Chapter Summaries

Takigakure’s leaders blamed Kakuzu for the village’s troubles and planned to hand him over to Konoha, while Kakuzu realized his loyalty had earned him only betrayal. After bribing his guard with the promise of ten million ryo, Kakuzu escaped confinement and resolved to live for money instead of the village.

• Takigakure’s leader interrogated Kakuzu about the attack on the Seika Family, then decided to make him take the blame and surrender him to Konoha.
• Kakuzu accepted that Takigakure had abandoned him and was returned to the dungeon for a final meal before his transfer.
• A Takigakure Chunin complained that Kakuzu’s actions threatened his missions and income, prompting Kakuzu to question what his Nindo had meant.
• Kakuzu offered the Chunin ten million ryo in exchange for his freedom and revealed a location where some of the money was hidden.
• The Chunin retrieved the money, gave Kakuzu the key, and fled Takigakure, leaving Kakuzu to escape and reflect on his wasted loyalty.

After Kakuzu’s escape devastated Takigakure, Tobirama Senju negotiated a treaty while Uchiha Makoto redirected the village’s compensation into a canned-food distribution deal that benefited Akatsuki Ninja Village and Konoha. Makoto then warned Tobirama about the Land of Fire and learned that Uchiha Madara was staying in Konoha, reading Warring States Romance.

• Tobirama Senju learned that Kakuzu had killed or wounded most of Takigakure’s senior officials, ending Konoha’s planned military campaign and forcing negotiations.
• Takigakure’s two surviving senior officials accepted Tobirama Senju’s unequal treaty but said the village could not pay One Billion Ryo.
• Uchiha Makoto proposed that Takigakure distribute canned food instead of paying the compensation, and Tobirama Senju agreed to direct half the resulting profits to Konoha until it recovered One Billion Ryo.
• Uchiha Makoto presented a prepared distribution contract, and Takigakure’s senior officials signed it and pledged to promote canned food across the Land of Waterfalls.
• After the Takigakure officials left, Uchiha Makoto warned Tobirama Senju that the Land of Fire would act soon, and Tobirama refused to undermine the Daimyo.
• Tobirama Senju told Uchiha Makoto that Uchiha Madara was in Konoha, spending his days with Hashirama Senju and reading Warring States Romance.

Uchiha Makoto taunted Tobirama Senju over the uncertain succession to Hokage before returning to Akatsuki Ninja Village and discussing Chakra-powered industry with Itama. Itama proposed using Gelel Stone as a stable energy source, and Uchiha Makoto agreed to investigate despite the likely complications with Sunagakure.

• Uchiha Makoto reviewed Uchiha Madara's quiet life in Konoha and discussed Akatsuki Hollywood's upcoming movie with Tobirama Senju.
• Uchiha Makoto provoked Tobirama Senju by suggesting Uchiha Madara might become the Second and jointly govern Konoha with him, prompting Tobirama to throw a Kunai in anger.
• Uchiha Makoto handed Tobirama Senju a large canned-goods contract before leaving for Akatsuki Ninja Village as the New Year approached.
• Uchiha Makoto met Itama, who explained that Chakra-powered machinery worked in the laboratory but needed a stable energy source for widespread use.
• Itama suggested Gelel Stone as a source of abundant Chakra, and Uchiha Makoto agreed to look into it despite the possibility of conflict with Sunagakure.

Uchiha Makoto managed political pressure, expanded Akatsuki Ninja Village’s commercial ties, and received news of a booming fishing business that was provoking protests. In Konoha, Hashirama Senju invited Tobirama Senju to see Akatsuki Ninja Village’s new movie and said Uchiha Madara would buy the tickets.

• Uchiha Makoto told Takahashi Temmaru to find new partners after nobles pressured Arasaka Company’s suppliers and business channels to end their cooperation.
• A grand noble warned Uchiha Makoto that the Daimyo wanted to drive a wedge between Akatsuki Ninja Village and Konoha, then arranged a private banquet to introduce him to other influential people.
• Uchiha Makoto welcomed visiting leaders of minor ninja villages and signed trade agreements that Arasaka Company would coordinate.
• Shinji Uzumaki reported that canned-food orders had reached three hundred million, while large-scale fishing drew protests from fishermen in several countries.
• Hashirama Senju invited Tobirama Senju to watch Epic Ninja War, and Tobirama agreed before learning that Uchiha Madara would buy the tickets.

