Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Karin began investigating Sensei’s true identity by narrowing the search to people Minato and Kushina trusted. Naruto ruled out several candidates based on their known Dojutsu, including Hyuga Soji, whose eyes were secretly an evolved form of the Byakugan.

• Naruto admitted he had searched for Sensei by looking for his distinctive star-like eyes, and Karin explained that a Dojutsu could be deactivated.
• Naruto accepted Karin’s help, and she proposed using Minato and Kushina’s trusted relationships to narrow the search.
• Naruto listed eight trusted people: the Third Hokage, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Uchiha Homura, Hyuga Soji, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza.
• Karin asked Naruto to choose among the eight, and he ruled out Uchiha Homura, Hyuga Soji, and Kakashi because their known Dojutsu did not match Sensei’s eyes.

Naruto and Karin concluded that Jiraiya was the most likely person behind Sensei’s resurrection abilities, while Soji finished researching Ryūzetsu’s Kekkei Genkai and returned to Konoha. There, Soji met Jiraiya, who had come back after receiving an urgent summons from the Third Hokage.

• Naruto and Karin reasoned that Jiraiya was the likeliest person capable of reviving their parents and planned to test their theory when he returned to Konoha.
• Soji spent another half month at Hozuki Castle studying Ryūzetsu’s Kekkei Genkai, reducing the life force needed for One’s Own Life Reincarnation to about seventy percent of its former cost.
• Soji arranged matters for Mui and Ryūzetsu, then left Hozuki Castle and reached Konoha’s outskirts in less than a day.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha after escaping Orochimaru’s trap and receiving an urgent secret letter from the Third Hokage.
• Soji approached Jiraiya from behind and greeted him, and Jiraiya recognized his former student when he turned around.

Soji reunited with Jiraiya, who had returned to Konoha after receiving a mysterious summons, and guessed Minato was behind it. After Jiraiya met with the Third Hokage, Soji left to consult Minato and Kushina, while Jiraiya headed toward the bathhouse and a Chunin emerged from the Hokage Office with a scroll.

• Soji surprised Jiraiya by appearing silently behind him, and the two discussed how much Konoha had changed.
• Jiraiya asked Soji whether anything important had happened, but Soji said he had been away from the village for two months and knew nothing.
• Soji guessed Minato had summoned Jiraiya to prepare him to teach Naruto Sage Arts and eventually help Minato return to public life.
• Soji and Jiraiya entered Konoha and went to the Hokage Office, where the Third Hokage angrily shouted at Jiraiya after Soji left.
• Soji chose to visit Minato and Kushina before retrieving the Box of Paradise, while Jiraiya left the office and planned to visit the bathhouse.
• A Chunin hurried out of the Hokage Office carrying a scroll as Jiraiya set off.

Jiraiya followed a map from the Third Hokage to a meeting near Konoha, suspecting it might involve Orochimaru. There, Soji joined Minato, Kushina, and Uchiha Homura as they waited to reveal Minato and Kushina’s survival to Jiraiya and discussed Konoha’s control over Kusagakure.

• A chunin delivered the Third Hokage’s map to Jiraiya, who saw that its marked location was less than ten kilometers outside Konoha.
• Jiraiya suspected Orochimaru might be at the destination and traveled there, recalling their past and hoping Orochimaru could still return.
• Soji arrived at Minato and Kushina’s tea-stall home, where Minato, Kushina, and Uchiha Homura were waiting for Jiraiya.
• Soji inferred that Minato had arranged Jiraiya’s return through the Third Hokage, and Minato confirmed he planned to tell Jiraiya that he and Kushina were alive.
• Minato explained that Konoha would retain Kusagakure’s leaders under its authority and station a ninja squad there permanently.

Soji explained that opposition from other villages had delayed the Konoha Academy System’s opening, but he planned to wait for upheaval in the Ninja World and use the crisis to pursue lasting peace. Jiraiya slowly approached the meeting place, still believing he had been sent to find Orochimaru.

• Minato asked Soji why he had not raised the Konoha Academy System with the Third Hokage, and Soji explained that rival villages opposed Konoha’s growing influence.
• Soji said he would wait for changes in the Ninja World, and Minato suspected Akatsuki would cause them.
• Soji confirmed that Akatsuki was behind the expected upheaval and revealed that he wanted to use the organization’s schemes to end the Ninja World’s recurring conflicts.
• Soji told his companions that several of his people had infiltrated Akatsuki and that he had developed more complete plans for the academy system.
• Jiraiya neared the meeting place, mistook it for a tea stall, and wondered whether Orochimaru was selling poisoned tea.

