Recaps

Naruto accepted the Sage of Six Paths’ wager to decide the future of the Shinobi World in a shogi match, then recruited Shikamaru to serve as his strategist. The match was set for one month later, and Shikamaru began preparing to analyze its rules and available pieces.

• The Sage of Six Paths told Naruto that, win or lose, Naruto would eventually take over his role overseeing the Pure Land because the Sage was ascending beyond the world.
• Naruto accepted the life-and-death shogi match, while Black Zetsu urged Kaguya to exploit the coming conflict.
• Shikamaru felt a powerful foreboding while relaxing at home, then planned to play shogi with Asuma-sensei.
• Naruto summoned Shikamaru and explained that he would face the Sage of Six Paths in a shogi match in one month.
• Shikamaru learned the match’s stakes and agreed to serve as Naruto’s chief strategist, demanding all available information and a list of their pieces.

The Sage of Six Paths returned the souls of the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage and others to their bodies, awakening them in Konoha Hospital. Minato reunited with Naruto at home, and a hesitant greeting and touch began to mend the distance between them.

• Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and the other patients awoke as their souls returned to their bodies.
• News of the Hokage's resurrection spread through Konoha's leadership, while Minato and Kushina headed to Naruto's mansion.
• Kushina reunited warmly with Karin and greeted Uchiha Hikari at the mansion.
• Minato and Naruto sat together in silence as both struggled to begin their conversation.
• Minato told Naruto, "I'm home," and Naruto welcomed him back before leaning closer to accept his father's hand on his shoulder.

Otohime played a video game against Black Zetsu while Kaguya read nearby. Otohime asked about Hagoromo leaving for a higher dimension, and Kaguya said she felt little concern because he still planned to seal her again.

• Black Zetsu defeated Otohime repeatedly at the game, and she attacked him in frustration.
• Otohime forced Black Zetsu away from the console and asked Kaguya whether Hagoromo was about to leave the world for a higher dimension.
• Kaguya confirmed Hagoromo's plan and said he was stronger than her and could make his own choices.
• Kaguya told Otohime that Hagoromo still intended to seal her again before leaving.
• Otohime returned to the game with Black Zetsu while Kaguya resumed reading, her slight trembling eyelashes hinting at unease.

Naruto and the other Hokage prepared Konoha for the Sage of Six Paths' Life-and-Death Shogi match a month later. At dinner with his family, Naruto introduced Otohime, Kaguya, and Black Zetsu, who called Naruto his adoptive father.

• Naruto explained his wager with the Sage of Six Paths and the upcoming Life-and-Death Shogi match to Minato, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen.
• Minato said Konoha's shinobi had received emergency recall orders, and the Hokage discussed consolidating forces and guarding against disloyal countries.
• Naruto and Minato returned home to a family dinner prepared by Kushina, Karin, and Uchiha Hikari.
• Naruto brought Otohime and Kaguya to the dinner, then Black Zetsu emerged from Kaguya's sleeve and introduced himself as Naruto's adoptive son.

Naruto introduced Kaguya, Otohime, and Black Zetsu to his family over dinner and explained Kaguya’s past and why she would fight the Sage of Six Paths. As the meal eased the tension, Naruto prepared to make a solemn announcement.

• Naruto introduced Kaguya as the Sage of Six Paths’ mother and an ally, then introduced Otohime and Black Zetsu to Minato, Kushina, Karin, and Hikari.
• Naruto recounted how Kaguya used Infinite Tsukuyomi to create an army of White Zetsu before her sons sealed her inside the moon.
• Kaguya explained that she had created the White Zetsu army to protect herself against the Ōtsutsuki Main Family, leaving Naruto’s family wary of her methods.
• Naruto told everyone they would discuss their tactics for the coming battle the next day and urged them to enjoy dinner.
• Naruto set down his chopsticks and cleared his throat with a hesitant, solemn expression as dinner neared its end.

Naruto told Minato and Kushina that he planned to get engaged to seven girls, leaving Minato stunned and Kushina delighted. Kushina embraced Hikari and Karin and celebrated the prospect of them joining the family.

