Chapter Summaries

Jubei asked Hidden Leaf Village to send Hikari to protect the Three-Tails from Pain, but Hikari suspected the Akatsuki Organization had deliberately leaked the information to draw him away. Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed defending the village, and Jiraiya asked Hikari to explain what he knew about the Akatsuki Organization.

• Jubei delivered the Mizukage's request for aid and named Hikari as the person Kirigakure wanted to send to the Three-Tails.
• Hikari questioned Jubei about how Kirigakure learned Pain's plans, then had Anbu escort him away while they considered the request.
• Hikari told Tsunade that the information was genuine but suspected the Akatsuki Organization had leaked it as part of another scheme.
• Hikari worried that the Akatsuki Organization might attack Hidden Leaf Village while he was away, and Tsunade argued that the village could defend itself.
• Tsunade caught Jiraiya peeping through a hole in the window, fined him for damaging the Hokage Building, and accepted one hundred thousand from him.
• Tsunade asked Jiraiya whether Hidden Leaf Village could manage without Hikari, and Jiraiya asked Hikari to tell him about the Akatsuki Organization.

Hikari revealed the Akatsuki Organization’s origins and plans to Jiraiya and Tsunade, including its connection to Yahiko, Nagato, and the Rinnegan. He warned that the group was beginning to act and might target Orochimaru, whose Three-Tails chakra could help revive the Ten-Tails.

• Hikari agreed to explain the Akatsuki Organization’s history, identifying Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan as its founders and recounting how Yahiko died after Hanzo and Danzo intervened.
• Hikari explained that Nagato used Yahiko’s corpse as one of the six Pains and that a man calling himself Madara Uchiha sought Nagato’s Rinnegan to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi.
• Hikari told Tsunade and Jiraiya that Nagato intended to use Pain to impose peace and that the Akatsuki Organization needed the nine Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Hikari warned that the Akatsuki Organization was preparing to act and might come to the Hidden Leaf Village for Orochimaru rather than Naruto.
• Hikari revealed that Orochimaru had fused the Three-Tails’ chakra into his body, making him a possible substitute for the real beast in the Ten-Tails’ revival plan.

Hikari told Jiraiya and Tsunade about the Akatsuki Organization members’ abilities and how to counter them. He ended by warning them about Madara’s intangibility and Black Zetsu and White Zetsu’s ability to gather intelligence and move through the ground.

• Hikari explained Konan’s paper Explosive Tags and Itachi Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, while Tsunade recorded his intelligence.
• Hikari described Kisame Hoshigaki’s Chakra absorption and advised sending Might Guy to defeat him with the Seventh Gate.
• Hikari explained Sasori’s puppet body and army, and warned that Deidara’s ultimate explosion could destroy everything within a ten-mile radius.
• Hikari described Hidan’s immortal body and curse technique, then recommended luring him away, attacking from a distance, or using Sealing Jutsu.
• Jiraiya asked how Hikari had driven back the Akatsuki members, and Hikari added warnings about Madara’s intangibility and Black Zetsu and White Zetsu’s abilities.

Orochimaru escaped a genjutsu and discovered that Black Zetsu and several Akatsuki members had come to take the Three-Tails Chakra from his body. He fled underground when he saw Itachi Uchiha among them, while Black Zetsu pointed the others after him.

• Orochimaru recognized that he was trapped in a genjutsu, escaped by using the Earth Hiding Technique, and wondered whether Hikari or another Hidden Leaf ninja had cast it.
• Black Zetsu appeared and told Orochimaru that he had come for the Three-Tails Chakra inside his body.
• Orochimaru offered to surrender his body, but questioned why the Akatsuki Organization could not capture the living Three-Tails itself.
• Orochimaru realized several Akatsuki members were approaching and fled underground after recognizing Itachi Uchiha among them.
• Black Zetsu told Deidara which direction Orochimaru had escaped.

Deidara, Sasori, and the other Akatsuki members pursued Orochimaru, who was moving underground near the Hidden Leaf Village. Sasori forced him to surface and attacked him, leaving Orochimaru fighting beneath the crushing iron sand.

• Deidara bombarded the ground from the air while Hidan, Sasori, and Itachi Uchiha discussed the pursuit and Orochimaru's location.
• Itachi Uchiha urged the others to focus on Orochimaru, and Black Zetsu used the Akatsuki ring to tell Deidara to stop and let Sasori take over.
• Black Zetsu located Orochimaru within a hundred-meter radius, and Sasori flew ahead on a puppet to pursue him.
• Sasori's puppets attacked the ground with beams, drills, and saws, forcing Orochimaru to emerge.
• Sasori attacked with the Third Kazekage puppet's Iron Sand World Method, while Orochimaru blocked the iron sand with Triple Rashomon and sent poisonous snakes at Sasori.
• The Third Kazekage puppet cut Orochimaru's snakes apart, and Sasori declared that Orochimaru would not escape.

