Chapter Summaries

Mizuki and Uchiha Obito turned their trap into a close-range fight, with Mizuki using clones and space-time ninjutsu to ambush Obito after his tailed beast form was broken. Obito survived by sacrificing his limbs and relying on Tobi, while Mizuki’s clones continued attacking as his Sage Art contested Obito’s Wood Release.

• Uchiha Obito used Kamui-enhanced shuriken to dismember Mizuki’s Seven-Tails form, forcing Mizuki out of his transformation and into World of Trees Emergence’s restraints.
• As Obito tried to pull Mizuki into Kamui Space, Mizuki broke free and ambushed him with a kunai, silvery-white hair, sealing runes, and Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Mizuki reached for Obito’s Sharingan, but Obito severed his own restrained limbs and Tobi caught him with a vine before he fell into the flames.
• Mizuki sent clones at Obito while increasing the power of the Thousand Conquest Decree, and the clones repeatedly teleported in to attack.
• Obito evaded the clones and compared Mizuki’s fighting style with Minato Namikaze’s Flying Raijin Jutsu.

Mizuki used his clones and the spreading fire to force Uchiha Obito out of Kamui intangibility, but Obito used contact to resonate with Mizuki’s space-time ninjutsu and pull him toward Kamui Space. Mizuki escaped by severing his own right arm, and Obito’s burning remains disappeared as Mizuki survived with a severe injury.

• Mizuki’s clones kept Uchiha Obito under pressure while flames spread through the Deep Forest Emergence, bringing Obito’s five-minute window close to its end.
• Obito released his intangibility and gambled on Kamui, drawing himself in while his White Zetsu Tobi leg fell into the flames.
• Mizuki appeared and punched through Obito’s chest, but Obito’s White Zetsu hands grabbed Mizuki’s arm and used contact to follow his teleportation.
• Several White Zetsu clones blocked Mizuki’s clones from rescuing him as Kamui’s spatial pull began dragging Mizuki toward Obito’s dimension.
• Mizuki severed his right arm to escape the pull, and Obito’s remains burned away as he fell; Mizuki sealed his wound and complained about the loss.

Mizuki regrouped after escaping Orochimaru’s laboratory, then his clone negotiated a trade with Orochimaru for the Eight Branches Technique and Living Corpse Reincarnation. Their discussion of the technique’s spiritual core left Mizuki reconsidering what made a person unique.

• Mizuki decided to leave Tenzō and recovering clones behind and continue after Orochimaru with two clones.
• Mizuki’s clone trapped Orochimaru and Sasuke Uchiha inside a barrier and confirmed that the trade could proceed.
• Mizuki’s clone agreed to provide information about Pain in exchange for Living Corpse Reincarnation, while seeking the Eight Branches Technique and cloning technology.
• Orochimaru explained that the Eight Branches Technique relied on the uniqueness of the spirit rather than an unwavering will.
• Mizuki thanked Orochimaru and said he had learned a great deal.

Mizuki thanked Orochimaru for his insight, and Orochimaru warned him not to underestimate Danzo. Meanwhile, Kabuto poisoned Bota-kun during his fight with Sasuke, leaving Sasuke to face him alone as he prepared to fight with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and lightning armor.

• Mizuki thanked Orochimaru for helping resolve one of his doubts, and Orochimaru warned him that Danzo should not be underestimated.
• Kabuto recognized Sasuke and praised his rapid growth as they fought alongside Bota-kun.
• Sasuke used Chidori techniques while Bota-kun kept Kabuto at a distance, and Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel cuts failed to seriously injure the bear.
• Kabuto revealed that he had poisoned Bota-kun, and the giant bear collapsed before Sasuke could stop it.
• Sasuke opened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and covered himself in Chidori Current armor as Kabuto closed in.

Sasuke Uchiha and Bota-kun fought Kabuto Yakushi until Mizuki arrived, while Mizuki’s clone continued battling Orochimaru inside the Sixteen Pillar Binding Technique. Orochimaru broke out with Manda, and he noticed Mizuki’s hidden injuries as the two sides faced off.

