Chapter Summaries

Ōnoki learned that Akatsuki had abducted Deidara, but chose not to confront them, deciding the troublesome disciple could be useful to Iwagakure as a rogue ninja. He remained preoccupied with the Notebook Association and the planned alliance between the Mist Village and Konoha, while imagining Deidara suffering outside the village.

• An Iwagakure jonin reported that two Akatsuki members had taken Deidara after one of them incapacitated him with genjutsu.
• Ōnoki identified the swordsman as Uchiha Kou and reflected on the economic and political troubles facing Iwagakure.
• The jonin proposed publicly condemning Akatsuki, but Ōnoki rejected the idea because Iwagakure relied on them for missions.
• Ōnoki reasoned that Akatsuki would keep in contact with Iwagakure, allowing the village to meet Deidara again and benefit from his work as a rogue ninja.
• Ōnoki decided that life in Akatsuki would humble Deidara and laughed as he imagined the disciple regretting his departure.

In Amegakure, Kou befriended Deidara by encouraging his resentment toward Itachi, while Obito accidentally won Deidara over by claiming to like bombs. Pain gathered Akatsuki’s members for the group’s first full assembly and began introductions with his declaration that he would lead the Ninja World to peace.

• Kou sympathized with Deidara and fueled his anger at Itachi, whom Deidara vowed to surpass with his art.
• Obito startled Deidara, then introduced himself as Tobi and said he liked bombs, prompting Deidara to embrace him as a fellow artist.
• Pain called the Akatsuki members together for their first full assembly as Konan, Scorpion, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Raiga joined the gathering.
• Pain asked the three new members to introduce themselves, then declared himself Akatsuki’s leader and the only god who would guide the Ninja World toward peace.

Pain asserted his authority over Akatsuki’s new members, killing Hidan with Shinra Tensei after Hidan attacked him. Pain then announced the partner assignments, pairing Kou with Konan and leaving Kou wondering what Nagato intended.

• Hidan mocked Pain’s claim to godhood, broke free of his restraints, and charged at him in the name of Lord Jashin.
• Pain used Shinra Tensei to blast Hidan through the tower wall and into the abyss, shocking Deidara and the others.
• Pain announced Akatsuki’s partner assignments, including Kou as Black Tortoise and Konan as White Tiger.
• Kou met Pain’s gaze and wondered why Nagato had paired him with Konan.

Pain announced Akatsuki’s partner assignments and ended the meeting, after which Raiga Kurosuki asked Kou to speak privately. Raiga begged Kou to save Ranmaru, but Kou refused.

• Pain assigned the Akatsuki members to teams of two, pairing Kakuzu with Hidan and Deidara with Scorpion, and told them the organization would not interfere with their free time.
• Deidara questioned Kou about Scorpion and complained about their assignment, while Obito explained that Tobi was still an intern.
• After the meeting, Raiga Kurosuki approached Kou and asked to speak with him alone.
• Obito led Deidara away, leaving Kou and Raiga alone on the rain-soaked platform.
• Raiga Kurosuki knelt and begged Kou to save Ranmaru, calling the child innocent.
• Kou refused Raiga Kurosuki’s plea.

Raiga Kurosuki pleaded with Uchiha Kou to protect Ranmaru from Madara, then revealed that Madara commanded a secret organization separate from Akatsuki. Kou agreed to look after Ranmaru while Raiga disclosed what he knew about the group, named [Moon].

• Raiga Kurosuki begged Kou to save Ranmaru, but Kou rejected him and reminded him of the time he had sacrificed a subordinate to wound Kou.
• Kou explained that he had stayed behind during their past battle only because his subordinates would have hindered his escape, and said he would sacrifice them if necessary to survive.
• Raiga Kurosuki claimed Madara had another organization that answered only to him, and Kou demanded to know how he had learned about it.
• Raiga Kurosuki explained that two rogue ninja from Iwagakure, Kaneki Eito and Kaneki Mitero, had captured him and Ranmaru and brought them before Madara.
• Kou agreed to do his best to protect Ranmaru, and Raiga Kurosuki revealed that the secret organization was called [Moon].

Kou realized the Kaneki twins and the vanished Kaneki Clan might be connected to Obito’s mysterious Moon organization, and feared Hiruko could be among its members. He agreed to protect Ranmaru and cooperate with Raiga Kurosuki, who stayed behind after Kou left.

