Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru learned that Takahashi Yū had returned and began planning an extensive transformation of his own body using the dangerous materials in his Laboratory. The White Snake Sage severed most of Orochimaru’s summoning contracts and warned her three Snake Princesses that they would die if they did not control their tempers.

• Shimura Masato told Orochimaru that Takahashi Yū had returned, prompting Orochimaru to prepare for more aggressive experiments.
• Orochimaru inspected the sealed collection of experimental materials and considered modifying his body with the White Snake Sage’s shed skin, Hashirama’s cells, and other powerful substances.
• Orochimaru rejected Dan Katō’s request to tour the Laboratory and contribute his Spirit Transformation Technique for research.
• Orochimaru decided to obtain twenty criminals and request ten Living White Zetsu so he could thoroughly alter himself and abandon being human.
• Gamamaru, the White Snake Sage, and the Miko of the Land of Demons sensed a new threat emerging.
• The White Snake Sage limited Orochimaru’s summoning access to Tagorihime and two other Snake Princesses, then warned them to control their tempers or die.

Kitsuchi brought Ōnoki intelligence about Konoha’s invasion of the Land of Wind and its new weapons, prompting Ōnoki to order renewed espionage and share the warning with the Land of Lightning. In the Land of Lightning, A decided Kumogakure had to abandon its ruined village and move its people to Turtle Island to escape the crushing reparations and Konoha’s influence.

• Kitsuchi hurried underground to deliver intelligence to Ōnoki, who scolded him for withdrawing Iwa’s operatives and ordered him to investigate the Land of Wind and send a copy of the report to the Land of Lightning.
• A read the intelligence from the Land of Earth while working in a mine and kept it after considering its implications.
• A reflected on Kumogakure’s debts and worsening hardship, then resolved to make a decision that defied his village’s forebears.
• A oversaw the evacuation of Kumogakure’s residents and supplies to Turtle Island, believing relocation was the village’s only way to avoid being absorbed by Konoha.

As Sunagakure’s chakra-fed poisonous insects tightened their grip on the starving village, Chiyo revealed that there was no antidote and blamed the officials for sustaining the swarm with Wind Release. The crisis deepened when a villager was found transformed into a living Human Puppet, and Chiyo recognized the puppet wood as coming from her own home, suspecting Sasori.

• Pakura entered the Kazekage’s Office, where Chiyo told the Third Kazekage and the senior officials that the purple mist was made of chakra-eating venomous insects and had no antidote.
• Chiyo blamed the officials for using Wind Release to contain the insects, explaining that their chakra had fed the swarm until neither wind nor fire could readily stop it.
• The senior officials who had driven Rasa to his death pleaded with Chiyo, Pakura, and the Third Kazekage to find a solution.
• A Sand Shinobi brought in a villager whose chest and stomach had been turned into wood, prompting Chiyo to recognize the forbidden Human Puppet technique.
• Chiyo spotted a marking on the puppet wood and realized it came from her home, suspecting Sasori before calling the discovery brilliant.

Hyūga Sheng and his reconnaissance captain found Sunagakure’s poisonous mist growing thicker, while Sasori refined his human-puppet experiments using civilians as subjects. After the Third Kazekage mistook Sasori’s anger for noble resolve, he made Sasori his student and ordered large-scale modifications, promising to solve the civilians’ chakra shortage.

• Hyūga Sheng reported that Sunagakure remained inactive and its poisonous mist was becoming harder to see through, while his captain complained that the reconnaissance team had little to do.
• Sasori continued modifying civilians into human puppets, using the experimental subjects brought to him and regretting that Unit One had never returned.
• The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Pakura, and senior officials entered Sasori’s workshop and found him working amid bloody organ fragments.
• Sasori angrily condemned the politicians, and the Third Kazekage interpreted his words as proof of leadership, expelled several officials with iron sand, and declared Sasori his student.
• The Third Kazekage ordered large-scale civilian modifications and promised to provide chakra, while Sasori and Chiyo dismissed his suggestion that civilians could survive by basking in sunlight.

