Recaps

Haruma considered the risks of meeting Itachi, who had guessed someone was guiding Fugaku and Shisui, and decided to appear later rather than reveal himself immediately. He surprised Fugaku by claiming he had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique and sent him home with a marked golden shuriken.

• Fugaku visited Haruma and reported that Itachi had deduced someone else was advising him and Shisui, but Fugaku had not exposed Haruma’s identity.
• Haruma weighed meeting Itachi against the danger of his identity reaching Sarutobi and the risk of a clash between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan.
• Haruma decided to meet Itachi later and gave Fugaku a golden shuriken as a medium for his Flying Thunder God markings.
• Fugaku was shocked when Haruma said he had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique by seeing it in the future.
• Fugaku left for home, still doubting Haruma’s explanation but feeling hopeful about the Uchiha Clan’s future.

Itachi met the mysterious person influencing the Uchiha Clan and asked about his intentions. Haruma said he wanted the clan to survive in peace, but Itachi remained wary and asked what the next step would be.

• Itachi concluded that Fugaku, Shisui, and Mikoto knew about a hidden figure and suspected his mission to spy on the clan had been exposed.
• Fugaku returned and placed a marked shuriken on the tea table, telling Itachi that the person he wanted to meet would appear soon.
• Haruma arrived using space-time ninjutsu, astonishing Itachi, Shisui, and Mikoto.
• Itachi thanked Haruma for saving Shisui, then asked whether he aimed to provoke a war or make the clan surrender power.
• Haruma asked whether Itachi was speaking as an Anbu or as a member of the Uchiha Clan, and Itachi chose to speak as Uchiha Itachi.
• Haruma said he wanted the Uchiha Clan to survive in peace and confirmed that recalling its Military Police Force members was the first step; Itachi asked what came next.

Sarutobi investigated the Uchiha Clan’s strange sales, Danzo’s secret dealings, and a new wave of disappearances as he struggled to understand the village’s worsening situation. At home, Mikoto reassured Sasuke that her distance from Fugaku was only due to an argument, while Itachi watched in silence.

• Sarutobi questioned Itachi about the Uchiha Clan’s unexplained money and learned that Fugaku and Setsuna were clashing over the Hawk Faction.
• An Anbu reported that Root operatives had infiltrated Amegakure and failed to return, so Sarutobi ordered surveillance on Danzo and the Uchiha Clan.
• Sarutobi learned that people from several Konoha clans, including the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the Hyuga Clan, and the Uchiha Clan, had disappeared.
• After dinner, Sasuke told Itachi and Mikoto that Fugaku had been acting strangely and that his parents seemed distant.
• Mikoto told Sasuke that she and Fugaku had argued and asked him to keep it secret, and Sasuke promised not to let anyone laugh at them.

Haruma and Fugaku kidnapped Sarutobi Tomoki and brought him to one of Orochimaru’s underground laboratories as part of a plan to expose the experiments there. After Fugaku left to draw attention to the base, Haruma sensed someone with cold, sinister chakra approaching.

• Fugaku abducted Sarutobi Tomoki from a public training ground while the other ninja ignored the kidnapping under his Mangekyō genjutsu.
• Fugaku met Haruma near Konoha’s barrier, and Haruma used the Mayfly Technique to confirm that Orochimaru was absent from the underground base.
• Haruma and Fugaku entered the base, where Fugaku left Tomoki at the entrance and Haruma killed him to advance the plan.
• Fugaku left a clue to draw Anbu or clan ninja to the base, while Haruma stayed behind to prevent Root from destroying the laboratory.
• Haruma sensed someone rapidly approaching the base and recognized the visitor’s chakra as cold and sinister.

Haruma confronted Orochimaru at the underground laboratory and warned him that Danzo would make him take the blame for the human experiments. Orochimaru revealed he was helping Danzo to obtain something he needed, and Haruma identified it as Hashirama Cells.

• Haruma met Orochimaru at the underground base and explained that exposing the laboratory would only matter if someone survived to spread the news.
• Orochimaru attacked Haruma with Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, then used Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough when Haruma evaded him.
• Haruma escaped the attacks with a space-time technique and blasted open the passage with Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique, but Orochimaru emerged unharmed.
• Orochimaru stopped fighting and asked Haruma what he wanted, while Haruma warned that Danzo would shift the blame for the human experiments onto him.
• Orochimaru said he had accepted that outcome because Sarutobi would not abandon Danzo, and admitted that Danzo had something he needed.
• Haruma identified that thing as Hashirama Cells, and Orochimaru stared at him in shock.

