Chapter Summaries

Koki read letters from his family and friends while serving in the Land of Rain, then wrote replies to each of them. He struggled to answer Itachi’s question about the meaning of life, reflecting on his younger brother’s experiences of war and his decision to return to the battlefield.

• Koki read Obito’s boastful letter, Kakashi’s brief reassurance, and Minato’s report about defeating Kumogakure’s A-B Combo and the war’s shifting fronts.
• Koki read Shisui’s account of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and realized Shisui’s humor was meant to ease his worries about their danger.
• Koki read Jiraiya’s invitation to visit Mount Myōboku after the war and Itachi’s questions about life, his crow summons, and how much he missed Koki.
• Koki wrote replies to Obito, Kakashi, Minato, Shisui, and Jiraiya, sharing encouragement, battlefield information, and a promise to visit Mount Myōboku.
• Koki paused over his reply to Itachi and remembered how the war’s brutality had shaped Itachi and how he had ultimately respected Itachi’s decision to return to battle with Fugaku.

Koki reflected on Itachi’s search for meaning and wrote a reply about the life, sacrifices, and hopes that shaped him. After finishing, Koki left his room and found Yahiko and Nagato awake beneath the covered corridor during heavy rain.

• Koki contemplated Itachi’s struggle against nihilism and his efforts to bring peace to the ninja world.
• Koki finished writing his reply to Itachi and left his room late at night.
• Yahiko greeted Koki and explained that he and Nagato had stayed in the corridor to talk because the rain was heavy.
• Koki joined them beneath the covered corridor, and Nagato briefly looked at his forehead before lowering his eyes.

Koki proposed destroying the mountain range between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain to redirect moisture and improve both countries’ climates. Yahiko and Nagato were shocked, but Koki urged Akatsuki to build its strength and seek allies before attempting the plan.

• Koki joined Yahiko and Nagato beneath the covered walkway and asked why rain fell in the Land of Rain all year.
• Yahiko explained how ocean moisture was trapped by the surrounding mountains, causing constant drizzle that made farming and travel difficult and weighed on people’s spirits.
• Koki told Yahiko and Nagato he had an idea to address the rain, and they eagerly waited to hear his plan.
• Koki proposed blowing apart the mountain range between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain so the Land of Rain’s moisture could water the Land of Wind’s deserts.
• Yahiko questioned whether they had the power and resources to destroy the mountains, and Koki advised Akatsuki to keep developing and eventually join forces with other countries and powers.

Koki admired the industrialized town in the Land of Rain before Nagato asked why he had put away his Konoha forehead protector. Koki explained that he had noticed Nagato was afraid of it, and Nagato thanked him before asking to speak with him alone.

• Koki looked over the rainy town and reflected on the Land of Rain's industrial growth and history of suffering.
• Koki asked Yahiko and Nagato why they were awake in the middle of the night.
• Nagato asked Koki where his forehead protector was, and Koki said he had hidden it because it frightened Nagato.
• Nagato thanked Koki, moved by his consideration, and Koki prepared to return to sleep.
• Nagato urgently asked to speak with Koki alone, and Yahiko stared at them in surprise.

Nagato told Koki how his parents, Ise and Fuso, died when two Konoha Ninja mistook their family for enemies during the Second War. He explained that Nagato awakened a mysterious power and defeated them, leaving Koki to understand Nagato’s fear of Forehead Protectors.

• Nagato told Koki the story of his childhood in the Land of Rain and how his parents tried to protect him from two intruding ninja.
• A jar broke, alerting the ninja, and Ise fought them while Fuso sacrificed herself to save Nagato.
• The two Konoha Ninja realized the family were civilians, but Nagato awakened a mysterious power and defeated them in his grief and terror.
• Koki understood why Nagato feared Forehead Protectors and reflected that the tragedy had been caused by the chaos of war.

After Koki comforted Nagato and urged him to believe he could change the world, Nagato began trusting him deeply and staying close to him. The chapter ended with Koki agreeing to let Nagato accompany him on an errand.

