Chapter Summaries

Rikusei endured Madara’s brutal Rinnegan training, treated his injuries, and heard his grandmother support the Uchiha clan’s relocation plan. Meanwhile, Tobirama experimented on the imprisoned Black Zetsu, who confronted him about being cut apart.

• Madara put Rikusei through repeated Shinra Tensei and Banshō Ten'in attacks during training, leaving him badly bruised.
• Rikusei treated his wounds at home and checked that Ashura’s and Indra’s cells remained undisturbed despite White Zetsu monitoring the village.
• Rikusei’s grandmother returned with her eleventh Konoha King of Cards Tournament trophy and said she supported Madara’s decision, though she regretted that old friends would move away.
• Rikusei realized his grandmother had left him to prepare dinner.
• Black Zetsu woke inside a reinforced glass chamber, found his chakra and movement restricted, and accused Tobirama of cutting him apart.
• Tobirama praised the potential of Yin-Yang Release and told Black Zetsu that he had made the choice to experiment on him.

Tobirama interrogated Black Zetsu about the Ten-Tails and people from the heavens, but learned nothing useful. Meanwhile, the Uchiha Clan’s planned reduction prompted Hyuga Ryudo to hand leadership to Harumasa so he could address the Hyuga Clan’s own future.

• Tobirama threatened to put Black Zetsu on display for Ninja Academy students until Black Zetsu identified himself as Kaguya Otsutsuki’s third son.
• Tobirama asked Black Zetsu about the Ten-Tails’ origin and people from the heavens, then dismissed him as useless when Black Zetsu knew nothing.
• Shikahira confirmed Madara’s permission for the Uchiha Clan to reduce its size, and news of the decision spread through the Shinobi World.
• Hyuga Harumasa and Hyuga Ryudo discussed the Uchiha decision, the Uzumaki Clan, and the need to address the Hyuga Clan’s Branch Family system.
• Hyuga Ryudo named Harumasa the new clan head, pretended to collapse, then revealed he was fine and left to play cards.

Rikusei took Mao to meet Naori as the Uchiha relocated and Konoha filled with visitors drawn by the Sage and the God Tree. Their visit to the Hokage’s office revealed Hashirama and Madara exchanging chakra, leaving Mao puzzled by the unusual scene.

• Rikusei watched Uchiha clan members leave their grounds for new residences in Konoha as visitors from across the nations gathered in the village.
• Rikusei met Mao, who was relieved he had not left Konoha and asked to see Naori handling clan affairs.
• Mao met Naori in the Uchiha Clan Grounds and praised her for managing the clan’s affairs.
• Rikusei, Mao, and Naori went to the Hokage Building and found Hashirama and Madara exchanging chakra in the office.
• Rikusei shut the door and said they had come at the wrong time, but Mao looked inside and found Hashirama seated at his desk with Madara standing beside him.

Madara and Hashirama assigned Rikusei, Naori, and Mao to train the White Zetsu to communicate with Tailed Beasts and support society. At the God Tree, they met Afei, who agreed to help and awakened the other White Zetsu so training could begin.

• Madara gave Rikusei's team a mission scroll assigning them to train the White Zetsu, and Hashirama explained that they should learn to communicate with Tailed Beasts.
• Rikusei joked about making the White Zetsu work long hours, while Hashirama and Madara stressed that they should receive rest and that their work needed careful planning.
• Tianjia stopped the team at the God Tree's restricted area, checked their mission order, and let them pass.
• Afei emerged from a root, ran toward Naori and Mao, and was knocked back by Rikusei before agreeing to help with the mission.
• Mao explained the mission to Afei, who complained about his boredom inside the God Tree and then sent chakra through its roots to awaken the other White Zetsu.

Tobirama studied Black Zetsu’s origins and abilities, then prepared to share his research on Yin-Yang Release with the future Hokage. His work was interrupted when Rikusei’s squad arrived with White Zetsu Afei, who wanted to learn about human anatomy.

• Tobirama compared Black Zetsu with the Tailed Beasts and concluded that Black Zetsu was likely an incomplete creation infused with Kaguya Otsutsuki’s obsession with breaking the seal.
• Tobirama organized his research for his Elder Brother and the future Hokage, and considered using the Sage of Six Paths’ chakra to persuade Kinkaku and Ginkaku to help with research.
• Tobirama sensed someone enter the laboratory and found Rikusei, Naori, and Mao in the corridor.
• Rikusei introduced White Zetsu Afei, who claimed to be an artificial human with emotions and a better grasp of punchlines than Tobirama.
• Rikusei explained that Afei possessed Wood Release but wanted to understand the structure of the human body.

