Chapter Summaries

Hiashi accidentally killed Retto after the Kumo Ninja tried to attack Hinata, while Shōji escaped after witnessing the death. Danzo’s ambush of Shōji failed disastrously, and Hiruzen ordered him to stop pursuing the Uchiha Clan and remain in the Hokage Tower.

• Retto deliberately lunged toward Hinata, prompting Hiashi to strike a fatal blow and kill the wounded Kumo Ninja.
• Shōji watched Retto die, was detected by Hiashi, and fled into the night after deciding to speak with Kumogakure’s delegation later.
• Hiruzen learned that Danzo had sent nearly two hundred Root members after Shōji and dispatched Anbu while summoning Danzo.
• A surviving Root member reported that Shōji had killed nearly the entire force without using his Mangekyō Sharingan, shocking Danzo.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to hunt Shōji and eliminate the Uchiha Clan, but Hiruzen refused and ordered Danzo to remain in the Hokage Tower.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stripped Danzo of control over Root after Danzo’s attack on the Iwagakure delegation, but then learned that Hiashi had killed a Kumogakure envoy during an attempted kidnapping. Facing pressure from both Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Hiruzen chose to pursue peace with Kumogakure while preparing Konoha for war with Iwagakure.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Danzo to remain in the Hokage Tower and temporarily placed Root under Mitokado Homura’s authority, assigning Kakashi to watch over Danzo.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu reported that Hiashi had killed Retto after catching him trying to abduct Hinata Hyuga from the Hyuga compound.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed that Danzo had sent over two hundred Root members after Uchiha Shōji’s Iwagakure delegation, leaving only one survivor and risking accusations from Iwagakure.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu advised Hiruzen to prioritize peace with Kumogakure, and Hiruzen ordered Homura to negotiate while Koharu arranged reinforcements and a meeting with the clan heads.
• Mayoi received Retto’s corpse from Homura, condemned Konoha’s actions, and threatened war while Homura offered to ease the terms of their negotiations.

Mayoi received Shōji’s explanation that Konoha was trying to appease Kumogakure after Root attacked Iwagakure’s delegation, and Shōji proposed that Iwagakure and Kumogakure pressure Konoha together. Ōnoki seized on the opportunity and ordered preparations to threaten the Land of Fire’s border while awaiting Kumogakure’s response.

• Mayoi reported Konoha’s unusual conduct to the Fourth Raikage and began investigating it while awaiting orders.
• Shōji secretly met Mayoi, explained that Root had ambushed Iwagakure’s delegation, and proposed cooperation against Konoha.
• Mayoi said the decision rested with the Fourth Raikage, while Shōji promised Iwagakure would not interfere with Kumogakure’s aims and asked him to pass that message on.
• After receiving the reports, Ōnoki decided to exploit the crisis and summoned Kitsuchi to discuss military preparations.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to lead three thousand troops to the Land of Grass, bring Han to the border, and pressure the Land of Fire with small-scale infiltrations.

Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage A prepared to exploit the crisis between Konoha and Iwagakure, each hoping to weaken Konoha and gain advantages. Kumogakure chose to pressure Konoha while mobilizing troops, leaving war increasingly likely.

• Kitsuchi left to prepare Iwagakure’s three thousand troops, while Ōnoki sent Kumogakure an official alliance offer.
• The Fourth Raikage A received the delegation’s report and summoned Dodai and other subordinates to discuss Kumogakure’s response.
• Dodai advised mobilizing troops near the Land of Hot Springs and using the crisis to demand territory, trade and mission concessions, supplies, and Hyuga Hiashi.
• The Fourth Raikage A agreed to Dodai’s plan and told him to pressure Konoha, contact Ōnoki, and summon Yugito from Qianyan Hot Spring.
• The Fourth Raikage A declared that Kumogakure would insist Konoha hand over Hyuga Hiashi or face war, regardless of who had actually killed Retto.

Kumogakure and Iwagakure coordinated military pressure on Konoha and demanded severe compensation, including the surrender of Hyuga Hiashi and Shimura Danzō. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s leaders faced the prospect of war, with neither surrender demand acceptable and the village’s stability at stake.

