Chapter Summaries

After Konoha’s victory, Sakura exhausted herself treating the wounded while Jiraiya learned from the Fourth Raikage’s captured intelligence about Turtle Island and the True Waterfall. Sakura slept through Jiraiya’s attempt to brief her, then woke to Ino’s anger and hurried off to deal with negotiations.

• Sakura spent two days treating the battle’s wounded, while Sasuke distracted a Medical Ninja by repeatedly watching her.
• Jiraiya received intelligence from the Fourth Raikage’s corpse, including details about Lightning Release techniques and the importance of Turtle Island and the True Waterfall.
• Jiraiya decided to inform Hiruzen Sarutobi and seek access to Turtle Island so Konoha could strengthen its Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Sakura, too exhausted to listen to Jiraiya, went back to her tent and fell asleep beside Ino.
• Ino angrily woke Sakura, who remembered the Kumogakure negotiations and rushed out before Ino could finish speaking.
• Karin and Ino began arguing, and Sakura briefly returned to collect her Ninja Tool Pouch before leaving again.

Sakura joined Konoha’s negotiation preparations and clashed with Utatane Koharu before accompanying the delegation to meet Kumogakure. The talks began with angry accusations and insults, while Sakura watched the supposed war of words unfold.

• Sakura arrived at Jiraiya’s command tent, where she argued with Utatane Koharu over her manners and strength until Jiraiya restored order.
• Jiraiya outlined Konoha’s demands, including reparations, territorial concessions, troop deployments, and access to True Waterfall.
• Sakura traveled with the Konoha delegation and a thousand ninja to the negotiation site, where she learned that negotiations were meant to demonstrate a great nation’s bearing.
• Utatane Koharu and the disguised Zetsu, posing as Dodai, exchanged greetings before the Kumogakure negotiators accused the Land of Fire of causing the war by blocking grain exports.
• Yamanaka Sawa and Kurama Asuna angrily rejected Kumogakure’s accusations and challenged its right to demand the Land of Fire’s resources.

Konoha and Kumogakure negotiated the terms of peace after Kumogakure’s defeat, with Utatane Koharu demanding compensation and access to Turtle Island. The sides agreed to a five-year transfer of the island, a public apology, 2.5 billion ryo in reparations, and Konoha’s control of all mission shares.

• Kurama Asuna and Yamanaka Sawa demanded an apology, reparations, territory, mission shares, and Kuroara City from the furious Kumogakure negotiators.
• Dodai rejected Konoha’s demands for Kuroara and offered less money in exchange for the mission shares, while Utatane Koharu and Dodai haggled over the terms.
• Utatane Koharu proposed taking Kumogakure’s Turtle Island, provoking Killer B, and Sakura prepared to attack him before Jiraiya stopped her.
• Killer B offered Konoha Turtle Island for one year, and Utatane Koharu countered with fifty years before they bargained down to five.
• Utatane Koharu offered five years, a public apology, 2.5 billion ryo, and all mission shares to Konoha, and Killer B agreed.

After Konoha welcomed Sakura and Jiraiya home as heroes, Hiruzen publicly praised Sakura for defeating the Fourth Raikage. That night, a Root operative brought Sakura to meet Shimura Danzō, whose motives remained unknown.

• Shimura Danzō ordered Root to place a seventy-million-ryō bounty on Kakuzu and investigate the organization linked to Kakuzu, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Uchiha Itachi.
• Jiraiya led the returning force into Konoha, where villagers showered them with flowers and salutes.
• Hiruzen praised Sakura before the crowd and raised her hand as he named her Konoha's new rising star.
• Tsunade watched Sakura's homecoming from a rooftop, while Sasuke left the crowd determined to train and become stronger.
• After a day of postwar meetings, Sakura followed a Root operative to Shimura Danzō's underground office.