Tobirama showed Rikusei, Mao, Naori, and Afei the God Tree research lab, where researchers were combining God Tree and Tailed Beast material with plants and studying Ashura and Indra's cells. Black Zetsu objected to shinobi using the God Tree's chakra for human purposes, but Naori and Mao challenged him while he remained imprisoned.

• Afei demonstrated Wood Release, and Tobirama agreed to cooperate with the White Zetsu.
• Tobirama guided Rikusei, Mao, Naori, and Afei through experiments combining God Tree roots and Tailed Beast tissue with crops and fruit trees.
• Naori noticed a jar containing Ashura and Indra's cells, and Rikusei reassured her that most people could not withstand their combined cells.
• Tobirama suggested using White Zetsu with Wood Release to repair homes and handle dangerous work instead of assigning them ordinary labor.
• Black Zetsu protested that shinobi were wasting the God Tree's chakra, while Naori and Mao argued that chakra could serve purposes beyond warfare.

Tobirama examined Afei’s White Zetsu tissue and showed Rikusei, Mao, and Naori the new forehead protectors adopted by the Hidden Villages. As they explored Konoha’s food street, Naori decided that Rikusei was her most precious treasure and saw scientific research as the path forward for ordinary people.

• Tobirama dismissed Black Zetsu’s threats and continued guiding Rikusei, Mao, Naori, and Afei through the laboratory.
• Tobirama cut a sample from Afei, observed its unusual fluid, and concluded that Madara had created him.
• Tobirama gave Rikusei, Mao, and Naori new forehead protectors bearing the Shinobi engraving and Konoha emblem.
• Tobirama told Afei he could wear a forehead protector once he understood the Will of Shinobi, then led everyone out of the laboratory.
• Mao took Afei to Konoha’s food street and offered to treat him, while Naori reflected on scientific research as a way forward for ordinary people.
• Naori decided that Rikusei was her most precious treasure as she and Rikusei joined Mao and Afei.

The Land of Water Daimyo learned that his operatives had failed to sabotage Konoha’s celebration and agreed with other Daimyos to strike the hidden villages. In Konoha, Yamanaka Inoritsu discovered that the captured operatives shared an unfamiliar memory seal and went to report it to the Hokage.

• The Land of Water Daimyo learned that all operatives sent to plant explosives in Konoha had been captured, though seals in their memories were preventing the truth from being extracted.
• The Land of Water Daimyo received letters confirming that the Land of Earth and Land of Wind Daimyos would keep his plans secret and support an attack on the hidden villages.
• The Land of Water Daimyo learned that the Mizukage and Hozuki Gengetsu were away at the Chunin Exams and that Genji was managing Kirigakure.
• An Analysis Division member told Yamanaka Inoritsu that the captured operatives all carried the same unfamiliar memory seal and that the Uzumaki Clan needed two days to break it.
• Yamanaka Inoritsu ordered the memory analysis to continue and went to report the situation to the Hokage.

As Konoha tightened security and confronted the challenges of governing its expanding territory, Hashirama and Madara considered establishing a judicial institution. At a public ceremony, Uchiha Madara accepted the Hokage Hat, beginning his era as Hokage.

• Hashirama ordered Anbu to warn every village after Inoritsu reported that conspirators might target other Hidden Villages, then discussed the need for new laws with Madara.
• Madara suggested Tobirama for the judicial position, while Tobirama continued working in the laboratory and threatened Black Zetsu for accusing him of feigning a sneeze.
• Rikusei watched as Madara arrived at Hokage Plaza, where Police Department personnel restored order and cleared a path through the crowd.
• Madara saw that the crowd trusted him and recognized Uchiha clansmen hidden among them, moved by his appointment despite having changed their names and appearance.
• Hashirama presented the Hokage Hat, and Madara accepted it and raised it before the cheering crowd.

The tailed beasts watched Madara at the Hokage Inauguration and discussed his resemblance to the Sage of Six Paths, while Uzumaki Mito joined their secret conversation. As an allied force attacked Kirigakure, Genji ordered the tailed beast seals released and prepared to fight alongside them.

• The tailed beasts saw Madara’s Rinnegan and concluded that Hashirama had shared Sage of Six Paths chakra with him.
• Kurama and Matatabi rejected the other beasts’ praise of Madara, and Uzumaki Mito entered their shared mental world and agreed with them.
• An allied force of elite troops and wandering ninja attacked Kirigakure after an explosion signaled the assault.
• A report informed Genji that Daimyo City troops were reinforcing the attackers and that no Tailed Beast chakra had been detected.
• Genji ordered the Tailed Beast seals released, told the forces to fight alongside the beasts, and warned that Madara had awakened both Rinnegan if the beasts turned against them.