• Sasuke used his speed, Sharingan, and ninja tools to pressure Kabuto, who defended himself with Chakra Scalpels.
• Bota-kun ambushed Kabuto and injured him before Kabuto escaped the bear’s bite with the Substitution Technique.
• Mizuki’s clone appeared on Bota-kun and told Kabuto that the bear’s resistance to poison explained its quick recovery.
• Mizuki’s original body arrived as Orochimaru broke through the Sixteen Pillar Binding Technique on Manda, and Mizuki’s clone reappeared beside him.
• Kabuto joined Orochimaru atop Manda, and Orochimaru observed that Mizuki was badly injured, especially in his right arm.

Mizuki tried to face Orochimaru despite his injuries, using the Cursed Seal and Five-Tails chakra after Sage Mode became unusable. With the Evil Sealing Method gone, the combined power began spreading uncontrollably, and the chapter left Mizuki transforming as he blocked Orochimaru’s attack.

• Mizuki decided to use the Cursed Seal instead of abandoning the confrontation with Orochimaru.
• Mizuki drank the Omnipotence Potion and activated the Cursed Seal, then realized the arm bearing the Evil Sealing Method had been destroyed.
• Mizuki’s Cursed Seal and Tailed Beast chakra spread through his body, and he chose to use Five-Tails Kokuō.
• Orochimaru summoned giant snakes and attacked Mizuki with the Kusanagi Sword while Mizuki’s allies retreated.
• Mizuki’s chakra blocked the sword as his silver hair seized its blade, and he recognized that his Cursed Seal and Tailed Beast transformations were erupting together.

Mizuki used his mutated Curse Mark to absorb natural energy and enter a five-tailed Tailed Beast transformation, then attacked Orochimaru and Manda. After his Tailed Beast Ball badly wounded Manda, Orochimaru unleashed the Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes against him.

• Mizuki transformed with the Curse Mark, and his chakra forced Sasuke and the others to retreat.
• Orochimaru and Manda discussed Mizuki's power and the sacrifices Manda demanded before Manda charged at him.
• Mizuki formed and fired a Tailed Beast Ball, which broke through Orochimaru's Triple Rashomon and wounded Manda.
• Orochimaru sent a swarm of snakes toward Mizuki with the Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes.

Mizuki used the Five-Tails’ power to fight Orochimaru and Manda, breaking through the Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes and driving Manda to retreat. As the tailed beast chakra threatened to overwhelm his will, the battle left Orochimaru facing Mizuki alone.

• Mizuki charged into Orochimaru’s Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes, crushing the summoned snakes as chakra arms disrupted Orochimaru and Manda.
• Orochimaru made the snakes explode, stalling Mizuki’s charge, so Mizuki blasted the horde away with a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Mizuki’s transformation intensified until he became the Five-Tails, while the chakra continued eroding his body and threatening his control.
• Mizuki charged into Manda and stomped him, inflicting severe injuries as Kabuto Yakushi retreated from the fight.
• Manda dismissed the Summoning Technique and returned to Ryūchi Cave, leaving Orochimaru to face Mizuki alone.

Mizuki lost control of the Five-Tails, allowing Orochimaru to escape by distracting the beast with Shadow Clones. Mizuki’s clone prepared to test Adamantine Sealing Chains on the rampaging Five-Tails.

• Manda fled when Mizuki threatened his life, leaving Orochimaru to face the Five-Tails alone.
• Orochimaru evaded Mizuki’s chaotic attacks, then escaped by sending Shadow Clones in different directions.
• Mizuki’s clone, Tenzō, and Sasuke decided not to pursue Orochimaru and discussed how to subdue the Five-Tails.
• After the Five-Tails stopped in the sand, Mizuki’s clone approached to try using Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Mizuki’s clones restrained his transformed main body with Adamantine Sealing Chains and the Four-Sided Sealing Formation, then Tenzō’s Wood Release unexpectedly grew stronger as it absorbed the Five-Tails’ chakra. Sasuke used Sharingan genjutsu to calm the beast, leaving the sealing effort temporarily under control.

• Mizuki’s four clones wrapped the Five-Tails’ ankles with Adamantine Sealing Chains and brought it down.
• The clones formed a Four-Sided Sealing Formation that restrained and soothed Mizuki’s transformed body.
• Tenzō arrived with Sasuke and bound the Five-Tails using Wood Release: Silent Strangling Binding Technique.
• Tenzō’s vines sprouted and grew as they absorbed the Five-Tails’ chakra, strengthening his Wood Release.
• Sasuke used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan genjutsu to calm the agitated Five-Tails.

