Chapter Summaries

Konoha and the other Great Ninja Villages considered joining forces to assassinate Sōsuke and stop Ninshu’s expansion. After Ninshu announced a tournament that could bring elite shinobi close to Sōsuke, the villages agreed to meet in secret to finalize a plan.

• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu urged Konoha to join Iwagakure and the Hidden Mist Village against Ninshu, while Minato Namikaze cautioned that the cost and likely war were too great.
• Mu Yue agreed to discuss the proposal first, and the Hidden Mist Village chose to follow Konoha’s lead before Konoha told Iwagakure it was willing to hold talks.
• The villages shared intelligence revealing that Sōsuke could withstand Ōnoki’s full-power Dust Release and erase Ninjutsu, leaving their assassination discussions at an impasse.
• After Ninshu announced a tournament whose winner could challenge Sōsuke, Ōnoki proposed using it to bring elite shinobi to Six Paths City and create an opportunity to attack him.
• Konoha and the Hidden Mist Village joined the alliance but insisted on a meeting of the Kage, who gathered secretly near the Land of Fields with Mu Yue, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Minato Namikaze.

The Five Kage finalized a plan to use the Ninshu Martial Arts Tournament to exhaust and assassinate Sōsuke, while arranging for the Third Raikage to challenge him after defeating the other Kage. As the tournament approached, its valuable prizes drew powerful competitors, and Konoha assembled a large team to travel to Six Paths City.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi argued that Mu Yue should not challenge Sōsuke because the other villages might take advantage of their weakened state and because Sōsuke might escape without a powerful challenger.
• Ōnoki, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Third Mizukage admitted they could not effectively drain Sōsuke, while Rasa declined and the Third Raikage objected to being assigned the dangerous task.
• Ōnoki proposed that the other Kage deliberately lose to the Third Raikage in the tournament before he faced Sōsuke, and the Kage agreed to the plan.
• Ninshu announced valuable tournament rewards, prompting widespread interest and drawing Obito, Might Guy, Kakashi, and other Konoha ninja to enter.
• Konoha assembled a large delegation led by Minato Namikaze, with Hiruzen Sarutobi among those traveling to the tournament, and Obito remained confident he could win first place.

The second Ninshu Martial Arts Tournament drew an unprecedented crowd, including all Five Kage and many renowned ninja, leaving contestants like Obito worried about their chances. The preliminaries began with several opponents surrendering rather than face Kage, and Asuma advanced without a fight before his eventual match against Hiruzen Sarutobi.

• Obito and Kakashi arrived in Six Paths City with the Konoha ninja and spotted Karatachi Yagura and the Third Mizukage at registration.
• Asuma discovered that Hiruzen Sarutobi had entered the tournament, and Obito realized the Third Raikage and other Kage might be competing too.
• Ninshu's registration list revealed that all Five Kage and many prominent ninja from the Five Great Ninja Villages had entered, prompting Kakuzu to suspect a conspiracy.
• The preliminaries began on February 4, and Obito and Asuma found that Hiruzen Sarutobi was in their division.
• Ishida Kenji surrendered to Hiruzen Sarutobi, while opponents of the Third Raikage, Third Mizukage, Ōnoki, and Rasa also forfeited.
• Asuma advanced without fighting after the contestants numbered 1 through 8 withdrew, but he resolved to face Hiruzen Sarutobi when their match came.

Obito and his friends discovered that the tournament had drawn the Kage and powerful shinobi from across the major villages. Asuma faced his father, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and lost after showing off his Wind Release, but Hiruzen praised his skill before Asuma left the arena with Obito's help.

