Chapter Summaries

Shiraishi Yoshijo arranged to blame Konoha for the academy attack, while the Daimyo’s response gave Sarutobi Hiruzen an opportunity to redirect the crisis into a war with Sunagakure. The Third Shinobi World War spread into a chaotic multi-village conflict, leaving Konoha victorious over Sunagakure but alliances shattered and Sunagakure under attack again.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo ordered Kosuke to spread rumors that Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had attacked the academy, then planned to keep Tsunade and use the crisis to weaken Konoha.
• At a meeting with the Daimyo, Sarutobi Hiruzen denied Konoha’s involvement in the academy attack and accused Sunagakure of preparing for war.
• The Daimyo provided Konoha with war funds, and Sarutobi Hiruzen declared war on Sunagakure, whose forces were disorganized while the Third Kazekage was missing.
• Rasa halted Konoha’s advance with his gold dust, and the Land of Wind later signed a surrender agreement before Rasa became the Fourth Kazekage.
• The Third Raikage invaded the Land of Wind, while Ōnoki refused to aid Sunagakure and later attacked Kumogakure’s withdrawing forces.
• The Third Raikage escaped Iwagakure’s encirclement with only a few hundred of his five thousand troops, broke his alliance, and deepened the war between the villages.

During a storm, Shiraishi Yoshijo argued that destroying Konoha would free Tsunade from her past and promised to spare its people if they left. Tsunade agreed to go with him if he kept that promise, and the next morning she watched him lead children in a rainy run.

• A thunderstorm reminded Tsunade of Dan's death, and Shiraishi Yoshijo held her as she struggled with her fear and resentment.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo told Tsunade that Konoha stood between them and promised not to slaughter its people if they left before he destroyed the village.
• Tsunade agreed to go with Shiraishi Yoshijo if he honored his promise to spare Konoha's people.
• After dawn, Tsunade cleaned her room and watched Shiraishi Yoshijo lead a group of children in a chant-filled run while women cheered them on.

Tsunade explored Shiraishi Yoshijo's castle and reunited with Kushina, discovering that Kushina had a child with him. Shocked and furious, Tsunade left the castle to gamble, and Big Fat Sheep's reputation spread through Peach Country.

• Tsunade left her room for a walk and learned from Kayo and Ying that they had both borne Shiraishi Yoshijo children and chose to serve as guards.
• Tsunade met Kushina in the garden, and the two recognized each other and reunited.
• Tsunade and Kushina recalled their past, cursed Shiraishi Yoshijo, and talked about what had happened to them.
• Kushina introduced her daughter Qing to Tsunade, who realized Qing was Shiraishi Yoshijo's child and left in a daze.
• Tsunade borrowed money from the guards, rushed out of the castle, and spread Big Fat Sheep's reputation throughout Peach Country.

Tsunade gambled away billions of ryo, then became pregnant and continued gambling inside the castle while Shiraishi Yoshijo indulged her. Meanwhile, Peach Country Anbu attacked Yugakure, and Shiraishi Yoshijo confronted the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Tsunade confessed that she had lost 598.6 million ryo at Lady Mae's casino, and Shiraishi Yoshijo learned that she had written the debt in his name.
• Tsunade became pregnant after losing more than six billion ryo, then continued gambling inside the castle as its women welcomed her.
• Peach Country Anbu poisoned and bombed Yugakure, breached its barrier, and began killing everyone except the women.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo confronted the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water, rejected his offer of his daughters, and left as a scream sounded behind him.

Shiraishi Yoshijo seized control of the Land of Hot Water by eliminating the daimyo's heirs and installing a five-year-old child as a puppet daimyo. With Lord Sanzai and the ministers pressured into cooperation, the transfer of power ended with little unrest.

• Far told Shiraishi Yoshijo that Right Red had spent two years buying off officials in the Land of Hot Water.
• Far forced the gathered crowd to identify the daimyo's children, and Shiraishi Yoshijo announced that the daimyo had died.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo killed the eldest son and ordered the Anbu to kill his family, then offered Miao Xi's five-year-old son the position of daimyo.
• Far identified Miao Xi's father, Lord Sanzai, as a powerful official, and Shiraishi Yoshijo pressured Miao Xi to cooperate and bring her three daughters with her.
• Far secured the ministers' cooperation after news arrived of Yugakure's destruction, and the Land of Hot Water installed Miao Xi's son as its new daimyo.

Shiraishi Yoshiki rejuvenated Miao Xi and ordered her to take control of the Land of Hot Water on behalf of her young son while remaining loyal to him. He weighed the dangers of testing his immortality experiment there and concluded that he would need to avoid war because his forces could not sustain a prolonged conflict.

