Arc 3Root and New Ties

Itachi and Tenzo seized Root and crushed an Uchiha rebellion while Naruto reunited with his parents, welcomed Karin into his life, and grew closer to Sasuke and his classmates. The arc ended with Itachi leaving for Root after the massacre, as a soul entered his belly.

  • Danzo’s Root Base was devastated by Shisui’s Spiral Gun, and Sarutobi later took control of Root while Danzo resisted handing it over.
  • Itachi and Tenzo subdued Root’s members and took command, with Itachi using his Mangekyō on Otsu and the others.
  • Hashirama helped Naruto and Kurama play cards, then stopped Naruto from opening Kurama’s seal when Minato appeared, and Minato and Kushina later reunited with Naruto in the Sealing Space.
  • During a wilderness-survival outing, Sasuke killed a wild boar and Naruto and Sasuke rescued Karin from Pig Big, learning she was Naruto’s cousin.
  • Sarutobi arranged for Karin to live near Naruto, and Kakashi brought her to meet him, and Naruto welcomed Karin and took her to school, where she met Sasuke and his classmates.
  • Itachi and Tenzo led New Root and ANBU against Uchiha extremists at Naka Shrine, killing nearly one hundred rebels after Fugaku declined to lead a coup.
  • Danzo learned that Itachi had taken Root and ordered Otsu to gather the survivors, but Otsu warned that Itachi already knew their locations.
  • Itachi showed Uchiha Ye the massacre through Tsukuyomi, challenged the survivors to oppose him or leave, then departed for Root with Tenzo as a soul awakened in the Pure Land and entered his belly.
Chapters 51–75 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 51Disaster strikes Danzo

Danzo surveyed the destruction of Root after Shisui’s enormous Spiral Gun attack killed most of his subordinates and ruined his plans to take Shisui’s eyes. As Danzo considered how to explain the disaster and investigate Shisui’s power, the chapter revealed that Madara had faked his death with a Shadow Clone.

  • Shisui’s Spiral Gun struck Root Base, killing most of Danzo’s ninja and leaving Danzo, Otsu, and a few elite bodyguards alive.
  • Danzo lamented losing Shisui’s eyes and his plans involving Hiruzen, then slammed his hand on a sturdy desk made by Tenzo.
  • Danzo watched his surviving subordinates salvage Root’s documents and laboratory supplies, and decided the damaged base could not be kept.
  • Danzo wondered how Shisui had survived the Aburame Clan poison and resolved to study Tobirama’s materials and Uchiha records.
  • The chapter recounted how Hashirama’s body had been buried and revealed that Madara had left a Shadow Clone behind to fake his death.

Ch. 52Ino the Headstrong (For gossip, charge!)

Hiruzen considered confronting Danzo and replacing him as Root’s leader, while Ino’s lunchroom gossip about Iruka’s boxed lunch turned into teasing and a brief rivalry with Sakura over Sasuke. The chapter ended with Sasuke planning to tell his brother about the gossip and Ino imagining that she had caught his interest.

  • Hiruzen led an ANBU squad to confront Danzo and considered putting Itachi in charge of Root.
  • Ino asked Iruka who had brought him a pink lunch box, and Iruka said it came from Shizuko-sensei next door.
  • Naruto mistakenly thought Mizuki had given Iruka the lunch, and Hinata briefly worried about Naruto’s assumptions before he clarified.
  • Iruka rapped Ino on the head for prying and sent her back to eat with Sakura.
  • Sasuke glanced at Ino, prompting her to boast to Sakura, while Sasuke planned to tell his brother about the lunchtime gossip.

Ch. 53Danzo: You Think You Can Just Take What's Mine?

Sarutobi confronted Danzo over Root's destruction and removed him as its leader, but Danzo refused to surrender control and arranged for Root's members to resist the successor. The chapter ended with Danzo leaving while Sarutobi faced Otsu and Root's defiant subordinates.

