Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya and Orochimaru failed to find a way to preserve Leaf Dragon’s fading spirit, but an unknown spirit entered Orochimaru and revealed that Dan Katō was in danger. As Jiraiya and Orochimaru rushed to rescue him, Dan struggled to his feet after losing a deadly fight with Leaf Dragon, still determined to bring him back.

• Orochimaru’s treatment did not stop Leaf Dragon’s spirit from fading, and Jiraiya learned that the sages and Konoha’s researchers had no solution.
• An unfamiliar spirit bypassed Jiraiya’s mental barrier and entered Orochimaru, who identified it as Dan Katō’s plea for help.
• Orochimaru told Jiraiya that Dan had been intercepted while trying to infiltrate Konoha, and they set off to rescue him while sending a Shadow Clone to find Tsunade.
• Dan Katō, badly wounded after Leaf Dragon defeated him, wondered about Black Zetsu’s motives and feared the Cursed Seal controlling him and others.
• Dan Katō struggled to his feet and murmured a plea for Yilong-sensei to watch over him, while Leaf Dragon’s hood shifted slightly.

Black Zetsu controlled Shisui Uchiha into fatally stabbing Dan Katō, driving Longjian Senju into shock and awakening Shisui’s Mangekyo Sharingan. Dan revealed he had survived and sealed more than half of Black Zetsu, but Black Zetsu knocked Shisui unconscious and prepared to kill the exhausted Dan.

• Black Zetsu possessed Shisui Uchiha and made him claim he was an undercover agent before stabbing Dan Katō in front of Longjian Senju.
• Longjian Senju struggled to accept Dan’s apparent death, while Shisui fought Black Zetsu’s control and awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Black Zetsu restrained Shisui and believed he had broken Longjian and secured control of both young men.
• Dan Katō opened his eyes and activated a sealing jutsu that sealed more than half of Black Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu detached from Shisui, knocked him unconscious, and turned to kill the exhausted Dan Katō.

Black Zetsu’s attempt to escape another sealing jutsu unraveled as Leaf Dragon turned against him and Jiraiya and Orochimaru appeared alive. After Longjian dismissed the scene as genjutsu and bluffed with Planetary Devastation, Black Zetsu fled and chose to leave Longjian and Shisui alive for his future plans.

• Leaf Dragon applied a new sealing formula to Black Zetsu, forcing him to abandon much of his body to escape.
• Black Zetsu saw Jiraiya and Orochimaru approach despite having killed them, then used the Mayfly Technique to hide underground and detonate the cursed seals in Leaf Dragon and Dan Katō.
• Black Zetsu tried to possess Longjian, but Longjian mistook the scene for genjutsu and refused to believe Black Zetsu’s warning.
• Longjian threatened Planetary Devastation, so Black Zetsu fled before realizing Longjian lacked the strength to perform it and had only been bluffing.
• Black Zetsu decided not to use the cursed seals to kill Longjian and Shisui, since he still needed them for his plans involving the Rinnegan.

Black Zetsu discovered that the command controlling him had weakened, while Jiraiya arrived too late to save Dan Katō and believed Leaf Dragon was dead. Leaf Dragon revealed himself and explained that he had chosen to end his journey to protect Konoha, leaving Jiraiya to say goodbye as the snow fell.

• Black Zetsu realized he could think against the command controlling him, but found that he still could not challenge the order to rescue Kaguya Otsutsuki.
• A disguised figure watched Black Zetsu leave, sensed his emotions, and departed with a lock of red hair showing beneath the hood.
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru reached the battlefield, where Jiraiya found Shisui Uchiha alive but Dan Katō and Leaf Dragon apparently dead.
• Leaf Dragon revealed that he had survived by playing dead and told Jiraiya that his journey had reached its end.
• Leaf Dragon said he had chosen to stop rather than risk attacking Konoha, and Jiraiya quietly accepted their farewell as snow fell.

Orochimaru questioned Longjian Senju after rescuing him and realized that repeated brainwashing had left him unable to distinguish reality from illusion. As Tsunade arrived to mourn Dan Katō and Leaf Dragon, Orochimaru took Longjian to guard the perimeter and reflected on death and his failed attempts to reproduce his immortality.

