Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Shingen tried to make his Shadow Clones train in his place, but their memories and exhaustion made the plan backfire. Meanwhile, Danzo reconsidered his rivalry with Hiruzen and planned to use Uchiha Setsuna to disrupt Hiruzen’s efforts.

• Uchiha Shingen arranged a training schedule with Little Left and Little Right, but they trained for four hours and their accumulated fatigue knocked him unconscious.
• Jiraiya found Uchiha Shingen among the rubble and scorch marks, assumed he had overworked himself, and worried about the pressure on him.
• Danzo learned that Jiraiya and Uchiha Shingen’s conversations had not been part of a plot with Hiruzen, and his Root shinobi struggled to hide their amusement.
• Danzo concluded that Jiraiya’s protection made attacking Uchiha Shingen too risky and resolved to persuade him instead of using force.
• Danzo decided to create another concern for Hiruzen and asked Aburame Ryoma whether Uchiha Setsuna’s sentence was nearly over.

Danzo ordered Aburame Ryoma to arrange Setsuna Uchiha’s early release, hoping to use him to pressure Hiruzen. As Fugaku Uchiha feared the former Uchiha elder’s return could threaten the clan’s fragile path toward peace, Danzo arrived at Setsuna’s cell and spoke of hope.

• Danzo dismissed Aburame Ryoma’s warning about Setsuna Uchiha and ordered him to arrange Setsuna’s release within the month.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Yakumi discussed Shingen Uchiha becoming Jiraiya’s student and the chance it offered to mend relations between the Uchiha and Konoha.
• Fugaku sensed a threat beyond the possibility of war and feared Setsuna Uchiha’s return could endanger the clan’s future.
• Fugaku declared that anyone who stood in the Uchiha’s way would pay with their life, then went with Uchiha Yakumi to see Shingen.
• Danzo entered the deepest level of Konoha’s High-Security Prison and addressed Setsuna Uchiha, saying that hope could be terrifying.

Danzo visited Setsuna Uchiha in prison and offered to release him, prompting Setsuna to realize he was being recruited for a new alliance between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership. Meanwhile, Jiraiya took Uchiha Shingen to a barbecue, where he reunited with Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.

• Danzo confronted Setsuna Uchiha, who guessed that Tobirama Senju was dead and Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken power.
• Danzo said he had come to release Setsuna, and Setsuna deduced that Danzo intended to use him to bring the Uchiha and Konoha High Command together.
• Setsuna laughed at the prospect of the Uchiha falling for the same deception again, and his laughter echoed through the prison.
• Jiraiya took Uchiha Shingen to a barbecue and insisted that Shingen was his student, while Shingen tried to negotiate a writing-related trade.
• Uchiha Shingen and Jiraiya arrived at Minato's table, where Obito recognized Shingen and greeted him as an old friend.

Uchiha Shingen reunited with Obito, Rin, and Kakashi over dinner, where his strength became the focus of conversation. After initially refusing to spar with Kakashi, Shingen agreed when Jiraiya offered Earth Release ninjutsu as a reward, and they planned to fight after dinner.

• Obito bragged about becoming a Chunin, and Rin and Kakashi teased him while Uchiha Shingen joined in.
• Minato told Uchiha Shingen that Inuzuka Gaku still blamed himself for failing to protect him during their battle against Iwagakure, and Shingen reassured him that Gaku had done his best.
• Jiraiya praised Uchiha Shingen's strength, while Kakashi said Shingen's dangerous aura made him uncomfortable.
• Minato suggested that Kakashi spar with Uchiha Shingen, but Shingen refused because he saw no benefit in fighting.
• Jiraiya offered Uchiha Shingen Earth Release ninjutsu if he won, and Shingen accepted the spar after dinner.

Obito challenged Uchiha Shingen in the Forest of Death but was stopped by Shingen’s Sharingan genjutsu, prompting Kakashi to step forward. As Kakashi prepared to fight, Minato and Jiraiya discussed his strength and the burden he carried after his father’s death, while Jiraiya warned that Minato himself might need to take Shingen down.

• Obito insisted on challenging Uchiha Shingen, and Team Minato went with Shingen to the Forest of Death after dinner.
• Obito charged Shingen with a kunai, but Shingen trapped him with the Uchiha Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
• Rin helped Obito break free, and Obito warned Kakashi that Shingen was dangerous.
• Kakashi drew his short sword and approached Shingen, while Minato reflected on Kakashi’s talent and his struggle to change his mission-first outlook.
• Jiraiya told Minato that he might have to fight Shingen himself.

