Recaps

After Kumogakure destroyed Sunagakure’s Yellow Stone Pass garrison, Sunagakure and Konoha prepared for war. Chiyo and Ebizo retained control while Rasa and Pakura received separate assignments, and Hiruzen appointed Orochimaru to lead Konoha’s Western Front.

• Chiyo delayed choosing a Kazekage, assigned Pakura to a border harassment mission, and declared that Ebizo and she would handle major decisions.
• Rasa entrusted Baki with strengthening border defenses and arranging supplies, while warning that Sunagakure’s political stability depended on resisting Kumogakure.
• Pakura rallied her trusted jōnin and ordered them to prepare for a swift mission against Kumogakure starting the next morning.
• After learning that Kumogakure had attacked Sunagakure, Hiruzen declared the Third Shinobi World War had begun and set Konoha’s strategy to support Sunagakure while containing Kumogakure.
• Hiruzen appointed Orochimaru commander-in-chief of the Western Front, tasked Jiraiya with monitoring Iwagakure and Kirigakure, and put Tsunade in charge of medical and logistics units.

Uchiha Ling was assigned to lead a special operations squad with Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma on the Western Front. After learning that Ling and Kushina were together, Minato hid his disappointment and joined the mission as the squad headed for the battlefield.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Uchiha Ling to lead a special operations squad attached to Orochimaru's Western Front forces, with Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma as members.
• At Training Ground 3, Minato showed Ling the Rasengan and thanked him for advice that had helped inspire its development.
• Minato asked about Kushina, and Ling told him that he and Kushina were in a relationship; Minato congratulated them despite his disappointment.
• Ling led Minato and Tokuma toward the Western Front, assessing their abilities and the risks of serving under Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru waited for Konoha's forces as Ling's squad raced toward the battlefield.

Ōnoki decided to exploit Sunagakure’s crisis by launching a surprise attack on Konoha through the Land of Grass. He ordered Kitsuchi to lead an elite vanguard, setting Iwagakure’s invasion in motion.

• Kitsuchi reported that Cloud Village had overrun Sunagakure’s Yellow Stone Pass and that Sunagakure was divided by a struggle over the Kazekage’s seat.
• Ōnoki dismissed Sunagakure as too disorganized to mount a unified counterattack and chose the Land of Fire as Iwagakure’s target.
• Kitsuchi warned that attacking Konoha would be costly, but Ōnoki planned to bypass its expected defenses by secretly crossing the Land of Grass.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to select five hundred elite troops and infiltrate the Land of Grass at midnight in three days.
• Ōnoki planned to remain behind and lead Iwagakure’s main force once Kitsuchi opened a breach.

Mimura Yome strengthened the defenses of Konoha’s northeastern border while worrying that Iwagakure might attack. Five hundred elite Iwagakure shinobi led by Kitsuchi struck Kikyo Mountain Fortress at dawn, and Yamanaka Hiromi struggled to warn Orochimaru as interference disrupted his communication.

• Mimura Yome ordered more night patrols and a fresh inventory of supplies at Konoha’s border outpost.
• Kitsuchi led five hundred elite Iwagakure shinobi through the Land of Grass toward Kikyo Mountain Fortress, evading Kusagakure and Konoha surveillance.
• Iwagakure launched a surprise Earth Release assault on the fortress’s watch posts, patrol routes, and outer defenses.
• A Konoha sentry raised the alarm but was killed by stone spears.
• Yamanaka Hiromi sensed the enemy’s large-scale attack and tried to contact Orochimaru, but Earth Release interference disrupted his long-distance communication.

Yamanaka Hiromi and the Communications Unit sent a distress signal to Orochimaru before an Iwagakure attack destroyed their position. Mimura Yome led the battered Konoha defenders from the collapsing walls into Kikyo Mountain Fortress, where the fighting continued through its streets and buildings.

• Yamanaka Hiromi and his assistants activated the Ultra-Distance Communication Scroll while Konoha ninja defended them from Iwagakure's attacks.
• The scroll sent a message to Lord Orochimaru, but an Iwagakure Rock Cannon destroyed the rooftop and apparently killed the Communications Unit and its defenders.
• Mimura Yome rallied the surviving Konoha ninja and directed their counterattack as Iwagakure's coordinated Earth Release broke through the walls.
• Mimura Yome received reports of a fallen eastern wall, dead squad leaders, dwindling supplies, and overwhelmed medical personnel.
• The Konoha defenders abandoned the outer walls and retreated into Kikyo Mountain Fortress, where they fought Iwagakure in brutal street battles.

