Chapter Summaries

Shisui comforted Longjian Senju in Black Zetsu’s captivity and secretly learned that Longjian was still planning, though Black Zetsu continued to monitor and condition them. Black Zetsu cared for the exhausted Yin, then reviewed his schemes as the first, fleeting snow fell.

• Shisui Uchiha found Longjian Senju awake and held him as Longjian clung to him in distress.
• Longjian secretly traced a reassurance and confirmed through their covert exchange that he had a plan.
• Shisui tucked Longjian into bed and recounted what he had learned in the Jashin Cult before falling asleep beside him.
• Black Zetsu recorded that Longjian and Shisui’s bond had strengthened, while his conditioning of Longjian showed no results and Shisui remained compliant with low loyalty.
• Black Zetsu carried the sleeping Yin to bed, cleaned his ink-stained face, and returned to plan at his desk as the first snow fell.

Shisui Uchiha continued gathering information while trying to support Longjian, whose isolation was wearing down his mental state. He unexpectedly reunited with Dan Katō at the Jashin Cult, while Black Zetsu monitored their conversation as the Chunin Ninja Exams and Xihuo’s visit to Konoha drew near.

• Shisui Uchiha realized Black Zetsu’s visits seemed timed around when Longjian might reach his limits, and he chose to keep trusting his friend.
• Shisui Uchiha encountered Dan Katō in the Jashin Cult’s kitchen and cautiously met Leaf Dragon, who stood behind him.
• Shisui Uchiha told Dan Katō that Longjian had recovered physically but was struggling with the silence in his room.
• Dan Katō advised Shisui Uchiha on handling Longjian and suspected Black Zetsu was deliberately fostering Longjian’s dependence on him.
• Black Zetsu watched and recorded their conversation, while the Chunin Ninja Exams and Xihuo’s private visit to Konoha approached.

Xihuo offered to merge the Shadow Organization into Konoha in exchange for Tsunade declaring that Konoha submitted to its rule, a private pledge he wanted to honor the deceased Uchiha Kagami. After Tsunade agreed, Absolute Command brought Konoha under its management, allowing Xihuo’s plans to proceed.

• Xihuo told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Shadow Organization wanted to ally with Konoha and would hand over most key posts and responsibilities.
• Xihuo asked Tsunade to declare that Konoha submitted to the Shadow Organization, explaining that he sought the words for the sake of someone who had died.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi persuaded Tsunade during Konoha High Command’s deliberations, and she agreed after reviewing the Shadow Organization’s valuable gifts.
• Absolute Command notified Xihuo that Konohagakure had requested to join the Shadow Organization, and he accepted.
• Xihuo prepared to speed up the merger and send Kakuzu to Konoha to work on infrastructure.

The Shadow Organization and Konoha secretly integrated their resources over six months while the other nations remained unaware. The first Joint Chunin Ninja Exams began under the Shadow Organization’s lavish hosting, and visiting ninja from the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water turned their resentment toward Xihuo.

• The Shadow Organization secretly delivered supplies and intelligence to Konoha, while Kakuzu took charge of construction and Orochimaru welcomed its well-funded research team.
• Over the next half year, the Shadow Organization and Konoha merged their resources as the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water prepared their forces along the borders.
• Yin continued studying sealing jutsu, Shisui Uchiha trained while worrying about Longjian Senju, Dan Katō befriended Jashin Cult followers, and Leaf Dragon’s body continued to weaken.
• The Shadow Organization hosted the first Joint Chunin Ninja Exams with a lavish opening ceremony and extravagant accommodations.
• Ninja from the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water grew jealous of the Shadow Organization’s wealth and directed their hostility toward Xihuo.

The Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and Mizukage attacked Xihuo at the Chunin Ninja Exams’ closing ceremony, while the Shadow Organization quietly seized the Lands of Water, Wind, and Earth. The allied army sent to attack the Shadow Organization was exposed as thoroughly infiltrated and fell under its control.

• The Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and Mizukage attacked Xihuo, who shielded himself with Susanoo and countered with a giant armored form wielding a golden sword.
• Orochimaru poured a multicolored solution into the Land of Water’s seawater, and he, Shimura Danzō, Kabuto, and the Shadow Organization’s biological Research Group seized the land using the resulting drug operation.
• Konoha and Shadow Organization teams used advanced weapons and technology to stir up trouble in the Lands of Wind and Earth.
• The allied army of the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water reached the Shadow Organization’s city, where undercover agents turned on their comrades.
• The Shadow Organization’s guards and infiltrators took control of the allied army with little resistance.