• Ōnoki and A reached a preliminary agreement to pressure Konoha together from the northwest and northeast.
• Kumogakure and Iwagakure deployed more than ten thousand ninja near the borders, led by Dodai and Kitsuchi, with their Two-Tailed and Five-Tailed Jinchuriki also present.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Konoha’s leaders to discuss the military threat and the villages’ demands.
• Kumogakure demanded Hyuga Hiashi, while Iwagakure demanded Shimura Danzō, alongside territorial, mission, and material concessions.
• Konoha’s leaders recognized that handing over either man would undermine trust, alienate clans, and risk internal conflict or the village’s collapse.

Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted Nara Shikaku’s plan to appease Kumogakure while defending against Iwagakure and preparing for a prolonged western-front war. As Konoha mobilized, Shōji headed west, while Rasa began preparing Sunagakure to seize an opportunity against Iwagakure.

• Nara Shikaku advised Sarutobi Hiruzen to meet Kumogakure’s non-principled demands and make Iwagakure appear to be the greater threat, while protecting key western defenses and drawing Iwagakure into a prolonged war.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen authorized Shikaku and Inoichi to organize the western defenses, summoned the major ninja clans, and sent Homura with him to speak to the Hyuga Clan.
• Konoha mobilized its forces and dispatched elite Barrier Corps and Sealing Corps units to the western front to help counter Iwagakure’s Five-Tails Jinchuriki and Kumogakure’s Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shōji watched Konoha’s reinforcements depart, suspected the village’s strategy was tied to the Uchiha Clan, and left for the west.
• After learning of the escalating conflict, Rasa ordered Sunagakure to begin mobilizing but resolved to wait for a clear opportunity before attacking.

Obito learned that Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure were preparing for war and ordered Black Zetsu to gather more intelligence so Akatsuki could exploit the fighting. Shōji returned to Iwagakure’s western force with reports of Konoha’s deployments and concessions to Kumogakure, leaving Kitsuchi to consider Iwagakure’s next move.

• Black Zetsu told Obito that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had deployed about five thousand troops each along the Land of Fire’s borders, and Obito ordered White Zetsu to monitor both fronts.
• Obito dismissed Black Zetsu’s concerns about Uchiha Shōji and argued that Shōji’s Mangekyō Sharingan would eventually lose its power.
• The Land of Fire’s Daimyo backed Konoha’s preparations for war, while Hyuga Hiashi learned that Hizashi had died in his place and grew deeply resentful.
• Shōji returned to Iwagakure’s western camp, where Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Yashiro, and Inaho welcomed him.
• Shōji reported that Konoha had sent five thousand reinforcements west, fewer than two thousand east, and was willing to meet nearly all of Kumogakure’s demands except its territorial demands.

Shōji urged Iwagakure to strike before Konoha could gather its full strength, and Kitsuchi ordered an advance into the Land of Grass. Iwagakure’s forces attacked Konoha’s western defenses, while Konoha’s scattered troops withdrew toward Mount Wuyuan.

• Shōji warned Kitsuchi that a war of attrition would favor Konoha and urged Iwagakure to seize the opportunity to attack.
• Kitsuchi ordered Shōji and Akatsuchi to lead separate forces against Konoha’s strongholds and advance toward Mount Wuyuan.
• Kitsuchi assigned Arai Kenjirō to establish a forward base near Kannabi Bridge and seek assistance from the Land of Grass and Kusagakure.
• Shōji left to prepare his troops, accompanied by Uchiha Inaho, Gin, and Uchiha clan members eager to fight Konoha.
• Konoha scouts detected Iwagakure’s advance, and Shōji’s and Akatsuchi’s forces overwhelmed the forward defenders.
• The Konoha western-front commander ordered scattered troops to retreat to the Mount Wuyuan defensive base.

Nara Shikaku led five thousand reinforcements toward Mount Wuyuan while Uchiha Shōji’s Iwagakure force reached the base ahead of them. Shōji launched a probing assault, then entered the battle himself and turned the fight against Konoha.

