Chapter Summaries

Akaseki discovered that the Sky Ninja fortress was powering a giant puppet with chakra drawn from a Void Demon God. He went underground to support Kensho Uchiha and investigate the source, while the others continued fighting above.

• Akaseki and his companions reached the fortress roof, where Gongzhi Jiu and Yangyong fought the giant puppet controlled by Kanaro and Luo Yan.
• Gongzhi Jiu told Akaseki that the fortress's chakra source lay below, and Guan Ze offered to help the two Uchiha hold off the puppet users.
• Akaseki returned to the fortress interior and descended through the fake control room while Nonō stayed behind under Guan Ze's instruction.
• Hell Yama King identified the Void Demon God as the fortress's energy source and warned Akaseki that it fed on the suffering and hatred of captives.
• Hell Yama King inferred that the Void Demon God had been installed as the fortress's engine and sealed there after the Sage of Six Paths and his brother sealed the madwoman.

Jiancheng fought the Sky Ninja prince, whose enormous Chakra let him regenerate from devastating injuries, and discovered that the Land of Sky’s citizens were being tortured to extract Chakra. After Jiancheng burned the prince with Amaterasu, a creature called Void emerged, drained Jiancheng’s Chakra, and was torn away by Akaseki’s Susanoo; Jiancheng then prepared to summon his own Susanoo.

• Jiancheng repeatedly struck and burned the square-faced youth, but the youth regenerated using an immense supply of Chakra.
• Jiancheng discovered that the control room walls held captive citizens of the Land of Sky, whose suffering was being used to extract Chakra.
• Jiancheng used Amaterasu to burn the Prince of the Land of Sky, but a black, masked creature emerged from his charred body.
• Void bound Jiancheng with tentacles and rapidly drained his Chakra, weakening his attempts to fight back.
• Akaseki arrived and used Susanoo to tear Void’s tentacles away, freeing Jiancheng.
• Jiancheng awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan again and began to form his own Susanoo.

Akaseki and Jiancheng fought Void’s clone, which had formed around the sealing mask, and Akaseki captured the mask with Hell Yama King’s help. After Tanuki Treasure explained how the seal could be repaired, Akaseki put the mask on and entered a dark space where Void’s true body remained trapped inside a Rinnegan pattern, though part of its tail had escaped.

• Akaseki held off Void’s clone with Susanoo while Hell Yama King confirmed that the mask on the clone was the vessel of the seal.
• Jiancheng prepared to use Mangekyō ninjutsu against the citizens serving as Void’s blood bags, but Akaseki stopped him and continued defending himself.
• Hell Yama King ambushed Void as it dodged Akaseki’s Susanoo, allowing Akaseki to tear the mask from its head and scatter the clone into black smoke.
• Akaseki summoned Tanuki Treasure, learned the seal could be repaired at some risk, and asked Jiancheng to remove the mask if his Sharingan shut off.
• Akaseki pressed the mask to his face, lost consciousness, and found himself in a dark space where Void’s true body was trapped within a Rinnegan pattern, with part of its tail already extended out.

Akaseki entered Void’s damaged seal and fought to keep it from escaping. He restored his chakra, destroyed the body Void pushed through the seal, and watched the seal bind it again before the Sage of Six Paths appeared.

• Akaseki entered Void’s seal with his Sharingan and Uchiha Gunbai, while Hell Yama King admitted he could not use his power.
• Akaseki dodged Void’s attacks and struck its tail, but Void altered the seal and began converting pain and hatred into chakra.
• Akaseki drew on his own pain and hatred, regained his chakra, and used Susanoo to overwhelm Void.
• Akaseki crushed Void’s body protruding through the seal and prevented it from breaking through elsewhere as the seal repaired itself.
• The seal’s chains bound Void and drew it into the pattern, which vanished once the repair was complete.
• The Sage of Six Paths appeared, praised Akaseki, and questioned why he held two Sharingan; Akaseki explained that Grandma Chizuru had entrusted them to him for repair.

