the Hokage Building after seeing villagers fear him.
• An Anbu ninja delivered hundreds of repentance letters to Tobirama, who praised the villagers for admitting their mistakes.
• Tobirama ordered the villagers kept in the Anbu dungeon for a week and said they needed further Ideological Education.
• Tobirama learned that Lady Mito had arrived, then heard Hashirama demand to know what he had done that afternoon.

Hashirama Senju confronted Tobirama Senju over ordering Anbu Ninja to beat and arrest villagers, while Tobirama defended the crackdown as necessary to protect Konoha’s authority. Mito Uzumaki interrupted their argument, but Hashirama still demanded that Tobirama admit fault, release the villagers, and apologize publicly.

• Hashirama Senju entered the Hokage's Office and angrily accused Tobirama Senju of ordering Anbu Ninja to beat and arrest villagers.
• Tobirama Senju explained that the villagers had criticized Konoha’s decisions, questioned the Senju faction’s rule, and planned to protest at the Hokage Building.
• Hashirama Senju rejected Tobirama Senju’s justification and argued that the villagers should have been answered with an explanation instead of violence.
• Tobirama Senju warned that yielding to the villagers could weaken the village’s authority and accused Uchiha Makoto and the Uchiha Clan of organizing the unrest.
• Hashirama Senju’s anger escalated, but Mito Uzumaki entered from the next room and stopped the brothers’ argument.
• Hashirama Senju apologized for releasing his Chakra but insisted that Tobirama Senju admit fault, release the villagers, and publicly apologize.

Hashirama Senju urged Tobirama Senju to admit fault, release the villagers held in the Anbu, and apologize, hoping to restore their trust. Tobirama refused, insisting the villagers had repented through Ideological Education, while Hashirama remained convinced they had been frightened into confessing.

• Hashirama Senju proposed that Tobirama Senju reflect on his actions, release the imprisoned villagers, and publicly apologize to them.
• Tobirama Senju rejected the proposal, fearing an apology would damage his standing and future prospects as Hokage.
• Tobirama Senju pointed to the villagers’ hundreds of written confessions and said they had admitted their mistakes voluntarily.
• Hashirama Senju read several confessions and questioned whether Tobirama Senju had used Genjutsu on the villagers.
• Tobirama Senju denied using Genjutsu and claimed the confessions resulted from Ideological Education, while Hashirama Senju suspected the villagers had been frightened by the Anbu.

Hashirama Senju called an emergency meeting to decide whether Tobirama Senju should apologize to villagers injured and arrested by Anbu, while Mito Uzumaki tried to mediate their dispute. The clan leaders overwhelmingly sided with Tobirama, leaving Hashirama's demand unsupported and Tobirama confident that his preparations had secured the outcome.

• Mito Uzumaki proposed an emergency meeting so Konoha's ninja clans could judge Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju's disagreement.
• Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju agreed to abide by the meeting's decision, and clan leaders hurried to the Meeting Room.
• Hashirama Senju presided and argued that Tobirama Senju should personally apologize to the villagers beaten and detained by Anbu.
• The clan leaders considered the political risks and chose to support Tobirama Senju rather than oppose Konoha's Shadow Hokage.
• Sasuke Sarutobi, the Shimura Clan Leader, and other clan representatives spoke against Hashirama's proposal while Tobirama remained silent.

After the clans backed Tobirama Senju, he turned his apology to the villagers into a display of brotherly unity with Hashirama Senju. Uchiha Madara left the meeting worried about Konoha’s direction, and the chapter ended with the villagers released and Konoha sending troops to the Land of Lightning.

• Tobirama Senju admitted he had gone too far and offered to apologize to the villagers with Hashirama Senju after the clans supported him.
• Tobirama Senju reconciled with Hashirama Senju in public, while the clans applauded their show of brotherly affection.
• Tobirama Senju decided Konoha needed a dedicated Security Department to manage village affairs.
• Uchiha Madara left the meeting troubled by Tobirama Senju’s influence and uncertain whether Konoha could fulfill his and Hashirama Senju’s childhood dream.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju released the detained villagers and apologized, but the signs banning talk about village affairs remained.
• Tobirama Senju officially sent troops to the Land of Lightning battlefield.

