Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Madara transferred his soul into a young body grown with Hashirama Cells and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. After awakening with the Rinnegan, he declared his rebirth and prepared to resume his plan with Akatsuki and a vast army.

• Akatsuki gathered around the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as Madara prepared to transfer into the young body embedded in it.
• Black Zetsu assured Madara that the body would perfectly match his soul, and Madara performed the transfer, leaving his aged body dead.
• When the young body did not awaken immediately, Black Zetsu doubted his technique until Madara opened his eyes and revealed the Rinnegan.
• Madara freed himself from the statue, tested his restored strength, took his Gunbai from Black Zetsu, and announced that he had completed his rebirth.
• Madara told Akatsuki to continue their previous plan as thousands of former Amegakure Ninja, Root members, and White Zetsu knelt before him.

Uchiha Madara and Akatsuki offered Ōnoki a deal: Iwagakure would wage war against the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning in exchange for their Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Akatsuki would receive the Five-Tails. Ōnoki accepted, and after a year of preparations the Land of Earth launched its invasion, beginning the Third Shinobi World War.

• Madara led Akatsuki into the Tsuchikage Building and proposed that Iwagakure cooperate with them to start a war.
• Madara offered the Land of Earth the spoils of war while demanding the Eight-Tails, the Nine-Tails, and the Five-Tails for Akatsuki.
• Ōnoki questioned Madara’s motives, and Madara promised the deal was genuine before leaving him to consider it.
• At the beginning of Konoha Year 48, Ōnoki reached a cooperative agreement with Akatsuki.
• After a year of preparation, the Land of Earth and Akatsuki attacked neighboring Small Nations and invaded the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, starting the Third Shinobi World War.

Kagura was left to lead Konoha’s reinforcements to the Land of Rain as the Land of Earth and Akatsuki pressured the allied forces. The chapter ended with the other great nations unwilling or unable to join the war, leaving Konoha, Kumogakure, and Amegakure to resist the invaders.

• The Land of Earth conquered the Land of Rice and advanced toward the Land of Fire, where Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki’s forces became locked in a stalemate.
• Yahiko’s Amegakure held off the Land of Earth’s first attack and began showing signs of a counteroffensive, prompting Ōnoki to request reinforcements from Uchiha Madara.
• The Land of Wind remained divided over Rasa’s appointment as Fourth Kazekage and stayed out of the war, while the Land of Water recalled its Ninja and waited on the sidelines.
• Konoha, Kumogakure, and Amegakure formed an alliance against the Land of Earth and Akatsuki, and Konoha sent reinforcements to the Land of Rain.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi left Kagura in charge of the Konoha forces remaining in the village.

Kagura prepared to lead Konoha’s reinforcements, including a group of young Genin, to the Land of Rain. Tsunade worried over her son Qianyu before leaving separately as a pregnant medical ninja, and Kagura’s team set out for the front.

• Kagura assessed the elite Jonin and inexperienced Genin assigned to reinforce the Land of Rain.
• Tsunade warned Qianyu to stay safe and told him he could abandon Jiraiya if necessary; Jiraiya remained silent.
• Kagura’s team was formed from Jiraiya, Qianyu, Yamato, and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Kagura reminded pregnant Tsunade that she should not be on the front line, and she explained that she would serve as a medical ninja at the battlefield camp.
• Tsunade left to travel separately, and Kagura ordered the group to depart for the Land of Rain.

Kagura arrived in Amegakure with reinforcements and reunited with Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato. After seeing how much the village had changed under Yahiko’s leadership, Kagura and several Konoha leaders went upstairs to discuss their next move.

• Kagura and his group reached Amegakure, where Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato welcomed them.
• Kagura greeted Yahiko and Nagato, while Yahiko and Konan respectfully reunited with their former teacher Jiraiya.
• Yahiko led the visitors through a clean, thriving Amegakure, where villagers greeted him warmly.
• Kagura praised Yahiko to Jiraiya as the group arrived at Amegakure’s administrative building.
• Kagura sent the others to rest and went upstairs with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Minato, and Hiashi to discuss their next course of action.

