Recaps

Chen controlled Shukaku and used it to devastate the Iwagakure army with two Tailed Beast Bombs before Roshi charged in with Lava Release Chakra Mode. Chen prepared to face Roshi directly and declared that he wanted the Four-Tails.

• Chen controlled Shukaku and ordered it to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb at the Iwa-nin, protecting it with Rashomon gates and Earth Walls.
• Bunga and ten Iwa-nin raised the earth to divert Shukaku's second Tailed Beast Bomb away from the army.
• Roshi charged toward Shukaku in Lava Release Chakra Mode, and Chen dismissed his Shadow Clones and activated Sage Mode.
• Chen leaped down from Shukaku and said he wanted the Four-Tails.

Konoha’s forces advanced into the Iwagakure army as Sakumo, Orochimaru, Himeji, and Mikoto fought through the battlefield. Nawaki charged directly at Gari to avenge Yura, and their powerful techniques collided as the chapter ended.

• Sakumo led Konoha’s charge, while Orochimaru advanced from another flank in search of the Iwa-nin commander, Bunga.
• Himeji and Mikoto fought back to back, defeating Iwa-nin and confronting an Elite Jonin.
• Nawaki charged through the Iwa-nin toward Gari, driven by his desire to avenge Yura.
• Nawaki unleashed Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, and Gari answered with Explosion Release: Landmine Fist.

Chen battled Roshi, whose growing mastery of the Four-Tails let him sense Chen’s Natural Energy attacks, but Chen overwhelmed him with immense speed and Lightning Release. The fight turned when Chen’s Sage Mode Markings vanished and Roshi stopped retreating, revealing that he had been waiting for Chen’s power to fade.

• Chen struck Roshi with a Great Ball Rasengan, but Roshi’s magma and Tailed Beast Chakra let him withstand the attack and regenerate.
• Chen slammed Roshi into a crater with Snake Kata, then realized Roshi had sensed and dodged the Natural Energy strike.
• Roshi reflected on his decades-long relationship with the Four-Tails and believed he had mastered its power.
• Chen unleashed Lightning Release and repeatedly battered Roshi, while Iwa-nin fled the fighters’ path and some were caught in the crossfire.
• Chen drove his Lightning Release-cloaked hand into Roshi’s chest after his Sage Mode Markings vanished, and Roshi smiled because he had been waiting for that moment.

Chen used a sealing scroll to reenter Sage Mode and overwhelm Roshi with lava restraints and a Sage-enhanced Susanoo Chidori, severing Roshi’s arm. Roshi let Son Gokū take control and transform into the Four-Tails, while Chen summoned Shukaku to meet its fireball with a wave of sand.

• As Chen’s Sage Mode faded, Roshi unleashed Lava Release: Flower Fruit Mountain, and Chen raised the ground to stay above the spreading lava.
• Chen used a sealing scroll to reenter Sage Mode, restrained Roshi with Inorganic Reanimation, and struck him with Sage Art: Susanoo: Chidori.
• Roshi broke free and dodged the attack but lost his right arm; the Four-Tails urged him to hand over control, and Roshi agreed.
• The Four-Tails took complete control of Roshi’s body and transformed, then launched a massive molten fireball at Chen.
• Chen summoned Shukaku beneath him, and Shukaku blocked the Four-Tails’ fireball with a tidal wave of sand.

Shukaku and Son Gokū clashed as the controlled One-Tail launched a Tailed Beast Bomb first, leaving the Four-Tails injured after their attacks collided. Son Gokū then leaped toward Shukaku, hoping to reach him and break the Sharingan Genjutsu.

• Shukaku roared at Son Gokū and began charging a Tailed Beast Bomb while Roshi urged the Four-Tails to fight back.
• Shukaku fired first, and Son Gokū launched his own Tailed Beast Bomb; the two attacks collided in a massive explosion that carved out a crater over a kilometer wide.
• The blast wounded Son Gokū, and the watching Iwa-nin hoped he would defeat Shukaku.
• Son Gokū decided to approach Shukaku and dispel the Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu, despite Roshi's warning that it would be difficult.
• Son Gokū blocked Shukaku's Wind Release: Sand Bullet with magma, leaped beside him, and swung a fist at his head.

