Chapter Summaries

Ōnoki negotiated with Shihōin Naraku to remove Iwagakure’s restrictions on the Shihōin Clan in exchange for treating Kurotsuchi’s severed leg. After rejecting a treatment that would shorten her life, Ōnoki agreed to Naraku’s costly cloning method and arranged a loan to pay for it.

• Ōnoki promised to let the Shihōin Clan trade freely in Iwagakure, and Naraku accepted his assurance.
• Naraku offered to regrow Kurotsuchi’s leg by stimulating cell division, but warned that the treatment could leave her with a lifespan ending around thirty; Ōnoki refused.
• Naraku proposed cloning a replacement leg and transplanting it, and Ōnoki chose that option after hearing it had no serious side effects.
• Naraku named an exorbitant fee, and Ōnoki reluctantly agreed to pay it so Kurotsuchi could be treated.
• Ōnoki sent for funds, and Iwagakure ninja arrived in Konoha with a loan arranged by Han within two days.
• Ōnoki asked Naraku to begin treatment once the funds arrived.

Shihōin Naraku began cloning Kurotsuchi’s right leg after Ōnoki secured funding, while Tsunade warned him against human cloning. Tsunade appointed Naraku Commander of Konoha’s Defense Force, and he began reorganizing its personnel and security procedures.

• Ōnoki provided most of the funds for Kurotsuchi’s treatment, and Naraku began growing a replacement right leg from her cells.
• Tsunade praised the cloning technology but warned Naraku that cloning humans for experiments was forbidden.
• Tsunade appointed Naraku Konoha’s Defense Force Commander, and the system awarded him two draw chances.
• Naraku began reorganizing the Defense Force, changing patrol arrangements, routes, code words, hand signals, and security seals.

Obito Uchiha awakened after Black Zetsu fused his mind with him and White Zetsu rebuilt much of his body, leaving him dependent on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path but vastly stronger. As Obito prepared to watch for the Two-Tails’ revival, a White Zetsu appeared with urgent news.

• Black Zetsu explained that he had awakened Obito by parasitizing his mind while White Zetsu replaced much of his body, leaving him reliant on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Obito discovered that his strength, chakra, sensory abilities, and Wood Release had increased dramatically, and he considered confronting Shihōin Naraku before Black Zetsu talked him down.
• Obito tore away the statue’s tubes and asked whether the White Zetsu had been sent to watch for the Two-Tails’ revival beneath the Forest of Death.
• Obito ordered that the Two-Tails be captured as soon as it revived, then a White Zetsu wearing a Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan emerged and announced that something had happened.

Obito Uchiha learned that Kirigakure had uncovered his genjutsu control over Karatachi Yagura and decided to keep the White Zetsu in place as a deterrent. In the Land of Waterfalls, Orochimaru agreed to go to Kumogakure after its ninja gave him a scroll whose contents surprised and pleased him.

• Obito Uchiha reclaimed his Mangekyō Sharingan and decided the White Zetsu should keep guarding Karatachi Yagura, while he sought to secure either Yagura or the Three-Tails.
• A Kumogakure squad searching the forest encountered Orochimaru, who captured one of their ninja with venomous snakes.
• More than thirty elite Cloud Ninja surrounded Orochimaru and asked him to come to Kumogakure for urgent help.
• The Cloud Ninja leader gave Orochimaru a scroll, and Orochimaru swallowed it after reading its contents.
• Orochimaru agreed to travel to Kumogakure, and Kabuto Yakushi appeared after the group departed, wondering what the scroll contained.

Shihōin Naraku oversaw Kurotsuchi’s successful leg transplant and stepped down from his Defense Force command, then Tsunade appointed him Chief of the General Staff as Konoha established a permanent Staff Department. Naraku, Tsunade, and Shikaku Nara began discussing candidates for the department.

• Shihōin Naraku supervised the growth of Kurotsuchi’s cloned leg and instructed the laboratory staff to record the experimental data.
• Shihōin Naraku led the operation that attached the cultivated limb to Kurotsuchi, and Ōnoki thanked him and agreed to honor their terms.
• Shihōin Naraku left Kurotsuchi’s recovery to Konoha’s Medical Ninja and relinquished his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Force.
• Tsunade established the Staff Department as a permanent institution and appointed Shihōin Naraku Chief of the General Staff and Shikaku Nara Chief of Staff.
• Shihōin Naraku and Tsunade discussed selecting clever planners for the Staff Department, then began considering candidates with Shikaku Nara.

