Recaps

Kurenai ended her relationship with Issui and asked him to avenge Asuma, while Issui later received Tsunade’s permission to pursue Kakuzu and Hidan with Shikamaru and Kiba. The squad tracked down the Immortal Duo and prepared to fight, with Shikamaru intent on defeating Hidan for Asuma.

• Kurenai told Issui that she would raise her child with Asuma’s memory, ended their relationship, and asked Issui to kill Asuma’s enemy; Uzuki Yugao overheard them.
• Issui told Hinata he had agreed to avenge Asuma, and the two spent the night together at home.
• Issui asked Tsunade to let him eliminate Kakuzu and Hidan, and Shikamaru volunteered to join him.
• Tsunade made Issui the squad captain and assigned Shikamaru and Kiba to assist him.
• Issui, Shikamaru, and Kiba used Kiba and Akamaru’s tracking skills to find Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Issui assigned Kakuzu to himself and Hidan to Shikamaru and Kiba, and the four comrades joined hands before the battle.

Issui fought Kakuzu while Shikamaru and Kiba battled Hidan, and he overcame Kakuzu’s elemental attacks by unleashing Magma Hell. The chapter ended with Issui and three clones striking Kakuzu with their enormous black-gold blades.

• Shikamaru and Kiba joined Issui’s side against Hidan, while Issui faced Kakuzu alone.
• Issui summoned the Black Gold Flame Demon, but Kakuzu used Hidden Mist and successive elemental attacks to ambush him.
• Issui escaped Kakuzu’s traps and unleashed Magma Hell, evaporating the mist and melting three of Kakuzu’s hearts.
• Issui trapped Kakuzu between three clones and prepared to finish him with four enormous black-gold demon blades.
• Issui and his clones slashed at Kakuzu, and the blades descended above his head.

Issui destroyed Kakuzu while Shikamaru and Kiba defeated Hidan, prompting Pain to send Konan to test Issui and consider recruiting him. After resting with his companions, Issui followed Konan’s paper crane into the woods and found her waiting in an Akatsuki cloak.

• Issui pulverized Kakuzu with his black-and-gold demon gods and left the crater behind.
• Pain told Konan that Kakuzu and Hidan were dead and identified Issui as the one who killed them.
• Pain and Konan discussed Akatsuki’s divided factions, and Konan set out to test Issui and possibly recruit him.
• Issui found Shikamaru and Kiba exhausted after they buried Hidan, and the three planned to return to Konoha the next morning.
• Konan watched Issui’s camp and sent a paper crane to lead him away from his companions.
• Issui followed the crane into the woods and found Konan waiting in her red-cloud Akatsuki cloak.

Konan confronted Issui and tried to recruit him to Akatsuki, but their opposing beliefs led them to fight. Issui and Konan traded attacks, and the chapter ended as Konan detonated explosive paper surrounding him.

• Konan led Issui away from camp and asked him to join Akatsuki, arguing that a god could end the world's cycle of hatred.
• Issui rejected Konan's ideals and recruitment, declaring Akatsuki his enemy and vowing to protect his comrades and change the world.
• Konan attacked Issui with paper techniques, and the two exchanged explosive clones, ice weapons, and other attacks.
• Issui used a fireball to burn some of Konan's clothing, then defended against her paper senbon with ice and water techniques.
• Konan trapped Issui in a mass of paper and detonated the explosive tags attached to it.

Issui struggled against Konan’s relentless Paper Release attacks and used a Heaven Clan forbidden technique to escape her explosive trap. He brought Konan into a world under his control, where she found herself kneeling before him as he began explaining the technique’s cost.

• Issui escaped Konan’s exploding paper prison with the Sumeru World, but sustained injuries and acknowledged that he had underestimated her.
• Issui used Flame Body and a rapid fire attack to wound Konan, but her paper dove and Senbon Pine Needle Rain tore apart his flames.
• Konan trapped Issui with Heaven-Sealing Locking Restriction, slowing his Chakra and movements as he feared being worn down.
• Issui activated Heaven Forbidden Technique: Divine Might Like a Prison, summoning five blood-colored figures in the five directions.
• Konan sacrificed herself to strengthen her paper prison, but Issui used Vast Divine Might to make the battlefield disappear and bring her into his palace-like world.
• Konan questioned why she was kneeling and unable to resist, while Issui claimed control of the world and began explaining that his forbidden technique required drawing blood from his body.

