Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Sasuke were ambushed by Sasori while searching for the Three-Tails, and they fought back with Shadow Clones and Lightning Release. After they destroyed most of Sasori’s puppets, he prepared to reveal another weapon.

• Naruto and Sasuke encountered an ambush by puppets hidden beneath the stormy sea and destroyed the attackers with a Rasengan and Chidori Short Sword.
• Naruto recognized Sasori, who emerged with more puppets and revealed that Kakuzu was ahead capturing the Three-Tails.
• Naruto and Sasuke coordinated an attack, sending Shadow Clones and Sasuke’s Lightning Release Mode against Sasori’s Hundred Puppets.
• Naruto’s Rasengan-wielding clones and Sasuke’s lightning sword destroyed most of the puppets, forcing Sasori to withdraw the survivors.
• Sasori angrily took out a scroll and prepared to begin the next round of the fight.

Sasori used Deidara’s body as a Human Puppet and bombarded Naruto and Sasuke from the sky, but their combined attack badly damaged him. He unleashed Deidara’s C0 self-destruction, forcing Naruto and Sasuke to combine Susanoo with Naruto’s six-tailed form as the explosion began.

• Sasori revealed that he had turned Deidara into a Human Puppet and used him to attack Naruto and Sasuke.
• Sasori mounted Deidara’s clay bird and rained Clay Bombs down on Naruto and Sasuke from above.
• Naruto and Sasuke combined a Rasenshuriken with Susanoo’s lightning spear, severely damaging Sasori and Deidara.
• Sasori opened the mouth sewn into Deidara’s chest and prepared his C0 self-destruction technique while his puppets held off Naruto and Sasuke.
• Naruto entered six-tailed mode, and Sasuke merged Susanoo with Naruto’s Tailed Beast Cloak for protection as Deidara detonated.

Naruto and Sasuke survived Deidara’s devastating self-destruction and killed Sasori with Sasuke’s lightning-fast attack. Kakuzu arrived with the captured Three-Tails and confronted the exhausted pair.

• Sasori unleashed Deidara’s C0 self-destruction, and Naruto and Sasuke joined their powers to withstand the blast.
• The explosion destroyed Naruto’s Tailed Beast form and Sasuke’s Susanoo, leaving both young men battered but alive.
• Sasuke killed Sasori with Lightning Release - Super Electromagnetic Cannon before Sasori could retreat.
• Naruto and Sasuke recovered enough to stand and discussed their mistakes as Kakuzu approached with the captured Three-Tails.
• Kakuzu confirmed Sasori was dead, mocked Naruto and Sasuke as rookies, and asked whether they would offer him their hearts.

After Sasuke and Naruto defeated Sasori, Kakuzu confronted them, and Naruto fought him while Sasuke shared the Sharingan’s vision through Genjutsu. Naruto endured Kakuzu’s relentless attacks until Kakuzu prepared a final Water Dragon Bullet, and the chapter ended with Naruto recounting the mission to Tsunade after returning safely to Konoha.

• Naruto stepped in front of the exhausted Sasuke and insisted on fighting Kakuzu, while Sasuke used Genjutsu: Visual Sharing to send him the Sharingan’s view.
• Naruto transformed into a seven-tailed demon fox and traded powerful attacks with Kakuzu and his four bodies.
• Kakuzu tried to wear Naruto down, but Naruto kept fighting to protect Sasuke despite the Nine-Tails’ Chakra damaging his body.
• After more than half an hour, Kakuzu’s reserves began to fail, so he launched a massive Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet before retreating.
• Naruto lost consciousness while trying to stop Kakuzu’s attack and later woke at the Mist Ninja’s temporary camp.
• Naruto reported the mission to Tsunade in Konoha, who praised him and welcomed him home.

Sakura Uchiha accepted temporary service as a Konoha ninja and agreed to impersonate Sakura Haruno while she trained in seclusion. After ten days of treatment in Shikkotsu Forest, Sakura Haruno awoke healed and stronger, leaving Sage Katsuyu surprised by her rapid growth.

• Tsunade told Sakura Uchiha that she could travel to another worldline or serve in Anbu under a new identity.
• Sakura Uchiha read and accepted Sakura Haruno’s requirements, including serving Konoha and following strict rules when impersonating her.
• Tsunade ordered Sakura Uchiha to appear around the village as Sakura Haruno and signal that she had survived her fight with Pain.
• Sakura Haruno woke after ten days inside Sage Katsuyu, fully healed and two centimeters taller.
• Sakura Haruno released a surge of chakra that disturbed the lake, and Sage Katsuyu remarked that she had grown stronger again.

