Chapter Summaries

After returning to Konoha, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke reported Pain’s strength to Tsunade, who accepted their intelligence but dismissed their account of traveling to another world as an elaborate story. Sakura planned to rest before resuming training, while the chapter left Konoha peaceful despite war raging in the other world.

• Sakura Haruno and Sasuke returned to Konoha after spending several days in another world, where Sakura had learned Cherry Blossom Impact and Nintaijutsu.
• Sakura and Sasuke warned Tsunade that Pain was an exceptionally powerful enemy capable of devastating Konoha.
• When Tsunade asked how they had obtained the intelligence, Sakura and Sasuke told her they had traveled to a future world using the ley-line energy in Rōran’s ruins.
• Tsunade praised their intelligence but did not believe their story about traveling between worlds, and she sent them home to rest.
• Sakura told Sasuke she planned to help Kakashi train and train herself, but she went home to sleep before discussing their journey.

After being put to work by her mother, Sakura escaped the house and visited Yugao, who had recovered much of her figure and was rebuilding her strength after childbirth. Yugao said her Chakra had returned to and slightly exceeded its former peak, leaving her to wonder whether the heart Sakura had prepared for her had caused the change.

• Mebuki scolded Sakura for lounging in bed and made her help with laundry and household chores.
• After finishing the chores, Sakura left home and walked through the rain while deciding whom to visit.
• Sakura went to Yugao Hayate's home, where Yugao welcomed her and introduced her to her crawling daughter.
• Sakura asked about Yugao's recovery, and Yugao said her fighting ability had returned to about half of its former level.
• Yugao said her Chakra had quickly recovered to its peak and even surpassed it somewhat, and she wondered whether Sakura's prepared heart was responsible.

Sakura Haruno visited Yugao and discussed motherhood, sacrifice, and Yugao’s hopes of returning to ninja work after recovering. On her way home, Sakura met an exhausted Hinata, who complained that her teacher had “sucked her dry.”

• Yugao reassured Sakura Haruno that she was satisfied with her condition after the heart transplant and joked with her while caring for her baby.
• Yugao told Sakura Haruno that motherhood was worthwhile and suggested that staying single could also involve sacrifice, but Sakura remained uninterested in dating or having children.
• Sakura Haruno examined Yugao, then Hayate came home with a fish and offered to make crucian carp soup.
• Sakura Haruno left the Hayate Clan home and strolled through Konoha after the rain, reflecting on Yugao’s advice without changing her views.
• Sakura Haruno met Hinata, who looked exhausted and complained that her teacher had sucked her dry.

Hinata joined Sakura Haruno and Sasuke at Ichiraku Ramen, where Sasuke explained that they had completed an S-rank mission and were reviewing Sai’s file. After Hinata left, Sasuke followed Sakura, hoping to discuss the questions she had raised earlier.

• Hinata teased Sakura Haruno about her Anbu overtime, then accepted Sakura’s offer to buy her ramen.
• Hinata ate more than twenty bowls at Ichiraku while Sakura paid, and Sasuke arrived and offered to cover the meal.
• Hinata asked why Sasuke was investigating Sai’s file, and Sasuke said Sai could still be brought back from Root and Lord Hokage was considering giving him a chance.
• Hinata learned Sakura and Sasuke had completed an S-rank mission, but left before they could explain further.
• Sasuke offered to walk Sakura home and discuss her questions from noon, but Sakura refused and left, with Sasuke following her.

Sakura Haruno and Sasuke discussed the evidence linking the mysterious Masked Man to the Nine-Tails Incident and planned to travel back in time again. Sasuke also asked about Itachi, but Sakura refused to reveal what she knew because of confidentiality rules and a promise.

• Sasuke asked Sakura how Sai had earned Team 7's trust, and Sakura said Naruto's sincere, infectious spirit could have won him over.
• Sasuke explained that records showed no Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan before the Nine-Tails Incident, leading him to suspect an unrecorded Uchiha had controlled the beast.
• Sakura agreed that the Masked Man was likely behind the Nine-Tails Incident and other events, and proposed they return to that night through the Rōran Ruins when its ley line energy recovered.
• Sakura suggested waiting for Naruto to return so he could join their next time-travel trip, and Sasuke agreed.
• Sasuke asked why a future version of himself remembered Itachi's love for him, but Sakura refused to answer because of confidentiality rules and a promise.
• Sakura and Sasuke said good night at the crossroads and parted ways.

