Chapter Summaries

Kirito comforted Kushina and promised to protect her as she learned about sealing the Nine-Tails. As Konoha secretly mobilized for the Jinchuriki’s transition, Chizuru recognized why the Uchiha had been excluded and resolved to become Clan Head, with Fugaku as her chief rival.

• Kirito promised Kushina he would protect her and keep the Nine-Tails in check, then taught her secrets about sealing it behind a Barrier Seal.
• The Third Hokage secretly mobilized Konoha’s ninja, and spies sent news of the village’s preparations to Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.
• Uchiha Jonin gathered at Chizuru’s home and angrily questioned why the Hokage had excluded their clan from the operation.
• Chizuru concluded that the Hokage feared the Uchiha might control the Nine-Tails and reflected on the clan’s history and its estrangement from Konoha.
• Chizuru resolved to become Clan Head and control the clan, recognizing Fugaku Uchiha as a powerful rival under the Uchiha rule that only the strongest could lead.

Fugaku wrestled with his aversion to war and the expectations placed on him, while Chizuru regarded him with hostility. As the Uchiha Jonin argued over joining the operation, Homura promised to speak with the Hokage and used his Sharingan to make the clan members stand down.

• Fugaku reflected on the horrors of war and felt trapped by his family and clan’s expectations that he pursue glory and become Hokage.
• Fugaku noticed Chizuru glaring at him, but his friendly smile only deepened her disgust and suspicion.
• Hawk Faction Jonin demanded that the Uchiha confront the Hokage, while the Dove Faction warned that doing so would worsen the clan’s standing.
• Homura told the Jonin he would meet the Hokage himself and forbade them from acting without permission.
• Homura trapped the Jonin who met his Sharingan in a powerful genjutsu, leaving them pale and drenched in sweat.

Homura Uchiha worried that the Uchiha Clan was losing influence in Konoha and saw Kirito as a possible way to break the deadlock. He summoned Kirito through Chizuru, and Kirito agreed to meet him.

• Homura Uchiha dismissed the Hawk Faction Uchiha Jonin and blamed the Ninja Academy and the Will of Fire for weakening the Uchiha Clan's loyalty to its family.
• Homura Uchiha decided that Kirito could help break the Uchiha Clan's deadlock and sent Chizuru to summon him.
• Chizuru found Kirito's Shadow Clone in the orphanage's expanded underground laboratory and told him that Homura Uchiha wanted to speak with him.
• Chizuru noticed a pale, red-haired humanoid creature whose features resembled Kirito's.
• Kirito agreed to meet Homura Uchiha for Chizuru's sake.

Kirito visited the Uchiha Clan Grounds with Chizuru and met the clan head, Homura Uchiha, for a private conversation. Homura challenged Kirito’s sincerity by reminding him of a favor he had received from him.

• Chizuru led Kirito through the Uchiha Clan Grounds, where many older Uchiha regarded him with suspicion because of his Senju ties.
• Fū Uchiha greeted Kirito enthusiastically, reported progress on learning Wind Release Chakra Nature, and left after Chizuru gave him a cold look.
• Kirito reminded Chizuru that she needed allies among the younger Uchiha if she wanted to lead the clan, but she hurried him toward her home and left to train.
• Kirito met Homura Uchiha alone, sat across from him for tea, and asked why the clan head had summoned him.
• Homura questioned Kirito’s sincerity, saying Kirito had benefited from a bargain with him and asking whether doing his utmost was all he could offer.

Kirito met with Homura Uchiha, who confronted him over the damage he had caused Root and tried to assert the Uchiha Clan’s authority. Homura realized Kirito’s loyalty was to Chizuru alone and softened his approach, insisting that neither he nor the Uchiha Clan would become Kirito’s enemy.

• Kirito hid his role in Root’s troubles while Homura pointed out that Root’s funding and ranks had been badly damaged.
• Kirito challenged Homura’s hostile treatment and calmly met the clan head’s Sharingan stare.
• Kirito told Homura that he and Chizuru were friends and that helping her was natural, making clear that his relationship was with her rather than the Uchiha Clan.
• Homura recognized that Kirito owed nothing to him or the Uchiha Clan and worried that Kirito might eventually become their enemy.
• Homura replaced Kirito’s tea with a fresh cup, addressed him by name, and said that neither he nor the Uchiha Clan would oppose him.

Kirito met with Uchiha Clan Head Homura Uchiha, who realized Kirito’s connection to the clan depended on Chizuru and asked for his help. Kirito agreed to try to persuade the Third Hokage to let the Uchiha participate in the Nine-Tails Succession operation, then left to act quickly.

