Chapter Summaries

Natsuki and Orochimaru discussed how to save Kimimaro and fund their research, while Natsuki warned Orochimaru that splitting his soul would eventually destroy his sanity. Orochimaru resolved to address the danger before it could ruin him.

• Orochimaru confirmed Kimimaro's bloodline disease came from his bone marrow and said medicine could suppress his development for only two years, so Natsuki considered using Tsunade's Hundred Healings Jutsu to keep him alive.
• Natsuki and Orochimaru concluded that expanding their research required more money, and Orochimaru gave Natsuki a Hashirama Cell solution with an eighty percent chance of turning its user into a tree and a forty percent success rate for Natsuki.
• Orochimaru told Natsuki he planned to create a perfect vessel and improve Living Corpse Reincarnation after discovering that soul splitting had weakened his resistance to genjutsu.
• Natsuki told Orochimaru that in the future he would be crippled, split his soul repeatedly, and return as a mentally unstable person, prompting Orochimaru to vow not to split his soul.

Natsuki told Orochimaru that Kabuto Yakushi had exceptional talent for Sage Mode, prompting Orochimaru to arrange for him to train at Ryūchi Cave. Kabuto left with Ichikishimahime, while Sound Village was left needing someone else to manage its affairs.

• Natsuki told Orochimaru that Kabuto Yakushi and Haku were highly suited to cultivating Sage Mode.
• Orochimaru summoned Kabuto and offered to let him leave village administration and follow him.
• Natsuki suggested using the Faction Template to identify capable people for Sound Village's leadership and duties.
• Orochimaru summoned Ichikishimahime, who tested Kabuto and found that he absorbed Natural Energy effortlessly.
• Ichikishimahime took Kabuto to Ryūchi Cave to study Snake Sage Mode, leaving Sound Village without its administrator.

Natsuki gathered the Uchiha in Sound Village and promised they would have a chance to return to Konoha, where they could choose whether to stay or go back to Sound. He then told Itachi, Shisui, and Takuya that he would become clan head and support Orochimaru as the next Hokage.

• Orochimaru introduced Natsuki to his trusted subordinates, and recruiting the Sound Four granted Natsuki four Curse Marks and several attributes.
• Natsuki thanked the Uchiha for helping build Sound Village and learned that many of them longed to return home and see their families.
• Natsuki revealed that Orochimaru had founded Sound Village and explained that he would eventually give the Uchiha a chance to return to Konoha.
• Natsuki asked the Uchiha to keep the plan confidential, then kept Itachi, Shisui, and Takuya behind after the meeting.
• Natsuki told the three that he would take over as clan head and support Orochimaru for Fifth Hokage after the Third Hokage accepted Orochimaru's return.

Natsuki entered the Dream Space to test his new abilities against Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokage. After Orochimaru and Hashirama forced him to use up his energy, Natsuki returned to the real world, recognizing that his opponents had grown stronger too.

• Natsuki chose Orochimaru as his sparring partner, and Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage with Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Hashirama and Tobirama attacked Natsuki with Wood Style and Water Style techniques, while Natsuki expanded his Susanoo and fought back.
• Tobirama used Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag against Natsuki's Susanoo, draining Natsuki's ocular power before Natsuki dismissed it and engaged Orochimaru with Kusanagi Swords.
• Natsuki healed Orochimaru's cut, but Hashirama unleashed Wood Style: Flowering Forest and released paralyzing pollen as Orochimaru hid nearby.
• Natsuki tried to use Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals, but the technique failed, and the pollen made him lose consciousness and return to the real world.

Natsuki refined his combat abilities in the Dream Space while sorting through his newly acquired talents and discovering that Dual Mind let him use ninjutsu alongside Susanoo. After settling in Sound Village, he watched Orochimaru train Kimimaro and Haku, while his own Susanoo control still lagged behind Fugaku’s.

• Natsuki gave up researching the Flying Thunder God Technique for the time being and found that Dream Space ninjutsu could not be used at home.
• Natsuki tested Shadow Clones and Susanoo, concluding that the technique drained too much Chakra and ocular power to use through clones effectively.
• Natsuki discovered that Sakon Ukon’s Dual Mind let him cast ninjutsu without disrupting his Susanoo control.
• Fugaku demonstrated more flexible Susanoo control and revealed a massive Chakra claw as his Susanoo’s weapon.
• Orochimaru praised Kimimaro’s natural combat instincts and began teaching him and Haku, whose body had recovered enough to start refining Chakra.