Sakura Harano overslept, then helped Kakashi begin training to control his Mangekyō Sharingan by using a duplicate to demonstrate and teach him. After a productive day, she visited Hinata and entrusted her with a duplicate and a scroll for a task in the Land of Snow.

• Sakura Harano rushed to meet Kakashi after waking late, and he led her to Training Ground No. 4 to practice his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Kakashi activated his Mangekyō and struggled with the strain, while Sakura explained that precise Yin Release could help control the Sharingan.
• Sakura revealed a duplicate with Shisui's Mangekyō, which demonstrated how to activate and deactivate the eye and coached Kakashi.
• Kakashi made rapid progress with Sakura's help before they parted for the evening.
• Sakura visited the Hyuga residence, where Hinata had been sparring with Hiashi, and gave Hinata a scroll containing an independent duplicate to watch over in the Land of Snow.

Hinata asked Sakura Haruno where she and Sasuke had gone, while Kakashi made rapid progress learning Kamui under Sakura’s guidance. Sakura began to demonstrate the full power of her Susanoo, promising to show Kakashi the gap between them.

• Hinata asked Sakura Haruno whether she had developed the sixth and seventh fists of Hokuto Shinken, then admitted she really wanted to know where Sakura and Sasuke had gone.
• Kakashi trained with Kamui at Training Ground No. 44, using it to destroy most of Sakura Haruno’s ice darts before one exploded beside him.
• Sakura Haruno’s Susanoo shielded Kakashi from the explosion, and she praised his improving control of Kamui.
• Kakashi asked how far Sakura had developed her Mangekyō Sharingan, and Sakura explained that its varied abilities were difficult to compare.
• Sakura Haruno formed Hand Seals and unleashed vast Chakra as she prepared to show Kakashi her Susanoo’s full power.

Sakura demonstrated her Senjutsu Susanoo to Kakashi, then Sasuke arrived to bring her back to Konoha at Tsunade’s request. On the way, Sasuke asked whether Sakura had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and she admitted that she had.

• Sakura activated her Mangekyō Sharingan, Sage Mode, and Yin Seal to summon a towering Senjutsu Susanoo, leaving Kakashi stunned.
• Sakura withdrew the Susanoo and told Kakashi that stronger opponents existed, prompting him to resume training his Kamui.
• Sasuke arrived at Training Ground 40, confirmed that he had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, and told Sakura that Tsunade wanted to speak with her.
• Sakura left with Sasuke, who awkwardly glanced at her several times while they crossed the Forest of Death.
• Sasuke asked Sakura whether she had the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Sakura calmly admitted that she did.

Sakura Haruno told Sasuke that her Clone Duplicate had Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan, and Sasuke let her keep them. Tsunade recalled Naruto and assigned Sakura to lead a delegation to Kumogakure, warning her that the mission could become dangerous and that survival would take priority.

• Sakura Haruno admitted to Sasuke that her Clone Duplicate had Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan, and Sasuke revealed he had already worked out where they came from.
• Sasuke told Sakura to keep the Sharingan, though he claimed he was angry as he hurried away.
• Tsunade told Sakura she planned to call Naruto back because his training was nearly complete and they had enough intelligence on Akatsuki.
• Sakura teased Tsunade about her feelings for Jiraiya, but Tsunade denied that anything romantic was happening between them.
• Tsunade told Sakura that Naruto would likely reform Team 7 with her and Sasuke for difficult missions, including missions against Akatsuki.
• Tsunade assigned Sakura to lead a return visit to Kumogakure with Shizune, warning that the Raikage’s invitation might conceal danger and that Sakura should return safely even if the others had to be sacrificed.

Sakura Haruno's split body visited the Land of Snow to inspect machinery built with Kazahana Koyuki's support. The chapter ended with Sakura warning Hinata to stay away from a sealed warehouse containing a graphite reactor.

• Sasuke discovered that his Mangekyō enhanced his Lightning Release and named the ability Takemikazuchi.
• Sasuke developed a powerful lightning armor technique called Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, which retained his Chidori Demon Body Mode's cat ears.
• Sakura Haruno's original body left Konoha for the Land of Snow after completing Kakashi's training.
• Kazahana Koyuki welcomed Sakura's split body and said she had arranged for workers to build the requested machines.
• Sakura showed Hinata an industrial area full of centrifuges and warned her not to approach the sealed graphite reactor warehouse without her.