• Nagato recalled losing his parents in the war and worried that Koki might judge him for his bitterness toward Konoha.
• Koki embraced Nagato, promised to protect him, and encouraged him to change the world; Nagato accepted his support and smiled.
• Nagato grew more trusting of Koki and began following him closely, prompting Konan to tease him.
• When Nagato nervously asked to join Koki on an errand, Koki agreed.

Koki urged Konan to make more Explosive Tags, then reflected with her and Nagato on their hardships in the Land of Rain. Konan described Yahiko’s work using Koki’s Hole-Digging Jutsu to build roads and tunnels, and wondered why Ninjutsu had become a tool for killing.

• Koki gave Nagato candy and asked Konan how her Explosive Tag production was progressing.
• Konan said she had made tens of thousands of Explosive Tags, but Koki insisted that they needed more and offered additional funding.
• Koki asked Konan whether she had seen the Land of Rain at four in the morning, and she and Nagato recalled their days wandering and struggling to survive.
• Koki urged Konan and Nagato not to forget their past hardships and to keep striving for the Land of Rain’s future.
• Konan said Yahiko was happily helping the others open mountain roads and dig tunnels with Koki’s Hole-Digging Jutsu, then lamented that Ninjutsu had become a killing tool.

Koki left with Nagato while Konan confronted Sasori, who was following Koki for an undisclosed purpose. Elsewhere, Danzo traveled through the snowy Land of Rain, convinced Hanzo was occupied and plotting revenge against the Uchiha Clan.

• Koki urged Konan to guide the Akatsuki and the people of the Land of Rain toward a better future, then left to shop with Nagato.
• Konan transformed into her paper-winged form and warned Sasori to leave Akatsuki territory.
• Konan pursued Sasori and demanded to know why he was following Koki, and Sasori challenged her ability to stop him.
• Danzo and his loyal subordinates marched through the snow, believing Hanzo was fighting an old woman from the Land of Wind.
• Danzo blamed the Uchiha Clan for his downfall and began plotting revenge against them.

Danzo arrived at an inn in the Land of Rain and found Shimura Yūto and Shimura Miki dead, then attacked Tsunade and Shizune. Tsunade confronted him about his Wood Release and his actions, and Danzo defended his methods as necessary to protect Konoha.

• Danzo traveled through the snow, intending to kill Uchiha Kōki before taking revenge on the Uchiha Clan and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• At the inn, Danzo sensed Shimura Yūto and Shimura Miki's Chakra vanish and found their bodies inside.
• Danzo used Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere to destroy the inn's walls and attack Tsunade and Shizune, who were hiding upstairs.
• Tsunade denied killing the two Shimura clan members and demanded to know how Danzo had survived and obtained Wood Release.
• Danzo claimed that using Hashirama Senju's power and turning people into nourishment for Root would protect Konoha.
• Shizune called Danzo utterly shameless.

Tsunade and Koki fought Danzo in the ruined restaurant, where Koki discovered Danzo had acquired a Sharingan. Tsunade’s allies sealed the restaurant behind a barrier, leaving Danzo trapped with three surviving subordinates as Koki joined Tsunade and Shizune.

• Tsunade attacked Danzo with her Monster Strength Fist, while Danzo countered with Wind Release techniques.
• Koki arrived after receiving Tsunade’s letter and saw that Danzo’s uncovered right eye held a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Koki attacked Danzo with Phantom Clones, Fire Style, and his sword, exchanging wounds with him before they were forced apart.
• Tsunade’s allies raised a purple barrier around the restaurant, trapping Danzo and three of his subordinates inside.
• Koki stood beside Tsunade and Shizune, and Tsunade asked whether he had interrupted his mission.
• Koki reassured Tsunade, while privately recalling that he had not gone on Hiruzen Sarutobi’s assigned mission and had instead helped the three kids.

Danzo recruited Orochimaru to help him fight Tsunade and Koki, offering him a coveted prize in exchange. As Danzo’s forces attacked, Koki challenged Orochimaru, who declared he would never become Koki’s enemy, and Koki prepared to fight anyway.

