Chapter Summaries

Pain secretly met with Sasori of the Red Sands, accepted his departure on the condition that he keep Akatsuki's intelligence secret, and learned that Naruto had created a vast oasis with Wood Release. Akatsuki then captured the Four-Tails and revised its plans to target the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata, while saving the difficult targets for last.

• Pain sent the Preta Path and Asura Path to meet Sasori of the Red Sands, who agreed not to reveal Akatsuki's intelligence in exchange for being left alone.
• Sasori warned them that Naruto was exceptionally strong and showed them the vast lake and trees Naruto had created near Sunagakure, leading Pain to recognize Naruto's Wood Release and raise his threat level.
• After returning, Pain changed Akatsuki's strategy so the organization would hunt the Nine-Tails only as a group and collect the other Tailed Beasts first.
• Kisame and Orochimaru reported capturing Roshi, and Akatsuki extracted the Four-Tails, Son Goku, from him, killing him and bringing their collected Tailed Beasts to three.
• Pain found that several remaining Jinchuriki were difficult targets in or near Konoha or Kumogakure, so Akatsuki began searching for Kirigakure's Rogue Ninja Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.

Akatsuki tracked down Utakata near Amegakure, and Nagato sent all Six Paths of Pain to capture him. Utakata tried to flee, but Pain caught up and demanded the Six-Tails inside him, leaving Utakata ready to fight.

• Akatsuki learned Utakata was near Amegakure, and Nagato decided to handle the capture with the Six Paths of Pain.
• Utakata sensed danger near Amegakure and left before Nagato's forces arrived.
• The Six Paths of Pain followed Utakata's trail and pursued him after finding where he had been.
• Pain's six bodies caught up with Utakata and confirmed he was the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
• The Deva Path and Preta Path demanded the Six-Tails, and Utakata refused to negotiate.

Utakata fought the Six Paths of Pain, whose coordinated attacks and Rinnegan abilities overwhelmed his Foam Ninjutsu. After suffering severe wounds, he remained surrounded and in danger.

• Utakata refused to surrender the Six-Tails and attacked the Six Paths of Pain with Foam Ninjutsu.
• The Animal Path summoned beasts while the Asura Path fired mechanical weapons, and Utakata struggled to evade their coordinated attacks.
• The Human Path tried to touch Utakata's head, but Utakata escaped before the Preta Path absorbed the Chakra maintaining his foam ropes.
• Utakata used the Great Waterfall Technique and Foam Technique: Clone, but the Preta Path absorbed his attacks and returned the water against him.
• The Animal Path summoned a Giant Rhino, which Utakata dissolved with Acid Sea, but Asura Path missiles struck his shoulder and left him badly wounded.

Utakata fought the Six Paths of Pain, but they overwhelmed him and began draining his Tailed Beast Chakra. As his consciousness faded, Six-Tails Saiken emerged, and the Deva Path ordered the others to suppress it.

• The Human Path extracted fragments of Utakata's memories, but Utakata used his Foam Chakra to break free and attack the Six Paths.
• The Deva Path revealed Akatsuki's plan to take the Tailed Beast, and Utakata released his Tailed Beast Cloak.
• Utakata fought the Six Paths with acidic bubble attacks, but their summons, Chakra absorption, and coordinated strikes wounded and restrained him.
• Utakata escaped the Deva Path's gravitational pull with an unstable Tailed Beast Bomb, then tried to break through the encirclement by targeting the Animal Path.
• The Preta Path drained Utakata's Chakra until his consciousness faltered, triggering his complete transformation into Six-Tails Saiken.
• The Deva Path ordered the Six Paths to suppress Saiken as the Animal Path summoned a bull and the Asura Path launched a missile barrage.

Deva Path Pain overwhelmed Utakata’s Six-Tails transformation with Super Shinra Tensei, then extracted the Six-Tails’ Chakra through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Utakata died, and the Six Paths of Pain left the wasteland for Amegakure.

• Human Path and Preta Path tried to capture Utakata and drain Saiken’s Chakra while Naraka Path summoned King Yama to repair damaged Pains.
• Saiken fired a Tailed Beast Bomb at Deva Path, who used Banshō Ten'in to pull it in and Shinra Tensei to repel it back at Saiken.
• Deva Path used Shinra Tensei to blast Saiken into a mountain, injuring Utakata and weakening the Complete Tailed Beast Transformation.
• Saiken concentrated his remaining Chakra into a massive Tailed Beast Bomb, but Deva Path used Planetary Devastation to draw it and a Truth-Seeking Orb into the sky, where the orb exploded.
• Deva Path unleashed Super Shinra Tensei, destroying Saiken’s transformation and leaving Utakata unconscious in a crater.
• Deva Path summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and Preta Path extracted the Six-Tails’ Chakra until Utakata died; Asura Path carried his body as the Pains departed.

