Chapter Summaries

Shōji, Han, and Kitsuchi used Han’s Tailed Beast Ball and Shōji’s Takemikazuchi to break Konoha’s formation and escape from Mount Wuyuan Base. They reached the Land of Grass and reunited with the main force, though their retreat cost many Iwagakure ninja their lives and left Shōji, Han, and Kitsuchi injured.

• Jiraiya and Shōji clashed, and Jiraiya’s attacks cracked Shōji’s Susanoo as Han prepared a Tailed Beast Ball.
• Shōji used Takemikazuchi as Han fired the Tailed Beast Ball, devastating the battlefield and opening a path for retreat.
• Shōji, Han, and Kitsuchi regrouped and led the surviving Iwagakure ninja away while Jiraiya and Shikaku chose not to pursue.
• The Iwagakure survivors crossed into the Land of Grass, rejoined their main force, and rested at a forward outpost.

After the battle at Mount Wuyuan Base, Shōji and the Iwagakure forces withdrew to recover while Konoha declared victory and Sarutobi Hiruzen moved to reopen peace negotiations. The chapter leaves Konoha preparing for diplomacy as Sunagakure and Kusagakure consider exploiting the shifting balance of power.

• Shōji nearly collapsed from exhaustion and worsening eyesight, but Kitsuchi caught him and urged him to rest at the base.
• Kitsuchi and Shōji concluded that Konoha would halt its pursuit near Mount Wuyuan Base, while Iwagakure focused on consolidating its hold over the Land of Grass.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen publicly declared Konoha victorious despite its heavy casualties and decided to seek a ceasefire with Iwagakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Mitokado Homura that Ōnoki had gone to the Land of Grass front, and Homura agreed to lead ceasefire negotiations.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen kept Shimura Danzō under semi-confinement and without command of Root, while Sunagakure and Kusagakure began considering moves prompted by the battle’s outcome.

With Iwagakure retreating and Konoha halting its western advance, Kumogakure moved to seize Mount Fengzui Base and demanded Konoha withdraw within three days. Konoha’s commanders prepared for the threat while Jiraiya and Shikaku began arranging a ceasefire with Iwagakure, leaving the conflict with Kumogakure unresolved.

• Ōnoki traveled to the Land of Grass with his Anbu Kage Guard Squad to steady Iwagakure’s front and deter Kusagakure and Konoha.
• Dodai persuaded Fourth Raikage A to advance on Mount Fengzui and give Konoha three days to surrender its bases.
• Nara Suzaku and Yamanaka Inoichi received Kumogakure’s ultimatum, and Inoichi cautioned Yamashiro Aoba to prepare without openly assuming Konoha would give up the base.
• Inoichi reflected that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s authority remained strong and hoped Shikaku could persuade Jiraiya to lead the village.
• Jiraiya ordered Shikaku to negotiate a ceasefire with Iwagakure so Konoha could shift forces toward the Kumogakure threat.
• Shikaku resolved to promote Jiraiya as the next Hokage after the village’s external conflicts were settled.

Ōnoki convened Iwagakure's leaders to consider Konoha's ceasefire proposal while weighing the threat from Kumogakure and the Uchiha Clan's position. He decided to delay a commitment and observe Kumogakure's actions as Kitsuchi and Shōji handled contact with Konoha.

• Arai warned that Konoha's ceasefire offer could be a conspiracy, while Ogata suggested it might be driven by Kumogakure's advance in the Land of Hot Springs.
• Iwagakure's leaders debated whether to distrust both villages or negotiate before the village was drained by a prolonged war.
• Kitsuchi supported testing Konoha's offer, and Ōnoki agreed that Sarutobi Hiruzen was likely sincere about ending the conflict.
• Ōnoki asked Shōji for his view, and Shōji recommended contacting Konoha cautiously while watching what Kumogakure did after occupying the Land of Hot Springs.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi and Shōji to imply that a temporary ceasefire was possible without discussing terms or giving Konoha a clear answer.