Orochimaru escaped the Akatsuki Organization’s ambush and fled toward Hidden Leaf Village, using a shed-skin technique to deceive his pursuers. The Akatsuki caught up at the village gates, where Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy confronted them.

• Deidara attacked Orochimaru with explosive clay, and the summoned Manda was struck by iron sand, blasted, and caught in Itachi Uchiha’s genjutsu.
• Black Zetsu tracked Orochimaru as he fled toward Hidden Leaf Village, and Itachi Uchiha urged the Akatsuki Organization to pursue him before he could join forces with the village’s Sannin.
• Orochimaru used the Great Snake Substitute Technique to leave behind a shed skin, fooling the Akatsuki and escaping their attack.
• The Akatsuki Organization reached Hidden Leaf Village, where Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy arrived to face them.
• Itachi Uchiha formed a combat formation with Kisame, Sasori, Deidara, and Hidan as both sides prepared to fight.

Tsunade refused to let the Akatsuki Organization enter Hidden Leaf Village to pursue Orochimaru, and the standoff erupted into a battle. Her Wood Release trapped and overwhelmed the group, leaving Deidara, Sasori, and Kisame fleeing through the air as a giant wooden palm struck at their clay bird.

• Tsunade denied Black Zetsu’s request to enter Hidden Leaf Village and told the Akatsuki Organization to withdraw or fight.
• Black Zetsu urged Itachi Uchiha to capture Orochimaru, and Itachi attacked Jiraiya while Jiraiya engaged him.
• Tsunade unleashed Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, trapping the Akatsuki Organization in a forest of chakra-draining trees.
• Sasori, Deidara, and Kisame escaped into the sky on Deidara’s clay bird, while Hidan was left behind and caught among the trees.
• Deidara considered attacking Tsunade from above, but Tsunade summoned a Wood Golem that stretched up and struck at the clay bird.

Jiraiya and Tsunade drove off the Akatsuki members who had come for Orochimaru, while Itachi revealed that he did not want to fight them and escaped. Orochimaru then returned to the Hidden Leaf Village and faced Tsunade's fury.

• Jiraiya and Itachi Uchiha exchanged fire, and Itachi asked Jiraiya to hand over Orochimaru while avoiding a fight.
• Tsunade used Wood Release to overpower the Akatsuki, forcing Sasori, Deidara, and Kisame to escape with Obito; Itachi also withdrew.
• In Kamui space, Deidara confronted Obito about his identity and said they were not friends if Obito believed names did not matter.
• Tsunade questioned Jiraiya about not using Sage Mode, and Jiraiya said he suspected Itachi was their teacher's spy and warned about Obito's spatial abilities.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade met Orochimaru at the Hidden Leaf Village gates, where Tsunade punched and slapped him for bringing the Akatsuki near the village.

Hikari met Nagato and Konan on the island where the Three-Tails was sealed, questioning Nagato about his plans, the Rinnegan, and his alliance with Madara. Their debate ended when Nagato’s Pains attacked Hikari, who remained unharmed after the first barrage.

• Hikari asked Nagato whether he had killed the Kirigakure ninja, and Konan revealed that Nagato had let them go.
• Hikari questioned Nagato’s alliance with Madara, and Nagato insisted that his control of the Rinnegan would make them submit.
• Hikari suggested that Madara might have given Nagato the Rinnegan, and Nagato admitted he had suspected the eyes were connected to Madara.
• Nagato asked why Hikari did not use his power to end the ninja world’s wars, and Hikari explained that forcing peace would create more hatred.
• Nagato’s Pains surrounded Hikari, and the Deva Path used Universal Pull before the Asura Path bombarded him.
• Hikari emerged unharmed as the Human Path and Preta Path attacked him together.

Hikari fought the Six Paths of Pain and used his mastery of Yin-Yang Release to overcome their gravity attacks and black rods. He left Nagato shaken and said he was only one step away from obtaining the Rinnegan himself.

• Hikari broke free of the Deva Path’s gravitational pull and resisted its repulsion, then transformed and summoned a black staff.
• Hikari defeated the Human Path and Preta Path with his staff before blocking the Deva Path’s black rods and Shinra Tensei.
• Nagato recognized that Hikari countered gravity with an equal and opposite force, while Hikari said victory depended on strength rather than tricks.
• The Animal Path summoned a Three-Headed Dog, but Hikari knocked it down and beat it to death.
• Hikari explained that Nagato relied on powers granted by the Rinnegan without understanding Yin-Yang Release, then told him he wanted to study his eyes because he was close to gaining the Rinnegan himself.