  • Sarutobi arrived at Root's ruins with Kakashi, Tenzo, and ANBU, and Tenzo laughed at the palm print on Danzo's desk.
  • Danzo blamed Shisui Uchiha for attacking Root and claimed he had thwarted Shisui's attempt to control Konoha's leaders.
  • Sarutobi rejected Danzo's excuses, took control of Root, and said Danzo could remain Hokage's aide but could no longer meddle in Root.
  • Danzo rallied Otsu and dozens of Root ninja, warning Sarutobi that Root would not be handed over without resistance.
  • Danzo gave Sarutobi two days to prove his chosen successor could endure Root, then left while Root's members continued following his orders.

Ch. 54Itachi Plus Tenzo, Budget Warring States (✪ω✪)

After Shisui’s death, Itachi told Sarutobi how Danzo had tried to steal Shisui’s eyes, and Sarutobi later put Itachi and Tenzo in charge of Root. They subdued Danzo’s remaining subordinates, leaving the fate of Danzo’s position unresolved.

  • Itachi told Sarutobi that Danzo had trapped Shisui to take his eyes, and Sarutobi promised to protect Itachi and make Danzo pay.
  • Sarutobi appointed Itachi to lead Root and sent Tenzo with him to help manage the organization.
  • Itachi used his Mangekyō on Otsu, pulling him into a mental world and bringing him under control.
  • Itachi and Tenzo used Mangekyō and Wood Release to restrain Root’s remaining members, with ANBU helping them.
  • Kakashi watched Itachi and Tenzo take control of Root while Danzo remained unaware that his subordinates had been captured.

Ch. 55The 1,000 Ryō Hashirama Once Spent

Naruto invited Sasuke to walk home together, while Hashirama recalled a late-night dice game with Madara that ended with Mito catching them. Naruto and Sasuke headed home together as a passing green-clad kappa chose not to interrupt them.

  • Naruto noticed Sasuke waiting alone and invited him to walk home together.
  • Hashirama remembered spending 1,000 ryō to learn a dice technique and inviting Madara to gamble with him.
  • Madara secretly let Hashirama win until Mito woke and confronted them; Madara left Hashirama to face her.
  • Sasuke reluctantly agreed to walk home with Naruto, who briefly climbed onto his back and left his bag on Sasuke's.
  • A passing green-clad kappa saw Naruto and Sasuke walking together and decided not to disturb them.

Ch. 56Coloring the Playing Cards

Hashirama taught Naruto and Kurama to play cards while they painted, but his poor play ruined their game. Afterward, Hashirama agreed to have Naruto undo Kurama’s Sealing Technique the next night, and Kurama reflected on feeling accepted.

  • Hashirama brought Naruto and Kurama playing cards to paint and taught them Fight the Landlord.
  • Kurama expected Hashirama to help him win, but Hashirama mistakenly bombed Naruto’s pair and cost them the game.
  • Naruto left the Sealing Space to sleep, while Kurama complained that Naruto and Hashirama kept handling him roughly.
  • Kurama asked when Hashirama could undo the Sealing Technique, and Hashirama said Naruto would open it tomorrow night.
  • Kurama dozed and remembered his time with Naruto, feeling that he had finally been accepted.

Ch. 57Minato: Huh? What's going on?

Naruto tried to remove Kurama’s sealing talisman while Hashirama watched, but Minato appeared and attempted to stop him. Naruto broke free and removed the talisman, leaving him ready to open the seal on his stomach.

  • Naruto enjoyed a lively day at school, while Iruka learned that the school had received funding from Danzo’s confiscated property.
  • In the Sealing Space, Naruto stood on Hashirama’s table and prepared to remove Kurama’s talisman so Kurama could roam freely.
  • Minato appeared beside Naruto and grabbed his wrist, warning Kurama to behave.
  • Hashirama realized that Minato’s chakra left near the Eight Trigrams Seal carried his consciousness.
  • Naruto broke free of Minato’s hold and tore off Kurama’s talisman, then prepared to open the seal on his stomach.

