Chapter Summaries

Yagura urged the Third Mizukage to launch a full-scale invasion, but the Mizukage stripped him of command and sent him back to Kirigakure. Chiyue then noticed Kirigakure’s incursions were unusually small and wondered what the village was planning.

• Yagura pressed the Third Mizukage to exploit Konoha’s losses and invade the Land of Fire, but the Mizukage insisted on waiting for other villages to join the war.
• The Third Mizukage accused Yagura of overstepping, removed him as commander, and ordered him to return to Kirigakure.
• Kirigakure’s shinobi mocked Yagura’s dismissal, while he left the battlefield with his authority and confidence shaken.
• The Third Mizukage proceeded with limited incursions instead of Yagura’s full-scale invasion plan.
• Chiyue killed the few Kirigakure squads that entered his patrol zone and wondered whether they were concentrating their forces elsewhere.

Chiyue reported Kirigakure’s unexpectedly quiet night to Orochimaru, while Sunagakure’s Third Kazekage seized the chance to declare war on Konoha. After Konoha’s reinforcements arrived, Yagura returned to Genji, who revealed that Kirigakure’s Mizukage had changed.

• Chiyue sent Orochimaru a report that only a few Chunin squads had attacked his area, and Orochimaru and Jiraiya suspected Kirigakure was hiding a larger plan.
• Chiyue returned to camp as dawn broke, and Nara Shikaku submitted his mission report while Chiyue went to rest.
• The Third Kazekage ordered Rasa, Ebizo, and Chiyo to prepare Sunagakure’s forces and attack Konoha’s border posts.
• Konoha’s reinforcements reached Orochimaru’s camp, allowing him to prepare for Kirigakure’s attacks with greater confidence.
• Yagura returned to Genji, who told him that Kirigakure’s Mizukage had changed, leaving Yagura shocked.

Genji enlisted Yagura to investigate the Third Mizukage and bring some frontline forces back to Kirigakure, while the Third Mizukage ordered action against the Kaguya and Snow Clans. Kirigakure did not attack, leaving Orochimaru’s preparations unused, and Chiyue’s squad spent the lull together as Minato tested his three-pronged kunai on Nawaki.

• Genji asked Yagura to investigate the Third Mizukage and seek support for redeploying part of Kirigakure’s frontline forces.
• Yagura agreed to investigate but said he would not oppose the Third Mizukage if the accusations proved false.
• The Third Mizukage dismissed Yagura’s concerns and ordered him to deal with the Kaguya Clan and Snow Clan as soon as possible.
• Kirigakure launched no attack for several days, leaving Orochimaru’s preparations unused and giving Chiyue’s squad time to rest.
• Chiyue maintained his Kusanagi Sword, which he had renamed Rai, while teasing Minato about his three-pronged kunai.
• Minato tested his kunai against Nawaki’s, breaking Nawaki’s weapon and demonstrating how the three-pronged design could trap an opponent’s blade.

Chiyue, Minato, and Nawaki discussed Orochimaru’s frustration and Kirigakure’s silence while eating. Meanwhile, Rasa led Sunagakure’s forces in a direct attack on a Konoha border outpost, then established a camp to await the main army.

• Chiyue explained that Orochimaru was on edge because Konoha’s defeat left him expecting a Kirigakure attack that never came.
• Rasa led Sunagakure’s vanguard toward the Land of Fire border under the Third Kazekage’s orders.
• A Konoha sentry spotted the approaching force, sounded the alarm, and sent a signal requesting reinforcements.
• Rasa used Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial to crush the Konoha ninja at the outpost, while Pakura criticized his wasteful use of Chakra.
• Rasa ordered his troops to destroy nearby outposts, eliminate hidden sentries, and build a camp to await Sunagakure’s main army.

Sunagakure declared war on Konoha, forcing the Third Hokage and his advisers to scramble over how to defend the village while the war with Kirigakure continued. Tsunade refused to command the front and urged them to recall Chiyue from the eastern front, but the Third Hokage doubted Hatake Sakumo would agree to help.

• Rasa ordered Pakura to form patrol squads and set traps to stop Konoha from gathering intelligence, and Pakura reluctantly obeyed.
• After learning Sunagakure had declared war and attacked a border outpost, the Third Hokage summoned Tsunade and the Elder Council.
• Tsunade, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the Third Hokage discussed the threat and recognized that Konoha needed a commander despite its ongoing war with Kirigakure.
• The Third Hokage and the elders looked to Tsunade to lead the defense, but she refused because she needed to protect the Logistics Department and sought control of the Finance Department as well.
• Tsunade proposed asking Hatake Sakumo to bring Chiyue back from the eastern front, but the Third Hokage worried Sakumo would refuse after applying for retirement.