As Kirigakure and the allied forces fought amid Tailed Beasts and bloodline techniques, Genji searched for the unit headed toward the Daimyo Mansion. The Land of Water’s daimyo revealed his plan to use the Bounty Hunters he had hired to arrest his political rivals.

• Separated Tailed Beasts appeared across Kirigakure’s battlefield, and both sides continued fighting as heavy siege weapons arrived.
• Mist ninja used their bloodline abilities to slaughter enemy forces and attack the weapons, while Genji learned that no intelligence had found the unit near the Daimyo Mansion.
• The Land of Water’s daimyo told his attendant that victory in the battle did not matter to him, since he had secured his own authority and recruited Bounty Hunters from the Underground World.
• After a Tailed Beast Bomb shook the Tenshukaku, the daimyo accused his ministers of secretly seizing military authority and ordered the Bounty Hunters to arrest them.
• The daimyo offered the Bounty Hunters fifty percent, and they agreed to carry out his orders.

Gamabunta and Fukasaku visited Konoha, where they encountered Uzumaki Fengyin and her daughter and discovered how much the village had changed. Hashirama found them and offered to guide them around.

• Gamabunta and Fukasaku arrived in Konoha and marveled at the sprawling settlement.
• Uzumaki Fengyin and her daughter met the visitors, and the girl invited Gamabunta to play with the little fox she held—the Nine-Tails.
• Fukasaku showed Gamabunta a Tailed Beast House, prompting Gamabunta to vow that Mount Myoboku would reclaim the glory of Summoning Beasts.
• Gamabunta and Fukasaku crossed the street and learned that jaywalking cost points in Konoha.
• Hashirama arrived with the Police Force, explained that he was no longer Hokage, and offered to guide the visitors.

Hashirama explained Konoha’s points system and showed Fukasaku and Gamabunta how the village used points to support its residents and share knowledge. As Hashirama returned to the Hokage Building, Madara struggled with Alliance politics and recognized that Hashirama had copied his habit of escaping work.

• Hashirama explained that points began as a way to manage newcomers and expanded to cover housing, promotions, ninja tools, and other opportunities.
• Hashirama took Fukasaku and Gamabunta to Moon Specialties, then described the God Tree-root building where Shinobi Alliance ninja could study techniques using points.
• Fukasaku offered to let suitable Konoha candidates study Sage Jutsu at Mount Myoboku and revealed that the Great Toad Sage had witnessed Hashirama’s battle with the Ten-Tails.
• Madara reviewed the unresolved attack by the Daimyo of the Land of Water and Land of Wind and resisted using the Rinnegan to bypass Konoha’s procedures.
• Hashirama returned to the Hokage Building, and Madara realized that Hashirama had learned the Uchiha’s work-avoiding copying technique.

Fukasaku visited Konoha to warn Madara and Hashirama that the God Tree was draining the planet, but found them researching ways to turn it into an ordinary, sustainable plant. Hashirama failed to persuade Madara to stay behind while he traveled to Mount Myoboku, and the chapter ended with the Chunin Exams underway and Hiruzen preparing to face Yotsuki Yamanari.

• Fukasaku warned Madara and Hashirama that the God Tree was draining energy from deep within the earth, while Madara argued that shinobi needed to learn its origins before sealing it.
• Fukasaku read reports about using the God Tree to produce chakra rainfall and propagating it from cuttings, with Hashirama explaining that Shamon and researchers from Sunagakure had contributed.
• Hashirama said he planned to take candidates to Mount Myoboku for Sage Jutsu training, but Madara tried to leave the village too and suggested Tobirama could handle the work.
• Fukasaku and Gamabunta praised Shima's cooking, and Hashirama realized his plan to leave Madara in the office had failed.
• The Chunin Exams resumed at the former Uchiha Clan Training Ground, where Hiruzen prepared for his match against Yotsuki Yamanari.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fought Yotsuki Yamanari, who revealed that he had become the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. Yamanari lost control as the Nine-Tails chakra overwhelmed him, the match was suspended, and Hiruzen was declared the winner.

• Aburame Taiichi warned Sarutobi Hiruzen that Yotsuki Yamanari had become the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
• Yotsuki Yamanari cloaked himself in purple Lightning Armor infused with Nine-Tails chakra and attacked Hiruzen.
• Hiruzen countered Yamanari's assault with shuriken, Fire Release, and Enma's Adamantine Ruyi Staff.
• Hiruzen struck Yamanari, but the Nine-Tails chakra sent him flying as Yamanari struggled to suppress the beast.
• Yamanari began losing control, prompting the examiner to suspend the match.
• The examiner announced Sarutobi Hiruzen as the winner.

Hoshigaki Kaito defeated Danzo in the tournament after turning Danzo’s Baku against him with hidden Explosive Tags. The rivals made peace and chatted about their exploits, while Tobirama refused Afei’s request to ride Kokuō.

