Chapter Summaries

Pain and Orochimaru discussed the Sage of Six Paths, the tailed beasts, and whether the Sakura Dragon was connected to the divine realm. Meanwhile, Black Zetsu led Sparkle to a hidden ruin to accelerate her Karma’s decompression, unaware that its hidden contents would be filtered out.

• Pain questioned Orochimaru about the Sage of Six Paths and suggested that the tailed beasts might be connected to the divine realm.
• Pain compared the Sakura Dragon to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and wondered what that implied about Madara Uchiha.
• Black Zetsu arrived near Konoha and decided to make Sparkle his puppet while helping her decompress her Karma.
• Sparkle followed Black Zetsu to an underground ruin filled with White Zetsu, where he prepared a formation to accelerate her Karma’s decompression.
• The formation sped up the decompression briefly, but then the rate slowed as the hidden contents interfered.

Sparkle tricked Black Zetsu into believing his White Zetsu had erased her personality and possessed her, while she secretly remained in control. Black Zetsu named her Otsutsuki Otohime and brought her into the Sakura Dragon Divine Realm, where he discovered he still lacked permission to control it.

• Sparkle fooled Black Zetsu into thinking White Zetsu had overwritten her mind and taken over her body.
• Black Zetsu named the supposed new personality Otsutsuki Otohime, and she claimed she could imitate Sparkle using her retained memories.
• Black Zetsu brought Otohime into the Sakura Dragon Divine Realm and had her merge with a puppet, believing he could gain control of the space.
• Otohime told Black Zetsu he needed to pass a trial to gain access, revealing that he could not bypass the realm’s permissions.
• Otohime explained that merging with the ninja tool let her remain in the realm without a Divine Mask and control her body from there.
• When someone connected to the realm, Black Zetsu returned to reality and ordered Otohime to resume Sparkle’s appearance.

Sparkle secretly marked Black Zetsu while accepting his orders to infiltrate Konoha as Otohime, then returned to check on Sasuke and draw a teacher suited to improving her combat style. She summoned Meltryllis, who agreed to train her in elegant, camera-ready fighting and asked for suitable clothes.

• Black Zetsu ordered Sparkle to mark him, and she placed one visible mark and another in secret.
• Black Zetsu sent Sparkle back to Konoha to gather intelligence while he considered how to use her as a puppet.
• Sparkle told Sasuke that Naruto was alive and offered to find him a teacher, but Sasuke chose to recover before deciding on training.
• Sparkle returned to Fountainhead Palace and summoned Meltryllis to teach her elegant fighting and camera presence.
• Meltryllis agreed to train Sparkle and asked her to find a suitable kimono before they began.

Naruto began her formal Sage Mode training under Little Tamamo, while Sparkle and Lilith started developing a fighting style for Sparkle. The chapter ended as Lilith presented Sparkle with a swimsuit-like bodysuit for their training.

• Little Tamamo gave Naruto a matching training outfit and invited Sparkle and Lilith to help with her training.
• Naruto remarked that Sparkle and Lilith's high heels made them look tall, prompting Sparkle to confront her and ask Little Tamamo to intensify Naruto's training.
• Little Tamamo assigned Naruto to collect mountain spring water while wearing a breathing mask and sensing Nature Energy.
• Lilith explained that she would teach Sparkle her combat style, Sinful Ballet, and tasked her with incorporating her sword skills and ninjutsu into it.
• Lilith produced a swimsuit-like bodysuit for Sparkle to wear during their training.

Lilith redesigned Sparkle’s phase-two outfit and footwear, then trained her to fight with her feet while she practiced keeping rhythm and ignoring her hands. The chapter ended with Naruto struggling through Sparkle’s punishing Ripple Breathing water-fetching exercise.

• Lilith explained that Sparkle’s phase two should contrast with her bright-red first phase, recommending an icy-blue outfit and snow effects while saving her final form for special occasions.
• Lilith promised to teach Sparkle the Five-Stringed Biwa Benzaiten move after she fully integrated her Sword Skill, then modified Sparkle’s geta to conceal blades that could emerge in phase two.
• Lilith used puppet-like teaching aids to train Sparkle to block shuriken with her feet, and Sparkle managed to recover her rhythm despite Lilith disrupting it.
• Lilith told Sparkle to forget her hands during combat training and recommended that she study ballet and figure skating.
• Naruto struggled to carry mountain spring water back to the tea room while wearing Sparkle’s suffocating Ripple Breathing mask, spilling the water on each of his three attempts.