Uchiha Shingen and Kakashi fought a fierce sparring match, with Shingen revealing how much his abilities had grown. After Shingen unleashed his Sword Leap Flame technique and kicked Kakashi in the chest, the battle remained unresolved.

• Minato doubted Jiraiya's claim that Uchiha Shingen was exceptionally strong, but Jiraiya said Shingen had improved greatly over the past month.
• Obito and Rin cheered Kakashi as he faced Shingen, and Obito vowed that he would become strong too.
• Kakashi and Shingen exchanged rapid Taijutsu attacks, but Shingen kept pressing Kakashi back despite wielding an ordinary kunai against Kakashi's Chakra Metal short sword.
• When Shingen's kunai broke, he used Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame to send a blazing slash at Kakashi.
• Kakashi dodged the flames, but Shingen's kick struck his chest.

Uchiha Shingen tested his new sword technique against Kakashi, then overwhelmed him with a devastating barrage of fire jutsu. Minato rescued Kakashi from the second attack, while Jiraiya denied inspiring Shingen’s reckless fighting style.

• Uchiha Shingen knocked Kakashi back during their close-quarters fight, then stopped testing Sword Leap Flame because the heat had nearly ruined his kunai.
• Uchiha Shingen summoned two Shadow Clones and unleashed three enormous Great Fireballs, which Kakashi blocked with three Earth-Style Walls.
• Kakashi prepared to counterattack, but Uchiha Shingen created two more Shadow Clones and launched a dense barrage of fireballs.
• Minato used Flying Thunder God to save Kakashi as the fireballs engulfed the clearing and set the distant woods ablaze.
• Minato compared Uchiha Shingen’s Saturation Fire Strike Tactics to Jiraiya’s methods, and Jiraiya protested when Minato said he seemed like the inspiration.

Uchiha Shingen exhausted himself defeating Kakashi with powerful Fire Release, while Kakashi left after clashing with Obito over whether comrades or missions came first. After giving Shingen an Earth Release scroll, Jiraiya parted ways with him, and a hidden White Zetsu watched the battle and considered Shingen a potential pawn for Madara.

• Jiraiya helped the exhausted Uchiha Shingen after his successive Great Fireball attacks, while Minato and Kakashi reacted to the scale of his power.
• Obito told Kakashi that Shingen had changed after losing comrades, then argued that comrades came before missions; Kakashi fell silent and left alone.
• Uchiha Shingen recovered and returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound with Jiraiya, who gave him a scroll of Earth Release techniques.
• Uchiha Shingen realized Jiraiya had prepared the scroll before the fight, teased him, and said goodbye before Jiraiya left.
• White Zetsu emerged in the Forest of Death, reflected on Minato's speed and Shingen's strength, and considered Shingen a possible pawn for Madara.

Uchiha Madara learned about Uchiha Shingen and became convinced that Shingen’s desire for a peaceful, routine life could make him a powerful pawn if that dream were shattered. Meanwhile, Shingen returned home and began studying an Earth Release scroll to grow strong enough to slack off at the Police Force.

• White Zetsu reported that Uchiha Shingen was a talented Three-Tomoe Sharingan user who connected Konoha and the Uchiha Clan.
• White Zetsu explained that Shingen sought a peaceful, routine life and trained mainly so he could slack off.
• Madara read Shingen’s report and decided that destroying his peaceful ambitions might awaken extraordinary ocular abilities.
• Madara ordered White Zetsu to gather more intelligence on Shingen and the Uchiha Clan’s recent movements.
• Shingen returned to his residence, stayed up, and began studying his new Earth Release jutsu scroll.

Uchiha Shingen studied Jiraiya’s Earth Release scroll, deepened his understanding of chakra transformations, and advanced his Earth Release Mastery. Despite his recent growth, he knew many threats remained, and the chapter ended with Uchiha Setsuna’s early release from prison.

• Uchiha Shingen discovered Jiraiya’s scroll taught broad principles of nature and shape transformation, and he recorded his theory that Kekkei Genkai came in different types.
• Uchiha Shingen concluded that he should develop multiple chakra natures and adapt his Saturation Fire Strike Tactics to the conditions of battle.
• After studying through the night, Uchiha Shingen raised his Earth Release Mastery to Level 2 and reviewed his improved skills and abilities.
• Uchiha Shingen remained wary of Root, Danzo, and other threats despite his progress and planned to keep building strength in the Police Force.
• Uchiha Setsuna, imprisoned since the Second Hokage’s administration, was released early.

