Recaps

Sasuke secured permission to meet Itachi as he left Akatsuki and planned to deal with Orochimaru. Tsunade ordered Jiraiya to stay in Konoha to protect Naruto, while Itachi withdrew from the tailed-beast sealing and Akatsuki agreed to let him return to Konoha afterward.

• Kakashi trained Naruto in Chakra control and Clone Technique, while Sasuke continued studying the Immortality Seal.
• After learning that Akatsuki had captured the Five-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails, Sasuke told Itachi to delay the sealing and return to Konoha.
• Sasuke got permission from Tsunade to leave the village, meet Itachi, and help deal with Orochimaru.
• Tsunade told Jiraiya to stay in Konoha and protect Naruto, and Jiraiya questioned her suspicions about Sasuke.
• Itachi withdrew from the Five-Tails sealing, and Akatsuki's leader said they would let him go to Konoha after sealing the three tailed beasts.

Sasuke and Itachi reunited in a forest after Itachi left Akatsuki, and they discussed their plans for Danzo, Orochimaru, and Konoha. They agreed to stay near each other and wait for Orochimaru’s attack before returning to deal with Danzo.

• Sasuke left Konoha to meet Itachi while Danzo stayed hidden and waited for another chance to act.
• Itachi departed from Akatsuki, and its members assumed he had gone to settle matters with Sasuke.
• Sasuke and Itachi met in a forest and agreed that Itachi would stay in the Uchiha Clan shrine before returning to Konoha with him.
• Sasuke explained that his Chakra was unstable and draining away, and Itachi offered to stay nearby in case Sasuke was attacked.
• Itachi gave Sasuke a scroll containing intelligence on Orochimaru’s bases, and they planned to leave early to confront Orochimaru when he attacked Konoha.
• Sasuke decided they would watch Konoha from outside after dealing with Orochimaru and thought about preventing Obito Uchiha from taking the Rinnegan.

Sasuke brought Itachi back to Konoha in secret, where Itachi began rebuilding the Uchiha Shrine while Sasuke sought intelligence on Orochimaru. As Akatsuki prepared to capture the last two tailed beasts, Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed Naruto’s recovery and the Uchiha brothers’ quiet activities.

• Sasuke brought Itachi to the ruined Uchiha Shrine and asked him to oversee its reconstruction, then told Sakura that Itachi had officially returned to Konoha in secret.
• Sasuke and Itachi met Tsunade at night; Itachi agreed to remain out of public view, and Sasuke received Konoha’s intelligence on Orochimaru.
• Itachi visited the Uchiha memorial tablets at the Family Estate, then returned to the shrine as reconstruction began and placed the tablets there.
• Akatsuki completed sealing three tailed beasts, and Pain assigned Tobi to capture the Eight-Tails, himself to capture the Nine-Tails, and Zetsu to gather intelligence.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed Naruto’s recovery and possible Sage Mode training, while Jiraiya planned to consult the Toad Sage at Mount Myoboku.

Sasuke and Itachi left Konoha to hunt down Orochimaru, beginning with his northern base to recruit a sensory ninja and destroy the facility. They found Karin guarding a prison, and after Sasuke urged her to release the inmates, she opened every cell as Itachi guarded the entrance.

• Itachi warned Sasuke that Akatsuki would likely act soon, and Sasuke decided to leave the next day to kill Orochimaru and destroy his bases.
• Sasuke received Tsunade’s permission to leave Konoha for one month, then told Sakura he was going away.
• Sasuke and Itachi traveled to Orochimaru’s northern base, hoping to recruit Karin and Jugo before continuing their search.
• Sasuke and Itachi entered the base and found Karin at the prison controls, with many dangerous prisoners locked in the surrounding cells.
• Karin recognized Sasuke and Itachi and warned them to leave, but Sasuke told her to release the prisoners.
• Karin opened every cell, and Sasuke told Itachi to guard the entrance so none of the inmates could escape.

