Chapter Summaries

After the Third Kazekage disappeared, the Third Raikage sent forces into the Land of Wind as a feint to draw Konoha away from the Land of Fire. Konoha chose Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku to lead reinforcements, and the chapter ended with Xuan Zhe insisting Tsunade go to the battlefield despite her refusal.

• The Third Raikage planned to use an apparent attack on Sunagakure to lure Konoha's reinforcements away before Kumogakure struck the Land of Fire.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi convened Konoha's leaders and ordered support sent to Sunagakure after Kumogakure's surprise attack.
• Shikaku Nara argued that Hatake Sakumo and Hatake Xuanzhe should not go because of their past conflicts with Sunagakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Minato Namikaze commander and Uchiha Fugaku deputy, and agreed Tsunade could join if Fugaku persuaded her.
• Tsunade refused Uchiha Mikoto's request to go to the battlefield, but Xuan Zhe told her she had to go.

Xuan Zhe explained that he planned to use Kumogakure’s coming attack to undermine Hiruzen Sarutobi and help Tsunade become Hokage, while Tsunade and Minato Namikaze prepared to head to the Land of Wind. At Konoha’s gates, Rin Nohara stayed behind with Xuan Zhe, disappointing Obito and puzzling Kakashi.

• Xuan Zhe told Tsunade that Kumogakure would use its apparent attack on Sunagakure to lure Konoha’s forces away before striking the Land of Fire, and he planned to let Hiruzen Sarutobi stumble over the threat.
• Xuan Zhe told Kurenai Yuhi not to warn the Hokage, explaining that Hiruzen’s failures could help Tsunade claim the Hokage position; Nawaki warned Uchiha Mikoto to keep the plan secret.
• Minato Namikaze, Obito, and Kakashi gathered at Konoha’s gates to travel to the Land of Wind with Tsunade and the medical team.
• Rin Nohara gave Obito a medical pouch for him and Kakashi, then revealed she would stay in Konoha with Xuan Zhe instead of joining the mission.
• Kakashi asked Xuan Zhe why Rin was staying behind, but Xuan Zhe said he would explain later.

Xuan Zhe learned that Kumogakure’s real target was the Land of Fire and prepared to confront A and Killer B’s advancing force. Meanwhile, the Elders Council feared Tsunade’s growing reputation and the possibility that she would become Hokage.

• Rin Nohara left with Xuan Zhe, while Obito Uchiha worried that Xuan Zhe had kept her behind because he had feelings for her; White Zetsu watched them leave and went to report to Madara Uchiha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received word that Minato Namikaze’s team and Sunagakure had been overpowered by the Third Raikage, and he refused to send further support.
• Shikaku Nara suspected Kumogakure’s attack on the Land of Wind was a feint, but kept quiet after recalling Xuan Zhe’s warning; he, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Chōza Akimichi agreed to remain neutral.
• Xuan Zhe heard of Minato’s defeat and discussed the Third Raikage’s strength before Hatake Sakumo arrived with news that A and Killer B were leading five thousand Kumogakure troops toward the Land of Fire.
• Xuan Zhe and Sakumo set out to face the advancing Kumogakure force, while Xuan Zhe said he might handle the enemy alone.
• Utatane Koharu and the other Elders Council members worried that Tsunade’s wartime service could secure her the position of Fourth Hokage and threaten their standing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Elders Council discussed the approaching Kumogakure army and tried to limit Xuan Zhe’s influence. The clan leaders challenged Danzo’s appointment as commander, but the assignments were completed without giving Xuan Zhe a command post.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō discussed denying Xuan Zhe and Tsunade a chance to gain prestige, while considering how to eliminate them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the clan heads that A and Killer B were leading five thousand Kumogakure shinobi toward the Land of Fire.
• Utatane Koharu announced Shimura Danzō as commander-in-chief, prompting Xuan Zhe to laugh and Nawaki to question Danzo’s battlefield experience.
• Xuan Zhe mocked Danzo’s fitness for the front, and Shikaku Nara also objected to his appointment.
• Nawaki challenged Hiruzen Sarutobi to lead the army himself, but Xuan Zhe restrained him and the Elders Council continued assigning military posts.
• Xuan Zhe received no military post but accepted that he would still be able to go to the battlefield.

