Arc 12Chapters 276–289

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Chapters 276–289 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 276No fighting fair!

Obito fled through the Land of Water while Yugiri pursued him, as Terumi Taki learned that visitors from another world had arrived. During a meal with Takahashi Yū and Hatake Sakumo, Old Danzo explained why he would not unify the Shinobi World and encouraged Minato to become its next guiding leader.

  • Obito escaped across rooftops as Terumi Taki and the civilians alerted the pursuing ninja, and Yugiri attacked him with her Lightning Blade Technique.
  • Terumi Taki went to report to Danzo, but Mei Terumi told him that guests had arrived, prompting him to rush back to investigate his clan.
  • Takahashi Yū, Hatake Sakumo, and Minato met with Old Danzo in his office, then shared a meal as Sakumo struggled to speak comfortably with him.
  • Minato asked why Old Danzo would not unify the Shinobi World, and Danzo compared himself to the sun and said the world needed many lighthouses instead.
  • Old Danzo told Minato that he alone could become a second sun, while Takahashi Yū and Sakumo worried that Danzo was trying to keep Minato in his world.

Ch. 277Obito's Bizarre Adventure in the Land of Water (2)

Obito Uchiha fought to escape the Land of Water Ninja, but after being caught, he tried to summon Minato with a Flying Thunder God kunai. In the Land of Water administrative building, Old Danzo planned to use Kakashi's concern for Obito to bring him back into the fold.

  • Sakumo berated Old Danzo after learning Kakashi had defected to the Land of Water, and Old Danzo said Kakashi could still be saved.
  • Old Danzo ordered Mei Terumi to tell Zabuza to leave Kakashi an opening and instructed his people to keep Kakashi and Obito alive.
  • Obito exploited the Land of Water Ninja's concern for civilians to evade their attacks, then dodged Hozuki Mangetsu's Great Water Arm Technique and kicked him from behind.
  • Mangetsu struck Obito from behind, sending him crashing face-first into a street, while Yugiri? and Kisame closed in.
  • Obito drew a Three-Pronged Flying Thunder God Kunai and shouted for Minato to save him, but Mangetsu, Yugiri?, and Kisame realized he would need enormous chakra to reach the Land of Water from Konoha.

Ch. 278Obito's eyes

Kakashi headed to the Land of Water prison to rescue Obito, while Sakumo and Kisame watched his approach and analyzed the unusual powers of both Uchiha eyes. The chapter revealed that Obito’s eye could repair and control his body, while Kakashi’s restored chakra and let him cast ninjutsu without hand seals.

  • Outside the prison, Sakumo and Takahashi Yū discussed Obito’s condition as Kisame described his intact limbs, shifting face, and single Sharingan.
  • Kisame and Sakumo inferred that Obito’s dōjutsu manipulated and repaired his body, and Sakumo wondered whether Kakashi had awakened the other eye’s power.
  • Kakashi entered the Land of Water’s Capital, used his Sharingan to replenish his chakra, and decided to search the prison for Obito before attempting to infiltrate the central building.
  • Kakashi watched the lightly guarded prison, then used Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage to slip underground while Sakumo, Kisame, and Yugiri observed him.
  • Sakumo and Kisame recognized that Kakashi could restore chakra and cast ninjutsu without hand seals, and the chapter revealed Obito’s dōjutsu as Omodaru and Kakashi’s as Ayakashi.

Ch. 279Crisis! Returning to Help!

Sakumo secretly watched Kakashi approach the prison, then intervened when Yugiri attacked Kakashi and Obito. A crisis in Sakumo’s original world forced him to abandon the reunion and rush back, where he sought Minato’s help.

  • Kakashi cautiously sneaked underground toward the prison, while Sakumo grew impatient and had Kisame remove the entrance guards.
  • Kakashi entered the prison and emerged with Obito and Kenji, but Yugiri charged at them with her Thunder Sword Technique.
  • Sakumo stopped Kakashi’s Chidori and caught Yugiri’s blades, revealing himself as Kakashi’s father.
  • Sakumo learned through the Communication Ninja that the Uchiha and the Kage had been defeated and the Chakra Cannon was failing as Madara and Hashirama struggled to hold off the threat.
  • Sakumo rushed to Danzo’s office, found Minato there, and called him over to use the Portable Impure World Reincarnation Scroll.

Ch. 280When It Comes to Destroying the Shinobi World, Leave It to Me, Orochimaru!

Danzo watched Orochimaru battle the Susanoo Giant Buddha amid Konoha’s destruction, then read Orochimaru’s research journal and discovered how he had summoned and contacted the Shinigami. The fight continued as Danzo realized Orochimaru’s experiments had created a threat beyond the Ōtsutsuki.