• Kou connected the Kaneki Clan’s disappearance with the time Obito left Mist Village and suspected Hiruko might belong to Moon.
• Raiga Kurosuki warned Kou not to act suspiciously around Madara and said Madara’s genjutsu could not pry information from him because of Ranmaru’s Red Eye.
• Kou promised to do his best to keep Ranmaru safe and asked Raiga Kurosuki to report any new information about Moon.
• Raiga Kurosuki proposed telling Madara that he had met Kou to discuss their old grievances, and Kou accepted the explanation.
• Kou left the room, while Raiga Kurosuki watched in silence toward the direction Obito had gone.

Kou met Obito at a dango shop in Amegakure, where Obito warned him to watch Konan and report anything suspicious. Konan sent Kou a letter that kept him from leaving, while Obito said he would not return to the Mist Village right away.

• Kou complained about the rain as he left Amegakure’s meeting and encountered Obito at a dango shop.
• Obito explained that Deidara had gone to meet Scorpion and told Kou to watch Konan closely during future missions.
• Kou considered whether Obito knew about Raiga Kurosuki’s request concerning Ranmaru but could not determine what was happening.
• Konan’s paper crane delivered a letter to Kou, and he read it before deciding not to leave yet.
• Kou urged Obito to return to the Mist Village, but Obito said he had other matters to handle and would not go there first.

Obito took Raiga Kurosuki to meet Uchiha Kou in Hozuki, while insisting Raiga follow his orders and contribute to the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. In Amegakure, Konan asked Kou to teach her how to draw manga, and he fled after seeing her tracing drafts.

• Obito told Raiga Kurosuki that Uchiha Kou was safe in prison and promised Raiga could see him if he continued serving the plan.
• Raiga questioned whether Obito’s orders truly served the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and Obito subdued him with a display of chakra and ordered him to act as a tool.
• Obito kept his promise and set off with Raiga Kurosuki to visit Kou and meet the organization’s companions, calling their destination Night City.
• Konan showed Kou her crude manga tracing drafts and asked him to teach her how to draw manga.
• Kou fled the room, while Konan wondered how to deal with her pile of drafts.

At Night City, Kaneki Eito killed a prisoner during a sparring match, prompting Mui to forbid him from choosing more opponents. Mui then announced that a feared figure had returned, and Eito and Kaneki Mitero followed him into the city.

• Kaneki Eito used Lava Release to kill a prisoner in the plaza while the other prisoners watched in terror.
• Mui reprimanded Eito for breaking his promise to spare the prisoner and barred him from choosing further sparring partners.
• Eito claimed that Night City belonged to Lord Madara and that Madara had ordered him and Kaneki Mitero to train against the prisoners.
• Mui and the Kaneki brothers nearly clashed, but Mui withdrew his chakra and said he had come to announce someone's return.
• Eito and Mitero followed Mui toward Night City after Eito reacted to the news.

Obito gathered his subordinates in Night City, welcomed the Kaneki twins and Mui, and warned Hiruko to continue his Chimera Technique research using prisoners supplied by the city. After dismissing the meeting, he sent Shennong to take Raiga to Ranmaru, then addressed someone hiding in the hall.

• Obito introduced Raiga Kurosuki to the Kaneki twins and Mui as a new member and ordered Kaneki Eito to treat him as a comrade.
• Obito asked Hiruko about the Chimera Technique, and Hiruko said it could be perfected within five years if he received enough experimental subjects.
• Obito used his power to punish Hiruko for eyeing the Kaneki twins and warned him not to pursue unauthorized subjects.
• Obito ordered Mui to send dungeon prisoners with Kekkei Genkai to Hiruko's laboratory to support the Chimera Technique.
• Obito dismissed the meeting and ordered Shennong to take Raiga to Ranmaru and care for him.
• After the others left, Obito called out to someone hiding in a shadowed corner of the hall.

Obito met with Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, defended his plans, and received intelligence on people who might be useful. In the Kamui Dimension, he spoke with the Box of Ultimate Bliss and said he expected Uchiha Kou to become strong enough to face him in about five years.

