Chapter Summaries

Naruto raised nearly four billion ryō by robbing casino vaults, then met Orochimaru to arrange the Konoha Crush Plan. He asked Orochimaru to deliver two billion ryō to Pain in exchange for the Akatsuki Organization killing Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Orochimaru agreed to hear the plan.

• Naruto reviewed the Akatsuki Organization's members and decided Orochimaru could help arrange an assassination mission against Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to distract casino security while he robbed the vaults of more than a dozen casinos with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The casino owners offered a one-billion-ryō reward for Naruto's capture, but he escaped without leaving evidence and counted nearly four billion ryō in stolen money.
• Naruto summoned a small green snake to contact Orochimaru and arranged to meet him near the border of the Land of Fire.
• Naruto told Orochimaru he planned the Konoha Crush Plan and offered him two billion ryō to pass to Pain for the assassination of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru accepted Naruto's explanation and asked to hear the details of the plan.

Naruto arranged for the Akatsuki Organization to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi while keeping Orochimaru uninvolved, and planned to kill Shimura Danzō himself. Pain accepted the mission, but had not yet chosen who to send.

• Naruto gave Orochimaru two billion and told him to hire the Akatsuki Organization to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi without causing widespread destruction.
• Naruto instructed Orochimaru to keep his involvement hidden and to report the mission's timing and assigned members.
• Orochimaru contacted Pain through the Phantasmal Body Technique and presented the assassination as a job from a mysterious client.
• Pain and Konan considered the three-billion-ryō total reward, and Pain accepted the mission.
• Pain asked Konan and Orochimaru whom the Akatsuki Organization should send, using the question to test Orochimaru's feelings about Konoha.

Pain assigned Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori of the Red Sands to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi for a three-billion payout, while continuing to distrust Orochimaru. The assassins set off toward their meeting point, unaware that Naruto had already given Orochimaru a basic defense map of Konoha.

• Orochimaru declined to join the mission and told Pain that the employer had paid a one-billion deposit.
• Konan recommended Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori of the Red Sands, and Pain assigned them to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Pain told the three assassins to keep the operation quiet and discussed how Sasori might claim Hiruzen’s corpse after the bounty was collected.
• Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori agreed on a meeting time and place, then began traveling toward it, with Kakuzu eager to count the money.
• Hiruzen remained unaware of the threat, while Naruto’s defense map of Konoha and warning about the main gate had already reached Orochimaru.

Naruto delivered intelligence to Akatsuki and then told Hyuga Hiashi that he wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi dead. He revealed that the Uchiha Clan had three Kage-level fighters with Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving Hiashi shocked and understanding why Naruto wanted to target Hiruzen first.

• Naruto gave Orochimaru confidential patrol information, which Pain passed to Kakuzu to lead the mission.
• Naruto returned to Konoha and visited Hyuga Hiashi to discuss a major move.
• Naruto told Hyuga Hiashi that he wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi dead, startling Hiashi into abandoning his composed act.
• Naruto explained that the Uchiha Clan had three Kage-level experts: Fugaku Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi.
• Naruto revealed that all three Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Hiashi recognized the danger of Konoha continuing to target the clan.

Naruto arranged for Akatsuki to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, planned to eliminate Shimura Danzō amid the ensuing chaos, and chose Tsunade Senju as the next Hokage. After visiting Hinata at the Hyuga Clan, he headed to Nara Shikamaru’s home to settle the remaining details.

• Naruto told Hyuga Hiashi that Akatsuki would target Hiruzen Sarutobi while Naruto dealt with Shimura Danzō, and named Tsunade Senju as his choice for the next Hokage.
• Naruto instructed the Hyuga Clan to protect themselves and avoid fighting unless he called for them.
• Naruto visited Hinata and gave her a Flying Thunder God Kunai so he could reach her if she was in danger.
• Naruto left the Hyuga Clan without speaking to Neji Hyuga and made his way toward Nara Shikamaru’s home.

Naruto visited Shikaku and Shikamaru and asked Shikaku to assess his chances of becoming Hokage. After revealing several possible sources of support, Naruto prepared to disclose another secret to Shikaku and Shikamaru.

