Chapter Summaries

Kakuzu and Hidan finished capturing their targets, while Orochimaru and Juzo Biwa fought Kirigakure shinobi during a mission. Uchiha Nagasawa investigated reports of foreign squads being wiped out, and Uchiha Kazama arrived at Tsunade’s gambling table in the Land of Rivers.

• Kakuzu bound the ten corpses, sent his black monsters to carry them, and left to collect the bounty while Hidan got up and followed.
• Orochimaru and Juzo Biwa confronted Kirigakure shinobi in the former Land of Whirlpools and defeated them using the Hidden Mist Technique against them.
• Orochimaru dissected three surviving Kirigakure shinobi, then escaped with them inside a snake, while Juzo Biwa dug pits for the scattered corpses.
• Uchiha Nagasawa learned that a strange force had wiped out foreign shinobi squads in the Land of Fire and decided not to contact the Patriarch.
• Tsunade continued gambling in the Land of Rivers, and Uchiha Kazama joined her table and asked whether Jiraiya had sent him as a lobbyist.

Uchiha Kazama tried to persuade Tsunade to return to Konoha by revealing the village’s plans for her and bringing Senju clansmen to invite her home. Tsunade’s hemophobia eased as Kazama held her hand, leaving her facing his appeal and the village’s need for her.

• Uchiha Kazama impressed Tsunade and Shizune at the casino, then joined Tsunade for a meal and explained how Konoha’s affairs were being managed.
• Tsunade questioned whether Kazama had been stripped of authority, but he dismissed her concern and turned the conversation to their meal.
• Uchiha Kazama opened the private-room door to reveal Senju clansmen asking Tsunade to return as their patriarch and Konoha’s Medical Department Director.
• Tsunade objected that her hemophobia prevented her from serving, but Kazama and the Senju clansmen cut their palms and urged her to help protect lives in Konoha.
• Uchiha Kazama took Tsunade’s hand and appealed to her as an advisor, and her trembling stopped as she met his gaze.

Uchiha Kazama persuaded Tsunade to return to Konoha, and she agreed to reorganize the Senju Clan and take up the Hokage role. After sending her and Shizune toward the village, he met Orochimaru, who attacked him with a mass of snakes.

• Uchiha Kazama and Tsunade spent the night together, and he asked her to return to Konoha the next morning.
• Tsunade accepted the Senju Clan cloak from Senju Togashi and led the clan members toward the Land of Fire.
• Uchiha Kazama placed the Hokage's Hat on Tsunade and sent her back to Konoha with Shizune while he stayed behind.
• Uchiha Kazama met Orochimaru on a cliff, where Orochimaru emerged from a snake and confronted him.
• Orochimaru turned his arm into numerous snakes and coiled them around Uchiha Kazama.

Uchiha Kazama used genjutsu and pain to persuade Orochimaru to return to Konoha and lead its Research Department. He then sealed and destroyed Black Zetsu's clone, before catching up with Tsunade, where Orochimaru was enduring her punches.

• Uchiha Kazama trapped Orochimaru in a genjutsu and offered to clear his missing-nin status if he returned to Konoha and stopped experimenting on innocent people.
• Orochimaru agreed, and Uchiha Kazama appointed him to lead the Research Department and directed him to submit requests to Shikaku Nara.
• Uchiha Kazama revealed Black Zetsu hiding nearby, sealed his consciousness, and burned the clone to ashes.
• Uchiha Kazama considered seeking Kaguya and Otsutsuki Toneri, then caught up with Tsunade and found Orochimaru taking her punches without crying out.

Uchiha Kazama brought Orochimaru back to Konoha and appointed him head of the new Research Department, while Tsunade returned to lead the Senju Clan and Medical Department. After the village leaders accepted the appointments, Kazama asked Hyuga Hiashi to remain behind, leaving Hiashi worried about what would happen next.

• Uchiha Kazama stopped Tsunade from beating Orochimaru, gave Orochimaru White Zetsu to study, and approved his return to Konoha.
• Konan witnessed Orochimaru’s return and decided to investigate inside Konoha.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage’s Office, where Jiraiya was stunned to see them both back.
• Uchiha Kazama announced Tsunade as Senju Clan Head and Medical Department Director, and Orochimaru as Research Department Director with his charges revoked.
• The department heads accepted Kazama’s decisions, and he asked Hyuga Hiashi to stay behind after the meeting.

