Chapter Summaries

Sasori asked Koki to return with him to Sunagakure, but Koki broke away to ask him to save Shizune. Sasori began treating Shizune while Tsunade, overcome by memories of her losses and Shizune’s devotion, remained in grief.

• Sasori took Koki’s hands and urged him to return to Sunagakure, where they had first met.
• Tsunade found Shizune gravely wounded and tried to stop the bleeding, but memories of Nawaki and Dan overwhelmed her.
• Tsunade remembered how Shizune had cared for her after Dan’s death and helped her recover from grief.
• Koki asked Sasori to save Shizune, and Sasori agreed when Koki gently appealed to him.
• Sasori moved Shizune to a drier spot, set up a medical lamp, treated her lesser wounds, and began removing the Kunai from her chest with Chakra.

Sasori tried to save the mortally wounded Shizune by demanding one of Kakuzu’s hearts, while Tsunade treated her wound. As Danzo confronted Koki, Koki broke through the Cursed Seal’s restraints and manifested a powerful Susanoo, leaving everyone stunned.

• Sasori examined Shizune’s chest wound, and Kakuzu judged that her heart had reached the end and she could not survive.
• Sasori demanded one of Kakuzu’s hearts to save Shizune, but Kakuzu refused to give one up.
• Tsunade knelt beside Shizune and used the Mystical Palm Technique to slow the bleeding.
• Koki faced Danzo as his Mangekyō Sharingan spun and his Chakra burst through the Cursed Seal’s restraints.
• Koki summoned Susanoo, which grew from a giant skeleton into an armored samurai wielding a Chakra blade.

Koki exhausted himself fighting Danzo while Orochimaru survived the firestorm and then turned on Danzo. The chapter ended with Danzo dead and Koki wary of Orochimaru’s unpredictable motives.

• Koki tore Danzo apart with Susanoo’s spiral sword and prepared to keep fighting until Danzo could no longer revive.
• Orochimaru defended himself from the blazing attack with Triple Rashomon and Water Formation Wall, but the defenses were badly damaged.
• Koki’s Susanoo vanished as he collapsed from exhaustion, and Sasori steadied and healed him with Medical Ninjutsu.
• Danzo’s right arm transformed and drained his body until he restrained it with Cursed Seals and called for Orochimaru’s help.
• Orochimaru bound Danzo with snakes and stabbed him through the heart with a Kunai.
• Koki watched Orochimaru kill Danzo and resolved not to trust him.

Danzo refused Orochimaru’s demand for his secret Sharingan technique while Sasori treated the wounded Koki and attacked Danzo. The fight continued as Danzo evaded Sasori’s poisoned weapons and tried to buy time.

• Danzo returned from the dead and confronted Orochimaru, who demanded the Sharingan technique Danzo had used.
• Sasori examined Koki’s injuries, and Tsunade summoned a slug to help heal him and restore his Chakra.
• Sasori told Koki to rest and rushed to confront Danzo, while Koki joined the fight against Danzo’s subordinates.
• Danzo retreated to a tree and faced Sasori’s attack, dodging poisoned needles and throwing Explosive Tags to stall.
• Sasori pursued Danzo with a wire-guided arm and poison-gas shells, then brought out the Third Kazekage’s puppet.

Koki wounded Danzo while Sasori was badly injured, forcing Danzo to accept Orochimaru’s earlier condition. Orochimaru and Tsunade summoned giant beasts, and Tsunade prepared to face Orochimaru with Shizune unconscious behind her.

• Danzo deflected Sasori’s flying blades, but Koki struck through the smoke and wounded him.
• Sasori told Koki that he was in pain, while Orochimaru mocked him from the sidelines.
• Danzo agreed to Orochimaru’s condition, and Orochimaru cut his palm to summon giant beasts.
• Tsunade recognized Orochimaru’s plan and summoned Katsuyu as three enormous beasts appeared among the ruined restaurant.
• Orochimaru stood atop Manda and promised to provide a hundred living sacrifices, while Katsuyu asked Tsunade if Orochimaru was their opponent.

