Recaps

Jiraiya arranged for Hizashi Hyuga to be returned to Konoha and learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had chosen to honor him as a village hero. Hiashi and Neji heard the decision, and Hiashi promised to keep the Hyuga Clan in line for the funeral.

• Jiraiya received Hiruzen Sarutobi's order to arrange a welcoming ceremony for Hizashi's body and summon Hiashi and Neji.
• Shikaku asked whether Hizashi's body should travel ahead, and Hagoromo advised keeping it with the group.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi decided Hizashi would be buried by the Memorial Stone as a hero of Konoha.
• Jiraiya told Hiashi and Neji about Hiruzen's decision and asked Hiashi to keep the Hyuga Clan in line.
• Hiashi thanked Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya, promised to prevent trouble, and Neji saw tears fall from his uncle's face.

Neji received Hagoromo’s letter promising his father would return and cried with relief, while Hagoromo brought Killer B and the Kumogakure delegation into Konoha. The village welcomed them with a large celebration, where Hagoromo saw Hiashi, Hinata, Neji, and Hanabi among the gathered villagers.

• Jiraiya gave Neji Hagoromo’s letter, and Neji went to the training ground to read it alone.
• Neji learned that his father’s body was intact and that Hagoromo would bring him home, then cried before joining the others for a meal.
• Hagoromo welcomed Samui and Killer B into Konoha and told the Kumogakure group to behave during their stay.
• Kakashi joked with Hagoromo about the villagers’ welcome and asked about Jiraiya’s books.
• Hagoromo entered Konoha with the delegation and saw Hiashi, Hinata, Neji, and Hanabi among the cheering crowd.

At his father's grave, Neji discovered that his Byakugan had begun its initial bloodline awakening, though the Caged Bird Seal still limited its power. Meanwhile, Hiruzen kept Jiraiya in Konoha because he feared Iwagakure might start a war, and Hagoromo told his disciples that Kumogakure's delegation would arrive soon.

• Neji visited his father's grave, thanked Hagoromo for bringing back the remains, and asked him to continue training him strictly.
• Neji revealed that his Byakugan's insight and mental pressure had increased, and Hagoromo identified it as an initial bloodline awakening while promising he could undo the Caged Bird Seal later.
• Hiruzen told Jiraiya that he needed him to stay in Konoha to prepare for Kumogakure's alliance visit and guard against a possible move by Ōnoki and Iwagakure.
• Jiraiya agreed to remain in the village and left Hiruzen's office.
• Hagoromo told Naruto and his other disciples that Kumogakure's people would arrive in a few days and that they could see them then.

Hagoromo and his students discussed the risk of war during a dinner, while Pain responded to Konoha’s planned alliance with Kumogakure by calling an Akatsuki meeting. The chapter ends with Deidara and Sasori joining the summoned Akatsuki members.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and the others shared a meal at Hagoromo’s house while Shikamaru asked whether Iwagakure would respond to Konoha’s alliance with Kumogakure.
• Neji asked Hagoromo whether he could graduate early, and Hagoromo told him they would consider it when the time came.
• Konan told Pain that Konoha planned to ally with Kumogakure and that Iwagakure had offered to cooperate.
• Pain condemned the Five Great Nations and ordered Konan to summon all Akatsuki members for a meeting.
• Sasori and Deidara received the summons through their rings and appeared with the other Akatsuki members.

Pain changed the Akatsuki’s plans as Konoha and Kumogakure prepared to ally, assigning members to disrupt the alliance and pursue the tailed beasts. Meanwhile, Hagoromo praised Sasuke and Naruto for their progress in ninjutsu training and urged Naruto to surpass Kitsuchi.

• Pain announced that he would personally capture the Six-Tails Jinchuriki and explained that Kumogakure and Konoha were nearing an alliance.
• Pain ordered Sasori and Deidara to cause chaos in Sunagakure, assigned Kakuzu and Kisame to watch the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and told Zetsu to find the Three-Tails.
• After the meeting, Pain stood by a window in the Land of Rain and vowed that the world would feel pain.
• Sasuke demonstrated Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, and Hagoromo praised his control and progress.
• Naruto demonstrated a towering Earth-Style Wall, and Hagoromo recognized how far his Earth Release training had advanced.
• Hagoromo told Naruto about Kitsuchi’s exceptional Earth Release, and Naruto vowed to surpass him.

Hagoromo gave up on learning Flying Thunder God and received new jutsu from a teaching reward as worries about an approaching war spread. At the training ground, Hinata demonstrated a powerful defensive technique against Neji while Naruto and Sasuke watched.

