Chapter Summaries

Namikaze Sui’s Wood Release forced the Third Hokage and his forces to retreat from Konoha, while Uchiha Fugaku pursued Danzo into the forest. Danzo summoned Hatake Sakumo with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, leaving Fugaku face-to-face with the resurrected man.

• Namikaze Sui revealed Wood Release, prompting the Third Hokage to order a retreat from Konoha.
• The Third Hokage learned Danzo had withdrawn to the Forest of Konoha under contingency plan two and fled there with his companions.
• Namikaze Sui returned to Kurama and ordered him to pursue the retreating forces and settle the war that night.
• Uchiha Fugaku pursued Danzo through the forest while using Amaterasu, and Danzo led him to a prepared site of earthen mounds.
• Danzo performed the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, raising coffins from the ground and summoning Hatake Sakumo.
• Fugaku recognized Hatake Sakumo, who opened his eyes and wondered whether he had already died.

Danzo used Impure World Reincarnation to force Hatake Sakumo to fight Uchiha Fugaku. The Third Hokage arrived, saw Sakumo and the coffins, and angrily confronted Danzo.

• Danzo summoned Hatake Sakumo from his grave and ordered him to kill Uchiha Fugaku.
• Sakumo attacked Fugaku at Danzo’s command, and Fugaku dodged his blade and countered with fire techniques and Amaterasu.
• Sakumo’s reanimated body regenerated from its injuries as he kept Fugaku pinned down and wounded him.
• The Third Hokage arrived with a squad, saw Sakumo fighting Fugaku and the coffins beside Danzo, and shouted at Danzo for disturbing the dead.

Danzo used Impure World Reincarnation to summon deceased Konoha shinobi, including Hatake Sakumo and Tobirama Senju, to fight River and his allies. Tobirama awakened and demanded to know why he had been summoned as he assessed River and the Nine-Tails.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized that Danzo had used the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation and saw Hatake Sakumo fighting Uchiha Fugaku.
• Danzo defended reviving Konoha's dead heroes, arguing that they were needed to defeat River, Fugaku, and their allies.
• River arrived atop the Nine-Tails, blasted Sakumo with a Tailed Beast Bomb, and rejoined Fugaku.
• Sakumo attacked River despite being unable to control his body, but River blocked his sword and pierced his neck after a brief clash.
• Tobirama Senju emerged from the cracked coffin, learned from Danzo that Konoha faced rebellion, and questioned River's control of the Nine-Tails and Hiruzen's defeat.

River challenged the resurrected Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju after Danzo used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama. Hashirama praised River’s Wood Release and his decision to make an Uchiha Hokage, then prepared to fight him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that River had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique and Wood Release and possessed the Rinnegan, while Danzo warned that River might be hiding more strength.
• Tobirama Senju condemned the Uchiha Clan, but River welcomed the challenge and urged Danzo to revive Hashirama Senju.
• Danzo used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju from the remaining coffin.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the Nine-Tails worried about facing Hashirama, but River insisted he was ready to fight.
• Hashirama praised River’s talent and his choice to make an Uchiha Hokage, then accepted that he would have to fight him.

River and Uchiha Fugaku confronted Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Hatake Sakumo in the Forest of Konoha. River revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, then faced Tobirama’s Water Release attack with Fivefold Rashomon.

• Kurama fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at the opposing group, but Tobirama Senju transported it away with a barrier.
• Hashirama Senju pinned Kurama with the Gate of the Great God while River leaped away and used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence against the others.
• Tobirama Senju attacked River with a kunai, but River’s body turned intangible as his Mangekyō Sharingan appeared.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Great Fireball struck River’s Susanoo, which split the fireball and carved a vast ravine with its sword.
• Tobirama Senju launched Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade at River, who answered with Fivefold Rashomon.

River fought Hashirama Senju and the reanimated Hokage, revealing the Rinnegan, Uzumaki sealing chains, and Shikotsumyaku as he overcame their attacks. Hashirama organized a coordinated assault, but River sent Danzo and Tobirama Senju flying with his Bone Whip.

