Chapter Summaries

Sarutobi Hiruzen confronted Orochimaru over alleged human experimentation, and Orochimaru fled Konoha after realizing his former teacher no longer trusted him. Shiraha found Orochimaru at the border, treated his wound, and offered him refuge with the Uzumaki Clan, while Kakashi let them go.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen took Nawaki for a walk and questioned him about Shiraha, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
• Anbu led Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nawaki to Orochimaru’s laboratory, where they found a young ninja on an operating table and accused Orochimaru of human experimentation.
• Orochimaru escaped the laboratory after striking down the Anbu, while Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by without stopping him.
• After defeating Jiraiya and fleeing north, Orochimaru was injured by an explosive trap hidden in his communication snake, then confronted by Kakashi at Konoha’s border.
• Shiraha appeared, healed Orochimaru, and offered him a place with the Uzumaki Clan, but Orochimaru declined for the moment.
• Shiraha persuaded Kakashi to let them leave and offered to help address the strain the Sharingan placed on Kakashi’s body.

Shiraha parted from Orochimaru after discussing his defection and plans, while Kakashi failed to save Rin from being mortally wounded during a confrontation with Kirigakure. Obito awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and attacked the Kirigakure ninja, then Madara brought him into his plan as the Wood Spirit Avatar tried to save Rin.

• Shiraha discussed Orochimaru’s defection, his future research, and his promise to develop an Eternal Technique before saying goodbye.
• Kakashi fought the Kirigakure ninja escorting Rin, killed several of them, and tried to protect her despite his dwindling Chakra.
• Rin rushed into Kakashi’s final attack and was pierced through the heart, causing Kakashi to awaken a new power in his left eye and collapse.
• Obito arrived, awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and killed the remaining Kirigakure ninja with his intangible body and Wood Release before Tobi carried Kakashi and Rin away.
• Madara explained his plan to Obito, taught him about the Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release, and passed him the White Zetsu Original before disconnecting from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• The Wood Spirit Avatar treated Rin atop the Wood Dragon and determined that her pierced heart might still be saved.

Kakashi learned that Rin had survived his attack but remained in critical condition as the Three-Tails' jinchuriki, and Shiraha warned him that Konoha might sacrifice her for political gain. Kakashi chose to stay with the Uzumaki Clan and keep Obito's Sharingan, while Kushina planned to take Rin as her disciple and help her bond with the Three-Tails.

• Kakashi woke in the Uzumaki Clan grounds, and Shiraha told him that Rin was alive but needed months to recover from the wound to her heart.
• Shiraha revealed that the Three-Tails was sealed inside Rin and explained that Kirigakure had planned to use her to unleash it near Konoha.
• Shiraha warned Kakashi that Konoha's leaders might trade Rin or sacrifice her for peace, and Kakashi agreed to conceal her survival and remain with the Uzumaki Clan.
• Kakashi refused to give up Obito's Sharingan, so Shiraha proposed sealing it while they investigated how it affected Kakashi's growth.
• Shiraha helped Kakashi regain strength, and Kakashi visited Rin in the hospital before returning to rest.
• Kushina decided to take Rin as her disciple, and Kurama agreed to help Rin and the Three-Tails get along.

Shiraha sealed Kakashi’s Sharingan to reduce its strain, then suspected that Kakashi had awakened and lost a Mangekyo Sharingan and that Obito was still alive. Meanwhile, Obito and Black Zetsu pursued Madara’s plans, while Danzo prepared to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to regain political power.

• Shiraha used the Four Symbols Sealing to reduce the chakra and stamina drain from Kakashi’s Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and Kakashi left after thanking him.
• Shiraha reviewed his Sharingan research and concluded that Kakashi’s eye might have regressed from a Mangekyo Sharingan, while he considered testing whether Obito was alive.
• Obito questioned Tobi about Rin and the masked ninja, then agreed with Black Zetsu to help Nagato and pursue Madara’s plans.
• Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage with Sarutobi Hiruzen’s support, leaving Danzo furious and seeking to strengthen his position with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Danzo ordered three Anbu to capture two enemy Jōnin so he could demonstrate the power of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

Obito tried to recruit Nagato and the Akatsuki by presenting his plan for peace, but Yahiko rejected his claims. Shiraha arrived as the masked “Hashirama Senju,” challenged both sides’ ideals by pointing to the Land of Rain’s hunger and insecurity, and left after proposing cooperation between Infinite Ring and Akatsuki; Obito hurried after him.