After breaking through, Sakura Haruno planned to stay with Sage Katsuyu and master her dangerous radiation energy while pursuing a path beyond the Sage of Six Paths. She explained six routes to supreme power, but argued that the traditional Chakra path was too long and familiar, leaving her determined to pursue a different one.

• Sakura Haruno stabilized her Chakra after her breakthrough and judged that her strength had only increased slightly, though her potential had grown.
• Sakura Haruno told Sage Katsuyu she would remain to cultivate while her independent duplicate covered more of her duties, and she planned to tame the radiation energy within her.
• Sakura Haruno outlined a progression through Chakra natures, Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta, and Kekkei Mōra, saying the traditional route could eventually lead to power like the Sage of Six Paths.
• Sage Katsuyu questioned why Sakura Haruno would abandon that gradual path to refine dangerous energy, and Sakura Haruno replied that it was too long and would merely make her another Sage of Six Paths.
• Sage Katsuyu realized Sakura Haruno had never truly taken Hashirama Senju as her model and that her ambition was to keep surpassing herself.

Sakura Haruno explained her plans to advance beyond the Six Paths level by developing Yang God Mode, using radiation energy to improve on Sage Mode. After returning to Konoha to prepare for secluded cultivation, the story shifted to a remote reef where a man questioned Zetsu.

• Sage Katsuyu asked Sakura Haruno about the paths she could take to reach the Six Paths level.
• Sakura Haruno described Taijutsu, transforming into a creature, and pursuing science as three possible paths, then explained her own improved Ninjutsu approach.
• Sakura Haruno revealed her plan to fuse nuclear fission and fusion energy with Chakra to create Yang God Mode.
• Sakura Haruno said she would return to Konoha to handle matters and gather supplies before secluded cultivation, and Sage Katsuyu reverse-summoned her there.
• A man standing on a remote reef west of the Land of Water asked Zetsu if they had reached the right place.

Obito and Zetsu investigated the lingering aftermath of Sakura Haruno’s devastating explosion and assessed the threat she posed. They concluded her technique had serious limitations, but Obito decided he needed Orochimaru and his Impure World Reincarnation to gain more power.

• Obito and Zetsu traveled north across the sea to investigate the explosion’s lingering effects, where they found countless dead fish and two decaying orcas.
• Zetsu recounted how a White Zetsu had returned from the blast site covered in abscesses before dying, and explained that the remaining harmful power was fading.
• At the site of the battle, Obito felt the burning presence and asked how it compared with the Ten-Tails.
• Obito and Zetsu discussed Sakura Haruno’s immense power and reasoned that her explosion must carry severe limitations and risks.
• Obito decided he needed more power and named Orochimaru and his Impure World Reincarnation as the next step.

As Konoha prepared for New Year’s amid growing hopes for peace, Naruto chose to leave for Mount Myōboku and train in Sage Mode rather than celebrate with Sasuke. Sasuke let him go, and the two parted with plans to meet again next year.

• Ichiraku Ramen reopened in an expanded shop as business boomed and people anticipated peace among the five great nations.
• Naruto and Sasuke ate ramen, and Naruto nearly revealed that he would miss New Year’s before Sasuke stopped him.
• Naruto told Sasuke he was leaving with Jiraiya to train in Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku because he feared losing control of the Nine-Tails again.
• Sasuke wanted Team 7 to reunite for the holiday but accepted Naruto’s decision and wished him luck.
• Naruto and Jiraiya left Konoha, and Sasuke watched Naruto wave before heading home alone.

Sakura Haruno returned early and synchronized her knowledge with Sakura Uchiha before assessing the clone’s combat strength with Tsunade. After discussing political judgment and the First Hokage’s choices, Sakura learned Naruto was leaving to train at Mount Myōboku, disappointing her hopes for Team 7 to reunite.

• Sakura Haruno returned to Tsunade’s office early and told Sakura Uchiha to serve as an Anbu briefly before resuming training at Shikkotsu Forest.
• Sakura Haruno mentally synchronized with Sakura Uchiha and transferred her training insights, then explained that Sakura Uchiha was a very strong Kage Level fighter but weaker than her own Super Kage strength.
• Sakura Uchiha mocked Tsunade’s combat strength, so Tsunade and Sakura Haruno threw her out of the office.
• Tsunade asked Sakura Haruno about responding to the Kumogakure incident, and Sakura said negotiation and pressure should come before war or immediate retaliation.
• Tsunade left Sakura Haruno to consider why the First Hokage had not united the Shinobi World, then told her Naruto was going to Mount Myōboku with Jiraiya to train.
• Sakura Haruno realized Naruto’s training would likely prevent the Team 7 reunion Sasuke had anticipated.