Jiraiya followed the Third Hokage’s map to a seemingly ordinary tea stall, where he discovered his former students waiting for him. He reunited with Minato and Kushina and joined them, Soji, and Uchiha Homura inside.

• Jiraiya searched the tea stall and its surroundings but found no sign of danger or Orochimaru’s presence.
• Jiraiya eavesdropped at the wooden house and recognized Uchiha Homura when he opened the door.
• Uchiha Homura told Jiraiya that he had been waiting for him, while Soji called them inside.
• Uchiha Homura stepped aside, revealing Minato and Kushina, and Jiraiya tearfully confirmed they were real.
• Uchiha Homura closed the door, and Jiraiya, Minato, Kushina, Soji, and Uchiha Homura sat together on the prepared tatami mats.

Jiraiya learned that Orochimaru had revived Minato and Kushina, and Minato promised Konoha might accept Orochimaru back if he caused no trouble. Over the following year, Konoha prospered and its young ninjas advanced, while Nagato gathered the Akatsuki Organization in Amegakure to begin its plans, leaving Obito resentful and wary of Nagato’s growing power.

• Jiraiya learned that Orochimaru had revived Minato and Kushina, and Minato told him Konoha could accept Orochimaru again if he behaved.
• Soji and Uchiha Homura left Minato and Kushina with Jiraiya, and Naruto and Karin later began training in senjutsu under Jiraiya.
• Konoha’s young ninjas advanced in rank, while Kurama Yakumo, Sai, and Utaka Aburame formed a team and became chunin.
• Nagato completed the Akatsuki Organization’s preparations and convened a meeting in Amegakure more than a year ahead of his original schedule.
• Obito attended as Tobi, angered that Nagato had forced the meeting and wary after Nagato had subdued him with the Self-Exerting Curse Binding Seal.

Nagato announced Akatsuki’s goal of collecting the Tailed Beasts and revealed a cautious plan to attack no more than three targets at once. He selected the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails as the first targets, leaving Akatsuki poised to begin its operations.

• Nagato restated Akatsuki’s mission to gather the Nine Tailed Beasts and impose peace on the Ninja World, telling members it was time to contribute to the organization.
• Sasori asked how Akatsuki would divide its assignments, and Nagato explained that the organization would use its full strength against no more than three Tailed Beasts at a time.
• Nagato chose the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails as Akatsuki’s first targets because they seemed easier to capture than those protected by Konoha, Kirigakure, or Kumogakure.
• Akatsuki’s members considered how Kakuzu’s knowledge of Takigakure and Ōnoki’s secret cooperation with Akatsuki could make capturing the Seven-Tails, Four-Tails, and Five-Tails less risky.

Nagato explained the Akatsuki Organization’s three-stage plan to capture the Tailed Beasts, then assigned teams to pursue the first-stage targets. Deidara and Hidan’s bickering disrupted the meeting until Pain silenced them and ordered Kakuzu, Hidan, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Biwa Juzo to capture the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Nagato outlined a plan to capture the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails first, followed by the One-Tails, Two-Tails, and Eight-Tails, and finally the Nine-Tails, Three-Tails, and Six-Tails.
• Deidara asked why Nagato had divided the targets into stages, and Hidan mocked him while pretending to understand the plan.
• Deidara and Hidan traded insults until Nagato ordered them to shut up, and Sasori and Kakuzu pulled their partners back.
• Pain assigned Kakuzu and Hidan to capture the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, with Hozuki Mangetsu and Biwa Juzo as backup.
• Hidan began questioning why the others were needed, so Kakuzu sewed his mouth shut and accepted the assignment for them.

Pain set the Akatsuki Organization’s first Tailed Beast capture operations in motion, prompting Obito to consider taking back the Sharingan he had given Kakashi. Soji learned of the plans through his agents and weighed whether to interfere as the Ninja World’s transformation began.

• Pain assigned Shisui, Kisame, Sasori, and Deidara to capture Iwagakure’s Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki, while other members prepared to target the Two-Tails and Seven-Tails.
• Obito complained that Nagato was becoming difficult to control, and Black Zetsu suggested he retrieve his other Mangekyō Sharingan from Kakashi.
• Obito withdrew into his Kamui Dimension to consider whether to take back the Sharingan he had given Kakashi.
• Shisui, Sasori, Kisame, and Mangetsu sent reports about the Akatsuki Organization’s plans to Soji through their respective channels.
• Soji recognized that Nagato’s first targets included the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, and Five-Tails, and considered using the Akatsuki Organization’s actions to advance his own plan.
• Soji wondered whether he should interfere with the capture operations or let the Ninja World’s transformation unfold.