Sasuke and Itachi slaughtered the prisoners who attacked them and found Jugo in the prison. Sasuke subdued Jugo and recruited him and Karin to join Itachi’s team as they searched for Orochimaru.

• Sasuke used Water Release and his sword to kill most of the prisoners, while Itachi burned those who tried to escape through the entrance.
• Karin fled to Jugo’s room and begged him to help, but Sasuke and Itachi soon caught up with her.
• Jugo lost control and attacked Sasuke, who caught his punch and subdued him with Thunderclap Chains.
• Sasuke told Jugo he would become Itachi’s subordinate, and Karin agreed to join as a sensory ninja.
• Sasuke asked Karin where Orochimaru was, but she claimed she did not know.

Sasuke led Itachi, Jugo, and Karin to Orochimaru’s hideout to settle their old score and claim his research materials. After Orochimaru sent Kabuto away, Sasuke faced him outside, and the fight was about to begin.

• Sasuke explained how Jugo could balance his Yin Release Chakra with Yang Attribute Chakra and told Karin she could train as a medical ninja.
• The group reached Orochimaru’s hideout, where Karin sensed Orochimaru and Kabuto inside, and Sasuke rested until morning.
• Orochimaru sensed the group approaching, recognized Itachi, and sent Kabuto through a hidden exit to escape.
• Sasuke, Itachi, Jugo, Karin, and Orochimaru met at the entrance and agreed to fight outside so Orochimaru’s research materials would not be damaged.
• Sasuke told Orochimaru he wanted to settle their past score and take his research materials, then challenged Orochimaru’s weakened spiritual power and resistance to Genjutsu.

Sasuke rejected Orochimaru’s offer to work together, explained their different pursuits, and challenged him to show the results of three years of training. Sasuke gained the Kusanagi Sword and pushed Orochimaru into a fight with successive attacks, but the battle continued as Orochimaru dodged Sasuke’s Earth Release.

• Sasuke told Orochimaru that he pursued the limits of the human body through training and ninjutsu, while Orochimaru sought power through forbidden techniques and body alteration.
• Sasuke charged Orochimaru, cut through his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, and fought him in close combat while restraining his speed and strength.
• Sasuke severed Orochimaru’s right arm, destroyed it with Thunderclap Chains, and took the Kusanagi Sword after cutting Orochimaru’s connection to it.
• Orochimaru shed his body and summoned a swarm of snakes, but Sasuke stopped them with Thousand-Faced Wind Blades.
• Sasuke used Earth Style: Earth Spike to attack Orochimaru with erupting spikes, and Orochimaru dodged among them.

Sasuke used combined Wind and Earth techniques to damage Orochimaru, but Orochimaru repeatedly escaped by emerging in new bodies. As their battle continued, Sasuke countered Orochimaru’s close-range attacks and began using Earth Flow River.

• Sasuke combined Wind Release: Pressure Damage with earth spikes, piercing Orochimaru with Wind Needle Dance.
• Orochimaru emerged from a new body, and Sasuke struck him with Rasenshuriken, forcing him to use another replacement body at a heavy Chakra cost.
• Sasuke rejected Orochimaru’s attempt to provoke him into calling Itachi for help, and Orochimaru charged into close combat.
• Sasuke cut apart Orochimaru’s snakes with Kunai and used trailing wires to try to restrain him, but Orochimaru escaped the wires.
• Sasuke leaped back and used Earth Release: Earth Flow River against Orochimaru’s crawling form.

Sasuke and Orochimaru continued their battle, with Sasuke using varied techniques to destroy Orochimaru’s bodies and counter his attacks. After Sasuke stopped Orochimaru’s tiny snakes with lightning chains, he prepared to keep fighting with ninjutsu.