With the Konoha garrison at Kikyo Mountain Fortress facing annihilation, Uchiha Ling arrived with Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma and turned the battle against the Iwagakure force. Ling shattered a jonin’s arm with one punch, then killed another as Kitsuchi’s troops attacked him.

• Mimura Yome refused Kitsuchi’s demand to surrender and prepared the wounded Konoha defenders for a final charge.
• Uchiha Ling, Namikaze Minato, and Hyuga Tokuma arrived just as Kitsuchi’s forces prepared a devastating combined Earth Release attack.
• Hyuga Tokuma identified the enemy positions, and Namikaze Minato disrupted the Earth Release unit by swiftly killing several of its members.
• Uchiha Ling shattered an Iwagakure jonin’s stone fist and crushed his arm with a bare-handed punch, restoring hope among the Konoha defenders.
• Four Iwagakure jonin attacked Ling with Earth Release techniques, but he evaded their attacks, broke a stone staff, and countered with Fire and Water Release.
• Ling vanished into the steam and struck an Iwagakure jonin in the chest, killing him instantly.

Uchiha Ling overwhelmed Iwagakure’s elite shinobi, inspiring Konoha’s defenders and turning the tide of battle. As Namikaze Minato accepted Ling’s strength and supported him, Ling entered Sage Mode and unleashed a vast sea of flames against Iwagakure’s forces.

• Uchiha Ling killed another elite jōnin, and the surviving Iwagakure fighters recoiled as Konoha’s defenders rallied around him.
• Mimura Yome ordered the Konoha shinobi to support Ling and prepare a counterattack, while their admiration and trust strengthened him through the system.
• Namikaze Minato witnessed Ling’s power, let go of his desire to surpass him, and focused on supporting Ling and clearing Iwagakure’s resistance.
• Kitsuchi tried to rally his troops and ordered a new formation, long-range ninjutsu, and a search for Minato, but Iwagakure’s forces were already losing morale.
• Uchiha Ling entered Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode and unleashed Sage Art: Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame, engulfing Iwagakure’s combined ninjutsu in fire.

Uchiha Ling’s squad defeated the Iwagakure force attacking Kikyo Mountain Fortress, forcing Kitsuchi to retreat and saving the Konoha defenders. On their way back to Orochimaru’s main camp, they met reinforcements who feared they had arrived too late, and Ling’s reply left them stunned.

• Kitsuchi ordered the surviving Iwagakure Ninja to retreat after judging the battle unwinnable.
• The Konoha defenders celebrated their survival, and Mimura Yome thanked Uchiha Ling, Namikaze Minato, and Hyuga Tokuma for saving them.
• Uchiha Ling told Mimura Yome to treat the wounded and strengthen the fortress defenses, then set off with Minato and Tokuma for Orochimaru’s main camp.
• About half a day after leaving the fortress, Ling’s squad met the reinforcements sent by Orochimaru at a mountain pass.
• The reinforcement commander asked about the fortress and feared the squad had escaped its fall, but Ling’s reply left the force frozen in disbelief.

Uchiha Ling told the support force that Kikyo Mountain Fortress had been relieved, and Mimura Yome confirmed that Ling’s three-person squad had driven back Kitsuchi and Iwagakure’s elite troops. Ling then returned with Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma to report to Orochimaru, who had feared the fortress had fallen.

• Uchiha Ling announced that Iwagakure had been driven back and Kikyo Mountain Fortress’s defenses were being reinforced.
• Mimura Yome confirmed that Ling’s squad had defeated Kitsuchi’s force, stunning the support force and earning Ling a flood of Emotion Points.
• Uchiha Ling asked the support force commander to help Mimura Yome while he, Namikaze Minato, and Hyuga Tokuma returned to the main camp.
• An Anbu ninja told Orochimaru that contact with Kikyo Mountain Fortress had been lost and that its fall seemed likely.
• Uchiha Ling, Namikaze Minato, and Hyuga Tokuma arrived at Orochimaru’s command camp looking steady and ready to report.

Uchiha Ling reported that his squad had saved Kikyo Mountain Fortress and routed Kitsuchi’s Iwagakure force, shocking Orochimaru and Konoha’s commanders. Orochimaru began coveting Ling’s Sharingan, while the Third Raikage ordered a harder attack on the western front.

