Chapter Summaries

Shuo confronted a cloud of hands that wanted to consume Hand Princess and offered its largest fragment candy and a place to stay instead. The cloud withdrew, leaving a second hand behind, while an unexplained cloud remained on the horizon watching Shuo and the two hands.

• The hands emerged from a black cloud, and Hand Princess told Shuo that their largest fragment wanted to eat it and could not be outrun.
• Shuo stepped forward despite having lost his light, and the largest hand challenged him to stop it.
• Shuo spoke to the largest hand about its loneliness and offered to let it stay with Hand Princess and have candy if it did not cause trouble or eat people.
• The largest hand withdrew into the cloud, which dispersed and left a smaller hand beside Hand Princess.
• Shuo gave both hands candy, named them Hand Princess Big and Hand Princess Small, and returned to the shelter with Sai.
• An unmoving cloud remained on the distant horizon, watching Shuo and the two hands.

Shuo and Sai sheltered Hand Princess Big and Hand Princess Small, two fragments of Kaguya, and Shuo continued feeding them candy. When a new foot-shaped fragment arrived and joined them as Hand Princess Three, Shuo went to search for more candy while a mysterious black cloud watched from afar.

• Shuo told Sai he would keep the Kaguya fragments if they came to him, despite Sai warning him about Kaguya's danger.
• Hand Princess Big and Hand Princess Small called the moon their mother, prompting Shuo to wonder whether Kaguya could be reassembled from her fragments.
• A giant foot with an eye in its sole arrived at the ruins, and Hand Princess Big and Hand Princess Small protected Shuo from it.
• Shuo gave the foot two candies, named it Hand Princess Three, and watched it shrink and join the other fragments.
• Shuo set out for the general store to look for more candy as the three fragments followed him, while a black cloud watched them from the distant sky.

Shuo brought Hand Princess Big, Hand Princess Small, and Hand Princess Three to Miyoko for candy, then comforted them after learning no one had cared for them before. The chapter ended when a giant eye appeared in the clouds, called the fragments its children, and bore down on Shuo and the trembling trio.

• Shuo took the three Hand Princesses to the ruined general store, where Miyoko gave him her last bag of candy.
• Shuo shared the candies with the three fragments and told Miyoko he would keep them as long as they wanted him to.
• Hand Princess Big told Shuo that nobody had ever cared for them, and Shuo gave it another candy.
• A dark cloud approached the shelter with a gigantic pale purple eye inside it, and the eye said, "Found you..."
• Hand Princess Big called the eye "Mom" as Shuo faced it, and the clouds began pressing down on them.

Uchiha Saku confronted Kaguya, who wanted to reclaim the light sustaining her three fragments, and refused to let her take it. Kaguya relented and joined them as Hand Princess Four, while another fragment watched from a dark cloud, promising that all the fragments would soon gather.

• Kaguya's eye appeared in the sky and ordered Hand Princess Big, Hand Princess Small, and Hand Princess Three to come to her, but Shuo stood between them and her.
• Shuo learned that the fragments carried his remaining light and that taking it would kill them, so he refused Kaguya's demand to reclaim it.
• Shuo declared that he would protect the fragments with his life, and Kaguya chose not to take his light for now.
• Kaguya shrank into a small eye, joined the group as Hand Princess Four, and received candy from Shuo.
• Shuo noticed a pale face with purple eyes watching from a nearby black cloud, and the voice within said that all the fragments would soon be gathered.

Uchiha Saku confronted the complete Kaguya when she came to reclaim the four Hand Princesses, but they chose to stay with him. Kaguya left to find her remaining fragments, while Saku discovered that a faint trace of his light remained within him.

• Kaguya appeared as a vast face in the sky and demanded to know where Uchiha Saku's light was and to take back her children.
• Hand Princess Big, Hand Princess Small, Hand Princess Three, and Hand Princess Four each refused to leave Saku, saying they wanted to stay with him.
• Kaguya revealed that Saku's light still lingered inside him, then gave Hand Princess Big some of her power to ease its pain.
• Kaguya agreed not to force the four to return and departed to find her remaining fragments, telling Saku she might not be his enemy next time.
• After the sky cleared, Saku gave the four candy and noticed a faint speck of light glowing in his palm.