Mizuki accompanied the aging Shui Ling to ask Danzo about Kushina and press him to consider her proposal. After Shui Ling left, Danzo recalled that the proposal was a plan to control the Nine-Tails.

• Danzo assigned Minato and Yahiko stacks of village documents to review and decide on, then relaxed as they worked.
• Shui Ling and Mizuki visited Danzo, and Shui Ling asked where Kushina was.
• Danzo showed Shui Ling records revealing Kushina had inherited Mito's estate and was living as a shut-in in her former home.
• Relieved that Kushina was safe, Shui Ling urged Danzo to consider her proposal while she still had time to live.
• After Shui Ling and Mizuki left, Danzo remembered her proposal: the Nine-Tails Control Plan.

Shui Ling explained to Mizuki that Konoha depended on Takahashi Yū as its spiritual and military pillar, then revealed her intention to inspect the Nine-Tails seal inside Senju Nawaki. She refused Yū’s offer to prolong her life, and the chapter ended with Lord Hokage arriving at the Farm during a farewell feast.

• Shui Ling told Mizuki that Konoha’s strength rested on Takahashi Yū and that his death could weaken the village beyond repair.
• Shui Ling said she wanted to examine Nawaki’s seal and open it enough for him to become a normal Jinchūriki.
• Takahashi Yū offered Shui Ling Hashirama Cells to keep her alive, but she refused because she wanted to tell the dead Uzumaki that their clan had survived.
• Takahashi Yū took Simba into the mountains, and Mizuki prepared a feast for Shui Ling and the others.
• Mizuki sensed Lord Hokage approaching along the Pebble Path and informed Takahashi Yū.

Hiruko received the materials he needed for his Chimera Technique, but Orochimaru’s Hashirama Cell research redirected the Laboratory toward a new project. Meanwhile, Danzo’s sealing ritual began with Nawaki and Shui Ling, and a Root agent recruited Taiga after showing him evidence that Konoha had stolen his mission records and denied him promotion.

• Hiruko welcomed Sakumo’s delivery, but Orochimaru announced that Hashirama Cells could replace the need for favorable celestial conditions and ordered researchers to study his findings.
• Hiruko told the researchers to notify Danzo so he could compile a list of people with disabling injuries for the Hashirama Cell research.
• Danzo completed the sealing array, and Nawaki entered it with Shui Ling, who used Adamantine Sealing Chains and began the Locking Tail Seal.
• In an otherworld interlude, Taiga lamented Hiruzen Sarutobi’s repeated rejection of his Jonin assessment application despite his qualifications.
• A Root ninja showed Taiga documents indicating that Sarutobi Saburō had received credit for Taiga’s missions and presented him with the Talent Transfer Plan-Shimura Danzō.

After Uzumaki Shui Ling died, Takahashi Yū and the surviving Uzumaki mourned and buried her. Meanwhile, Orochimaru’s laboratory decided to use Impure World Reincarnation to bring back Tobirama Senju for research, and Danzo was shocked by urgent news from Yamanaka Arashi.

• Takahashi Yū and the others buried Uzumaki Shui Ling, whose seal had transformed Nawaki’s abdomen into an Eight Trigrams Seal that could convert leaking Nine-Tails Chakra into his own chakra.
• Takahashi Yū comforted the grieving Mizuki and the two little redheads before returning with them to the Farm.
• Hiruko objected to Orochimaru’s plan to experiment on criminals, but the researchers agreed to use Impure World Reincarnation to bring back Tobirama Senju and study communication with the dead.
• The laboratory members prepared to reincarnate Tobirama Senju using a White Zetsu, Hashirama cells, and extra Cursed Seals, and they sent for Danzo.
• Yamanaka Arashi entered the Hokage’s office and whispered urgent news to Danzo, who dropped his teacup in shock.

