Chapter Summaries

Shino revealed the abilities of Xuanyu’s engineered insects to Shibi, convincing him to support the Uchiha. Xuanyu then went to spy on Root’s base, where he encountered Kakashi investigating Konoha’s disappearances.

• Shino explained how Sister Hua Yu’s research had created insects that shared Blood Qi, spiritual power, and Chakra, and demonstrated their abilities to Shibi.
• Shibi agreed to side with the Uchiha and said he would meet Uchiha Hanjō the next day, then asked Shino for some Labor Zerg Insects.
• Xuanyu left the Uchiha compound and used a Flying Thunder God Mark near Root’s base to observe its activity.
• Xuanyu nearly attacked Kakashi when he appeared nearby, but recognized him and lowered his guard.
• Kakashi said he was investigating the recent disappearances in Konoha, and Xuanyu asked whether he also suspected Root.

Xuanyu and Kakashi went to Root to investigate the missing people, with Kakashi furious after discovering Root’s connection to the disappearances and Hiruzen’s concealment. Root guards recognized Xuanyu at the entrance, and its leader ordered one ninja to report to Danzō while preparing to teach Xuanyu and Kakashi a lesson.

• Kakashi told Xuanyu that his investigation linked some missing people to Root and that he believed Hiruzen had helped conceal the disappearances.
• Xuanyu put on his Qi Tian mask and revealed his Six Tomoe eyes as he invited Kakashi to come with him to Root.
• Kakashi put on an Anbu mask, uncovered his other Sharingan, and followed Xuanyu toward Root’s base.
• Root guards stopped the pair, and their leader recognized Xuanyu as the Uchiha they had driven away that morning.
• Xuanyu admitted he had come to look inside Root and refused to leave, so the squad leader ordered 067 to report to Danzō and prepared to fight them.

Xuanyu and Kakashi confronted the Root squad, whose leader threatened to cripple Xuanyu and kill Kakashi. The Root ninjas were trapped by a genjutsu, though their squad leader lowered his head and mistakenly believed the others could still fight.

• The Root squad leader threatened to leave Xuanyu bedridden and ordered Root Ninja 067 to report the encounter to Danzo.
• The squad leader warned Kakashi to leave, but Kakashi said he would follow Xuanyu's wishes.
• The Root squad leader ordered his team to attack, planning to spare Xuanyu and kill Kakashi.
• Root Ninja 067 revealed that he could not move or speak, and the squad leader realized they faced a genjutsu expert.
• The squad leader lowered his head and boasted that the Root ninjas could overwhelm the genjutsu user, while his immobilized team watched in terror.

Xuanyu used overwhelming genjutsu to immobilize the Root squad, then revealed his Six Paths Tomoe and admitted he was the Uchiha Clan's genius. The Root leader recognized Xuanyu as the Konoha Assassin from years ago as Xuanyu approached.

• Kakashi realized Xuanyu's genjutsu had completely overwhelmed the Root ninjas while leaving them conscious and terrified.
• The Root squad leader tried to flee for reinforcements, but Xuanyu's genjutsu soon immobilized him and silenced him.
• The Root leader noticed the Six Paths Tomoe in Xuanyu's eyes and realized Xuanyu was the Uchiha Clan's true genius.
• Xuanyu admitted he was the Uchiha Clan's genius and continued walking toward the Root ninjas.
• The Root leader recognized Xuanyu's mask and identified him as the Konoha Assassin from years ago.

Xuanyu used genjutsu to force Root ninjas to kill their leader and themselves, then entered a Root branch laboratory beneath its unguarded building. He found people in nutrient tanks and was mistaken for a Root member by the lab workers.

• A Root leader recognized Xuanyu as the former Konoha Assassin and tried to bargain with Root secrets, but Xuanyu rejected him because of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
• Xuanyu ordered the genjutsu-controlled Root ninjas to kill their leader, who cursed the Uchiha Clan as he died.
• Xuanyu ordered the remaining Root ninjas to kill themselves, and Kakashi watched in alarm before following him.
• Xuanyu spotted the laboratory beneath the Root branch building, kicked open its entrance, and went downstairs.
• Xuanyu saw people in nutrient tanks, while a white-coated worker mistook him for a Root member and asked about the noise outside.

Xuanyu and Kakashi discovered a vast Root laboratory where missing Konoha villagers were being used as test subjects, and Kakashi realized Sarutobi Hiruzen likely knew about Danzo’s experiments. Xuanyu refused to expose the base yet, then seized a white-coated researcher and threatened to kill him for information.