Konoha’s five thousand reinforcements reached the northern border as Xuan Zhe and Danzo each considered killing the other. Before Danzo could assign Xuan Zhe a mission, Kumogakure launched a surprise attack led by A and Killer B.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi left Hatake Sakumo off the deployment list to separate him from Xuan Zhe and avoid committing all of Konoha’s forces.
• Xuan Zhe, Hatake Sakumo, and Nawaki discussed the danger Danzo posed as Konoha’s troops set out, while Xuan Zhe and Danzo both considered using the campaign to kill the other.
• Shikaku Nara told Inoichi Yamanaka that, if forced to choose, he trusted Tsunade’s side more than Hiruzen Sarutobi’s.
• Danzo questioned an Inuzuka Anbu about Kumogakure’s attacks and began considering a plan to eliminate Xuan Zhe with a Root unit.
• Chōza Akimichi reported that eight hundred Kumogakure troops led by A and Killer B had launched another attack, forcing Danzo to change his orders.

Danzo led Konoha’s forces into battle against A and Killer B, while Xuan Zhe engaged Killer B and Danzo faced A. Danzo lost his right arm almost immediately, leaving the Konoha ninja stunned and questioning their commander.

• Danzo ordered a thousand ninja to engage Kumogakure and joined the battle as commander-in-chief.
• A and Killer B charged toward Konoha’s army, with A targeting Danzo and Killer B heading for Xuan Zhe.
• Xuan Zhe intercepted Killer B, and their blades clashed as the Eight-Tails sensed something unsettling.
• Danzo’s wind blades missed A, and his kunai snapped when it struck A’s Lightning Release Chakra Armor.
• A severed Danzo’s right arm with Lightning Oppression Horizontal, and the Konoha ninja stared at their wounded commander in disbelief.

Danzo’s injury forced Konoha’s forces into a retreat, which A turned into a rout as Kumogakure pursued them. Xuan Zhe cut Killer B with an extraordinarily fast sword strike, but the Eight-Tails saved him, and B began transforming for a stronger attack.

• Shimura Clan ninja blocked A from killing Danzo, then helped Danzo retreat and ordered Konoha’s forces to fall back.
• A ordered Kumogakure’s Vanguard Army to pursue the retreating Konoha ninja, and Shikaku Nara cursed Danzo as Konoha suffered heavy losses.
• Killer B attacked Xuan Zhe from above with Acrobat, but Xuan Zhe struck him with Kenjutsu: Two-Parting.
• The Eight-Tails took control of Killer B and activated a Tailed Beast Cloak, saving him from the sword strike.
• The Eight-Tails warned Killer B to use their next move, and B began transforming as eight tails emerged and his skin started peeling off.

Xuan Zhe stopped Killer B’s transformed assault with a devastating slash that split the battlefield and covered it in black flames, allowing Konoha’s survivors to retreat. The battle ended in a crushing Konoha defeat, and Hyuga Hiashi waited outside the medical tent as the barely breathing Hizashi was operated on.

• A stopped choking Hizashi Hyuga when he sensed Killer B’s transformation, but Shikaku Nara caught him with the Shadow Imitation Technique while Chōza Akimichi rescued Hizashi.
• Inoichi Yamanaka told Xuan Zhe to cover Konoha’s retreat, revealing that nearly seven hundred of its thousand troops had died.
• Killer B lunged at Xuan Zhe, who unleashed black flames and a powerful sword slash that carved a long fissure through the battlefield and blocked Kumogakure’s pursuit.
• A declared victory for Kumogakure after its forces inflicted far greater losses on Konoha, and the Kumogakure ninjas celebrated.
• Danzo returned to the stronghold town bloodied and missing an arm, while Hizashi was taken for surgery and Hyuga Hiashi waited outside the medical tent.

