Chapter Summaries

Shin'yu and Madara explained that Jigen was only a vessel for an Otsutsuki, and Nian suspected that Jigen and Oya Kensuke were allies. In the kitchen, Light told Tsunade about her past and argued that lasting peace was the only way to end war's suffering.

• Madara warned that the Otsutsuki were a threat to the Eye of the Moon plan and entrusted Shin'yu with finding and killing them.
• Shin'yu and Madara explained that Jigen's body had died but the Otsutsuki within him could survive by finding a new vessel, prompting Nian to realize why Jigen wanted him and Shin'yu.
• Nian recalled that Oya Kensuke had absorbed his Dust Release and suspected that Oya Kensuke and Jigen had worked together.
• Light recounted to Tsunade how the Uchiha had imprisoned and used her, and how the Senju and Sarutobi had later sealed her underground.
• Tsunade condemned the clans for their treatment of Light, while Light said she had let go of her hatred and that peace was the only goal worth pursuing.

Light challenged Tsunade’s belief that Hashirama’s shinobi village system had brought lasting peace, arguing that it only hid a greater crisis beneath military deterrence. After Tsunade reflected on the horrors of war, Light welcomed her warmly, and Tsunade asked to hear more about her plans for peace.

• Tsunade asked Light why Uchiha Madara had attacked the Hidden Leaf Village and fought Hashirama if both sought peace.
• Light explained that Hashirama’s shinobi village system had ended one era of chaos but gathered each nation’s military strength and left peace dependent on Hashirama’s deterrence.
• Tsunade recalled the losses and bloodshed of the Second Shinobi World War and began doubting the Will of Fire she had grown up believing in.
• Light made Tsunade breakfast and welcomed her as family, while explaining that the group had switched from tea to coffee after Madara came to favor it.
• Tsunade asked Light to tell her about her plans for peace, and Light agreed.

Orochimaru found Hiruko hiding in a mountain cave, where they exchanged news about the Third Kazekage capturing Uchiha Naka and the chaos in the Hidden Leaf Village. Suspecting a conspiracy and unable to find Nian, they headed back to the Laboratory while planning to investigate the Third Kazekage and the Sky Ninja Village cautiously.

• Orochimaru flew to a mountain cave near the Eastern Border of the Land of Fire and entered it after sensing Natural Energy.
• Hiruko ambushed Orochimaru, but the two recognized each other and stopped fighting.
• Hiruko told Orochimaru that the Third Kazekage had captured Uchiha Naka and that Hiruko had escaped using Swift Release.
• Orochimaru linked the Hidden Leaf Village attack, the Sky Ninja mobilization, and Hiruko's encounter with the Third Kazekage as parts of a possible conspiracy.
• Hiruko reported that the Hidden Leaf Village had suffered a riot and that he could not find Nian, while Orochimaru reasoned that Nian was probably not in danger.
• Orochimaru led Hiruko toward the Laboratory and said they would proceed gradually without alerting the Third Kazekage or the Sky Ninja Village.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki survived Shin'yu's attack by placing his consciousness into a transformed God Tree, which became a new body identified as Uchiha Kagami. He joined Oya Kensuke and the Third Kazekage, who revealed they had captured Uchiha Naka.

• Isshiki's consciousness emerged from the towering tree in a new human body, but he discovered his attempt to place a Karma mark on Shin'yu had failed.
• Isshiki learned the body's history and recognized that Shin'yu's plans involved seizing and fusing eyes to pursue eternity.
• Isshiki opened a Teleportation Gate and appeared at the border of the Land of Fire, where Oya Kensuke and the Third Kazekage awaited him.
• The Third Kazekage reported that Shinnō had fled with the Flying Fortress after the Sky Ninja suffered heavy losses against Hidden Leaf Village ninja.
• The Third Kazekage revealed Uchiha Naka, whom he had captured, and Isshiki moved closer to examine his eyes.

At a banquet, Madara gave Tsunade his old Hidden Leaf forehead protector and accepted her as Nian’s woman, while Nian encouraged her to pursue becoming Hokage. After Nian and Tsunade kissed beneath the waterfall, Madara awakened the Rinnegan, ending the volume.

• Light served Tsunade braised pork, and Nian swapped it for chicken before eating her half-eaten piece, flustering her.
• Shin'yu teased Nian about the shared food, then ate a carrot from Light’s bowl and urged Madara to eat Light’s carved Wood Dragon.
• Madara gave Tsunade his founding-era Hidden Leaf forehead protector, explaining that it represented his past and that she was worthy as Nian’s woman and Hashirama’s granddaughter.
• Nian encouraged Tsunade to work toward becoming Hokage, and they kissed beneath the waterfall as Shin'yu and Light quietly left them alone.
• Madara felt a force gather in his eyes and awakened the Rinnegan.

