Chapter Summaries

Sarada explained to Kisame that she planned to exploit the Celestial Dragons’ alliance with the nobles to provoke a conflict with Konoha and free the Land of Rain from Naruto’s control. Kisame warned that her scheme could plunge the Shinobi World into war, but Sarada insisted that its peace was not her priority.

• Sarada told Kisame that the nobles’ access to the Celestial Dragons would bring them into conflict with Konoha and distract Naruto from the Land of Rain.
• Kisame recognized that Naruto and Sasuke would resist being controlled, and Sarada said she would use the ensuing struggle to secure the Land of Rain’s independence.
• Kisame warned Sarada that her plan could trigger a continent-wide war between shinobi and the nations’ rulers, potentially involving the Celestial Dragons’ rumored world-destroying power.
• Sarada admitted she could not predict the outcome and doubted the Celestial Dragons’ power was as overwhelming as rumors claimed.
• Kisame contrasted Sarada’s plan with Yahiko’s and Nagato’s efforts to achieve peace, and Sarada replied that the Shinobi World’s peace was not her concern.

Sarada explained to Kisame that she intended to protect the Land of Rain by using the Celestial Dragons’ power to deter Naruto and Sasuke’s shinobi faction, keeping a conflict between the two sides from consuming the wider world. Kisame recognized the logic of her plan but understood that it depended on two dangerous gambles.

• Sarada told Kisame she cared only about protecting and developing the Land of Rain, not about the fate of the wider Shinobi World.
• Kisame warned Sarada that a continent-wide war would inevitably devastate the Land of Rain as well.
• Sarada revealed that her plan depended on the Celestial Dragons having enough power to destroy a major Shinobi Village and deter the shinobi faction.
• Sarada explained that mutual fear between the Celestial Dragons and the shinobi led by Naruto and Sasuke would force both sides to negotiate and limit the conflict.
• Kisame understood Sarada’s strategy and recognized that it relied on the Celestial Dragons possessing overwhelming power and preferring to preserve their privilege over starting a war.

Sarada committed to using the threat of the Celestial Dragons and the conflict it could ignite to protect the Land of Rain's neutrality, despite the danger to the wider Shinobi World. As Nagato questioned her plan, Konan argued that Sarada had calculated the risks and would seek Konoha's protection if Rain faced destruction.

• Sarada told Kisame she would exploit the factions' fear of death to keep the Land of Rain out of the coming conflict and rejected concern for the rest of the Shinobi World.
• Kisame gave up trying to dissuade Sarada and agreed that the Land of Rain would follow her plan.
• People watching the Sky Screen across the Shinobi World condemned Sarada for risking widespread war and civilian deaths.
• Nagato and Konan watched Sarada's declaration, and Nagato called her a psycho while worrying that the Celestial Dragons might attack Rain first.
• Konan reasoned that the Celestial Dragons would target Naruto, Konoha, and the other Great Shinobi Villages before neutral Rain, and that Sarada would turn to Konoha for help if necessary.
• Konan asked Nagato whether Sarada was right that the Land of Rain was all she needed to care about.

Konan urged Nagato to stop sacrificing the Land of Rain for peace across the Shinobi World, shaking his lifelong convictions. In the Land of Rain, Kisame warned Sarada that provoking Naruto could get her killed and urged her to continue the plan against the Celestial Dragons.

• Konan told Nagato that protecting and improving the Land of Rain mattered more than pursuing peace for the whole Shinobi World, leaving him questioning his cause.
• Kakashi predicted that Sarada would seek refuge in Konoha if the Celestial Dragons threatened her, and explained that her Uchiha pride kept her from relying on Sasuke and Naruto too soon.
• The dango shop owner turned cold toward Kakashi and told him not to return.
• Sarada received another Konoha mission involving nobles, complained about Naruto, and proposed putting the mission up for grabs on the Shinobi World Black Market.
• Kisame stopped Sarada from provoking Naruto and admitted he feared Naruto would kill her if she pushed him too far, urging her to continue the plan against the Celestial Dragons.

Sarada burned Konoha's mission scroll and moved to build the Land of Rain's Commercial Alliance without Konoha. Meanwhile, Naruto prepared to resolve Konoha's internal problems, and Sasuke arrived at the Hokage Office with Uchiha Sen, revealing the coming purge of the Sarutobi Clan.

• Sarada burned the Konoha Mission Scroll, refused to abandon the black market, and invited nations to discuss trade cooperation and resource sharing.
• The Four Great Shinobi Villages agreed to send representatives to the Land of Rain, while Konoha ignored Sarada's invitation.
• Naruto told Shikamaru not to interfere with Sarada's alliance and said Konoha's internal problems took priority because Sasuke had returned.
• Naruto ordered Shikamaru to carry out an industry allocation plan and arrange a closed-door meeting with Konoha's major clans.
• Sasuke entered Naruto's office with masked Uchiha Sen, and spectators concluded Naruto and Konoha's clans were preparing to destroy the Sarutobi Clan.