• Kirito reflected that he distrusted the Uchiha Clan and would have weakened it through war, but believed Chizuru might guide it toward reform.
• Homura Uchiha recognized that Kirito cared about a Uchiha Clan led by Chizuru and asked what he thought of the clan and of her.
• Kirito praised Chizuru as a close friend he liked and hoped they could build a better Konoha together.
• Homura asked Kirito to help the Uchiha Clan join the Nine-Tails Succession operation, explaining that the clan wanted to repair its rift with Konoha.
• Kirito agreed to do his best to persuade the Third Hokage and departed in a puff of white smoke.

Danzo suspected Kirito was working with Homura Uchiha to secure the clan’s participation in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, and he resolved to stop them while plotting his own return to power. He ordered Root operatives to act against the Uchiha, while the mysterious Night organization continued undermining Root from outside the village.

• Danzo learned that Kirito had visited Chizuru’s Home and assumed he was secretly meeting Homura Uchiha about the Nine-Tails Succession Operation.
• Danzo decided to activate several Root Sleeper Agents within the Uchiha Clan to prevent the clan from joining the operation.
• Danzo planned to eliminate Kirito after the operation and imagined regaining influence as the war against Sunagakure worsened and Mito’s protection disappeared.
• Danzo considered Root’s financial troubles and the Night organization’s sabotage, then vowed to deal with the organization later.
• Danzo issued an order that Root ninja covertly delivered to the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

Shin Uchiha received Danzo’s order to provoke the Uchiha into protesting against joining the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, but Chizuru confronted him at home and defeated him. After using Kirito’s Cursed Seal to boost her power, she left with Kari and Sakura once Shin was stabilized.

• Shin Uchiha visited Gao Yamabuki’s grave and reflected on his loyalty to the village and his secret work for Root.
• A coded note prompted Shin to prepare to recruit Hawk Faction clansmen for a protest against the Uchiha participating in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation.
• Shin found Chizuru waiting in his home, and she confronted him as he tried to leave.
• Chizuru activated her Cursed Seal, briefly caught Shin in her Sharingan genjutsu, and severed both his hands with Lightning Flash.
• Chizuru collapsed from the Cursed Seal’s side effects, while Kari and Sakura arrived to treat Shin and then escorted her away.

Homura Uchiha learned that Chizuru had defeated Shin Uchiha and ordered Kari Uchiha to quietly deal with the clan traitors. Kirito tried to persuade Momoka to let the Uchiha participate in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, but her anger gave way to silence when he asked what the First Hokage would have wanted for the clan.

• Kari Uchiha reported that Chizuru had completed her mission and that the traitors Danzo contacted had been dealt with.
• Homura Uchiha ordered Kari to conceal the aftermath and give the traitors honorable deaths, then wondered whether the village or the clan mattered more.
• Momoka furiously scolded Kirito for lobbying on Homura Uchiha's behalf and asking her to help the Uchiha Clan participate in the operation.
• Momoka demanded to know Kirito's plan, but ordered him out when he muttered about her scolding him.
• Kirito asked Momoka whether the First Hokage had wanted the Uchiha Clan exterminated or integrated into Konoha, leaving her thoughtful.

Kirito argued that Konoha should integrate the Uchiha Clan rather than let its resentment grow into rebellion, and urged Momoka to use the Nine-Tails Succession Operation as a chance to ease tensions. He left Momoka stunned by revealing his Sage Mode and promising to personally eliminate any Mangekyō Sharingan ninja who threatened Konoha.

• Kirito warned Momoka that Konoha’s rejection of the Uchiha Clan could lead to rebellion, devastating losses, and attacks from rival villages.
• Kirito proposed sending Uchiha ninja to reinforce Konoha’s borders during the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, but Momoka opposed involving the clan because she feared the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kirito revealed that Chizuru had told him about the Mangekyō Sharingan and challenged Momoka to choose between integrating the Uchiha Clan and risking its rebellion.
• Kirito argued that Homura Uchiha could help bring the clan under control and that the Uchiha Clan deserved a chance to survive in Konoha.
• When Momoka asked what would happen if a Mangekyō Sharingan ninja endangered Konoha, Kirito activated his Yin Seal, entered Sage Mode, and vowed to eliminate the threat himself.

After revealing his Sage Mode, Kirito persuaded Momoka to advocate for Uchiha participation in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, then returned to oversee preparations for the sealing. Momoka headed to meet the Third Hokage with renewed hope for the Senju Clan after realizing how exceptional Kirito was.

