Chapter Summaries

Sarutobi Hiruzen convened Konoha’s leaders after Iwagakure pursued fleeing Kusa Ninja to the Land of Fire border, amid reports that Uchiha Shōji had captured the Two-Tails. The leaders anticipated a war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, and Hiruzen proposed a Five Kage Summit while ordering Konoha to strengthen its border defenses.

• Konoha’s border garrison detained the captured Kusa Ninja while Iwagakure’s pursuing force confronted them near the Land of Fire border.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Shimura Danzō, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi to review the border report.
• Shikaku and Inoichi read that Kumogakure’s operation had failed and that Iwagakure likely held the Two-Tails, making war between the two villages seem imminent.
• Shimura Danzō argued that Iwagakure’s border confrontation was a test of Konoha’s resolve and urged Hiruzen not to surrender the Kusa Ninja without questioning them.
• Hiruzen refused to hand over the Kusa Ninja immediately and proposed that Konoha call a Five Kage Summit.
• Hiruzen ordered Konoha to reinforce its northwestern and northeastern borders and prepare to support the front lines.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and his advisers discussed gathering intelligence and proposing a Five Kage Summit, while the furious Fourth Raikage A prepared Kumogakure for war against Iwagakure. After Shōji returned to Iwagakure, Ōnoki confirmed his succession ceremony would proceed on New Year’s Day, and the village learned that Shōji would become the Fourth Tsuchikage.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Danzo’s Root to interrogate the Kusa Ninja and gather intelligence, then tasked Shikaku with contacting Sunagakure and Kirigakure and Inoichi with monitoring Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
• The Fourth Raikage A ordered Fenghe to retrieve B and told Samui to put Kumogakure on full war footing within ten days.
• The Fourth Raikage A asked Mabui to approach Konoha and Sunagakure about joining an attack on Iwagakure, mobilized border forces, and sent Iwagakure demands to release its captives, pay compensation, and hand over Uchiha Shōji.
• Shōji returned to Iwagakure with Yugito under his control and the three little ones, and Ōnoki told him his succession ceremony would take place the next day.
• Shōji accepted Ōnoki’s confidence and pledged to lead Iwagakure, while news spread that he would become the Fourth Tsuchikage on New Year’s Day.

Uchiha Shōji was inaugurated as Iwagakure’s Fourth Tsuchikage amid widespread celebration, becoming the youngest of the Five Kage. After the ceremony, he and Ōnoki discussed a proposed Five Kage Summit and the intelligence they had received from Kumogakure and Konohagakure.

• Iwagakure’s villagers and the Uchiha celebrated Shōji’s appointment, while his allies and family gathered to witness the inauguration.
• Sasuke admired Shōji and resolved to become a great ninja like him; a single tomoe briefly appeared in Sasuke’s eye without Itachi noticing.
• Shōji appeared in Tsuchikage robes and a hat, took the oath to defend Iwagakure, and received the cheers of the gathered crowd.
• Spies from other nations witnessed Iwagakure’s fervor and anticipated a major shift in the shinobi world as news of Shōji’s appointment spread.
• Shōji, Ōnoki, and the others returned to the Tsuchikage Office, where Shōji took the main seat and they discussed the proposed Five Kage Summit.

Iwagakure rejected Kumogakure’s ultimatum and mobilized for war under Fourth Tsuchikage Uchiha Shōji, while the Fourth Raikage marched west with a massive army. As the other villages prepared to exploit the conflict, Shimura Danzō demanded that Konoha threaten war unless Iwagakure removed Shōji.

• Ōnoki and Shōji discussed Konoha’s proposed Five Kage Summit and Rasa’s support for it before receiving Kumogakure’s ultimatum and border intelligence.
• Shōji rejected the Fourth Raikage’s demands, ordered Iwagakure’s forces mobilized, and prepared to lead an army against Kumogakure.
• Fourth Raikage A rejected the summit proposal and marched toward the Land of Earth with Killer B and more than seven thousand Kumo Ninja.
• Rasa mobilized Sunagakure to watch for a chance to reclaim the Northern Fortress, while Terumi Mei agreed to conduct military exercises in support of Iwagakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen struggled to decide Konoha’s response as the villages prepared for war.
• Shimura Danzō stormed into the Hokage’s Office and demanded that Konoha threaten war unless Iwagakure removed Uchiha Shōji as Tsuchikage.