• Hagoromo told Naruto that Wind Nature suited his fighting style best and promised to teach Naruto and Sasuke the Summoning Technique Formula after preparing it.
• Hagoromo abandoned his attempt to learn Flying Thunder God and decided to focus on Sealing Jutsu and strengthening his other abilities.
• Hagoromo received Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide and Water Release: Water Mirror Technique as rewards after completing a teaching session.
• Iruka asked Hagoromo whether war was approaching and worried that graduating children might be sent to the battlefield.
• Hinata used Guardian: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms against Neji, and Sasuke described her technique as an absolute defense while Naruto praised her strength.

Hagoromo taught the graduating class about ninja combat to prepare them for a possible war, then received Monster Strength as his lesson reward. Might Guy led the students through brutal physical training, leaving even Naruto and Sasuke stunned.

• Hagoromo began a two-week practical course by teaching the graduating students how ninja fought and how to respond.
• Hagoromo received the Monster Strength reward, which gave him detailed memories of Tsunade's training and greatly increased his striking power.
• Hagoromo asked Might Guy to lead the afternoon physical training and cautioned him to go easy on the students.
• Might Guy made the students run laps until they collapsed, then carried them and made them continue.
• Naruto and Sasuke watched the grueling training in shock as Might Guy called for fifty more laps.

Hagoromo took Killer B and Samui on a tour of Konoha, but a Ninja Hawk summoned him to an emergency Jonin meeting. He arrived at the meeting room and asked Kakashi what was happening, but Kakashi did not know.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Hagoromo to show Killer B around Konoha, and Samui accompanied them.
• Hagoromo led Killer B and Samui through Konoha, where Samui observed the village and Killer B sampled its food.
• At a barbecue restaurant, Hagoromo noticed a Ninja Hawk and realized an emergency Jonin meeting had been called.
• Hagoromo left for the Hokage Building while Uchiha Itachi escorted Killer B and Samui back to their guest quarters.
• Hagoromo joined Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Kakashi at the meeting, but Kakashi said he did not know why it had been called.

Hiruzen Sarutobi convened Konoha’s Jonin after Sunagakure declared war, and Shikaku outlined measures to guard against a second front with Iwagakure. Hiruzen assigned Jiraiya to stall Iwagakure and sent Kakashi and Hagoromo to lead Konoha’s defense against Sunagakure.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told the Jonin that Sunagakure had declared war after accusing a Konoha spy of attacking the Fourth Kazekage and one of Sunagakure’s elders.
• Shikaku warned that Iwagakure might be involved and proposed taking the Land of Rivers, monitoring neighboring countries, and disrupting Kirigakure.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said he had contacted the Fourth Raikage and arranged for Kumogakure to distract Iwagakure while Konoha prepared for war.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Jiraiya to lead a team to the Iwagakure border and delay its forces.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Shikaku supreme commander and ordered Kakashi and Hagoromo to lead the Sunagakure front, with Kakashi as commander and Hagoromo as deputy.

Hagoromo and Kakashi planned operations against three powers in the Land of Rivers, and Hagoromo led a hundred Konoha ninja to destroy the Poison Fang Group. After surrounding its Black Swamp base, Hagoromo and Choza launched a coordinated attack that set the compound ablaze.

• Kakashi explained that the Poison Fang Group, the Ibu Clan, and the Sea Serpent Group were the Land of Rivers' main threats, and outlined Konoha's plans to eliminate the first two and seize the third.
• Kakashi assigned Hagoromo a hundred ninja, put Choza under his command, and ordered them to finish within five days.
• Hagoromo's team surrounded the Poison Fang Group's base, while a Hyuga Chunin used the Byakugan to spot and bypass its swamp traps.
• Hagoromo and Choza began the assault, with Choza smashing through the gates using Partial Expansion Jutsu.
• Hagoromo unleashed Majestic Destroyer Flame as Konoha ninja amplified it with Wind Release, engulfing the base in flames.

Hagoromo split from Akimichi Chōza after the Poison Fang Group was destroyed and led twenty ninja toward Sealed Vault Canyon to attack the Ibu Clan. As Hagoromo prepared an assault, Ibu guards discussed the clan’s past and the limits of their Smoke Release.

