Chapter Summaries

Yahiko explained that he planned to destroy the great nations and shinobi villages to create a new order, and demanded that Uzumaki Kuming die for his cause. Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation brought back Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, leaving Kuming facing the two weakened Hokage as the other Akatsuki members held back.

• Yahiko confronted Uzumaki Kuming and revealed his plan to destroy every country and shinobi village in pursuit of peace.
• Uzumaki Kuming rejected Yahiko’s demand and drew the Heavenly Feather Blade as Orochimaru attacked with the coffins.
• Lightning Arrows shattered the coffin lids, while Zetsu and the masked Mysterious Man withdrew and Yahiko moved away from the fight.
• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, while the third summoned figure faded away.
• Tobirama recognized the jutsu he had developed, and Kuming realized that both Hokage had been resurrected in weakened forms.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and controlled Tobirama to fight Uzumaki Kuming. After Tobirama’s Water Release struck Kuming, Orochimaru revealed that Kuming was Konoha’s Fourth Hokage, and Kuming rose unharmed and prepared to continue.

• Orochimaru introduced himself to Hashirama and Tobirama and explained that he had learned the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Orochimaru forced Tobirama to charge Uzumaki Kuming, and Kuming cut Tobirama in half with one strike before his body regenerated.
• Tobirama warned Kuming that physical attacks could not undo the reincarnation jutsu, then hit him with Water Release: Water Severing Wave.
• Orochimaru told Hashirama and Tobirama that Kuming was Konoha’s Fourth Hokage, surprising them both.
• Kuming stood up with Lightning Style Chakra covering him and said he had retired as Fourth Hokage and that Tobirama’s next attacks would not hit him.

Uzumaki Jiuming fought Orochimaru’s reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama, using his speed and Fuinjutsu to defeat Tobirama before Hashirama freed himself from Orochimaru’s control. Akatsuki fled the battle, leaving Jiuming alone as he acknowledged that he and Yahiko would be enemies when they met again.

• Tobirama unleashed a massive Water Style attack while Hashirama concealed a Wood Release assault beneath it, but Jiuming sensed the vines and struck the water with Lightning Release.
• Jiuming used Lightning Armor to get behind Tobirama and stab him with the Heavenly Feather Blade, spreading Fuinjutsu markings from the wound.
• Orochimaru released Tobirama from Impure World Reincarnation before Jiuming could complete the seal, while Hashirama recognized Jiuming and asked about Uzumaki Mito.
• Jiuming transformed into a golden Chakra Cloak as Hashirama broke free of Orochimaru’s control and praised him before Impure World Reincarnation ended.
• The Mysterious Man escaped with Yahiko, and Zetsu had already fled; an explosion then destroyed Hashirama’s forest and its flower bud.
• Jiuming watched Yahiko’s retreat and quietly accepted that they would be enemies when they met again.

After returning safely from the battle, Uzumaki Kuming took Itachi and the others from Aoba Town toward the Land of Water to investigate Akatsuki. On the way, they visited the ruins of Uzushio Village, where a crowd of hopeful treasure hunters searched through the remains.

• Itachi waited anxiously for Kuming in Aoba Town until Kuming returned carrying bags of gifts, and Itachi embraced him.
• Kuming gave Kakashi and the others specialty tea and snacks, then spent two days sightseeing with the group before they left Aoba Town.
• After meeting Yahiko and Orochimaru, Kuming decided to investigate Akatsuki's plans in the Land of Water and considered recruiting Kisame for Konoha.
• Kuming led Itachi and the others overland through the Land of Fire and the former Land of Whirlpools toward the Land of Water.
• Kuming and his group arrived at Uzushio Village's ruined ancestral homeland and saw a crowd searching the rubble for valuable relics.

Uzumaki Kuming, Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi Hatake, and Obito watched treasure hunters search the ruins of Uzushio Village, where a boy’s discovery of Jade Marrow sparked a deadly confrontation. The boy and five men died in an explosive trap, leaving Obito stunned beside the crater.

• Uzumaki Kuming explained that businesses around Uzushio Village’s ruins could eventually grow into a new town.
• A boy emerged from the ruins holding Jade Marrow, and five middle-aged treasure hunters tried to take it from him.
• Obito moved to help the boy, but Kakashi stopped him, and Uchiha Itachi warned that the discovery was suspicious.
• The boy revealed himself as a shinobi and swiftly knocked down the men surrounding him, then demanded their valuables.
• One man stabbed the boy, but the boy’s explosive tag detonated and killed him and the five treasure hunters.
• Kakashi raised an earthen wall to shield the group, while Obito stared in shock at the crater left by the blast.