Akaseki tried to bargain with the Sage of Six Paths for rewards, then secured an opportunity to undergo Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode trial. The Sage of Six Paths strengthened Akaseki’s bloodline before his remnant image disappeared, while Akaseki considered how the trial might extend to his clan.

• Akaseki tried to obtain the Ame-no-Hoko mark and ninjutsu guidance, but the Sage of Six Paths refused and offered to improve his bloodline and give him an opportunity.
• The Sage of Six Paths explained that the Three Great Sage Regions taught dangerous Sage Mode trials and directed Akaseki to seek the White Snake Sage at Ryūchi Cave.
• Akaseki interpreted the offer as a chance to involve the Uchiha Clan and promised to keep unsuitable clan members from attempting the trial.
• The Sage of Six Paths warned that the trial was dangerous and advised Akaseki to wait until his body matured, while tacitly allowing him to bring others to try.
• The Sage of Six Paths explained that the Three Great Sage Regions’ Sage Modes were different but equal, then used his remnant image to further purify Akaseki’s bloodline.

After Akaseki repaired the seal on Void, the Sky Ninja Village Fortress crashed, and he urged the Uchiha to rescue the people trapped inside. The survivors were saved and sent toward the Land of Hot Water, while Akaseki left Ryūchi Cave unexplored for now and joined the Uchiha Jonin in discussing the war and the Hokage.

• The Sage of Six Paths enhanced Akaseki's bloodline and warned him that Sage Mode training was dangerous given his weak physical condition.
• Akaseki found that the powerless Sky Ninja Village Fortress had descended into a forest, while Luo Yan and Kanaro had fled and many Sky Ninja escaped or died.
• Akaseki persuaded Jiancheng to rescue the imprisoned people, arguing that their gratitude would strengthen Konoha's influence in the Land of Hot Water.
• Nonō and the Uchiha helped rescue most of the people from the flooded fortress, and Jiancheng told them to remember that the Uchiha had saved them.
• Akaseki resisted going to nearby Ryūchi Cave because of the Sage of Six Paths' warning, then spoke with Gongzhi Jiu and Yangyong about Sunagakure, the Hokage, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Akaseki discussed Konoha’s dependence on the Land of Fire and the limited benefits of taking missions in the Land of Wind, then proposed weakening the Fire Capital’s influence by dividing the Land of Fire. He left the clan elders considering a more practical idea: having Sunagakure take on outsourced work for Konoha after its defeat.

• Gongzhi Jiu explained that the Land of Wind had effectively accepted Sunagakure’s defeat and that Konoha’s mission gains there would bring little benefit.
• Jiancheng described how ninja villages had become increasingly dependent on their host nations and how ninja clans had historically struggled to govern countries.
• Yangyong argued that Konoha should seize missions abroad and even attack Kumogakure, while Gongzhi Jiu challenged his reasoning.
• Akaseki suggested breaking the Land of Fire into smaller countries to reduce the nobles’ control over Konoha, prompting Yangyong to praise him as a strategist.
• Akaseki proposed that Konoha could have Sunagakure handle some of its outsourced work after the war instead of demanding mission territory directly.

Akaseki explained his plan for Konoha to outsource missions to Sunagakure while earning money through supervision and service, and Jiancheng considered how the Uchiha Clan could benefit. Akaseki also revealed his Sage of Six Paths reward and Ryūchi Cave trial, leaving Jiancheng eager to recruit Orochimaru into the clan through marriage.

