Chapter Summaries

Naruto, Sasuke, and Lucci let the Uzumaki Elder go to visit the Uzushio ruins, then decided to blame Kirigakure’s destruction on Ōtsutsuki Isshiki to protect the elder and preserve order. They headed back to Konoha to spread the story, while the Shinobi World watched and debated their decision.

• The Uzumaki Elder left Naruto and Sasuke to visit the Uzushio ruins, and Naruto refused Sasuke’s suggestion to follow him.
• Naruto and Sasuke agreed to meet the elder again in a few days and bring Karin to help approach him.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Lucci decided to blame Kirigakure’s destruction on Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and publicize Isshiki’s crimes.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Lucci boarded the Black Ship and returned toward Konoha as the Shinobi World discussed their plan.

The shinobi world wondered why the dead Uzumaki Elder had returned, while Naruto blamed Ōtsutsuki Isshiki for Kirigakure’s destruction and warned the other villages. The Sky Screen then revealed that the Elder had secretly gone to Kumogakure, leaving viewers fearing it was his next target.

• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned why the Uzumaki Elder had returned from the Pure Land and considered whether the Sage of Six Paths had intervened.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Lucci returned to Konoha, where Naruto revealed Isshiki’s survival and blamed him for Kirigakure’s destruction.
• The other shinobi villages raised their defenses against a possible attack by Isshiki.
• The Sky Screen showed the Uzumaki Elder near Kumogakure, despite his claim that he was going to the Uzumaki Ruins.
• Viewers concluded that the Elder had deceived Naruto and Sasuke and feared he planned to destroy Kumogakure next.

The Uzumaki Elder invaded Kumogakure and used his sealing technique, Whirlpool Prison, to annihilate a patrol squad. He demanded that the Raikage face him, as Kumogakure forces gathered below and the village sounded the war alarm.

• The Uzumaki Elder confronted a Kumogakure patrol and blamed its village for helping destroy Uzushio Village.
• The Uzumaki Elder unleashed Binding Chains, Whirlpool Prison, sealing the area and killing every ninja in the patrol squad.
• Nearby Kumogakure patrols discovered the disturbance, reported the invasion, and triggered the village’s highest-level war alarm.
• Kumogakure forces gathered beneath the Uzumaki Elder, who refused to retreat and demanded that the Raikage come face him.
• The Kumogakure ninja prepared for battle but feared the Uzumaki Elder’s chains and their ability to seal space and ninjutsu.

The Uzumaki Elder rejected the Fifth Raikage’s demand to surrender and declared that Kumogakure would pay for its role in the destruction of Uzushiogakure. He unleashed Bankai-Great Whirlpool Seal Prison, trapping the Kumogakure forces in a seal that drained their chakra and consciousness.

• The Fifth Raikage arrived with Kumogakure Anbu and offered the Uzumaki Elder surrender and protection, while warning him not to endanger the surviving Uzumaki.
• The Uzumaki Elder mocked the Raikage’s offer and vowed to slaughter the Kumogakure forces in retribution for the siege of Uzushiogakure.
• The Fifth Raikage attacked with Storm Release: Laser Circus, but the elder shattered the jutsu with a single sword slash.
• The Uzumaki Elder unleashed Bankai-Great Whirlpool Seal Prison, covering the battlefield in a vast sealing array and crimson chains.
• The array suppressed the Kumogakure ninjas, rapidly draining their chakra and pulling at their consciousness as they struggled to escape.

The Uzumaki Elder used the Uzushio Prison formation to tear the souls from Kumogakure Ninja and imprison them in eternal torment. The Fifth Raikage fell after failing to break free, leaving the remaining Kumogakure forces in despair.

• A Jonin warned the Kumogakure Ninja not to touch the crimson chains and urged them to attack the formation, but their ninjutsu had no effect.
• The Uzumaki Elder explained that souls seized by the chains would remain conscious and suffer forever in Uzushio Prison.
• The Fifth Raikage attacked the formation, but its sealing power drained his stamina, chakra, and strength as chains nearly seized him.
• The Uzumaki Elder accused the Raikage's forebears of exterminating the Uzumaki Clan and said the Raikage would eventually fall to the seal.
• The Fifth Raikage unleashed a lightning dragon, but the chains bound him, pulled out his soul, and left his body dead.
• The remaining Kumogakure Ninja lost their leader and fell into utter despair.

The Sky Screen revealed the Uzumaki Elder’s Great Whirlpool Seal Prison destroying Kumogakure’s forces and explained how it could have erased Kirigakure, leaving the Shinobi World questioning the technique’s origins and authority over souls. Fourth Raikage A raged over Kumogakure’s future losses, then began considering how to recover and seize the initiative.