Natsuki refined his combat system through battles with Itachi in Dream Space, learning to combine his abilities with greater precision. After three months of steady improvement, he had become capable of defeating Itachi without relying on overwhelming ocular techniques or Susanoo.

• Natsuki dodged Itachi’s attacks, countered with water techniques, and forced Itachi to summon Susanoo first.
• Natsuki resisted Tsukuyomi, tracked Itachi’s Crow Substitution with Susanoo’s Eye, and was caught by Amaterasu.
• Natsuki used his golden Susanoo to clash with Itachi’s, then sealed Itachi’s Chakra and defeated him in close combat.
• Natsuki reflected on how Dual Mind, Karin’s healing constitution, and Water Severing Wave improved his fighting style.
• Three months passed as Natsuki continued to improve.

At Konoha’s monthly meeting, the clans sought to revive Yachimata by buying back the vacant Uchiha shops, while Danzo’s proposal to restore Root was rejected. Danzo returned to Root furious and suspicious that Zetsu had tampered with his arm, so he ordered it sealed.

• Torifu Akimichi proposed buying back the vacant shops on Uchiha Yachimata, and the meeting approved the proposal.
• Hizashi Hyuga volunteered to negotiate with the Uchiha over the shops, and the Third Hokage assigned him the task.
• Danzo proposed restoring Root to handle one-fifth of Konoha’s missions, but Torifu Akimichi and other elders opposed him.
• Danzo returned to Root angry that the other clans had rejected his proposal and noted that Zetsu had disappeared after providing technology for his arm.
• Danzo ordered the medical team to place a seal on his right arm because he feared Zetsu had left a backdoor in it.

Natsuki left Sound Village to find Tsunade, while Fugaku began arranging a cautious exchange with Hizashi over the Hyuga Clan’s information leak and vacant shops. Natsuki traveled toward the Land of Iron on a Gold Dust Sand Cushion, and Fugaku entrusted Hizashi with managing the Uchiha shops until Natsuki returned to decide Kaito’s fate.

• Natsuki said goodbye to Kimimaro, Haku, Kisame, Kyoko, Karin, Jugo, Itachi, and Shisui before leaving Sound Village alone to search for Tsunade.
• After leaving the village, Natsuki summoned Rasa’s Gold Dust Sand Cushion and tested its flight as he headed toward the Land of Iron.
• Hizashi visited Fugaku to apologize for the information leak and discuss the vacant shops in Yachimata.
• Fugaku told Hizashi that the Uchiha Clan had planned to leave Konoha regardless of the leak and said Natsuki would decide Kaito’s fate when he returned.
• Fugaku agreed to rent out the shops and gave Hizashi their property deeds, asking him to manage them and negotiate the rent.

The Third Hokage received Jiraiya’s urgent message and sent letters to several clans, while Obito and Zetsu discussed their setbacks and headed for the Uchiha Compound. At the Land of Rice border, Konan found Natsuki and began leading him to Nagato.

• Hizashi told the Third Hokage that the Uchiha Clan would lease its shops and had asked him to manage them.
• The Third Hokage read an urgent message from Jiraiya and wrote letters for the Akimichi Clan, the Nara Clan, and others.
• Obito told Zetsu that Uchiha Natsuki had defeated his plans in the Land of Water and that Natsuki knew he had caused the Nine-Tails’ Rampage.
• Zetsu urged Obito to strengthen his ocular power and invoked Rin, prompting Obito to angrily silence him.
• Obito decided to replenish his Sharingan at the Uchiha Clan Compound and used Kamui to travel there with Zetsu.
• Konan caught up with Natsuki at the border of the Land of Rice and began guiding him toward Nagato.

Natsuki fought Pain and the Six Paths on the border of the Land of Rice, using seals and Susanoo to disable or destroy most of them. Nagato dismissed the damaged Paths and prepared to face Natsuki alone as Konan urged them to stop.

• Natsuki and Konan reached Deva Path Pain, and Natsuki demanded that Pain summon the other five Paths.
• Pain attacked with Banshō Ten'in, but Natsuki sealed the Preta Path and cut off the Human Path’s hands.
• Natsuki struck down the Naraka Path with his sealed Kusanagi Sword, then fought off the Summoned Beasts and Asura Path’s missiles.
• Natsuki destroyed the Asura Path with Susanoo after cutting down the Animal Path and its centipede summon.
• Nagato dismissed the damaged Human and Naraka Paths, leaving Deva Path Pain to face Natsuki as Konan asked them to stop fighting.