Haruma used Lightning Release: Kirin to destroy the underground laboratory and draw Konoha’s ninja to the scene, while Fugaku escaped the resulting pursuit. Haruma and Fugaku regrouped at Fugaku’s home, where Haruma revealed Orochimaru had visited and said the commotion would keep Konoha’s leaders occupied.

• Haruma gave Orochimaru a golden Shuriken and predicted they would cooperate after Orochimaru defected from Konoha.
• Haruma unleashed Lightning Release: Kirin, creating a massive explosion that alerted Sarutobi and Konoha’s Jonin.
• Fugaku fled the pursuing Anbu and other ninja, then disappeared into the woods and returned home with Haruma.
• Fugaku confronted Haruma for drawing the whole village’s attention, and Haruma explained that Orochimaru had visited after Fugaku left.
• Haruma told Fugaku the destroyed laboratory and unfamiliar Kage-level chakra would keep Konoha’s leaders occupied.

The exposure of Danzo and Orochimaru’s human-experiment bases sent Konoha into panic and left Sarutobi scrambling to contain the scandal. At the Uchiha compound, Haruma prepared Itachi to take the final step in their plan while Shisui remained burdened with his own mission.

• Haruma’s discoveries exposed five underground bases, where investigators found civilian and clan-ninja bodies, including Uchiha and Hyuga whose eyes had been removed.
• Konoha’s streets emptied as civilians feared for their safety, while clans demanded answers from the Hokage.
• Sarutobi berated Danzo over the laboratories and the public uproar; Danzo blamed Orochimaru and denied knowing about the clan-ninja victims.
• Haruma met with Fugaku, Shisui, and Itachi and gave Itachi a marked golden shuriken, explaining that Sarutobi would call him back to duty and that he had to act alone.
• Itachi reassured Shisui that he would shoulder the task for the village and the Uchiha Clan, while Haruma told Shisui to focus on his unfinished mission.

After Orochimaru’s defection was blamed for the human experiments, Haruma explained how the scandal had damaged the clans’ trust in Konoha’s leadership. A week later, Sarutobi sent Itachi to learn whether Fugaku was involved in an important meeting requested by Uchiha Setsuna.

• Itachi recalled his pact with Haruma to ease tensions between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, and he continued withholding intelligence from the Third Hokage.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Orochimaru had defected and took responsibility for the underground experiments, but the clans grew wary after survivors were taken from Konoha’s medical department.
• Haruma told Shisui and Fugaku that the clans’ suspicions of Konoha’s leadership had changed the future, and Fugaku warned that those suspicions could threaten the village’s unity.
• Haruma ordered Shisui to leave and carry out his assigned mission.
• A week later, Itachi told Sarutobi that Uchiha Setsuna had summoned him to the clan compound, and Sarutobi instructed him to first find out whether Fugaku was involved.

Itachi confronted the Uchiha Hawk Faction as it prepared to rebel, killing many of its members in a sudden battle. The chapter ended with Setsuna facing Itachi in fury and vowing to kill him.

• Itachi met Shisui at home, and Shisui left Konoha after recognizing that events were about to unfold.
• Fugaku, Haruma, and Itachi discussed their plan, while Fugaku expressed reluctance and Haruma said sacrifices were necessary.
• Setsuna and Uchiha Tekka urged the Hawk Faction to rebel, arguing that turmoil over human experimentation gave them a chance to seek justice.
• Itachi appeared at the secret meeting and accused the faction of planning to use him to force Fugaku into conflict with the village.
• Itachi attacked the Hawk Faction, killing Tekka and destroying the chamber as the battle spread outside.
• Setsuna saw the bodies of his faction’s members and turned on Itachi with murderous intent.

Itachi slaughtered the Hawk Faction as Setsuna unleashed a devastating area attack that killed two fleeing clansmen. Watching from nearby, Haruma and Fugaku discussed how the massacre would unify the Uchiha and let Itachi infiltrate the Akatsuki, while Haruma assured Fugaku that Itachi could survive the battle.

• Itachi evaded Setsuna and cut down the Hawk Faction until only a few members remained.
• Setsuna unleashed Fire Sealing Method: Fire Style: Flame Formation Great Explosion, killing two Hawk Faction members and turning the surrounding ground into lava.
• Fugaku mourned the dead Uchiha, while Haruma argued that the battle would unify the clan and prevent Sarutobi from acting against them.
• Haruma explained that Itachi would be hated by the clan and abandoned by the village, allowing him to become a missing-nin and infiltrate the Akatsuki.
• Haruma reassured Fugaku that Itachi could evade danger and had Haruma's mark as a safeguard.

