Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Tsunade argued over Konoha’s Uchiha policy and the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy before Tsunade revealed that Konan was alive. Jiraiya recognized Konan as his former student and identified Pain as Yahiko, then shocked Hiruzen by saying Nagato—not Yahiko—had awakened the Rinnegan.

• Jiraiya argued that Konoha should strengthen the Uchiha Clan’s Will of Fire instead of suppressing it, while Sarutobi Hiruzen regretted ignoring Uchiha Retsuo’s earlier suggestions.
• Jiraiya struggled to identify the child of prophecy and complained that Naruto had set his sights on Uchiha Retsuo.
• Tsunade asked whether a Konoha ninja named Baibian Huashan existed and said that he and Konan had called themselves Explosive Ninjas.
• Jiraiya realized that Konan was his former student and wondered whether Yahiko and Nagato were alive too.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen showed Jiraiya a portrait of Pain, whom Jiraiya recognized as Yahiko, and explained his role in Amegakure’s Akatsuki Organization.
• Jiraiya corrected Hiruzen’s claim that Yahiko had awakened the Rinnegan, insisting that Nagato had awakened it, and Hiruzen accused him of having known about the Rinnegan for years.

Retsuo escorted Shigaraki and the White Scale Casket toward Amegakure, unaware of Shigaraki’s secret ties to Root. Orochimaru ambushed them at the border, killed Shigaraki’s Root escorts, and attacked as Retsuo demanded an explanation.

• Jiraiya introduced Shigaraki to Retsuo and arranged for him to accompany Retsuo while secretly delivering the White Scale Casket to Orochimaru.
• Retsuo and Shigaraki traveled toward Amegakure, with Shigaraki insisting that the case stay beside him and hiding his Root identity.
• At the Land of Rain border, Orochimaru ambushed the group, killed Shigaraki’s three Jōnin escorts, and demanded the case.
• Orochimaru claimed he had come to kill Shigaraki and silence him, while Retsuo questioned what he and Jiraiya were plotting.
• Orochimaru spat out the Kusanagi Sword and leaped at Retsuo.

Retsuo and Shigaraki fought Orochimaru, whose madness drove him to attack them with powerful snake techniques. Retsuo unleashed Great Ball Yin Garo, which arced over Orochimaru’s Triple Rashōmon and descended toward him.

• Retsuo surprised Orochimaru with Yin Garo, which the Kusanagi Sword transformed into a python and swallowed, though the weapon shook afterward.
• Orochimaru summoned two giant snakes, and Retsuo burned them with Flowing Fire River while revealing he had become a First Generation Kekkei Genkai Ninja.
• Orochimaru summoned a mountain of black snakes, forcing Retsuo and Shigaraki to flee through the forest.
• Orochimaru appeared ahead of them and attacked with Shadow Snake Hands, which Retsuo countered with Great Fireball Technique.
• Retsuo charged up Great Ball Yin Garo, and Orochimaru summoned Triple Rashōmon to block it.
• Retsuo’s fireball leaped over the three gates and fell toward Orochimaru.

Retsuo blasted Orochimaru’s Rashōmon and forced him to flee with the White Scale Casket, then chose to protect the injured Shigaraki instead of pursuing him. As Shigaraki faced an attacker from the Kazematsuri Clan, the Masked Man appeared and killed him, leaving Shigaraki convinced the Masked Man was not Lord Danzō.

• Retsuo’s Great Ball Yin Garo smashed Orochimaru’s Rashōmon, and Orochimaru escaped by scattering into white snakes before emerging near Shigaraki.
• Retsuo threatened to use Moon Pulling Technique in Water, so Orochimaru took the White Scale Casket and kicked Shigaraki toward Retsuo as he fled.
• Retsuo refused Shigaraki’s plea to chase Orochimaru, then changed his mind and ran after him when Shigaraki revealed the casket could convert Sage Chakra.
• Kazematsuri Gota appeared in the mist and moved to kill the injured Shigaraki, but the Masked Man emerged from warped space and killed Gota.
• Shigaraki realized the Masked Man was not Lord Danzō and burst into tears of joy, bewildering Obito.

