Chapter Summaries

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura dispatched Root teams to kill Dodai, while Uchiha Kei and Kakashi escorted him in disguise. Root’s attackers ambushed the group, but they struck at Shadow Clones, and Uchiha Kei’s voice revealed that the ambush had been anticipated.

• A Root ninja reported that the exchange operation involving Dodai would take place near Konoha’s border, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura suspected a trap.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu decided to send five of Root’s six tactical squads to kill Dodai and silence witnesses.
• Uchiha Kei and Kakashi disguised themselves as Anbu and escorted the sensory-sealed Dodai toward the forest.
• Kakashi signaled that someone was nearby, and the group continued walking as though they had not noticed the ambush.
• Root operatives immobilized and attacked Uchiha Kei and Kakashi’s apparent bodies while insects surrounded Dodai.
• Uchiha Kei’s voice spoke from nearby as the attackers’ victims turned out to be logs and the insects dispersed.

Yamato secretly warned Minato that Root had exposed the hostage exchange mission and planned to kill everyone involved. As Uchiha Kei confronted the Root attackers, he recognized their coordinated assault and awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan.

• Yamato contacted Minato in secret and warned him that Root intended to kill the hostages and their escorts.
• Minato thanked Yamato and promised to help him leave Root when the time was right.
• Uchiha Kei emerged to fight the Root ninja while Kakashi stayed with the others.
• A burly Root ninja used the Multi-Size Technique to survive Uchiha Kei's sword strike as the Root squad closed in and a strange chakra invaded Kei's mind.
• Uchiha Kei's eyes changed into the Mangekyo pattern.

Uchiha Kei fought the Root squad while Kakashi watched and recognized the Uchiha style of combat. Kei killed nearly all the attackers in under five minutes, leaving the battlefield covered in blood.

• A Yamanaka Clan Root member tried to invade Uchiha Kei’s mind, but Kei overwhelmed him with his Sharingan.
• Uchiha Kei used Fire Style to disrupt the Root squad’s formation, then picked off its members with precise sword strikes, kunai, Genjutsu, and Chidori.
• The Root ninja used a Hyuga Branch Family member as bait, but Uchiha Kei dodged their attack and killed several of them in response.
• Uchiha Kei stopped holding back and rapidly cut through the remaining Root members as Kakashi watched and reflected on the Uchiha style of combat.
• Uchiha Kei killed nearly all the attackers, including the Akimichi and Yamanaka Clan members, before the battle had lasted five minutes.

Kei and Kakashi captured a Root Ninja who revealed that Utatane Koharu had relayed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s order to kill Dodai and his escorts. Kei planned to report the attack to Namikaze Minato and use it as an opportunity to move against Hiruzen’s allies before they could retaliate.

• Kei removed the Root Ninja’s tongue Curse Mark and used Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu to make him answer questions.
• The Root Ninja revealed that Utatane Koharu had passed along Sarutobi Hiruzen’s order to kill Dodai and his escorts, then disguise the attack as an outside assault.
• Kakashi stopped the captured Root Ninja’s bleeding, while Kei and Kakashi discussed how the evidence could make trouble for Hiruzen and his allies.
• Kei decided to inform Namikaze Minato first and suggested that Kakashi, as head of Anbu, should respond to the attack.
• Kei explained that Hiruzen might retaliate against their reforms and said they should strike first.

Uchiha Kei and Kakashi completed the exchange with Kumogakure, then met with Namikaze Minato to discuss Sarutobi Hiruzen's likely retaliation and how to respond. They agreed to target Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura discreetly, while leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen out of the matter.

• Uchiha Kei explained to Kakashi that Sarutobi Hiruzen might retaliate against the Uchiha Clan, especially Kei, because of their role in the Jonin Reform proposal and their ties to the Hyuga.
• Uchiha Kei and Kakashi completed the exchange with Kumogakure smoothly and delivered the sealing scrolls to Namikaze Minato.
• Uchiha Kei told Namikaze Minato that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura should be the targets, while Sarutobi Hiruzen should be spared to avoid implicating too many people.
• Uchiha Kei proposed using suspicion of collusion with the enemy as the pretext for detaining Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Uchiha Kei and Kakashi reflected on the cost of wielding power as Anbu moved against Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. Kakashi led the arrest of both elders, leaving their fate in the hands of Namikaze Minato’s administration.

• Uchiha Kei declined to use the vacant department-head positions to expand his influence, saying strength mattered more to him than power.
• Uchiha Kei and Kakashi discussed the elders’ downfall and how their roles as decision-makers set them apart from ordinary ninjas.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura waited for news from the Root squads they had sent, while Homura worried that something would go wrong.
• Anbu fought their way into the elders’ building, and Hatake Kakashi ordered Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrested.

