Recaps

Shamon and Hanzō fought as Sunagakure and Amegakure suffered heavy losses, and Hanzō’s Ibuse poisoned the battlefield. After Shamon was poisoned and wounded, he ordered a retreat and shielded his forces with sand, while Hanzō let them go, confident Shamon would soon die.

• Shamon killed several Amegakure ninja with a Wind Blade during his clash with Hanzō.
• Hanzō summoned Ibuse, whose poisonous mist killed ninja from both sides across the battlefield.
• Hanzō revealed that prolonged close combat with him exposed opponents to poisonous gas, and his Scythe wounded Shamon after the poison weakened him.
• Shamon ordered the Sand Ninja to retreat and used Sand Burial to block Amegakure’s pursuit.
• Hanzō decided not to pursue Shamon, believing Ibuse’s poison would kill him without prompt treatment.

Sajie reached the border camp and learned that Shamon had named him Sunagakure's Third Kazekage. After Chiyo arrived and failed to save him, Shamon died, leaving Sajie to lead the village.

• Shamon's medics struggled to contain Ibuse's poison, and he sent for his student Sajie as his condition worsened.
• Sajie hurried to the camp, where Shamon warned him about Hanzō and entrusted him with the Kazekage position and Sunagakure's future.
• Chiyo arrived two days later, examined Shamon, and silently indicated that she could not save him.
• Shamon confirmed Sajie's appointment as Third Kazekage and asked Chiyo to guide and support him.
• Shamon called out to Lord Reto, died, and the Sand Ninja mourned him throughout the camp.

After Shamon’s death, Sajie and Chiyo debated how Sunagakure should respond, while Danzo and Orochimaru assessed the shifting war and learned Iwagakure had sent an elite unit that might include a jinchūriki. The chapter left Danzo ordering Jiraiya back to camp as tensions rose among the great villages.

• Sajie called for revenge against Hanzō, but Chiyo urged Sunagakure to withdraw until it could treat its wounded and develop an antidote to Ibuse’s poison.
• Chiyo proposed disguising elite Sunagakure ninja as Amegakure ninja and provoking attacks on other hidden villages, and Sajie ordered Niuji to organize the covert squads.
• Danzo and Orochimaru discussed why Sunagakure would likely avoid immediate war with Amegakure and predicted that Iwagakure might exploit Sunagakure’s defeat.
• A Konoha Ninja delivered intelligence that Ōnoki had secretly sent an elite Iwagakure unit, possibly accompanied by a jinchūriki.
• Danzo learned that Tsunade was studying Ibuse’s poison and ordered Orochimaru to summon Jiraiya back from his search for the Child of Prophecy.

Hanzo ordered Amegakure to deny responsibility for the attacks and ask the Lands of Fire and Earth to recognize there had been a misunderstanding. Ōnoki blamed Sunagakure and sent Iwagakure forces, including Murasaki and Shū, into the Land of Rain to destroy them.

• Shinoda told Hanzo that Sunagakure was likely disguising its ninja as Amegakure shinobi to provoke Konoha and Iwagakure.
• Hanzo ordered the Daimyo to send letters to the Lands of Fire and Earth explaining that Amegakure had not attacked them.
• Ōnoki concluded that Chiyo was behind Sunagakure's scheme and ordered Iwagakure's forces to wipe out Sunagakure ninja in the Land of Rain, authorizing Murasaki to release the Four-Tails if necessary.
• Murasaki and Shū accompanied an Iwagakure force into the Land of Rain, where they encountered a disguised Sunagakure squad.
• Murasaki used Lava Release to destroy the squad, and Shū killed its surviving captain with Explosion Release: Landmine Fist.

The Third Kazekage, Sajie, led Sunagakure forces against Iwagakure in the Land of Rain and summoned Red Fang to attack them. As Sajie’s Iron Sand and Murasaki’s Lava Release devastated the battlefield, Murasaki charged straight at Sajie.

• Sajie rejected Niuji’s warnings, ordered elite squads to find Iwagakure’s forces, and vowed to kill them himself.
• The main forces of Sunagakure and Iwagakure met in the Land of Rain and fought a bloody battle.
• Sajie summoned Red Fang and ordered the serpent to kill the Iwagakure ninja, while Red Fang rampaged through their ranks.
• Murasaki struck Red Fang with Lava Release, badly scorching it, and Sajie answered by raining poisoned Iron Sand over the Iwagakure forces.
• After seeing his comrades die, Murasaki entered Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, unleashed Lava Release: Flower-Fruit Mountain, and charged at Sajie.