• White Zetsu and Black Zetsu confronted Obito, and Black Zetsu criticized him for allowing Uchiha Kou to grow stronger.
• Black Zetsu warned Obito to prioritize the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan and gave him a document containing intelligence gathered across the Ninja World.
• Obito invited the Zetsu to stay in Night City, but Black Zetsu refused and left with White Zetsu using the Mayfly Technique.
• Obito entered the Kamui Dimension and stood before Rin, Minato, and Kushina's preserved bodies, the Sharingan collection, and the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
• Obito told the Box that the plan was proceeding smoothly and that Uchiha Kou would be ready to face him in about five years.

Kou and Mei Terumi finalized plans to expand the Odd Jobs Agency after its success in the Land of Fire, but their secret investigation into the Moon Organization found no information. Kou concluded that Obito did not trust him and looked forward to confronting him and avenging Minato and the Uchiha clan.

• Mei Terumi told Kou that a thousand chunin and genin had joined the Odd Jobs Agency pilot program in the Land of Fire.
• Kou and Mei Terumi completed plans to expand the agency into nearby smaller countries and prepare for later negotiations with other nations.
• Mei Terumi reported that neither Mist Village's intelligence network nor her family's contacts had found information about the Moon Organization.
• Kou reassured Mei Terumi about the secret investigation, and she left his office with the expansion plan.
• After Mei Terumi left, Kou watched the Mizukage Building and resolved to confront Obito, avenge Minato and the Uchiha clan, and face the real person he had once known.

Kou expanded his organization by recruiting Hidden Star Village and the Tsuchigumo Clan, then renamed the Land of Rice Fields the Land of Rice while helping Mist Village flourish. After five years of growth, covert maneuvering, and intense training, Uchiha Kou reached twenty-seven and became the strongest in the Ninja World.

• Kou exposed the Mysterious Peacock Method’s life-shortening effects, subdued Akahoshi after he assassinated the Third Hoshikage, and recruited Hidden Star Village.
• Kou used the same recruitment approach to incorporate the Tsuchigumo Clan, then named his organization Rice and renamed the Land of Rice Fields the Land of Rice.
• Kou helped the Odd Jobs Agency succeed and secured foreign investment that fueled Mist Village’s rapid development, while keeping watch on Obito and searching for the Moon Organization.
• Raiga Kurosuki confirmed that Hiruko belonged to the Moon Organization, and Kou intensified his training while sharing intelligence with Minato and occasionally advising Naruto and Sasuke.
• After five years, Kou mastered a formidable array of techniques and abilities, including the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, the Seventh Gate, and Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode.

Five years after Mist Village transformed its economy, Kou and Mei Terumi celebrated the first anniversary of Mist Village Logistics Company with their friends. The celebration turned to gossip when they revealed why Ringo Ameyuri had been recalled from Kumogakure: she had pursued twelve-year-old Killer B.

• Mist Village celebrated the first anniversary of its successful logistics company at a restaurant.
• Mei Terumi scolded Suigetsu for drinking as a minor, and Kou agreed that he should set a good example.
• Suigetsu asked why Ringo Ameyuri had returned from Kumogakure after repeatedly applying to go back.
• Mei Terumi explained that Ringo had harassed a young man she liked, prompting Kumogakure to formally complain.
• Kou revealed that Ringo had fallen for Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, and Mei Terumi said he was only twelve.

At a Mist Village banquet, Kou reassured Mei Terumi about the village’s future as Zabuza warned that the Land of Rice’s organization might be copying Mist Village’s reforms. Kou reflected on his coming departure after learning that Akatsuki would begin capturing the tailed beasts early, alongside the planned Konoha Crush Plan.

• Mei Terumi drunkenly worried that other nations’ reforms might eventually threaten Mist Village’s advantage, and Kou comforted her.
• Zabuza warned the group to watch the Land of Rice and its organization, which he thought operated much like Mist Village.
• Suigetsu dismissed the idea that the Rice Organization could rival Sora, while Zabuza insisted they remain vigilant.
• Kou recalled learning at Akatsuki’s latest meeting that Rasa had hired Akatsuki to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan during the upcoming Chunin Exams.
• Kou realized Akatsuki’s tailed-beast operation would begin ahead of schedule and resolved to prepare to confront Obito, knowing this might be his last gathering with Mist Village.