Uzumaki Kuming opened a hidden underground passage beneath the Uzushio ruins and discovered the Uzumaki Clan’s true chamber of inheritance, filled with secret techniques. He left Kakashi, Obito, and the others guarding the entrance while he explored the chamber.

• Uzumaki Kuming activated a massive seal beneath the ruins, opening a passage underground and stopping gold diggers from rushing inside.
• Uzumaki Kuming ordered Kakashi, Obito, and the others to guard the entrance, then descended as candles lit along the passage.
• Kakashi and Obito blocked the gold diggers from following Uzumaki Kuming and warned them not to approach.
• Uzumaki Kuming used Fuinjutsu and the Summoning Technique to open a sealed stone door without triggering the Cursed Seals in the chamber.
• Uzumaki Kuming found shelves of scrolls and Golden Plates and realized the chamber held the Uzumaki Clan’s true inheritance, which had been hidden behind a decoy story.

Uzumaki Kuming recovered a trove of Uzumaki Fuinjutsu from the ruins of Uzushio Village and stored it safely at Mount Myoboku. While traveling by ship with his companions, he explained that he had learned Chibaku Tensei from a Golden Plate, leaving them stunned.

• Kuming transported Uzumaki Clan scrolls and Golden Plates to Mount Myoboku, where Gamabunta promised to guard them but nearly let an ember hit the collection.
• Kuming protected the techniques with a barrier and Shadow Clones, then left the ruins of Uzushio Village with Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Itachi for the Land of Water.
• Obito Uchiha suffered from seasickness during the voyage, while Kuming and Itachi studied Golden Plates.
• Itachi asked why Chibaku Tensei, said to be an ability of the Rinnegan, had a written method, and Kuming explained how ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai worked.
• Kuming revealed that he had learned Chibaku Tensei from the Golden Plate, shocking Kakashi, Itachi, Obito, and Rin.

Uzumaki Kuming explained how he had learned Chibaku Tensei as he traveled toward the Land of Water, while Kisame Hoshigaki escorted six Kirigakure intelligence operatives toward the Land of Fire under secret orders to kill them if they were intercepted. The team came under attack near the border, leaving Kisame's mission and the operatives' fate unresolved.

• Uzumaki Kuming told Kakashi Hatake that his status as Kurama's Jinchuriki let him master the Yin-Yang Release needed for Chibaku Tensei.
• Suikazan Fuguki ordered Kisame Hoshigaki to escort six intelligence operatives into the Land of Fire and prevent their information from being captured by any means.
• Kisame met the operatives, including a cheerful blonde girl who showed interest in him, but he kept his distance and led the team toward the border.
• After several days of travel, Kisame and the operatives rested on an island near the Land of Water border before preparing to cross into the Land of Fire.
• As the team continued through the woods, an ambush began with kunai and a burst of fire striking the two Mist Ninja at the rear.

Kisame killed his Mist teammates to keep them from being captured, then leapt from a cliff after the young woman he had mortally wounded showed him compassion. Ibiki Morino found the survivors and was confronted by a red-haired young man whose appearance shocked him.

• Kisame realized someone had betrayed the Mist mission and stayed behind to cover the others’ retreat.
• Kisame killed the wounded Mist Ninja and planted an explosive tag beside the body before rejoining the group.
• When the group reached a cliff, Kisame killed his two comrades and fatally wounded the young woman, who asked why he had done it and told him he must have had a hard life.
• Kisame lost hope in Kirigakure and leapt from the cliff as Ibiki Morino and the Konoha Ninja arrived.
• Ibiki Morino examined the Mist Ninja bodies and heard a voice ask about a deal; he turned and recognized the red-haired young man beside him.

Uzumaki Jiuming arrived after Kisame escaped and rescued a wounded Kirigakure kunoichi who had been left for dead. He took her with him as a cook for his disciple, hoping she would help him turn Kisame.

• Uzumaki Jiuming reached Ibiki Morino after Kisame fled and learned there had been a confidential deal with the Land of Water's leaders.
• Uzumaki Jiuming healed the dying Mist kunoichi with his Chakra and told Ibiki Morino to keep his healing ability secret.
• The kunoichi defended Kisame and tried to kill herself, but Uzumaki Jiuming stopped her.
• Uzumaki Jiuming promised not to harm her or demand Kirigakure information and asked her to cook for his disciple.
• The kunoichi agreed, then fainted from blood loss as Uzumaki Jiuming took her with him.

