Chapter Summaries

Naoki Senju and Orochimaru tried to bind the Shinigami with the Uzumaki cord and a sealing jutsu, but its soul-shriek incapacitated Orochimaru and the Sound Four, freeing it. Meanwhile, Naruto found Gaara amid the chaos of the Konoha Crush and led him through the fleeing crowd.

• Orochimaru unrolled a demon mask, a cypress fan, and a red knotted cord, and Naoki Senju used the cord to provoke the Shinigami inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Naoki Senju reinforced the binding with the Four Symbols Seal while the Sound Four activated Cursed Seal State Two to keep the barrier stable.
• The Shinigami unleashed a soul-shriek that knocked Orochimaru and the Sound Four unconscious, causing the Four Violet Flames Formation to dissipate.
• The freed Shinigami remained behind, furious and ready to feast, leaving Naoki Senju fearing they were in trouble.
• As the battle spread through Konoha, Temari and Kankuro searched for the missing Gaara while avoiding Konoha ninja.
• Naruto spotted Gaara amid the panicked crowd, grabbed his hand, and urged him to stay close as they escaped.

Naruto befriended Gaara and promised to take him to Ichiraku Ramen. Meanwhile, Naoki Senju used Sage Art to seal the Shinigami phantom and told Orochimaru that the Shinigami had been created by the Uzumaki Clan using a demon and the soul-slaying sword Futsunomitama.

• Naruto led Gaara away from the fighting and introduced himself, claiming Sasuke's achievements as his own.
• Naruto recognized Gaara's loneliness and invited him to eat at Ichiraku Ramen, and Gaara moved closer to him because he sensed a fellow monster.
• The Shinigami phantom incapacitated nearly every ninja nearby and began tearing at Naoki Senju's soul.
• Naoki Senju used Sage Mode to see the phantom and sealed it beneath the Gate of the Great God.
• Naoki Senju called Orochimaru over to discuss taking the Shinigami's sword.
• Naoki Senju explained that the Uzumaki Clan had created the Shinigami using a demon sealed by Hiōgi and the soul-slaying Kusanagi Sword Futsunomitama.

Naoki Senju and Orochimaru competed for the soul-cutting Kusanagi Sword Futsunomitama, and Naoki won it through rock, paper, scissors. Orochimaru subdued the sword and handed it over, while warning Naoki that he would need more Uzumaki hair to keep it sealed and usable.

• Naoki Senju and Orochimaru disagreed over who would claim Futsunomitama and settled the dispute with rock, paper, scissors, which Naoki won.
• Orochimaru summoned a snake and used dying ninja as sacrifices to lure Futsunomitama into devouring their souls.
• Orochimaru wrapped an Uzumaki hair cord around Futsunomitama's hilt, temporarily sealing the invisible blade, and gave it to Naoki Senju.
• Orochimaru explained that the cord would last two to four years and that Naoki would need hair from three or four Uzumaki Clan members to use the sword freely.
• Orochimaru began considering how to leave Konoha, knowing Tsunade would not let him go unpunished.

After Konoha’s battle, Tsunade treated the wounded and learned that Orochimaru had killed the Third Hokage, while new reports revealed threats from multiple fronts. With most of Konoha’s ninja supporting her, Tsunade was set to become the Fifth Hokage as the village faced Kirigakure’s advance.

• Tsunade ordered the wounded treated and told Kakashi that Konoha’s defenses were arranged, while warning him to watch for Kirigakure’s main force in the Land of Fire.
• A messenger reported that Sunagakure and Kirigakure’s ninja inside Konoha had been eliminated, but Orochimaru had killed the Third Hokage and Konoha had suffered heavy casualties.
• Tsunade ordered all Konoha ninja to hunt Orochimaru at any cost, publicly naming him as the Third Hokage’s killer.
• Naoki Senju killed a Sunagakure Chunin with Futsunomitama, while Orochimaru departed with the remaining demon masks and the Shinigami’s phantom.
• Konoha detained the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Kankuro, and Temari; reports said Jiraiya had repelled Iwagakure temporarily, Konoha and Kumogakure were at a stalemate, and Kirigakure’s main force had entered the Land of Fire.
• With support from most of Konoha’s ninja, Tsunade was expected to assume office as the Fifth Hokage.

Tsunade became Konoha’s Fifth Hokage as Naoki Senju and Shikaku Nara discussed how to counter Kirigakure’s forces entering the Land of Fire. Naoki ordered Shikaku to prepare a plan that would make Kirigakure believe the Nine-Tails was rampaging, leaving Naoki to handle the beast.