• Sasuke drove Orochimaru back with Earth and Fire Release attacks, but Orochimaru shed his charred body and emerged again.
• Orochimaru attacked Sasuke with his stretched neck and a venomous snake, but Sasuke’s Lightning Armor destroyed the snake and his lightning chakra killed another of Orochimaru’s bodies.
• Sasuke trapped Orochimaru with weapons and wire, then set off Exploding Tags that left Orochimaru dusty and bleeding around the ears.
• Orochimaru sent giant snakes at Sasuke with Twin Snakes Mutual Killing, but Sasuke cut them apart and used Thunderclap Chains to burn up the tiny snakes that emerged.
• Sasuke stopped advancing and prepared to attack Orochimaru with ninjutsu instead.

Sasuke used Earth and Wind Release, then Lightning Release and a sealing technique against Orochimaru, who repeatedly escaped bodily destruction through strange ninjutsu. As their battle continued, both summoned enormous creatures and faced off atop them.

• Sasuke trapped Orochimaru among spiked walls and used Wind Release to hurl him into them, but Orochimaru emerged unharmed from a new body.
• Sasuke and Orochimaru discussed Orochimaru’s plan to wear Sasuke down and take his body, while Itachi warned Karin to search the area for signs of an escape plan.
• Sasuke pierced Orochimaru with Chidori Sharp Spear and bound him with Thunderclap Chains, but Orochimaru escaped through a small white snake and reformed nearby.
• Sasuke questioned Orochimaru’s insistence on living at any cost, then formed seals as Orochimaru did the same.
• Sasuke and Orochimaru used the Summoning Technique simultaneously, bringing forth a giant eagle and a giant snake and standing atop their heads.

Sasuke and Eagle Fury attacked Orochimaru and Manda with powerful combined ninjutsu, then Sasuke cut Manda apart with Amaterasu and pierced Orochimaru with a Water Release technique. Orochimaru remained composed despite his injury and acknowledged Sasuke’s Mangekyo Amaterasu and ability to change bodies.

• Manda appeared and threatened Orochimaru, but Eagle Fury attacked it with wind techniques while Sasuke prepared to fight.
• Sasuke and Eagle Fury combined Fire and Wind Release attacks, forcing Orochimaru to summon Triple Rashomon to block them.
• Sasuke and Eagle Fury launched a second combined attack from above, burning Manda and leaving it badly injured while Orochimaru hid inside its mouth.
• Sasuke used Amaterasu to form a giant black flaming blade that split Manda into several segments.
• Sasuke struck Orochimaru with Hard Vortex Water Blade, piercing his body, and Orochimaru recognized the Amaterasu and remarked on Sasuke’s abilities.

Sasuke defeated Orochimaru inside his body-transfer space and destroyed the reserve bodies that sustained his immortality. Orochimaru emerged in his White Serpent form and unleashed the Eight Branches Technique, leaving Sasuke and Itachi facing his strongest attack.

• Orochimaru trapped Sasuke in his body-transfer space and tried to take his body, but Sasuke used Amaterasu to burn the space and Orochimaru’s reserve bodies.
• Sasuke asked Orochimaru about the fake Fourth Hokage coffin, and Orochimaru explained that it had distracted Hiruzen Sarutobi while he summoned the First and Second Hokage.
• Sasuke refused Orochimaru’s offer to teach him Impure World Reincarnation and attacked him with black flames.
• Orochimaru forced Sasuke out of the transfer space, then transformed into the Eight Branches Technique as Sasuke escaped onto Eagle Fury’s back.
• Sasuke recognized the eight-headed serpent as a threat that would be difficult to defeat without Susanoo or Itachi’s Sword of Totsuka.

Sasuke and Eagle Fury defeated Orochimaru’s Yamata no Orochi while Itachi and Karin caught the small snake Orochimaru used to escape. Sasuke searched the base for Orochimaru’s research, freed Suigetsu, and set out to investigate the remaining bases.

• Sasuke ordered Eagle Fury to attack Yamata no Orochi, then used a combined wind-and-fire ninjutsu to reduce it to ash.
• Itachi and Karin tracked and destroyed Orochimaru’s escaping clone, though Sasuke suspected Orochimaru could be revived.
• Sasuke collected Orochimaru’s research materials, including records on Impure World Reincarnation, but found no research on the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
• Sasuke found Suigetsu imprisoned in a water tank and offered him a place in his squad in exchange for helping collect the Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s swords.
• Suigetsu agreed to join after Sasuke gave him Kubikiribōchō, and the group left to search Orochimaru’s other bases.