Sakura met with Shimura Danzō, who tried to recruit her into Root by blaming Hiruzen Sarutobi for Konoha’s troubles. She turned his argument toward Namikaze Minato’s responsibilities and Danzō’s role in the White Fang’s downfall, then escaped his office with a Shadow Clone and returned home.

• Shimura Danzō praised Sakura’s essay on the Will of Fire and recounted how he believed Hiruzen Sarutobi had unfairly taken the Hokage position from him.
• Shimura Danzō blamed Hiruzen for Konoha’s losses and offered to make Sakura his disciple and put Root under her command, but Sakura pointed out that Hiruzen was raising her to become Hokage.
• Shimura Danzō cited Namikaze Minato’s death as evidence that following the Hokage could end badly, and Sakura argued that Minato had borne responsibility for the Nine-Tails disaster and chosen death under immense pressure.
• Sakura drew out Danzō’s admission that he understood how public opinion could destroy a hero, then accused him of helping bring about Hatake Sakumo’s downfall.
• When Danzō ordered Root members to seize Sakura, her Shadow Clone vanished, while the real Sakura went home to Haruno Meiko.

Haruno Sakura fled home after overhearing her parents’ intimate evening and went to Ichiraku Ramen, where she ran into Naruto just back from a mission. With nowhere else to stay for the night, she agreed to go to Naruto’s place, treating him like a younger brother.

• Haruno Meiko pressured Sakura about marriage, but Haruno Yashiro told her they should let their daughter make her own choices.
• Sakura fled the house when she heard her parents getting intimate and wandered through Konoha until she found Ichiraku Ramen.
• Sakura ordered ramen from Ayame and met Naruto, who had returned from the Land of the Moon wearing a green bodysuit chosen by Might Guy.
• Naruto told Sakura about his mission, while Sakura privately wondered how Tenten had let Guy’s fashion influence him.
• After Sakura explained that she had run away from home for the night, Ayame suggested she stay at Naruto’s place, and Sakura agreed while calling him her younger brother.

Sakura tried to redirect Naruto’s feelings toward Hinata, but realized Hinata’s status as the Hyuga heir made a match difficult. She decided to build her own influence and create chances for them to grow closer, then spotted Sasuke lurking near Ino and faced another complication.

• Sakura spent the night at Naruto’s home, teased him about Hinata, and suggested a gathering at Sasuke’s house.
• Sasuke watched Sakura leave Naruto’s home, grew jealous, and struck a wall while Naruto sensed someone nearby.
• Sakura recruited Ino for a gathering and explained that she wanted to bring Naruto and Hinata together.
• Ino pointed out that Hinata was the Hyuga heir and Naruto’s unknown status made the match difficult, so Sakura changed her plan.
• Sakura resolved to gain military achievements and prestige on the path to becoming Hokage, then noticed an Uchiha clan symbol behind Ino.

Sakura and Ino visited Hinata at the Hyuga compound and invited her to dinner with Naruto, while Hanabi reacted jealously to the invitation. Alone at the Uchiha compound, Sasuke discovered that his Mangekyō Sharingan held two abilities that manipulated luck and misfortune, then heard Naruto arrive to take him to dinner.

• Sakura and Ino met Hinata and Hanabi while the sisters trained, and Hyuga Hiashi welcomed the visitors and told Hinata to spend time with them.
• Sakura invited Hinata to dinner, and Hinata agreed after Sakura mentioned that Naruto would be there, leaving Hanabi resentful of Naruto.
• Sasuke brooded over Sakura having spent the night at Naruto's house, became overwhelmed by his Mangekyō Sharingan, and nearly attacked his reflection with Chidori.
• Sasuke realized Great God's True Mandate protected him by guiding events toward success, while Heavenly Dao's Counter Mandate could steer others toward failure.
• Naruto called to Sasuke from outside and said that the group had come to get him for dinner.