Naruto arranged a meeting with the Veil Organization’s leader and agreed with Uchiha Sen to settle accounts with the Sarutobi Clan in three days. The Sky Screen broadcast exposed their plan to the shinobi world, while Sasuke said he would only watch the clan’s fate unfold.

• Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitakado Homura feared that the Sarutobi Clan’s planned destruction would endanger their own clans.
• Naruto asked Uchiha Sen to contact the Veil Organization’s leader and arrange a face-to-face meeting.
• Sasuke and Naruto called Sarada a likely experimental byproduct and said they had kept her alive because she could help them find the Celestial Dragons.
• Naruto set the operation against the Sarutobi Clan for three days later, and Uchiha Sen agreed to lead preparations.
• Sasuke told Naruto he would take no action and would only watch the outcome.
• The Sky Screen broadcast the plan, prompting widespread alarm and discussion across the Five Great Nations.

Naruto admitted to Tsunade that he was orchestrating the purge of Konoha’s powerful clans and insisted the Sarutobi Clan and the two Mitokado clans must face justice. Tsunade remained horrified by his resolve as the confrontation left their conflict unresolved.

• Across the Shinobi World, observers discussed Naruto’s purge of Konoha’s clans and the Sarutobi Clan’s downfall.
• Tsunade returned to the Hokage Office and demanded that Naruto explain why he was targeting the Sarutobi Clan and the two Mitokado clans.
• Tsunade revealed that Konohamaru had secretly summoned her, fearing Naruto was manipulating events behind the scenes.
• Naruto admitted that he had driven the purge and said he was following the Third Hokage’s example with less restraint.
• Tsunade warned that purging the clans could shake Konoha’s foundations, but Naruto said he prioritized ordinary villagers and shinobi over powerful clans.
• Naruto declared that the clans’ past crimes and exploitation could not be excused and insisted they must face justice.

Naruto told Tsunade that the clans’ fate was already settled, promising to spare Konohamaru and some Sarutobi children while implying the survivors would lose their home and family. Watching the future on the Sky Screen, Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped he could still repair his relationship with Naruto and avert the clan’s downfall.

• Tsunade warned Naruto that purging the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado Clans could plunge Konoha into chaos, but Naruto said he would not personally slaughter the villagers.
• Tsunade accepted Naruto’s plans for the Utatane and Mitokado Clans, then asked him to protect Konohamaru and spare some Sarutobi children.
• Naruto promised to protect Konohamaru and leave Sarutobi children alive, but after Tsunade left, he said the survivors would be driven from Konoha and left destitute.
• Shinobi and civilians watching the Sky Screen reacted with shock as they realized Naruto planned to spare Sarutobi survivors while destroying their clan’s life in Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi resolved to make amends with Naruto and wondered whether his earlier apology and gift could keep Naruto from hating him and his clan.

As Naruto fought a masked intruder outside Konoha, the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans launched a rebellion inside the village. The villagers realized the clans had lured Naruto away and prepared to defend him and Konoha.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura resented Tsunade for allowing their clans to face extermination, and Koharu vowed they would not wait to die.
• Naruto battled a masked figure above Konoha as villagers woke and watched the fight.
• The Masked Man taunted Naruto and fled toward the outskirts, and Naruto pursued him beyond the village.
• Members of the Sarutobi Clan called to overthrow Naruto and claim the Hokage position while the Utatane and Mitokado clans joined the uprising.
• Villagers heard the clans declare their contempt for commoners and called for a defensive formation.

Naruto Uzumaki revealed that he had staged the rebellion in Konoha with Uchiha Sen, using Sen’s Dōjutsu to turn the elders’ desires into a seemingly reasonable uprising. As the clans slaughtered one another below Hokage Rock, Sen explained how he manipulated their hidden wishes.

• Naruto’s barriers sealed off the three clans’ area while Konoha forces evacuated civilians and contained the unrest.
• Viewers on the Sky Screen suspected the rebellion was a performance arranged by Naruto, and the screen showed Naruto watching from Hokage Rock with Uchiha Sen and Sasuke.
• Sasuke asked whether the chaos resembled the Uchiha Clan’s destruction, and Uchiha Sen said that massacre had happened quietly.
• Konohamaru led a prepared squad against the three clans as confused clan members were caught in the fighting and elders shouted about claiming the Hokage and advisory positions.
• Naruto praised Uchiha Sen’s ability, and Sen explained that his Sharingan Dōjutsu made people act on their hidden desires by making those wishes seem reasonable.