After capturing the Six-Tails, Pain convened the Akatsuki Organization and ordered its members to find the remaining Jinchuriki while taking greater care in the field. Orochimaru informed Naruto of the Akatsuki’s progress, and Naruto told him to let them capture the Five-Tails and report their next target.

• Pain returned to Amegakure after capturing the Six-Tails Saiken, and Konan reassured him that the remaining Jinchuriki could be found.
• Pain summoned the Akatsuki Organization, announced the Six-Tails capture, and ordered members to seek the remaining Jinchuriki and use at least three people for captures.
• Tobi reflected that Nagato’s Tailed Beast captures were advancing his plan for the Infinite Tsukuyomi and to reunite with Rin.
• Orochimaru told Naruto that the Akatsuki had captured the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, Four-Tails, and Six-Tails and was targeting the Five-Tails next.
• Naruto told Orochimaru to let the Akatsuki capture the Five-Tails and send him intelligence about whether they would target Konoha or Kumogakure afterward.

Pain assigned Tobi, Deidara, and Kisame to capture Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, near the Land of Water. They found Han in a canyon, where Deidara revealed the Akatsuki’s goal and Kisame launched the first attack.

• Pain learned Han’s location and tasked Tobi, Deidara, and Kisame with capturing him.
• The three met near the Land of Water and followed signs of battle and steam toward Han.
• Deidara admitted he missed Iwagakure but said he would capture Han, while Tobi warned it could worsen his ties to the village.
• Kisame cautioned that Han might be luring them into a trap, but Deidara insisted they attack together.
• Han sensed the group, confronted Deidara, and accused him of betraying Iwagakure; Deidara ordered the others to attack.
• Kisame opened the fight with his Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique.

Han fought Kisame, Deidara, and Tobi in the canyon, escalating into his Tailed Beast Chakra cloak as the three Akatsuki members attacked him. Deidara’s powerful bomb was weakened by Han’s steam, and Tobi prepared a fire technique as the battle continued.

• Han used steam-powered attacks against Kisame and Deidara, while Tobi’s phasing let him avoid Han’s counterattack.
• Han unleashed Cloud Dragon Nine Appearances, forcing Tobi to retreat with Kisame into the Kamui Dimension while Deidara escaped upward on his Clay Bird.
• Han activated his Tailed Beast Chakra cloak and fought inside Kisame’s Water Prison Shark Dance, boiling the water and igniting Deidara’s spider bombs.
• Deidara’s heat-resistant explosives blasted a crater into the canyon, but Han’s Chakra Cloak repaired his injuries as his tails increased to three.
• Kisame revealed Samehada and had it bite Han’s arm, while Han pierced Kisame’s abdomen with a Tailed Beast Chakra claw.
• Deidara’s C3: Number 18 detonated prematurely after Han fired steam at it, and Tobi began forming hand seals for Fire Style: Violent Wind Dance.

Tobi, Deidara, and Kisame battled Han as he drew on more of the Five-Tails’ power. Han fully transformed into Five-Tails Kokuō, and Deidara launched C4: Garuda before Kokuō countered with Boil Release: Scorching Violent Storm.

• Tobi attacked Han with Fire Style: Raging Storm, but Han met the flames with Boil Release: Unrivaled Monster Strength and forced Tobi back.
• Deidara and Kisame supported Tobi as Han pursued him, then Han increased his power by releasing more of the Five-Tails’ chakra.
• Han reached five tails, and Kisame filled the canyon with water while Tobi tracked Han through the resulting fog and guided Kisame and Deidara’s attacks.
• Han transformed completely into Five-Tails Kokuō, and Tobi took Kisame into the Kamui Dimension while Deidara prepared to fight alone.
• Deidara dropped C4: Garuda onto Kokuō, but Kokuō released Boil Release: Scorching Violent Storm as the clay doll detonated.

Kisame, Deidara, and Tobi captured Han and extracted Five-Tails Kokuō’s Chakra, bringing the Akatsuki closer to collecting the Tailed Beasts. As the Akatsuki prepared to assemble in Amegakure, the Five Great Nations began considering action against the organization, and Killer B urged Raikage A to strike first.