• Kakashi saw rows of unconscious missing villagers in Culture Vessels and grew furious at Root’s human experiments.
• Xuanyu told Kakashi that Danzo’s laboratory could not have existed without Sarutobi Hiruzen’s secret support, and Kakashi compared the situation to Orochimaru’s experiments.
• Kakashi asked whether they should expose the base, but Xuanyu said it was not the right time.
• A white-coated researcher threatened Xuanyu with Danzo’s punishment, so Xuanyu blasted him into a wall with Shinra Tensei.
• Xuanyu dragged the injured researcher over with a suction force and demanded to know what experiments Danzo planned; the researcher realized Xuanyu and Kakashi were not Root members.

Xuanyu attacked Danzo’s laboratory and discovered that the Tongue Root Curse Seal prevented the experimenters from revealing secrets. After he killed their leader, the survivors raised the alarm, drawing Sarutobi Asuma’s forces and Danzo toward the laboratory.

• Xuanyu and Kakashi revealed that they were not Root members, and Xuanyu forced the white-coated leader to identify himself as one of Danzo’s experimental personnel.
• Xuanyu tried to learn Danzo’s recent plans, but the Tongue Root Curse Seal caused the leader agonizing pain whenever he tried to reveal secrets.
• Xuanyu cut out the leader’s cursed tongue and made him try writing, but the seal still punished him, so Xuanyu killed him with Black Flames.
• The other experimenters panicked, fled toward the Secret Laboratory, and activated the alarm.
• Sarutobi Asuma summoned his men and headed for the Root Base, while Shimura Danzō assembled Root ninja and rushed to the laboratory.

Xuanyu killed researchers in the Root Laboratory and prepared to leave with Kakashi and twenty-five people who had not been experimented on, while Sarutobi Asuma's force failed to enter the lab. Xuanyu sensed an old acquaintance arriving and paused before leaving.

• Xuanyu killed researchers and ordered Kakashi to free the captives and tie them together.
• Sarutobi Asuma found the Root guards dead, sent Mu Cheng to alert Sarutobi Hiruzen, and led his force into the underground laboratory after an explosion.
• Shuriken ambushed the Sarutobi Police Force, killing several elite jonin and wounding Asuma and two others, who retreated and guarded the entrance.
• Xuanyu told the researchers to care for the test subjects and prepared to leave with Kakashi and twenty-five captives who had not been experimented on.
• Xuanyu sensed an old acquaintance and decided to stay and speak with him before leaving.

Xuanyu attacked Root’s laboratory, wounded Danzo, and escaped with Kakashi after warning that he would return. Hiruzen arrived to find the aftermath and entered the base with trusted Anbu, while Danzo remained furious and determined to hunt Xuanyu.

• Danzo arrived at the laboratory entrance and, despite Asuma’s warning, led Root ninja downstairs.
• Xuanyu ambushed Danzo’s group, killed several Root ninja, and cut Danzo’s neck before Danzo used Izanagi to reappear.
• Xuanyu sent Danzo crashing into a wall, then vanished with Kakashi and left a message that he would return for Danzo.
• Danzo learned Xuanyu had ordered a surviving researcher to care for the test subjects and vowed to find the Konoha Assassin.
• Hiruzen arrived, heard Asuma’s account, and went into the Root base with several trusted Anbu.

Danzo told Hiruzen that the Konoha Assassin had escaped Root’s laboratory using the Flying Thunder God Technique and rescued test subjects. After finding the assassin’s mark, Danzo proposed moving the laboratory to Root Headquarters and said he would use the Impure World Reincarnation to destroy the assassin and the Uchiha Clan.

• Danzo emerged from the Secret Chamber and told Hiruzen that the intruder had escaped with test subjects using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hiruzen recognized the intruder as the Konoha Assassin who wore a Monkey Mask and followed Danzo into the laboratory.
• Danzo and Hiruzen found a Flying Thunder God Mark on the wall, and Hiruzen ordered it chiseled out.
• Danzo said the laboratory should be moved to Root Headquarters because the assassin might have left more marks inside.
• Danzo revealed that he knew the assassin was an Akatsuki member protecting the Uchiha Clan and planned to use the Impure World Reincarnation to destroy him and the clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō agreed to restart their plans against the Akatsuki while covering up Root’s research into Impure World Reincarnation. Xuanyu returned to his laboratory with Kakashi and others, warned that Konoha ninja and resurrected dead might come after them, and Kimimaro recognized the forbidden technique.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to help Shimura Danzō conceal Root’s activities and called for Utatane and Mito to join a discussion about restarting their plan.
• Xuanyu appeared at the lakeside laboratory with Kakashi and several missing people, where Deidara, Kimimaro, Jugo, and Neji Hyuga greeted them.
• Xuanyu told Deidara and the others to remain at the laboratory because trouble might soon come, possibly from Konoha ninja and resurrected dead.
• Kimimaro identified Impure World Reincarnation and explained that Orochimaru had researched it using living vessels, expressing disdain for Konoha’s involvement.