• Akaseki explained that Konoha could hire Sunagakure to carry out missions while handling supervision and after-sales service, reducing employers’ costs and earning Konoha a profit.
• Akaseki suggested recruiting other ninja into the Military Police Force, but Yangyong objected, and Jiancheng sent him and Gongzhi Jiu to escort the Land of Sky people to Yugakure.
• Jiancheng told Akaseki to focus on training and marriage before becoming a Clan Elder, then asked about his Sage of Six Paths reward.
• Akaseki said his bloodline enhancement had been modest and that he had gained access to Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode trial, which he could potentially share with others.
• Jiancheng advised Akaseki that his Susanoo could become a decisive asset once he mastered its first stage, and Akaseki said he planned to invite Orochimaru to the trial.
• After learning Orochimaru wanted to find Ryūchi Cave, Jiancheng suggested Akaseki conceal that outsiders could join and test whether Orochimaru would marry into the Uchiha Clan.

Akaseki was ordered to join Konoha’s supply force in the Land of Rain and oversee grain collection, protecting Konoha’s reputation while keeping an eye on Nonō. At headquarters, he learned Orochimaru would arrive with newly graduated ninja, whom Konoha planned to assign to the Land of Rain front.

• Jiancheng ordered Akaseki to report to the Land of Rain supply force and supervise the orderly collection of food for the front.
• Jiancheng told Akaseki to bring Nonō and watch for evidence that could be used against the Uchiha Clan.
• Akaseki and Nonō arrived at the supply force headquarters on January 17, where Akaseki reunited with Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya admitted that Konoha Ninja had handled supply collection roughly, and Akaseki proposed better training and clearer instructions.
• Jiraiya told Akaseki that Orochimaru would arrive in two months with the new graduates, whom Konoha planned to send to the Land of Rain front.

Akashi and Nonō investigated how civilians in the Land of Rain viewed Konoha shinobi, then learned that two Konoha chunin and two civilians had been found dead with the chunin’s cause of death unknown. Akashi took the bodies to report the incident to Jiraiya, suspecting an enemy raid.

• Akashi and Nonō visited three villages disguised as ordinary people and found that villagers generally approved of Konoha shinobi, especially under Uchiha Military Police supervision.
• Akashi asked villagers about their difficulties, promised to protect spring planting, and taught children a nursery rhyme praising Konoha.
• Yuchi Jiong reported that two chunin and two Rain civilians had been found dead near a village ruin, with no known cause of death for the chunin.
• Akashi questioned the circumstances and learned that the civilians had kunai wounds, while the chunin’s deaths remained unexplained.
• Akashi told Yuchi Jiong to bring the four bodies to Jiraiya, believing an enemy raid might have occurred.

Jiraiya and Akaseki investigated the deaths of two Konoha Chunin and discovered evidence that a mysterious repulsive force had killed them. Akaseki connected the attack to Madara Uchiha and worried that he was framing the Uchiha Clan.

• Jiraiya and Akaseki found two dead Land of Rain civilians and two dead Konoha Chunin, with Konoha-issued kunai wounds suggesting an accidental killing during a panicked encounter.
• Akaseki summoned Hell Yama King to examine Kota's corpse, and it found internal injuries that could not be explained by an external collision.
• Hell Yama King identified the injuries as consistent with the Deva Path's repulsive power, Shinra Tensei, and also described the attractive force Banshō Ten'in.
• Akaseki questioned Yuchi Jiong about the scene and learned that objects had been scattered without signs of fighting or breakage.
• Akaseki suspected Madara Uchiha had killed the Chunin and arranged the scene to frame the Uchiha Clan.

Akaseki investigated the deaths of two Konoha Chunin and learned that a powerful mental shock had destroyed their final memories. His search led him to suspect a missing red-haired child had also returned to the dangerous village ruins, apparently driven there by the settlement’s mistreatment of red-haired people.

• Yamanaka Sansan examined Awu’s brain but found its damage too severe to read, then used his secret technique on Kota’s restored brain.
• Sansan recovered memories showing that Kota and the other Chunin had gone to the village ruins to find supplies, but their final ten minutes had been erased by a violent mental shock.
• Akaseki volunteered to inspect the scene and found damage consistent with Shinra Tensei, though the attack seemed weaker than he expected.
• Akaseki discovered children’s belongings and traces of a second red-haired person in the house, then went with Yuchi Jiong to the villagers’ settlement.
• Akaseki learned that a red-haired family of three had returned to the war zone to search for food, and suspected the missing child had gone with them.

