Chapter Summaries

The Shinobi World learned that Konoha had defeated Kumogakure at the War of Judgment, where Sarutobi Hiruzen killed Dodai and the Two-Tails while Namikaze Minato pressured the enemy rear. Alarmed by Konoha’s Twin Stars, Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to seek a summit with the Third Raikage and Chiyo to coordinate against Konoha.

• Reports of Kumogakure’s defeat and Sarutobi Hiruzen’s killing of Dodai and the Two-Tails spread across the Shinobi World, earning him the title “Spear of Judgment.”
• The reports established Namikaze Minato’s role in the battle, where he fought the A-B Combination and disrupted Kumogakure’s rear, making Konoha’s Twin Stars famous.
• In the Iwagakure camp, Ōnoki warned Kitsuchi that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s technique and Namikaze Minato’s Flying Thunder God made both Konoha ninjas dangerous opponents.
• Ōnoki ordered Kitsuchi to contact the Third Raikage and Chiyo and arrange a Three Village Summit to join forces against Konoha.
• Ōnoki also told Kitsuchi to send word to the people at sea and let them decide whether to attend.

In the Land of Grass, Qifeng warned Kakuzu not to pursue bounties on Konoha shinobi, explaining the risks of attacking Sarutobi Asuma or Sarutobi Hiruzen. Kakuzu accepted the warning, and Qifeng suspected Ōnoki was trying to manipulate him.

• Qifeng set up a barrier and told Kakuzu not to arrange their future meetings in the Land of Grass.
• Kakuzu offered to team up on bounties for Sarutobi Asuma and Sarutobi Hiruzen, worth thirty-five million and one hundred million ryo respectively.
• Qifeng refused to target either Sarutobi and warned Kakuzu that Konoha's retaliation could be ruinous.
• Qifeng pointed out that Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato, and Konoha's Elite Jonin might protect the targets, and urged Kakuzu to hunt Missing-nin or Mist ninja instead.
• Kakuzu reconsidered the bounties, while Qifeng suspected Ōnoki had been trying to use him against Konoha.

Qifeng and Namikaze Minato returned to Konoha as celebrated heroes after the battle with Kumogakure, while Qifeng settled back into his corpse-collection duties. Hiruzen Sarutobi then warned them that several major villages might be joining forces against Konoha.

• Qifeng and Namikaze Minato returned through Konoha's Great Gate and drew an enthusiastic welcome from the villagers.
• Uzumaki Kushina met Minato, and Qifeng assigned his original body to transport the fallen while Obito and Asuma volunteered to help.
• Qifeng's original body led the group and the bodies back toward the Morgue, hoping his standing in Konoha would let him live quietly.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Qifeng and Minato to his office and said the Shinobi World was approaching an unprecedented crisis.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reported that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure might unite against Konoha, with Kirigakure possibly involved as well.

Qifeng assessed Ōnoki’s proposed alliance of the hidden villages and warned that Kirigakure would likely join the war against Konoha. He expected the allied villages to distrust one another and predicted Kirigakure would mainly tie down Konoha’s forces rather than launch a large-scale offensive.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Qifeng and Namikaze Minato that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure might be uniting against Konoha, with Kirigakure possibly joining them.
• Qifeng argued that Ōnoki had proposed the alliance because Iwagakure could regain its occupied territory even if the plan failed, while the other villages had reasons to distrust one another.
• Qifeng concluded that the alliance might form but could not achieve genuine cooperation, since the villages would remain wary of Ōnoki and each other.
• Qifeng predicted that Kirigakure would declare war on Konoha but would mainly pin down its forces and give the other villages more opportunities.

Qifeng joined Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina for a barbecue, where they discussed the growing war and their assignments. After returning to the Sarutobi Clan compound, Qifeng encountered Hiruzen Sarutobi waiting for him at a table.

• Qifeng sat with Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina while his real body ate with Kakashi, Obito, Rin Nohara, Sarutobi Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi.
• Qifeng interrupted Minato and Kushina's affectionate meal by slapping himself and claiming he had swatted a mosquito.
• Minato and Qifeng discussed the war, with Qifeng urging Minato to use his Flying Thunder God Technique against the iwa-nin on the Land of Waterfalls battlefield.
• Qifeng said he would oversee the mist ninja in the east, while Minato declined to switch assignments with him.
• After dinner, Qifeng walked through the Sarutobi Clan compound and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi beckoning him from a wooden table.