• Hagoromo and Akimichi Chōza agreed to split up, with Hagoromo heading for Sealed Vault Canyon and Chōza searching for the Sea Serpent Group.
• Aburame Muta reported that the Ibu Clan lived in a foggy canyon with one guarded entrance and traps.
• Hagoromo ordered an operation as dusk fell and the Ibu guards approached their shift change.
• Yundou asked Kawajirō about the clan’s heightened alert, and Kawajirō said war was near and Sunagakure had recently sought the Ibu Clan’s help.
• Kawajirō explained that only the clan head possessed the most complete Smoke Release, a Kekkei Genkai formed from Chakra-infused wind and fire transformations.

Hagoromo and Aburame Muta infiltrated Sealed Vault Canyon by killing two guards and taking their identities. Hagoromo entered the Ibu Clan head’s residence and used the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique on the young clan head as he paid respects to his parents.

• Hagoromo and Muta ambushed Kawajirō and Yundou after Muta subdued Yundou with Kikaichū.
• Hagoromo killed Kawajirō, and the two hid both bodies in a wall before taking their forms.
• Hagoromo and Muta passed the guard handover by using the proper birdcall signals and left the smoke-filled entrance.
• Hagoromo used the Earth Release, Mayfly Technique to travel beneath Sealed Vault Canyon and reach the Ibu Clan head’s residence.
• Hagoromo overheard the young clan head refuse to act as the Sand ninja’s vanguard, then followed him to an altar where he vowed revenge on Konoha and Sunagakure.
• Hagoromo cast the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique on the young clan head as he knelt before his parents’ portraits.

Hagoromo used Yin Release to control the Ibu Clan patriarch and make him dissolve the smoke barrier at Sealed Vault Canyon, allowing Konoha ninja to attack. As the battle spread through the canyon, Muta engaged an Ibu elder, who trapped him in a scorching smoke cage.

• Hagoromo used Yin Release: Spirit-Manipulating Threads to control the Ibu patriarch and interrogated him about his plans.
• The Ibu patriarch revealed that he intended to use Smoke Release to ambush Sand and Konoha ninja, and Hagoromo forced him to remove the smoke barrier at the canyon entrance.
• Two Konoha ninja killed the guards at the entrance, and their team entered Sealed Vault Canyon and attacked the Ibu clansmen.
• An Ibu elder rescued a clansman and used Smoke Release: Smoke Veil to obscure the battlefield and help the Ibu fighters regroup.
• Muta sent Kikaichū after the elder, but the elder poisoned the insects and trapped Muta inside Smoke Release: Hot Smoke Cage.

Hagoromo defeated Elder Ibu and helped wipe out the Ibu Clan, then regrouped his surviving ninja after learning Choza had located the Sea Serpent Group. Hagoromo hurried toward Choza while, offshore, a steel submarine surfaced.

• Hagoromo struck Elder Ibu with a chakra-charged punch, freeing Muta from the smoke cage.
• Hagoromo joined the battle and stopped fleeing Ibu clansmen at the canyon entrance, killing them with Wind Release.
• Hagoromo watched the Ibu Clan’s explosives ignite and learned that two of his twenty ninja had died from poison.
• Muta told Hagoromo that Choza had found the Sea Serpent Gang, and Hagoromo led the surviving ninja toward Choza’s location.
• Choza waited in the forest by the beach after tracking down the Sea Serpent Group, and a steel submarine surfaced offshore.

Hagoromo and Choza traced the Sand ninja’s missing supplies to the Sea Serpent Group, which was hiding beneath the sea using Glue-Steel Release. With a shipment expected that night, Hagoromo planned to attack from the sky using his summoning beast, Sansan.

• Choza explained that a Hyuga clansman had spotted a mass lurking beneath the sea after noticing a Chakra fluctuation.
• Choza identified the Sea Serpent Group’s Kekkei Genkai as Glue-Steel Release, a combination of water and earth that created a biological, fluid-like substance.
• Hagoromo learned that the Sand ninja’s next supply transport was expected that night and agreed they needed to eliminate the group.
• Hagoromo asked how much water oil remained and proposed setting the sea ablaze to attack the group.
• Choza worried the plan would expose their people, so Hagoromo said he would attack from above with Sansan.

Hagoromo and Sansan waited above the sea while Choza tracked a Sand ninja supply delivery to a submarine run by Kizō and the Sea Serpent Group. As the transfer began, Hagoromo prepared a downpour of water oil, and Kizō realized too late that something was wrong.

