Recaps

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.

Shōji faced Kazahana Dōtō and over a hundred Snow Ninja, then fought off their coordinated assault with powerful techniques. After Shōji’s Fire Release shattered Nadare Rōga’s defenses and struck him, Nadare’s first-generation Chakra Armor helped him withstand the weakened attack.

• Shōji revealed his Sharingan and demanded that Kazahana Dōtō and the Snow Ninja surrender, but Dōtō ordered his forces to kill him.
• Over a hundred Snow Ninja surrounded Shōji and hurled ninja tools at him, but Shōji used Wind Release to blow them away and cut down several attackers with a lightning-charged kunai.
• Nadare Rōga and Tsuruyoku Fubuki attacked Shōji from opposite sides with Ice Release techniques, but Shōji countered with a Great Fireball that melted their attacks and shattered Nadare’s ice walls.
• Shōji’s fireball struck Nadare Rōga, whose first-generation Chakra Armor reduced the attack’s power.

Shōji killed Nadare Rōga and overwhelmed the Snow Ninja, leaving Kazahana Dōtō shaken and the remaining soldiers facing a final ultimatum. The chapter ended with Shōji offering to spare them if they surrendered their weapons.

• Nadare Rōga's Chakra Armor absorbed the weakened remains of Shōji's Fire Release, making him overconfident in its defenses.
• Shōji used Lightning Flash Armor to close the distance and cut Nadare Rōga down before Dōtō's rescue technique could save him.
• A delayed Ice Release technique swept up Nadare Rōga's corpse, while the Snow Ninja panicked at the scale of their losses and Shōji's strength.
• Kazahana Dōtō realized how badly he had misjudged the gap between himself and the Five Great Shinobi Villages, while Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki felt safer with Shōji present.
• Shōji warned the remaining Snow Ninja to lay down their weapons or face death.

Shōji faced the Snow Ninja after killing Nadare Rōga, and Kazahana Dōtō forced his remaining followers to fight despite their fear. Shōji charged Dōtō and countered the Snow Ninja’s renewed assault with his Sharingan, sword, lightning, and fire techniques.

• The Snow Ninja grew terrified after Shōji killed Nadare Rōga with ease, while Tsuruyoku Fubuki and Fūto also struggled to hide their fear.
• Kazahana Dōtō ordered his followers to fight to the death, and they obeyed because they feared him and worried for their families.
• Shōji decided he could not spare the Snow Ninja and charged toward Kazahana Dōtō.
• Dōtō ordered Fūto to send a signal flare and summon the scattered Snow Ninja, while Tsuruyoku Fubuki and the others moved to stop Shōji.
• The Snow Ninja attacked from a half-encirclement, but Shōji evaded and deflected their attacks before striking back with Lightning Release: False Darkness Technique and Fire Release: Flower Scattering Technique.

Shōji overwhelmed the Snow Ninja with his strength while protecting Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki. When Kazahana Dōtō tried to attack Sōsetsu, Shōji revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned a purple-gold Susanoo.

• Shōji slaughtered the attacking Snow Ninja, leaving Kazahana Sōsetsu and Kazahana Koyuki horrified by the violence.
• Shōji shattered Tsuruyoku Fubuki and Fūto’s Ice Release with his Fire Release, then killed the badly injured Fūto.
• Kazahana Dōtō ordered Fūto and Tsuruyoku Fubuki to keep Shōji occupied while he rushed to attack Kazahana Sōsetsu.
• Shōji anticipated Dōtō’s move, activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, and manifested a purple-gold Susanoo.

Shōji used Susanoo to overwhelm Kazahana Dōtō’s forces and defeat Dōtō’s strongest attack. He killed Dōtō, ending the coup and leaving Kazahana Sōsetsu and Koyuki to witness his victory.

• Shōji’s Susanoo wiped out the Snow Ninja surrounding him, including Tsuruyoku Fubuki.
• Dōtō attacked Shōji with Ice Release—Twin Dragon Blizzard Technique, but Susanoo emerged unharmed.
• Sōsetsu watched in disbelief as Shōji’s power confirmed the legends of the Uchiha Clan, while Koyuki saw him as Snow Country’s hero.
• Shōji’s Susanoo seized Dōtō and Shōji beheaded him, ending his rule and ambitions.