After learning that the Second Hokage would be resurrected, Danzo worried about facing his former teacher and sent Yamanaka Arashi to gather support. Arashi found Hideki and Fugaku, then watched Hideki mobilize the Eastern Front Academy to protect Danzo’s standing as rumors spread.

• Danzo admitted to Yamanaka Arashi that he was anxious about the Second Hokage judging his record, and Arashi promised to bring Konoha’s elite to support him.
• Arashi told Hideki and Fugaku about the planned Impure World Reincarnation, and Fugaku stormed off in anger at the Second Hokage’s influence over Danzo.
• Hideki explained that Fugaku remained in a stubborn state after using his Mangekyo, then led Arashi through the academy, where students and instructors loudly praised Danzo.
• Hideki assembled the academy’s students, instructors, and disabled shinobi, ordering them to carry out contingency plans if the Second Hokage’s return harmed Danzo’s prestige.
• An ANBU shinobi told Arashi that a visiting merchant caravan was spreading unfavorable rumors about Danzo, and Arashi ordered him to send the suspected schemers and their families to the Laboratory before chasing after Hideki.

Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu in the Laboratory to resurrect Tobirama Senju, with Danzo and the others watching. Tobirama surveyed the room, spotted Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan, and immediately called out the inherently evil Uchiha.

• Hiruko welcomed Danzo, Lan, Fugaku, Setsuna, and Aburame Hideki to the Laboratory as they gathered for the resurrection.
• Orochimaru finished inscribing Cursed Seals on White Zetsu and announced the Laboratory’s plan to overcome death.
• Orochimaru activated the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, causing White Zetsu to scream before his body burst into fragments.
• Tobirama Senju emerged from the fragments and assessed the Laboratory, recognizing Danzo, Setsuna, and Fugaku.
• Tobirama saw the Mangekyō Sharingan spinning in Fugaku’s eyes and shouted, “The inherently evil Uchiha!”

Tobirama tested Danzo’s loyalty, then agreed to see the modern Konoha after Danzo survived his surprise attack. Before they could leave, a monstrous presence approached the Laboratory, and Danzo said it was another of his brothers.

• Setsuna insulted Tobirama, while Orochimaru used a Cursed Seal to stop Tobirama from breaking free of Impure World Reincarnation.
• Danzo told Tobirama that his policies had harmed later generations and asked Orochimaru to release him so he could show him modern Konoha.
• Tobirama suddenly attacked Danzo with Water Release, but Fugaku’s Susanoo blocked the strike and Tobirama caught Danzo and Setsuna with Flying Thunder God.
• Tobirama praised Danzo’s resolve and agreed to see Konoha, while Orochimaru discovered an Explosive Tag in the reincarnation formation.
• A wave of killing intent shook the Laboratory, and Danzo said the approaching monster was another of his brothers.

Takahashi Yū rushed to the laboratory after Mizuki sensed trouble in Hokage Rock and accidentally blasted Tobirama’s head apart while trying to protect Danzo. After Tobirama recovered, he explored modern Konoha and questioned the researchers, then asked who had spoken inside his head before.

• Mizuki sensed many chakra signatures and a sinister presence near Hokage Rock, so Takahashi Yū flew to the village.
• Takahashi Yū crashed into the laboratory and destroyed Tobirama’s head with a swift strike, mistaking him for a threat to Danzo.
• Danzo explained the misunderstanding and worried about the laboratory’s repair costs, while Takahashi Yū returned to the farm and village workers began restoring Kage Rock.
• Tobirama recovered, marveled at how peaceful and prosperous Konoha had become, and asked Danzo to summon Monkey, Koharu, Tsunade, and Nawaki.
• Orochimaru and the researchers discussed Tobirama’s reincarnation, and Tobirama asked whether the voice he had heard in his head belonged to someone from Konoha.