Konoha’s leaders debated how to respond to Uchiha Shōji becoming Iwagakure’s Fourth Tsuchikage while the great villages mobilized for war, and Sarutobi Hiruzen chose caution over Danzō’s call to attack. After receiving a message, Danzō met Orochimaru, who warned him that Shōji’s eyes rivaled Uchiha Madara’s, and demanded to know what Orochimaru and Uchiha Obito were plotting.

• Shimura Danzō urged Sarutobi Hiruzen to ally with Kumogakure and Sunagakure to force Uchiha Shōji from office, but Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu chose to observe the situation and strengthen Konoha’s defenses.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen soothed Danzō’s anger, and Danzō left the Hokage’s Office after the others agreed to avoid war for now.
• A Root member delivered a marked scroll to Danzō, who read it and went alone to meet Orochimaru at the eastern edge of the village.
• Orochimaru told Danzō that Uchiha Obito had confirmed Shōji’s eyes were on the same level as Uchiha Madara’s and warned that Shōji might eventually reach Madara’s strength.
• Danzō questioned Orochimaru’s claim and demanded to know why he had returned and what he and Uchiha Obito were plotting.

Danzo and Orochimaru exchanged intelligence and arranged to approach Uchiha Obito, while Danzo set his sights on the Uchiha Clan’s Mangekyō Sharingan. On the Land of Lightning front, Kitsuchi planned a cautious advance against Kumo, sending Mister Rōshi to raid the Tōkyō supply outpost as reinforcements approached.

• Danzo warned Orochimaru that he suspected ties between him, Obito, and Akatsuki, but became intrigued by the prospect of using Obito’s hatred of the Uchiha Clan.
• Danzo offered to help Obito attack the Uchiha Clan and asked Orochimaru to relay the offer, while Orochimaru demanded proof of Danzo’s sincerity regarding the previous incident.
• Danzo and Orochimaru exchanged scrolls containing the requested information and arrangements, then Danzo left to plan how to exploit the Uchiha Clan and other forces.
• Kumo and Iwagakure forces clashed along the border, where Mister Rōshi and Kitsuchi inflicted heavy losses on Kumo and pushed Iwagakure’s advance into the Land of Lightning.
• Mister Rōshi urged Kitsuchi to attack the Kumo main camp, but Kitsuchi chose to cut its supplies and wait for reinforcements because the camp was fortified and the terrain favored its defenders.
• Kitsuchi sent Mister Rōshi and an elite squad to raid the Tōkyō supply outpost while arranging a frontal feint to divert Kumo’s attention and prepare support.

Obito watched the Iwagakure and Kumo forces move toward war, refusing to capture the Four-Tails before Akatsuki was ready. Meanwhile, Rōshi led an elite unit to attack the Tōkyō stronghold, where he encountered Killer B and realized the fight would be far harder than expected.

• Kitsuchi advanced with more than fifteen hundred Iwagakure Ninja toward the Kumo main camp, while the Kumo commander reinforced its defenses and prepared to hold until the Raikage arrived.
• Obito observed Rōshi's covert advance and rejected White Zetsu's suggestion to capture the Four-Tails, ordering surveillance of Iwagakure and Uchiha Shōji instead.
• Obito left to follow Rōshi, while Shōji planned to exploit Obito and Black Zetsu as pieces in his own strategy and prepared to test his Wood Release research.
• Rōshi's unit reached the Tōkyō stronghold, where Kofu reported that its defenses included a sensing barrier and an unfamiliar, subtle aura.
• Rōshi attacked the stronghold with Lava Release, but Killer B appeared and countered with Lightning Release, prompting Rōshi to recognize the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Rōshi fought Killer B and the Eight-Tails to give the Iwagakure Ninja time to retreat, but Kumo reinforcements arrived and the Fourth Raikage struck him down. Rōshi and Son Gokū faced the two enemies together as Rōshi was badly wounded and his Tailed Beast transformation began to fail.