Qifeng met with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who addressed doubts about his strength and offered him a forbidden-jutsu exchange before asking him to lead Asuma’s team. Qifeng agreed on the condition that Uchiha Shisui join, then privately recognized Hiruzen Sarutobi’s political maneuvering.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Qifeng for killing Dodai and the Two-Tails, and said he had suppressed doubts about him among Konoha’s higher-ups.
• Qifeng rejected the higher-ups’ suspicions, and Hiruzen Sarutobi offered him a forbidden-jutsu exchange in return for recording Judgment of Takemikazuchi in the Scroll of Seals.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Qifeng to become the leading Jonin for Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi, explaining that Asuma had received a bounty after Qifeng revealed his name.
• Qifeng agreed to lead the team if Uchiha Shisui joined, and Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted and planned to arrange Shisui’s early graduation.
• After leaving, Qifeng concluded that Hiruzen Sarutobi had used the meeting to soothe him, bind him to Asuma, and signal Konoha’s factions.

Qifeng weighed Danzo’s value to Konoha and planned to train his new team while pursuing political influence. After looting corpses, he obtained a bloodline purification card and learned an immature Lightning Armor that boosted his strength and speed.

• Qifeng decided not to kill Danzo because Root and Danzo might help stabilize Konoha and eventually arrange an alliance with Iwa-nin.
• Qifeng explained that he had planned to become the squad leader for Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Uchiha Shisui to build connections across Konoha’s factions.
• Qifeng looted three Jonin corpses and obtained a Bloodline Concentration Purification Card and a Lightning Armor Ninjutsu Card.
• Qifeng used the Lightning Armor card and found that the immature technique enhanced his strength and speed, though it caused his cells to sting.

Qifeng led Sarutobi Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Uchiha Shisui on a mission to intercept a Konoha Missing-nin before he could contact Kirigakure. As the squad neared their target, Shisui’s admiration for Qifeng deepened.

• Qifeng explained that Kirigakure’s incursions and Konoha defectors were helping the mist ninja gather intelligence during the war.
• Uchiha Shisui asked why their highly ranked mission mattered, and Qifeng said they had to stop a Missing-nin from reaching Kirigakure and exchanging a code phrase.
• Sarutobi Asuma condemned the Missing-nin, while Qifeng cautioned him and Kurenai Yuhi against judging people whose hardships they did not understand.
• Uchiha Shisui related to Qifeng’s words because he felt unwelcome in the Uchiha Clan, and Qifeng patted his shoulder.
• Qifeng sensed they were close to their target and told the squad to prepare.

Daisuke Ito defected from Konoha with records of its supply stockpiles, but Qifeng and his team intercepted him as he handed them to Kisame Hoshigaki. Kisame killed his Kirigakure companions to protect the village’s codes and escaped with the scrolls, leaving Qifeng in pursuit.

• Daisuke Ito stole Konoha’s supply records after killing his fellow guard and headed for the border to meet Kirigakure’s ninja.
• Kisame Hoshigaki’s Cipher Division confirmed Daisuke’s identity, and he handed over the two scrolls of Konoha’s supply lists.
• Qifeng arrived with Uchiha Shisui, Sarutobi Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi, confronting Kisame and Daisuke.
• Kisame slashed down the four Cipher Division ninja, explaining that they were also part of his mission and that he had to keep Kirigakure’s codes from Konoha.
• Kisame used the Great Waterfall Technique to cover his retreat, while Qifeng pursued him and left Daisuke to Shisui and the others.

Qifeng pursued Kisame Hoshigaki to the coast and struck him down, while ensuring he survived as part of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s staged operation. Qifeng returned believing the mission complete, unaware that Kisame was still hiding nearby with two scrolls.

• Qifeng used Iron Sand wings to catch up with Kisame Hoshigaki, who focused on escaping and used water techniques to clear a path through the Iron Sand needles.
• Qifeng launched the Iron Sand Greatsword at Kisame, severely wounding him and driving him beneath the earth near the coast.
• Qifeng revealed that Hiruzen Sarutobi had arranged the mission as a performance so Kirigakure would believe the stolen intelligence was genuine.
• Qifeng decided Kisame was more valuable alive for now and flew back toward the others, believing the mission was complete.
• Kisame stayed hidden, clutching two scrolls, and recognized Qifeng as Konoha’s “Spear of Judgment.”