Naruto Uzumaki traveled with Jiraiya to Mount Myōboku to begin Senjutsu training after Sakura Haruno said goodbye to him. The Great Toad Sage revealed to Fukasaku that a new vision had changed the old prophecy, though Naruto still appeared to have an important role in the future.

• Jiraiya warned Naruto that Senjutsu training was dangerous, but Naruto calmly confirmed he was determined to proceed.
• Sakura Haruno found Naruto and Jiraiya, worried about the risks, then embraced Naruto and wished them well as they left for Mount Myōboku.
• Jiraiya brought Naruto to Sage Fukasaku and introduced him to the Great Toad Sage as the Child of Prophecy who would bring peace to the Shinobi World.
• The Great Toad Sage privately told Fukasaku that a recent prophetic dream showed a mysterious, radiant woman and had disrupted his earlier vision.
• After recalling that Naruto appeared in the new vision and shared a deep bond with the woman, the Great Toad Sage and Fukasaku concluded that Naruto remained important and prepared to arrange his training.

Jiraiya and Sage Fukasaku urged Naruto to train hard despite the uncertainty of the prophecy. In Konoha, Sasuke decided to receive an eye transplant, while Sakura was left wondering whether anyone from Team 7 would make it to the New Year celebration.

• Jiraiya told Naruto about the Child of Prophecy, and Naruto doubted he could change the Shinobi World while Sakura was stronger than him.
• Sage Fukasaku said the prophecy was only one possible future and stressed that Naruto needed determination and strength.
• Sakura met Sasuke outside his apartment and learned that his eyesight had badly deteriorated.
• Sasuke reflected on his resentment and his need to become stronger, then decided to ask the Fifth Hokage for an eye transplant the next day.
• Sakura teased Sasuke about his Mangekyō awakening, said goodbye, and wondered whether she would be the only Team 7 member at the New Year celebration.

At the Anbu headquarters, Sakura Uchiha passed her entrance assessment by defeating Kakashi, then accompanied Sakura Haruno to watch the New Year’s fireworks. The two girls welcomed the new year together as Sakura Haruno’s loneliness eased.

• Shino watched Yugao and Kakashi spar, and Kakashi ended the fight by calling it his loss despite having the advantage.
• Yugao and Shino tried to learn about Kakashi’s Mangekyō Sharingan, but Sakura Uchiha arrived and revealed that she possessed one too.
• Sakura Uchiha challenged Kakashi for her Anbu entrance assessment and defeated him with Ice Release techniques.
• Shino accepted Sakura Uchiha into the Anbu, and Sakura Haruno accompanied her through the remaining process.
• Sakura Uchiha noticed Sakura Haruno feeling lonely without Naruto and Sasuke, took her hand, and brought her to watch the fireworks.
• Sakura Haruno and Sakura Uchiha watched the New Year’s fireworks and wished each other a happy new year.

After his eye transplant succeeded, Sasuke regained his sight and awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, prompting him to reconsider his father’s choices. Tsunade then sent Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha on a mission to stop Orochimaru and Akatsuki from cooperating.

• Sakura Uchiha removed Sasuke’s gauze and confirmed that his transplanted eyes had healed successfully.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan and transformed it into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sasuke wondered whether his father, Uchiha Fugaku, had awakened the Mangekyō and reflected on his father’s motives and feelings.
• Tsunade summoned Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha, then assigned them Operation Snake Capture after reports that Akatsuki had contacted Orochimaru.
• Tsunade ordered Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha to rendezvous with their scouting support at Sound Nest Town and prevent Orochimaru and Akatsuki from joining forces.
• Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha accepted the mission and left using the Body Flicker Technique.

Kumogakure ninja discussed Sakura Haruno’s strength and her battles with the Akatsuki at a crowded izakaya. Elite Jonin Ukon Uroko warned them that Kakashi Hatake and a team of Konoha experts were operating nearby, then revealed that a Byakugan user had wounded him.