• Naoki Senju dressed Tsunade in the Hokage robe and hat before her inauguration ceremony.
• Tsunade appeared before Konoha’s villagers and ninja and declared herself the Fifth Hokage.
• Naoki Senju asked Shikaku Nara how to draw out Kirigakure’s elite troops, who had crossed into the Land of Fire.
• Naoki proposed making the Nine-Tails rampage to lure Kirigakure, and Shikaku warned that the plan could spiral out of control.
• Naoki ordered Shikaku to complete preparations within three days and said he would handle the Nine-Tails.

Jiraiya weighed Iwagakure’s movements while reinforcing Konoha’s front against Kumogakure. In Konoha, Gaara’s violent transformation began as Anbu moved to take him away, and Tsunade and Naoki watched the plan to extract Shukaku unfold.

• Jiraiya learned that Tsunade had become Fifth Hokage and Orochimaru had been declared a missing-nin, then ordered reinforcements sent to the front against Kumogakure.
• Jiraiya’s scouts reported that Kitsuchi and Iwagakure’s forces were moving toward the Land of Lightning, but Jiraiya remained cautious about a possible feint.
• Anbu ordered Gaara, the Sunagakure Genin and One-Tail Jinchuriki, to come with them, and Naruto tried unsuccessfully to stop them.
• Gaara’s chakra ran wild, and he transformed into a tanuki-like form as his sand attacked the Anbu.
• The Anbu detonated explosive tags on Gaara, but his transformation continued until Might Guy kicked him away from the Anbu.
• Tsunade and Naoki Senju watched the battle from the Hokage’s office as the plan to extract Shukaku began.

Gaara awakened Shukaku, who rampaged through Konoha after Might Guy defeated him. Naruto attacked to avenge Guy, while Tsunade and Naoki Senju watched the destruction and prepared their next step.

• Might Guy battered Gaara until Gaara used the Feigning Sleep Technique to let Shukaku take over.
• Shukaku emerged, attacked Konoha with Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullets, and vowed to kill Gaara.
• Tsunade watched the destruction from her office and urged Naoki Senju to proceed with their plan, warning him about the damage costs.
• Naruto Uzumaki saw Might Guy get swatted away and summoned a massive number of shadow clones to attack Shukaku.
• Shukaku sensed Kurama's chakra in Naruto's clones, while Kurama resented being unable to escape his seal and having his chakra taken by a Wood Release user.

Naruto’s shadow clones failed to stop Shukaku, who began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb to destroy Konoha. Naoki Senju intervened, forced the bomb into Shukaku’s mouth with a Wood Release golem, and dragged the recovering One-Tail away; Kirigakure spies then reported that Konoha might be planning to make Naoki a jinchūriki.

• Naruto used shadow clones to approach Shukaku, but Shukaku’s sealing jutsu and Wind Release destroyed them before they could reach him.
• Naruto taunted Shukaku and tried to figure out where Gaara had gone as Shukaku began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Naoki Senju called Shukaku’s attention away long enough to rescue Naruto, then summoned a Wood Release golem.
• Naoki’s golem forced Shukaku’s nearly completed Tailed Beast Bomb into his mouth, where it exploded and badly injured him.
• Naoki controlled the golem to drag the recovering Shukaku out of Konoha as witnesses spread news of the battle.
• Kirigakure spies reported to Mei Terumi that Konoha might be planning to seal the One-Tail inside Naoki Senju.

Naoki Senju fought Shukaku outside Konoha and subdued him with Wood Release after the tailed beast’s sand techniques failed. Naoki broke Shukaku free from Gaara, but Shukaku’s escape was stopped by the Four Violet Flames Formation as Tsunade and the Sealing Squad arrived.

• Shukaku woke and attacked Naoki Senju’s wooden giant, using Sand Waterfall Funeral and Sand Binding Coffin to reshape the battlefield.
• The wooden giant broke free of Shukaku’s sand, and Naoki bound him with Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique while draining his chakra.
• Naoki used Three-Tails’ chakra to weaken Shukaku, then repeatedly applied Five Elements Seal Release to Gaara until Shukaku broke free.
• Shukaku tried to flee but was stopped by the Four Violet Flames Formation as Tsunade arrived with the Sealing Squad.
• Naoki explained Shukaku’s weakened size, and Tsunade refused to become his Jinchūriki, upsetting Shukaku by calling him ugly.

Naoki Senju sealed Shukaku inside himself and ordered Gaara killed, leaving Sunagakure vulnerable. At Amegakure, “Madara Uchiha” urged Pain to attack Konoha early and capture several tailed beasts.

