Chapter Summaries

Shōji left Kitsuchi and Ido determined to build a position for himself and the Uchiha Clan in Iwagakure through strategy. The Uchiha-Iwagakure alliance alarmed other nations, prompting Sunagakure and Kumogakure to send envoys to Konoha, though the villages' rivalries prevented a united response.

• Shōji thanked Kitsuchi and Ido, then left their office resolved to establish his place in the Jōnin Squad and secure a future for the Uchiha Clan.
• Neighboring small nations and the major hidden villages grew wary as the Uchiha Clan strengthened Iwagakure, which was recognized as a power rivaling Konoha.
• Rasa sent Baki to Konoha to test the alliance treaty and seek support against Iwagakure's growing strength.
• The Fourth Raikage dispatched a special envoy to Konoha to assess its position and look for an advantage.
• Kumogakure's envoy left Konoha displeased while Baki remained, as rivalry and past hostility kept the major villages from uniting.

Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Konoha, and Iwagakure settled into a temporary standoff, while Kirigakure descended into bloody internal conflict after Obito took control of Karatachi Yagura. The chapter left the Kirigakure clans and even Yagura’s closest subordinates wary of his strange behavior.

• Ōnoki judged that the villages’ rival interests made a united front against Iwagakure unlikely, while Kumogakure remained focused on the richer Konoha and Land of Fire.
• Kumogakure’s envoy left Konoha after testing its position, giving Konoha’s leaders the mistaken impression that Kumogakure’s main concern was Iwagakure and the Uchiha Clan.
• Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Konoha, and Iwagakure entered a temporary four-way standoff as Iwagakure and the Uchiha Clan prepared for a period of adjustment.
• Obito used his Mangekyō Sharingan and Madara’s method to control Karatachi Yagura, then destroyed two small clans and plunged Kirigakure into bloody internal conflict.
• The Yuki Clan, Kaguya Clan, and Hozuki Clan grew wary, while Karatachi Yagura’s Anbu, Jōnin Squad, and intelligence division also noticed his strange behavior.

Obito planned to destroy Kirigakure while controlling Karatachi Yagura, and Black Zetsu warned him not to let his revenge disrupt the Eye of the Moon Plan. Obito then pressed Black Zetsu for intelligence on recruits to strengthen Akatsuki before its Tailed Beast captures began.

• Kirigakure's major clans grew wary of Karatachi Yagura's brutal orders but did not suspect Obito's control.
• Black Zetsu reported the clans' movements to Obito and cautioned him against jeopardizing Madara's plan.
• Obito insisted that destroying Kirigakure would secure the Three-Tails and Five-Tails and would not hinder the plan.
• Black Zetsu recalled how he had guided Uchiha Madara to awaken the Rinnegan and summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Obito asked Black Zetsu to find potential Akatsuki members, saying the group lacked enough powerful shinobi to capture the Tailed Beasts.

Obito ordered Nagato and Konan to recruit Sasori, Hidan, and Orochimaru as Akatsuki prepared to capture the Tailed Beasts. The chapter revealed that Hanzō had already been killed by Nagato, who now stood over Amegakure as Pain.

• Black Zetsu reported that White Zetsu had located Sasori, Hidan, and Orochimaru after more than half a year of searching.
• Obito ordered Nagato and Konan to contact the three men and recruit them, saying Akatsuki needed to complete its preparations within five to ten years.
• Black Zetsu agreed to carry Obito's intelligence and orders to Nagato in the Rain Country.
• Obito vanished from the Mizukage's office, leaving Karatachi Yagura behind under his control.
• The chapter revealed that Nagato had killed Hanzō more than a year earlier, and Pain stood atop a spire in Amegakure.

Nagato received Obito’s orders and intelligence from Black Zetsu, then set out with Konan to recruit powerful members for Akatsuki’s Tailed Beast plan. They headed first for Orochimaru, who was working in a secret base in the Land of Rice Fields, unaware they were coming.

• Black Zetsu delivered intelligence and Obito’s orders to Nagato, while Konan warned that their intentions might be suspicious.
• Nagato dismissed Konan’s concerns and told her to prepare for Akatsuki to recruit powerful members.
• Konan and Kakuzu continued managing Akatsuki’s operations, supplies, and funding as Kakuzu took underground jobs and bounty missions.
• Nagato and Konan left Kirigakure to recruit Hidan, Sasori, and Orochimaru, choosing Orochimaru as their first target.
• Orochimaru continued his research in a secret base in the Land of Rice Fields, unaware that Nagato was approaching with his six Pain bodies.

