Chapter Summaries

Naruto could no longer use Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, so Kurama urged him to rely on Sage Mode against Shisui. Naruto returned to the battlefield determined to fight, while the Nine-Tails watched to see whether he could overcome the challenge on his own.

• Naruto asked Kurama for more help, but Kurama explained that Naruto's body could not withstand any more of its Chakra.
• Kurama told Naruto to try Sage Mode, the only fighting mode he could still use, and Naruto decided not to give up despite the time it would take.
• After Naruto left his mental space, Kurama watched him and treated the fight as a test of whether Naruto could earn its acknowledgment.
• Sakura and Kakashi worried when Naruto left Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, but Naruto stopped them from coming to help and asked them to trust him.
• Naruto told Shisui he would show him what else he could do, and Shisui reacted to Naruto calling him Principal Shisui.

Naruto stalled Shisui by questioning his defection and summoning waves of Shadow Clones while three hidden clones gathered Natural Energy. After one clone dispelled and transferred the energy to Naruto, he was ready to enter Sage Mode.

• Naruto asked Shisui why he had killed his clansmen and left Konoha, and Shisui said he sought peace throughout the Ninja World.
• Naruto used Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to surround Shisui and buy time for three hidden clones to absorb Natural Energy.
• Shisui cleared three waves of Naruto's Shadow Clones while Naruto repeatedly summoned more and kept him occupied.
• One of the three hidden clones dispelled itself after gathering enough Natural Energy, transferring it to Naruto and enabling his Sage Mode debut.

Naruto entered Sage Mode and changed his fighting style, forcing Shisui to summon Susanoo. Naruto’s Sage Art: Rasengan nearly shattered Shisui’s second-stage Susanoo, but Shisui survived and remained far from using his full strength.

• Naruto dismissed his Shadow Clones and fought Shisui in Sage Mode, trading taijutsu and ninjutsu attacks with him.
• Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned Susanoo after their close-range Wind and Fire Release techniques injured Naruto.
• Naruto used Wind Release: Pressure Damage to fill the area with dust, obscure Shisui’s Sharingan, and approach unseen.
• Naruto struck Shisui’s Susanoo with Sage Art: Rasengan, causing a huge explosion that blasted both fighters into deep craters.
• Naruto and Shisui emerged from the craters, and Shisui saw that his second-stage Susanoo was badly cracked despite surviving the attack.

Naruto fought Shisui in Takigakure and began to suspect that the former principal was secretly protecting him. After Shisui denied it, Naruto pieced together evidence that he had been holding back and following Naruto’s rhythm throughout the battle.

• Shisui warned Naruto to keep a lower profile, but Naruto refused to retreat and continued the fight.
• Naruto grew distracted by Shisui’s lack of killing intent and stumbled during an exchange, taking a slash across his abdomen.
• Shisui subtly shifted his blade and slowed the strike, while Naruto kicked his hand away and escaped a potentially fatal wound.
• Naruto asked Shisui whether the slash had been intentional, and Shisui falsely claimed he had spared Naruto because the organization needed the Nine-Tails to revive.
• Naruto noticed Shisui’s momentary reaction and concluded that Shisui might be an undercover agent who had been going easy on him.

Naruto realized Shisui was an undercover agent and promised not to reveal his suspicion, while Shisui kept him from leaving to help Sasuke so his cover would remain intact. As their fight continued, the chapter explained why Shisui had refused Soji's offer of Hashirama Cells and deliberately limited his Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Naruto inferred that Shisui was secretly working against the Akatsuki Organization, and Shisui subtly warned him not to spread his suspicions.
• Naruto promised to keep Shisui's suspected identity secret, while Shisui concealed their exchange during their fight.
• Naruto's Sage Mode ran out, and he used another Shadow Clone's gathered Natural Energy to enter it again before deciding to leave and help Sasuke.
• Shisui blocked Naruto, claiming the Akatsuki Organization's mission required him to capture Naruto, and continued their evenly matched fight to protect his cover.
• The chapter revealed that Shisui had rejected Soji's offer of Hashirama Cells because they could expose him to Obito and prevent him from plausibly limiting his Mangekyō Sharingan use.

Sasuke and Deidara struggled to break a stalemate, with Deidara holding the advantage from the air but limiting his strongest attacks to avoid harming nearby allies. Sasuke lured Deidara into range, damaged his clay bird, and pierced it with Chidori Sharp Spear, leaving both fighters poised to lose their flight and face each other on the ground.

