Chapter Summaries

After helping save Senju Toka, Kurama reluctantly accepted his bond with her and let her cuddle him. Toka looked forward to getting along with him, while Kurama resigned himself to the arrangement and felt his mood improve.

• The Nine-Tails and the Eight-Tails arrived as Senju Toka recovered from the battle, and Xihuo waited to see how the Nine-Tails would respond.
• Xihuo reported the situation to his original body, while Black Zetsu left for the Uzumaki compound and the Eight-Tails went out to play in the rain.
• Inside the mental space, Kurama shielded Toka from the Eight-Tails and drove him away after he teased Kurama.
• Toka asked whether Kurama had saved her, and Kurama admitted it while insisting that Nine-Tails was not his name.
• Toka stroked Kurama's fur, and Kurama let her cuddle him as she said she looked forward to getting along with him.

Black Zetsu stole a red-haired Uzumaki infant during the Jashin Cult attack, while Konoha and the Shadow Organization finished containing the threat. After the battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō concluded that Xihuo was Uchiha Kagami, sent by their late friend Yilong to become Konoha’s ally.

• Hatake Sakumo and the ANBU kept five Jashin Cult followers occupied until Konoha’s Sealing Squad could help contain them.
• Black Zetsu slipped past Konoha’s guards, stole a red-haired Uzumaki infant and its supplies, then fled with Leaf Dragon.
• Konoha captured the Jashin Cult followers, and the attack ended with the bitten ninja under Tsunade’s care and Senju Toka recognized by the Nine-Tails as its first Jinchuriki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō escorted the Shadow Organization members to their lodgings, then returned to the Hokage’s Office to share intelligence.
• Shimura Danzō told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Xihuo was Uchiha Kagami, and they concluded that Yilong had sent him to create a trustworthy ally for Konoha.

After waking in the hospital, Jiraiya reflected on how Black Zetsu had exploited his weaknesses and resolved to recover, confront his psychological problems, and rescue Big Brother Leaf Dragon. He discovered Leaf Dragon’s consciousness was now lodged in the crystal, and heard that Tsunade had confessed her feelings to him while he was unconscious.

• Jiraiya woke in the hospital and recalled being manipulated by Black Zetsu into attacking Big Brother Leaf Dragon and attempting suicide.
• Jiraiya found Leaf Dragon’s crystal in his hand and resolved to recover, train, and rescue him.
• Jiraiya mistook Leaf Dragon’s ghostly appearance for a hallucination until Leaf Dragon explained that he had been squeezed out of his body and lodged in the crystal.
• Leaf Dragon told Jiraiya that Tsunade had confessed her feelings while Jiraiya was unconscious.
• Jiraiya decided to accept treatment for his psychological problems and stood by the window with Leaf Dragon as they watched the clear sky.

Jiraiya woke in a sealed, suicide-proof hospital room and struggled to tell whether Leaf Dragon was a hallucination or real. After talking with him, Jiraiya began to believe the figure might truly be Leaf Dragon.

• Jiraiya noticed that his hospital room had been made safe from self-harm and that a sealing formula prevented him from using chakra.
• Leaf Dragon told Jiraiya that his genjutsu had not fully worn off, that Mito Uzumaki had examined him, and that Tsunade and Mito would visit around noon.
• Jiraiya questioned Leaf Dragon and admitted that he did not dare trust him because hallucinations had fooled him before.
• Leaf Dragon explained that he answered because Jiraiya asked, and that his familiar public manner was an act.
• Jiraiya considered Leaf Dragon's personality and knowledge of sealing jutsu and concluded there was a strong chance he was real.

Leaf Dragon confirmed that he could communicate with Jiraiya through their mental link and agreed to teach him how to conceal his thoughts, while secretly retaining control over the link. During a tour of Konoha, Xihuo encountered a grave bearing Jiraiya’s name and learned that Jiraiya had survived but was being hidden under the pretense of his death.

• Leaf Dragon explained the two-way mental link to Jiraiya and agreed to teach him how to hide his thoughts.
• Leaf Dragon privately revealed that he controlled the thought-sensing tool and could detect Jiraiya’s attempts to hide his intentions.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha’s leaders on a tour with Xihuo and the Shadow Organization after their help against the Jashin Cult.
• Xihuo spotted Jiraiya’s gravestone and asked Watanabe Ichiro whether Jiraiya had died; Watanabe confirmed that he had been rescued and was fine.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Xihuo that Jiraiya had sacrificed himself during the invasion, and Xihuo offered a white flower at the grave.