• Naoki Senju sealed Shukaku with the Four Symbols Seal, despite Shukaku’s attempt to interfere with the seal.
• After three hours, Naoki Senju completed the sealing and gained Shukaku’s Magnet Release ability as his chakra grew.
• Tsunade asked what they should do with Gaara, and Naoki Senju ordered him killed and his body sent to Sunagakure.
• Naoki Senju planned to visit Sunagakure after repelling attacks from Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure.
• At Amegakure, “Madara Uchiha” told Pain that Konoha had taken the One-Tail and proposed attacking early to seize the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and Nine-Tails and destroy Konoha.

Obito persuaded Pain to have the Akatsuki target Naoki Senju after the war instead of attacking Konoha, and then learned that Konoha’s enemies were already falling into Naoki’s trap. He ordered Black Zetsu to track Naoki and prepare to recover the Three-Tails.

• Pain rejected Obito’s proposal to attack Konoha, citing the Akatsuki’s limited strength and his own weakened condition.
• Obito evaded Pain’s Shinra Tensei and proposed that the Akatsuki commit its forces to killing Naoki Senju after the war.
• Pain accepted the plan, citing Naoki’s Three-Tails, Wood Release, and responsibility for Kakuzu’s death.
• Obito returned to his cave, removed his mask, and complained about Nagato to Black Zetsu.
• Black Zetsu told Obito that Kirigakure’s forces had fallen into Naoki’s trap and that Iwagakure was the Akatsuki’s largest client.
• Obito ordered Black Zetsu to track Naoki Senju and prepare for the mission to recover the Three-Tails.

Naoki Senju arranged to use Sora and the Nine-Tails’ chakra to stage a rampage that would lure Kirigakure, then joined Tsunade in moving against Root. At Root’s base, Danzo defied the Hokage’s order to surrender as Kakashi arrived to escort him.

• Naoki Senju decided to make the Nine-Tails the bait for his plan, reasoning that his attempt to seize its power could explain a rampage.
• Naoki Senju ordered Konoha researchers to increase the Nine-Tails Chakra in Sora, despite warnings that Sora might not survive it.
• Naoki Senju told Tsunade it was time to settle scores at home, and she resolved to act against Root.
• Tsunade’s Anbu surrounded Root and ordered its ninja to surrender and Danzo to appear before the Hokage.
• Danzo refused to submit, claiming Root was conducting a classified mission, while Kakashi appeared and urged him to come along.

Kakashi confronted Danzo under Tsunade’s orders to bring him back, and the two nearly led Anbu and Root into battle. Danzo avoided fighting by revealing that Root had planted explosive tags around Konoha and threatened to destroy the village if Root was dismantled.

• Kakashi introduced himself as Konoha’s new Anbu commander and ordered Danzo to come with him.
• Danzo refused to surrender Root, while Kakashi invoked Tsunade’s orders and threatened to take necessary measures.
• Kakashi and Danzo prepared to fight as Anbu, Root, and the gathered clan heads took up positions, but Danzo called for a discussion.
• Danzo told Kakashi that explosive tags had been planted at key locations around Konoha, including the Hokage Building, the hospital, and the school.
• Kakashi accused Danzo of endangering Konoha, and Danzo threatened to bury the village alongside Root if Tsunade tried to destroy it.

Danzo tried to steal Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan, but Kakashi awakened its Kamui ability and tore apart Danzo’s left arm. As the fighting spread between the Anbu and Root, Danzo revealed the Sharingan-covered arm he had kept sealed and prepared to attack Kakashi again.

• Danzo refused to let Tsunade dismantle Root, and Kakashi’s Sharingan transformed into a Mangekyō as he collapsed from pain.
• Danzo lunged for Kakashi’s left eye, but Kakashi instinctively used Kamui and tore apart Danzo’s left arm.
• Danzo escaped Kamui’s range and ordered the Root ninja to hold off the Anbu and clan members while he prepared his sealed arm.
• Kakashi allowed the clan heads to fight their own Root-affiliated clansmen, and the Anbu began gaining the advantage.
• Danzo’s Root ninja opened the seal on his right arm, revealing it covered in Sharingan, and Danzo announced that he would take Kakashi’s eye.

Kakashi fought Danzo after discovering that he had implanted ten Sharingan in his arm, and he appeared to kill him with Lightning Blade. Danzo revived through Izanagi and attacked with renewed strength, leaving Kakashi to counter with Kamui.

• Kakashi condemned Danzo for using the Sharingan and planting explosive tags, then prepared to fight him.
• Kakashi trapped Danzo with Earth-Style Walls and pierced his heart with Lightning Blade, apparently killing him.
• Kakashi called for Root ninja to surrender, and many were subdued while others continued resisting because they knew Danzo was alive.
• Danzo reappeared unharmed after using Izanagi, sacrificing one Sharingan, and attacked Kakashi with Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere.
• Kakashi dodged Danzo's wind attacks, then used Kamui to distort the space around Danzo.