Hikari confronted Nagato while the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path extracted the Three-Tails' Chakra, and revealed that Nagato was draining only a clone. Nagato learned he would need to capture Orochimaru or Mei Terumi to make up the missing Chakra, then summoned the Demonic Statue as he prepared to pursue Mei.

• Nagato questioned Hikari about obtaining the Rinnegan, and Hikari asked whether Nagato had finished extracting the Three-Tails' Chakra.
• Hikari explained that he had tracked the Chakra flowing underground to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Nagato said he wanted the Ten-Tails to gain enough power to make the shinobi world afraid to resist him.
• Hikari sensed that Nagato had absorbed nearly all the Chakra in the sealed clone and revealed that Mei Terumi had the other half of the Three-Tails' Chakra.
• Nagato said the other Akatsuki Organization members had gone to capture Orochimaru, but Hikari doubted they could bring him back.
• Nagato decided he would have to capture Mei Terumi and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path behind him.

Hikari confronted Nagato and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but their strength and Konan's importance forced him to compromise. Nagato left after agreeing not to target other Jinchuriki until the Akatsuki Organization captured Orochimaru.

• Hikari offered Nagato three years to obtain the Three-Tails and Nine-Tails' Chakra, but Nagato refused and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
• Nagato used the statue to attack Hikari, who dodged its crushing palm and warned that Nagato could not protect Konan indefinitely.
• Nagato demanded permission to take Orochimaru in exchange for leaving Mei Terumi alone, and Konan threatened to die if Hikari refused.
• Hikari agreed not to interfere with Nagato's pursuit of Orochimaru and demanded that Nagato leave other Jinchuriki alone until then.
• Nagato accepted the condition, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path carried him and Konan away.

Mei Terumi learned that the Rinnegan-wielding Akatsuki had released the Three-Tails, and Hikari reassured her that they would not target her before pursuing Orochimaru. Hikari warned her to negotiate if captured and invited her to seek refuge in the Hidden Leaf Village, then vanished, leaving Mei alone.

• Mei Terumi questioned Kirigakure’s returning Sealing Squad and learned that seven Rinnegan-bearing figures had attacked, likely puppets controlled by one original body.
• Hikari appeared in Mei Terumi’s office and told her that Akatsuki would not target her before capturing Orochimaru, who had gained partial control of the Three-Tails’ power.
• Mei Terumi flirted with Hikari and asked for Akatsuki intelligence, but Hikari refused to share details and warned that Kirigakure could not handle the organization.
• Hikari told Mei Terumi to negotiate if Akatsuki captured her and promised he would help extract the Three-Tails.
• Hikari invited Mei Terumi to come to the Hidden Leaf Village if she faced trouble, then his clone disappeared, leaving her disappointed.

After the Akatsuki Organization withdrew, Tsunade ordered a search for Orochimaru, who soon appeared at her home and asked the Hidden Leaf Village to protect him. Tsunade rejected him despite his offer to summon Nawaki, and Orochimaru fled after she attacked him.

• Tsunade ordered Kakashi to notify the Anbu and search the Hidden Leaf Village for Orochimaru.
• Tsunade sent Might Guy to find Yamato and clear the trees blocking the road into the village.
• Orochimaru appeared at the Senju Clan Compound and asked Tsunade to let the Hidden Leaf Village protect him from the Akatsuki Organization.
• Tsunade refused, citing Orochimaru's crimes and the danger of his experiments on the dead.
• Orochimaru offered to summon Nawaki and Dan Katō, but Tsunade threw her wine cup at him and ordered him to leave.

Orochimaru visited Anko, subdued her, and stayed at her home after telling her that Tsunade had allowed him to remain in the Hidden Leaf Village. In the morning, Anko found him still there, and Orochimaru offered to set her up with Hikari.

• Orochimaru went to Anko’s home and used the Shadow Snake Hand to paralyze her.
• Orochimaru told Anko that Tsunade had permitted him to stay in the Hidden Leaf Village and asked her to accompany him around the village the next day.
• Orochimaru recalled caring for Anko when she was young and put her to sleep with chakra.
• Anko woke the next morning and found Orochimaru washing up in her home.
• Anko threatened to check with Tsunade, while Orochimaru said he was also waiting for Hikari.
• Orochimaru remembered Anko and Hikari’s childhood closeness and offered to help arrange a match between them.