Xihuo visited Konoha’s cemetery with Hiruzen Sarutobi, then joined the village’s tour and luncheon arrangements. Meanwhile, Tsunade, Dan Katō, and Orochimaru secretly reunited with Jiraiya in the hospital, where their concern turned into playful roughhousing.

• Xihuo reflected on the names at the Memorial Stone, and Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that his words had touched on Xihuo’s painful memories.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed the Shadow Organization around Konoha and invited them to lunch, which Xihuo accepted.
• Tsunade, Dan Katō, and Orochimaru entered Jiraiya’s sealed hospital room and found him recovering in good spirits.
• Orochimaru and Dan Katō sprawled across Jiraiya’s legs, and Jiraiya teased them about their weight and their cautious care.
• Jiraiya pinned Orochimaru and Dan Katō beneath his blanket, and Tsunade joined them in a playful scuffle as Leaf Dragon watched.

Jiraiya revealed that Leaf Dragon’s spirit was with him, and Dan Katō used the Spirit Transformation Technique to meet him. Leaf Dragon reassured Dan that he was alive, and Tsunade sensed his presence as she called him “Teacher.”

• Jiraiya and his friends reunited through horseplay and discussed how they had spent their years apart.
• Jiraiya asked Dan Katō to use the Spirit Transformation Technique, and Dan realized a spirit was present.
• Dan Katō projected his spirit body and, seeing Leaf Dragon, feared that he had died.
• Leaf Dragon told Dan that he was not dead, explained that his spirit was temporarily separated from his body, and said he had saved Jiraiya.
• Dan Katō recognized Leaf Dragon, and Leaf Dragon gently ruffled his hair.
• Tsunade sensed Leaf Dragon’s presence and softly called him “Teacher.”

Tsunade considered keeping Jiraiya in the hospital under her supervision so he would remain safe, while Jiraiya rested after speaking with Leaf Dragon. The chapter ended with Tsunade reflecting on Jiraiya’s quiet tenderness toward her and wondering if she could keep him close and care for him.

• Orochimaru left Jiraiya’s room, and Tsunade and Jiraiya spoke with Leaf Dragon, whom only Jiraiya could see.
• Tsunade noticed Jiraiya was exhausted, took Dan Katō away, and let Jiraiya rest.
• Leaf Dragon sensed that his spirit body was fading and returned to the Crystal Stone after stroking Jiraiya’s hair.
• Tsunade considered using her authority to keep Jiraiya in the hospital, though she worried Leaf Dragon might oppose her plan.
• Tsunade recalled Jiraiya’s concern for her and wondered whether she could keep him close and take care of him.

Uchiha Kagami revealed himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi after the genjutsu placed on him was temporarily lifted, then began recounting his past. He ended by accusing Black Zetsu of controlling his wife, Uchiha Huangliang.

• Xihuo reflected on Konoha's growth and his regrets over the deaths of its founders while speaking with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Konoha using official platitudes that Xihuo recognized as words he had written himself.
• Xihuo removed his mask, revealed himself as Uchiha Kagami, and showed Uchiha Ichiro's Mangekyo pattern.
• Uchiha Kagami asked for strong liquor and began telling Hiruzen Sarutobi about his past as the Eight-Tails released the fireflies.
• Uchiha Kagami recalled losing to Uchiha Ichiro and learning that Black Zetsu had controlled his wife, Uchiha Huangliang.

Uchiha Kagami told Hiruzen Sarutobi how he went undercover with Black Zetsu and how Xihuo emerged from his mind. He entrusted the Shadow Organization’s future to Xihuo, asked Konoha to protect it, and let Uchiha Kagami’s name be declared dead as he disappeared.