• Orochimaru checked Longjian Senju’s memory and learned that the Jashin Cult had kept him between the Silent Prison and a brainwashing site, with Shisui Uchiha helping stabilize him.
• Orochimaru noticed Longjian’s detached reaction to Dan Katō’s death and learned that Longjian believed it was another illusion.
• Orochimaru concluded that Longjian was mistaking reality for illusion and decided to keep him calm and under control before trying to make him accept the truth.
• Tsunade arrived after Dan Katō and Leaf Dragon had died, and Orochimaru left the mourners to take Longjian to the perimeter.
• Orochimaru reflected on how everyone would eventually die and wondered why his successful immortality experiment could not be replicated.

Orochimaru led Longjian away from Konoha’s approaching people, while Black Zetsu returned to the Jashin Cult hideout and reunited with Yin. Yin marked Black Zetsu with a Sealing Jutsu meant to make him remember Yin after his death, and Black Zetsu ended the chapter comforting him despite his anger and fear.

• Orochimaru took Longjian to a backup laboratory, keeping him from encountering people from Konoha while he struggled to distinguish reality from illusion.
• Black Zetsu returned to the Jashin Cult hideout and found Yin studying a Sealing Jutsu scroll in his room.
• Black Zetsu called Yin over to fix his hair, and Yin knelt and bit his palm to confirm he was really his father.
• Yin imprinted a Silver Technique Formula on Black Zetsu’s palm, explaining that it would let him remember Yin forever after Yin died.
• Right Zetsu admitted he had told Yin that Black Zetsu would cherish his memory, and Yin confronted Black Zetsu about what he had said.
• Yin pressed his forehead against Black Zetsu’s chest, and Black Zetsu let him stay close while gently stroking his hair.

Black Zetsu prepared to attack Konoha by recreating Impure World Reincarnation, while struggling to find a way to obtain the Nine-Tails. Meanwhile, Obito, Rin, and Kakashi found Longjian Senju in Orochimaru’s laboratory, where their reunion ended in familiar bickering.

• Yin strengthened the Jashin Cult’s barrier and successfully performed Impure World Reincarnation using modified cult underlings as sacrifices.
• Black Zetsu assembled reincarnated fighters as a force against Konoha and considered using a contingency hidden in Longjian Senju to pursue the Nine-Tails.
• Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi Hatake found Longjian Senju in the laboratory and reunited with him.
• Longjian said he felt anxious and suspected Black Zetsu could influence his mind remotely.
• Obito and Kakashi teased each other about their ranks and how they found Longjian, while Rin and Longjian watched their bickering.

Longjian Senju escaped confinement with Obito Uchiha, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara, then used his Rinnegan to put them to sleep and abandoned his original plan to slaughter Konoha. After seeing Shisui Uchiha grieving at Duan’s grave, Longjian visited Senju Toka and took most of the Nine-Tails’ power, leaving the beast with only one tail.

• Obito Uchiha and Kakashi opened the barrier with a device from Orochimaru’s laboratory, and Longjian Senju escaped and reclaimed the cloth that suppressed his Rinnegan.
• Obito invited Longjian to tour Konoha, while Kakashi questioned whether Longjian had escaped Black Zetsu’s control.
• Obito, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi disguised themselves and brought Longjian to Konoha, where he saw the village’s modern development and learned that Shisui Uchiha was grieving over Duan.
• Longjian used his Rinnegan to put Obito, Rin, and Kakashi to sleep, then left and abandoned his plan to massacre Konoha because he no longer needed the points.
• Longjian watched Shisui at Duan’s grave, then visited Senju Toka and took most of the Nine-Tails’ power, leaving the beast with one tail.

Longjian was manipulated into joining Black Zetsu’s plan to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, while Konoha raced to find and seal Black Zetsu. Yin infiltrated Konoha and subdued Shisui, completing a task that left the village unaware of his true intentions.

