Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Shinya told his son Fugaku that he would inherit the clan and reclaim authority over Konoha, then retired and made Fugaku the new clan head. After the succession ceremony, Fugaku disappeared, while Sakuya kept quiet about Tokino being alive and with Sosuke Aizen.

• Uchiha Shinya told Fugaku that the Uchiha Clan would use the war to reclaim authority over Konoha and named him the clan’s next head.
• Shinya blamed Sosuke Aizen for Tokino’s death in Sunagakure and warned Fugaku not to share his brother’s fate.
• A day later, Shinya retired and Fugaku succeeded him as Uchiha Clan head at a ceremony attended by Konoha officials.
• Fugaku disappeared from the Uchiha compound that night, and Shinya told Sakuya he had likely gone to clear his head.
• Shinya suggested that Sakuya find someone and said the family should visit Tokino, while Sakuya withheld the truth that Tokino was alive with Big Brother Aizen.

Fugaku encountered Jiraiya’s student Minato Namikaze by the river and challenged him over his respect for Sosuke, whom the village knew as Aizen. Their fight began with Fugaku’s fire technique, and Minato’s unexpected dodge left Fugaku startled.

• Fugaku rested beside the river until a tired young man approached and caught his attention.
• Minato Namikaze apologized for disturbing Fugaku and explained that he had been testing a jutsu to prepare for the coming war.
• Fugaku challenged Minato’s respect for Sosuke, while Minato said he wanted to ask Sosuke why he had chosen to leave Konoha.
• Fugaku demanded that Minato state his name and prove his strength, then attacked him with Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
• Minato threw a strangely shaped Kunai and evaded Fugaku’s fireballs, surprising Fugaku.

Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku fought beside the river, with Minato using his marked kunai to outmaneuver Fugaku and win. Fugaku revealed his name, acknowledged Minato’s strength, and left resolved to surpass him.

• Minato confronted Fugaku over his reckless attack, but Fugaku rejected the idea that they were comrades and charged at him.
• Fugaku used his Sharingan and speed to strike Minato, who then drew his marked kunai and attacked from a distance.
• Minato teleported beside his thrown kunai and attacked, but Fugaku countered with a kick and unleashed Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu.
• Minato appeared behind Fugaku with a kunai at his neck, and Fugaku admitted defeat.
• Fugaku told Minato his name, praised his strength, and said he would strive to catch up to and defeat him.

Rasa warned Ōnoki that Las Noches and Aizen would determine the war’s outcome, but Ōnoki cautioned him not to underestimate Aizen’s pride and power. As the allied forces advanced toward Konoha, a pair of eyes opened in a distant cave and asked Zetsu about the attack.

• Ganmu led the Rock Ninja through the misty forest near Konoha while Ōnoki and Rasa followed behind.
• Rasa used his Gold Dust to scout ahead and told Ōnoki that the forest showed no signs of shinobi.
• Rasa argued that Aizen and Las Noches would decide the war, and that the promise of Las Noches mattered more than the Sand and Rock forces’ plans.
• Ōnoki compared Aizen to Madara Uchiha and warned Rasa that a powerful person’s character mattered as much as strength.
• As the allied forces advanced toward Konoha, someone in a dark cave opened their eyes and asked Zetsu whether the Rock and Sand forces were about to attack.

Madara ordered White Zetsu to involve Kirigakure in the war and use the conflict to replace the Third Mizukage, while keeping Nagato under their control and targeting Sosuke. In another scene, Ulquiorra rejected Barragan’s bid to join forces against Aizen, and Barragan reluctantly backed down.

• White Zetsu told Madara that Sosuke’s forces had reached Konoha’s outskirts and would attack soon.
• Madara ordered White Zetsu to tell Tokino to draw Kirigakure into the war, kill the Third Mizukage, and use the Mizukage’s Jinchuriki as a puppet.
• Madara stressed that Nagato had to remain in their hands and ordered Tokino to help Nagato kill Sosuke when the opportunity arose.
• Aizen left Ulquiorra in charge of watching the group in the forest.
• Barragan urged Ulquiorra to join him in seizing power, but Ulquiorra declared his loyalty to Aizen and warned Barragan against treason.
• Barragan yielded to Ulquiorra’s warning and voiced his resentment.

