Chapter Summaries

Tang Ping finalized his preparations to activate the Networking during the Tenchi Bridge battle, using Naruto’s danger to distract the Sage of Six Paths so he could target him. With Hinata Cang Yue now wielding the Giant Tenseigan, Tang Ping prepared to use the coming Gaara Rescue Mission to set his larger plan in motion.

• Tang Ping inspected the Networking at Ryūchi Cave and planned to activate it during the battle at Tenchi Bridge while drawing the Sage of Six Paths’ attention toward Naruto.
• Nonō returned after checking Allied Forces movements and intelligence stations, reported a strange disturbance, and obeyed Tang Ping’s order not to investigate it.
• Hinata Cang Yue returned from the moon after mastering the Giant Tenseigan and emerged as the strongest person in Blazing Sun Country.
• Tang Ping told Hinata Cang Yue to help cleanse and reshape the Shinobi World according to his wishes.
• Tang Ping prepared to use the Gaara Rescue Mission as the opening move of his plan and waited for the Akatsuki to capture Gaara.

Tang Ping’s refugee resettlement operation weakened the Allied Forces economically while Sunagakure prepared to stage an Akatsuki attack so Gaara could be captured according to plan. As night fell, Pakura and her allies waited outside the village, ready to keep the attack on course.

• The Land of Water’s grain sales drove farmers from the Allied Forces into refugee camps, and five Ground Effect Vehicles helped transport nearly a million people each week.
• Refugees and trade shifted wealth toward Yang Yuan, causing the Land of Fire’s currency and the Allied Forces’ other currencies to lose much of their value.
• Sunagakure expanded around Dawn Canal while Pakura moved most of the village’s leadership and residents to New Sunagakure Village, leaving Gaara in charge of the original settlement.
• Tang Ping arranged for Akatsuki to capture Gaara, and Pakura, Chiyo, and Ebizo agreed in exchange for Sasori’s possible return to Sunagakure.
• Pakura, Zi Luo, Juan, Baki, Chiyo, and Ebizo waited on the sand wall outside Sunagakure, prepared to intervene if Akatsuki’s attack strayed from the plan.

Sasori and Deidara attacked Sunagakure to capture Gaara, while the village’s leaders secretly watched the assault. Gaara was captured after exhausting himself defending the village, and Tang Ping stopped Temari from pursuing, assuring her that Gaara would be safe.

• Sasori used a planted spy to guide himself and Deidara past Sunagakure’s defenses.
• Deidara bombarded the village from the air, and Gaara raised a sand barrier to protect its residents.
• After spending most of his Chakra defending Sunagakure, Gaara flew up to fight Deidara and was captured.
• Temari prepared to chase after Gaara, but Tang Ping restrained her and said he could not intervene.
• Tang Ping reminded Temari of the secrecy surrounding Gaara’s surgery and assured her that Gaara would be safe.

Tang Ping explained that his arrangements would keep Gaara safe and turn the crisis into a chance for him to earn the village’s respect. He set the next steps in motion for Sunagakure’s alliance with Konoha and the Gaara Rescue Mission, while continuing to conceal his plans from the Sage of Six Paths.

• Tang Ping told Temari that Gaara’s life had depended on his arrangements, and reassured her that Gaara would emerge from the crisis stronger and more respected.
• Granny Chiyo interrupted Tang Ping and Temari, while Kankuro teased his sister and was warned to keep quiet.
• Tang Ping ordered Pakura to write to Konoha requesting reinforcements, with the aim of building friendly relations and forming an alliance.
• Tang Ping asked Granny Chiyo to act according to the plan so Sasori would tell Sakura about Kabuto and set the battle at Tenchi Bridge in motion.
• Tang Ping reflected on how Spiritual Power could interfere with the Sage of Six Paths’ surveillance and looked forward to the Gaara Rescue Mission.

Jiraiya sent Team 7 and Team 10 to the Land of Wind after Sunagakure requested help rescuing Gaara from Akatsuki. Asuma led the two teams out of Konoha, while the chapter noted how many of the village’s other promising ninja were now in the Tenshukaku.

• Sakura hurried the late Naruto to the Hokage Building, where Yamato, Sai, Asuma, and Team 10 were waiting.
• Jiraiya told the gathered ninja that Sunagakure had asked Konoha to help rescue Gaara, who had been captured by Akatsuki.
• Naruto urged them to save Gaara, and Jiraiya explained that Team 7 and Team 10 would carry out the mission.
• Jiraiya chose Asuma to lead the rescue team because Team 3 and Team 8 were unavailable.
• Asuma led the two teams as they set out for the Land of Wind.