Shuo took Hand Princess Four to Miyoko for more candy and promised the four Kaguya Fragments he would not let their mother take them if they wanted to stay. Obito then summoned Shuo and the fragments to meet the Five Kage, while an unidentified presence in a nearby cloud watched them.

• Shuo asked Sai for candy, then went with Hand Princess Big, Hand Princess Small, Hand Princess Three, and Hand Princess Four to Miyoko's store.
• Miyoko gave Shuo her last bag of chestnut candies, and Shuo shared them with the four fragments.
• Hand Princess Big asked whether their mother would return and said she did not want to go with her; Shuo promised to let them stay and said he would stop her.
• Obito told Shuo that Lady Tsunade wanted him and the fragments at the Five Kage Summit.
• Shuo set off with the four fragments for the Hokage Building as an indistinct presence in a cloud watched them.

Shuo defended keeping Kaguya’s four fragments with him at a summit of the Five Kage, and Gaara vouched for their safety so they could remain in Konoha. As Shuo left with the fragments, a dark cloud drew nearer, carrying an unknown presence that hinted at a new threat.

• The Raikage and other Kage questioned Shuo about keeping the four fragments, but Shuo insisted they had done nothing wrong and did not want to leave him.
• Hand Princess Big told the Kage that the fragments had not chosen their fate and wanted to stay with Shuo because he treated them kindly.
• Shuo revealed that Kaguya had already returned, asked to take the fragments, and left after they refused.
• The Raikage demanded that the fragments leave the Land of Fire or be taken into his custody, and Shuo refused to let him take them.
• Gaara asked the fragments whether they wanted to remain in Konoha, then vouched for them; the Raikage accepted his guarantee.
• Shuo left the summit with the fragments, while a dark cloud neared and an indistinct voice said that soon everyone would be gathered.

Shuo and Sai learned that Kaguya had sent more fragments to find the four creatures, but she would let them stay if they wished. After accepting Kaguya’s tear, Shuo led the growing group to buy candy, unaware of what the tear’s brightening light or the new arrivals would bring.

• On the walk back, Hand Princess Big asked why people avoided the creatures, and Shuo reassured it that he would protect them.
• At the shack, Sai said Kaguya would return for the fragments, while Hand Princess Big said it wanted to stay because Shuo gave it candy and made it feel safe.
• A dozen fragments arrived at night and told Hand Princess Big that Kaguya would not force the creatures to return.
• An ear fragment gave Shuo Kaguya’s tear as thanks, and the light in his palm grew brighter when he caught it.
• With no candy left, Shuo set off to buy more, followed by the four creatures and the newly arrived fragments as Kaguya watched and vanished into the moonlight.

Shuo shared his last candy with the fragments, who revealed that they could taste sweetness through the light in his palm. As the fragments glowed together in Konoha, an unseen watcher in a distant cloud murmured that the time was near.

• Thirty-eight of Kaguya's fragments gathered outside Miyoko's store, while Sai counted them and Miyoko complained that Shuo had used up the candy.
• Shuo offered his last piece of candy, but Hand Princess Big and the others insisted that he eat it instead.
• After Shuo ate the candy, the fragments said they could taste its sweetness through the light inside them, which had grown brighter in his palm.
• Miyoko gave Shuo her hidden bag of fifty chestnut candies, and he shared one with each fragment as they glowed in the sunlight.
• Tsunade and Minato watched the scene from the Hokage Building; Tsunade cursed Shuo, while Minato wondered what he would become.
• An unseen presence in a distant cloud watched Shuo and the fragments and murmured, “Soon... just a little longer...”

On the 150th day, Shuo learned that Kaguya was in danger on the far side of the moon, threatened by Ōtsutsuki Isshiki. After Kaguya’s final tear restored Shuo’s light and linked it to her fragments, Shuo led them toward the moon to rescue her.