• Deidara bombarded Sasuke from his clay bird, while Sasuke's Lightning Release neutralized the clay but could not protect him from the blasts' shockwaves.
• Sasuke realized his chakra was running low and decided he needed to force Deidara down from the sky.
• Sasuke used Fire Release: Flower Phoenix Fire Technique, and a fireball struck one of the clay bird's wings after its movement briefly slowed.
• Sasuke flew toward Deidara as Deidara threw three clay bombs at him, but Sasuke blocked the explosions with his Curse Seal wings.
• Sasuke pierced the clay bird's belly with Lightning Release: Chidori Sharp Spear, threatening to bring both fighters down to the ground.

Sasuke survived Deidara’s self-destructing clone but was badly injured, while Deidara suffered a wound to his left arm. As their fight continued, Deidara brought out his C2 Explosive Clay Giant Dragon, leaving Sasuke facing an even greater threat.

• Deidara’s self-destructing clone exploded at close range, and Sasuke survived by shielding himself with Lightning Release chakra and his Curse Seal wings.
• Sasuke ambushed Deidara after the blast, but his charred body and ruined wings left him too injured to pursue.
• Sasuke and Deidara traded threats as each recognized the other’s strength and struggled with the damage they had suffered.
• Deidara chose to use a stronger technique and summoned his C2 Explosive Clay Giant Dragon, which made Sasuke sense immediate danger.

Sasuke used Xiao Bai, his white snake Summoning Beast, to bite Deidara and disrupt his Chakra, forcing Deidara's clay creations out of control. The two fighters were left dodging the rampaging creatures, while Deidara vowed to kill Sasuke once his Chakra settled.

• Sasuke dodged the C2 Explosive Clay Dragon's attacks while Deidara treated his injured arm and prepared to take flight again.
• Sasuke signaled Xiao Bai to ambush Deidara, and the white snake bit Deidara's right wrist and injected its venom.
• The venom threw Deidara's Chakra into disorder, causing him to lose control of the C2 Explosive Clay Dragon and the Explosive Clay Bird.
• Sasuke tried to close in on Deidara, but the rampaging clay creatures repeatedly blocked his path and forced both fighters to keep dodging.
• Deidara cursed Sasuke and vowed to give him a deadly present once his Chakra settled down.

Sasuke survived Deidara’s explosion by accidentally summoning Manda to shield him, leaving Manda badly injured and Sasuke drained of chakra. After Manda returned to Ryūchi Cave, Sasuke faced Deidara, who was also trapped underground and unable to attack.

• Sasuke’s emergency Summoning Jutsu pulled Manda away from Orochimaru and into Deidara’s explosion, while the other fighters stopped to watch.
• Orochimaru realized Sasuke had summoned Manda and became far more interested in Sasuke’s abilities.
• After the blast, Sasuke emerged from Manda’s mouth in the crater, exhausted and unable to maintain his Curse Seal or Sharingan.
• Manda regained control, recognized Sasuke as an Uchiha connected to Orochimaru, cursed him, and returned to Ryūchi Cave to recover.
• Sasuke found himself too weak to fight, while Deidara’s head emerged from the ground with the rest of his body still buried.

Deidara and Sasuke struggled against Deidara’s explosive clay constructs until their collision triggered a massive chain explosion. Sasuke used Manda to shield himself, while Orochimaru’s group was left injured after Manda suddenly disappeared from their battlefield.

• Deidara and Sasuke dodged the Explosive Clay Giant Bird and C2 Explosive Clay Giant Dragon as Deidara worked to stabilize his poisoned Chakra.
• The C2 Explosive Clay Giant Dragon damaged the Explosive Clay Giant Bird, prompting Deidara to escape underground as both constructs began to explode.
• Sasuke summoned Manda, controlled him with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and hid inside his body before the chained explosions struck.
• Sasori unleashed Puppet Transformation—Death Hurricane against Orochimaru, Ohm, Guren, and Manda, but Manda vanished before it could block the attack.
• Orochimaru, Ohm, and Guren were wounded by the hurricane, while Sasori hesitated to pursue them because he suspected a scheme.
• Manda appeared on Sasuke’s battlefield and shielded him inside his body as the explosive clay constructs detonated.

