Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Chen and Sakumo’s force reached the area where Shukaku was resisting Sunagakure’s sealing attempt, and Sakumo sent Chen ahead while the rest prepared to disrupt the sealing squad. Elsewhere, Tsunade and Orochimaru fought the Sand forces as Tsunade summoned Slug to aid the growing number of wounded.

• Sakumo met Shimada, who reported that Shukaku had rejected the Sand shinobi’s Seal and that their sealing squad was preparing a forced sealing.
• Sakumo ordered the teams to follow their plan, and Uchiha Chen went ahead alone toward Shukaku.
• Sakumo led the remaining ninja toward the battle, intending to interfere with Sunagakure’s sealing squad despite the powerful enemies facing them.
• Orochimaru fought the Third Kazekage while Tsunade fought Chiyo’s forces and treated poisoned Konoha ninja.
• Tsunade used Creation Rebirth and summoned Slug, who divided into smaller Slugs and spread across the battlefield.

Uchiha Chen drew Shukaku away from the Sunagakure forces while Sakumo led Konoha’s attack against them. Chen tried to distract the enraged Shukaku by talking about the Nine-Tails, but Shukaku attacked him anyway.

• Uchiha Chen spotted Shukaku amid its giant sand sculptures and learned from Big White that Sakumo’s forces were ready.
• Uchiha Chen detonated an Explosive Tag to draw Shukaku’s attention, and Shukaku recognized him as the person who had killed it before.
• Sakumo led the Konoha Ninja in an assault on the Sunagakure forces while Toya and Gin confronted him.
• Shukaku pursued Uchiha Chen with enormous sand hands, and Chen claimed he was friends with the Nine-Tails.
• Shukaku accepted Chen’s claim that the Nine-Tails had spoken about tailed-beast strength, then swept the sand down to attack him.

Uchiha Chen fought Shukaku until neither could defeat the other, then persuaded the Tailed Beast to consider letting him carry a portion of its Chakra to Konoha to see the Nine-Tails. Shukaku remained suspicious but began thinking over the proposal.

• Uchiha Chen escaped Shukaku’s sand prison with Chidori and struck its head, but Shukaku replaced the destroyed sand head and attacked with Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral.
• Uchiha Chen used Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Array to blast apart Shukaku’s advancing sand and warned that he could escape a Tailed Beast Bomb with Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
• Shukaku gave up trying to kill Uchiha Chen and asked for a truce, then secretly tested him with another sand attack that Uchiha Chen easily scattered.
• Uchiha Chen spoke with Shukaku about the Nine-Tails, and Shukaku revealed its long-standing resentment toward the Stinky Fox.
• Uchiha Chen offered to carry a small portion of Shukaku’s Chakra to Konoha so it could see the Nine-Tails, and Shukaku fell silent to consider the offer.

Uchiha Chen persuaded Shukaku to give him some Chakra and sealed the small portion inside a Scroll, planning to take it to Konoha to meet Kurama. Meanwhile, Sakumo fought Toya and Gin on the main battlefield, where both sides unleashed powerful techniques and charged toward a decisive clash.

• Shukaku agreed to give Uchiha Chen some Chakra on the condition that he soon take it to meet Kurama.
• Uchiha Chen sealed the palm-sized Shukaku inside a Scroll, and Big White swallowed the Scroll before Chen headed for Sunagakure's Sealing Squad.
• Sakumo destroyed two of Toya's Puppets and activated the Hatake Secret Technique to boost his strength.
• Toya combined his four remaining Puppets into a giant Puppet while Gin unleashed Wind Release, forming the Purple Secret Technique: Blazing Hell Wind Array.
• Sakumo completed his Lightning Release technique and charged into the overwhelming attack.

Hatake Sakumo overwhelmed Toya and Gin’s combined Puppet attack with a devastating Lightning Release sword technique, leaving Toya mortally wounded. He spared Gin for the moment and walked away to deal with the other Sand Shinobi and check on Uchiha Chen.

• Sakumo’s Lightning Slash struck Toya’s reinforced Puppet, but its runes dispersed the attack and Toya’s Wind Release and magma counterattack kept Sakumo at bay.
• Sakumo transformed his Chakra blade into a massive black blade and cleaved through the magma, splitting the Puppet apart and fatally wounding Toya.
• Toya pushed Gin away and told her to run, while Gin tried to stop his bleeding and begged Sakumo to let her take him back to the village.
• Sakumo turned away from Gin because his own injuries made another fight dangerous, planning to deal with the other Sand Shinobi and ensure Uchiha Chen was safe before returning for her.

