Chapter Summaries

Chiba swallowed five emerald-green Ration Balls at once in a desperate attempt to recover, but the medicine caused him to convulse and collapse. The Third Raikage turned on Shadow Clone Chiba, leaving him facing despair as the attack began.

• The Third Raikage considered the strategic value of Chiba’s emerald-green Ration Balls and looked toward the youth behind him.
• Chiba swallowed all five emerald-green Ration Balls at once, then vomited blood and convulsed from their overwhelming effects.
• Shadow Clone Chiba realized the original had gambled on a dangerous dose because the Third Raikage would not let him recover gradually.
• The Third Raikage felt reluctant to kill Chiba after witnessing his devotion to his comrades, but remained determined to finish the fight.
• Chiba’s convulsions ceased as he fell to his knees, and the Third Raikage restored his lightning cloak and vanished toward Shadow Clone Chiba.

Chiba used Creation Rebirth to heal his injuries and return to the fight, interrupting the Third Raikage’s attempt to finish Shadow Clone Chiba and the Uchiha Clan brat. The Third Raikage rose unharmed from Chiba’s kick and faced the regenerated Chiba.

• The Third Raikage hesitated when he mistakenly thought Taki Chiba was attacking from behind, then resumed his Hell Stab against Shadow Clone Chiba.
• Chiba, hidden until the last moment, kicked the Third Raikage in the cheek and sent him crashing across the ground.
• Shadow Clone Chiba recognized that Chiba had converted the Chakra from five Ration Balls into Creation Rebirth Medical Chakra to heal his injuries.
• Chiba’s white vapor dispersed to reveal his unharmed body, and Shadow Clone Chiba realized Chiba had won his gamble.
• The Third Raikage stood up without injury and told Chiba that he should not have stood up again.

Chiba survived the Ration Balls’ effects and used Creation Rebirth-level Medical Chakra to restore his body, heal hidden injuries, and permanently raise his Chakra reserves. Though the Third Raikage questioned what Chiba could do against him, Chiba hinted that he was about to use another desperate option.

• Chiba realized that the five emerald-green Ration Balls had triggered a complete regeneration, healing his injuries and hidden damage from excessive training and Eight Gates Mode.
• Chiba discovered that his body felt renewed and that his normal Chakra reserves had permanently risen to the Elite Chunin level.
• The Third Raikage sensed a change in Chiba and asked what he could do now, convinced that Chiba still could not threaten him.
• Shadow Clone Chiba acknowledged that he could not defeat the Third Raikage and suspected that the original Chiba had another plan.
• The original Chiba confirmed his intention and smiled at the Third Raikage, leaving him with a sense of foreboding.

Chiba activated Gate of Pain Mode: Critical State and discovered that his fully restored body could withstand it while improving his Chakra and abilities. When the Third Raikage remained confident that Chiba could not harm him, Chiba decided to bet again and unleashed a stronger transformation.

• Chiba activated Gate of Pain Mode: Critical State and found that his body could now bear its strain without damage.
• Chiba realized his Chakra circulation, reserves, and refinement speed had improved after Creation Rebirth restored him.
• The Third Raikage watched Chiba’s enhancement calmly, convinced it was too slight to threaten his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Chiba decided that Critical State alone could not defeat the Third Raikage and chose to bet again.
• Chiba’s eyes filled with scattered green light as the ground cracked beneath his feet and an emerald flame emerged.

Chiba broke through the limit of his Gate of Pain Mode and achieved Chakra materialization, leaving the Third Raikage astonished. He emerged in the perfect form of Gate of Limit Mode and challenged the Raikage to judge what he could do now.

• The Third Raikage noticed emerald Chakra forming beneath Chiba and wondered whether Chiba's trump card could affect him.
• Chiba opened the Fifth Gate of Limit, unleashing an emerald firestorm that made the Third Raikage recognize Chakra materialization.
• The firestorm burst apart, revealing Chiba with no obvious transformation as sand and soil floated around him and his clothes began to flutter.
• Chiba opened his eyes, displayed emerald rings in his irises and a glowing outline, and asked the Third Raikage what he could do now.