Tsunade took charge after the Third Hokage hesitated over Sunagakure’s declaration of war and began organizing Konoha’s response. She tried to recruit Hatake Sakumo to lead the campaign while Chiyue returned from the eastern front, leaving Sakumo’s decision unresolved.

• Tsunade berated the Third Hokage and ordered the army and supplies prepared, while Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu began mobilizing troops and medical resources.
• The Third Hokage agreed to prepare the forces and persuade Shikaku Nara to join the campaign.
• Orochimaru approved Chiyue’s transfer back to the village, and Chiyue left Minato and Nawaki behind on the coastal front.
• Tsunade visited Hatake Sakumo and explained that Sunagakure had declared war, that Shikaku Nara would accompany him, and that the army was ready to depart.
• Tsunade promised Sakumo he would face no interference from Danzo, the Elder Council, or the Third Hokage, and Sakumo considered returning to battle.

Tsunade decided to pursue the Fourth Hokage position after growing tired of the Third Hokage’s leadership and the pressures of managing the village. Chiyue supported her, while Kakashi quietly confronted Hatake Sakumo about his retirement.

• Tsunade left Hatake Sakumo after discussing her growing responsibilities in the Logistics Department and expected control of the Finance Department.
• Kakashi sat beside Hatake Sakumo and reminded him that he had retired, but Hatake Sakumo said he would always be a Konoha ninja.
• Chiyue returned home, where Tsunade brought dinner and drank heavily.
• Tsunade announced that she intended to become the Fourth Hokage and argued that Orochimaru was not the only one qualified to challenge for the position.
• Tsunade told Chiyue she was exhausted by the Third Hokage’s decisions and wanted to protect the village herself, and Chiyue said he supported her.

Tsunade committed to becoming Naruto and prepared to lead Konoha’s response to Sunagakure’s renewed war, backing Chiyue to help direct the campaign. The Third Hokage stood by his decision to step down and let Tsunade take the position, enraging Danzo.

• Tsunade told Chiyue she would become Naruto and ordered him to leave for the front at five the next morning.
• Tsunade said Hatake Sakumo would fight but refuse command, leaving Chiyue to help direct the war while Shikaku Nara handled affairs.
• Chiyue balked at being expected to command, but Tsunade warned him that victory or defeat would affect them all.
• Danzo confronted the Third Hokage after learning of his decision to let Tsunade take the position.
• The Third Hokage told Danzo that Konoha could not endure more damage and that Tsunade might bring change to the village.

The Third Hokage transferred authority to Tsunade and prepared to negotiate wartime support with the daimyo. At Konoha’s entrance, Hatake Sakumo agreed to return to duty on the condition that Chiyue teach Kakashi.

• The Third Hokage rejected Danzo’s objections, saying Tsunade would lead Konoha and that Orochimaru could not be trusted with the village’s future.
• The Third Hokage gave Tsunade his seal, ordered Anbu to follow her commands, and departed to seek wartime funds and supplies from the Land of Fire’s daimyo.
• Tsunade accepted the seal and requested Anbu recruitment files so she could clean up the department.
• Chiyue arrived at the village entrance to join Konoha’s first force of about a thousand shinobi heading to war.
• Hatake Sakumo made Chiyue’s instruction of Kakashi a condition of returning to duty, and Chiyue reluctantly accepted.

Chiyue was put in charge of the Konoha force heading to fight Sunagakure, despite his lack of confidence in commanding an army. During a rest stop, he grilled his own meat and defended his choice when the hungry troops gathered to watch.

• Hatake Sakumo asked Chiyue to guide Kakashi after his graduation, then declined a senior role and said he wanted only to serve as a team-leading Jonin.
• Shikaku Nara also stepped back from command, and Chiyue reluctantly ordered the thousand-ninja force to depart after learning Tsunade had left everything to him.
• Chiyue admitted he knew little about battle command and decided he would rely on force if necessary as the army traveled toward the border.
• At a noon rest stop, Chiyue grilled meat from his own supplies, and Hatake Sakumo and Shikaku Nara put away their rations to join him.
• When Hiruzen Sarutobi objected to the private meal, Chiyue argued that he had used his own ingredients and time, then told the other ninja they could cook for themselves during future rests.

