Chapter Summaries

Takenaka Kaguya met with Kirigakure Anbu chief Kurama and asked him to investigate the disappearance of Takenaka’s operatives. Kurama denied that the village was responsible, and Takenaka left the investigation to him before asking who would become the Third Mizukage.

• Kurama explained that Kirigakure had made him its Jinchuriki after failing to create Ninja as powerful as Takenaka Kaguya.
• Takenaka gave Kurama portraits of his missing Anbu, the Si She Squad, and said they had disappeared in Kirigakure two days earlier.
• Kurama said Kirigakure’s Anbu had made no moves and that Hozuki Gengetsu, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and most of the village’s Jonin had left on a mission.
• Kurama reported that Hozuki Gengetsu and the Second Tsuchikage Mu had died together, and insisted Kirigakure could not have captured Takenaka’s operatives unnoticed.
• Takenaka asked Kurama to investigate the missing Anbu and notify him of any news, then asked whether Kirigakure had chosen a candidate for Third Mizukage.

Kurama told Takenaka Kaguya that the village elders were considering him for Third Mizukage, though the Yuki and Hozuki clans backed another candidate. Takenaka advised Kurama to pursue the position and offered to strengthen the seal containing the Three-Tails, then left Kurama wondering about the beast’s comparison between him and the Shinobi world’s strongest.

• Kurama explained that the Yuki and Hozuki clans supported Hanbing for Third Mizukage, while Genji supported him.
• Takenaka Kaguya encouraged Kurama to seek the Mizukage position and said the great clans would restrain themselves if he won.
• Takenaka offered to reseal the Three-Tails, but Kurama refused because the village might discover the seal had been changed.
• Takenaka left the search for the Si She Squad to Kurama and said Kurama could contact him through Eiichiro for help.
• The Three-Tails told Kurama that Takenaka’s oppressive strength surpassed what it had felt from Hashirama Senju and called him the person closest to the old man’s strength.

Madara Uchiha attacked Uzushiogakure, but Lingyun, Takenaka Kaguya’s summoned Golden Eagle, intercepted him at the gate. After their first clash, Lingyun survived Madara’s Shinra Tensei with Armament Haki and prepared to continue the fight.

• Madara Uchiha killed the two guards at Uzushiogakure’s gate and sensed the village’s Ninja approaching.
• Lingyun swooped down and forced Madara to retreat from his first attack.
• Lingyun warned Madara to leave before Takenaka Kaguya returned, but Madara refused and attacked him with his Uchiha Gunbai.
• Madara used Shinra Tensei to blast Lingyun away, but Lingyun’s Armament Haki kept him unharmed.
• Lingyun rose out of Madara’s sight and challenged him to continue fighting.

Madara Uchiha attacked Uzushiogakure, but Lingyun used the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring Takenaka Kaguya back. Madara fled when Takenaka confronted him, while Takenaka sent Lingyun to pursue Black Zetsu, who had entered the village.

• Madara Uchiha blocked Lingyun's Rankyaku and flames with the Uchiha Gunbai, then deflected them with Uchiha Return.
• Lingyun used the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon Takenaka Kaguya back to Uzushiogakure.
• Madara Uchiha tried to escape underground, but Takenaka Kaguya stomped him back to the surface.
• Takenaka Kaguya challenged Madara Uchiha to fight, but Madara fled several hundred meters away.
• Takenaka Kaguya sensed Black Zetsu heading for his courtyard and ordered Lingyun to catch him.

Takenaka Kaguya confronted Madara Uchiha in the forest after Madara’s attack on Uzushiogakure and challenged him over his schemes and pursuit of false peace. Takenaka froze Madara and the surrounding forest, but Madara broke free, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Takenaka Kaguya caught up with Madara Uchiha in the forest and warned that he would not let him escape.
• Madara defended his actions as necessary for his vision of peace and criticized Takenaka for choosing to remain in Uzushiogakure.
• Takenaka condemned Madara for his schemes and his plan to create peace through Infinite Tsukuyomi, then charged at him.
• Madara attempted to repel Takenaka with Shinra Tensei, but Takenaka seized his throat and froze him with Hanbing and Ice Age World.
• Madara shattered the ice and told Takenaka he would not fall for the same move twice.

Takenaka Kaguya fought Madara Uchiha in the forest, revealing that he could predict Madara’s thoughts and movements and explaining why he opposed Madara’s vision of peace. Madara learned that Kaguya’s answer to Hashirama’s question about absolute power had been unification, and wondered why Kaguya had never told him.