• Uchiha Ling told Orochimaru that his squad had driven Kitsuchi’s forces away and preserved Kikyo Mountain Fortress.
• Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma confirmed that Ling had killed three Iwagakure jonin, gravely wounded another, and forced Kitsuchi to retreat.
• Orochimaru praised Ling but privately began viewing him and his Sharingan as a means to gain greater power and immortality.
• Reports of the battle reached other villages, and the Third Raikage learned that sixteen-year-old Ling had routed Kitsuchi’s force.
• The Third Raikage ordered Bee and A to strike Konoha hard on the western front.

After Uchiha Ling’s victory at Kikyo Mountain Fortress drew attention across the Shinobi World, rival villages considered how to exploit or eliminate him. Ōnoki launched Iwagakure’s highest-level assassination plan against Ling, assigning the mission to Shū and a Stone Spider squad.

• Granny Chiyo and Ebizo discussed Ling’s threat and decided Sunagakure should deepen its cooperation with Konoha while marking him as a priority target.
• The Third Mizukage ordered increased reconnaissance and infiltration along the Land of Fire’s southeastern coast and directed Yagura to explore recruiting Ling or finding a chance to eliminate him.
• Ling reviewed his system panel, saw that he had 19,650 Emotion Points, and considered collecting more during the war to buy the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Ōnoki blamed Kitsuchi’s defeat on Ling’s overwhelming strength and ordered Iwagakure to eliminate the young Uchiha before he grew more dangerous.
• Ōnoki activated the Star-Shattering plan and assigned Shū, supported by a four-jōnin Stone Spider squad, to assassinate Ling.

Orochimaru sent Uchiha Ling, Minato, and Tokuma to sweep the Rift Corridor, warning that Iwagakure might target Ling. An Iwagakure squad led by Hunt prepared a deadly ambush for them at Stone Burial Ravine.

• Orochimaru praised Ling’s performance and assigned his squad a reconnaissance and sweep mission in the Rift Corridor.
• Ling relayed the mission to Minato and Tokuma, and the three set out for the corridor.
• Tokuma used his Byakugan to detect traces, traps, and movement, helping the squad avoid danger and defeat three Iwagakure Chunin.
• Hunt and four Iwagakure Jonin tracked the squad and prepared twenty-seven traps at Stone Burial Ravine.
• Hunt ordered his squad to separate Ling’s team and target Minato and Tokuma while he fought Ling.

Uchiha Ling’s squad walked into a carefully prepared Iwagakure ambush at Stone Burial Ravine, but Ling awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Takemikazuchi to nullify the attack. The squad survived, and Ling prepared to strike back while his brief invincible state lasted.

• Hyuga Tokuma sensed that Natural Energy and the surroundings near Stone Burial Ravine were abnormal, so Uchiha Ling ordered the squad to approach cautiously.
• Hyuga Tokuma detected a strange chakra signature underground, but Iwagakure ninjas triggered collapsing cliffs, sinking ground, and coordinated explosions around the squad.
• Shou watched from the cliffs, expecting the trap to kill Uchiha Ling, Namikaze Minato, and Hyuga Tokuma.
• Uchiha Ling awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and activated Takemikazuchi, forming a lightning field that rendered the ambush’s attacks ineffective.
• Shou and the Stone Spider Squad were horrified, while Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma realized they had survived; Ling prepared to attack before his power ran out.

Uchiha Ling slaughtered the Stone Spider Squad at Stone Burial Ravine, but using Takemikazuchi badly strained his right eye. News of the battle reached the factions’ leadership, while Minato’s faith in Ling as their leader became unshakable.

• Uchiha Ling used Wild Thunder Strike and Thunder Dash to kill the Stone Spider Squad members as Shu attacked him with Explosion Release.
• Uchiha Ling evaded Shu’s final explosive strike, severed his left shoulder and arm, and killed him.
• The last Stone Spider Squad member died, leaving the squad slaughtered at Stone Burial Ravine.
• Namikaze Minato and Hyuga Tokuma watched in shock, and Minato’s conviction in Uchiha Ling as their leader solidified.
• Uchiha Ling felt severe pain and blurred vision in his right eye after activating Takemikazuchi.
• News of the battle reached the highest levels of the factions through covert channels.

After Uchiha Ling single-handedly destroyed Iwagakure’s Stone Spider Squad, Ōnoki identified his attack immunity and lightning abilities as signs of the Mangekyō Sharingan and ordered his forces to avoid provoking him. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi read Orochimaru’s report and suspected Ling’s power came from his Sharingan.