Tsunade, Shihōin Naraku, and Shikaku Nara established the basic framework of Konoha’s new Staff Department. At home, Naraku completed his fifth ten-pull, gained the Netsu Netsu no Mi’s power, and discovered that it could fuse with his Mera Mera no Mi flames to produce extreme heat.

• Tsunade, Shihōin Naraku, and Shikaku Nara selected candidates and began setting up the Staff Department, with Tsunade promising it support.
• Naraku returned home and started his fifth ten-pull, receiving Senzu Beans, Isobu and Four-Tails chakra, the Netsu Netsu no Mi, Perfect Sage Mode, and other rewards.
• Naraku asked the system to grant him the Netsu Netsu no Mi’s power directly, avoiding the fruit’s taste.
• Naraku’s new power caused intense heat in his home, so he flew high into the sky to keep from setting it on fire.
• Naraku tested flames from his fused Devil Fruit powers and raised their temperature from two thousand to eight thousand degrees, while realizing that was not his limit.

Shihōin Naraku tested his newly acquired Fire Release and Kamehameha, then discovered that Tobirama Senju’s Chakra Sensing greatly expanded his Observation Haki. He prepared to activate his final reward, Ryūchi Cave’s Perfect Sage Mode.

• Shihōin Naraku tested his strengthened Fire Release by sending a white flame into the sky, where it exploded with immense force.
• Shihōin Naraku fired a Kamehameha into the empty sky, clearing the clouds and startling people in Konoha.
• Shihōin Naraku flew to another bank of clouds and reviewed his Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade and Chakra Sensing rewards.
• Shihōin Naraku combined Chakra Sensing with Observation Haki and extended its range to nearly two million meters.
• Shihōin Naraku activated his final reward, Ryūchi Cave’s Perfect Sage Mode.

Shihōin Naraku tested the Ryūchi Cave Perfect Sage Mode he had won, discovering its dragon-shaped chakra could attack and defend while senjutsu greatly amplified his techniques. After finishing his experiments, he planned to ask Tsunade about Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode when he returned to Konoha.

• Shihōin Naraku activated Perfect Sage Mode and found transparent chakra dragons circling his body that he could control.
• Shihōin Naraku sent a chakra dragon into a lake, where it exploded underwater, and observed the dragons automatically shielding him from the spray.
• Shihōin Naraku used Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation to raise a massive wave that destroyed the lakeshore.
• Shihōin Naraku enhanced a Fire Release punch with senjutsu chakra and blasted a huge cavity into the lake.
• Shihōin Naraku deactivated Sage Mode and resolved to ask Tsunade about Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode after returning to Konoha.

Tsunade sent Shihōin Naraku on an S-rank mission to investigate Kirigakure forces in the Land of Waves and reports of tailed beast activity near the coast. Naraku reached the border encampment and questioned its captain, Namiashi Raidō, about new intelligence.

• Tsunade told Naraku that Kirigakure ninja had appeared in the Land of Waves and that Konoha forces had reported a Tailed Beast Bomb at sea, then authorized him to decide whether war was necessary.
• Naraku flew to the Land of Fire’s coast, where startled Konoha border troops recognized and welcomed him.
• Naraku met Namiashi Raidō, the border forces’ captain, and noted that he had been transferred from his former Hokage bodyguard duties.
• Naraku asked Raidō whether the border forces had gathered further intelligence on the Land of Water and Kirigakure.

Shihōin Naraku investigated the unrest in the Land of Water, suspecting that Kirigakure, Obito Uchiha, and another force were involved. He searched the islands for the missing figures, while a mysterious masked man appeared on a barren island where someone was transforming in a cave.

• Namiashi Raidō told Shihōin Naraku that the Mist Ninja were restraining their actions and that at least three forces were likely involved in the unrest.
• Naraku reasoned that Kirigakure was trying to recover Karatachi Yagura and Isobu, while Obito Uchiha was likely exploiting the chaos.
• Naraku flew to the Land of Waves, but found no trace of the Mist Ninja, Karatachi Yagura, or Obito Uchiha at the Great Naruto Bridge.
• Naraku searched dozens of offshore islands with Observation Haki, finding only scattered Mist Ninja genin and chunin.
• On a barren island, a short figure groaned and howled inside a cave as a terrifying aura spread through the area.
• A mysterious masked man appeared by the island's shore as the figure's roars grew stronger.

