Chapter Summaries

Hinata agreed to resume missions with Team 7 as Akatsuki’s next move approached, while Kakashi considered the worsening struggle over Impure World Reincarnation. The chapter left Hinata uncertain about the timeline and the planned Joint Chunin Exam.

• Hinata rejected the idea of simply killing Nagato, since Black Zetsu still hoped to use him to revive Madara Uchiha, and agreed to work with Team 7 instead.
• Kakashi arranged for Team 7 to begin taking missions in three days and joked that Naruto’s Genin status meant they would get easy assignments.
• Kakashi reflected on the growing conflict among Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure over Impure World Reincarnation, as Tsunade sent shinobi to gather intelligence and pressure the rival villages.
• Kakashi warned Hinata, Naruto, and Sakura to meet at the Hokage’s Office at nine in the morning three days later before leaving by Body Flicker.
• Hinata wondered when the story’s events were taking place and realized Temari was not in Konoha as she had expected.

Hinata contacted Itachi Uchiha and learned that Akatsuki had already begun its operation to capture the One-Tail. She decided not to interfere with Akatsuki’s larger plans, while the Sealed Space within her continued developing a new life.

• Hinata used the Tenseigan to contact Itachi Uchiha and asked about Akatsuki’s timetable.
• Itachi told Hinata that Sasori and Orochimaru had set out to capture the One-Tail, and that he and Kisame would leave soon.
• Hinata learned that Naruto had returned to Konoha and suggested that Itachi meet him if he had the chance.
• Hinata considered how Akatsuki’s plans could lead to Kaguya Otsutsuki’s revival, then decided to let Black Zetsu handle the planning.
• Hinata noticed that a Tailed Beast-like being called Nascent Soul was forming inside her Sealed Space.

Hinata used Orochimaru’s research on Urashiki to refine her plan to nurture a growing Nascent Soul inside her Sealed Space. She believed the Natural Energy there could sustain its growth and strengthen her, leaving her confident about her future and intent on obtaining Kaguya Otsutsuki’s understanding of the universe.

• Hinata reviewed Orochimaru’s findings that Urashiki’s body had fused with the God Tree and that its chakra-producing substance explained how the Tailed Beasts could endure.
• Hinata connected the God Tree research with Tsunade’s Yin Seal and chakra transformations to develop her idea of cultivating a God Tree within herself as a Jinchuriki.
• Hinata sensed a new life gestating where Natural Energy, life force, and spiritual power converged in her Sealed Space.
• Hinata concluded that her Nascent Soul could grow by absorbing Natural Energy, strengthen her without extending her lifespan, and that the Sealed Space would slow her aging.
• Hinata looked forward to mastering Yomotsu Hirasaka and decided that Kaguya Otsutsuki’s knowledge of the universe was what she still needed.

Hinata reflected on the Hyuga Clan’s growing strength before Tsunade ordered Kakashi’s Team to help Sunagakure rescue Gaara, who Orochimaru and Sasori had abducted. Kakashi hinted that Hinata could fly the team there quickly, leaving her worried that they would catch Akatsuki before it could escape.

• Hinata noted that Hiashi, Neji, and other Hyuga clan members had grown stronger, while the clan had begun sharing secret Gentle Fist techniques with branch family members.
• Hinata imagined relying on Hiashi to protect and support her for thousands of years through her Father Development Plan.
• Tsunade told Kakashi, Naruto, and Hinata that Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands had taken Gaara from Sunagakure.
• Tsunade ordered Kakashi’s Team to support Sunagakure and rescue Gaara, with Might Guy’s group due to join them later.
• Kakashi suggested Naruto persuade Hinata to fly the team to Sunagakure within a day, and Hinata worried that their speed would let them catch Akatsuki quickly.

Hinata urged Orochimaru and Sasori to hurry toward Sunagakure, then flew there with Kakashi and Naruto to support the village. She cured Kankuro’s poisoning with a single Gentle Fist strike and left Chiyo impressed by her skill.

• Hinata warned Orochimaru that Konoha’s team could catch up, prompting Orochimaru and Sasori to pick up their pace.
• Hinata flew to Sunagakure with Kakashi and Naruto, leaving Wind God and Thunder God behind after Kakashi questioned why she had brought them.
• Hinata and the others found Kankuro unconscious and poisoned, while Chiyo admitted she could not create an antidote.
• Hinata used her Byakugan and Natural Energy to strike Kankuro’s chest, forcing the poison out through his back.
• Chiyo recognized Hinata’s exceptional Gentle Fist skill and felt relieved that Hinata seemed a little slow in the head.