Orochimaru tried to evade the Akatsuki after discovering an intruder in his underground hideout, but Deva Path Pain confronted him. Mistaking each other’s intentions, Orochimaru and Nagato agreed to keep the terms of his recruitment unchanged.

• Orochimaru heard an explosion in his underground chamber and fled through a hidden passage, abandoning his research materials.
• Deva Path Pain appeared before Orochimaru, who recognized him as the Akatsuki leader and grew wary.
• Orochimaru and Nagato each mistakenly assumed the other knew about the connection between the Akatsuki and the masked Uchiha.
• Orochimaru said he would accept the leader’s visit but insisted that their previously discussed conditions remain unchanged.
• Nagato agreed to keep the conditions unchanged, accepting the discrepancy without knowing the true details of Orochimaru’s earlier deal.

Orochimaru joined Akatsuki under Deva Path Pain, while both men misunderstood the role of the other’s unseen connections. In Iwagakure, Shōji focused on developing his Uchiha abilities and researching ways to strengthen his eyes without taking Yang’s.

• Orochimaru accepted Deva Path Pain’s offer to join Akatsuki and appeared already wearing its robe and a ring marked “Sora.”
• Deva Path Pain accepted the unexpected deviation and led Orochimaru away, while remaining wary of the “Uchiha Madara” impersonated by Obito.
• Obito continued pursuing his Kirigakure Collapse Plan, unaware of his part in Orochimaru’s recruitment.
• Shōji set aside outside affairs and devoted himself to training, studying his eyes, and learning to control the third form of Susanoo.
• Shōji ruled out taking Yang’s eyes to pursue the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and instead considered bloodline genes as a possible path to stronger dōjutsu.

Shōji planned to use First Hokage Wood Release cells to strengthen his bloodline and pursue the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but his early experiments in Iwagakure repeatedly failed. After more than half a month there, he had begun adapting to life and work in the Jōnin Squad.

• Shōji reasoned that the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was the power he needed to survive and change the world, and he speculated that Wood Release cells might help him evolve his Sharingan.
• After settling his clan in Iwagakure, Shōji made work, training, and research into Wood Release cells part of his routine.
• Shōji wasted more than a quarter of the cells trying to understand Orochimaru's research materials and considered seeking a researcher or negotiating with Orochimaru for help.
• Shōji put away his materials and returned to his Jōnin Squad duties, gradually adapting to Iwagakure after more than half a month.

Shōji cautiously served in Iwagakure’s Jōnin Squad, while the Uchiha clansmen quietly proved their willingness to integrate into the village. Ōnoki recognized Shōji’s political judgment and the two developed an unspoken understanding, leaving the clan’s acceptance and Iwagakure’s future tied to their continued cooperation.

• Shōji handled only the duties within his authority and avoided using his power as deputy squad leader while the Uchiha Clan adjusted to Iwagakure.
• The Uchiha clansmen in other positions worked diligently and quietly, surprising Kitsuchi, Ido, and Kamizuru Iwatetsu.
• Ōnoki saw the Uchiha’s conduct as evidence that they could develop a sense of belonging in Iwagakure and strengthen the village.
• Ōnoki regarded Shōji as shrewd and leaderlike, while expecting Kitsuchi to develop the judgment needed to inherit the title of Tsuchikage.
• Ōnoki and Shōji gradually developed mutual respect, trust, and an unspoken understanding.

After three months in Iwagakure’s Jōnin Squad, Shōji received his first A-rank mission from Ōnoki: protecting Snow Country’s ruler, Kazahana Sōsetsu, and his heir, Kazahana Koyuki. The mission revealed that the original story had changed, and Shōji was ordered to prepare to leave the next morning as Snow Country’s political crisis grew urgent.