White Zetsu questioned the meaning of his existence until Aizen urged him to abandon his doubts and embrace his potential. Zetsu resolved to follow Aizen and grow strong enough to stand against the whole world, and they went to find out what Aizen’s senior had in mind.

• Aizen noticed White Zetsu’s confusion and asked whether he was questioning the meaning of his existence.
• White Zetsu wondered aloud why he had been born and whether his continued existence had any meaning.
• Aizen told White Zetsu that obsessing over his origins was foolish and called him a potential originator of a new era.
• White Zetsu knelt and apologized, then declared that he was ready to become the originator of a new era.
• Aizen praised White Zetsu, patted his shoulder, and invited him to discover what his senior had in mind.
• White Zetsu decided that following Aizen and growing strong enough to stand against the whole world was his purpose, then hurried after him.

Aizen agreed to Madara's plan, but Uchiha Tokino suddenly attacked and struck through Aizen's heart. White Zetsu charged Tokino in rage, and Tokino stopped his punch and told him to open his eyes.

• Aizen told White Zetsu he would go along with Madara's wishes because Madara knew secrets about the Ninja World.
• Uchiha Tokino appeared and pierced Aizen's heart with black lightning.
• Aizen accused White Zetsu of betraying him, but White Zetsu denied helping Tokino and charged at him.
• Tokino's black lightning burst through Aizen, who fell as White Zetsu remembered his past conversations with him.
• White Zetsu attacked Tokino in anger, but Tokino calmly stopped his punch and told him to open his eyes.

Aizen revealed to White Zetsu how Kyoka Suigetsu let him fake his death and discussed using Tokino’s motives to deceive Madara. Meanwhile, the Third Mizukage decided that Kirigakure would attack Konoha in three days.

• Aizen explained that anyone who had seen Kyoka Suigetsu’s Shikai would have their five senses controlled, and urged Zetsu to develop his newly awakened power.
• Aizen said Tokino’s obedience to Madara concealed his true thoughts and identified Tokino’s younger sister as his weakness.
• The Third Mizukage asked Fuguki, Ringo Ameyuri, and Yagura for their views on joining the mainland war.
• Yagura observed that the Mizukage had already made his decision, and the Third Mizukage ordered Kirigakure to prepare to attack Konoha in three days.

Yagura rejected Biwa Juzo’s offer to join forces against the hidden figure influencing the Mizukage, warning him not to act rashly. Meanwhile, Ōnoki positioned the Rock Ninja near Konoha and ordered them to rest before launching an attack at night.

• Yagura confronted Biwa Juzo, who questioned his resentment over becoming the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki and suggested the Mizukage was being controlled.
• Biwa Juzo revealed his ambition to challenge the Hozuki Clan’s authority and asked Yagura to join forces against the person behind the situation.
• Yagura refused to ally with Biwa Juzo and warned him that the hidden figure was beyond his ability to handle.
• Ōnoki ordered the Rock Ninja troops near Konoha to rest and told the Genjutsu Corps to extend their illusions.
• Ōnoki planned to attack Konoha after nightfall and vowed that the Rock Ninja would defeat it in one strike.

Rasa prepared the Sand Ninja to wait for nightfall before battle, while Minato and Kushina met in Konoha and went to Ichiraku Ramen. There, they spotted Jiraiya and Tsunade in a quiet conversation.

• Rasa ordered the Sand Ninja to rest and prepare to fight when night fell.
• As sunset approached, Iwagakure's ninjas waited anxiously for the battle under Ōnoki's command.
• Minato watched children walking home before Kushina teased him and asked why he looked disheveled.
• Minato invited Kushina to eat at Ichiraku Ramen, and she agreed.
• At the restaurant, Kushina noticed Jiraiya sitting with Tsunade, and Minato realized they appeared to be discussing something.

Jiraiya tried to persuade Tsunade to change her mind about Sosuke and defend Konoha, reminding her of her dream and Nawaki’s hopes. Tsunade remained torn over Sosuke’s apparent betrayal, and Minato and Kushina arrived as Jiraiya greeted them cheerfully.