Uchiha Kazama left Kurenai Yuhi with Tsunade, reassured Hyuga Hiashi about the Hyuga Clan, and returned to find Tsunade and Shizune managing village affairs. Meanwhile, Konan explored Konoha, then used a paper doll to spy on the Hokage’s Office and witnessed a shocking scene involving three people.

• Tsunade summoned Kurenai Yuhi, and Uchiha Kazama reassured her before she left with Tsunade.
• Uchiha Kazama told Hyuga Hiashi that the elder who attacked him at the Daimyo Palace was dead, and Hiashi promised to manage his clan.
• Tsunade told Uchiha Kazama to rest while she and Shizune handled village affairs.
• Konan ate ramen at Teuchi’s shop, then wondered how Konoha remained so peaceful after its political upheaval.
• Konan sent a paper doll to the Hokage’s Office and, after hearing gasps, discovered a shocking scene involving three people.

Uchiha Kazama focused on preparing for future threats while spending the evening with Kurenai Yuhi and Tsunade, unaware that Konan was watching. After confronting Konan, he returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound, where four clan members appeared before him.

• Uchiha Kazama considered the threats posed by Obito Uchiha, Black Zetsu, Akatsuki, and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
• Kurenai Yuhi joined Uchiha Kazama in the bath, and Tsunade later joined them in his room while Konan watched through a Paper Person.
• Afterward, Uchiha Kazama sensed Konan outside the window and offered her the choice to leave the village or come with him.
• Konan transformed into sheets of paper and vanished, and Uchiha Kazama used the Body Flicker Technique to return to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Four Uchiha appeared at Uchiha Kazama's residence, followed him into the courtyard, and addressed him as their Patriarch.

Uchiha Kazama offered four personal guards a method to awaken their Mangekyō Sharingan, despite Uchiha Fugaku’s objections. He drew Konan into his Tenshō illusion by accident, discovered her reconnaissance, and brought her back to exchange information.

• Uchiha Kazama asked Uchiha Ryunen, Rimoku Uchiha, Uchiha Roy, and Uchiha Natsume if they would accept the risks of his method for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, and all four agreed.
• Uchiha Fugaku interrupted and warned Uchiha Kazama that the Mangekyō’s secret should not be shared, but Kazama dismissed him.
• Uchiha Kazama activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and sent the four guards into an illusion with five moons.
• Uchiha Kazama discovered that Konan had also entered the illusion and found her reconnaissance had brought him into an unexpected scene in the Hokage’s Office.
• Uchiha Kazama dispelled the illusion, returned Konan to the courtyard, and asked what information she wanted to exchange.

Uchiha Kazama offered Konan a deal and confidently dismissed the threat of the other villages, while his illusion pushed Uchiha Ryunen toward awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan. As the Fourth Raikage advanced on Konoha, Obito Uchiha decided to begin the Eye of the Moon Plan ahead of schedule.

• Uchiha Kazama told Konan he knew about Nagato and the Akatsuki’s plans, offered to meet their true leader, and warned her not to take the tailed beasts.
• Konan questioned how Kazama could help the Akatsuki while Konoha faced attacks, and Kazama described how he planned to deal with the other villages.
• Inside Kazama’s illusion, Uchiha Ryunen saw Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi kill his clansmen, and his pupillary power began to rise.
• Killer B told the Fourth Raikage that the shinobi sent into the Land of Fire had been killed, and the Raikage ordered an attack on Konoha.
• Obito Uchiha ordered Zetsu to spread the news and set out to launch the Eye of the Moon Plan ahead of schedule.

Uchiha Kazama watched Uchiha Ryunen awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan and reveal its abilities, then warned Konan that Akatsuki’s plans and the other villages’ preparations threatened Konoha. He left a Shadow Clone to inform Tsunade and headed toward Kumogakure with Konan as Kumogakure’s shinobi advanced on Konoha.

• Konan woke to find Uchiha Kazama maintaining his Mangekyō Sharingan, and her thoughts restored some of his pupillary power.
• Uchiha Ryunen awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and explained that his eyes could trap and cut down enemies with Genjutsu and enhance his ninjutsu or Taijutsu.
• Uchiha Kazama told Uchiha Ryunen to rest, then invited Konan to settle in Konoha after she returned with ramen.
• Konan said she needed to report to Nagato, but Uchiha Kazama warned that Madara Uchiha might be in Kumogakure or Iwagakure and that Akatsuki’s Tailed Beast capture plan could begin soon.
• Uchiha Kazama left a Shadow Clone to inform Tsunade and departed for Kumogakure with Konan as Kumogakure’s shinobi approached Konoha.

