Chapter Summaries

Katsuki defeated Yahiko in a spar, then prepared to leave the group. Before departing, he warned Nagato that what his eyes saw might not be the truth, hinting that appearances could deceive.

• Katsuki trapped Yahiko in the mire during their spar, then used a rising earthen platform to pull him out, injuring his back and legs.
• White Zetsu reported to Madara that their attempt had failed because Katsuki was too powerful and difficult to restrain; Madara ordered him to keep observing Katsuki.
• Madara reflected on his inability to leave the demonic statue, remembered Hashirama, and resolved to create a peaceful world in his place.
• Katsuki thanked Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato as he prepared to leave, then told Nagato that what his eyes saw might not be the truth.

Katsuki said goodbye to Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, then departed in his Thunderclap Chariot. At Black Tail Mountain, Nawaki learned that Otome believed Katsuki was still alive, even as the Konoha ninjas endured heavy casualties and a stalemated battle.

• Katsuki summoned his Thunderclap Chariot and flew away after saying goodbye to Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
• Konoha ninjas at Black Tail Mountain discussed the mounting deaths and the burden of reorganizing squads after casualties.
• Nawaki recalled that his squad had found only a decoy supply depot and that the Sand and Stone alliance still threatened Black Tail Mountain.
• Nawaki tried to speak with Otome, but hesitated when he saw her quietly refining chakra.
• Otome told Nawaki that Katsuki was alive, citing Kushina's words and her own premonition.
• Nawaki struggled with doubt and confusion, but Otome's belief gave him a renewed glimmer of hope.

At Black Tail Mountain, Makita Kiyotaka and the senior commanders assessed the threat of the returning One-Tail Jinchuriki and the possibility that the Stone Ninja would deploy one of their own. Tsunade reported that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was in good condition but too dangerous to rely on, and the commanders left at dawn to prepare for the coming attack.

• Makita Kiyotaka asked Orochimaru how soon the poisoned One-Tail Jinchuriki might return, and Orochimaru warned it could happen by the next attack.
• Dan raised the possibility that the Stone Ninja would deploy a Jinchuriki, and Orochimaru agreed that their recent restraint could conceal that plan.
• Makita asked about the injured jonin and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Tsunade explained that most wounded fighters could return but using the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki against another Jinchuriki carried great risks.
• As dawn approached, Makita told the commanders to prepare and do their best, and they left the cavern expecting the Sand Ninja and Stone Ninja to arrive.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru argued over whether Kushina should be sent to the battlefield despite her unstable state and the risk to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The three arrived at the military camp to speak with her, where they found Minato and Otoha beside a coldly determined Kushina.

• Jiraiya quietly accused Tsunade of lying about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and urged her to let Kushina fight.
• Tsunade refused, but Jiraiya and Orochimaru argued that a Jinchuriki was a weapon meant to be used in war.
• Tsunade revealed that Kushina could barely control the four-tail state, and Jiraiya suggested that they visit her together.
• At the camp, Otoha raged over the Stone Ninja while Kushina remained calm and focused on trimming her nails after learning that Katsuki was missing.
• Minato respectfully greeted Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade when they arrived at the camp.

Kushina joined Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Minato as they went to confront the approaching One-Tail Shukaku. As the battle began, she unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra and charged ahead in a four-tailed form.

• Orochimaru said the group needed the Nine-Tails' power, and Kushina agreed to join the battle.
• Minato accepted Kushina's decision and promised to stay near her, while Jiraiya assured Tsunade that Minato could handle himself.
• Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade spotted the One-Tail Shukaku approaching Black Tail Mountain and raced to confront it.
• Kushina followed the Three Sannin and transformed, releasing the Nine-Tails' chakra and forming four scarlet tails.
• Kushina launched herself down the mountain path toward the battlefield.

As the Sand Ninja launched a major assault, Nawaki and Otome joined the forces descending Black Tail Mountain while Makita and Dan stayed behind to guard the supplies. Shukaku confronted a fast-moving red point on the plains, and Minato and Otoha watched from nearby, unsure how they could fight a tailed beast.