Sarutobi Hiruzen confronted Namikaze Minato after Minato captured Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and the two discussed how their political allies shaped their choices. Minato refused to release the prisoners and revealed that a Nara Clan Root member was also being held.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Namikaze Minato had captured Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura and hurried to the Hokage Building.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen confronted Namikaze Minato, who asked what it felt like to have one’s will overridden by an interest group.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen suggested that Minato was being controlled by the Uchiha Clan, but Minato said Uchiha Kei had never made unreasonable demands and was his friend.
• Namikaze Minato refused to release Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura because he expected Sarutobi Hiruzen’s interest group to retaliate.
• Namikaze Minato told Sarutobi Hiruzen that a Nara Clan Root member remained in Anbu prison and urged him to act carefully.

Uchiha Kei received Namikaze Minato’s order to oversee the clans’ ninjutsu collection and used the meeting to demand that each clan contribute as many techniques as possible. The clans began declaring what they would provide, while Sarutobi Kento watched the balance of the meeting turn against him.

• Uchiha Kei discussed Sarutobi Hiruzen’s apparent compromise with Hyuga Aya and concluded that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would remain imprisoned for now.
• Uchiha Kei sent Hyuga Aya and Administrative Squad ninja to summon the clan heads, warning that anyone who failed to attend would be barred from future meetings.
• Uchiha Kei opened the meeting and announced that clans must contribute as many ninjutsu as possible, excluding secret techniques and techniques used with Kekkei Genkai.
• Uchiha Kei offered most of the Uchiha Clan’s standard Fire Style techniques, including some forbidden techniques, as an example.
• Imai Kenta announced that the Senju Clan would contribute most of its standard ninjutsu, and Hizashi Hyuga said the Hyuga Clan would contribute all techniques not used with the Byakugan.
• Sarutobi Kento silently resented the declarations and recognized that the situation was turning against him.

Uchiha Kei pressured Konoha’s remaining clans to contribute their Ninjutsu, then discussed with Namikaze Minato how to manage the vast collection and reorganize village administration. He proposed creating a new department for benefits and logistical support, with a department head drawn from the reorganized system.

• After most clans pledged Ninjutsu, Uchiha Kei pressed the Shimura Clan Head to include forbidden Wind Release techniques in the Shimura Clan’s contribution.
• Sarutobi Kento agreed to hand over the Sarutobi Clan’s conventional elemental Ninjutsu except its forbidden techniques, and the Utatane and Mitokado clans then stated their positions.
• Uchiha Kei reported to Namikaze Minato that Konoha would need staff, facilities, and a system to organize and distribute the clans’ Ninjutsu.
• Uchiha Kei suggested dividing the bloated Administration Department into specialized offices, and Nara Shikaku agreed the department needed restructuring.
• Uchiha Kei proposed a new department for benefits and logistical support, staffed by Jonin and Chunin, and noted it would create another department-head position.

Uchiha Kei helped finalize Konoha’s Ninja representative system and the proposal for a Logistics and Welfare Department, while reflecting on his growing political influence. After reforms and negotiations with Kumogakure concluded, the first Ninja Assembly began, but an Anbu summons from Namikaze Minato ended the chapter on an unexplained urgent note.

• Uchiha Kei warned Namikaze Minato and Nara Shikaku to establish safeguards for Chunin and Genin representatives, and they settled on annual meetings and five-year terms.
• Konoha completed negotiations with Kumogakure, secured war reparations, released the hostages, and withdrew the forces led by Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi.
• Uchiha Kei withdrew from the representative elections, while Hyuga Hiashi won a seat and Uchiha Fugaku lost.
• Namikaze Minato held the first Konoha Ninja Assembly, explained the ranks’ rights and responsibilities, and introduced a vote on the Logistics and Welfare Department.
• An Anbu member summoned Uchiha Kei to Namikaze Minato’s office and suggested that Hyuga Aya accompany him.

Uchiha Kei and Hyuga Aya discussed Hyuga Hiashi’s growing conflict with the Hyuga elders and agreed that Kei would support Aya if she became involved. At the Hokage’s office, they learned that the Kaguya Clan had launched a coup in Kirigakure after years of preparation.

• Hyuga Aya told Uchiha Kei that Hyuga Hiashi had approached Branch Family members, including her, as tensions with the Hyuga elders rose.
• Kei urged Aya to judge the situation for herself and promised to back her if she chose to help Hiashi.
• Namikaze Minato summoned Kei and Aya to the Hokage’s office and gave them documents about events in Kirigakure.
• Kei learned that the Kaguya Clan had bought supplies from Konoha to prepare for a coup, which it launched when Kirigakure’s defenses slackened.