Uchiha Kazama struck Kumogakure’s advancing forces with a Tailed Beast Bomb, then Konoha mobilized under Tsunade’s command to defend the village. As its formations took position, Uchiha Fugaku entered the Hokage’s Office.

• Uchiha Kazama used Kurama’s chakra to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb at Kumogakure’s forces, severely injuring or killing many shinobi.
• Killer B warned the Fourth Raikage that Konoha’s Uchiha-controlled leadership could counter tailed beasts, but the Raikage ordered the force to split into ten formations and surround Konoha.
• Inoichi Yamanaka reported the attack to Tsunade and Jiraiya, who prepared to carry out Uchiha Kazama’s arrangements.
• Tsunade rallied Konoha’s shinobi and assigned Shikaku Nara to organize the village’s defenses.
• Konoha’s clan and civilian shinobi formations mobilized, and Uchiha Fugaku entered the Hokage’s Office.

Uchiha Fugaku led five Uchiha shinobi to join Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya on Konoha’s front line against Kumogakure. Their five Susanoo overwhelmed the Fourth Raikage and Killer B, who escaped with a burst of tailed beast chakra as Kumogakure’s forces were routed.

• Uchiha Fugaku asked Shikaku Nara to let the Uchiha fight on the front lines, and Shikaku approved.
• Uchiha Fugaku led the Uchiha Clan to the plain outside Konoha, where Tsunade and the other Sannin were waiting.
• The Fourth Raikage challenged Konoha, then charged Tsunade as Killer B watched the Uchiha warily.
• Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Ryunen, Rimoku Uchiha, Uchiha Roy, and Uchiha Natsume each unleashed a Susanoo and attacked the Fourth Raikage and Killer B.
• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to support Konoha’s shinobi while Orochimaru and Jiraiya joined the battle with their summons.
• Killer B used tailed beast chakra to escape with the Fourth Raikage as the five Susanoo terrified and routed Kumogakure’s forces.

Uchiha Fugaku and four Uchiha routed Kumogakure’s forces, forcing Iwagakure and Sunagakure to reconsider their plans. Rasa redirected Sunagakure toward Kirigakure in the Land of Whirlpools, while Chiyo remained reluctant to abandon her revenge against Konoha.

• Uchiha Fugaku and four Uchiha left to reinforce other battlefields after their Susanoo decided the main-front battle.
• The Uchiha routed Kumogakure’s forces, and few Kumogakure shinobi escaped alive.
• Han warned Kitsuchi that Kumogakure had withdrawn and that Konoha’s Sannin and five Mangekyō Sharingan users had overwhelmed them; Han and Kitsuchi retreated.
• Rasa told Chiyo that Sunagakure would change its target to Kirigakure, which had entered the Land of Whirlpools.
• Rasa led Sunagakure’s full force toward the Land of Whirlpools, while Chiyo weighed the loss of her chance for revenge against Konoha.

Uchiha Kazama and Konan arrived at Kumogakure, where he challenged Yugito Nii and overwhelmed her with lightning-enhanced attacks. Obito Uchiha and Kisame waited nearby for the battle to end so they could ambush the survivors.

• Uchiha Kazama told Konan that Konoha had won on the main battlefield and took her to Kumogakure to deliver a gift.
• Yugito Nii met Uchiha Kazama at the village entrance with hundreds of Shinobi and refused his demand to surrender as a hostage.
• Yugito Nii attacked in Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, but Uchiha Kazama countered with Lightning Release: Thunder God's Body and Taijutsu.
• Obito Uchiha and Kisame watched from nearby and planned to strike after the battle weakened the victors.
• Yugito Nii realized that even a complete Tailed Beast Transformation might not let her defeat Uchiha Kazama.

Uchiha Kazama easily subdued Matatabi after Yugito Nii released the seal on the Two-Tails. As Kazama cut down the Kumogakure shinobi who charged him, Yugito awakened and pleaded for them to surrender.

• Yugito released Matatabi's seal, and the Two-Tails took Complete Tailed Beast form to fight Uchiha Kazama.
• Uchiha Kazama used Susanoo and his Mangekyō Sharingan to restrain Matatabi, then sealed her back inside Yugito.
• Kumogakure shinobi charged Uchiha Kazama to rescue Yugito, while Obito Uchiha hoped the battle would exhaust Kazama.
• Uchiha Kazama warned the Kumogakure shinobi to surrender, then moved through them with his sword and began killing them.
• Yugito awakened and begged the Kumogakure shinobi to stop fighting and surrender, warning that they could not defeat Uchiha Kazama.