• Shiraishi Yoshiki rejuvenated Miao Xi and told her that her five-year-old son would become daimyo, while she should build a faction and rule the Land of Hot Water.
• Miao Xi agreed to obey Shiraishi Yoshiki and take control of the country, and he warned her that words alone were not enough.
• Shiraishi Yoshiki considered the risks of beginning his experiment in the Land of Hot Water, where the great shinobi villages might investigate or attack.
• He assessed the limited forces he could deploy from the Land of Peaches and decided that they could not fight a prolonged war without leaving their own country vulnerable.
• Shiraishi Yoshiki resolved to avoid war if possible and rely on his subordinates to handle threats while the experiment continued.

Shiraishi Yoshijo discussed how to deter the great nations while expanding Peach Country’s influence, then received news that Yugakure had been destroyed. In Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen heard the surviving Yugakure shinobi’s report and promised an investigation, though the war limited his options.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo learned from Right Red that Yugakure had been destroyed, more than ten thousand women had been moved to Peach Country, and twenty-three Anbu had died.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo ordered Right Red to honor the fallen, train more Anbu to use the Flying Thunder God, and prepare for experiments and samurai deployments in the Land of Hot Water.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo planned to build factories in the Land of Hot Water, exploit its resources, and gather information about Daimyos’ wives and concubines.
• Five surviving Yugakure shinobi arrived in Konoha and told Sarutobi Hiruzen that unknown attackers had destroyed their village.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen comforted the Yugakure shinobi and promised to investigate, while recognizing that Konoha could not intervene directly during the war.

The Third Raikage died after fighting Iwagakure, while Konoha faced attacks from Kirigakure and Iwagakure until Namikaze Minato turned the tide at Kannabi Bridge. Madara discovered Shiraishi Yoshijo’s Cursed Seal on Obito, and in Peach Country Reika took control of the newly released Nine-Tails.

• The Third Raikage held off Iwagakure’s forces for three days and nights before dying, and Ōnoki returned his body to Kumogakure to secure a temporary truce.
• Kirigakure invaded the Land of Fire, and Iwagakure attacked Konoha while it fought on two fronts.
• Namikaze Minato changed the course of the fighting at Kannabi Bridge and became known as the Yellow Flash.
• Madara found Shiraishi Yoshijo’s Cursed Seal inside Uchiha Obito and decided to warn Obito to avoid Shiraishi.
• Reika activated her Eternal Mangekyo and took control of the Nine-Tails after it broke free in Peach Country.

Tsunade recovered after giving birth, but she and Shiraishi Yoshijo clashed over whether their son would bear the Senju or Shiraishi surname. Anna warned Shiraishi Yoshijo about the family’s finances and condemned his plans to seize small nations, while he revealed his ambition to make Peach Country the world’s center and build a world-destroying organization.

• Tsunade recovered quickly, held her newborn son, and argued with Shiraishi Yoshijo over naming him Senju rather than Shiraishi.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo complained to Anna, who urged him to accept the Senju surname and said Tsunade should have more children with him.
• Anna described the castle’s huge expenses and warned that Tsunade’s gambling could bankrupt the family.
• Anna confronted Shiraishi Yoshijo about conquering the Land of Hot Water and taking Miao Xi and her daughters; he said Miao Xi was carrying his child and planned to place his children in charge of small nations.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo told Anna he aimed to make Peach Country the world’s center, establish the United Nations, and cultivate an organization powerful enough to destroy the world.

Shiraishi Yoshijo planned to use Rin as insurance to keep Obito from destroying the world, but Obito abandoned her corpse and vowed to create a new world. Shiraishi took Rin’s body after Black Zetsu’s agents cleared the battlefield, while Black Zetsu noticed his growing ability to sense Zetsu.

• Anna agreed to help raise the children and urged Shiraishi Yoshijo to keep Tsunade from gambling; Shiraishi returned to find Tsunade heading out to play mahjong.
• Kakashi killed Rin by accident, and Obito awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan as he watched her die.
• Obito slaughtered the Kirigakure Anbu with Wood Release, while Shiraishi Yoshijo watched and considered reviving Rin to control Obito.
• Obito left Rin’s corpse behind after vowing to create a new world with her in it.
• Zetsu agents erased the traces of Wood Release and disappeared underground; Shiraishi substituted a false corpse and took Rin’s body.
• Black Zetsu emerged, noted that Shiraishi had taken Rin’s corpse, and realized Shiraishi could sense Zetsu.

Shiraishi Yoshijo resurrected Nohara Rin and placed her in Tsunade’s care, then learned that the Uchiha had chosen another option instead of moving to Peach Country. Meanwhile, Right Red rescued Pakura after Sunagakure betrayed her, but Pakura resisted his offer to join Peach Country.

