Chapter Summaries

Sarutobi Hiruzen explained why he had suspected Uchiha Madara survived the Battle of the Valley of the End, then learned that Madara was still alive and had defeated the four young ninja. Sarutobi Toru and the others began recounting their encounter with Madara, concealing what they had found about the Minor God Tree.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen recognized the Uchiha Gunbai and revealed that Tobirama's records said Madara's corpse had vanished after the Battle of the Valley of the End.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Tobirama had suspected Madara might have faked his death, and that he himself grew more suspicious after learning about Izanagi.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assumed Madara had died, but Jiraiya corrected him and said the group had only driven Madara away.
• Sarutobi Toru explained that Madara had wielded two Rinnegan and a Gedo Statue that could absorb Chakra and souls.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked for a detailed account, and Sarutobi Toru and the others began telling him what had happened while hiding the Minor God Tree.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s group discussed Uchiha Madara’s escape and chose to monitor him rather than act, while Sarutobi Toru warned that Madara’s plans mattered more than his remaining strength. At Madara’s island base, Black Zetsu traced the exposure of their former base to White Zetsu, after Konoha had taken the Minor God Tree.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen heard that Madara had escaped with the Gedo Statue and agreed to investigate, while telling Jiraiya to seal and conceal the Uchiha Gunbai.
• Konoha’s leaders decided to strengthen intelligence gathering on Madara but avoid acting rashly, and Sarutobi Toru warned that Madara could still create powerful successors with White Zetsu, Hashirama Cells, and the Rinnegan.
• Sarutobi Toru urged the group to strengthen themselves, and the others agreed to focus on developing their ninjutsu.
• Black Zetsu investigated how Konoha found Madara’s former Land of Grass base and discovered that Konoha had taken the Minor God Tree.
• Black Zetsu traced the discovery to White Zetsu after finding that Konoha’s Medical Department had developed medical agents using White Zetsu Clones.

Uchiha Madara planned to use Uchiha Shisui to seize control of the Land of Water by controlling its new Mizukage and the Tailed Beast. In Kirigakure, the Third Mizukage's purge had split the village into factions, and Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi weighed their dangerous choices.

• Uchiha Madara told Uchiha Shisui to help take the Land of Water by placing the Fourth Mizukage and his Tailed Beast under genjutsu.
• Uchiha Madara planned for White Zetsu Tobi to assist Uchiha Shisui when the Mizukage left Kirigakure.
• Kirigakure descended into chaos as the Third Mizukage killed former supporters of the Blood Mist Policy, while Kaguya Hin gathered its remaining followers.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare complained to Munashi Jinpachi that the Third Mizukage's purge could not continue.
• Munashi Jinpachi challenged Kushimaru Kuriarare on whether he wanted to join the Kaguya clan, and Kushimaru argued that either faction's victory could put them in danger.

Kaguya Hin launched a rebellion against the Third Mizukage, rejecting the end of the Blood Mist Policy because it erased the sacrifices of his dead companions. The fighting began outside the Mizukage Building, where Kaguya Hin charged the Third Mizukage with his Shikotsumyaku while the two sides battled.

• Munashi Jinpachi and Kushimaru Kuriarare discussed fleeing Kirigakure as rogue ninja, then a subordinate reported that Kaguya Hin had rebelled.
• Kaguya Hin confronted the Third Mizukage and argued that ending the Blood Mist Policy disregarded the deaths and sacrifices of those who had suffered under it.
• The Third Mizukage ordered his Shadow Guards to unleash a Water Release Great Waterfall Technique strengthened with cold air, killing several rebel ninja and starting the battle.
• Kaguya Hin survived the torrent with his body covered in Bone Spikes and charged the Third Mizukage, wielding his spine as a bone whip.
• The Third Mizukage froze the soaked ground to increase his speed and avoid fighting Kaguya Hin in close combat.

The Third Mizukage summoned his life-draining Ice Colossus to overpower the rebellion, while Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi tried to flee Kirigakure. Jinin Akebino blocked their escape, and the three prepared to fight at the village gate.

• The Third Mizukage summoned the Giant God Armor, an enormous Ice Colossus, to crush the rebels despite the severe toll it took on him.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi decided to leave Kirigakure while the Third Mizukage was occupied, taking weapons and supplies with them.
• Kirigakure guards stopped Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi at the village gate under the Mizukage's order that no one leave.
• Jinin Akebino joined the guards and explained that his experiences in the Shinobi World War had made him reject the Blood Mist Policy.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi ignored Jinin Akebino's reasoning and prepared to force their way out.