• River's Wood Release: Hotei Technique forced Tobirama Senju and the others to defend themselves, while Hatake Sakumo cut through the Susanoo and attacked River.
• River used Shinra Tensei to shatter Hatake Sakumo's slash and break his arm, then pulled him close with Banshō Ten'in and bound him with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Hashirama Senju called River more troublesome than Madara and ordered Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo to surround him while he led the attack.
• Hashirama Senju's Wood Dragon clashed with River's Wood Dragon as the others took positions around River.
• River unleashed a barbed Bone Whip with Dance of the Clematis: Flower, striking Danzo and knocking Tobirama Senju away when he tried to block it.

River fought Tobirama Senju and absorbed his powerful Water Release while Hashirama Senju gathered natural energy to enter Sage Mode. Tobirama attached a Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tag to River, setting off the technique as the battle continued.

• Hashirama Senju dodged River's Bone Whip while Tobirama Senju created an opening for him and prepared to find River's weakness.
• Tobirama Senju used the Flying Thunder God Technique to attack River, but River struck him with a Rasengan and evaded his kunai using the Sharingan.
• Tobirama Senju recovered through his immortal body, then attacked again with Water Formation Wall, which River absorbed with the Preta Path.
• River fired Asura Path blasts at Tobirama Senju and pulled him close with Banshō Ten'in as Hashirama Senju entered Sage Mode.
• Tobirama Senju attached an Explosive Tag to River and activated Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.

River survived Tobirama Senju’s explosive trap, defeated him with repulsive force and sealing chains, then fought Hashirama Senju in Sage Mode. The chapter left River unveiling his combined Sage Mode and using True Several Thousand Hands to shatter Hashirama’s torii gate.

• Tobirama Senju’s multiplying Explosive Tags engulfed River and devastated the battlefield, but Hashirama Senju sensed that River had survived.
• River emerged from the flames, blasted Tobirama Senju away with Shinra Tensei, and bound him with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Hashirama Senju entered Sage Mode and battled River in close combat, while River used Shave and Amaterasu to counter him.
• Hashirama Senju summoned the Gate of the Great God to pin River, and River revealed his Sage Mode and summoned True Several Thousand Hands.
• River’s countless wooden fists smashed Hashirama Senju’s descending torii gate to pieces.

River defeated and sealed Hashirama Senju after overpowering him in a battle of Wood Release and other techniques. Uchiha Fugaku reported that Danzo and the Third Hokage had fled, and River ordered everyone back to the village as dawn broke.

• River and Hashirama Senju fought with enormous Wood Release Guanyin statues, repeatedly destroying each other's creations.
• River rejected Hashirama Senju's claim that he had brought peace, then used gravity, repulsive force, and a Bone Whip to defeat him.
• River captured Hashirama Senju with Banshō Ten'in and sealed his Impure World Reincarnation body with Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Uchiha Fugaku told River that Danzo and the Third Hokage had fled and declared their side victorious.
• River ordered the group back to the village while Uchiha Fugaku looked toward the rising sun and anticipated a new era for the Uchiha Clan.

After the Uchiha coup succeeded, Uchiha Fugaku celebrated his clan’s victory and took office as Konoha’s Fifth Hokage. In his inaugural speech, he claimed the Will of Fire belonged to everyone in the village, while River watched and approved of Fugaku’s political skill.

• Uchiha Fugaku announced that he would become Fifth Hokage in three days and thanked River for helping the clan win.
• Three days later, Fugaku took office as Hokage, while the Uchiha defaced the Third Hokage’s carving and added Fugaku’s likeness to Hokage Rock.
• Fugaku formed an alliance with Hyuga Hiashi and made promises to the Ino-Shika-Cho clans as he greeted Konoha’s leaders.
• Fugaku addressed the village, saying the Will of Fire belonged to all clans and villagers rather than a select few.
• River praised Fugaku’s speech and judged that he would make a good Hokage.

