Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Makoto and Kakashi left the bookstore after Jiraiya let them off with a warning, while Makoto resolved to avoid drawing more attention from Konoha’s leaders. Later, Makoto’s experiments with Kakuzu’s Earth Grudge Fear technique and Hashirama cells produced promising results in animals, prompting him to consider a new approach to human testing.

• Jiraiya recognized Kakashi, excused the boys’ curiosity about the books, and remarked that Makoto was an interesting Uchiha student of Orochimaru.
• Kakashi and Makoto left the bookstore, and Makoto wondered whether Jiraiya’s interest in him was a blessing or a risk.
• Makoto continued researching Earth Grudge Fear by experimenting on mice and crows, many of which died from rejection or chakra backlash.
• Makoto tested diluted Hashirama cells on animals, observed fatal woodification, and used Kakuzu’s technique and suppression seals to refine the process.
• Makoto’s seventh-generation treatment improved the animals’ chakra, strength, and apparent intelligence without causing woodification.
• Makoto considered combining modified Hashirama cells with Earth Grudge Fear’s heart extraction and chakra compatibility properties.

Uchiha Makoto tested a modified Earth Grudge Fear transplant that combined a stolen heart with weakened Hashirama cells, then used a controlled Sunagakure ninja to validate the procedure. During a border patrol, he sent the test subject to intercept three approaching Sunagakure ninja so he could observe its combat performance.

• Uchiha Makoto found that a crow with a second heart and a trace of seventh-generation Hashirama cells gained improved chakra control and physical abilities without turning into wood.
• Uchiha Makoto transplanted a Kumogakure ninja’s Lightning Release heart into a captured Sunagakure chunin using modified Earth Grudge Fear tendrils and Hashirama cells.
• Uchiha Makoto observed that Test Subject Number One developed greater physical ability, chakra reserves, and Lightning Release affinity with minimal rejection.
• Uchiha Makoto went on a border patrol with Kakashi and Harada Yuichi, then left the squad to test Black Feather in a secluded valley.
• Uchiha Makoto detected three hostile Sunagakure chakra signatures and ordered Test Subject Number One to intercept them while he followed to collect combat data.

Uchiha Makoto tested Test Subject Number One’s combined Lightning Release, Earth Grudge Fear, and hashirama cell abilities in a fight against three Sand ninja. After the subject survived a chest wound and defeated them, Makoto collected the test results and prepared to take one captive back as experimental material.

• Three Sand ninja attacked Test Subject Number One, who blocked their opening assault with sand and countered with Sand Arms.
• Test Subject Number One used a sand wall and Lightning Body Flicker to evade the ninja’s wind attacks, then killed the puppeteer with Lightning Release Flashing Thunder.
• The captain and agile ninja wounded Test Subject Number One, but Earth Grudge Fear and hashirama cells began repairing his damaged Lightning Release Heart.
• Test Subject Number One seized the captain, killed him with Sand Blade, and knocked out the agile ninja as the battle ended.
• Uchiha Makoto examined the wound, praised the successful test, and sealed away the captive and the puppeteer’s corpse.

Uchiha Makoto’s attempt to leave the Gobi with his captives was interrupted by Pakura, a powerful Sunagakure Jonin who recognized his controlled test subject and challenged him. Pakura attacked with Scorch Release, and Makoto dodged while considering how her kekkei genkai worked.

• After collecting data from the battle, Uchiha Makoto prepared to take the unconscious Sand Shinobi and the Puppet Master's corpse back for research.
• Pakura arrived and questioned Uchiha Makoto about the fallen Sunagakure ninja and the controlled Test Subject Number One.
• Uchiha Makoto abandoned his false story and teased Pakura about her outfit, angering her.
• Pakura fired a Scorch Release: Fireball, which burned through Test Subject Number One’s sand wall before Uchiha Makoto dodged it.
• Pakura demanded to know who Uchiha Makoto was and why he was on the Land of Wind’s border, while he described Scorch Release’s properties.

Uchiha Makoto confronted Pakura, who attacked after suspecting he knew Sunagakure’s secrets. Test Subject Number One fought her while Makoto watched from a safe distance, and the battle ended with Number One badly burned but wounding Pakura in a desperate counterattack.

• Uchiha Makoto mentioned Shamon’s research and Sunagakure’s border activity, leading Pakura to suspect he was a spy and attack him.
• Uchiha Makoto ordered Test Subject Number One to raise a sand wall, then retreated to observe the fight with his Sharingan.
• Pakura’s Scorch Release fireballs broke through the wall, and Test Subject Number One countered with a sandstorm before evading her attacks.
• Pakura pressed her advantage with Scorch Release, Wind Release, and poisoned kunai, reopening Number One’s chest wound and damaging his sand armor.
• Test Subject Number One charged through a Scorch Release fireball and thrust two sand spears at Pakura, grazing her arm before the fireball left his chest horribly burned.