• Shiraishi Yoshijo revived Nohara Rin, explained that the Three-Tails had dispersed, and brought her to live as Tsunade’s attendant.
• Tsunade welcomed Rin after learning she was Jiraiya’s grandstudent, while Shiraishi Yoshijo left them together.
• Reika told Shiraishi Yoshijo that Fugaku had abandoned the plan to send Uchiha to Peach Country, prompting Shiraishi Yoshijo to suspect the Land of Fire’s Daimyo had intervened.
• Kirigakure expanded its war into the Land of Wind as Iwagakure also pressured Sunagakure, whose leaders sent Pakura to die.
• Right Red killed the Kirigakure jonin beside Pakura, restored her with a machine, and ordered her to come to Peach Country under a Cursed Seal.
• Pakura summoned fireballs and prepared to attack, but Right Red pressed his sword to her throat.

Right Red captured Pakura and brought her to Shiraishi Yoshijo, who forced her into his custody and planned to use a double to keep her apparent presence in the Shinobi World. Meanwhile, Akatsuki grew in the Land of Rain, but Yahiko struggled with its lack of money and the burden of keeping it running.

• Right Red defeated Pakura, killed the Kirigakure shinobi, and took her to Peach Country after Sunagakure’s betrayal.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo revealed that he was Peach Country’s emperor and demanded that Pakura bear his children, then restrained her when she tried to flee.
• Shiraishi Yoshijo planted Butterfly Seeds in Pakura, placed a Cursed Seal on her, and ordered a female Anbu shinobi to impersonate her in the Shinobi World.
• Akatsuki gained members and recognition throughout the Land of Rain, while Yahiko grew exhausted by its financial troubles.
• Mr. Sangzhi treated Akatsuki’s members and managed its finances, occasionally securing sponsorships from wealthy merchants.

Obito approached Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan to recruit Nagato into Madara’s plan, but Yahiko rejected his promises of a perfect world. Sangzhi warned Nagato that the Land of Rain’s support could put Akatsuki at odds with Hanzo, then Akatsuki relocated and rapidly grew under its new funding.

• Obito recalled how Madara had taught him about the Sage of Six Paths and the Infinite Tsukuyomi, named him Uchiha Madara, and warned him about Shiraishi Yoshijo’s Cursed Seal.
• Obito revealed himself to Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, explained his plan to use the Rinnegan to create a world without war, and invited Nagato to join him.
• Yahiko rejected Obito’s offer and led Nagato and Konan away, while Obito decided he could make Nagato understand by exposing him to the same suffering he had endured.
• Sangzhi told Yahiko that a benefactor backed by the Land of Rain’s Daimyo would provide Akatsuki with a new base and funding, then warned Konan and Nagato that this support could make Hanzo view Akatsuki as a rival.
• Nagato told Sangzhi about Obito, and Sangzhi advised him to think for himself about the Rinnegan and the difference between the human path and the Way of Heaven.
• Akatsuki moved to the central city of the Land of Rain and, within a month, grew to nearly a thousand shinobi with more commissions than it could complete.

Danzo sent Root disguised as Iwa Ninja to massacre a village in the Land of Rain, while Sangzhi manipulated Yahiko into confronting the harsh realities facing Akatsuki. After losing the group’s funding and seeing its members dwindle, Yahiko grew increasingly exhausted and shaken by killing for the first time.

• Danzo dispatched Root members disguised as Iwa Ninja to attack a village in the Land of Rain and provoke another war.
• Sangzhi gave Yahiko an assassination commission, but Yahiko refused it and went with Sangzhi to confront the wealthy merchant who had issued it.
• The merchant cut off Akatsuki’s funding and forced the group out of its base, causing its membership to fall from nearly a thousand to fewer than a hundred.
• After half a month of silence, Yahiko tried to comfort Akatsuki’s demoralized members while his own spirits sank.
• Sangzhi learned that Yahiko had killed an Iwa Ninja on a mission and found him trembling with fear over the experience.

Danzo, disguised as Kanzō, persuaded Akatsuki that Hanzo recognized the group and wanted Yahiko to negotiate with the surrounding nations. Yahiko suspected a trap and prepared to meet Hanzo with Nagato and Sangzhi, while Sangzhi realized Yahiko intended to sacrifice himself for Nagato and Konan.

• Danzo arrived at Akatsuki's base disguised as Kanzō and delivered Hanzo's invitation for Yahiko to meet him and handle peace negotiations.
• Yahiko and Akatsuki celebrated their apparent recognition, and Yahiko announced that he, Nagato, and Sangzhi would meet Hanzo the next day.
• The bespectacled hypocrite declined to go, claiming he needed to care for the injured Utera, while Konan remained away on patrol.
• Before dawn, Yahiko told Sangzhi that he suspected Hanzo's offer was a trap and planned to risk his life rather than expose Akatsuki's members.
• Sangzhi inferred that Yahiko intended his death to help Nagato awaken the Rinnegan's power, and Yahiko asked him to protect Nagato and Konan.