Qifeng and his students captured Daisuke Ito after defeating the Mist ninja, while Kisame Hoshigaki escaped with deliberately planted false intelligence. Qifeng explained that Konoha had known about its spies and had used the mission to mislead other villages, leaving the students with a lesson in wartime deception.

• Qifeng returned to find Asuma, Shisui, and Kurenai had killed four Mist ninja and captured Daisuke Ito.
• Qifeng told the students he had let Kisame Hoshigaki escape and explained that the mission had been designed to send false intelligence about Konoha's supplies to Kirigakure.
• Qifeng revealed that Anbu had been monitoring Daisuke Ito and other confirmed spies, and that the village had deliberately allowed them to pass along information.
• Shisui reasoned that Konoha wanted rival villages to believe it was running low on supplies and choose a war of attrition; Qifeng confirmed the strategy.
• Qifeng warned the students that war involved deception and political contests as well as battlefield fighting.

Qifeng read Hiruzen Sarutobi’s secret letter and learned that Kirigakure was showing signs of internal unrest, prompting Hiruzen to ask him to contact clans considering cooperation with Konoha. Although he remained responsible for the border, Qifeng decided the trip to Kirigakure was possible.

• Qifeng handed Daisuke Ito over to the ninja who had come to take custody of him.
• An Anbu Ninja delivered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s secret letter to Qifeng, who read reports on the other battlefronts and the appointment of Rasa as Fourth Kazekage.
• Qifeng learned that criticism of the Third Mizukage and opposition to his alliance plans had fueled unrest among Kirigakure’s clans.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Qifeng to travel to Kirigakure and assess whether its dissenting clans might cooperate with Konoha.
• Qifeng judged that he could make the journey to Kirigakure despite the risks.

Qifeng accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi’s order to travel to Kirigakure and left the border camp in the Land of Fire in Aomine Yamashiro’s hands. After he departed, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shisui resolved to grow strong enough to support him.

• Qifeng considered Hiruzen Sarutobi’s repeated request for him to choose a forbidden technique and prepared to visit Kirigakure.
• Qifeng entrusted the border camp to Aomine Yamashiro and told him to keep the three youngsters safe while he was away.
• Qifeng flew east toward the sea on wings of Iron Sand.
• Aomine Yamashiro sent the ninja back to their posts and ordered them to stay alert.
• Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and Shisui realized Qifeng’s mission might take him to Kirigakure and promised to work harder so they could shoulder more of his burden.

Qifeng infiltrated the Land of Water and reached a secret meeting of Kirigakure ninja plotting against the Third Mizukage. The conspirators saw him arrive, and he asked whether he was late.

• Qifeng flew above the dense fog to evade Kirigakure’s border guards and entered the Land of Water.
• The guards noticed unusual movement in the mist but dismissed it as a bird.
• At a remote town, Fuefuki Mufuu, Oniyuzu Kazekage, Omichi Rokusaku, Snakeberry Raiye, and Aobuo Ichirou discussed resisting the Third Mizukage and seeking cooperation with Konoha.
• Qifeng’s Iron Sand seeped into the meeting room and formed his body before the assembled ninja.
• Qifeng greeted the conspirators and asked whether he was late.

Qifeng negotiated with five Kirigakure clan leaders, who offered the Six-Tails in exchange for Konoha helping them eliminate the Third Mizukage. He refused and confronted them about mist ninja approaching the town, leaving their intentions in question.

• Omichi Rokusaku and Oniyuzu Kazekage recognized Qifeng as the 'Spear of Judgment,' and Oniyuzu introduced the five clan leaders.
• Oniyuzu said the clans wanted Konoha's help eliminating the Third Mizukage and admitted he had devised their alliance and plan to contact Konoha.
• Oniyuzu offered the Six-Tails as payment and claimed the clans could lure the Third Mizukage out of Kirigakure.
• Qifeng refused the offer, dismissing the value of a Tailed Beast because he had killed one before.
• Qifeng noticed mist ninja approaching from outside the town and demanded that Oniyuzu explain their presence.

Qifeng discovered that the negotiation with the mist ninja was a trap and killed the four conspirators inside the attic. Oniyuzu Kazekage and Snakeberry Raiye escaped, and Oniyuzu revealed that he had been working with the Mizukage to preserve his clan’s land.