Test Subject Number One developed signs of a new will and fought Pakura fiercely, while Uchiha Makoto watched. As Pakura and Number One reached a chakra-draining stalemate, Makoto sensed Sunagakure reinforcements approaching.

• Test Subject Number One survived Pakura’s attack, retreated strategically, and showed signs of developing a new will, surprising Uchiha Makoto.
• Pakura tried to bypass Number One and reach Uchiha Makoto, but Number One attacked relentlessly and forced her to keep fighting him.
• Pakura broke Number One’s sand spear with a Scorch Release-coated kunai, then attacked him with a barrage of Scorch Release fireballs.
• Number One defended himself with sand, and the two became locked in a draining contest as he replenished his defenses from the desert.
• Uchiha Makoto sensed several Sunagakure chakra signatures approaching while Number One weakened and his sea of sand shrank.

Uchiha Makoto used his speed and Sharingan Genjutsu to defeat Pakura, then sealed her and the other battlefield spoils for transport to Konoha. Sunagakure’s reinforcements found the ravaged scene and raised an alert, while Makoto returned to Kakashi and Harada Yuichi.

• Uchiha Makoto activated his Yin-Yang Release state and used Shave to rush Pakura before she could defend herself.
• Uchiha Makoto caught Pakura in his Four-Tomoe Sharingan Genjutsu, leaving her unconscious, while Test Subject Number One survived his severe wounds.
• Uchiha Makoto sealed Pakura and the two dead Sunagakure ninja, then sent Number One back to Konoha and fled before the reinforcements arrived.
• Sunagakure’s arriving ninja found the battlefield empty, suspected Pakura had been captured, and sent up their highest-level distress signal.
• Uchiha Makoto returned to Kakashi and Harada Yuichi, while Sunagakure prepared to seal off the border and search for Pakura.

Uchiha Makoto, Kakashi, and Harada Yuichi encountered Sunagakure search teams during a border patrol as the Sand ninja searched for Pakura. After avoiding one squad, they were surrounded by three hostile jonin, and Makoto refused Kakashi's plan to retreat.

• Harada Yuichi noticed Sunagakure had greatly increased its patrols along the border, and Uchiha Makoto concealed that they were searching for someone.
• Uchiha Makoto, Kakashi, and Harada Yuichi met a cautious Sunagakure chunin squad, which ordered them aside and continued its search without a fight.
• The three Konoha ninja encountered a second squad led by a scarred Sunagakure jonin, who identified Kakashi and Uchiha Makoto as valuable targets and ordered Harada Yuichi killed.
• Kakashi told Uchiha Makoto and Harada Yuichi to prepare to break through, but Makoto stopped him and faced the three jonin without apparent concern.

Uchiha Makoto summoned his enormous crow, Four-Eyed Moyu, to overwhelm three Sunagakure jonin without revealing his plans to Kakashi and Harada Yuichi. Moyu’s powerful attack left the jonin shaken but still standing, and they questioned what level of summoned beast they faced.

• Uchiha Makoto summoned Four-Eyed Moyu, a colossal crow strengthened by chakra, training, and diluted Hashirama cells.
• Uchiha Makoto asked the three Sunagakure jonin to cooperate, hinting that Moyu was hungry.
• Moyu unleashed Thousand Feather Kill, sending a vast barrage of Wind Release-coated feathers at the jonin.
• The three Sunagakure jonin combined Wind and Earth Release defenses to withstand the attack.
• The feather barrage nearly destroyed their defenses and drained their chakra, leaving the female jonin stunned by Moyu’s power.

Uchiha Makoto sent Kakashi and Harada Yuichi away so he could fight the Sunagakure Jonin without restraint. He synchronized his four-tomoe Sharingan with Moyu and its five summoned clones, trapping the three Jonin in a powerful Genjutsu.

• Uchiha Makoto told Kakashi to retreat with Harada Yuichi while he faced the three Sunagakure Jonin with Moyu.
• Kakashi took Harada Yuichi and left the battlefield, trusting Uchiha Makoto to escape if needed.
• Uchiha Makoto and Moyu kept the Sunagakure Jonin under pressure with Wind Release as Moyu’s feathers began to fall.
• Uchiha Makoto summoned five flesh-and-blood crow clones using the Crow Feather Shadow Clone Technique.
• Uchiha Makoto used the Crow-Eye Reflection Technique to synchronize his four-tomoe Sharingan with Moyu and its clones.
• Uchiha Makoto cast Twenty-Four Eye Hell, engulfing all three Sunagakure Jonin in overlapping Genjutsu worlds.