The Third Kazekage explained to Rasa why Sunagakure had to limit its attacks on the Land of Fire and predicted that Ōnoki would join the war against Konoha. In Iwagakure, Ōnoki considered the invitations from Sunagakure and Kirigakure, leaving his decision unresolved.

• At the Land of Fire border, the Third Kazekage explained that Sunagakure's agreement with the Land of Wind's daimyo prevented it from repeating the destructive raids of earlier years.
• Rasa understood that Sunagakure had to win the war but could not freely devastate the Land of Fire without risking the daimyo's support.
• The Third Kazekage predicted Ōnoki would be tempted to attack Konoha because it was weakened by war with Kirigakure and now had to face Sunagakure as well.
• The Third Kazekage told Rasa there was no need to keep contacting Iwagakure, since Ōnoki would act if the chance to seize fertile Land of Fire territory tempted him.
• In Iwagakure, Kitsuchi urged Ōnoki to rest, but Ōnoki asked what he thought of Kirigakure's and Sunagakure's invitations.

Ōnoki refused to join forces with Kirigakure and Sunagakure, deciding Iwagakure would enter the war against Konoha later on its own terms. Near the Land of Fire border, Chiyue and Konoha’s leaders investigated Sunagakure’s unusual conduct, but Chiyue was still unsure what it meant.

• Ōnoki dismissed Kitsuchi’s political ability but entrusted him with leading Iwagakure’s war against Konoha while Ōnoki guarded the Land of Earth.
• Ōnoki rejected Sunagakure’s approach and said Iwagakure would wait until the conflict had advanced before entering the fray.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reported that Sunagakure had occupied border outposts and built camps without entering the Land of Fire or attacking nearby villages.
• Chiyue questioned why Sunagakure had not raided villages as it had in the previous war, and considered whether the Third Kazekage had reached an agreement with the Land of Wind’s daimyo.
• Hatake Sakumo said Sunagakure’s behavior probably was not a smokescreen.

Chiyue ordered Konoha’s forces to advance thirty li and establish a camp, then assigned Hatake Sakumo to clear the surrounding area. He left Shikaku Nara with the remaining command duties and went to scout the enemy and terrain.

• Hatake Sakumo said the villages near the border remained untouched but still needed investigation, while Chiyue focused on Sunagakure’s army.
• Chiyue ordered the army to advance thirty li and build a camp before the next batch of reinforcements arrived.
• After Konoha’s ninja built the camp walls, Chiyue assigned Hatake Sakumo ten jonin squads to patrol and keep enemies away.
• Chiyue handed the remaining responsibilities to Shikaku Nara and left the camp to scout its perimeter.
• Shikaku Nara realized Chiyue had left him with the command work, while Chiyue avoided proposing his risky plan to steamroll the enemy.

Chiyue left camp to scout the border while Hatake Sakumo’s squad drew the Third Kazekage’s attention. After the two old rivals exchanged words and parted without fighting, the Third Kazekage wondered who Sakumo meant by a man with nastier methods.

• Chiyue left camp, defeated Sunagakure patrols along the way, and reached the border without obstruction.
• The Third Kazekage went to support his forces after Hatake Sakumo wiped out two patrol squads, but Sakumo’s team had already removed the bodies and disappeared from the scene.
• The Third Kazekage met Hatake Sakumo with Rasa and Pakura and discussed their history and Sunagakure’s reasons for restarting the war.
• Hatake Sakumo said he was only an ordinary team-leading jonin and warned that another man would be more suitable for dealing with the Third Kazekage.
• Hatake Sakumo left with his team, and the Third Kazekage suspected he had meant Danzo.

The Third Kazekage warned Rasa and Pakura not to underestimate Hatake Sakumo, while Hatake Sakumo admitted he had bluffed about Chiyue being ruthless. During patrol, Pakura assured her squad that Sunagakure would win the war, unaware that Chiyue was concealed nearby; he spoke up, and the squad realized an enemy was present.

• Hatake Sakumo told his men that he had invented Chiyue’s ruthless reputation to provoke the Third Kazekage.
• The Third Kazekage warned Rasa and Pakura never to underestimate Hatake Sakumo and told them to flee if they encountered him.
• Pakura left the command center frustrated that the Third Kazekage favored Rasa and assigned her patrol work.
• Pakura assured her squad that Sunagakure would win the war and improve everyone’s fortunes.
• Chiyue secretly listened to the squad and challenged Pakura’s confidence in victory.
• Pakura turned toward the voice and realized an enemy was nearby when she saw her startled teammates.