Ōnoki ordered Iwagakure to monitor Kumogakure and its Byakugan while Shōji worried about his dwindling Dōjutsu Power. After Konoha’s concessions shifted the balance among the villages, negotiations resumed in Konohagakure, where Shōji planned to look for an opportunity involving the Hyuga Clan.

• Ōnoki ordered Arai and Ogata to watch Kumogakure’s movements and gather intelligence about Hizashi Hyuga and the Byakugan, while Shōji reflected on his risk of going blind.
• Iwagakure and Konoha pulled back their forces, leaving Rasa frustrated and Boro fearful that Kusagakure would become Iwagakure’s vassal.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Suzaku and Inoichi to withdraw Konoha’s garrison from the Land of Hot Springs and hand it over without resistance.
• The Fourth Raikage A accepted Konoha’s proposal to resume peace negotiations after Dodai advised him, despite his anger at Iwagakure’s stance.
• Ōnoki sent Kitsuchi and Shōji to negotiate in Konohagakure, and Shōji persuaded him by proposing to target the Hyuga Clan.
• Shōji and the delegation led by Dodai arrived in Konohagakure in July of Konoha’s fifty-first year as the three villages resumed negotiations.

Konoha tightened security around the Kumogakure and Iwagakure delegations as Shōji weighed how to pursue his plans under surveillance. When Dodai arrived to meet Iwagakure, Kitsuchi and Shōji agreed to hear him out, and Dodai hinted that he wanted their villages to cooperate against Konoha.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Homura and Shikaku to handle Iwagakure matters and ordered Inoichi and Raidō to strengthen security around the delegations.
• Kitsuchi, Shōji, and Akatsuchi assessed the new surveillance at their inn, and Shōji said he would use the time during prolonged negotiations to investigate Konoha, especially the Hyuga Clan.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu told Dodai and Kitsuchi that the Kumo and Iwa talks would be held separately on the following days.
• Dodai visited the Iwagakure inn, and Kitsuchi and Shōji agreed to meet him so they could coordinate pressure on Konoha while remaining wary of Kumogakure.
• Shōji recognized the young man with Dodai as Darui, while Dodai greeted Shōji and Kitsuchi and suggested cooperation depended on Iwagakure's attitude.

Dodai tried to persuade Iwagakure to join Kumogakure in pressuring Konoha, but Shōji and Kitsuchi rejected his promises and challenged Kumogakure’s credibility. Darui’s angry outburst escalated the meeting until Shōji used his Sharingan to intimidate him, and the parties exchanged apologies without resolving their disagreement.

• Shōji accused Kumogakure of abandoning Iwagakure during its battle with Konoha, and Kitsuchi backed his criticism.
• Dodai offered compensation and a larger share of future gains if Iwagakure joined Kumogakure against Konoha, but Shōji demanded concrete proof of Kumogakure’s credibility.
• Kitsuchi said Iwagakure would no longer interfere with Kumogakure’s actions and would not join forces for now.
• Darui angrily rebuked Shōji, who activated his Sharingan and overwhelmed Darui with his terrifying presence.
• Dodai stopped Darui and made him apologize, while Kitsuchi prompted Shōji to apologize to Dodai as the meeting remained unresolved.

After Dodai left a meeting with Iwagakure, he reassessed the Uchiha Clan’s strength and considered Kumogakure’s next move. Jiraiya confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen over Naruto’s neglect, then agreed to watch over him while Shōji prepared cautiously for the three-nation conference.

• Dodai returned to Kumogakure’s inn with Darui, wary of Iwagakure’s intentions and newly impressed by Uchiha Shōji’s power.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered closer surveillance of the Kumogakure and Iwagakure delegations after learning Dodai’s visit had been brief.
• Jiraiya demanded an explanation from Sarutobi Hiruzen about Naruto’s isolation and the village’s treatment of him as a demon fox.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted he had neglected Naruto and promised to improve his care, and Jiraiya chose to trust him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Jiraiya to monitor Shōji and the village situation, and Jiraiya agreed while intending to meet Shōji.
• Shōji discussed the delegation’s plans with Kitsuchi, then resolved to gather intelligence and avoid rash moves.

