Arc 8Chapters 177–188

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Chapters 177–188 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 177Those with a just cause have many allies

Shinji Uchiha and Miwako moved Hatake Sakumo, presumed dead, through Torifu Akimichi’s secret tunnel to get him out of Konoha. Jiraiya discovered them but silently approved and let them proceed, leaving Sakumo hidden outside the village.

  • Miwa Kato monitored Sakumo as the Turtle-Breath Secret Medicine began to wear off, while Shinji prepared to move him using Torifu Akimichi’s emergency route.
  • Shinji and Miwako opened the secret tunnel near the Forest of Death and prepared to carry Sakumo through it.
  • Jiraiya confronted them, revealed that he understood Sakumo was involved, and warned them to hurry rather than stopping them.
  • Shinji and Miwako carried Sakumo into the tunnel as Jiraiya left and nearby ANBU patrols passed without noticing them.
  • Guided by Akimichi Clan members, Shinji and Miwako took Sakumo to a safe house outside Konoha, where he disappeared from public sight.

Ch. 178Lying low and honing their blades

After Sakumo's apparent death, Shinji, Miwa, and Hizashi each pursued strength and influence to prepare for future conflicts with Danzo. The chapter leaves them quietly building power through training, medical leadership, and reform within the Hyuga Clan.

  • Shinji gathered Minato and Kushina at the Secret Base and committed them to secluded training until Minato completed the Flying Thunder God Technique and Rasengan.
  • Shinji helped Minato refine his techniques while Kushina trained her chakra control and Sealing Jutsu, and Shinji deepened his own understanding of Space-Time Ninjutsu.
  • Miwa expanded her influence at Konoha Hospital by improving medical techniques, proposing administrative changes, and building a network of allies.
  • Hizashi presented his father and Hiashi with drafts of new Hyuga training methods based on the Chakra Double Helix Theory and Mind Observation Tempering Method.
  • The Hyuga clan head approved cautious testing by Hizashi and Hiashi, giving them joint responsibility for the methods.

Ch. 179The blood moon's beginning

Miwa Kato uncovered medical records linking Root to the poison used in Ishikawa Ken’s case and gathered the evidence into an encrypted Micro Scroll. Danzo learned of her investigation and ordered Root to kill her before she could deliver it to the Hokage.

  • Danzo suspected Miwa Kato knew too much about Sakumo’s death and ordered Root to eliminate her once she obtained evidence.
  • Miwa Kato found a requisition for MTX-107 tied to a Root mission code and identified traces resembling the poison in Ishikawa Ken’s autopsy.
  • Miwa Kato uncovered further irregularities suggesting Root had diverted medical supplies for covert operations, including a possible frame-up of Sakumo.
  • Miwa Kato copied her findings and analysis into an encrypted Micro Scroll, planning to pass it to the Third Hokage.
  • Root’s surveillance operative reported Miwa Kato’s plans, and Danzo ordered an attack staged as an accident or hostile-force silencing.
  • Miwa Kato put away the Micro Scroll and prepared to leave the hospital, unaware Root was waiting to kill her.

Ch. 180A final farewell without meeting again

Miwako was ambushed by Root and other hidden attackers, so she sent a warning to Shinji and Hizashi before sacrificing herself with a forbidden technique. Shinji and Hizashi arrived too late, and Shinji was left with her scroll as a deep darkness began to gather within him.

  • Miwako realized the attack was a trap intended to draw in Shinji and Hizashi, and she threw her Micro Scroll toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.
  • Miwako sent a coded signal and used Tsunade's forbidden technique, annihilating the attackers and herself in a vast white blast.
  • Shinji and Hizashi rushed to the training ground and found a crater where Miwako had been.
  • Shinji caught the Micro Scroll and stared at the crater as Hizashi broke down in grief.
  • Shinji's emotions fell into an icy emptiness as a deep darkness began to grow within him.

Ch. 181Awakening the Mangekyo

After Miwako sacrificed herself, Shinji Uchiha nearly lost control to grief and awakened a new form of his Sharingan, but Hizashi brought him back to his senses. Shimura Danzō then arrived with Root elites as Shinji faced his grief with a cold new resolve.

  • Shinji found Miwako's final message at the devastated training ground and learned she had sacrificed herself to thwart Danzo's schemes.
  • Overcome by grief and rage, Shinji's chakra surged wildly as a new pattern appeared in his eyes.
  • Hizashi grabbed Shinji and reminded him that Miwako and Sakumo had sacrificed themselves to give them hope and a chance to fight back.
  • Shinji regained control, though his Mangekyo's dark patterns remained and his hatred and resolve deepened.
  • Shimura Danzō arrived at the training ground with a squad of Root elites.

Ch. 182Another Blood Debt

After Miwako’s death, Danzo tried to accuse Shinji Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga of conspiring with her, but Shinji confronted him with evidence and blamed him for her sacrifice. Hiruzen Sarutobi intervened before a fight began, and Shinji left after swearing to hold Danzo accountable.

  • Danzo recognized Shinji’s newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan and accused him and Hizashi of colluding with Miwako.
  • Shinji condemned Danzo’s actions and revealed that he held a scroll containing evidence of Danzo’s dealings.
  • Danzo ordered Root elites to seize Shinji and Hizashi, and they prepared to fight.
  • Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived and demanded an explanation, while Danzo claimed Miwako had been a traitor and Shinji and Hizashi her accomplices.
  • Shinji put away the scroll, told Hiruzen that Miwako had been silenced, and swore to watch Danzo and make him pay.
  • Shinji and Hizashi left the training ground, while Hiruzen prevented Danzo from pursuing them.