• Tobi used his Mangekyō Sharingan to restrain Kokuō while Kisame drained its Chakra and Deidara and Tobi attacked with explosives, exhausting Han and capturing him.
• The Akatsuki assembled to extract Kokuō’s Chakra, and Pain reported that five of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path’s eyes had opened.
• Pain ordered the Akatsuki members to gather in Amegakure while Konan reported that the One-Tail, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails remained in Konoha and the Eight-Tails remained in Kumogakure.
• The ninja villages discovered that several Jinchuriki had disappeared, while Kumogakure kept Killer B under guard amid reports of possible moves against the village.
• Killer B urged Raikage A to attack the Akatsuki, and Raikage A agreed that the Five Great Nations could not allow the organization to wield its powerful force independently.

Raikage A and Mabui planned to unite the Five Great Nations against the Akatsuki Organization while using the effort to strengthen Kumogakure’s position. The Daimyo approved the plan, and the Five Kage Summit was arranged for the neutral Land of Iron.

• Mabui assessed the weakened state of the other shinobi villages and argued that Kumogakure could lead a united campaign against the Akatsuki Organization.
• Raikage A approved Mabui’s proposal to ask the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning to convene the Five Great Nations.
• The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning contacted the other nations’ Daimyo, who agreed to hold the summit in the Land of Iron.
• Mifune accepted the Land of Iron’s role as host, and the Five Great Nations prepared to send their Kage to the summit.

Sunagakure’s leaders decided that Gaara would join the campaign against the Akatsuki and succeed Rasa as Fifth Kazekage, while Ōnoki struggled to choose a representative for Iwagakure. The chapter ended with Ōnoki lamenting that Deidara, his preferred successor, had joined the Akatsuki.

• Rasa consulted Ebizo, Chiyo, and Sasori about the Five Kage Summit and learned that Sunagakure needed to keep some of its strongest fighters at home.
• Sasori proposed Gaara as Sunagakure’s representative, and Chiyo and Rasa agreed that Gaara’s strength and standing made him a suitable successor.
• Sunagakure’s senior leaders unanimously approved Gaara’s succession, and the Land of Wind’s Daimyo authorized it.
• Rasa dispatched Anbu to Konoha with news that he would step down and Gaara would become the Fifth Kazekage.
• Ōnoki considered Iwagakure’s lack of suitable candidates and regretted that Deidara, whom he had hoped would succeed him, had joined the Akatsuki.

Ōnoki and Raikage A selected their entourages for the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron, while Genji proposed choosing Kirigakure’s next Mizukage at the summit. Kirigakure’s leaders began weighing their chances for the vacant position.

• Ōnoki chose Kurotsuchi to accompany him and left Kitsuchi in charge of Iwagakure if anything happened to him.
• Raikage A selected Killer B, Mabui, Darui, Shii, and Karui to travel with him to the Five Kage Summit.
• Genji told Kirigakure’s higher-ups that the Daimyo had authorized them to select a new Mizukage by vote, with Genji’s approval required.
• Kirigakure’s leaders discussed the proposal, and some realized Genji’s prior agreement with the Daimyo could undermine their ambitions.

Genji oversaw Kirigakure’s selection of a new Mizukage and installed Mei Terumi as the Fifth Mizukage. Mei then prepared to represent the village at the Five Kage Summit with Ao and Chojuro.

• Mei Terumi declared that she wanted to compete for the Mizukage position, while Genji dismissed two other officials as unqualified.
• Genji called for a vote, and most of Kirigakure’s upper ranks supported Mei Terumi.
• Genji dressed Mei Terumi in the Mizukage Robe and hat, naming her the Fifth Mizukage and assigning her to attend the Five Kage Summit.
• Mei Terumi chose Ao and Chojuro as her guards, and both agreed to accompany her.
• Mei Terumi, Ao, and Chojuro packed their things and left for the Five Kage Summit, where Chojuro promised to protect her.

Tsunade convened Konoha’s leaders to discuss the Five Kage Summit and the planned campaign against the Akatsuki. She chose to remain in Konoha and nominated Naruto as the next Hokage, and the chapter left Naruto preparing to take Tsunade’s letter to the Fire Daimyo for approval.

• Tsunade told Konoha’s leaders that the Five Kage Summit would discuss an expedition against the Akatsuki and that the village needed to prepare for attacks at home.
• Shikaku and Jiraiya discussed the threat posed by the Akatsuki and the risks of relying on the other villages.
• Tsunade said she intended to stay in Konoha and nominate a successor to represent the village at the summit.
• Tsunade nominated Naruto as the Sixth Hokage, and Naruto agreed to inherit the position.
• Konoha’s gathered leaders unanimously voted to make Naruto the sole Hokage candidate, pending the Fire Daimyo’s approval.
• Naruto volunteered to deliver Tsunade’s letter to the Daimyo himself.