Sasuke worried that Daofantianming treated his Mangekyō Sharingan as a misfortune, then tried to keep Sakura out of his troubles. When Sakura confronted him, Sasuke used his Mangekyō technique on her, but she sensed the strange Yin Release and punched him away.

• Sasuke hosted his classmates for dinner, while Naruto cooked and Hinata made several mistakes helping in the kitchen.
• After everyone left, Sasuke prepared to visit the clan library to research the Mangekyō, but Sakura returned and asked what was troubling him.
• Sasuke told Sakura that his problem had nothing to do with her and agreed when she asked if he thought she was meddling.
• Sakura attacked Sasuke, who activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and used Heavenly Dao's Counter Mandate on her.
• Sakura sensed the Yin Release affecting her and punched Sasuke in the face, sending him flying.

Sasuke tested his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan against Sakura, using ocular techniques that made misfortune strike her and luck favor him. Sakura identified his luck-based ability and charged at him anyway, leaving them rushing toward a falling meteor.

• Sasuke attacked Sakura with Heavenly Dao's Counter Mandate, but Inner Sakura's pink power blocked its effects and Sakura punched him.
• Sasuke used Great God's True Mandate to make everyday accidents help him evade Sakura, while Sakura activated the Sensory Barrier and deduced that his technique manipulated luck.
• Sakura overwhelmed Sasuke with shuriken and close-range attacks, suppressing his Fire Release and Lightning Release and knocking his Kunai away.
• Rain and other improbable events disrupted Sakura's pursuit, and she realized Sasuke's Mangekyō technique granted absurd luck.
• A meteor fell toward them, but Sakura grabbed Sasuke and charged straight at it.

Sakura shattered a meteor with one punch, then explained Uchiha Obito’s history to Sasuke, who resolved to deal with him after Uchiha Itachi. In Amegakure, Obito’s exposed identity left him diminished before Pain and mocked by Kisame and Itachi.

• Tsunade spotted a meteor and wished to become richer than a nation.
• Sakura activated the Hundred Healings Jutsu and shattered the meteor with a single punch, while Sasuke watched in astonishment.
• Sasuke told Sakura his Mangekyo had awakened when Uchiha Obito pierced her, and Sakura explained that Obito was a former disciple of Namikaze Minato and Kakashi’s benefactor.
• Pain demanded an explanation from Uchiha Obito for using Uchiha Madara’s name, and Obito admitted that the name helped him act.
• Pain questioned Obito about Kumogakure, then Obito left and encountered Uchiha Itachi and Kisame, who mocked him over his exposed identity.
• Uchiha Itachi asked Obito if he remembered the Nine-Tails’ Rampage and how it felt to murder his teacher.

Uchiha Itachi left the Akatsuki base after Pain approved his return to Konoha for intelligence gathering and assigned Sasori to accompany him. In Konoha, Sakura visited a hungover Tsunade to ask about an ancient weapon, then set out to search clan records and investigate Uchiha Hikari.

• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame confronted Uchiha Obito, but Pain appeared and ended the standoff.
• Uchiha Itachi asked Pain for permission to go to Konoha to gather intelligence about the Two-Tails, and Pain agreed, assigning Sasori as his companion.
• Sakura researched Yang Release at the Senju Clan Library and recalled her planned mission against Kakuzu with Kakashi, Mei Terumi, and Might Guy.
• Sakura and Karin cared for Tsunade after finding her drunk and miserable over a failed wish to become rich.
• Sakura asked Tsunade about the ultimate weapon mentioned in Tobirama Senju's writing, and Tsunade told her to check Uzumaki Clan or Sarutobi Clan records.
• Sakura left the Senju Residence to search those records and pursue information about Uchiha Hikari.

