Chapter Summaries

Rumors about Naruto Uzumaki’s parentage spread through Konoha, growing from the truth that he was Namikaze Minato’s son into a wild claim that Minato was Jiraiya and Tsunade’s illegitimate child. Naruto remained unaware as he visited the hospitalized Jiraiya, while the village’s treatment of him began to soften.

• Villagers debated whether Naruto Uzumaki was Namikaze Minato and Kushina’s son, then rumors spread that Jiraiya had adopted him because he was Minato’s child.
• Konoha’s gossipmongers invented a story that Jiraiya and Tsunade were Minato’s parents, and Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered an ANBU ninja to find Naruto.
• Naruto bought fruit for Jiraiya, and the shop owner showed him unexpected pity while warning him not to be naughty.
• Naruto noticed villagers had stopped cursing at him and headed to the hospital to see Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya’s delighted reaction to rumors about his affair with Tsunade enraged her, and she broke several more of his bones.

After learning that his parents were Minato and Kushina, Naruto began to process the news as he headed to the Ninja Academy with Karin, who planned to teach him Uzumaki sealing techniques. Karin recalled how Itachi had protected her and argued with Naruto about Sasuke, while Naruto ended the walk cheered by Karin’s praise.

• Naruto learned that his parents were Minato and Kushina, then cried himself to sleep in the hospital.
• Karin accompanied Naruto to the Ninja Academy and told him they would study Uzumaki sealing techniques together starting the next day.
• Karin demanded that Naruto take her side against Sasuke, but Naruto refused and defended his friend.
• Karin recalled how Itachi had protected her after Kusagakure’s destruction and asked Tsunade to adopt her for her safety.
• Karin criticized Sasuke for relying on Fugaku and Itachi, while Naruto defended Sasuke and learned that Itachi had found him a taijutsu teacher.
• Karin told Naruto he was stronger than Sasuke, making him beam with delight before she questioned whether he was truly an Uzumaki.

Uzumaki Naruto asked Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi about his parents, learning that his mother, Uzumaki Kushina, had been a jinchūriki who was known for beating up boys. Kakashi urged Naruto not to let his parents’ reputations define him, but Naruto left more confused about who they had been.

• Uzumaki Naruto asked Sasuke what he knew about his mother, and Sasuke suggested asking his brother Itachi after school.
• Might Guy took Naruto and Sasuke to Hatake Kakashi, who explained that he had once protected Kushina because a demon fox was sealed inside her.
• Hatake Kakashi told Naruto that Kushina had been a lot like Karin and had beaten up boys when she was young.
• Hatake Kakashi advised Naruto to respect and remember his parents without letting their images become shackles, then vanished with a Body Flicker.
• Uzumaki Naruto wondered why Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi seemed reluctant to tell him about his parents and concluded that they differed from his imagined versions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen told Uchiha Itachi that Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation in Amegakure, where Uchiha Madara fought and caused enormous destruction. As the ninja villages mourned their dead and considered how to respond, Hiruzen planned to capture Orochimaru while Itachi wanted to ask Kitahara for help.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen praised Uchiha Itachi for redirecting rumors about Uzumaki Naruto and explained that the Anbu had reported a major battle in Amegakure.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation and that Kitsuchi had died covering the younger Iwagakure ninja's retreat.
• Uchiha Itachi asked to investigate Amegakure, but Sarutobi Hiruzen refused and ordered the Anbu to locate Orochimaru for a capture operation.
• Uchiha Itachi agreed to stay in the village and thought about asking Kitahara to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to gather intelligence.
• Ōnoki questioned Deidara about Kitsuchi's killer, while Deidara urged him to join the other villages and seek revenge against Uchiha Madara.
• Uchiha Madara killed Kitsuchi's squad, then left Amegakure after fighting Senju Hashirama and using Chibaku Tensei.

After Madara attacked Amegakure, Tobirama suspected he had prepared for his resurrection and began investigating the Uchiha’s eye techniques. Itachi’s answers only deepened Tobirama’s suspicions about a forbidden technique that could alter reality.

• Hashirama defended Madara, but Tobirama argued that Madara’s retreat from their battle proved he had planned for his resurrection.
• Tobirama revealed that he was researching how the Rinnegan evolved from the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Hashirama objected to his dangerous experiments.
• Itachi arrived and asked whether Madara’s attack on Amegakure would disrupt the pursuit of the Akatsuki Organization.
• Tobirama connected the Akatsuki impostor claiming to be Madara with the real Madara and questioned how Madara had gained the Rinnegan.
• Itachi denied that the Uchiha clan had a technique to reverse life and death, then described Mangekyō abilities, prompting Tobirama to suspect he was hiding an even more powerful forbidden technique.
• Itachi grew nervous as Tobirama pressed him about the technique, while Tobirama concluded that Itachi had already exposed himself.