Uchiha Makoto secretly captured three Sunagakure jonin and sent them to his base before rejoining Kakashi and Harada Yuichi. After the team reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage warned that tensions with Sunagakure were escalating, while Makoto concealed his role in the captures.

• Uchiha Makoto ordered Moyu and its clones to incapacitate three Sunagakure jonin, then sealed the wounded ninja in scrolls.
• Uchiha Makoto sent Moyu and its clones to deliver the captives to his base by a hidden route, then returned to the rendezvous point.
• Kakashi, Harada Yuichi, and Uchiha Makoto reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi that they had encountered Sunagakure forces and withdrawn safely.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned Uchiha Makoto about whether the enemy had pursued him, and Makoto claimed he had escaped after creating a diversion.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi warned that Sunagakure's border movements and missing ninja could signal an escalating conflict, while Makoto privately considered the possibility of an early war.

After Uchiha Makoto and his teammates reported the border ambush, rumors exaggerated his role until Konoha considered promoting him to Jonin. Sunagakure gave him the title “Konoha Black Crow,” which spread throughout the village despite his dislike of it.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed Uchiha Makoto, Kakashi, and Harada Yuichi after ordering them to keep their report secret and remain on standby.
• Rumors spread through Konoha that Makoto had defeated three Elite Jonin alone, drawing the attention of the Uchiha Clan and the village leadership.
• Konoha's leadership debated promoting Makoto to Jonin but postponed the decision after Danzo and Root questioned his age and the report's credibility.
• Sunagakure's intelligence report named Makoto “Konoha Black Crow” because of his crow summons and combat tactics.
• Makoto objected to the title, but villagers and ninja soon began calling him Black Crow wherever he went.

Uchiha Makoto accepted his unwanted title of Konoha Black Crow and continued training Obito, Kakashi, and Might Guy at the secret training ground. After pushing them through the evening’s practice, he invited them to his restaurant for dinner.

• Uchiha Makoto complained about the title Konoha Black Crow and joked that he would thank its creator during his next trip to the Land of Wind.
• Uchiha Makoto used Rin Nohara to motivate Obito, who stopped making excuses and resumed training.
• Kakashi and Might Guy trained Shave with growing intensity, while Uchiha Makoto considered how to develop their fighting styles.
• Uchiha Makoto ended the session and invited Obito, Kakashi, and Might Guy to eat fresh river fish with pickled mustard greens at his restaurant.

Uchiha Makoto successfully gave Number One and Number Two a third heart each while tracking the growing conflict among the shinobi villages. As Konoha entered emergency war readiness, Makoto prepared to use the coming chaos to obtain stronger experimental subjects.

• Uchiha Makoto completed Three-Heart Earth Grudge Fear surgeries on Number One and Number Two, increasing their chakra reserves and physical abilities.
• Uchiha Makoto noted that several of their hearts came from weak shinobi and lacked the quality he wanted.
• Uchiha Makoto learned that clashes between Sunagakure, Konoha, and Kumogakure were escalating and decided to prepare for the coming war.
• Uchiha Makoto planned to stock more sealing scrolls and improve Moyu’s reconnaissance range and mobility.
• Konoha’s Mission Hall shifted toward border patrol, supply escort, and reconnaissance assignments as the High Command increased wartime readiness and rapidly promoted shinobi.

Uchiha Makoto, Obito, Guy, and Kakashi received promotions as war preparations intensified, leaving Makoto uneasy about his new visibility but intrigued by the opportunities his Special Jōnin rank would provide. He considered exploiting the coming battles to gather hearts and test whether Earth Grudge Fear could help create kekkei genkai users.

• Obito and Might Guy received Chunin appointments and celebrated their promotions with Uchiha Makoto.
• Uchiha Makoto was promoted to Special Jōnin for his summoned beast control and tactical reconnaissance, while Kakashi received the same rank.
• Makoto worried that his promotion made him conspicuous, but felt better when he learned Kakashi had also become a Special Jōnin.
• Obito, Guy, Kakashi, and Makoto faced more dangerous missions and began taking their training and preparations more seriously.
• Makoto recognized that his new rank could give him access to intelligence, supplies, and battlefield opportunities to collect experimental materials.
• Makoto wondered whether transplanting hearts from fire- and earth-natured ninja into one subject could produce a Scorch Release user.