• Qifeng suspected the five mist ninja had lured him into a trap, and Snakeberry Raiye killed Aobuo Ichirou while claiming he had leaked their plans.
• When the others offered to defect to Konoha, Qifeng attacked them with Iron Sand Spears and crushed the room around them.
• Oniyuzu Kazekage, Snakeberry Raiye, and Omichi Rokusaku dodged the first strikes, but Qifeng’s Iron Sand sphere killed Omichi and Fuefuki Mufuu.
• Oniyuzu and Snakeberry escaped with an unusual Substitution Technique while Qifeng collected the corpses and recognized that both had betrayed the others.
• Oniyuzu warned the mist ninja that Qifeng was the Spear of Judgment and said the Mizukage had promised to preserve his clan’s land if he completed the mission.

Qifeng trapped and killed the Mist ninja with Iron Sand before fleeing as the Third Mizukage arrived. After hearing the Mizukage call out, Qifeng returned and hurled a lightning-wreathed spear at him.

• Snakeberry Raiye and Oniyuzu Kazekage tried to persuade Qifeng to leave, warning that the Third Mizukage was on his way.
• Qifeng revealed that he had used their conversation to spread Iron Sand around them, then trapped the Mist ninja with Magnet Release.
• Qifeng used Eternal Burial to crush the trapped Mist ninja, then escaped as the Third Mizukage approached.
• The Third Mizukage arrived and identified Qifeng as Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Spear of Judgment, while expressing fury over the killings.
• Qifeng returned after hearing the Mizukage call out and threw a massive lightning-wreathed spear at him.

Qifeng’s Iron Sand Spear clashed with the Third Mizukage’s Water Style, but a sudden sense of danger made Qifeng flee the Land of Water. He suspected the masked Anbu beside the Mizukage was Uchiha Madara and resolved not to return for missions there.

• A Mist Anbu recognized Qifeng’s Iron Sand Spear as the Judgment of Takemikazuchi, and the Third Mizukage countered it with Water Style: Waterfall Blade.
• Qifeng and the Third Mizukage’s techniques collided, scattering the fog as the two faced each other without either gaining an advantage.
• Qifeng sensed a dangerous presence and spotted a masked Anbu with cold, confident eyes beside the Third Mizukage.
• Qifeng fled into the mist and beyond the Land of Water, while the Third Mizukage and the masked Anbu discussed whether Qifeng had recognized him.
• Qifeng concluded that the masked Anbu was likely Uchiha Madara using a Reanimation Jutsu disguise and said he would not accept another mission in the Land of Water.

Qifeng returned from the Land of Water after learning that Uchiha Madara and the Third Mizukage were conspiring, and he decided to warn Hiruzen Sarutobi. At the Hokage Building, he confronted Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura after they criticized his assignment to negotiate with the Mist Ninja.

• Qifeng considered how to counter Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu, then flew to Konoha to alert Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• As he traveled, Qifeng assessed the war’s slow attrition and Danzo’s ambitions to remove Hiruzen Sarutobi as Hokage.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s decision to bring Danzo back and send Hiruzen to negotiate with the Mist Ninja.
• Qifeng appeared at the Hokage Building and sarcastically challenged the advisors to take on his dangerous missions themselves.
• Mitokado Homura accused Qifeng of disrespecting the village elders, and Qifeng retorted that they could take credit for his future battlefield merits.

Qifeng reported that a Kirigakure offer to trade the Six-Tails for Konoha assassinating the Third Mizukage was a trap, and warned Hiruzen Sarutobi about a dangerous Anbu Ninja protecting the Mizukage. Hiruzen dismissed the Elders and accepted some responsibility, while Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura headed toward the Root base.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi calmed Qifeng, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura after Qifeng confronted the Elders over their role in his mission.
• Qifeng told Hiruzen Sarutobi that several Kirigakure clans had offered the Six-Tails in exchange for Konoha assassinating the Third Mizukage, and that he had refused.
• Qifeng explained that the Third Mizukage had persuaded two clan leaders and planned to lure Konoha forces into a joint assault, turning the proposed deal into a trap.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi took some responsibility, ended the argument, and sent Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura away; they headed toward the Root base.
• Qifeng warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that a powerful Anbu Ninja beside the Third Mizukage had made him fear he would die if he continued fighting, though he had no proof of the Ninja's identity.