• Yoshino welcomed Naruto into the Nara home and invited him to stay for dinner.
• Naruto joined Shikaku and Shikamaru at their shogi game, and Shikaku realized Naruto had come to speak with him.
• Naruto asked Shikaku how likely he was to become Hokage, and Shikaku initially estimated his chances at fifty percent.
• Naruto raised the estimate by bringing up his identity, support from Konoha's clans, and possible backing from the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan.
• Naruto asked Shikaku to imagine Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō gone, then assured him there were no Anbu or Root shinobi nearby.
• Naruto secured Shikaku and Shikamaru's promise of secrecy and prepared to reveal another trump card.

Naruto revealed his strength, allies, and plans to Nara Shikaku, asking him to prepare Konoha’s major clans for the coming upheaval. Nara Shikaku agreed to help, while Shikamaru learned Naruto intended him to become his future strategist.

• Naruto told Nara Shikaku that he possessed Kage-level strength and demonstrated the Flying Thunder God Technique and Nine-Tails Chakra.
• Naruto revealed that the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan supported him, that the Uchiha had three Kage-level experts, and that Akatsuki would target Hiruzen Sarutobi while another expert targeted Shimura Danzō.
• Naruto named Tsunade Senju as his chosen Fifth Hokage and told Shikamaru he would be his strategist, easing Shikamaru’s anxiety with Yang Release Chakra.
• Naruto asked Nara Shikaku to contact the major clan heads and urge them to stay out of the fighting before supporting Tsunade; Nara Shikaku agreed.
• Naruto, Nara Shikaku, and Nara Shikamaru went downstairs for dinner, and the Nara family remained thoughtful after Naruto left.

Naruto and Kakashi prepared for the Akatsuki’s attack on Konoha, arranging to keep Might Guy away while the clans protected themselves. Sasori, Kakuzu, and Hidan entered the village and headed for the Hokage’s Office, where Hiruzen learned of their approach but did not yet know he was their target.

• Naruto told Kakashi to lure Might Guy away from Konoha during the coming battle, and Kakashi agreed to use a sparring match as an excuse.
• Sasori, Kakuzu, and Hidan agreed to kill Hiruzen, take his head, and use Hidan’s ritual to carry out the assassination.
• The three Akatsuki members entered Konoha through a side gate during a guard shift change and made their way across the rooftops toward the Hokage’s Office.
• A returning reconnaissance ninja detected their chakra and alerted the squad captain, who contacted the Anbu.
• An Anbu informed Hiruzen that three abnormal chakra signatures were approaching the Hokage’s Office, and Hiruzen ordered the Anbu to investigate.

The Akatsuki Organization launched an attack on Konoha, prompting Naruto and the Uchiha Clan to move into position. Kakuzu and Hidan lured Hiruzen Sarutobi away from the Hokage’s Office, where Hiruzen recognized the Akatsuki and questioned him about Uchiha Madara.

• Sasori used Hiruko’s poisoned senbon and tail to hold off the Anbu while Kakuzu and Hidan broke through toward the Hokage’s Office.
• Naruto sensed the disturbance, met Fugaku Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi, and warned them to show only some of the clan’s strength without revealing their Mangekyō Sharingan abilities.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring the three Uchiha near the battle, then left to deal with Shimura Danzō.
• Kakuzu and Hidan blasted into the Hokage’s Office, and Hiruzen Sarutobi led them to a sparsely populated area to limit damage to Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi identified the pair as members of the Akatsuki Organization and asked whether Uchiha Madara belonged to it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Kakuzu and Hidan after learning that Kakuzu had once battled Hashirama Senju. He summoned Enma and used the Adamantine Staff to contain Kakuzu, but Hidan battered the cage until Hiruzen recalled Enma and freed him.