Sajie fought the Four-Tails after Murasaki lost control, injuring the beast with Iron Sand World Method. The Four-Tails unleashed a Tailed Beast Bomb that devastated both armies, and Sajie charged at him again as the two prepared to clash.

• Sajie used Iron Sand wings and chains to restrain Murasaki, but the Four-Tails' chakra neutralized the poison and overwhelmed him.
• The Four-Tails, Son Goku, broke free, attacked both armies with lava, and forced Sajie to use Iron Sand World Method against him.
• Sajie's iron sand barrier badly wounded the Four-Tails, and Sajie taunted him about human power and Ōnoki.
• The Four-Tails fired a Tailed Beast Bomb that killed or injured many Sunagakure and Iwagakure ninja and reduced the battlefield to a scorched wasteland.
• Sajie emerged from an iron sand barrier and charged the Four-Tails, who leaped forward to meet him.

Shimura Danzō led Konoha forces into the battle between Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Four-Tails, ordering his ninja to kill both villages’ fighters. As Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade devastated the enemy forces with their summons, Danzō approached Sajie and the Four-Tails, waiting to strike whoever survived their fight.

• The surviving Iwagakure ninja charged the Sand Ninja again while Sajie kept fighting the Four-Tails.
• Shimura Danzō led Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and hundreds of Konoha ninja out of hiding and attacked Sunagakure and Iwagakure from behind.
• Danzō rejected Shū’s proposal to join forces with Iwagakure and ordered Konoha to kill every ninja from both villages.
• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade summoned Gamabunta, Manda, and Katsuyu, then attacked the enemy forces while Katsuyu healed Konoha’s wounded.
• Danzō approached Sajie and the Four-Tails, planning to kill whichever one survived their battle.

As the Second Shinobi World War intensified in the Land of Rain, Mito Uzumaki’s health declined and Konoha prepared for her jinchūriki succession. Kagami Uchiha ordered Konoha to protect Rain civilians and support fallen ninja’s families, while predicting that Hanzō would soon bring the war to its full scale.

• Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure entrenched their forces in the Land of Rain, where Third Kazekage Sajie was gravely wounded and Chiyo and Ebizo took charge of Sunagakure’s forces.
• Nawaki noticed that Mito had grown withdrawn, and Kushina asked Mito to teach her sealing techniques; Mito promised to teach her soon.
• Shikata Nara told Kagami Uchiha that Mito was unwell, and Kagami confirmed that Konoha had chosen her next jinchūriki.
• Shikata read Danzō’s report about the Four-Tails jinchūriki’s rampage and the Third Kazekage’s injury, then suggested Konoha exploit the damage to its enemies.
• Kagami predicted that Hanzō would intervene as the Land of Rain suffered, and ordered Konoha to prepare for Mito’s succession, spare Rain civilians, pay death benefits, and protect ninja orphans from bullying.

Mito showed Kushina the Uzumaki clan’s sealing site and the terrace above Konoha, explaining that love could help her endure becoming the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki. As Kushina took comfort in Mito’s words, Mito reflected on Hashirama and the people she would soon leave behind.

• Mito reassured Kushina that love could bring happiness even to a Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki.
• Mito explained the Uzumaki clan’s history and showed Kushina the floor seal that would strengthen her jinchūriki seal.
• Mito led Kushina up the spiral staircase to a terrace overlooking Konoha and told her that love could heal the sorrow of carrying the Nine-Tails.
• Kushina considered Mito’s words and thought of a blond figure as she wondered about love.
• Mito gazed at Hashirama’s face on Hokage Rock and reflected on Konoha, Kagami, Tsunade, and Nawaki before imagining reuniting with Hashirama in the Pure Land.

Kagami Uchiha oversaw the transfer of the Nine-Tails from the dying Mito Uzumaki to Kushina Uzumaki, who became Konoha's new jinchūriki as Mito passed away. He let Tsunade take Kushina home and gave Kushina freedom to live anywhere in Konoha, leaving the three of them to go home together.

• Kagami Uchiha recalled Mito Uzumaki's reasons for choosing a jinchūriki to inherit the Nine-Tails and accepting Kushina as her successor.
• Mito Uzumaki died peacefully after the Nine-Tails was transferred into Kushina Uzumaki.
• The Nine-Tails stayed quiet during the ceremony because he feared Kagami Uchiha, while plotting to destroy the Uchiha Clan after Kagami's death.
• Tsunade returned from the Land of Rain and grieved with Kagami Uchiha over Mito Uzumaki's death.
• Tsunade comforted Kushina Uzumaki, and Kagami Uchiha dismissed the shinobi guarding the ceremony and allowed Kushina to live freely anywhere in Konoha.
• Kagami Uchiha offered to take Tsunade and Kushina home.

