Chapter Summaries

Naruto’s team and the Akatsuki learned that Six-Tails chakra had erupted at Mount Katsujo and hurried there. Kakuzu and Hidan set out to confront Twilight Squad, while Asuma had already been killed by Kakuzu during an earlier clash.

• Naruto recognized the red chakra pillar as the Six-Tails, and Kakashi ordered Twilight Squad to race toward its source.
• Konan learned that the Six-Tails had appeared at Mount Katsujo and relayed Nagato’s orders for Kakuzu and Hidan to delay the enemy while Pain went to support them.
• Kakuzu collected a bounty for killing Asuma after intercepting Leaf Village ninja who were heading to reinforce Twilight Squad.
• Kakuzu paid the Bounty Office owner five million ryo for news of the Six-Tails at Mount Katsujo.
• Kakuzu and Hidan received Nagato’s message, dismissed the need for Pain’s help, and headed toward Mount Katsujo.

After Asuma died protecting his students, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji infiltrated a Bounty Office to recover his body. Shikamaru found Asuma in locker No. 325, but the office owner appeared just as he began carrying him away.

• Shikamaru insisted that recovering Asuma's body came before revenge, and the trio set out for the nearest Bounty Office.
• Shikamaru bound the two entrance guards with Shadow Possession Jutsu while Ino and Choji killed them quietly.
• Shikamaru and Ino disguised themselves as guards and entered the Bounty Office while Choji waited outside.
• Shikamaru checked the records, found Asuma listed in locker No. 325, and opened it to retrieve his body.
• The Bounty Office owner came out as Shikamaru lifted Asuma's remains.

Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji rescued Asuma's body and captured the Bounty Office owner, whom Shikamaru interrogated for information about Akatsuki. Shikamaru learned Kakuzu and Hidan were heading toward Mount Katsujo, where a Tailed Beast had appeared, and resolved to warn Naruto and the others.

• Ino used Mind Transfer Jutsu to control the Bounty Office owner while Shikamaru and Choji helped carry Asuma's body out and took the owner hostage.
• Shikamaru woke and questioned the bound Bounty Office owner while Ino and Choji mourned Asuma.
• The owner identified the Akatsuki members as Hidan and Kakuzu and said Kakuzu had operated for decades, killed partners, and collected bounties.
• The owner revealed Kakuzu's delivered bodies often lacked hearts and that he had sold the pair information about a Tailed Beast near Mount Katsujo.
• Shikamaru released the owner and told Choji and Ino they had to warn Naruto and the others immediately.

Shikamaru sent Ino and Choji to return Asuma's body to Konoha while he raced to warn the Twilight Squad about the Immortals Duo. At Mount Katsujo, the Twilight Squad found Utakata alive and began treating him, unaware that Hyuga Kei had secretly orchestrated events to weaken the Akatsuki Organization.

• Shikamaru ordered Ino and Choji to escort Asuma's body to Konoha and set off alone for Mount Katsujo to warn the Twilight Squad.
• Hyuga Kei appeared with the controlled Bounty Office owner, then arranged for a wild beast to kill him and disguise the scene.
• The Twilight Squad found a breach in the sealing barrier at Mount Katsujo and hurried up the mountain, fearing the Akatsuki Organization had taken the Six-Tails.
• Kakashi identified the corpses in the courtyard as people other than Akatsuki members, and Tonbei let the squad into the room to help the injured.
• The Twilight Squad recognized the unconscious Utakata as the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, while a medical ninja treated him and assured Hotaru that he would recover.

After Utakata defeated Obito’s subordinates, Kakashi gathered Utakata, Hotaru, and their allies and led them toward Konoha to escape the Akatsuki Organization. Utakata woke during the journey and resisted the group, while Hotaru insisted she would leave with him.

• Tonbei told Kakashi that Obito’s subordinates had tried to seize the Tsuchigumo Clan’s secret technique, and Kakashi decided the group should flee to Konoha.
• Kakashi assigned Naruto to carry Utakata and Kurotsuchi to look after Hotaru, but Chojuro took over carrying Utakata.
• Utakata woke on Chojuro’s back and tried to reach for a weapon, but Shira caught his wrist before he could attack.
• Tonbei, Hotaru, and Kakashi explained that the group was helping Utakata escape, and Utakata demanded his weapons so he could leave alone.
• Hotaru declared that she would leave with Utakata, while Tonbei warned her not to risk her life.

Utakata rejected Kakashi’s offer of protection and tried to drive Hotaru away by claiming he had only used her. A Kirigakure medical ninja then revealed that he was the son of Utakata’s former teacher and explained the truth behind his father’s death, leaving Utakata confronted with his guilt and doubts.

