Chapter Summaries

Chiba narrowly avoided Ebizo’s Steel Wire trap and learned that Ebizo had stayed behind to delay the Iwagakure pursuit. After Kitsuchi ordered a retreat and the Sunagakure ninja carried Aotsuchi away, Chiba rested, believing the alliance document mission was essentially complete.

• Chiba stopped just before Ebizo’s nearly invisible Steel Wire trap could cut his neck, and Ebizo praised him for noticing it.
• Chiba saw the many real and dummy Exploding Tag traps Ebizo had set throughout the grove and praised their effectiveness.
• Kitsuchi ordered the Iwagakure ninja to retreat despite their objections, and the Sunagakure ninja carried Aotsuchi away.
• Ebizo considered how Chiba had used strategy and strength to turn the battle around, but could not understand why he had drawn Aotsuchi into a duel or why Kitsuchi retreated.
• Chiba sat down and breathed a sigh of relief, believing Ebizo had been preserved and the mission was basically complete.

Chiba explained how he used Kitsuchi and Aotsuchi’s cautiousness to make the Iwa forces believe the forest was trapped, buying time for Kitsuchi to awaken and helping force the enemy to withdraw. With the danger apparently over, Chiba treated his injuries and planned to return to the village, while Ebizo watched over him and resolved to retire after the war.

• Chiba reasoned that Aotsuchi’s concern for his subordinates made him cautious enough to face Chiba alone, and Chiba used the confrontation to buy time for Kitsuchi to awaken.
• Chiba’s plan relied on Kitsuchi seeing him flee and concluding that the woods held hidden traps, which would make him withdraw rather than risk his remaining forces.
• After Kitsuchi’s unit withdrew, Chiba felt the pain of his wounds and began healing himself, pleased that his medical ninjutsu had improved.
• Ebizo watched Chiba and reflected that Sunagakure’s losses had made him feel responsible for handing a weakened village to the Fourth Kazekage.
• Ebizo decided that he would retire after the war if he survived, while Chiba focused on healing and returning to the village.

After completing his mission alongside Ebizo, Chiba traveled through the Land of Rain toward Konoha and reflected on the battles in Sunagakure and the absence of Chiyo. He spotted a fight erupting across a lake and paused to decide whether to detour.

• Chiba released Gate of Pain Mode after healing his severe wounds, and he and Ebizo departed in opposite directions.
• While traveling through the Land of Rain, Chiba considered how easily he had handled Kitsuchi and Aotsuchi, but reminded himself not to underestimate opponents.
• Chiba wondered why Chiyo had not joined the battle and questioned Iwa's strategy, then set those thoughts aside.
• Chiba recalled that Amegakure, led by Hanzo, was feared by the great nations and thought that Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato had likely founded Akatsuki.
• Chiba saw explosions and flames on the opposite shore of a lake and stopped to consider whether to approach or take another route.

Chiba tried to avoid a battle but was accidentally struck into the water, where Yahiko rescued him alongside Konan and Nagato. After learning Chiba was from Konoha and knew Jiraiya, the three shielded him from their powerful opponent, whom Chiba then saw on the lakeshore.

• Chiba turned away from the fighting, but a black shadow struck him and sent him crashing into the lake.
• Yahiko pulled Chiba from the water as Konan and Nagato joined them, and Chiba recognized all three.
• Nagato said he could restrain their opponent only briefly, while Yahiko asked Konan to protect Chiba.
• Konan noticed Chiba's Konoha affiliation, and Yahiko eagerly asked whether he knew Jiraiya.
• Chiba confirmed that Jiraiya was well, and Yahiko and Konan shielded him as Chiba noticed Yahiko's burns.
• Chiba looked toward the lakeshore and widened his eyes in shock at the opponent.

Chiba watched Roshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki, confront Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, then chose to withdraw rather than risk disrupting his plan to save Kushina. As Roshi prepared to unleash a Tailed Beast Transformation against the three Hidden Rain ninja, Chiba recognized the danger.