During the Three Great Shinobi Villages negotiations, Shōji secretly approached Neji Hyuga, who was grieving his father’s death, and offered him a chance to join Iwagakure and gain the power to take revenge. Neji accepted, and Shōji led him away from Konoha as night fell.

• Shōji gathered intelligence on Konoha’s security and tracked Neji’s movements to Training Ground Three.
• Shōji found Neji wounding himself as he trained and grieved for his father, Hizashi Hyuga.
• Shōji offered Neji a place in Iwagakure and promised to help him overcome the Caged Bird Seal and avenge Hizashi.
• Neji questioned Shōji’s motives but declared that he wanted revenge and would join if Shōji could give him power.
• Neji accepted Shōji’s invitation, and the two left the training ground together after sunset.

The Three Great Shinobi Villages concluded peace negotiations, and Iwagakure secured Neji Hyuga while Uchiha Shōji met with Hyuga Hiashi to discuss the Hyuga Clan’s future. Hiashi left with difficult choices to consider, while Shōji returned his attention to strengthening himself.

• Dodai abandoned his effort to use Iwagakure to expand Kumogakure’s influence and instead tried to limit Iwagakure’s gains, while Kitsuchi concealed his satisfaction over securing Neji Hyuga.
• The Three Great Shinobi Villages signed their peace agreement on July 15th, ending the Pseudo-Fourth Shinobi World War and granting Kumogakure and Iwagakure territory and other benefits.
• Shōji invited Hyuga Hiashi to a secret meeting outside the Hyuga compound, confirmed Hiashi had come alone, and revealed himself as Uchiha Shōji.
• Shōji spoke to Hiashi about Konoha and the Hyuga Clan, and Hiashi agreed to listen before falling into deep hesitation.
• Shōji told Hiashi that Neji had voluntarily joined him and promised to explain the truth about Hizashi’s death; Hiashi returned to his compound to consider what to do.
• Shōji left the meeting and refocused on improving his eyes, training in Sage Mode, and strengthening himself.

After the war, Shōji resolved to pursue Wood Release research and senjutsu so he could become strong enough to protect his clan and fulfill his ambitions. Jiraiya approached him for a conversation, but Shōji rejected his hopes for peace and left, while Jiraiya remained behind in silence.

• Shōji decided to accelerate Wood Release cell research and senjutsu training, while postponing a trip to the moon until he was stronger.
• Near the delegation's inn, Shōji encountered Jiraiya, who said he wanted to talk and invited him to share sake.
• Shōji toasted Jiraiya and expressed respect for his character, but warned that he did not agree with Jiraiya's ideals or methods.
• Jiraiya urged Shōji to consider peace, and Shōji argued that hatred, competing interests, and the unequal distribution of land made lasting peace unattainable.
• Shōji affirmed that his identity as an Uchiha kept their paths apart, then departed and left Jiraiya alone.

After the peace agreement ended the false Fourth Shinobi World War, Shōji returned to Iwagakure and reaffirmed his plan to expand its influence, while Jiraiya remained committed to his own ideal of peace. Ōnoki celebrated Iwagakure’s gains, including Neji Hyuga, and arranged for Neji to live near Uzumaki Reina rather than with Shōji’s Uchiha family.