Obito Uchiha confronted Karatachi Yagura in a mountain cave while Mei Terumi and the Mist Ninja rushed to rescue the Fourth Mizukage. Their battle continued outside after Yagura partially transformed, and a sudden heartbeat interrupted the fight.

• Zetsu told Obito Uchiha that Karatachi Yagura was in a cave and that Mist Ninja were approaching, but Obito headed for the mountain anyway.
• Mei Terumi, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Ao set out to find Karatachi Yagura after Ao spotted Obito approaching him inside the cave.
• Obito entered the cave as Black Zetsu explained that years of genjutsu had left Karatachi Yagura unable to distinguish reality from illusion.
• Karatachi Yagura attacked Obito with a Tailed Beast Bomb, and the blast destroyed the cave and shook the mountain.
• Karatachi Yagura partially transformed and fought Obito outside, but Obito evaded his attacks and struck him with a wooden club and Wood Release.
• Obito fired wooden spikes at Karatachi Yagura, who dodged and struck again as a heartbeat suddenly rang out.

Obito Uchiha used Wood Release and Sharingan genjutsu to subdue Karatachi Yagura, but Mei Terumi and Hozuki Mangetsu freed him and the battle turned into a chaotic fight across the island. Obito remained unharmed by Yagura’s Tailed Beast Bomb, while Mei and Mangetsu realized his intangibility had a cooldown and began considering how to exploit it.

• Obito restrained Karatachi Yagura with Wood Release and tried to trap him in Sharingan genjutsu.
• Hozuki Mangetsu shattered Obito’s wooden bindings with Hiramekarei, and Mei Terumi covered the battlefield in mist and acidic vapor to help them retreat.
• Obito escaped the acid, dispersed the mist with Fire Release, and Yagura fired a Tailed Beast Bomb that created a vast crater but left Obito unharmed.
• Obito attacked the Mist Ninja and deliberately lured the rampaging Yagura toward them, causing heavy casualties as Mei and Mangetsu struggled to fight back without hitting their allies.
• Hozuki Mangetsu warned Mei Terumi that Obito’s intangibility had a time limit, and they estimated they needed to attack him continuously for at least six minutes.

Obito Uchiha overwhelmed Mei Terumi, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Karatachi Yagura with his Wood Release and ocular jutsu, leaving the Mist Ninja badly injured and outmatched. As Obito attacked Mei from behind, Mangetsu's desperate strike failed to stop him, and a wooden spike was poised at her neck.

• Mei Terumi and Hozuki Mangetsu tried to uncover weaknesses in Obito's abilities while Shihōin Naraku watched from above.
• Obito pinned Karatachi Yagura with Wood Release and began sealing him into the Kamui Dimension.
• Mei Terumi blasted Obito with a massive Water Release attack, forcing him to abandon his attempt to capture Yagura.
• Obito vanished underground and reappeared behind Mei Terumi as Ao warned her and Mangetsu rushed to intervene.
• Mangetsu's Samehada slash passed through Obito, who pressed a wooden spike against Mei Terumi's neck.

Shihōin Naraku arrived to save Mei Terumi and confronted Obito Uchiha, whose body and soul showed unusual resilience. Naraku left Obito wounded but recovering, while Black Zetsu secretly suffered from the soul damage linked to him.

• Shihōin Naraku seized Obito Uchiha's wrist, kicked him away, and drew the attention of the Mist Ninja and Mei Terumi.
• Obito Uchiha stepped back under Naraku's intimidating presence, then declared that killing Naraku would let him build a new world.
• Naraku used the Body Flicker Technique and his Black Blade to strike Obito, whose wounds healed almost immediately.
• Naraku's Zanpakutō injured Obito's soul, causing Black Zetsu to suffer pain through his connection to Obito.
• Obito quickly recovered, and Naraku realized that he would need to strike again to finish him.

Shihōin Naraku overwhelmed Obito Uchiha with swordsmanship, then faced both Obito and Hozuki Mangetsu after Mangetsu charged into the fight for one final battle. As the three fought amid spreading flames and destruction, Naraku noticed someone still near the shore.

• Shihōin Naraku attacked Obito Uchiha, evading his bomb and relentlessly striking while Obito relied on intangibility.
• Naraku kept up his assault to exhaust Obito's limited ten-minute intangibility, while the Mist Ninja watched in awe.
• Hozuki Mangetsu, near death, urged Mei Terumi not to provoke Konoha and to build good relations with it.
• Hozuki Mangetsu experienced a final surge of strength, grabbed the Twin Blades Samehada, and joined the battle.
• Naraku fought Obito and Hozuki Mangetsu at once, forcing them to cooperate as his attacks and flames swept across the battlefield.
• Naraku glanced toward the shore and realized that someone had not fled.