• The Uzumaki Elder withdrew his chains after sealing the souls of everyone at the Kumogakure position, leaving their bodies lifeless.
• Ninja across the Shinobi World recognized the formation as an overwhelming trap and concluded it explained Kirigakure’s destruction.
• People questioned how the Uzumaki Clan could have been exterminated if it possessed such power and wondered whether the Prison Realm answered to the Sage of Six Paths.
• Fourth Raikage A smashed his Kage Desk and vowed to kill the Uzumaki Elder after learning that the Fifth Raikage and much of Kumogakure’s elite would die.
• The Kumogakure secretary reminded A that the Elder would not appear in the Living World for more than twenty years, and A turned to planning how to recover Kumogakure’s losses.

A ordered Kumogakure to seek Uzumaki intelligence from Konoha, but his secretary warned that Tsunade would not yield to threats, so he shifted to a formal proposal for joint negotiations. In Konoha, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to explain the mysterious elder’s technique until Hiruzen suggested it might be the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

• A ordered a diplomatic demand for Konoha’s Uzumaki records and sealing techniques, then threatened to send two thousand shinobi and ally with Kirigakure when his secretary said Konoha would refuse.
• A’s secretary reminded him that Tsunade was Hokage and would answer pressure with force, prompting A to abandon his threat and request joint intelligence negotiations instead.
• Tsunade told Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya that Konoha knew no more than the other villages about the mysterious elder, his sword, or the Great Whirlpool Seal Prison.
• Tsunade wondered why Mito Uzumaki had never taught her the strange soul-imprisoning technique, despite Mito’s knowledge of the clan’s legacy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed that the elder’s technique might be the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and Jiraiya recalled Minato Namikaze’s sacrifice using it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi theorized that the Uzumaki Clan created Uzushio Prison by altering the rules of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and Tsunade connected the theory to Orochimaru's past actions. When Tsunade revealed the Death God Mask had disappeared, Hiruzen and Tsunade chose not to stop Orochimaru, leaving Jiraiya stunned by Konoha's willingness to benefit from other villages' losses.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi compared the Dead Demon Consuming Seal with Uzushio Prison and proposed that the Uzumaki Clan had transformed the Death God's inner realm into its own prison.
• Tsunade recalled that Orochimaru had once opened the Death God's belly and released the imprisoned Hokage souls, and Jiraiya accepted this as evidence for Hiruzen's theory.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that the Uzumaki dead had resisted the Pure Land and hidden between it and the Living World to recover before seeking revenge.
• Tsunade revealed that the Death God Mask had disappeared, and Jiraiya suspected Orochimaru had taken it after learning how to undo the seal.
• Jiraiya urged them to stop Orochimaru, but Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade argued that he could be a vital ally and that other villages could bear the cost of his actions.
• Jiraiya realized that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade were willing to let rival villages suffer, and he was left dumbfounded by their pragmatism.

Naruto and Sasuke learned that the Uzumaki Elder had secretly destroyed Kumogakure and killed the Fifth Raikage, then discussed restoring order and searching for Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. Isshiki appeared in Konoha, demanded the Nine-Tails, revealed he had his own Ten-Tails, and attacked as Naruto and Sasuke prepared to fight.

• Naruto and Sasuke learned that the Uzumaki Elder had tricked them and slaughtered Kumogakure, and they resolved to stop him and stabilize the Shinobi World.
• Naruto warned that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and Otsutsuki Hara remained threats before Isshiki smashed through the Hokage Office roof and demanded the Nine-Tails' power.
• Naruto recognized Isshiki, who said he had appeared early because the Shinobi World had grown too noisy and he was tired of being searched for.
• Isshiki revealed that he had a complete Ten-Tails and intended to feed it the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto refused to surrender the Nine-Tails and entered battle mode as Sasuke summoned a massive armored skeleton.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki effortlessly overwhelmed Naruto and Sasuke, shattering Susanoo and the Nine-Tails avatar with two kicks. He declared that he would harvest the Tailed Beasts early and feed the Nine-Tails to his Ten-Tails, while Naruto and Sasuke prepared to face him again.

• Ōtsutsuki Isshiki shattered Sasuke’s Susanoo with a single kick, injuring Sasuke and leaving him horrified.
• Naruto attacked Isshiki with the Nine-Tails chakra avatar, but Isshiki kicked it apart and sent Naruto crashing into the Hokage Office wall.
• Viewers across the Shinobi World panicked as they saw Isshiki overwhelm Naruto and Sasuke despite his injuries and learned he had a complete Ten-Tails.
• Naruto rose from the rubble and Sasuke wiped blood from his mouth as they faced Isshiki, who said their interference had forced him to act before recovering fully.
• Isshiki said he would harvest the Tailed Beasts and use the Nine-Tails to nourish his Ten-Tails, while Naruto vowed to stop him.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Ōtsutsuki Isshiki with their strongest coordinated techniques, but his abilities neutralized their attacks and left them struggling to hold their ground. Isshiki eventually withdrew, leaving Konoha devastated and the two fighters fearing what he could do at full strength.