Mizuki’s Shadow Clone arrived in Sage Mode and helped Tenzō and Sasuke suppress the Five-Tails’ rampage, then Mizuki’s corporeal clones took his original body back to the Konoha laboratory. After waking, Mizuki used Black Receivers to suppress the tailed beast chakra and Cursed Seal, restoring his body to normal.

• Mizuki’s Sage Mode Shadow Clone arrived and used Sage Art—Inorganic Reincarnation Technique to pin down the Five-Tails and weaken its chakra.
• The Five-Tails’ full transformation collapsed into a Tailed Beast Cloak, allowing Mizuki’s clones to restrain his original body and disperse the cloak.
• Mizuki’s Shadow Clone sent Tenzō and Sasuke to remain in the Land of Wind, while four corporeal clones carried the original body back to Konoha.
• At the laboratory, Mizuki’s original body woke and told the clones to bring him the Black Receivers taken from the captured Human Path.
• Mizuki’s clones inserted the Black Receivers into his body, suppressing the tailed beast chakra and Cursed Seal until his body returned to normal.

Mizuki chose to remove his dangerous Tiger Curse Mark while recovering from severe injuries, then prepared to visit Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Uchiha Obito remained gravely wounded underground, and Madara Uchiha's curse mark in his heart had been triggered.

• Mizuki examined his tailed-beast-damaged body and decided to remove the mutated Tiger Curse Mark while he was already weakened.
• Mizuki underwent the curse-mark removal and woke three days later feeling mentally exhausted but relieved.
• Mizuki completed his final inspection and set out for Sunagakure as the mission captain.
• Uchiha Obito lay severely wounded as White Zetsu cells struggled to restore him, while Black Zetsu sustained his life.
• Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu discussed how Mizuki's threat had triggered Madara Uchiha's curse mark in Obito's heart.

Obito recovered from his injuries while Black Zetsu warned him that Akatsuki was short on members and Pain was recruiting reserves. In Sunagakure, Mizuki observed Gaara at the Ninja Academy, discussed relations with Baki, and then led Team 8 home.

• Black Zetsu told Obito that Deidara was dead and warned that Nagato might grow suspicious of his absence.
• Obito dismissed Pain’s plan to assess reserve members and said the Ten-Tails’ revival mattered more than Akatsuki’s internal affairs.
• Mizuki saw Gaara interacting with students at Sunagakure’s Ninja Academy, where Kiba challenged him and lost.
• Baki told Mizuki that Chiyo wanted to meet him, but Mizuki did not meet her and urged Sunagakure to choose a Fifth Kazekage.
• Mizuki led Team 8 out of Sunagakure and began the journey back to Konoha.

Mizuki returned to Konoha with his students after recovering from his injuries and reported the mission to Tsunade. Tsunade accepted his report but worried over his concealed intelligence about the Akatsuki, tailed beast chakra, and the Rinnegan, leaving her uncertain how to tell Jiraiya what she suspected.

• Mizuki rejoined Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga on the journey back to Konoha after regenerating his right arm.
• Mizuki dismissed his students to rest and watch the upcoming Chunin Exams, then submitted his mission report to Tsunade.
• Tsunade learned that Orochimaru had escaped and asked Mizuki about his injured hand; she then gave him three days off.
• Tsunade compared Mizuki's report with Tenzō's and worried about the hidden tailed beast chakra and the Akatsuki's possible connection to Jiraiya's former students.

Mizuki returned home and reunited with his pregnant wife, Tsubaki, while reflecting on the peaceful life he wanted to protect. After Tsubaki discovered his regenerated right arm and damaged glove, Mizuki promised to be more careful.

• Mizuki returned to an empty house and reflected on how his priorities had shifted toward protecting his family and their peaceful home.
• Tsubaki came home with Uzuki Yugao, who briefly greeted Mizuki before leaving; Tsubaki told him that Yugao and Hayate Gekko planned to marry later that year.
• Mizuki helped Tsubaki sit down and promised to spend more time at home after his mission, remembering their daughter Miyuki as well.
• Tsubaki noticed Mizuki’s missing gloves and questioned him about his injuries.
• Mizuki showed Tsubaki his regenerated right arm, and she examined it before warning him to be more careful.
• Mizuki reassured Tsubaki that he would live to watch Miyuki become Hokage, while recognizing that he needed to take greater care in future battles.