• Naruto told Minato and Kushina that he planned to get engaged to Ino, Hikari, Karin, Hinata, Sakura, Hanabi, and Kazahana Koyuki, noting Hanabi would have to wait a few years.
• Minato froze in shock as he counted the seven girls and realized two were daughters of the Hyuga Clan.
• Kushina reacted with excitement and pride, declaring that she was happy for Naruto.
• Kushina sprang up, embraced Hikari and Karin, and said she had long wanted them as daughters.

Minato accepted Naruto’s decision to marry several women, while Hyuga Hiashi and Inoichi Yamanaka celebrated the prospect of becoming fathers-in-law to the Sixth Hokage. The chapter ended with Tianzang watching the two drunken men and waiting for his teammate so he could go eat barbecue.

• Minato considered warning Naruto about the legal and personal complications of multiple marriages, but chose to trust his son’s judgment.
• Kushina happily fussed over Naruto, while Minato reflected on the challenges of managing his family relationships.
• Hyuga Hiashi and Inoichi Yamanaka met for drinks after Shikaku’s return eased some of their work preparing for the Life-and-Death Chess Game.
• Hiashi and Inoichi praised their daughters’ choices and toasted to becoming the Sixth Hokage’s fathers-in-law.
• Tianzang watched the pair drink without eating and planned to visit Yakiniku Q after his teammate relieved him.

As the Sage of Six Paths began the Life-and-Death Shogi in the Pure Land, Isshiki’s ambush brought him there too, where Naruto killed him instantly and refined his remains into a Chakra Fruit. Naruto then faced Hagoromo Otsutsuki as the game over the Shinobi World’s future began.

• Isshiki saw that Otohime Otsutsuki and Kaguya Otsutsuki were away and launched a surprise attack on Naruto in the Hokage’s Office.
• Hagoromo Otsutsuki activated the Life-and-Death Shogi, transforming the Pure Land into an enormous board and summoning Naruto and Isshiki onto it.
• Naruto appeared behind Isshiki and beheaded him before Isshiki could react.
• Naruto used Instant Refinement to turn Isshiki’s body, soul, and chakra into a Chakra Fruit.
• Naruto faced Hagoromo across the board as the Life-and-Death Shogi began.

Naruto Uzumaki and the Sage of Six Paths assembled their forces across the Pure Land for a life-and-death shogi match whose outcome would decide the shinobi world's future. As the game began, Uchiha Tajima and Butsuma Senju reflected on their old feud and the legacy of their sons, Hashirama and Madara.

• Naruto Uzumaki appointed Shikamaru Nara to direct his side while taking the Jade General position opposite the Sage of Six Paths.
• The Sage of Six Paths established the rules for the Pure Land shogi match, where commanders moved real souls as pieces and victory came by capturing or surrounding the opposing commander.
• Naruto Uzumaki and the Sage of Six Paths deployed formidable lineups drawn from the current shinobi world and a thousand years of history.
• The Sage of Six Paths began the game, and the pieces' soul-lights illuminated the vast board.
• Uchiha Tajima spoke with Butsuma Senju about their unlikely alliance, while Butsuma trusted that Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju would defeat them.
• Butsuma Senju challenged Tajima's confidence in Madara Uchiha, noting that Madara's death contrasted with Hashirama's enduring legacy.

On the shogi board, Uzumaki Ashina praised Naruto Uzumaki as a pillar of the living, while Uchiha Izuna and Uchiha Madara declared their intended opponents. Indra noticed that Uchiha Hikari resembled Madara, leaving Madara unsettled as the battle approached.

• Uzumaki Ashina reminded Uchiha Tajima and Butsuma Senju that the Six Paths Life-and-Death Shogi's rules bound the dead, then praised Naruto Uzumaki as a leading figure of the living.
• Uchiha Tajima mocked Ashina over Naruto's blond hair, while Butsuma Senju supported Ashina's praise.
• Uchiha Izuna asked Uchiha Tajima to leave Tobirama Senju to him, despite Uzumaki Ashina's concern that Izuna was outmatched.
• Uchiha Madara prepared to fight Hashirama Senju first and assigned Uchiha Hikari to Indra, declaring that he would defeat the rest afterward.
• Indra pointed out that Uchiha Hikari looked like Madara, who dismissed the resemblance but privately noticed that her features recalled both him and Izuna.

Nagato launched a Wood Release attack at Hanzo and Obito, beginning a fierce battle on the chessboard. Hanzo survived Pain’s ambush with a Water Clone and counterattacked, but Konan blocked his strike and unleashed a paper assault.