Black Zetsu sent Leaf Dragon to capture the Two-Tails, but Jiraiya intercepted them and recognized the person he had searched for over the past decade. The reunion left Jiraiya smiling with emotion while Leaf Dragon remained expressionless.

• Black Zetsu watched Uchiha Kagami battle and decided his death would remove a threat before leading Leaf Dragon toward the Two-Tails.
• Jiraiya attacked Leaf Dragon with Sage Art: Hair Needle Senbon, and Black Zetsu ordered Leaf Dragon to seize the Two-Tails and kill anyone who interfered.
• Leaf Dragon clashed with Jiraiya, who recognized him beneath his hood and removed his mask.
• Jiraiya revealed that he had searched for Leaf Dragon for nearly ten years after returning to the Land of Fire and infiltrating the Shadow Organization.
• Leaf Dragon's spirit spoke from the crystal on Jiraiya's chest, confirming Jiraiya had found the person he sought, while Leaf Dragon showed no response.

Leaf Dragon charged at the Two-Tails despite Jiraiya’s plea, while Jiraiya hoped he might be spared. In a side story, Leaf Dragon recalled choosing to attack Hatake Sakumo with White Fang, and Sakumo suspected he had deliberately spared him.

• Leaf Dragon ignored Jiraiya and charged the Two-Tails as Black Zetsu prioritized sealing the beast.
• Feverish in the Cave, Leaf Dragon wondered why he had used White Fang against Sakumo instead of killing him with a poisoned kunai.
• Leaf Dragon recalled testing White Fang’s supposed loyalty by trying to use it against Sakumo, then stopping before he seriously hurt him.
• Black Zetsu ordered Leaf Dragon to eat and rest, and Leaf Dragon accepted the order without pursuing his doubts.
• Sakumo examined the broken White Fang fragments and suspected Leaf Dragon had attacked him that way to protect him from Black Zetsu.

Leaf Dragon captured Matatabi and tried to keep Jiraiya from taking him alive by threatening his own life. Jiraiya hesitated despite his Spirit Body urging him to kill Leaf Dragon, and Leaf Dragon cut deeply into his throat.

• Leaf Dragon dodged Matatabi's fireballs, sealed her with a Tadpole-Shaped Black Seal, and pretended to be gravely injured after taking her blow.
• Jiraiya defeated Leaf Dragon's Shadow Clone while Leaf Dragon retrieved Matatabi sealed inside a Small Blue Box.
• Jiraiya bound Leaf Dragon's legs with Senjutsu, and Leaf Dragon put a blade to his neck.
• Leaf Dragon's Spirit Body told Jiraiya that Leaf Dragon was using the threat of suicide as leverage and urged him to kill him to prevent Black Zetsu from gathering the Tailed Beasts.
• Jiraiya questioned why Leaf Dragon valued his life so little, and Leaf Dragon cut a deep wound into his own throat.

Jiraiya let Leaf Dragon leave, while Xihuo fought the three Kage and was caught in a trap set by Black Zetsu’s plan. After surviving Susanoo’s destruction, Xihuo was attacked by wooden thorns as Lurenjia tried to save him.

• Jiraiya released Leaf Dragon from his restraints, and Leaf Dragon treated his neck wound before leaving with the Two-Tails.
• Leaf Dragon’s spirit body criticized Jiraiya for letting him go, but Jiraiya could not accept killing or abandoning him.
• Tsunade left Xihuo to treat the gravely wounded Genin, and the three Kage used Black Zetsu’s attrition plan to wear Xihuo down.
• Xihuo trapped the three Kage inside Susanoo, but their combined attacks shattered the orange-red giant.
• Lurenjia found the battered Xihuo in the dust and tried to help him, but Xihuo shoved him away from the rising Wooden Thorns.
• The Wooden Thorns struck Lurenjia, leaving him bloodied as he silently begged someone to save Xihuo.

Gyuki, Tsunade, and Minato’s allies intervened after Black Zetsu struck down Xihuo. Gyuki tried to save Xihuo by making him a Jinchūriki, while Kushina’s sealing attack forced Black Zetsu to split himself and flee.

• Gyuki realized Xihuo’s Wood Release body was falling apart and rushed toward the battlefield.
• Black Zetsu trapped Gyuki in wooden vines, but Gyuki sent a small octopus form through a gap to reach Xihuo.
• Gyuki poured his chakra into the unconscious Xihuo to make him a Jinchūriki, while Tsunade freed Xihuo from the Wooden Thorns and carried him away with Lurenjia.
• Minato attacked Black Zetsu with a Rasengan, but Black Zetsu reshaped his body, caught Minato’s wrist, and grabbed his neck.
• Minato revealed a hidden kunai that transformed into Kushina, who struck Black Zetsu with a sealing formula and golden chains.
• Black Zetsu split his body to escape, but Kushina’s chains pursued him and reduced his size.

