Color codes for convience:
[UN] - [NIN] | [Seven Lords] - [Neo Seven Lords] | [Kato & Co.] - [Koji Kashin] | [Kamikakushi] - [Kumogakure]
It may seem somewhat covoluted if you try to wrangle every detail in your head. However, just remember the main conflict is
[UN] trying to kill off a divided and weakened
[NIN].
Everything else is merely a splintering from that main conflict.
The old
[Seven Lords] want to hold on to power within
[NIN] through mind transplants. The
[Neo Seven Lords]–the grandchildren who would have inherited their leadership roles–are trying to usurp control by killing them off, since they are being pushed out.
Since their data and tactical leverage [ESCAPE] has been compromised,
[NIN] is on the verge of total collapse and eradication. However, they have one trump card, the
[Koji Kashin]*, who has the power to utterly destroy all of Japan by hypnotizing the entire population
but is as of now incapable of doing so because he is still a baby.
In order to avoid execution, after being framed,
[Kato] defected from
[NIN]. He then recruited others to help prevent the
[Koji Kashin] from destroying Japan. Now,
[Kato & Co.] are trying to kill off the
[Koji Kashin] and the
[Seven Lords].
The
[Kamikakushi] clan went in to hiding 70 years ago and is apart of
[UN], if not the main force behind it, and also happen to be the nemesis' of the
[Kumogakure] clan.
The rivalry seems significant for those involved and could be the reason why the
[Kumogakure]'s are said to be a ruined family. Both clans seem to be shrouded in mystery. The
[Kamikakushi] seem to be a powerhouse of tech.
The
[Kumogakure]'s appear to operate independently even within
[NIN] itself. Interestingly enough, the
[Kumogakure]'s are protecting [Noguchi], a witness of the school event that could paint a very damaging portryal of
[NIN]'s misconduct and disregard for the Japanese public. As well as [Kawado], who lost her parents in the [22-2-22 Incident] which, I don't think, is something we know anything about! I mistook it for another incident in a previous post. But if [Kawado] is another witness, she may paint another horrid picture for
[NIN] if they ever have to answer for their crimes.
This chapter, [?] the floating ghost, is taking a lot of issue with the fact that
[UN] is willing to work with
[Kato & Co.] and is sending his cronies to show off their strength to
[NIN].
More direct answers:
@Fugutron Kiriyu
is dead, it's confirmed in the [Under Ninja NIN NIN Manual]* Nothing is definitively confirmed in the story. There definitely are different groups with their own agendas.
@potatoroll These guys are apart of [UN] they just don't like the idea of helping [Kato & Co.] due to the history of [UN] and [NIN].
@shrike What is happening is a whole lot of sharks swimming with blood in the water.
Hope this helps elucidate some things for you guys. If not, ask and I may scour around for some answers for you when I can. As I thoroughly enjoy the story and ya'll guy's comments as well.
That being said: The floating spectre gives me the absolute creeps... 😣
[Koji Kashin]*: It is not currently known who this is. See
@grimdotmp4 's post below.
[Kiryu]*: There is compelling evidence that he is alive. see below.