Tobirama learned that Uchiha Shunji's Mangekyō Sharingan could contact him and suspected that a hidden force intercepted souls instead of a true Pure Land. Meanwhile, A led the surviving Kumogakure toward the Land of Earth to seek an alliance with Iwagakure, hoping Ōnoki was still alive.

• Tobirama questioned Orochimaru about Uchiha Shunji's left Mangekyō Sharingan and learned it could establish calls through tokens over any distance.
• Tobirama told Orochimaru, Hiruko, and the researchers that he suspected the Pure Land was a space intercepting chakra-bearing souls, and he planned to investigate after ending his Impure World Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru showed Tobirama Shunji's eye and explained that the Uchiha had become indispensable to the village under Danzo, leaving Tobirama astonished by their alliance with Konoha.
• Tobirama declined Hiruko's offer to hear about the village's situation and asked to see the Laboratory's research instead.
• A saw the Land of Earth ahead and ordered Turtle Island to stop so Kumogakure could contact Iwagakure and seek an alliance.

Tobirama reviewed Konoha’s records and ordered Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mitokado Homura to resign and return what they had embezzled, then scolded Torifu Akimichi for retiring. As Tsunade arrived with Nawaki and Dan Katō, Tobirama fixed his attention on Dan and asked Tsunade to introduce him.

• Tobirama examined Konoha’s files, finances, and records with Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu present.
• Tobirama ordered Hiruzen and Homura to resign as leaders, serve as Konoha Jonin, and return what they had embezzled.
• Tobirama berated Torifu Akimichi for retiring and refusing summons, while the others inferred that he intended to give Torifu an important role.
• Torifu reminded Tobirama that Orochimaru was waiting to research with him, and Tobirama declared that Konoha should conquer the Shinobi World instead of conducting more research.
• Tsunade arrived at the Laboratory with Nawaki and Dan Katō, and Tobirama asked Tsunade to introduce Dan to him.

Tobirama questioned Dan Katō’s strange condition, reunited with Tsunade and Nawaki, and learned about Konoha’s strength and Danzo’s intelligence sources. As Danzo led him through the village, Tobirama discovered that even the energetic green-clad fighters he admired belonged to the Uchiha Academy, leaving him baffled by this unfamiliar world.

• Tobirama sensed that Dan Katō’s chakra and soul were abnormal, while Black Zetsu secretly planted a trace of himself beneath the Laboratory’s floor.
• Tobirama learned that Nawaki was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and wanted to become Hokage, then postponed his research and asked Tsunade and Nawaki to leave.
• A few days later, Danzo told Tobirama and Torifu about Takahashi Yū’s prophecies, Konoha’s powerful shinobi, and the Kaguya clan members brought back from another world.
• Tobirama praised the green-clad fighters running across the rooftops as members of Danzo’s Eastern Front Academy, but Danzo corrected him that they were from the Uchiha Academy.

Tobirama visited Takahashi Yū’s Farm with Danzo, Fugaku, and Torifu, learning about its vast grounds and the Uzumaki descendants living there. The group arrived at the fields, where a burly man in a straw hat waved to them.

• Tobirama questioned whether the green-clad Uchiha he had seen could really have embraced youth, then met Fugaku as Danzo greeted him.
• Torifu bought food from Yakiniku Q for the group, and Danzo, Fugaku, and Tobirama each took a bag from him.
• Tobirama asked about two red-haired children leaving the Farm, and Danzo explained that Takahashi Yū had rescued them and that they remained wary of Konoha.
• Tobirama sensed a ripple as he entered the Farm and learned from Danzo how much land Takahashi Yū owned.
• Tobirama told Danzo, “You're the Hokage now, anyway,” and walked with the others through the Farm to the fields.
• A tall, burly man wearing a straw hat waved to the group from a field ridge.