Sakura explained her plan to develop Star God Mode by improving Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method with nuclear technology, though preparing the materials would take a long time. She planned to return to Konoha soon, while Hinata quietly wondered whether they could go back together.

• Sakura’s clone explained nuclear fission and how Hoshigakure’s Mysterious Peacock Method used radiation energy in Chakra.
• Sakura said she intended to improve the method into Star God Mode and use centrifuges and reactors to prepare its materials.
• Sakura told Hinata that preparing the materials would take a long time and that she would not remain in the Land of Snow to oversee the work.
• Hinata asked when Sakura’s original body would arrive, and Sakura said it would come after Kakashi-sensei’s training ended in two or three days.
• Sakura and Hinata left the noisy factory grounds and stood in the snowy countryside, where Sakura asked what Hinata was thinking about.

In the Land of Snow, Hinata worried about the Akatsuki’s growing threat but resolved to become strong enough to support Sakura, who reassured her that she would protect everyone. Hinata trained with Sakura for half a month, advanced her Hokuto Shinken, and returned to Konoha with her as September ended.

• Hinata discussed the danger of the Akatsuki and a possible world war with Sakura, who promised to protect everyone.
• Hinata and Sakura teased each other about their feelings for Naruto and Sasuke before playfully tussling.
• Hinata asked Sakura to help her train in Hokuto Shinken, and Sakura agreed on behalf of her main body.
• Three days later, Sakura’s main body arrived and her split body returned to her; Hinata then trained with Sakura in the Land of Snow.
• After half a month, Hinata mastered the fourth fist of Hokuto Shinken, advanced to the fifth, and reached a level where she could trade blows with some Elite Jonin.
• By late September, Sakura said goodbye to Koyuki and returned to Konoha with Hinata.

Sakura Haruno replaced Sai’s failing Five Elements Seal with a stronger seal around his Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. She challenged Sai’s Root conditioning and asked him to gather the delegation so she could discuss the operation.

• Sakura Haruno examined Sai’s tongue and found that the Five Elements Seal suppressing his Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal had nearly faded.
• Sai recalled how Kakashi had given him a Konoha registration card and how Sakura had brought him into the delegation after returning from the Land of Snow.
• Sakura Haruno removed the failing seal and applied a Double Four Symbols Seal, leaving Sai exhausted but free of the old seal’s restrictions.
• Sai thanked Sakura Haruno, then knelt and apologized when she criticized his forced smile.
• Sakura Haruno told Sai he did not need to follow Root’s habits or force himself to smile, and urged him to treat her and the others as comrades.
• Sakura Haruno asked Sai to gather everyone so she could tell them about the operation.

Sakura Haruno and Shizune discussed the dangers of the Kumogakure mission, and Shizune revealed a cursed seal that could crush her heart if she chose to sacrifice herself. After Sai returned with the delegation, Sakura addressed the sixteen members as their captain and announced they would leave for the Land of Lightning the next day.

• Sakura Haruno asked Shizune whether Sai’s flying ink beast could evacuate the delegation, and Shizune explained that it could carry only one or two people back to the Land of Fire.
• Shizune told Sakura Haruno that the team had volunteered despite the risks and that they would not let themselves become a burden to Konoha’s hope.
• Shizune revealed a cursed seal connected to her heart that could crush it when she decided it was necessary.
• Shizune reassured Sakura Haruno that Lady Tsunade had considered the risks and that the Raikage was unlikely to betray his word.
• Sai returned with the others, and Sakura Haruno addressed the sixteen-person delegation as its temporary captain and announced their departure for the Land of Lightning the next day.

Sakura Haruno demonstrated the gap between her and Kage Level fighters to prepare the delegation for its journey to Kumogakure, warning them to flee if they encountered Raikage A or Killer B. After the delegation departed, Obito learned Sakura was leading it and set out with a plan to stop her and disrupt the village alliance.

• Sakura Haruno used her chakra and speed to overwhelm the assembled ninja in a brief drill, touching several of their necks with an ice Kunai before they could react.
• Sakura Haruno explained Raikage A's fighting style and warned the ninja to flee from him or Killer B rather than fight them directly.
• The delegation left through the Konoha Gate the next day.
• White Zetsu told Obito that Sakura Haruno was leading the delegation, and Obito decided to confront her and disrupt the alliance between the villages.
• Obito dismissed White Zetsu's suggestion to bring Pain and said he had a better method.