• Obito revealed Nagato’s Rinnegan and urged him to join his organization, but Yahiko rejected Obito’s promise of a world without hatred.
• Shiraha’s Wood Spirit Avatar, calling himself Hashirama Senju and then Kodama, interrupted the meeting and offered to cooperate with Akatsuki.
• Shiraha argued that hunger and insecurity made mutual understanding impossible for many people in the Land of Rain, and Yahiko acknowledged the force of his point.
• Shiraha proposed that Infinite Ring cooperate with Akatsuki to create a world where people’s need for love and belonging was fulfilled, then left without explaining further.
• Yahiko led Nagato and Konan away, while Obito and Black and White Zetsu rushed after Shiraha.

Yahiko and Nagato resolved to pursue peace through cooperation with Hanzo, while Danzo manipulated Hanzo into turning against the Akatsuki. In the Land of Whirlpools, Kushina learned she was pregnant and hurried to share the news with Shiraha.

• Yahiko reassured Nagato that he could become the world's savior, and Nagato insisted Yahiko remain the Akatsuki's leader.
• Yahiko rejected cooperation with the mysterious Kodama and his companion, choosing instead to seek an alliance with Hanzo.
• Hanzo judged that Konoha's Danzo had staged attacks on Rain villages to sabotage an alliance with Iwagakure, then agreed to meet with the Akatsuki.
• Danzo presented Hanzo with intelligence alleging that the Akatsuki planned to overthrow him, and Hanzo accepted Danzo's more advantageous offer instead of cooperating with them.
• Nohara Rin told Kushina that she was six weeks pregnant, and Kushina rushed off to tell Shiraha.

Yagami Shiraha visited Amegakure to seek an alliance between the Uzumaki Clan and Hanzo’s village. Hanzo agreed to consider a mutual defense pact if Shiraha helped him destroy Akatsuki, leaving Shiraha weighing whether Akatsuki might be a more useful ally.

• Yagami Shiraha reached Amegakure and told its guards he had come to establish diplomatic relations on behalf of the Uzumaki Clan.
• Yagami Shiraha clarified to Hanzo that the Uzumaki Clan was independent of Konoha and proposed a mutual defense alliance.
• Hanzo raised concerns about provoking the great nations and questioned whether the Uzumaki Clan could protect Amegakure.
• Yagami Shiraha told Hanzo that the Uzumaki Clan had already formed mutual defense alliances with several small countries.
• Hanzo asked Yagami Shiraha to prove his sincerity by helping destroy Akatsuki, and Shiraha agreed.
• Yagami Shiraha shook hands with Hanzo but reconsidered whether to support Amegakure or the mysterious Akatsuki.

Hanzo distrusted Shiraha’s proposed alliance with the Uzumaki Clan, while Shiraha learned that Kushina was pregnant with twins and decided to return to her. Shiraha then warned Yahiko that Hanzo and Danzo planned to destroy Akatsuki at their next meeting, leaving Yahiko struggling to believe him.

• Hanzo told an Amegakure Jōnin that he would delay deciding on an alliance with the Uzumaki Clan and remain wary of Shiraha’s intentions.
• White Serpent told Shiraha that Kushina was nearly two months pregnant, and Shiraha sensed that she might be carrying twins.
• Shiraha decided to leave Akatsuki’s recruitment to his Wood Spirit Avatar and head back to the Land of Whirlpools before making contact with Akatsuki.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan discussed Akatsuki’s growing workload and planned to handle their mission without asking Amegakure for help.
• Shiraha warned Yahiko that Hanzo and Danzo were plotting to wipe out Akatsuki at their next meeting, but Yahiko refused to believe him.

Yahiko trusted Hanzo despite Shiraha’s warning, and Hanzo’s trap led Yahiko to sacrifice himself to save Nagato and Konan. Nagato awakened the Rinnegan’s power and unleashed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, while Shiraha treated Yahiko and saw his body stir.

