Recaps

Sakura Haruno resisted Itachi’s Tsukuyomi, and two other versions of herself appeared within the illusion to help free her. With Itachi’s attack halted, Sakura pressed him to pass information to Konoha as its spy.

• Itachi failed to break Sakura’s mental defenses and raised his blade to test whether she could withstand pain.
• Two other Sakura Harunos appeared, struck Itachi, and freed the Sakura bound to the frame.
• The two newcomers joined Sakura, who explained that Tsukuyomi had trapped only one of her soul cores.
• Itachi pointed out that Sakura remained inside his Tsukuyomi World and prepared to attack again, but stopped when Sakura challenged him.
• Sakura reminded Itachi that he had created a space beyond the plant man’s surveillance to pass information to Konoha, and asked whether he still intended to serve as its spy.

Sakura Haruno confronted Uchiha Itachi in Tsukuyomi and confirmed that he was still a Konoha spy. Itachi secretly implanted a message for the Third Hokage in her, and they began planning how to make their encounter look convincing after Tsukuyomi ended.

• Sakura told Itachi that she knew he was Konoha's spy and was qualified to receive his intelligence.
• Itachi admitted that he was working undercover for the Third Hokage and explained that Akatsuki surveillance had prevented him from contacting the village.
• Itachi summoned a crow with one-handed hand seals and made it enter Sakura, planting a Genjutsu that would activate when she met the Third Hokage.
• Sakura asked what they would do in the real world, and she and Itachi agreed that retreating without fighting would look suspicious.

Sakura used medical ninjutsu to hide her and Itachi’s injuries, then warned him that his health was failing and urged him to seek treatment. Itachi ended the Tsukuyomi after warning Sakura that Danzo had Root ninja watching her, leaving the White Zetsus believing he had been bested.

• Sakura punched Itachi and used Yang Release medical ninjutsu to make them appear gravely injured to the White Zetsus.
• Sakura diagnosed Itachi’s deteriorating health and urged him to get treatment, but he asked her not to tell Sasuke and said he would handle their conflict himself.
• Itachi said he was glad Sasuke had comrades like Sakura, then prepared to end the Tsukuyomi.
• As the Tsukuyomi collapsed, Itachi warned Sakura that Danzo had Root ninja watching her.
• Sakura returned to the real world and pretended to be badly hurt alongside Itachi, while the White Zetsus argued over whether she had broken the Tsukuyomi.
• The White Zetsus stopped arguing and decided to leave as Itachi prepared to retreat.

Sakura Haruno failed to stop Uchiha Itachi from taking Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, because Sasuke was unconscious and needed her protection. After Itachi left, Sakura destroyed the White Zetsu who had stayed behind and found two dead Root ninja, leaving her to question Danzo’s target.

• Uchiha Itachi pointed out that Sakura could not pursue him while carrying the unconscious Sasuke, then escaped with White Zetsu and Fū.
• Sakura’s Ice Clone detonated among the White Zetsu, killing the group except for one badly injured survivor, whom Sakura finished off.
• Sakura carried Sasuke to the two Root ninja Itachi had killed and wondered whether Danzo had targeted her, Sasuke, or Fū.

Sakura Haruno examined two Root operatives killed in the cavern and concluded that Danzo had likely sent them after Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. She reflected on Konoha’s reliance on Danzo’s covert operations, while Danzo learned that Sakura and Uchiha Itachi had ended their battle and left in separate directions, thwarting his plan to capture them all.

• Sakura Haruno summoned an Ice Clone, which examined the corpses and found signs that the two young Root operatives had died under powerful Genjutsu.
• Sakura Haruno suspected the operatives had been sent to seize Fū and condemned Konoha’s willingness to tolerate Danzo and Root’s crimes.
• Shimura Danzō asked a Root sensory ninja about the battle and learned that Uchiha Itachi and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki were retreating.
• The sensory ninja reported that Sakura Haruno had taken Sasuke in the opposite direction instead of pursuing them.
• Shimura Danzō angrily blamed Sakura Haruno’s compassion and lamented that his plan to capture Sakura, Sasuke, Itachi, and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki had failed.