Sasuke’s group returned to Konoha after looting Orochimaru’s strongholds and watched as Pain attacked the village, while Sasuke waited for events to unfold according to his plan. The chapter left Konoha’s defenders preparing to fight Pain and Sasuke’s group observing from nearby.

• Sasuke led his group through Orochimaru’s strongholds, collected their supplies and Ninja Tools, and then headed back toward Konoha.
• Obito Uchiha attacked Killer B in Kumogakure, forcing him and the Eight-Tails to escape by sacrificing a tentacle.
• Sasuke’s group reached Konoha during Pain’s attack, and Sasuke had Karin search the area for two nearby people with sad Chakra.
• Sasuke explained that he planned to wait while Tsunade exhausted her Chakra and Danzo left Konoha, and he prepared a new design for his grilled meat shop.
• Pain’s forces spread through Konoha while Tsunade, the Third Hokage, and Jiraiya arranged civilian evacuations and prepared to fight using Itachi’s intelligence.
• Itachi asked Sasuke whether the Rinnegan’s six abilities were related to the Sharingan’s powers.

Tsunade organized Konoha’s forces into teams to counter the six Paths of Pain while Sakura coordinated medical aid. Sasuke watched from afar with Itachi and predicted that Konoha could defeat the separated Paths, though the Deva Path remained the greatest threat.

• Tsunade assigned Jiraiya, the Third Hokage, Might Guy, Kakashi, and Yamato teams to target five Paths based on their abilities, while Anbu stalled the Deva Path.
• Tsunade sent Sakura to organize medical ninja and treat wounded villagers and fighters.
• Jiraiya summoned Gama Hiro to attack the Animal Path, while Kurenai Yuhi’s team and Kakashi’s team located the Naraka Path and Asura Path.
• Sasuke told Itachi that Konoha’s intelligence about Pain would help it defeat the separated Paths and said Naruto could handle the Deva Path.
• Itachi worried about the Deva Path, while Sasuke stayed behind to work on Konoha’s reconstruction plans.

Tsunade summoned Katsuyu to heal Konoha as its teams quickly captured the five Paths of Pain, while Deva Path Pain escaped the Anbu and confronted her atop the Hokage Tower. After refusing to hand over the Nine-Tails and speaking with Jiraiya, Deva Path Pain rose into the air and prepared to fight the assembled Konoha forces himself.

• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu and sent her clones throughout Konoha to connect with the injured and help her heal them.
• Kakashi's group defeated the Asura Path, while Jiraiya, Asuma, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino captured the Animal Path and removed its black rods.
• Yamato's Wood Release captured the Human Path, the Third Hokage defeated the Naraka Path, and Might Guy's team subdued the Preta Path.
• The Anbu trapped Deva Path Pain with Lightning and Earth Release attacks, but he broke free and fled toward the Hokage Tower.
• Nagato and Konan discussed the captured Paths, and Nagato decided to concentrate his power in Deva Path Pain despite Konan's concern.
• Deva Path Pain confronted Tsunade, refused Jiraiya's appeal, and rose into the air to face the gathered Konoha forces.

Sasuke watched Pain destroy Konoha, relying on Nagato’s ability to revive the dead and waiting for Naruto to defeat him. After Nagato revived the villagers, Sasuke and Itachi ambushed him and sealed him, leaving Konan furious and Naruto stunned.

• Sasuke explained that he believed Nagato’s Rinnegan could revive those killed, while he and his companions watched Deva Path Pain use Shinra Tensei to destroy Konoha.
• Tsunade protected the villagers with Katsuyu, and Sakura survived the devastation while Sasuke held back from intervening.
• Naruto fought Deva Path Pain, transformed into the Nine-Tails, and was eventually trapped by Chibaku Tensei as the Third Hokage and Jiraiya were badly injured.
• Naruto found Nagato and persuaded him to use the Rinne Rebirth Technique, which revived the people who had died in Konoha.
• Sasuke and Itachi entered Nagato’s hiding place; Itachi subdued Konan while Sasuke used the Immortality Seal on Nagato.
• Konan accused Sasuke and Itachi of ambushing them, while Naruto stared in shock at Sasuke’s arrival.