Jinin Akebino delayed Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi at Kirigakure’s gate, but a guard’s betrayal helped them escape. The pair reached a port and planned to leave by ship, where Uchiha Shisui and Black and White Zetsu captured them with Kotoamatsukami.

• Jinin Akebino fought Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi, holding them off until a guard stabbed his leg and helped them get away.
• Yagura learned the pair had escaped and set off with his subordinates to pursue them.
• Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi hid at a port in the Land of Water and arranged to leave by ship the next day.
• Uchiha Shisui used his Mangekyō Sharingan to incapacitate Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi at their inn.
• Black and White Zetsu revealed that White Zetsu had ambushed Jinin Akebino, helping the swordsmen escape Kirigakure.

Uchiha Shisui ambushed Yagura on the road near the Land of Water’s harbor and fought him using his Mangekyō Sharingan and fourth-stage Susanoo. Shisui gained the upper hand against Yagura and the Three-Tails, though the battle continued as his vision began to blur from the strain.

• Uchiha Shisui sealed Kushimaru Kuriarare and Munashi Jinpachi’s Chakra, handed them to Black and White Zetsu, and waited for Yagura near the harbor road.
• Yagura followed the trail and found Uchiha Shisui, who used his Mangekyō Sharingan to daze the Mist Ninja Anbu and kill half of them.
• Yagura recognized Shisui as a Konoha rogue ninja and activated his Tailed Beast Cloak, gaining a brief advantage.
• Uchiha Shisui summoned a fully armored fourth-stage Susanoo, and Yagura transformed into the Three-Tails, Isobu.
• Uchiha Shisui battered the Three-Tails with Susanoo’s Spiral Sword, breaking its tails and leaving it badly dented, while the strain blurred his vision.

Uchiha Shisui captured Yagura and arranged for White Zetsu to impersonate the missing Anbu, preparing to take control of Kirigakure. In Konoha, Sarutobi Toru and Orochimaru examined the White Zetsu Tree and discussed Orochimaru’s research into creating a perfect body.

• Uchiha Shisui used Wood Release to capture the injured Three-Tails, then placed the unconscious Yagura under genjutsu.
• Black and White Zetsu arranged for White Zetsu to impersonate Yagura’s Anbu so they could conceal their deaths until Yagura became Fourth Mizukage.
• Uchiha Shisui cleaned up the battlefield and planned to use White Zetsu to fake the deaths of Munashi Jinpachi and Kushimaru Kuriarare.
• Sarutobi Toru and Orochimaru observed the White Zetsu Tree produce its twenty-third White Zetsu and discussed its growth and the creatures’ loyalty to Uchiha Madara.
• Orochimaru said his work with Hiruko on a perfect body would take at least ten years, and Sarutobi Toru hinted he might obtain new research materials.

Sarutobi Toru became a Ghost Immortal by using White Zetsu Chakra Fruits to replenish his body while cultivating his soul. He successfully refined the Flying Nimbus with Chakra and discovered its extraordinary speed and responsiveness.

• Sarutobi Toru used the Dao Scripture method to nourish his soul with his body's blood and vitality, eating White Zetsu Chakra Fruits to keep his body from being drained.
• Sarutobi Toru broke through to become a Ghost Immortal and sensed Natural Energy and the energies of the Heavenly Crystal Sword, Mjolnir, the Flying Nimbus, and the Stand Arrow in the Reincarnation Warehouse.
• Sarutobi Toru's divine sense was overwhelmed when he probed the Heavenly Crystal Sword and Mjolnir, but he established contact with the Flying Nimbus's curious spirituality.
• Sarutobi Toru used Sunagakure's Chakra-sand refinement method to fill the Flying Nimbus with Chakra and form a connection with it.
• Sarutobi Toru tested the Flying Nimbus over several days and found that it flew at around the speed of sound, could approach ten times that speed with more Chakra, and let him travel across the Five Great Nations in a day.

After Tsunade lamented Konoha’s lack of flying ninjutsu, Sarutobi Toru decided to seek Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method to improve his aerial combat. He reached Hoshigakure and sensed that its powerful shinobi were suffering from illnesses linked to their energy.

• Sarutobi Toru took Tsunade for a ride on the Flying Nimbus, and she inspected it afterward.
• Tsunade complained that she could not fly without relying on a summoning beast, prompting Sarutobi Toru to consider Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method.
• Sarutobi Toru rode the Flying Nimbus to Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears.
• Sarutobi Toru watched young shinobi spar while an elderly Star Shadow observed from the arena seats.
• Sarutobi Toru used his divine sense to detect powerful energy in the shinobi and signs of illness in their bodies.