Uchiha Obito used Kirigakure’s chaos to purge its clans and set a trap for fleeing ninja, while Black Zetsu accepted Obito’s explanation of Uchiha Kei’s Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Obito sent the pursuers toward the Land of Whirlpools and ensured Konoha received the information, hoping the factions would destroy one another.

• Obito explained to Black Zetsu that he had deliberately let the Kaguya Clan obtain supplies so it and Genji’s forces would fight, and Black Zetsu approved the plan.
• Obito told Black Zetsu that Uchiha Kei had created an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan by fusing the eyes of two brothers, and Black Zetsu believed this explained Kei’s power.
• Obito’s purges destroyed the Kaguya Clan and other Kirigakure clans, while Genji protected untargeted clans in exchange for carrying out orders against alleged rebels.
• Obito ordered a force including the Hozuki Clan, Hozuki Mangetsu, clan leaders, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to pursue fleeing clans toward the Land of Whirlpools.
• Obito revealed that he had sent information to Konoha and said he would let the pursuers and fugitives fight while he watched.

After learning that the Yuki Clan and other Kirigakure defectors were heading for the Land of Whirlpools, Uchiha Kei and Namikaze Minato planned an operation to protect them and test how they could be integrated into Konoha. The team prepared to depart, but Hyuga Aya told Uchiha Kei she intended to work alone.

• Namikaze Minato explained that two reports revealed the Yuki Clan was escaping toward Konoha, and Uchiha Kei learned Kirigakure would send Hozuki, Hoshigaki, Fuma, and other ninja to hunt them.
• Uchiha Kei proposed using the rescued Kirigakure ninja to test how Konoha could guide and integrate adult defectors, and Namikaze Minato approved a full Anbu deployment.
• Uchiha Kei became captain of the operation, ordered Kakashi to mobilize the Anbu, and told Imai Kenta to meet them at Konoha Gate in twenty minutes.
• Hyuga Aya told Uchiha Kei she wanted to work alone, and he understood her resolve but warned her to be careful.

Minato led the Snow Clan and other fleeing clans ashore in the Land of Whirlpools, where he chose to sacrifice their weakest members to slow Kirigakure’s pursuit. Hozuki Ginyue and Kirigakure’s forces arrived and set out to intercept the clan leaders, leaving the clans’ fate unresolved.

• Minato recalled Kirigakure’s history with Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Kei as he prepared to lead the fleeing clans.
• Minato decided that children, clan leaders, and elite Ninja would travel ahead while those who had not awakened their Kekkei Genkai drew the pursuers’ attention.
• Hozuki Ginyue arrived with Kirigakure’s forces, including the Hozuki, Fuma, Hoshigaki, and other clans, Anbu, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and Mei Terumi.
• Hozuki Ginyue ordered his group to split up and assigned himself and several clan heads to intercept the Snow Clan’s leaders.
• The Shirai Clan Head sent a sensor eagle ahead to locate the fleeing clans.

Shirai Naoki and Hozuki Ginyue deployed Kirigakure’s forces to hunt the defectors in the Land of Whirlpools, while Uchiha Kei’s team split up to help the fleeing clans. As Kisame Hoshigaki attacked a Yuki Clan rear guard, an unknown figure appeared behind him.

• Shirai Naoki used his birds to track the fugitives, then led Hozuki Ginyue and Kirigakure’s shinobi into the Land of Whirlpools with orders to leave no survivors.
• Uchiha Kei learned that the Yuki Clan and Kirigakure’s pursuit force were moving quickly, then chose to prioritize helping the Yuki Clan while assisting the other fugitives too.
• After receiving Shikaku’s message, Uchiha Kei sent Imai Kenta after the elite pursuers and told Kakashi and Hyuga Aya to search for larger groups; he warned them not to kill anyone from the Hoshigaki Clan.
• Minato’s Yuki Clan evacuation plan sent the children ahead and left lower-ranking members to delay the pursuers, who slaughtered them as they fled.
• Kisame Hoshigaki attacked the Yuki Clan’s rear guard and severed its leader’s arm, then raised his sword to strike.
• A kunai flew at Kisame, and a figure appeared behind him as he blocked it.

Imai Kenta ambushed Kisame Hoshigaki and overwhelmed him with the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Konoha forces defeated Kisame’s unit. After sealing Kisame’s chakra, Imai Kenta revealed that a report about a family defecting to Konoha had been carried by a Kirigakure Anbu Sea Hawk, leaving Kisame shaken by the implication that their operation had been betrayed.