Sakura learned about Yang Release from Hiruzen Sarutobi and located the seal of Uchiha Hikari, the Uchiha Clan’s ultimate weapon, at New Moon Valley. She set out with Sasuke, Karin, and Naruto, while Hiruzen watched them leave and learned that Kumogakure had delivered Turtle Island to the Land of Fire Borderline.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Sakura his detailed notes on Yang Release and agreed she could use Impure World Reincarnation to seek Tobirama Senju’s guidance.
• Sakura searched the Konoha Archives and found that Uchiha Hikari had been sealed at New Moon Valley.
• Sakura invited Naruto to travel with her, and Naruto agreed after learning he would soon go to Turtle Island for training.
• Sakura told Sasuke about the Uchiha’s ultimate weapon, and Sasuke eagerly joined the expedition.
• Sakura borrowed Karin from Tsunade, then gathered Karin, Sasuke, and Naruto at the Konoha Gate to leave for New Moon Valley.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the group depart and later heard Jiraiya report that Kumogakure had delivered Turtle Island to the Land of Fire Borderline.

Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin uncovered Uchiha Hikari, who had been sealed in an iron coffin for centuries. Hikari awoke and attacked Sasuke, but Sakura knocked her unconscious before she could finish speaking.

• Sasuke recognized that New Moon Valley had been carved by a single sword strike, while Karin sensed a barrier hiding something below the gorge.
• Sakura led the group to a monument at the bottom of the gorge, where they found Uzumaki sealing formulas and an inscription warning that the Uchiha Weapon must not escape.
• The four dug around the monument and unearthed an iron coffin; Sakura opened it and found a sleeping girl in Uchiha attire.
• Hikari awoke, recognized Sasuke as an Uchiha clansman, and lunged for his throat.
• Sakura struck Hikari on the back of the neck, knocking her unconscious.

Sakura and the others freed Uchiha Hikari from a seal, and she struggled to accept that the Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha clans had vanished. Sasuke persuaded Hikari to travel with him, while Sakura wondered how Hikari had carved open New Moon Valley and Naruto felt envious of Sasuke having family.

• Uchiha Hikari woke by the campfire, found herself weak and low on Chakra, and mistook Sakura, Karin, and Sasuke for enemies from her era.
• Sakura, Karin, and Sasuke explained that hundreds of years had passed and that the Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha clans had largely disappeared.
• Sasuke told Hikari that one person had slaughtered the Uchiha Clan seven years earlier and that he was the sole survivor until her arrival.
• Sakura encouraged Hikari to keep living, and Hikari agreed to travel with Sasuke while reserving the right to leave.
• Sakura suspected Hikari had used a Perfect Susanoo to cleave New Moon Valley, while Naruto envied Sasuke for having family.
• Naruto objected to Sakura patting his head because Jiraiya said it would stunt his growth, and Sakura scolded him for eating instant noodles instead of drinking milk.

Sakura secured Hiruzen Sarutobi’s approval for Uchiha Hikari to stay in Konoha, then agreed to help protect Naruto during his training after handling her other missions. Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi and Sasori of the Red Sands entered Konoha, where Itachi confronted Sasuke and Hikari, ending with Itachi and Hikari unleashing Tsukuyomi at the same time.

• Sakura persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to let Uchiha Hikari stay in Konoha and agreed to join Naruto’s training protection after her missions in the Land of Rivers.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi examined a Land of Snow mission that could bolster Sakura’s bid to become Hokage and ordered Sandayu brought to him.
• Uchiha Itachi and Sasori of the Red Sands entered Konoha, passed the guards under Itachi’s genjutsu, and headed for the Uchiha compound.
• Uchiha Itachi found Sasuke at the training ground, where Uchiha Hikari was whipping him into shape.
• Sasuke recognized Uchiha Itachi as his older brother, and Hikari questioned Itachi about sparing Sasuke after killing the Uchiha Clan.
• Uchiha Itachi activated Tsukuyomi against Hikari, who countered with the same ocular technique.