Anko learned that Tsunade had allowed Orochimaru to stay in the Hidden Leaf Village until Hikari returned, and she was ordered to keep watch over him. At Kurenai's house, Yakumo recognized Orochimaru and trapped him in a genjutsu, leaving Anko to wonder how she had done it.

• Anko confronted Orochimaru at the Hokage Building, and Tsunade confirmed that he could stay until Hikari returned from dealing with the Three-Tails.
• Tsunade ordered Anko to keep an eye on Orochimaru, explaining that the Akatsuki Organization might capture him if he left the village.
• Anko went to Kurenai's house to complain, where Yakumo recognized Orochimaru despite his disguised appearance.
• Yakumo reminded Orochimaru that she had previously trapped him in a dream, then caught him in another genjutsu after sensing his intent to kill her.
• Yakumo left Orochimaru trapped in the genjutsu, and Anko asked if she had done it.

Yakumo revealed her strength to Anko and teased her about Hikari, then tricked her into getting caught spanking Yakumo by Kurenai. Kurenai punished Anko and sent her away with orders to bring Yakumo a treat, while Yakumo promised to behave and privately planned to keep using genjutsu if Anko challenged her.

• Yakumo warned Anko to keep her abilities secret after demonstrating that she could defeat Orochimaru with genjutsu.
• Anko asked Yakumo about her relationship with Hikari and explained that she wanted to defeat Orochimaru before considering marriage.
• Yakumo provoked Anko until Anko flipped her over and spanked her, then called for Kurenai.
• Kurenai caught Anko and spanked her three times, then told her to bring Yakumo something tasty as an apology.
• Kurenai warned Yakumo not to tease Anko again, and Yakumo agreed while privately thinking she could use genjutsu if Anko retaliated.

The Akatsuki Organization regrouped after its defeats and learned that Pain’s battle with Hikari had ended in a draw. Since Hikari had warned them not to target Mei Terumi, Pain decided to seek Orochimaru’s cooperation to obtain the Three-Tails’ Chakra, leaving Itachi ready to capture him if he refused.

• Deva Path Pain told the Akatsuki Organization that his battle with Hikari had been a draw, and that the real Three-Tails was sealed inside Mei Terumi.
• Pain explained that he had agreed with Hikari not to target Mei Terumi until Orochimaru was captured, while Hikari would leave their search for other Tailed Beasts alone.
• Konan warned that Hikari would target weaker Akatsuki members or kill the other Tailed Beasts if they went after Mei Terumi.
• Itachi Uchiha offered to use genjutsu to control Orochimaru, and Black Zetsu suggested asking Orochimaru to cooperate in exchange for help with his research.
• Pain sent Black Zetsu to make the offer and instructed Itachi to subdue Orochimaru if he refused.

Black Zetsu approached Orochimaru to negotiate for the Three-Tails' Chakra, revealing that Hikari had agreed Akatsuki would temporarily spare the Three-Tails Jinchuriki while the Hidden Leaf Village would no longer protect Orochimaru. Orochimaru agreed to wait for Hikari's return before deciding whether to leave, and Black Zetsu departed with Akatsuki's offer still open.

• Orochimaru woke after sensing Black Zetsu's signal and met him at a training ground near the Forest of Death.
• Black Zetsu offered to overlook Orochimaru's betrayal if he cooperated in handing over the Three-Tails' Chakra, but Orochimaru doubted Akatsuki would keep its promises.
• Black Zetsu revealed that Hikari had reached an agreement with Pain and that Orochimaru could no longer count on Hikari or the Hidden Leaf Village for protection.
• Black Zetsu argued that Akatsuki might need Orochimaru's research on other Tailed Beasts, reassuring him that the organization would have reason to keep him alive.
• Orochimaru asked Black Zetsu to wait while he confirmed Hikari's situation, and Black Zetsu left after promising Akatsuki would welcome Orochimaru once he left the village.

Hikari returned to the Hidden Leaf Village, spoke with Yakumo, and reported to Tsunade about his encounter and agreement with Nagato. Tsunade questioned his decision not to attack the Akatsuki Organization, and the chapter ended as she asked what they should do about Orochimaru.

• Hikari entered the Hidden Leaf Village and learned from Yakumo that Orochimaru had returned and was staying at Anko's place.
• Hikari went to the Hokage's Office and told Tsunade that Nagato controlled the Ten-Tails and was difficult to defeat.
• Hikari assessed that Tsunade and Nagato would stalemate if Nagato did not use the Ten-Tails.
• Hikari told Tsunade that he and Nagato had agreed not to target each other, and urged the Hidden Leaf Village to protect Naruto and help him grow stronger.
• Tsunade considered Hikari's reasoning, then asked what they should do about Orochimaru.