After returning to Konoha, Kagami Uchiha met Hatake Sakumo with his girlfriend, Uchiha Yukiho, and considered the unusual family connection their future children might have to Obito Uchiha. At the Senju Residence, Kagami encouraged Nawaki’s dream of becoming Hokage and considered how to strengthen his prospects.

• Kagami Uchiha found Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Yukiho together, teased Sakumo, and gave the couple his support.
• Kagami Uchiha recalled that Uchiha Yukiho was related to Obito Uchiha’s grandmother and wondered whether Kakashi Hatake would call Obito his cousin-uncle.
• Tsunade greeted Kagami Uchiha at the Senju Residence, where they encountered Nawaki.
• Nawaki told Kagami Uchiha he was training to become Hokage, and Kagami praised his ambition.
• Kagami Uchiha considered helping Nawaki develop his potential, possibly by transplanting Hashirama cells into him.

After Mito Uzumaki’s death shifted the balance among the hidden villages, Madara learned the news and asked about the mission involving Ise and Fusō. Kakuzu rescued Nagato and his parents from disguised White Zetsu, then prepared to take them somewhere safe.

• News of Mito Uzumaki’s death reached the shinobi world, and the Third Raikage withdrew Kumogakure’s forces from the Land of Waterfalls as Ōnoki returned Iwagakure’s troops home.
• White Zetsu told Madara Uchiha that Mito was dead and that someone had been sent to find Ise and Fusō.
• Two disguised White Zetsu attacked Ise’s family in their home, and Ise and Fusō tried to protect Nagato.
• Kakuzu arrived in time to kill both attackers and revealed their true forms to Nagato and his parents.
• Kakuzu told the family to pack their things so he could take them somewhere safe.

Kakuzu brought Nagato, Ise, and Fusō to his hidden village in the Land of Rain, where he had sheltered war orphans and civilians. Nagato joined Yahiko and Konan’s team, and the children resolved to grow strong and repay Master Kakuzu.

• Kakuzu led Nagato, Ise, and Fusō through the mountains to his concealed village, built to protect people displaced by war.
• The village children greeted Kakuzu as Master Kakuzu, and he introduced Nagato to Yahiko and Konan as their new teammate.
• Kakuzu assigned Ise and Fusō to help with the village’s daily work and promised they could live there in peace.
• Yahiko told Nagato that Kakuzu had rescued him and Konan, and vowed to help others when he grew up.
• Konan agreed that they should become stronger and never let Master Kakuzu down, while Nagato began to feel hopeful.

Kakuzu complained to Sakamoto that his work establishing a force in the Land of Rain was too much for him and asked Kagami Uchiha for help. After reading Kakuzu’s letter, Kagami planned to send funds and instructors to support the village, while preparing for the threat Madara Uchiha posed to Nagato.

• Kakuzu told Sakamoto that their funds would run out by the end of the month, but said Kagami Uchiha would send more money.
• Kakuzu showed Sakamoto Kagami Uchiha’s order to train Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan and establish an organization to free the Land of Rain from Hanzō.
• Kakuzu complained that he could not manage the children and protect everyone alone, then sent a letter asking Kagami Uchiha for help.
• Kagami Uchiha read Kakuzu’s letter and considered the danger Madara Uchiha posed to Nagato and the plans for the Land of Rain.
• Kagami Uchiha decided to provide funds, send Elite Jonin to teach and help manage the village, and allow Kakuzu to take occasional bounty missions.

Hiruko reported that his research had made stable kekkei genkai modifications ready for human trials, and Kagami Uchiha approved a carefully vetted first batch. Kagami then made Hiruko his student, leaving Hiruko overcome with gratitude and eager to build Konoha’s new era.

• Hiruko told Kagami Uchiha that he had decoded Steel Release, Swift Release, and other kekkei genkai and developed a modification method with a ninety-five percent stability rate.
• Hiruko asked permission to select loyal, physically strong shinobi for the first human trials and described his vision of an artificial kekkei genkai army.
• Kagami Uchiha approved the trials, ordered Hiruko to prepare candidates for Anbu vetting, and stressed that the first batch’s safety mattered more than its size.
• Kagami Uchiha praised Hiruko’s work and offered to make him his student.
• Hiruko accepted Kagami Uchiha as his teacher, knelt, and bowed to him three times.