Soji issued instructions to his allies as he continued to steer the Akatsuki Organization’s turmoil toward his own plans for peace. Naruto and Karin ruled out Jiraiya as their mysterious Teacher, then Naruto joined Team 7 in the Hokage’s Office, where the Third Hokage prepared to reveal a serious mission.

• Soji decided to intervene indirectly in the Akatsuki Organization’s unrest and sent instructions to Shisui Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Sasori, and Hozuki Mangetsu.
• Naruto and Karin continued their senjutsu training at Mount Myōboku, with Naruto learning to use Shadow Clones to gather Natural Energy.
• Naruto and Karin concluded that Jiraiya was probably not their mysterious Teacher, and Karin explained that she had sensed only the Chakra of the Chunin he controlled.
• After leaving Mount Myōboku, Naruto received a summons to the Hokage’s Office and found Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura waiting there.
• The Third Hokage prepared to brief Team 7 on a serious mission based on information Minato had recently relayed to him.

The Third Hokage sent Team 7 on a classified mission to Takigakure to protect its Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from the Akatsuki Organization. As the team departed, Soji and Minato discussed Soji’s hope that the mission would help Sasuke awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, while a multi-sided battle loomed in Takigakure.

• Soji persuaded Minato to share intelligence about the Akatsuki Organization with Konoha and assign Team 7 to the mission, hoping to prepare Sasuke to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• The Third Hokage briefed Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that the Akatsuki Organization was targeting the Tailed Beasts and tasked them with protecting Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Kakashi and Sakura questioned Naruto’s involvement, but Naruto insisted on going, and the Third Hokage explained that Naruto’s strength and experience justified the risk.
• Kakashi led Team 7 out of Konoha toward Takigakure after the team prepared for its mission.
• Soji and Minato watched Team 7 depart and discussed Soji’s uncertain plan to use Naruto to help Sasuke awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Soji summoned Kirigakure's four Anbu captains and Hozuki Suigetsu, then assigned them to deal with Biwa Juzo and Hozuki Mangetsu near Takigakure. He revealed that the real mission was to protect Takigakure's Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from a powerful organization targeting Tailed Beasts.

• Soji gathered Chiyo, Ringo Ameyuri, Momochi Zabuza, Raiga Kurosuki, and Hozuki Suigetsu in the Mizukage's Office.
• Soji told the group that Biwa Juzo and Hozuki Mangetsu were active near Takigakure and assigned them to eliminate the two rogue ninjas.
• Suigetsu recalled Mangetsu's kindness and the day his brother defected, then vowed to kill him and clear the Hozuki Clan's name.
• Soji warned that the mission could involve more than four powerful enemies and said Karatachi Yagura could not go because the Three-Tails Jinchuriki was also a target.
• Soji revealed that the group was actually being sent to protect Takigakure's Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from a mysterious organization.

Soji arranged for Kirigakure to send Hozuki Suigetsu to Takigakure while secretly drawing several factions toward the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. After receiving Soji’s intelligence about Akatsuki’s plans, Orochimaru decided to interfere in Takigakure and recruit an old partner to complicate Akatsuki’s mission.

• Soji dismissed the Kirigakure captains and had Pakura secretly give Raiga Kurosuki and Chiyo something for their arrival in Takigakure.
• Orochimaru received a letter from Soji revealing that Akatsuki planned to target the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru decided to obstruct Akatsuki’s attempt to capture Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru ordered Ohm to summon Jugo and Guren for a trip to Takigakure.
• Orochimaru remembered his former partner’s bodily regeneration technique and sent him a letter through his little black snake, hoping to draw him into the conflict.

Orochimaru and Shinnō set their sights on Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, while Suiken prepared to attack Takigakure and seize Hero Water. The village faced threats from outside forces and an internal power struggle.

• Orochimaru took Ohm, Jugo, and Guren with him to Takigakure after receiving Soji’s tip.
• Shinnō suspected Orochimaru had a scheme but decided to pursue the Seven-Tails to help create the Zero-Tails and power his Sky Fortress, Ancor Vantian.
• Shinnō gave trusted subordinates instructions and set off for Takigakure, adding another faction to the contest for the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
• The chapter described Takigakure’s history, hidden location, and treasures: Earth Grudge Fear and Hero Water.
• Suiken, a former Takigakure jonin and Shibuki’s former teacher, joined rogue shinobi from Amegakure and prepared to storm Takigakure for Hero Water.