• Four Kumogakure ninja traded rumors about the Akatsuki capturing the Land of Water’s Tailed Beast and Konoha’s battle to stop them.
• Anjō and the others discussed Sakura Haruno’s strength, and Anjō recounted witnessing her stand her ground before the Raikage.
• Anjō told the group that Sakura and the Uchiha Clan’s sole survivor had fought the Akatsuki at sea, causing two tsunamis in one day.
• Ukon Uroko recognized Anjō and ordered the four ninja to return to their village after their mission was complete.
• Uroko privately warned the four that Kakashi Hatake and a team of Konoha experts were nearby, then showed them the wound a Byakugan user had inflicted on him.

Uroko warned his Kumogakure subordinates to avoid Kakashi's team and not provoke powerful ninja, then encountered a black-haired woman and her noble-looking companion at an izakaya. The pair secretly used the bartender to pass intelligence and revealed they were headed to find Orochimaru, while the man teased Sasuko about their exposed disguises.

• Uroko told Anjō and the other Kumogakure Ninja that they were no match for Kakashi's team and ordered them to avoid a fight and warn their comrades.
• A black-haired woman entered the izakaya, and Uroko's instincts warned him not to challenge her, so he stepped aside and let her pass.
• A travel-worn man dressed like a noble followed the woman, and Uroko was so unnerved by him that he ordered his subordinates to leave immediately.
• The man used a code phrase and his Mangekyō Sharingan to make the bartender secretly store intelligence without remembering the exchange.
• The woman identified the departing group as Kumogakure Ninja, and the man said they could now pursue Orochimaru without worrying about them.
• The man teased the woman, calling her Sasuko, and asked whether she had exposed their disguises on purpose or was tired of playing his maid.

Sakura Uchiha and Sasuke dropped their disguises after leaving the tavern and struggled to find a reliable way to locate Orochimaru. Sakura reasoned that Orochimaru might choose to face her if he believed her strength had not changed much, so the two set off toward the heart of his territory.

• Sasuke and Sakura ended their disguises, and Sasuke explained that their cover would not work inside Orochimaru's core territory.
• Sakura and Sasuke reviewed Kakashi-sensei's intelligence but found no reliable plan beyond attacking Orochimaru's bases.
• After leaving the tavern, Sakura noted that Orochimaru's rejection of the Akatsuki left him with few options and might lead him to fight her.
• Sasuke agreed that Orochimaru could be drawn into a confrontation if he underestimated Sakura's strength.
• Sakura and Sasuke used the Body Flicker Technique to leave town and head deeper into Orochimaru's territory.

Orochimaru suspected Kabuto might betray him as Konoha and Akatsuki closed in, so he restrained Kabuto and demanded an explanation. Outside another underground base, Sakura and Sasuke arrived and prepared to force Orochimaru out.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto discussed Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke’s threat as they walked through the underground passage.
• Orochimaru described his enemies as a dead end and accused Kabuto of considering Akatsuki’s offer to betray him.
• Orochimaru bound Kabuto with pythons and demanded that he explain his hesitation.
• Sakura and Sasuke arrived outside another underground base, and Sakura formed Hand Seals to call Orochimaru out.

Orochimaru chose to trust Kabuto before confronting Sakura Uchiha and Sasuke, but Kabuto’s surprise attack failed to injure Sakura. Orochimaru then suspected that the girl was not Sakura Haruno.

• Orochimaru and Kabuto openly confronted Sakura Uchiha and Sasuke after a private conversation that had nearly ended in a break between them.
• Sakura threatened Orochimaru, and Kabuto attacked her from underground with a Chakra Scalpel, striking her ankle.
• Kabuto gloated over the hit, but Sakura mocked his lack of progress and revealed that her leg was unharmed.
• Sakura used Monstrous Strength Technique: Guarding Foot to shatter the ground and destroy the corpse Kabuto had controlled.
• Orochimaru observed that Kabuto’s failed attack had revealed useful information and asked whether Sakura was really Sakura Haruno.

Sakura Uchiha and Sasuke confronted Orochimaru, who admitted that Akatsuki had recently approached him and hinted that he might bargain with either side. As Sakura threatened him, Sasuke attacked with Susanoo, but Orochimaru’s chakra remained unharmed beneath the smoke.

• Orochimaru questioned Sakura Uchiha’s identity, and she stopped Sasuke from reacting rashly.
• Sakura Uchiha deduced that Orochimaru had recently exchanged information with Akatsuki and pressed him about their approach.
• Orochimaru admitted that people had come to him and said he would consider whichever side made the better offer.
• Sakura warned Orochimaru that Konoha would not accept him as a traitor and threatened to kill him if he delayed.
• Sasuke struck Orochimaru with Susanoo, but Orochimaru remained unharmed as a huge gray figure emerged from the smoke.