After Danzo’s disastrous first battle against Kumogakure, Konoha’s leaders recalled him and appointed Hatake Sakumo commander-in-chief. Danzo returned to Konoha disgraced and realized Hiruzen Sarutobi had made him the scapegoat for the heavy losses.

• A logistics ninja reported 657 deaths and 19 critically wounded to Shikaku Nara, who angrily demanded a brush and ink.
• Shikaku Nara’s dispatch blamed Danzo’s command for Konoha’s catastrophic defeat, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Elders Council to discuss replacing him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Hatake Sakumo to take Danzo’s place rather than lead the front himself.
• Danzo woke after surgery with his right arm gone and received orders to return to Konoha while Hatake Sakumo took command.
• Nawaki and Xuan Zhe mocked Danzo as he left, and Xuan Zhe told him the village was blaming him for the casualties.
• Danzo realized Hiruzen Sarutobi was making him take the blame and hurried away with his subordinates.

After Danzo returned to Konoha disgraced and was sent to investigate Iwagakure, Xuan Zhe and Sakumo looked ahead to fighting A and Killer B. On the western front, Tsunade treated Minato as Kumogakure’s forces debated whether to abandon their feint against Sunagakure and join A and Killer B.

• Nawaki mocked Danzo for fleeing, while Xuan Zhe and Sakumo discussed his retreat and the failed chance to kill him.
• Nawaki worried that Danzo’s blame for Konoha’s defeat could threaten Tsunade’s chance to become Hokage, but Xuan Zhe said there would be more opportunities.
• A week later, Danzo confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi, who reassigned him to investigate Iwagakure and the orphanage run by Nonō.
• Danzo left determined to prevent Tsunade from becoming Hokage and to seek greater power using Hashirama’s cells, potentially with help from a former village ally.
• Tsunade treated Minato Namikaze on the western front and mocked Danzo and Minato’s inability to defeat the Third Raikage.
• Dodai advised the Third Raikage against pulling back to join A and Killer B, arguing that Kumogakure needed to keep Konoha’s forces divided.

Konoha and Kumogakure faced off in a major battle, and Xuan Zhe and Hatake Sakumo launched a sudden assault on A and Killer B. Xuan Zhe’s spiritual pressure overwhelmed the battlefield and his blade wounded A, while Killer B began transferring the Eight-Tails’ chakra to heal him.

• The Third Raikage accepted Dodai’s plan to attack Konoha’s defensive line and said he would pierce Minato with his Hell Stab.
• Minato failed to change his Rasengan enough to penetrate the Third Raikage’s Lightning Release Armor, and Tsunade said she would face him herself.
• Hatake Sakumo, now commanding Konoha’s front line, prepared to meet A and Killer B alongside Xuan Zhe as both armies gathered for battle.
• Xuan Zhe and Hatake Sakumo charged the A-B Combo, striking them and blasting nearby Kumogakure shinobi away.
• Xuan Zhe unleashed spiritual pressure that incapacitated fighters on both sides, then slashed a strip of flesh from A’s right arm.
• The Eight-Tails urged Killer B to share its chakra with A, and Killer B sent out tentacles to heal his brother as lightning erupted.

Xuan Zhe and Hatake Sakumo faced A and Killer B in a decisive battle as their forces fought across the battlefield. The brothers countered the A-B Combo’s Double Lariat, and Xuan Zhe awakened Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s Sword Intent before leaving A fatally wounded.