Sasuke joined the slaughter at the Sarutobi Clan Compound in disguise, speeding up the reckoning Naruto had arranged with Uchiha Sen. Naruto and Uchiha Sen then discussed Sarada’s role in drawing out the hidden Celestial Dragons, as Naruto admitted he knew little about them but intended to reach their paradise, even if it meant war.

• Naruto praised Uchiha Sen’s ability to manipulate people’s desires, then sent Sasuke to secretly hasten the fighting at the Sarutobi Clan Compound.
• Viewers across the Shinobi World realized the three clans’ rebellion was a planned reckoning orchestrated by Naruto, Uchiha Sen, and Sasuke.
• Uchiha Sen asked Naruto what he would do with Sarada, and Naruto said he would keep her alive if she helped investigate the Celestial Dragons.
• Naruto admitted he had never seen the Celestial Dragons and did not know where they hid, but said Sarada’s actions might reveal the truth behind a thousand years of history.
• Uchiha Sen described the Celestial Dragons’ secluded paradise, and Naruto said he wanted to reach it and break in, despite the war that might follow.
• Naruto suggested sinking the Land of Rain if the conflict became too severe, then insisted that he was the sun of the Shinobi World, not an evil man.

As the Shinobi World condemned Naruto’s revealed ambition, Sasuke completed the purge of the Sarutobi and two Mitokado clans. Konohamaru was left wounded and blamed by the survivors, realizing he had been manipulated into destroying his own clan.

• People across the Shinobi World concluded that Naruto had used Sarada to provoke the Celestial Dragons and was willing to sacrifice the Land of Rain to seize their longevity and power.
• Sasuke overwhelmed the rebels in the three clan compounds, leaving only a few dozen survivors, then vanished from the battlefield.
• Konohamaru, gravely wounded and missing his left arm, stared at the dead clansmen and questioned why the rebellion had happened and why he had fought his own family.
• An elderly survivor accused Konohamaru of causing the clan’s destruction, and the other survivors condemned him as a traitor.
• Konohamaru accepted the blame and realized Naruto had manipulated him into destroying the Sarutobi Clan, while the Shinobi World recognized the darkness behind Naruto’s rule.

After the three clans’ rebellion was crushed, Konohamaru fled Konoha, believing he had been cast out as a traitor. Naruto concealed his role, presented a fabricated account of the slaughter as the official truth, and began redistributing the clans’ seized assets among Konoha’s leadership.

• Wounded and missing an arm, Konohamaru escaped Konoha without resistance and left for the wilderness, comparing his fate to Uchiha Itachi’s.
• After Konohamaru departed, Anbu seized the elderly and frail survivors of the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Mitokado clans, while Konoha confiscated the clans’ property and possessions.
• The Hokage Office announced that the three clans had plotted a rebellion and that most of their members had died fighting, and Konoha’s villagers accepted the official account.
• Naruto returned to Konoha pretending he had just pursued foreign enemies and feigned shock upon learning of the clans’ destruction.
• At an emergency leadership meeting, Naruto confirmed the official account, approved the survivors’ resettlement, and transferred the clans’ assets to Konoha’s treasury as the leaders anticipated dividing their former holdings.

Sarada and Kisame discussed Konoha’s purge of three clans and hoped the upheaval would leave the Land of Rain alone. Konoha then sent Sarada a mission scroll ordering her to “Continue,” confirming that Naruto remained intent on drawing out the Celestial Dragons.

• Sarada and Kisame concluded that Konoha’s three clans had been blamed for rebellion and that no one would challenge the accepted story.
• Sarada decided Konoha’s internal turmoil would give the Land of Rain room to develop without Naruto’s interference.
• A Land of Rain ninja delivered a mission scroll from Konoha, surprising Sarada despite Konoha’s crisis.
• Sarada read the scroll’s one-word order, “Continue,” and realized Naruto would not pause his plan concerning the nobles.
• Sarada and Kisame concluded that Naruto’s overriding priority was drawing the Celestial Dragons into the world.

Sarada escalated her campaign against the nobles, sending their seized wealth and supplies to the Land of Rain while Kisame agreed to handle outside risks. In Konoha, Naruto approved Sarada’s demands and ordered more deaths before a mysterious tremor shook the Shinobi World, leaving him searching the sky for its cause.

• Sarada declared she would continue Naruto’s mission and helped wipe out five more hereditary noble families, sending their wealth and supplies to the Land of Rain.
• Kisame warned Sarada that her actions would make enemies of the nobles and Daimyō, then volunteered to handle any further missions from Konoha.
• Sarada accepted Kisame’s offer and said they should demand benefits from Naruto for their work.
• Naruto read reports from the Land of Rain, agreed to Sarada’s terms, and learned that fifteen noble families had been exterminated.
• Naruto ordered Sai to tell Sarada to accelerate the killings and to warn every village Kage against making a move.
• A strange tremor shook Konoha and the Shinobi World; Naruto rushed into the sky but found no visible cause.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai concluded that the Celestial Dragons were about to emerge from the Otherworldly Microcosm and planned to eliminate the nobles they might depend on. The Sky Screen showed the shinobi world reacting to the revelation, then shifted to Sarada in the Land of Rain studying a newly delivered Konoha's Latest Mission Scroll.