Chen used Shukaku and Susanoo to defeat and seal the Four-Tails, capturing Roshi as well. He collected the Four-Tails’ tails and gained a point toward the Tail Collector achievement.

• The Four-Tails overwhelmed Shukaku in a close-quarters fight, so Chen used Sage Art: Water Release: Whirlpool Water Blade to bind him.
• Chen cloaked Shukaku in Majestic Attire: Susanoo and attacked the Four-Tails with the Spiral Sword.
• The Spiral Sword severed the Four-Tails’ tails, allowing Shukaku’s sealing power to spread through his body and seal his Chakra.
• Roshi and Son Gokū exchanged a final fist bump before their consciousnesses sank into darkness.
• Chen dismissed Susanoo, carried Roshi, stored the Four-Tails’ tails in a Sealing Scroll, and gained one Tail Collector achievement point.

Chen confronted the Iwa-nin after capturing Roshi, while Nawaki defeated Gari on the battlefield. Chen faced a charging force of Iwa-nin, and Nawaki killed Gari after foiling his attempt to escape.

• Chen removed his blood-soaked Jonin Flak Jacket and faced the Iwa-nin guarding Roshi.
• Chen flung an Iwagakure Jonin into the crowd, and the Iwa-nin charged him to stop him taking Roshi.
• Nawaki taunted Gari about Roshi’s capture and revealed that Gari had been involved in the earlier attack on his squad.
• Gari considered abandoning Iwagakure and fleeing the battlefield, but Nawaki saw through his escape attempt and pursued him.
• Nawaki trapped Gari in a Water Prison Technique and killed him with Heaven’s Tears.

Konoha forced Iwagakure to retreat after capturing the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi, then rested and discussed what to do with him. Chen and Nawaki shared a quiet evening at the Base, while Nawaki revealed that Orochimaru had taken Gari's body to study his Kekkei Genkai.

• Iwagakure's commander Bunga ordered a retreat, and Sakumo declined to pursue the withdrawing Iwa-nin.
• Chen handed the unconscious, sealed Roshi to Konoha's Sealing Squad and told them not to add another seal.
• Konoha advanced its camp deeper into the Land of Earth, then paused to treat the wounded and recover.
• Chen fed Shukaku's chakra to Samehada as he and Nawaki relaxed outside a tent.
• Nawaki told Chen he had killed Gari for Yura's sake and had given Gari's body to Orochimaru for study.

Chen and Nawaki discussed the war and hoped to reunite with Tsunade soon, while the chapter shifted to Tsunade’s strained front in the Land of Grass. Tsunade returned to the Base late at night to find Kushina waiting for news from the Land of Earth.

• Nawaki wished for the war to end and hoped he would soon see Tsunade again, while Chen said their victory offered hope for peace.
• The chapter explained how Danzo sent Shimura Clan ninja to serve under Sarutobi Shinnosuke to gain military merit while avoiding the dangers of his own command.
• Ōnoki reinforced the Land of Grass after the Land of Water’s defeat, and Tsunade’s arrival with three thousand ninja helped Konoha’s position improve.
• After finishing surgery, Tsunade returned to her tent and found Kushina dozing while waiting for her.
• Kushina clarified that she had stayed awake because Tsunade had asked her to wait for news from the Land of Earth.

Tsunade told Kushina that Konoha’s forces would need to cut Iwagakure’s supply routes before the armies could join up in the Land of Earth. The chapter left Kushina wondering whether Chen had already learned the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Kushina asked Tsunade when their forces could join Chen’s army, and Tsunade teased her before admitting she did not know.
• Tsunade explained that Chen had captured Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and that his battlefield was faring better than theirs.
• Tsunade said Konoha needed to occupy Kannabi Bridge or advance deep into the Land of Earth to force Iwagakure’s troops in the Land of Grass to retreat.
• Tsunade warned that Kannabi Bridge was heavily guarded and that attacking it risked an encounter with the Third Tsuchikage and his Dust Release.
• Tsunade said Konoha had no ninja capable of using the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Kushina wondered if Chen had learned it.

Minato completed the Flying Thunder God Technique’s final step and began testing his new marker. Jiraiya witnessed Minato teleport across the base and realized he might have mastered the Second Hokage’s lost Ninjutsu.