• Shuo woke to find a vast crowd of Kaguya’s fragments gathered outside his shelter, led by an enormous torso.
• The torso told Shuo that Kaguya was on the moon and that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, stronger and more ruthless than her, was targeting her.
• The torso gave Shuo Kaguya’s final tear, which activated the light she had left inside him and restored his former power.
• The torso revealed that Shuo’s light had taken root in the fragments, connecting them to him as one.
• Shuo set out for the far side of the moon with the fragments, and Sai hurried after him.
• Tsunade and Minato watched the procession leave, while Minato said Shuo was going to bring someone back.

Shuo and the fragments reached the far side of the moon and rescued Kaguya from Ōtsutsuki Isshiki’s shadows using the golden light in his palm. They returned toward Konoha, unaware that Isshiki had survived and might be setting a trap.

• Shuo and the fragments flew to the moon’s far side, where Isshiki’s shadows attacked Kaguya.
• Shuo’s golden light destroyed one shadow, and he went to Kaguya and said he had come to take her back.
• Shuo unleashed the light across the moon, apparently destroying Isshiki and the remaining shadows, but he said Isshiki had escaped.
• Kaguya followed Shuo and the fragments as they left the moon for Konoha.
• Isshiki reappeared in the darkness and watched them depart, hinting that the rescue might be part of a conspiracy.

Shuo returned to Konoha with Kaguya, who apologized for the destruction and joined him at Miyoko's store, where she and her fragments tasted candy. Tsunade summoned the Five Kage, while a mysterious figure watched Shuo and Kaguya from the clouds before disappearing.

• Shuo arrived in Konoha with Kaguya, and the villagers fled when they recognized her as the Progenitor of Chakra.
• Kaguya said she was sorry, then told Shuo she wanted somewhere to stay because he had promised to feed her.
• Shuo took Kaguya to Miyoko's general store, where Miyoko gave him her last bag of chestnut candies.
• Kaguya and her fragments tried the candies and called them sweet, while Kaguya smiled at the scene around Shuo.
• Tsunade saw Kaguya eating candy and ordered the Five Kage to be summoned immediately.
• A dark shape watched Shuo and Kaguya from the clouds, murmured that they were interesting, and vanished.

Konoha’s reconstruction continued with Kaguya’s fragments working for candy, while Shuo helped Kaguya find a little happiness. Isshiki appeared on the horizon and announced that he would return in three days to face them.

• Kaguya’s fragments helped rebuild Konoha in exchange for candy, and Kaguya admitted to Miyoko that Shuo impressed her.
• Sai warned Shuo that the candy supply was running low, and they discussed finding a lasting solution.
• Shuo offered Kaguya a candy, and she said she felt a little happy after tasting it.
• Kaguya warned Shuo that Isshiki would return and was stronger than she was, and Shuo said he would run while she held Isshiki off.
• Isshiki watched Konoha from a distant shadow and announced that he would face them again in three days.

Shuo and Kaguya prepared for Ōtsutsuki Isshiki’s arrival, knowing Kaguya could not defeat him and Shuo’s light remained weak. When Isshiki attacked Kaguya and the fragments, they rose again and gathered their light into Shuo’s palm, beginning the fight with their combined power.

• Shuo learned from Sai that Isshiki had recovered and Kaguya could not beat him, but resolved to face him with her.
• As Isshiki approached, Shuo and Kaguya discussed fleeing if they could not win, and Kaguya agreed to hold him off while Shuo ran.
• Isshiki arrived over Konoha and struck Kaguya and the fragments with black light, leaving them badly hurt.
• Isshiki advanced on Shuo and mocked his weak light, but the fallen fragments rose and gathered behind him.
• Shuo declared that the fragments were his light, and their combined glow surged into his palm as Isshiki’s expression changed.

Shuo and the fragments defended each other against Isshiki, whose black light weakened them as their light gathered in Shuo. Shuo drove Isshiki away with a burst of golden light, and the fragments revived after he gave them candy, while Isshiki watched from afar and promised to return.

• Isshiki attacked the fragments with black light, but they kept rising and shielding Shuo despite their injuries.
• Shuo absorbed the fragments’ light, stepped in front of Hand Princess Big, and unleashed it against Isshiki.
• Isshiki survived the golden blast, then vanished through a twist in space as Shuo collapsed and the fragments lay motionless.
• Hand Princess Big woke when Shuo gave it candy, and the other fragments gradually opened their eyes as he shared Kaguya’s remaining candy.
• Isshiki watched Shuo and the revived fragments from a distant shadow, then disappeared into the clouds while promising to return.