After losing his chance to capture the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, Danzo decided to target Sakura Haruno for her Ice Release and Sasuke Uchiha for his Sharingan. He led Root into the cave where Sakura was waiting, while Ryūichi sensed something was wrong but stayed silent.

• Danzo concluded that Sakura had let Itachi leave because she knew his identity, then ordered Root to watch Sakura and Sasuke.
• Believing Sakura was weakened after two battles, Danzo set out to claim her Ice Release and Sasuke's Sharingan instead of the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
• Sakura searched the battlefield, realized Root had come for the Jinchūriki, and discovered Danzo approaching the cave.
• Danzo's sensory ninja Ryūichi confirmed Sakura was inside, and Danzo ordered him to stay outside and rest.
• Danzo entered the cave with his Root vanguard as Ryūichi felt a foreboding sensation but did not call him back.

Sakura Haruno confronted Shimura Danzō in a cave, where he accused her of betraying Konoha and tried to force her into Root. When Danzō revealed he had mistaken her apparent exhaustion for weakness, Sakura released the Yin Seal and showed that her fighting strength remained intact.

• Sakura Haruno threatened Shimura Danzō and challenged his accusation that she had let Uchiha Itachi go.
• Danzō accused Sakura of conspiring with outside enemies, and Sakura countered that he had watched her fight the Akatsuki without helping.
• Danzō claimed Sakura was nearly depleted after two battles and demanded that she join Root as his subordinate.
• Sakura questioned why Danzō assumed she had fought Itachi and exhausted her chakra despite knowing about her Yin Seal.
• Sakura released the Yin Seal, unleashing a vast surge of chakra that shocked the Root ninja and revealed her strength was undiminished.

Sakura Haruno confronted Shimura Danzō and Root after revealing that her Yin Seal still held immense Chakra. When Danzō hesitated, Sakura tried to leave, but Terai attacked her and Danzō ordered Root to strike; Sakura activated her techniques and vanished from sight.

• Sakura Haruno revealed her overwhelming Chakra and dismissed Shimura Danzō's mistaken estimate of her reserves.
• Sakura told Root to get out of her way and walked toward the cave entrance with Sasuke on her back while Danzō hesitated.
• Terai lost his temper and attacked Sakura, who struck him with Monstrous Strength Technique: Star Cannon Hammer and left him half-dead.
• Shimura Danzō ordered Root to attack Sakura while she stood surrounded.
• Sakura activated Yin Seal: Stage Three and Cherry Blossom Impact: Stage Three, then vanished from Danzō's sight.

Sakura Haruno used her Ice Body Flicker Technique to slaughter Shimura Danzō’s Root operatives after Danzō ordered them to attack. With Root defeated in two seconds, Sakura confronted Danzō, who admitted they had underestimated her but insisted the battle had only begun.

• Shimura Danzō ordered Root to attack Sakura Haruno, confident that timing, terrain, and numbers favored his side.
• Sakura vanished with her Ice Body Flicker Technique and killed Yamanaka Fū, Torune, Terai, and the other Root operatives in rapid succession.
• Sai surrendered when Sakura stopped her punch at his nose, but Sakura struck him in the stomach and knocked him down.
• Sakura defeated Root in two seconds, leaving Shimura Danzō as the only enemy still standing.
• Shimura Danzō realized Sakura had used Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to move through the cave at extraordinary speed.
• Sakura pointed her bloodstained ice blade at Shimura Danzō, who admitted Root had underestimated her and declared that the battle had only begun.

Sakura Haruno rejected Shimura Danzō’s accusation that she had betrayed Konoha and threatened to kill him. With his Root subordinates defeated, Danzo prepared to use his hidden abilities to capture her and make her his subordinate.

• Sakura Haruno’s attack left most of Danzo’s Root ninja dead or incapacitated, with Sai among the least injured.
• Danzo accused Sakura Haruno of plotting to betray Konoha and ordered her to hand over Sasuke and submit to punishment.
• Sakura Haruno dismissed Danzo’s accusation and threatened to kill him, making clear that his words would not shake her.
• Danzo accepted that he would have to fight and gathered chakra, confident that his remaining techniques would let him subdue Sakura Haruno.