The First Raikage’s Kumogakure squad found an abandoned Akatsuki outpost stocked with luxury food, exposing the gulf between the villages’ logistics as Kumogakure’s supplies dwindled. After learning Konoha had deployed troops, Uchiha Makoto weighed the danger of Tobirama Senju joining the war and looked for a chance to exploit Kumogakure’s desperation.

• The First Raikage led Kumogakure Jonin through an explosive-tagged Akatsuki outpost, but they found no useful intelligence or wounded enemies.
• A reconnaissance squad discovered a hidden icehouse, and the Kumogakure ninjas ate the stored steak, chocolate, and ice cream.
• The First Raikage worried about Kumogakure’s failing logistics and the prospect of Konoha joining the war, insisting that surrender was not an option.
• A messenger delivered urgent news that Konoha had deployed troops, alarming the First Raikage.
• Uchiha Makoto learned of Konoha’s deployment, welcomed the possibility of ending the war sooner, and worried that Tobirama Senju would share in Akatsuki’s victory.

After Konoha sent troops, Kumogakure escalated the war with increasingly desperate attacks, and the First Raikage led an elite force against Akatsuki Ninja’s main army. Uchiha Makoto suspected a trap but considered striking at the Raikage a tempting chance to end the war quickly.

• Konoha sent troops, lifting Shinji Uzumaki’s spirits, while Uchiha Makoto warned that Akatsuki Ninja could not rely on allies for its future.
• Uchiha Makoto reviewed intelligence as Kumogakure intensified its attacks and suffered mounting casualties.
• On the third day after Konoha’s deployment, the First Raikage led an elite force in an assault on Akatsuki Ninja’s main army.
• Uchiha Makoto suspected the First Raikage was bait backed by Kumogakure’s main force, but he weighed the risk against the chance to end the war in one stroke.

The First Raikage led an elite Cloud Ninja squad against the Akatsuki flank, hoping to draw Uchiha Makoto into an ambush, but grew alarmed when the Akatsuki forces withdrew. Uchiha Makoto revealed that the Akatsuki main force was attacking Kumogakure’s undefended third line of defense, leaving the First Raikage facing a threat to both his forces and their supply lines.

• The First Raikage tore through the Akatsuki flank with his lightning armor while the Cloud Ninja followed and inflicted heavy casualties.
• Akatsuki fighters countercharged with Explosive Tags, damaging the Cloud Ninja squad and slowing its advance.
• The Akatsuki forces withdrew, prompting the First Raikage to suspect they had targeted Kumogakure’s undefended third line of defense.
• The First Raikage ordered the Cloud Ninja to rush back and reinforce the third line of defense.
• Uchiha Makoto appeared and confirmed that the Akatsuki main force was attacking the third line of defense, intending to sever Kumogakure’s supplies and kill the First Raikage.

Uchiha Makoto fought the First Raikage, who had attacked his vulnerable position and still believed he could turn the war around by killing Makoto. The First Raikage’s Hell Stab failed to pierce Makoto’s Susanoo, and Makoto prepared to counterattack.

• Uchiha Makoto taunted the First Raikage, who insisted he had not lost and charged into battle.
• Uchiha Makoto attacked with Dragon Flame jutsu, but the First Raikage dodged through Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Uchiha Makoto and the First Raikage clashed at close range, trading powerful blows across the battlefield.
• The First Raikage used Hell Stab, but Uchiha Makoto blocked it with Susanoo, injuring the Raikage’s fingers.
• Uchiha Makoto laughed and declared that he would blast the First Raikage to pieces.

