Chapter Summaries

Kikuno Momo refused Tekka and Naoto’s attempt to bring her back to the Uchiha, while Aoki Tsuki recruited the clan’s help for a Jashin Cult operation in Konoha. After an Uchiha team disappeared, Uchiha Fugaku accepted the proposal, and the chapter ended as a bomber detonated Explosive Tags in the square near the Hokage’s office.

• Kikuno Momo rejected Tekka and Naoto’s demand that she return to the Uchiha and introduced them to her sworn younger brother, Aoki Tsuki.
• Aoki Tsuki asked Tekka and Naoto to help Jashin Cult members enter Konoha and avoid certain patrol locations, but the two Uchiha initially refused.
• After Tekka and Naoto reported back, an Uchiha team disappeared near Konoha, and Fugaku agreed to Aoki Tsuki’s proposal while warning against civilian casualties.
• Fugaku and the Uchiha leaders arranged patrol routes around the planned operation, leaving key locations without police coverage at the intended time.
• Tomodachi revealed Explosive Tags beneath his clothes in the square near the Hokage’s office and shouted a prayer to Jashin.
• A Konoha Ninja tried to stop Tomodachi, but the Explosive Tags detonated.

Jashin Cult suicide attacks hit Konoha and nearby towns, prompting a lockdown, a crackdown, and a bitter dispute among the village leaders. As the real cult went into hiding, Danzo used Root operatives disguised as cultists to attack the Uchiha, leaving the village’s tensions poised to escalate.

• Jashin Cult followers detonated Explosive Tags at key sites in Konoha and surrounding towns, causing civilian casualties and damaging buildings.
• Danzo blamed the Akatsuki and urged retaliation, while Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to lead the campaign against the cult and agreed to reinforce village security.
• Fugaku told Itachi to stop involving himself in clan matters, leaving Itachi to suspect that something had changed within the Uchiha Clan.
• After the Anbu destroyed more than ten cult strongholds, Kakashi’s team found that the remaining sites had been abandoned.
• Obito decided to use Konoha’s leaders against the Uchiha and Aoki Tsuki, and Black Zetsu supplied Danzo with detailed intelligence about the Jashin Cult.
• Danzo ordered Root to obtain more Sharingan and fund Orochimaru’s rebuilt bases, then had Root operatives disguise themselves as Jashin Cult followers and attack the Uchiha.

Aoki Tsuki set a trap by arranging for the Uchiha to escort weapons to the Mite River, where the Jashin Cult ambushed them. As the Uchiha fought back, Kakashi Hatake’s Anbu team watched from the woods, and Tenzo nearly revealed that the attackers resembled Root.

• Aoki Tsuki blamed Danzo for the attacks on the Uchiha and ordered Kikuno Momo to arrange an A-rank mission using the clan as bait.
• Fugaku agreed to the mission, assigning Uchiha Yashiro to lead eight elite members and warning them to withdraw if necessary.
• Itachi left on an urgent mission, disappointing Sasuke, while Fugaku realized his son had surpassed him.
• Yashiro’s team collected the supplies and met the couriers near the abandoned fortress at the Mite River.
• The Jashin Cult attacked the Uchiha as the couriers fled, and the two sides began fighting.
• Kakashi Hatake’s Anbu team observed the battle, and Tenzo nearly said the attackers resembled Root.

Team Kakashi intervened when Juzo Biwa fought Root over the shipment, and Kakashi broke Juzo’s Kubikiribōchō while an Uchiha genjutsu left him vulnerable. Aoki Tsuki rescued Juzo and revealed himself to Kakashi and Tenzo, who recognized him from their past mission to assassinate the Third.

• Uchiha Yashiro withdrew with the surviving Uchiha after Juzo Biwa arrived and attacked the Root members fighting over the goods.
• Juzo Biwa used the Kubikiribōchō and Water Release techniques to kill many Root members, despite their attempts to counter him.
• Tenzo used Wood Release to drive Juzo and Root out of the mist, and Kakashi broke Juzo’s sword with Lightning Blade while an Uchiha genjutsu immobilized him.
• Aoki Tsuki broke the encirclement around Juzo, released him from the genjutsu, and confronted Kakashi, whom he recognized as the masked white-haired man.
• Tenzo recognized Aoki Tsuki from their earlier mission to assassinate the Third.