Sakura Haruno used her Ice Body Flicker Technique to stop Shimura Danzō from completing the seals for Izanagi and severed both his hands. Danzō then revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and activated Kotoamatsukami, while a panting voice spoke from behind him.

• Shimura Danzō began forming the seals for Izanagi as Sakura Haruno charged at him with her Ice Body Flicker Technique.
• Sakura slashed Danzō’s hands, interrupting his attempt to complete the seals and escape her attacks.
• Sakura cut off both of Danzō’s hands before he could form Izanagi’s second seal.
• Danzō uncovered his right eye, revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, and used Kotoamatsukami.
• A panting voice spoke from behind Danzō, saying, “Hah, that was close...”

Sakura Haruno defeated Shimura Danzō after dodging his Kotoamatsukami and took Shisui’s Sharingan from him. She left Danzō unconscious and wondered what to do with the dangerous eye.

• Shimura Danzō realized Sakura Haruno had dodged Kotoamatsukami and guessed that Uchiha Itachi had revealed his secret.
• Sakura Haruno restrained Danzō and said she would take Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sakura Haruno gouged out Danzō’s right eye, then knocked him unconscious with a hand chop.
• Sakura Haruno confirmed everyone in the cave was unconscious and wondered whether she should keep or use Shisui’s Sharingan.

Sakura Haruno kept Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan after defeating Danzo and his Root forces, then left the cave with Sasuke. When Sasuke woke at their camp, he asked whether Sakura had beaten Itachi.

• Sakura Haruno decided to keep Shisui’s Sharingan in a bottle because she saw little use in its abilities and had no better person to give it to.
• Sakura emerged from the cave carrying Sasuke and frightened the Root sensory ninja Ryūichi, who let her pass after she overwhelmed him with her presence.
• Sasuke woke near sunset in a field tent, dressed, and went outside to find Sakura trying to repair a sandal with a glue-like Ninjutsu.
• Sasuke asked Sakura whether she had beaten Itachi.

Sakura withheld details about Uchiha Itachi from Sasuke, prompting an argument that ended with both apologizing. Sasuke then asked how Sakura had fought Itachi and how far he still lagged behind him.

• Sakura told Sasuke that she and Itachi had fought to a standstill, but Sasuke recognized that she was hiding something.
• Sasuke demanded the truth about Itachi and grabbed Sakura's wrist in anger; Sakura reminded him that she had risked her life to protect him.
• Sasuke let go and apologized, while Sakura explained that she could not reveal certain things because she was not allowed to.
• Sasuke vowed to uncover the hidden truth, and Sakura reflected on why she had agreed to cooperate with Itachi.
• Sakura's repaired sandal split again when she used the Body Flicker Technique, and Sasuke teased her about her footwear.
• Sasuke asked Sakura to describe her fight with Itachi, including how she handled Susanoo and Tsukuyomi, and to tell him how far behind Itachi he was.

Sakura explained Itachi’s strength and abilities to Sasuke, who accepted the warning without abandoning his resolve to become stronger and learn the truth. Sakura and Sasuke rested at camp, then returned to Konoha two days later after their mission to find the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki failed.

• Sakura told Sasuke that Itachi was among the strongest Kage-level ninja and explained how Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, and Amaterasu could be countered.
• Sakura admitted she expected to defeat Itachi in a fight but considered his combat talent greater than her own.
• Sasuke said he understood and remained committed to becoming stronger, then offered to take the first watch so Sakura could rest.
• Sasuke asked Sakura for her shoes after learning that the mission to find the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki had failed.
• Sakura and Sasuke returned to Konoha two days later.

Sakura Haruno and Sasuke reported to Tsunade that the Akatsuki had captured the Seven-Tails, prompting the Hokage and Third Hokage to discuss the organization’s growing threat. Tsunade ordered the pair to write a lengthy S-rank mission report, then asked Sakura to stay behind.