Uchiha Makoto battled the First Raikage, overpowering his Power Nullification with a third-stage Susanoo and killing him. Before dying, the First Raikage learned that Makoto had intended to destroy Kumogakure all along and considered Konoha’s destruction an even greater priority.

• Uchiha Makoto summoned Susanoo and struck the First Raikage, who responded by using his family’s Flesh Burning technique to increase his strength and speed.
• The First Raikage used Power Nullification to redirect Makoto’s attacks and crack Susanoo, but Makoto restored it and advanced it to its third stage.
• Makoto and the First Raikage exchanged attacks for more than ten minutes until the First Raikage was exhausted and Makoto’s ocular power began to run low.
• Makoto’s final blow drove the First Raikage into the ground, and the dying Raikage asked him to spare Kumogakure and explained his regret over the war.
• Makoto admitted he had provoked the war to destroy Kumogakure and said Konoha’s destruction mattered even more to him.
• Makoto fired Susanoo’s arrow and blasted the First Raikage to pieces.

Uchiha Makoto recovered after killing the First Raikage and expected Kumogakure to surrender, believing the victory would strengthen the Akatsuki Ninja Village. When he woke, he learned that Iwagakure had intervened as the Third Defense Line was being taken.

• Uchiha Makoto ordered the Akatsuki Ninja to finish off the wounded Cloud Ninja and withdrew, exhausted and nearly blind.
• As he rested, Uchiha Makoto considered how killing the First Raikage and cutting off Kumogakure's logistics would secure his leadership and boost the Akatsuki Ninja Village's influence.
• Uchiha Makoto slept for a day and a night while a Medical Ninja treated his injuries.
• The Akatsuki Ninja higher-ups told Uchiha Makoto that they had taken the Third Defense Line, and he boasted about killing the First Raikage himself.
• Uchiha Makoto learned that Iwagakure had appeared while the Third Defense Line was nearly one-third destroyed.

After Iwagakure’s intervention halted Akatsuki Ninja Village’s advance, Uchiha Makoto rejected an unconditional ceasefire and waited for Konoha’s position. Tobirama Senju arrived to press for the ceasefire, leaving both leaders poised for a tense negotiation.

• Shinji Uzumaki told Uchiha Makoto that the First Tsuchikage had brought Iwagakure elites to the Third Defensive Line and proposed an unconditional ceasefire.
• Uchiha Makoto recognized that Iwagakure had intervened to protect the balance of power and decided Akatsuki Ninja Village must secure tangible gains before ending the war.
• Kumogakure and Iwagakure agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, while Uchiha Makoto waited for Konoha to join the front.
• Tobirama Senju accelerated Konoha’s march and arrived at Akatsuki Ninja Village’s camp, claiming he would visit the injured Uchiha Makoto.
• Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Makoto exchanged false concern about Makoto’s injuries and eyes before preparing to discuss the ceasefire.

Senju Tobirama urged Uchiha Makoto to end the war unconditionally, invoking peace and the Will of Fire, but Makoto passed the decision to Shinji Uzumaki. Shinji rejected an unconditional end to the war, leaving Tobirama frustrated that the Uzumaki Clan would not follow Konoha’s lead.

• Senju Tobirama argued that the First Raikage’s death and Kumogakure’s losses made it time to end the war for peace.
• Uchiha Makoto recognized Tobirama’s political trap and asked Shinji Uzumaki to give the Uzumaki Clan’s opinion.
• Shinji Uzumaki reasoned that the Akatsuki Ninja Village and the Uzumaki Clan had the advantage and should not withdraw without concessions from Kumogakure.
• Shinji said the war could end, but Kumogakure had to give something up, and Makoto publicly agreed with him.
• Senju Tobirama resented the Uzumaki Clan’s closeness to the Akatsuki Ninja Village and wished it would follow Konoha’s lead.