• Nara Shikaku took command of the Western Front and headed for Mount Wuyuan after Sarutobi Hiruzen approved his plan to hold the line there.
• Uchiha Shōji and his troops advanced rapidly through the Land of Grass, driving Konoha’s outposts back to Mount Wuyuan before Shikaku’s reinforcements arrived.
• Shōji rejected Gin’s suggestion to retreat and ordered a probing attack on Mount Wuyuan Base, while privately considering capturing it if the opportunity arose.
• Konoha’s commander triggered the base’s traps and ordered a counterattack, but the ensuing clash left Iwagakure’s attackers at a disadvantage.
• Shōji rushed into the battle and killed nearly twenty Konoha Ninja, freeing Iwagakure’s surrounded troops and forcing Konoha’s line to retreat.

Shōji fought Konoha’s elite clan jōnin at Mount Wuyuan Base, killing an Aburame jōnin and severely injuring an Inuzuka jōnin. Akatsuchi’s reinforcements turned the battlefield in Iwagakure’s favor, forcing Gekko Zen'yoku to order a retreat and face Shōji himself.

• Shōji broke free of the Nara and Aburame clans’ coordinated techniques and engaged Gekko Zen'yoku’s elite squad without using his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shōji exploited a brief gap in the formation, wounded an Aburame jōnin fatally, and knocked an Inuzuka jōnin and his ninja hound out of the fight.
• Akatsuchi arrived with four or five hundred Iwagakure Ninja, scattering Konoha’s advancing forces and restoring Iwagakure’s control of the battlefield.
• Gekko Zen'yoku ordered his troops to retreat into the base in sequence, then charged Shōji to cover their withdrawal.

Shōji shattered Gekko Zen'yoku's formation and was about to kill him when Jiraiya arrived and stopped the attack. Jiraiya ordered Konoha to withdraw from Mount Wuyuan Base, and Shōji and Akatsuchi remained wary as the withdrawal began.

• Shōji used a Fire Release technique to break through the Konoha Jōnin formation, then killed several Jōnin, including a Shiranui, a Nara, a Yamashiro, and a Hyūga.
• Gekko Zen'yoku charged Shōji in rage, but Shōji overwhelmed his defense and prepared to finish him.
• Jiraiya ambushed Shōji with Needle Jizo Technique, forcing him to retreat and sparing Zen'yoku.
• Jiraiya ordered Zen'yoku to withdraw Konoha's forces and said Mount Wuyuan Base would be yielded to Iwagakure.
• Shōji held his ground while Jiraiya explained that Konoha had to retreat because Kitsuchi's reinforcements would arrive before Shikaku's.
• Akatsuchi joined Shōji, and Jiraiya assured the Iwagakure ninja that Konoha intended to withdraw, though neither Shōji nor Akatsuchi trusted him.

Shōji and Akatsuchi accepted Jiraiya’s withdrawal and occupied Mount Wuyuan Base, while the arrival of Iwagakure reinforcements prompted Kitsuchi to revise the front’s strategy and press Kumogakure to honor its alliance. Shikaku learned the base had fallen, halted his reinforcements, and began searching for a new defensive line.

• Jiraiya withdrew after confronting Shōji and Akatsuchi, and Shōji ordered Iwagakure forces to occupy Mount Wuyuan Base.
• Shōji and Akatsuchi learned that Kitsuchi’s main army was nearby and realized Jiraiya had withdrawn to avoid being trapped by the approaching reinforcements.
• Nearly five thousand Iwagakure Ninja entered Mount Wuyuan Base, and Shōji urged Kitsuchi to make Kumogakure fulfill its alliance obligations before Iwagakure advanced further.
• Kitsuchi assigned Akatsuchi to support Arai and protect the rear, sent Shōji to lead reconnaissance, and told Han to remain ready to fight Jiraiya.
• Shikaku learned that Mount Wuyuan Base had fallen, halted his reinforcements, and changed plans to establish a new defensive line.

Shikaku organized a new defensive line after Iwagakure captured Mount Wuyuan Base and thousands of its ninja entered the Land of Fire. Jiraiya joined the retreating forces and met Shikaku at camp, where he asked whether Konoha could retake the region and hold back Kumogakure as well.