• Hanzo recognized Nagato and realized that Nagato had turned Yahiko’s corpse into a puppet, while Nagato confronted the man who had killed Yahiko and Obito, who had betrayed him.
• Nagato used Wood Release to send one wood dragon at Hanzo and another at Obito.
• Hanzo summoned Ibuse and cut into the wood dragon, while Obito used Kamui to let the other dragon pass through him.
• Deva Path Pain attacked Hanzo, but struck a Water Clone; the real Hanzo emerged from Ibuse and spread deadly poison mist.
• Konan shielded Deva Path Pain from Hanzo’s chain-sickle and sent a wave of paper toward him.

The fighters in the Pure Land began their battle, as Hashirama and Madara clashed with Wood Dragons and the other combatants faced their opponents. Uchiha Hikari stood against Indra, and their Perfect Susanoo confronted each other across the chessboard.

• Hashirama and Madara summoned Wood Dragons and collided above the chessboard, surprising Uchiha Tajima, Uchiha Izuna, and Butsuma Senju when Madara used Wood Release.
• Tobirama deduced that Madara had transplanted Hashirama's cells, while Izuna attacked him with a Great Fireball that Madara deflected with his Gunbai.
• Otohime engaged Hamura, and Kaguya prepared to fight Asura.
• Indra questioned Uchiha Hikari about her origins, then summoned a Perfect Susanoo to challenge her.
• Uchiha Hikari summoned her own Perfect Susanoo and faced Indra's without responding to his challenge.

Uchiha Itachi told Shisui Uchiha that he had slaughtered the Uchiha clan for Konoha and no longer wanted to protect the village. After briefly forcing his way into Perfect Susanoo, Itachi died and remained on the battlefield as a spirit, joining the Pure Land's side.

• Uchiha Itachi appeared among Naruto's Pawns in a Susanoo and faced Shisui Uchiha.
• Itachi apologized to Shisui and revealed that he had wiped out the Uchiha clan for the village.
• Itachi recalled how Konoha's villagers mistreated him and said his faith in protecting Konoha had collapsed.
• Itachi unleashed his remaining power to activate Perfect Susanoo, then died from the strain.
• Itachi's soul entered the collapsing Susanoo, stabilized it, and joined the Pure Land's side.

Shisui used Kotoamatsukami on himself to reject his allegiance to the Pure Land and protect Konoha, becoming a Pawn as Itachi took his Silver General position. Sasuke then confronted Itachi in his lightning-powered Takemikazuchi Susanoo, while Uchiha Tajima stepped in to face him.

• Shisui formed his Perfect Susanoo and, after using Kotoamatsukami on himself, switched sides; the board demoted him from Silver General to Pawn and made Itachi the Pure Land's Silver General.
• The Sage of Six Paths explained that Shisui's self-directed Kotoamatsukami had broken the board's rules, making his defection an exceptional case.
• Sasuke appeared in his purple Takemikazuchi Susanoo, surrounded by lightning and five Thunder Drums, and vowed to defeat Itachi himself.
• Madara and Indra noticed Sasuke's powerful dōjutsu and its transformation of Susanoo.
• Uchiha Tajima walked in front of Sasuke's Susanoo to confront him, while an old man complained that Sasuke was ignoring his teammates beneath his feet.

On the Pure Land chessboard, Rock Lee encountered Chen Baojun, a Konoha hero who had faked his death to escape war. Chen dismissed Lee’s dream of becoming a ninja, and Neji and Tenten stepped in to defend him as the battle continued around them.

• Chen Baojun complained about the battlefield while dodging attacks, and Rock Lee recognized him as the man he had seen alive stealing offerings at his grave.
• Chen mocked Lee for pursuing the ninja path despite being unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu, leaving Lee embarrassed and discouraged.
• Neji and Tenten shielded Lee from Chen, while Kakuzu noticed Tenten’s costly giant Sealing Scroll and expressed greed for it.
• Neji questioned Chen about his history with Lee, and Chen admitted he had faked his death because he was tired of war.
• Chen repeated that taijutsu alone could not make Lee a true ninja and urged Neji and Tenten to convince him to give up.