• Chiba realized Roshi was still with Iwagakure and understood that the Jinchuriki had been holding Chiyo in check for Iwa's campaign against Sunagakure.
• Chiba decided not to interfere in Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato's fight because his priority was reaching the fate turning point involving Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to save Kushina.
• Roshi assessed the three Hidden Rain ninja and recalled how they had harried his force for three days, costing Iwa several elite shinobi before reinforcements arrived.
• Roshi decided to stop conserving his strength and began gathering pale red Chakra over his body.
• Chiba recognized Roshi's rising Chakra as a Tailed Beast Transformation.

Roshi broke free from Chiba’s rock restraint and attacked Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and Chiba with magma balls. Nagato rescued Chiba, but Roshi struck Konan, and the chapter ended with the group scattered and Yahiko apparently pierced by the attack.

• Roshi unleashed Tailed Beast Chakra, shattered Chiba’s rock hand, and entered Tailed Beast Mode with three tails.
• Roshi fired five magma balls at Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, and Nagato’s Water Curtain failed to stop them.
• Konan scattered into sheets of paper to evade a magma ball, while Yahiko was pierced by two others.
• Nagato used Water Body Flicker Technique to pull Chiba out of the magma balls’ path, and Konan re-formed nearby with a scorched injury.
• Roshi struck Konan and sent her flying as another figure’s Kunai failed to pierce his Tailed Beast Mode.
• Konan crashed into Hirohiko, who burst into water, while Roshi remained unharmed by the Kunai.

Nagato rescued Yahiko from Roshi’s attack while Chiba, shaken by the Rinnegan, weighed whether to join the fight or escape. As Konan’s paper Shuriken caught fire against Roshi’s Tailed Beast Mode, Roshi threw three Kunai to block Chiba’s retreat.

• Nagato shielded Chiba from Yahiko’s sweep with his Tailed Beast Chakra cloak, then set him down on the water.
• Chiba saw Nagato’s Rinnegan and froze under its terrifying pressure.
• Roshi threw Yahiko onto the water and struck him, while Nagato punched Roshi and then dove after Yahiko as he sank.
• Chiba considered attacking Roshi with Exploding Tag Kunai, but chose to retreat instead.
• Konan launched paper Shuriken at Roshi, who countered with Kunai and crossed his arms as the paper ignited.
• Roshi sent three Kunai toward Chiba’s path, forcing Chiba to realize Roshi was trying to keep him there.

Chiba, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan faced Roshi after surviving his explosive attack, with Yahiko injured and Chiba realizing Roshi wanted to keep him from escaping. Yahiko rallied Nagato and Konan to protect Chiba and prepare a coordinated fight.

• Chiba and Roshi escaped the explosions, while Nagato pulled Yahiko from the water and Konan climbed onto the lake unharmed.
• Roshi noticed Yahiko's injuries and decided the group would be easier to defeat while Chiba remained with them.
• Chiba realized Roshi had thrown the explosive Kunai to prevent his escape and saw that Yahiko's group could not abandon him.
• Yahiko thanked Nagato for saving Chiba and explained that the child appeared connected to Jiraiya and had shown unusual composure.
• Yahiko stepped forward and reminded Nagato and Konan of Jiraiya's lessons in coordinated combat, renewing their confidence.

Yahiko and his allies fought Roshi at close range, using a coordinated attack to overcome his Tailed Beast Chakra defenses. Roshi escaped Yahiko’s trap with cuts across his face, but he could not tell what had wounded him.

• Yahiko attacked Roshi with a punch, Shuriken, and a Kunai, but Roshi blocked each strike with his Tailed Beast Chakra tails.
• Roshi seized Yahiko’s hands and leg, trapping him at close range and preparing to throw Shuriken at him.
• Konan sent paper Shuriken at Roshi’s head, forcing him to dodge them.
• Roshi’s face was suddenly slashed by an unseen attack, and he released Yahiko and retreated from a rain of paper Shuriken.
• Roshi saw blood on his cheeks and wondered how the paper Shuriken had cut through his Tailed Beast Chakra.

Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato coordinated a feint to hold Roshi in place while Konan’s paper barrage forced him to defend. Yahiko and Nagato then unleashed a combined water technique that caught Roshi between two massive rotating water columns.