After Kankuro recovered, Kakashi organized a mission to rescue Gaara from Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands. Chiyo agreed to accompany the Konoha team, and they planned to set out the next morning.

• Hinata's killing intent frightened the Sand Village medical staff and Chiyo until Kakashi redirected attention to rescuing Gaara.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun to track Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands, and Pakkun left to follow their trail.
• Chiyo explained that Sunagakure could not send many ninja and volunteered to join the rescue mission.
• Kakashi agreed to depart the next morning and suggested they would not need a battle plan.

Hinata, Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo pursued Orochimaru and Sasori after suspecting that someone in Sunagakure had leaked Hinata’s arrival. They found Akatsuki extracting Gaara’s Tailed Beast, and Hinata warned that their sealing object was immensely powerful.

• Pakkun reported that Orochimaru and Sasori had sped up and hidden their tracks, leading Kakashi and Chiyo to suspect a leak from Sunagakure.
• Chiyo reflected on Sunagakure’s decline and revealed that she had accepted Gaara as Kazekage and was prepared to use a secret technique for him.
• Kakashi stopped Naruto from rushing ahead and insisted that the exhausted team rest while Pakkun tracked the enemy.
• After a day and a night of pursuit, Hinata detected Akatsuki extracting Gaara’s Tailed Beast and identified the Rinnegan user among their chakra signatures.
• Hinata warned that Akatsuki’s sealing object was stronger than a Tailed Beast, while Naruto’s anger began to show through his Nine-Tails features.

As Akatsuki extracted Gaara’s One-Tail, Kisame and Itachi used Shapeshifting Technique bodies to delay Kakashi, Hinata, Naruto, and Chiyo. Hinata recognized that the pair were not their real bodies and questioned what Itachi could accomplish without his Mangekyo.

• Zetsu warned Pain that Kakashi and Hinata were approaching, and Kisame volunteered to stall them because of his grudge against Hinata.
• Kisame attacked the group with a massive Water Release technique, while Itachi used Genjutsu and a shuriken against Hinata.
• Hinata flew clear of Kisame’s water, endured Itachi’s attack, and noticed that both enemies’ chakra was abnormal.
• Kakashi helped Naruto escape Kisame’s water sharks, and Hinata warned the others that Kisame and Itachi were not in their real bodies.
• Hinata asked Itachi whether he could use only the Three Tomoe, and he confirmed that his body could not use the Mangekyo.

Hinata fought Itachi Uchiha and defeated him, while Kisame Hoshigaki also lost, leaving Akatsuki struggling to delay the rescuers. As Kakashi, Chiyo, and the others rested outside the cave, Obito appeared and asked them to wait while he put on his Akatsuki uniform.

• Itachi Uchiha used Amaterasu, Genjutsu, and Susanoo against Hinata, but she adapted to the fight and struck him from behind.
• Itachi Uchiha told Hinata to look after Sasuke before he fell, revealing himself to be a disguised substitute.
• Pain learned that Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki had both lost, so he sent Zetsu to notify an unofficial Akatsuki member to stall the rescuers.
• Hinata offered Kakashi and Chiyo a chance to rest, and they stopped despite Naruto's protests.
• Obito appeared in his spiral mask and Akatsuki cloak, then asked the group to wait while he put on his uniform.

Obito officially joined the Akatsuki and tried to stop Hinata, Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo, but his clumsy behavior concealed his mastery of space-time ninjutsu. After Obito blocked their escape routes, Hinata carried the group over him by air.

• Obito thanked Hinata and the others for helping him earn an official place in the Akatsuki and said his mission was to stop them.
• Naruto attacked Obito with a Rasengan, but Obito tripped him, and Kakashi's Lightning Cutter passed through Obito's body.
• Hinata confirmed Obito was physically present, while Chiyo recognized his evasions as space-time ninjutsu.
• Obito kicked a rock toward Naruto as an Earth Release attack, then hurt his foot and hopped in pain.
• Hinata, Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo tried to flee in different directions, but Obito used space-time ninjutsu to block them.
• Kakashi told Hinata to carry the group over Obito, and Hinata used chakra arms and wings to fly them above him.