Natsuki ended his fight with Nagato’s Six Paths and began explaining what he knew about the Rinnegan. He claimed the eyes originated with the Uchiha Clan and started telling Konan and Nagato about the Otsutsuki.

• Natsuki told Pain that the Rinnegan might have been part of a conspiracy, and Konan stepped in to stop the fight.
• Natsuki mourned the Sand Cushion he had let crumble, then asked Nagato to revive the damaged Paths with the Naraka Path.
• Natsuki set out tea and listed many of Nagato’s abilities, including Planetary Devastation and the cooldown on Shinra Tensei.
• Natsuki described further Rinnegan powers, including Tengai Shinsei and Limbo: Border Jail.
• Natsuki claimed the Rinnegan originated in the Uchiha Clan and began recounting the story of the Otsutsuki.

Naruto and Sasuke visited Uchiha Snack Street while an unseen watcher observed them, and Obito infiltrated the Uchiha Clan Compound. A Ninja Cat raised the alarm, and the clan trapped Obito inside a Time Sealing Circle that blocked his Kamui, leaving him to wait for the barrier to end.

• Naruto and Sasuke bought Stinky Tofu and talked about Natsuki’s promised return before graduation while Anbu followed them.
• An unseen figure watched Naruto and Sasuke from a flowerbed near the Snack Street.
• Obito appeared at the edge of the Uchiha Clan Compound and sensed its barrier as a squad approached to investigate.
• A Ninja Cat recognized Obito, set off three red fireworks, and vanished before he could catch it.
• The Uchiha Clan’s Time Sealing Circle blocked Obito’s access to the Kamui Dimension, so he stopped running and waited for the barrier to lift.

Uchiha Fugaku and his clan confronted Obito after he infiltrated the Uchiha Compound, while Sasuke and Naruto fled to safety. The clan’s attempt to trap Obito left several Uchiha wounded, and the fight continued with Fugaku and six others still standing.

• Uchiha clan members raised warning flares, prompting the compound to evacuate and Sasuke and Naruto to run toward Konoha under Anbu protection.
• Fugaku ordered Plan Three, sent Keimei to locate Sasuke and Naruto, and gathered the clan’s Elite Jonin to confront the intruder.
• Fugaku met Obito near the compound’s edge and waited for more than a dozen Uchiha Three Tomoe Elites to arrive before attacking.
• Obito, unable to use Kamui, unleashed Wood Release and wounded several Uchiha, while Fugaku blocked the technique and six clan members remained standing.

Zetsu ambushed Naruto and Sasuke while Anbu escorted them toward Konoha, overwhelming their guards and injuring both boys. Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra erupted, allowing him to free Sasuke and escape as Zetsu withdrew from approaching reinforcements.

• Zetsu appeared in the Anbu’s path, revealed that he had come for Naruto, and summoned White Zetsu clones to attack the group.
• Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to help the Anbu fight the clones, while he and Sasuke attacked Zetsu with a Rasengan and Chidori.
• Zetsu repelled Naruto and Sasuke, impaled the Anbu with branches, and left Sasuke unconscious with a branch through his shoulder.
• Naruto’s rage brought forth a fiery red chakra cloak and tail, which broke Zetsu’s bindings and tore the branch from Sasuke.
• Naruto picked up Sasuke and fled toward Konoha as Zetsu sank into the ground to avoid the approaching Anbu.

Fugaku pursued the wounded Obito with the Uchiha Clan Members, using hidden weapons and Susanoo to try to defeat him before the Time Sealing Barrier failed. Fugaku’s third-form Susanoo finally broke through Obito’s Uchiha Fire Formation and struck toward him.

• Fugaku ordered Haruki to treat the injured clansmen while he led the others after Obito.
• Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan Members pursued Obito and wounded him with volleys of hidden weapons, but his modified body endured the attacks.
• Fugaku used Natsuki’s ocular power to advance his Susanoo and struck Obito with a Yasakani no Magatama, destroying his right arm and shoulder.
• Obito raised an Uchiha Fire Formation to block Fugaku’s attack as the Time Sealing Barrier began to fail.
• Fugaku forced his Susanoo into its third form and broke through Obito’s Fire Formation with a violet-black flaming claw.

Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan pursued the badly wounded Obito after the Time Sealing Circle was lifted, but Zetsu restored Obito’s arm and helped him strike back. With Fugaku exhausted and Obito still fighting, Keimei and Haruki joined the battle, and the chapter ended with Fugaku struggling to keep Obito from escaping.