Black Zetsu escaped with the Two-Tails and most of the Eight-Tails chakra, while the badly injured Xihuo survived and ordered the Shadow Organization to conceal his recovery. The chapter left Xihuo publicly mourned as the news reported his death in battle.

• Black Zetsu took the sealed Eight-Tails chakra, collected the Two-Tails from Leaf Dragon, and fled with the tiny, injured Right Zetsu.
• Tsunade treated Xihuo while the Shadow Organization members revealed that he had planned to die in battle and had kept his plans from Lurenjia.
• Xihuo regained consciousness, told Lurenjia to hide that he was alive, and then closed his eyes to rest.
• The Shadow Organization members pretended to mourn Xihuo, while Tsunade covered him with a white cloth.
• White Cover's Shinobi World Daily published the headline that Shadow Organization Leader Xihuo had been killed in battle.

Shisui Uchiha encountered Yin at the Jashin Cult's training grounds and stayed after Yin fell asleep, hoping to learn more about him. When Yin revealed that he expected to obtain the Rinnegan and asked about Longjian Senju, Shisui grew suspicious and hostile.

• Shisui Uchiha spotted Yin at the training grounds and challenged his claim that the place belonged to him.
• Yin lunged at Shisui but collapsed and fell asleep, so Shisui laid him on a mat and prepared to leave.
• Yin pleaded with Shisui not to go while asleep, and Shisui stayed nearby until Yin woke up.
• Yin asked Shisui's name, requested to see his eyes, and asked where Longjian Senju was so he could see the Rinnegan.
• Yin said he would have the Rinnegan eventually, and Shisui activated his Sharingan as his suspicion and killing intent rose.

Shisui Uchiha questioned Yin to learn about Black Zetsu’s plans, but their confrontation was interrupted when Black Zetsu returned. Yin claimed Shisui owed him a favor and said Black Zetsu was no longer watching the area.

• Shisui Uchiha questioned Yin about Longjian and learned that Yin believed he alone could obtain the Rinnegan.
• Shisui Uchiha refused to take Yin to see the Rinnegan and noticed a cursed seal on Yin’s tongue.
• Yin hinted that Black Zetsu planned to have Shisui kill someone, and Shisui pinned him down to demand an explanation.
• Black Zetsu returned and inflicted pain on Shisui before Yin could reveal the plan.
• Yin complained to Black Zetsu that Shisui had taken over his Training Room, then told Shisui that Black Zetsu was no longer watching the area and that Shisui owed him a favor.

Shisui Uchiha weighed what Yin had told him while worrying about Longjian Senju’s worsening condition and Black Zetsu’s plans. Black Zetsu delayed his larger schemes, treated Yin’s injured wrist, and decided to spend time with him normally while improving his strength.

• Shisui Uchiha returned to Longjian Senju and shared a cautious account of his encounter with Yin, while Longjian asked whether Shisui had been hurt.
• Shisui Uchiha worried that Black Zetsu had made Longjian Senju emotionally dependent on him and wondered what Black Zetsu intended.
• Black Zetsu assessed his forces and postponed plans to capture the Nine-Tails while Longjian Senju, Yin, and Shisui Uchiha were not ready.
• Black Zetsu invited Yin inside and examined his swollen wrist, then healed it while Yin explained his recent training and loss to Shisui Uchiha.
• Black Zetsu decided to stop keeping Yin at a distance, give him a proper break, and work on improving his fighting strength.

Black Zetsu reflected on Yin growing independent and on his own loneliness, while resisting the urge to tell Yin about his past and predetermined mission. When Yin asked to help, Black Zetsu stayed silent, and the chapter ended with Yin asking to learn Taijutsu so he could defeat Shisui.

• Black Zetsu braided Yin's hair and suggested pausing his Sealing Jutsu studies, but Yin asked to keep practicing, and Black Zetsu agreed.
• Black Zetsu thought about Yin growing up and having a life of his own, then recalled that [Command] was influencing his thoughts and that his mission was to make a wish to the Evil God.
• Yin noticed Black Zetsu seemed unhappy and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
• Black Zetsu considered telling Yin about his origins, loneliness, and plans to rescue Mother through Longjian without using Yin, but remained silent.
• Yin lowered his gaze, then asked Black Zetsu to teach him Taijutsu so he could beat Shisui, and Black Zetsu agreed.