Akaseki searched for the red-haired orphan Nagato while discussing with Nonō why he wanted to protect Uzumaki children from Root. After sending Nonō to look for other orphans, Akaseki returned alone to investigate the area he suspected Madara Uchiha was hiding in.

• Akaseki learned that Nagato had lost his parents and searched for the missing boy for three days without finding him.
• Akaseki told Nonō that if he found Nagato, he would report him as an Uzumaki orphan so Root could not take him.
• Akaseki explained that he wanted to repay the Uzumaki Clan for Tanuki Treasure and because Kushina had taught him sealing techniques.
• Akaseki and Nonō discussed Danzō’s suspicions about Akaseki and Kushina before Nonō left to search for other orphans with Yuchi Jiong.
• Akaseki returned alone to an area he had already searched, suspecting Madara Uchiha was misleading him and deciding to confront him.

Akaseki searched the woods for Nagato, unaware that Black Zetsu had arranged the misleading clues to keep them apart. As Akaseki drew closer, Black Zetsu abandoned the idea of taking Nagato away and chose to deceive Akaseki instead.

• Akaseki entered the grove with his Sharingan active and investigated the environmental clues that had repeatedly steered him away.
• Akaseki used the Mirror Clone Technique to search both paths at a fork, while Black Zetsu watched him and realized he was closing in on Nagato.
• Black Zetsu considered fighting Akaseki or fleeing with Nagato, but judged both choices too risky and feared exposing himself.
• Black Zetsu chose to try to fool Akaseki, deciding that Nagato was too important to the plan to risk deceiving him directly.

Akashi encountered Black Zetsu, who claimed to serve Indra and spun a story about Ashura usurping Indra’s place as Ninshu’s leader. After Black Zetsu presented himself as Indra’s humble creation, Akashi accepted him as Uchiha Black Zetsu.

• Akashi prepared to attack a strange plant, but Black Zetsu emerged and said they were not enemies.
• Black Zetsu claimed to be Indra’s son, and Akashi challenged the story by mentioning the master of Avici Hell.
• Black Zetsu said Ashura had become Ninshu’s Second Leader through Hagoromo’s favoritism and had sealed Indra inside the God Tree.
• Black Zetsu claimed he was a will created by Indra before the sealing, then explained that he had worked for a thousand years to restore Ninshu.
• Akashi declared Black Zetsu qualified to bear the Uchiha name, then insisted that he was Uchiha Black Zetsu.

Akaseki questioned Black Zetsu about his plans and heard a story about Indra, the God Tree, and the Rinnegan. After Akaseki proposed becoming stronger instead of rescuing Indra, Black Zetsu revealed that Madara was Indra’s current reincarnation, and Akaseki vowed to challenge him.

• Akaseki pressed Black Zetsu to explain why he had appeared, and Black Zetsu claimed he wanted to free Indra and rebuild Ninshu.
• Black Zetsu described the God Tree, Indra’s sealing, and a plan to summon the God Tree’s husk from the moon using the Rinnegan.
• Akaseki criticized Black Zetsu’s rigid plan and suggested creating a new Indra by growing stronger rather than searching for the ancestor.
• Black Zetsu explained that Indra’s chakra reincarnated and that Ashura’s reincarnation had thwarted him in every generation.
• Akaseki ordered Black Zetsu to serve him, and Black Zetsu revealed that Madara was the current host of Indra’s reincarnated chakra.
• Akaseki declared that he would prove whether Madara or he was the true master of Ninshu.

Akaseki confronted Black Zetsu, learned that he used Wood Release, and fought him until Madara Uchiha joined the attack. Akaseki escaped their pincer assault with help from two mirrored copies and revealed a scarlet eye in his palm.