Xuanyu learned that Root was researching Impure World Reincarnation and discussed the threat with Orochimaru and Shisui in the Mental Space. He planned to let Konoha’s leaders revive more dead ninjas, invited Ōnoki to send a delegation to the Chunin Exams, and told Shisui to return and settle his grudge with Danzō.

• Kimimaro explained to Deidara and Kakashi that Impure World Reincarnation used a living sacrifice to summon a nearly immortal dead person.
• Neji Hyuga asked Xuanyu whether they should strike first, but Xuanyu decided to wait for Konoha to summon more dead souls.
• Xuanyu asked Deidara to deliver an Akatsuki invitation to Ōnoki, urging him to send people to the Chunin Exams and watch the spectacle.
• Xuanyu told Orochimaru and Uchiha Shisui about Root’s Impure World Reincarnation research, and Orochimaru warned that controlling Hashirama Senju would be too risky.
• Xuanyu told Shisui to return and settle his grudge with Shimura Danzō, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō sat in the Hokage Office as an elderly man and woman entered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to discuss Shimura Danzō’s secret research into Impure World Reincarnation and the break-in at Root’s laboratory. Danzō demonstrated the technique by having Root 001 remove his mask, leaving Homura and Koharu shocked by the lifeless, cracked figure.

• Utatane Koharu accused Shimura Danzō of endangering them with his laboratory, and Danzō reminded her that her clan had benefited from Root’s work.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen explained that Danzō was researching the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation and that someone had broken into the laboratory.
• Shimura Danzō defended his research by citing the Uchiha Clan and the Akatsuki Organization as threats, and he claimed the technique could make Konoha invincible.
• Utatane Koharu demanded proof, so Danzō summoned Root 001 and ordered him to remove his mask.
• Mitokado Homura recognized Root 001 as someone brought back through Impure World Reincarnation and reacted with shock.

Shimura Danzō demonstrated Impure World Reincarnation to Konoha’s leaders and proposed using it to build an army and conquer the Shinobi World. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the elders agreed to support the plan, which ended with Danzō declaring that he would restart the Uchiha Extermination Plan after the Chunin Exams.

• Shimura Danzō showed Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that Root 001 could recover from being stabbed, then described Impure World Reincarnation’s power.
• Shimura Danzō proposed resurrecting fallen experts to make Konoha invincible and unify the Shinobi World, and Sarutobi Hiruzen and the elders became tempted by the ambition.
• Utatane Koharu questioned the need for living vessels, but Shimura Danzō dismissed her concern and said Konoha civilians could be used.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked the Mitokado and Utatane clans to provide powerful individuals’ remains, research support, and cover for Root’s experiments in exchange for resurrected clan ancestors and other experts under their control.
• Shimura Danzō announced that after the Chunin Exams he would resurrect many ancestors and restart the Uchiha Extermination Plan, and Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō persuaded Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to join a renewed plan to exterminate the Uchiha Clan, promising to revive powerful ancestors with Impure World Reincarnation. The next day, Xuanyu encountered Shino and Shibi Aburame at the Uchiha Merchant Guild.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen confirmed that he would restart the Uchiha Extermination Plan, and Shimura Danzō argued that the Uchiha Clan posed a threat because they knew about past actions against them.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen pressured Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to join, offering to revive their clans' ancestors with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu agreed to support the plan but insisted on choosing whom they would revive.
• Shimura Danzō proposed reviving the First Hokage and Second Hokage to give them overwhelming combat power against the Uchiha Clan and Akatsuki Organization.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to monitor the Uchiha Clan and conceal all traces of Root.
• The next day, Xuanyu met Shino and Shibi Aburame at the entrance to the Uchiha Merchant Guild, and Shino greeted him excitedly.

Shibi Aburame sought cooperation with the Uchiha Clan and asked whether the Aburame could receive the defective evolved insects. After Hua Yu explained the insects could be shared, Xuanyu encouraged Shino to develop an Inner Space if he wanted to stand by his side, and Shino left determined to try.