Chiba perfected his transition from Gate of Pain Mode to Gate of Limit Mode without injuring himself, then prepared to test the new form against the Third Raikage. The Third Raikage launched forward, but Chiba reached his face first.

• Shadow Clone Chiba confirmed that Chiba could maintain Gate of Limit Mode for one minute.
• Chiba recalled how he had developed the dangerous transition from Gate of Pain Mode and finally perfected it without injury.
• The Third Raikage studied Chiba’s new state and prepared to test his reaction.
• The Third Raikage burst forward, but Chiba’s hand struck his face before he could move away.

Chiba used Gate of Limit Mode to overwhelm the Third Raikage with a sudden increase in speed and strength, then predicted and blocked the Raikage’s Hell Stab. The Third Raikage recognized that Chiba could now fight him head-on.

• Chiba slammed the Third Raikage into the ground with a powerful attack, creating a crater.
• Chiba’s Shadow Clone assessed Gate of Limit Mode’s speed and concluded that it was viable despite its limits.
• Chiba sensed the Third Raikage gathering lightning behind him and turned to intercept the attack.
• Chiba struck the Third Raikage’s Hell Stab with his Rock Skin-covered elbow before its full force could erupt.
• The Third Raikage realized Chiba could fight him and regarded him with grave wariness.

Chiba used Gate of Limit Mode to perfect One Attack Prediction, but the Third Raikage’s Hell Stab shattered his Rock Skin and threatened his defenses. Chiba turned his leftward elbow strike into a hand-supported spinning kick, catching the Third Raikage off guard as the fight continued.

• Chiba realized Gate of Limit Mode greatly improved his ability to read the Third Raikage’s movements and predict attacks.
• The Third Raikage’s Hell Stab shattered Chiba’s Rock Skin and cracked the glowing outline protecting his arm.
• The Third Raikage prepared a lightning-blade strike while reasoning that Chiba could not evade both his attacks without releasing the elbow block.
• Chiba supported himself with his right hand, spun upward, and strengthened his elbow strike while kicking his left foot toward the Third Raikage’s abdomen.
• The Third Raikage realized Chiba’s elbow strike had been the opening move of the kick and that Chiba had started the sequence before his own attack.

Chiba and the Third Raikage continued their battle, with Chiba using feints, Earth Release, and a prepared sealing scroll to evade the Raikage’s attacks and launch him into the air. The Raikage realized he could not land a blow on Chiba, then fired a black lightning spear as Chiba braced for impact.

• The Third Raikage recognized Chiba’s feint but used Body Flicker Technique to evade Chiba’s Monster Strength kick and counter with a lightning blade.
• Chiba raised a rock pillar with Earth Core, but the Third Raikage anticipated the attack and thrust at him with Hell Stab.
• Chiba activated a sealing scroll beneath the Third Raikage, raising a second pillar that launched him into the air.
• The Third Raikage wondered if Chiba was invincible against him, then formed a black lightning spear and hurled it at Chiba.
• Chiba landed in a guarded position as the lightning spear struck, followed by the dull sound of flesh being hit.

Taki Chiba used Gate of Limit Mode to ambush and bury the Third Raikage, then checked on Hirohiko while assessing the mode’s immense power and its cost to his body. As the dust still concealed the Raikage, Shadow Clone Chiba asked what he planned to do next.

• The Third Raikage realized Taki Chiba had predicted his Black Lightning attack and struck him in midair, driving him into the lightning pool.
• Shadow Clone Chiba grabbed the airborne Chiba and flung him down beside the unconscious Hirohiko.
• Chiba stood despite his trembling body and bleeding nose, marveling at Gate of Limit Mode’s speed, strength, and vast Chakra reserves.
• Shadow Clone Chiba reported that Hirohiko’s right lung had nearly healed and that the remaining recovery would take about thirty seconds.
• Shadow Clone Chiba asked Chiba what he planned to do next while looking toward the pillar of dust.