Hashirama Senju brought Tobirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki to the movies with Uchiha Madara to ease Madara’s loneliness, despite Tobirama’s objections. Tobirama tried to isolate Madara with the seating arrangement, but Madara turned the tables, and the group entered the theater together.

• Hashirama Senju insisted that Uchiha Madara join the family outing because Madara seemed withdrawn and would otherwise spend New Year alone.
• Tobirama Senju, Hashirama Senju, and Mito Uzumaki met Uchiha Madara outside the crowded movie theater, where Madara greeted Mito but ignored Tobirama.
• Tobirama Senju bought three adjoining seats and one separate seat, intending to leave Uchiha Madara alone in the corner.
• Uchiha Madara recognized Tobirama Senju’s scheme, took the adjoining-seat tickets, and handed Tobirama the lone ticket.
• Hashirama Senju told Tobirama Senju to accept the isolated seat, while Mito Uzumaki fumed after Hashirama left her side to chat with Madara.
• The four entered the theater together as Hashirama Senju discussed the film and suggested visiting the Akatsuki Ninja Village with Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Makoto attended the premiere of Akatsuki Ninja Village’s first movie while reflecting on the village’s rapid economic growth, as the Second Raikage struggled with Kumogakure’s postwar crisis and the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire watched the film. At the cinema, Mito Uzumaki tried to make Uchiha Madara jealous by feeding Hashirama Senju popcorn, but Hashirama ended up feeding Madara instead as the movie began.

• Uchiha Makoto walked with Tsubaki Uzumaki to the crowded cinema and saw villagers paying scalpers for premiere tickets.
• The Second Raikage struggled to appease people demanding money amid Kumogakure’s postwar losses and reparations, then received a videotape from Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire watched the movie and reconsidered Uchiha Makoto as a threat after realizing how much he had underestimated him.
• Tobirama Senju sat alone with popcorn while Mito Uzumaki arranged to sit between Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara.
• Mito Uzumaki tried to provoke Uchiha Madara by feeding Hashirama popcorn, but Hashirama fed Madara and offered Mito the rest of her bucket.
• Mito Uzumaki angrily ate much of her popcorn before the movie began.

The audience watched a war film about an Akatsuki rescue mission, and Uchiha Makoto’s portrayal of a Shadow who risked lives to save Chunin moved viewers and strengthened loyalty to the Akatsuki Ninja Village. The film then blamed delayed Konoha reinforcements under Tobirama Senju, leaving Tobirama furious at Makoto for turning the story against him.

• The film’s battle scenes impressed the audience, while viewers in the Land of Fire mistook the Akatsuki Ninja’s victories for their own after the movie displayed the Land of Fire’s flag.
• Uchiha Makoto appeared as Lord Shadow and ordered a squad to rescue Chunin Pain, prompting Konoha ninja to debate whether such concern for low-ranking ninja was believable.
• Tobirama Senju accused Makoto of using the movie to manipulate public opinion, while Akatsuki villagers and ninja praised their Lord Shadow and pledged loyalty.
• The rescue squad entered enemy territory, and one member sacrificed himself to draw away Kumogakure ninja as the mission’s casualties mounted.
• The surviving squad members complained that Konoha’s reinforcements had not arrived, and Tobirama turned pale when the film named him as their commander-in-chief.

Uchiha Makoto’s film portrayed the Akatsuki Ninja Village’s costly war with Kumogakure while depicting Tobirama Senju as having delayed Konoha’s aid and later claimed a share of victory. As the movie ended with a memorial for the fallen, Konoha’s audience sat in silence and Tobirama seethed at the damage to his reputation.

• Tobirama Senju watched the film depict Akatsuki Ninja dying during the rescue mission while repeatedly blaming his delayed reinforcements, and a child in the theater cried that he was awful.
• Uchiha Madara accused Tobirama Senju of stalling, and Hashirama Senju demanded the truth, but the audience soon moved on.
• The film showed Chunin Pain being rescued and returning to the Akatsuki Ninja rear with the surviving members of the squad.
• The film portrayed Konoha arriving after Uchiha Makoto had secured victory, then showed Tobirama Senju claiming a place at the peace negotiations and pressuring Kumogakure to surrender.
• The Second Raikage signed the surrender agreement, and the film ended with Uchiha Makoto honoring the Akatsuki Ninjas killed in the war.

