Chapter Summaries

Natsuki negotiated with the Third Hokage and Orochimaru over the formula, Uchiha authority, and cloning Itachi’s eyes, while Orochimaru concealed that the coffins were empty. Orochimaru then urged Kakashi to pursue strength and authority, leaving Kakashi newly resolved to train.

• The Third Hokage and Jiraiya persuaded Natsuki to negotiate, promising the Uchiha another Honorary Elder seat and pointing to Orochimaru’s cloning technology as a way to help Itachi and Fugaku.
• Natsuki agreed to discuss the formula’s profits, and Orochimaru offered the Uchiha forty percent, handed over 150 million for the first month, and said Itachi’s eyes could be cloned.
• Natsuki demanded the Honorary Elder appointment document by the next day and left with Itachi, after which Orochimaru revealed that the coffins were empty and admitted he had deceived the others.
• Kakashi told the Third Hokage he believed him about White Fang’s death but left to seek Orochimaru’s help cloning his eyes.
• Orochimaru explained that Impure World Reincarnation required part of a corpse and a living sacrifice, then challenged Kakashi to gain the strength and authority to confront those responsible for his father’s death.
• Kakashi’s eyes grew resolute after Orochimaru told him that strength ultimately decided who could act.

Obito reflected on his defeat by Natsuki and reconsidered his solitary approach as he recovered in the Kamui Dimension. Back in the Uchiha compound, Natsuki explained to Itachi how Mangekyō Sharingan users could avoid blindness and revealed plans for Itachi and Sasuke's eyes.

• Obito concluded that Natsuki likely possessed Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and had hidden his true strength, then recognized his own arrogance and the need for allies.
• Itachi woke in his room and told Natsuki that Kakashi had only knocked him unconscious.
• Natsuki explained that Konoha had offered the Uchiha Clan another Honorary Elder position and that he planned to use the clan's influence to pressure the Third Hokage.
• Natsuki told Itachi that Hashirama's cells or a blood relative's Mangekyō Sharingan could prevent the Mangekyō's side effects.
• Natsuki revealed that Fugaku intended to give his eyes to Itachi, then said Sasuke would awaken Mangekyō Sharingan and that he had other plans for him.

Natsuki arranged for Itachi and Izumi to settle their marriage and explained to Tsunade how Orochimaru and the Third Hokage had used rumors about Itachi’s eyes to signal reconciliation with the Uchiha Clan. The chapter left Tsunade questioning why the Third Hokage thought an Honorary Elder position would win Natsuki over.

• Izumi visited Itachi, and Natsuki told her to have Aunt Hazuki prepare for a visit in three nights.
• Natsuki told Itachi that the visit would settle his marriage to Izumi, and Itachi agreed after recalling her devotion.
• Sasuke questioned rumors that Itachi would have his eyes treated by Orochimaru, and Natsuki sent him to speak with Itachi.
• Natsuki went to the hospital, where Tsunade asked what was happening after hearing about the Honorary Elder appointment and Orochimaru treating Itachi and Fugaku’s eyes.
• Natsuki explained that Orochimaru had set him up, and Tsunade questioned the value of the Third Hokage’s offer to the independent Uchiha Clan.

Natsuki questioned Tsunade about the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, then warned her that he might challenge the Third Hokage to resolve their conflict. Meanwhile, Mei Terumi led Mist Village elites to raid a Cloud Village outpost, only to discover the enemy had moved its wounded forces to the beach, where the Raikage was expected to arrive.

• Natsuki asked Tsunade which side she would support if Konoha and the Uchiha Clan went to war, and she vowed to protect both Konoha and the clan.
• Natsuki suggested that Tsunade become the Fifth Hokage and warned that the Third Hokage's prejudice against the Uchiha Clan had deepened their conflict.
• Mei Terumi led Kisame Hoshigaki, Ao, and other Mist Village elites through Cloud Village's trapped area to attack its outpost.
• Ao found the Cloud Village outpost empty, then used his Byakugan to locate the force gathered on the beach.
• Yugito and Killer B had moved Cloud Village's wounded troops and ships to the beach, where they awaited the Raikage while Killer B remained bedridden and Yugito could fight only briefly.

Mei Terumi led the Mist Village assault, using Water Style and corrosive attacks to devastate the Cloud Village forces. As the Cloud Village neared collapse, the Fourth Raikage, A, arrived across the sea, lifting his troops' morale.