  • Uchiha Setsuna died in Danzo’s arms after insisting the Uchiha would never admit their clan was extreme.
  • Orochimaru’s monstrous form battered Madara and Hashirama’s Susanoo-clad giant Buddha, while Danzo watched the battle and reflected on the destruction.
  • Sarutobi Shinnosuke brought Danzo Orochimaru’s research journal and said he had hidden strands of Hiruzen’s beard for resurrection.
  • Danzo read Orochimaru’s notes about the Jashin Cult’s deity, the Shinigami summoned by Reaper Death Seal, and Orochimaru’s experiments with natural energy.
  • The journal revealed that Orochimaru had obtained the Shinigami’s token, learned that Yū’s Wave Seed could harm it, and planned to communicate with it using Uchiha Shunji’s eye.

Ch. 281Orochimaru was the Empire's true future

Danzo watched Orochimaru rampage against Hashirama and Madara while wrestling with the consequences of resurrection and the Empire’s place in a world dominated by exceptional fighters. He ordered Shikaku to investigate what happened before Orochimaru transformed and ask whether Takahashi had returned, while resolving to restrict Orochimaru’s research.

  • Danzo recalled his argument with Sarutobi over research into resurrection as an energy cannon struck Orochimaru, whose black liquid proved highly corrosive.
  • Chōza told Danzo that veterans were charging into battle to earn military merit because they no longer feared death, prompting Danzo to consider punishing them and restricting Samsara Rebirth.
  • Shikaku said that strategy was pointless against an enemy of Orochimaru’s strength, and Danzo worried about the Empire’s future in a world shaped by a few extraordinary figures.
  • Shikaku suggested Orochimaru could become a stabilizing pillar of the Empire, but Danzo rejected the idea that the Empire should keep stimulating his research.
  • Danzo sent Shikaku to question a researcher holding part of a White Zetsu head about Orochimaru taking Shunji’s eyes to the Laboratory before running outside, and to find out whether Takahashi had returned.

Ch. 282Orochimaru, who united the Shinobi World in one body

Madara and Hashirama attacked Orochimaru’s evolving monster, which adapted to their techniques and struck back with Wood Release. As Hashirama tried to seal it, Madara questioned a researcher’s soul about the clans whose cells Orochimaru had used.

  • The monster regenerated from the Chakra Cannon barrage, developed tiny pits, and fired blasts across Konoha, killing survivors and destroying the remaining buildings.
  • Hashirama and Madara attacked the monster with Wood Release: Hotei Technique and Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands combined with Majestic Attire: Susanoo, but their strikes made no solid contact.
  • Madara warned Hashirama that Orochimaru’s body might be adapting to their attacks, and a Wood Dragon emerged from the smoke and cracked their Susanoo barrier.
  • Hashirama summoned the Gate of the Great God to press down on the monster while Madara seized a researcher’s soul and asked which clans’ cells Orochimaru had used.
  • The researcher said Orochimaru had used every clan with anything special about it.

Ch. 283Black Zetsu (Dan Katō): Why am I involved in this too?

Orochimaru transformed into a monster and unleashed a chakra barrage that overwhelmed Madara and Hashirama’s defenses, while his chakra subjected Madara to a storm of hostile wills. After Hashirama rescued Madara from the blast, Madara realized Orochimaru was still fighting inside himself, and the two planned to use the Spirit Transformation Technique to enter that battle.

  • Madara and Hashirama saw Orochimaru break free of the Gate of the Great God and gather natural energy as cursed seals spread over his body.
  • Orochimaru fired a chakra beam at the giant Buddha, and Madara’s Absorption Seal absorbed chakra carrying a devastating torrent of mental wills.
  • Hashirama cut off Madara’s chakra flow, carried him away, and used Fivefold Rashomon to shield them from the beam’s explosion.
  • Madara recovered and told Hashirama that Orochimaru remained conscious and was fighting many forces inside himself, including the Shinigami summoned by the Uzumaki Clan.
  • Hashirama suggested the Spirit Transformation Technique, and Madara asked him to locate the person who knew it so Madara could copy it with his Rinnegan.

Ch. 284What the Hell Did the Genjutsu Drag In?!

Jiraiya and the Toad Sages used their powerful sound genjutsu on Orochimaru’s black monster, but the technique trapped the Shinigami instead. As the monster shrank, Hashirama and Madara continued toward Tsunade, with Madara resolving to be resurrected at full strength.

  • The Toad Sages began the Toad Confrontation Chant, and Hashirama and Madara resisted its battlefield-wide genjutsu before setting off to find Tsunade.
  • Jiraiya and the Toad Sages completed the genjutsu, immobilizing a figure inside its barrier.
  • Jiraiya discovered that the trapped figure was the frightening Shinigami rather than Orochimaru, and he and the Toad Sages questioned whether to cancel the technique.
  • The black monster shrank as the genjutsu took effect, while Hashirama sensed Tsunade nearby and urged Madara onward.
  • Madara reflected on the battlefield’s lack of attachment to life and decided he would need to be resurrected at full strength.

Ch. 285How Much Have You Had to Drink?