• Shizune treated Koki’s wound while Tsunade learned the fighting was nearly over and felt reassured by his strength.
• Danzo summoned Orochimaru, who appeared beside him and agreed to help after Danzo promised him a treasure he desired.
• Tsunade condemned Orochimaru for allying with Danzo, and Orochimaru explained that he would abandon his humanity to pursue the mysteries of life.
• Danzo sent three Root Jonin to attack Tsunade and Shizune while he used Wood Release against Tsunade.
• When Koki moved to intervene, Orochimaru warned him to stay back, but Koki drew his blade and challenged him.
• Orochimaru said he would never be Koki’s enemy, and Koki answered by preparing to fight with blue light flickering in his hand.

Koki confronted Orochimaru while Tsunade and Danzo fought, and Orochimaru insisted he would never abandon his ambitions. Kakuzu arrived and revealed that he had killed Hanzo of the Salamander, leaving Koki to consider the upheaval his death would bring to the Land of Rain.

• Orochimaru charged Koki, but Koki countered and held a blade to Orochimaru’s neck.
• Orochimaru defended his ambition to reach the pinnacle of Ninjutsu, while Koki warned him against joining forces with Danzo.
• Tsunade and Danzo continued their destructive battle, and Root members knocked Shizune into a dangerous position.
• Kakuzu appeared, stopped two Root members from attacking Shizune, and addressed Koki as his boss.
• Kakuzu told Koki that he had sold Hanzo of the Salamander’s corpse on the black market and explained that Granny Chiyo had joined the fight against Hanzo.
• Koki realized Hanzo’s death would cause upheaval in the Land of Rain and create an opportunity for the three youngsters.

Kakuzu refused Danzo’s offer to kill Koki, realizing he could no longer bring himself to attack his companion. Danzo abandoned the attempt to hire him and ordered his subordinates to attack as Koki charged him.

• Danzo offered Kakuzu ten million to kill Koki, and Koki jokingly demanded a hundred million instead.
• Danzo agreed to the higher price but wanted to pay after the job, and Koki rejected the deal because Danzo could not be trusted.
• Orochimaru asked whether Kakuzu craved money, and Kakuzu struggled with his changing feelings before firmly refusing to take the job.
• Kakuzu withdrew from the conflict, and Danzo ordered his three subordinates to attack their opponents.
• A subordinate used Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere, but Koki dodged and charged Danzo, who summoned a fierce gale toward him.

Koki fought Danzo through the gale, using his Sharingan and ninja-tool skills to evade attacks before unleashing a swarm of phantoms. Danzo’s Wind Release failed to stop them, so he summoned a thorn-covered tree to block their assault.

• Koki used his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to track the wind blades while he battled Danzo amid the storm.
• Shizune exchanged deadly blows with Danzo's subordinate, while Tsunade leaped over Orochimaru's black flames and counterattacked.
• Koki redirected Danzo's shuriken with his own, escaped the blade net, and summoned phantoms that charged at Danzo.
• Danzo used Wind Release-Great Breakthrough, but the wind passed through the phantoms without stopping them.
• Danzo unleashed Wood Release-Violent Spear Tree, causing a thorn-covered tree to erupt from the earth and block the phantoms.

Koki fought Danzo and discovered that Danzo had used Izanagi to undo his apparent death. The revelation confirmed Koki’s suspicions that Danzo had stolen the Uchiha’s secret technique and was targeting the clan.

• Danzo’s Wood Release vines attacked Koki, but Koki used a Phantom Clone to appear behind him.
• Koki severed Danzo’s right arm and struck at his neck while Danzo counterattacked, but both vanished and reappeared unharmed.
• Koki recognized that Danzo had used Izanagi and realized the Sharingan on Danzo’s arm had gone dark.
• Koki accused Danzo of stealing the Uchiha’s forbidden technique as well as murdering his clansmen.
• Danzo angrily demanded to know whether Uchiha Fugaku had revealed Izanagi’s secret, and Koki declined to explain how he knew about it.