After Uchiha Fugaku became Hokage, Konoha began rebuilding under a reformed political system while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo planned to regain power. A masked man gave them a scroll containing Madara Uchiha’s corpse, which Danzo confirmed was genuine.

• Uchiha Fugaku promised the Hokage position would remain open to capable leaders from any clan, and River joined the Elders Council as older elders were replaced.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo discussed rebuilding their strength and plundering a nearby small country for resources.
• A man in a Spiral Mask appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo and offered to help them.
• The masked man left a scroll and revealed that it contained Madara Uchiha’s corpse before vanishing.
• Danzo opened the scroll and confirmed that the aged corpse belonged to Madara Uchiha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo identified Madara's corpse and discussed the Akatsuki’s dangerous members and possible ties to Namikaze Sui. In Konoha, River and Uchiha Fugaku announced a policy to share techniques through a village academy and library, winning the clans’ support while Fugaku urged the Hyuga Clan to abolish the Caged Bird Seal.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo recognized the corpse as Madara and accepted that the spiral-masked man had been telling the truth.
• Danzo told Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Akatsuki, including Orochimaru, the masked man, Sasori of the Red Sands, and Pain.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo left with Madara's corpse, hoping it could help them counter future unrest.
• River and Uchiha Fugaku announced plans for a Ninja Academy and Ninja Library and called on the clans to share their techniques.
• River promised to publish his knowledge, including the Flying Thunder God Technique, Fivefold Rashomon, Wood Release, and a future Sage Mode method.
• Uchiha Fugaku asked Hyuga Hiashi to consider abolishing the Caged Bird Seal, and several clans agreed to the new policy.

River planned to leave Konoha to acquire the other eight Tailed Beasts and unite their chakra, aiming to reach the Sage of Six Paths’ power. Before departing, he asked Uchiha Fugaku to recall Jiraiya and Tsunade and arrange for Orochimaru to assist; Guy and Kakashi returned to the village and met him.

• Konoha expanded its Academy and opened ninja training to civilian children, while Uchiha Fugaku struggled to manage the reforms as Hokage.
• River explained to Fugaku that uniting the chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts could awaken greater power within him.
• River announced that he would leave Konoha to seek the other eight tailed beasts, even if taking them from the great ninja villages led to war.
• River told Fugaku to recall Jiraiya and Tsunade and said Orochimaru would help persuade them to return.
• Guy and Kakashi arrived back in Konoha and greeted River.

River reunited with Kakashi, Guy, Naruto, and Kabuto in Konoha before leaving the village to visit the other Four Great Ninja Villages. Konan met him on the road and questioned whether he intended to rule the world as he joined the Tailed Beast Capture Plan.

• River celebrated his return to Konoha with Kakashi and Guy, then invited Naruto to join them and share childhood memories.
• Kabuto returned to Konoha, rushed to see River, and was reassured that he would always be River’s disciple despite his painful experiences as a spy.
• River watched Konoha grow stronger and said Doflamingo was handling logistics while the village prepared for a final operation.
• River told Naruto, Kakashi, Guy, and Kabuto that he was leaving to visit the other Four Great Ninja Villages, then walked out of the Namikaze Clan’s gate.
• Konan caught up with River, gave him a cloak and bamboo hat, and asked if his plans were aimed at ruling the world; River said he would personally take part in the Tailed Beast Capture Plan.

River gathered Konan, Itachi, Obito, Pain, and the Akatsuki to begin a mission connected to the tailed beasts. He revealed that he wanted their power to grow stronger and then carry out his plan to bring peace to the world.

• River told Konan he intended to rule the world and suggested they play along with others watching them.
• River and Konan left Konoha with Itachi, who agreed to join their mission after River promised to handle Fugaku.
• River described the mission as Super S-Rank or possibly Super SSS-Rank and had Konan give Itachi Akatsuki-style clothes.
• Kakuzu questioned Itachi's usefulness, while Obito revealed his identity as Obito Uchiha to Itachi.
• Pain asked River why they had resumed the plan to capture the tailed beasts, and River said he needed their power before launching his plan for a world without war.