• Imai Kenta identified Kisame Hoshigaki and sent the wounded Yuki Clan Ninja away to bandage his severed arm.
• Imai Kenta told Kisame that Hozuki Mangetsu, the Hoshigaki Clan Head, and the Fuma Clan Head had met with the Yuki Clan’s higher-ups, then attacked him using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kisame recognized Imai Kenta’s unnatural movement but could not land a Ninjutsu before Imai Kenta disabled him and snapped his fingers.
• Konoha Ninja gathered around as Kisame’s unit was defeated, and Imai Kenta sealed Kisame’s chakra.
• Imai Kenta told Kisame that a report about a family defecting to Konoha had arrived by Sea Hawk, which Kisame recognized as a carrier hawk used by Kirigakure’s Anbu.

Hyuga Aya fought Mei Terumi after Konoha's forces arrived during the attack on the Yuki Clan. Aya survived Mei's corrosive techniques with Rotation and rapid healing, then incapacitated her and chose to keep her alive for her double Kekkei Genkai.

• Mei Terumi killed a wounded Yuki Clan Ninja and sensed a fast-moving group of Ninja approaching.
• Mei recognized the arriving Konoha Ninja and confronted Hyuga Aya, who taunted her about Ao and the Mysterious Uchiha.
• Mei attacked Aya with Water Style techniques, but Aya shattered her attacks and drove her back with powerful Hyuga techniques.
• Mei caught Aya off guard with Lava Release and Boil Release, covering her in corrosive acid and mist.
• Aya emerged with healing wounds, struck Mei hard enough to injure her internal organs, and said she would keep her alive for her double Kekkei Genkai.

Kakashi fought Hozuki Mangetsu while learning that Kirigakure’s brutal policies had turned the mission into a scheme, and Mangetsu wanted to survive so he could confront the truth. After agreeing to settle things with their swords, Kakashi shattered Mangetsu’s technique with a sudden thrust, leaving Mangetsu stunned.

• Hozuki Mangetsu recognized Kakashi and realized Kirigakure’s clan leaders had betrayed their mission team.
• Mangetsu pointed out a hummingbird from the Shirai Clan, then explained that Kirigakure’s Anbu killed anyone who might leak intelligence.
• Mangetsu told Kakashi he wanted to return alive and investigate the scheme, arguing that his capture could make him valuable to Kirigakure.
• Kakashi chose to test Mangetsu in a sword fight and let the electricity on his blade fade despite knowing Mangetsu’s Hydrification Technique was vulnerable to Lightning Style.
• Mangetsu unleashed a strange sword technique that distorted Kakashi’s perception, but Kakashi’s Sharingan helped him counter it with a thrust that shattered the technique.

Kakashi awakened a new power in his Sharingan while fighting Hozuki Mangetsu, then learned that Shirai Naoki's force had been exposed and badly mauled by Konoha. As the remaining clan heads headed toward the Yuki Clan, an attacker confronted them with a Fire Dragon.

• Kakashi blocked Mangetsu's Hiramekarei strike after his Sharingan's Three Tomoe connected into a new pattern, but his chakra began draining rapidly.
• Shirai Naoki received a message that Konoha's Garrison Force and Anbu had discovered the operation and were fighting their units.
• Shirai Naoki told Hozuki Ginyue, Hoshigaki Shihira, Hagoromo Masaya, and Fuma Yohei that four units had been wiped out, while Kisame Hoshigaki and Mangetsu had been captured and Mei Terumi was in critical condition.
• The clan heads decided to finish off the Yuki Clan and return to Kirigakure, but a Fire Dragon attacked as they rode a giant hawk.
• The five men leaped from the hawk, and an unseen attacker asked why they were worrying about what would happen after returning instead of what was about to happen to them.

Uchiha Kei intercepted five Kirigakure clan heads pursuing the Yuki Clan and fought them alone. He unleashed Susanoo, but the five coordinated their clan techniques and forced him underwater, where their attacks continued.

• Minato refused to slow the Yuki Clan’s escape or send children away while the Shirai Clan’s birds tracked them through the forest.
• An explosion split the ground behind the fleeing Yuki Clan, and Uchiha Kei appeared before Hozuki Ginyue, Hoshigaki Shihira, Hagoromo Masaya, Fuma Yohei, and Shirai Naoki.
• Uchiha Kei provoked the five clan heads into attacking, then overwhelmed their opening techniques with his Majestic Destroyer Flame.
• The five coordinated their attacks against Uchiha Kei, who revealed Susanoo and destroyed their initial assault.
• Shirai Naoki’s secret technique weakened Susanoo, while Fuma Yohei’s Mandala Binding restrained it and Hagoromo Masaya’s slash drove Uchiha Kei into the lake.
• Hozuki Ginyue and Shirai Naoki attacked Uchiha Kei underwater with Water Style and Lightning Hawk techniques.