• Jiraiya tried to convince Tsunade to reconsider, but she recalled the old note Sosuke had written and mourned how their relationship had changed.
• Jiraiya stopped Tsunade from drinking more and vowed to oppose Sosuke’s attack on Konoha, even if it cost him his life.
• Jiraiya reminded Tsunade that protecting Konoha would preserve her dream of becoming the first female Hokage, prompting her to remember Nawaki’s dream and the necklace she had given him.
• Jiraiya questioned whether Sosuke truly wanted to be their enemy and reminded Tsunade that Sosuke had once let them go, but Tsunade said they could only accept reality.
• Minato and Kushina approached and greeted Jiraiya and Tsunade, and Jiraiya smiled at Minato and winked approvingly.

At Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Minato defended Sosuke Aizen’s character despite rumors that he planned to attack Konoha with the Rock Ninja. Teuchi backed Minato and invited the others to see something that would show them who Sosuke truly was.

• Tsunade asked Minato why he still admired Sosuke, and Minato said he believed Sosuke had acted for the villagers and would not betray Konoha.
• Teuchi interrupted the conversation, revealed that he had once been Sosuke’s neighbor and called him Big Brother Sosuke.
• Teuchi agreed with Minato that the accusations against Sosuke were unconfirmed, while Tsunade insisted that Sosuke had changed.
• Teuchi said Sosuke had never changed and invited the group to go with him so they could understand what kind of person Sosuke was.

Rock and Sand Ninja forces mobilized for an attack on Konoha as Aizen prepared to watch the battle with Minato and Nawaki. Nawaki joined Aizen, while Barragan speculated that Aizen had developed a weakness and Ulquiorra warned him not to overstep.

• Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja units received orders to move out, while a short old man watched Konoha from above.
• Aizen invited Minato to accompany him to witness the approaching battle.
• Nawaki asked Aizen to take him along and declared that he had made his decision about Konoha and the world.
• Aizen agreed to bring Nawaki and Minato, then left Ulquiorra in charge.
• Barragan suggested that Aizen had a weakness, and Ulquiorra warned him that he would cut him down if he overstepped.

Teuchi brought Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kushina, and Minato to Aizen’s restored childhood home and explained why he had preserved it. Meanwhile, Aizen, Minato, and Nawaki returned to Konoha, where Aizen planned to visit several places before the village changed.

• Teuchi led Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kushina, and Minato to Aizen’s old home, which he had rebuilt after an earthquake destroyed it.
• Teuchi explained that he had restored the house because Aizen inspired his childhood dream of becoming a ninja and he believed Aizen had not left Konoha on purpose.
• Aizen, Minato, and Nawaki emerged from a black rift on a quiet Konoha street, and Aizen said the village would change greatly after that night.
• Teuchi recalled following Aizen around as a child and described how Aizen trained tirelessly in the old house.
• Young Sosuke told Teuchi that he wanted power to change the world himself if he ever lost faith in it.

Teuchi recounted his memories of Sosuke, leading Tsunade to question whether Sosuke had ever intended to remain in Konoha. Aizen arrived at the house and reunited with Teuchi, Minato, Kushina, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, but said Sosuke had disappeared from the world.

• Teuchi told Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina that Sosuke may never have been watching Konoha or planned to stay there.
• Aizen and his companions approached Sosuke's old house, and Aizen stopped Minato from revealing who was inside.
• Teuchi gave Kushina the house key so she and the others could remember Sosuke there.
• Aizen appeared outside the house, and Jiraiya demanded to know why he had come.
• Tsunade asked whether Aizen had ever intended to stay in the village, but he dismissed her question and urged her to grow stronger.
• Teuchi called Aizen Big Brother Sosuke, and Aizen told him that Sosuke had disappeared from the world.

Aizen revealed that Konoha was under attack and that Nawaki was alive, then took Nawaki away after telling Tsunade to become strong enough to reclaim him. Tsunade was left grieving and furious as Aizen, Nawaki, and Minato disappeared into the darkness.