• Sakura told Tsunade that the Akatsuki had taken the Seven-Tails, and she and Sasuke traded silent blame over the failed mission.
• Tsunade reassured Sakura and Sasuke, praised them for surviving the encounter, and noted that Sakura had killed Kisame Hoshigaki.
• Tsunade said she would inform Takigakure and publicize the Akatsuki’s capture of the Seven-Tails to warn the other nations.
• Sakura suggested the Akatsuki might believe it could confront the whole world, while Sasuke proposed it intended to divide the Five Great Nations and force them to compromise.
• Tsunade and the Third Hokage argued that the nations could unite against the Akatsuki, then Tsunade ordered Sakura and Sasuke to submit three-thousand-character S-rank mission reports.
• Tsunade dismissed Sasuke and told Sakura to stay behind.

Sakura Haruno reported to Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi that Uchiha Itachi still considered himself a Konoha ninja and had spared Sasuke. She relayed Itachi’s message through a crow-shaped Genjutsu, then realized he had secretly hidden Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan inside her.

• Sasuke Uchiha left the Hokage’s office with a mission report to write, and Tsunade required Sakura Haruno to write one too.
• After Sasuke left, Tsunade asked Sakura about Uchiha Itachi, and Sakura explained that he had spared Sasuke and still acknowledged his Konoha identity.
• Sakura produced the crow Itachi had left inside her and triggered his Genjutsu so Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi could hear his message.
• The Hokage listened to Itachi’s message in silence while Sakura considered the sophisticated Genjutsu that had concealed something inside her.
• Sakura recognized the hidden object as Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan and decided to keep its presence secret.

Tsunade briefed Sakura Haruno on Itachi’s intelligence about Akatsuki’s hidden members and strength, then asked her to help inform Konoha’s Jonin commanders. The chapter left Sakura preparing to face questions about her clash with Root before accompanying Tsunade to the hospital.

• Tsunade relayed Itachi’s intelligence, revealing Orochimaru’s former membership in Akatsuki and identifying Pain, Konan, and the mysterious Tobi as major threats.
• Sakura Haruno worried that Akatsuki’s known members were only its weakest fighters, while Tsunade reassured her that dealing with the organization was not her burden alone.
• Tsunade told Sakura to rest and promised her a vacation and Senjutsu training at Shikkotsu Forest after her students became Chunin.
• Tsunade scheduled a Jonin Commander meeting for the following afternoon and asked Sakura to share what she knew about Akatsuki.
• The Third Hokage warned that Homura and Haru might question Sakura about her recent conflict with Root, but Sakura said they could ask.
• The Third Hokage left for a walk, and Tsunade took Sakura to the hospital.

Tsunade treated Sakura’s badly healed arm while Haku delivered a report about a centuries-old parasitic disease ravaging the northwest of the Land of Fire. Tsunade refused to intervene because of the approaching Akatsuki threat and political concerns, but Sakura questioned whether they should leave the suffering people unaided.

• Tsunade examined Sakura after her battle with Kisame and scolded her for crudely healing her shattered right hand with Medical Ninjutsu.
• Tsunade reset Sakura’s arm bones and treated her nerves without anesthetic while Haku and Shizune arrived with a report.
• Haku reported that a parasitic disease called big belly disease had spread through poor communities in the northwest of the Land of Fire for centuries, infecting a ninja through contaminated water.
• Tsunade concluded that the disease was not an enemy attack and said Konoha should not interfere with the daimyo’s people while the Akatsuki threat loomed.
• Sakura asked Tsunade whether they should really do nothing about the disease.

Sakura Haruno argued that the Land of Fire should abolish its daimyo government and be ruled directly by ninja, but Tsunade explained that the village could not govern the country or defend it during the upheaval. Tsunade urged Sakura to wait until she had grown up and become Hokage before trying to change the system.

• Sakura Haruno reflected on poverty and exploitation across the Land of Fire and concluded that the daimyo and aristocratic government should be abolished.
• Tsunade acknowledged the flaws in the government but challenged Sakura to explain how ninja would administer the country after a revolution.
• Tsunade warned that ninja lacked the numbers and administrative skills to govern the Land of Fire, leaving it vulnerable to invasion.
• Sakura admitted Tsunade's criticism was valid but asked whether they should give up on making progress.
• Tsunade told Sakura to wait until she had grown up, then sent her and Haku out of the hospital to rest.