Shōji killed Kazahana Dōtō to prevent him from being spared and then reassured Kazahana Sōsetsu, who accepted the death of his brother as the execution of a rebel. With Sōsetsu and the princess moved to safety, Shōji led his Shadow Clones to suppress the remaining rebels in Kazehana Castle.

• Shōji killed Kazahana Dōtō before Sōsetsu could decide whether to spare him.
• Sōsetsu expressed sorrow over his brother’s death but told Shōji he did not blame him.
• Shōji asked Sōsetsu to take the princess to the safe chambers while he dealt with the remaining rebels.
• Sōsetsu and the princess retreated to the rear palace under loyal soldiers’ protection.
• Shōji left a Shadow Clone behind and led his main body and more than ten Shadow Clones through Kazehana Castle to suppress the surviving Snow Ninja.

Kazahana Sōsetsu reclaimed authority over Snow Country and organized relief and security after Kazahana Dōtō’s rebellion collapsed. Shōji returned to the Lord’s palace, where Sōsetsu welcomed him as Snow Country’s benefactor.

• Kazahana Sōsetsu ordered the rebels suppressed and mobilized workers to aid the dead, injured, and displaced while restoring order in Kazehana Castle.
• Sōsetsu rejected calls to purge Dōtō’s followers, and nobles and officials returned to his side as the rebel faction disintegrated.
• Shōji and his forces detained the surviving rebels, while the Imperial Minister and Haraue Masamune suppressed the rebellion in Rin City after Shōji had killed key rebel leaders there.
• Shōji returned to the Lord’s palace, and Sōsetsu greeted him in his Lord’s robes and thanked him for saving Snow Country.

Shōji met with Kazahana Sōsetsu to discuss Snow Country’s future and proposed terms involving its Chakra Armor technology and the Snow Ninja Village. He viewed the proposals as the first step toward making Snow Country an overseas military base for Iwagakure.

• Kazahana Sōsetsu thanked Shōji for saving him and Snow Country, and promised to help him in return.
• Shōji said his requests concerned both Snow Country and Iwagakure, so Sōsetsu invited him into the main hall to talk.
• Sōsetsu sat with Shōji at the lower seats as a gesture of respect before hearing his proposals.
• Shōji presented a trade proposal involving Snow Country’s Chakra Armor technology and the future handling of the Snow Ninja Village.
• Shōji regarded Snow Country as a key part of his ambition to expand Iwagakure’s power and change the ninja world.

Shōji secured Kazahana Sōsetsu’s agreement to cooperate with Iwagakure and stayed in Kazehana Castle while Snow Country recovered from the rebellion. After receiving Sōsetsu’s final reply, Shōji formally ended his escort mission and prepared to return to Iwagakure.

• Kazahana Sōsetsu accepted most of Shōji’s proposals, including joint research on Chakra Armor, while reserving some requests for discussion with his ministers.
• Shōji planned to report to the Third Tsuchikage before advancing cooperation and warned that the Land of Lightning, the Land of Water, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure could threaten the plan.
• Shōji left the palace, then remained in Kazehana Castle for several days to await Sōsetsu’s ministers’ decisions and help ensure Sōsetsu’s safety.
• Snow Country spent four or five days restoring order, and Haraue Masamune rushed back to Kazehana Castle to assist Sōsetsu.
• On the morning of the sixth day, Shōji received Sōsetsu’s final reply, bade him farewell, and considered the escort mission complete after Kazahana Dōtō’s death.

Shōji departed Snow Country after Kazahana Sōsetsu and the nobles saw him off, and he promised Kazahana Koyuki he would visit again. He headed back toward the Land of Earth by sea, thinking over how to present his plans to the Third Tsuchikage.

• Kazahana Sōsetsu and Snow Country’s nobles gathered at the castle gates to thank Shōji and see him off.
• Shōji declined Sōsetsu’s invitation to stay longer and exchanged farewell wishes with him.
• Kazahana Koyuki asked Shōji to return, and he promised to visit and let her guide him around Snow Country.
• Shōji leaped toward Rin City to catch a ship back to the Land of Earth, avoiding a stop in the Land of Lightning.
• During the voyage, Shōji considered how to explain his information and plans to the Third Tsuchikage.

Shōji returned to Iwagakure after quelling Kazahana Dōtō’s rebellion in Snow Country and reported his plans for studying Chakra Armor and expanding Iwagakure’s influence there. Ōnoki recognized the strategic value of Shōji’s proposals and began considering how to put them into practice.