After the movie’s screening, Hashirama and Madara reflected on war and peace while Tobirama, the Second Raikage, and the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire considered the danger posed by Uchiha Makoto and Akatsuki Ninja Village. The Daimyo concluded that Akatsuki Ninja Village and Konoha were secretly hostile and ordered a campaign to promote Akatsuki Ninja Village while weakening Konoha.

• Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara discussed the movie’s portrayal of war, and Hashirama declared that he would protect Konoha even against friends or family who threatened it.
• Tobirama Senju recognized Uchiha Makoto’s use of movies, public opinion, and money as a strategy, but saw no way to stop him without defying Hashirama Senju and Konoha’s traditions.
• The Second Raikage faced another group demanding compensation payments, promised Kumogakure would pay, and left to earn money through missions.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire decided that the movie revealed hostility between Akatsuki Ninja Village and Konoha, and ordered officials to promote Akatsuki Ninja Village and smear Konoha.
• The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire also ordered mission quotas to be diverted from Konoha to Akatsuki Ninja Village.

After Saving Chunin Pain became a record-breaking hit, Uchiha Makoto considered how the film could strengthen Akatsuki Ninja Village and questioned why the Land of Fire's leaders were supporting it. He accepted Hashirama Senju's invitation to visit Konoha and prepared a delegation, hoping to assess Uchiha Madara and build ties with the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans.

• Saving Chunin Pain earned more than three hundred million ryo domestically, and director Bai Ze Ming visited Uchiha Makoto to praise the script, actors, and their collaboration.
• Bai Ze Ming told Uchiha Makoto that entertainment-industry figures wanted to work with Akatsuki Hollywood, while Uchiha Makoto wondered whether the Land of Fire's support signaled reconciliation or concealed plans.
• Uchiha Makoto received Hashirama Senju's invitation to visit Konoha and decided the trip would help him maintain ties with the Uchiha Clan and assess Uchiha Madara's state of mind.
• Uchiha Makoto told Tsubaki Uzumaki about the visit, and she agreed to accompany him so they could strengthen their connection with Mito Uzumaki.
• Uchiha Makoto assembled a delegation including Masao Kaguya and planned to visit the Hyuga Clan during the trip, hoping to draw its members to Akatsuki Ninja Village.

Uchiha Makoto arrived in Konoha and met its leaders, including Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Madara, and Tobirama Senju, before discussing the Ninja World’s future with them. The meeting ended with Uchiha Makoto proposing Destruction Deterrence as a way to prevent wars between villages.

• Uchiha Makoto led his delegation to Konoha, where Hashirama Senju and the village’s leaders welcomed them.
• Uchiha Makoto teased Tobirama Senju by emphasizing his status as Lord Shadow, and Tobirama Senju forced himself to respond politely.
• Uchiha Makoto greeted the Uchiha Clan Elders, whose clan had gained influence in Konoha through its Security Department and alliance with him.
• Hashirama Senju praised Akatsuki Ninja Village’s antiwar movie, while Tobirama Senju reluctantly complimented it after Uchiha Makoto provoked him.
• Uchiha Makoto, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Uchiha Madara debated whether peace required restraint, cooperation, or unifying the Ninja World.
• Uchiha Makoto proposed Destruction Deterrence, arguing that villages capable of destroying one another would avoid war.

Uchiha Makoto proposed using the Tailed Beasts to deter wars, prompting Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara to agree to gather intelligence and capture them together after New Year. After Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara left, Tobirama Senju attacked Uchiha Makoto over a movie he believed had smeared him.

• Uchiha Makoto suggested that the Tailed Beasts could give shinobi villages enough power to deter one another and reduce the risk of war.
• Tobirama Senju opposed sharing the Tailed Beasts, while Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara agreed to capture them first and decide what to do afterward.
• Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara agreed that Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village would secretly gather intelligence and conduct joint Tailed Beast capture operations after New Year.
• Hashirama Senju invited Uchiha Madara to his home for New Year's Eve dinner, leaving Uchiha Makoto and Tobirama Senju alone in the Hokage's Office.
• Tobirama Senju drew his kunai and attacked Uchiha Makoto over the movie he accused him of making to smear him.
• Uchiha Makoto denied insulting Tobirama Senju in the movie and claimed that Tobirama Senju was merely acting guilty, provoking him to attack again.

