Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya visited Mount Myōboku to investigate the history of the Sage of Six Paths and returned with records that matched the Genjutsu Hinata had seen. Meanwhile, Black Zetsu planned to use the battlefield to draw out enemies from beyond this world by blaming the ancient conflict on Hamura.

• Jiraiya summoned Gamachu to bring him back after an hour, then traveled to Mount Myōboku to investigate the historical records.
• At the battlefield where Hinata, Sasuke, and Himawari had fought Urashiki, Black Zetsu judged Hinata’s strength and explained why she would not side with them if they fought Konoha.
• Black Zetsu decided to use the battlefield to draw out enemies from beyond this world and said they would pin the ancient battle on Hamura.
• Jiraiya returned to the inn and told Hinata that Mount Myōboku’s records said the Ten-Tails was the Sage of Six Paths’ mother, whom he had sealed before becoming its Jinchuriki.
• Hinata noted that the records matched the Genjutsu and suspected Mount Myōboku had concealed the truth about the Sage of Six Paths, his family, and Natural Energy.

Hinata returned to Konoha after reporting her findings about the Otsutsuki and the Three Great Sage Regions to Tsunade. Tsunade showed her classified intelligence about powerful cells stolen from the battlefield where Urashiki was sealed, and Hinata suspected Black Zetsu and Obito were involved.

• Hinata decided she would target Ryūchi Cave first, leave Shikkotsu Forest until after Tsunade's death, and postpone planting trees in the Shinobi World until her friends and relatives had died.
• Hinata said goodbye to Naruto and Jiraiya, then spent more than a month sightseeing and eating before returning to Konoha.
• Hinata reported to Tsunade what she, Jiraiya, and Naruto had learned, and Tsunade rebuked her for taking fifty-four days to return.
• Tsunade gave Hinata a classified file revealing that Konoha had found unusually vital cells at Urashiki's sealing battlefield, but the substance had been stolen.
• Hinata concluded Urashiki had left no cells behind and suspected Black Zetsu had taken cells from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path for Obito to steal.

Hinata and Tsunade discussed evidence of a conspiracy involving powerful enemies beyond the Shinobi World and the gathering of the Tailed Beasts. After returning home, Hinata considered the Three Great Sage Regions’ hidden influence and resolved to grow stronger so her plans would not depend on her enemies.

• Tsunade and Hinata compared the battlefield destruction in the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers and suspected that one side in the Land of Fire battle might be behind a conspiracy.
• Tsunade explained that the Five Great Shinobi Villages would likely seek to gather the Nine Tailed Beasts to oppose powerful enemies beyond the world.
• Hinata suggested sending the intelligence to Jiraiya, and Tsunade said she had already notified him.
• Tsunade sent Hinata home to rest and study the theoretical knowledge required of a Jonin.
• Hinata speculated that the Three Great Sage Regions had concealed knowledge of Natural Energy and might be waiting to act against her and Black Zetsu at a critical moment.
• At home, Hinata decided she needed to become stronger than anyone else, then postponed training until after she had rested.

In April of Year 61, Hinata studied Konoha’s Sealing Jutsu while preparing for a likely mission to pursue Orochimaru. Her cooperation with Black Zetsu advanced, and she continued building the skills she hoped to use against powerful sealing techniques.

• Hinata reflected on her new Jonin status and focused on learning the fundamentals of Sealing Jutsu rather than choosing a forbidden technique.
• Hinata learned that Neji and Shino had become Chunin, and she regretted missing the chance to give them a hard time during the exams.
• Hinata and Black Zetsu agreed to pursue a plan involving Orochimaru, with White Zetsu investigating his location and Konoha likely sending Hinata after him.
• Black Zetsu explained that Pain should invite Orochimaru and asked Hinata to lose if they fought, so Nagato would retain confidence in his power.
• Hinata studied Sealing Jutsu at the Hyuga residence and practiced techniques including the Fire Seal Method, Evil Sealing Method, and Darkness Sealing Method.

Hinata encouraged Sakura to explore Medical Ninjutsu alongside Genjutsu and taijutsu before an emergency Jonin assembly interrupted their training. Tsunade revealed that Konoha had intelligence on Orochimaru and announced an operation to eliminate him.

• Hinata found Sakura training at her secret ground and suggested that Sakura study Medical Ninjutsu to develop her Yin-Yang Release talent.
• Sakura agreed to ask Teacher Kurenai about learning Medical Ninjutsu, and Hinata offered to train taijutsu with her.
• A Ninja Hawk signaled an emergency Jonin assembly, and Hinata flew to the Hokage Building, circling it before entering the conference room.
• Tsunade told the assembled Jonin that Konoha had intelligence on Orochimaru and planned to wipe him out now that the Land of Rice no longer held the village back.

