Chapter Summaries

As the Holy Light Clerics registered the city and exposed its criminals, the threatened nobles gathered at Tiemu’s residence to plan an escape. Tiemu secretly chose to surrender by betraying them, and his poisoned wine and ambush left Yamada and his two ninja helpless.

• Axel ordered Mina to distribute identification cards as the Holy Light Clerics continued registering residents and arresting criminals exposed by the census.
• Caesar and other nobles met at Tiemu’s residence and agreed to attempt a nighttime escape after Tiemu endorsed Yamada’s proposal.
• Tiemu privately told Caesar that he planned to surrender and capture the nobles to hand over to the new lord.
• Tiemu’s men served poisoned wine to the assembled nobles, causing Yamada and the others to collapse after drinking.
• Yamada’s two wandering ninja avoided the wine, but Tiemu’s soldiers struck them with a volley of arrows before they could draw their Kunai.

Tiemu and Caesar delivered the captured nobles to the Holy Church, hoping to win positions and rewards. Axel rejected their offers and ordered them taken away for a public trial, declaring that the Holy Light stood with the commoners they had oppressed.

• Tiemu bound Yamada and the other nobles after capturing them, while Yamada cursed him for betraying them.
• Kumata intercepted the procession, then summoned reinforcements after Tiemu claimed that he and Caesar had captured the nobles while refusing to help them escape.
• A commoner accused Baron Shiji of murder and abuse, and Kumata promised that the Holy Church would bring justice.
• Shishu's Knights took custody of the nobles and disarmed Tiemu's Samurai before escorting Tiemu and Caesar to Axel.
• Tiemu and Caesar asked Axel for official posts, but their remarks about suppressing commoners exposed their contempt for the people.
• Axel ordered Tiemu and Caesar held for a public trial once Bishop Ria arrived, reflecting that they had mistaken the Holy Church's people for their own kind.

Ria and the Holy Church relocated from Huayu Town to Corona City, where Axel welcomed her and began preparing a public trial for the former nobles. Holy Armored Ones installed Multifunctional Magic Towers across the city, and Miss Orville announced that residents could report injustices before the trial.

• Ria departed Huayu Town with the Holy Church, leaving Yui in charge and saying goodbye to Ertai and his grandmother.
• Axel and the First Holy Light Regiment escorted Ria’s procession into Corona City, while Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato watched cautiously.
• Ria told Axel to arrange a fair public trial for the former nobles, and she ordered the Holy Armored Ones to install Multifunctional Magic Towers.
• The Holy Armored Ones demonstrated that the towers could detect malice, heal minor injuries, and broadcast announcements throughout the city.
• Miss Orville announced that the public trial would take place at noon on the fifteenth and invited residents to report injustices at Church offices.

The Holy Church held public trials for abusive nobles, sentencing many of them as citizens watched across the city. At dinner, Axel challenged Yahiko’s belief that communication could bring nobles and commoners to peace, leaving their disagreement unresolved.

• Wronged citizens crowded district offices to report abuses, and the trials moved to Central Square so more people could witness them.
• Priest Jimu tried Viscount Charles and sentenced him and Samurai Jiji to death after Charles admitted to murder; the Holy Light execution reduced them to ash.
• Jimu continued the trials, sentencing nobles to death or long prison terms as citizens cheered.
• Kumata took Axel and Shishu to a barbecue restaurant, where they met Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato at a neighboring table.
• Yahiko argued that communication could help nobles understand commoners, while Axel insisted that equality required struggle rather than compromise.

Axel and Yahiko became friends despite their opposing convictions about Holy Light and the ninja, while Axel returned home to a playful reunion with Ria and Meli. The next morning, Ria heard reports of Holy Light’s growing military, medical, industrial, and cultural capabilities.

• Axel explained to Yahiko that Holy Light represented shared ideals and hope, and Yahiko chose to follow Jiraiya’s teachings while respecting Axel’s convictions.
• Axel, Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, Shishu, and Kumata shared a meal and discovered that they were all war orphans, but their friendship grew tense as they discussed Holy Light’s conflict with the ninja.
• Axel returned home late, where Ria teased him for missing dinner; he then caught Ria admitting she had tried sake, and Meli told her not to drink again.
• Ria convened the High-Rank Holy Light Clerics, and Axel, Meli, and Iron Mountain reported advances in legion formations, potions, weapons, armor, vehicles, and industrial plans.
• Shui Sha reported that Holy Cantors had made few notable contributions, and Ria encouraged her by recognizing the importance of their publicity work.