Koki and Tsunade's allies fought Orochimaru and Danzo as Koki unleashed powerful Fire Style and Shuriken attacks. Manda was badly wounded and went berserk, leaving the battle poised to escalate.

• Tsunade ordered Katsuyu to heal Shizune, while Koki summoned Gamaken to face Orochimaru and Danzo.
• Koki attacked with Great Fire Annihilation, and Orochimaru and Danzo combined Water Release and Wind Release to counter it.
• After the clash left the area shrouded in steam, Koki followed with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
• Orochimaru used a hurricane to deflect the shuriken, while Danzo worried that their position was worsening.
• A flashing blade pierced Manda and tore open a huge wound, sending the enraged serpent into a frenzy against Koki.

Koki defeated Danzo after Orochimaru abandoned the fight, then sealed Danzo's body and explained that Genjutsu had made Danzo believe he still had a chance to revive. Tsunade remained worried about Shizune, who had not woken up.

• Manda attacked Koki, but Orochimaru struck the giant snake with the Kusanagi Sword and forced him to retreat.
• Orochimaru vanished from the battlefield, leaving Danzo to face Koki and his allies alone.
• Danzo summoned Baku and ordered it to use its suction and Wind Release against Koki and Gamaken.
• After the battle, Koki found Danzo motionless and sealed his remains in a scroll.
• Koki told Tsunade that Genjutsu had tricked Danzo into believing he could still revive, and Tsunade said Shizune had not woken up.

Tsunade told Koki that Sasori could heal Shizune and shared news from the Third Shinobi World War, including Konoha's victories and the threat posed by a secret Kumogakure–Iwagakure alliance. The chapter ended with Koki condemning Hiruzen Sarutobi's apparent willingness to surrender Hyuga Hiashi to avoid another war.

• Sasori told Tsunade he could heal Shizune but would need time and protection from trouble over his status, and Tsunade promised to help him if he restored Shizune's health.
• Tsunade reported that Sunagakure had repelled Kumogakure, Shisui had survived his wounds, and Rin was safe after the fighting at Kannabi Bridge.
• Tsunade revealed that Obito had captured a white figure and destroyed a black one, which Koki suspected was Black Zetsu.
• Tsunade recounted that the Third Raikage died after fighting Ōnoki's ten thousand troops for three days and three nights, and that Koki's younger brother had returned safely.
• Tsunade told Koki that A had become the Fourth Raikage and that he had secretly met Ōnoki to demand Hyuga Hiashi from Konoha or face a renewed attack.
• Koki condemned the demand as a conspiracy and denounced Hiruzen Sarutobi for seeming willing to compromise, while Tsunade described the villagers turning against the Hyuga Clan.

Koki learned that Hizashi Hyuga had died in the Hyuga Clan’s effort to protect its secrets, while Tsunade also reported that Fugaku was still being kept at the border. He celebrated the news that Mikoto was expecting another child, then returned to the Akatsuki base and fell asleep after his companions welcomed him back.

• Tsunade told Koki that Hizashi Hyuga had sacrificed himself and that the Hokage still would not let Fugaku return from the border.
• Tsunade announced that Koki was going to become a big brother again, and Koki excitedly predicted he would have another little brother.
• Koki stayed behind for one more day while Tsunade and Sasori took Shizune back to Konoha for treatment; Sasori promised to wait for him.
• Koki paid Kakuzu for his work in the Land of Rain and told him he was free, but Kakuzu concealed his sadness at their parting.
• Koki returned to the Akatsuki base, where Kyusuke and the others checked on him and helped him to bed.

Koki woke after sleeping until ten in the morning and learned that Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato had been worried about him. As Yahiko celebrated Hanzo of the Salamander’s death and urged Koki to lead the Akatsuki, Nagato sensed Koki was about to leave and asked if he was going away.

• Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato rushed to Koki’s room and waited for him to wake.
• Koki woke and learned he had slept until ten; Konan scolded him for disappearing without warning.
• Yahiko brought Koki food and said he planned to take revenge on Hanzo of the Salamander, but Koki told them Hanzo was already dead.
• After hearing what happened, Yahiko thanked Koki for avenging the Akatsuki and urged him to lead the group.
• Nagato took Koki’s hand and asked if he was going to leave, then wondered aloud whether Koki had been troubled by his staying close.

Koki reassured Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko before leaving the Land of Rain, urging Nagato to control his Rinnegan and encouraging Yahiko to build up the Akatsuki and end the war. After Konoha celebrated the return of peace, Koki met with Hyuga Hiashi, who agreed to hear him out in private.

• Koki told Nagato he was leaving because his mission was complete, promised to visit, and warned him against overusing the Rinnegan.
• Koki comforted Konan and urged Yahiko to build up the Akatsuki, become a 'god,' and bring an end to the era of war.
• Konoha welcomed Jiraiya home and celebrated the arrival of peace with a grand ceremony.
• Hiashi watched the celebrations and mourned that Hizashi's sacrifice for Konoha had gone unrecognized.
• Koki approached Hiashi, requested a private conversation, and followed him to a quiet room.
• Hiashi asked Koki to speak plainly about why he had come.

Kōki urged Hiashi to oppose Hiruzen Sarutobi, arguing that the Third Hokage’s rule had harmed both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. Hiashi agreed with Kōki’s criticism, but the chapter ended without revealing what they would do next.

• Kōki told Hiashi that Hiruzen Sarutobi should step down as Hokage for his failures and poor treatment of the clans.
• Kōki reflected on the political events that had once forced Hiruzen Sarutobi to resign and Minato Namikaze to become Fourth Hokage.
• Kōki said the welcome ceremony for Jiraiya had ignored other clans’ contributions and insisted he would not stand by while Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in power.
• Kōki told Hiashi that the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had endured oppression and that rumors had been manipulated to hurt the Hyuga.
• Hiashi agreed with Kōki’s accusations, and Kōki left his room an hour later.

Koki returned home to find his family waiting anxiously, and Mikoto revealed that she was pregnant with another child. The family then confronted him about Sasori, who had claimed to be Koki’s lover, and Koki explained that they were only friends.

• Koki returned home and reunited emotionally with Itachi.
• Mikoto placed Koki’s hand on her belly, where the baby moved, and told him he would soon have a younger sibling.
• Koki noticed his family’s troubled mood and asked what was wrong.
• Obito and Kakashi told Koki that Sasori had claimed to be his lover and that the rumor had spread through Konoha.
• Koki denied the claim and recounted how he had met Sasori, saying he had invited him to save Shizune.

Koki recounted his dangerous experiences in the Land of Rain, prompting Shisui and the others to fear for his safety while their rivalry over him resurfaced. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi faced mounting crises in Konoha and summoned Minato as he considered how to secure a successor he trusted.

• Koki described his encounters with Sasori, Hanzo of the Salamander, Danzo, and Orochimaru, and Shisui clasped his hand and urged everyone not to risk losing one another.
• Obito held Koki close, while Itachi complained that Sasori kept him from getting near Koki, and Kakashi and Shisui argued over Itachi’s closeness to his brother.
• Koki ignored the tensions among the group and wondered what else Sasori had done to provoke them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi received intelligence, ordered a subordinate to summon Minato, and worried about Danzo’s death, Orochimaru’s defection, and the Hyuga Clan’s resentment over Hizashi Hyuga.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi considered stepping down but resolved that his successor must be someone loyal to him, while reflecting on his effort to keep Uchiha Fugaku from returning to Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Minato and Jiraiya were growing close to Uchiha Kōki and assigned Minato to investigate a powerful Chakra source beneath Rōran. Minato agreed to the mission and persuaded Hiruzen to let Kōki join him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi regretted making Minato Kōki’s teacher and considered Jiraiya as a more compliant Hokage successor, but learned Jiraiya was also close to Kōki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reflected on the Uchiha Clan, Orochimaru’s betrayal, and the absence of his former allies before Minato arrived at his office.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi showed Minato a report about an enormous energy crystal beneath Rōran that could provide an inexhaustible supply of Chakra.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Minato, Akimichi Chōza, and Shibi Aburame to investigate Rōran at dawn.
• Minato asked to bring Uchiha Kōki along, and Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed.