• Naruto and Sasuke launched a combined assault, but Isshiki shrank their ninjutsu and used black rods from Daikokuten to disrupt their attacks.
• Sasuke identified Isshiki's abilities and urged Naruto to get serious, prompting Naruto to activate Nine-Tails Sage Mode.
• Naruto attacked with a Super Ultra-Big Ball Sage Art Rasengan while Sasuke used his Rinnegan to redirect rods and interfere with Isshiki.
• Isshiki praised the pair, then vanished from the skies above Konoha, ending the battle.
• Naruto and Sasuke realized Isshiki had not fought at full strength and feared Konoha could not stop him if he recovered and attacked seriously.
• People across the Shinobi World watched the devastated Konoha and reacted with terror to Isshiki's power.

The Uzumaki Elder arrived at Konoha after Ōtsutsuki Isshiki retreated, and Naruto and Sasuke realized Isshiki had sensed him and avoided a fight. The elder explained how his Prison-Sealing Formation could counter Isshiki’s abilities, while Sasuke warned that Isshiki might target the other tailed beasts for chakra.

• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Isshiki might return before Naruto and Sasuke were ready.
• The Uzumaki Elder arrived at the ruined Hokage Office and asked where Isshiki had gone.
• Naruto and Sasuke realized Isshiki had retreated because he sensed the elder approaching and feared his strength.
• Naruto described Isshiki’s power and dōjutsu, and the elder said his Prison-Sealing Formation could block spatial movement and drain chakra, stamina, vitality, and souls.
• Naruto concluded Isshiki had avoided the elder because he was injured and unable to counter his abilities.
• Sasuke warned that Isshiki might seek out the other tailed beasts to gather chakra for his Ten-Tails.

Naruto ordered every village to bring its jinchūriki to Konoha to protect the tailed beasts from Isshiki, while he and Sasuke revealed to the Uzumaki Elder that Konoha still had a hidden, lethal trump card. As the Sky Screen broadcast their discussion, viewers speculated that Hinata Hyuga and her unused Tenseigan were the secret weapon.

• Sasuke proposed gathering all the jinchūriki in Konoha, and Naruto ordered the Anbu to summon them from every village.
• Naruto told the Uzumaki Elder that gathering the tailed beasts was meant to protect the Shinobi World, not control it, and warned that Isshiki would return.
• The Uzumaki Elder promised to seal heaven and earth shut if Isshiki came back.
• Naruto and Sasuke told the Uzumaki Elder that Konoha had a concealed trump card capable of killing an opponent who had never encountered it, but they withheld its identity.
• Viewers across the Shinobi World speculated that Hinata Hyuga was Konoha's hidden weapon because she had not yet used her Tenseigan in battle.

As Isshiki’s threat raised fears for Naruto and Sasuke, Tsunade argued that hiding them would prevent them from reaching their future strength. She believed the Sage of Six Paths would protect his reincarnated sons if they faced mortal danger.

• People speculated about Naruto’s tactics against Isshiki, worried over the jinchūriki’s fate, and wondered why the Celestial Dragons had disappeared.
• Tsunade warned Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi that Isshiki could overpower even the adult Naruto and Sasuke of the future, leaving the children in grave danger.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed secretly hiding Naruto and Sasuke, but Tsunade rejected the plan, saying they needed to face hardship to grow into their future roles.
• Tsunade reminded Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi that Naruto and Sasuke were reincarnations of Asura and Indra, and argued that the Sage of Six Paths would not let them die.

Tsunade arranged covert protection for Naruto and Sasuke, while Itachi vowed to shield his brother and Kaguya concluded she no longer feared Isshiki. The Sky Screen then showed Naruto briefing Konoha’s leaders, who questioned the Uzumaki Elder’s identity.

• Tsunade ordered Naruto and Sasuke to live, train, and watch over each other under hidden Anbu and elite Jonin protection, and said she trusted Itachi to guard Sasuke.
• After watching the battle, Itachi resolved to stay hidden and protect Sasuke if Isshiki returned.
• Kaguya watched Isshiki’s fight, dismissed him as weakened, and declared that she had the advantage and no longer feared him.
• Naruto told the Uzumaki Elder, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Sasuke about the Elder’s destruction of Kirigakure and Isshiki’s threat.
• Kakashi expressed disbelief at the revelations, and Tsunade asked whether the Elder had belonged to Mito Uzumaki’s generation.

