Chapter Summaries

After returning to Konoha, Chiba realized the village was facing a serious crisis as he and his teammates were questioned at the gate. The Third Hokage revealed that Kushina had been abducted, and a rescue mission was being prepared.

• Morino Ibuse, Kinoi Kento, and Chiba returned to Konoha after their mission and were questioned by Shingo at the gates.
• Shingo verified their identities and detained the unconscious Fujiki Shigeru because he could not confirm his identity.
• Chiba noticed the village's unusual security and hurried with Morino Ibuse and Kinoi Kento to the Hokage's Office.
• Minato Namikaze proposed that he, Hokoma, and Morino Ibuse carry out a rescue mission while the Third Hokage remained in the village.
• Morino Ibuse suspected Kumogakure was involved, and the Third Hokage revealed that Kushina had been abducted.

Chiba realized Kumogakure had abducted Kushina and wanted to rush after her, but Minato stopped him and promised to rescue her himself. Chiba agreed to go see the injured Hirohiko and Yukina, while Minato prepared to act with Morino Ibuse and Hokoma until the Third Hokage stopped them.

• Chiba reasoned that Kumogakure had abducted Kushina to seize the Nine-Tails and turned to leave to rescue her.
• Minato Namikaze grabbed Chiba and insisted that he would bring Kushina back himself.
• Minato told Chiba that Hirohiko and Yukina were seriously injured and hospitalized, and Kakashi, Kinoi Kento, and Shiga Takeyoshi urged Chiba to go see them.
• Chiba accepted Minato's promise and left the Hokage's Office with Kakashi, Kinoi Kento, and Shiga Takeyoshi.
• Minato prepared to depart with Morino Ibuse and Hokoma, but the Third Hokage stopped them.

The Third Hokage learned that Kumogakure had orchestrated the border mission as a diversion and organized a rescue for Kushina, who was being taken toward the Border Line. As Minato led the rescue unit out of the village, Kakashi noticed Anbu deployments and worried about how Chiba would react to Hirohiko and Yukina.

• Hokoma urged the Third Hokage to stay in Konoha while the village faced a manpower shortage and Kushina's kidnappers remained unidentified.
• Morino Ibuse reported that Cloud ninja had staged the border bandit mission to hold Konoha forces in place, and that four reinforcements had died.
• The Third Hokage decided to remain in the village, assigned half of the Anbu to defend key positions, and placed the other half under Minato Namikaze's command for Kushina's rescue.
• The Third Hokage gave Minato intelligence indicating Kushina was being taken toward the Border Line, and Minato, Morino Ibuse, and Hokoma departed to pursue her.
• Chiba, Kakashi, Shiga Takeyoshi, and Kinoi Kento arrived at Konoha Hospital, while Kakashi worried about Chiba's reaction to Hirohiko and Yukina.
• Kakashi spotted Anbu leaving the Hokage Building and realized the situation was more serious than he had thought.

Chiba returned to the hospital and found Hirohiko and Yukina gravely injured but out of danger. Hirohiko began explaining the attack, revealing that Kushina had been kidnapped and that the man they fought had died strangely.

• Chiba, Shiga Takeyoshi, and Kinoi Kento entered the hospital room and saw Yukina unconscious and Hirohiko covered in bandages.
• Yuriko told Chiba that Hirohiko and Yukina were out of danger, then warned him not to let Hirohiko move because his wounds could reopen.
• Hirohiko asked to speak with Chiba alone, but Chiba called Shiga Takeyoshi and Kinoi Kento back when Hirohiko said he needed to explain what happened.
• Hirohiko told Chiba that Teacher Kushina had been kidnapped, and Chiba and Kakashi said Minato and the Anbu had gone to rescue her.
• Hirohiko said the man they had fought died strangely, and the others focused on him as he began recounting the events.

After Hirohiko recounted how he and Yukina were badly wounded while chasing Kushina’s abductors, Chiba suspected the attackers had lured them into a trap and that more enemies remained in the village. He arranged protection for the unconscious pair and began discussing his suspicions and plans with Shiga Takeyoshi.

