Chapter Summaries

Tsunade activated the Hundred Healings Technique and fought Nagato to test whether Shinra Tensei could repel her, but he defeated her by disrupting her Chakra with a Black Rod. Fugaku realized the same kind of Chakra disruption had caused his Susanoo to collapse, while Nagato suspected Madara had revealed the Black Rod’s secret to Retsuo.

• Nagato sent the Asura Path after Retsuo as Jiraiya used Wild Lion Dance Technique to catch its missiles, while Shadow Clones overwhelmed the Naraka Path.
• Tsunade opened her Yin Seal and charged Nagato, hoping to learn whether Shinra Tensei could repel her, as Retsuo shouted for her to let Nagato go.
• Tsunade and Nagato fought atop Yatagarasu until Nagato pierced her shoulder with a Black Rod, disrupting her Chakra and stopping Creation Rebirth from activating.
• Nagato pinned Tsunade with another Black Rod, and she warned everyone that the rods could disrupt Chakra.
• Fugaku realized Chakra disruption had caused his Susanoo to collapse, while Madara remarked that he knew the details of the Chakra Rod and Nagato accused him of leaking them.

Uchiha Retsuo and Nagato prepared to fight as their sides assessed their losses and made plans. The chapter ended with Nagato impaling Shinnō with black rods, leaving Retsuo stunned.

• Obito urged Zetsu to deal with Uchiha Retsuo, but Zetsu argued that they should wait because Obito might not be able to defeat him.
• Hamura explained that he and Minato could use Chasing Strike to enter Obito's separate space, whose flaws he observed.
• Uchiha Retsuo offered Nagato a trade of Tsunade for the damaged Naraka Path, but Nagato refused and dismissed the puppet as a corpse.
• Jiraiya grew anxious over Tsunade's capture and Konoha's losses, while Uchiha Retsuo told him to stay calm and prepared to face Nagato.
• Nagato suddenly summoned black rods and drove them through Shinnō's back as Uchiha Retsuo watched in astonishment.

Retsuo tested Nagato’s Chakra Absorption with Great Fireballs, then faced him amid a battle between Konoha’s forces and the Six Paths of Pain. Nagato pressed his attack on the real Retsuo, who prepared to counter as the chapter ended with Nagato lunging toward him before the five-second countdown was over.

• Retsuo concluded that Nagato’s Chakra Absorption dispelled his Great Fireball and likely consumed Chakra, giving him a way to test Nagato’s limits.
• Hell Path Pain summoned King Yama and threatened to tear out Tsunade’s tongue if Konoha tried to rescue her.
• The Six Paths of Pain charged at Retsuo’s clones, prompting Jiraiya and Might Guy to join the fight while Shisui hesitated between protecting comrades and rescuing Tsunade.
• Nagato identified the real Retsuo, used Banshō Ten'in to pull in a clone, and charged toward Retsuo after he teleported away with Flying Thunder God.
• Retsuo created another two hundred Shadow Clones, but Nagato cut through them and suddenly thrust toward the real Retsuo before the five-second countdown had ended.

Retsuo baited Nagato into using his remote Chakra-absorption technique, then let Nagato absorb his Sage Chakra. Nagato realized too late that the Chakra was dangerous, and the battle ended with him thrashing in alarm.

• Retsuo entered Sage Mode and used Kushina’s Painful Heavenly Foot through their connection to send Nagato flying with a surprise kick.
• Nagato used Banshō Ten'in and the Earth-Opening Excavation Technique against Retsuo while the other Pains tried to reach the Naraka Path’s corpse.
• Nagato revealed a remote Chakra-absorption ability he had gained on the moon and taunted Retsuo as he prepared to drain him.
• Retsuo ignored Kushina’s warning and waited for Nagato’s terra-cotta-colored Chakra ball to strike him.
• Nagato absorbed a massive flow of Chakra from Retsuo, then realized it was poisonous and began kicking and thrashing.

Nagato used Shinnō to complete Planetary Devastation, but Uchiha Retsuo escaped the attack by entering Kamui Space. There, Retsuo confronted Obito and Black Zetsu, while Obito opened a gap that let Nagato sense a way inside.

• Nagato cut off Retsuo's Chakra extraction, destroyed the Four Paths of Pain after they absorbed Natural Energy, and used Shinnō as a relay for Planetary Devastation.
• Shinnō activated Planetary Devastation, lifting huge masses of earth and stone into the sky as Jiraiya and Might Guy tried to stop him.
• Retsuo escaped into Kamui Space just as Shinnō pointed the technique at him, leaving Jiraiya and Might Guy stunned.
• Retsuo confronted Obito and Black Zetsu in Kamui Space, dismissed their threat to Konoha, and mocked Obito as someone who should have died long ago.
• Obito opened a gap in Kamui Space, and Nagato sensed the opening after expelling the Natural Energy and recovering his strength.