Sasuke revealed that Nagato’s Rinnegan had been weakening his body and treated him after removing the eyes. Nagato recovered and agreed to stay in Konoha with Konan, where Sasuke planned to give him Sharingan.

• Naruto questioned Sasuke’s return, while Itachi told Konan he had always been an undercover agent in Akatsuki.
• Sasuke explained that he had sealed Nagato’s life force and revealed that the Rinnegan did not belong to him, prompting Konan and Nagato to agree to its removal.
• Sasuke removed Nagato’s Rinnegan, and Jugo and Karin helped restore Nagato’s body with Chakra and healing techniques.
• Sasuke released the Immortality Seal, and Nagato stood up with his vitality restored and thanked Sasuke.
• Sasuke warned Nagato and Konan not to return to the Land of Rain and offered them shelter in Konoha until he could obtain Sharingan for Nagato.

Sasuke tracked Danzo and his Konoha escort to the Land of Fire's capital, planning to expose Danzo before the Daimyo and then subdue him. Sasuke and Itachi infiltrated the meeting building, leaving their allies outside as they prepared to attack.

• Naruto returned to Konoha to cheers from the villagers while still wondering why Sasuke had returned in secret, and he continued treating Nagato.
• Sasuke told Karin and the others to watch for Danzo, then followed Danzo and Konoha's officials as they traveled to the capital to report to the Daimyo.
• Sasuke explained that he and Itachi would act before the Daimyo, while Jugo carried Nagato and the rest of the group followed at a distance.
• At the capital, Itachi used Genjutsu to overcome the guards, and Sasuke and Itachi entered the building while their allies stayed outside.
• Sasuke told Itachi to disable Danzo's right arm while he targeted Danzo's right eye, and the two listened at the meeting-room door to locate him.

During a meeting to discuss Konoha’s losses and leadership, Sasuke and Itachi burst in and maimed Danzo before he could claim the Hokage position. Sasuke began exposing Danzo’s role in the Uchiha Clan’s tragedy, leaving the Daimyo and officials watching as Itachi revealed his eye.

• Shikaku reported Konoha’s destruction, and the Land of Fire’s officials promised support for rebuilding.
• Danzo called for a new Hokage and nominated himself, but Shikaku proposed Kakashi Hatake instead.
• Sasuke and Itachi stormed into the meeting and removed Danzo’s right arm and right eye.
• Sasuke identified himself and Itachi, challenged Koharu’s accusation of betrayal, and explained that the Uchiha Clan’s hatred motivated their actions.
• Sasuke said he would show evidence against Danzo, and Itachi uncovered his right eye.

Sasuke and Itachi exposed Danzo’s theft of Shisui’s eye and accused him of ruining Konoha’s geniuses and driving the Uchiha Clan toward rebellion. Sasuke asked the Daimyo to witness their actions and demanded Danzo’s crimes be publicized, the White Fang’s name cleared, and Naruto recognized as the Fourth Hokage’s son.

• Itachi revealed that Danzo had taken Shisui Uchiha’s right eye, while Sasuke explained how Danzo had forced Shisui to leave Konoha and give his remaining eye to Itachi.
• Sasuke accused Danzo of contributing to the White Fang’s suicide and the Fourth Hokage’s death, and of helping cause the Uchiha Clan’s rebellion.
• Sasuke tore open Danzo’s right arm and exposed the Sharingan implanted in it, then accused Danzo of betraying Itachi’s promise to protect him.
• Sasuke told the Daimyo that they had been forced to act and asked him to serve as a witness so they would not be branded missing-nin.
• The Daimyo accepted that Danzo’s crimes were grave and asked what should be done.
• Sasuke requested that Danzo’s crimes be made public, the White Fang’s name be cleared, and Naruto’s status as the Fourth Hokage’s son be restored.