Ch. 58Minato wanted to put him to the test!

Minato reunited with Naruto in the Sealing Space and met Hashirama, who explained the situation and Naruto’s fate as the Child of Prophecy. Minato asked to spar with Hashirama before they undid Kurama’s seal, and the two prepared to fight while Naruto and Kurama watched.

  • Naruto jumped down from the table and ran to Hashirama, startling Minato, who recognized the First Hokage.
  • Hashirama told Minato that Kurama had identified him and explained the Sage of Six Paths’ prophecy and Naruto’s role.
  • Naruto asked Hashirama to undo Kurama’s seal, but Minato stopped him to confirm Hashirama’s identity.
  • Minato challenged Hashirama to a spar, and Naruto and Kurama settled beside a tree to watch.
  • Hashirama let Minato make the first move, and Minato threw five Flying Thunder God kunai.

Ch. 59Chakra does not shed tears

Minato fought Hashirama with Flying Thunder God and Rasengan, but Hashirama’s Wood Release overwhelmed him as his chakra ran out. Hashirama brought Naruto to his fading father, and Naruto pleaded with him to save Minato.

  • Minato used Flying Thunder God and a Rasengan to attack Hashirama, who knocked him back and answered with Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
  • Minato struck Hashirama from behind with a Big Ball Rasengan, but Hashirama revealed he had been fighting with a Wood Release clone.
  • Hashirama summoned the Wood Golem Technique and forced Minato to slow down as his chakra dwindled.
  • Minato saw Naruto with Hashirama and Kurama, then entrusted the rest to them as his chakra form began to fade.
  • Hashirama stopped the Wood Golem’s punch and brought Naruto to Minato, who apologized before Naruto begged Hashirama to save his father.

Ch. 60It's all right, I'll handle it

Hashirama restored Minato with his chakra, and Minato began undoing Naruto’s seal. Kushina appeared inside the seal, reunited with Minato and Naruto, and Hashirama remembered Kurama was still bound by her chains.

  • Hashirama used his chakra to restore Minato’s fading body and explained how his chakra could sustain a spiritual mark.
  • Minato began undoing Naruto’s Eight Trigrams Seal while Kurama kept his chakra restrained.
  • Kushina appeared and bound Kurama with her Adamantine Sealing Chains, mistaking Hashirama and the others for a genjutsu.
  • Minato convinced Kushina that he was real and explained Hashirama’s presence, then Kushina punched him for calling Hashirama “Uncle.”
  • Kushina embraced Naruto, and Hashirama stepped aside to let the family reunite before remembering Kurama was still trapped.

Ch. 61The plan to wipe out the Uchiha Clan was Lord Weasel's idea!

Naruto and Kurama enjoyed a playful race while Hashirama invited Minato and Kushina to play cards. Meanwhile, Itachi and Tenzo exchanged eyes and used their new abilities against Root prisoners as Itachi began eliminating extremists in the Uchiha Clan; by dawn, Itachi left to take Sasuke to school, and Tenzo wondered whether they could hide the consequences of their actions.

  • Naruto asked Kushina to release Kurama, then climbed onto Kurama’s back and persuaded him to race.
  • Hashirama brought Minato and Kushina to a wooden room and dealt them cards for a game.
  • Itachi gave Tenzo his right eye, took Shisui’s right eye for himself, and both gained access to new abilities.
  • Itachi and Tenzo went to the room holding former Root members and tested their abilities on the prisoners through the night.
  • At dawn, Itachi left to take Sasuke to school, while Tenzo wondered whether acting quickly and secretly would only be self-deception.

Ch. 62A school-organized picnic!

Naruto went to school with Sasuke and shared fruit with his friends before Iruka announced a wilderness-survival outing in the hills behind the village. The chapter ended with the students reacting to the news as their classes prepared to join the outing.