Obito and Zetsu captured Shigaraki, a loyal Root operative, and learned that Retsuo could absorb negative emotions and use Dark Chakra. They planned to keep Shigaraki alive, extract Root’s secrets, and send him back to Konoha with altered memories.

• Obito and Zetsu found Shigaraki traveling with Retsuo and decided to capture him for information about Konoha and Root.
• Shigaraki offered information about Retsuo in exchange for learning Obito’s identity, then recognized Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan and denounced Retsuo.
• Shigaraki revealed that his glasses detected negative emotions and Dark Chakra, which he believed fueled Retsuo’s rapid growth and could power devastating biological bombs.
• Obito knocked Shigaraki unconscious and placed him in Kamui Space after concluding that Retsuo’s strength came from an immense Yin Release Barrier.
• Black Zetsu argued that Shigaraki could reveal Root’s experiments and proposed having White Zetsu control him.
• Obito decided to obtain Shigaraki’s intelligence, alter his memories, and send him back to Konoha.

Retsuo pursued Orochimaru, who was carrying the White Scale Casket, until Obito appeared and briefly interrupted the chase. After Retsuo drove Obito away and refused Orochimaru’s attempt to distract him, Orochimaru fled again with Retsuo in pursuit.

• Retsuo and Jiapan tracked Orochimaru toward Green Shore, where he hoped to reach a secret base.
• Obito appeared on the road, and Retsuo sent Jiapan away before confronting him as the culprit behind the Nine-Tails’ Rampage and Teacher Minazuki’s death.
• Retsuo mocked Obito’s claim to be Uchiha Madara, and Obito left through twisted space.
• Orochimaru tried to talk Retsuo into letting him go, mentioning Jiraiya’s likely leadership and the Uchiha Clan’s possible fate under him.
• Orochimaru used Body Flicker to flee with the White Scale Casket, but Retsuo continued chasing him.

Retsuo and Jiapan pursued Orochimaru to his underground base, where Orochimaru transformed into the White Scale Serpent and attacked them. Retsuo trapped Orochimaru’s snakes with his techniques, then began a powerful Nightmare Release attack.

• Orochimaru reached Green Shore and entered a hidden hollow beneath a giant tree as Retsuo and Jiapan caught up.
• Retsuo sent Jiapan into the hollow, where a giant python attacked her, then used Earth Core Tremor to shake and damage Orochimaru’s underground base.
• Orochimaru injected himself with a reagent, transformed into the White Scale Serpent, and demanded Retsuo’s body.
• Retsuo slowed Orochimaru’s white snakes with Five Pillar Stone Life, while Jiapan cut them down and Ox-Head and Horse-Face carried the pillars into a pentagram formation.
• Orochimaru wrapped Ox-Head and Horse-Face in white snakes and began absorbing their Chakra, prompting Retsuo to use Nightmare Release—Yin Mansion Hachiman Technique.

Uchiha Retsuo trapped Orochimaru in a Genjutsu built around the Torii Gate and drained his Chakra with recurring visions of Minato Namikaze and Sarutobi Hiruzen. Orochimaru broke open the White Scale Casket, releasing the White Snake Sage’s seven Sage Teeth and summoning Manda, while Retsuo fought to claim a tooth first.

• Uchiha Retsuo raised the Torii Gate and used Yin-Fire Release and Nightmare Release to ensnare Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru mocked the transformed clay giants, but they appeared to him as Minato Namikaze and Sarutobi Hiruzen and taunted him about his past.
• Orochimaru repeatedly attacked the reincarnated figures, which revived after being cut apart, until he realized he was under a Genjutsu and his Chakra was nearly spent.
• Orochimaru shattered the White Scale Casket, releasing seven Sage Teeth, and its mechanism summoned Manda.
• Retsuo and Jiapan raced for a Sage Tooth, but Manda charged toward one before Retsuo struck it in the eye with a curving Yin-Fire fireball.