Toya and Gin died together after Hatake Sakumo defeated them, leaving Sasori orphaned. When Ebizo received the news and had to return to the battlefield, Sasori was left alone, growing to resent the Third Kazekage for sending his family to war.

• Toya died in Gin's arms, and Gin took her own life with a kunai, apologizing to Sasori.
• Ebizo received Chiyo's message that Konoha's White Fang had killed Toya and Gin.
• Ebizo hid the news from Sasori, telling him his parents had a new mission and could not return yet.
• Ebizo told Sasori he could not attend his Ninja Academy opening ceremony because he had to lead ninjas to the battlefield.
• Sasori assembled the Puppet toy his mother had given him and blamed the Third Kazekage for sending his family to war.

Chiyo pressed Sunagakure to wage an all-out assault on Konoha after Toya and Gin died, while Uchiha Chen visited the injured Sakumo at the Base. As the two discussed a possible truce and the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Stone Village’s ceasefire, Chen sensed that the quiet was suspicious.

• Chiyo blamed herself for Toya and Gin’s deaths and vowed to fight Konoha at any cost, while Ebizo worried about the mounting casualties.
• Chiyo said she would retire after the war and revealed that the Third Kazekage had agreed to support her campaign; Ebizo decided to retire with her.
• Uchiha Chen visited Sakumo in the field hospital, where Sakumo praised Jiraiya’s explicit novel and said he would spar with Chen after recovering.
• Chen told Sakumo that Orochimaru planned to return Toya and Gin’s bodies to seek a truce, and Sakumo questioned whether the Third Kazekage would accept.
• Chen told Sakumo that the Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Stone Village had called a truce, and he worried that the sudden calm concealed something.

Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed Uchiha Chen’s promotion report and worried about the boy’s extraordinary abilities and Uchiha heritage. Meanwhile, the Third Raikage investigated the Eight-Tails’ rampage and learned that Hidden Cloud’s plan to capture an Uzumaki ninja was progressing.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen considered the worsening war in the Land of Rivers and wondered why Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure had ceased fighting.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen read Orochimaru’s report on Uchiha Chen, noting his promotion to Jonin, mastery of all five chakra natures, and powerful techniques.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen worried that Uchiha Chen’s talent and strong emotions might lead him to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
• The Third Raikage questioned a subordinate about Kohaku no Johei and said he suspected someone had extracted the Eight-Tails from Fukai.
• The Third Raikage learned that Hidden Cloud’s spies had discovered the movements of an Uzumaki Clan ninja, advancing their Jinchuriki plan.

After Uchiha Chen was promoted to Jonin, he received a distress summons from Minato, Nawaki, and Mikoto and set out to rescue them from Sunagakure Puppet Masters. The chapter ended with poisoned and wounded Nawaki fearing he would die before Chen arrived.

• After Toya and Gin's bodies were returned, Chiyo agreed to a truce, and Chen stayed at the Base to study Scrolls while Sakumo recovered.
• Orochimaru celebrated Chen's Jonin promotion with dinner, but Big White arrived with word that Minato, Nawaki, and Mikoto had been ambushed and needed reinforcements.
• Chen set out toward the team's location, while Orochimaru stayed behind to notify Tsunade and avoid provoking Sunagakure.
• Nawaki, Mikoto, and Minato hid in a crater after escaping a Sunagakure Puppet Master Jonin, and Nawaki's wounds and poison left him gravely ill.
• Nawaki told Mikoto to give his grandfather's pendant to Chen if he died, believing the good-luck charm would protect him.

Uchiha Chen reached Minato, Mikoto, and the poisoned Nawaki and led them toward Konoha’s main battlefield camp, breaking through the tightening Sunagakure encirclement. At the base, Tsunade learned Nawaki was in danger and rushed to meet them, while her fear of losing another loved one surfaced.

• Uchiha Chen arrived at the pit, learned that sand shinobi had ambushed Minato’s team, and found Nawaki unconscious and poisoned.
• Mikoto woke and mistook Uchiha Chen for an enemy before recognizing him and breaking down in tears.
• Uchiha Chen led Minato, who carried Nawaki, and Mikoto toward Konoha’s camp while Big White helped watch for enemies.
• After a Sunagakure signal flare appeared, Uchiha Chen launched a red flare and told the others to run for the camp while he fought through the blockade.
• Tsunade learned Team One had been ambushed, then set out for the main battlefield camp despite Orochimaru warning that Chiyo might target Nawaki.
• Orochimaru reflected that Tsunade had feared death and the loss of her loved ones since Mito’s death.