Tsunade’s jonin meeting planned a mission to investigate Orochimaru and discussed countermeasures for his forbidden jutsu, especially Impure World Reincarnation. Hinata, Kakashi, and Nara Saltwater left for the Land of Waterfall to locate Orochimaru’s secret base.

• Shikaku Nara proposed gathering elite shinobi and Anbu at the border while a reconnaissance team confirmed Orochimaru’s whereabouts.
• Tsunade assigned Hinata, Kakashi, and Nara Saltwater to investigate, with Kakashi set to alert the action team once they confirmed Orochimaru’s intelligence.
• Hinata warned the jonin that Orochimaru could use some jutsu without hand seals and should be treated as if he were at his peak.
• Kakashi described how Impure World Reincarnation’s dead could recover from injuries and never tire, and Tsunade said Sealing Jutsu could restrain them.
• After the meeting established a battle plan, Hinata, Kakashi, and Nara Saltwater left Konoha for the Land of Waterfall.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to observe a poor town in the Land of Waterfall, where bandits and poor security hindered development.

Hinata and Kakashi infiltrated Orochimaru’s hidden base and mapped its terrain, but a sensory barrier prevented them from entering undetected. After the operation force arrived and sealed off possible escape routes, Inoichi Yamanaka planned an elite squad’s surprise attack, with Hinata and Kakashi assigned to join it.

• Hinata told Kakashi and Nara Saltwater that Orochimaru’s base held about two hundred people, including Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Sasuke, and imprisoned test subjects.
• Hinata and Kakashi entered the waterfall-hidden cave and used Hinata’s vision to map the base’s layout.
• Hinata spotted a sensory barrier, so Kakashi called off the infiltration before it could alert Orochimaru.
• Kakashi and Hinata sent the base’s intelligence to the operation forces and waited for reinforcements.
• Earth Release shinobi surrounded the base, and Inoichi Yamanaka proposed an elite squad’s surprise attack while the main force blocked Orochimaru’s escape.
• Inoichi Yamanaka agreed that Hinata and Kakashi should join the surprise attack squad.

Hinata and Kakashi attacked Orochimaru in his secret base, and Hinata blasted his body apart with a powerful chakra beam. Orochimaru emerged from his remains, but the base collapsed and buried him, Hinata, and Kakashi as Inoichi Yamanaka’s unit watched in shock.

• Kakashi told Hinata that Konoha’s forces had completed their encirclement and that they would attack Orochimaru directly.
• Orochimaru sensed Hinata and Kakashi entering the base and sent Kabuto Yakushi toward Sasuke’s side before confronting them.
• Kakashi rushed Orochimaru with Lightning Cutter, but Hinata pulled him behind her with her bootleg Susanoo.
• Hinata used Sage Art—Makankosappo to blast Orochimaru apart and slice through the base and mountain.
• Orochimaru crawled out of his remains, but the base collapsed and buried him, Hinata, and Kakashi while Inoichi Yamanaka’s unit watched.

Hinata destroyed Orochimaru’s mountain hideout while helping him escape Konoha’s encirclement, but discovered that he had stayed behind and was preparing to fight her with Impure World Reincarnation. The chapter ended with Hinata and Kakashi confronting Orochimaru as Kakashi warned that Orochimaru had more power in reserve.

• Inoichi Yamanaka completed Konoha’s encirclement of Orochimaru’s base and waited for Kakashi and Hinata to gather intelligence.
• Hinata unleashed a Spiral Chakra Beam that split the mountain, then detonated Natural Energy to break apart the ruins and disrupt Konoha’s encirclement.
• Hinata flew out of the rubble carrying Kakashi, but saw that Orochimaru had not escaped and had recovered with Kabuto Yakushi’s help.
• Hinata and Kakashi landed to confront Orochimaru, who had summoned two coffins using Impure World Reincarnation.
• Kakashi warned Hinata that Orochimaru might still be holding back, while Orochimaru mocked Kakashi for carefully probing his abilities.

Hinata and Kakashi faced Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation summons, the Second Tsuchikage Mu and Third Raikage A. After testing their weakened abilities, Hinata attacked Orochimaru and pursued him while Kakashi fought A.

• Orochimaru summoned the Second Tsuchikage Mu and Third Raikage A, surprising Kakashi and alarming Inoichi Yamanaka’s forces.
• Mu tried to use Dust Release on Hinata and Kakashi, but Hinata shattered his body before he could attack.
• A launched a surprise strike at Hinata, who knocked him into a crater with her chakra wings.
• Hinata’s Spiral Light Ray badly damaged Orochimaru, who escaped by shedding his body and fleeing as a black shadow.
• Hinata shattered Mu again, told Inoichi Yamanaka to seal the summons, and chased after Orochimaru while Kakashi fought A.