After seeing Mei Terumi home, Kou learned that Akatsuki would send every member to attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams, while Obito planned to capture the Four-Tails and Five-Tails himself. Kou reported the plan to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Minato, then declared that he would handle Akatsuki alone.

• Kou helped the drunk Mei Terumi home, put her to bed, and left her house.
• Obito emerged from the shadows and told Kou that every Akatsuki member would join the operation against Konoha in cooperation with Sand Village.
• Obito said he would personally capture the Four-Tails and Five-Tails while Akatsuki targeted tailed beasts in Konoha.
• Kou used the Flying Thunder God to reach Konoha and told Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Minato about Akatsuki's plan.
• Kou told Jiraiya to protect the Jinchuriki and declared that he alone would deal with Akatsuki.

As the Chunin Exams began, the Sand siblings encountered the mysterious force that had emptied Konoha’s main street: Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura approached, and Naruto recognized Kou. Sakura also struggled with doubts about whether she was ready to become a chunin. The story left off as Kou greeted Team 7.

• Konoha’s villagers abruptly fled the main street, leaving the visiting ninja behind.
• Kankuro and Temari wondered what had frightened the villagers, while Gaara became curious about the approaching person.
• Naruto and Sasuke argued about the written exam as they walked with Sakura toward the Chunin Exams.
• Sakura reflected on how little she had progressed compared with her teammates and questioned whether she was ready to become a chunin.
• Naruto spotted Kou behind Sakura, greeted him excitedly, and Kou waved to Team 7.

Kou met Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in Konoha as Naruto prepared for the Chunin Exams. Their reunion was interrupted when Gaara appeared and identified Naruto and Sasuke as prey.

• Kou greeted Naruto and Sasuke, and Naruto boasted that he would pass the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin.
• Sasuke teased Naruto about the written test, while Kou encouraged Naruto and kept Minato and Kushina’s secret about the exam’s true focus.
• Sasuke questioned why Kou was in Konoha without a disguise, and Kou joked that his Kagami concealed his identity.
• Naruto and Sasuke sensed a threat and readied themselves as Sakura struggled to understand what was happening.
• Gaara appeared before the group, fixed his gaze on Naruto and Sasuke, and called them prey for his mother.

Kou interrupted Gaara’s threatening encounter with Naruto and Sasuke, unnerving him until Temari calmed him down. As the group hurried toward the Chunin Exams, Naruto remembered he could use Flying Thunder God, while Sasuke renewed his resolve to kill Uchiha Itachi.

• Naruto and Sasuke sensed Gaara’s killing intent, but Kou suddenly appeared beside Gaara and mistook his gourd for a product he was selling.
• Kou placed a hand on Gaara’s shoulder, and Gaara grew terrified before lunging at him.
• Temari grabbed Gaara’s wrist and stopped his attack, after which Gaara left with Temari and Kankuro.
• Temari apologized and described Gaara as an excited genin, while Kou played along with her explanation.
• Kou told Naruto and Sasuke that Gaara’s situation was similar to Naruto’s, then disappeared as they prepared to reach the first exam.
• Naruto remembered he could teleport to the exam site with Flying Thunder God, and Sasuke vowed to kill Uchiha Itachi.

Kou warned Fu to follow the plan and stay beside Naruto and Sasuke during the Chunin Ninja Exams, then joined Akatsuki in the forest outside Konoha. Pain outlined the coming assault on Konoha as Akatsuki’s opportunity to capture three Jinchuriki.

• Fu decided she would protect Naruto and Sasuke and become friends with them, but Kou struck her head and warned her to follow the plan.
• Kou told Fu to stay with Naruto and Sasuke during the third round and said Guren had prepared to protect her if chaos erupted.
• Kou watched Fu leave for the first round, then vanished toward the forest outside Konoha.
• Deidara, Scorpion, Konan, Kakuzu, Hidan, Itachi, and Raiga Kurosuki waited in the forest until Pain returned and asked whether Kou had arrived.
• Kou reported that the One-Tail, Nine-Tails, and Seven-Tails Jinchuriki were all in Konoha for the exams.
• Pain said the Fourth Kazekage would join the plan, the Sand Village would attack Konoha during the third round, and Akatsuki would use the chaos to capture three Jinchuriki.