Kagura met with Yahiko and his companions to discuss the war in the Land of Rain. Yahiko revealed that Akatsuki’s reinforcements were expected soon and that former Amegakure leader Hanzo was among them.

• Kagura asked Yahiko about the battle situation in the Land of Rain.
• Konan showed a map and explained that Amegakure had pushed Iwagakure’s forces back toward a mountain range.
• Yahiko explained that Iwagakure had committed most of its forces to the Land of Rice and was now seeking Akatsuki reinforcements.
• Yahiko told Kagura that Kumogakure’s stalled attacks suggested the reinforcements would soon arrive.
• Yahiko revealed that Hanzo was among the confirmed Akatsuki reinforcements.

Hanzo returned to the Land of Rain with Old Amegakure’s Ninja as reinforcements for Iwagakure, threatening Yahiko’s forces with a shift in numbers. As Kagura and Yahiko prepared their defenses, Hanzo looked over his homeland and planned to reclaim it after defeating New Amegakure.

• Yahiko and the others learned that Hanzo had joined Iwagakure’s reinforcements with the Ninja of Old Amegakure.
• Kagura reassured Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Yahiko, and the others that Hanzo could not change the outcome, while Yahiko warned that the enemy’s numbers now gave it an advantage.
• Yahiko proposed splitting Kagura’s fighters into small teams to defend important locations across the battlefield, and Kagura agreed.
• Hanzo stood in the rain and reflected on his attachment to the Land of Rain after returning for the first time in nearly ten years.
• Hanzo planned to help Iwagakure destroy Yahiko’s Amegakure and then take control of the Land of Rain, while Akatsuki-cloaked figures stood behind him.

Kagura and Orochimaru discussed the dangers of fighting Akatsuki as they prepared for their missions in the Land of Rain. Kagura received a System Mission that would shorten the time needed to evolve his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan into the Rinnegan for every Akatsuki member he killed.

• Kagura and his group went to rest at the inn Yahiko had arranged, while Jiraiya stayed behind with Yahiko.
• Kagura warned Orochimaru that Akatsuki members were dangerous, and Orochimaru cautioned Kagura that Akatsuki was more likely to target him.
• Kagura reviewed his progress, including his Eighth Gate breakthrough and the time remaining for his Rinnegan evolution.
• Kagura received a System Mission offering to reduce his Rinnegan evolution time by one year for each Akatsuki member he killed.

After a week of stalemate on the Land of Rain battlefield, Nawaki defeated an enemy Jonin and regrouped with his squad. He tried to encourage his three Genin, but hesitated when he saw Might Dai and could not promise him a bright future.

• Kagura’s Konoha forces helped Yahiko’s Amegakure defenders hold the mountain line against Iwagakure and Hanzo’s troops for nearly a week.
• Nawaki defeated an enemy Jonin after ten minutes of fighting, while their squads battled nearby.
• The remaining enemies fled after seeing their Jonin fall, and Nawaki chose not to pursue them.
• Nawaki found Asuma, Might Guy, and Might Dai safe, praised their battlefield performance, then faltered before promising them a bright future.

After rescuing an Amegakure post, Nawaki and his teammates left the cleanup to their allies and hurried toward another part of the battlefield. In the rain, Nawaki spotted two figures wearing Akatsuki robes ahead of them.

• Might Dai praised Nawaki, Guy, and Asuma, easing Nawaki’s embarrassment after the battle.
• An Amegakure Chunin thanked Nawaki for the rescue, then mourned the fallen Jonin, who had once been his companion in Old Amegakure.
• Nawaki comforted the Chunin and led his teammates away to respond to another point on the battlefield.
• As the rain intensified, Nawaki halted the group after spotting two figures in black robes patterned with red Akatsuki clouds.