Hanabi mastered figure skating in a modern world and began preparing training for Sasuke, while Little Tamamo trained Naruto to balance senjutsu Chakra using special geta. Naruto finally managed to stand in them, but Little Tamamo immediately sent him to fetch mountain spring water again; Hanabi then began drawing cards with keywords for Sasuke.

• Hanabi found a student ID and figure skates at a figure skating club in Nagoya, then used up her lessons and mastered the techniques.
• Naruto woke after passing out during the previous day's water-fetching task and found special geta waiting outside his room.
• Little Tamamo explained that the geta were designed to train Naruto's senjutsu Chakra control, and Naruto repeatedly fell while trying to walk in them.
• Naruto recalled the breathing rhythm from his earlier training and used it to stabilize the Chakra beneath his feet, finally standing successfully.
• Little Tamamo praised Naruto and gave him a container to fetch mountain spring water, leaving him dismayed.
• Hanabi chose Indra, lightning, and blades as keywords and began drawing cards for Sasuke.

Sparkle recruited Minamoto no Raikō as Sasuke’s teacher and built the Hundred Layer Tower, where Shuten Doji served as tower master. Sasuke discovered his ocular power had surged after recovering from surgery, while Naruto continued training in the Land of Demons with marked shoes that shocked him when he stepped on the ground.

• Sparkle welcomed Minamoto no Raikō, who agreed to teach Sasuke and suggested building a tower for training.
• Sparkle constructed the Hundred Layer Tower north of Senpou Temple and learned that its trials would return and treat trainees before they faced mortal danger.
• Sparkle met Shuten Doji, the tower master, who explained that the tower also had hot springs and could host banquets.
• Tsunade removed Sasuke’s stitches, and Sasuke realized his ocular power was far greater than when he first awakened the Mangekyo.
• Naruto returned to the Land of Demons for dinner and showed Shion the marked shoes that let him walk without getting shocked by the ground.

Sasuke began training with Minamoto no Raikō in Bodhisattva Valley, convinced she could not teach him until she swiftly defeated him. After losing seven times, Sasuke revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and unleashed Amaterasu and Susanoo.

• Shion imagined Naruto drenched during his mountain training while the stage showed the audience's reactions.
• Sparkle brought Sasuke to Bodhisattva Valley, where Minamoto no Raikō introduced herself as his teacher.
• Sasuke doubted Minamoto no Raikō's strength and challenged her, but she beat him down with ease.
• After seven defeats, Sasuke used his Mangekyō Sharingan to cast Amaterasu, but Minamoto no Raikō's black flames resisted it.
• Sasuke activated Susanoo against Minamoto no Raikō.

Sasuke was defeated by Minamoto no Raikō, learned that his teachers were Heroic Spirits, and was promised training with Madara if he mastered her lessons. After training Sparkle, Jiraiya returned to Konoha and sought Hanabi Hyuga to learn what had happened to Naruto and the village.

• Minamoto no Raikō defeated Sasuke with Ox King Reversal: Blitz Wind Fury, and Sparkle healed him afterward.
• Sparkle told Sasuke that Minamoto no Raikō and Naruto's teacher were Heroic Spirits from the past, then offered to introduce him to Madara if he completed Minamoto no Raikō's training.
• Lilith trained Sparkle in ballet and figure skating, teaching her to fight with her hands inactive and to incorporate Gentle Fist and Taijutsu.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha and learned that the Third Hokage had been poisoned, Danzo had died, and Naruto had left after the Nine-Tails went berserk.
• Jiraiya went to seek Hanabi Hyuga because he believed she could explain what had happened.

Jiraiya learned that Naruto was safe and training in Sage Mode in the Land of Demons, then went to find him. Sparkle met Black Zetsu, who planned to present her disguised as Otohime, an autonomous puppet, to Pain and bring her into the Akatsuki.

• Sparkle told Jiraiya that Naruto was safe, burdened by guilt, and training in Sage Mode under a sage in the Land of Demons.
• Jiraiya decided to go find Naruto, and Sparkle planned to have him help with Naruto’s training.
• Black Zetsu summoned Sparkle, whose Karma decompression had reached 10%, and told her to pose as Otohime’s humanoid ninja tool.
• Black Zetsu told Pain that Otohime was the true body of the shrine maiden from the Sakura Dragon Divine Realm and claimed he had found her in ancient ruins.
• Pain examined the unresponsive Sparkle as Black Zetsu pretended that the puppet might not be activated.