At Konoha's shelter, Uchiha Daisheng and the younger Uchiha subdued a boy whose grief-stricken talk of creating a world with Xiaomei triggered the clan's rules. Hashirama then took Black Zetsu from Tsunade to help with the crisis, while Madara dismissed the battered boy's three-tomoe Sharingan and ordered the Uchiha to continue.

  • A grieving Uchiha boy worried that Xiaomei could not be resurrected and shouted that he would create a world with her in it.
  • Uchiha Daisheng cited the Uchiha Clan Rules and led the young Uchiha in beating the boy and making him quiet.
  • Tsunade comforted the trembling Black Zetsu while assuming Hashirama could handle Orochimaru's crisis.
  • Hashirama rushed into the shelter and took Black Zetsu from Tsunade, despite her protests.
  • Madara heard what the boy had said, examined his Sharingan, found only three tomoe, and told the Uchiha to carry on.

Ch. 286In position!

Hashirama urged Black Zetsu to demonstrate the Spirit Transformation Technique so Madara could support Orochimaru, but the seal on Black Zetsu prevented him from using it and no one knew how to remove it. As Orochimaru’s monster form shrank, Madara explained that Orochimaru was only buying time, then sensed that his blade had returned.

  • Hashirama shook Black Zetsu and pressed him to use the Spirit Transformation Technique, while Tsunade defended him as a patient.
  • Black Zetsu declared that he would teach Madara the technique and help Orochimaru, but revealed that Danzo’s seal blocked him from leaving his body.
  • Tsunade, Hashirama, and Madara admitted that none of them knew how to undo the seal, leaving Black Zetsu disappointed.
  • Orochimaru’s monster form shrank, and Madara said Orochimaru was trying to gain control and build defenses while the old ghost remained.
  • Danzo arrived with Shikaku and reported that Chōza was down and Inoichi was looking after him; Madara warned that Jiraiya’s sound-based genjutsu would not hold the spiritual opponent for long.
  • Madara sensed that his blade had returned and suppressed an excited smile.

Ch. 287Sakumo!

Hatake Sakumo used a conviction-laden slash to purge the ancient souls from Orochimaru and stop the crisis. As Orochimaru’s body shrank, Mito Uzumaki sensed a familiar presence within a Genjutsu Barrier nearby.

  • Hatake Sakumo drew the White Fang and unleashed a slash that challenged the Black Monster with the force of his convictions.
  • Madara, Hashirama, and Danzo watched as Sakumo’s blade light struck Orochimaru and carried out struggling soul fragments.
  • Hatake Sakumo exhausted his mental strength, then used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Danzo and asked about Takahashi brother and his son.
  • Hatake Sakumo explained that Takahashi brother had planted a Seed in Orochimaru that could make him collapse, while Danzo complained about people risking their lives for merit.
  • Mito Uzumaki sensed a familiar presence near Orochimaru and asked whether a Genjutsu Barrier was there.

Ch. 288Get Him!

Takahashi Yū discovered his farm had been destroyed and learned that the Shinigami had invaded Orochimaru’s mental world through Uchiha Shunji’s Mangekyo. With Madara guiding him, Yū trapped the Shinigami in an airtight sphere and prepared to wear it down with [Dan-Ability].

  • Takahashi Yū arrived at the ruined farm and demanded to know whether Orochimaru was dead.
  • The Shinigami appeared, forcing Jiraiya to flee as Hashirama explained that it had invaded Orochimaru’s mental world.
  • Danzo said Uchiha Shunji’s Mangekyo had enabled the Shinigami to attack Orochimaru.
  • Takahashi Yū released a new, pale-blue-edged killing intent and asked Madara to guide him toward the Shinigami.
  • Madara directed Yū, who enclosed the Shinigami in an airtight sphere and sensed its presence with [Dan-Ability].

Ch. 289Wishing all you dear readers lasting good health

After Konoha’s destruction, Orochimaru prepared to revive its dead with a mass Impure World Reincarnation, drawing Hagoromo Otsutsuki out of the Pure Land. Hagoromo restored the dead, admitted his mistakes, and disappeared, leaving Danzo to prepare the revived leaders for the threats ahead.

  • Half a month after the disaster, Orochimaru told Takahashi Yū that he had cloned enough Hashirama cells to revive the victims, while the survivors gathered at the temporary laboratory.
  • Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation Formation to summon the dead, and Hagoromo Otsutsuki appeared above the formation.
  • Hagoromo told the group he had been observing them and would not stop them, then used his remaining power to revive everyone present.
  • Hagoromo admitted that his favoritism toward Asura and the prophecy had led to repeated conflict, warned that his disappearance would end the Pure Land’s support for the summoning technique, and faded away.
  • Orochimaru concluded that Hagoromo had empowered the old ghost that invaded his mind, while Danzo called for a meeting to prepare for external threats.
Arc 12 of 12