Ria organized the Holy Light Clerics to improve livelihoods and build an intelligence network, prioritizing relief, schools, clinics, roads, and housing over the Level Three Holy Church. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan witnessed the faction’s work and, as they prepared to leave for Amegakure, Yahiko resolved not to lose to Axel.

• Ria announced that wars between nations would likely end in two years and assigned Reilly to establish an intelligence department.
• Ria redirected workers from the Level Three Holy Church to provide relief and build schools, clinics, waterworks, and roads, ordering clerics to suppress grain price gouging.
• Holy Light Clerics began relief and construction work, and Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan learned from an elderly man about the new housing, medical care, and punishment of grain merchants.
• Yahiko and his friends admitted that they understood why ninja were hated after recalling their past, then encountered Axel and Shishu hauling stone for road repairs.
• Yahiko told Axel that he and his friends were leaving for Amegakure, then silently resolved not to lose to him.

Reilly organized Corona City’s merchants into a Holy Church-backed association to sell its factory goods and gather supplies and intelligence. In Konoha, Hiruzen rejected Danzo’s plan to seize the association’s manufacturing methods, so Danzo sent intelligence about the Church of the Holy Light to Hanzō.

• Ria tasked Reilly with forming a merchant association, trading the Church’s goods, and gathering food, materials, and intelligence in exchange for military support.
• Reilly recruited Corona City’s merchants and showed them the Holy Church’s factories, persuading them to join under a ten-percent tax and agree to gather intelligence through their businesses.
• The Third Hokage learned that the Dawn Merchant Association’s goods were selling well in Konoha and ordered the Anbu to keep watching it.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to seize the association’s manufacturing methods, but Hiruzen refused, prioritizing the war and Konoha’s reputation.
• Danzo returned to Root and ordered Aburame to take intelligence about the Church of the Holy Light to Hanzō.

Hanzō led Amegakure’s depleted forces toward Corona City to crush the Holy Church, while Ria assembled its troops to defend the city and assert the Church’s control over the Land of Rain. Five legions gathered as the people rallied behind them, leaving the confrontation with Hanzō still to come.

• After receiving intelligence about unrest in the Land of Rain, Hanzō ordered Hakai to assemble Amegakure’s Ninja and marched toward Corona City.
• Ria reviewed the merchant association’s paperwork while Meli prepared to make lunch, until Mina reported that Hanzō and a large force were approaching.
• Ria ordered the Holy Light Clerics to assemble, and Meli abandoned her plans to cook.
• The city’s residents cheered for the Holy Light Clerics as they gathered in organized ranks at the Holy Church.
• Ria watched from the Level Three Holy Church as commanders reported the assembly of five legions, including the First Knight Legion and Fifth Mixed Special Operations Legion.

Ria rallied the Holy Light Clerics to defend Corona City as Hanzō led his ninja forces through the prosperous lands surrounding it. After Hanzō and Ria exchanged challenges outside the city walls, both sides prepared to settle the conflict by force.

• Ria rallied the Holy Light Clerics, who marched to their assigned posts to defend the city.
• Hanzō and his ninja were astonished by the restored farmland and fortified towns, but abandoned their advance through the smaller settlements after defensive devices cost them men.
• Silver Flower confirmed that Hanzō’s forces had moved on, while Yi Yong lamented missing his chance to fight and vowed to train harder.
• Hanzō reached the expanded Corona City, summoned Ibuse, and rode toward its walls while his forces prepared siege equipment.
• Ria stopped the defenders from attacking as Hanzō confronted her, and they traded accusations before agreeing to let their strength decide the battle.

Ria’s forces repelled Hanzō’s assault on Corona City with their barrier, artillery, and Holy Knights, while priests dispelled his poison. After heavy losses, Hanzō and Ria discussed the Holy Church’s ambitions in the Land of Rain, leaving open the possibility of negotiation.

• Hanzō ordered the Rain Ninja to attack Corona City, but the barrier blocked their rocks and the city’s artillery destroyed their catapults.
• Ria’s gunners killed or wounded many Rain Ninja as their ninjutsu battered the barrier, and she ordered the gates opened for a counterattack.
• Axel led the Holy Knights in formations that crushed and trapped the Rain Ninja, but Hanzō released poison that forced the knights to retreat.
• Ria directed the priests to clear the poison with the Greater Purification Technique, and more than half of Hanzō’s ninja had been lost by the time his forces regrouped.
• Hanzō asked Ria what the Holy Church wanted, and she said it sought to establish a prosperous nation and could coexist with Amegakure if it did not obstruct the Church.
• Ria rejected the idea that the Daimyo were rightful rulers, while Hanzō objected that the Church’s actions would split the Land of Rain.