• Shōji and the Uchiha Clan continued settling into Iwagakure, where Ōnoki’s fair treatment and Shōji’s work in the Jōnin Squad helped them gain stability and goodwill.
• Three months after joining the squad, Shōji received an A-rank mission directly from Ōnoki in the Tsuchikage Office.
• Ōnoki explained that Snow Country had sent its Imperial Minister to request help with a political struggle, and Shōji realized the mission had shifted from Konoha to Iwagakure.
• Shōji learned that his mission was to protect Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki for one month, rather than to eliminate the rebel forces.
• Ōnoki told Shōji to prepare that day and depart the next morning because Snow Country’s situation was urgent.

Ōnoki assigned Shōji to escort Snow Country’s Kazahana Sōsetsu, and Shōji resolved to protect Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki amid the unstable political situation. At Iwagakure’s gate, Snow Country’s minister Haraue Masamune met the young shinobi chosen for the mission and worried that his youth meant inexperience.

• Ōnoki told Shōji that Bunya could not make the trip and assigned him the Snow Country mission.
• Shōji considered the risks of the mission and made keeping Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki alive his priority.
• Haraue Masamune arrived at Iwagakure to request an escort on Kazahana Sōsetsu’s behalf, concerned about unrest in Snow Country.
• Shōji arrived at the main gate, and Haraue Masamune felt disappointed by how young the assigned shinobi looked.

Uchiha Shōji met Lord Harusato and began escorting him back to Snow Country, earning the minister’s confidence after his identity became clear. Meanwhile, Snow Country’s lord Kazahana Sōsetsu faced a secret rebellion plotted by his younger brother.

• Shōji introduced himself to Haraue Masamune as the Iwagakure jōnin assigned to protect him.
• Haraue recognized Shōji’s reputation and welcomed him as their escort.
• Shōji and Haraue’s party set out toward the Land of Earth’s northern coast to return to Snow Country by ship.
• The chapter described Kazahana Sōsetsu’s devotion to Snow Country and his daughter, Kazahana Koyuki.
• Sōsetsu discovered that his younger brother was secretly gathering supporters and plotting a rebellion.

Kazahana Dōtō prepared to seize Snow Country’s throne and the nonexistent Kazahana Clan secret treasure, unaware that Kazahana Sōsetsu had summoned powerful outside help. As Shōji arrived in Snow Country, Dōtō’s coup was nearing its decisive stage.

• Kazahana Dōtō kept the Snow Ninja forces under his control secret from Kazahana Sōsetsu and prepared to surround Kazehana Castle.
• Kazahana Dōtō ordered Nadare Rōga to command the Snow Ninja forces and told his other subordinates to ensure no one, especially Sōsetsu and his niece, escaped.
• Kazahana Dōtō believed the Kazahana Clan’s secret treasure would help him dominate the shinobi world, though it was only a geothermal generator and no treasure existed.
• Shōji sailed from the Land of Earth and entered Snow Country’s icy waters after more than three days at sea.

Shōji and Haraue Masamune neared Rin City while escorting the Snow Country delegation, and Shōji urged them to continue to Kazehana Castle without resting. When they saw the port city engulfed in smoke and battle, Shōji left Haraue behind and raced across the sea to protect Kazahana Sōsetsu.

• Shōji discussed Snow Country’s tourism potential with Haraue Masamune, who offered him a guide after the mission.
• Shōji persuaded Haraue to set out for Kazehana Castle immediately after reaching Rin City instead of resting.
• Shōji and Haraue saw smoke, flames, explosions, and signs of battle rising from Rin City.
• Shōji told Haraue he would go ahead to protect Kazahana Sōsetsu, and Haraue entrusted the daimyo’s safety to him.
• Shōji leaped from the ship and raced across the sea toward Kazehana Castle.

Shōji raced into Rin City to gather intelligence and protect Kazahana Sōsetsu, then ambushed rebel commander Fuyukuma Hyōga. Fuyukuma survived the attack thanks to his Chakra Armor, leaving Shōji facing him inside the city lord’s residence.

• Lord Harusato urged his men to hurry toward the harbor while resolving to contain the rebellion or die trying.
• Shōji entered Rin City at high speed to capture a high-ranking rebel and obtain intelligence, with protecting Kazahana Sōsetsu as his main priority.
• Snow Ninja spotted Shōji and tried to alert Fuyukuma Hyōga, but Shōji reached the city lord’s residence first.
• Shōji struck Fuyukuma with a kunai and Lightning Release technique as Fuyukuma took control of the residence.
• Fuyukuma retreated after his Chakra Armor blocked the attack, and Shōji recognized the armor as the reason he had survived.