Jiraiya rescued Tsunade while Nagato struggled to maintain Planetary Devastation, and Retsuo and Obito fought in Kamui Space. After Nagato realized Retsuo was using Sage Mode, the three fighters held back rather than risk attacking while the others remained a threat.

• Jiraiya sent Might Guy to free Tsunade from the Chakra Rods while he ambushed Nagato, but Nagato struck him with Shinra Tensei.
• A Kamui passage opened, and Uchiha Retsuo and Obito attacked each other as Black Zetsu released Nue.
• Retsuo matched Obito in Taijutsu with Sage Mode-enhanced strength, and Black Zetsu warned Obito that Retsuo was in Sage Mode.
• Nagato realized Sage Mode had let Retsuo overcome his expectations, while Obito feared Retsuo was hiding another countermeasure.
• Retsuo stopped pursuing Obito because Nagato remained a threat, and all three recognized they could not safely continue fighting.

Orochimaru and Shigaraki successfully cloned Shimura Danzō twice, and Kakashi questioned the two Danzōs about the Nine-Tails' Rampage and Konoha's secrets. When Jiraiya returned with Naruto and his team, both Danzōs disguised themselves as Root Ninjas and headed to the village entrance.

• Orochimaru and Shigaraki emerged from the laboratory with two identical Shimura Danzō clones, whom Kakashi labeled Unit 1 and Unit 2.
• Orochimaru explained that the clones' lifespans were uncertain, possibly lasting only days, and Kakashi began asking them about the Nine-Tails' Rampage and village secrets.
• Both Danzōs denied responsibility for the Nine-Tails' Rampage, while Unit 1 claimed Uchiha Retsuo had falsely accused him.
• Unit 1 asked whether Root still trusted him, but only Shigaraki declared his loyalty, leaving the gathering awkward.
• A Root member reported that Jiraiya had returned with his team and that Uchiha Retsuo was arguing with him, so both Danzōs put on Root masks and went to the village entrance.
• Kakashi followed as the village came alive and crowds gathered to welcome Naruto.

Retsuo helped Kimimaro work toward awakening the Byakugan so he could inherit the Tenseigan’s power. Before Kimimaro awakened, Ichikishimahime arrived to confront Retsuo over the Sage Teeth he had taken, and she threatened to show him Ryūchi Cave’s methods.

• Retsuo gave Jiraiya two more White Zetsu and distributed the rest among his clansmen.
• Kimimaro reported that Shikotsumyaku interfered with the Yin Release Chakra he needed to awaken the Byakugan, and Hamura encouraged him to keep trying.
• Retsuo stayed at Orochimaru’s base and monitored Kimimaro’s progress, which was slowed by both Shikotsumyaku and the Cursed Seal.
• Orochimaru arrived with Yamato and Ichikishimahime, who said White Snake Grandmother had sent her to question Retsuo about the Sage Teeth.
• Retsuo accepted responsibility for the four Sage Teeth he had taken, and Ichikishimahime warned that he would face the methods of Ryūchi Cave.

Uchiha Retsuo warned Ryūchi Cave about growing Space Rifts that could let the Ōtsutsuki return, and the White Snake Sage confirmed the danger. Meanwhile, Retsuo returned to Konohagakure with a boy bearing an activated Byakugan, prompting Jiraiya to rush toward the Hyuga compound.

• Retsuo threatened to move a Space Rift to Ryūchi Cave, and Ichikishimahime returned to report his warning to the White Snake Sage.
• The White Snake Sage inspected the Snake Den and found growing cracks in space, confirming that Retsuo had not exaggerated the threat.
• The White Snake Sage decided to observe Retsuo's attempt to activate the Byakugan in a boy without Hyuga blood.
• Jiraiya learned that Retsuo had returned to Konohagakure with a Byakugan-wielding boy and headed for the Hyuga Clan's compound.

Jiraiya learned that Uchiha Retsuo had brought Kimimaro to meet the Hyuga Clan, while the White Snake Sage revealed that Hamura’s intervention had been essential to Kimimaro’s Byakugan awakening. Retsuo prepared for a possible trip to the moon, but the White Snake Sage vanished before explaining what she intended to do.

• Jiraiya arrived at the Hyuga Compound and learned from Hiashi that Uchiha Retsuo had brought Kimimaro to discuss the Byakugan.
• Hiashi told Jiraiya that Retsuo’s meeting had felt like a one-sided show of force, and Jiraiya questioned whether the Hyuga Clan objected to others awakening the Byakugan.
• The White Snake Sage told Retsuo that Hamura’s guidance and Chakra had been necessary for Kimimaro to awaken the Byakugan, undermining Retsuo’s belief that the Hyuga Clan could discover the method.
• Jiapan urged Retsuo and Kimimaro to go to the moon and check the crack, but Retsuo said they needed to prepare for a possible fight with Changdao.
• The White Snake Sage refused to go to the moon, said she planned to return to Ryūchi Cave, formed strange hand seals, and vanished.