• Afei asked Tobirama what a Tailed Beast Ball was, and Tobirama explained that Danzo had summoned the Shimura Clan’s Baku.
• Hoshigaki Kaito flooded the battlefield and attacked Danzo and Baku with sharks formed from chakra.
• Danzo used Baku’s wind and devouring ability to counter Kaito’s attacks, but Kaito hid Explosive Tags among the rubble Baku swallowed.
• The Explosive Tags detonated inside Baku, allowing Kaito to knock Danzo into the water and win the fight.
• Kaito helped Danzo up, admitted Danzo’s Eight-Tails could have changed the outcome, and the two sat on the water chatting about their exploits.
• Afei asked if he could ride Kokuō, and Tobirama flatly refused.

Ōnoki and Chiyo fought in the Chunin Exams, where Chiyo revealed Sunagakure’s God Tree-powered puppets and a Susanoo imitation. The Puppet Susanoo absorbed Ōnoki’s Dust Release, leaving him to realize the alliance’s creation was made with the God Tree’s wood pith.

• Ishikawa and A discussed how Konoha’s Jutsu Library pressured other villages to share their secret techniques, while A considered stealing Iwagakure’s Dust Release secrets.
• Ōnoki and Chiyo began their match, and Chiyo used poison-feint tactics before summoning a swarm of chakra-absorbing puppets.
• Ōnoki countered the puppets with an Earth Style rock golem, but Chiyo recalled her damaged puppets and summoned a wooden Susanoo imitation.
• Kagami Uchiha saw the imitation and suggested that the Uchiha buy one or secure image rights to mass-produce Susanoo dolls.
• Ōnoki attacked the Puppet Susanoo with his rock golem and Dust Release, but it absorbed the chakra and repaired itself.
• Ōnoki realized the Puppet Susanoo contained the God Tree’s wood pith as it advanced through his Dust Release.

The puppet Susanoo’s power stunned the shinobi and ministers, prompting speculation about its core and the possibility of mass-produced imitations. As Chiyo celebrated puppet techniques, the next match was announced: Mao would face Shusuke of the Kaguya Clan.

• Shinobi from the villages marveled at the puppet Susanoo and considered learning puppet techniques after seeing it absorb Kekkei Tōta.
• Hyuga Ryudo and Uzumaki Ashina determined that the puppet’s resin core and chakra channels were arranged much like a human body’s.
• Ōnoki collapsed after his chakra was drained, and Chiyo stood atop the puppet Susanoo to proclaim the strength of puppet techniques.
• Sai and the Land of Water’s minister feared that ninja forces equipped with puppet imitations could threaten the Daimyo.
• The next match was announced between Mao and Shusuke, and Mao walked toward the plaza after sharing a playful moment with Naori.

Madara visited Black Zetsu and revealed that he could help revive Kaguya Otsutsuki, proposing a plan that involved cultivating White Zetsu and using the God Tree. He left Black Zetsu to realize that Rikusei would carry out the plan, while Rikusei and Naori prepared for their next match.

• Madara visited Black Zetsu in the laboratory and explained that he and Hashirama had cultivated Six Paths chakra by merging Indra's and Ashura's chakra.
• Madara told Black Zetsu he could help release Kaguya Otsutsuki, and they discussed using White Zetsu, the God Tree, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Madara showed Black Zetsu that he had fused two more Truth-Seeking Orbs and left the laboratory, prompting Black Zetsu to conclude Rikusei would cultivate White Zetsu.
• Mao ran toward the sunlight, and Naori told Rikusei she would not hold back in their next match; Rikusei agreed.

Mao defeated Taketori Shusuke in the Chunin Exam after a fierce clash between her lightning and wind techniques and his Shikotsumyaku. Shusuke reconsidered whether his clan might defect to Konoha, while Mao left the arena to ask Rikusei and Naori what they thought of her fight.

• Hashirama recognized the disguised Tobirama and introduced him to Sage Fukasaku and Gamabunta, while Hagoromo Jun cheered for Mao from the stands.
• Mao suggested Taketori Shusuke consider forming a Branch Family, and Shusuke recalled that his father had once considered defecting to Konoha.
• Taketori Shusuke began the match by drawing bone blades and clashing with Mao’s Futsu-no-Mitama, but her lightning shattered his weapons and overcame his bone defenses.
• Taketori Shusuke unleashed Dance of the Seedling Fern, spreading bone spikes across the Training Ground, and Mao countered with Wind Release: Pressure Damage.
• Mao’s storm destroyed the bone forest and Shusuke collapsed, ending the match; Mao sheathed Futsu-no-Mitama and ran to find Rikusei and Naori.