• Shōji returned to the Land of Earth ahead of schedule and hurried to Iwagakure to report to Ōnoki.
• Shōji recounted the mission in Snow Country, including the defeat of the rebel Kazahana Dōtō.
• Shōji proposed researching Chakra Armor and infiltrating and gradually controlling Snow Country and the Snow Ninja Village.
• Ōnoki recognized the potential value of Chakra Armor and Snow Country as a strategic foothold, and considered cultivating Shōji as a future successor.
• Ōnoki examined the Chakra Armor and weighed its combat benefits against the high cost of producing it.

Shōji argued that Iwagakure should strengthen ties with Snow Country and develop its costly Chakra Armor technology to compensate for the village’s strategic disadvantages. Ōnoki recognized Shōji’s strategic and political value and suggested that closer ties with Snow Country could make it a steadfast ally.

• Shōji explained that mass-producing Chakra Armor required securing lanthanum and reducing production costs while improving the armor’s strength.
• Shōji argued that equipping a few thousand elite Iwagakure Ninja with Chakra Armor could give the village a powerful force to break battlefield deadlocks.
• Shōji connected the proposal to Iwagakure’s limited manpower and vulnerable position between rival nations, and to the Uchiha Clan’s interests becoming bound to the village.
• Ōnoki praised Shōji’s abilities and reflected that the Uchiha Clan’s arrival had strengthened Iwagakure.
• Ōnoki suggested that Shōji’s plan also aimed to make Snow Country a dependable source of support through closer ties.

Shōji and Ōnoki agreed to pursue Iwagakure’s plans involving Snow Country, including Chakra Armor production, increased trade, and personnel exchanges. Shōji declined to take charge of the exchange plan, leaving it to the Jōnin Squad, and Ōnoki approved.

• Shōji acknowledged the risks of the arrangement with Snow Country and argued that failure would cause Iwagakure little harm.
• Ōnoki agreed to pursue the plan, arrange Chakra Armor manufacturing and negotiations, and increase trade with Snow Country.
• Shōji proposed that the Jōnin Squad coordinate the personnel exchange and ensure Snow Country’s leadership aligned with Iwagakure.
• Ōnoki recognized that Shōji was handing leadership of the plan back to the village rather than accepting the authority offered to him.
• Ōnoki approved Shōji’s proposal and ordered the Jōnin Squad to submit its plan for his review.

Shōji left Ōnoki’s office unaware that the Third Tsuchikage now considered him a serious potential successor to Kitsuchi. Back at the Uchiha residence, Shōji saw how the clan had settled into Iwagakure and felt hopeful about its future.

• Ōnoki watched Shōji leave and decided that he would choose the more capable candidate to lead Iwagakure, even if that meant passing over his son, Kitsuchi.
• Shōji returned to the Uchiha residence, unaware that Ōnoki’s support had already improved the clan’s standing among Iwagakure’s leaders and ninja.
• Shōji learned that Itachi had befriended Kurotsuchi and Deidara at the Ninja Academy, helping the Uchiha children integrate into the village.
• Shōji walked through the clan’s residence as Uchiha members greeted him, reflecting on how their lives had grown safer and more settled since leaving Konoha.
• Shōji felt pleased that the clan’s brighter atmosphere could help it welcome a better future.

After returning from his mission, Shōji rested while Ōnoki assigned his proposal concerning Chakra Armor and Snow Country to his subordinates. Kitsuchi and Ido developed a plan to bring Snow Country under Iwagakure’s influence, while Kitsuchi weighed how to handle Shōji’s role.

• Shōji returned home after eleven or twelve days, and Little Saki and Little Yang cheered to see him.
• Ōnoki assigned the Chakra Armor manufacture and Snow Ninja Village exchange to his subordinates, letting Shōji rest.
• Kitsuchi recognized that Iwagakure could use the Chakra Armor deal to turn Snow Country into a strategic base before Kumogakure or Kirigakure could respond.
• Kitsuchi and Ido drew up a more comprehensive plan, while Ōnoki left Kitsuchi to decide how to handle details involving Shōji.
• Kitsuchi considered consulting Ido, whom he trusted as an adviser.