Uchiha Makoto hosted Konoha’s forces for a lavish meal while Tobirama Senju tried to persuade Shinji Uzumaki to abandon the Akatsuki Ninja Village and support an unconditional ceasefire. The Konoha ninjas grew closer to their allies, while Makoto quietly strengthened the bond between the villages and left Tobirama preparing to confront him again.

• Shinji Uzumaki and the Akatsuki Ninja Village’s leaders rejected the idea of an unconditional ceasefire, while Konoha’s leadership remained divided and Uchiha Madara stayed silent.
• Uchiha Makoto postponed the dispute and invited Konoha’s forces to a meal, which Tobirama Senju accepted.
• Konoha’s ninjas enjoyed the Akatsuki Ninja Village’s lavish food and socialized with its members, who questioned whether Konoha would betray its allies.
• Tobirama Senju urged Shinji Uzumaki to bring the Uzumaki Clan closer to Konoha and stop following Uchiha Makoto, but Shinji dismissed his appeal.
• Tobirama Senju concluded that Uchiha Makoto was the real obstacle and approached him, confident that Hashirama Senju’s support for the First Tsuchikage strengthened his position.

Uchiha Makoto accepted an unconditional ceasefire after Senju Tobirama pressured him, and the decision spread across the Ninja World, provoking anger among Akatsuki Ninja Village and the Uzumaki Clan. At the signing ceremony, a kunai struck Makoto’s earlobe, and he used the attack to call for a fight as the Cloud Ninja faced the other forces.

• Senju Tobirama pressured Uchiha Makoto to accept an unconditional ceasefire, and Makoto eventually agreed for the sake of peace.
• Uchiha Makoto announced the decision to Akatsuki Ninja Village’s leaders and the Uzumaki Clan, while Senju Tobirama agreed to help publicize it.
• News of the ceasefire spread, earning Makoto public praise while Akatsuki’s shinobi and the Uzumaki Clan blamed Konoha for forcing the outcome.
• Akatsuki Ninja, the Uzumaki Clan, Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure gathered to sign the agreement, where Uchiha Makoto confronted the First Tsuchikage over Iwagakure’s intervention.
• As Uchiha Makoto spoke at the ceremony, an attacker threw a kunai from three hundred meters away and pierced his earlobe.
• Uchiha Makoto pushed away his guards and shouted for a fight, prompting Akatsuki Ninja, the Uzumaki Clan, and Konoha to draw their weapons toward the Cloud Ninja.

A Cloud Ninja assassin attacked during the ceasefire negotiations, and Uchiha Makoto used the incident to rally Akatsuki Ninja Village, the Uzumaki Clan, and Konoha against Kumogakure. The Second Raikage denied ordering the attack, but Makoto ordered the gathered forces to strike the Cloud Ninja.

• A Cloud Ninja assassin hurled a Kunai at Uchiha Makoto during negotiations, shocking Tobirama Senju, the First Tsuchikage, and the Second Raikage.
• The Second Raikage denied sending the assassin and suspected that his rivals might have arranged the attack.
• Uchiha Makoto urged the gathered ninja to fight and accused Kumogakure of rejecting peace despite Akatsuki Ninja Village's offer of an unconditional ceasefire.
• The ninja of Akatsuki Ninja Village and the Uzumaki Clan prepared to attack, while Konoha Ninja also moved to fight.
• The Second Raikage swore Kumogakure was innocent and claimed the assassin had acted on his own.
• Uchiha Makoto ordered the Akatsuki Ninja, Uzumaki Clan members, and Konoha Ninja to attack the Cloud Ninja.

Uchiha Makoto’s staged assassination attempt turned the negotiations into a battle and destroyed the prospect of an unconditional ceasefire. As the Cloud Ninja retreated and the First Tsuchikage pleaded for peace, Makoto pressured Tobirama Senju to help secure harsher terms for Kumogakure.