• Akaseki tried to persuade Black Zetsu that he could obtain All-Creation Power, but Black Zetsu rejected his claim and began to withdraw into the roots.
• Akaseki cut Black Zetsu out of the roots with his Uchiha Gunbai, and Black Zetsu retaliated with Wood Release.
• Akaseki used Uchiha Rebound to turn Black Zetsu’s wooden spears against him, then fought off his expanding wooden attacks with Fire Style.
• Akaseki accused Black Zetsu of being Ashura’s descendant after recognizing his Wood Release, while Black Zetsu kept attacking and tried to capture him.
• Madara Uchiha launched Majestic Destroyer Flame at Akaseki, but a mirrored copy countered with Water Dragon Bullet while another copy helped fan away the steam.
• Akaseki moved his true body out of the crossfire, positioned his two mirrored copies against Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, and revealed a scarlet eye in his palm.

Akashi fought Madara and Black Zetsu, using Setsuna’s Towa to make his Substitution Technique difficult to counter. Madara let Akashi leave, but Akashi retreated as the battle threatened to resume and his Mangekyo power began to run short.

• Akashi challenged Madara and mocked Black Zetsu’s claims about Indra and Ashura.
• Black Zetsu attacked Akashi with tree-like growths, and Madara set them ablaze with Fire Style.
• Akashi used repeated Substitution Techniques to escape Madara and Black Zetsu’s attacks, leaving a Tobirama Senju sculpture as a decoy.
• Madara recognized Setsuna’s Towa in Akashi’s eyes and acknowledged him as a true Uchiha descendant.
• Madara told Akashi he could leave, warning that Towa’s power would not last, and Akashi retreated when Madara began forming hand seals again.

Akaseki returned to Konoha’s supply headquarters after fighting Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, then told Jiraiya about the enemies and the missing orphan. Madara and Black Zetsu continued following Nagato, whose survival and growth remained central to Madara’s plan.

• Akaseki retreated after facing Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, then returned to headquarters before dawn.
• Akaseki told Jiraiya that Madara had been too weak to use the Rinnegan’s abilities and that Black Zetsu wielded strange plant-like powers.
• Akaseki explained that he had searched for an orphan who likely witnessed the murder of their parents, but the child’s fate remained unknown.
• Akaseki and Jiraiya suspected Madara and Black Zetsu’s presence near the Chunin deaths was not a coincidence and discussed possible Rinnegan-like forces.
• Nagato fled after hearing the battle, while Madara and Black Zetsu continued following him toward the Land of Rain’s self-rescue group.
• Madara rejected Black Zetsu’s suggestion to control Nagato, insisting that the boy needed to suffer and grow strong enough to awaken the Rinnegan.

Akaseki questioned Hell Yama King about Indra, Ashura, and the God Tree, then reported that Madara Uchiha and a powerful Wood Release user had confronted him. Tsunade recognized Madara as a serious threat, while Akaseki stressed that the Wood Release user seemed even more dangerous.

• Hell Yama King confirmed that Ashura led Ninshu after defeating Indra, who later disappeared, but Akaseki interpreted the account as evidence that Ashura had deceived everyone and received favoritism.
• Akaseki told Hell Yama King that Black Zetsu had claimed Indra was sealed inside the God Tree, and Hell Yama King rejected the claim based on the timing and Ashura's abilities.
• Nonō summoned Akaseki to meet Tsunade, who had secretly arrived at the border medical corps headquarters after Jiraiya notified her about his report.
• Akaseki told Tsunade that the man he had encountered accepted the name Madara Uchiha and used his Sharingan, while an accomplice wielded powerful Wood Release.
• Akaseki described Madara as weak but portrayed the Wood Release user as a greater threat because he used ninjutsu without hand seals, regenerated endlessly, and concealed his presence exceptionally well.