• Kakuzu told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had fought Hashirama Senju and did not know Uchiha Madara was connected to the Akatsuki Organization.
• Hiruzen attacked Hidan and Kakuzu with Fire Release, but Hidan endured the flames and Kakuzu blocked them with an Earth Wall.
• Hiruzen drove Hidan back with Wind Style, summoned Enma, and wielded the Adamantine Staff to counter Kakuzu's lightning and Hidan's scythe.
• Kakuzu released five chakra-nature mask monsters, and Hiruzen created three Shadow Clones to hold them off before trapping Kakuzu in an Adamantine Sealing Wall.
• Hidan struck the Adamantine Sealing Wall until Enma warned Hiruzen that he could not hold it, so Hiruzen recalled Enma and the cage dissolved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fought Kakuzu and Hidan, but Hidan used Hiruzen’s blood to perform a ritual that fatally wounded him. Kakuzu then beheaded Hiruzen, leaving Konoha without its Third Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakuzu clashed with powerful techniques using all five Chakra natures, while Hidan waited for an opening.
• Hidan cut Hiruzen Sarutobi with the Blood Scythe and collected his blood as Kakuzu kept Hiruzen occupied.
• Hidan drew a ritual circle, entered it, and used Curse Ritual: Spear Backlash to pierce his own heart.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi suffered the matching wound, collapsed, and said goodbye to Enma as the summon was sent away.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of leaving Konoha to Danzo before Kakuzu arrived and cut off his head.

Naruto brought Fugaku Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi to reinforce the Anbu fighting Sasori of the Red Sands. The Uchiha began their assault, and Sasori revealed the Third Kazekage puppet as Shisui prepared to attack with his Phantom Body Flicker Technique.

• Kakuzu cut off Hiruzen Sarutobi's head, stored his head and body in separate scrolls, and set off with Hidan to find Scorpion.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Fugaku Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi to the battlefield.
• Itachi explained Sasori's identity, abilities, and weaknesses to Fugaku and Shisui, while the Anbu struggled against Hiruko's poison.
• Fugaku told the Anbu to evacuate the wounded, and the three Uchiha attacked Sasori with simultaneous Great Fireball Techniques.
• Sasori brought out the Third Kazekage puppet, blocked the fireballs with a Sand Iron Wall, and faced Shisui's Phantom Body Flicker Technique.

Shisui, Fugaku Uchiha, and Uchiha Itachi fought Sasori of the Red Sands and his puppets while protecting the Anbu. Itachi secretly used Amaterasu to destroy the Third Kazekage’s iron sand, leaving the Anbu impressed by the Uchiha Clan as Sasori worried about how long the fight was taking.

• Shisui used Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson to counter Hiruko’s poison needles, while Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Itachi blocked the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand Shower with Great Dragon Fire Technique.
• Sasori launched poison needles and Iron Sand Giant Needles across the battlefield, putting the Anbu under threat.
• Fugaku Uchiha, Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi combined their Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction to hold back the attack.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Shisui shielded Uchiha Itachi from view as he secretly activated Amaterasu.
• Itachi’s black flames burned away the Iron Sand Giant Needles, shocking Sasori and earning the Anbu’s admiration for the Uchiha Clan.

Sasori, Hidan, and Kakuzu escaped after completing their mission, leaving autonomous puppets to delay the Uchiha and Anbu. The Anbu searched for Hiruzen Sarutobi but found only battle traces and Hidan’s symbol, while Hiruzen’s body had already been taken away.

• Sasori joined Hidan and Kakuzu, confirmed their mission was complete, and retreated with them after leaving chakra-powered puppets to attack the pursuing Anbu.
• Fugaku Uchiha stopped the Anbu from chasing the Akatsuki, and Uchiha Itachi sent them to search for the missing Third Hokage while the Uchiha handled the puppets.
• The three Uchiha destroyed Sasori’s puppets, then Fugaku returned home to await news from Naruto while Itachi and Shisui left to train Sasuke.
• The Anbu found the battlefield where Hiruzen Sarutobi had fought Hidan and Kakuzu, including evidence of his techniques and Hidan’s blood-drawn symbol.
• The Anbu captain ordered a wider search for Hiruzen, unaware that he was dead and his body had already been taken away.

Naruto left Hiruzen Sarutobi to face three Akatsuki Organization members while he tracked down Shimura Danzō. Danzō mobilized Root to rescue Hiruzen, but Naruto intercepted him with the Flying Thunder God Technique and made him disappear.