• Shōji left Jiraiya after declaring his resolve to follow his own path, and Jiraiya finished his sake before departing with his dream of peace unchanged.
• On July 16, the Iwagakure and Kumogakure delegations left Konohagakure after the three villages signed an agreement ending the false Fourth Shinobi World War.
• Shōji planned to advise Ōnoki to expand Iwagakure’s control over the Land of Grass, while Ōnoki began building bases there and suppressing Kusagakure.
• After Kitsuchi, Shōji, and Akatsuchi returned, Ōnoki praised their negotiations and assigned Akatsuchi to coordinate supplies for the new bases with Arai.
• Ōnoki asked Shōji to house Neji Hyuga, but Shōji objected that the Uchiha and Hyuga clans’ strained relationship made that unsuitable.
• Ōnoki agreed to have Kitsuchi arrange a house for Neji near Uzumaki Reina and her son, and Shōji promised to inform Reina.

After the war, Ōnoki assigned Kitsuchi and Shōji plans to strengthen Iwagakure through Chakra Armor production and the gradual annexation of Kusagakure. Shōji then visited Yakushi Nonō and Yakushi Kabuto, reassured them about the orphanage children in Konoha, and invited Kabuto to help with his research.

• Ōnoki entrusted Kitsuchi with the second-generation Chakra Armor project and discussed Shōji’s proposals for recruiting Kusagakure’s more than two thousand ninja.
• Kitsuchi urged Shōji to rest and spend time with his family, and Shōji went to visit Nonō and Kabuto.
• Shōji told Nonō that he had confirmed the orphanage children were safe but that bringing them to Iwagakure was not feasible.
• Nonō accepted that the children should remain in Konoha and said she and Kabuto would serve Iwagakure in secret.
• Kabuto pledged to obey Iwagakure, and Shōji offered him a non-dangerous but demanding role assisting with research.

Shōji visited Fugaku to discuss the worsening strain on his Mangekyō Sharingan and his plan to investigate a cure. Fugaku offered his own Mangekyō eyes, explaining that related Uchiha eyes might awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and revealed that he had already removed them.

• Shōji appointed Kabuto to assist with his Wood Release cell research and arranged for him to meet at the Uchiha compound.
• Shōji returned to the compound and went to Fugaku to discuss his failing eyesight and the Mangekyō Sharingan’s drawbacks.
• Fugaku offered to transplant his Mangekyō Sharingan into Shōji and explained that related Uchiha eyes could fuse into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Shōji realized that biological brothers were not necessarily the only candidates for the transplant and questioned what losing his eyes would mean for Fugaku.
• Fugaku revealed a preservation vial containing his own removed Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving Shōji stunned.

Shōji accepted Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan and pledged to guide the Uchiha Clan, while planning to prepare carefully before attempting the transplant. He also secured Fugaku’s support for research into combining Sharingan with the First Hokage’s Wood Release cells, a possible new path for the clan.

• Fugaku offered Shōji his Mangekyō Sharingan as an act of atonement and a way to support the clan’s future, and Shōji accepted the eyes and vowed to lead the clan toward a brighter future.
• Shōji received Fugaku’s research materials and said he would test compatibility and rejection before attempting the transplant.
• Fugaku asked about Shōji’s original plan, and Shōji explained that he had obtained some of the First Hokage’s Wood Release cells and wanted to study their connection with Sharingan.
• Shōji requested preserved Sharingan for experiments and asked Fugaku to keep the research secret; Fugaku agreed to provide the eyes and handle the clan’s internal affairs.
• Fugaku sent Itachi to escort Shōji out and reflected that Shōji’s leadership had saved the Uchiha Clan from its worst fate.

After securing Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan, Shōji revised his plans and returned to the peaceful routine of family life before taking up his village duties again. He assigned Yakushi Kabuto to begin research training, leaving Kabuto to start his first experiments in the Uchiha compound laboratory.

• Shōji decided to prepare carefully before transplanting Fugaku’s eyes and to use the remaining power in his own Mangekyō for further experiments.
• Shōji reassured Itachi that Squad One’s next mission had been arranged and offered to help with Itachi’s training.
• Shōji spent time with his family, then resumed planning his training, research, team missions, and village responsibilities.
• Shōji registered Yakushi Kabuto as an Iwagakure Chūnin and assigned him introductory research work using collected materials and reference documents.
• Kabuto accepted Shōji’s guidance, began studying the research materials, and started his first assignment in the laboratory.