Nawaki and his team encountered Akatsuki members Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki, who were intercepting Konoha squads. As Fuguki attacked, Nawaki prepared to hold them off so the others could escape.

• Nawaki recognized Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki as former Kirigakure Seven Blade Group members and Elite Jonin.
• Nawaki ordered Dai and the two Genin to flee and find reinforcements while he faced the pair.
• Juzō revealed that other Konoha teams were also being intercepted, and Nawaki took confidence from Kagura's presence.
• Fuguki drew Samehada and charged at Nawaki.

Suikazan Fuguki overwhelmed Nawaki with his speed and Samehada, then trapped him and began draining his Chakra. As Juzō Biwa blocked Nawaki’s three genin from escaping to fetch reinforcements, Nawaki’s defeat appeared imminent.

• Suikazan Fuguki struck Nawaki with Samehada and sent him crashing through trees into the ground.
• Nawaki burst from the dust and struck Samehada with his Monster Strength, but Suikazan Fuguki blocked the punch and barely stepped back.
• Samehada stretched around Nawaki, pierced him with its spikes, and began absorbing his Chakra.
• Suikazan Fuguki recognized Nawaki as Tsunade’s younger brother and taunted him while Samehada drained him further.
• Nawaki’s three genin decided to escape and call for reinforcements, but Juzō Biwa stepped in front of them with Kubikiribōchō.

Juzō Biwa toyed with Might Dai while Suikazan Fuguki drained Nawaki with Samehada. When Fuguki said he was nearly finished, Juzō prepared to kill Dai as Guy and Asuma watched helplessly.

• Juzō Biwa swung the Kubikiribōchō at Guy, but Might Dai kicked the blade aside and protected him.
• Juzō attacked Dai with his taijutsu, sending him crashing to the ground and leaving him coughing blood.
• Guy moved to help his injured Father, but Juzō warned him and Asuma not to interfere.
• Juzō beat Dai for three minutes while Guy and Asuma struggled to watch.
• Suikazan Fuguki announced that he was nearly done draining Nawaki, and Juzō raised the Kubikiribōchō to strike the weakened Dai.

The chapter recounted Might Dai’s long struggle to become a ninja and his resolve to protect others despite being mocked and repeatedly failing. In the Land of Rain, Dai faced Juzō Biwa to buy time for Guy and Asuma, and an immense blast suddenly forced Juzō to defend himself.

• Might Dai grew up wanting to protect others like his father, but struggled to learn ninjutsu and genjutsu and graduated as a genin at the latest permitted age.
• Dai failed the Chunin Exam thirteen times and earned the name Konohagakure's “Eternal Genin,” but continued working as a ninja after giving up on promotion.
• During the Second Great Ninja War, Dai was assigned to the rear until Kagura encouraged him by calling him a “hardworking genius.”
• Dai insisted on joining Kagura’s support team in the Third Shinobi World War and confronted Juzō Biwa after Captain Nawaki was restrained.
• Dai charged Juzō to stall for time, declared that his Ninja Way was to protect what mattered most, and prompted Juzō to raise Kubikiribōchō against a tremendous blast of sand and stones.

Might Dai activated the Seventh Gate to rescue Nawaki and fight Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki, choosing not to open the deadly Eighth Gate. He unleashed Daytime Tiger against the two Mist swordsmen, and their water dragons met his attack in midair.

• Remembering Kagura's warning, Dai opened the Seventh Gate instead of the Gate of Death.
• Dai struck Suikazan Fuguki away, rescued Nawaki, and sent Guy and Asuma to carry him to safety.
• Dai faced Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki, who planned to outlast the Seventh Gate's strain.
• Dai said he would take their swords for his close friend, then formed Daytime Tiger as the two swordsmen summoned water dragons.
• Dai's blue tiger and the two water dragons collided in midair.