Sarutobi Toru decided to seize Hoshigakure’s Star and capture the Third Hoshikage for experiments, then attacked the village disguised as Toguro. He defeated the Third Hoshikage in one punch, leaving Hoshigakure’s ninjas terrified and their morale shattered.

• Sarutobi Toru sensed the Star and decided to take it and capture the Third Hoshikage.
• The Third Hoshikage reflected on the Star’s harmful effects and considered ending the Mysterious Peacock Method.
• Toguro fell from the sky, survived the impact, and demanded the Star and the Mysterious Peacock Method.
• The Third Hoshikage refused to surrender the village’s treasures without a fight and challenged Toguro.
• Toguro shattered the Third Hoshikage’s Chakra and broke several of his ribs with one punch, terrifying the remaining Hoshigakure ninjas.

Toguro defeated Hoshigakure’s defenders, took the Star and the Mysterious Peacock Method, and brought the Third Hoshikage, Firefly Star, and Summer Star to Root’s laboratory. There, Sarutobi Toru revealed his identity and questioned Star Shadow about the Star’s effects.

• Toguro knocked out Firefly Star and Summer Star when they tried to stop him from reaching the Star.
• Toguro took the Star and a scroll of the Mysterious Peacock Method, then captured the three unconscious Hoshigakure ninjas.
• Sarutobi Toru revealed himself after leaving the village and stored the Star in Root’s laboratory.
• Sarutobi Toru questioned Star Shadow about the Star’s dangers while Orochimaru and Hiruko watched.
• Sarutobi Toru explained that the Star usually caused illness but could rarely produce beneficial mutations, surprising Star Shadow.

Sarutobi Toru and Orochimaru revealed that Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method caused radiation sickness and that the village had never learned to control the star’s mutations. As Konoha studied the star and its effects, Star Shadow learned he might be released, while Summer Star and Firefly Star remained in Konoha for treatment and observation.

• Sarutobi Toru explained that Hoshigakure’s beneficial mutations were accidental, and Star Shadow admitted the village had done almost no research into the star.
• Star Shadow revealed that the Mysterious Peacock Method had killed many older shinobi through radiation, leaving Hoshigakure dependent on a dangerous technique and with few other ninjutsu.
• Hiruko reported that the star’s energy accelerated insect generations and caused mutations, and Orochimaru urged him to focus on its effects on humans.
• Sarutobi Toru told Star Shadow that Konoha would release him after studying him, but would keep the star as spoils of war.
• Sarutobi Toru said Summer Star and Firefly Star would stay for medical treatment and observation, and Firefly Star lost his desire to leave after learning his mutation could shorten his life.

Sarutobi Toru and Tsunade completed their cultivation of the Mysterious Peacock Method, while research into radiation-induced beneficial mutations remained inconclusive. After testing their aerial combat abilities, Sarutobi Toru was summoned to discuss Yagura’s appointment as Kirigakure’s Fourth Mizukage.

• Sarutobi Toru examined Star Shadow, Summer Star, and Firefly Star, and Root’s experiments produced flying ninjutsu but failed to reliably create beneficial mutations.
• Sarutobi Toru released Star Shadow and gave him Five Elements Ninjutsu, while Summer Star and Firefly Star stayed in Konoha and joined Root.
• Sarutobi Toru and Tsunade tested the Mysterious Peacock Method in aerial combat, and Tsunade celebrated being able to face Ōnoki without his flight advantage.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Sarutobi Toru to discuss Yagura taking office as Kirigakure’s Fourth Mizukage, a transition that had proceeded without major unrest.

Sarutobi Toru proposed establishing a Konoha forward base in the Land of Whirlpools to guard against the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō agreed, and Toru recommended that Tsunade lead the base with Uzumaki and Konoha ninja.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō argued over Kirigakure’s growth and whether Root should receive more funding for sabotage.
• Sarutobi Toru proposed a forward base in the Land of Whirlpools and explained how it could serve as a defensive gateway and be supported by radio stations.
• Shimura Danzō warned that the island base could be isolated, but Sarutobi Toru argued that Konoha ninja could hold out until reinforcements arrived.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked who should manage the base, and Sarutobi Toru recommended Tsunade with several hundred Uzumaki and Konoha ninja.

Sarutobi Toru convinced Sarutobi Hiruzen to send Tsunade to govern the Land of Whirlpools, and Tsunade agreed after Toru promised to visit often. Toru gave her White Zetsu Chakra Fruits, which greatly increased her chakra and vitality, and Tsunade ate the rest.