Kuming returned to camp with a captured Mist Ninja girl and planned to take her back to Kirigakure. Meanwhile, Kisame discovered Suikazan Fuguki had betrayed the mission, killed him, and was approached by Yagura and a man claiming to be Madara Uchiha before an unseen speaker questioned Kisame’s naivety.

• Kuming brought the Mist Ninja girl to camp, told Kakashi he would return her to Kirigakure, and let her rest without demanding her name.
• Kisame survived his fall into the river, concluded Suikazan Fuguki had leaked the mission, and secretly returned to Kirigakure.
• Kisame confronted Suikazan Fuguki in his bedroom and killed him with a trap and a sword through the heart.
• Yagura arrived and offered Kisame Samehada and a place as his subordinate, while a Sharingan-wielding man appeared behind him.
• Kisame recognized that Yagura was being controlled and heard the stranger claim to be Madara Uchiha, then said he was drawn to the promised world without lies.
• An unseen speaker sighed and questioned whether Kisame was really so naive.

Uzumaki Kuming intervened as Kisame was being recruited by the man posing as Madara Uchiha, drove off the impostor and the controlled Yagura, and persuaded Kisame to join him in Konoha with the blonde girl. The group rested on the Land of Water’s coast, while Kuming planned to strengthen his allies before visiting the Land of Rain and returning to Konoha.

• Uzumaki Kuming appeared in the stone chamber and urged Kisame to trust the blonde Mist Ninja girl who admired him.
• The man claiming to be Madara Uchiha tried to control the girl, but Kuming attacked him; the impostor escaped with Yagura using Space-Time Ninjutsu.
• Kuming invited Kisame to become his right-hand man in Konoha, and Kisame agreed after the girl asked to go with him.
• Kuming whisked Kisame and the girl away before the Mist Ninja Anbu arrived, leaving Suikazan Fuguki’s corpse behind.
• Kuming, Kisame, the girl, Itachi, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin relaxed by the coast as Kisame learned to fish.
• Kuming planned to send Itachi and the others back to Konoha, then visit the Land of Rain and bring Naruto a gift.

On the journey back to Konoha, Kisame and Uehara Akina grew closer to Jiuming’s group. In Konoha, Minato worried about household expenses, while Naruto’s defiance in class led Iruka to challenge him on the training field.

• During the trip home, Rin gained a Water Style teacher, and Uehara Akina gradually opened up to the others.
• Shikaku told Minato that Suikazan Fuguki had been assassinated and Samehada had gone missing, but Minato set the report aside after reading it.
• Minato revealed that Kushina was expecting a healthy boy and said he had sent the news to Jiuming.
• In class, Naruto could not identify the Water Bullet hand seal and argued that he could dodge the technique, so Iruka sent him into the hallway.
• After class, Iruka challenged Naruto to dodge his Ninjutsu and promised not to tell Kushina about the incident if Naruto succeeded.
• Sasuke dismissed Naruto’s chances, while Karin suggested Kushina had taught him a powerful technique; students gathered to watch, and a Hyuga boy observed from an upstairs window.

Naruto lost a sparring match with Iruka after falling for his teacher’s Substitution Technique, then began taking his studies more seriously. Later, Kushina went into premature labor and gave birth to a boy whose face was covered in bright-red flame-shaped markings.

• Naruto used Shadow Clones to attack Iruka, but Iruka outmaneuvered him with a Substitution Technique and drenched him with a Water Bullet.
• Kushina learned that Naruto had lied about getting wet, sent Hinata inside, and dragged Naruto to his room to reflect on his behavior.
• Naruto studied ninjutsu in his room, determined to defeat Sasuke, and his attitude toward learning improved after the sparring match.
• Kushina went into premature labor, and ANBU escorted her to the hospital while Minato rushed there to wait outside the delivery room.
• Kushina gave birth to a boy, and Minato saw bright-red, flame-shaped markings covering much of the baby’s face.

Minato and Kushina welcomed their younger son, whose flame-shaped birthmarks startled them, and considered naming him Menma. When Uzumaki Jiuming returned and saw the baby, he urged them to name him Yoriichi, while the newborn realized he had been reincarnated and given the same name.