Kakashi fought Danzo, whose Izanagi repeatedly restored him from fatal injuries, until Danzo immobilized Kakashi with a Root cursed seal and moved to take his Sharingan. Inoichi intervened with the Mind Body Switch Technique, and they discovered that Danzo would need to die nine more times to be killed permanently.

• Kakashi used Kamui to destroy Danzo’s head, but Danzo returned unharmed and revealed his interest in Kakashi’s Sharingan.
• Danzo immobilized Kakashi with Root’s Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and reached for his right eye.
• Kakashi called for Inoichi, who used the Mind Body Switch Technique to take control of Danzo and free Kakashi from the seal.
• Inoichi showed Kakashi the Sharingan embedded in Danzo’s arm and noted that two remained closed after Danzo had suffered two fatal injuries.
• Kakashi pointed out that Danzo’s concealed right eye was also a Sharingan, concluding that Danzo would need to be killed nine more times.

Kakashi and Inoichi repeatedly killed Danzo, who sacrificed Sharingan to return from the dead, until Danzo summoned Baku and Naoki Senju entered the battle. Naoki defeated Baku and blocked Danzo’s Wind Release, then drew Futsunomitama to torture Danzo by severing his soul.

• Kakashi pierced Danzo’s heart while Inoichi controlled Kakashi’s body, causing Danzo to use another life and lose a Sharingan.
• Inoichi asked Danzo about the missing Yamanaka Fū, and Danzo admitted that Fū had died in Root.
• Danzo summoned Baku, whose powerful suction disrupted the fight and dragged Kakashi toward it.
• Naoki Senju kicked Baku down and demanded its Summoning Scroll, then blocked Danzo’s Wind Release with a sand wall.
• Naoki drew Futsunomitama and prepared to slowly sever Danzo’s soul.

Naoki Senju used Futsunomitama to inflict soul-deep agony on Danzo and pinned him down before he could activate Izanagi. He began torturing Danzo for the deaths of the Senju Clan, asking him increasingly grim arithmetic questions.

• Naoki Senju wounded Danzo with Futsunomitama, and Danzo collapsed in agony after trying to attack him.
• Naoki Senju struck Danzo several more times, then pinned his thigh and hand with Wood Release spikes as Kakashi watched.
• Danzo tried to activate Izanagi, but Naoki Senju sealed his right arm with the Sand Waterfall Seal.
• Naoki Senju cut Danzo repeatedly, vowing to make him pay for the deaths of 247 Senju Clan members.
• Naoki Senju asked Danzo what 1,000 minus 7 was, and Danzo answered 993 to plead for a quick death.
• Naoki Senju asked Danzo what 993 minus 7 was.

Naoki Senju killed Danzo repeatedly with soul-cutting torture, but Danzo used Izanagi to survive and then unleashed Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami on him. The genjutsu appeared to make Naoki regard Danzo as his leader, and Naoki began approaching him.

• Naoki Senju continued cutting Danzo with Futsunomitama until Danzo’s soul suffered a fatal injury, but Danzo used Izanagi to reappear a hundred meters away.
• Danzo blocked Naoki’s attacks with Wind Release, while Naoki used Shukaku’s sand to defend against them.
• Danzo revealed the Sharingan implanted beneath his bandages and warned Naoki that he would witness Kotoamatsukami.
• Danzo used Kotoamatsukami to make Naoki believe he was a Root ninja loyal to Danzo.
• Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka watched as Danzo called to Naoki, who approached him without apparent hostility.

Naoki Senju revealed that Danzo had only controlled a Wood Clone with Kotoamatsukami and resumed torturing him. Danzo’s explosive-tag threat failed, but a Root ninja’s suicide blast gave him a chance to escape through Izanagi.

• Inoichi Yamanaka checked Naoki Senju and found no spirit inside him, then reassured Kakashi that Naoki was fine and Danzo would suffer again.
• Danzo ordered Naoki to take Kakashi’s Sharingan, but Naoki’s Wood Clone stabbed him and restrained him on a wooden execution rack.
• Naoki tortured Danzo with repeated sword wounds, and Danzo threatened to destroy Konoha with explosive tags planted throughout the village.
• Naoki revealed that the Anbu had already removed the explosive tags, leaving Danzo without his final trump card.
• A Root ninja detonated the explosive tags on his body, and Danzo used Izanagi to escape the blast as Naoki vowed to stop him.