• Yahiko and Nagato circled Roshi and began forming hand seals while Konan took flight with her Paper Angel Mode wings.
• At Yahiko’s signal, Konan attacked Roshi with Dance of the Shikigami, Paper Rain.
• Roshi blocked the continuous barrage with kunai and chakra claws as the scattered paper sheets accumulated around him.
• Yahiko and Nagato completed their hand seals and used Combined Water Style, Great Water Collision Burst.
• Roshi was swallowed by two enormous rotating water columns before he could escape.

Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato coordinated a powerful Water Release attack against Roshi, while Chiba analyzed their tactics and anticipated Roshi’s counter. As Nagato warned Yahiko and Konan, a glowing, boiling mass rose beneath the lake near Chiba.

• Yahiko and Nagato used the Great Waterfall Technique together while Konan restrained Roshi, creating a devastating collision of water.
• Chiba recognized how Nagato’s Wind Release-enhanced paper Shuriken had helped force Roshi into position for the attack.
• Chiba concluded that Roshi had been waiting for an opening and realized he was preparing Lava Style.
• Nagato spotted danger and shouted for Yahiko and Konan to look behind them as boiling water and a red glow rose beneath the lake.

Roshi used a clone and an underwater ambush to wound Konan and Yahiko, while Chiba treated Nagato after he was burned by the lava. As Roshi prepared to finish off Konan, she ignited the paper slips she had planted on him.

• Roshi emerged from underwater and threw kunai at Konan and Yahiko while his clone distracted Chiba with a lava attack.
• Konan shoved Yahiko out of the way but was struck by a kunai, and Yahiko was knocked across the water.
• Chiba realized Roshi might have used a clone to ambush them, then found Nagato badly burned and began treating him.
• Roshi recalled surviving the colliding Waterfall Techniques by sinking underwater and using a clone as a feint before attacking Konan and Yahiko.
• Konan formed a hand seal, setting the paper slips on Roshi’s body on fire.

After a massive explosion, Yahiko and Konan returned to Chiba and the wounded Nagato, and the group prepared to retreat. Chiba began healing Konan, but she suddenly saw Yahiko draw a kunai and aim it at him.

• Yahiko carried Konan away from the explosion, while Chiba stopped treating Nagato and confirmed that his bleeding had ceased.
• Yahiko brought Nagato to Chiba, learned that he was a Medical Ninja, and decided the group should retreat.
• Yahiko asked Chiba to treat Konan, and Chiba began healing the kunai wounds in her shoulder and chest.
• Konan watched her wounds heal and wondered why Chiba was alone, then saw Yahiko draw a kunai and aim it at Chiba.

Roshi targeted Chiba after realizing he was a Medical Ninja, but Chiba planned to use the attack to create an opening for Konan. Konan’s wounds healed, and she intervened as Roshi struck, sending Chiba flying before he vanished in a cloud of smoke.

• Yahiko’s kunai missed Roshi, who survived the explosion but was badly injured.
• Roshi noticed Chiba healing Konan and decided to kill the Medical Ninja.
• Chiba told Konan to wait for Roshi’s attack and strike when he lowered his guard.
• Konan’s wounds healed as Roshi’s kunai came down, and she shoved Chiba away from the strike.
• Chiba turned in midair and disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.

After escaping Roshi’s explosion, Chiba learned that Konan had taken a blow meant for his Shadow Clone and struggled with whether to return. As Roshi prepared to finish off Yahiko and Konan with a lava torrent, Chiba came back and struck him.

• Chiba escaped underwater by switching places with a Shadow Clone, then learned from its memories that Konan had been pierced by Roshi while protecting it.
• Chiba debated leaving the battle behind, but bit down on a round object and turned back toward Roshi and the others.
• Konan dispersed into paper and re-formed beside Yahiko as Roshi realized Chiba’s clone had deceived him.
• Roshi completed Lava Style, Lava Flow and prepared to overwhelm Yahiko and Konan with lava.
• Chiba appeared beside Roshi and struck his right cheek with Monster Strength, Burst.