Hiruko’s experiment successfully gave ordinary Konoha genin and chunin artificial Steel Release and Swift Release kekkei genkai. Kagami Uchiha welcomed the results as the start of a loyal artificial kekkei genkai army that could weaken the clans’ influence.

• Hiruko selected loyal, ordinary Konoha ninja for the artificial kekkei genkai experiment and told them the procedure was safe and painless.
• Hiruko and the institute modified the first batch of ninja using Steel Release and Swift Release kekkei genkai factors.
• The modified ninja demonstrated their new steel-hard defenses and extraordinary speed, then cheered for Kagami Uchiha and Hiruko.
• Hiruko promised the successful subjects that further kekkei genkai factors would make them stronger.
• Kagami Uchiha read the report and anticipated using artificial kekkei genkai ninja to change Konoha’s old clan order.

Kagami Uchiha introduced Hiruko as his new student and gave him a regular place at Konoha’s leadership meetings. Hiruko announced that the Research Institute had succeeded in creating artificial kekkei genkai ninja, prompting Tokuma Hyuga to oppose the project on behalf of the clans.

• Kagami Uchiha convened a leadership meeting and introduced Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Hiruko, naming Hiruko his newest student and granting him a regular seat at future meetings.
• Uchiha Setsuna welcomed Hiruko and led the officials in a round of applause.
• Hiruko reported that the institute had completed human trials and created steel release and swift release kekkei genkai ninja, making mass production possible.
• Orochimaru questioned whether Hiruko had truly succeeded, and Hiruko confirmed it with a firm nod.
• Mitokado Homura and Shikata Nara raised concerns about risks to the modified ninja and the consequences of mass production.
• Tokuma Hyuga opposed the project, arguing that Konoha’s ninja clans would reject it, and challenged Uchiha Setsuna to state his position.

At Konoha’s leadership meeting, Tokuma Hyuga opposed Hiruko’s artificial kekkei genkai project, and Orochimaru challenged his motives and defended Kagami Uchiha. Uchiha Shizuka stopped the escalating confrontation, promised the project would not involve the village’s kekkei genkai clans for now, and approved its continuation.

• Orochimaru questioned Tokuma Hyuga’s opposition and accused him of fearing that artificial kekkei genkai would weaken the clans’ privilege and the Hyuga Main Family’s control over the Branch Family.
• Senju Bu defended Orochimaru’s right to speak and supported the project, while Tokuma warned Kagami Uchiha that the experiments could endanger Konoha’s ninja and make the Hokage answer to their families.
• Hatake Sakumo, Hiruko, and Orochimaru rebuked Tokuma for insulting Kagami, and Orochimaru threatened to kill him.
• Hayama Shirakumo entered the meeting, demanded permission to kill Tokuma, and drew his sword before Uchiha Shizuka ordered him to stand down.
• Uchiha Shizuka assured Tokuma that the project would not involve Konoha’s kekkei genkai clans for now, praised Orochimaru, and declared that Hiruko’s project would proceed with his support.

After the Assembly Hall dispute over artificial kekkei genkai experiments, Kagami Uchiha assigned Sakumo to guard the research institute and sent Orochimaru to help Hiruko monitor its test subjects. Kagami then considered Konoha’s future strength and prepared to intervene in the war in the Land of Rain.

• After the other officials left, Hatake Sakumo apologized to Kagami Uchiha for breaking the rules by threatening Tokuma Hyuga, and Kagami warned Hiruko to screen test subjects carefully and stop the experiments if their effects became uncontrollable.
• Orochimaru cautioned Kagami that the research could threaten the major clans and provoke further conflict, while Kagami declared that reform and Konoha’s strength were worth challenging the old order.
• Kagami ordered Hatake Sakumo to guard the research institute with authority to execute threats, and assigned Orochimaru to work with Hiruko monitoring the modified shinobi.
• Kagami told the three men to request the institute’s supplies and funding through the Hokage Building, and they left the Assembly Hall.
• Alone, Kagami imagined training Minato Namikaze and giving him Hashirama cells, then considered going to the Land of Rain to demonstrate his strength.

As the Great Shinobi Villages’ war devastated the Land of Rain, Hanzo of the Salamander abandoned his restraint and ordered Amegakure to strike back. He vowed to end the fighting by killing the invading shinobi and challenged Ōnoki, Sajie, and Kagami Uchiha to face him.