• Obito used Izanagi to survive Fugaku’s attack, but Fugaku escaped his next assault with the Substitution Technique as the Time Sealing Circle was lifted.
• The Uchiha Clan pursued Obito with coordinated Hidden Weapons and sword attacks, forcing him to remain outside the Kamui Dimension while he weakened.
• Zetsu emerged from a tree, restored Obito’s arm, and helped him wound five Uchiha Clan Members with Wood Release.
• Keimei and Haruki arrived to support Fugaku, while Obito and Zetsu faced them despite their depleted Chakra.
• Fugaku and Keimei coordinated their attacks to keep Obito intangible, but Fugaku began to falter from exhaustion.

Fugaku risked his life in a Mangekyō Sharingan battle that badly wounded Obito and forced him and Zetsu to retreat. The Uchiha Clan treated its injured members, but Fugaku’s mind and chakra were failing, leaving his survival uncertain.

• Fugaku unleashed Illusionary Realm, and he and Obito clashed with their ocular power until both were gravely wounded.
• Haruki was injured by a Zetsu wooden stake as Keimei attacked Obito, but Obito’s body turned intangible and Zetsu dragged him away.
• Fugaku collapsed after urging Keimei to chase the retreating enemies, while Haruki fired a blue Signal Flare to announce their retreat.
• Zetsu discovered that Obito’s other Sharingan had gone blind, and Obito escaped with him into the Kamui Dimension before fainting.
• Iori and the Uchiha Clan treated their wounded members, but Iori found Fugaku’s mental state and vital signs steadily weakening.

Keimei awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and used its power to stabilize Fugaku, leaving the Uchiha clan with a chance to recover. Meanwhile, Kakashi brought Naruto and Sasuke to the hospital, where the Third Hokage confirmed Naruto was safe and Sasuke began receiving treatment.

• Keimei awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan as Fugaku's condition worsened, and its God Protection ability stabilized Fugaku's mind and vital signs.
• Keimei collapsed from overexertion, and Haruki and the other Uchiha Clan Members agreed to keep his Mangekyō awakening secret.
• Elder Yohei ordered the clan to summon Uchiha Itachi and Yōya, notify Natsuki, and keep everyone stationed at the compound until the clan head recovered or Itachi returned.
• Kakashi arrived with Anbu, took the injured Sasuke and exhausted Naruto to the hospital, and dispatched Anbu to investigate the damaged scene and fallen Anbu.
• The Third Hokage checked Naruto's seal, confirmed it was intact, arranged treatment for Sasuke, and shared information with Kakashi.

Kakashi reported the attack on Naruto and Sasuke and the Uchiha clan’s emergency response to the Third Hokage. Itachi returned to the clan, where he found Fugaku stable but Keimei unconscious, and Keimei began to wake as his brother arrived.

• Kakashi told the Third Hokage that white corpses possibly connected to Wood Release had attacked Naruto and Sasuke, and the Hokage ordered Tenzo and the Sealing Team to investigate.
• Shisui informed Itachi that Obito had clashed with Fugaku, leaving both badly injured, and that Keimei had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and stabilized Fugaku.
• Orochimaru gave Itachi medicine and asked him to collect Keimei’s cellular tissue before Itachi arranged to return to the Uchiha clan.
• Iori reverse summoned Itachi and updated him on the wounded clan members, Sasuke’s hospitalization, and the Anbu watching the compound.
• Itachi examined Fugaku, while Uchiha Yōya was reverse summoned to the clan and Keimei slowly opened his eyes.

Natsuki revealed to Nagato and Konan that Madara and Obito had manipulated Nagato’s life and challenged Nagato’s plan to create peace through pain. The chapter left Konan asking Natsuki how peace should be achieved.

• Natsuki told Pain that Madara had arranged for the Rinnegan to be implanted in Nagato and that Obito and Zetsu had helped cause Yahiko’s death.
• Pain rejected Natsuki’s claims and demanded proof, while Konan confirmed they had already met Kyūsuke.
• Natsuki said he admired Pain’s ideal of peace through sacrifice, prompting Pain to declare that he would ascend to godhood.
• Pain invited Natsuki to join Akatsuki, but Natsuki warned that the Rinnegan was only a tool and that Pain’s plan would fail after his death.
• Konan asked Natsuki how he believed peace should be achieved.