• Yahiko chose to trust Hanzo and kept Akatsuki’s meeting with him, while Konan and Nagato supported his decision.
• Amegakure ninjas captured Konan with poison, and Shiraha watched from hiding rather than intervene.
• Kyusuke learned that Konoha ANBU were entering the Land of Rain and led Akatsuki members toward Yahiko and Nagato, but Obito and Black and White Zetsu blocked them.
• Hanzo and Danzo trapped Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan; Yahiko threw himself onto Nagato’s Kunai, and Nagato’s Rinnegan power protected Konan from the ensuing attack.
• Nagato summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, whose energy wave killed the Amegakure and Root forces as Hanzo and Danzo fled.
• Shiraha treated Yahiko’s fatal wound, and Yahiko’s body suddenly trembled while Obito watched in shock.

After Shiraha saved Yahiko and brought the badly injured Nagato to safety, Obito tried to recruit Nagato into his plan while Danzo plotted to claim the Rinnegan. Yahiko welcomed Shiraha’s Infinite Ring into a partnership with Akatsuki, and Obito joined Akatsuki to watch their ideals fail.

• Shiraha treated Yahiko, carried Nagato to safety, and used Wood Release to take them away while Obito recognized him as the man connected to Rin’s disappearance.
• Obito decided to exploit Akatsuki’s strength and target the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Yagami Shiraha, while Danzo ordered Root Ninja to retrieve their comrades’ bodies and planned to pursue Nagato’s Rinnegan.
• At an old Akatsuki cave, Nagato awoke, thanked Shiraha, and vowed to make Hanzo suffer for what he had done.
• Obito confronted the group and urged Nagato to join his effort to correct the world, while Shiraha offered cooperation between Infinite Ring and Akatsuki.
• Yahiko accepted Shiraha’s offer, and Obito joined Akatsuki as a provisional member, saying he wanted to witness their failure.

After joining Akatsuki, Shiraha challenged Obito’s motives and learned that Obito wanted Nagato to gather the Tailed Beasts and use the Rinnegan’s power. In Konoha, Minato accompanied his pregnant wife Ashina to the hospital, but an attack by the uncontrollable Kinkaku and Ginkaku erupted at Hokage Rock.

• Yahiko and Nagato accepted Obito into Akatsuki, and Shiraha warned them to lie low while Obito offered Zetsu’s intelligence support.
• Shiraha accused Obito of letting Yahiko walk into Hanzo’s trap, then realized Akatsuki planned to use the Rinnegan and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to control a Fourth-Level creature.
• Obito told Nagato to gather all nine Tailed Beasts and claimed their Chakra could power the Outer Path Technique, heal his injuries, and bring peace.
• Minato accompanied his pregnant wife, Uzumaki Ashina, to her prenatal examination and reflected on how the Third Hokage still controlled much of Konoha’s power.
• Explosions struck behind the Hokage Building, and Minato rushed to Hokage Rock, where Danzo and the Third Hokage faced the rampaging Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
• Danzo realized his Impure World Reincarnation had failed to control the two Kage-level ninjas, who transformed with crimson Chakra and attacked.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku broke free of control during Danzo’s Impure World Reincarnation experiment and fought Sarutobi Hiruzen and Minato Namikaze inside Konoha. As the battle escalated, Nawaki arrived with Wood Release, but the brothers transformed with Nine-Tails Chakra and unleashed powerful attacks.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Minato Namikaze battled Kinkaku and Ginkaku, but the brothers regenerated from their injuries and tore away Minato Namikaze’s Flying Thunder God mark.
• Kinkaku and Ginkaku took out the Six Paths Tools, and Sarutobi Hiruzen warned Minato Namikaze about their dangerous abilities.
• Kinkaku used the Banana Fan to set part of Konoha ablaze, while Minato Namikaze sought an opening to restrain the brothers with Sealing Jutsu.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Danzo to send Root reinforcements, and Danzo dispatched Kou with instructions to use the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing if necessary.
• Nawaki arrived and surrounded Kinkaku and Ginkaku with Wood Release, but the brothers released their Nine-Tails Chakra and transformed into humanoid Tailed Beasts.
• Kinkaku and Ginkaku fired False Dog Shot beams toward their opponents.