Orochimaru used Hashirama Cell-enhanced sacrifices to summon the Second Tsuchikage, Third Raikage, and Third Kazekage with the Impure World Reincarnation to fight Hinata. As the revived Kage resisted Orochimaru’s control and threatened Hinata, Black Zetsu and Obito prepared to exploit the jutsu and act after the battle.

• Orochimaru fled to Kabuto Yakushi and ordered him to use three prepared sacrifices for the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hinata noticed the sacrifices were fused with White Zetsu-like material and waited as the revived figures emerged.
• The Second Tsuchikage, Third Raikage, and Third Kazekage revived, while Orochimaru struggled to control them and declared the fight’s second round.
• Hinata tried to provoke the three Kage into breaking free, but they considered killing her for their villages.
• Black Zetsu decided Orochimaru’s enhanced jutsu might help summon Madara Uchiha and sent White Zetsu to notify Nagato.
• Obito told Nagato they would act as soon as Orochimaru and Konoha’s battle produced a victor.

Konan worried that Nagato was being manipulated by Madara, while Black Zetsu went to the battlefield to warn Hinata not to let Nagato fail. Hinata was trapped in a difficult fight against the Second Tsuchikage, Third Raikage, and Third Kazekage, but began planning how to defeat and seal them one at a time.

• Konan believed Madara was using Nagato, whose faith in becoming the next Sage of Six Paths left him vulnerable to failure.
• Black Zetsu left to gather intelligence and intended to warn Hinata that Nagato could not be allowed to fail.
• The Second Tsuchikage, Third Raikage, and Third Kazekage attacked Hinata together, using Dust Release, Iron Sand, and the Raikage's speed to keep her from sealing them.
• Hinata escaped their attacks but recognized that the revived Kage's endless chakra and teamwork had trapped her in a bitter battle.
• Hinata identified the Second Tsuchikage as the weakest link and planned to exploit the scar on the Third Raikage's chest to create a chance to seal him.

Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka attacked Orochimaru while Hinata fought the resurrected Kage. Hinata sealed the Third Raikage, but Orochimaru resisted Inoichi’s attempt to make him undo Impure World Reincarnation as the Third Kazekage wounded Konoha’s attackers.

• Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka assembled Jonin and Anbu to help Inoichi control Orochimaru and stop Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hinata redirected the Third Raikage’s One-Finger Nukite into his own chest, then wrapped him in scrolls and sealed him.
• Inoichi used the Mind Disturbance Body Technique on Orochimaru and discovered that his repeated soul-splitting had left him vulnerable.
• Kakashi blocked Kabuto Yakushi from reaching Orochimaru while Inoichi ordered Orochimaru to undo Impure World Reincarnation.
• The Third Kazekage sent iron spikes up from beneath the ground, killing three Anbu and wounding others as Orochimaru resisted Inoichi.

Hinata destroyed the Third Kazekage and the Second Tsuchikage before they could threaten Konoha’s forces, then headed toward Orochimaru as Zetsu signaled that Nagato was about to act. Zetsu discussed the extent of Hinata’s strength and left to join Nagato.

• The Second Tsuchikage tried to keep Hinata away from Konoha’s endangered ninja, but Hinata formed the Knockoff Susanoo and said she was faster than him.
• The Third Kazekage targeted Inoichi Yamanaka, Kakashi, and the other Konoha ninja with Iron Sand, but Hinata blasted him apart with the Makankosappo.
• The Second Tsuchikage split into two bodies and launched Dust Release, but Hinata’s two Spiral Chakra Beams struck before he could hit her.
• Hinata flew toward Orochimaru after noticing Zetsu’s signal, and Zetsu told White Zetsu that Nagato was about to make his move.

Hinata and the Konoha shinobi cornered Orochimaru, but he escaped with Kabuto and encountered Pain, who offered him a way out by inviting him back into Akatsuki. The chapter ended with Orochimaru accepting Pain’s offer as Konoha’s pursuers arrived.

• Inoichi Yamanaka struggled to hold Orochimaru with his ninjutsu while Hinata prepared to attack, but Orochimaru’s mental snake broke Inoichi’s control and he escaped with Kabuto Yakushi.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda to flee, but Hinata blasted through Manda’s head and destroyed the Reverse Summoning formula Orochimaru had placed on him.
• Orochimaru fled with Kabuto while Hinata, Kakashi, Inoichi, and other Konoha shinobi pursued them.
• Pain appeared ahead of Orochimaru, who realized Akatsuki had used Konoha to drive him into a desperate position.
• Pain told Orochimaru that he had come to invite him back into Akatsuki, and Orochimaru accepted as Konoha’s shinobi arrived.