• Minato worked late into the night to train despite his exhausting mission schedule.
• Minato successfully engraved the Flying Thunder God Technique formula on a Kunai and named his marker “Space-Time Gale Flash Sword.”
• Minato made several more marked Kunai as his success rate improved.
• Minato teleported between Kunai across the base while testing the technique.
• Jiraiya spotted Minato’s sudden movements, recognized the Flying Thunder God Technique, and hurried after him.

Minato showed Jiraiya that he had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, though he still needed combat training and was developing the Rasengan to complement it. Jiraiya helped rename Minato’s mark the “Ninja Love Sword,” while a Root Shinobi observed them and left.

• Jiraiya scolded Minato for testing the Flying Thunder God Technique in the middle of the night, then celebrated when Minato confirmed he had begun learning it.
• Minato explained that his teleportation remained imprecise and that he needed more training before using the technique effectively in battle.
• Minato considered using the Rasengan and its Wind Release development to complement the Flying Thunder God Technique against powerful opponents.
• Jiraiya found Minato’s written mark, rejected its grandiose name, and proposed calling it the “Ninja Love Sword.”
• A masked Root Shinobi watched Jiraiya and Minato before flashing away, and they chose not to pursue him.

Danzo planned to force Hidden Hot Water Village into the war by backing Sakai against Fuya, while investigating the growing Jashin Cult. He learned that Minato Namikaze was testing the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving him startled by the news.

• Danzo learned that Fuya had rejected his invitation to join Konoha and ordered Sakai to lure Fuya out so Root could kill him and blame Hidden Cloud Village.
• A Root shinobi reported that the Jashin Cult preached killing without consequence and had gained followers among people displaced by the war.
• Danzo suspected Hidden Mist Village was supporting the Jashin Cult as revenge against Konoha.
• Otsugi reported that Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze had caused a disturbance while Minato tested the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Danzo reacted in shock.

Danzo learned that Minato had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique and was overcome with despair, then dreamed of the moment the Second Hokage chose Sarutobi Hiruzen as his successor. Meanwhile, Chen’s space attribute unlocked, allowing him to begin working toward mastering the technique himself.

• Jiraiya told Danzo that Minato had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Danzo despondent about his chances of becoming Hokage.
• Danzo fell asleep and dreamed of volunteering to cover the retreat, only for the Second Hokage to appoint Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage.
• Chen learned that his space attribute had unlocked before Minato’s Communication Toad delivered the news.
• Chen checked his system panel and saw that he could raise his space attribute with points to gain the ability to travel through space.
• Chen considered how the system could help him find the right ratios to fuse Chakra nature transformations into Kekkei Genkai.

Chen considered how Hashirama’s Sage Body made Wood Release exceptional and concluded that his own goal was to fuse all seven nature transformations into Kekkei Mōra. He began fusing Genjutsu with the Mangekyo Sharingan and chose Kotoamatsukami, leaving the system’s new ocular technique in progress.

• Chen reflected that Wood Release’s power came chiefly from Hashirama’s immense Yang Release and strength, rather than the nature fusion alone.
• Chen decided that Wood Release or other Kekkei Genkai would add little to his strength and planned to awaken the Rinnegan, fuse the seven attributes, and collect the nine Tailed Beasts’ Chakra.
• Chen checked the system panel and began fusing Genjutsu with the Mangekyo Sharingan.
• The system offered Kotoamatsukami, Tsukuyomi, and Naobi God as possible fusion branches, and Chen chose Kotoamatsukami.

Chen developed his own Flying Thunder God mark as Konoha prepared to exploit Iwagakure’s defensive posture and disrupt its supply lines. Shikaku proposed using Chen’s technique to transport a large force directly to a battlefield, and Chen confirmed it could work with the help of the Slugs.

• Chen studied the Flying Thunder God Technique and marked a kunai with the words “Great Sage Equal to Heaven Was Here!”
• By May of Konoha Year 39, Bunga had withdrawn Iwagakure’s forces from most of the Land of Earth while keeping four thousand shinobi stationed near Kannabi Bridge and the Grass supply route.
• Shikaku proposed infiltrating Iwagakure’s logistics network to force its troops in Grass Hidden Village to return and defend their supplies.
• Shikaku suggested that Chen use the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport a large force past Iwagakure’s aerial scouts and launch a surprise attack.
• Chen confirmed he could transport others through their Chakra connection, and Shikaku outlined using Nawaki, Nonō, and their summoned Slugs to connect the troops.