Aoki Tsuki and Juzo Biwa fought Team Kakashi while robbing a shipment, then escaped under cover of mist as Kakashi reported Root's ambush to Hiruzen. Back at Ancient Tanzaku Castle, Aoki learned the Uchiha had offered the Akatsuki an S-rank donation and tried unsuccessfully to flirt with Kikuno Momo.

• Aoki Tsuki refused Kakashi's demand to surrender the shipment, and Team Kakashi attacked him and Juzo Biwa.
• Kakashi's Lightning Clone survived Aoki's sealing attack, and Aoki escaped with Juzo using Hidden Mist and a Lightning-infused Water Dragon.
• Kakashi reported the mission to Hiruzen, then told Danzo he would report any evidence of Uchiha collusion truthfully.
• Danzo admitted to Hiruzen that he had ordered the ambush to weaken the Uchiha, and Hiruzen warned him not to harm fellow villagers again.
• Aoki returned to Ancient Tanzaku Castle and learned the Uchiha had donated an S-rank payment to support Akatsuki missionary work.
• Aoki tried to persuade Kikuno Momo to give him her blessings, but she made an excuse and fled.

The Uchiha planned to use the Jashin Cult to distract Konoha while preparing for a possible coup, as they also investigated repeated breaches of their district’s barrier. Aoki Tsuki sought Kikuno Momo’s help in persuading the Uchiha to share advanced Water Release techniques, claiming he wanted to support their cause.

• Aoki Tsuki announced the Jashin Cult’s first donation and ordered its members to spread their faith throughout the Land of Fire.
• Fugaku and the Uchiha discussed using the Jashin Cult to weaken Konoha’s forces, while remaining wary of the village’s countermeasures and an unknown intruder.
• Fugaku told the Uchiha to watch for suspicious activity after the Barrier Team reported repeated breaches around their district.
• Aoki Tsuki learned that Konoha’s Anbu and Root were quickly locating Jashin Cult bases and suspected White Zetsu was giving away their positions.
• Aoki Tsuki apologized to Kikuno Momo for taking advantage of her amnesia, then asked her to get the Uchiha to share advanced Water Release techniques.

Aoki Tsuki studied the Water Release techniques Kikuno Momo obtained from the Uchiha, then set a trap to draw White Zetsu and Orochimaru to the same place. The plan ended with a tiger-striped Masked Man ambushing Orochimaru, who escaped using the Substitution Technique.

• Kikuno Momo asked the Uchiha for Ninjutsu as a clan member and received a generous collection of Fire and Water Release scrolls.
• Aoki Tsuki received the Water Release scrolls, studied them, and found White Zetsu's traces while investigating Jashin Cult bases.
• Aoki Tsuki planted false intelligence about a white creature being transported through the Valley of the End, drawing White Zetsu toward the convoy.
• White Zetsu's clones attacked the convoy, triggered a box full of Explosive Tags, and were caught in the blast.
• Orochimaru captured a White Zetsu clone, but a tiger-striped Masked Man attacked him and began absorbing his body.
• Orochimaru escaped the Masked Man's grasp by using the Substitution Technique.

Obito and Zetsu withdrew after Aoki Tsuki’s trap exposed them, while the intelligence war over the Jashin Cult paused and Itachi learned more about the Uchiha’s ties to the Akatsuki. Back in Amegakure, Aoki Tsuki trained Karin, argued with his mother about pursuing Sister Mimoto, and practiced Water Release as he searched for a technique of his own.

• Obito escaped Orochimaru’s attack with his intangibility, and Zetsu’s clone cleaned up the traces before retreating.
• Obito ordered Zetsu to stop gathering intelligence on the Jashin Cult and said he had found someone who could keep Orochimaru and Aoki Tsuki in check.
• Itachi asked Fugaku about the Akatsuki, and Fugaku explained that Shisui had clashed with them before his death and that the Uchiha were seeking a way to survive village persecution.
• Aoki Tsuki returned to Amegakure, taught Karin the Water Clone Technique, and told her to learn to deceive people for success.
• Aoki Tsuki told Eiko that he wanted to pursue Sister Mimoto, but she warned him about the village’s judgment and Lady Angel’s power.
• Aoki Tsuki trained Karin in Water Release, mastered the Water Severing Wave, and wondered whether he could develop a signature technique of his own.