• Utakata refused Kakashi’s offer to join them, and he told Hotaru their bond had been an act to make her leave him.
• Kakashi urged Utakata to accept their protection from the Akatsuki Organization and said they could discuss how to fight it together.
• A Kirigakure medical ninja stepped forward and revealed that he was the son of the teacher Utakata had killed.
• The man explained that his father had used a secret technique to safely extract the Tailed Beast and had left a letter asking his son not to resent Utakata if the technique killed him.
• Utakata questioned why his former teacher had not explained the technique, and the man said his father had died because Utakata’s suspicion disrupted it.

Utakata learned the truth about his master's death, reconciled with Hotaru, and agreed to return to Kirigakure and fight the Akatsuki Organization. Shikamaru arrived with news of Asuma's death and intelligence about the Akatsuki members who killed him.

• Utakata accepted the man's explanation, apologized, and agreed to return to Kirigakure under the Mizukage's protection.
• Utakata joined the fight against the Akatsuki Organization, and Hotaru forgave him for telling her to leave.
• Shikamaru emerged from the bushes and reunited with Naruto, then revealed that Asuma had been killed in an Akatsuki attack.
• Shikamaru explained that Choji and Ino had taken Asuma's body to Konoha while he came ahead to deliver intelligence about the two Akatsuki members.
• Kakashi urgently asked Shikamaru what abilities the Akatsuki members had.

Shikamaru explained Hidan and Kakuzu’s abilities and laid out a coordinated plan to defeat them. The team took their assigned positions, while Hyuga Kei watched from above and expected the Immortals Duo to be defeated.

• Shikamaru explained that Hidan was immortal and could use an enemy’s blood in a Jashinism ritual to harm them, warning everyone not to let him collect their blood.
• Shikamaru described Kakuzu’s hardening and thread abilities and revealed that he had lived since the Warring States Period without showing signs of age.
• Naruto vowed to avenge Asuma, and the others agreed to fight despite their fears.
• Shikamaru presented a detailed plan using the ninjas’ different strengths, and Kakashi warned the team to proceed carefully.
• Shikamaru and the others moved to their assigned positions as Hyuga Kei listened from the sky and praised Shikamaru’s preparation.

Shikamaru’s squad defeated Hidan and Kakuzu, avenging Asuma and stopping the Immortals Duo, but Pain arrived to claim the Six-Tails. Naruto refused to surrender, and Hyuga Kei watched from above as the exhausted survivors prepared to fight.

• Shikamaru baited Hidan away from Kakuzu, then used his shadow techniques and the squad’s coordination to immobilize Hidan and burn him to ash with Asuma’s lighter.
• Kakashi, Naruto, Chojuro, Akatsuchi, and Omoi fought Kakuzu while Shikamaru realized the masks each represented one of Kakuzu’s hearts.
• Shikamaru organized the squad to separate Kakuzu’s hearts and destroy them, killing Kakuzu after Hidan had already been defeated.
• Pain descended after the battle and demanded the Six-Tails, while Naruto refused to hand it over.
• Hyuga Kei watched the confrontation from high in the sky while eating popcorn.

Hyuga Kei intercepted Utakata and Hotaru and forced them to surrender the Six-Tails and Wrathful Hair Heaven in exchange for their lives and their teammates’ safety. He joined Pain in driving off the Twilight Squad, which then decided to return to Konoha and warn the villages about the Akatsuki Organization.

• Pain attacked the Twilight Squad while Utakata carried Hotaru away in a bubble, and Kakashi’s team fought to buy them time.
• Hyuga Kei stopped Utakata and Hotaru and offered to let them live if they handed over the Six-Tails and Wrathful Hair Heaven.
• Utakata agreed to Hyuga Kei’s terms, but Hyuga Kei seized them and extracted the Six-Tails and Wrathful Hair Heaven.
• Hyuga Kei returned to Pain with the Six-Tails, and they drove the Twilight Squad back before departing with the other Pains.
• Kakashi woke Utakata and Hotaru, reassured Utakata, and ordered the squad to return to Konoha and report the Akatsuki Organization’s remaining targets.

Hyuga Kei arranged a meeting with Jiraiya in the Sound Village, pretending to help him rescue Orochimaru so he would investigate the Federation’s hidden secrets. Morikawa Kei gave Jiraiya a map and a Fuinjutsu, leaving Jiraiya to infiltrate the underground laboratory and locate the room where Orochimaru was sealed.