• Kirito dispelled the Barrier Seal after Momoka agreed to ask the Third Hokage to let the Uchiha Clan join the operation.
• Kirito returned outside and saw Konoha's ninjas constructing a massive Sealing Altar guarded by elite forces.
• Momoka reflected on the Senju Clan's uncertain future and her doubts about Tsunade and Nawaki taking responsibility for it.
• Momoka reconsidered Kirito after seeing his Sage Mode and concluded that Mito had wisely placed her faith in him.

Momoka urged Konoha’s leaders to involve the Uchiha Clan in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation and send them to reinforce the borders against Iwagakure and Kumogakure. After weighing the danger of the Uchiha rebelling once Mito-sama was gone, the Third Hokage approved her proposal.

• Momoka called an emergency meeting and argued that the Uchiha Clan should participate in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation.
• Momoka revealed that Iwagakure and Kumogakure were gathering ninja, and the Third Hokage confirmed their movements likely threatened Konoha.
• Momoka proposed sending the Uchiha Clan to reinforce the borders, easing Konoha’s manpower shortage and keeping the clan away from the operation.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura objected, warning that Uchiha casualties might awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Momoka warned that the Uchiha could rebel after Mito-sama died, and explained that Kirito hoped they would eventually integrate into Konoha.
• The Third Hokage decided that the Uchiha Clan would participate in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation.

Hiruzen decided to let the Uchiha Clan take part in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation, despite Utatane Koharu's objections. After Koharu and Mitokado Homura left, Hiruzen and Momoka discussed preventing dangerous Uchiha members from harming Konoha.

• Hiruzen dismissed Utatane Koharu's objections and argued that Konoha needed the Uchiha Clan's strength to reinforce its borders.
• Hiruzen believed Kirito had persuaded Momoka to lobby for Uchiha participation and wondered what power she had been promised.
• Utatane Koharu warned that the Uchiha might wield the Mangekyō Sharingan after Mito-sama was gone, but Momoka defended Konoha's strength and its Uchiha allies.
• Utatane Koharu stormed out, and Mitokado Homura followed after voicing concern that Hiruzen was becoming too lenient toward the Uchiha Clan.
• Hiruzen asked Momoka to discuss safeguards against the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Momoka agreed that dangerous Uchiha scum must not be allowed to threaten Konoha.

Homura Uchiha received the Third Hokage’s order to involve the Uchiha Clan in the Nine-Tails Succession Operation and saw it as a chance to change the clan’s future. As the Uchiha prepared to support Konoha’s forces, Homura noticed that Fugaku Uchiha alone seemed troubled by the prospect of war.

• Homura Uchiha accepted the Third Hokage’s secret order and summoned the clan’s Jonin and Chunin to Naka Shrine.
• Homura reflected that the Uchiha Clan risked destruction if its isolation and arrogance continued, and credited Kirito and Chizuru with helping create a chance for change.
• Chizuru appeared in the courtyard, snubbed Homura, and headed to Naka Shrine.
• Homura told the assembled Uchiha that the Third Hokage had approved their deployment to support the front lines and border defenses, exciting most of the clan members.
• Fugaku Uchiha privately judged his clansmen reckless for welcoming war, and Homura noticed his sorrowful expression.

Danzo raged over the Uchiha Clan’s mobilization for war and vowed to prevent the clan from rising again. In Sunagakure, Chiyo learned that Hattori Masanari was negotiating with Iwagakure over her captured son and daughter-in-law, while Ebizo promised a chance to intercept the exchange.

• Danzo learned that the Uchiha Clan had mobilized to support the battlefronts, destroyed his office in anger, and threatened Hiruzen and the Uchiha Clan.
• Chiyo heard her grandson Sasori call for his parents in his sleep and worried because Akasuna and Sarada remained missing.
• Ebizo told Chiyo that Hattori Masanari was in the Land of Rain and seemed to be negotiating a deal with Iwagakure.
• Chiyo feared Iwagakure would kill Akasuna and Sarada, but Ebizo warned that intervening immediately would endanger them.
• Ebizo said his agent in Amegakure would discover the exchange location and route so they could arrange an ambush.

Kirito, posing as Hattori Masanari, negotiated with Kitsuchi over exchanging two captured Sunagakure Puppet Masters for Iwagakure resources and techniques. Kitsuchi agreed to take the terms to Ōnoki, and Kirito promised the prisoners would stay alive while the deal was pending.