Jiraiya and Tsunade challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi over his decision to approve Setsuna Uchiha’s early release. Hiruzen explained that he intended to use Setsuna’s return to deepen the divide between Setsuna and Fugaku, while Tsunade pressed him for his plans as the chapter ended.

• Jiraiya confronted Hiruzen about Setsuna Uchiha’s early release and warned that it could undo Shingen’s efforts to ease tensions between Konoha and the Uchiha.
• Hiruzen showed Jiraiya the sentence-reduction request and explained that he wanted the Uchiha divided, using Setsuna’s hawkish views to push Fugaku closer to Konoha.
• Hiruzen argued that Setsuna’s age and dwindling support limited the danger he posed, while Jiraiya left uneasy about the political maneuvering.
• Tsunade confronted Hiruzen over Setsuna’s release and asked what he planned to do if it destabilized the Uchiha during the coming war.

Tsunade left the Hokage's office convinced that the Third Hokage's plans might finally resolve the Uchiha problem, then went gambling with Shizune. Orochimaru secured research funding and warned the Third Hokage about his and Danzo's schemes, while Setsuna Uchiha returned to his long-abandoned home and said something of his remained there.

• Tsunade told Shizune not to interfere with the Third Hokage's plans and hurried to a casino, despite Shizune's protests.
• The Third Hokage tried to return to his paperwork, but Orochimaru kicked down the office door and demanded repairs be paid for.
• Orochimaru asked the Third Hokage to approve his research funding applications, and the Third Hokage signed them.
• Orochimaru warned the Third Hokage that he and Danzo were playing with fire, then left the office.
• Toma Uchiha brought Setsuna Uchiha in his wheelchair to the abandoned Uchiha mansion, where Setsuna said something of his was still there.

Setsuna Uchiha retrieved Izuna’s sword, Kotetsu, and went to observe the clan’s younger members after his release from prison. At a bookstore, he watched Uchiha Shingen and overheard Shisui criticize him, then crushed his teacup in anger.

• Setsuna Uchiha opened a box in his old study and revealed Kotetsu, the sword once wielded by Uchiha Izuna.
• Setsuna decided to visit the clan’s promising young talent and went alone to look for them.
• Shisui told Uchiha Shingen that Setsuna had been released from prison and warned that his return could worsen relations between the Uchiha and Konoha.
• Shisui kindly pushed Setsuna to a bookstore, where Setsuna silently studied Uchiha Shingen and considered bringing him into his service.
• Shisui described Setsuna as an extremist while Setsuna listened nearby, then Setsuna crushed his teacup in his hand.

Uchiha Shingen discussed Setsuna Uchiha’s failed coup with Shisui, whose grandfather Kagami may have been connected to the plan’s exposure. Setsuna overheard Shingen’s criticism and challenged him, leaving Shingen to explain that even a successful coup would not solve the Uchiha’s problems.

• Setsuna Uchiha criticized Konoha’s leadership and warned that the village’s interests conflicted with those of its clans.
• Jiraiya arrived to check on his student, warned Setsuna not to harm Shingen, and heard Setsuna promise not to attack a fellow Uchiha.
• Shingen told Shisui that Kagami Uchiha’s appointment to Tobirama’s guard unit might be connected to the leak that exposed Setsuna’s coup.
• Shingen argued that the Uchiha could threaten a coup but should not actually carry one out, prompting Setsuna to crush his teacup and accuse Shingen of knowing nothing about politics.
• Shisui asked whether the coup might have succeeded without the leak, and Shingen replied that success would not have solved the problem.

Uchiha Shingen’s insight convinced Setsuna Uchiha that a coup would have doomed the Uchiha and Konoha, but Setsuna still tried to recruit Shingen as his successor. He left furious and conflicted after discovering that Shingen and Jiraiya were enthusiastically discussing risqué writing.

• Shisui realized that an Uchiha coup would have faced opposition from Konoha’s clans, citizens, the Land of Fire’s daimyo, and other nations, and could have torn the village apart.
• Setsuna Uchiha recognized Uchiha Shingen’s foresight and told Jiraiya that Shingen should become his successor, possibly leading the Uchiha or becoming Hokage.
• Jiraiya wrote down Setsuna’s line about not stopping Shingen from going to someone better because it gave him an idea for his story.
• Setsuna became furious when Jiraiya revealed he had been thinking about a provocative scene in his writing.
• Shingen joined Jiraiya to discuss their story ideas, while Setsuna crushed another cup and stayed to keep an eye on the talented young Uchiha.