Uchiha Makoto considered using Earth Grudge Fear, chakra harmonization, and sealing techniques to artificially create Scorch Release, and he looked forward to gathering research materials during missions. At a war council, Konoha learned that Sunagakure had declared war, and the leaders chose a defensive strategy while discussing the likely route of attack through the Land of Rain.

• Uchiha Makoto planned to seek powerful hearts with compatible fire and earth chakra natures for experiments that could produce Scorch Release.
• Uchiha Makoto attended his first high-level meeting as a newly promoted Special Jōnin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Sunagakure had formally declared war on Konoha.
• Danzo urged Konoha to strike first, but Hiruzen Sarutobi chose a cautious defensive strategy to avoid opening the village to attacks from other great nations.
• Shikaku Nara identified the Land of Rain as Sunagakure's likely route and recommended that Konoha establish intelligence sharing with Hanzō of Amegakure.

Uchiha Makoto and Kakashi joined Konoha’s wartime ranks as special jōnin, and Makoto formed his own squad as the Third Shinobi World War began. Hiruzen Sarutobi carried out the village’s defensive preparations while worrying that conflicts with other villages would also escalate.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi approved Shikaku Nara’s plan to reinforce Konoha’s borders and prepare elite support squads.
• Minato Namikaze introduced Uchiha Makoto and Kakashi to Konoha’s core jonin, including Choza Akimichi, Tsume Inuzuka, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
• A new squad notice listed Obito Uchiha among Kakashi’s squad members, while Uchiha Makoto formed his squad with Uchiha Nako, Uchiha Shun, and Uchiha Entetsu.
• Uchiha Makoto looked forward to using the war to pursue his research and gain battlefield spoils.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the defensive preparations in his office and worried that tensions with Kumogakure and Iwagakure were worsening.

As war loomed, Danzo planned to use its chaos to eliminate Uchiha Makoto and Shisui Uchiha. Unaware of the threat, Uchiha Makoto worked on a cell-fusion experiment and turned to the imprisoned Kakuzu for help.

• Danzo blamed Hiruzen's indecision for Konoha's position and returned to Root's base angry at Hiruzen and the Uchiha prodigies.
• Danzo concluded that Uchiha Makoto had likely defeated three Sunagakure elite jonin and decided to arrange fatal wartime accidents for him and Shisui Uchiha.
• Uchiha Makoto studied Hashirama cells from Yamato and Uzumaki cells from Naruto, hoping to fuse them into cells closer to Asura's.
• Uchiha Makoto visited the containment rooms, found Pakura listless, and went to check on the weakened Kakuzu.
• Uchiha Makoto adjusted the controls of Kakuzu's specially designed cage.

Uchiha Makoto questioned Kakuzu about legends of the Sage of Six Paths, then used Kakuzu’s belief in his claim to manifest a sample of Asura cells. He began cultivating the cells and considered how to use them despite their incompatibility with the Uchiha; the approaching war now faced a potential new trump card.

• Uchiha Makoto asked Kakuzu about the Sage of Six Paths and his descendants, and Kakuzu shared the legends he knew.
• Uchiha Makoto claimed he had created pure Asura cells from Hashirama Senju and Uzumaki Clan samples, and Kakuzu doubted him but found the claim plausible.
• Uchiha Makoto’s lie-into-reality ability manifested a small, roughly 30%-complete sample of Asura cells.
• Uchiha Makoto thanked Kakuzu, left the Containment Room with the cells, and placed them in a culture apparatus in the Laboratory.
• Uchiha Makoto began cultivating the Asura cells and reflected that he, Nako, and the other Uchiha were descendants of Indra and poorly suited to them.

Uchiha Makoto used a crow clone to handle routine missions while choosing low-risk border patrols for his squad, leaving himself free to pursue research. He focused his experiments and exaggerated theories on Kakuzu, while limiting Pakura’s treatment to basic tests of Scorch Release.

• Uchiha Makoto rejected implanting Asura cells into himself or his trusted subordinates and considered using them to enhance puppets or modified bodies.
• Uchiha Makoto created a crow clone, linked to it with the Crow-Eye Reflection Technique, and assigned it to carry out routine patrol and reconnaissance missions in his disguise.
• Uchiha Makoto selected low-risk patrol missions along the borders facing the Lands of Earth and Lightning for his clone and Nako’s squad.
• Uchiha Makoto told Kakuzu increasingly extravagant claims about sealing jutsu, natural energy, and forbidden techniques to encourage manifestations.
• Uchiha Makoto gave up on trying to obtain much from Pakura and instead had her undergo basic physical examinations and chakra tests related to Scorch Release.