Obito discovered that Black Zetsu’s Dark Chakra came from being a clone of darkness, while Retsuo considered how to improve Nightmare Release. Severely weakened after his fight with Retsuo, Orochimaru reunited with Kabuto and Jūgo and learned that Kimimaro’s Bloodline Disease had flared up; he ordered them to bring Kimimaro to him.

• Obito used the glasses to observe Black Zetsu and found his negative energy was zero despite his Dark Chakra reading 600,000.
• Black Zetsu explained that he was formed from Uchiha Madara’s Dark Chakra, leaving Obito suspicious but unable to dismiss the explanation.
• Retsuo reflected that the offensive power of his Nightmare Release technique needed further development and examined the White Snake Sage’s Sage Tooth.
• Orochimaru struggled with the compound’s side effects and his depleted Chakra after escaping Retsuo’s attack.
• Kabuto arrived with Jūgo and told Orochimaru that Kimimaro’s Bloodline Disease had flared up while Kimimaro was training in the Land of Rivers.
• Orochimaru handed over his Sage Tooth and ordered Kabuto to bring Kimimaro to him.

Retsuo met Hanzō of the Salamander in Amegakure, where Tagitsuhime of Ryūchi Cave appeared to demand the Sage Teeth he had taken. She vanished after clashing with Hanzō and recognizing Retsuo’s barrier and plans to learn Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode, leaving Hanzō glaring at him.

• Retsuo met Hanzō of the Salamander and tried to determine whether he was a Shadow Clone.
• Tagitsuhime emerged from a cloud of mist and demanded that Retsuo return Grandmother’s teeth.
• Tagitsuhime offered Jiapan dried fish in exchange for the Sage Teeth, then revealed her monstrous form and warned that Orochimaru would turn into Ōrochihime.
• Hanzō attacked Tagitsuhime with Mind Layer Dive, but she deflected him with her tongue and disappeared.
• Tagitsuhime recognized Retsuo’s Yin Release Barrier and his interest in Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode before leaving, while Hanzō glared at Retsuo.

Deva Path Pain and the Akatsuki searched the moon, where Jūzō Biwa translated an ancient warning about the Tenseigan and Moon Fist. After Zetsu reported Retsuo’s rise in Konoha, Shinnō revealed that he had helped make Retsuo powerful and began considering how to complete the Zero-Tails Reincarnation ritual.

• Deva Path Pain and Konan discussed their fruitless lunar search while Jūzō Biwa complained about attacks from puppet warriors.
• Jūzō Biwa translated an ancient oath warning that the awakened Tenseigan would destroy humanity with Moon Fist.
• Pain summoned the Akatsuki, and Zetsu reported that Retsuo had defeated Shisui, exposed Danzō, and forced Hiruzen to retire.
• Orochimaru’s Shadow Clone dispelled itself to inform his real body after hearing that Retsuo had nearly beaten him to death.
• Shinnō claimed that his Dark Chakra had caused Retsuo’s rapid growth, worried that the Zero-Tails ritual had become impossible, and turned to Pain and Konan with a request.

Shinnō told the Akatsuki Organization that he had given Uchiha Retsuo the Dark Chakra he now wielded, and the organization planned to restrain Retsuo so Shinnō could reclaim it. After returning from the moon, Pain found Retsuo gone, unaware that Retsuo had hurried back to Konoha after discovering he could devour the Dojutsu Power in Obito’s eye.

• Shinnō explained that he had used Dark Chakra to influence Uchiha Retsuo and asked the Akatsuki Organization to help him complete the Zero-Tails Reincarnation ritual.
• Obito and Zetsu realized Shinnō had caused Retsuo’s ability to absorb negative emotions, while Obito resented that Retsuo had gained power from the Dark Chakra.
• Pain told the group that Retsuo was in Amegakure and revealed that he had sent Sasori of the Red Sands to pursue him, but expected Sasori to fail.
• The Akatsuki Organization decided to leave the moon and gather more manpower before returning to challenge the unusual sun and its puppet defenders.
• Pain returned to Amegakure and discovered Retsuo had left, while Retsuo used the Flying Thunder God to return to Konoha after discovering he could devour the Dojutsu Power in Obito’s eye.