• Hagoromo scolded Sansan for plotting to capture a Tailed Beast and brought him along to watch the operation from above the sea.
• Choza spotted the approaching ships and ordered everyone to retreat as Hagoromo prepared to act on his signal.
• Kizō emerged from the submarine, demanded a higher delivery fee from the Sand ninja, and began unloading their supplies.
• Kizō used his Kekkei Genkai to speed the transfer while members of the Sea Serpent Group moved supplies inside the submarine.
• Water oil landed on Kizō’s nose, and he recognized it as a sign that something was wrong.

Hagoromo attacked the Sand Ninja ship and submarine with a massive fireball and a devastating kick, while Konoha forces tried to stop Kizō’s escape. The tsunami swept away the Sea Serpent Group members, and Hagoromo asked Sansan to locate the Chakra of the person who had stood on the submarine.

• Hagoromo used Great Fire Annihilation on the oil-covered sea, and the explosion blasted Kizō into the submarine.
• Kizō ordered the submarine to dive, but Choza signaled the Konoha Ninja, who churned the sea with Wild Water Wave.
• Hagoromo struck the submarine with Heavenly Foot of Pain, launching it into the air and creating a huge vacuum and shockwave.
• Choza ordered the Konoha Ninja to retreat as Hagoromo and Sansan escaped the returning seawater and tsunami.
• The tsunami swept away the Sea Serpent Group members, and Hagoromo asked Sansan to sense the Chakra of the person who had stood on the submarine.

After Hagoromo and Sansan captured Kizō following the tsunami, the Konoha forces regrouped on the coast. Asuma arrived with orders to reinforce the front against the Sand ninja army nearing the Land of Rivers border, and Hagoromo prepared to join Kakashi while vowing to follow his lead.

• Hagoromo and Sansan found Kizō sealed inside a steel-like cocoon, and Hagoromo disabled his Glue-Steel Release with a seal.
• Hagoromo reunited with Choza on the beach and learned that Konoha's injured were receiving treatment.
• Asuma arrived with reinforcements, and Choza led the exhausted force and captured Kizō back to Konoha.
• Hagoromo suggested the Sand ninja might be unable to reach their supplies without Kizō, so Asuma contacted the village to arrange his interrogation.
• Asuma told Hagoromo that the Sand ninja army was nearing the Land of Rivers border and Kakashi had gone to hold them off.
• Hagoromo said he would follow Kakashi's orders, and Asuma expressed concern for his safety before Hagoromo teased him about smoking.

Kakashi and Hagoromo discussed how to handle the Sand Shinobi's standoff at the Land of Rivers border, and Hagoromo proposed disrupting their supplies while watching for Stone Shinobi intervention. The chapter left Hagoromo preparing to lead a team on harassment missions as Konoha began scouting the Sand Shinobi's logistics.

• Kakashi asked Hagoromo for his assessment of why the Sand Shinobi had gathered at the border without attacking, and Hagoromo said they were likely stalling while awaiting supplies.
• Hagoromo proposed locating the Sand Shinobi's food supplies and harassing their troops, while Kakashi's commanders were reminded to protect Konoha's own logistics.
• Hagoromo warned that the Stone Shinobi might reach the front through the Land of Birds or the Land of Rain, so Kakashi sent word to Jiraiya to watch Iwagakure.
• Kakashi said Shikaku had not uncovered the Sand Shinobi's supply situation because Kizō remained silent, and Hagoromo considered the danger posed by the Akatsuki if the Stone Shinobi joined the war.
• Kakashi ordered Asuma to ask the Hyuga to reinforce the intelligence unit and scout for supplies and Stone Shinobi among the Sand Shinobi.
• Hagoromo agreed to lead a harassment mission and asked Kakashi to let him choose his own team.

Hagoromo fought off a large Sunagakure force led by Iron Sand, using Earth Release to evade their attacks and powerful techniques to destroy their ranks. He left the three surviving Jonin badly pressured after engulfing the battlefield in flames.

• Iron Sand led dozens of Sunagakure shinobi in pursuit of Hagoromo and ordered them to attack.
• Hagoromo killed a Chunin and survived the Jonin’s attacks, while the Sunagakure forces’ techniques also struck their own men.
• Hagoromo smashed a puppet with one punch, then escaped underground as Iron Sand drove poison mist toward him.
• Hagoromo appeared behind Iron Sand and used Searing Migraine, killing or wounding nearly all the Chunin and forcing the three Jonin to retreat.

Hagoromo used Yin Release: Heart-Illuminating Realm to deceive and defeat the Sunagakure pursuit squad, then explained the technique to Muta and Yutoshi. At the Sand Shinobi camp, Chiyo learned that Iron Sand and his force were likely dead and ordered patrols increased.