Uchiha Kazama forced the remaining Kumogakure shinobi to seal themselves, but Obito Uchiha and Kisame arrived to attack him. Kazama defeated both attackers and left Obito unable to escape.

• Uchiha Kazama threatened to massacre Kumogakure unless its shinobi sealed themselves, and Yugito Nii persuaded them to comply.
• Obito Uchiha grew anxious at Kumogakure's surrender, then appeared behind Kazama and tried to pull him into his dimension.
• Kazama confronted Obito and recognized him as Madara Uchiha, while Kisame rushed in and wounded Kazama with Samehada.
• Kazama seized Samehada, kicked Kisame away, and subdued the living blade with his killing intent.
• Obito tried to use Kamui, but Kazama disrupted it and kicked him hard enough to damage his kidney and break several bones.

Uchiha Kazama defeated Kisame and drove Obito away, then used Kotoamatsukami to recruit Kisame. He gave Yugito ten minutes to make arrangements before she left with him.

• Kisame unleashed a massive Water Release technique that drained the chakra of the nearby Kumogakure shinobi, while Konan escaped the water with Yugito.
• Kisame merged with Samehada, but Kazama appeared behind him and severed his head; Kisame survived by hiding inside Samehada.
• Kazama threatened Obito, who fled using Kamui, and then offered Kisame the chance to join him.
• After Kisame trapped himself in a Water Prison, Kazama used Kotoamatsukami to alter Kisame's will and make him agree to follow.
• Kazama told Yugito to arrange matters for the Kumogakure shinobi within ten minutes, then sat down to wait.

Obito Uchiha and Zetsu adjusted their plans after Uchiha Kazama defeated Kumogakure, while Zetsu offered the Fourth Raikage an alliance against Konoha. The Fourth Raikage and Killer B weighed the proposal despite their doubts about Zetsu's motives.

• Obito Uchiha admitted his failure to Zetsu and ordered him to continue their preparations while Obito investigated the other tailed beasts.
• Zetsu reported that he had already made arrangements inside Konoha and was exploiting the effects of people gaining power quickly.
• Zetsu appeared before the Fourth Raikage and revealed that Uchiha Kazama had gone to Kumogakure and taken the Two-Tails jinchūriki.
• Killer B questioned whether Zetsu was trying to lure them into a losing attack on Konoha before Uchiha Kazama returned.
• Zetsu offered several thousand fighters and promised to persuade Iwagakure to join the battle, leaving the Fourth Raikage and Killer B silent as they considered his terms.

Zetsu persuaded the Fourth Raikage and Han to prepare a renewed assault on Konoha by offering thousands of reinforcements and promising Kirigakure’s participation. Han and his shinobi began leaning toward joining the attack, while Sunagakure’s whereabouts remained unknown.

• Zetsu told the Fourth Raikage that he could provide many shinobi and secure Iwagakure’s participation, and the Raikage agreed to attack once Iwagakure arrived.
• Zetsu revealed that his reinforcements were already outside, and the Fourth Raikage found more than two thousand shinobi and organized them into squads.
• Han watched Kumogakure’s forces prepare to attack again and questioned why they had received so many additional shinobi.
• Zetsu offered Han an equal number of reinforcements and said Kirigakure and Karatachi Yagura were nearly there, promising a combined force of three jinchūriki and over ten thousand shinobi.
• Han’s shinobi urged him to join the battle, and Han asked where Sunagakure was after noticing its forces were missing.
• Zetsu said he could not find Sunagakure and offered to redirect the more than two thousand shinobi assigned to it.

Han led Iwagakure’s forces toward Konoha after Zetsu urged them to attack, while Uchiha Kazama delayed his return to watch the other villages reveal their strength. Kazama claimed Obito was helping him and sent Kisame to aid Sunagakure against Kirigakure.

• Zetsu failed to find Sunagakure and urged Han to use the opportunity to attack Konoha before leaving to investigate their disappearance.
• Han chose to lead thousands of Iwagakure shinobi toward Konoha and ordered sensory shinobi to report the situation to the village.
• At the Land of the Moon border, Kazama told Konan he would wait until the enemy villages revealed their trump cards, confident Konoha retained most of its strength.
• Yugito said the Fourth Raikage had made a mistake by opposing Kazama, and Kazama dismissed the idea that the Raikage could be persuaded.
• Kazama told Konan that Madara Uchiha, whom he identified as Obito, was helping him, then ordered Kisame to assist Sunagakure against Kirigakure in the Land of Whirlpools.