• Shibi Aburame arrived with Shino to discuss cooperation with the Uchiha Clan, and Uchiha Hanjō received him while Xuanyu took Shino aside.
• Shino told Xuanyu that he had beaten his father with his evolved insects and persuaded him to support the Uchiha Clan.
• Shino asked whether the Aburame could receive defective evolved insects, and Xuanyu referred him to Hua Yu.
• Hua Yu told Shino he could share most of the insects with his clan, though the Spirit Parasite Insects were especially compatible with him.
• Xuanyu told Shino he could stay by his side if he opened an Inner Space, and Shino vowed to work toward it before leaving with Shibi.

Shino Aburame told Shibi that Xuanyu had agreed to let the Aburame Clan distribute most of the improved insects, then revealed that Xuanyu had suppressed the Eight-Tails and its Jinchuriki. As the Uchiha Merchant Guild received another prominent visitor, Xuanyu told Hua Yu to stay with him, while Konoha's leaders learned that both the Aburame and Hyuga Clans had approached the guild.

• Shino told Shibi that Xuanyu had agreed to let the Aburame Clan distribute the improved insects, except for the Spirit Parasite Insects and Chakra Parasite Insects.
• Shino explained that Xuanyu had easily defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Eight-Tails, leaving Shibi shocked.
• Xuanyu told Uchiha Hanjō how the Aburame Clan's insects had been improved and why the clan had chosen to side with the Uchiha.
• After Hyuga Hiashi arrived at the Uchiha Merchant Guild with Neji, Xuanyu declined to meet them and told Hua Yu to stay with him instead of returning to her experiments.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and the other two learned that members of the Aburame Clan and Hyuga Hiashi had visited the Uchiha Merchant Guild.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō planned to exterminate the Uchiha Clan after the Chunin Exams as the Aburame and Hyuga clans sided with the Uchiha. Nara Shikaku asked Nara Shikamaru how he would lead the Nara Clan as Konoha approached a possible civil conflict.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Konoha sealed off and the Uchiha Clan exterminated in secret after the Chunin Exams, while Shimura Danzō prepared to use Impure World Reincarnation.
• Nara Shikaku realized that the Hyuga and Aburame clans' support for the Uchiha could bring Konoha closer to chaos.
• Nara Shikamaru explained that the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership were bound for conflict, and that the two clans' allegiance could serve as a fuse.
• Nara Shikaku warned that a Hokage election might not resolve the hostility because Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies would not readily surrender power.
• Nara Shikaku asked Nara Shikamaru what choice he would make if he were the clan head.

Nara Shikamaru argued that the Uchiha would make better Hokage but advised the Nara clan to remain neutral while the conflict’s outcome was uncertain. As Konoha’s clans weighed their loyalties, most who chose a side supported Sarutobi Hiruzen, and a Clay Bird flew toward the Land of Earth.

• Nara Shikamaru told Nara Shikaku that Sarutobi Hiruzen had become paranoid and favored his own clan, but the Nara clan should wait rather than side with the Uchiha.
• Nara Shikaku welcomed Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka, whose clans were closely aligned with the Nara.
• Tsume Inuzuka refused to support the Sarutobi Clan, citing Inuzuka Kiba’s exclusion from Konoha’s elite squads, and chose to stay neutral.
• Konoha’s clans split between neutrality and taking sides, with most supporters backing Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• A Clay Bird flew toward the Land of Earth.

Deidara returned to Iwagakure to deliver an Akatsuki Organization invitation for the Land of Earth to attend Konoha’s Chunin Exams. Ōnoki pursued him to learn about the organization, while Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and other supporters followed; Deidara stopped outside the village and questioned Ōnoki’s continued pursuit.

• Ōnoki decided the Land of Earth should not send anyone to Konoha’s Chunin Exams because he feared its young elites could be endangered.
• A ninja told Ōnoki that Deidara had returned and was waiting in the sky, so Ōnoki went out to meet him.
• Deidara gave Ōnoki a letter from the Akatsuki Organization inviting the Land of Earth to send people to watch the Chunin Exams.
• Deidara flew away after delivering the letter, but Ōnoki pursued him to question him about the Akatsuki Organization and its Wood Release user.
• Kitsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and several of Ōnoki’s supporters followed them out of Iwagakure.
• Outside the village, Deidara stopped his Clay Bird and asked Ōnoki why he was still following him.