  • Minato woke Naruto, who rushed through his morning routine and met Sasuke and Itachi on the way to school.
  • Itachi said goodbye to Naruto and Sasuke, then returned to the Root Base with Tenzo to continue investigating Root.
  • Naruto shared fruit with his classmates, and he asked Sasuke about Itachi’s recent behavior.
  • Iruka announced that the students would go to the hills behind the village for a supervised wilderness-survival activity with other classes.

Ch. 63Sasuke: I've got a story. Got milk?

Naruto’s class began a wilderness survival exercise at a stream where Sasuke remembered an old fishing mishap. Ino gave Sasuke milk as thanks and drew out part of his story, while Naruto and Hinata considered hunting a wild boar for food as the teachers chose camp sites across the stream.

  • Sasuke recognized the stream as the place where he had once fought and caught a fish, and several girls admired his pensive mood.
  • Ino thanked Sasuke for blocking a kunai earlier and offered him milk, which he accepted before casually mentioning that he had visited the stream with Naruto.
  • Ino returned to Sakura rather than questioning Sasuke further, while Sakura accused her of tricking them and stealing their base.
  • Iruka offered Naruto and Hinata extra food if they struggled to hunt, and the two exchanged a plan to catch a wild boar.
  • Shizuko suggested that Iruka’s group camp beside the stream, while Mizuki’s group set up on the opposite bank.

Ch. 64Boar Slayer!

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata gathered supplies in the forest and hunted wild boars for lunch. Sasuke killed one boar while Naruto and Hinata privately nicknamed him the “Boar Slayer,” and the other boar escaped.

  • Ino asked Naruto whether anything memorable had happened when he and Sasuke visited the area, and Naruto hid the story of Sasuke battling a fish.
  • Hashirama recalled the fish story to the others inside the Sealing Space, and Naruto later told Hinata what had happened.
  • Sasuke led Naruto and Hinata to gather building materials, while Naruto quickly felled and carried several trees.
  • Hinata spotted two wild boars, and Naruto's released aura frightened one into fleeing.
  • Sasuke activated his Sharingan and killed the remaining boar with his kunai as Naruto and Hinata called him the “Boar Slayer.”

Ch. 65Mizuki: I can't take this

The students cooked and shared food at their campsite while Sasuke’s group impressed Kiba with the wild boar they had killed. Mizuki tended to a student injured by Pig Big, who was stalking the children to avenge his brother, while Choji brought snake soup and Naruto shared fruit.

  • Naruto complained that the wild boar tasted worse than Auntie Aoi’s cooking, and Sasuke told Kiba he could use their fire while Kiba went to find food.
  • Pig Big ambushed a student who had gone to relieve himself, leaving Mizuki to wash and care for the injured boy as the boar plotted revenge for Pig Two.
  • Hinata quickly ate her fill of roast meat, and Shizuko served Iruka grilled fish while Mizuki watched enviously.
  • Sakura borrowed fire from Sasuke, while Ino silently lamented that Sakura had missed her chance to get closer to him.
  • Choji brought Naruto’s group snake soup made from a snake he had found and defeated, and Naruto sent Choji and Shikamaru back with fruit.

Ch. 66Karin: Is This the Konoha Grandma Mito Told Me About?

Mito left Karin in Konoha with chakra clones, sealing techniques, and instructions to seek an identity from Sarutobi, then returned to the Pure Land. As Karin was chased by a giant boar, Hinata spotted her near the campsite and Sasuke and Naruto went to investigate.

  • Mito said goodbye to Karin and returned to the Pure Land, leaving her supplies and safeguards in the Sealing Space.
  • Karin vowed to survive and live well, then walked into the forest near Naruto and the others' campsite.
  • Pig Big charged at Karin, missed, and crashed into a tree before chasing her as she ran away.
  • At the campsite, Sasuke decided to hunt another boar after Naruto said there was not enough meat.
  • Hinata used her Byakugan to spot Karin being chased, and Sasuke and Naruto headed toward her.

Ch. 67Naruto, Your Relative Is Here!