Obito captured Naruto to force Hinata, Kakashi, and Chiyo to choose between rescuing him and saving Gaara, but Kakashi and Hinata exploited a weakness in Kamui and freed Naruto. Obito was left unable to escape while they kept attacking him.

• Obito appeared behind Naruto and used Kamui to capture him, then threatened to kill him unless the others obeyed.
• Kakashi warned Hinata not to let Obito touch her and ordered her to cover him while Chiyo analyzed Obito’s ability.
• Kakashi attacked Obito continuously, and Naruto struck Obito with a Rasengan from inside the separate dimension, forcing Obito to release him.
• Hinata used a Spiral Light Ray to interrupt Obito’s attempt to retreat with Kamui.
• Kakashi and Hinata realized they could keep Obito from escaping by attacking him without pause.

Obito escaped after Hinata exposed the limits of his Kamui, and Hinata’s team reached the cave where Gaara was being held. Before they could remove the Five Seal Barrier, Hinata warned that it might have a dangerous hidden effect.

• Obito withdrew underground after his Kamui was exposed, and Kakashi recognized his space-time ninjutsu as the technique used to take Sasuke from Konoha.
• Hinata reminded Naruto that their mission was to rescue Gaara, and the team found the cave entrance blocked by a boulder and the Five Seal Barrier.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to locate the barrier’s other four talismans and saw that Gaara had fallen unconscious inside with Orochimaru and Sasori.
• Naruto struck the boulder with a Great Ball Rasengan, but the barrier remained intact, and Kakashi explained that all five talismans had to be removed simultaneously.
• Hinata warned Kakashi and Chiyo that the barrier was not ordinary and urged them not to remove its talismans recklessly.

Hinata broke Akatsuki’s barrier and entered the cave with Kakashi, Naruto, and Chiyo, where they found Gaara apparently dead beside Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands. Orochimaru offered to take Hinata outside while Sasori dealt with Naruto, leaving Hinata to decide whether to follow.

• Hinata warned Kakashi, Naruto, and Chiyo that breaking the barrier could create powerful copies, then used her Tenseigan and a chakra strike to destroy it.
• Hinata, Kakashi, Naruto, and Chiyo entered the cave and found Gaara on the ground with Orochimaru and Sasori of the Red Sands watching them.
• Naruto raged over Gaara’s apparent death, while Hinata reflected on her fading ability to feel grief for Naruto and Kakashi.
• Orochimaru and Sasori discussed separating Naruto from Hinata so they could pursue their respective targets.
• Orochimaru kicked Gaara, claimed the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki for Sasori, and urged Hinata to follow him outside, implying that Kakashi would be threatened if she refused.

Hinata left Sasori and Chiyo to face their painful conflict and waited outside with Orochimaru, who avoided fighting to keep his Impure World Reincarnation secret. As the battle continued in the cave, Hinata bet that Konoha's side would win, while Orochimaru refused to wager.

• Hinata reflected on Chiyo's choice between her grandson Sasori and Sunagakure, then left the cave to find Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru told Hinata they would wait for the battle to end rather than fight, since he did not want to reveal the truth about Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hinata asked what she should tell Konoha about their agreement, and Orochimaru said Tsunade would understand.
• Orochimaru sent a small snake toward the cave and asked Hinata to guess who would survive the battle.
• Hinata bet one billion that Konoha's side would win, but Orochimaru refused to wager.

Hinata and Orochimaru discussed the battle against Sasori and the secrets of chakra while watching from afar. Naruto destroyed the Third Kazekage puppet, leaving Sasori on the verge of defeat, and Orochimaru invited Hinata to research how emotions could unleash hidden power.

• Hinata and Orochimaru watched Sasori's Iron Sand overwhelm Naruto, Kakashi, and Chiyo as they discussed whether Naruto might use the Nine-Tails' power.
• Hinata wagered that Naruto would destroy the Third Kazekage puppet, while Orochimaru explained that the puppet could draw iron ore from underground to strengthen its attacks.
• Orochimaru told Hinata that chakra might let Hashirama influence Obito, and suggested summoning Madara to deal with him.
• Naruto shattered the Third Kazekage puppet with a Great Ball Rasengan, causing its Iron Sand barrier to collapse and leaving Sasori at a disadvantage.
• Orochimaru proposed that he and Hinata study how intense emotions could draw out a ninja's hidden power.