Minato Namikaze repeatedly diverted Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s False Dog Shots away from Konoha as the village’s defenders tried to contain the assault. Uchiha Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and fought them with Susanoo inside the Four Red Yang Formation, while Shiraha watched and reflected on the power behind the technique.

• Minato Namikaze used a spatial barrier to divert Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s first False Dog Shots from Konoha, then ordered the evacuation of civilians and the preparation of the Jōnin.
• Root Ninja Kou sacrificed himself by attempting to trap Kinkaku and Ginkaku with Reverse Four Symbols Sealing, but they dodged the technique.
• Minato Namikaze diverted another pair of False Dog Shots as Kinkaku and Ginkaku destroyed buildings, while Uchiha Fugaku awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned Susanoo.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen, Minato Namikaze, Nawaki, and Danzo formed the Four Red Yang Formation around Hokage Rock to contain the battle’s damage.
• Uchiha Fugaku’s Susanoo grew to its Third Form and blocked the False Dog Shots, while the Uchiha ninja launched a combined Fire Style attack against Kinkaku and Ginkaku.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku wore down the Uchiha defenders while Minato Namikaze and the others maintained the Four Red Yang Formation. Shiraha remotely took control of Uchiha Issei, stole the Purifying Rope from Kinkaku, and helped turn the battle, but Minato was left gravely injured after Ginkaku exploded.

• Kinkaku and Ginkaku attacked the Uchiha defenders, and Uchiha Fugaku struggled to maintain his Susanoo against Ginkaku in the confined barrier.
• Kinkaku struck Uchiha Issei with the Purifying Rope, prompting Shiraha to take remote control of the Wood Spirit Avatar.
• Shiraha used Force Field Interference to stop Kinkaku's Seven-Star Sword, cut off Kinkaku's left arm, and took the Purifying Rope.
• Kinkaku used the Banana Fan and Crimson Gourd to attack and seal Uchiha ninjas as Minato Namikaze and Nawaki argued with Danzo over whether to lower the barrier.
• Minato Namikaze and Nawaki dispersed the Four Red Yang Formation, and Minato saved Fugaku from the False Dog Shots before sealing Ginkaku.
• Ginkaku exploded while Minato was attempting the Four Symbols Sealing, leaving Minato unconscious with both forearms missing and severe chest injuries.

Ginkaku and Kinkaku were sealed after Ginkaku’s explosion gravely wounded Minato Namikaze and cost him both arms. When Tsunade could not restore Minato’s limbs, she invited Shiraha to Konoha to treat him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Sealing Squad sealed Ginkaku, while Nawaki protected Minato Namikaze and arranged emergency treatment for him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Konoha ninjas defeated and sealed Kinkaku, and Shiraha kept the Purifying Rope as his spoils of war.
• Minato Namikaze survived the night but remained unconscious, and Jiraiya confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen over Danzo’s dangerous use of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s request to proceed with transferring the Nine-Tails Chakra while Minato’s treatment remained the priority.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha, found that she could not restore Minato’s severed limbs, and invited Shiraha to treat him.

Shiraha protected Kushina and her unborn twins from a mysterious Chakra carrying a powerful soul imprint, then traveled to Konoha to examine the comatose Minato Namikaze. He demanded a military alliance in exchange for treatment while secretly planning to transplant highly active Hashirama-cell arms into Minato, a risky procedure he called a Grand Ceremony.

• Shiraha examined Kushina in his underground laboratory and used Soul Guard to drive away the mysterious Chakra approaching her and the twins.
• Shiraha warned Kushina that pregnancy would weaken her seal during childbirth, promised to return for the delivery, and left for Konoha after three more days with her.
• At Konoha Hospital, Shiraha examined Minato and concluded that conservative treatment was best, while noting that replacement arms might be difficult for Minato to adapt to.
• Shiraha asked Konoha to promise unconditional military assistance to the Uzumaki Clan once in exchange for treating Minato, and Jiraiya pledged his personal support.
• Shiraha privately planned to give Minato arms grown from highly active Hashirama cells, which could increase Minato's Chakra reserves but might take a long time to adapt to.