Uchiha Chen fought off Sunagakure ninja so Minato, Mikoto, and the injured Nawaki could escape toward the Konoha camp. He drew the pursuing enemies away and summoned the Blue Snake as more sand shinobi converged on him.

• Uchiha Chen killed a Sunagakure ninja with Chidori and Genjutsu, then told Minato and Mikoto to flee.
• Minato carried Nawaki while he and Mikoto ran toward the Konoha camp, leaving Uchiha Chen to hold the blockade.
• Uchiha Chen raised an Earth Wall, used Smoke Bombs to disengage, and chased after Minato's group to protect them.
• Uchiha Chen defeated another Sunagakure Jonin who tried to ambush Minato and Mikoto.
• Two sand shinobi attacked Uchiha Chen with Earth and Wind Release, but he dodged their attacks and summoned the Blue Snake as more enemies approached.
• Minato and Mikoto continued toward the Konoha camp, silently wishing they could become stronger as explosions sounded behind them.

Uchiha Chen held off the pursuing Sunagakure shinobi, then escaped to Konoha’s base after meeting Tsunade and the rescue forces. There, he learned Nawaki was being treated and saw Kato Dan leave the medical area exhausted and alone.

• Uchiha Chen fought and killed the sand shinobi surrounding him with Blue Snake’s help.
• After the battle, Uchiha Chen retreated as more enemies approached and led the remaining pursuers toward Konoha’s support force.
• Uchiha Chen met Tsunade, who charged at the sand shinobi while he continued toward the Konoha camp.
• Uchiha Chen reached the camp and learned from Kato Dan that Nawaki was undergoing surgery.
• Kato Dan left to sleep, and Uchiha Chen reflected that Kato Dan had nothing.

Uchiha Chen reported his battle record to Tsunade and visited the recovering Nawaki, who told him a wealthy mysterious merchant had once offered Uzumaki Mito three hundred million ryo for his pendant. Nawaki and Minato concluded the buyer must have been a true love of the First Hokage.

• Tsunade and Orochimaru reviewed the casualty report, recording fifty-eight Konoha casualties and more than seventy sand shinobi deaths.
• Tsunade confirmed that Chen's kills—one Elite Jonin, seven Jonin, and two Special Jonin—would be added to his ninja profile, then thanked him for saving Nawaki.
• Chen visited Nawaki in the medical tent, where Minato was changing his bandages as Nawaki recovered from the poison.
• Nawaki showed Chen his pendant and explained that a mysterious merchant had offered Uzumaki Mito three hundred million ryo for it after the First Hokage died.
• Nawaki and Minato speculated that the wealthy merchant had loved the First Hokage.

Nonō discovered that Kushina was missing and alerted the Third Hokage, who used the Telescope Technique but could not locate her. He ordered Konoha’s gates sealed and summoned the clan leaders, furious that Danzo was away in the Daimyo’s Capital.

• Dai paid Nonō an unusually generous salary and gave her a green outfit for training.
• Nonō went to the Senju Clan Compound to meet Kushina, found her house empty, and used the Black Striped Snake to contact Chen.
• Nonō rushed to the Hokage Building and told the Third Hokage that Kushina had disappeared.
• The Third Hokage used the Telescope Technique but could not find Kushina, leading him to suspect she had been abducted or taken outside Konoha.
• The Third Hokage ordered Konoha’s gates sealed and demanded that the Anbu protecting Kushina be found.
• After learning Danzo had gone to the Daimyo’s Capital, the Third Hokage struck his desk and summoned Hyuga Tenko, Inuzuka Iwa, and Aburame Shibi.

Uzumaki Kushina realized she had been kidnapped by Hidden Cloud Village ninja and feared being taken to the Land of Lightning. Meanwhile, the Third Raikage suspected the effortless abduction was part of Danzo’s plot and prepared to turn it against him.

• Kushina woke tied up with her Chakra sealed and dropped a strand of hair to leave a clue for Konoha’s scouts.
• Nine-Tails told Kushina that her captors were taking her to the Hidden Cloud Village, while refusing to help her escape.
• The Third Raikage trained his son in Lightning Release Chakra Mode and discussed the village’s Jinchuriki plan with him.
• The Third Raikage reasoned that Danzo had likely arranged the abduction to attack the Third Hokage and that Root Shinobi awaited the Cloud ninja along their route.
• The Third Raikage decided to exploit Danzo’s scheme and make him face the consequences.