Aoki Tsuki dueled Konan at the Land of Rain training ground, then returned to his Land of Fire base and discovered Kikuno Momo secretly training as a ninja. He warned her to monitor Konoha and gave her a mental-strength training technique, leaving her to practice openly.

• Aoki Tsuki and Konan fought with Ninjutsu, and Konan’s explosive paper attacks forced him to surrender.
• Konan warned Aoki Tsuki to be careful around Konoha, and he told her he trusted no one but her.
• After returning to his base, Aoki Tsuki watched Kikuno Momo practice Shuriken, Ninjutsu, traps, and Taijutsu in secret.
• Aoki Tsuki asked Kikuno Momo to keep watch on Konoha and alert him to any developments involving the Uchiha.
• Aoki Tsuki gave Kikuno Momo his Single-Point Gaze meditation method, and she realized he had noticed her training.

Danzo assigned Itachi to monitor the Uchiha while plotting against the clan, and the Uchiha caught a Root spy as they expanded the Police Force. Itachi then witnessed Obito infiltrating the clan shrine and learned that Obito intended to destroy the Uchiha as part of his plan to remake the world.

• Hiruzen appointed Itachi as an Anbu Captain, and Danzo ordered him to watch the Uchiha with two Root assistants.
• Itachi secretly planted psychological suggestions in his new teammates before beginning surveillance of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
• Uchiha Yashiro’s recruits joined the Police Force, and the clan caught Root member Huamao spying on their training.
• Fugaku released Huamao after warning the village against further intrusions, while Danzo decided to use the Uchiha’s expansion as evidence of a planned coup.
• Itachi spotted the masked Obito entering the Uchiha compound and later watched him confront Fugaku in the shrine’s secret room.
• Obito revealed his plan to eliminate the Uchiha and escaped Fugaku’s attacks with Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Fukurō died after hiding the codebook stolen from an Akatsuki base, prompting Kakashi’s Team Six and Akatsuki forces to search the Kobe River. Kakashi’s team defeated Tetsuiwa and Kachō, but Kachō sent up a flare before dying, leaving Kakashi to hurry toward Tsukimizato as more enemies approached.

• Fukurō hid the codebook near the Kobe River, sent a final message to the Hokage, and turned to dust from his wounds and poison.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Kakashi’s Team Six to retrieve the intelligence, while Aoki Tsuki ordered Akatsuki’s members to search the river.
• Tetsuiwa and Kachō stopped searching to joke around, alerting Kakashi’s team with their noise.
• Kakashi’s team ambushed the pair; Tetsuiwa died protecting Kachō, and Kakashi killed Kachō after she fled into the river.
• Kachō’s signal flare warned nearby Akatsuki members, so Kakashi ordered his team to search Tsukimizato quickly.

Kakashi and Tenzo fought Aoki Tsuki while the Anbu tried to carry the codebook through a forest ambush. Reinforcements arrived to help the scattered Anbu, but the chapter ended with Aoki Tsuki unleashing a powerful water attack against Kakashi and Tenzo.

• Yamaneko found the codebook, but Aoki Tsuki's forces attacked, wounded him, and killed him after he passed the intelligence to another Anbu.
• The surviving Anbu split up to escape, while Akatsuki squads pursued them; Sekiga attacked Uzuki Yugao before Might Guy, Gekko Hayate, and Aoba Yamashiro arrived to rescue her.
• Uzuki Yugao explained that she had been acting as bait and did not know who carried the codebook, so she and the three reinforcements split up to search for the other Anbu.
• Kakashi and Tenzo battled Aoki Tsuki, whose sword broke Kakashi's Kunai and whose techniques repeatedly countered their attacks.
• Kakashi and Tenzo coordinated Lightning and Water Release attacks, but Aoki Tsuki evaded them and sent a huge wave through Tenzo's earthen wall, forcing them to dodge.