Sakura Haruno arrived in Kumogakure as Konoha’s envoy and delivered Tsunade’s proposal for an alliance against the Akatsuki. Raikage A read the letter and considered it.

• Sakura Haruno and the Konoha delegation reached Kumogakure after evading Akatsuki watchers along the way.
• Omoi guided Sakura and the delegation through Kumogakure to the Raikage’s building.
• Sakura greeted Raikage A and explained that the Akatsuki had delayed their journey.
• Sakura gave Raikage A a personal letter from Tsunade proposing that the Five Great Shinobi Villages unite against the Akatsuki.
• Raikage A read Tsunade’s letter and pondered its proposal.

Sakura Haruno presented Konoha’s offer of an alliance to Raikage A, but their discussion of past grievances provoked Kumogakure’s ninja. After Karui attacked Sakura and Sakura crushed her sword, the Raikage challenged whether Konoha had shown genuine sincerity, leaving the alliance talks on a knife-edge.

• Raikage A accepted the idea of an alliance but asked whether Konoha would truly set aside the war’s old hatred.
• Sakura Haruno said Konoha could forgive Kumogakure’s attempted abduction of Hinata Hyuga and the sacrifice of Hizashi Hyuga, prompting anger among the gathered ninja.
• Omoi drew his sword and accused Sakura of slandering Kumogakure, while the other ninja reached for their weapons.
• Karui charged at Sakura with a blade, but Raikage A and Sakura stopped her attack just short of Sakura’s forehead.
• Sakura crushed Karui’s sword in her hand and knocked Karui to the floor, then faced Raikage A.
• Raikage A restrained his anger after recognizing Sakura’s strength and demanded to know whether this was Konoha’s way of showing sincerity.

Sakura Haruno persuaded Fourth Raikage A to let Kumogakure join the Five-Village Alliance while leaving the allied commander’s selection to the Five Kage Summit. After the villages exchanged pledges of cooperation, Sakura revealed that Konoha’s delegation had been hidden on Sai’s ink eagle while ice doubles stood in their place.

• Sakura Haruno argued that Kumogakure had to make concessions too and urged the villages to put aside their old grudges, including the feud between Kumogakure and the Stone Ninja.
• Fourth Raikage A agreed to trust Konoha but warned that Kumogakure would not ally with the Stone Ninja if Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki caused trouble.
• A claimed the allied forces’ commander should be strong and free of Akatsuki ties, then put himself forward; Sakura rejected any unilateral choice and said the Five Kage Summit would decide.
• A agreed to Kumogakure’s provisional entry into the alliance, and he and Sakura shook hands as their ninja bowed to one another.
• A punished Karui with a month of confinement for nearly sabotaging the alliance, while Sakura let the matter pass.
• When A asked for Konoha’s sincerity, Sakura revealed that the delegation behind her consisted of ice sculptures and that the real members had arrived on Sai’s ink eagle.

Sakura Haruno and the Fourth Raikage finalized an alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure, then Killer B took her group out to see the Land of Lightning. At the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, Killer B revealed that he had brought Sakura there to spar.

• Sakura Haruno and the Fourth Raikage signed the alliance agreement, and their delegations applauded as they clasped hands.
• The Raikage hosted a feast for Konoha's envoys, while the accompanying representatives handled the remaining negotiation details.
• Killer B guided Sakura Haruno and the others around Kumogakure, singing as he showed them the village.
• Sakura Haruno persuaded Killer B to take the group outside the village, and they chatted about singing on the way.
• At the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, Killer B asked Sakura Haruno if she wanted to spar with him.

Sakura Haruno and Killer B sparred at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, where Sakura showed strength and speed that surprised him. Elsewhere, Obito rejected White Zetsu’s suggestion to attack them there and said he had already prepared a plan.

• Killer B invited Sakura Haruno to spar at his training ground, and she agreed while planning to gather information.
• Sakura and Killer B drew their blades, and Shizune briefly interrupted them before Sakura reassured her and resumed the match.
• Sakura met Killer B’s opening attacks and blocked his strikes with enough force to make him wary of her strength and reflexes.
• White Zetsu told Obito that Sakura Haruno and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki had left Kumogakure and asked whether they should attack them.
• Obito said the Valley of Clouds and Lightning was within Kumogakure’s sphere of influence and that fighting both opponents there would be dangerous, then claimed he had prepared a plan.