Shōji defeated and interrogated Fuyukuma Hyōga, learning that Kazahana Dōtō’s rebellion had begun and Kazehana Castle was under attack. He raced toward the castle, where chaos had erupted and civilians were trapped inside.

• Shōji cut down the Snow Ninja who tried to protect Fuyukuma and broke through Fuyukuma’s Blizzard Burst Technique with Lightning Release Armor.
• Shōji seized Fuyukuma, subdued him with Sharingan genjutsu, and interrogated him for intelligence.
• Shōji learned Kazehana Castle was still being attacked and killed Fuyukuma before rushing north toward it.
• Kazehana Castle descended into chaos as Kazahana Dōtō’s forces surrounded it and left civilians with no chance to escape.

Kazahana Dōtō’s forces overwhelmed Kazehana Castle and advanced to the Snow Country Lord’s palace, leaving the city burning. Kazahana Sōsetsu refused to flee and stayed behind to confront his brother while entrusting Koyuki’s escape to his loyalists.

• Kazahana Dōtō and Nadare Rōga crushed the loyal Snow Ninja defending Kazehana Castle and swept through the city.
• Kazahana Dōtō’s forces seized key areas as the defenders collapsed and Kazehana Castle fell into flames.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu watched the destruction of the city and rejected his loyalists’ plea to retreat.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu told his remaining subordinate to protect Koyuki and help her escape Snow Country.
• The subordinate accepted Kazahana Sōsetsu’s order and hurried to secure Koyuki’s escape.

Kazahana Sōsetsu confronted his younger brother Kazahana Dōtō as Dōtō’s forces stormed the palace. Dōtō demanded the Kazahana Clan’s hidden treasure and threatened Koyuki, while Sōsetsu claimed he knew nothing about it.

• Kazahana Sōsetsu resolved to face the rebellion alone so his daughter Koyuki could escape and live safely.
• Kazahana Dōtō’s forces blasted through the final palace gate, and Sōsetsu confronted his younger brother.
• Sōsetsu accused Dōtō of betraying Snow Country, but Dōtō said the strong should rule and called the rebellion a necessary cleansing.
• Dōtō demanded the location and key to the Kazahana Clan’s hidden treasure, offering to spare Sōsetsu and Koyuki if he complied.
• Sōsetsu said he had never heard of any clan treasure, and Dōtō threatened Koyuki with a brutal fate if Sōsetsu refused.

Kazahana Dōtō demanded a hidden treasury from Kazahana Sōsetsu and threatened Kazahana Koyuki when Sōsetsu insisted none existed. As Dōtō attacked Sōsetsu, a young boy carrying Koyuki appeared and blocked the Ice Release technique, leaving the palace on the brink of battle.

• Kazahana Dōtō accused Kazahana Sōsetsu of hiding the Kazahana Clan treasury and threatened to torment Kazahana Koyuki unless Sōsetsu revealed it.
• Kazahana Sōsetsu insisted there was no hidden treasury and pleaded with Dōtō to spare his daughter.
• Kazahana Dōtō ordered Nadare Rōga to have Koyuki abused, prompting Sōsetsu to attack him with a short blade.
• Kazahana Dōtō used Ice Release to strike at Sōsetsu's legs, but a young boy raised an Earth-Style Wall Technique to block the attack.
• The boy appeared carrying Koyuki, and Dōtō, Nadare Rōga, Fubuki, Fūto, and the other Snow Ninja prepared to fight him.

Uchiha Shōji arrived at Kazahana Castle in time to save Kazahana Sōsetsu and reunite him with Kazahana Koyuki. Sōsetsu entrusted Shōji with protecting them as the rebels faced the Iwagakure Jōnin.

• Shōji set Koyuki down and told Sōsetsu that she was safe and that he would handle the mission.
• Koyuki ran to Sōsetsu, and the two reunited as father and daughter.
• Shōji identified himself as an Iwagakure Jōnin sent by the Tsuchikage and explained that he had rescued Koyuki from rebels on the way to the palace.
• Sōsetsu suggested retreating and asked Shōji to take Koyuki to safety, but Koyuki refused to leave her father.
• Shōji assured Sōsetsu that he could defeat the rebels, and Sōsetsu accepted his protection and led Koyuki a few steps back.