Sasuke delivered Tsunade’s letter to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, who approved Naruto’s succession and traveled to Konoha to witness it. Konoha prepared for Naruto’s inauguration, and the residents gathered for the ceremony to begin.

• Sasuke volunteered to deliver the letter and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach the Daimyo’s residence.
• Sasuke showed the guards his Sharingan, and the Daimyo Enten approved Naruto becoming the next Hokage.
• Enten asked Sasuke to escort him to Konoha, and Sasuke brought him back using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Tsunade and Nara Shikaku arranged the succession preparations as Konoha’s residents learned Naruto would become the Sixth Hokage.
• Naruto had a fitted Mizukage Robe made, and the Daimyo arrived at the Hokage’s Office to confirm the ceremony was ready.
• Konoha’s residents gathered in the village center as the succession ceremony was about to begin.

Naruto was officially inaugurated as Konoha’s Sixth Hokage, and the villagers and his friends celebrated as he added the final cuts to his portrait on Hokage Rock. After the ceremony, Naruto left the office paperwork to Shikamaru and others, then sparred with Sasuke, declaring that becoming Hokage was only his first step.

• Enten appointed Uzumaki Naruto as the Sixth Hokage and handed him the Scroll of Seals, while Tsunade placed the Hokage hat on his head.
• Fugaku Uchiha, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Shikamaru, and others congratulated Naruto as he promised to protect Konoha.
• Naruto used Wind Release to carve the final details of his face on Hokage Rock, while Jiraiya watched with Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina.
• Naruto hugged Teacher Iruka after the ceremony, then left Shikamaru, Nara Shikaku, and Shizune to handle the Hokage's Office paperwork.
• Naruto and Sasuke went to the hidden Small Forest to spar, and Sasuke was badly beaten.

Naruto settled into his role as Hokage and prepared to choose Konoha’s delegation for the Five Kage Summit and the campaign against the Akatsuki Organization. Gaara arrived as the newly confirmed Fifth Kazekage, and most of the assembled Konoha ninja volunteered to accompany Naruto.

• Villagers greeted Naruto warmly and gave him food and gifts as he headed to the Hokage's Office.
• Naruto found Shikamaru working through the night under Nara Shikaku’s guidance, and Shizune reminded him about the upcoming Five Kage Summit.
• Gaara brought a letter confirming his appointment as the Fifth Kazekage, and Naruto invited him to join the summit delegation.
• Naruto convened a high-level meeting, introduced Gaara as the Fifth Kazekage, and asked who wanted to serve as guards and join the mission against the Akatsuki Organization.
• Most of the ninja raised their hands, while Jiraiya and Tsunade stayed behind to protect Konoha.

Naruto chose a large escort to accompany him and Gaara to the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron, leaving Tsunade in charge of Konoha. After White Zetsu warned Obito that the summit aimed to destroy the Akatsuki Organization, Obito and Black Zetsu began considering how to respond.

• Naruto selected Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Shisui, Hinata Hyuga, Neji Hyuga, Akimichi Choji, Haruno Sakura, Rock Lee, Kakashi Hatake, and Might Guy to accompany him, while Shikamaru stayed behind to handle Konoha's affairs.
• Naruto left for the Land of Iron with his escort and Gaara's group, while Fuu remained in Konoha under protection and Granny Tsunade temporarily took over as Hokage.
• White Zetsu used the Mayfly Technique to reach Tobi in Amegakure and reported that the Five Kage were gathering to discuss wiping out the Akatsuki Organization.
• Tobi met with Black Zetsu, who said the Akatsuki could exploit divisions among the five villages and revealed that he had secretly found capable people as backup.

After learning the Five Great Nations planned a summit against the Akatsuki Organization, Nagato agreed to let Black Zetsu recruit new members to strengthen the group. Black Zetsu recruited Hiruko by promising to help him obtain the Sharingan, and Hiruko followed White Zetsu to meet the organization’s leader.

• White Zetsu told Konan and Deva Path Pain that the Five Great Nations would hold a Five Kage Summit to eliminate the Akatsuki Organization.
• Nagato agreed to assess candidates Black Zetsu had found, while Konan warned him to be wary of Black Zetsu and its recommendations.
• Black Zetsu sent White Zetsu to gather the candidates it had identified as potential Akatsuki members.
• White Zetsu found Hiruko near the Land of Fire border and offered to help him obtain the Sharingan if he joined the Akatsuki Organization.
• Hiruko agreed to join after learning that Orochimaru was researching the Sharingan, then followed White Zetsu to meet the Akatsuki leader.