• Hatake Sakumo severed an octopus tentacle, while A attacked Xuan Zhe with Lariat and Xuan Zhe blasted him away with Sword Pressure.
• Hatake Sakumo wounded Killer B, whose Tailed Beast Chakra quickly healed the cuts as the armies of Kumogakure and Konoha fought nearby.
• A and Killer B launched their Double Lariat against the Hatake brothers, who answered with Stormlight White Fang and Demon Fire.
• Xuan Zhe’s Zanpakutō evolution reached 8%, awakening Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s Sword Intent.
• Killer B began breaking through the brothers’ combined attack, while Xuan Zhe pierced A’s abdomen and stood unharmed.

Xuan Zhe wounded A, but Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails and disrupted the battle, forcing Konoha’s forces to retreat. White Zetsu’s failed attempt to impersonate Tsunade revealed a plot involving Obito, while A’s survival remained uncertain.

• Xuan Zhe struck A and tried to finish him, but Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails and rescued A with a tentacle.
• The rampaging Eight-Tails attacked the battlefield, and Shikaku Nara ordered Konoha’s forces to fall back.
• Tsunade appeared to lead Rin Nohara away, but Xuan Zhe exposed and killed the disguised White Zetsu, then carried Rin toward the base.
• Xuan Zhe and Hatake Sakumo retreated while the Eight-Tails set A down and allowed Kumogakure’s medics to treat him.
• White Zetsu and Tobi recovered the dead clone and returned to report their failed mission to Madara, who had targeted Obito and the girl he cared about.
• At the main camp, Shikaku Nara reviewed Konoha’s casualties, and Hatake Sakumo warned that A might survive his wound.

Xuan Zhe moved Rin Nohara into his quarters to protect her, while Madara planned to abduct her covertly. After A died from his wounds, the Third Raikage learned of his son’s death and vowed revenge on Hatake Xuanzhe and Konoha.

• Shikaku Nara asked where Xuan Zhe was, and Sakumo said he had gone to move.
• Xuan Zhe brought Rin Nohara to live in his quarters, saying he needed to protect her from another attack.
• Madara learned that Rin was staying with Hatake Xuanzhe and decided to act covertly.
• Medical Ninja told Killer B that A could not be saved, and a Cloud Ninja sent word to the Third Raikage.
• The Third Raikage learned that A had died and swore to kill Hatake Xuanzhe and destroy Konoha.

The Third Raikage considered Kirigakure’s offer to join forces with Iwagakure against the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, while Dodai urged him to protect Killer B. At the Konoha camp, Minato Namikaze announced that nearly nine hundred ninja from the Land of Earth and the Land of Water were advancing toward the southeastern coast.

• Dodai stopped the furious Third Raikage from changing course and urged him to secure Killer B’s safety and establish a defensive line.
• Karatachi Yagura delivered the Third Mizukage’s secret alliance proposal, offering a coastal attack if Kumogakure kept pressure on Konoha.
• The Third Raikage consulted Dodai and his elite Jonin, agreeing to keep fighting while waiting to see whether Kirigakure and Iwagakure committed troops.
• Ōnoki received Kirigakure’s proposal to join the assault on the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
• At the Konoha camp, Minato Namikaze announced that nearly nine hundred ninja from the Land of Earth and the Land of Water were advancing toward the southeastern coast.

Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Kirigakure’s forces had broken through toward the Land of Whirlpools ruins and decided to lead Konoha’s remaining forces to the coast. He ordered Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura to join him, leaving Biwako Sarutobi to manage the village.

• Utatane Koharu and the Elders Council reflected that blaming Orochimaru for the Shisui Uchiha affair had spared the Land of Fire from making the Land of Wind an enemy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo discussed Konoha’s depleted forces and the lack of reinforcements available for the fronts.
• A Shiranui shinobi reported that four thousand Kirigakure troops led by the Third Mizukage had broken through Konoha’s first defensive line and were nearing the Land of Whirlpools ruins.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to go to the coastal front and ordered Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura to accompany him, with Biwako Sarutobi serving as Acting Hokage.
• Eight thousand Konoha shinobi assembled at the Main Gate and cheered as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to lead them out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha’s eight-thousand-strong army toward the southeastern front, while Xuan Zhe’s forces continued facing Kumogakure in the north. When Hiruzen requested reinforcements, Xuan Zhe told Hyuga Hiashi to claim they could not spare troops for six months, leaving Hiashi alarmed at the deception.