Iwa-nin commander Bunga escorted an important supply shipment when Konoha forces suddenly appeared and attacked. Believing Konoha Lightning had left the enemy force under Senju Nawaki’s command, Bunga chose to fight, unaware that Nawaki was using a threat against Hidden Stone Village to unsettle him.

• Bunga escorted two hundred Iwa-nin and their supplies through Rivas Mountain while worrying about Konoha Lightning and the captured Roshi.
• A subordinate reported that Konoha Lightning had attacked Nakai’s force, then suggested that Kitsuchi withdraw from the Land of Grass.
• A scout reported that several hundred Konoha Ninja were advancing, but another said Konoha Lightning had vanished and Senju Nawaki was leading them.
• Bunga ordered his two hundred Iwa-nin to fight the Konoha force, which numbered five or six hundred.
• Bunga fought Nawaki while Nawaki falsely claimed that Chen planned to unleash the Four-Tails on Hidden Stone Village.
• Nawaki formed a water dragon and charged Bunga, confident that Konoha’s larger force would win.

Iwagakure suffered repeated defeats against Konoha, prompting Ōnoki to order a retreat from the Land of Grass and prepare for a decisive battle in the Land of Earth. Kitsuchi and Mabiru discussed Konoha Lightning’s power and the village’s plan to turn the war around before the Iwa-nin army set out for its final confrontation.

• Iwagakure’s forces under Bunga were overwhelmed by Konoha, and Ōnoki ordered them to withdraw from Kannabi Bridge and cover the retreat of the Grass Hidden Village troops.
• Kitsuchi told Mabiru that Bunga’s defeat followed Roshi’s capture and warned that Konoha Lightning had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Mabiru questioned whether Iwagakure could defeat Konoha, and Kitsuchi said the village had a plan to turn the war around.
• Two days later, Kitsuchi led the Iwa-nin army out of the Land of Grass toward a decisive battle in the Land of Earth.

Chen brought Kushina to the Land of Earth as Konoha and Iwagakure assembled their forces for a decisive battle. The chapter ended with Han confirming that an unidentified ally would join the battlefield alongside Ōnoki.

• Chen used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport Konoha's supplies and Kushina from the Land of Grass to the Land of Earth.
• Chen and Kushina discussed the coming battle and whether the Third Tsuchikage would join it, before a falcon delivered news that Han had arrived at Iwagakure's Base with five hundred ninja and Tsunade and Shinnosuke had reached Konoha's Base with four thousand.
• Chen and Kushina appeared at Konoha's Base, where Tsunade took Kushina to camp and Shinnosuke went with Chen to catch up.
• Han told Kitsuchi and Bunga that an unnamed ally had agreed to appear on the battlefield once the war began.

As Kirigakure recovered from Konoha Lightning’s attack, Fugaku weighed the village’s unrest and prepared for the Eye of the Moon plan. White Zetsu reported that the Third Kazekage was planning to renew the war by attacking Hidden Stone Village.

• Kirigakure’s ninja followed reports of Chen’s victories and hoped that a Hidden Mist ninja would eventually defeat him.
• Fugaku let Juzo Biwa leave for the Land of Iron, then ordered White Zetsu to announce his defection and place a bounty on him.
• Fugaku decided to keep Juzo in mind as a capable recruit for the Eye of the Moon plan.
• White Zetsu told Fugaku that Hidden Sand ninja were demanding the Third Kazekage step down after the war.
• The Third Kazekage proposed marching through the Land of Birds to attack Hidden Stone Village while it fought Konoha.

Fugaku learned that Sunagakure had delayed deciding whether to join the war and that Sasori was preparing to assassinate the Third Kazekage. He assessed the approaching battle between Konoha and Iwagakure, chose not to intervene, and ended by fantasizing about the Eye of the Moon Plan.