Uchiha Makoto and Tobirama Senju ended their sparring and reviewed the Canned Food Factory’s profits before negotiating business between Akatsuki Ninja Village and Konoha. They agreed on this year’s mission distribution, while Makoto outlined plans for expanding the village’s economy and issuing its own currency; Tobirama refused to deposit Konoha’s money in Akatsuki’s bank.

• Uchiha Makoto ended the fight by offering Tobirama Senju the Canned Food Factory’s ledger, and Tobirama was impressed by its revenue.
• Uchiha Makoto persuaded Tobirama to tolerate some forceful measures against business rivals, though Tobirama warned him not to provoke Hashirama Senju.
• Uchiha Makoto and Tobirama Senju argued over mission assignments, then settled on a broad distribution plan based on last year’s arrangement.
• Uchiha Makoto described plans for sea power, food production, banking, and Akatsuki Ninja Village currency, but Tobirama rejected his offer to deposit Konoha’s money in the village bank.
• Uchiha Makoto invited Tobirama to dinner and teased him about being single and marrying his future son to Hashirama Senju’s granddaughter, prompting Tobirama to refuse.

Uchiha Makoto visited the Senju grounds for New Year’s, winning over the children with generous red envelopes before dominating a mahjong game at Hashirama Senju’s home. As the gathering turned to Tobirama Senju’s bachelorhood and Uchiha Madara’s absence, Makoto realized Madara might soon read a tragic chapter of his novel and ominously wished Tobirama luck.

• Tobirama Senju chased Uchiha Makoto to the Senju grounds, where clan members recognized and greeted Makoto.
• Uchiha Makoto handed out red envelopes to Senju children, who praised him as the Lord Shadow of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, while Tobirama had none to give.
• Uchiha Makoto, Tobirama Senju, Hashirama Senju, and Morima Senju played mahjong, and Makoto won overwhelmingly as Tobirama accused him of cheating.
• Hashirama Senju urged Tobirama to think about marriage, and Makoto teased him about being a bachelor and his sexual orientation.
• Hashirama Senju said Uchiha Madara had gone to buy the latest volume of Warring States Romance, and Makoto worried Madara would read its coming tragedy and take his anger out on Tobirama.

Uchiha Madara’s anger over a novel that echoed his promise to avenge Izuna reignited his hostility toward Tobirama Senju, but news of Tsubaki Uzumaki’s pregnancy restored the New Year gathering’s warmth. The chapter ended with Uchiha Makoto imagining his unborn son’s future role in uniting Konoha under the Light Shadow.

• Uchiha Madara read the latest chapter of Warring States Romance and was reminded of his vow to avenge Izuna, prompting him to glare at Tobirama Senju.
• Hashirama Senju tried to calm Madara, while Tobirama Senju realized the novel had revived their old conflict and eventually withdrew from dinner after Madara singled him out.
• Uchiha Makoto broke the tense silence by suggesting that everyone eat, and the gathering turned to Hashirama Senju’s fishing story.
• Tsubaki Uzumaki revealed that she was pregnant with a boy, and Uchiha Makoto celebrated as Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara congratulated him.
• Uchiha Makoto learned that Tsubaki Senju was also pregnant and that she was expecting a girl; Morima Senju, Hashirama Senju, Mito Uzumaki, and Uchiha Madara welcomed the news.
• Uchiha Makoto imagined his unborn son growing up to help unite Konoha under the Light Shadow.

During the New Year’s Eve gathering at Hashirama Senju’s home, Makoto Uchiha arranged for Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara to teach his son and secured a betrothal between the boy and Tsunade. Tobirama Senju emerged from hiding after everyone left and was shocked to learn that the marriage had been agreed without his consent.

• Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara reminisced and argued while Tobirama Senju hid in a back room, missed dinner, and ate Ration Pills.
• Makoto Uchiha persuaded Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara to become teachers to his son, and both agreed.
• Makoto Uchiha proposed a betrothal between his son and the unborn Tsunade, and Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki approved.
• Morima Senju accepted the betrothal, and he and Makoto Uchiha signed a marriage contract.
• Makoto Uchiha and Tsubaki Uzumaki left for Konoha’s guesthouse, and Uchiha Madara went home; Tobirama Senju came out of hiding and objected to the betrothal.