• Might Guy loudly mocked Danzo for losing an arm to the Raikage’s son, and the Konoha ranks snickered as Danzo searched for the heckler.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi rallied the troops with a speech about the Will of Fire and led the army toward the southeastern front with Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo.
• Xuan Zhe learned that Hiruzen wanted his forces to reinforce the southeastern front after driving Kumogakure back, and he laughed at the request.
• Xuan Zhe beat Hatake Sakumo at Chinese chess again and refused to play another game.
• Xuan Zhe told Hyuga Hiashi to report that the northern fighting would prevent reinforcements for at least six months, though Hiashi expected the front to be settled within a month.

The Third Mizukage, controlled by Madara Uchiha, attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Konoha forces in the Land of Whirlpools. After the Mizukage’s Ice Clone trapped Hiruzen’s staff in ice, he surrounded Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō with Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.

• Rin Nohara considered who would win a fight between the Elders Council and Kirigakure, but Xuan Zhe dismissed the idea of betting with her.
• The Third Mizukage learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other former students of Tobirama Senju had occupied the Land of Whirlpools, and Madara Uchiha prepared to fight them through his control of the Mizukage.
• A Hayate Clan Chunin warned Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Third Mizukage was attacking with about two thousand men.
• The Third Mizukage’s ice attack injured Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and Juzo Biwa killed a medical ninja before Danzo drove him back with Wind Release.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s staff struck an Ice Clone, which froze the weapon, and the Third Mizukage trapped Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.

Kirigakure defeated Konoha at the Land of Whirlpools ruins, forcing Hiruzen Sarutobi to retreat and seek reinforcements. When Utatane Koharu brought his appeal north, Hatake Xuanzhe and Senju Nawaki mocked the defeat, and Koharu asked Hatake Sakumo to send help.

• The Third Mizukage trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha Elders Council F4 in Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals while Kirigakure fought Konoha’s forces.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō rescued Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, then ordered Konoha to retreat as Kirigakure captured the Land of Whirlpools ruins.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Shikaku Nara expected the northern forces to need six more months, so he sent Utatane Koharu to demand reinforcements and Mitokado Homura to find Jiraiya.
• Utatane Koharu reached the northern headquarters and reported Kirigakure’s advance, prompting Hatake Xuanzhe and Senju Nawaki to laugh at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s defeat.
• Utatane Koharu appealed to Hatake Sakumo to send troops south and protect the people of the Land of Fire.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura failed to secure reinforcements for Hiruzen Sarutobi from either Xuan Zhe’s front or Jiraiya’s Western Front. Hiruzen learned that Jiraiya would remain with Minato Namikaze and Tsunade, leaving the southeastern front to face Kirigakure without help.

• Hatake Sakumo refused Utatane Koharu’s request for reinforcements, and Nawaki challenged her account of the fighting while the clan heads stayed silent.
• Xuan Zhe struck Koharu’s departing Shadow Clone with a teacup, then explained to Nawaki that the old leaders had not come in person.
• The real Utatane Koharu received her clone’s memories at an inn in the Land of Hot Water and furiously smashed her teacup.
• Jiraiya refused Mitokado Homura’s request to reinforce Hiruzen Sarutobi, citing the greater danger on the Western Front, where Kumogakure and Iwagakure outnumbered Minato Namikaze’s forces.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura returned to Hiruzen’s camp without reinforcements; Koharu called for action against the clans, but Hiruzen dismissed her threat and accepted that Jiraiya would stay with Minato and Tsunade.