Pain considered using the Sakura Dragon puppet and its power to strengthen Akatsuki, while Sparkle criticized Black Zetsu’s weak schemes and resolved to raise the stakes. The stage announced a canon movie edition set in the Land of Snow, and Sparkle planned to expand its story.

• Black Zetsu urged Pain to claim the ninja tool and suggested he could awaken Otohime by passing the Sakura Dragon’s trial, though he knew the trial granted no special privileges.
• Pain said he would pass the trial and become a god, then told Konan that the Sakura Dragon’s power could strengthen life force and might help save Nagato.
• Sparkle judged Black Zetsu’s schemes too small and considered taking control of events herself to give him a stronger sense of crisis.
• The stage announced that Ninja Path would receive a main-story movie edition, with some of its plot later adapted into the television version.
• Sparkle learned the movie would follow Fuka Fujikaze filming in the Land of Snow and decided to make the Snow Princess Ninjutsu Scroll story bigger.

Sparkle planned to bring Naruto and Sasuke to the Land of Snow by making Akatsuki pursue the Nine-Tails and turning the Snow Princess mission into a larger conflict. After assessing their training, she investigated the Land of Snow and learned that Kazahana Koyuki had taken the Hexagonal Crystal needed to activate its secret device.

• Sparkle decided to test Naruto and Sasuke’s abilities before arranging a trip to the Land of Snow.
• Sparkle watched Minamoto no Raikō defeat Sasuke and learned he might need another half a year before he could challenge the Hundred Layer Tower.
• Sparkle repaired Sasuke with Kuitsugumo, then found Naruto practicing Sage Mode balance control in Enma-tei’s Nature Energy-filled hot spring.
• Sparkle planned to make the Land of Snow’s secret treasure and power real, giving Akatsuki a reason to get involved.
• Sparkle investigated the Land of Snow and learned that Kazahana Dōtō had seized the throne, while Kazahana Koyuki had fled to the Land of Fire and taken the Hexagonal Crystal.

Sparkle bought a Snow Woman shell and an Ice Empress cosplay set, then prepared a story and plot to draw Naruto to the Land of Snow. The new movie warm-up episode began with Naruto and Shion watching a film, where Shion appeared jealous of its leading actress.

• Sparkle bought the Snow Woman Mirror Shatter Card and discovered the empty shell could be used as a fragile clone or summon.
• Sparkle bought the Ice Empress cosplay set and dressed the Snow Woman in it, concealing its true appearance even from the Byakugan.
• Sparkle planned a backstory, an Otsutsuki ruin, and a reason for Naruto to travel to the Land of Snow.
• Naruto and Shion appeared in the new episode as they went to watch a film, with Naruto in boy form and shrine-style clothes.
• Shion reacted subtly to the film's rising actress, Fuka Fujikaze, prompting viewers to recognize her jealousy.

Kabuto Yakushi tested whether Tsunade knew his identity by recommending his talented medical-ninja subordinates, Karin and Sakura Haruno. Tsunade reviewed their records and agreed to meet them, but stopped Kabuto as he was leaving.

• Kabuto Yakushi met Tsunade in the Hokage's office and confirmed that she did not appear to know his true identity.
• Kabuto Yakushi presented Karin's and Sakura Haruno's files to Tsunade, praising their medical-ninja talent.
• Tsunade noted Sakura Haruno's Chakra control but worried about her temperament, then recognized Karin's Uzumaki Clan blood and healing ability.
• Tsunade asked Kabuto Yakushi to have Karin and Sakura Haruno come see her.
• Tsunade stopped Kabuto Yakushi as he opened the door to leave, making him worry that she had discovered his identity.

Kabuto Yakushi suspected Sparkle had orchestrated events in Konoha, while Tsunade assigned Kakashi an A-rank mission and planned to have Kira join Team 7. Sasuke had been sent back to Konoha from Bodhisattva Valley and rested on a rooftop, staring into the distance.

• Tsunade asked Kabuto Yakushi to assist with upcoming surgeries, and he speculated that Sparkle had removed records left by the Third Hokage.
• Kabuto Yakushi concluded that Sparkle’s actions had helped her gain influence in Konoha and expressed his delight at Danzo’s downfall.
• Tsunade gave Kakashi an A-rank mission involving Fuka Fujikaze and arranged for Kira to temporarily join Team 7.
• Kakashi noticed Sasuke sitting on a nearby rooftop and told Tsunade that he had been difficult to find while training.
• Sasuke reflected on being sent back to Konoha from Bodhisattva Valley and settled into a quiet rest.