• Nohara Rin defeated an Iwagakure jonin with taijutsu, and Obito told her and Kakashi that Asuma had drawn Hiruzen Sarutobi in Division A1.
• Kakashi, Obito, and Nohara Rin investigated other divisions and spotted the Third Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, Ōnoki, Rasa, and other powerful shinobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma faced each other in the tournament, and Asuma entered Wind Breathing Chakra Mode as soon as the match began.
• Asuma used Wind Release to attack from the air, but Hiruzen Sarutobi countered with clones, an Earth-Style Wall, and a storm that left Asuma open to a decisive punch.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi won and praised Asuma's Wind Release, while Asuma credited Mu Yue and then quietly asked Obito to help him walk off the arena.

Fourth Raikage A defeated Makui in the tournament, while Might Guy also advanced and reunited with his Konoha companions. Later, Mu Yue showed Hiruzen Sarutobi records exposing Shimura Danzō’s crimes, and Hiruzen agreed to make them public.

• Fourth Raikage A overwhelmed Makui with Lightning Release Chakra Mode and won their match.
• Might Guy defeated a Hidden Mist jonin using Stone Breathing and secured his place in the elimination rounds.
• Might Guy joined Kakashi, Nohara Rin, Obito, Shisui, and the others, who discussed their results before returning to the hotel.
• Mu Yue summoned Hiruzen Sarutobi and gave him documents discovered by the Training Squad at Root’s base.
• Hiruzen read records of Danzō’s brutal Root training system and illegal Hashirama Cells experiments.
• Hiruzen learned that Danzō and Uchiha Madara had targeted Sōsuke’s disciple’s Rinnegan, then agreed with Mu Yue to make Danzō’s crimes public.

The Martial Arts Tournament’s draw placed Obito, Rin, Shisui, Kakashi, and other contestants on difficult paths, with several likely facing Kage-level opponents before reaching the top eight. The first round ended with Might Guy defeating Hokage decisively, while Rin and Yamato were also eliminated; the tournament paused for five days before the second round.

• Obito found that he was likely to face Rasa in the round of sixteen, while Rin drew Rasa in the first round and Nagato was set to face the Third Mizukage.
• Shisui saw that Retsuishi and Karatachi Yagura could be among his opponents, while Kakashi and Might Guy discussed the difficult paths their draw had given them.
• Might Guy opened the fifth gate and used Stone Breathing to knock Hokage unconscious, winning the tournament’s first match.
• Rasa defeated Nohara Rin with Magnet Release, and Yahiko eliminated Yamato in the first round.
• The first round concluded, and the tournament scheduled a five-day break before the second round.

Shisui defeated Iwagakure powerhouse Retsuishi by combining genjutsu with his sensory abilities, surprising the spectators and the Kage. Later, Kakashi defeated Sunagakure's Pakura with his Thunder Breathing Chakra Mode and Flash: Godspeed.

• Shisui used Observation Haki to locate Retsuishi through the dust mist and overcame his Explosion Release barrage with a genjutsu-assisted attack.
• The referee declared Shisui the winner, leaving Ōnoki and the Iwagakure spectators shocked by Retsuishi's quick defeat.
• Kakashi and Pakura traded attacks evenly until Kakashi activated Thunder Breathing Chakra Mode and drew White Fang.
• Kakashi used Flash: Godspeed to break through Pakura's Scorch Release fireballs and send her flying.
• The referee declared Kakashi the winner.

Obito Uchiha defeated Kitsuchi in the second round after using his Mangekyō Sharingan, Kamui, and Flying Thunder God Technique to counter Kitsuchi’s traps. Rasa then won the final match, leaving sixteen contestants for the third round five days later.

• Sunagakure and Iwagakure ninja reacted to Pakura’s and Retsuishi’s losses, while Fourth Raikage A warned Killer B about facing Kakashi.
• Obito Uchiha greeted Nohara Rin before beginning his match against Kitsuchi.
• Kitsuchi used the Golem Technique and Stone Clones to hide his real body and bury Obito beneath boulders.
• Obito emerged unharmed with Kamui, caught Kitsuchi in genjutsu, and struck him from behind with a Rasengan to win.
• Rasa defeated his opponent with Magnet Release: Gold Dust, ending the second round and setting the third round for five days later.