• Kitsuchi objected to Hattori Masanari's demand for training resources, an S-Rank Ninjutsu, and Earth Style techniques in exchange for the two Sunagakure prisoners.
• Hattori Masanari emphasized the prisoners' value and implied he had already obtained their intelligence, making Kitsuchi suspect he was skilled at interrogation.
• Kitsuchi considered Iwagakure's strategic and economic reasons for supporting Hattori Masanari and recognized that the deal was important to Ōnoki.
• Kitsuchi agreed to report Hattori Masanari's terms to Ōnoki for a decision.
• Hattori Masanari hosted Kitsuchi for a meal, then promised the prisoners would remain alive as long as Iwagakure accepted his terms.

Kirito met Kitsuchi at an Amegakure contact point to negotiate a prisoner exchange with Iwagakure, then confronted Salamander Hanzō over his suspicion and the village’s compromised leadership. Hanzō recognized that spies among his trusted subordinates had helped drive Amegakure into disaster, but the exchange and the village’s internal divisions remained unresolved.

• After the feast, Kitsuchi left to report Kirito’s proposed terms to the Earth Shadow, and Kirito saw him off with a generous gift.
• Kirito revealed that the inn staff were Amegakure ninja in disguise and met Salamander Hanzō, who had come in person to observe the transaction.
• Hanzō accused Kirito of trading with Iwagakure under Amegakure’s banner without authorization, while Kirito blamed Hanzō’s incompetence and the spies around him.
• Kirito confronted Hanzō about his disastrous decision to wage war against Konoha and revealed that spies from other villages had infiltrated Amegakure’s ranks.
• Hanzō silently acknowledged that his confidants had influenced his past decisions and that village pressure to return the Sunagakure captives could have sabotaged Kirito’s deal with Iwagakure.

Kirito convinced Hanzō that restoring trade with Iwagakure was essential to rebuilding the Land of Rain, then persuaded him to let Kirito return and assist Amegakure. The chapter ended with both men agreeing that Amegakure needed a purge before the Land of Rain could be reborn.

• Hanzō questioned why Kirito had traded the Sunagakure Puppet Masters to Iwagakure instead of seeking a better deal from Konoha.
• Kirito explained that the Land of Rain depended on industry and needed to restore trade with the Land of Earth to reopen factories and provide jobs.
• Hanzō realized his past isolationist policy had worsened unemployment and Amegakure’s decline, and he began doubting his ability to lead.
• Kirito urged Hanzō to work with him to strengthen the Land of Rain, and Hanzō asked him to return to Amegakure as an adviser.
• Kirito agreed to return as Hattori Masanari and proposed that Amegakure undergo a purification, which Hanzō accepted.

Kirito persuaded Hanzō to purge Amegakure’s spies and gave him intelligence on Sunagakure to trade with Konoha for Torture Ninjutsu. Hanzō directed Kirito to Jiraiya, while secretly burning the scroll and warning that he would retaliate if Kirito betrayed Amegakure.

• Kirito praised Hanzō for deciding to purge spies from Amegakure and supported the plan as a way to reshape the village’s leadership.
• Kirito handed Hanzō a scroll of Sunagakure intelligence and proposed trading it to Konoha for an inheritance of Torture Ninjutsu.
• Hanzō urged Kirito to exploit Konoha’s troubles during the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki succession, but Kirito argued that befriending the Land of Fire mattered more than short-term gains.
• Kirito insisted on negotiating with Konoha himself because he distrusted Hanzō’s associates, and Hanzō told him to seek out Jiraiya in the Land of Rain.
• Hanzō burned the scroll after Kirito vanished and warned that he would drag Kirito down with him if Kirito betrayed Amegakure and the Land of Rain.

Kirito approached Jiraiya’s lakeside residence in the Land of Rain, eliminated the White Zetsu watching it, and met Jiraiya while posing as Hattori Masanari. He gave Jiraiya intelligence on a Sunagakure supply depot and demanded resources in exchange, then left with the deal awaiting verification.

• Kirito discovered five White Zetsu and four Konoha Anbu watching Jiraiya’s house, then used Soul Evasion to kill the White Zetsu without alerting the people inside.
• Kirito confirmed that Jiraiya, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were sleeping in the house before withdrawing and preparing his Hattori Masanari disguise.
• Jiraiya sensed Kirito’s arrival and came outside, where Kirito handed him a scroll containing the location of a hidden Sunagakure supply depot.
• Jiraiya opened the scroll and asked whether the intelligence was genuine, and Kirito told him Konoha could verify it.
• Kirito demanded a Torture Ninjutsu inheritance and enough resources to train thirty Jonin, ordered Jiraiya to come alone, and left him a plaque before escaping underground.