• Naruto told Sai about the Celestial Dragons, and Sasuke arrived and confirmed that their hidden Otherworldly Microcosm would soon open.
• Naruto and Sasuke decided to wipe out the nobles and daimyō, and Naruto ordered Sai to arrange the major shinobi villages' involvement.
• Shinobi and civilians anticipated the Celestial Dragons' Longevity Pure Land, while nobles feared Naruto's planned purge and considered pressuring Tsunade.
• The Sky Screen shifted to the Land of Rain, where Sarada silently studied Konoha's Latest Mission Scroll.

Sarada and the Four Great Kage carried out Konoha’s orders to slaughter the nobles, plunging the shinobi world into chaos as tremors heralded the Celestial Dragons’ possible arrival. Naruto learned that the Land of Fire remained stable while the other nations descended into disorder.

• Sarada concluded it was too late to stop the purge, and she and Kisame ordered the Land of Rain’s shinobi to kill nobles and seize supplies.
• The Kage of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure obeyed Konoha’s orders to eliminate their countries’ daimyo and nobles.
• Shinobi forces across the Five Great Nations slaughtered the ruling elite, while worsening tremors and strange skies unsettled the world.
• Naruto and Sasuke discussed the cost of forcing a passage between worlds, and Naruto said he would finish the purge before the Celestial Dragons appeared.
• Shikamaru Nara reported that the Land of Fire remained stable, but the other Four Great Shinobi Villages had fallen into disorder because they had made no plans to maintain order.

Naruto ordered Shikamaru to offer the Four Great Shinobi Villages Konoha's help restoring order, while Sarada and Kisame halted the Land of Rain's purge as the Celestial Dragons began to descend. A gigantic Black Ship appeared above Amegakure and destroyed the village with a single blast.

• Naruto told Shikamaru to send letters offering Konoha's help administering cities in the unstable nations, and Shikamaru recognized the political pressure behind the offer.
• After completing their purge, Sarada and Kisame sensed space breaking and concluded that the Celestial Dragons were arriving.
• Sarada ordered the Land of Rain's shinobi to stop attacking, evacuate Amegakure, and disperse with supplies throughout the country.
• The Five Great Shinobi Villages halted their killings and braced for the Celestial Dragons' arrival as a Black Ship appeared over Amegakure.
• A voice from the Black Ship condemned the people of the Land of Rain, then its cannon obliterated Amegakure and left a vast crater.

After the Black Ship destroyed Amegakure, Sarada and Kisame concluded that the Celestial Dragons had targeted the Land of Rain because it was weak and decided to seek Naruto's help in Konoha. Before they could leave, a hundred-meter-tall Susanoo appeared, and Sarada wondered whether Sasuke had arrived.

• The Black Ship's destruction of Amegakure shocked the Shinobi World, but its leaders judged that the attack was no stronger than a Tailed Beast Bomb and saw the Celestial Dragons as unwilling to challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
• Sarada and Kisame watched from a distant mountain and realized the Celestial Dragons had chosen the Land of Rain to intimidate the Shinobi World.
• Kisame warned Sarada that the Black Ship might attack other cities, so Sarada decided they would go to Konoha and ask Naruto for help.
• As Sarada and Kisame prepared to leave, they sensed an immense chakra signature and turned toward it in alarm.
• Kisame called out Susanoo, and a hundred-meter-tall chakra giant appeared; Sarada wondered if Sasuke had come.

Uchiha Hikari appeared in a two-colored Susanoo and fought Lucci, whose attack revealed the Celestial Dragons’ power in the Shinobi World. After Hikari vanished, Lucci ordered Kalifa to gather intelligence and establish a base, and Kalifa targeted Sarada and Kisame for capture.

• Kisame and Sarada realized the unfamiliar two-colored Susanoo did not belong to Sasuke or Itachi.
• Uchiha Hikari attacked the Black Ship, and Lucci countered her slash with a powerful punch before being badly wounded.
• Lucci acknowledged Hikari’s strength and asked her name; she warned that someone would soon deal with the Celestial Dragons, then disappeared.
• Lucci ordered Kalifa to investigate the Shinobi World and establish a Celestial Dragon base, dismissing the fate of their former slaves.
• Kalifa spotted Sarada and Kisame on a distant mountain and prepared to capture them for interrogation.