Sakura Haruno urged Yuki Haku to use a disease outbreak in a neglected region as an opening for broader political change, but Haku reminded her that the village had no mission and that Tsunade had to weigh the wider conflict. Their conversation left Sakura reflecting on the limits of applying her old-world political ideas to the shinobi world.

• Sakura Haruno proposed sending medical-nin to treat the parasitic disease in the northwest, but Yuki Haku noted that the Land of Fire had not assigned a mission.
• Sakura argued that the neglected region could serve as a testing ground for revolution and changes to how ninja villages governed themselves.
• Haku recognized that Sakura wanted to save distant civilians and praised her concern, while Sakura dismissed the idea that she was especially noble.
• Haku said Tsunade might have to accept sacrifices while focusing on uniting the countries against the Akatsuki.
• Sakura considered how shinobi abilities could transform production, then accepted that her imagined industrial society was far removed from reality.

Sakura Haruno and Haku visited Hinata and saw her teaching Sakura’s three students Taijutsu with precise, carefully structured drills. Sakura explained how Hinata’s training plan efficiently developed strength and endurance, then claimed that her own support had helped inspire and refine it.

• Sakura Haruno suggested visiting Hinata after leaving the hospital with Haku.
• Sakura Haruno and Haku watched Hinata drill Sakura’s three students in basic Taijutsu, correcting each movement in detail.
• Sakura Haruno recognized that Hinata’s Byakugan let her inspect the students’ muscles and improve their technique with precise instruction.
• Sakura Haruno explained to Haku how Hinata’s training plan developed pink muscle efficiently through exercise, Hyuga techniques, and medical methods.
• Sakura Haruno said Hinata’s training method had benefited from her support, while the three students felt their strength, speed, endurance, and fighting ability improve.

Sakura reunited with her students after returning from another encounter with the Akatsuki, then joined Hinata and Ino for a meal and a hot-spring visit. The friends traded teasing remarks as they caught up.

• Hinata ended the students’ training, and Konohamaru praised her Taijutsu while insulting Sakura’s under a nickname.
• Sakura appeared behind Konohamaru, scolded him, and gave him a beating before reuniting with her students.
• Sakura and Hinata greeted each other, discussed Sakura’s encounter with the Akatsuki, and agreed to eat at a new hot spring.
• Ino joined Sakura, Hinata, and Haku, and she and Sakura exchanged their usual teasing greetings before laughing together.

Sakura Haruno and her friends relaxed at a hot spring after a meal, where Ino and Hinata teased Sakura about Sasuke, her growing strength, and her appearance. The girls ended the evening laughing together, though the widening gap between Sakura and her friends remained unspoken.

• The hot spring owner regretted serving the ninja girls after they ate enough to make the buffet unprofitable.
• Sakura Haruno, Ino, and Hinata went to a private women’s bath and relaxed in the spring.
• Ino asked Sakura about her recent mission with Sasuke, and Sakura denied that they had a romantic relationship.
• Ino and Hinata asked whether Sakura had been in danger fighting Akatsuki, and Sakura said the fight had been roughly even.
• Hinata said the boys considered Sakura the most attractive girl in their year, and she and Ino teased Sakura about being aloof and flat-chested.
• Sakura protested and sank into the water as the other girls laughed.

Naruto confronted Akahoshi over the Star and the dangerous Mysterious Peacock Method, then revealed his own immense power as Akahoshi summoned a giant Chakra dragon. The two prepared to compare their Chakra constructs, with the battle about to begin.

• Natsuhi accused Akahoshi of killing the Third Hoshikage and endangering villagers by making them train with the Star.
• Akahoshi defended his actions and accused Naruto and Konoha of coveting the Star's power.
• Naruto told Akahoshi that the Star could not make Hoshigakure strong enough to rival Konoha and that a Kage should protect the villagers.
• Akahoshi used the Star to create a huge purple Chakra dragon and challenged Naruto.
• Naruto released a dark Chakra cloak, grew four tails, and said he would compare his own physical Chakra form with Akahoshi's dragon.