Karatachi Yagura transformed into Isobu and fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at the island, where Shihōin Naraku was fighting Obito Uchiha and Hozuki Mangetsu. Naraku survived the resulting devastation and recovered the Twin Blades Samehada, while the battle’s outcome remained unclear.

• Karatachi Yagura revealed that he had transformed into Isobu and formed a Tailed Beast Bomb to attack Obito Uchiha.
• Ao led the Mist Ninja away as Mei Terumi moved to safety, while Shihōin Naraku kept fighting Obito Uchiha and Hozuki Mangetsu.
• Isobu fired the Tailed Beast Bomb at the island, and the blast combined with Naraku’s Fire Release to devastate the island.
• Mei Terumi escaped the explosion by taking shelter in a fissure, while Shihōin Naraku walked out of the flames alive.
• Shihōin Naraku found the Twin Blades Samehada, sealed it in a scroll, and planned to have Kurikara devour it.

Naraku tracked down Obito and Black Zetsu after the battle, then overwhelmed them with a sudden attack and demanded answers from Zetsu. Black Zetsu escaped, and Obito realized he could not safely fight Naraku.

• Naraku used Observation Haki to locate Obito after the island fell quiet.
• Obito agreed with Black Zetsu that they should retreat, but Naraku appeared beside him and kicked him into the air.
• Naraku used Amenotejikara to seize Black Zetsu as he tried to escape underground, then slammed him into the ground and stabbed him with Kurikara.
• Naraku questioned Black Zetsu about his origins and revealed information that alarmed him, before Zetsu escaped underground.
• Obito charged Naraku and threw enormous shuriken, but recognized that Naraku could defeat him before he activated Kamui's Intangibility.

Shihōin Naraku overwhelmed Obito while Isobu’s attacks devastated the island, and Obito turned his frustration on the tailed beast. Naraku severed both of Obito’s hands, then struck toward his heart as Obito kept his vital areas intangible.

• Isobu attacked Naraku and Obito with Iron Cannonballs and Tailed Beast Bombs, reducing the island to rubble while the two opponents focused on each other.
• Naraku pressed Obito with relentless sword strikes, leaving him no chance to form hand seals or counterattack.
• Isobu curled into a wheel and charged at Obito, but his attack passed through Obito’s intangible body.
• Obito struck Isobu with a wooden staff, moved beside him using Kamui, and pierced him with Wood Release: Cutting Technique.
• Naraku slashed off both of Obito’s hands and followed with a strike toward his heart, while Obito kept his vital areas intangible.

Shihōin Naraku fought Obito Uchiha and discovered that Obito’s Intangibility had a ten-minute limit. Naraku struck Obito when the ability ended, then severed his head, leaving his identity exposed as someone cried out his name.

• Obito’s hands regenerated strangely as he evaded Naraku’s soul-piercing Kurikara, while Isobu attacked them both.
• Naraku used Amenotejikara to switch places with Obito, who recognized it as Space-Time Ninjutsu unlike Flying Thunder God.
• Naraku pressed his assault and deduced that Obito’s Intangibility lasted ten minutes, counting down as the fight continued.
• When Obito’s Intangibility ran out, Naraku stabbed him through the heart, wounded him severely, and shattered his mask.
• Naraku slashed through Obito’s neck and severed his head as someone shouted, “Obito!!!”

Shihōin Naraku recognized Obito Uchiha beneath his mask, but Obito used Izanagi to escape after Naraku beheaded him. Naraku then overwhelmed Isobu while the Mist Ninja watched, and he searched the island but found Obito gone.

• Shihōin Naraku recognized Obito Uchiha’s exposed face and realized Obito had prepared Izanagi to survive being beheaded.
• Isobu charged Naraku, but Naraku stopped him with one hand and slammed the tailed beast across the island.
• Naraku threw Isobu into the air, struck him with three blade arcs, and hit him with a Great Spiraling Ring, leaving him engulfed in flames.
• The Mist Ninja watched in fear, while Mei Terumi decided they could only wait to see whether Isobu survived.
• Naraku noticed Obito’s severed head and body had vanished, searched the island with Observation Haki, and concluded that Obito had escaped.