River led the Akatsuki toward Kumogakure to capture its tailed beasts, strengthening Konan and awakening Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan along the way. Near the village, Zetsu returned with Yugito Nii's location, and the team prepared to capture the Two-Tails jinchūriki first.

• River made Itachi an Akatsuki member and joined Pain's group as they set out to capture a tailed beast.
• Pain chose Kumogakure as their target after learning it held both the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails.
• In the Land of Waves, River taught Konan Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags and helped Itachi awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• River decided the team should capture Yugito Nii and the Two-Tails before going after the Eight-Tails.
• After traveling for about a month, the Akatsuki reached the outskirts of Kumogakure, where Zetsu reported that he had located Yugito Nii.

River led an Akatsuki squad into Kumogakure to capture Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki. They trapped her inside a Four Violet Flames Formation and battled her after she transformed, ending with River using a sealing chain to bind her.

• The Akatsuki squad disguised themselves as merchants and entered Kumogakure, then followed White Zetsu to Yugito Nii's training grounds.
• River assigned Itachi, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Konan to form the Four Violet Flames Formation while Pain's other Paths cleared the area.
• The squad attacked Yugito Nii, eliminated her sentries, and trapped her inside the barrier.
• Pain used Banshō Ten'in to pull Yugito Nii toward him, but she transformed into the Two-Tails and prepared a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Yugito Nii blasted apart River's wooden torii, but Pain struck her transformed body and sent her flying.
• River landed on Yugito Nii and released a golden sealing chain from the Uzumaki Clan's Scroll of Seals.

River and the Akatsuki captured Yugito and extracted the Two-Tails, then moved on to target Killer B and the Eight-Tails. Itachi lured Killer B away from Kumogakure, where River and Pain confronted him and began sealing the area.

• River used Adamantine Sealing Chains and Wood Release to restrain Yugito, and Pain helped extract the Two-Tails and seal it in a vessel.
• Zetsu led River and the others toward Kumogakure and warned them that Killer B was a powerful Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and the Fourth Raikage’s younger brother.
• River assigned Itachi to lure Killer B into the woods with Genjutsu, and Itachi disguised himself as the Fourth Raikage in Killer B’s eyes.
• The Eight-Tails disrupted Itachi’s illusion, but Itachi used his Mangekyō Sharingan to put the beast into a daze and lead Killer B out of the village.
• Killer B confronted Itachi at the outskirts, and River and Pain appeared, revealed their Rinnegan, and raised the Four Violet Flames Formation around him.

Killer B and the Eight-Tails faced River and Pain inside a Four Violet Flames Formation, and Killer B transformed to fight them. The chapter ended with River surviving a direct hit from a Tailed Beast Bomb without a scratch, leaving Killer B and the Eight-Tails stunned.

• The Eight-Tails warned Killer B that the two pairs of Rinnegan were dangerous, but the barrier prevented them from calling Kumogakure for help.
• Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails’ six-tailed form and prepared to break through the barrier.
• Pain used Banshō Ten'in to pull Killer B toward him, but Killer B anchored himself and launched a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Pain’s Preta Path absorbed one Tailed Beast Bomb while River charged Killer B.
• Killer B fired a second Tailed Beast Bomb at River, who stopped it with his bare hands and survived its explosion unharmed.

River and Pain fought Killer B and Eight-Tails Gyuki, overpowering them as they tried to break through the Four Violet Flames Formation. River trapped Gyuki with Wood Release, leaving the Eight-Tails bound and unable to escape.

• River revealed his Nine-Tails-like chakra cloak, and Gyuki recognized the Nine-Tails' power in him.
• Killer B and Gyuki launched eight Tailed Beast Bombs at River, who dodged and countered them with his own attacks.
• River opened the Eight Gates Formation, broke through the explosions, and fought Gyuki in midair.
• Pain struck Gyuki with Shinra Tensei, sending him crashing into the ground.
• Gyuki fired Tailed Beast Bombs at the Four Violet Flames Formation, but Itachi and the others repaired the holes.
• River used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, and thick branches bound Gyuki's body.