Senju Tobirama deduced how Uchiha Madara had escaped death and gained the Rinnegan, while Kitahara revealed Akatsuki’s plan to revive the Ten-Tails and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The group began planning how to track the tailed beasts, with Tobirama assigning Kirigakure to locate the Three-Tails and monitor the Six-Tails.

• Senju Tobirama deduced that Uchiha Madara had used Izanagi to escape the Valley of the End and later obtained the Rinnegan.
• Senju Hashirama recalled a line on the Naka Shrine tablet about opposites giving rise to all things, which Tobirama linked to Madara’s Rinnegan.
• Kitahara revealed that Akatsuki planned to gather the tailed beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to trap the world in an illusion.
• Senju Tobirama proposed ambushing the tailed beast Jinchuriki, but Uchiha Itachi noted that the Nine-Tails would likely be collected last and that Sunagakure had become suspicious.
• Senju Tobirama ordered an investigation into the One-Tails Jinchuriki and told Kisame Hoshigaki and Terumī Mei to search for the Three-Tails and monitor the Six-Tails.

Orochimaru’s takeover of the Land of Wind threw the ninja world into crisis, and Uchiha Madara pushed him to use the upheaval to gather intelligence on the jinchūriki. Orochimaru reluctantly accepted Madara’s coercive offer of a White Zetsu clone in exchange for arranging a Five Kage Summit.

• The major ninja villages and daimyos reacted to Rasa’s seizure of the Land of Wind, while turmoil distracted them from the missing jinchūriki.
• Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto discussed how the Land of Wind had fallen under Orochimaru’s control, and Orochimaru sent Kabuto to prepare to train in Sage Mode at Ryūchi Cave.
• Uchiha Madara praised Orochimaru’s takeover and explained that it would divert attention from the Akatsuki’s capture of tailed beasts.
• Madara ordered Orochimaru to use the Land of Wind’s daimyo inauguration to convene a Five Kage Summit and gather intelligence on the jinchūriki.
• Orochimaru objected to Madara’s plan, but accepted after Madara offered him a White Zetsu clone as a gift.

Orochimaru accepted Uchiha Madara’s demand for intelligence in exchange for a White Zetsu vessel while secretly preparing ways to counter him. In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi faced the Fire Daimyo’s order to invade the Land of Wind and considered sending Root and Anbu to monitor the daimyo’s residence, with Itachi also proposed for the mission.

• Uchiha Madara gave Orochimaru a White Zetsu and demanded intelligence on the remaining tailed-beast jinchuriki, threatening to kill him if he failed.
• Orochimaru accepted the deal and secretly considered using a prepared plan to deal with Uchiha Madara if he was made bait.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed Konoha’s leaders the Fire Daimyo’s order to invade the Land of Wind and the invitation to the new daimyo’s succession ceremony.
• Tsunade and the others warned that invading the Land of Wind could break Konoha’s alliance with Sunagakure and worsen its conflict with the Fire Daimyo.
• Hiruzen decided to send Shimura Danzō’s Root to monitor the daimyo’s residence and proposed that Kakashi Hatake lead Anbu there to oversee Root.
• Tsunade suggested sending Itachi to handle the matter, noting that the daimyo’s residence’s security had previously been arranged by Fugaku.

Shimura Danzō proposed sending a Hokage candidate to the Daimyō as a hostage to stabilize the Land of Fire and give Konoha leverage. Hiruzen Sarutobi called a jōnin meeting to choose the Fifth Hokage, while Danzō realized he could nominate himself.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shimura Danzō to help defend the Daimyō's residence and monitor the Daimyō, prompting Danzō to complain about the dangerous assignment.
• Danzō proposed naming a Hokage candidate as a hostage, arguing that mistreatment of the candidate would give Konoha an excuse to confront the Daimyō.
• Hiruzen recognized the political advantages of the plan and ordered an Anbu operative to convene a jōnin meeting.
• Hiruzen suggested Jiraiya and Tsunade as possible Fifth Hokage candidates, while Danzō warned that Jiraiya might cause trouble at the Daimyō's residence.
• Danzō eventually realized he could nominate himself, but Hiruzen said their generation should give younger ninja a chance.

At the jōnin council meeting, Tsunade nominated Uchiha Itachi as Konoha’s Fifth Hokage candidate, prompting broad support and fierce objections from Shimura Danzō. Sarutobi Hiruzen struggled to contain the nomination, while Jiraiya was absent in the hospital after Tsunade beat him.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen convened the jōnin council to discuss choosing a Fifth Hokage candidate.
• Tsunade nominated Uchiha Itachi, and jōnin from the Uchiha, Hyuga, and other groups voted in support.
• Shimura Danzō objected that Itachi was too young, but Tsunade dismissed his authority to oppose the nomination.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked where Jiraiya was, and Tsunade said he was hospitalized after she beat him for not watching his mouth.