Takahashi Yū warned Danzo and Konoha’s leaders that the Ōtsutsuki were far beyond ordinary shinobi and called for a major strategy meeting. In the Land of Water, Sakumo prepared to evacuate Mei Terumi, Zabuza, and Kisame to Konoha.

• Takahashi Yū welcomed Danzo’s group, including the cracked-faced Tobirama, and agreed to explain the danger posed by the Ōtsutsuki.
• Takahashi Yū told Danzo that the Ōtsutsuki were a different species from shinobi and ordered him to gather Konoha’s leaders, clans, and notable fighters for a strategy meeting.
• Takahashi Yū asked Tobirama to bring back the First with Impure World Reincarnation and warned Fugaku that Susanoo would be ineffective against the coming enemies.
• At the Kaguya Clan Grounds, Sakumo found Mei Terumi and Zabuza fighting, then introduced the newly abducted Kisame to them.
• After learning Konoha wanted him back, Sakumo ordered his ANBU to take Mei Terumi, Zabuza, and Kisame off the Main Island and return to the village.

Konoha’s twenty-first Jonin conference began with Danzo announcing that Konoha would start the Third Shinobi World War and then arguing that ninja should govern the Shinobi World. The meeting turned to plans for taking over the Land of Water, where Tobirama and Shunji clashed over whether the Uchiha should lead the effort.

• Danzo recalled Konoha’s elites, and the villagers eagerly anticipated war as Takahashi Yū arrived at the Hokage Building with Mizuki and reunited with Sakumo and the Undying Squad.
• Danzo opened the Jonin conference, and Mizuki, Minato, and Tobirama sealed the room with a Four Symbols barrier and Flying Thunder God techniques.
• Danzo announced that Konoha would start the Third Shinobi World War, and the Jonin enthusiastically supported him while Sarutobi objected.
• Danzo argued with Sarutobi that ninja should govern the Shinobi World, then proposed beginning with a pilot administration in the Land of Water.
• Shunji proposed having the Uchiha control the nobles and gradually take over the Land of Water, but Tobirama rejected the plan and the two argued over the Uchiha’s record of rebellion.

Danzo settled debate over Konoha’s political system for later and assigned forces to the coming Shinobi World War. He planned to lead the campaign against the Land of Earth himself, prompting objections from the gathered ninja.

• Shunji and Yashiro argued with Tobirama, and Danzo ruled that Shunji’s suggestion would remain an alternative.
• Shikaku Nara asked whether Konoha and the country should be administered together, then described the strain of governing the village; Takahashi Yū urged them to postpone the issue until after conquering the Shinobi World.
• Danzo told Shikaku to discuss his ideas at the Hokage’s office and announced the deployment plans for the war.
• Danzo assigned Hatake Sakumo and Root to target Kirigakure’s hardliners, sent Uchiha Fugaku’s forces to subdue Kumogakure’s remnants, and ordered Gekko Yūma to keep Sunagakure surrounded.
• Danzo declared that he would lead the remaining Chunin and above against the Land of Earth, and Fugaku silenced Shunji after he warned Danzo he would regret it.

Takahashi Yū introduced a crisis that could destroy the Shinobi World and had Orochimaru use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to summon Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju. Madara agreed to hear Konoha out before deciding what to do, while Hashirama tried to keep him from attacking the village.

• Danzo assigned Minato, Shikaku Nara, and Utatane Koharu to manage Konoha while he and the others listened to Takahashi Yū.
• Takahashi Yū called the crisis one that could wipe out the Shinobi World, and Orochimaru summoned Madara and Hashirama with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Tobirama revealed himself as the Second Hokage, and Madara recognized Takahashi Yū and praised his audacity.
• Hashirama restrained Madara when he started to erupt with chakra, then learned that Tobirama had also been reincarnated.
• Danzo asked Madara to hear Konoha out, and Madara agreed while threatening to destroy the village afterward.
• Madara ordered Yashiro to move, and Yashiro angrily agreed.