• C warned the Cloud Village forces that the mist was the Hidden Mist Technique, and they used giant fans to reveal Mei Terumi's approaching army.
• Mei Terumi soaked the Cloud Village troops with Water Style and sent a water dragon through their ranks, which Yugito destroyed in her Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Mei Terumi's Acidic Goo Technique corroded two Cloud Village ninja, and Omoi and Karui amputated their injured limbs to save their lives.
• Kisame used Samehada to wound Yugito as she tried to reach Mei Terumi, while Mei Terumi continued attacking and Killer B remained too injured to fight.
• C tended to the wounded as the Cloud Village forces began to collapse, but A raced across the sea and arrived on the battlefield.

The Raikage turned the battle against Mist Village, forcing Mei Terumi and her shinobi to retreat under cover of the mist. Zabuza was badly injured while shielding Mei Terumi from the Raikage's thrown stone, and the Raikage regrouped with the wounded Cloud Village forces.

• The Raikage charged Mei Terumi, and Kisame Hoshigaki and Juzo Biwa blocked his attacks while Zabuza destroyed the giant fan.
• Mei Terumi sprayed corrosive acid over Cloud Village as Zabuza spread the Hidden Mist Technique, giving the Mist Village shinobi cover to withdraw.
• The Raikage hurled a massive stone into the mist, and Zabuza shielded Mei Terumi, taking the impact and suffering shattered ribs.
• Mei Terumi and Juzo Biwa carried the injured Zabuza deeper into the mist while Mist Village Medical Ninjas began treating him.
• The Raikage ordered Cloud Village to rest and treat its wounded, then reassured the injured Killer B.
• Cloud Village cleared the battlefield, unaware that some shinobi who had jumped into the sea never resurfaced.

Mei Terumi’s forces struck Cloud Village after the Raikage’s attack, while Ibiki observed the battle and sent intelligence to Konoha. Back at the Uchiha compound, Shisui reported to Natsuki, discussed his eyes, and brought back Hidan for research.

• Mei Terumi assessed the casualties and worried about the gap between her strength and the Raikage’s, as well as Mist Village’s lack of a Jinchuriki.
• Zabuza suggested attacking Cloud Village’s base while its forces regrouped, and Mei Terumi sent Ryosuke and Kaito to plant collected Explosive Tags before withdrawing.
• Ibiki watched the battle from a distance, recorded intelligence about Mei Terumi’s Kekkei Genkai and the Raikage’s arrival, and sent it to Konoha by summoned beast.
• Shisui returned to the Uchiha compound and reported that Stone Village had stopped incursions, while scouts from nearby lands remained active.
• Natsuki explained the risks of Mangekyo use and possible ways to restore Shisui’s eyes, then Shisui handed him the two Storage Scrolls containing Hidan.

Natsuki accompanied Itachi and Shisui as Itachi’s engagement to Izumi was settled, then brought Fugaku and Itachi to Orochimaru’s laboratory for eye treatment. There, Natsuki proposed testing cloned Sharingan, while masked Minato secretly hoped Fugaku would recognize him.

• Shisui learned that Itachi was getting engaged to Izumi and congratulated him, while Mikoto teased Shisui about finding a partner.
• Natsuki, Shisui, Fugaku, and Itachi visited Izumi and her mother, Uchiha Hazuki, and the families settled Itachi and Izumi’s marriage.
• Natsuki told Izumi that Itachi would rest for two months after his eye treatment, and Itachi promised to visit her once his eyes healed.
• Hyuga Hayato met Natsuki on the way into Konoha, and Natsuki asked him to tell Hizashi that he would visit later.
• Masked Minato led the group to Orochimaru’s underground laboratory, where Natsuki proposed testing whether Fugaku could awaken cloned Sharingan.

Natsuki brought Hidan to Orochimaru for experiments, then warned Minato that powerful enemies threatened the entire world and urged him to train. He checked Haku and Kimimaro’s progress and considered how to help them gain combat experience as Konoha’s situation stabilized.

• Orochimaru examined Hidan after Natsuki unsealed him, cutting off a piece of his body for testing.
• Natsuki met Minato, who described watching Naruto and thanked Natsuki for the Swords of Ninja Love.
• Natsuki warned Minato that enemies beyond Obito planned to destroy the entire world and told him to train and leave Flying Thunder God marks on people.
• Minato brought Natsuki to see Haku and Kimimaro, then left to train after Natsuki’s warning.
• Natsuki sparred with Haku and Kimimaro, assessed their strengths and weaknesses, and considered taking them on missions to build their experience.

Natsuki learned Hidan’s immortality came from his faith in Jashin and killed him with Itachi’s Amaterasu, gaining Death Immunity. He then helped Orochimaru begin the surgery to awaken Itachi’s Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, leaving Itachi to recover under observation.