• Uchiha Kagami explained that he had joined Black Zetsu undercover and learned that two Black Zetsus pursued the Rinnegan and tailed beasts through the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
• Uchiha Kagami said Black Zetsu’s mental control had brought Xihuo into being, and that Xihuo had founded the Shadow Organization and fought for peace.
• Uchiha Kagami told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he and Xihuo had escaped Black Zetsu, dealt him a serious blow, and recovered within the Shadow Organization.
• Uchiha Kagami urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to trust Xihuo, withdraw the wanted notice, and help ensure a worthy successor took over the Shadow Organization.
• Uchiha Kagami refused memorial honors and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi not to clear his name, then dismissed him and disappeared.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened as Uchiha Kagami recounted his past before Xihuo resumed control of the body, and someone died quietly that night. The next morning, Jiraiya woke to find Leaf Dragon still in the Crystal Stone and shared breakfast with Tsunade, while both misread each other’s feelings.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Uchiha Kagami describe past hardships and reflected on Huo He’s sacrifice and intelligence about Black Zetsu.
• Uchiha Kagami put his silver-white mask back on, and Xihuo regained control of the body and apologized to Hiruzen Sarutobi for losing his composure.
• Jiraiya called to Leaf Dragon through the Crystal Stone, and Leaf Dragon answered that he was still there.
• Tsunade brought Jiraiya breakfast, and he praised her medicinal porridge while awkwardly avoiding her gaze.
• Jiraiya wondered whether Tsunade had confessed to him, while Tsunade misinterpreted his distracted silence as a lack of interest.

Tsunade found Jiraiya gravely wounded after the attack and stayed by his side as he recovered, confessing her love while he was unconscious. Seeing him awake and eating in the hospital, she decided she could not let him keep slipping out of her reach.

• Tsunade went to Root in search of Jiraiya after growing worried that he had not returned.
• She followed scattered papers and the scent of blood to Leaf Dragon's room, where she found Jiraiya pale and bleeding on a couch.
• Tsunade found a faint pulse and treated Jiraiya, later confirming that he had suffered hemorrhagic shock without other complications.
• While Jiraiya remained unconscious, Tsunade confessed her love and admitted she feared losing him again.
• Tsunade watched Jiraiya awake in the hospital, eating the last grains of rice, and resolved not to let him do as he pleased.

Jiraiya acknowledged to himself that he loved Tsunade but believed he could not offer her a future while pursuing his dangerous mission against Black Zetsu. When he asked for more porridge instead of answering her, Tsunade embraced him and confessed her love.

• Jiraiya turned away from Tsunade and focused on his empty bowl, while Tsunade struggled to work up the courage to confess again.
• Jiraiya asked Leaf Dragon for advice, and Leaf Dragon urged him to respond before Tsunade acted on her increasingly dangerous thoughts.
• Jiraiya admitted to himself that he loved Tsunade but decided he could not hold her back while he risked his life to recover Leaf Dragon's body from Black Zetsu.
• Jiraiya asked Tsunade for another bowl of porridge, and she served him before recognizing the grief in his gaze.
• Tsunade stroked Jiraiya's hair, embraced him, and told him she loved him.

Jiraiya struggled to answer Tsunade’s confession because he feared his dangerous search for Black Zetsu would put her at risk. After explaining his feelings, he embraced her and she made clear that she chose him and could bear the risks herself, leaving them reconciled in a tender embrace.

• Jiraiya began refusing Tsunade’s confession, and Tsunade angrily demanded that he explain himself.
• Leaf Dragon urged Jiraiya to comfort Tsunade, but Jiraiya hesitated until Tsunade bit his collarbone and he finally held her.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that he liked her but feared losing her while searching for Black Zetsu away from Konoha.
• Tsunade destroyed the Sealing Jutsu Formula on Jiraiya’s collarbone and told him she was his capable comrade, not someone he needed to protect or hold back.
• Tsunade asked whether Jiraiya liked her, and he drew her close and said her name, which she accepted as his answer.

Black Zetsu put his plans on hold to care for the Uzumaki child he had stolen, while assigning Leaf Dragon to manage the Jashin Cult. He tested Leaf Dragon’s loyalty by ordering him to kill a former Konoha deputy and began considering using Leaf Dragon’s students for future tests.

• Black Zetsu struggled to soothe the crying Uzumaki child, then rocked him to sleep and ordered Leaf Dragon to learn childcare and handle the Jashin Cult’s affairs.
• Black Zetsu remained suspicious of Leaf Dragon and privately planned to exploit him before sending him against Konoha.
• Black Zetsu summoned Leaf Dragon and asked whether he recognized a kneeling captive who had once served as Leaf Dragon’s deputy.
• Leaf Dragon identified the man as an unimportant former deputy and suggested interrogating and using him as a test subject.
• Black Zetsu ordered Leaf Dragon to kill the captive, and Leaf Dragon executed him without hesitation.
• Black Zetsu doubted whether Leaf Dragon’s ruthlessness was genuine and considered testing him with the students he cared about, including Tsunade and Dan Katō.

Black Zetsu put Leaf Dragon to work in the Jashin Cult while looking after the infant Leaf Dragon, and Xihuo finally led the Shadow Organization out of Konoha after a lengthy visit. The lavish gift the organization left behind made Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō regard it as Konoha’s most valued benefactor.