After Oya Kensuke helped capture Uchiha Kagami, Uchiha Nen confronted him to learn where Kagami had been taken. A flashback revealed that Kagami had been revived and that the Ōtsutsuki and their allies had planned their moves; Nen and his allies tracked Oya Kensuke as a lead.

• Uchiha Nen and Hiruko cornered Oya Kensuke in the Land of Rice Fields and demanded to know where he had taken Uchiha Kagami.
• Three years earlier, Nen discovered that the giant tree containing Kagami had vanished and reported it to Uchiha Shin'yu.
• Shin'yu asked Nen to use Kuenbiko to locate his father, and Nen saw Kagami alive with Sharingan eyes while Oya Kensuke stood among black-robed figures.
• Nen, Shin'yu, Orochimaru, and Hiruko concluded that an Ōtsutsuki had revived Kagami using Karma and that the attacks and infiltration had been coordinated.
• Shin'yu proposed tracking Oya Kensuke, and Nen confronted him; after Oya Kensuke claimed Nen could not kill him because he held the only lead, Nen struck him with Thunder God's Judgment.

Uchiha Nen and Hiruko defeated Oya Kensuke and captured him for interrogation and possible Devouring. As they left, Hiruko pressed Nen about seeing his young nephew and noticed a blond child.

• Oya Kensuke used blood attacks against Nen, but Nen blocked them with Susanoo and struck him with a skeletal fist.
• Nen sent a Wood Dragon after Oya Kensuke, who escaped its jaws with Blood Shadow Clone Technique.
• Hiruko caught Kensuke, battered him across the mountain path with Swift Release, and threw him into Nen's Wood Style cage.
• Nen said Kensuke would be taken to Grand Uncle for interrogation, while Hiruko planned to Devour him afterward.
• Hiruko asked to see Nen's nephew, and Nen refused before Hiruko called after him about a blond kid.

Madara explained how awakening the Rinnegan let him summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, sustain himself, and create White Zetsu from Hashirama cells. As he prepared to leave the Kannabi Bridge Base, he entrusted Shin'yu with the statue, White Zetsu, the base, and everything that followed.

• Madara refused Shin'yu and Uchiha Hikari's pleas to stay, saying that waiting had become torment.
• Madara's Rinnegan restored his sight, and he summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from the moon.
• Madara used the statue's nutrient fluid to prolong his life and strengthen his Rinnegan, though it worked only on him.
• Madara cultivated Hashirama cells on the statue, and the resulting cocoons produced White Zetsu.
• Madara demonstrated White Zetsu's powers of shared sensing, duplication, and perfect disguise to Shin'yu and Hikari.
• Madara entrusted Shin'yu with the statue, White Zetsu, the base, his Rinnegan, and everything that followed.

Uchiha Madara entrusted everything he had to Shin'yu and died peacefully, leaving Shin'yu to watch for Black Zetsu. At the laboratory, Nian and Hiruko secured Oya Kensuke, while Hiruko learned that the Spiritualization Technique could address the soul-related flaw in his Kimaera Technique.

• Hikari reluctantly faced Madara's departure, and Madara entrusted everything he had to Shin'yu and her.
• Madara tore free from the tubes sustaining him, passed his Rinnegan's reflection to Shin'yu, and died peacefully.
• Shin'yu reflected on Madara's trust and searched for Black Zetsu, whom he feared might still interfere.
• Nian sealed Oya Kensuke in the laboratory and waited for Shin'yu to return and interrogate him.
• Hiruko discussed Devoured with Nian, recalling how Shin'yu had warned that the Kimaera Technique could let absorbed souls take over his body.
• Shin'yu had told Hiruko that the Spiritualization Technique could erase the Kimaera Technique's soul-related flaw.

Hidden Leaf Village faced the deadline to return the Two-Tails to Hidden Cloud, but Sarutobi Hiruzen claimed Uzumaki Mito had sealed it inside herself alongside the Seven-Tails. The delegation went to the Uzumaki Shrine to verify the claim, while Kushina sensed a chilling gaze from among the visitors.