Obito tried to turn Nagato away from Yahiko’s ideals, then blocked the Akatsuki members rushing to warn Yahiko about Hanzo. As Obito overwhelmed them and killed Kyusuke, Daibutsu gave up, and Obito unleashed a rain of wooden spears.

• Obito confronted Nagato and urged him to abandon Yahiko’s ideals, but Nagato refused and left with Yahiko to meet Hanzo.
• Sangzhi watched as Daibutsu gathered the Akatsuki members after hearing that Konoha’s Anbu were assembling near Hanzo.
• Obito and Zetsu blocked the group, and Obito said he needed Nagato to see reality clearly.
• Kyusuke attacked Obito, but Obito’s body phased through the blade and he stabbed Kyusuke.
• Kyusuke and Daibutsu tried to trap Obito in cement, but Obito escaped with Kamui and Kyusuke died.
• Obito summoned wooden trunks and launched the Cutting Sprigs Technique at the remaining Akatsuki members as Daibutsu lay down in despair.

Sangzhi survived Obito’s attack and watched Nagato awaken the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path while avenging Yahiko. Afterward, Sangzhi treated the unconscious Nagato and considered how to gain strength and secure his place in Akatsuki; Nagato woke that night and reunited with Konan.

• Sangzhi escaped Obito’s attack and watched Nagato kill Yahiko, repel Hanzo’s forces, and drive Hanzo away with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Obito resolved to bring Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan together again in a world of dreams.
• Three days later, Sangzhi examined Nagato at Akatsuki’s base and told Konan that Nagato would wake but his legs could not be saved.
• Sangzhi decided he needed a public fighting style and considered using needles and stealing Nuibari.
• Nagato woke that night, and he and Konan embraced and wept.

Nagato told Sangzhi that he wanted to become a god to end the pain and war, and Obito explained his Eye of the Moon Plan. Sangzhi rejected the plan and persuaded Nagato that the Akatsuki could use the Tailed Beasts as a deterrent to bring peace.

• Nagato said his suffering had made him want to become a god and end war in the Land of Rain and the world.
• Konan, Obito, and Zetsu entered, and Obito explained that Nagato would use the nine Tailed Beasts to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Sangzhi objected that Infinite Tsukuyomi would destroy humanity by trapping everyone in an illusion.
• Nagato agreed with Sangzhi that destroying the world was not the Akatsuki's goal.
• Sangzhi proposed using the Tailed Beasts as a weapon to deter war, and his argument struck a chord with Nagato.

Sangzhi persuaded Nagato to pursue peace through deterrence and controlled negotiations, then revealed that he had protected the Akatsuki while keeping his identity secret. He told Konan that Yahiko had knowingly sacrificed himself to save the others, and ended by revealing his name: Shiraishi Yoshijo.

• Sangzhi explained to Nagato that military deterrence and negotiated war treaties could preserve stability and reduce civilian casualties, and Nagato agreed to trust him.
• Obito questioned Sangzhi’s motives and identity, but Nagato chose Sangzhi over Obito’s warning, and Obito agreed to help Nagato pursue their shared goal of collecting the Tailed Beasts.
• Obito confronted Sangzhi on a rainy night, tried to touch him, and learned that Sangzhi could evade his attack; Sangzhi then taunted Obito and Zetsu.
• Konan thanked Sangzhi for protecting the group, and Sangzhi told her that Yahiko had intended to sacrifice himself to save the Akatsuki members.
• Sangzhi told Konan that he had been responsible for pressuring Yahiko and revealed his identity as Shiraishi Yoshijo.

Sangzhi revealed to Konan that Madara had implanted Nagato’s Rinnegan and promised to revive Yahiko and heal Nagato after his plans were complete. Meanwhile, Shiraishi Yoshijo exploited Hanzo’s desperation to regain his youth, then seized Hanzo and the money as Pain attacked Amegakure.

• Sangzhi told Konan he could revive Yahiko and explained that Madara had likely transplanted the Rinnegan into Nagato, while asking her to keep the truth from Nagato.
• Konan agreed to Sangzhi’s plan after he demonstrated that he could revive the dead, then warned him that Nagato planned to attack Amegakure and kill Hanzo in three days.
• Hanzo contacted Shiraishi Yoshijo to bargain for the Rinnegan and then for help regaining his youth, and Shiraishi demanded one billion.
• Hanzo failed to secure the full amount from the Land of Rain’s Daimyo, so he plundered surrounding areas and collected protection fees in Amegakure.
• When Pain’s forces attacked Amegakure, Hanzo contacted Shiraishi with six hundred million, and Shiraishi took control of Hanzo before escaping with him and the money.