Sasuke refused Kakashi’s A-rank mission until a photograph made him change his mind. Meanwhile, Naruto tried to rescue Princess of Wind and Clouds, only to discover he had attacked a film crew, and the actress Fuka Fujikaze had run away.

• Sasuke decided that taking a mission would interfere with his rest, but Kakashi showed him a photograph from Tsunade-sama and Sasuke immediately agreed to go.
• Naruto and Shion left the theater after enjoying Princess of Wind and Clouds.
• Naruto mistook a fleeing actress and costumed film crew for a real attack and used Shadow Clone Jutsu to knock down the performers and punch the director.
• Shion introduced herself as the Priestess of the Land of Demons, and a bespectacled agent explained that the actress Fuka Fujikaze had run off before filming.

Naruto tracked down Kazahana Koyuki and brought her back, only to learn that his actions had left the crew with a huge bill. He agreed to work for the crew to repay it, while Sparkle prepared to escalate her behind-the-scenes plans in the Land of Snow.

• Naruto used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to find Kazahana Koyuki, bound her with Adamantine Sealing, and brought her back to the crew.
• Naruto learned that he had damaged the crew's equipment and injured the director, leaving him responsible for a large bill.
• Naruto agreed to work for the crew as compensation, and Shion offered to help before the staff explained that filming in the Land of Snow would make his labor valuable.
• Sparkle revealed that she had arranged the crew's trip to the Land of Demons and decided to turn things up a notch.
• Sparkle stood among shattered puppets in the snowy Land of Snow, wearing an outfit she had prepared for the movie edition.

Naruto’s movie shoot brought him into conflict with Kazahana Koyuki’s reluctance to discuss the Land of Snow, while Akatsuki sent Hidan and Kakuzu to investigate rumors tied to Otsutsuki Otohime. Black Zetsu arranged for Sparkle to join the Konoha mission and keep the pair from uncovering secrets, leaving him convinced his scheme could only benefit him.

• Naruto performed a Rasengan for the movie crew, then asked Kazahana Koyuki why talk of the Land of Snow upset her.
• Pain assigned Hidan and Kakuzu to investigate reports from the Land of Snow that Black Zetsu suspected concerned Otsutsuki Otohime.
• Black Zetsu questioned Sparkle about the ruins, and she said she knew no outside information about them.
• After learning Sparkle was on Konoha’s Land of Snow mission, Black Zetsu ordered her to watch Hidan and Kakuzu and prevent them from discovering secrets.
• Black Zetsu imagined replacing Hidan and Kakuzu with Otohime and Tobi if the pair uncovered anything, and congratulated himself on his plan.

Naruto and Kazahana Koyuki discussed the pain and regrets behind their choices as Kakashi's team watched the film and learned Naruto was working to pay off debts. The story left Naruto protecting Koyuki from two cloaked ninja who attacked her.

• Naruto woke from a dream about Kushina Yukiei and Kushina's battle, then found Kazahana Koyuki on the hotel rooftop.
• Naruto told Koyuki that his uncontrolled power had hurt people close to him, and Koyuki began recalling her powerless childhood with young Kakashi.
• Kakashi, Sasuke, Sparkle, and Kira watched the film and discussed their A-rank mission to escort actress Fuka Fujikaze to the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi told the team that Naruto was working for the production crew to pay off his debts, and Sparkle used her Byakugan to spot suspicious ninja nearby.
• Naruto asked Koyuki why she refused to give fans autographs, then pulled her aside as a kunai struck where she had stood and two cloaked ninja appeared.

Naruto was overwhelmed by the black-clad attackers’ mental assaults and lost his Chakra balance, changing into a girl and becoming unable to move without her training geta. After Sasuke, Sparkle, Kakashi, and Kira intervened, Naruto put on the geta and ran away, and Sasuke chased her.

• Naruto fought the black-clad attackers, whose icy Chakra inflicted hallucinations and destroyed his Shadow Clone.
• Naruto released the Nine-Tails' Chakra, lost his balance, and transformed into a girl; without her training geta, she could not flee.
• Sasuke struck an attacker with Red Lightning, and Sparkle, Kakashi, and Kira joined the fight while the attackers tried to escape.
• Sparkle stopped Kira from pursuing the fleeing attackers, and Sasuke and Naruto met eyes.
• Naruto put on her training geta and ran away, and Sasuke immediately chased her.