Koki used his Phantom Clones to trap Danzo in a Sharingan-filled darkness while Danzo fought back with Wood Release. Shizune was poisoned and wounded, and Orochimaru used Dan’s death to trigger Tsunade’s trauma as the battle reached a crisis.

• Koki evaded Danzo’s wide-ranging Wood Release attacks and hinted that his Phantom Clones had another purpose beyond guiding his Body Flicker Technique.
• Danzo’s subordinate struck Shizune with poisoned weapons, and she collapsed as the poison took hold.
• Tsunade rushed to help Shizune, but Orochimaru intercepted her and was sent flying by her punch before restoring his broken arm.
• Orochimaru wounded Shimura Miki’s corpse and compared its injuries to Dan’s death, causing Tsunade to collapse in terror.
• Koki and Danzo’s fight reached a life-or-death turning point while Shizune lay bleeding and losing consciousness.

Danzo trapped Koki with the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal and reached for his Sharingan, while Sasori rushed to intervene. As Koki fought the seal, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan transformed into Mangekyo.

• Kakuzu hesitated to intervene as Orochimaru warned him away, while Danzo's subordinates charged at the weakened Shizune.
• Koki attacked Danzo, but Danzo broke Koki's Genjutsu with the foreign Chakra in his right arm and immobilized him with the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal.
• Danzo revealed his greed for Koki's Sharingan and reached toward Koki's eyes as Tsunade watched helplessly.
• Sasori saw Koki in danger, abandoned his attempt to conceal his identity, and sent his puppet's tail flying toward Danzo.
• Koki's rage and hatred made his Three-Tomoe Sharingan transform into Mangekyo as he struggled to escape the seal.

Trapped by Danzo’s Cursed Seal, Koki failed to summon Susanoo and waited for a chance to survive. Sasori killed Danzo with a puppet strike, leaving Koki wondering why Sasori had helped him and whether they had met before.

• Koki tried to break through the Cursed Seal and activate Susanoo, but his efforts failed.
• Danzo approached Koki, consumed by visions of gaining his Mangekyō Sharingan and ruling the Shinobi World.
• Koki cast a subtle Genjutsu on Danzo as Sasori’s puppet tail sped toward them.
• Sasori redirected the puppet and pierced Danzo’s head, killing him.
• Koki recognized Sasori and wondered whether they knew each other and why Sasori had intervened.

After Sasori killed Danzo, Danzo vanished and reappeared, stirring Orochimaru’s curiosity about the Sharingan and its connection to his survival. Orochimaru told Tsunade that Shizune was still alive, while Koki thanked Sasori and felt an inexplicable familiarity with him.

• Sasori’s puppet pierced Danzo’s head, but Danzo’s body and the blood around him vanished as one of his Sharingan closed.
• Orochimaru concluded that Danzo had truly died and wondered what secret power the Sharingan held.
• Orochimaru told the grieving Tsunade that Shizune was alive but would die without prompt treatment, then provoked Tsunade into punching him.
• Orochimaru noticed that Danzo had reappeared and turned his attention back to him.
• Koki felt a deep familiarity with Sasori, set aside his questions about it, and thanked Sasori for saving him.
• Sasori tensed and tightened his grip on the puppet when Koki spoke to him.

Sasori reunited with Koki, who did not remember him, and reacted with desperate possessiveness when Orochimaru intervened. Koki calmed Sasori by promising to try to remember him, but Sasori threatened to kill anyone who tried to take Koki away.

• Sasori recognized Koki and clung to him after collapsing into his arms.
• Koki shoved Sasori away, and Orochimaru pulled Koki behind him and warned Sasori not to touch him.
• Sasori accused Orochimaru of trying to take Koki and demanded that Koki leave with him.
• Koki asked Sasori if they had met before and admitted he could not remember him.
• Koki soothed Sasori and promised to try to remember, while Sasori threatened to kill anyone who took Koki away.