• Shikaku assessed the invasion’s political and military danger and arranged defenses in a suitable area of the Land of Fire.
• Shikaku learned that Jiraiya had arrived with Gekko Zen'yoku and the retreating forces, then went to welcome him.
• Jiraiya’s arrival lifted the Konoha troops’ morale as Shikaku escorted him to the main camp.
• Shikaku and Jiraiya exchanged intelligence, including news that Iwagakure had sent another one to two thousand reinforcements into the Land of Grass.
• Jiraiya asked Shikaku whether Konoha could retake Mount Wuyuan and stop Kumogakure’s advance in the northeast.

Jiraiya and Shikaku assessed Konoha’s precarious position between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, while Dodai persuaded Fourth Raikage A to pressure Konoha for territory and Hyuga Hiashi before committing to war. As Kumogakure prepared to advance, Konoha and Iwagakure were already locked in fierce fighting around Mount Wuyuan, with Iwagakure forced onto the defensive.

• Shikaku told Jiraiya that Konoha’s eastern front was temporarily secure, then discussed a plan to feign weakness against Iwagakure and the risks posed by Kumogakure’s unpredictable choices.
• Dodai urged Fourth Raikage A to wait as Iwagakure’s rapid advance and Jiraiya’s arrival on the Western Front made a prolonged Konoha-Iwagakure stalemate likely.
• Dodai proposed demanding the Mount Hot Spring outposts and Hyuga Hiashi from Konoha while Kumogakure moved its army toward Mount Hot Spring.
• Fourth Raikage A approved Dodai’s proposal, ordered Samui to summon Yugito, and announced that he would lead the army to the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost.
• Konoha’s shinobi launched repeated assaults near Mount Wuyuan, forcing Kitsuchi and Shōji’s Iwagakure forces into a defensive posture.

Shōji and Kitsuchi discussed Konoha’s increasingly fierce attacks and the possibility that it planned to encircle Iwagakure’s forces at Mount Wuyuan. They agreed to preserve their strength and prepare to withdraw to the Land of Grass if necessary, while Kitsuchi checked Kumogakure’s movements.

• Shōji returned to the command base and found Kitsuchi studying the battle map as Konoha’s attacks continued to inflict heavy casualties on Iwagakure.
• Shōji warned Kitsuchi that Konoha might be trying to trap and destroy their force, estimating a thirty percent chance that it would bring in reinforcements and encircle them.
• Kitsuchi agreed that Kumogakure’s lack of action was worrying and said he would contact the village to verify its movements.
• Shōji proposed abandoning Mount Wuyuan and rebuilding their defensive line in the Land of Grass if the situation worsened, and Kitsuchi ordered him to avoid unnecessary battles.
• Kitsuchi told Shōji that Rōshi, Ido, and Shisui had reinforced Iwagakure’s eastern border, easing his concern about a sudden Kumogakure attack.
• Shōji left the command base and returned to the front lines to keep the three defensive positions from collapsing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha’s elders faced Kumogakure’s ultimatum to surrender Mount Hot Spring Outpost, withdraw from the Land of Hot Springs, and hand over Hiashi Hyuga. Hiruzen refused to give up Hiashi and proposed offering Kumogakure a pair of Byakugan instead, leaving negotiations with the Hyuga Clan ahead.

• Shikaku reaffirmed his plan to retake Mount Wuyuan Base and potentially destroy Iwagakure’s five-thousand-strong frontline force.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen received Kumogakure’s new demands and discussed the escalating crisis with Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō.
• Hiruzen rejected handing over Hiashi Hyuga, planned to delay Kumogakure, and said Konoha’s Eastern Front could retreat toward Mount Fengzui if necessary.
• Shimura Danzō proposed using the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, but Hiruzen and the other elders rejected the forbidden technique.
• Hiruzen proposed giving Kumogakure a pair of Byakugan to protect Hiashi and said he would negotiate the compromise with the Hyuga Clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen secured the Hyuga Clan’s agreement to give Kumogakure a pair of Byakugan and ordered Konoha to withdraw from the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost while preparing for a decisive battle against Iwagakure. After Dodai persuaded Fourth Raikage A to stop pressing Konoha and accept its terms, Shōji continued to endure exhausting frontline fighting against Konoha.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Konoha to withdraw from the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost, hold Mount Fengzui until the end of June, and prepare supplies for a decisive Western Front battle.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen visited the Hyuga Clan, and its Main Family elders agreed to provide Kumogakure with a pair of Byakugan preserved from deceased clan members.
• Kumogakure received the Byakugan and occupied the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost, while Fourth Raikage A questioned Konoha’s motives.
• Dodai advised Fourth Raikage A to stop pressuring Konoha, and A agreed to accept Konoha’s terms while positioning troops near Mount Fengzui and sending Iwagakure a misleading offer of alliance.
• Shōji led his troops in another clash with Konoha forces and felt increasingly strained by the relentless raids and counterattacks.