The White Snake Sage forced her way into Retsuo’s Yin Release Barrier and fought him with amplified Genjutsu. After they broke free of each other’s illusions, Retsuo revealed that he had weakened her Spiritual Energy and called for his family to join the fight.

• The White Snake Sage entered Retsuo’s Yin Release Barrier, and he challenged her for intruding.
• The White Snake Sage trapped Retsuo in a sonic Genjutsu while Retsuo ensnared her in his altered Pure Land illusion.
• Retsuo used his laughter to disrupt the White Snake Sage’s Genjutsu, and she escaped his illusion after transforming into a young woman.
• The White Snake Sage discovered that Retsuo’s world had weakened her Spiritual Energy and Sage Chakra, but she vowed to capture him.
• The White Snake Sage wondered where Ōtsuki Hamura was, and Retsuo declared that he had not been counting on him before calling out his family.

Uchiha Retsuo and his allies trapped the White Snake Sage inside the Yin Release Barrier and launched a coordinated attack after she tried to seize his small world. The White Snake Sage faced mounting danger and threatened to sacrifice her Sage Chakra, while Retsuo exploited a flaw in her resolve with a Genjutsu.

• Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Seven-Tails Chōmei, and Little Black appeared around the White Snake Sage to block her escape from the Yin Release Barrier.
• Retsuo sent Little Black rolling toward the White Snake Sage, and a surge of negative emotions disrupted her before she revealed her enormous snake form and charged at Kushina.
• Retsuo manipulated space to keep the White Snake Sage near Little Black, then directed Minato and Kushina to use their signature Genjutsu.
• Chōmei carried Little Black aloft as Retsuo used Secret Technique—Fish-Sense Lightning to launch a torpedo at the White Snake Sage.
• The White Snake Sage called for Hamura’s help, then threatened to detonate her Sage Chakra, exposing a flaw that Retsuo targeted with Demonic Illusion—Moon Pulling Technique in Water.

Uchiha Retsuo killed the White Snake Sage after she ambushed him, but her death threatened to disrupt Konoha’s ties with the Three Great Sage Regions. As the village’s leaders considered the consequences, Neji Hyuga brought the shocking news to elders who were demanding that Retsuo give them Kaguya Kimimaro.

• Retsuo defeated the White Snake Sage, but she destroyed her own mind and soul before he could capture her or recover her memories.
• Jiraiya and Might Guy arrived and learned that Retsuo had killed the White Snake Sage; Kimimaro recognized her as the old woman who had once wanted him as her disciple.
• Konoha restricted access to the Uchiha Compound and allowed Orochimaru to see the White Snake Sage’s corpse, while Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tsunade discussed the consequences for Ryūchi Cave and the other Sage Regions.
• Hyuga Clan elders surrounded Hiashi and demanded that Kaguya Kimimaro marry into their clan and that Retsuo hand him over.
• Neji Hyuga announced that Retsuo had killed the White Snake Sage, silencing the Hyuga Clan elders.

Uchiha Retsuo set out with Kimimaro to repair the Space Rift on the moon, then investigated the Earth-Moon Passage and found Nagato’s hidden Paper God’s House. The chapter leaves Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Retsuo facing Konan at the house entrance.

• Retsuo explained Kimimaro’s role as the chosen candidate to repair the moon’s Space Rift and set out with him for the Earth-Moon Passage.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Fugaku sent Shadow Clones to accompany Retsuo, who found signs that the Akatsuki had hidden the passage from Konoha’s patrols.
• Retsuo discovered Konan’s disguised Paper God’s House, which contained Nagato’s equipment, the Akatsuki’s account book, and three new Pains.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade discussed what to do with the three Pains, and Retsuo offered to hand Yahiko’s corpse to Jiraiya.
• Konan appeared at the entrance to the Paper God’s House and silently watched Retsuo and the others.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Retsuo confronted Konan inside the Akatsuki’s Paper God’s House, where Konan challenged Jiraiya’s accusations and attacked Retsuo. The battle left Retsuo holding off Konan with fire techniques while he refused to use the secret technique that might expose his identity.

• Konan confronted Jiraiya and rejected his appeal to their past, saying their experience of war had shaped their choices.
• Jiraiya sent Retsuo to fight Konan while Tsunade watched and Retsuo teased her about her fear of Pain.
• Konan recognized Retsuo and launched a barrage of paper blades, which he burned with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Retsuo used Fire Dragon Flame Bullet to keep Konan’s paper weapons at bay as the battle became an exhausting contest of attrition.
• Jiraiya urged Retsuo to use his Reed Bud Garment, but Retsuo refused because Konan might recognize the technique and connect him to Baibian Huashan.