• Black Zetsu ordered Leaf Dragon to dispose of bodies and take responsibility for documents, while he soothed the crying infant.
• At Konoha’s farewell banquet, the Eight-Tails enjoyed the attention of the locals and lamented Xihuo’s rejection of his muscular form.
• Xihuo bid farewell to Hiruzen Sarutobi and led the Shadow Organization’s party out of Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the Shadow Organization’s gift scroll and found it contained a vast amount of gold and valuable supplies.
• Shimura Danzō mistook the dazzling gift for loot from a robbery, then learned it was the Shadow Organization’s offering.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō concluded that Leaf Dragon had given up a prosperous life by leaving the Shadow Organization for Konoha.

Jiraiya asked Tsunade to let him leave Konoha so he could study senjutsu and search for Black Zetsu, who held Leaf Dragon's body. Tsunade agreed to treat his psychological vulnerabilities, then considered using genjutsu to erase his memories of Leaf Dragon and keep him by her side, while Leaf Dragon watched unseen.

• Jiraiya grew increasingly anxious about Leaf Dragon's body and decided to return to Mount Myōboku before searching for Black Zetsu.
• Tsunade recognized that Jiraiya wanted to leave Konoha, and she agreed to let him go after psychological treatment.
• Jiraiya trusted Tsunade to help him resist genjutsu and willingly let her touch his neck.
• Tsunade used a mental genjutsu developed with Mito Uzumaki and considered erasing Jiraiya's memories of Leaf Dragon.
• Leaf Dragon watched Tsunade's decision unfold unseen and wondered whether she would follow through.

Tsunade completed a mental defense technique for Jiraiya, resisting the temptation to manipulate his feelings but secretly reminding him to always treat her well. After sharing an intimate moment, she decided to strengthen his chances of survival on his journey by improving the Medical Scroll and studying Tobirama’s resurrection technique.

• Tsunade decided not to plant suggestions in Jiraiya’s mind and constructed the Mental Defense Measures instead.
• While completing the technique, Tsunade whispered to Jiraiya’s spiritual body to always be good to her.
• The technique sealed Jiraiya’s primary consciousness during its construction, then restored his awareness with a defense against genjutsu.
• Tsunade leaned into Jiraiya and kissed him, leaving him flustered before she exited and secured the Barrier.
• Tsunade resolved to improve the Medical Scroll and study Tobirama’s technique for bringing the dead back to life so she could help Jiraiya survive his journey.

Jiraiya prepared to leave Konoha under a false identity to pursue Black Zetsu and recover Leaf Dragon’s body, while Tsunade struggled with the danger and uncertainty of his departure. They exchanged promises of love, and Tsunade gave Jiraiya her ancestral green necklace, leaving Leaf Dragon worried about its curse.

• Leaf Dragon watched Tsunade leave after she calmed down, while Jiraiya stayed inside, mortified.
• Jiraiya changed into his combat attire and prepared to travel secretly, knowing he might not return until Black Zetsu was defeated or Leaf Dragon’s body was recovered.
• Tsunade asked Jiraiya to bring back good news and promised she would stay alive, but Jiraiya could not promise he would return alive.
• Jiraiya kissed Tsunade and promised to love her whether they were alive or dead, and Tsunade kissed him back and said she felt the same.
• Tsunade gave Jiraiya her ancestral green necklace and explained its sealing functions, while Leaf Dragon feared its curse would endanger him.

Tsunade and Orochimaru researched Impure World Reincarnation while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō confronted them about their rapidly rising costs. Tobirama Senju’s notes revealed that the technique gradually eroded the souls of the resurrected, ultimately destroying them beyond recovery.

• Tsunade watched Jiraiya depart for Mount Myōboku and resolved to keep researching ways to protect him, including seeking Orochimaru’s help.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō visited the Laboratory after its funding requests surged and found Tsunade and Orochimaru arguing over the cost and ethics of test subjects.
• Shimura Danzō examined the Impure World Reincarnation formula, and Orochimaru explained that it required a living sacrifice and carried another cost: the resurrected person’s soul was steadily eroded.
• Orochimaru gave Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō Tobirama Senju’s experimental notebook, which recorded the successful resurrection and testing of Uchiha Izuna.
• Tobirama Senju’s notes showed that a resurrected person whose soul energy reached zero died irreversibly and could not be summoned again, leading him to warn against using the technique on loved ones.