Shōji and Kitsuchi accepted that Iwagakure could no longer hold Mount Wuyuan Base as Konoha's reinforcements grew and Kumogakure stayed out of the fighting. Kitsuchi ordered an organized retreat into the Land of Grass, leaving himself and Han to hold the rear while Shōji covered the flanks.

• After Iwagakure Ninja reported a distress signal, Shōji went to support the threatened area while ordering his troops to clear the battlefield and evacuate the wounded.
• Kitsuchi and Shōji learned that Konoha had received reinforcements, Kumogakure had entered the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost without a fight, and the Third Tsuchikage had ordered Iwagakure to abandon Mount Wuyuan Base.
• Shōji agreed that Iwagakure had to withdraw promptly, recognizing that Konoha's growing force and possible threats from Sunagakure and Kumogakure made staying too dangerous.
• Kitsuchi assigned Akatsuchi and Arai to lead the wounded, logistics personnel, and medical staff toward Kannabi Bridge, and ordered Shōji to cover both flanks.
• Shōji offered to serve as rearguard with Han, but Kitsuchi refused and ordered Shōji to rejoin them after securing the main force's withdrawal.
• Shōji accepted Kitsuchi's orders and resolved to return quickly to support Kitsuchi and Han.

Iwagakure began evacuating Mount Wuyuan Base, prompting Shikaku to launch Konoha’s full force to retake the flanking high points and attack the retreating troops. As the battle intensified, Shōji confronted Gekko Zen'yoku at a high point and charged into a clash with the Konoha commander and his surrounding forces.

• Akatsuchi and Arai led wounded personnel, medical staff, and logistics workers out of Mount Wuyuan Base as Iwagakure started its withdrawal.
• After Konoha scouts detected the evacuation, Shikaku gained Jiraiya’s approval and sent nearly the entire Konoha force to seize the flanks and attack the base.
• Kitsuchi ordered Han to stop Konoha’s advance, and Han’s Five-Tails chakra and Boiling Release attack inflicted heavy casualties on the front ranks.
• Shikaku divided the battle responsibilities, sending Jiraiya to confront Han and directing other forces to stall Kitsuchi while Konoha pressed the Iwagakure lines.
• Gekko Zen'yoku led nearly a thousand Konoha Ninja against a flank high point and encountered Uchiha Shōji, who had moved there to protect Iwagakure’s retreat.
• Zen'yoku met Shōji’s charge with his Crescent Moon Wheel Blade as nearby Konoha Ninja joined the attack, and Shōji surged forward with Lightning Release Chakra.

Shōji killed Zen'yoku and several Konoha jōnin with Susanoo, then left the right-wing high ground to rendezvous with Kitsuchi and the others. He arrived as Jiraiya suppressed Kokuō and launched a full-power Susanoo assault, beginning a fierce clash that left the battlefield unresolved.

• Zen'yoku and the Konoha jōnin attacked Shōji, but he manifested Susanoo and killed Zen'yoku and the others, letting Iwagakure reclaim the right-wing high ground.
• Shōji judged that he could not hold the position against Konoha's larger forces, so he raced toward Mount Wuyuan Base to join Kitsuchi, Han, and the others.
• Shōji saw Jiraiya and the Mount Myōboku toads suppressing the wounded Kokuō while Shikaku directed Konoha's siege against Kitsuchi.
• Shōji activated his third-stage Susanoo and attacked Jiraiya, but Gamaken blocked his opening slash and Jiraiya answered with Great Fire Annihilation.
• Shōji countered with Lightning Release: Lightning Advent Technique, forcing Jiraiya and Gamaken to retreat as lightning struck the ground.