• Third Raikage A demanded that Hidden Leaf return the Two-Tails under the thirty-year treaty.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said the Two-Tails had become a burden and revealed that Uzumaki Mito sealed it inside herself alongside the Seven-Tails to prevent a rampage.
• A ordered his subordinate Sumoi to be quiet and insisted on verifying where the Two-Tails was.
• Hiruzen led the Hidden Cloud delegation through tight security to the Uzumaki Shrine, where Kushina greeted them.
• Danzo told Kushina she was not needed, and as the visitors went upstairs to Mito's room, Kushina sensed an icy gaze from the crowd.

Sarutobi Hiruzen confronted Shimura Danzo over his plan to hand Uzumaki Kushina to Hidden Cloud as compensation for keeping the Two-Tails. Danzo revealed that he intended to use Uzumaki Mito as Hidden Leaf Village’s long-term weapon and deny responsibility for Kushina’s fate.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged Shimura Danzo’s plan to sacrifice Uzumaki Kushina, but Danzo argued that the village’s strength justified the cost.
• Danzo explained that Hidden Cloud wanted a way to control Tailed Beasts, not merely the Two-Tails, and that Kushina would be handed over to satisfy them.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen realized that handing Kushina over could help Hidden Cloud develop a perfect Jinchuriki, but Danzo claimed they would use her only as an experimental subject.
• Danzo revealed that Uzumaki Mito’s longevity and power meant Hidden Leaf needed no new Jinchuriki, since she could remain its strongest weapon.
• Danzo said Hidden Cloud would be blamed for Kushina’s fate, while he insisted his plans would secure Hidden Leaf’s interests.

Nawaki demonstrated the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to Shisui, who copied it after one viewing and revealed his extraordinary talent. Meanwhile, Kushina wondered why Hidden Cloud had visited Uzumaki Mito and suspected the meeting might offer an opportunity related to the Tailed Beasts.

• Nawaki demonstrated the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to Shisui at the Training Ground.
• Shisui reproduced the technique after watching Nawaki perform it once, astonishing his uncle.
• Nawaki suggested that Shisui become Jiraiya's student, but Shisui said his father had already found him a master.
• Kushina returned from training and considered whether the Hokage's visit with Hidden Cloud to Uzumaki Mito concerned the Tailed Beasts.
• Kushina sensed something unusual as she entered her bedroom.

Kushina detected a group of Cloud Ninja ambushing her at home and fought back with her Adamantine Sealing Chains, but they captured her and carried her toward the Land of Lightning. Minato Namikaze ambushed the group in the forest and caught Kushina as she fell, apologizing for arriving late.

• Kushina used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura and sensed six hostile Jonin waiting in her bedroom.
• Kushina fled, bound several Cloud Ninja with Adamantine Sealing Chains, and was struck by a lightning attack while two pursuers escaped.
• The Cloud Ninja captured Kushina and escorted her toward the Land of Lightning, while Kaso threatened to make her reveal her secrets.
• Sumoi noticed danger in the forest, but a Shadow Clone distracted the Cloud Ninja while Minato struck Sumoi and knocked Kaso unconscious.
• Minato caught Kushina as she fell and apologized for arriving late.

Minato rescued Kushina from the Cloud Ninja, killing Kaso as they escaped. As the Cloud Ninja pursued, Nagato appeared and revealed a terrifying Nine-Tails chakra cloak, leaving them stunned.

• Minato protected Kushina from the Cloud Ninja's attacks and used Wind Style techniques to knock them back.
• Kaso charged Minato with a lightning blade, but Minato caught it, restrained Kaso, and killed him with a slash to the neck.
• Minato caught Kushina and fled, while Sumoi ordered the surviving Cloud Ninja to pursue them.
• Nagato emerged from the forest and confronted the Cloud Ninja over their kidnapping of Kushina.
• Nagato released a red chakra cloak with nine tails, and Sumoi recognized the Nine-Tails and ordered the Cloud Ninja to retreat.

Nagato used the Nine-Tails’ power to defeat the Cloud Ninja who had threatened Kushina, then killed them all. Orochimaru cleaned up the battle and sent Nagato to the Land of Iron because his Grand Master urgently wanted to see him.

• Nagato collapsed the ground and used a powerful Wind Release to critically injure four Cloud Ninja, while Sumoi escaped the attack.
• Nagato captured Sumoi with Adamantine Sealing Chains, suppressed his Lightning Release Armor, and killed him with a Tailed Beast Slash.
• Nagato used his tails to kill the remaining Cloud Ninja, leaving the battlefield covered in blood.
• Orochimaru arrived and warned Nagato that his use of the Nine-Tails’ Chakra let its rage and hatred affect him.
• Orochimaru summoned a white snake to consume Sumoi’s corpse and absorb the scattered Tailed Beast Chakra.
• Orochimaru told Nagato to go immediately to the Land of Iron because his Grand Master wanted to see him on the highest-priority mission.