After celebrating Obito’s victory over Kitsuchi, the group went to Six Paths City’s Night Market, where they encountered Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, and the unfamiliar Sasori. Kakashi sensed that Sasori seemed familiar, but Obito distracted him before he could work out why.

• Asuma praised Obito for emerging unharmed from Kitsuchi’s attack, and Nohara Rin told Obito that he had been amazing.
• Obito studied Rasa’s abilities and imagined defeating the Kazekage, earning Nohara Rin’s admiration, and building a future with her.
• Kakashi told Obito that Nohara Rin had invited everyone to the Night Market, while Might Guy stayed behind to train for his match against the Raikage candidate.
• The group split into smaller teams at the crowded Night Market, where Obito and Kakashi competed at games while Nohara Rin laughed at their rivalry.
• Obito’s group met Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, and Sasori; after the groups exchanged greetings, Kakashi wondered whether he knew Sasori but was distracted by Obito.

Might Guy prepared for his match against Fourth Raikage A while Mu Yue and the other Konoha contestants made their final preparations. Guy fought A using the sixth gate and Stone Breathing Chakra Mode, then opened the seventh gate as the battle intensified.

• Mu Yue told Might Guy to stop training and rest after he failed to learn Armament Haki before the match.
• Obito studied Rasa, Shisui reviewed Karatachi Yagura's intelligence, and Kakashi prepared for his fight against an Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
• The third round began with Might Guy facing Fourth Raikage A, whom most spectators expected to win.
• Guy opened the fifth gate and used Stone Breathing, but A blocked his Konoha Hurricane and knocked him back.
• Guy opened the sixth gate and entered Stone Breathing Chakra Mode, clashing with A's Lightning Release Chakra Mode and realizing their strength was close.
• Guy opened the seventh gate, sending his aura surging and startling the audience and the Kage.

Might Guy defeated Fourth Raikage A with the Seventh Gate and Stone Breathing Chakra Mode, earning recognition and a Life Mission reward. The tournament continued as the Third Raikage won his match and Shisui Uchiha prepared to face Karatachi Yagura.

• Might Guy overpowered Fourth Raikage A’s full-power Lightning Release Chakra Mode and blasted him away with Day Tiger, winning the match.
• Nagato stopped Killer B from rushing into the arena, and medical ninjas carried the injured Fourth Raikage A away for treatment.
• Might Guy’s Life Mission settled, granting him a physique enhancement, taijutsu insight, and two S+ random skill scroll fragments.
• The Third Raikage easily defeated his opponent, and Might Guy became excited about facing him in the next round.
• Shisui Uchiha greeted Obito and the others before heading to the arena to battle Karatachi Yagura.

Shisui defeated Karatachi Yagura by combining Zoroark’s deception with Tsukuyomi and Azure Flame, despite Yagura receiving help from the Three-Tails. The tournament continued with Ōnoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi winning their matches, and the next bout was announced as Hatake Kakashi versus Killer B.

• Shisui summoned Zoroark, whose taunts and misleading voice led Karatachi Yagura to dispel his Hidden Mist Jutsu.
• Zoroark’s apparent black-fire attack proved to be genjutsu, but the Three-Tails helped Karatachi Yagura break it.
• Shisui trapped Karatachi Yagura in Tsukuyomi, inflicting severe pain before the Three-Tails ended the genjutsu.
• Shisui burned through Karatachi Yagura’s water barrier with Azure Flame, defeated him, and won the match.
• Ōnoki defeated a Kumogakure expert with Earth Release, and Hiruzen Sarutobi defeated a Sunagakure expert.
• The referee announced the next match between Hatake Kakashi and Killer B.

Hatake Kakashi fought Killer B in the Martial Arts Tournament, using Enma to absorb the Eight-Tails’ chakra and counter Killer B’s Partial Tailed Beast Mode. Kakashi defeated Killer B with a massive purple lightning slash, leaving the battlefield devastated and advancing as the winner.