• The Third Kazekage and Sunagakure's leaders postponed entering the war because they were allied with Iwagakure and their shinobi were weary of fighting.
• White Zetsu told Fugaku that fourteen-year-old Sasori had secretly prepared puppets and poisons to assassinate the Third Kazekage, and Fugaku ordered it to keep watch on him.
• White Zetsu reported that Tsunade, Shinnosuke, Kitsuchi, and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki had reached the battlefield, with the Third Raikage also expected to fight for Iwagakure.
• Fugaku weighed the opposing forces and refused to pass Konoha intelligence or otherwise intervene, saying the war served his larger plans.
• Fugaku lamented that he had failed to kill Chen, then closed his eyes and imagined the Eye of the Moon Plan succeeding while White Zetsu recalled Black Zetsu calling him a fool.

Ōnoki traveled to the Iwagakure Base for the final battle against Konoha, relying on an alliance with the Hidden Cloud Village despite the Third Raikage’s absence. Tsunade rallied Konoha’s forces, and the two armies clashed.

• Ōnoki rode to the Iwagakure Base with Akanishi, planning to conserve his strength for the decisive battle.
• Ōnoki reflected that he had allied with the Hidden Cloud Village because he feared Konoha’s growing power and wanted to use the Third Raikage against it.
• Kitsuchi told Ōnoki that the Third Raikage had not arrived, but Ōnoki ordered the troops to proceed without him and urged them to defeat Konoha.
• Tsunade told Konoha’s troops that many might die in the battle and urged them to survive until they had watched their children grow into accomplished ninja.
• Konoha’s six thousand ninja and Iwagakure’s eight thousand ninja charged into battle and collided.

Chen used Shukaku to devastate Iwagakure’s army before Ōnoki countered with a Stone Golem and fought him. Chen destroyed the golem and attacked Ōnoki with its broken pieces, but a black-lightning figure arrived on the battlefield just in time.

• Konoha and Iwagakure began fighting, and Chen used Flying Thunder God and Summoning Jutsu to unleash Shukaku among Iwagakure’s ranks.
• Ōnoki countered Shukaku with a Stone Golem, whose Weighted Rock Fist drove the beast into the ground.
• Chen bound the Stone Golem with sand, shattered it with a Sage Art punch, and hurled its pieces at Ōnoki, crushing Iwa-nin along the way.
• A figure surrounded by black lightning arrived and looked toward Chen, while Ōnoki welcomed the newcomer.

The Third Raikage arrived to aid Ōnoki, but the two allied Kage disagreed over how to fight Konoha, and Ōnoki eventually withdrew. Chen then battled the Third Raikage, striking him down with a Sage-enhanced kick and leaving the fight unresolved.

• The Third Raikage arrived through the Heavenly Sending Technique and rescued Ōnoki, revealing an alliance between the Hidden Cloud Village and Iwagakure.
• Ōnoki and the Third Raikage disagreed over whether to target Chen first or let the battle continue, then Ōnoki left after promising to help the Hidden Cloud Village.
• The Third Raikage charged Chen in Lightning Release Armor, while Shukaku retreated to attack weaker Iwagakure ninja.
• Chen dodged the Third Raikage's Four-Finger Nukite with the Flying Thunder God Technique and attacked him with a Super Great Ball Rasengan.
• The Third Raikage split the Rasengan with his Three-Finger Nukite, but Chen teleported behind him and struck him into the ground with a Sage-enhanced Chidori Stream kick.

Chen fought the Third Raikage, who used Black Lightning to match Chen’s Sage Mode speed and withstand his attacks. Chen failed to pierce the Raikage’s Lightning Release Armor and realized the Raikage was too skilled to leave the opening that Naruto had exploited.

• The Third Raikage recovered from Chen’s opening kick and activated his Black Lightning to increase his speed and power.
• The Third Raikage attacked Chen with Lightning Release: Lariat, but Chen blocked his follow-up and escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Third Raikage used One-Finger Nukite, and Chen opened the Gate of Life and redirected the thrust toward the Raikage with a Sage Art: Rasengan.
• The Third Raikage blocked Chen’s Rasengan with Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop and trapped him in Lightning Release: Lightning Bomb, but Chen escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Chen realized that the Third Raikage had anticipated his attack and would not make the mistake Naruto’s opponent had made.