• Iron Sand and two Sunagakure Jonin used Sand Waterfall Funeral to bury what they believed was Hagoromo.
• Hagoromo revealed he had used a Genjutsu, killed the two Jonin from behind, and defeated Iron Sand with a Kunai.
• Muta and Yutoshi arrived and saw the defeated Sand Shinobi; Hagoromo described how Heart-Illuminating Realm controlled their senses within his Yin Release force field.
• Hagoromo asked Yutoshi to summon specialists to recover the poison-coated weapons and puppet, while Muta explained that Sand Shinobi guarded their puppet-making methods.
• A Jonin told Chiyo that Iron Sand and his force had vanished and were likely killed; Chiyo ordered patrols increased and demanded that no enemy escape.

Konoha’s commanders learned that their spies among the Sand Shinobi had gone silent, while a man in the Land of Birds prepared to act on a secret message. When abnormal snowfall threatened to worsen the Sand Shinobi’s supply crisis, Asuma volunteered for a dangerous mission, and the chapter ended with Kakashi asking Hagoromo for his opinion.

• Asuma told Kakashi that Konoha had lost contact with its spies among the Sand Shinobi, and Kakashi accepted that they were likely dead.
• A bearded man in the Land of Birds decided to settle matters and sent a message by messenger ninja beast before vanishing toward the Land of Wind.
• Hagoromo and Kakashi discovered snow falling at the border and learned that severe weather had also reached the Land of Grass.
• Kakashi warned that the Sand Shinobi might launch an all-out attack as their supply situation worsened, and Asuma volunteered to scout their provisions.
• Kakashi and the border commanders objected to sending Asuma into danger, then asked Hagoromo what he thought.

Hagoromo and Asuma led Yutoshi and Muta on a mission to sabotage the Sand Shinobi’s provisions as their forces advanced. When Muta detected approaching Chakra, Hagoromo realized the enemy might be tracking Muta through his Kikaichū, leaving the team on guard inside a concealed cave.

• Hagoromo agreed to join the mission, and Kakashi and Asuma objected before the Sand Shinobi’s advance forced Kakashi to send Hagoromo and Asuma out.
• Hagoromo and Asuma chose Yutoshi and Muta to accompany them on the mission.
• Muta detected Chakra activity ahead, so Hagoromo led the team into a hidden cave, where Yutoshi concealed the entrance with a barrier.
• Muta reported that the approaching group was getting closer, and Hagoromo spread the Netherworld Formless Realm to block sensory perception.
• Hagoromo told Muta to cut his connection to the Kikaichū after realizing the enemy might be tracking him through his insects.

Hagoromo and his team infiltrated the Sand Shinobi logistics base to destroy its provisions, killing a patrol squad and planting oil while racing against time. As Hagoromo sensed an enormous Chakra approaching, he realized a Jinchūriki was at the front lines.

• Hagoromo’s team ambushed and killed the Sand Shinobi patrol squad before it could escape.
• Hagoromo buried the bodies, then led Asuma, Muta, and Yutoshi toward the logistics base while avoiding patrols.
• Hagoromo summoned Sansan and told him to wait nearby for a signal as the team prepared to set fire to the provisions.
• Hagoromo entered the base in disguise, while Asuma and the others secretly spread oil around it.
• Hagoromo sensed a huge Chakra approaching and recognized it as the kind he had felt from a Jinchūriki.

Hagoromo stayed behind to face Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, while Asuma, Yutoshi, and Muta escaped to detonate the water oil planted around the logistics camp. Hagoromo blocked the pursuing Sand Shinobi with a powerful punch, then clashed with Roshi as the Jinchūriki activated Lava Release Chakra Mode.

• Hagoromo sensed a powerful pursuer and told Asuma, Yutoshi, and Muta to leave while he held the enemy off.
• Asuma resisted, but Hagoromo sent him away with Sansan along with Yutoshi and Muta, telling them to detonate the water oil at the right moment.
• Roshi confronted Hagoromo and revealed that he had tracked him using a scrap of his clothing taken by Ōnoki.
• Hagoromo struck the ground with Monster Strength: Serious Punch, creating a trench that cut off the Sand Shinobi pursuing his companions.
• Roshi attacked with Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique, but Hagoromo smashed a magma ball apart with his fist.
• Roshi entered Lava Release Chakra Mode and charged Hagoromo, who dodged his punch and countered with an armored whirlwind kick.