• Kakuzu asked Mu Yue who would win, and Mu Yue favored Kakashi despite judging the match evenly balanced.
• Kakashi used Thunder Breathing and the Transparent World to defend against Killer B’s seven-sword attacks, then released his Yang Seal and struck with Lightning Release: False Darkness.
• Killer B activated his Tailed Beast Cloak and charged with Lariat, but Kakashi dodged and used Enma to drain the cloak’s chakra.
• Killer B entered Partial Tailed Beast Mode and began forming a Miniature Tailed Beast Bomb, while Kakashi infused Enma with stolen chakra and purple lightning.
• Kakashi’s Dream True Theory slash tore apart the Tailed Beast Bomb and blasted Killer B unconscious, and the referee declared Kakashi the winner.

Nagato fought the Third Mizukage in the Martial Arts Tournament and overcame his Water and Wind Release techniques with the Rinnegan, his enhanced senses, and a powerful five-nature attack. The Third Mizukage lay defeated as Nagato remained standing in the ruined arena.

• The Third Raikage worried that Kumogakure’s A-B Combo had lost to younger Konoha ninjas, while Ōnoki considered whether Iwagakure should ally with Ninshu against Konoha.
• The referee announced Nagato’s match against the Third Mizukage, and the spectators debated whether Nagato could defeat the veteran Kage.
• The Third Mizukage used Water Release, lightning-infused water, Hidden Mist, and a Water Clone ambush, but Nagato absorbed or countered his attacks and detected the clone with Observation Haki.
• The Third Mizukage unleashed Wild Sea and powerful wind techniques to create water tornadoes, and Nagato answered with Five Releases: Five Dragons Extinction.
• The explosion destroyed the arena’s remaining water and left the Third Mizukage on the ground while Nagato stood victorious.

After Nagato defeated the Third Mizukage, Obito faced Rasa in the tournament and hoped to avenge Nohara Rin. Rasa covered the arena in gold dust and pressured Obito, while Kakashi judged that neither fighter had yet revealed his strongest moves.

• Nagato's victory over the Third Mizukage alarmed the Kage and spectators, while Mei Terumi worried about the Hidden Mist Village's future.
• Obito grew confident that he could defeat Rasa and advance after watching Nagato's battle.
• Obito and Rasa entered the arena, and Obito resolved to avenge Nohara Rin, whom Rasa had eliminated earlier.
• Obito opened his Mangekyō Sharingan and threw Flying Thunder God Kunai as Rasa countered with Gold Dust Shuriken.
• Rasa covered the arena in gold dust and attacked Obito with spikes and a barrage of gold dust bullets, forcing him to dodge and defend with Armament Haki.
• Kakashi told Asuma that both fighters were still probing, and he considered Obito's chances dependent on the match's demands and his stamina.

Obito defeated Rasa in the Martial Arts Tournament, becoming the first fifteen-year-old ninja to defeat a Kage. The chapter ended with Mu Yue checking Obito’s mission progress, which had risen to 76.5% toward becoming Hokage.

• Obito and Charizard used the Blazing Sun Technique to weaken Rasa’s abilities and strengthen their Fire Release.
• Rasa unleashed Gold Dust Tsunami, but Obito and Charizard broke through the gold dust net with Flame Emperor and a boosted blast of fire.
• Obito dismissed Charizard and avoided Rasa’s golden spikes with Kamui before using Flying Thunder God Kunai to close in on him.
• Obito melted Rasa’s Gold Dust Shield with Azure Flame and stopped just short of burning him, prompting Rasa to disperse the gold dust and concede the battle.
• Nohara Rin celebrated Obito’s victory while Asuma, Kakashi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shisui reacted to his achievement.
• Mu Yue reviewed Obito’s abilities and saw that his Hokage mission progress had reached 76.5%.