• Rōshi and Killer B transformed into their complete Tailed Beast forms and clashed, with the Eight-Tails suppressing the Four-Tails.
• Son Gokū warned Rōshi that a force of more than a thousand Kumo Ninja was approaching, and Kofu urged him to retreat.
• Rōshi used Lava Release to slow Killer B and escape, but the Fourth Raikage arrived and kicked the Four-Tails into the ground.
• Rōshi abandoned hope of escape and fought alongside Son Gokū as the Fourth Raikage and Killer B attacked from both sides.
• The Fourth Raikage and Killer B overwhelmed Rōshi, who was battered, depleted of Chakra, and unable to maintain his complete Tailed Beast transformation.

Shisui arrived in time to save the badly injured Rōshi from the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, and helped him retreat by striking at the approaching Kumogakure reinforcements. The armies gathered near Kumoyoke Peak, where Shōji learned that Rōshi had encountered the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails.

• The Fourth Raikage nearly finished off Rōshi, but Shisui struck Killer B and arrived in Susanoo, giving Rōshi a chance to escape.
• Shisui severed one of Gyūki’s tentacles and endured the Fourth Raikage’s attack, which cracked Susanoo.
• Shisui and Rōshi launched attacks toward the incoming Kumogakure army, but the Fourth Raikage and Killer B redirected them; Rōshi and Shisui then retreated.
• The Fourth Raikage resolved to continue the coming war as the Kumogakure and Iwagakure main forces arrived near Kumoyoke Peak.
• Shōji met Shisui, Rōshi, and Kitsuchi at the Iwagakure camp, then sent the severely injured Rōshi to rest.

Shōji prepared Iwagakure for an immediate assault on Kumogakure, sending the injured Rōshi home after revealing he could control Yugito. He assigned Shisui to attack the Kumo Ninja formation while he faced the Fourth Raikage and Eight-Tails, as A prepared Kumogakure for a prolonged war.

• Shōji ordered Kitsuchi to summon Mingjing and arrange for Rōshi to return to the village for treatment, but Rōshi initially insisted on fighting.
• Shōji revealed that he could control Yugito and send her into battle, convincing Rōshi to leave the front and recover.
• Shōji ordered Iwagakure to launch an all-out attack the next day and assigned Shisui to lead a special assault unit against the Kumo Ninja formation.
• Shisui suggested using Kotoamatsukami on the Fourth Raikage, and Shōji agreed only if a safe opportunity arose.
• A arrived at Kumoyoke Peak with Killer B and the Kumogakure reinforcements, then convened a meeting to plan for a prolonged war.

The Fourth Raikage chose to prolong the war, while Obito watched Shisui and weighed whether to steal his Mangekyō Sharingan. At dawn, Shōji led Iwagakure into battle against Kumogakure, and the chapter ended as Killer B counterattacked Shōji with a powerful Lightning Release technique.

• The Fourth Raikage judged Iwagakure's superior top-tier fighters and Chakra Armor a grave threat, so he planned to draw out the conflict and hold the line.
• Obito recognized that Shisui's Susanoo and Yasaka Beads Technique confirmed his suspicions about Shōji's transplanted Mangekyō, but decided to keep watching before making a move.
• Iwagakure and Kumo Ninja fought through the night as both sides sought intelligence and tried to secure positions along the border.
• At dawn, Shōji marched more than six thousand Iwagakure Ninja toward Kumoyoke Peak, and the Fourth Raikage led Kumogakure out to meet them.
• The Fourth Raikage confronted Shōji, who mocked him over the fate of the previous Raikage, prompting A and the Kumo forces to attack.
• Shōji met A's assault and blocked Killer B with Susanoo, but Killer B broke free with Lightning Release - Heavy Flowing Storm Technique and struck toward Shōji's face.

Shōji overwhelmed the Fourth Raikage and Killer B with his Susanoo, then deployed Matatabi and Satoru to devastate the Kumo forces. Obito watched from afar, weighing whether Shōji’s strength made an attack too risky.