Kakashi and Team 7 arrived at Takigakure under the pretext of discussing cooperation, while secretly intending to protect its Seven-Tails Jinchuriki from Akatsuki. After entering the hidden village, they overheard Village Chief Shibuki restricting Fū’s movements until she could control Chōmei.

• Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the waterfall entrance to Takigakure.
• A Takigakure Ninja greeted the Konoha delegation and escorted them through the waterfall after accepting Kakashi’s document.
• Team 7 saw Takigakure’s secluded village and followed their guide to Village Chief Shibuki’s shrine-like residence.
• Fū asked Shibuki to let her leave the village, but he refused until she mastered the Seven-Tails Chōmei’s power.
• The Takigakure Ninja brought Kakashi and the others into the shrine as Fū and Shibuki argued.

Naruto and the Konoha team met Fū, Takigakure’s Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, and learned that Shibuki kept her from leaving the village until she mastered Chōmei’s power. As Shibuki led the visitors to their accommodations, Naruto asked whether restricting Fū’s freedom was unfair.

• Naruto and Fū recognized each other as Jinchuriki when the Konoha team entered the shrine.
• Fū approached Naruto, then shook Shibuki while protesting that he would not let her leave Takigakure; she stormed out after he insisted she train until she mastered Chōmei’s power.
• Shibuki apologized to Kakashi and the others, postponed their business discussion until the next day, and offered to arrange lodging and a meal.
• Shibuki recognized Naruto as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and guessed that he wanted to ask about Fū.
• Naruto asked Shibuki whether it was unfair to restrict Fū’s freedom because she was a Jinchuriki.

Naruto agreed to help Fū communicate with the Seven-Tails Chōmei, and he learned that Shibuki had not mistreated her as he had assumed. Three days later, attackers invaded Takigakure and took civilians hostage, prompting Shibuki and Kakashi's group to head for the sealing cave with Fū.

• Kakashi stopped Naruto from criticizing Takigakure's treatment of Fū, and Shibuki asked Naruto to help her communicate with Chōmei.
• Naruto agreed, and Kakashi's group stayed in Takigakure while Naruto spoke with Fū and shared how he had reconciled with the Nine-Tails.
• A Takigakure Ninja reported that attackers had taken civilians hostage and were heading toward the sealing cave.
• Shibuki declined Kakashi's offer of immediate assistance but allowed his group to accompany the Takigakure forces.
• Naruto persuaded Shibuki to let Fū join them, and the group set out for the sealing cave, where Takigakure's Hero Water was stored.

Suiken and Kiri led their Rain ninja into Takigakure, taking civilians hostage as they headed for the Sealing Cave to obtain the Hero Water. Suiken dismantled the cave’s barrier, leaving the group poised to enter and take the water.

• Suiken told Kiri not to harm the villagers and explained that he planned to use them as hostages while taking control of Takigakure.
• Kiri and her Rain ninja joined forces with Suiken, hoping he would give them Hero Water and help them reclaim Amegakure from Pain.
• Suiken and Kiri led their forces through Takigakure toward the Sealing Cave, using hostages to keep the village ninja from fighting back.
• At the cave entrance, Suiken dismissed the barrier and began undoing its seals while Kiri’s subordinates guarded the hostages and entrance.
• Suiken released the barrier, and the talismans around the cave entrance burned to ash.

Suiken entered Takigakure’s sealed cave and began collecting Hero Water while Kiri stalled Shibuki outside. Fū paralyzed nearly all the rain ninja with her secret technique, leaving Kiri to flee into the cave as Kakashi’s team wondered whether these defeated attackers were the powerful organization targeting Tailed Beasts.

• Suiken reached the pool of Hero Water and filled a container, intending to use it to seize control of Takigakure.
• Shibuki confronted Kiri and the rain ninja, learned Suiken was behind the invasion, and struggled with how to rescue the captured villagers.
• Fū persuaded Shibuki to trust her and used her Scale Powder Concealment Technique to paralyze the rain ninja and the villagers.
• Kiri escaped the powder’s effects long enough to rush into the sealed cave, leaving Shibuki in control of the standoff outside.
• Naruto mistook Suiken’s forces for the organization targeting Tailed Beasts, and Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were also confused by how easily the enemies had fallen.