After the Fragments exhausted themselves and fell asleep, Kaguya realized Shuo had become their core, with their light nourishing his own. As Shuo rested among them, Isshiki observed from afar, then withdrew to heal and prepare for the threat Shuo might become.

• The Fragments finished their candy and collapsed into an exhausted sleep while Shuo and Kaguya watched over them.
• Kaguya gave Shuo a chestnut candy, then noticed his light had grown brighter as the sleeping Fragments’ light flowed back to him.
• Kaguya told Shuo that he had become the Fragments’ core and that they were bound together inseparably.
• Shuo settled down to sleep beside Hand Princess Five, and Kaguya stayed to guard him and the Fragments.
• Isshiki watched Shuo from the distant horizon, recognized him as a core, and vanished to heal, gather strength, and devise a strategy.

Shuo waited among the sleeping Fragments as their faint light slowly gathered in his palm, while Isshiki recovered and prepared a stronger attack. Hand Princess Big woke and assured Shuo that the others would wake too, just as Isshiki readied a force of shadows to destroy them all.

• Shuo spent two days watching the Fragments sleep as their faint light flowed toward his palm.
• Shuo learned that only 123 pieces of candy remained, and Kaguya said Isshiki was recovering from the blow Shuo had dealt him.
• Shuo told Kaguya that his light was not yet strong enough to face Isshiki and that he was waiting for the Fragments to wake.
• Hand Princess Big woke, ate Shuo's last piece of candy, and said the others would wake because Shuo's light was inside them.
• Isshiki opened his golden eyes and gathered ten times as many shadows, planning to destroy the Fragments once they were fully awake.

Over six days, Shuo watched the Fragments wake one by one, each revived by the faint light inside them and greeted with candy. With all the Fragments gathered around him, Shuo accepted that Isshiki could defeat him alone, while the Black Tide began moving toward Konoha.

• Hand Princess Small woke and told Shuo that the other Fragments would wake because his light was inside them.
• Hand Princess Three, Hand Princess Four, and Hand Princess Five woke over the next three days, each asking Shuo for candy.
• On the sixth day, the thirty-two smaller pieces woke, and Shuo shared the last bag of candy with them.
• The Fragments gathered around Shuo, their joined light growing brighter until it shone like a little star in his palm.
• Kaguya warned that Isshiki would come for the Fragments, and Shuo said he could not beat Isshiki one-on-one but might with their help.
• Isshiki saw the Fragments awaken and ordered the Black Tide to surge toward Konoha.

Isshiki brought a vast Black Tide of faceless shadows to attack Konoha, but Shuo shared his light with the forty-five Fragments and forced Isshiki to retreat. Afterward, a tiny creature emerged from Isshiki’s ash and said it had found the core.

• Shuo and Kaguya saw Isshiki’s Black Tide approaching Konoha, while the Fragments gathered to protect Shuo.
• The Fragments stood between Shuo and the advancing shadows, and Shuo stepped in front of them with Kaguya at his side.
• Shuo’s light spread to all forty-five Fragments, forming a complete core that made Isshiki halt his attack and withdraw.
• Shuo found Isshiki’s pale-gold eye left behind, but it shattered after warning that it would remember his light.
• A tiny creature crawled from the ash and murmured that it had found the core.

A strange creature emerged from the ashes and set off away from Konoha while Shuo suspected Isshiki was still watching. Shuo revealed that he had planted a trace of light inside Isshiki, and their connection pointed toward a coming journey to the moon.

• A transparent creature grew to the size of a stray dog, said it had found its target, and sprinted away from Konoha in the direction Isshiki had gone.
• Shuo told Hand Princess Big that he could not sleep because Isshiki had said he would remember their encounter, and Shuo suspected Isshiki was waiting for them to lower their guard.
• Shuo revealed to Kaguya and the Fragments that he had planted a wisp of light inside Isshiki during their fight.
• Isshiki discovered the golden light embedded in his chest and realized it resonated with Shuo's light in Konoha.
• Isshiki turned his shadows toward the moon and told them to wait for Shuo and the others to come to them.