The Third Raikage defended bringing the Uzumaki girl to Hidden Cloud Village as a future Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the start of a new clan, while the Third Hokage faced blame for Kushina's abduction. Conflicting clues pointed toward the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning, leaving Konoha unsure which village had taken her.

• The boy questioned whether an outsider should become the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Third Raikage argued that the Uzumaki girl could give Hidden Cloud Village a safe Jinchuriki and a new clan.
• The boy asked what would happen if the mission failed, and the Third Raikage said they would choose someone from the younger generation.
• The Third Hokage worried that he would bear responsibility if Konoha failed to recover Kushina.
• A search team reported four Anbu corpses outside Konoha Forest and traces suggesting the enemy had headed toward the Land of Water.
• The Third Hokage learned that Root Shinobi traces led toward the Land of Lightning and ordered Hyuga Tenko to scout toward the Land of Mist while command sent shinobi to search toward the Land of Earth.

Uchiha Chen used Shukaku to locate Kushina and pursued the group that had abducted her. He caught up with four enemy ninjas near the Land of Grass and trapped them in a Genjutsu, leaving their fate unresolved.

• Uchiha Chen sent Sakumo's Ninja Dog back and released Shukaku from a Scroll.
• Uchiha Chen persuaded Shukaku to help him find the Nine-Tails, and Shukaku sensed its faint aura about thirty kilometers east.
• Uchiha Chen carried Shukaku east and found the four ninjas transporting Kushina toward the Land of Grass.
• The middle-aged ninja and his subordinates noticed Uchiha Chen following them and attacked with Lightning Release Shuriken Shadow Clones.
• Uchiha Chen avoided the attack and cast Genjutsu: Cherry Blossom Fall, trapping all four ninjas in an illusion.

Uchiha Chen defeated the Cloud Shinobi who had abducted Kushina and caught up with their captain, using genjutsu to stop him and rescue her. The captain fell unconscious under Chen’s illusion, and Chen reunited with Kushina.

• Uchiha Chen overcame the Cloud Shinobi’s sensory defenses, killed two attackers, and forced the captain to flee with Kushina while another shinobi stayed behind.
• Uchiha Chen defeated the remaining Cloud Shinobi, took a scroll containing his head, and pursued the captain through the forest.
• Uchiha Chen caught up with the captain and disrupted his Chakra with a snap of his fingers, causing him to fall from a tree.
• The captain pressed a kunai against what he thought was Kushina, but Uchiha Chen revealed that he was holding a White Phosphorus Snake instead.
• Kushina asked Chen what had happened to the unconscious captain, and Chen said he had trapped him in a genjutsu.

Uchiha Chen rescued Kushina and spent the night with her in a cave before arranging for her return to Konoha. In Konoha, the Third Hokage confronted the village’s ninja over the kidnapping while Danzo worried that his scheme had failed.

• Uchiha Chen asked Kushina if she had been hurt, and she told him she was safe and complained that the Third Hokage’s promised protection had failed.
• Kushina chatted about Konoha and the weapon shop while Uchiha Chen roasted a Psyduck and gave her money from his house to spend.
• Uchiha Chen told Kushina he could not return to Konoha yet, but would take her to the Land of Rivers Command Headquarters so someone could escort her home.
• The Third Hokage berated the Jonin and security forces for allowing Kushina to be kidnapped, while Danzo wondered whether she had already been rescued and feared his plan had failed.

The Third Hokage stripped Danzo of his Police Force and Root posts after Kushina’s abduction, then condemned the village’s leaders and clans for neglecting their duties. Kushina remained at the frontline command headquarters while Konoha avoided war with the Hidden Cloud Village, and Homura Mitokado took temporary responsibility for village security.

• Utatane Koharu announced that Danzo lost his acting Police Force captaincy and Root leadership, while two Anbu captains were also dismissed.
• Danzo challenged the Third Hokage over responsibility for Kushina’s abduction, but the Third Hokage revealed that Kushina had already been rescued and that the Daimyo had refused his resignation.
• The Third Hokage rebuked the clan heads and village leadership for internal failures before dismissing the meeting.
• The Third Hokage told Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado that Chen had identified the abductors as Hidden Cloud shinobi, but Konoha would not risk fighting on two fronts.
• The Third Hokage decided to leave Kushina at the frontline command headquarters for now and assigned Homura Mitokado to oversee village security.