Nagato met Shin'yu and Hikari at the underground laboratory, where Shin'yu asked for his help with a dangerous personal plan. After Nagato pledged his life in repayment for Shin'yu's kindness, Shin'yu ordered the Rinnegan transplant surgery to begin.

• Nagato arrived at the laboratory and greeted Shin'yu, Hikari, and Hiruko.
• Shin'yu praised Nagato's improved control over the Nine-Tails, and Nagato explained how his seals let him safely draw on its power.
• Hikari asked why Orochimaru had not returned, and Shin'yu explained that Orochimaru was away on an important mission.
• Shin'yu warned Nagato that the help he needed could bring no benefit and might cost Nagato his life.
• Nagato knelt and declared that his life belonged to Shin'yu because Shin'yu had saved his family twelve years earlier.
• Shin'yu accepted Nagato's pledge and ordered Hiruko to prepare the Rinnegan transplant surgery.

Shin'yu and Light oversaw Hiruko transplanting the Rinnegan into Nagato, and Shin'yu healed him with Mystical Palm Technique. Nagato awoke to extraordinary vision and power, while Shin'yu confirmed he had gained the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths and Yin Yang Release.

• Shin'yu told Nagato that he would eventually take the Rinnegan and everything Nagato possessed, and Nagato agreed to offer him his body and everything he had.
• Light held Shin'yu's hand as he ordered the operation to begin, and Hiruko transplanted the Rinnegan into Nagato.
• Shin'yu used Mystical Palm Technique to heal Nagato's eyes and connect them to his body.
• Nagato opened his eyes and discovered the Rinnegan had greatly enhanced his vision and filled him with a strange energy.
• Nagato sensed Shin'yu and Light's immense power and felt that he could pull Hiruko's soul from his body.
• Shin'yu congratulated Nagato on awakening the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths and the supreme power of Yin Yang Release.

Shin'yu brought Nagato to the underground prison, where Nagato learned to balance the Rinnegan against the Nine-Tails instead of suppressing both. After interrogating Oya Kensuke, Shin'yu decided to keep Nagato close and discovered a familiar face in Kensuke's memories.

• Shin'yu and Hiruko led Nagato through the underground Laboratory to Oya Kensuke's prison cell.
• Shin'yu advised Nagato to let the Nine-Tails' power and the Rinnegan restrain each other, and Nagato realized he could maintain a balance between them.
• Shin'yu confronted Oya Kensuke, used his eyes to break through Kensuke's defenses, and left him for Hiruko to handle.
• Shin'yu ordered Nagato to stay by his side and train until he was ready to leave.
• Shin'yu found a familiar face in Oya Kensuke's genuine memories and reflected that things were getting interesting with his Good Younger Brother.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki survived by using Karma to restore Uchiha Kagami’s transformed body, but became trapped alongside Kagami’s soul and lost the ability to reincarnate. He planned to defeat Uchiha Shin'yu and feed him to a hidden God Tree so he could eat its fruit and regain control of his body.

• Isshiki survived the destruction of Jigen by attaching himself to Uchiha Kagami’s tree body.
• Isshiki burned Karma data to restore Kagami’s body and transform it into an Ōtsutsuki body, leaving himself and Kagami sharing it as two souls.
• Isshiki planned to use a hidden God Tree to produce a fruit that would let him suppress Kagami’s soul and take control.
• Isshiki realized Shin'yu was an Otsutsuki Vessel, which explained why his Karma had resonated with Shin'yu and failed to imprint on him.
• Isshiki decided to wait for Karma’s data to decompress, then defeat Shin'yu and feed his body to the God Tree.

Isshiki awakened the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan after three years, but the effort left his consciousness near dormancy, so he ordered Kara's Inner Members to evacuate to Lohak's kingdom. Their departure was interrupted when a black-haired, red-eyed young man resembling Isshiki burst into the base.

• Isshiki explained that he had awakened the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan by burning data to complete Kagami's body, leaving his consciousness weak and close to dormancy.
• Isshiki learned that Oya Kensuke had not responded for over three days and ordered the group to evacuate because their base was no longer safe.
• Lohak challenged the Third Kazekage's reluctance to leave, but Isshiki settled their dispute by deciding they would go to Lohak's kingdom while he recovered.
• Lohak mocked Kenlun for having no attachment to the Land of Water, while Kenlun ignored him.
• A young man with black hair and red eyes blasted through the ceiling, startling the three Inner Members with his resemblance to Isshiki.