Sasuke rescued Karin Uzumaki from Pig Big, and Naruto discovered that Karin might be a close relative through his mother, Kushina. The chapter ended as Karin asked Naruto about Aunt Kushina and Sasuke tried to remember where he had heard the name.

  • Sasuke struck Pig Big with a Great Fireball Technique and killed him with a kunai.
  • Karin introduced herself to Sasuke as Karin Uzumaki and said her grandmother had sent her to Konoha.
  • Sasuke asked Naruto whether Karin was his relative, and Naruto called out to Kushina in the Sealing Space.
  • Kushina recognized Karin as a full-blooded relative of Naruto, and Naruto introduced himself and his friends to Karin.
  • Karin asked Naruto if he knew Aunt Kushina, and Naruto said Kushina was his mother.

Ch. 68Sarutobi: Oh my god, the ancestor has appeared!

Sarutobi welcomed Karin to Konoha after Mito’s chakra apparition scolded him and ordered him to care for her and Naruto. Kakashi escorted Karin to Naruto’s apartment, stopping to buy her dango before hurriedly avoiding a familiar rival.

  • Mito’s chakra apparition reprimanded Sarutobi and ordered him to look after Karin and Naruto.
  • Sarutobi assigned Karin a room in Naruto’s apartment building and asked Yugao to care for her.
  • Kakashi led Karin through Konoha, bought her dango, and gave her an extra skewer when she looked downcast.
  • Kakashi hurried away with Karin after hearing his lifelong rival call out, while the rival arrived at the dessert shop asking if he smelled his friend.

Ch. 69How Uchiha extremists came to be

Fugaku recalled how war-scarred Uchiha extremists had decided to overthrow the Hokage and tried to confirm whether he possessed a Mangekyō. In the present, he waited quietly at home while worrying about his eldest son.

  • Itachi and Kō led New Root in surrounding the Naka Shrine, where Uchiha veterans had gathered.
  • The Uchiha extremists blamed their worsening reputation and lack of advancement on Konoha, and resolved to seize power with Fugaku as their possible Mangekyō-wielding leader.
  • The head elder brought Fugaku to the shrine, where he tried to calm the clansmen by explaining the situation and denying that he possessed a Mangekyō.
  • Fugaku left the shrine and returned home, where he carried his sleeping wife Mikoto to bed.
  • In the present, Fugaku waited while Sasuke and Mikoto slept, listening to Sasuke mumble in his dreams and worrying about his eldest son.

Ch. 70Itachi: I think I found a power bank

Itachi and Tenzo led an assault on an Uchiha gathering plotting to overthrow Konoha, killing the nearly one hundred clansmen there. Afterward, Itachi retrieved his borrowed eye and offered to lend Tenzo one again, while the two prepared to handle the aftermath.

  • An elderly Uchiha leader called for the clan to overthrow Sarutobi’s rule, but Itachi entered the shrine with Tenzo and revealed himself.
  • Itachi used his Mangekyō to control Yudai, and the Uchiha attacked him and Tenzo with Fire Release techniques.
  • Tenzo blocked the attacks with Wood Release as New Root fighters and ANBU joined the fight against the Uchiha.
  • Itachi and Tenzo used Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Wood Release to wipe out the nearly one hundred gathered Uchiha over about thirty minutes.
  • Itachi retrieved his eye from Tenzo, offered to lend him an eye again in the future, and said they needed to deal with the aftermath.

Ch. 71Karin: I'll Be Just Fine!

Karin moved to Konoha and met Naruto, who reluctantly agreed to call her his big sister before she asked him to introduce her to Sasuke. As Karin prepared to start school, she thought of her family and reassured them that she would be fine.