Sasuke and Deidara, both badly weakened after their fight, raced to see whether Sasuke could reach Deidara before Deidara recovered control of his Chakra. Just as Sasuke prepared to strike and Deidara readied a desperate attack, an unexpected accident changed the outcome.

• Deidara remained trapped underground with only his head exposed, while Sasuke struggled to crawl toward him with a Kunai.
• Deidara tried to stall Sasuke with taunts, but Sasuke stayed silent and continued closing the distance.
• Sasuke drew within striking range as Deidara realized he could not settle the disorder in his Chakra in time.
• Deidara decided to use a powerful secret technique even if it killed them both, while Sasuke pressed on with his attack.
• An unexpected accident occurred, leaving Deidara smiling and Sasuke numb.

Sasuke’s last-ditch attack nearly killed Deidara, but Sasuke collapsed before he could finish him, allowing Deidara to recover and prepare C4: Garuda. As Deidara moved to detonate it, Naruto broke away from Shisui’s Susanoo and rushed toward Sasuke despite suffering devastating injuries.

• Sasuke stumbled on uneven ground and fell, leaving only a shallow cut across Deidara’s forehead instead of slashing his throat.
• Deidara recovered control of his Chakra, emerged from the earth, and taunted the powerless Sasuke.
• Deidara chose C4: Garuda, created a giant clay replica of himself, and prepared to detonate it above Sasuke.
• Sasuke tried to rise and use Lightning Release but collapsed again, realizing he could not escape.
• Naruto endured a direct blow from Shisui’s Susanoo, suffered severe chest and internal injuries, and rushed toward Sasuke.

Naruto risked his life to rescue Sasuke from Deidara’s C4. Garuda, but the microscopic bombs caught up with him after he threw Sasuke to safety. Believing Naruto had died saving him, Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, fulfilling Soji’s plan.

• Naruto reached the badly injured Sasuke and carried him away as Deidara detonated C4. Garuda.
• Naruto and Sasuke saw nearby animals disintegrate and fled the spreading microscopic bombs, while Sasuke had no Chakra left to counter them.
• Sasuke urged Naruto to leave him behind, but Naruto threw him toward Sakura, who caught him.
• Naruto was caught by the deadly attack, and Sasuke and Sakura screamed as he faced death.
• Sasuke’s Indra Chakra awakened further, restoring his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and transforming it into the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Amaterasu against Deidara after believing Naruto had died in C4 Garuda. Naruto survived by unveiling the Sage Art: Nebula Chains, his newly created S-rank technique.

• Sasuke and Sakura believed Naruto had been killed by C4 Garuda, while Kakashi worried from a safe place.
• Sasuke awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan and burned Deidara's Explosive Clay Giant Bird with Amaterasu, forcing Deidara to jump clear.
• Sasuke's chakra ran low and his vision blurred as he prepared to avenge Naruto.
• Naruto used Adamantine Sealing Chains infused with Wind Release and Sage Chakra to create the Sage Art: Nebula Chains.

Naruto used Sage Art: Nebula Chains to devour Deidara’s C4: Garuda, impressing the gathered fighters and leaving Sasori worried for Deidara. While everyone focused on Naruto, Shinnō secretly entered Takigakure to capture the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki as part of his agreement with Orochimaru.

• Naruto activated Sage Art: Nebula Chains, which swallowed Deidara’s microscopic bombs, Amaterasu, and the surrounding destruction before they could harm him or his allies.
• Sasuke, Sakura, Deidara, Orochimaru, Shisui, and the others watched Naruto’s display, while Shisui relaxed and Sasori grew concerned for Deidara’s safety.
• Shinnō arrived secretly in Takigakure, intending to take the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki while Orochimaru’s attack drew everyone’s attention.
• Shinnō had agreed to cooperate with Orochimaru, who wanted Shinnō’s Body Revival and Body Activation techniques in exchange for help and intelligence about the Akatsuki Organization.

Shinnō found Fū and tried to seize the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki while Takigakure was weakened by the battle. After Shinnō overwhelmed the villagers, Fū incapacitated Shibuki, apparently deciding she could no longer let the village suffer for her sake.