Neji confronted Chen Baojun about the loss of his former disciple, then defended Rock Lee’s dedication to taijutsu. Neji revealed that Orochimaru’s experiment had awakened his Tenseigan, and he activated Tenseigan Chakra Mode on the battlefield.

• Neji asked Chen Baojun if he had become weak because he lost someone, and Chen fell silent as memories of his disciple’s death in the Third Shinobi World War resurfaced.
• Rock Lee realized Chen had tried to discourage him out of fear of losing another student, while Neji chose not to question Chen further.
• Neji recalled volunteering for Orochimaru’s dangerous Byakugan evolution experiment so he could protect his clan and comrades and break free of fate.
• Neji told Lee that he was a genius of hard work and urged him to keep training through perseverance.
• Neji removed his bandages, revealed golden-and-cyan eyes, and unleashed Tenseigan Chakra Mode, astounding Chen Baojun.

Neji Hyuga unleashed the Tenseigan’s Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, carving a vast trench through the battlefield and annihilating the enemies in its path. Hagoromo recognized Neji’s power, establishing him as a major new force on Naruto’s side.

• Neji entered Tenseigan Chakra Mode and shaped nine cyan Chakra Prayer Beads around himself.
• Neji used Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion to cleave through enemy territory, vaporizing Pawns and leaving a massive trench.
• Naruto killed the Fourth Raikage with a wooden spike that absorbed his chakra and enclosed him in a spiked coffin.
• Chen Baojun and Rock Lee reacted to Neji’s overwhelming power, while Hagoromo praised his potential and acknowledged his arrival among the battlefield’s supreme fighters.

The Sage of Six Paths reshaped the battle space to keep the Main Chessboard from collapsing and agreed with Naruto Uzumaki to let the other fighters battle before they faced each other. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma were transported to ancient ruins, where they encountered Shimura Danzō.

• The Sage of Six Paths warned that the fighters' power might overwhelm the Pure Land, and Naruto Uzumaki joked that they could sink it if necessary.
• The Sage of Six Paths used the board's rules to scatter the major fighters across separate battlefields throughout the Pure Land.
• Naruto Uzumaki and the Sage of Six Paths agreed to postpone their own fight until the other pieces had battled.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma arrived in dim ruins and prepared for an ambush.
• Shimura Danzō emerged from the shadows and addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi with a mocking greeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi faced his old comrades Danzo and Kagami in the Pure Land, where Danzo accused him of secretly researching First Hokage cells and demanded a fight. Hiruzen denied the charge and revealed that Naruto had become the Sixth Hokage, but Danzo attacked as their confrontation began.

• Kagami Uchiha emerged from the ruins and greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi before joining Danzo in confronting him.
• Danzo accused Hiruzen of secretly researching First Hokage cells and blamed him for the assassin who had killed Danzo during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen wondered whether Naruto Uzumaki might have been the assassin, then firmly denied conducting experiments with First Hokage cells.
• Danzo mocked Hiruzen for clinging to the Hokage position, and Hiruzen revealed that Naruto had long since become the Sixth Hokage.
• Hiruzen said he could keep working for Konoha for another twenty years before enjoying time with his family, provoking Danzo to surge with chakra and challenge him to fight.

Silver General enhancements restored Danzo’s Sharingan and boosted both Danzo and Kagami Uchiha, who launched a coordinated attack on Hiruzen Sarutobi amid the ruins. Hiruzen and the Monkey King Enma countered the assault, leaving Kagami scorched but the battle still raging.

• The Silver General rank restored the eight Sharingan on Danzo’s arm and strengthened Kagami Uchiha to match veteran fighters.
• Danzo and Kagami Uchiha combined fire and wind release in a fast opening assault on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen summoned Enma as the Adamantine Staff and dispersed Kagami’s Great Fireball with a powerful wind technique.
• Danzo followed with wind-enhanced shuriken and Vacuum Spheres, which Hiruzen blocked with an Earth Dragon Bullet Technique.
• Kagami slipped behind Hiruzen and attacked with his sword, but Enma caught the blade with a manifested ape arm.
• Hiruzen struck Kagami with Lightning Release: Roaring Thunder; Kagami escaped with a scorched chest as the fight continued.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Shimura Danzō and Kagami Uchiha amid the ruins, confronting Danzō with the envy and hunger for power behind his claim to serve Konoha. Danzō flew into a rage and attacked Hiruzen with renewed force as the battle entered a more brutal phase.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi defended against Shimura Danzō and Kagami Uchiha while lamenting how Danzō’s forbidden modifications had made him grotesque.
• Hiruzen recalled how Tobirama Senju had chosen him as the Third Hokage after he volunteered to stay behind, while Danzō had hesitated.
• Shimura Danzō insisted he had wanted to volunteer too and blamed Hiruzen for taking the Hokage position he believed should have been his.
• Hiruzen told Danzō that he had volunteered to protect Konoha, while Danzō regretted losing power rather than failing to shoulder responsibility.
• Shimura Danzō erupted in rage, unleashed a surge of chakra, and lunged at Hiruzen as Kagami Uchiha kept his sword aimed at the Third.