Haruma prepared the scene and sensed Hiruzen Sarutobi approaching as Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and manifested Susanoo while fighting Setsuna. Setsuna stopped resisting and asked whether the Uchiha Clan would survive, and Itachi assured him it would not be destroyed.

• Haruma collected Sharingan, arranged the ruined chamber, and used Mayfly to sense Hiruzen Sarutobi and the battlefield.
• Itachi’s Sharingan evolved as his grief surged, and he manifested a fiery red Susanoo that shattered Setsuna’s magma cage.
• Setsuna recognized Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan, and Itachi used Tsukuyomi while Setsuna looked into his eyes.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with Anbu and recognized the Susanoo, wondering whose eyes had awakened.
• Setsuna regained his senses, saw the dead clansmen, and stopped resisting as Itachi approached.
• Setsuna asked whether the Uchiha Clan would be destroyed, and Itachi promised it would survive.

Fugaku and Sarutobi argued over Itachi’s alleged slaughter of Setsuna and nearly a hundred Uchiha, while Sarutobi arranged for Kakashi to take the unconscious Itachi away. Disguised as Root operative Kinoe, Seiten then approached a heavily guarded hut, hoping to steal Konoha’s forbidden techniques and reserves while framing Danzo.

• Fugaku arrived as Itachi killed Setsuna, then attacked his wounded son and claimed Itachi had murdered nearly a hundred Uchiha.
• Sarutobi stopped Fugaku from continuing the attack and had Kakashi carry Itachi away for questioning and treatment.
• Sarutobi warned Fugaku that Setsuna’s gathering of nearly a hundred people also required investigation, and Fugaku reluctantly let Itachi go.
• Seiten changed clothes and disguised himself as Tenzo, the Root operative codenamed Kinoe.
• Seiten used Mayfly to scout a hut guarded by sixteen Anbu and prepared to steal its contents after spending three hundred million on Wood Release.

Haruma attacked the Anbu guarding a thatched hut in the Sarutobi compound, used Wood Release to overwhelm them, and broke through the barrier protecting its scrolls. Sarutobi arrived with Enma and reinforcements after the barrier shattered, finding the compound engulfed in forest as Haruma searched the scrolls.

• Haruma killed several Anbu attackers and evaded a combined assault, including Hanako’s Mind Body Switch Technique.
• Haruma unleashed Wood Release: Hell Rebellion, trapping the Anbu in a vast forest while preserving a path to the hut.
• Haruma shattered the hut’s barrier with Chidori Sharp Spear and began checking the scrolls inside.
• Sarutobi sensed the barrier’s destruction and rushed to the compound with Anbu following him.
• Sarutobi met Kito and Inuzuka Clan ninja at the forest-covered compound, summoned Enma, and led the group into the trees.

Sarutobi pursued the thief who had stolen Konoha’s accumulated resources, following Kuromaru’s scent trail across the village. The trail led him to Root’s base, where he believed the culprit was hiding.

• Sarutobi learned that a Root-uniformed attacker with powerful Wood Release had emptied Konoha’s stores and left most of the guarding Anbu dead or wounded.
• Seiten and Fugaku discussed copying and selling the stolen scrolls, but Seiten sensed Sarutobi’s pursuit and fled when Kuromaru picked up his scent.
• Seiten repeatedly changed direction as Kuromaru tracked him, leading Sarutobi and his group on a long chase past several ninja clans.
• Kuromaru finally led Sarutobi to the entrance of Root’s base, where the dog barked that the scent came from inside.
• Sarutobi confronted the Root guards, who stepped aside after secretly alerting the base.

Sarutobi tracked an attacker’s scent into Root and found a hidden chamber full of stolen clan treasures, leading him to attack Danzo. As Sarutobi destroyed the Root Base and their forces faced off, Haruma relaxed at the Naka River.

• Sarutobi told Danzo that a Root-clad attacker who used Wood Release had killed fourteen Anbu guards at the Sarutobi compound, and Kuromaru had tracked the attacker’s scent to Root.
• Sarutobi ordered Danzo to open a hidden chamber, where the Anbu and Tsume Inuzuka found Sharingan, a Byakugan, mutated flesh, and scrolls of Konoha clans’ secret techniques.
• Sarutobi realized Danzo had framed him as the collector of the stolen treasures and erupted in rage, while Danzo was bewildered by the chamber’s contents.
• Danzo attacked with Earth Release, and Sarutobi retaliated with a barrage of ninjutsu that wrecked the Root Base and destroyed the chamber.
• Anbu and Root members gathered around Sarutobi and Danzo’s fight but stayed back, leaving the two groups in a tense standoff.
• Haruma soaked in the Naka River and hummed that it was a good day.