Chiba faced the approaching Third Raikage and realized that his Gate of Limit Mode could keep him going for only five minutes without giving him a way to seriously injure or escape his opponent. After entrusting Hirohiko and Yukina’s safety to his clones, he chose to gamble everything on a one-minute plan.

• Chiba judged that the Third Raikage had suffered little damage from his strongest Monster Strength attack and that he could not win by fighting head-on.
• Chiba recognized that Gate of Limit Mode would exhaust him in five minutes and that he had no useful way to escape the Third Raikage.
• Shadow Clone Chiba urged him to stay calm, then told the original Chiba to protect Hirohiko and Yukina.
• Chiba agreed, summoned clones beside Hirohiko, and decided to risk everything in one minute rather than hold out for five.
• Chiba let vapor gather in his half-clenched right hand as he began his chosen plan.

The Third Raikage recognized that Chiba’s tactics and newly demonstrated power had turned the battle against him, so he activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode at full power. Chiba prepared a water spear and faced him for their final showdown.

• The Third Raikage assessed the damage Chiba’s attack had done to his Lightning Release Chakra Cloak and realized Chiba could now break through his defense.
• The Third Raikage decided to use a technique reserved for desperate situations to end the battle quickly.
• The Third Raikage erupted into Lightning Release Chakra Mode at full power, blasting away the smoke and dust around him.
• Chiba lowered his left hand, formed a rotating water spear in his right hand, and prepared to face the Third Raikage.

Dodai led the battered Kumogakure survivors across the prairie toward the Third Raikage, believing only he could save them from the pursuing Iwagakure forces. Kitsuchi held back his troops to give reinforcements time, while watching two figures preparing to make a final stand.

• Dodai learned that his nearly six hundred Kumogakure ninja had suffered heavy casualties, including the loss of one-third of their men.
• Dodai insisted that the survivors continue toward the Third Raikage, despite his subordinate's concern that they might lead Iwa to him.
• Dodai recalled how the Third Tsuchikage had used a two-thousand-man ambush to surround Kumogakure's rear unit and destroy its communications.
• Kitsuchi refused to pursue the fleeing Kumogakure immediately, choosing to wait for reinforcements and prevent them from reaching the Third Raikage too soon.
• Kitsuchi watched two figures on the prairie horizon as they prepared to make their final stand.

Chiba and the Third Raikage faced off in a decisive attack, each analyzing the other's flawless combat stance before launching a simultaneous strike. Chiba's attacks missed, and the Third Raikage appeared beside the fallen Hirohiko with Hell Stab poised to strike him.

• The Third Raikage assessed Chiba's water spear and concluded that Chiba would have to attack head-on while protecting his companions.
• Chiba recognized the Third Raikage's perfect unity of mind and body, then prepared a hidden water attack with his left hand.
• Both fighters chose a head-on attack as Chiba's Shadow Clones vanished and their bursts of light disappeared.
• Chiba's water spear and spinning water attack both missed the Third Raikage.
• A Shadow Clone's smoke burst beside Hirohiko, revealing the lightning-cloaked Third Raikage stabbing downward with Hell Stab.

The Third Raikage used his speed to trick Chiba and attack the recovering Hirohiko, believing he had secured victory. But a hidden attack erupted from the dissipating Shadow Clone’s mist just as the Raikage’s Hell Stab was about to land.

• The Third Raikage accelerated past Chiba’s prediction and rushed behind him to target Hirohiko.
• The Third Raikage saw Hirohiko’s wound healing and decided to eliminate him before he could rejoin the fight.
• Chiba realized he had underestimated the Third Raikage and could not stop his forward momentum.
• As the Third Raikage’s Hell Stab neared Hirohiko’s chest, water burst from the white mist left by a Shadow Clone, startling him.

Chiba’s hidden Water Release technique struck the Third Raikage and drove him backward, twisting his Lightning Release Chakra Cloak with its spinning force. Chiba’s trump card left the Raikage crashing into the ground as the water spear erupted into a towering pillar, while Chiba hurried to finish the fight before his Gate of Limit Mode wore off.