• The Fourth Raikage and Killer B attacked Shōji, but his Susanoo protected him from their blows.
• Shōji used his Sharingan and lightning technique to stop Killer B from leaving to aid the Kumo army, then manifested his full armored Susanoo.
• Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails, while Obito watched the battle and decided he would attack Shisui only if Shōji proved unable to defeat the pair.
• Shōji summoned the Box of Paradise and controlled Yugito as Matatabi, then sent them toward the Kumo forces rather than using them against the Raikage and Killer B.
• Matatabi and Satoru tore through the Kumo ranks, shattering their morale and leaving the Fourth Raikage enraged at the mounting losses.

Shōji overwhelmed the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Gyūki, while Killer B urged A to retreat and cover Kumogakure’s withdrawal. A escaped as Iwagakure pursued the Kumo Ninja, and Shōji defeated Gyūki, leaving Killer B gravely wounded on the battlefield.

• A and Killer B combined a Tailed Beast Ball with A’s lightning-fast attack, but Shōji’s Susanoo blocked them and endured A’s all-out strike.
• Shōji used Takemikazuchi to severely wound Gyūki, but Gyūki and A coordinated attacks that briefly sent Shōji flying.
• Killer B told A to retreat and take charge of Kumogakure; A signaled the Kumo Ninja to withdraw while B stayed behind to cover them.
• Shōji let A escape, then led Susanoo and the Iwagakure forces in pursuing the retreating Kumo Ninja and attacking the soldiers who stayed behind.
• Shōji restrained Gyūki, severed six of its tentacle tails, and struck it down with a lightning-charged Susanoo slash, leaving Killer B wounded and unable to rise.

Shōji defeated the Kumo forces, captured Killer B, and advanced into the Kumoyoke Peak region, leaving Kumogakure devastated. Obito rejected reviving Madara for now and planned to turn the other villages against Iwagakure, while news of Shōji’s victory shocked the shinobi world.

• Shōji controlled Killer B with his Sharingan as the Kumo army collapsed, and the Fourth Raikage retreated, abandoning thousands of Kumo Ninja.
• Shōji ordered Kitsuchi and Shisui to pursue the remaining Kumo forces, summoned medical help for Killer B, and prepared to advance toward Kumoyoke Peak.
• Obito refused Black Zetsu’s suggestion to revive Madara and instead planned to incite the other villages to pressure Iwagakure.
• Obito left using Kamui, while Shōji led Shisui, Matatabi, Satoru, and three thousand Iwagakure Ninja to seize the Kumoyoke Peak region.
• More than six thousand Kumo Ninja were killed or captured, Killer B fell into Iwagakure’s hands, and reports of the defeat spread through the shinobi world.

As Iwagakure’s overwhelming strength alarmed the other villages, Terumi Mei recalled part of Kirigakure’s forces, Rasa sent Sunagakure troops to support Kumogakure, and Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Konoha to join them. The three villages began coordinating a coalition against Iwagakure, while Konoha’s army marched northwest toward the front.

• Terumi Mei recalled some Kirigakure troops from the Kumogakure front and adopted a wait-and-see stance, while Rasa ordered more than seven thousand Sunagakure Ninja toward the Northern Fortress.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen convened Konoha’s leaders and ordered troops deployed to preserve Kumogakure and restrain Iwagakure.
• Hiruzen assigned Danzo to the front, put Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu in charge of village affairs, and authorized Nara Shikaku to contact the other villages and the Daimyō.
• Konoha assembled an initial force of five thousand Ninja, including Might Guy and other elite shinobi, with another five thousand planned for deployment.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen led Konoha’s army northwest, and envoys from the three villages began coordinating an alliance against Iwagakure.
• Rasa took reassurance from Konoha’s commitment, including Hiruzen’s personal deployment and the planned return of Jiraiya and Tsunade.

Shōji halted Iwagakure’s advance after defeating Kumogakure and sought to secure Killer B and Gyūki as allies. He confronted Gyūki with the threat of the Ten-Tails’ revival, leaving the Eight-Tails alarmed and asking who planned to bring it back.

• Shōji left Kitsuchi and five thousand Iwagakure Ninja at Kumoyoke Peak, with Han arriving to reinforce the defense, then traveled south with Shisui.
• Shōji told Shisui he wanted to use Kotoamatsukami on Killer B, but first needed to speak with Gyūki.
• Shōji entered Killer B’s mental space and found Gyūki restrained while Killer B slept under his control.
• Shōji revealed that he knew the Tailed Beasts had been split from the Ten-Tails by Hagoromo Otsutsuki, shocking Gyūki.
• Shōji explained that the Ten-Tails could be revived using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Rinnegan, and Gyūki demanded to know who was behind it.
• Shōji said he had not identified the person with certainty, but intended to oppose anyone seeking to revive the Ten-Tails.