• Madara Uchiha realized Takenaka Kaguya had neutralized his technique and sensed that Kaguya’s freezing ability used no Chakra.
• Takenaka Kaguya told Madara that he could predict Madara’s actions and thoughts, then said he intended to kill him because Madara had targeted his family.
• Madara asked Kaguya why he would not cooperate to bring peace to the Shinobi World.
• Takenaka Kaguya explained that war would persist as long as people and competing interests existed, and recalled Madara’s question about what he would do with absolute power.
• Takenaka Kaguya revealed that he had answered Hashirama with “unification,” and Madara questioned why Kaguya had not shared that answer with him.

Takenaka Kaguya explained why he had withheld the truth from Madara Uchiha, provoking Madara into attacking him with powerful techniques. Takenaka Kaguya defeated Madara’s Limbo shadows and shattered his Super Chibaku Tensei, leaving Madara in disbelief.

• Takenaka Kaguya told Madara Uchiha he had withheld the answer because Madara would have started another war, while he had told Hashirama because Hashirama valued the people’s chance to rebuild.
• Madara Uchiha blamed Takenaka Kaguya for his years of suffering and attacked him with Limbo: Border Jail, but Takenaka defeated all four shadows and sent their damage back to Madara.
• Madara Uchiha used Super Chibaku Tensei to draw rocks, trees, and debris into a giant sealing sphere around Takenaka Kaguya.
• Takenaka Kaguya fired an attack that pierced and destroyed the sphere, leaving Madara Uchiha horrified and insisting that the result had to be genjutsu.

Takenaka Kaguya defeated Madara Uchiha’s Chibaku Tensei and prepared to fight him in earnest. After they agreed that strength decided the outcome, Takenaka Kaguya coated Shusui with Armament Haki and unleashed Mountain Cleaver.

• Takenaka Kaguya broke Madara Uchiha’s Chibaku Tensei with a Flying Shigan enhanced by projected Armament Haki, leaving Madara stunned and doubting himself.
• Madara Uchiha recovered, summoned a defensive Susanoo, and admitted he regretted not killing Takenaka Kaguya when they first met.
• Takenaka Kaguya teased Madara Uchiha about fate, but Madara rejected the idea and said they both believed people controlled their own destinies.
• Takenaka Kaguya and Madara Uchiha agreed that the stronger fighter would decide the outcome, and Madara told him not to hold back.
• Takenaka Kaguya coated Shusui in blackish-purple Armament Haki and used Ittoryu: Armament - Mountain Cleaver.

Takenaka Kaguya unleashed a devastating slash that cut through Madara Uchiha and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but Madara survived by using Izanagi. The two faced off again as Madara acknowledged Kaguya had anticipated his forbidden technique and lamented that Izanami had failed to control him.

• Madara Uchiha summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and sent its enormous palm crashing toward Takenaka Kaguya.
• Takenaka Kaguya dodged the statue’s attack and used Ittoryu: Armament - Mountain Cleaver to cleave the statue and Madara in half.
• Madara Uchiha used Izanagi to survive, then blocked Takenaka Kaguya’s Rankyaku with his Uchiha Gunbai.
• Takenaka Kaguya explained why he expected Madara to have prepared Izanagi, and Madara acknowledged his reasoning.
• Madara Uchiha remarked that Izanami could have controlled Takenaka Kaguya if he had not escaped its restraints so quickly.

Takenaka Kaguya continued fighting Madara Uchiha, exploiting the cooldown after Shinra Tensei and repeatedly overpowering him in close combat. After Takenaka killed him for the third time, Madara revived with Izanagi and immediately began forming seals for Tengai Shinsei.

• Madara Uchiha used Shinra Tensei, but Takenaka Kaguya endured it and killed him during the technique’s cooldown.
• Madara revived with Izanagi, retreated, and realized his remaining uses of the technique might not be enough to escape Takenaka.
• Takenaka attacked again, and Madara blocked Shusui with the Uchiha Gunbai before Takenaka’s hardened body repelled his kick.
• The two fought at close range until Takenaka struck Madara with Tetsuzanko and sent him crashing through several trees.
• Takenaka killed Madara again, but Madara revived through his preprogrammed Izanagi and began casting Tengai Shinsei.

Takenaka Kaguya defeated Madara Uchiha for the last time, claimed his Rinnegan, and buried his ashes. He returned to Uzushiogakure to find Kagura Uzumaki and his children safe, but discovered Ashina Uzumaki dead.

• Takenaka Kaguya destroyed Madara Uchiha's falling celestial body and revealed that Black Zetsu had little chance of reaching his family.
• Takenaka Kaguya overwhelmed Madara Uchiha with Conqueror's Haki and killed him again, leaving him with one final Izanagi revival.
• Madara Uchiha revived and asked about Takenaka Kaguya's strength, offering his Rinnegan in exchange for an answer.
• Takenaka Kaguya infused Shusui with Advanced Conqueror's Haki and killed Madara Uchiha with a final slash.
• Takenaka Kaguya removed Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan, burned his body, buried his ashes, and returned to Uzushiogakure.
• Takenaka Kaguya found Kagura Uzumaki and his three children unharmed, then saw Ashina Uzumaki's corpse.