Kakashi, Tenzo, and Might Guy fought Aoki Tsuki while Konoha’s teams searched for the missing codebook. After Guy drove Aoki Tsuki off with the Daytime Tiger, Kakashi revealed he had kept the intelligence hidden all along, and the squad returned to the village to decipher it.

• Might Guy rescued Kakashi and Tenzo from Aoki Tsuki’s water attacks, while other Konoha reinforcements clashed with Akatsuki members and lost track of the codebook.
• Aoki Tsuki secretly entered Sage Mode and fought Might Guy, who opened the third and sixth gates as the battle escalated.
• Guy opened the seventh gate and prepared to attack, prompting Aoki Tsuki to abandon the codebook and unleash his Vajra Dharma Lotus.
• Guy’s Daytime Tiger flattened the waterfall and cliff, leaving Aoki Tsuki’s shattered lotus swept away.
• Kakashi showed the recovered black notebook and explained that he had switched the intelligence onto himself while using the other Anbu members as decoys.
• Kakashi led the reunited team back to the village to decipher the intelligence.

Aoki Tsuki’s intelligence network was exposed after Konoha cracked its code, but Kabuto secretly stole the Anbu’s plans and passed them to Orochimaru. Orochimaru gave Tsuki intelligence that let him ambush Konoha’s teams and help the remaining agents escape, though rebuilding the network would take time.

• Aoki Tsuki returned injured to the base and ordered Akatsuki to evacuate core personnel and disband other bases as Konoha began deciphering their messages.
• Kakashi used Icha Icha Paradise to identify the codebook and help Konoha decode the intelligence, leading to arrests and raids on Akatsuki bases.
• Kabuto drugged and used Genjutsu on an unconscious Anbu Ninja to learn Konoha’s plans, then sent the information to Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru invited Aoki Tsuki to his secret base and gave him a scroll containing the Anbu’s operational strategy.
• Aoki Tsuki led ambushes against several Anbu squads, slowing Konoha’s campaign and giving the remaining Akatsuki personnel time to withdraw.
• Two months later, Aoki Tsuki’s network still needed new bases and safer methods of sending coded messages.

As the Uchiha prepared to revolt, Itachi reported their plans to Konoha’s leaders and was ordered by Danzo to help exterminate his clan. He allied with Obito, while Danzo secretly arranged to attack the Uchiha that night and promised Obito half the Sharingan.

• Danzo increased surveillance and military preparations as the Uchiha expanded their Police Force, while Kikuno Momo warned Aoki Tsuki that Konoha might strike and that an informant could be leaking the clan’s plans.
• At a clan meeting, Fugaku set the Uchiha’s move for the day after tomorrow and revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan to Itachi, asking him to control Konoha’s leaders in a bloodless revolution.
• Itachi reported the Uchiha’s plan to Konoha’s leaders, and Danzo later pressured him into agreeing to kill the clan while sparing Sasuke.
• Itachi asked Obito to help eliminate the Police Force and demanded that he leave Sasuke unharmed; Obito agreed and invited Itachi to join Akatsuki.
• Danzo and Hiruzen agreed to prevent the coup, but Danzo privately joined forces with the masked man calling himself Madara and arranged to attack the Uchiha that night in exchange for half their Sharingan.

Aoki Tsuki joined the assault on Konoha to help the Uchiha and steal masks from the Uzumaki Mask Storage Temple while the Jashin Cult’s attack threw the village into chaos. As Obito massacred the Uchiha Police Force, another masked figure intervened when he tried to take Uchiha Izumi’s eyes.

• Aoki Tsuki ordered the Jashin Cult to launch an all-out attack on Konoha, and its members overwhelmed the village defenses as the Anbu and Root gathered.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to defend Konoha while Danzo was tasked with evacuating civilians and checking on the Uchiha Police Force.
• Doru led Jashin Cult members in sacrificing captured ninja atop Hokage Rock while Aoki Tsuki searched the village outskirts for the Uzumaki Mask Storage Temple.
• Aoki Tsuki used Futsunomitama to find and take the Thunder God mask, then also took a mask that resembled Jashin.
• Obito phased through the Uchiha Police Force’s attacks and killed its members, then tried to take Uchiha Izumi’s eyes as she passed by.
• A masked stranger stopped Obito from dragging Izumi away, and Obito retreated after deciding the stranger wanted the Sharingan too.