• Hyuga Kei handed Pain the sealing box containing the Six-Tails and left after learning that Jiraiya had arrived.
• Hyuga Kei returned to the Sound Village headquarters, where Kabuto Yakushi showed him surveillance footage of Jiraiya entering under a false identity.
• Jiraiya followed the passwords arranged by Hyuga Kei and met the disguised Morikawa Kei at an inn.
• Morikawa Kei claimed Orochimaru’s body and consciousness had been controlled by Impure World Reincarnation and gave Jiraiya a Fuinjutsu to restore his consciousness.
• Morikawa Kei drew a map of the underground laboratory for Jiraiya, marking a suspected room where Orochimaru was sealed.

Morikawa Kei helped Jiraiya sneak into the Underground Research Institute so he could free Orochimaru from Impure World Reincarnation control. Jiraiya passed the institute’s security and began exploring its laboratories while Morikawa Kei led him inside.

• When the Police Force searched the inn, Morikawa Kei used a woman’s body to disguise Jiraiya’s presence, leaving Jiraiya disgusted.
• Morikawa Kei told Jiraiya to follow the map to Orochimaru’s sealed room and gave him a researcher’s uniform and access pass.
• Hyuga Kei revealed that he had controlled Morikawa Kei’s actions to torment Jiraiya, while Kabuto Yakushi feared becoming the next target of Kei’s schemes.
• Jiraiya changed into the researcher’s uniform, avoided patrols, and passed the entrance inspection with Morikawa Kei’s help.
• Morikawa Kei vouched for Jiraiya at a restricted basement entrance, and they rode an elevator down into the Underground Research Institute.
• Jiraiya studied the institute’s vast laboratories and experimental equipment as he made his way through the underground facility.

Jiraiya infiltrated the Federation’s research institute, freed Orochimaru, and learned that Chiba Kishu was another identity used by Hyuga Kei. As Jiraiya and Orochimaru considered warning Konoha, someone approached their room.

• Jiraiya saw the Federation’s researchers studying a strange creature and hurried away after learning they were turning dark chakra entities into weapons.
• Jiraiya found Orochimaru’s sealed chamber and used a talisman to suppress Kabuto Yakushi’s control talisman, awakening Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru told Jiraiya that Chiba Kishu was Hyuga Kei’s false identity and described how Hyuga Kei had controlled and imprisoned him for nearly ten years.
• Jiraiya decided to send Orochimaru’s revelations to Konoha, but Orochimaru warned that Hyuga Kei had prepared for this and that they were in danger.
• A voice sounded outside the chamber as hurried footsteps approached.

Hyuga Kei confronted Jiraiya and Orochimaru in the Sealing Room, claiming both his own identity and Chiba Kishu’s as he advanced his plan to unite the world under one regime. Jiraiya mistook him for a fusion that had consumed Chiba Kishu, and he and Orochimaru prepared to fight together.

• Hyuga Kei entered the Sealing Room with Federation ninjas, surrounded Jiraiya and Orochimaru, and revealed that he had tracked them since they entered Sound Village.
• A Federation ninja delivered the severed heads of three people who had helped Jiraiya reach the Sealing Room, and Hyuga Kei said the world needed only one regime.
• Jiraiya accused Hyuga Kei of devouring Chiba Kishu’s personality, and Hyuga Kei encouraged the misunderstanding by claiming to be a fusion of two consciousnesses.
• Jiraiya rejected Hyuga Kei’s account of Chiba Kishu and vowed to stop him, even at the cost of his life.
• Orochimaru proposed that he and Jiraiya join forces, and the two took fighting stances against Hyuga Kei.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru tried to escape Hyuga Kei’s research facility so they could warn Konoha, while Hyuga Kei deliberately let them flee to spread information about his identity and prepare for his eventual redemption. Orochimaru sacrificed himself to let Jiraiya escape, but Hyuga Kei was left wondering how Orochimaru had escaped Impure World Reincarnation.

• Jiraiya and Orochimaru used combined ninjutsu to break from the Sealing Room, but Hyuga Kei pursued them through the facility and blocked their escape at the elevator.
• Orochimaru turned into a giant white snake and carried Jiraiya up the elevator shaft, but Hyuga Kei blasted them through the institute’s ceiling and out into the street.
• Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, and Hyuga Kei followed them beyond Sound Village while intentionally allowing them to carry information back to Konoha.
• Jiraiya told Orochimaru to escape while he held Hyuga Kei off, and Orochimaru accepted the plan.
• Hyuga Kei knocked Gamabunta back to Mount Myōboku, and Orochimaru attacked with Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tags before becoming a pile of ashes.
• Hyuga Kei saw that Orochimaru had somehow released Impure World Reincarnation and activated the Tenseigan to investigate.

Hyuga Kei defeated Jiraiya, but Obito rescued him and took him into the Kamui dimension. Obito revealed the source of Hyuga Kei’s powers and began explaining how Jiraiya might help bring him down.