Uchiha Hikari defeated Uchiha Itachi in a clash of Tsukuyomi, leaving him weakened as Sasuke revealed his Mangekyō and confronted him. Sasuke let Itachi escape after using Heavenly Dao's Counter Mandate, then set out to report his return to the Hokage while Hikari wondered whether to stay and witness his new path for the Uchiha.

• Uchiha Hikari and Uchiha Itachi clashed with their Tsukuyomi techniques, and Hikari overwhelmed Itachi before he broke away from the illusion.
• Sasuke revealed his Seven-Diamond Mangekyō and attacked the weakened Itachi, but Sasori of the Red Sands intervened with an iron spike from his puppet.
• Sasuke told Itachi that his Mangekyō had awakened from his desire to protect his companions, not from killing them, and declared that he would end Itachi with that power.
• Sasuke used Heavenly Dao's Counter Mandate on Itachi but let him leave with Sasori, reasoning that he could not stop them both and that Itachi would pay a price for escaping.
• Sasuke decided to report Itachi's return to the Hokage, while Hikari praised him as the best Uchiha and considered staying to see how his path changed the clan.

Uchiha Itachi and Sasori of the Red Sands fled through Konoha after their hideout was discovered, then encountered Sakura while trying to escape. Sasori attacked her, and Sakura countered his puppet and Itachi’s fireball as the fight continued with Sasori releasing poisonous gas.

• Uchiha Itachi recovered with Sasori of the Red Sands in a hidden cave, but Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi stumbled in, so Itachi used his Sharingan to cover their escape.
• Sasuke told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Itachi had infiltrated Konoha with a puppet-using Akatsuki companion and explained how he had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Sasuke’s loyalty to his companions and gave him a scroll containing Kumogakure’s secret Lightning Release Nintaijutsu.
• Sakura learned that Itachi had returned to Konoha and headed toward the death row prison to find a sacrifice for Impure World Reincarnation.
• Sakura unexpectedly encountered Itachi and Sasori of the Red Sands; Sasori attacked her with the Third Kazekage Puppet, and she smashed his sand iron and Itachi’s Great Fireball Jutsu.
• Sasori of the Red Sands released poisonous gas from the Third Kazekage Puppet as Sakura faced him.

Sakura fought Sasori of the Red Sands after he and Uchiha Itachi infiltrated Konoha, but Sasori escaped while Itachi fled separately. Itachi then ran into Mei Terumi, who attacked him.

• Sakura resisted Sasori of the Red Sands' poison smoke, broke through his iron attacks, and smashed his puppet body with her tiger-headed fists.
• Sakura summoned Enma and wielded the Golden Staff, while Uchiha Itachi abandoned Sasori and fled.
• Sakura countered Sasori's Hellfire Formation with an Earth Style Wall and Water Dragon Biting Explosion, then shattered his body and scattered his puppets with shuriken, but Sasori escaped.
• Sakura handed Sasori's abandoned Kazekage Puppet to the Anbu and hurried toward the death row prison as Enma went to report to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Uchiha Itachi headed toward the Sarutobi Residence but was intercepted by Mei Terumi, who attacked him with Boiling Release: Skillful Mist Technique.

Sakura used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Tobirama Senju and enlist his help developing Yang Release Nintaijutsu. After a night of research, Tobirama learned the Uchiha had been massacred and eagerly asked where Uchiha Itachi was hiding.

• Exhausted Uchiha Itachi collapsed in the forest after running into Jiraiya.
• Sakura took Mizuki from Konoha Prison, knocked him unconscious, and used him as the sacrifice to summon Tobirama Senju.
• Tobirama reluctantly agreed to help Sakura study Yang Release Nintaijutsu, and they explored nourishing cells using Hashirama Senju’s body as a model.
• At dawn, Sakura showed Tobirama Konoha from Hokage Rock and explained that the Uchiha had been relocated and nearly wiped out.
• Tobirama celebrated the massacre and asked Sakura to help him find Uchiha Itachi, whom he wanted to reward while claiming he meant to punish him.