• Kushina worried that her newborn son's facial birthmarks would lead to a difficult childhood, but Minato reassured her that he was healthy and adorable.
• Kushina suggested naming the baby Menma and giving him Minato's surname, and Minato was moved by her consideration.
• Uzumaki Jiuming arrived, saw the baby, and insisted that Minato and Kushina choose the name Yoriichi instead of Menma.
• Jiuming claimed that Menma was an unlucky name and explained that Yoriichi meant the child of the Way.
• The newborn recognized that he had been reincarnated as a baby named Yoriichi and sensed that Jiuming was a monster.

Uzumaki Kuming took over as principal of the Ninja Academy and met his student Shisui Uchiha while heading into Konoha with Kisame Hoshigaki. He invited Shisui to help establish an organization to monitor Akatsuki, and Shisui agreed.

• Kuming became principal of the Ninja Academy as news of his appointment spread through Konoha.
• Kisame attacked a figure in the woods on Kuming's order, but Shisui used a Clone Technique to get behind him and subdue him.
• Shisui greeted Kuming, who praised his progress and introduced Kisame as a trusted Konoha ninja.
• Kuming told Shisui about Akatsuki and his plan to create an organization to monitor it and gather information.
• Shisui accepted Kuming's invitation to help with the new organization.

In Konoha, Uzumaki Kuming led Kun’s efforts to monitor Akatsuki while teaching his four-year-old nephew, Yoriichi Namikaze. Yoriichi asked to learn ninjutsu so he could understand why he perceived the world differently, and Kuming identified the ability as a Kekkei Genkai.

• Uzumaki Kuming reviewed intelligence from Kun, whose members were monitoring Akatsuki from three neighboring countries rather than entering the Land of Rain.
• Yoriichi Namikaze came to Kuming’s office and asked what he could learn that day.
• Yoriichi told Kuming that he wanted to understand Chakra and why he saw the world differently from other people.
• Uzumaki Kuming told Yoriichi that he had probably awakened a Kekkei Genkai.

Uzumaki Kuming told Yoriichi Namikaze his account of the Shinobi World’s origins, the Sage of Six Paths, and the absence of ghosts, then spent the evening studying Fuinjutsu scrolls. At night, a messenger summoned Kuming to the Hokage Building for an urgent meeting with the Fifth Hokage and other village leaders.

• Kuming explained to Yoriichi how Princess Kaguya gained Chakra, was sealed by her sons, and how Chakra and ninjutsu led to the Warring States Period.
• Yoriichi asked whether ghosts existed, and Kuming told him there were no ghosts like those he described, though souls went to the Underworld and a Death God existed.
• Naruto came to Kuming’s office after school, and Yoriichi bowed to Kuming before leaving with him.
• After the boys left, Kuming studied Fuinjutsu scrolls in his office.
• A young ninja told Kuming that the Fifth Hokage had urgently called him to the Hokage Building, where the Third, the advisors, and other Jonin had already been summoned.

Nara Shikaku revealed that an organized group of seemingly supernatural creatures had been behind murders across the Land of Fire. Minato and the others tested one of the creatures, and Uzumaki Kuming discovered that Lightning Style could destroy it.

• Nara Shikaku told the gathered ninja that a Chunin squad had found a ghost responsible for brutal murders and that similar incidents had been reported for years.
• Shikaku revealed that the investigation pointed to a large organization of ghosts and displayed a sealed creature to the assembled ninja.
• Minato transported the group outside the village and released the ghost so Hyuga Hiashi could test its strength.
• The ghost fled from Hiashi, but Hiashi caught it and defeated it with the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
• Uzumaki Kuming struck the weakened ghost with Lightning Style, causing it to disintegrate and vanish.

After the ghost vanished, Uzumaki Kuming and Konoha's leaders planned an investigation of the Daimyo Mansion despite the village's lack of funds. That night, Asuma Sarutobi and Chiriku confronted the transformed Heijian there and attacked the palanquin carrying Lord Tongu.

• Uzumaki Kuming identified the vanished creature as a ghost, said ghosts feared sunlight, and urged an investigation into the Daimyo Mansion as the likely source.
• Nara Shikaku warned that Konoha lacked the personnel and money for a large-scale search, so Mitokado Homura proposed sending elite shinobi led by Hatake Sakumo alongside Kuming's unit.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent a secret letter to his son Asuma Sarutobi after the leaders agreed to investigate the Daimyo Mansion.
• Heijian offered Chiriku and Asuma power and eternal life, but Asuma rejected him and Chiriku prepared to fight while Asuma targeted Lord Tongu's palanquin.
• Chiriku's golden Buddha overwhelmed Heijian, and Asuma used Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning to engulf the palanquin and its porters in smoke.