• Amegakure shinobi told Hanzo that the Three Great Shinobi Villages were destroying the Land of Rain and that his restraint had failed to protect its people.
• Hanzo reflected on his past concessions, including sparing Shamon, and concluded that the other nations viewed restraint as weakness.
• Hanzo rose in the Amegakure Assembly Hall and declared that the Land of Rain would yield no more ground.
• Hanzo ordered every Amegakure shinobi to kill any invaders from the other Three Great Shinobi Villages.
• Hanzo vowed to end the war and challenged Ōnoki, Sajie, and Kagami Uchiha to come to the Land of Rain.

Hanzo proclaimed that the Land of Rain was at war with Konohagakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure after years of invasions and suffering. Ōnoki ordered an all-out assault, Sajie sought Bunpuku’s aid and vowed revenge, and Kagami recognized that the Second Shinobi World War was approaching its climax.

• Hanzo issued a proclamation accusing Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure of invading the Land of Rain and declaring all-out war against them.
• Ōnoki reacted furiously and ordered Iwagakure’s forces to attack Amegakure without holding back.
• Third Kazekage Sajie summoned Bunpuku from the Wind Temple and vowed to kill Hanzō and Shimura Danzō.
• Kagami Uchiha read the proclamation and concluded that the Second Shinobi World War was nearing its climax.

Danzo dismissed Hanzō’s declaration of war and vowed to kill him, while a speaker at Yamazaki Tavern urged the people of the Land of Rain to resist Hanzō and the invading villages. Idaten Kyusuke and Dabutsu joined the crowd’s call to overthrow Hanzō and drive out the foreign ninja.

• Danzo read Hanzō’s declaration of war and decided to grant him the death he sought.
• Idaten Kyusuke carried his feverish friend Dabutsu through the rain after they escaped Iwagakure Ninja.
• A waiter at Yamazaki Tavern welcomed the boys and offered them free hot water.
• A man addressed the tavern crowd, blaming Hanzō for bringing Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure into the Land of Rain.
• The speaker urged the people to unite, choose their own leader, overthrow Hanzō, and drive out the three great nations’ ninja.
• Kyusuke and Dabutsu joined the crowd in shouting against Hanzō and the invading villages.

Kakuzu established the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain, gathering followers who sought to end the war and protect the people. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan pledged themselves to his cause as the organization began its work.

• A man told Kyusuke and Dabutsu that a compassionate shinobi with deep green eyes could lead the Land of Rain toward a true future.
• As the war devastated the Land of Rain, Kakuzu recalled Kagami Uchiha’s instructions and decided that the time had come to form an organization.
• Kakuzu gathered his followers, including Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Kyusuke, and Dabutsu, and named the organization Akatsuki.
• Kakuzu declared that Akatsuki would protect the Land of Rain, drive out foreign shinobi, and seek peace for people in other small nations.
• Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan vowed to support Kakuzu, while the gathered followers cheered and swore allegiance to Akatsuki.

Kagami Uchiha took Minato Namikaze as his third disciple and gave him the Flying Thunder God Technique to study. After Minato began training, Kagami considered ways to increase his chakra reserves further.

• Kagami Uchiha praised Minato Namikaze's talent and offered to take him as his third disciple.
• Minato accepted Kagami as his teacher and vowed to uphold the Will of Fire and protect Konoha.
• Kagami gave Minato the Flying Thunder God Technique, despite warning him that no one but its creator had learned it.
• Minato accepted the scroll and began studying the technique at the Hokage residence.
• Kagami considered giving Minato Hashirama cells or making him a jinchūriki.

Kagami Uchiha received Kakuzu’s report that the Akatsuki had been founded and its future leaders trained, then reflected on the coming generations and Obito Uchiha. Hatake Sakumo came to him worried about his pregnant wife Yukihō, and Kagami arranged medical care and urged him to stay by her side.

• Kagami Uchiha read Kakuzu’s report that Kakuzu had founded the Akatsuki and taken Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan under his wing.
• Kagami Uchiha considered how the Akatsuki differed from its original version and thought about Obito Uchiha’s future.
• Hatake Sakumo asked Kagami Uchiha for help because his pregnant wife Yukihō was frail and growing thinner.
• Kagami Uchiha promised to have Koharu send the Medical Department’s best medical ninja to care for Yukihō.
• Kagami Uchiha told Hatake Sakumo to remain in the village and keep his wife company.