Akatsuki prepared to delay the pursuit teams while extracting Gaara’s One-Tail, and Konoha’s and Sunagakure’s forces met in the Land of Rivers. The chapter left Asuma clarifying that Konoha would assist Sunagakure without serving under its command.

• The chapter described how Tang Ping’s Blazing Sun Country controlled the southern Land of Rivers while Akatsuki operated from a cave in the north.
• Pain asked for volunteers to delay the pursuit teams, and Itachi and Kisame used the Transformation Technique to take over prepared bodies.
• Kisame and Itachi headed toward the teams’ rendezvous point, with Itachi planning to hold back if Konoha shinobi were involved.
• Chiyo’s group met Konoha’s support teams, and Asuma stated that Konoha would assist Sunagakure while retaining its independence.

Naruto’s team set out to rescue Gaara, while Tang Ping arranged for Hinata Cang Yue to pose as Pain and intercept Asuma. The rescue party entered her ambush site, unaware of the danger awaiting them.

• Chiyo accepted Konoha’s goodwill, and Naruto promised to rescue Gaara, prompting Sakura to rein in his tactless remarks.
• The rescue team followed Chiyo’s puppet bird toward Gaara, with reinforcements available if they encountered trouble.
• Tang Ping decided Asuma was too powerful to leave with the team and ordered Hinata Cang Yue to stop him using Akatsuki’s identity.
• Hinata Cang Yue donned genuine Akatsuki attire, a mask, and a hood, then set off to intercept the team as Pain.
• The rescue team entered Hinata Cang Yue’s ambush site.

Hinata Cang Yue, disguised as Pain, attacked Asuma and his companions, testing their strength while concealing her true identity. Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Technique failed against her, leaving him trapped as the others moved to intervene.

• Hinata Cang Yue used Banshō Ten'in to pull Asuma from the group, then repelled his Wind Scythe with Shinra Tensei.
• Asuma recognized Pain and fought her atop a stone pillar using his newly developed Flame Garment.
• Shikamaru caught Hinata Cang Yue with the Shadow Imitation Technique, but she overpowered it and forced him to mimic her movements.
• Hinata Cang Yue mocked Shikamaru as Asuma warned him to release the technique, which he could not do.
• Ino, Choji, and the other ninja noticed Shikamaru was trapped and moved to attack.

Hinata Cang Yue, disguised as Pain, repelled the allied attack and forced the rescue team into disarray when Naruto accidentally destroyed her stone pillar. Asuma stayed behind to hold her off while the others continued the rescue, and Chiyo and Sakura later split from the group to face Sasori.

• Team 7 and the Sunagakure shinobi attacked Hinata Cang Yue, but she used Shinra Tensei to blast them away and gouge out the ground.
• Asuma warned the others about the interval in Pain's ability and told them not to destroy the stone pillar, but Naruto tripped and smashed it with a Rasengan.
• Hinata Cang Yue floated above the fallen pillar, leaving most of the team without a way to reach her, so Asuma stayed behind to hold her off while the others followed the puppet bird.
• Tang Ping left with the rescue team to keep the operation on plan, while Asuma fought Hinata Cang Yue using Wind Release and she answered with Shinra Tensei.
• The group encountered Sasori, and Chiyo claimed a personal grudge and stayed to fight him while Sakura remained to assist; the rest continued onward with Kankuro controlling the puppet bird.

Chiyo defeated Sasori and secretly ensured his soul could be preserved, while Sakura learned information about Sasuke. After Gaara was recovered dead, a disguised White Zetsu used Chiyo’s resurrection technique to bring him back to life, leaving Temari and Kankuro overwhelmed with relief.

• Chiyo suppressed Sasori in their battle and pierced his core with the puppets modeled after his parents, while Sakura obtained information about Sasuke from him.
• Chiyo placed a soul-sealing talisman on Sasori’s core, which passed into Tang Ping’s hands so he could revive Sasori using White Zetsu.
• Chiyo and Sakura hurried to join the others, who had defeated Itachi and Kisame’s transformed decoys and recovered Gaara’s corpse.
• Temari and Kankuro grieved over Gaara while Naruto watched silently, and Chiyo asked to make one final contribution to the village.
• A White Zetsu disguised as Chiyo used the Reanimation Jutsu on Gaara, who opened his eyes and was embraced by Temari.

After Chiyo sacrificed herself to revive Gaara, the Konoha team reunited with the Sunagakure survivors and learned how she had saved him. Tang Ping later revealed that the Chiyo traveling with them was alive and that the corpse was a duplicate, before the group headed for New City.