Retsuo used the surge in Obito’s Sharingan power to evolve his own right eye, while Obito’s plans were interrupted by Shinnō’s progress and Nagato’s importance. In Konoha, Retsuo learned that Shigaraki had been ambushed by Orochimaru just as Jiraiya became the official Naruto.

• Retsuo returned to the village and channeled the surging Dojutsu Power from Obito’s eye into his own eyes, causing his right eye to gain a second tomoe.
• Obito felt dizzy as his Dojutsu Power was drained, then withdrew his intent to kill Shinnō after Shinnō told Konan he had nearly completed his assigned research.
• Konan promised Akatsuki’s support if Shinnō aided the organization, and Pain dispatched members on missions as Akatsuki began operating at full speed.
• Retsuo heard that Shigaraki had failed to return, and Jiraiya and Tsunade explained that Orochimaru had ambushed him.
• Jiraiya told Guy to inform Kakashi that Shigaraki was a Root Ninja, then prepared to leave as the newly official Naruto; Retsuo asked whether he had forgotten something.

Retsuo refused Jiraiya’s offer to learn from the Scroll of Seals and asked Tsunade to teach him Chakra-Enhanced Strength. After Kushina took control of his body, he demonstrated the technique by blasting through the Hokage Building’s floor, leaving Tsunade and Jiraiya stunned as ANBU rushed in.

• Jiraiya offered Retsuo access to the Scroll of Seals, but Retsuo declined and said he wanted to learn Tsunade’s Painful Heavenly Foot.
• Tsunade explained Chakra-Enhanced Strength and agreed to teach Retsuo once, while Jiraiya questioned whether he could master it.
• Retsuo awakened Kushina Uzumaki, who had learned the technique’s principles, and she took control of his chakra and meridians.
• Kushina used Retsuo’s body to strike the Hokage Building’s floor, punching a hole through it and shaking the building.
• ANBU rushed to the scene, and Retsuo told Tsunade he still lacked precise chakra control.

Shigaraki returned to Root while Naruto was sent to Mount Myōboku, and the Uchiha welcomed back members from the Eastern Front. At a clan gathering, Yulong challenged Retsuo over his leadership, prompting him to reveal a plan to obtain Danzo’s right arm for Ukyo.

• Kakashi struggled to keep Root’s Gozu Tennō Project running after Shigaraki’s departure, then Shigaraki returned without Naruto.
• Naruto began training at Mount Myōboku, while Itachi learned the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Uchiha Yulong returned from the Eastern Front and scolded Retsuo for missing the chance to claim credit for the clan members’ return.
• Ukyo defended Retsuo’s decision to let Shisui earn prestige, arguing that Shisui’s success also benefited the Uchiha Clan.
• Retsuo told Ukyo he had intended to attach Danzo’s right arm to him and said the arm could still be obtained.

Retsuo proposed that Ukyo try attaching Danzo’s Wood Release arm, hoping it would greatly increase his strength and could eventually benefit the Uchiha Clan. He led a large Uchiha group out to seek more material, accompanied by Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Might Guy, while Namiashi Raidō worried about the Hokage’s safety.

• Retsuo explained that Danzo’s arm combined Wood Release with Uchiha Yin Release and suggested Ukyo test whether it could boost his power.
• Yulong warned that the arm might kill Ukyo, while Uchiha Sen volunteered to be the test subject instead.
• Retsuo proposed gathering more material and taking turns, then led more than twenty Uchiha to the Hokage Building to request permission to leave the village.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade joined Retsuo’s group, and Jiraiya ordered Namiashi Raidō not to inform the Third Hokage.
• Namiashi Raidō feared that Jiraiya and Tsunade would be endangered outside the village, but Jiraiya defended his decision by citing Retsuo’s past victory over ten Root Jōnin.
• Retsuo observed that Might Guy had come along and recognized him as a formidable fighter who could potentially open the Eighth Gate.