Koki stopped Sasori and Obito from fighting after Sasori attacked Obito out of jealousy, then left with Minato for a new mission. On the way, Koki discussed his concerns about the village and said he had made most of the arrangements.

• Obito brought Koki water while Koki taught Itachi, and Sasori arrived and attacked Obito with an exploding puppet.
• Sasori challenged Obito to a fight over Koki, but Koki stopped them and whispered to Sasori, calming him down.
• Minato arrived with a new mission for Koki, who welcomed the interruption and traveled with him through the forest.
• Koki complained to Minato about the others’ behavior and said he had made most of the arrangements concerning the village.
• Minato acknowledged Koki’s preparations as they continued toward their mission.

At a postwar meeting, Hiashi impeached Hiruzen Sarutobi over his leadership failures and the Hyuga Clan’s losses. Yashiro joined the attack, exposing Hiruzen’s delay in recalling Fugaku and intensifying calls for him to step down.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Jiraiya and the returning ninjas at the postwar meeting.
• Hiashi formally impeached Hiruzen Sarutobi, accusing him of failing to oversee Danzo’s experiments and Orochimaru’s defection and of mishandling the Hyuga Clan’s sacrifice.
• Hiashi challenged Hiruzen over the early recall of ninjas on the northeastern border and Fugaku’s delayed return, and Hiruzen admitted his command had been in error.
• Yashiro accused Hiruzen of promoting Jiraiya while undermining Fugaku and coveting more time in the Hokage position, stirring suspicion among the attendees.
• Hiruzen explained that recalling Jiraiya was intended to show sincerity in peace talks, but Hiashi and Yashiro condemned the gesture as weakness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi resigned as Hokage after acknowledging his failures, and Konoha's leaders began choosing his successor. They narrowed the candidates to Jiraiya and Uchiha Fugaku, leaving Fugaku to be summoned from the front lines.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi apologized for his mistakes, removed his Hokage hat, and voluntarily relinquished the position.
• Torifu and the other officials agreed that Konoha needed to choose a Fourth Hokage quickly.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi nominated Jiraiya, but Jiraiya said he did not want the responsibilities of the position.
• Torifu nominated Uchiha Fugaku, and the leaders agreed to consider him alongside Jiraiya and summon him from the front lines.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone in the Hokage's office, reflecting on his approaching departure and wishing for Konoha's prosperity.

Jiraiya reluctantly accepted Hiruzen Sarutobi's offer to become Hokage temporarily after Hiruzen ruled out other candidates. Meanwhile, Minato led Koki and their group through a harsh desert to a hidden outpost, where he warned them to conceal their identities.

• Jiraiya suggested Fugaku, Tsunade, and Minato as alternatives, but Hiruzen Sarutobi explained why none could take the position.
• Jiraiya cited the Great Toad Sage's prophecy about Koki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi offered him the Hokage position until the younger generation was ready.
• Jiraiya accepted the crystal ball containing the Telescope Technique and agreed to take on the role.
• Minato consulted a map and guided the exhausted Koki and Akimichi Chōza across the Gobi to shelter among distant boulders.
• Minato disguised himself and Koki, warned the group not to be recognized, and led them toward a hidden outpost.

Minato and his team rested at a restaurant in a dangerous borderland before he searched for their hidden desert destination. Unable to locate it, Minato proposed splitting up, and Shibi took Chōza east while Minato stayed with Koki.

• Minato led Koki, Akimichi Chōza, and Shibi Aburame into a restaurant to rest and replenish their supplies.
• Minato left to investigate the desert and returned unable to determine the destination’s exact location.
• Minato suggested splitting up to search for the hidden destination.
• Shibi chose to travel with Chōza and took him along, leaving Minato with Koki.
• Minato gave Shibi a scroll marked with a Cursed Seal so they could find him if they lost contact.