• At Uchiha Makoto’s command, the Akatsuki Ninja, Uzumaki Clan, and Konoha ninjas charged, while the First Tsuchikage and Tobirama Senju failed to stop them.
• Uchiha Makoto revealed that he had used Genjutsu to control the Cloud Ninja and arranged the incident to derail the unconditional ceasefire and weaken Kumogakure.
• The First Tsuchikage urged the Second Raikage to retreat, and the Cloud Ninja fled while Iwagakure used Earth Release to block their pursuers.
• Uchiha Makoto warned the First Tsuchikage that the war would continue, and the Tsuchikage pleaded that Kumogakure would explain the incident and that Iwagakure did not seek conflict.
• The First Tsuchikage appealed to Tobirama Senju to restore peace, while Tobirama struggled with losing control of the Konoha ninjas and considered asking Makoto for help.
• Uchiha Makoto planned to use the crisis to force Kumogakure to pay a price while pressuring Tobirama to prevent Hashirama Senju from having to intervene.

Uchiha Makoto forced Senju Tobirama to support pressuring Kumogakure, while the First Tsuchikage accepted that Kumogakure would face compensation and punishment. Tobirama then realized Makoto had likely staged the assassination crisis, but he had no evidence and Makoto openly taunted him.

• Senju Tobirama swallowed his anger and promised that Konoha would pursue Kumogakure’s responsibility, while warning against further escalation.
• Uchiha Makoto got Tobirama’s tacit approval to demand an explanation and compensation from Kumogakure, and the First Tsuchikage agreed to help find the assassin.
• Senju Tobirama noticed that the Kumogakure assassin had vanished from everyone’s attention and concluded that Uchiha Makoto had likely orchestrated the incident.
• Senju Tobirama realized he had no evidence to prove his suspicions, while Uchiha Makoto teased him and recognized that Tobirama had guessed the truth.

After Kumogakure’s assassination attempt on Uchiha Makoto sparked public outrage and fears of a wider war, pressure mounted from the Daimyos and Hashirama Senju for a ceasefire. Makoto agreed to resume negotiations in exchange for compensation, but both Akatsuki Ninja Village and Kumogakure viewed the truce as temporary and remained bent on revenge.

• Uchiha Makoto taunted Tobirama Senju after the First Tsuchikage withdrew, then led the Akatsuki Ninja, Uzumaki Clan, and Konoha ninja back to camp.
• Newspapers across the Ninja World reported Kumogakure’s assassination attempt, and the public condemned Kumogakure as Akatsuki Ninja Village threatened to continue the war.
• The Daimyos worried that the conflict could unite the ninja villages against them, while Uchiha Makoto received letters urging him to withdraw his troops and preserve peace.
• Uchiha Makoto recognized that continuing the war would not benefit Akatsuki Ninja Village and used his hardline public stance to demand better compensation.
• After Kumogakure agreed to compensate Akatsuki Ninja Village, Uchiha Makoto accepted renewed ceasefire negotiations, ending the fighting for the time being.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire and other Daimyos welcomed the truce, but Akatsuki Ninja Village and Kumogakure remained dissatisfied and expected the conflict to resume.

At the ceasefire negotiations, Uchiha Makoto used a series of deliberate gestures to expose Kumogakure’s weakness and dominate the room. The talks began with Second Raikage humiliated twice, while Tobirama Senju left convinced that Konoha needed to change.

• Representatives from the major and minor villages and several daimyos gathered for the negotiations as Akatsuki and Uzumaki members traded insults with Cloud Ninja outside.
• Uchiha Makoto greeted Second Raikage with a smiling handshake, and a photographer captured the awkward scene.
• Second Raikage called for a minute of silence for fallen Cloud Ninja, but Uchiha Makoto stayed seated, prompting Tobirama Senju to sit back down as well.
• After the first silence ended, Uchiha Makoto called for a minute of silence for every ninja killed in the war and led the room in standing, forcing Second Raikage to join.
• Uchiha Makoto delayed sitting for three seconds after the second silence, keeping everyone’s attention on him, while Tobirama Senju concluded that Konoha needed a change.