• Hirohiko fainted after telling Chiba that the abductors’ lone opponent had died in a way that felt suspicious, and Kakashi and Chiba suspected the pursuers had been deliberately exposed to danger.
• Shiga Takeyoshi and Kinoi Kento agreed that Hirohiko’s account should be reported to the Third Hokage, while Chiba asked Kakashi to bring Obito and Rin to protect Hirohiko and Yukina.
• Chiba asked Kinoi Kento to report that enemies might still be in the village, and Kinoi Kento left to inform the Third Hokage.
• Shiga Takeyoshi asked whether Chiba had evidence of enemies remaining, and Chiba explained that he had combined mission information with Hirohiko’s account to reach that possibility.
• Chiba told Shiga Takeyoshi that he wanted to discuss his plan with him, and Shiga was surprised that Chiba sought his counsel.

Chiba gathered the others to discuss the threat to the village and warned that joining the response would mean disobeying the Hokage’s orders. After Obito and the others chose to take the risk, Chiba prepared to explain their plan to save Kushina and eliminate the enemies.

• Chiba reassured Obito and Rin that Yukina and Hirohiko were stable, then confronted Hyuga Yukyō, who demanded a chance to avenge Yukina.
• Kakashi gathered everyone around Chiba, who explained that the Hokage had likely accepted their deductions but would forbid them from taking part.
• Chiba warned that confronting the Cloud ninja could cost them their lives and that helping would mean defying the Hokage.
• Obito declared that a future Hokage could not ignore a crisis threatening the village, inspiring Shiga Takeyoshi, Hyuga Yukyō, Kinoi Kento, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi to commit to the mission.
• The group looked to Chiba to continue with his plan, and he felt certain they would not lose.

Chiba deduced that the Cloud ninja had planted false information to lure Konoha's pursuit force away while their remaining operatives stayed hidden in the village. He warned that their real objective might be Konoha's Forbidden Jutsu, Secret Techniques, or Kekkei Genkai, leaving the others alarmed by the threat to Yukina and Hirohiko.

• Chiba pointed out that the Cloud ninja had no need to sacrifice one operative unless his death served another purpose, and Kakashi realized they might have planted false information in the dead ninja's brain.
• Chiba warned that Minato had likely pursued the escape route described in the false intelligence and argued that the other Cloud ninja might still be hiding in the village.
• Obito asked why the Cloud ninja had kidnapped Kushina, but Chiba said he did not know and urged the group to focus on the immediate threat.
• Chiba proposed that the Cloud ninja's other objective was to steal Konoha's Forbidden Jutsu, Secret Techniques, or Kekkei Genkai.
• Kakashi, Obito, Rin Nohara, and Hyuga Yukyō recognized that Yukina and Hirohiko's Byakugan and Sharingan could make them targets.

Chiba assigned teams to protect Yukina and Hirohiko and watch the Forbidden Jutsu Chamber while he set out alone to cover another possibility. He suspected the Cloud ninja would exploit the Night Market to steal forbidden techniques and target the Byakugan or Sharingan.

• Chiba assigned Kakashi, Obito, and Rin to protect Yukina and Hirohiko at the hospital.
• Chiba sent Hyuga Yukyō, Shiga, and Kento to watch the Forbidden Jutsu Chamber, use the Byakugan to search for enemies, and alert allies rather than act recklessly.
• The teams departed, with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin staying at the hospital and Shiga's group heading to the chamber.
• Chiba reasoned that the Cloud ninja might strike during the crowded Night Market and could split up to target both the Forbidden Jutsu Chamber and the dojutsu users.
• Chiba checked his Exploding Tags and set off alone to cover another possible target.

Minato Namikaze searched for the Cloud ninja who had planned to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but found no trace of them and began to suspect the operation had gone too smoothly. In Konoha, Lord Bi changed the mission plan, sending two Anbu to steal the Forbidden Jutsu scroll and the children’s Kekkei Genkai while he went after the Jinchuriki.

• Minato Namikaze questioned why his search teams had found no traces of the Cloud ninja, and learned that Shinsu and Hokoma had also sent no reports.
• Shiga Takeyoshi and Hyuga Yukyō covertly patrolled the Night Market after finding the Forbidden Jutsu Chamber guarded by Anbu and Hyuga Shinsuke.
• Two Anbu entered Lord Bi’s house after hearing his coughing and learned that the mission plan had changed.
• Lord Bi ordered one Anbu to steal the Second Hokage’s Forbidden Jutsu scroll and the other to take the Byakugan and Sharingan from two injured children at Konoha Hospital.
• Yūi convinced Fūi that Lord Bi was leaving because his failing health threatened the mission, and the two vowed not to fail.