• Aizen told Jiraiya that Konoha had failed to understand the wider world, and distant explosions and flames revealed that an attack on Konoha had begun.
• Jiraiya charged at Aizen, but Nawaki used Wood Release to block him, revealing himself to Tsunade and the others.
• Nawaki greeted Tsunade and Jiraiya, and Tsunade wept with joy at discovering her brother was alive.
• Aizen told Tsunade that Nawaki was the gift he had promised, then said she would have to grow stronger to take him back.
• Aizen left with Nawaki and Minato while Tsunade cried out for Nawaki.

After Aizen left, Tsunade rallied Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina to defend Konoha and cut off her ponytail as she told Teuchi to stop hoping for Sosuke. At the northwestern outskirts, Allied Forces ninjas ambushed Konoha defenders, while three figures hidden behind a barrier watched and one asked Nawaki how he felt.

• Jiraiya urged Tsunade to return to the fight, and she resolved to grow strong enough to bring Nawaki back from Aizen.
• Tsunade led Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina toward the battle, cut off her ponytail, and told Teuchi that Sosuke was gone and only Aizen remained.
• At Konoha's northwestern outskirts, Sand Ninja and Rock Ninja ambushed a Konoha ninja and killed him with a saw-toothed blade.
• Allied Forces ninjas concealed themselves throughout the forest and attacked Konoha ninjas who arrived there.
• Three figures watched the attack from behind a transparent barrier, and one asked Nawaki how he felt.

As Konoha prepared for a coordinated invasion by the Rock and Sand, Aizen explained to Nawaki that he intended to end war by creating a new form of life under a Royal Hall. Konoha’s leaders organized the village’s defense and evacuation while Danzo warned that Aizen might appear that night.

• Aizen told Nawaki that kindness alone could not end suffering and revealed his plan to establish a Royal Hall and create a new form of life that would free humanity from war.
• Nawaki asked Aizen how he would face Tsunade after Konoha was destroyed, and Aizen said he had to choose a path and keep walking it.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Nara Shinsaku to evacuate villagers and sent Tatsu and the Anbu to confront the enemy in the northwest.
• Danzo reported that Rock and Sand forces had attacked Root Base and warned that his former student, Aizen, might exploit the invasion.
• Shikaku asked his father for permission to help defend the village, and Nara Shinsaku allowed him to fight as long as he stayed safe.
• Shikaku returned to guiding villagers toward shelters as other youths headed for the battlefield with their fathers.

Rock Ninja led by Mahiru ambushed and killed Konoha ninja entering the woods after Konoha’s barrier was breached. As Minato, Nawaki, and Aizen watched the attacks from behind a barrier, Aizen predicted that Konoha would soon counterattack and that Ōnoki was waiting for hidden forces to act.

• Mahiru’s Rock Ninja killed two Konoha ninja with Earth Release traps and attacks, then concealed one of the bodies.
• Rock and Sand Ninja continued ambushing Konoha reinforcements in the woods instead of invading the village directly.
• Minato observed the casualties and said Konoha was suffering badly in the war.
• Aizen told Minato not to underestimate Konoha and predicted its counterattack would soon begin.
• Aizen explained that Ōnoki was weakening Konoha while waiting for hidden forces to make their move.

Aizen and Minato watched Uchiha Xiao’s squad ambush and kill a Rock Ninja team, then discussed Xiao, Fugaku, and the possibility of Tokino meeting his younger brother. The story left Tsunade and the others arriving at northwest Konoha and finding something bizarre.

• Rock Ninja prepared to attack a group of Konoha shinobi, but Uchiha Xiao revealed his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and led his squad in killing them.
• Xiao told his squad to continue onward and earn merit for Lord Fugaku, whom they hoped would rise to a position of power.
• After Xiao’s squad left, Aizen, Minato, and their companion emerged from a barrier and discussed Xiao’s skills and his connection to Fugaku.
• Aizen wondered how Tokino would react to meeting Fugaku, and Minato asked whether Tokino was going to do something.
• Tsunade and the others hurried to northwest Konoha and encountered something bizarre.