Ch. 183Erasure and Reversion

After Miwa Kato's death awakened his Mangekyo, Shinji Uchiha secluded himself to assess its effects and test his new ocular techniques. He discovered that his Uzumaki vitality prevented the Mangekyo from damaging his eyesight, leaving him with powerful abilities he could use without fear of blindness.

  • Shinji returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound, where clan members reacted with awe and fear to his Mangekyo and chilling presence.
  • Shinji secluded himself and found that using ocular power triggered painful memories of Miwa Kato's death, so he planned to build a mental barrier against the interference.
  • Shinji tested his left-eye technique, Erasure, and made a section of a steel plate vanish completely.
  • Shinji tested his right-eye technique, Reversion, and restored a scratch on the steel plate to its earlier state, but could not undo the area erased by his left eye.
  • Shinji concluded that his Uzumaki vitality prevented Mangekyo use from degrading his eyesight or risking blindness.

Ch. 184Holding position for now

Uchiha Fugaku visited Shinji after he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, warning him that the village leadership feared him and urging him to avoid dragging the Uchiha into conflict. Shinji promised to pursue revenge carefully and proposed that mental strength could awaken the Mangekyō without loss, leaving Fugaku with a new sense of hope as Shinji returned to training.

  • Uchiha Fugaku warned Shinji that Shimura Danzō and the village leadership feared him, and cautioned against provoking a direct confrontation with Konoha.
  • Shinji assured Fugaku that he would seek revenge without sacrificing the Uchiha clan and said his new eyes would help secure the clan's future.
  • Shinji explained that intense mental strength, not only the suffering caused by a loved one's death, could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
  • Shinji said he would study the Mangekyō and share what he learned to help other Uchiha awaken theirs.
  • Uchiha Fugaku left with a renewed sense of hope, while Shinji resumed training to master the Blood Moon Eyes and prepare for the coming storm.

Ch. 185Exile? Just time for me to grow stronger

Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Shinji condolences, compensation, and a long-term mission outside Konoha after Miwa Kato’s death. Shinji accepted the mission as an opportunity to master his Mangekyo and grow stronger, while warning that he would not tolerate another threat to someone he cared about.

  • Hiruzen Sarutobi visited Shinji and apologized for Danzo and Root’s failures surrounding Miwa Kato’s sacrifice.
  • Hiruzen gave Shinji authorization to access most S-rank ninjutsu and said Danzo was confined, Root’s external operations suspended, and ANBU’s investigation continuing.
  • Shinji said he would maintain peace until conclusive evidence emerged, but warned Hiruzen that there would be no next time if someone he cared about was harmed.
  • Hiruzen offered Shinji a long-term investigation mission in the Border Region to keep him away from Konoha’s political tensions.
  • Shinji accepted the mission and returned to his training room to prepare, intending to master his Mangekyo and settle his grievances on his own terms.

Ch. 186Infiltrating Kirigakure

Shinji Uchiha investigated signs of upheaval in Kirigakure and reported his findings to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi upgraded his mission to an S-rank covert investigation, and Shinji began infiltrating the Land of Water to uncover the truth.

  • Shinji Uchiha gathered intelligence along the southeastern coast and found evidence linking unidentified former Kirigakure ninja to internal turmoil in their village.
  • Shinji sent an encrypted report to Konoha describing instability in Kirigakure's command and recommending heightened alert.
  • Hiruzen Sarutobi authorized Shinji to enter the Land of Water and investigate the upheaval, the Third Mizukage's condition, and the threat to Konoha.
  • Shinji prepared disguises, studied border procedures, and devised infiltration routes and escape plans.
  • Shinji concealed his identity and slipped into the sea to approach the mist-shrouded Land of Water.

Ch. 187Cracks beneath the Mist

Shinji Uchiha infiltrated the Land of Water and uncovered signs that the Third Mizukage’s contradictory orders and memory gaps were destabilizing Kirigakure. Concluding that he needed to investigate the Mizukage directly, Shinji set out through the mist toward the village.

  • Shinji landed on a remote stretch of the Land of Water’s coast and disguised himself as an overseas merchant’s attendant.
  • Shinji gathered reports of tension in Kirigakure, including conflicting orders attributed to the Third Mizukage.
  • Shinji learned that the Third Mizukage had ordered the Osafune clan destroyed, then later acted as though the clan remained a trusted ally.
  • Shinji concluded that systematic cognitive interference, possibly genjutsu, might explain the Mizukage’s behavior.
  • Shinji chose to approach Kirigakure and observe the Third Mizukage at close range.
  • Shinji slipped through the mist toward Kirigakure while studying its defenses and patrols.

Ch. 188The web weaver in the shadows

Shinji infiltrated Kirigakure and discovered that the Third Mizukage was being affected by a remote genjutsu that distorted his memories and judgment. He traced the chakra residue to a coastal cave and entered it, where the identity of the caster and the wider conspiracy remained unrevealed.

  • Shinji observed Kirigakure's strained security and concluded that the disorder centered on the Mizukage's office.
  • After studying the building's defenses, Shinji infiltrated it on a rainy night and watched the Third Mizukage issue contradictory orders under the influence of a genjutsu.
  • Shinji determined that the genjutsu distorted the Third Mizukage's cognition and memory, and that its distant caster was maintaining it remotely.
  • Shinji traced the genjutsu's chakra remnants to a cave northeast of Kirigakure, avoiding hidden alert barriers along the way.
  • Shinji entered the cave and found spent black stones bearing traces of the same cold chakra, but had not yet uncovered the secret at its depths.
Arc 8 of 8