• Shinnō slipped into Takigakure, avoided the ongoing battles, and searched for Fū so he could create Zero-Tails Void and power Angkor Fortress.
• Shinnō found Fū and Shibuki among the surviving villagers and openly announced that he intended to take the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Shibuki ordered the Takigakure Ninja to attack Shinnō, but Shinnō defeated them with his Dark Body Technique and rapidly healed from their counterattacks.
• As Shibuki prepared to fight, Fū struck him with a numbing ninjutsu and apologized for dragging Takigakure into danger.

Shinnō captured Fū after she fled Takigakure to protect Shibuki and the other villagers, then left with her to pursue his plans for the Zero-Tails Void and Angkor Fortress. Meanwhile, Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu overwhelmed Kirigakure’s forces until Soji’s Blood Shadow appeared in Takigakure.

• Fū knocked Shibuki down and fled Takigakure so Shinnō would pursue her instead of killing the others.
• Fū used the Seven-Tails Chōmei’s power to fly, but Shinnō caught her after her wings disappeared and captured her.
• Shinnō left with Fū for Angkor Fortress, intending to create the Zero-Tails Void and withhold his research from Orochimaru if he could.
• Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu combined their Water Style techniques and ninja swords to overpower Kirigakure’s four Anbu squad captains, while Biwa Juzo also fought on their side.
• Kisame judged Chiyo the strongest of the four captains and recognized the others as Elite Jonin, then Soji’s Blood Shadow appeared in Takigakure.

Chiyo used the blood sphere Soji had given her to summon a Blood Shadow resembling Mizuki Ember, startling both Kirigakure and Akatsuki. The Blood Shadow overwhelmed Kisame, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Biwa Juzo, forcing them to retreat.

• Kisame stopped the fight after Zabuza withdrew and Chiyo's group was pushed to the brink.
• Chiyo cut her palm and used her blood to activate the sphere formed from twenty-five Blood Crystals.
• The sphere transformed into a Blood Shadow resembling Mizuki Ember, shocking Ringo Ameyuri, Raiga Kurosuki, Zabuza, and Kisame's group.
• Biwa Juzo suggested they stop fighting Kirigakure's Anbu, and Kisame proposed testing the Blood Shadow before retreating if necessary.
• The Blood Shadow chased Kisame, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Biwa Juzo, countered their Water Release with Ice Release, and wounded them.
• Hozuki Mangetsu fled, and Kisame and Biwa Juzo followed him.

Chiyo’s summoned Blood Shadow overwhelmed the rogue ninja at Takigakure, forcing Kisame, Sasori, and Orochimaru’s groups to flee. The Blood Shadow’s pursuit reached the battlefield where Naruto and Sasuke were unconscious, and Sasori warned Deidara and Shisui that Mizuki Ember had arrived.

• Chiyo ordered the Blood Shadow to pursue Kisame, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Biwa Juzo and suppress the disturbances in Takigakure.
• The Blood Shadow’s blood-red ice froze Guren’s Crystal Dragon, and Orochimaru chose to flee with Guren and Ohm rather than confront it.
• Sasori abandoned his fight with Orochimaru’s group and escaped alongside Kisame and the others as the Blood Shadow pursued them.
• Naruto and Sasuke collapsed from their injuries and exertion, leaving Sakura to guard them while Deidara and Shisui remained able to fight.
• The fleeing Akatsuki members and the Blood Shadow reached Deidara’s battlefield, where Sasori shouted for Deidara and Shisui to run because Mizuki Ember had arrived.

Soji’s Blood Shadow drove off the Akatsuki and Orochimaru, but Shibuki revealed that Shinnō had abducted Fū. The group returned to Takigakure without knowing Kakuzu had survived by replacing a destroyed heart and playing dead.

• Shisui and Deidara fled when they heard Mizuki Ember’s name, and Sakura brought the unconscious Naruto and Sasuke to the Mist Village Anbu captains.
• Chiyo and the others realized they had forgotten Hozuki Suigetsu, and Ringo Ameyuri went back to find him.
• The group found Shibuki and learned that Shinnō had taken Fū; Chiyo promised to investigate the mysterious medical ninja.
• Ringo returned with the unconscious Hozuki Suigetsu, and the group headed back to Takigakure to rest.
• After everyone left the battlefield, a black-threaded monster revived Kakuzu, who explained that he had survived by using Suiken’s heart and pretending to be dead.