Uchiha Shisui appeared during Team Seven’s battle with Zabuza and Haku, defeated Kakashi, and revealed that he came from another ninja world. After questioning Kakashi about the Nine-Tails Rampage, Shisui hinted that Shimura Danzō was involved and pressed Kakashi about a past plot against the Third Hokage.

• Uchiha Shisui blocked Kakashi’s Lightning Blade and introduced himself, startling Kakashi and Naruto.
• Shisui explained that he wanted to see Sasuke, then swiftly defeated Kakashi and ordered Zabuza and Haku to deal with Gato and his men.
• Shisui examined Sasuke’s Sharingan and discussed the differences between their worlds, including the power of Itachi and Fugaku.
• Kakashi asked Shisui who caused the Nine-Tails Rampage, and Shisui warned him not to learn the truth without offering something in return.
• Shisui asked whether Kakashi had joined an attempt to assassinate the Third Hokage and identified Shimura Danzō as the person Kakashi was thinking of.

Uchiha Shisui convinced Kakashi that Danzō was responsible for the Nine-Tails incident, then continued Team Seven’s mission in the Land of Waves. As Sasuke recovered, he asked Shisui to teach him how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan so he could defeat Itachi.

• Shisui blamed Danzō for the Nine-Tails incident, and Kakashi accepted the explanation despite being unable to confront the powerful advisor.
• Zabuza and Haku killed Gato’s men, stole his ship and money, and escaped while Team Seven stayed to protect Tazuna and finish the bridge.
• Sasuke recognized Shisui and, after Shisui used his Sharingan to calm him, began recovering with Sakura’s help.
• Sasuke asked Shisui to teach him how to develop the Sharingan and awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan so he could kill Itachi.
• Shisui warned that Sasuke was not ready for the Mangekyō and that the power was not the ultimate strength Sasuke believed it to be.

Uchiha Shisui returned to Naka Shrine and encountered Shimura Danzō, who revealed that he had stolen Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan eye. Shisui prepared to fight Danzō and reclaim the eye.

• Uchiha Shisui encouraged Sasuke to pursue shurikenjutsu and told him to visit Naka Shrine for guidance.
• Sasuke thanked Shisui but insisted on following his own path, then watched him leave.
• Uchiha Shisui returned to Naka Shrine and swept the overgrown grounds, reflecting on the Uchiha clan’s destruction.
• Shimura Danzō arrived with Root ninja and attacked Shisui, revealing Shisui’s stolen Kotoamatsukami eye.
• Uchiha Shisui recognized the eye, recalled his past conflict with Danzō, and drew his blade to fight him.

At the Jōnin Council meeting, Tsunade’s nomination made twelve-year-old Uchiha Itachi the sole candidate for Fifth Hokage, while Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged to send him to the Fire Country daimyo’s residence. The dispute ended with Itachi assigned to the mission, Fugaku Uchiha and Shimura Danzō appointed Hokage advisors, and Mitokado Homura forced into retirement.

• Tsunade nominated Uchiha Itachi for Fifth Hokage, and the Jōnin Council raised no other candidates.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Konoha would send an important shinobi to protect the Fire Country daimyo and restore his trust in the village.
• Fugaku Uchiha proposed Mitokado Homura for the assignment, but Hiruzen rejected the idea and the council argued over sending Itachi instead.
• Hiruzen ordered Itachi to go to the daimyo’s residence, and Itachi accepted the assignment.
• Hiruzen appointed Fugaku Uchiha and Shimura Danzō as Hokage advisors and said Homura would retire, leaving Homura stunned.

Tsunade prepared Uchiha Itachi for his trip to the daimyo’s residence and told him Senju Tobirama would help with problems in Konoha. While Kitahara hibernated, attacks on Root escalated, and Senju Tobirama arrived to question Shimura Danzō about Zetsu.

• Tsunade told Uchiha Itachi to avoid leaving leverage at the daimyo’s residence and said Senju Tobirama would visit Konoha to help him.
• Tsunade warned Uchiha Itachi to keep Kitahara under control, and he said the crow probably would not go out during winter.
• Shimura Danzō’s Root base repelled repeated attacks by black-winged ninja and giant-crow riders, then came under another assault.
• Senju Tobirama appeared at the base, drove off the attackers, and rebuked Shimura Danzō for focusing on trivial matters.
• Senju Tobirama asked Shimura Danzō about Zetsu’s strength and loyalty, and Danzō silently realized Zetsu was not his subordinate.