Obito questioned Zetsu’s hidden motives while leaving Konan behind, and Hinata prepared to face Pain while trying to hold back her strength. Pain opened the confrontation by unleashing Shinra Tensei against the Konoha group.

• Konan challenged Obito’s motives, and he argued that their goals were aligned while warning her about Hinata’s strength.
• Obito privately suspected Zetsu was concealing a plan involving Hinata, then vanished and left the area to Konan and Zetsu.
• Hinata worried that her displayed power could make it difficult to go easy on Pain, while Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka declared that Konoha would take Orochimaru back.
• Pain raised his hand and used Shinra Tensei, sending a devastating wave of repulsive force through the forest toward the Konoha group.

Hinata saved Kakashi and the Konoha ninja from Pain’s Shinra Tensei, and the survivors recognized the Rinnegan as a major threat. As Konoha prepared to withdraw and investigate, Nagato resolved to risk overtaxing his body to kill Hinata before she grew stronger.

• Hinata used chakra arms to carry Kakashi and the Konoha ninja out of Pain’s Shinra Tensei, which flattened the surrounding area.
• Orochimaru praised Hinata’s talent, while Pain declared that a genius was insignificant before a god.
• Kakashi and Inoichi Yamanaka identified Pain’s eyes as the Rinnegan and ordered the remaining ninja to withdraw while they continued investigating with Hinata.
• Orochimaru stayed behind to witness the Rinnegan’s abilities, while Kabuto Yakushi went to find Sasuke.
• Konan returned to Nagato’s hiding place and warned him that using Shinra Tensei had strained his body.
• Nagato decided that he would use a technique that could overtax his body to eliminate Hinata and protect Akatsuki’s plans.

Hinata and Kakashi fought Pain and Orochimaru, but the Six Paths of Pain joined the battle and revealed the scale of Nagato’s power. Hinata identified the bodies as controlled puppets, but she could not locate their hidden original owner.

• Hinata attacked Pain with her Spiral Light Ray, while Pain’s attempt to use Banshō Ten'in was redirected toward Orochimaru by Inoichi Yamanaka’s Mind Disturbance Body Technique.
• The Rinnegan overwhelmed Inoichi Yamanaka’s mental energy, leaving him gravely injured and unconscious.
• Kakashi attacked Pain with Shadow Clones and Lightning Cutter, but Pain repelled him and a missile destroyed one clone; Hinata’s Spiral Light Ray pierced a summoned Hellhound but failed to hit Pain.
• Five more orange-haired Rinnegan wielders appeared and attacked Kakashi’s clones, forcing Kakashi and Hinata to regroup.
• Hinata deduced that the six Rinnegan wielders were controlled bodies and that the original owner was nearby, while Pain announced he would punish her.
• Kakashi asked Hinata to find Pain’s original body, but she said it was beyond her sensing range and concealed by ninjutsu.

Hinata and Kakashi analyzed the limits of the Six Paths of Pain before Hinata launched an attack, destroying Preta Path Pain with an overload of Sage Chakra. Nagato recognized Hinata as a growing threat and ordered the remaining Pains to attack her.

• Hinata explained to Kakashi that splitting the Rinnegan’s abilities among six bodies weakened their effectiveness, and Kakashi suspected the original body was restricted.
• Pain warned Hinata and Kakashi that knowing too much was dangerous, and Hinata took the lead while Kakashi prepared to create an opening.
• Hinata fired a Sage Chakra-powered Spiral Light Ray at the Six Paths of Pain, but Deva Path Pain used Shinra Tensei to slow it and Preta Path Pain tried to absorb it.
• Hinata continued pouring Sage Chakra into Preta Path Pain until his body expanded and exploded.
• Nagato recognized Hinata’s strength and decided she threatened his plans, while Konan urged him to retreat.
• Nagato refused to back down, and the Hellhound, Animal Path Pain’s summons, and Asura Path Pain’s Chakra cannon attacked Hinata.

Hinata overwhelmed the Six Paths of Pain and Orochimaru with a storm of Chakra Fists, while Obito speculated that a powerful hidden figure was responsible for her abnormal growth. Hinata reached Deva Path Pain as Nagato began using Planetary Devastation.

• Hinata unleashed hundreds of Chakra Fists, destroying most of the Paths of Pain and forcing Orochimaru to escape behind Triple Rashomon.
• Hinata found Deva Path Pain inside the Hellhound's mouth, while Kakashi lay unconscious after being thrown by the blasts.
• White Zetsu and Black Zetsu assessed Hinata's strength and decided to leave Nagato to Obito.
• Obito watched Hinata's battle and imagined that someone more powerful than Madara Uchiha was secretly empowering her.
• Hinata formed an imitation Susanoo around herself and saw Nagato use Planetary Devastation.