• Orochimaru explained that Hidan was a living dead whose body was sustained by Jashin’s power, and that abandoning his faith would make him die.
• Natsuki had Itachi burn Hidan with Amaterasu until Hidan and his body turned to blood, and Natsuki gained Death Immunity.
• Yugito felt the curse from her earlier injury dissipate, and C went to inform the Raikage that she was recovering.
• Orochimaru removed Fugaku’s eyes and transplanted them into Itachi while Itachi endured the operation without anesthesia.
• Orochimaru told Itachi to keep his eyes wrapped while their ocular powers fused, and Natsuki asked Shisui to stay with him.

Karin reported to the Third Hokage that Fugaku and Itachi had gone blind, while Natsuki secretly visited Hizashi to discuss the Hokage’s long tenure and the past succession. The chapter left Hizashi considering Natsuki’s accusations about White Fang’s death and the Fourth Hokage’s selection.

• Karin told an Anbu that Fugaku and Itachi were nearly or completely blind and needed Orochimaru to clone their eyes, while Shisui was with them.
• The Third Hokage felt relieved by the report, then learned Natsuki had gone to the Hyuga Clan and wondered what he intended.
• Natsuki told Hizashi that the Cloud Village and Mist Village would not fight for long and mentioned receiving an Honorary Elder position from the Third Hokage.
• Natsuki asked whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had held the Hokage position too long and suggested that the elders could call for a new election.
• Natsuki questioned the circumstances behind White Fang’s death and the selection of Minato as Fourth Hokage, leaving Hizashi unable to dismiss his concerns.

Natsuki sought the Hyuga Clan’s support in forcing a vote for the Fifth Hokage, offering the clan funding and a future Hokage Assistant position. Hiashi agreed to cooperate, unaware that a white figure had overheard their conversation.

• Natsuki told Hizashi that he had informed Kakashi about the Third Hokage’s plans and proposed forcing a vote for the Fifth Hokage.
• Natsuki gave Hizashi a Storage Scroll containing one hundred million as an investment in the Hyuga Clan and promised the clan a Hokage Assistant position if the Uchiha Clan took power.
• Natsuki asked the Hyuga Clan to spread rumors and left Hizashi to discuss the proposal with Hiashi.
• Hizashi told Hiashi about Natsuki’s offer, and Hiashi agreed to cooperate because the Hyuga Clan would likely remain safe regardless of who became Hokage.
• A white figure eavesdropped on Hiashi and Hizashi’s conversation from beneath the room, then sank into the earth.

Natsuki visited Kakashi and found him training with Hatake Sakumo’s swordsmanship after learning the truth about his father’s death. Natsuki urged Kakashi to support choosing a new Hokage, and Kakashi was left considering how much weight his position could carry.

• Natsuki visited Kakashi’s home and learned from Grandpa Yusuke that Kakashi had become intensely devoted to training.
• Kakashi trained with Hatake Sakumo’s swordsmanship notes and grew angrier at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō over his father’s death.
• Natsuki met Kakashi, tested his reflexes, and asked whether he still wanted Konoha and the Uchiha Clan to coexist peacefully.
• Kakashi acknowledged that his investigation into White Fang’s death had strengthened his doubts about the Third Hokage’s role.
• Natsuki told Kakashi he planned to persuade the elders to choose a new Hokage and argued that Kakashi’s support could influence them.

Natsuki secured Kakashi’s support for holding a new Hokage election by offering Uchiha investments to the clans, and Kakashi agreed while concealing their discussion from the Hokage’s Anbu. Meanwhile, Black Zetsu weighed backup plans as Hyuga members subtly spread doubts about Hiruzen and Danzo among Konoha’s villagers.

• Natsuki told Kakashi the Uchiha and Hyuga had four Elder Council votes and asked him to support a new Hokage election.
• Natsuki offered investments to Kakashi’s clan and other major clans, and Kakashi agreed to support a new election without promising to vote for Natsuki.
• When an Anbu asked what Natsuki had discussed, Kakashi claimed Natsuki had tried to bribe him and that he had refused.
• At the Mountain Graveyard, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu discussed Danzo’s modifications, Obito’s wariness, and finding new allies.
• Hyuga Clan members steered conversations with villagers toward Hiruzen’s age and Danzo’s role in Konoha’s losses and the Uchiha’s departure.

Natsuki attended Konoha’s high-level meeting with Fugaku and discussed the war between Cloud Village and Mist Village before proposing changes to the Nara Clan’s Deer Park. The chapter ended as Natsuki began explaining why the Uchiha Clan wanted to contribute to Konoha.

• Natsuki and Fugaku arrived at the meeting, where the elders noticed Fugaku’s sunken eyes.
• Natsuki argued that Konoha should prepare for war and prevent Stone Village from passing through, revealing that the Uchiha Clan had already sent personnel to block them.
• The elders discussed wartime preparations, including medical supplies and the Hyuga Clan’s Police Force deployment.
• Natsuki proposed doubling the Nara Clan’s Deer Park to produce more deer antlers.
• Shikagō Nara objected that the village already had enough deer antlers, and Natsuki began to explain the Uchiha Clan’s offer to contribute.