Obito Uchiha defeated Rasa, prompting the Kage to reconsider their villages’ plans as Konoha’s strength grew. After the tournament’s third round ended, Obito sought Nohara Rin’s praise, but Kakashi pointed out a flaw in his performance.

• The spectators discussed Obito Uchiha’s victory over Rasa and anticipated his coming match against Nagato.
• The Third Mizukage worried that Konoha’s growing strength would make the Hidden Mist Village less valuable as an ally.
• Ōnoki decided to stop the plan to assassinate Sōsuke and instead consult the Kazekage and Raikage before testing the Mizukage’s stance.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi felt confident about Konoha’s future while the third round of the Martial Arts Tournament concluded.
• Obito asked Nohara Rin for an assessment of his battle, and she praised his performance.
• Kakashi criticized Obito’s excessive Chakra use, spoiling Obito’s good mood and amusing himself.

After Nagato and his friends discussed the tournament and their work in Ninshu, Ōnoki, the Third Raikage, and Rasa abandoned their plan to assassinate Sōsuke as originally intended. They instead plotted to deceive Ninshu into blaming Konoha and to use an alliance against Konoha to weaken both powers, leaving Six Paths City tense as they began preparations.

• Yahiko, Konan, Sasori, and Nagato discussed Nagato's victory over the Third Mizukage, his upcoming match against Obito, and their experiences working in Ninshu.
• Ōnoki secretly met with the Third Raikage and Rasa through their clones and argued that killing Sōsuke would let Konoha grow unchecked.
• Rasa warned that Ninshu could threaten Sunagakure even if Konoha remained powerful, while the Third Raikage agreed that neither danger could be ignored.
• Ōnoki proposed leaking the assassination plan to Ninshu and pretending to cooperate with it, so the three villages could turn against Konoha and weaken both Konoha and Ninshu.
• The Third Raikage and Rasa agreed to test the Hidden Mist Village's position, and the three Kage began secretly mobilizing their forces.

Obito struggled to devise a plan for fighting Nagato, so Kakashi analyzed how Obito could use Kamui and the Flying Thunder God Technique to win. On the eve of the quarterfinals, Might Guy finally mastered Armament Haki and demonstrated its power by smashing a boulder with a kick.

• Obito reviewed Nagato’s abilities, worried he could not defeat him, and went to find Kakashi, Shisui, and Might Guy training.
• Obito massaged Kakashi’s shoulders and arms, then bought ramen for the group before they discussed his quarterfinal strategy.
• Kakashi advised Obito to mislead Nagato about Kamui’s duration, evade Nagato’s repulsion, and attack at close range with Flying Thunder God Kunai; Shisui urged him to probe Nagato’s abilities first.
• Obito accepted their advice and trained for the quarterfinals while the days passed.
• The evening before the matches, Might Guy’s Konoha Hurricane unexpectedly awakened Armament Haki, and he used it to smash a large boulder.

Might Guy faced the Third Raikage in the quarterfinals and pushed him with the Seventh Gate, Stone Breathing Chakra Mode, and Armament Haki. The Third Raikage won their clash of strongest techniques, but Guy earned his respect before the fight ended.

• Might Guy and the Third Raikage entered the battlefield as spectators debated whether Guy could defeat the former contender for the title of strongest.
• Might Guy opened the first six Eight Gates, then the Seventh Gate, and activated Stone Breathing Chakra Mode and Armament Haki.
• Might Guy won their opening hand-blade exchange and followed with a kick, but the Third Raikage caught his leg and threw him into a crater.
• Might Guy unleashed Day Tiger, but the Third Raikage broke the attack with Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite.
• Might Guy's Golden Horizon Line collided with the Third Raikage's Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite, leaving Guy badly injured and the Third Raikage's finger bloodied.
• The Third Raikage was declared the winner, praised Guy's taijutsu, and exchanged thumbs-up gestures with him.