Chiyue defeated Pakura in a battle near Sunagakure's camp and abducted her, prompting the Third Kazekage to pursue him. Hatake Sakumo blocked the Kazekage before he could reach Konoha's camp, and Shikaku wondered where Chiyue was.

• Pakura attacked Chiyue with Scorch Release and sent a signal flare for reinforcements while fighting him.
• Chiyue overwhelmed Pakura, knocked her unconscious, and carried her away, telling her companions he was taking her with him.
• The Third Kazekage arrived after Chiyue had left and learned from Pakura's companions that Chiyue had captured her.
• The Third Kazekage pursued Chiyue toward Konoha's camp but Hatake Sakumo blocked his path, forcing him to retreat.
• Shikaku joined Hatake Sakumo and wondered why the Third Kazekage had come and where Chiyue was.

Yagami Chiyue hid the captured Pakura and tried to persuade her to share publicly known information about Sunagakure. Back at Sunagakure’s camp, the Third Kazekage ordered a search and planned to intercept any transfer, while Rasa feared Pakura could not be rescued.

• Hatake Sakumo left Shikaku Nara to handle the work Chiyue had dumped on him.
• Chiyue hid Pakura in a cave, sealed her Chakra, tied her up, and asked her for public information about Sunagakure.
• Chiyo warned Sunagakure’s leaders that Pakura’s capture could expose village intelligence, and Ebizo urged them to adjust their deployment.
• The Third Kazekage said he would search for Pakura and rescue her if possible, or intercept her if Konoha moved her.
• Rasa asked whether Pakura could be rescued after learning that Chiyue had escaped the Third Kazekage and Hatake Sakumo had stopped him.

Chiyue kept Pakura captive and tried to break her resolve without physical torture, then warned her that returning to Sunagakure would leave her under suspicion. He ended by suggesting the Third Kazekage might value her bloodline and descendants, leaving Pakura stunned.

• The Third Kazekage suspected Pakura might have revealed intelligence and ordered preparations after hearing how she had been captured.
• Chiyue returned to the cave, refused to release Pakura without basic intelligence, and left her suspended while he rested.
• Pakura endured a day and night without food or water as Chiyue waited for her to weaken.
• When Pakura needed to use the toilet, Chiyue offered to look away, prompting her to accuse him of planning to humiliate her.
• Chiyue warned Pakura that Sunagakure would distrust and monitor her if she returned, then suggested the village could cultivate her descendants for their Scorch Release.
• Pakura rejected the implication that the Third Kazekage would desire her, then froze when Chiyue explained that he meant her body and bloodline.

Chiyue captured Pakura and forced her to choose between staying by his side in Konoha’s camp or being imprisoned until the war ended. He brought her to the command center, where Shikaku Nara recognized her and Pakura realized Konoha had entrusted Chiyue with holding back Sunagakure.

• Chiyue gave Pakura an hour to decide whether to cooperate and threatened to send her back to Konoha as a prisoner if she refused.
• After Pakura returned from the woods, Chiyue offered to keep her by his side doing chores or have her imprisoned until the war ended.
• Pakura chose to stay by Chiyue’s side rather than be locked up, and he brought her into the Konoha camp as his prisoner.
• A Konoha guard praised Chiyue for capturing Pakura, and Chiyue joked that he had captured her, not the Third Kazekage.
• Shikaku Nara scolded Chiyue for leaving him with the work, then recognized Pakura and wondered why she was following Chiyue.
• Pakura reflected on Chiyue’s feats and realized Konoha had entrusted him with holding back Sunagakure.

Chiyue planned to win Pakura over to Konoha by keeping her close and exploiting her rivalry with Rasa, while Shikaku helped spread rumors about her capture. The rumors reached Sunagakure, where its leaders began to suspect Pakura had betrayed them.

• Pakura recognized Shikaku Nara, while Chiyue explained that he had captured her and intended to keep her nearby as a subordinate.
• Chiyue told Shikaku he wanted Pakura to adapt to Konoha and noted her rivalry with Rasa; Shikaku agreed to try to win her over and arrange rumors.
• Shikaku warned Chiyue not to wander off and said he would handle the camp’s troublesome affairs; Chiyue sent Tsunade a message about Pakura.
• Shikaku spread rumors through the Konoha camp and arranged for them to reach Sunagakure, while Chiyue had Pakura clean his quarters and then brought her to the command center.
• Tsunade judged that winning Pakura over was worth attempting but unlikely, while the Third Kazekage, Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizo grew suspicious that Pakura had betrayed Sunagakure.