• Black Zetsu welcomed Longjian to the Jashin Cult and explained that he needed to absorb the tailed beasts, become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, and cast Infinite Tsukuyomi to bring Dan back.
• Longjian’s defection and theft of most of the Nine-Tails’ chakra gave Black Zetsu what he needed, while Obito and his companions were imprisoned for their role in the escape.
• Black Zetsu used White Zetsu and reanimated bodies to delay Konoha as Longjian absorbed chakra, but worried that the Ten-Tails was recovering too slowly.
• Yin disguised himself and entered Konoha, intending to plant traces of grave robbing and steal Hashirama Senju’s body.
• Shisui caught Yin near the Memorial Stone and used his Mangekyo to question him, but Yin sealed Shisui’s arm and knocked him unconscious.

Yin helped Black Zetsu defeat Kaguya and then died, leaving Black Zetsu devastated and asking Watanabe Ichiro to kill him. Black Zetsu instead woke in a snowy scene with Yin, apparently given another chance to live with him.

• Yin supplied Black Zetsu with materials and Reanimated Bodies stolen from Konoha, including Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha.
• Longjian Senju became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, used Rinne Rebirth to revive the dead, and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi under Yin's plan.
• Black Zetsu's chakra transformed Yin into Kaguya Otsutsuki, but a Cursed Seal Yin had placed on Black Zetsu let him seal Kaguya.
• Right Zetsu revealed himself as Watanabe Ichiro from another world, and Yin died after Kaguya took over his body.
• Black Zetsu rejected an offer to find another Yin and asked Watanabe Ichiro to kill him, so Watanabe sent him to a snowy scene with Yin instead.
• Black Zetsu reunited with Yin, scolded him for deciding everything alone, and playfully stuffed snow down his collar.

After Kaguya Otsutsuki was sealed and the dead were resurrected, Madara Uchiha confronted Uchiha Ichiro over his betrayal. The fighting stopped when Watanabe Ichiro and his younger brother appeared, forcing Madara and Hashirama Senju to explain the past.

• The united ninja sealed Kaguya Otsutsuki, and the people who had died returned to life.
• Madara Uchiha woke on the battlefield, recognized Uchiha Ichiro, and accused him of stabbing him in the back.
• Hashirama Senju interrupted, and Madara attacked him and Uchiha Ichiro before Hashirama fought back.
• Watanabe Ichiro recognized Madara and Hashirama, while his younger brother tried to silence him and accused them of killing him.
• Watanabe Ichiro apologized for his younger brother's suffering, and Madara and Hashirama stopped fighting to insist it had been a misunderstanding.

Uchiha Kagami reunited with his wife, learned that Black Zetsu had controlled her, and discovered their child had survived. Dan Katō revived without his injuries and, reassured that everyone was safe, went to greet Uchiha Ichiro.

• Uchiha Kagami woke among a crowd and searched for his wife, believing he had died.
• Uchiha Kagami's wife explained that Black Zetsu had controlled her, clearing up their old misunderstanding.
• Uchiha Kagami felt their unborn child move and realized their family still had a future.
• Dan Katō woke with his injuries healed and tried to dispel what he suspected was Genjutsu.
• Orochimaru reassured Dan Katō that everyone was safe and pointed out Uchiha Ichiro.
• Dan Katō waved to Uchiha Ichiro and called him Master Yilong.

Uchiha Ichiro watched Madara and Hashirama struggle to explain themselves to Watanabe Ichiro, then reunited with Tobirama, Dan, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. Jiraiya searched the revived crowd for Leaf Dragon and feared that his companion’s soul had vanished, leaving him overwhelmed by guilt.

• Madara and Hashirama tried to explain what had happened to Watanabe Ichiro, then Hashirama made him a wheelchair and helped him sit.
• Tobirama caught Uchiha Ichiro watching the scene, flicked his forehead, and let him avoid explaining himself.
• Uchiha Ichiro greeted Dan Katō and Orochimaru, while Tsunade smiled at him from nearby.
• Jiraiya searched the revived crowd for Leaf Dragon and realized Leaf Dragon’s weakened soul might have vanished.
• Jiraiya remembered how Leaf Dragon had sacrificed himself for him and collapsed to his knees in grief.

Jiraiya reunited with Leaf Dragon, who had awakened in a child’s body, and the others welcomed him back. Tobirama Senju then went to the Konoha Rock Faces, where he confronted a hidden figure who asked how he could see them.