• An Anbu Ninja reported to Ōnoki that Uchiha Ling had wiped out the Stone Spider Squad using a power that nullified attacks and greatly enhanced his lightning, speed, and strength.
• Ōnoki concluded that Ling had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, based on the extraordinary abilities described and his memories of Madara Uchiha.
• Ōnoki classified Ling as an S-rank, extremely dangerous individual and ordered frontline units not to attack or provoke him without direct orders.
• Ōnoki ordered increased intelligence infiltration into Konoha, focusing on the Uchiha Clan and Shimura Danzō.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi read Orochimaru’s report about Ling defeating Iwagakure’s Star-Shattering unit in the Rift Corridor and suspected Ling’s Sharingan had granted him the new abilities.

Shimura Danzō urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to secretly surveil Uchiha Ling and curb his influence, suspecting Ling had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but Hiruzen refused to act without evidence during the war. News of Ling’s abilities then reached Madara Uchiha, who ordered Black Zetsu to investigate him and warned that he would eliminate Ling if he threatened the plan.

• Shimura Danzō confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi and argued that Uchiha Ling’s abilities suggested he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shimura Danzō proposed secretly surveilling Ling, restricting his access to secrets, and reducing the Uchiha Clan’s authority.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi refused Danzō’s proposals, saying Ling remained a trusted hero and that Konoha needed him during the war.
• After Danzō left, Hiruzen worried about what he would do if Ling became a threat, but held on to his hope that Ling wanted to improve the village’s relationship with the Uchiha.
• Madara Uchiha ordered Black Zetsu to investigate Ling, and Black Zetsu concluded that Ling’s reported technique indicated the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Madara Uchiha warned that he would kill Ling if Ling interfered with his plan.

In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage learned that Uchiha Ling had defeated Iwagakure’s assassination force with a powerful unknown jutsu. Fearing Ling would make Konoha impossible to challenge, he ordered a strike force to kill him, leaving Kumogakure preparing a major assassination mission.

• Mabui reported that Uchiha Ling’s unknown jutsu briefly made him immune to attacks while greatly enhancing his Lightning Release, speed, and strength.
• The Third Raikage recognized the possibility that Ling’s power came from the Mangekyō Sharingan and warned that Ling’s growth threatened Kumogakure’s ambitions against Konoha.
• The Third Raikage decided Kumogakure would assassinate Ling and said he would lead the mission himself.
• The Third Raikage ordered Mabui to assemble the 'Lightning Blade' squad with A, Bee, Darui, and C, and to bring in Toroi and Samui’s squads as support.

Uchiha Ling and Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha after being promoted to jōnin and were each granted a chance to choose a technique from the Scroll of Sealing. Minato chose the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Ling traded his reward opportunity for a promise concerning Uzumaki Kushina’s freedom and treatment.

• Orochimaru told Uchiha Ling and Namikaze Minato that they had been promoted to jōnin and could each choose an advanced ninjutsu as a reward.
• Uchiha Ling and Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha, where Hiruzen Sarutobi presented them with their jōnin flak jackets and led them to the Scroll of Sealing.
• Namikaze Minato chose the Flying Thunder God Technique and received a scroll explaining how to learn it.
• Uchiha Ling declined to choose a ninjutsu and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi to lift the surveillance and restrictions on Uzumaki Kushina and grant her respect and freedom as a Konoha shinobi.

Uchiha Ling persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to lift routine surveillance and restrictions on Uzumaki Kushina, taking primary responsibility for her safety. Kushina rejoiced at her new freedom, though she sensed concealed watchers remained nearby, and she set out with friends for the shopping district.

• Uchiha Ling argued that Konoha's surveillance and confinement were hurting Kushina and offered to protect her himself.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted Kushina's routine surveillance and restrictions, while keeping Anbu's emergency protection plan in place and making Uchiha Ling responsible for her safety.
• Uchiha Ling told Kushina about the decision, and she embraced him with tears of gratitude.
• The next morning, Kushina told Uchiha Ling that most watchers were gone but that she still sensed a few concealed sources of cold chakra nearby.
• Uchiha Mikoto and Hyuga Natsuki joined Kushina, and she invited them and Uchiha Ling to go to the shopping district.

Uchiha Ling caught Danzo’s Root operatives spying near Kushina’s home and defeated them before publicly returning them to the Root Base. Shimura Danzō was left furious and humiliated, setting up an open conflict with Ling.