Mizuki reflected on Orochimaru’s theory that self-awareness defined the limits of the self, and admitted that he had never fully accepted his identity in the Shinobi World. After an elderly orphanage director found the swaddled infant left behind, Mizuki departed to begin anew and promised to consider his clone’s advice.

• Mizuki and his physical clone discussed Orochimaru’s Eight Branches Technique and how Orochimaru’s self-awareness let him persist through his curse marks and incarnations.
• Mizuki admitted that he had gradually forgotten his former name and had come to regard himself as Mizuki Lin.
• The clone argued that Mizuki’s habit of treating Shadow Clones as tools had distorted his sense of self and kept him trapped in a mental rut.
• An elderly orphanage director found and picked up the swaddled infant after Mizuki stripped away the Tiger Curse Mark and tore apart the original Mizuki’s blank soul.
• Mizuki said he could only let the infant start over, bid farewell to his past self, and left with his clone to face a new world.

Mizuki challenged his physical clone’s claim to be part of his whole self, insisting that he alone would decide how to define their relationship. After reflecting on Orochimaru’s theory and discussing their future with Tsubaki, he considered letting the clone act more freely to help care for their child.

• Mizuki warned the physical clone that he would treat it as a separate being rather than part of himself and could replace it if it showed troubling signs.
• The physical clone reflected that it might have been biased by Orochimaru’s ideas and recognized that the original body could help reveal flaws in its thinking.
• Mizuki considered Orochimaru’s approach to defining the self but remained unsure whether he should follow it completely.
• Tsubaki suggested returning to work after their child was born and having the physical clone help with childcare.
• Mizuki acknowledged that the clone could care for their child and considered letting it act freely.

Mizuki reflected on the need to refine himself rather than rely on outside support, then spoke with Tsunade about Iwagakure’s proposed intelligence exchange. The chapter ended with Mizuki dismissing the value of Iwagakure’s information about the Rinnegan.

• Mizuki considered how the Eight Branches Technique could inform his own approach to spiritual growth and concluded that self-sublimation could not be entrusted to others.
• Mizuki and Tsubaki discussed their hopes for little Miyuki to grow up happily and avoid suffering through war.
• Mizuki stayed with Tsubaki during her hospital checkup instead of working during the first day of the Chunin Exams.
• Tsunade summoned Mizuki to the hospital rooftop and told him Iwagakure wanted to exchange intelligence and share information.
• Tsunade explained that Iwagakure wanted to trade Rinnegan intelligence for Konoha’s secrets, and Mizuki said their information was not valuable.

Tsunade questioned Mizuki about the secret behind his improbable successes, and he let her believe he possessed a prophecy-like ability. He reported what he knew of the Rinnegan and warned her against sending investigators into the Land of Rain, leaving Tsunade with grave threats to assess.

• Tsunade told Mizuki that her analysts had concluded he possessed a prophecy-type secret technique or Kekkei Genkai, and Mizuki agreed that the explanation was roughly accurate.
• Tsunade asked Mizuki to submit a confidential report on the Rinnegan, and he described the blue-haired woman, the gaunt red-haired leader, and the six Rinnegan-powered puppets that had attacked Iwagakure.
• Mizuki warned Tsunade that Akatsuki's Rinnegan users were too powerful for Konoha to face without devastating losses, and admitted he had withdrawn after judging himself outmatched.
• Tsunade told Mizuki to keep the matter secret, especially from Jiraiya, and revealed that Danzo's contacts with Hanzo had gone silent while Konoha's investigators in the Land of Rain vanished.
• Mizuki explained that the Rain Tiger at Will Technique could detect and record chakra signatures across the Land of Rain, and Tsunade realized it explained Kakashi's failed investigation.

Tsunade and Mizuki weighed the difficulties of protecting the Jinchuriki and cooperating with other villages while the Chunin Exams ended with few survivors. Danzo then accused returned Root agents of treason and challenged Tsunade over their loyalty.

• Tsunade and Mizuki discussed the risks facing the Jinchuriki and the difficulty of securing cooperation from the hidden villages.
• Tsunade warned the others to stay composed and avoid provoking Danzo while Konoha faced threats from Akatsuki.
• Only three genin teams passed the dangerous second round of the Chunin Exams, and the remaining contestants proceeded to draw lots.
• Danzo arrived at the exams with masked Root ninja, who threw several badly wounded ninja before Tsunade.
• Danzo claimed the wounded ninja were agents he had sent to monitor Hanzo and accused them of being turned by the enemy.