The Uzumaki Elder revealed that he was the collective remnant of his clan’s souls and that the Great Whirlpool Seal Prison was not a teachable technique, but the power of his blade. Tsunade touched the blade and felt the grief and vengeance of countless dead; Naruto and Kakashi then stepped forward to touch it themselves.

• The Uzumaki Elder told Tsunade, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi that he embodied the departed souls and will of the fallen Uzumaki Clan.
• Tsunade asked the elder to teach Konoha the Great Whirlpool Seal Prison so they could fight the Otsutsuki, but he refused.
• The elder revealed that no such sealing formation existed and that its effects came from the blade he carried.
• Tsunade touched the blade and felt the overwhelming wills, grief, and resentment of countless departed souls.
• Naruto and Kakashi stepped forward to touch the blade after seeing Tsunade’s reaction.

Naruto, Kakashi, Tsunade, and Sasuke learned that the Ancient Longsword was formed from the fused souls of fallen Uzumaki, with the Uzumaki Elder as their collective will. The revelation spread across the Shinobi World and sparked speculation about immortality of the soul, while Konoha considered how little it knew about souls; Jiraiya began voicing his pent-up complaints to Tsunade.

• Naruto and Kakashi touched the Ancient Longsword and were overwhelmed by the anguish and fury of countless souls, while Sasuke recognized what it contained.
• The Uzumaki Elder explained that fallen Uzumaki souls had been fused and tempered through the Dead Demon Consuming Seal until they broke free of the Death God's restraints and took the form of a blade.
• The elder revealed that he was the collective will of the departed Uzumaki and that the Great Whirlpool Seal Prison was not a replicable technique.
• The Sky Screen broadcast the revelation, prompting the Shinobi World to speculate that the elder had achieved immortality as a soul entity.
• Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya discussed Konoha's lack of knowledge about souls and Orochimaru's research into them.
• Tsunade scolded Jiraiya for his shock, and he responded by unleashing his long-held complaints.

Jiraiya’s outburst earned him a punch from Tsunade, while Orochimaru became obsessed with discovering soul-based immortality. The Uzumaki Elder then revealed that he might be the Death God and explained that the Uzumaki Clan had studied it.

• Jiraiya shouted at Tsunade about her future appearance, and Tsunade punched him through the meeting room’s outer wall.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Orochimaru would become even more unhinged.
• Orochimaru watched the Sky Screen revelations and decided to experiment with souls to pursue immortality.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Tsunade, and Kakashi struggled to understand the Uzumaki Elder’s existence beyond life and death.
• The Uzumaki Elder said he might be the Death God, and explained that the Uzumaki Clan had studied the being behind the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

The Uzumaki Elder revealed that the souls of Uzushio’s fallen had merged into his being and that Orochimaru’s undoing of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal let him escape the Death God’s space. He said he had returned to protect the shinobi world, then warned that a powerful being in the Pure Land would have taken control of him, prompting Naruto and Sasuke to suspect the Sage of Six Paths.

• The Uzumaki Elder explained that Uzushio’s clansmen had used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal against their attackers, then merged in the Death God’s space into a single being carrying the clan’s will and legacy.
• The Uzumaki Elder said a breach in the Death God’s space had let him escape, and Tsunade identified Orochimaru’s undoing of the seal during the Fourth Shinobi World War as its cause.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Tsunade understood the Elder’s origins, and he said he had already taken vengeance on two villages and now sought to protect the shinobi world from the Otsutsuki.
• The Uzumaki Elder told Naruto that he had resisted the Pure Land’s pull because a terrifying being there would have controlled him and erased his identity.
• Naruto suspected the being was the Sage of Six Paths, while Sasuke said his doubts about the Sage’s actions during the Fourth Shinobi World War had finally made sense.

Sasuke and the Uzumaki Elder revealed that the Sage of Six Paths may have controlled the Pure Land and accumulated chakra and souls for over a thousand years. As the Shinobi World prepared for threats from both Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and the Sage, the Sky Screen vanished, leaving people to fear that the Sage was the ultimate mastermind.

• Sasuke accused the Sage of Six Paths of controlling dead souls and collecting chakra, and the Uzumaki Elder confirmed that the Sage held overwhelming authority in the Pure Land.
• The Uzumaki Elder explained that he had spent over a decade outside the Pure Land's control, strengthening himself and perfecting the Great Whirlpool Seal Prison Formation before returning to settle his blood debts.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Tsunade, and Kakashi concluded that the Shinobi World faced threats from both Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and the unknown plans of the Sage of Six Paths.
• Naruto and Sasuke vowed to reject destiny and rely on their own strength, while Tsunade ordered the Shinobi World put on alert and the Jinchūriki protected in Konoha.
• The Sky Screen vanished, and people across the Shinobi World panicked over the revelation that the Sage might control souls and have orchestrated generations of conflict.