Uchiha Makoto attended the Uchiha Clan’s ancestor-worship ceremony and discussed the Stone Tablet and peace with Uchiha Madara. He left Madara questioning whether ninja villages had actually improved the conditions in which ninjas lived.

• Uchiha Makoto returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound with Tsubaki Uzumaki, where Setsuna Uchiha and other clan members welcomed him.
• Uchiha Makoto attended the ancestor-worship ceremony at Naka Shrine and used his ocular power to decipher most of the Stone Tablet.
• Uchiha Madara asked Uchiha Makoto whether the Ninja World could achieve eternal peace, and Makoto said he did not know.
• Uchiha Madara shared his understanding of Yin-Yang Release with Uchiha Makoto, who judged that Madara still had some hope for Konoha.
• Uchiha Makoto challenged Uchiha Madara to consider whether ninja villages had improved ninjas’ survival conditions.

Uchiha Makoto challenged Uchiha Madara’s belief that founding ninja villages would bring peace, arguing that economic development was the key, then learned the Uchiha elders wanted his help securing the Hokage position for their clan. He resolved to keep the Uchiha dependent on his support while steering Konoha’s future toward the Akatsuki Ninja Village’s eventual absorption of it.

• Uchiha Makoto debated Uchiha Madara, arguing that raising productivity would reduce war, and left Madara doubtful but unconvinced.
• Uchiha Makoto and Uchiha Madara lightened the mood by cursing Tobirama Senju before Makoto left Naka Shrine.
• Setsuna Uchiha brought Uchiha Makoto to meet the clan elders, who asked him to help the Uchiha secure Konoha’s Second Hokage position.
• Uchiha Makoto considered how a powerful Uchiha Hokage could conflict with his goal of making the Akatsuki Ninja Village absorb Konoha.
• Uchiha Makoto told the elders the Second and Third would not come from the Uchiha Clan, while privately intending to preserve the clan’s dependence on his support.

Uchiha Makoto criticized the Uchiha Clan Elders for failing to build influence or allies in Konoha and urged them to share half the Konoha Security Department positions with other clans. The Elders resisted giving up the valuable posts, and Makoto considered using Akatsuki Ninja Village funds to resolve the dispute.

• The Uchiha Clan Elders briefed Uchiha Makoto on the clan’s weak influence in Konoha, and Makoto faulted them for failing to cultivate allies.
• Uchiha Makoto argued that the clan needed supporters and explained how its refusal to cooperate with other clans had let Tobirama Senju gain an advantage.
• Uchiha Makoto proposed distributing half the Konoha Security Department positions among Konoha’s clans, but the Elders objected to surrendering the jobs and their guaranteed salaries.
• Uchiha Makoto warned that keeping all the positions would turn other clans against the Uchiha Clan and further weaken its bid for the Hokage’s support.
• The Elders hesitated to make the decision, while Uchiha Makoto considered using Akatsuki Ninja Village’s funds to cover the cost without appearing too eager.

Uchiha Makoto persuaded the Uchiha Clan Elders to support a Ninja Study Abroad Program and helped them resolve opposition to sharing half the Konoha Security Department’s positions by funding its salaries through a foundation. He joined the elders to visit Konoha’s clans and began with the Hyuga Clan.

• The Uchiha Clan Elders struggled to agree on sharing half of the Security Department’s positions, so Uchiha Makoto proposed that the clan promote a study-abroad program bringing Konoha’s young ninjas to Akatsuki Ninja Village.
• The elders accepted the program, and Uchiha Makoto announced a foundation that would cover half the Security Department’s salaries to ease Uchiha members’ resistance to sharing positions.
• The elders and Uchiha Makoto discussed how to distribute the positions among Konoha’s clans and formed a rough plan.
• Uchiha Makoto persuaded the elders to let him accompany them on clan visits by offering Security Department members a monthly travel allowance of 3,000 ryo.
• Uchiha Makoto and the elders set out to visit Konoha’s clans, beginning with the Hyuga Clan.