• The Third Raikage realized Chiba had concealed a follow-up attack, but his reflexes shifted Hell Stab so the water spear hit near his right elbow instead of his chest.
• The spear’s unexpected upward-right rotation twisted the Third Raikage’s arm and sent him flying backward, exposing his chest to its spinning tip.
• The water spear pressed into the Third Raikage’s chest and began twisting his Lightning Release Chakra Cloak, overpowering his defense and driving him back.
• A burst of lightning struck Chiba’s left arm as the Third Raikage flew past, and Chiba told Izumi to take care of Hirohiko before forming hand seals.
• The Third Raikage crashed into the ground, and Chiba’s Hard Vortex Water Blade exploded into a huge spinning pillar of water.

Chiba used a lingering Shadow Clone to rescue Hirohiko while he faced the Third Raikage alone. When the Third Raikage broke through Chiba’s spinning water attack, Chiba froze the column into stone with Earth Release: Rock Dragon Pillar.

• Shadow Clone Chiba carried the injured Hirohiko away from the battlefield while Chiba prepared to fight the Third Raikage.
• Chiba realized his overconfidence had let the Third Raikage gain a tactical advantage, but the Shadow Clone’s unexpected survival had protected Hirohiko.
• The Third Raikage burst out of the spinning water column with Hell Stab, Two Fingers.
• Chiba used Earth Release: Rock Dragon Pillar to encase the water column and the Third Raikage in a storm-shaped stone sculpture.

The Third Raikage analyzed how Taki Chiba’s combined Water and Earth Release techniques had restrained him and pierced his Lightning Release cloak. After breaking free and blasting open the stone pillar with Hell Stab, One Finger, he tried to escape, but Chiba’s spiral Rock Spears filled the breach and trapped him again.

• The Third Raikage recognized that Taki Chiba’s rotating water column and reinforcing Earth Release had countered his Lightning Release and broken through his defense.
• The Third Raikage condensed his lightning and shattered the spiral Rock Spears pinning him.
• The Third Raikage used Hell Stab, One Finger, to split the water column and blast open the rocky enclosure.
• The Third Raikage prepared to escape through the breach, but a spiral Rock Spear appeared in his path.
• Taki Chiba’s spiral Rock Spears erupted through the breach and spread over the stone pillar, blooming around the Third Raikage.

After exhausting himself with three S-rank ninjutsu, Chiba used specially made Ration Balls to recover and weighed whether to abandon the mission and the Fate Alteration Plan to protect Hirohiko. When Hirohiko appeared to fall nearby, Chiba chose to retreat with him, but a cracking sound from the Hell Flower suggested the Third Raikage was breaking free.

• Chiba collapsed after using three S-rank ninjutsu and wondered whether the attacks had defeated the Third Raikage.
• Chiba swallowed three specially made Ration Balls and began recovering his stamina and Chakra.
• Chiba considered abandoning the mission to protect Hirohiko, but hesitated because doing so would mean giving up the Fate Alteration Plan.
• A burst of smoke and a heavy thud sounded behind Chiba, and he thought Hirohiko had appeared there.
• Chiba decided to carry Hirohiko away, but heard a crack from behind and realized the Third Raikage might be breaking free.

Chiba believed the Third Raikage had broken free of his Stone Pillar Lotus, but realized the sound had only frightened him. He reached the fallen Hirohiko and weighed escaping against searching for the Flying Thunder God Kunai when something ahead caught his attention.

• Chiba mistook a sound from the Stone Pillar Lotus for the Third Raikage breaking free, then confirmed the prison was intact.
• Chiba decided his priority was to escape with Hirohiko and considered leaving markers for Yukina.
• Chiba weighed fleeing immediately against searching the primeval forest for the Flying Thunder God Kunai, which could take him and Hirohiko to Minato Namikaze and Kakashi's group.
• Chiba reached the face-down Hirohiko and bent to lift him, but suddenly looked ahead with a changed expression.