Aoki Tsuki rescued Uchiha Izumi after Itachi massacred the Uchiha, while Konoha blamed Itachi and condemned the Jashin Cult after its attack. Izumi woke in Ancient Tanzaku Castle, where Kikuno Momo gave her clan intelligence revealing Itachi as the killer.

• Izumi found Tekka dying in the Uchiha police building, then discovered her mother dead at home; Aoki Tsuki carried her away after she collapsed.
• Itachi left Sasuke alive, threatened Danzo against harming him, and secured the Third Hokage’s promise to protect him.
• The Third Hokage stripped Danzo of his advisor position and ordered Root disbanded, while Danzo privately regarded the measures as protection.
• Aoki Tsuki rallied the Jashin Cult with a victory ceremony after its attack, and Konoha designated Itachi an S-rank rogue ninja and the cult an evil organization.
• Kikuno Momo took Izumi to Ancient Tanzaku Castle, explained her Uchiha ties, and gave her clan intelligence that identified Itachi as the massacre’s culprit.

Obito forced Danzo to hand over a scroll after their alliance collapsed, while Aoki Tsuki waited with the Akatsuki for its new recruit. Obito and Itachi arrived at the Land of Rivers base, where Obito prepared to introduce Itachi to the organization’s leader.

• Obito fought Danzo and Root, evaded Danzo’s attempts to restrain him, and obtained a scroll after Danzo ordered his subordinates to hand it over.
• Aoki Tsuki met Jūzō at the Akatsuki base, discussed the Uchiha extermination, and greeted Pain and Konan when they arrived.
• Orochimaru joined the gathering, and Aoki Tsuki spoke with him about strength, respect, and personal value.
• Sasori arrived, and Aoki Tsuki teased him about his puppet body until Sasori attacked and threatened to turn him into a puppet.
• Aoki Tsuki and Jūzō roasted and ate a deer as Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Pain, and Konan declined the food.
• Pain sensed the newcomers, and Obito brought Itachi by boat to the base, explaining that he would go by Tobi and that the Akatsuki was full of dangerous rogue ninja.

Itachi joined Akatsuki and was paired with Jūzō, while Aoki Tsuki and Orochimaru struck a deal exchanging a White Zetsu Clone for the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. Back in Amegakure, Tsuki studied the jutsu and told Konan that Tobi had a strange ability, but withheld its details.

• Tobi led Itachi into Akatsuki’s hideout, where Pain welcomed him after he marked his Konoha Forehead Protector and gave him a ring and cloak.
• Pain assigned Itachi to partner with Jūzō, while Tobi and Aoki Tsuki exchanged pointed remarks about Tobi’s missing possession and Tsuki’s clashes with him.
• Aoki Tsuki and Orochimaru left together and traded a White Zetsu Clone for a scroll containing the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• After returning to Amegakure, Aoki Tsuki studied the jutsu and considered using it to summon souls, while examining the Thunder God Mask as another possible medium.
• Aoki Tsuki reported Akatsuki’s intelligence network recovery to Konan, then claimed Tobi’s ability was strange but not enough to overcome true strength.

Aoki Tsuki gave Konan information about Tobi’s weakness and persuaded her to have Nagato examine the Thunder God Mask. He took in the orphan Ajisai, then returned to his base, where he expanded Kikuno Momo’s responsibilities and prepared to travel to the Land of Water.

• Aoki Tsuki explained that Tobi became tangible when attacking, then got Konan to agree to ask Nagato to examine the Thunder God Mask.
• Aoki Tsuki found Karin defending Ajisai from bullies and bought the girls meat buns before learning that Ajisai was an orphan displaced by war.
• Aoki Tsuki offered Ajisai meals and a monthly wage in exchange for helping at his shop, with the prospect of becoming a village ninja later.
• Aoki Tsuki returned to his Land of Fire base, told Kikuno Momo that the Jashin Cult was as important as the Akatsuki, and accepted a commission from a believer in the Land of Water.
• Aoki Tsuki entrusted Kikuno Momo with Akatsuki intelligence for the Land of Fire and told her to manage things at home while he was away.