Kitsuchi questioned why Ōnoki had left Shōji out of the Snow Country arrangements, and Ido explained that the decision was meant to protect the Uchiha Clan while testing whether it could integrate into Iwagakure. The chapter left Kitsuchi understanding that Shōji’s role as deputy leader was central to Ōnoki’s test.

• Kitsuchi reflected on how Iwagakure’s past strategic failures had weakened the village and considered the importance of Ōnoki’s plans for the coming wars.
• Kitsuchi asked Ido why Ōnoki had excluded Shōji from the Snow Country arrangements despite Shōji’s experience and authority.
• Ido asked Kitsuchi whether he thought Ōnoki was wary of the Uchiha Clan, and Kitsuchi said he did not believe that explained the decision.
• Ido explained that Ōnoki intended to protect the Uchiha Clan by helping Iwagakure’s villagers recognize its benefits while reducing fears of its power.
• Ido said that leaving the Uchiha out of the Snow Country matter followed that policy, while Shōji’s appointment as deputy leader served as Ōnoki’s key test of him and the clan.

Ido explained Ōnoki’s intentions to Kitsuchi, who approved the Snow Country plan and summoned Shōji to a Jōnin Squad meeting. Shōji reflected on the Uchiha Clan’s need to build trust in Iwagakure, determined to help the clan gradually integrate into the village.

• Ido inferred that Ōnoki might be considering Shōji as a Tsuchikage candidate but kept his thoughts to himself.
• Kitsuchi understood Ōnoki’s intentions, thanked Ido, and told him to summon Shōji to handle matters at the Jōnin Squad meeting.
• Ōnoki approved the Jōnin Squad’s overall plan for Snow Country and left its implementation and required reports to proceed.
• Kitsuchi sent a Chūnin to order Shōji to attend the Jōnin Squad’s regular meeting the following morning.
• Shōji considered how the Uchiha Clan’s isolation had begun in Konoha and resolved to help it earn trust and become part of Iwagakure.

Ōnoki convened Iwagakure’s top officials, prompting speculation that the village was preparing for another war. He announced that the meeting concerned two important matters, and documents about the Snow Ninja Village and Chakra Armor were distributed.

• Iwagakure’s leaders gathered as its military strength had recovered and grown with the Uchiha Clan’s arrival.
• Iwatetsu and the other officials wondered whether Ōnoki planned a major military move when they noticed that Han and Rōshi were absent.
• Shōji suspected that the meeting involved one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations and questioned whether Ōnoki intended to display Iwagakure’s power.
• Kitsuchi told Ōnoki that everyone had arrived, and Ōnoki opened the meeting by announcing two important matters.
• Kitsuchi and Ido distributed documents concerning the Snow Ninja Village and Chakra Armor.

Ōnoki secured Iwagakure’s support for cooperation with Snow Country on Chakra Armor research and assigned Ido to oversee the arrangements. He then announced a southward strategy, leaving Shōji and the other senior ninja startled and uncertain about Iwagakure’s next move.

• Iwagakure’s senior ninja reviewed the benefits Shōji had brought back from Snow Country, including the Chakra Armor research opportunity.
• Ōnoki ordered Ido to oversee the Snow Country arrangements while protecting Iwagakure’s interests and maintaining proper etiquette.
• Ido accepted the assignment, and Iwatetsu and the other faction leaders held back their objections after realizing the Uchiha Clan would not control the project.
• After discussing further appointments, Ōnoki announced that Iwagakure needed to discuss a southward strategy.
• Shōji wondered whether Ōnoki planned to target Sunagakure or Konoha, while the other senior ninja began discussing the announcement.

Ōnoki proposed a limited campaign against Sunagakure’s Northern Fortress to seize the lanthanum deposits needed for Iwagakure’s Chakra Armor. Iwagakure’s leaders weighed the risks and began to view the conquest as a viable opportunity, while the fortress remained the planned target.

• Iwagakure’s leaders discussed how the village’s rivalries and the weakened state of Sunagakure and Konoha shaped its options for war.
• Flame Stone warned Ōnoki that a full-scale war would be premature while the village’s affairs and the Uchiha Clan’s adjustment remained unsettled.
• Ōnoki clarified that he planned a localized conquest of Sunagakure’s Northern Fortress, which guarded rich deposits of lanthanum needed for Chakra Armor.
• Iwagakure’s leaders considered the fortress campaign’s risks and potential gains, with even earlier skeptics recognizing the timing as favorable.