• Sarutobi Toru persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen that Tsunade should oversee the Land of Whirlpools, and Hiruzen approved the plan.
• Toru told Tsunade she would be sent to the Land of Whirlpools, and she asked him to visit every day.
• Toru gave Tsunade more than twenty White Zetsu Chakra Fruits, keeping three for himself.
• Tsunade ate one fruit and felt her chakra, physical fitness, and vitality increase substantially.
• Toru explained the fruits could help Tsunade grow powerful enough to rival Hashirama Senju, and Tsunade ate all the remaining fruits.

After Tsunade ate a White Zetsu Chakra Fruit, she awakened powerful Wood Release and later helped establish Konoha’s forward base in the Land of Whirlpools. Two years later, Sarutobi Toru visited Queen Sara in the parallel world, then returned to the Land of Fire and went to seek Pakura after learning Uchiha Shisui had been accused of abducting Uzumaki Kushina.

• Tsunade’s chakra doubled after eating the fruit, and she awakened Wood Release, whose Deep Forest Emergence surpassed Sarutobi Toru’s in scale and strength.
• Tsunade left her Konoha Hospital duties and led ninja to rebuild Uzushio Village as Konoha’s forward base in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Two years later, Sarutobi Toru visited Queen Sara in the parallel world and promised to come see her often.
• Sarutobi Toru returned to the Land of Fire and learned that Uchiha Shisui had been declared a rogue ninja for allegedly abducting Uzumaki Kushina.
• Sarutobi Toru traveled to the Land of Rain to ask Pakura about the incident and unexpectedly found her bathing in a hot spring.

Sarutobi Toru reunited with Pakura and learned how Uchiha Obito abducted Uzumaki Kushina without triggering the Nine-Tails' Rampage. His interference had changed Obito's actions, leaving Konoha without the Nine-Tails but with the Fourth Hokage alive.

• Pakura asked Sarutobi Toru why he had been absent for two years, and he claimed he had come from the future.
• Sarutobi Toru asked Pakura about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but they postponed the conversation until after their night together.
• Sarutobi Toru and Pakura ate breakfast, then Pakura explained that Uchiha Obito had used Kamui to abduct the weakened Uzumaki Kushina.
• Uzumaki Nagato knocked out and sealed Kushina in the Kamui dimension, but Sarutobi Toru's Transcription Seals struck Nagato when he used genjutsu.
• The Fourth Hokage discovered Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan, and Konoha blamed the missing Uchiha Shisui for the attack.
• Sarutobi Toru concluded that his interference had changed Obito's plans: the Nine-Tails' Rampage was avoided, but Konoha still lost the Nine-Tails.

Sarutobi Toru left Pakura and Queen Sara after a month and infiltrated Konoha to meet Orochimaru, whose Flying Thunder God Mark he had been unable to sense from outside the village. He found Orochimaru conducting experiments at Root’s base and began reading his research notes.

• Sarutobi Toru spent a month with Pakura and Queen Sara before returning Pakura to Amegakure and setting off for Konoha under an identity Pakura had arranged.
• Sarutobi Toru entered Konoha with a Land of Rain merchant caravan selling Amegakure’s Explosive Tags and sensed his Flying Thunder God Mark faintly through the village barrier.
• Sarutobi Toru left a Shadow Clone and his physical body behind, then used the Spirit Transformation Technique to travel underground toward the signal.
• Orochimaru completed an experiment that killed several Root ninja and complained that he lacked an instrument to measure soul strength.
• Sarutobi Toru revealed himself to Orochimaru, who welcomed him, and then picked up Orochimaru’s experimental records to read.

Sarutobi Toru exchanged ninjutsu research with Orochimaru and examined the results of Orochimaru’s bloodline experiments. Orochimaru explained that he had used Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku genes to reconstruct most of the original gene map of Chakra’s ancestor.

• Sarutobi Toru read about Orochimaru’s soul-training method and learned that it had strengthened Orochimaru’s soul through the deaths of more than a hundred captive genjutsu ninja.
• Sarutobi Toru gave Orochimaru the Chimera Technique research scroll in exchange for Orochimaru’s bloodline research.
• Orochimaru showed Sarutobi Toru his gene laboratory, where cloned bodies carried implanted Kekkei Genkai genes.
• Sarutobi Toru explained that clones lacked the souls needed to refine enough Chakra, causing their implanted genes to degrade or their bodies to collapse.
• Orochimaru said that Hashirama Cells and Sharingan genes were too invasive, while Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku genes were gentler.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had used Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku to map most of Chakra’s ancestor’s original genes before genetic invasion.