Might Dai survived his battle against Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki, though he lost his right hand, and Guy, Nawaki, and Asuma carried him to safety. Elsewhere, Orochimaru encountered an Akatsuki-robed figure who revealed himself as Shimura Danzo.

• Dai’s Daytime Tiger overwhelmed Juzō Biwa and Suikazan Fuguki’s water dragons, and the three fighters collided in a massive explosion.
• Guy decided to return for Dai, and Nawaki and Asuma joined him.
• The team found Dai alive in the crater with his right hand severed, while Juzō and Fuguki had been blasted apart and their swords remained behind.
• Guy, Nawaki, and Asuma collected Kubikiribōchō and Samehada, then carried the unconscious Dai away for treatment.
• Orochimaru encountered an Akatsuki-robed man in a distant forest, who revealed himself as Shimura Danzo.

Orochimaru inferred that Akatsuki had deployed nearly all its members to stop Konoha’s squads and confronted Danzo, who had used the encounter to recruit him. Danzo claimed Akatsuki had obtained the secret of Eternal Life.

• Orochimaru deduced that Akatsuki had sent opponents to every Konoha Squad and that Danzo had committed all his forces.
• Danzo confirmed that Akatsuki was targeting Yahiko and praised Orochimaru’s intelligence.
• Danzo invited Orochimaru to abandon Konoha and join him, claiming he understood Orochimaru’s desires.
• Danzo raised his remaining hand and announced that Akatsuki had obtained the secret of Eternal Life.

Danzo tried to recruit Orochimaru to Akatsuki with the promise of eternal life, but Orochimaru said it no longer mattered to him. When Danzo revealed his fighters, including the Konoha spy Yamanaka Fu, Orochimaru summoned three coffins instead of preparing to fight personally.

• Danzo offered Orochimaru the secret of eternal life, but Orochimaru said it no longer meant anything to him.
• Danzo accused Kagura of brainwashing Orochimaru and ended their conversation, then placed three fighters between himself and Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru recognized Yamanaka Fu as Danzo's spy and realized the spy had revealed Konoha squad locations to Akatsuki and helped Danzo intercept him.
• Orochimaru inferred that Yamanaka Fu's three genin had died, including the boy he remembered as Shiranui Genma.
• When Yamanaka Fu and the other fighters prepared to face him, Orochimaru said he would not fight them personally and summoned three coffins from the ground.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Senju Hashirama after Danzo and the others stopped the other two coffins. Hashirama awoke, recognized the jutsu, and began complaining about being summoned from the dead.

• Orochimaru opened three coffins, and Danzo ordered the others to stop the summoning.
• Danzo and the others forced two coffins back underground, but the central coffin rose and revealed Senju Hashirama.
• Danzo recognized Impure World Reincarnation, and Hashirama awoke in confusion.
• Hashirama realized Orochimaru had summoned him and scolded Tobirama for inventing the jutsu.
• Orochimaru tensed at Hashirama's gaze, then found the First Hokage unexpectedly approachable.

Orochimaru summoned Senju Hashirama and explained that Danzo and the others were Konoha traitors who had committed serious crimes. Hashirama accepted Orochimaru’s account and unleashed his overwhelming pressure, leaving the fight poised to begin.

• Hashirama recognized Orochimaru as a Konoha shinobi and asked him about the village before Orochimaru told him to eliminate Danzo and the others.
• Hashirama recognized Danzo as Hiruzen Sarutobi’s old companion and urged Orochimaru to reconcile with him.
• Orochimaru told Hashirama that Yamanaka Fu was an exposed undercover agent who had killed three Genin, and that Danzo had betrayed Konoha and sold its intelligence.
• Orochimaru revealed that Danzo had tried to kill Kagura, Tsunade’s husband, and Hashirama’s grandson-in-law.
• Hashirama grew solemn, released a powerful pressure that swept through the forest, and clapped his hands as Yamanaka Fu began forming seals for the Mind Body Switch Technique.