Orochimaru learned that his tampering with Impure World Reincarnation had helped cause Minato Namikaze’s severe injuries, while Shiraha’s treatment left Minato unconscious but likely to awaken with Wood Release. As Konoha struggled to choose a new leader, Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to temporarily return as Hokage.

• Orochimaru read intelligence about Danzo losing control of Kinkaku and Ginkaku and Minato Namikaze being severely injured, then reflected on his progress toward Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• Shiraha obtained highly active First Hokage Cells from Sarutobi Hiruzen and returned to the Land of Whirlpools to cultivate replacement arms for Minato Namikaze.
• A month later, Shiraha and Tsunade successfully transplanted the arms, but Shiraha warned Jiraiya and Konoha’s leaders that Minato might remain unconscious for years while the cells fused and could awaken Wood Release.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted responsibility for approving Danzo’s plan to summon Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and the elders discussed candidates to replace the unconscious Minato.
• After Tsunade refused the nomination and Nawaki declined, Sarutobi Hiruzen offered to assume the Hokage position temporarily.

With Minato Namikaze unconscious, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned as acting Hokage and offered only a symbolic punishment for Danzo, while the Uchiha pressed for greater political authority. Shiraha told Uchiha Fugaku that the conflict could only be solved by replacing the current leadership, urging Fugaku to seek the Fifth Hokage position or let Shiraha take his place; Uchiha Shisui overheard and became intrigued.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen resumed the Hokage position while Minato Namikaze remained unconscious, and he removed Danzo as Hokage Advisor but left him in charge of Root.
• Uchiha Soujin demanded expanded authority for the Konoha Military Police Force, while Sarutobi Hiruzen deferred the request and asked the Uchiha to lend the Purifying Rope if the village faced another crisis.
• After the meeting, Shiraha spoke with Uchiha Fugaku, who assured him that the Purifying Rope remained his and asked about his stance toward Konoha's higher-ups.
• Shiraha argued that the current leadership would not fairly resolve the Uchiha conflict and urged Fugaku to compete for the Fifth Hokage position, offering to take the role himself if Fugaku refused.
• Uchiha Shisui revealed that he had overheard the conversation, admitted Shiraha's arguments made sense, and watched him leave while Fugaku worried that Shisui might become a radical.

Shiraha tried to persuade Shisui that decisive leaders could resolve the Uchiha’s conflict with Konoha, then learned Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. In the Land of Grass, Obito and Black Zetsu plotted to exploit Uchiha Chiho and restrict the Uzumaki Clan’s growth.

• Shisui left Fugaku and secretly followed Shiraha, who revealed he had noticed him from the start.
• Shisui told Shiraha he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and said he trusted him after overhearing his conversation with Fugaku.
• Shiraha argued that strong, decisive leaders could reconcile the Uchiha and Konoha, then assigned Shisui to judge the Third Hokage for himself while promising to keep his secret.
• Obito and Black Zetsu discussed provoking Uchiha Chiho’s Mangekyō awakening by exploiting her feelings for Shiraha.
• Obito ordered his allies to stop focusing on the Land of Whirlpools and use Kirigakure to hinder the Uzumaki Clan’s growth.

Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Ashina’s twins were born, prompting Jiraiya to question the prophecy and suspect Orochimaru’s role in Minato’s injuries. In the Land of Grass, Uchiha Hayato’s scheme to awaken Mangekyō Sharingan through tragedy drove Chiho and Soujin into horrifying confrontations, and he was left disappointed when Soujin’s eyes did not awaken.

• Uzumaki Ashina gave birth to twins, Naruto and Karin, and Jiraiya sensed Naruto’s extraordinary Chakra talent and wondered whether he was the Child of Prophecy.
• Jiraiya suspected Orochimaru had supplied Danzo with a flawed Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and resolved to stop him.
• Uchiha Hayato met a black-robed ninja, who demanded that the captive Shiraha surrender Sealing Jutsu and help control the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
• Chiho confronted Hayato after discovering his Mangekyō Sharingan, but he killed the captive, and Chiho awakened a Sakura Pattern in her eyes as she stabbed him.
• Hayato killed Soujin’s parents to provoke his Mangekyō Sharingan, then used genjutsu on Soujin when his eyes failed to awaken.