Uchiha Retsuo and Konan’s Fire Release and Paper Release battle reached a stalemate, so Retsuo countered her Energy Blades with Chakra Rods and turned the fight toward exhausting her paper. He then fired two miniature Tailed Beast Bombs at Konan, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Konan grew anxious as Retsuo’s abundant Chakra let him keep matching her Fire Release and gradually burn through the paper in her Paper God's House.
• Konan launched two Energy Blades around the boundary between their techniques, but Retsuo used his Sharingan and Chakra Rods to deflect them and the incoming paper blades.
• Retsuo threw a Chakra Rod that curved toward Konan, forcing her to use a paper blade while he drew her paper into the fight and reeled the rod back.
• Retsuo aimed two Chakra Rods at Konan and fired miniature Tailed Beast Bombs, whose recoil pushed him back two steps.

Uchiha Retsuo and his group defeated Konan’s attempt to reclaim the Pains and entered the Earth-Moon Passage, where Kisame Hoshigaki ambushed them. Kimimaro warned Fugaku that Kisame’s Great Shark Bullet devoured Chakra and countered with his own technique.

• Konan deflected Uchiha Retsuo’s Chakra bullets with her paper shield, then dissolved into paper and left after warning the group about the Earth-Moon Passage.
• Retsuo sealed the three Pains, collected Nagato’s Chakra transmission tools, and set out with Jiraiya, Tsunade, Fugaku, and Kimimaro.
• The group swam through the pool and encountered a shark-like Kisame Hoshigaki fitted with Chakra Rods.
• Jiraiya trapped Kisame’s Thousand Feeding Sharks with his hair, while Tsunade identified Kisame from Konoha’s intelligence records.
• Fugaku prepared to attack Kisame with a Great Shark Bullet, but Kimimaro warned him that it devoured Chakra and fired Ten Finger Bullets.

Kimimaro and Retsuo pursued Kisame through the Earth-Moon Passage, where Konan activated the revised illusion array. The illusion separated Retsuo from the others and placed Baibian Huashan in his path, ending with both men casting identical Great Fireball Techniques.

• Kimimaro riddled Kisame with bone bullets, then chased him through the waterway while his Dance of the Larch pierced the sharks Kisame summoned.
• Retsuo warned Fugaku about the Genjutsu barrier, and Fugaku tested it with a Shadow Clone that passed through safely.
• Retsuo led Kimimaro and the others into the passage’s illusion array as Konan activated the device from hiding.
• The illusion made Retsuo’s companions vanish and brought Baibian Huashan before him.
• Baibian Huashan proposed a contest in Genjutsu and fire techniques, then mirrored Retsuo’s Great Fireball Technique.

Uchiha Retsuo fought Baibian Huashan in Konan’s illusion, where she matched his abilities and overwhelmed him with Explosive Tags. Konan caught him with the Uchiha Immoral Technique and began questioning him about his relationships, ending by asking whether he loved her.

• Retsuo exchanged fireballs, shuriken, and kunai with Baibian Huashan while trying to conceal his identity.
• Baibian Huashan gained the upper hand with an unlimited supply of Explosive Tags, and Retsuo declared that he would rely on Genjutsu.
• Baibian Huashan opened a Sealing Tag that stored negative emotions, and a mysterious voice used the Uchiha Immoral Technique to question Retsuo.
• Retsuo answered questions about Shinji, Tenma, and Uchiha Ukyo, then admitted that he used Tenma’s identity for infiltration.
• Konan withdrew [Five Colors Cause] and asked Retsuo whether he loved her and what place she held in his heart.

Konan exposed Retsuo’s lies by removing the shell of his Five Colors Cause Genjutsu, then confronted him about her despair and the Akatsuki Organization’s fate. She left him with questions about the Space Rift as he explained that his group had come to save the world.

• Retsuo tried to dodge Konan’s questions, then realized the Five Colors Cause had disappeared and his negative emotions were visible above him.
• Konan revealed that she had removed the Genjutsu’s shell to expose his lies, and Retsuo saw Jiraiya’s Shadow Clones, Kimimaro, and Tsunade asleep as the illusion dissolved.
• Konan transformed from Baibian Huashan and flew toward Retsuo while he remained still, then he transformed back and embraced her.
• Konan told Retsuo she had died inside when Yahiko died and that Nagato had led the Akatsuki Organization away from Yahiko’s Ninja Way.
• Retsuo told Konan his group had come to save the world, and she asked whether he had affected the Space Rift that the Otsutsuki were attacking.