• Hyuga Kei overwhelmed Jiraiya’s ninjutsu and struck him down, then prepared to kill him with a Truth-Seeking Orb.
• Obito appeared and saved Jiraiya, confronting Hyuga Kei before pulling Jiraiya into the Kamui dimension.
• Hyuga Kei praised the pair’s convincing act after they vanished, admitting he had needed Jiraiya alive to clear his name.
• Obito told Jiraiya he wanted to use him to retaliate against Hyuga Kei, and Jiraiya realized he and Konoha had been pieces in their conflict.
• Obito identified Hyuga Kei’s eyes as the Tenseigan and explained that his Truth-Seeking Orbs could nullify ninjutsu, prompting Jiraiya to ask how they could fight him.

Obito told Jiraiya that Hyuga Kei had manipulated the Akatsuki conflict and sought to take control of the Ten-Tails plan, then revealed how Madara Uchiha had survived and used Nagato to carry out his scheme. Jiraiya learned that Obito had helped steer Nagato toward his current path and heard how the Akatsuki Organization had once pursued peace before Hanzo took an interest in it.

• Obito claimed Hyuga Kei wanted to turn Nagato and him against each other so he could control the Ten-Tails plan, and urged Jiraiya to help kill him.
• Jiraiya challenged Obito to reveal his own secrets, and Obito admitted he was Madara Uchiha's successor rather than Madara himself.
• Obito explained that Madara had survived the Valley of the End, awakened the Rinnegan, and placed it in Nagato to collect the Tailed Beasts and enable his own revival.
• Obito admitted he had guided Nagato, while blaming Konoha and Danzo for helping shape the events that led to Nagato's condition.
• Obito told Jiraiya that the Akatsuki Organization had originally sought peace and had attracted Hanzo's attention.

Obito told Jiraiya how Danzo and Hanzo had caused Yahiko’s death, and Jiraiya agreed to meet Nagato and try to persuade him to change course. Meanwhile, Hyuga Kei revealed to Nagato that he was also Chiba Kishu, leaving Nagato angry at having been deceived.

• Obito blamed Danzo and Hanzo for the ambush that killed Yahiko and drove Nagato to found Akatsuki.
• Jiraiya challenged Obito’s condemnation of Konoha, then agreed to cooperate and speak with Nagato.
• Obito used Kamui to take Jiraiya to Akatsuki’s headquarters in the Land of Rain.
• Hyuga Kei watched Jiraiya and Obito arrive, believing Jiraiya’s account could help clear his name in Konoha.
• Hyuga Kei entered Nagato’s chamber and revealed that he was both Hyuga Kei and Chiba Kishu.
• Nagato accused Hyuga Kei of deceiving him and Akatsuki.

Hyuga Kei persuaded Nagato to join his plan to use the Ten-Tails to unify the shinobi world, then arranged attacks on Kumogakure and Konoha. Jiraiya and Uchiha Obito arrived to confront Nagato, and their conversation ended with Nagato challenging Jiraiya’s appeal to protect the innocent.

• Hyuga Kei told Nagato that a second personality had once controlled his actions and claimed he had now fully fused with it.
• Hyuga Kei persuaded Nagato that the Ten-Tails could help establish a peaceful system across the shinobi world, and Nagato agreed to join him.
• Hyuga Kei proposed sending Second Pillar, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Deidara after the Eight-Tails, while he, Nagato, and Konan targeted the Nine-Tails.
• Nagato summoned Jiraiya and Uchiha Obito, while Hyuga Kei vanished and continued watching from the clouds through the Tenseigan.
• Jiraiya apologized to Nagato for Konoha’s past and urged him to stop harming innocent people, but Nagato mocked his appeal.

Jiraiya confronted Nagato about Hyuga Kei’s manipulation, but Nagato chose to continue their alliance and warned Jiraiya not to interfere. After Jiraiya was taken away by Obito, Hyuga Kei prepared Deidara and a modified gemstone for the coming assault on Konoha and Kumogakure.

• Jiraiya told Nagato that Hyuga Kei was Chiba Kishu’s second personality and was using him, but Nagato said he already knew and had agreed to cooperate with Hyuga Kei.
• Nagato defended Hyuga Kei’s plan and his own pursuit of power, while Jiraiya urged him to remember their ideals and warned that they would meet in battle if neither backed down.
• Jiraiya left the secret chamber, and Obito used Kamui to bring him into its dimension before disappearing.
• Hyuga Kei confirmed that Nagato had rejected Jiraiya and began preparing an attack on Konoha and Kumogakure.
• Hyuga Kei planned to give Deidara the modified gemstone and Secret Technique: Wrathful Hair Heaven to strengthen him for the assault.