  • Yugao and Kakashi brought Karin to meet Naruto, and she insisted that he call her big sis because she was older.
  • Naruto teased Karin about her height until she nearly cried, then agreed to call her big sis after Kushina scolded him from the Sealing Space.
  • Naruto promised to have Sasuke perform acrobatics for Karin, and Karin asked him to introduce her to Sasuke.
  • Kakashi told Naruto to take Karin to school the next day, and Naruto escorted her home before returning to train.
  • As Karin fell asleep, she remembered her mother and Grandma Mito, reflected on meeting Naruto and Sasuke, and told them she believed she could manage at school.

Ch. 72Danzo: My Root!

Danzo waited for Sarutobi to restore his control of Root, only to learn that Itachi had taken command and that most of Danzo’s operatives were lost. After the wounded Otsu returned, Danzo vowed to rebuild Root, but was told Itachi might already have eliminated the rest.

  • Danzo waited in his courtyard for Otsu and his subordinates, while Sarutobi visited and announced that Root was no longer Danzo’s to manage.
  • Sarutobi told Danzo that Uchiha Itachi had taken control of Root, and explained that Tenzo and Itachi had subdued its members.
  • Danzo restrained himself from attacking Sarutobi and waited with him until a group of seven wounded Root members arrived, led by the one-armed Otsu.
  • Danzo ordered the survivors to gather the remaining Root members and vowed not to let Itachi take Root.
  • Otsu warned Danzo that Itachi had learned the members’ locations from the brains of the dead, and that the rest might already be gone.

Ch. 73Karin: Why Is There Something Weird Between My Instant Big Brother and Sasuke-kun?

Karin overslept on her first school morning with Naruto, then hurried to get ready and walked to school with him. When Sasuke joined them, Naruto teased him and introduced Karin, who began wondering whether their closeness matched a warning Grandma Mito had given her.

  • Naruto woke Karin, who realized she had overslept and rushed to get dressed and eat breakfast.
  • Naruto told Karin about their classmates and described Sasuke as a caring tsundere.
  • Sasuke appeared and covered Naruto’s mouth when he started recounting their childhood fish-grilling story.
  • Naruto introduced Karin as his little sister and told Sasuke to perform acrobatics for her; Sasuke agreed and led the way to school.
  • Karin recognized Naruto and Sasuke’s behavior as resembling Grandma Mito’s warning about overly close male friends, but she also admired Sasuke’s looks and skill.

Ch. 74Shikamaru: I smell some entertainment!

Karin joined Naruto’s class and quickly became involved in the classmates’ plans for a group dinner, while Shikamaru anticipated the rivalry her interest in handsome boys might cause. Karin also noticed Hinata’s feelings for Naruto and questioned what Grandma Mito had told her.

  • Karin introduced herself as Naruto’s cousin and said she wanted to become like Grandma Mito.
  • Iruka seated Karin beside Shikamaru and Choji, and she greeted them and shared fruit Naruto had given her.
  • Naruto invited Sasuke and Hinata to dinner at the barbecue restaurant, and the group expanded to include Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, and Sakura.
  • Sakura suspected Karin was interested in Sasuke, while Ino agreed to join the dinner with her.
  • Karin noticed Hinata’s feelings for Naruto and wondered whether Grandma Mito’s account was wrong.

Ch. 75Uchiha Itachi, You're Expelled from the Uchiha Clan!

Uchiha Itachi revealed that he had killed the Uchiha extremists who met at Naka Shrine and declared that he would no longer be an Uchiha. He left with Tenzo for Root while the surviving clansmen set out to find Fugaku.

  • Uchiha Ye and the other clansmen found Naka Shrine bloodied and discovered Itachi sitting inside.
  • Itachi told them he had killed the grand elder and the other Uchiha who gathered to discuss rebelling against the village, then showed Ye the events through Tsukuyomi.
  • Itachi challenged the clansmen to either leave or try to kill him, and Susanoo forced its way through the shrine's roof as he departed.
  • The surviving Uchiha admitted they could not stop Itachi and decided to find Fugaku.
  • Itachi said goodbye to Sasuke in his thoughts, then left for Root with Tenzo as a soul awakened in the Pure Land and drifted into his belly.
Arc 3 of 24