• Naruto sent the three Uchiha to the battlefield and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave Hiruzen Sarutobi fighting the Akatsuki Organization members.
• Naruto waited in Konoha for Root to reveal Shimura Danzō's location, expecting Danzō to respond to the invasion.
• A Root ninja reported that Hiruzen was fighting two Akatsuki Organization members, and Danzō decided to lead Root to rescue him.
• Naruto sensed Danzō leading Root through the village and teleported directly to his side.
• Danzō vanished in a flash of golden light, and Root abandoned the rescue mission to search for him.

Naruto abducted Shimura Danzō from Konoha with rapid Flying Thunder God jumps and confronted him in a forest. After Danzo tried to manipulate Naruto into helping Hiruzen, Naruto overpowered him and forced him to kneel.

• Root ninja searched for Shimura Danzō while Hiruzen Sarutobi fought the Akatsuki Organization without support.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique repeatedly to take Danzo to a small forest, leaving him nauseous.
• Danzo recognized Naruto and tried to question him, then urged him to save Hiruzen and privately plotted to exploit Naruto’s strength.
• Naruto rejected Danzo’s claim to represent Konoha and warned him not to act important.
• Naruto appeared behind Danzo, kicked his calf, pressed down on his shoulders, and forced him to kneel.

Naruto confronted and restrained Danzo, accusing him and Hiruzen Sarutobi of exploiting him and weakening Konoha. He revealed that he had hired the Akatsuki Organization to kill Hiruzen and, with Hiruzen expected to be dead, turned his attention to Danzo.

• Danzo raged at Naruto for humiliating him, but Naruto's Shadow Clone pinned him down.
• Naruto accused Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi of stealing his parents' inheritance, spreading rumors about him, and treating him as a weapon.
• Naruto rejected Danzo's claim that he had betrayed Konoha and argued that Danzo and Hiruzen had driven powerful shinobi away and weakened the village.
• Naruto explained that he had hired the Akatsuki Organization to kill Hiruzen for two billion ryo, with another billion offered for Hiruzen's body at the Mercenary Bond.
• Naruto said Hiruzen should be dead by then and approached Danzo, who begged for his life and offered to return Naruto's inheritance and give him Root's resources.

Naruto overwhelmed Danzo with Wind Release: Great Ball Rasenshuriken, but Danzo survived and revealed his plan to use Reverse Four Symbols Sealing. Naruto moved Danzo far away and prepared to unleash a new power with Kurama.

• Naruto formed a Wind Release: Great Ball Rasenshuriken and attacked Danzo at close range.
• Danzo broke free from Naruto's Shadow Clone and used Wood Style: Rampant Blast Tree, but Naruto's attack smashed through it and left him near death.
• Naruto realized Danzo was trying to lure him close so he could activate Reverse Four Symbols Sealing.
• Naruto had his Shadow Clone drag Danzo several kilometers away while he met Kurama in his consciousness space.
• Naruto and Kurama bumped fists and prepared to let Naruto take on Kurama's form.

Naruto and Kurama formed a perfect bond, transforming into Kurama and preparing an enormous Tailed Beast Bomb to attack Danzo. The bomb was fired at Danzo, who believed his life was over.

• Danzo watched Naruto enter Kurama Mode and recognized that he had truly mastered the Nine-Tails' power.
• Naruto and Kurama transformed into the Nine-Tails, and Kurama enjoyed being outside Naruto's consciousness space.
• Naruto and Kurama began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb, with Naruto controlling its Yin-Yang Chakra ratio while Kurama supplied Chakra.
• Naruto and Kurama created a Tailed Beast Bomb larger than Kurama and launched it at Danzo.
• Danzo closed his eyes and thought that his life was over.

Naruto and Kurama unleashed a massive Tailed Beast Bomb that killed Shimura Danzō and devastated a mountain range. The attack left behind a ruined landscape that was later named the Land of Heavenly Retribution.

• Kurama ended the imperfect Tailed Beast Transformation after Naruto fired one enormous Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Shimura Danzō accepted his defeat and lamented that he had never become Hokage or gained the power he wanted.
• Naruto's Shadow Clone released Danzō, escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and told him that Hiruzen Sarutobi was already dead.
• The Tailed Beast Bomb swallowed Danzō; his Reverse Four Symbols Sealing captured only a small portion of its power before he died.
• The bomb pierced several mountains and obliterated the ninth in a massive explosion, leaving a scarred landscape later called the Land of Heavenly Retribution.