Ria forced Hanzō to negotiate after demonstrating her overwhelming power, then proposed that the Holy Church would help strengthen Amegakure in exchange for his cooperation. Hanzō agreed to review a written pact and follow Ria to the Holy Light Hall to sign it, hoping to learn more about the Church’s faith.

• Ria blasted the forest with an attack powerful enough to break Hanzō’s resolve, then welcomed him and his ninja into the city.
• At the Meeting Room, Hanzō challenged the Holy Church, and Ria used her oppressive aura to make him hear her proposal respectfully.
• Ria asked Hanzō to keep the Land of Rain’s Daimyo occupied while the Holy Church liberated half the country over the next two years.
• Ria offered the Holy Church’s support to Amegakure at twice the level of the Daimyo’s annual aid, and promised a formal agreement witnessed by the Holy Light.
• Hanzō accepted the printed agreement and agreed to go with Ria to the Holy Light Hall, secretly hoping to gather intelligence.

Ria brought Hanzō and his subordinates before Li Ming, where the Holy Light’s presence overwhelmed them with awe. After Ria and Hanzō signed an agreement, Li Ming explained that he had come to the world as the keeper of hope and bearer of light.

• Hanzō followed Ria to meet the Evil God, while Ria briefly frightened him and his subordinates with a supernatural sensation.
• Ria led Hanzō into the temple, where the Holy Light’s radiance cleared their minds and moved them to join the worshippers’ salute.
• Li Ming returned to his Sub-body in response to Ria’s summons and witnessed the agreement between the Holy Church and Hanzō.
• Ria signed the agreement as Artoria, Archbishop of the Holy Church, and Hanzō signed it as Kage of Amegakure.
• Hanzō asked why Li Ming had descended into the world, and Li Ming identified himself as the keeper of hope and bearer of light.

Hanzō turned away from the Land of Fire and Danzo after his encounter with Ria’s Holy Church, while Madara decided to confront the group after learning they could threaten his plans. Holy Light warned Ria that Madara had entered their territory and sent her to face him.

• Hanzō told Qingyu and Hakai that he no longer needed the Land of Fire’s funding, and Danzo ordered Root to investigate the Holy Church after reading Hanzō’s reply.
• Black Zetsu informed Madara that Ria’s cultists had repelled Hanzō and that Nagato had reached Amegakure, so Madara set out to clear the way for Nagato.
• Ria finished her work and joined her siblings for dinner, but Mina arrived with a warning that a powerful enemy had entered their territory.
• Li Ming gave Ria a ball of light to guide her to the enemy and strengthen her skills if needed.
• Holy Light identified the enemy as Uchiha Madara, the Asura of the Ninja World and one of Konoha’s founders.

Madara tested the Holy Knights defending Miwei City and overwhelmed Ertai’s squad, who kept getting back up to protect the civilians. As Ertai was about to collapse, Bishop Ria arrived and caught him.

• Madara and Black Zetsu walked through prosperous Miwei City and saw Ertai’s Holy Knights gently direct a group of children toward the square.
• Madara challenged the Holy Knights, and Ertai ordered Qina to evacuate the civilians before his squad surrounded him.
• Madara defeated Ertai’s squad in a single exchange, but the injured knights repeatedly stood and continued fighting.
• Ertai told Madara that the knights protected the people because they hoped others would protect their own families in turn.
• Madara dismissed Ertai’s hope, but a voice from the sky answered him as Bishop Ria arrived and caught the unconscious Ertai.

Ria fought Madara on the plains and defeated him with her Holy Light powers, then killed the hidden Black Zetsu. She flew home, hoping some of Meli’s Octopus Balls were left.

• Ria healed the Holy Knights, sent them to restore order, and challenged Madara to fight outside the city.
• Ria and Madara exchanged attacks, but Ria resisted his Genjutsu and destroyed his meteor with the Super Trial Technique.
• Ria confronted Madara over the suffering caused by the powerful and declared that the oppressed would unite beneath the Holy Light.
• Madara summoned his Complete Body Susanoo, while Ria transformed into a giant armored figure and struck him down with her lance.
• Ria discovered Black Zetsu underground and killed him with a lance of light before flying home for Meli’s Octopus Balls.

After surviving a battle with Madara, Ria returned to her family and enjoyed a peaceful meal, while the Holy Church expanded its territory and improved life for its people. As refugees fled toward the Church’s lands, the Land of Rain’s nobles blocked their escape, leaving a starving mother and child trapped in despair.