Chiba countered Roshi’s Lava Style defenses while fighting with dwindling stamina and Chakra. He sent Roshi flying into the sky with an uppercut, leaving Yahiko and badly burned Konan in need of urgent treatment.

• Chiba saw Yahiko bleeding and Konan suffering severe burns, and realized the group needed to end the fight quickly.
• Chiba and Roshi assessed each other’s remaining strength and prepared for another clash.
• Roshi covered himself in lava with the Lava Hardening Technique to defend against Chiba’s attack.
• Chiba told Roshi he would sacrifice one hand, then struck him with a low-angle uppercut that shattered his lava covering and launched him skyward.

Chiba endured severe burns to his hands to complete a Water Release attack while Roshi tried to stop him. Konan and Yahiko helped deflect Roshi’s kunai, and Chiba’s combined technique swallowed Roshi in twin water dragons.

• Chiba’s Tailed Beast Mode faded as he recognized that Roshi’s chakra was running out, and he summoned a shadow clone.
• Chiba and his shadow clone formed hand seals despite Chiba’s badly burned hands, while Konan’s wound worsened.
• Roshi threw red-hot kunai at the two Chibas, but Konan launched paper shuriken that intercepted them before collapsing into Yahiko’s arms.
• Chiba and his shadow clone completed the Water Dragon Bullet Technique and used Twin Dragon Bite Explosion to swallow Roshi in two water dragons.

Chiba and the others appeared close to defeat after Roshi survived their strongest Water Style attack and revealed that he had worn them down deliberately. Chiba turned the battle around by trapping Roshi’s ankles and striking him with a coordinated Monster Strength attack.

• Roshi’s stone-like Tailed Beast Mode cracked and shattered, but his injuries healed as Yahiko realized Roshi had conserved his strength to exhaust them.
• Roshi decided to kill Chiba first, believing the exhausted boy could no longer fight effectively.
• Chiba used Body Flicker Technique and a Shadow Clone to attack Roshi from both sides, but Roshi caught both kicks.
• Chiba revealed his feint as two hidden hands grabbed Roshi’s ankles from beneath the water.
• Chiba and his Shadow Clone unleashed Monster Strength, driving Roshi’s hands into his abdomen with Konoha Twin Whirlwind and making him cough blood.

Chiba defeated Roshi with a carefully planned combination of techniques, but his exhaustion left him vulnerable. As Roshi resolved to kill him, a hidden Shadow Clone attacked from the water with a Kunai.

• Chiba struck Roshi with a punch, leaving him badly injured, then collapsed into the lake as Gate of Pain Mode ended.
• Yahiko watched in shock as Chiba appeared to have defeated the Jinchuriki while Nagato and Konan remained at his side.
• Roshi pieced together Chiba’s battle plan, including how he used Water Dragon Bite Explosion and a hidden Shadow Clone to set up the Konoha Twin Whirlwind.
• Roshi decided Chiba could not be allowed to live and launched a hidden Shadow Clone from the water behind him.
• Chiba recognized the attacker as a Shadow Clone just as it drove a Kunai down toward him.

Minato Namikaze rescued Chiba from Roshi’s attack, and Chiba and Minato left after confirming that Yahiko and Nagato had saved him. Yahiko’s companions arrived to treat Nagato and Konan, while Yahiko noticed the strange newcomer wearing red cloud patterns.

• Minato Namikaze blocked Roshi’s Shadow Clone’s strike with a three-pointed fork Kunai and destroyed it with a Rasengan.
• Chiba detonated the Exploding Tag he had planted on Roshi, forcing the injured Roshi to retreat.
• Minato chose not to pursue Roshi and praised Chiba before carrying him to safety.
• Chiba asked why Yahiko had saved him, and Konan answered that Yahiko and Nagato had both wanted to help.
• Minato gave Yahiko Konoha medicine for burns and left with Chiba, while Yahiko’s five companions arrived.
• Yahiko ordered a member skilled in Medical Ninjutsu to treat Nagato and Konan, and noticed the hooded newcomer’s red cloud-patterned clothes.