• Uchiha Ling reassured Kushina and used his Sharingan to locate the Root operatives watching her home.
• Uchiha Ling defeated the three Root ninjas in under ten seconds, using force and Earth Release to stop them escaping.
• Uchiha Ling tied the injured Root ninjas together and dragged them through Konoha toward the Root Base as passersby watched.
• Uchiha Ling hurled the three Root ninjas outside the base and warned Elder Danzo to keep his men away from the wrong people.
• Shimura Danzō smashed his teacup in rage after hearing Ling’s warning, while the Root members around him stayed silent.

After Uchiha Ling ended the surveillance of Kushina, the two shared a tender night together. The next morning, Ling cooked breakfast for Kushina and left her to enjoy a peaceful day at home.

• Kushina embraced Uchiha Ling and thanked him for protecting her, while Mikoto and Natsuki gave them time alone.
• Uchiha Ling and Kushina returned to her home, shared their feelings, and kissed before spending the night together.
• Uchiha Ling woke early and prepared porridge, fried eggs, and bok choy for Kushina.
• Kushina ate the breakfast Ling fed her and felt cherished.
• Uchiha Ling told Kushina to rest at home and assured her that no one would bother her again.

Uchiha Ling visited Tsunade at Konoha Hospital, where she questioned him about his Uchiha power and worried about the price it might demand. After he encouraged her about overcoming her Hemophobia, they discussed chakra control and Katsuyu, and Tsunade gave him guidance.

• Uchiha Ling went to Konoha Hospital to visit his teacher, Tsunade.
• Tsunade asked whether the power Uchiha Ling had used at Stone Burial Ravine was the Mangekyō, and he replied that it was the power of the Uchiha Clan.
• Tsunade worried that Uchiha Ling's power came at a steep price, but he said it was under control and asked how her research on Hemophobia was going.
• Uchiha Ling took Tsunade's wrist and promised to support her as she worked to overcome her Hemophobia, flustering her.
• Uchiha Ling and Tsunade discussed chakra control and Katsuyu, and Tsunade offered him pointers while expressing amazement at his chakra reserves and progress.

Uchiha Ling met Orochimaru at a secret Forest of Death base, where Orochimaru tested Ling’s ambitions and showed him forbidden research. Ling challenged Orochimaru’s pursuit of immortality by warning that Living Corpse Reincarnation would erode and corrupt his soul.

• Orochimaru secretly invited Uchiha Ling to meet him in the Forest of Death.
• Uchiha Ling entered Orochimaru’s hidden base and questioned why Orochimaru had summoned him.
• Orochimaru probed Ling’s power and displayed experiments involving Hashirama Cells, Impure World Reincarnation, and other forbidden research.
• Orochimaru criticized Konoha’s restrictions and argued that becoming Hokage would only make Ling a puppet of the village’s rules.
• Uchiha Ling warned Orochimaru that Living Corpse Reincarnation would erode and contaminate his soul until he might no longer remain himself.

Uchiha Ling tempted Orochimaru with the possibility that Pure Gold could preserve his original body and grant him immortality. Orochimaru agreed to withdraw from the Hokage race and support Ling in exchange for access to the research, leaving them with a deal to share their findings.

• Uchiha Ling proposed slowing cell metabolism to preserve Orochimaru’s original body instead of transferring his soul into new bodies.
• Uchiha Ling showed Orochimaru materials about Pure Gold, a substance said to slow aging and bodily processes.
• Orochimaru asked to see the Pure Gold, but Uchiha Ling said its location was unknown and offered theoretical designs instead.
• Uchiha Ling demanded Orochimaru’s support for his bid to become the Fourth Hokage in exchange for sharing the research.
• Orochimaru agreed to withdraw from the race and support Uchiha Ling, provided the village prioritized Pure Gold research and they shared all findings.

Uchiha Ling learned that rumors were turning Konoha against Hatake Sakumo for abandoning an S-rank mission to save his comrades, and suspected Shimura Danzō was behind the campaign. As the White Fang faced condemnation from the villagers and shinobi he had protected, he began to doubt his choice and felt profoundly alone.

• Uchiha Tekka gave Uchiha Ling reports describing suspicious rumors about Hatake Sakumo's failed mission and the growing criticism inside Konoha.
• Uchiha Ling suspected Shimura Danzō was spreading the rumors to damage Sakumo and disrupt the village leadership.
• Hatake Sakumo heard villagers accuse him of sacrificing Konoha's interests by rescuing a comrade during the S-rank mission.
• Sakumo watched former allies and people he had saved avoid offering him support as public disapproval intensified.
• Hatake Sakumo questioned whether saving his comrade had been wrong and felt betrayed by the village he had protected.