• Yamato told Sakura and the others about Konoha’s Impure World Reincarnation, then watched in shock as Gaara emerged alive with Temari and Kankuro.
• Temari explained that Chiyo had exchanged her life to revive Gaara, and Baki thanked Konoha for its help.
• Yamato agreed to report Sunagakure’s gratitude to the Hokage, and the two villages’ teams set off separately.
• Asuma rejoined Konoha’s rescue team after surviving a fight with Pain, and the mission was judged a success for Konoha.
• Tang Ping’s group encountered Chiyo alive in the border region, where she explained that she had faked her death and Tang Ping confirmed she was the real Chiyo.
• Chiyo led the group toward New City while Tang Ping examined the Human Puppet core and considered its use for Kekkei Genkai transplant surgery.

Tang Ping's group arrived at New Sunagakure, a flourishing canal city built with Pakura's leadership and support from Blazing Sun Country and Iwagakure. They reached the New Kazekage Building, where the planned resurrection was to take place.

• New Sunagakure had grown into a vast, green city whose canals, ports, bridges, and abundant supplies supported hundreds of thousands of people.
• Kitsuchi had helped build the city's stone bridges in exchange for resources, while Blazing Sun Country supported the settlement's development.
• Pakura had united Sunagakure by purging nobles and weakening major clans, and Temari and her brothers remained loyal to her.
• Tang Ping's group entered the city with Chiyo disguised among them and saw how puppets and Puppet Technique had become part of everyday life.
• Tang Ping's group arrived at the New Kazekage Building for the planned resurrection.

Tang Ping resurrected Sasori by transferring his soul into a living White Zetsu body, then brought him out to reunite with his family. The chapter ended with Keiko rushing to embrace the newly awakened Sasori.

• Tang Ping burned White Zetsu's corpse, then used a prepared White Zetsu body to restore Sasori's sealed soul.
• Sasori awakened in a flesh-and-blood body and struggled with the unfamiliar sensations after losing his Human Puppet body.
• Tang Ping photographed Sasori, left him clothes, and warned him to dress before leaving the basement.
• Tang Ping told the waiting Sunagakure leaders that Sasori had been resurrected, reassuring Sasori's worried parents.
• Keiko rushed to Sasori as he emerged from the basement, beginning their long-awaited family reunion.

Tang Ping reviewed Sunagakure’s new Puppet Technique School, factories, and fighter-jet project with Pakura, then learned Konoha was preparing to use Sasori’s identity to locate Orochimaru. The plan began as Tang Ping awaited the Tenchi Bridge battle and the coming confrontation with the Sage of Six Paths.

• Tang Ping met Pakura and Hinata Cang Yue in the Kazekage Office and asked Pakura about the Puppet Technique School and factories.
• Pakura reported that the school had thousands of students, three factories were built, and fighter jets had entered testing.
• Tang Ping told Pakura to accelerate production so Sunagakure could demonstrate Puppet Technique’s power.
• Tang Ping considered the approaching Ten-Tails conflict and his expected confrontation with the Sage of Six Paths after Networking Day.
• Tang Ping received word that Konoha would use Sasori’s identity to meet Orochimaru’s spy, discover Orochimaru’s hiding place, and seize his research, especially the Chimera Technique.
• The agreed day arrived, and Konoha’s plan began.

At Tenchi Bridge, Tang Ping and his allies prepared to put Naruto in mortal danger and draw the Sage of Six Paths’ attention while the Priestess Festival disrupted his surveillance. The ceremonies began, setting the plan in motion as Tang Ping anticipated confronting the Sage after the operation.

• Sakura disguised herself as Sasori to negotiate at Tenchi Bridge while Team 7, Kabuto, and other parties waited in hiding.
• Hinata Cang Yue told Tang Ping that Orochimaru and Konoha’s hidden preparations were already in place.
• Tang Ping explained that the Priestess Festival’s widespread ceremonies would interfere with the Sage of Six Paths’ use of the Chakra network.
• The Priestess Festival began, and Tang Ping said the operation had started.
• Tang Ping planned to endanger Naruto to draw the Sage of Six Paths’ attention while the Networking plan proceeded elsewhere.

Team 7 confronted Kabuto at Tenchi Bridge, but Orochimaru appeared and the battle escalated as Naruto lost control of the Nine-Tails’ power. The fight was still unfolding when a huge wall of flames appeared around the area.