After Ashina Uzumaki was killed, Takenaka Kaguya confronted his grieving family and pursued Black Zetsu, eventually killing a sealed body that Black Zetsu had used to deceive him. The chapter ended with Takenaka discovering that Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had vanished beyond the reach of his Advanced Observation Haki.

• Takenaka Kaguya reprimanded the six Earthly Branch Anbu squads for failing to protect Ashina Uzumaki, then ordered them to notify Konohagakure, arrange Ashina's funeral, and put Chen Long in charge of village defenses.
• Takenaka comforted Kagura Uzumaki and their children, but Mingyue Takenaka angrily demanded to know why he had failed to protect her great-grandfather.
• Black Zetsu learned from a White Zetsu that Madara Uchiha was dead and decided to cultivate another Uchiha to obtain a Mangekyou Sharingan.
• Takenaka caught Black Zetsu at Madara's grave, struck him repeatedly, and used a Haki-infused slash and sealing technique to disable him.
• Black Zetsu offered to revive Ashina with the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, but Takenaka rejected the offer and twisted his neck.
• Takenaka realized Black Zetsu's severed arm had disappeared and could find neither Black Zetsu nor White Zetsu, even after searching underground with Advanced Observation Haki.

Takenaka Kaguya failed to detect Black Zetsu, who escaped by joining his severed arm to a White Zetsu and sinking underground. Back in Uzushiogakure, Takenaka grieved Ashina Uzumaki’s death, revealed that he had killed Madara Uchiha, and arranged Ashina’s funeral.

• Takenaka searched for Black Zetsu but found no trace, then sealed Black Zetsu’s corpse and buried Madara Uchiha before leaving the forest.
• After Takenaka left, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground joined to a White Zetsu’s body and escaped without disturbing Madara’s burial mound.
• In Uzushiogakure, Takenaka stood beside Ashina Uzumaki’s coffin, and Kagura Uzumaki comforted him as he blamed himself for Ashina’s death.
• Takenaka told the gathered villagers that Madara Uchiha was dead and showed them Madara’s broken Uchiha Gunbai as proof.
• Takenaka said he had burned Madara’s body to prevent a possible fake death, then ordered the village to give Ashina’s funeral its highest honors.

Takenaka Kaguya struggled with guilt and Mingyue Takenaka’s grief as he presided over Ashina Uzumaki’s funeral, attended by mourners from across the Shinobi World. After the funeral, Takenaka scattered storm clouds with his Conqueror’s Haki, leaving witnesses astonished.

• Takenaka Kaguya returned home with Kagura Uzumaki, but Mingyue Takenaka turned away from him in grief, and he withdrew to his study.
• For several days, Takenaka Kaguya paid his respects to Ashina Uzumaki and sat beside the coffin in silence.
• Mito Uzumaki, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and other Konoha representatives arrived, and Takenaka Kaguya welcomed them to the funeral.
• Representatives from the other great villages and smaller nations attended, and they kept the peace in Takenaka Kaguya’s presence.
• After the funeral, Takenaka Kaguya used his Conqueror’s Haki to disperse the storm clouds, prompting a witness to call the feat divine.

Takenaka Kaguya became Uzushiogakure’s leader and oversaw its growth, research, and village policies while refusing Konoha’s request for a Nine-Tails vessel. After learning that Kagami Uchiha had been killed, he suspected Konoha’s Root was involved; in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi reacted furiously to news Shimura Danzō brought him about Kagami.

• After the funeral, Mingyue Takenaka apologized to her father, Takenaka Kaguya, and he reassured her of his love.
• Takenaka Kaguya was elected leader of Uzushiogakure, and the village grew more powerful and prosperous during his rule.
• In Konoha Year 27, Takenaka Kaguya reviewed a White Cells experiment, ordered safer Anbu selection, and approved expanding the village for new residents.
• Takenaka Kaguya rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi’s renewed request for a Uzumaki candidate to serve as Konoha’s Nine-Tails vessel.
• Chen Long reported that Kagami Uchiha had been killed and that the evidence pointed toward Konoha’s Root; he and Takenaka Kaguya suspected the Mangekyō Sharingan rumor had played a role.
• After Hiruzen Sarutobi received Takenaka Kaguya’s rejection, Shimura Danzō gave him a scroll, and Hiruzen angrily accused him of forgetting that Kagami had been their classmate.