Issui used his world-controlling technique to torment Konan with supernatural flames until she agreed to accept his condition, provided he did not damage her relationship with Nagato. He revealed that Tobi was his real enemy and placed an Ice Soul Seal on Konan, leaving her connected to him.

• Issui explained that his blood-created figures controlled the area temporarily, then bound Konan to a cross and repeatedly burned her with the Flames of Samsara.
• Issui stopped the flames and described four other forms of pain before pressuring Konan to agree to his demand.
• Konan resisted at first but, as Issui counted down, agreed on the condition that she would not have to oppose Nagato.
• Issui told Konan that Tobi was his true enemy and instructed her not to resist while he placed a Soul Seal on her.
• Issui used the Ice Soul Seal on Konan, who briefly saw her spirit and felt a connection form between them before returning to her body.

Issui returned to Konoha after defeating Kakuzu and Hidan and learned that Jiraiya had been killed while investigating the Akatsuki in Amegakure. Konan also returned to Pain after secretly accepting Issui’s seal, while Pain revealed that Jiraiya had confronted him before his death.

• Issui weakened after sealing Konan, who accepted that she would have to obey him but remained outwardly opposed to him until Tobi’s identity was exposed.
• Issui, Shikamaru, and Kiba returned to Konoha, where Tsunade told them Jiraiya had been killed in Amegakure.
• Tsunade said Jiraiya had sent back information about Pain and announced plans for a Five Kage Summit as the Akatsuki threat grew.
• Konan returned to Pain and reported that her mission against Issui had failed, while secretly leaning toward Issui’s side.
• Pain told Konan that Jiraiya had confronted him and that he had killed his former teacher for the sake of their dream.

After recovering from his fight with Konan, Issui learned that the Six Paths of Pain had attacked Konoha and joined the defense with his summoned beasts. He arrived on a giant dragon as villagers and Tsunade drew hope from his appearance, while the attack was still underway.

• Nagato told Konan that Jiraiya was dead and reaffirmed his plan to use pain and overwhelming power to control conflict.
• Issui recovered at home, learned that Akatsuki had captured seven Tailed Beasts and that Itachi had died, and spent time with Hinata and their companions.
• When the Six Paths of Pain attacked Konoha, Issui sent Haku and Hinata to safety and summoned Leins to fight a giant chameleon.
• Issui summoned Christina, who carried him into the sky above Konoha on her enormous white dragon.
• Villagers hailed Issui as the Star of Hope, and Tsunade reassured Shizune that the village still had hope as the attack continued.

As Nagato’s Six Paths of Pain devastated Konoha, Issui rallied the village and confronted Deva Path Pain. Their clash began with an argument over whether inflicting pain could bring peace, leaving Issui poised to fight.

• Nagato watched Issui rally Konoha from the Six Paths’ perspective, while Konan hoped Issui might stop him.
• Danzo refused to send Root into battle, choosing to wait until Issui and the invaders had weakened each other.
• Issui ordered Konoha’s fighters to evacuate civilians and regroup, then assigned Christina and Lein Period to handle several Paths while he faced Deva Path Pain.
• Issui confronted Pain about killing helpless villagers and invoked the destruction of Heaven Village and the deaths of Pain’s parents and Yahiko.
• Pain explained his plan to deter war by giving nations powerful weapons and teaching the world through fear, while Issui rejected his methods and declared that justice could change the world.

Issui rejected Pain’s offer to join him and fought Deva Path Pain, testing his Eye of Heaven against the Rinnegan. After Pain’s repulsive force battered him, Issui used the Black eye’s Distorting Light to strike Deva Path, but the fight continued as Pain warned him not to mistake a small success for victory.

• Issui refused Pain’s offer and attacked Deva Path Pain with Ice Release flying blades.
• Deva Path Pain used Water Formation Wall, then Shinra Tensei to repel the ice and send Issui flying.
• Issui opened the Black Eye of Heaven, and Pain used Banshō Ten'in to pull him close and attack him with a black rod.
• Issui used Distorting Light to vanish from Pain’s grasp and stab Deva Path with an ice sword.
• Pain drove Issui back with Shinra Tensei, and Issui revealed that his Eye of Heaven could distort attacks and move him instantly.