Chiyo and Sasori of the Red Sands unleashed their ultimate puppet techniques as Kakashi and Naruto helped turn the battle against Sasori. Hinata discussed collecting Sasori’s puppet research and Akatsuki’s clashing goals with Orochimaru before he left as the battle neared its end.

• Chiyo summoned the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, and Sasori of the Red Sands answered with his Hundred Puppets technique.
• Hinata watched the puppet battle and asked Orochimaru to collect Sasori’s Puppet Technique materials after Sasori died.
• Hinata told Orochimaru she wanted to develop puppets for everyday uses and transportation rather than combat.
• Hinata explained that Akatsuki’s plans would eventually divide its members, since Nagato, Obito Uchiha, and Black Zetsu had different goals.
• Orochimaru warned that the battle was nearly over, then sank into the ground and left.

Hinata witnessed Chiyo prepare to sacrifice her life to revive Gaara and realized that Naruto’s emotional influence could amplify feelings in those who resonated with him. After regaining control of her emotions, Hinata saw the world differently again.

• Hinata returned to the cave and found Sasori dead, Chiyo devastated, and Naruto grieving over Gaara.
• Naruto blamed Sunagakure for Gaara’s suffering, and Chiyo declared that she would revive him with the Life-Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to see Chiyo guide her life force into Gaara.
• Kakashi explained Naruto’s ability to connect with others, making Hinata question whether her emotions had been influenced by Asura’s chakra.
• Hinata reasoned that Asura’s chakra amplified emotions through resonance, then broke free of its influence and saw the world change.

Hinata, Naruto, and Kakashi left Sunagakure after Gaara was revived and Chiyo was buried. Kakashi pretended to be incapacitated so Might Guy would carry him, but Hinata expected the trip back to Konoha to land him in the hospital for at least half a month.

• Hinata watched Gaara awaken and reflected on the tragedy of Chiyo and Sasori.
• Hinata, Naruto, and Kakashi attended Chiyo's funeral, where Naruto argued with Sand Ninja over Gaara's treatment.
• Naruto and Gaara said goodbye at Sunagakure's outskirts after swearing a close bond.
• Kakashi collapsed after leaving the village and asked Naruto to carry him, claiming the Sharingan had left him unable to move.
• Might Guy and his team arrived, and Might Guy carried Kakashi while Rock Lee carried Naruto in a race toward Konoha.
• Hinata told Neji and Tenten that Kakashi might need at least half a month in the hospital after Might Guy carried him back.

Obito and Black Zetsu assessed their competing plans for Nagato and the threat posed by Orochimaru and Hinata. On the road back to Konoha, Hinata decided to use the Tenseigan’s Spirit Ball to control Nagato, but remained unsure how she could obtain all nine Tailed Beast chakra sources before Madara Uchiha’s revival.

• Obito found the Jade ring and asked Black Zetsu to help him pass the Akatsuki leader’s test.
• Obito questioned Black Zetsu about Orochimaru and suspected that Black Zetsu, Orochimaru, and Hinata had joined forces.
• Obito concluded he needed to eliminate Orochimaru or Nagato and planned to rely on Sasuke before leaving through Kamui.
• Black Zetsu told White Zetsu that Hinata’s power surpassed Nagato’s and looked forward to Kaguya Otsutsuki’s revival.
• Hinata considered using the Tenseigan’s Spirit Ball to control Nagato and speed up the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan.
• Hinata worried that Black Zetsu might withhold even one of the Nine Tailed Beasts’ chakra sources from her.

Sasuke left Obito’s hideout after Obito told him Akatsuki had begun moving and Naruto had returned to Konoha. In Konoha, Tsunade and Shizune investigated Sasuke’s reappearance and suspected the Masked Man’s history might involve a hidden Mangekyō user, then Tsunade went to check on Kakashi.

• Sasuke woke in Obito’s hideout, and Obito told him he was strong enough to kill Itachi and that Akatsuki had begun moving.
• Sasuke accepted the news, left Obito, and remained intent on taking Itachi’s eyes to become stronger.
• Tsunade reviewed a report that Sasuke had reappeared while Shizune warned that his return could be an Akatsuki trap.
• Tsunade and Shizune connected the Masked Man to past events in Konoha and considered whether he was concealing a Mangekyō user or serving someone else.
• Tsunade decided to visit Kakashi at the hospital and ordered Shizune to bring Hinata and Naruto.