A burly Kumogakure operative realized that Fūi and Yūi had underestimated two Konoha boys searching the Night Market and ordered them to act before the village could reinforce its pursuit. After they left, he carried the talisman-covered container toward a location in Konoha.

• The burly figure pointed out that the two boys had made three rounds of the Night Market without shopping, making their search suspicious.
• He identified the unmasked boy as unusually perceptive and suspected the masked boy was a Hyuga using the Byakugan to help track them.
• The burly figure warned that Konoha might send young ninja to patrol after the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was abducted, and Yūi urged immediate action.
• He gave Fūi and Yūi permission to abandon the mission if the danger became extreme, and they hurried away.
• After coughing, the burly figure lifted the talisman-covered container and raced silently toward a place in Konoha.

A sickly burly figure took a clan Secret Medicine to regain his strength and tried to carry the sealed container holding the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki toward the Land of Frost. After killing a Konoha Anbu Ninja, he lost the container to a small figure, who escaped toward the forest as an explosive trap went off.

• The burly figure swallowed the black pill, recovered his strength, and left the cabin carrying the sealed container.
• He confronted a Konoha Anbu Ninja who had followed him and immobilized him with an electrified Steel Wire.
• The burly figure struck the Anbu Ninja with a lightning-charged punch, killing him against a tree.
• A small figure used a Kunai to sever the container's strap and stole the container.
• The burly figure formed a seal as the small figure fled toward the forest, where Exploding Tags detonated.

Chiba fought a powerful, burly shinobi, trading blows and countering his techniques with quick substitutions and a Shadow Clone. Chiba trapped the man in a Water Prison Technique, though the fight remained unresolved.

• Chiba and the burly figure exchanged strikes and improvised projectiles, and both recognized the other's strength.
• Chiba deflected the burly figure's Shuriken and struck him with a Kunai, but the man used the Substitution Technique to attack from behind.
• The burly figure saw through Chiba's Substitution Technique and punched him, only to hit Chiba's Shadow Clone after Chiba counterattacked with Monster Strength.
• The burly figure crashed into the river, where Chiba completed a Water Prison Technique and immobilized him.

Chiba fought Yagura Bi while trying to reach the sealing container and rescue Kushina, but Yagura Bi’s clone feint left Chiba trapped beneath a descending punch. Elsewhere, Fūi was discovered near Konoha’s Forbidden Jutsu Chamber, and Yūi’s disguise as Yuriko was exposed at Konoha Hospital as both Cloud ninja prepared to cause disturbances.

• Chiba trapped Yagura Bi in a Water Prison and pierced him with water arrows, but the figure turned out to be a Lightning Clone that paralyzed Chiba when it exploded.
• Chiba used an explosive-tagged Shadow Clone as bait, then punched Yagura Bi across the river and ran toward the sealing container to reach Kushina.
• Yagura Bi revealed that the figure Chiba had punched was a Shadow Clone and attacked Chiba from above, leaving him unable to dodge the descending blow.
• Fūi was discovered while watching the two Hyuga Clan ninja guarding Konoha’s Forbidden Jutsu Chamber.
• Kakashi confronted Yūi, who had disguised himself as Yuriko, at Konoha Hospital; Yūi and Fūi both decided to cause disturbances so Lord Bi could escape safely.

Chiba struggled to recover from Yagura Bi’s devastating attack while realizing his remaining strength was barely enough to keep fighting. Yagura Bi decided the seven-year-old was too dangerous to let live and activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, leaving Chiba expecting to die almost instantly.

• Yagura Bi praised Chiba for evading his punch, while Chiba reset his dislocated arm and healed its wounds with Medical Chakra.
• Chiba recognized that his Gate of Life Chakra and stamina were nearly exhausted, and considered the possibility that Yagura Bi was Kumogakure’s B and the Third Raikage’s partner.
• Chiba resolved to hold Yagura Bi back rather than flee, despite knowing he could not defeat him.
• Yagura Bi judged Chiba’s strength, instincts, and ninjutsu too dangerous to leave alive.
• Yagura Bi covered himself in lightning and activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Chiba recognized the technique and feared he would die immediately.

Chiba attacked Yagura Bi to escape with the sealing container, but Yagura Bi caught him and nearly killed him. Kushina intervened, striking Yagura Bi and freeing Chiba.