Issui destroyed Deva Path Pain with a long-range forbidden technique, but Nagato unleashed a massive Shinra Tensei that devastated a third of Konoha. After the Six Paths were eliminated, Issui found Nagato and Konan hiding outside the village and prepared to confront them.

• Issui struck Deva Path Pain with the Eye of Heaven’s Flame, causing his body to disintegrate.
• Nagato decided to use Yahiko’s body to attack Konoha, and Deva Path Pain unleashed Super Shinra Tensei.
• Deva Path Pain was destroyed, but the blast wiped out a third of Konoha and killed many villagers.
• Issui learned from Kakashi that the Six Paths had been eliminated and said he would find their controller, Nagato.
• Issui used the Eye of Heaven to locate Nagato and Konan hiding inside a tree, then called out to meet them.

Issui spoke with Nagato about their shared losses and opposing visions of peace, urging him to trust that the world could change. Nagato began to see his former self in Issui and chose to believe in his vow to bring peace.

• Issui entered Nagato’s hollow, and Nagato asked how someone with a similar fate could find peace.
• Nagato explained how war destroyed his home, Yahiko’s death shaped the Akatsuki, and his plan to use the Tailed Beasts to force peace through pain.
• Issui said he sympathized with Nagato but rejected achieving peace through destruction.
• Nagato challenged Issui to explain how he could end hatred when the loss of loved ones would make him seek revenge.
• Issui admitted he would feel hatred but vowed to break the world’s curse through trust in himself, his comrades, and the shinobi world.
• Nagato recalled having once shared Issui’s belief and asked if he was certain; Issui swore to bring peace and stability.

Nagato used Outer Path-Rinne Rebirth to revive Konoha’s dead, sacrificing his life, and entrusted his dream of peace to Issui. Issui sealed Nagato’s soul into himself, promising to create him a new body so he could live to witness peace.

• Nagato trusted Issui with his ideals and decided to revive the people killed in Konoha, hoping to redeem himself.
• Nagato used Outer Path-Rinne Rebirth, bringing the dead back to life before his own bodily functions ceased.
• As Nagato was dying, Issui promised to keep him alive and used Eye of Heaven-Frost, Ice Soul Seal Technique to capture his soul.
• Nagato accepted the seal despite sensing its power to control his soul, choosing to trust Issui and continue pursuing peace.
• Nagato’s soul returned briefly to his lifeless body, then entered Issui, who told Konan the seal had succeeded.

Issui explained that Nagato’s soul remained sealed and promised to revive him later, then returned to Konoha as its hero after Nagato restored the village’s dead. With Tsunade unconscious, the village began rebuilding while a contest for the Sixth Hokage position emerged.

• Issui told Konan that Nagato’s soul was in his soul world and that he would revive him later, while warning her that Tobi might target her and Nagato’s eyes.
• Konan took Nagato’s body back to the Land of Rain, leaving his eyes with Issui.
• Kakashi and Team Guy arrived, and Issui explained that Nagato had abandoned his hatred and sacrificed his life to revive Konoha’s dead.
• Guy and Rock Lee carried Issui back to the village, where the villagers celebrated him as their hero.
• After the celebration, Konoha’s leaders organized reconstruction while Tsunade remained unconscious, and Issui, Kakashi, and Danzo emerged as candidates for Sixth Hokage.

With Tsunade unconscious, Hiashi urged Issui to seek the Sixth Hokage position before Danzo could claim it. Issui agreed to pursue the role, and Hinata congratulated him while reminding him that becoming Hokage meant protecting the village.

• Naruto remained unresentful of Issui, whom he intended to surpass as he pursued his own dream of becoming Hokage.
• Hinata sent the exhausted Issui to meet Hiashi, who asked about his marriage and explained that Tsunade’s coma had left Konoha needing a new Hokage.
• Hiashi told Issui that he and Kakashi were leading candidates and warned that Danzo’s rise would endanger him and the Hyuga.
• Issui agreed to claim the Sixth Hokage position, and Hiashi said he would seek support from the advisers, the daimyo, and other clans.
• Issui told Hinata at dinner that he planned to become Hokage, and she congratulated him while cautioning him about the responsibilities and uncertainty.

Issui prepared to become Hokage while Konoha rebuilt and rumors spread about who would succeed Tsunade. When the Land of Fire's daimyō arrived to discuss the selection, Issui clashed with Danzo in the meeting room, and Mitokado Homura intervened to stop them.