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced Shimura Danzō to accept blame for Kagami Uchiha’s death while promising to handle the fallout himself. Back in Uzushiogakure, Takenaka Kaguya explained to Kagura Uzumaki why he believed Konoha’s leaders had arranged Kagami’s killing.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō over Kagami Uchiha’s death and reminded him that he was Hokage while Danzō was only his assistant.
• Under pressure from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō apologized and agreed to stay out of sight when news of Kagami’s death spread.
• Shimura Danzō returned to Root headquarters, vented his anger, and vowed to become Hokage and prove himself better than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Kagura Uzumaki asked Takenaka Kaguya whether he knew of Kagami Uchiha’s death and whether Konoha’s Root was involved.
• Takenaka Kaguya explained how Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage and argued that Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō had used Danzō as a weapon to eliminate Kagami.

Takenaka criticized Hiruzen Sarutobi’s leadership and warned Kagura Takenaka to be wary of Konoha’s higher-ups. When Konoha invited only Uzushiogakure to its Chunin Exams, Takenaka accepted and decided to lead the delegation himself.

• Takenaka argued that Hiruzen Sarutobi lacked the self-sacrifice and fairness required of a Hokage, and Kagura Takenaka agreed with his assessment.
• Takenaka told Kagura Takenaka to keep his views private and maintain friendly appearances with Konoha because Uzushiogakure and Konoha remained allies.
• A week later, Takenaka received Konoha’s invitation for Uzushiogakure to attend its Chunin Exams, and Chen Long suspected the invitation concealed another motive.
• Takenaka accepted the invitation and ordered ten three-man squads from the Anbu Reserve Unit to attend with him as their leader.
• Takenaka said he wanted to visit Konoha and see how capable its young ninjas, including Orochimaru and Jiraiya, were.

Takenaka Kaguya decided to lead Uzushiogakure’s Chunin Exam delegation to Konoha, while preparing Wanghun to master his Rinnegan and Wood Style. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō for inviting Uzushiogakure without permission and warned him not to endanger the village.

• Takenaka Kaguya told Chen Long he would travel to Konoha after learning that Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga were talented twins and that the Chunin Exams were approaching.
• Takenaka Kaguya entrusted Chen Long with the village’s safety, gave him a scroll containing a Chakra clone, and ordered him to select Uzushiogakure’s exam participants.
• Wanghun asked to return to Konoha, but Takenaka Kaguya told him to stay behind and train with his Rinnegan and Wood Style techniques.
• Takenaka Kaguya went home to tell his family he would leave for Konoha the next morning.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō over inviting Uzushiogakure to the Chunin Exams and warned that Takenaka Kaguya’s strength could put Konoha in danger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tried to dissuade Shimura Danzō from taking action against Uzushiogakure, warning that Takenaka Kaguya’s power made the consequences too dangerous. Meanwhile, Tsunade visited Mito Uzumaki and learned that Uzushiogakure’s Genin would join the upcoming Chunin Exams, though Takenaka Kaguya probably would not attend.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled Takenaka Kaguya’s overwhelming strength and warned Shimura Danzō that neither he nor Konoha could afford to provoke him.
• Shimura Danzō argued that securing a successor for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was urgent and offered to take the blame if his plan failed.
• Shimura Danzō left the Hokage Office, and Hiruzen Sarutobi silently reflected on his friend’s motives and the danger of provoking Takenaka Kaguya.
• Tsunade visited Mito Uzumaki and told her that she, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya would take part in the Chunin Exams.
• Mito Uzumaki told Tsunade that Uzushiogakure’s Genin had been invited and that Takenaka Kaguya was unlikely to lead their team.
• Tsunade complained that her team had already surpassed Chunin level, and Mito Uzumaki cautioned her not to underestimate Uzushiogakure.

Takenaka Kaguya led Uzushiogakure’s delegation to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, where Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed them with confidence in Konoha’s young talents. As the delegation entered the village, Takenaka Kaguya noticed a boy training by walking on his hands and asked Hiruzen his name.

• Mito Uzumaki warned Tsunade not to underestimate Uzushiogakure’s Genin, but Tsunade confidently said she would defeat them.
• Takenaka Kaguya learned that Mingyue Takenaka would lead the delegation to Konoha with Changge Takenaka and Muge Takenaka.
• Takenaka Kaguya watched Changge Takenaka and Muge Takenaka spar and judged both boys exceptionally talented for their age.
• Five days later, Takenaka Kaguya arrived in Konoha, where Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō greeted the delegation.
• Takenaka Kaguya sensed Shimura Danzō watching him, then spotted a boy in a green jumpsuit walking on his hands and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi who he was.