• Kabuto revealed that Orochimaru had removed the mind-control sand from his brain and fought Sai, who warned Team 7 about Kabuto’s Chakra Scalpel and nerve-disrupting strikes.
• Yamato used Wood Release to push Kabuto back, and Orochimaru emerged beside him, prompting Sakura to recognize him.
• Naruto rushed Orochimaru in a One-Tail Tailed Beast Cloak, but Orochimaru dodged his attacks and kicked him away.
• Yamato launched Wood Release: Birth of the Tree Sea as Naruto’s cloak grew to two tails and then advanced into the Three-Tails state.
• A massive curtain of flames suddenly lit up the edges of the battle area.

Konoha’s vanguard confronted Orochimaru at Tenchi Bridge while a vast Four Red Yang barrier sealed off the area. As Asuma, Kakashi, and Team 7 pressured Orochimaru, Kabuto appeared to shield him as he began forming the hand seals for Impure World Reincarnation.

• Orochimaru recognized that Konoha had trapped the battlefield with a vast barrier, as Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi, and a Sealing Team arrived at Tenchi Bridge.
• Orochimaru sent a swarm of venomous snakes across the bridge, and Yamato used Wood Release to contain them.
• Asuma attacked Orochimaru with Wind Release Chakra Mode while Kakashi struck with Chidori, forcing Orochimaru to use Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to drive them back.
• Asuma and Kakashi recognized Orochimaru’s hand seals for Impure World Reincarnation and called for someone to stop him.
• Team 7 attacked Orochimaru, but Kabuto appeared and raised Rashomon to block their strikes.

Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation, and Konoha’s ninjas fought to restrain the First Hokage while Kakashi confronted Orochimaru. The battle left Naruto sinking deeper into the Nine-Tails’ power as Hashirama warned him against giving in.

• Hashirama Senju appeared from the coffin and hinted to Orochimaru that those who toyed with souls would face consequences, but Orochimaru urged him to demonstrate his strength against Konoha’s younger ninjas.
• Hashirama evaded Kakashi’s Chidori Sharp Spear with a Wood Clone, while Kakashi activated Lightning Armor and drew White Fang to fight Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru recognized Kakashi’s growth and challenged him to show the strength of Konoha White Fang, and Kakashi met his attack head-on.
• Hashirama summoned a giant Wood Human and shattered Tenchi Bridge with a punch, while Yamato used wooden pillars to keep the group from falling into the ravine.
• Asuma assigned Naruto to attack Hashirama, Yamato to restrain him, and Sai to provide backup; Naruto charged in his Three-Tails state as Asuma supported him.
• Naruto’s tails multiplied as he fought Hashirama, who warned him not to become addicted to the Nine-Tails’ power, but Naruto could no longer hear him.

Naruto’s rampage continued as Hashirama Senju’s Wood Dragon failed to restrain him, leaving the battle at a stalemate. Tang Do Ping ordered Hinata Cang Yue to intervene, but before Naruto could fire a Tailed Beast Ball at Hashirama Senju, an outside expert made a move.

• Yamato failed to restore Naruto’s sanity while Asuma and Hashirama Senju fought to create an opening for the Wood Dragon.
• Hashirama Senju summoned the Wood Dragon, but it could not catch the nimble Naruto, who advanced to his sixth tail.
• Tang Do Ping told Hinata Cang Yue to disguise herself and help break the stalemate.
• Sakura and Sai fought Kabuto in a staged battle while the combatants waited for Konoha’s reinforcements from the Grass Country.
• Naruto began forming a Tailed Beast Ball aimed at Hashirama Senju, but an expert outside the battlefield suddenly intervened.

Hinata Cang Yue, disguised as Pain, attacked Naruto at Tang Ping’s direction, but the Nine-Tails’ chakra kept Naruto alive through devastating attacks. As Naruto’s consciousness neared the Nine-Tails’ cage, a pair of warm hands brought him back to his senses.

• Hinata Cang Yue pierced Naruto’s chest with Dong Dong Wave, alarming Sakura, Yamato, and Kakashi.
• Hinata Cang Yue tried to pull Naruto’s body with Banshō Ten’in, but his chakra tails anchored him to the ground.
• Hinata Cang Yue sent a Wood Dragon after Naruto and struck him with Shinra Tensei, but he survived and his Nine-Tails chakra grew stronger.
• Tang Ping realized Naruto still faced danger and intended to force the Sage of Six Paths to intervene or let Naruto die.
• Naruto approached the Nine-Tails’ cage in his muddled consciousness, but two warm hands rested on his and brought him back to his senses.