Seiten’s preparations helped frame Danzo and Sarutobi for the Root scandal, while Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō abilities to Seiten. Seiten then told Fugaku to copy the scrolls and prepare for a mission outside the village with Itachi.

• Seiten explained how he used Flying Thunder God marks, planted scrolls and a discarded Byakugan to stage evidence inside Root, then watched shinobi gather at the Hokage Building.
• Fugaku and three Uchiha clan members moved the remaining scrolls after Seiten returned to the cabin, and Fugaku worried that Sarutobi might discover Seiten’s involvement.
• Seiten asked Fugaku about his Mangekyō, and Fugaku revealed that his abilities amplified Genjutsu and Ninjutsu two to three times, though they consumed chakra and ocular power quickly.
• Seiten told Fugaku to make more copies of the scrolls and said he would arrange for Fugaku to leave the village with Itachi on a future mission.
• Seiten whispered the details of the mission to Fugaku.

Seiten planned to use Fugaku to help Danzo escape Konoha, but Fugaku reported that Danzo had been imprisoned. Sarutobi assigned Itachi to infiltrate the Akatsuki, then confronted Danzo in prison, where Danzo accused him of hypocrisy and reminded him of Root’s purpose.

• Seiten asked Fugaku to secretly protect Danzo and explained that Danzo would seek help from the Land of Fire's daimyo.
• Fugaku told Seiten that Danzo had been imprisoned, surprising him.
• Itachi told Sarutobi the fabricated account of the battle, and Sarutobi ordered him to infiltrate the Akatsuki and gather intelligence.
• Sarutobi visited Danzo in the Anbu prison and said he had to punish him because the clans knew what had been exposed.
• Danzo mocked Sarutobi as a hypocrite and reminded him that Root had been founded as Konoha's sword in the darkness.

Sarutobi kept Danzo imprisoned after the Scrolls of Seals were stolen and evidence implicated Root, while Danzo suspected Sarutobi was protecting his own secrets. At Konoha’s barrier, Seiten saw Itachi off as he left to join the Akatsuki and gave him a ring for communicating through the Magic Lantern Body Technique.

• Sarutobi told Danzo that the Scrolls of Seals had been stolen and refused to release him because the village needed someone to hold responsible.
• Danzo accused Sarutobi of fearing that he would expose their past dealings, while Sarutobi insisted he would investigate the mastermind behind the framing.
• After Sarutobi left, Danzo remained guarded in his prison cell and privately regretted giving the unseen culprit an advantage.
• Seiten met Itachi at Konoha’s barrier, confirmed Fugaku would leave on a mission later, and admitted he had played a role in Danzo’s imprisonment.
• Seiten gave Itachi a Yin-Yang Release ring for long-distance communication and warned him not to wear it when unused.
• Itachi asked whether Seiten was an Akatsuki member or the true power controlling the organization from behind the scenes.

Seiten offered Itachi information in exchange for signing an IOU, and Itachi paid to ask about the safety of the Uchiha Clan and Sasuke. Seiten promised not to deliberately harm either and revealed that restoring the clan was one of his goals, then warned Itachi not to dodge the debt.

• Seiten rejected Itachi's invitation to join Akatsuki and offered to answer one question in exchange for an IOU.
• Itachi saw Shisui's five-billion IOU, then signed his own for five hundred million with a one-year repayment deadline and annual interest.
• Itachi asked whether Seiten intended to harm the Uchiha Clan or Sasuke, and Seiten promised he would not deliberately hurt either.
• Seiten said restoring the Uchiha Clan to its peak was one of his goals and offered that information for free.
• Seiten warned Itachi not to evade repayment and briefly released chakra far beyond Kage Level.

Seiten met with Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune, accepted payment and a five-hundred-million IOU in exchange for helping free Danzo from prison. After securing their signatures on the IOU, he immediately led them toward the prison to begin the escape.

• Seiten retrieved a banknote beneath the cherry tree, using it as the agreed signal to meet Root.
• Yamanaka Fū told Seiten that Danzo had agreed to work with him and offered him an additional district of Konoha in return for helping free Danzo.
• Seiten demanded payment upfront and had Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune sign a five-hundred-million IOU, including Danzo's name.
• Seiten accepted fifty million and announced that he would help break Danzo out of prison that night.
• Seiten set off with Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune, surprising them by starting the prison escape immediately.