Setsuna Uchiha spent several days watching Uchiha Shingen and writing with Jiraiya, while Danzo interpreted his behavior as an attempt to recruit Shingen and seize power from Fugaku Uchiha. A report of an upcoming Uchiha Clan Meeting convinced Danzo that Setsuna would challenge Fugaku, leaving Aburame Ryoma hesitant to question his certainty.

• Setsuna Uchiha watched Uchiha Shingen for several days and joined Jiraiya in writing pornographic stories.
• Danzo read a Root report about Setsuna's writing with Jiraiya and concluded that Setsuna was pursuing Uchiha Shingen as a successor.
• Danzo regretted alienating Shingen and worried that Jiraiya's presence and Hiruzen's opposition made it difficult to act against him.
• A Root operative reported that the Uchiha would hold a Clan Meeting in two days, probably concerning Setsuna's release from prison.
• Danzo decided that Setsuna planned to challenge Fugaku Uchiha for clan leadership, and Aburame Ryoma hesitated to speak up.

As the Uchiha Clan Meeting approached, Uchiha Shingen reassured Shisui that they could only focus on what they could control, while tensions between the village and the clan grew. Orochimaru led Anbu to watch the meeting and became intrigued when Uchiha Shingen sensed their presence from afar.

• Danzo criticized Aburame Ryoma and remarked that Orochimaru had no interest in joining Root.
• Shisui worried that the Clan Meeting might undo the Uchiha Clan’s progress, and Uchiha Shingen encouraged him to train rather than dwell on events beyond his control.
• Shisui left to train, determined to grow stronger and avoid becoming a burden to Uchiha Shingen.
• Over the next two days, Konoha tightened surveillance of the Uchiha Clan as tensions rose ahead of the meeting.
• Orochimaru led Anbu toward Naka Shrine to monitor the Clan Meeting and prevent trouble.
• Uchiha Shingen watched Orochimaru’s group from several kilometers away, and Orochimaru recognized his keen senses and formidable talent.

Uchiha Shingen and Shisui attended the Uchiha Clan Meeting, where they discovered that the seemingly harmless old man they had spoken with was Setsuna Uchiha. After the clan members approved their agenda, Setsuna asked everyone to leave so he could speak privately with Fugaku Uchiha.

• Uchiha Shingen recognized Orochimaru watching them and worried that the Hokage was monitoring the clan meeting.
• Uchiha Shingen and Shisui arrived at Naka Shrine and were allowed into the meeting despite not being Jonin.
• Uchiha Shingen realized the old man in the wheelchair was Setsuna Uchiha, while Shisui panicked because he had gossiped about Setsuna to his face.
• Fugaku Uchiha led the meeting, and the Jonin approved the clan's matters while Setsuna remained silent.
• Setsuna Uchiha asked the other clan members to leave so he could speak with Fugaku Uchiha in private.

Setsuna Uchiha revealed that decades of imprisonment had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and demanded that Fugaku Uchiha join him in ruling Konoha. Fugaku refused and unleashed an even stronger ocular power, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Fugaku Uchiha dismissed the gathered ninjas but ordered Uchiha Shingen and Shisui to stay and witness Setsuna Uchiha's challenge.
• Setsuna Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan before Fugaku Uchiha and the two young Uchiha.
• Fugaku Uchiha learned that Setsuna Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō during decades of imprisonment and that its use damaged his eyesight.
• Setsuna Uchiha offered Fugaku Uchiha a place at his side to rule Konoha, but Fugaku refused.
• Fugaku Uchiha declared that the Uchiha no longer needed a monster devoted to slaughter and unleashed an ocular force stronger than Setsuna Uchiha's.

Uchiha Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, convincing Setsuna Uchiha that their clan could not overthrow Konoha without devastating losses. Uchiha Shingen learned that the Mangekyō granted unique ocular techniques, and Setsuna offered to show him his own in exchange for making Shingen his heir.

• Uchiha Fugaku awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and manifested a red skeletal Susanoo, shocking Shisui and Uchiha Shingen.
• Setsuna Uchiha proposed joining forces with Fugaku, but Fugaku argued that a Uchiha victory would leave Konoha in ruins, and both men withdrew their power.
• Setsuna explained that Mangekyō abilities differed between users and that wielders of both eyes could awaken Susanoo.
• Fugaku kept his ocular techniques secret, while Setsuna offered to reveal his own if Uchiha Shingen agreed to inherit his knowledge.