• Jiraiya found Leaf Dragon awake in the form of a young child, and Leaf Dragon explained that his lingering injuries had healed.
• Jiraiya hugged Leaf Dragon and brought him to meet Uchiha Ichiro, Dan Katō, Orochimaru, and Tobirama Senju.
• Uchiha Ichiro praised Leaf Dragon for fulfilling his role as their last resort, and the others shared in the relief of his return.
• Tobirama Senju left the reunion and walked alone across the snowy Konoha Rock Faces.
• Tobirama Senju addressed a hidden figure, who appeared in the snow and asked how Tobirama could see them.

Watanabe Ichiro met Tobirama Senju on Hokage Rock, where they discussed Ichiro’s plans and his choice to keep his identity secret. Tobirama recognized Ichiro was avoiding the truth but accepted his decision, and they watched the celebrations together.

• Watanabe Ichiro revealed himself to Tobirama Senju on Hokage Rock after Tobirama tracked him down.
• Tobirama Senju offered Ichiro a drink and teased him by giving him fiery liquor instead of mild plum wine.
• Tobirama Senju asked whether Ichiro would stay or leave and whether he would reveal the truth before going; Ichiro said he planned to leave and keep his secret.
• Tobirama Senju used his Rinnegan to see through Ichiro’s claim that he had made up his mind, and Ichiro admitted he wanted to avoid explaining.
• Tobirama Senju told Ichiro he would not press him and trusted his judgment, and Ichiro accepted a refill as fireworks lit the sky.

Yin and Black Zetsu settled into a peaceful life in a nameless world, while Leaf Dragon returned to Konoha and reunited with Hatake Sakumo. The chapter ended with Longjian restored and Konoha’s people living in peace, as the story left their lives continuing in another world.

• Yin and Black Zetsu explored their new world, enjoyed roasted sweet potatoes, and began building a home and clearing land.
• Minato Namikaze told Hatake Sakumo that his attempts to court Kushina had not gone as expected, before Leaf Dragon entered the hospital room.
• Hatake Sakumo mistook Leaf Dragon for Leaf Dragon’s son and then his younger brother, until Leaf Dragon identified himself as returned from the dead.
• Orochimaru explained to Dan Katō and Shisui Uchiha how to restore Longjian, then showed them a familiar human form in the Culture Dish.
• Tobirama Senju said goodbye to Watanabe Ichiro, while Xihuo visited Konoha and shared a cover story with the people who knew the truth.
• Konoha’s people settled into peaceful daily life, with Minato Namikaze and Kushina growing closer and a new generation on its way.

Yilong returned to Konoha on New Year’s Eve, reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and reunited with Tobirama Senju over snacks. He invited Tobirama and others to dinner, while secretly arranging a surprise for the Uchiha elders.

• Uchiha Ichiro rushed back to Konoha for New Year’s Eve and told the gate guards to keep his return secret from the elders at home.
• Yilong teleported to the Hokage Building, stopped Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō from bickering, and delivered his report.
• Yilong dragged Tobirama Senju to the snack street, where they ate together and Tobirama welcomed him back.
• Yilong spoke privately with the Watanabe brothers about food and a surprise for the two Uchiha elders.
• Yilong invited Tobirama and others to New Year’s Eve dinner, and Tobirama agreed despite suspecting the Uchiha would be in for trouble.

Yilong invited friends and family to a New Year’s gala after Madara, Izuna, and Hashirama accidentally destroyed his house. The celebration ended with fireworks, a new year’s greeting, and Yin embracing Black Zetsu as his father.

• Yilong confronted Madara, Izuna, and Hashirama about destroying his house, then invited Shisui and Longjian to dinner.
• Yilong recruited Leaf Dragon to help invite guests to the gala, and everyone gathered at his rebuilt house for dinner.
• Yilong served Madara and Izuna sour dumplings filled with wasabi herring and pickled cabbage, and Hashirama tried one too.
• The guests ate, argued, and celebrated together before Yilong led them outside to watch his shape-changing fireworks.
• Yin hugged Black Zetsu at midnight and called him Father, while Yilong wished everyone peace and happiness in the new year.