Shōji secured Gyūki’s cooperation and had Shisui use Kotoamatsukami to make Killer B believe he was an Iwagakure spy. After reuniting with Ōnoki at the front, Shōji confirmed Iwagakure would stop short of destroying Kumogakure and avoid a wider war for now.

• Gyūki accepted Shōji’s terms after Shōji promised to protect Killer B and eventually free the Tailed Beasts.
• Shisui used Kotoamatsukami to alter Killer B’s will, making him believe he had been an Iwagakure spy and return to Shōji’s service.
• Shōji led his army south to the Land of Fire border, where he met Ōnoki and the Iwagakure forces facing Konoha.
• Shōji told Ōnoki that Killer B had joined Iwagakure, the Fourth Raikage was badly wounded, and Kumogakure had lost thousands of ninja.
• Shōji and Ōnoki agreed to follow the plan to avoid destroying Kumogakure and provoking a war against the other villages.

After Shōji halted Iwagakure’s offensive and challenged Konoha and Sunagakure to withdraw their troops, the Five Great Shinobi Villages chose negotiations over war. The Five Kage Summit was scheduled for three days later in the capital of the Land of Iron, where Mifune began preparing to host it.

• Shōji agreed with Ōnoki to stop Iwagakure’s advance and sent notices to Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure demanding that they withdraw or negotiate over Kumogakure’s actions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Shikaku recognized that Shōji’s move had taken away Konoha’s pretext for war, while Danzo urged Hiruzen to reject the proposal.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen called for a Five Kage Summit, and Danzo left in anger after Hiruzen cut off his objections.
• Rasa and Terumi Mei agreed to the summit, while Fourth Raikage A accepted that Kumogakure had little choice but to seek the return of its captured shinobi and Tailed Beasts through negotiations.
• The Five Kage arranged to meet three days later in the capital of the Land of Iron, and Mifune began organizing the venue and security.

Mifune prepared the Land of Iron for the Five Kage Summit as the Fourth Raikage arrived first, determined to secure help for Kumogakure after its devastating losses to Iwagakure. Shōji arrived later as the feared Fourth Tsuchikage, intent on weakening Kumogakure without surrendering his gains.

• Mifune ordered heightened patrols and border reconnaissance ahead of the summit, wary that conflict between the Kage could endanger the Land of Iron.
• The Fourth Raikage arrived at the castle with Samui and C, and C urged him to seek support from Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure to recover Kumogakure’s captured shinobi and Tailed Beasts.
• The remaining Kage entered the Land of Iron, with Shōji arriving before the Third Hokage and Fourth Kazekage Rasa, who had traveled together.
• Chōsuke escorted Shōji to the summit castle, where Mifune awaited him, while Shisui Uchiha and Akatsuchi accompanied him as guards.
• Shōji decided against bringing Yugito and Killer B to provoke the Fourth Raikage and resolved to weaken Kumogakure without giving up his gains.

Shōji arrived at the Five Kage Summit, where the Raikage restrained his anger and the Hokage and Kazekage joined him without a fight. Outside the castle, Obito and Black Zetsu weighed their plans, while Shōji waited to see whether Terumi Mei and Kirigakure would support his aims.

• Mifune welcomed Shōji and directed him to a resting area far from the Fourth Raikage.
• The Fourth Raikage suppressed his anger at Shōji's arrival and told C and Samui to report when the Hokage and Kazekage arrived.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Rasa reached the castle, learned that Shōji and the Raikage had not fought, and entered with their guards.
• Obito rejected Black Zetsu's call to revive Madara immediately, and Black Zetsu agreed to follow Obito's plan while suggesting they obtain Orochimaru's improved Impure World Reincarnation technique.
• The Fourth Raikage went to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen and Rasa, while Shōji watched for Terumi Mei's arrival and considered Kirigakure's stance.