Sasuke exposed Danzo’s crimes before the Daimyo and officials, then stopped Danzo’s attempt to seal everyone and killed him. The Daimyo invited Sasuke and Itachi to discuss Konoha’s crisis, while Sasuke went outside to keep the arriving guards from entering.

• Sasuke rejected Homura’s and Shikaku’s objections and pushed for Danzo to bear responsibility for the crimes.
• Sasuke accused Danzo of conspiring against White Fang, exploiting Orochimaru, and causing deaths connected to Tsunade’s family.
• Danzo attempted to activate Four Symbols Sealing, but Sasuke disrupted the technique with Thunderclap Chains.
• Sasuke killed Danzo and sealed away his remains, especially the Sharingan.
• The Daimyo asked Sasuke and Itachi for their thoughts on Konoha’s crisis, and Sasuke sat down with him.
• When the guards arrived, Sasuke went outside and blocked them from entering.

Sasuke recommended Kakashi as acting Hokage while Tsunade recovered and explained how he had planned around Akatsuki’s attack on Konoha. He revealed that Nagato had survived and that he had retrieved the Rinnegan, leaving Nagato nearby after promising to give him a pair of eyes.

• Sasuke told the Daimyo that Konoha did not need a new Hokage yet, but needed an acting Hokage to handle possible threats and diplomacy.
• Sasuke recommended Kakashi Hatake as acting Hokage until Tsunade recovered, explaining that her standing could not yet be matched.
• Sasuke revealed that he had waited outside Konoha during Pain’s attack, expecting Naruto to confront Nagato, and said he had already dealt with Orochimaru.
• Sasuke explained that Pain’s Rinnegan abilities could not have been stopped by his presence alone and described what he knew about the Rinnegan and the Uchiha tablet.
• Sasuke revealed that he had saved Nagato after the attack and retrieved the Rinnegan, and said Nagato was nearby because Sasuke had promised to give him a pair of eyes.

The Daimyo appointed Kakashi Acting Hokage, revoked Itachi Uchiha’s rogue-ninja status, and approved Sasuke’s reconstruction plan for Konoha. Sasuke brought Nagato, Konan, and Itachi back to the village, where Itachi’s open return astonished the residents.

• The Daimyo announced Kakashi would act as Hokage, officially welcomed Itachi Uchiha back, and ordered Danzo’s crimes and past reputations addressed.
• Sasuke presented a new Konoha layout that concentrated key institutions near the Hokage Tower, and the Daimyo approved the plan.
• Sasuke explained that Nagato had not truly controlled Akatsuki and proposed keeping him in Konoha to draw out the masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara.
• Sasuke introduced Jugo, Suigetsu, and Karin as Itachi’s prospective subordinates, and brought Nagato and Konan to live in the Uchiha compound.
• Sasuke transplanted Three-Tomoe eyes into Nagato and told him he could soon see Jiraiya.
• The group returned to the ruined Konoha, where residents were surprised to see Itachi wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector beside Sasuke.

Konoha’s leaders began organizing reconstruction and a temporary government after the attack, while Itachi and Sasuke returned amid questions about Itachi’s status and Danzo’s crimes. With Tsunade unconscious, Kakashi was appointed acting Hokage, leaving him positioned to lead the village in the future.

• Villagers questioned Itachi’s return as Root and Anbu members quietly coordinated after Sasuke had killed Danzo.
• Sasuke urged the Anbu leader to stabilize Root and secure its roster before its members returned to their clans.
• Shizune reported that Tsunade remained unconscious but was out of danger, and the elders confirmed Kakashi would act as Hokage until she recovered.
• The village’s leaders announced that the Daimyo and officials would fund reconstruction and that additional labor could be hired.
• Utatane Koharu announced that Tsunade would remain Fifth Hokage while Kakashi temporarily assumed her duties, and Kakashi accepted the decision.