Hyuga Hiashi encountered his dead younger brother, Hizashi Hyuga, in the Pure Land and struggled to speak through his overwhelming guilt and longing. Hizashi confirmed his identity, but addressed Hiashi formally as the head of the family.

• Hyuga Hiashi finished repelling a force of Pure Land samurai and ninja on a bone-white plain.
• Hiashi turned toward a strange breeze and saw Hizashi Hyuga standing atop a pillar of bone.
• Hiashi remembered how Neji had been freed from the Caged Bird Seal, become the Young Clan Leader, and awakened the Tenseigan, and how Hinata and Hanabi had grown up.
• Hiashi silently wept as he remembered his regret over Hizashi's death and tried to find words for their reunion.
• Hiashi asked whether the man was really Hizashi, and Hizashi confirmed it before formally addressing him as the head of the family.

Neji reunited with his father, Hizashi, and uncle Hiashi on the battlefield, then confronted the resurrected Hyuga elders who had oppressed his family. The Second Elder’s attempt to scold Neji backfired when he realized he had asked Hizashi how he had raised his son, leaving him speechless with embarrassment.

• Neji found Hiashi and saw Hizashi standing atop a pillar of bone.
• Neji and Hizashi recognized each other and called out as father and son for the first time in ten years.
• Six dead Hyuga elders appeared, and the Second Elder greeted Hiashi with open hostility.
• Neji shielded Hiashi and told the elders that he and Hiashi had killed the First and Third through Sixth Elders.
• Hizashi learned that Hiashi and Neji had purged the clan elders and reacted with pride and relief.
• The Second Elder demanded to know how Neji’s father had raised him, then realized Hizashi was Neji’s father and fell silent in embarrassment.

Naruto Uzumaki turned his Go match with the Sage of Six Paths into five-in-a-row and wore a Wood Release helmet in case the Sage retaliated. Their game continued while the distant battles raged, and Uchiha Tajima taunted Sasuke Uchiha after forcing him back.

• Naruto Uzumaki watched the Hyuga battle and mocked the Hyuga Second Elder for acting arrogantly even after death.
• The Sage of Six Paths agreed that the Hyuga Second Elder had brought Neji Hyuga's attack on himself.
• The Sage of Six Paths asked why Naruto Uzumaki was wearing a wooden helmet, and Naruto explained that he did not know Go and wanted protection if the Sage smashed the board over his head.
• The Sage of Six Paths gave up trying to make Naruto follow game etiquette, while Naruto privately complained that the Sage had chosen a game he could not play.
• Uchiha Tajima forced Sasuke Uchiha back again and challenged him to use Susanoo.

Sasuke fought Uchiha Tajima in a ruined training arena, first relying on his twin swords before using Takemikazuchi to boost his speed and power. Tajima admired Sasuke’s talent and, after being forced onto the defensive, prepared to fight seriously with his Gunbai.

• Sasuke dispelled his Perfect Susanoo and clashed with Uchiha Tajima using the Kusanagi Sword and a Lightning Sword.
• Tajima parried Sasuke’s attacks with masterful swordsmanship and told him his fundamentals were not solid enough.
• Sasuke activated Takemikazuchi and used its lightning to enhance his body.
• Sasuke’s faster attacks scorched Tajima’s ribs with Amaterasu and nearly knocked the katana from his hand.
• Tajima shed his damaged armor, praised Sasuke’s abilities, and changed his weapon to the Gunbai as he prepared to fight seriously.