Retsuo led Tsunade and Jiraiya to Mine Town to find White Zetsu, disguising his knowledge of the hideout as intelligence about Orochimaru’s Wood Release experiments. The group entered the underground labyrinth, while Obito learned that Shinnō had been assigned to treat a ninja with crippled legs.

• Retsuo agreed to let Jiraiya and Tsunade accompany the search for White Zetsu, then split the group into two teams upon reaching Mine Town.
• Retsuo told Yulong and Jiraiya to look for humanoid creatures wrapped in white gauze and to report any encounters without engaging them.
• Retsuo claimed the creatures were connected to Orochimaru’s Wood Release laboratory, and Jiraiya and Tsunade accepted his explanation.
• Tsunade led Retsuo’s team through the mine tunnels as Retsuo used the absence of wild beasts to argue that they were nearing their target.
• Retsuo’s group entered the underground labyrinth built around the God Tree’s abandoned roots, the site of Zetsu’s hideout.
• Obito paced in frustration after learning Shinnō had received a mission to treat a ninja with crippled legs.

Obito learned that Uchiha Retsuo had discovered the White Zetsu main base and began to suspect Black Zetsu was hiding important information from him. He left White Zetsu in Konoha Hidden Village after learning Zetsu had used Shigaraki to draw Gozu Tennō on him, and resolved to be more cautious.

• Obito worried that Nagato might regain his strength and considered using Genjutsu to control Shinnō.
• Black Zetsu warned Obito that Kakuzu, Xiomi, and others could oppose him if he attacked on the moon.
• A White Zetsu reported that Uchiha Retsuo had discovered the White Zetsu main base, along with Jiraiya, Tsunade, more than twenty Uchihas, and a Shadow Guard.
• Obito questioned White Zetsu about how they were made and learned they were immune to Genjutsu.
• Obito sent White Zetsu to Konoha Hidden Village and asked Shigaraki what Zetsu had made him do.
• Shigaraki told Obito that Zetsu had him draw Gozu Tennō on him, and Obito left determined to be more careful.

Black Zetsu chose to fight the Konoha ninja while his White Zetsu prepared an ambush in the mine tunnels. Retsuo recognized the danger too late, and Tsunade and Might Guy charged into a tunnel filled with White Zetsu launching Fireball Jutsu.

• Black Zetsu decided to fight the Konoha ninja and ordered the White Zetsu to prepare their forces.
• Retsuo told the Uchiha to hold position, while Sumire sensed numerous strange Chakra sources beneath them.
• Tsunade and Might Guy defeated several White Zetsu, and Retsuo suspected they had been left as bait.
• Retsuo warned Yulong to withdraw, but Yulong said Jiraiya was coming to join them.
• Hundreds of White Zetsu surrounded the group and unleashed Fireball Jutsu, prompting Tsunade and Might Guy to charge forward.

Might Guy, Tsunade, and the Uchiha fighters broke through the White Zetsu forces in an underground base, forcing Black Zetsu to call the Akatsuki for help. Pain arranged a remote attack while the Akatsuki members argued about Uchiha Retsuo and the identity of the powerful Baibian Huashan.

• Might Guy and four Uchiha cut through the White Zetsu formation, and Tsunade crushed a fused monster White Zetsu with her Painful Heavenly Foot.
• Might Guy unleashed Morning Peacock down the tunnel, killing White Zetsu and making Black Zetsu order a retreat and call for help.
• Zetsu contacted the Akatsuki through the Phantasm Body Technique and begged Pain to save his base from Uchiha Retsuo's attack.
• Pain agreed to send clones to assist Zetsu, while Obito pointed out that the attack might let Retsuo interfere with Shinnō's successful surgery.
• Pain ordered the Akatsuki to send thirty percent of their Chakra and conceal their identities, then Xiomi and Konan debated whether Baibian Huashan was young enough to be the strongest of his generation.