Shisui Uchiha brought Longjian Senju to reunite with Dan Katō, who was caring for the injured Leaf Dragon. The meeting lifted their spirits, and Longjian and Leaf Dragon began recovering, though Shisui kept Black Zetsu’s threat to himself.

• Shisui Uchiha noticed Longjian Senju’s confusion worsening as Black Zetsu’s Barrier distorted his memories and perceptions.
• Dan Katō worried that the badly wounded Leaf Dragon’s body might not survive much longer and that he still had no way to escape the Jashin Cult.
• Shisui Uchiha and Longjian Senju visited Dan Katō, who welcomed Longjian with an embrace and saw how much he had changed.
• Shisui Uchiha told Dan Katō about Longjian’s declining language skills, dependence, and confused memories, but concealed Black Zetsu’s demand that he kill someone.
• During the following period of relative calm, Longjian Senju and Leaf Dragon’s conditions improved, while Yin became a stronger opponent for Shisui Uchiha.

After faking his death, Xihuo retired to travel the shinobi world while Konoha and the Shadow Organization completed the unification of the nations. Black Zetsu learned of Konoha’s victory too late to change the outcome.

• Xihuo attended his own funeral in disguise, then said goodbye to those who knew the truth and left to travel with the Eight-Tails.
• Tsunade enlisted Konoha’s leaders and talented allies to manage the surrender of the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Water and implement the unification plan.
• Konoha and the Shadow Organization established the Shinobi World People's Republic, protecting civilians and placing former members of the great nations under a unified system.
• Black Zetsu waited in the Jashin Cult, unaware that his spies had been defeated, captured, or lost and that the shinobi world had been unified.
• Black Zetsu received a report announcing Konoha’s unification and discovered that the opportunity to stop it had already passed.

After learning that Konoha had unified the Shinobi World, Black Zetsu panicked over how this threatened his plan to obtain the Nine-Tails and rescue Kaguya. He pressured Yin to grant him Nine-Tails Chakra, then revised his plans and vowed to succeed regardless of the sacrifices required.

• Black Zetsu learned that Konoha had unified the Shinobi World and feared he would no longer be able to obtain the Nine-Tails.
• Black Zetsu asked Yin to wish Nine-Tails Chakra for him, but Yin hesitated and suggested exploiting Konoha's efforts to restore order.
• Black Zetsu accused Yin of defying him, and Yin agreed to make the exchange while expressing concern about Black Zetsu's condition.
• Black Zetsu ordered Yin to call him Lord Black Zetsu, and Yin complied while struggling with painful, confused emotions.
• Black Zetsu revised his plans through the night, then vowed to rescue Kaguya by any means and at any cost.

Black Zetsu completed preparations for a plan to capture the Nine-Tails and ordered Dan Katō to infiltrate Konoha. Dan accepted the mission to find a chance to resist Black Zetsu and rescue his companions, while Yin silently watched.

• In Watanabe Ichiro's mental space, Yin lamented that Black Zetsu had succumbed to [Command], and the others discussed adjusting their plans.
• Black Zetsu worked on his plan with Yin acting as a loyal subordinate, and he used a crystal ball to spy on Dan Katō, Shisui, Longjian, and Leaf Dragon.
• Black Zetsu ordered Dan Katō to infiltrate Konoha and report the Nine-Tails' location.
• Dan Katō accepted, intending to use the mission as a chance to maneuver and refusing to hand the Nine-Tails over.
• Black Zetsu told Dan to stage an escape to earn Konoha's trust and threatened Longjian and Shisui if Dan failed.

Dan Katō escaped the Jashin Cult and fled toward Konoha while Shisui Uchiha and Longjian Senju were caught in Black Zetsu’s scheme. Black Zetsu began pushing Longjian toward the Infinite Tsukuyomi and prepared to make him witness Dan’s death.

• Shisui Uchiha and Longjian Senju overheard Black Zetsu order Leaf Dragon to kill the escaped Dan Katō, so Longjian attacked Leaf Dragon and Shisui supported him.
• Black Zetsu revealed that Shisui was his hidden spy, then took control of Shisui and made him knock Longjian unconscious.
• Dan Katō followed a trail of blood while fleeing his pursuers, guessed that Leaf Dragon was hunting him, and prepared to risk a fight as he neared Konoha.
• Black Zetsu used a blood-drawn Brainwashing Technique Formula to make Longjian repeat that the Infinite Tsukuyomi was the only way to save Dan, but Longjian resisted fully accepting it.
• Black Zetsu decided Longjian needed a stronger shock and ordered him to go witness Dan’s death.