Shōji checked on Neji and promised to train him after he entered the Ninja Academy, while arranging for Reina to care for him and offering Karin the same future opportunity. He then met with Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi to assign them independent missions and assess their strength for the next stage of training.

• Shōji encouraged Neji to work hard, enroll in the Ninja Academy next year, and avoid overtraining while Reina looked after him.
• Shōji promised Karin that she could attend the Ninja Academy and receive his personal training after graduating if she listened to her mother.
• Shōji arrived late at the Eighth Training Ground and promised to take Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi out to dinner as an apology.
• Shōji gave Itachi a scroll of missions for the team to complete over the next half year and appointed him temporary captain while Shōji was absent.
• Shōji began assessing Itachi, Deidara, and Kurotsuchi individually so he could create new training plans for them.

Shōji delegated missions to Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara, pursued research into transferring Mangekyō Dōjutsu Power, and prepared for an eye transplant. Ōnoki summoned him after unrest broke out in Kusagakure, and Shōji began reading the intelligence report.

• Shōji assigned Itachi, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara B-rank missions and made Itachi their temporary captain.
• Shōji used a Transcription Seal to inject his Dōjutsu Power into an ordinary Tomoe Sharingan, but remained uncertain whether the result could be used safely in Wood Release experiments.
• Shōji prepared for a Mangekyō Sharingan transplant scheduled for the end of October and continued extracting Dōjutsu Power from his eyes.
• Yakushi Kabuto told Shōji that Ōnoki had urgently summoned him over a matter concerning Kusagakure.
• Shōji reached the Tsuchikage Office, where Ōnoki directed him to read Ogata's intelligence report about the unrest.

Shōji set out for Kusagakure after Ōnoki ordered him to investigate Boro’s unexpected resistance. As Shōji approached, Boro prepared a counterattack and revealed Kusagakure’s hidden trump card, the Box of Paradise, which he claimed sealed a being as powerful as or stronger than a Tailed Beast.

• Shōji asked Ōnoki about unusual activity in Sunagakure and Kumogakure, and Ōnoki reported that neither had made major moves.
• Ōnoki sent Shōji to Kusagakure with full authority to resolve the situation, and Shōji immediately departed.
• Boro gathered his most trusted Kusa Ninja and ordered them to prepare a counterattack against Iwagakure that night.
• Mammoth warned Boro that Kusagakure could not withstand Iwagakure alone, but Boro argued that their power and authority would be lost if they surrendered.
• Boro led Mammoth underground and revealed the Box of Paradise as Kusagakure’s secret weapon.
• Boro told Mammoth that the Box of Paradise could be opened with a handed-down seal and contained a being comparable to or stronger than a Tailed Beast.

Boro launched Kusagakure’s planned counterattack against Iwagakure, but betrayal and Iwagakure’s hidden preparations threw the village into a bloody battle. As Boro went to intercept Iwagakure’s approaching main force, he left Mammoth to defend the village and tasked Kakuzu and Sasori with killing the enemy commander.

• Mammoth questioned Boro about the Box of Paradise, and Boro said he would keep it as a last resort while relying on two Akatsuki members for help.
• Boro’s forces and Iwagakure’s troops prepared for battle as Akatsuchi and Arai waited for Kusagakure to make the first move.
• On October 20, Kusa Ninja attacked Iwagakure forces in Kusagakure, but hidden Iwagakure Ninja counterattacked while many Kusa Ninja remained neutral or betrayed Boro.
• Boro learned that seven or eight hundred Iwagakure Ninja were approaching and sent Mammoth to support the fighting inside the village.
• Boro asked Kakuzu and Sasori to kill Iwagakure’s commander, but declined Kakuzu’s offer to eliminate the rest of the enemy force for an additional fee.