• Yagura Bi tested his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and asked Chiba his name, but Chiba attacked with Earth Release: Earth Spear.
• Chiba charged along the cracking Earth Spear and used Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu and Exploding Tags to cover his escape.
• Chiba grabbed the sealing container and sprinted toward the forest, but Yagura Bi caught him by the throat and electrocuted him.
• Chiba struggled to stay conscious and grabbed Yagura Bi’s hand despite the pain.
• Kushina struck Yagura Bi away and demanded to know what he was doing to her disciple.

Kushina Uzumaki escaped her damaged sealing container and saved Chiba from Yagura Bi, who remained unharmed and resolved to kill them both. Chiba recovered his resolve after facing death, while Kushina chose to fight Yagura Bi rather than retreat, and their fists collided.

• Kushina Uzumaki broke free from the cracked sealing container, caught Chiba, and explained that the damaged seal had let her escape.
• Chiba realized Kushina had awakened during transport and thanked her for saving him, then overcame his lingering fear after nearly dying.
• Yagura Bi rose unharmed from Kushina's punch and decided Chiba had to die and Kushina had to be taken back to his village.
• Kushina used Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu to surround Chiba, but rejected his suggestion that they retreat because Yagura Bi had nearly killed her student.
• Kushina charged at Yagura Bi, and their fists collided.

Kushina fought Yagura Bi with Shadow Clone tactics and powerful Water Style techniques, but he used his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and battlefield experience to turn the fight against her. After Yagura Bi appeared behind Chiba with a lightning blade, a Kushina Shadow Clone distracted him, allowing another Kushina to punch him away.

• Kushina and Yagura Bi collided with their fists, shattering the ground beneath them.
• Kushina's Shadow Clones combined Wind and Water Release to send four water blades at Yagura Bi, who dodged them with Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Two Kushina Shadow Clones struck Yagura Bi with Water Arm and drove him into a crater, but he used the dust to appear behind Kushina and knock her into a tree.
• Yagura Bi turned toward Chiba, then used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind him and raise a lightning blade.
• A Kushina Shadow Clone burst into smoke, briefly distracting Yagura Bi, and another Kushina punched him in the face with Water Arm.

Kushina protected Chiba from Yagura Bi’s fatal attack, then drew on the Nine-Tails’ Chakra and entered a three-tailed Tailed Beast Mode. She and Yagura Bi began trading punches, leaving Chiba struggling against the shockwaves and wind.

• Kushina used a shadow clone and the Substitution Technique to evade Yagura Bi’s punch and shield Chiba.
• Yagura Bi decided he would have to break Kushina’s limbs to capture her without a sealing vessel.
• Kushina’s Nine-Tails Chakra formed a cloak, and she grew three tails as Chiba realized she could draw power through her sealing knowledge.
• Kushina vanished and struck Yagura Bi, and the two exchanged powerful punches that sent shockwaves through the forest and riverbank.

Chiba resolved to stop leaving his fate in Kushina’s hands and charged into the fight after Yagura Bi badly wounded her. He used a surprise punch from underground to launch Yagura Bi into the air.

• Chiba entered Gate of Life Mode and realized he could barely approach Kushina and Yagura Bi as they fought.
• Chiba rejected the idea of hiding and waiting for Kushina, deciding he had to take a step forward and control his own fate.
• Yagura Bi intensified his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, broke Kushina’s blocking hand, and struck her through her Tailed Beast Mode.
• Kushina tried to warn Chiba to run, but Yagura Bi rushed toward him as Chiba charged in.
• Chiba’s underground punch struck Yagura Bi’s chin and sent him flying.

Chiba and Kushina coordinated their attacks against Yagura Bi, exploiting his fading Lightning Release Chakra Mode and driving him into the river. The chapter ended with their combined Water Dragon and Wind Release techniques trapping and cutting him inside a tornado of water blades.

• Kushina recovered from Yagura Bi’s injuries with Nine-Tails Chakra while Chiba used a clone to propel his original body toward Yagura Bi.
• Chiba struck Yagura Bi, recognized that his Lightning Release Chakra Mode was weakening, and hurled him into the river as Kushina rushed to the riverbank.
• Chiba called on Kushina to coordinate a Water Dragon Bullet, and their combined technique launched Yagura Bi into the air and swallowed him between two water dragons.
• Chiba urged Kushina to follow with Wind Release, and her wind blades turned the dragons’ water into a tornado that pinned and sliced Yagura Bi.