• Madara survived Ria’s attack by using Izanagi, then decided to leave the Land of Rain for the Land of Water and ordered Black Zetsu to watch Nagato and the others.
• Ria returned to Corona City, reunited with Meli, Xiao Cao, and Xiao Shu, and shared a warm dinner with her family.
• The Holy Church developed its occupied cities by suppressing bandits and criminals, building infrastructure, and attracting people fleeing poorer regions.
• The Land of Rain’s Daimyo told his nobles that Hanzō had agreed to divide the country’s cities with the Holy Church, and the nobles resolved to punish fleeing commoners.
• A starving refugee mother fed her child blood from her wrist as samurai blocked the crowd’s route to the Holy Church’s territory and attacked those who resisted.
• The desperate refugees charged the samurai checkpoint, while the mother watched in despair as their path to safety remained blocked.

Ertai and the Holy Church intervened after nobles in the eastern Land of Rain massacred refugees fleeing a rat infestation. After Ertai’s forces captured Fuyu City, Aili resurrected a dead child, and the city’s survivors welcomed the Holy Light Clerics.

• Ertai learned that samurai in Fuyu City were killing refugees and mobilized his legion, while Bishop Ria ordered a large-scale relief effort.
• Ertai surrounded Fuyu City, broke through its gates with cannon fire, and captured the young viscount after his samurai fled.
• Qina’s search party found Lianhua and her child among the dead, and Priest Will discovered the child had only recently died.
• Aili used Basic Resurrection to bring Lianhua’s child back to life, and Lianhua thanked her and pledged herself to the Holy Light.
• Qina and her squad continued through the city as residents recognized the Holy Light Clerics and gathered to welcome them.

After Ertai punished the noble responsible for deaths in town, Holy Church forces arrived in the eastern Land of Rain to battle the rat swarms and begin rescuing survivors. Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato watched as the airships overwhelmed the rats and Holy Light Clerics descended to search nearby homes.

• Ertai apologized to the townspeople, then had the young noble burned with Holy Flame as the crowd demanded revenge.
• Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato struggled to defend the earl’s estate from the endless rat swarms, while the earl refused to let them retreat.
• As the three ninjas ran low on chakra, they spotted Holy Church airships arriving over the eastern Land of Rain.
• Holy Cantors stopped the rats with music, and Corps Commander Rich ordered the airships to attack swarms while avoiding residential areas.
• The airships destroyed much of the rat horde, then Holy Light Clerics descended and formed squads to search for survivors.
• Konan stared in disbelief at the Holy Church’s rescue operation.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan joined Oli’s Holy Light squad as it rescued villagers trapped beneath a boulder and brought them to a protected estate. After an airship delivered food and water, Konan wondered at the Holy Church’s knowledge, while the Priest prayed to the holy light.

• Yahiko introduced himself and his teammates to Oli, who invited them to accompany the 7th Mixed Squad on its rescue mission.
• Oli’s squad cleared the rats with coordinated attacks and found villagers sheltering in a cellar beneath a boulder.
• The Holy Knights rescued the survivors, and Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan helped kill rats that bit civilians along the way.
• Oli’s squad led the civilians to a nearby estate, set up a Holy Light Barrier, and requested emergency supplies from an airship.
• The airship dropped food and water, and the female Priest told Konan that the Holy Light had taught them their knowledge.

Oli and the Holy Light Clerics defended the rescued civilians from an overwhelming swarm of mutated rats while waiting for the main force. As the squad ran out of supplies, its members sacrificed themselves one by one, leaving Yahiko questioning whether he and his companions would someday show the same courage.

• The Holy Light Clerics rescued a baby, and a civilian woman fed him while Oli explained that children were their future.
• Oli ordered his team to defend the Barrier when an enormous swarm of mutated rats arrived, and artillery fire only drew more rats from underground.
• Commander Rich reported that the main force would take at least three hours to arrive, while the Airships ran out of Holy Light Bullets and the defenders exhausted their potions.
• Nagato urged Yahiko and Konan to retreat if the defenses failed, but Yahiko promised Oli they would hold out with the squad.
• Oli told the Holy Light Clerics to sacrifice themselves to protect the civilians, and Hexia agreed to survive and carry on the squad's legacy.
• Oli and the other Holy Light Clerics charged into the swarm and detonated themselves, while Konan watched in disbelief and Yahiko wondered whether they would one day risk their lives for their own way.