Senju Tobirama confronted Shimura Danzō over his past schemes and learned that Akatsuki had captured Iwagakure’s jinchūriki. After hearing Danzō’s list of likely assassins, Tobirama ordered him to win Zetsu over rather than try to control it.

• Senju Tobirama questioned Shimura Danzō about Zetsu and challenged his claim that he had no way to track or influence the missing-nin.
• A Root shinobi reported that a survivor from the Land of Earth had returned, and Tobirama learned that Akatsuki had captured the Four-Tails and Five-Tails jinchūriki.
• Tobirama suspected that Orochimaru or Zetsu had given Konan the Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags technique.
• Danzō named Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Shisui as likely masterminds behind the attempt on his life.
• Tobirama promised to resolve the matter and instructed Danzō to win Zetsu over instead of trying to control it.

Tobirama Senju secretly observed an excited Uchiha clan meeting and discovered that Uchiha Itachi had become the sole candidate for Fifth Hokage. He then overheard Uchiha Shisui directing a secret campaign against Shimura Danzō, but Shisui sensed Tobirama nearby and confronted him.

• Tobirama Senju arrived at Naka Shrine to investigate who had attacked Shimura Danzō and overheard Uchiha clansmen celebrating Itachi's nomination as Fifth Hokage candidate.
• Tobirama Senju recognized Uchiha Shisui as the shrine's sweeper and watched him meet with masked ninja and giant crows.
• Shisui learned that his operatives had reached Shimura Danzō's location but were stopped by a powerful, apparently dead swordsman.
• Shisui insisted that Danzō had to be killed before he could obstruct Itachi, warning his followers that Kitahara could not guarantee Itachi's safety and that time was running out.
• Tobirama Senju prepared to leave with the Flying Thunder God Technique, but Shisui sensed his chakra, moved to the railing, and demanded to know who was hiding there.

Senju Tobirama, disguised as Zetsu, fought Uchiha Shisui and the Naka Shrine ninjas, but Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan and their crow-assisted Sage Mode made them difficult to defeat. Tobirama abandoned his attempt to eliminate them and paused the battle to talk, while considering how to keep the Uchiha under control.

• Senju Tobirama attacked Uchiha Shisui with Flying Thunder God, and Shisui recognized him as the rogue ninja Zetsu.
• Shisui and Tobirama exchanged powerful Fire Release and Water Release techniques, with Tobirama countering Shisui’s senjutsu-enhanced fire dragon.
• Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and ordered his subordinates to enter Sage Mode using summoned crows.
• Tobirama decided he could not eliminate the Uchiha and asked Shisui to talk as the Sage Mode ninjas closed in around him.

Senju Tobirama confronted Uchiha Shisui at Naka Shrine and asserted the organization's authority over him and the Uchiha clansmen. Shisui accepted that Naka Shrine would await the organization's orders, but said he would not take part in operations.

• Senju Tobirama revealed himself to Uchiha Shisui and accused the Uchiha clansmen of rebelling by surrounding him.
• Tobirama condemned Shisui's attempts to assassinate Danzo and warned him not to interfere in Konoha's affairs or hinder Uchiha Itachi's Hokage candidacy.
• Tobirama declared Naka Shrine an outer branch of the organization and threatened to cut its budget or take its members' lives if it acted without orders.
• Shisui asked whether Naka Shrine should follow Kitahara's or Itachi's orders, and Tobirama told them to wait for the organization's instructions.
• Shisui said he would not participate in operations and would keep his promise to remain confined to Naka Shrine.

Senju Tobirama left Naka Shrine under his control through orders from the Land of Waves, while Uchiha Shisui and Genji prepared to carry out a mission. In Konoha, Uchiha Itachi noticed that Naruto was upset about learning his father was the Fourth Hokage and planned to visit him with Sasuke.

• Senju Tobirama left Konoha, leaving two pawns behind and sending Naka Shrine regular mission orders from the Land of Waves.
• Uchiha Shisui told Genji to treat their assignment as training, while suggesting they could target Root ninja and wound Danzo without disobeying Tobirama's orders.
• Uchiha Itachi celebrated Sasuke's first-place Ninja Academy grades, but Sasuke dismissed the honor and complained that Naruto had been acting strangely since learning his father was the Fourth Hokage.
• Sarutobi Asuma criticized Sasuke for arguing about the Hokage's son, and Yuhi Kurenai pulled Asuma away.
• Uchiha Itachi reminded Sasuke that Naruto had supported him when he was lonely, then insisted they visit Naruto together the next day and suggested they also see Kitahara.