• Hinata reminded Issui of the responsibilities of being Hokage, then gave him the last chicken leg as a reward for defeating the invaders.
• Konoha's ninja began rebuilding the village as rumors circulated that Kakashi Hatake, Issui Kanna, or Danzo might become the Sixth Hokage.
• The Land of Fire's daimyō arrived in Konoha a week after the war, and an Anbu summoned Issui from his work instructing Ninja Academy students.
• At the meeting, the daimyō praised Issui, and Issui mocked Danzo's age and health before Danzo tried to intimidate him with Genjutsu.
• Mitokado Homura stopped Issui and Danzo from continuing their confrontation in front of the daimyō.

As Konoha debated who should lead while Tsunade remained unconscious, Issui Kanna challenged Danzo’s bid for the Hokage seat and was appointed Sixth Hokage by the Fire Daimyo. Danzo’s outburst cost him further support, and the chapter ended with Mitokado Homura urging him to abandon his ambition and focus on Root.

• Utatane Koharu and Kakashi restrained the dispute between Danzo and Issui, while the Fire Daimyo called for Konoha to regain the Land of Fire’s trust.
• Shikamaru proposed a historic Five Kage Summit, and Shikaku argued that Konoha should wait for Tsunade to recover and appoint a temporary administrator.
• Danzo claimed that Konoha needed a hard-line leader and presented himself as the strongest candidate for Hokage.
• Issui interrupted the Fire Daimyo and argued that his strength, service, and reputation made him a suitable young leader for Konoha.
• The Fire Daimyo appointed Issui Kanna as the Sixth Hokage and announced that he would attend the coming Five Kage Summit.
• After Danzo angrily protested and the Fire Daimyo left, Mitokado Homura told Danzo that he was unsuited to be Hokage and should stop his underhanded schemes.

Issui Kanna became Konoha’s Sixth Hokage after Danzo failed to claim the position, and Kakashi urged him to carry on the village’s legacy. The next day, villagers and ninja gathered for Issui’s inauguration, speculating excitedly about who would emerge.

• Issui mocked Danzo, and Mitokado Homura warned Danzo that threatening the Hokage would make him a missing-nin.
• Danzo left, resentful that his comrades had abandoned him and convinced he should have killed Issui earlier.
• Kakashi took Issui to the Memorial Stone and spoke about the Hokage’s duty to protect the village.
• Issui thanked Kakashi for saving him and vowed to protect Konoha, while Kakashi congratulated him on becoming the Sixth Hokage.
• The next day, villagers and ninja gathered outside the Hokage building and whispered that Issui would take office.

Issui Kanna was celebrated as Konoha’s new Sixth Hokage while Naruto struggled with feeling left behind, then renewed his resolve to surpass him. Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju discussed Issui’s strength and the approaching Fourth Great Shinobi World War.

• Issui Kanna appeared before the cheering villagers and declared that he would protect Konoha as its Sixth Hokage.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu agreed that the village had accepted Issui and that the younger generation should lead.
• Naruto admitted to Kakashi that Issui’s success made him feel he could never catch up, but Kakashi reminded him of his growth and his Ninja Way.
• Naruto regained his determination to become the greatest Hokage and joined Kakashi in cheering for Issui, joking that Issui should buy him ramen.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju discussed Issui’s power, the Rinnegan, Tsunade’s unconsciousness, and the approaching Fourth Great Shinobi World War.

Issui traveled to the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron with Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to discuss the coming war and the Allied Shinobi Forces. The summit opened with the Fourth Raikage accusing Ōnoki and Iwagakure of supporting the Akatsuki.

• Haku helped Issui manage Konoha’s affairs while he prepared to attend the summit.
• Issui persuaded Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to accompany him to the Land of Iron.
• Mifune welcomed Issui, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju when they arrived at the summit.
• Issui took his seat among the gathered Kage as Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju stood behind him in masks.
• Ōnoki questioned whether the five villages could unite, and the Fourth Raikage argued with him.
• The Fourth Raikage accused Ōnoki and Iwagakure of aiding the Akatsuki and suggested they should be eliminated first.

Issui and Gaara persuaded the Five Kage to set aside their old rivalries and form the Allied Shinobi Forces, with Mifune and the samurai joining them. The alliance then faced the question of who would lead, and the chapter compared the Fourth Raikage’s strength with Issui’s formidable abilities.

• Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage argued over their villages’ past atrocities until Issui and Gaara urged them to unite against Akatsuki.
• Issui criticized the Kage for hesitating, while Gaara spoke about protecting comrades and bonds, persuading the Raikage and Ōnoki to reconsider.
• The Fourth Raikage, Ōnoki, Mei Terumi, Gaara, and Issui each declared their village’s membership in the Allied Shinobi Forces, and Mifune joined on behalf of the samurai.
• Mifune announced that the Allied Shinobi Forces were established and called for them to choose a leader.
• The chapter weighed the Kage’s leadership prospects, then contrasted the Fourth Raikage’s speed and power with Issui’s elemental skills and Eye of Heaven.

At the Five Nations' Allied Shinobi Forces meeting, Issui claimed he was the strongest candidate for leader, prompting the Fourth Raikage to challenge him. Their spar began outside in the snow, and after Issui's opening trick failed to put the Raikage at a disadvantage, the Raikage countered with a powerful attack.

• Issui reviewed the powers of the Eye of Heaven and considered himself one of the Shinobi World's strongest shinobi.
• Ōnoki abstained from the leadership decision, and Issui voted for himself, claiming his strength qualified him to lead.
• The Fourth Raikage rejected Issui's claim and challenged him to prove his strength; the other Kage supported a spar to settle the dispute.
• Mifune refereed the match outside, where the Fourth Raikage promised to defend for the first three exchanges while Issui urged him to attack without holding back.
• Issui used Shadow Clones to charge the Raikage, who swiftly destroyed them, while Ōnoki realized the real Issui had hidden underground.
• Issui emerged and grabbed the Raikage's leg with an Earth Release technique, but the Raikage countered by dropping down with a lightning-charged Liger Bomb.

Issui used coordinated Earth and Fire techniques before unleashing an Ice Release field and a multilayered Genjutsu against the Fourth Raikage. The Raikage mistook real and illusory ice snakes for each other, leaving him exposed as the real attack appeared.

• Issui escaped the Fourth Raikage’s strike with a one-handed Substitution Technique, then attacked with combined Earth Release and Fire Style.
• The Fourth Raikage hit Issui with a lightning-fast Lariat, prompting Issui to cover the battlefield in ice that slowed movement.
• Issui concealed himself within the ice and trapped the Raikage and the spectators in a multilayered Genjutsu.
• The Raikage repeatedly destroyed illusory ice snakes before realizing they were fake and stopping his attacks.
• Mei Terumi and Ōnoki recognized that the ice snakes appearing around the motionless Raikage were real.

Issui Kanna defeated the Fourth Raikage, A Yotsuki, by exploiting the limits of his Genjutsu and overpowering him with Ice Release. After accepting the loss, the Raikage acknowledged Issui as a formidable ninja, clearing the way for the Allied Shinobi Forces discussion to continue.

• Issui's real ice snakes injured the Raikage, who destroyed them in anger while Ōnoki, Mei Terumi, and Gaara debated whether he was truly losing control.
• The Raikage realized Issui's Genjutsu only worked within eight meters above the ground, then escaped it in midair and attacked Issui with Super Liger Bomb.
• Issui unleashed Twin Dragon Ice Storm, forming two enormous ice dragons that collided with the Raikage's thundercloud attack.
• After the clash, Issui stood unharmed while the injured Raikage had lost the ability to fight, and Mifune declared Issui the winner.
• The Raikage accepted the defeat, withdrew his earlier insult, and recognized Issui as a formidable opponent and true ninja.

The Kage chose the Raikage to lead the Allied Shinobi Forces after Issui declined the position. Obito appeared, claimed to be Uchiha Madara, declared the Fourth Shinobi World War, and fought the assembled leaders as Issui prepared a counterattack.

• Mifune held a vote for the Allied Shinobi Forces leader, and Issui voted for the Raikage instead of himself.
• With the votes tied, Ōnoki cast the deciding vote for the Raikage, who accepted the leadership role.
• Obito warped into the conference room, evaded the Raikage's attack, and claimed to be Uchiha Madara.
• Issui and Mei Terumi connected Obito to the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha and Yagura's control in Kirigakure.
• Obito declared the Fourth Shinobi World War and exchanged attacks with the Raikage, Mei Terumi, and Ōnoki.
• Issui used Eye of Heaven-Black-Distorting Light to appear behind Obito and attacked him with Amaterasu's black flames.