At the Konoha High Council Meeting, Natsuki announced massive Uchiha Clan investments in nearly every notable clan except the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado families. After the smaller clans rushed to pursue the funding, Natsuki took Fugaku to seek out Orochimaru and check on Itachi’s Eternal Mangekyo fusion.

• Natsuki offered to fund the Nara Clan’s Deer Park expansion in exchange for priority access to some Medicinal Ingredients.
• Natsuki listed investments for dozens of Konoha clans, committing at least two billion while excluding the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado families.
• The Third Hokage thanked Natsuki through gritted teeth and ended the meeting as the clans focused on the proposed investments.
• Natsuki directed interested clans to contact Fourth Elder Yohei at the Uchiha Clan Compound, promising immediate funding without prerequisites.
• Natsuki led Fugaku away to find Orochimaru, check on Itachi’s Eternal Mangekyo fusion, and leave Fugaku there.

The Uchiha Clan distributed money to Konoha clans and announced free practical combat instruction, winning support while Uchiha Natsuki openly questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s fitness as Hokage. Hiruzen realized the Uchiha Clan was building enough political influence to threaten his position and resolved to stop them.

• Representatives from smaller clans traveled to the Uchiha Clan’s territory, with Kakashi Hatake among them, while major clans initially hesitated to accept Natsuki’s investment offers.
• Fourth Elder Yohei announced that the Uchiha Clan would fund the attending clans and provide free practical combat training, while criticizing the aging Third Hokage’s ability to govern.
• The Uchiha Clan distributed money without conditions, and the representatives accepted after Kakashi took his box; Kakashi later discovered it contained twenty million.
• The Nara Clan and other major clans accepted the Uchiha Clan’s money after learning that Kakashi had taken his and that free combat instruction was planned.
• After receiving the Anbu report, Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded that the Uchiha Clan was gaining prestige and political support, and decided he could not let it continue unchecked.

Kakuzu survived the battle in the Land of Water and restored his body by stealing an Earth Release heart from a Stone Village shinobi. After ambushing the scouts, he was caught off guard by Obito, who incapacitated him with Dojutsu Burst.

• Kakuzu came ashore on Tsuzawa Island after losing several hearts and limbs, then set out to gather intelligence about the organization.
• Iwai, Tsuchiusu, and Daikei examined the crater left by Natsuki's attack on Tsuren Island.
• Kakuzu ambushed the Stone Village scouts with Water Style and Lightning Release, knocking them down.
• Kakuzu used Secret Technique: Heart Steal to take Iwai's Earth Release heart and absorb it.
• Obito appeared behind Kakuzu and used Dojutsu Burst to make him collapse.

The Third Hokage told Orochimaru that the Uchiha Clan was undermining his position by buying support and spreading damaging rumors, then offered Orochimaru the Hokage role to counter them. Orochimaru agreed on the condition that the Third Hokage handle official duties while he continued his experiments, and they discussed using cloning technology to restore injured ninja.

• After replacing Kakashi's eye, Orochimaru learned from the Third Hokage that the Uchiha Clan had bought the Hyuga Clan's support and was spreading true rumors against him.
• The Third Hokage urged Orochimaru to oppose the Uchiha Clan, but Orochimaru said he was focused on cloning eyes for Fugaku and Itachi.
• The Third Hokage offered to pass the Hokage position to Orochimaru and admitted that he had been wrong to choose Minato over him before.
• The Third Hokage promised to handle official duties so Orochimaru could concentrate on experiments, and Orochimaru agreed to let him manage the voting matter.
• Orochimaru and the Third Hokage discussed using limb-cloning technology to restore disabled ninja, and Orochimaru warned that other villages might covet it.

Uchiha Natsuki distributed money to the ninja clans while the Third Hokage promoted Orochimaru’s cloning treatment, raising Orochimaru’s prestige and drawing disabled ninja to his laboratory. As Itachi’s eyes continued fusing, Kisame told Mei Terumi that Pain had arrived and planned to strike Cloud Village from the rear when its main force came.

• Natsuki gave money to the ninja clans, stirring competition with the Third Hokage over prestige.
• The Third Hokage announced Orochimaru’s cloning treatment for disabilities, prompting ninja clans to seek treatment for their members.
• Orochimaru monitored Itachi’s eye fusion as Shisui cared for him, while Fugaku remained without his eyes.
• Kisame told Mei Terumi that Pain had arrived and was scouting the terrain for an attack on Cloud Village’s rear.