Seiten unleashed a massive Water Release attack to draw out the Anbu guarding the prison while Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune moved to rescue Danzo. Seiten fought the Anbu with his Taijutsu and hidden weapons, and the surviving defenders retreated toward the prison to await reinforcements.

• Seiten sent Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune to break into the prison while he held off the hidden Anbu.
• Seiten flooded the forest with Great Water Shockwave, prompting the Anbu to scatter and revealing their strength to Fū and Torune.
• Fū and Torune assessed Seiten’s abilities and continued toward the prison to rescue Danzo.
• Seiten fought the Anbu with Taijutsu, knocking their captain into the forest and destroying their Shadow Clones.
• Seiten used Instant: Thousand Cherry Blossoms Bloom to shower the area with needles and kunai, killing or injuring several Anbu.
• The Anbu Captain ordered the survivors to retreat toward the prison and wait for reinforcements.

Seiten defeated the Anbu squad guarding the battlefield while Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune rescued Danzo from prison. Sarutobi investigated the aftermath, then announced that Danzo and Itachi were missing-nin, leaving Konoha residents shocked by the news.

• Seiten killed the members of Squad A with Lightning Release: Thousand-Instant Heavy Current, while its captain left coded clues before dying.
• Sarutobi arrived and ordered the Anbu to gather the dead and investigate the prison break and battlefield.
• An Anbu report identified Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune as Danzo's rescuers and described the unknown fighter who had defeated Squad A.
• Sarutobi decoded Mokushin's final clues as “Kage, Danzo, friend, Fugo” and ordered the fallen Anbu honored as heroes.
• The next day, Sarutobi declared Danzo and Itachi missing-nin, prompting shocked discussions among Konoha residents.

Seiten sent Fugaku to secretly watch Danzo while Danzo suspected Seiten had orchestrated the recent upheavals and chose to keep cooperating with him. Seven days later, Seiten impersonated Fugaku at home, where Mikoto praised Itachi for resembling Seiten, leaving Seiten bewildered.

• Seiten told Fugaku to track Danzo and his Root companions from the shadows, using a gold kunai to sense them, and warned him to intervene only when necessary.
• Danzo concluded that Seiten had exposed his experiments, stolen secret techniques, and framed him, but he decided to pretend ignorance and use Seiten's strength for now.
• After seven days, Seiten used the Substitution Technique to impersonate Fugaku while resting at the clan leader's home and left the clan and Police Force paperwork untouched.
• Mikoto brought Seiten tea and worried that Fugaku would face suspicion for neglecting his duties, but Seiten said the recent events gave Fugaku reason to recuperate at home.
• Mikoto told Seiten that Itachi was precocious and acted like him, leaving Seiten confused by her unexpected comparison.

Seiten discussed the Anbu watching the Uchiha compound with Mikoto, while Shisui encountered Obito and Black and White Zetsu during a mission. After Shisui escaped and reported the meeting, Seiten prepared to contact Itachi with a Magic Lantern Body Technique projection.

• Mikoto told Seiten that more Anbu had been appearing near the compound, and Seiten said the Third Hokage was watching his other identity.
• Shisui encountered Obito and Black and White Zetsu, claimed to be Madara Uchiha, and escaped Obito's attack with his Body Flicker Technique.
• Obito failed to track Shisui and suspected the impostor was deliberately targeting him and Akatsuki.
• Shisui contacted Seiten at a secret base and reported that Obito and Black and White Zetsu might head to Konoha after searching for Itachi.
• Seiten agreed to warn Itachi and began forming the hand seals for the Magic Lantern Body Technique.

Seiten gathered Shisui, Mikoto, Fugaku, and Itachi through projections and discussed the Akatsuki’s plans and their own missions. He urged Fugaku to disguise himself as Obito and help Shisui expand his operations, leaving Fugaku and the others stunned when Shisui called the scheme “saving the Shinobi World.”

• Seiten interrupted his training to reach Shisui, then waited for Mikoto, Fugaku, and Itachi to join the projection meeting.
• Seiten told Itachi that Obito and the Akatsuki would recruit him and Orochimaru, and revealed that the Akatsuki planned to capture all the tailed beasts.
• Itachi agreed to pretend to cooperate with the Akatsuki, while Seiten withheld his own plans for the organization and the tailed beasts.
• Fugaku reported that he had been following Danzo’s people cautiously using Seiten’s coordinates and information.
• Seiten suggested Fugaku disguise himself as Obito and help Shisui expand his business outside the village.
• Shisui insisted that their operations were “saving the Shinobi World,” leaving Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi bewildered.