• Nawaki, Otome, and the middle-aged ninja prepared to fight as the Sand Ninja attacked at dawn.
• The commander sent squads down Black Tail Mountain, while Makita and Dan remained behind to guard the granary and supplies.
• Makita ordered Dan to entertain the approaching guests, and Dan used the Spirit Transformation Technique.
• Shukaku scattered the rain and fired an Empty Air Bullet at the red light charging toward it, creating a huge crater.
• Otoha asked Minato what they could do against Shukaku, since ordinary attacks could not harm it.

Otoha and Minato survived the blast from Shukaku’s Empty Air Bullet, while Chiyo and Ebizo prepared the Sand and Stone forces to attack Black Tail Mountain. The chapter left them racing against time as Konoha’s White Fang threatened to collapse their frontline camp.

• Otoha and Minato sheltered behind a damaged rock barrier as Shukaku’s blast wave killed a genin nearby.
• Minato gripped a trident-shaped kunai, while Otoha warned him that approaching the battlefield was too dangerous.
• Chiyo learned that Shukaku was fighting the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and blamed the Stone Ninja for her comrade’s death.
• Ebizo told Chiyo that the Stone Ninja’s Four-Tails Jinchuriki had arrived, and they discussed targeting Konoha before confronting the Stone Ninja.
• Chiyo ordered the forces to avoid Shukaku’s battlefield and take Black Tail Mountain, warning that Konoha’s White Fang could soon crush their frontline camp.

Kushina fought Shukaku while drawing on the Nine-Tails' four-tail power, and the Nine-Tails warned her to watch for Shukaku's sand attacks. She bound Shukaku with Adamantine Sealing Chains and remained unharmed by its barrage, while the sealing power began stirring the One-Tail's Jinchuriki.

• Kushina's crimson chakra hand struck Shukaku beneath the jaw, sending its Wind Bullet into the sky and punching a hole through the clouds.
• Kushina asked the Nine-Tails about Shukaku's abilities, and it warned her that Shukaku used wind and underground quicksand.
• Kushina used Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind Shukaku's legs and suppress its power, causing the One-Tail's Jinchuriki to show signs of awakening.
• Shukaku attacked Kushina with a storm of sand pellets, but her chakra hands and Tailed Beast Cloak blocked the barrage while her chains tightened.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru divided up to defend Black Tail Mountain as Sand and Stone forces moved to surround it. Kushina’s battle with Shukaku continued to turn in her favor as her sealing chains weakened him.

• Tsunade used her slugs to observe Kushina holding off Shukaku while the three Sannin discussed the approaching enemy forces.
• After learning that Sand and Stone troops were closing in on Black Tail Mountain from three directions, Orochimaru summoned Manda and headed north.
• Jiraiya raced toward the eastern front, while Tsunade set off to defend the south.
• Kushina endured Shukaku’s attacks and used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to suppress his consciousness and power, gradually gaining the advantage.

Kushina blocked Roshi’s surprise attack and learned he was the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, while Minato realized the Sand Ninja had not left Shukaku unsupported. Roshi pressed his advantage against Kushina until Shukaku roared and moved again.

• Roshi emerged from underground and attacked Kushina with a lava-wrapped fist, but she blocked it with her crimson tails and pulled him from the ground.
• Otoha recognized Roshi as another Jinchuriki, and Minato explained that he had deduced someone would be guarding Shukaku.
• Kushina noticed Roshi’s red hair before he launched a stronger attack and forced her onto the defensive.
• Roshi battered Kushina with lava fists, injuring her shoulder despite the protection of her Tailed Beast Cloak.
• Shukaku roared and moved again.

Orochimaru tore through Sand Ninja and Stone Ninja forces while Makita Kiyotaka coordinated Konoha’s defense of Black Tail Mountain. The battle’s focus remained on Kushina facing the One-Tail and Four-Tails Jinchuriki, whose hidden allies had yet to reveal themselves.

• Orochimaru killed Stone Ninja and Sand Ninja with terrifying ease, making the enemy forces steer clear of him.
• Orochimaru sensed a scorching aura near Black Tail Mountain, then confronted a massive man surging with killing intent.
• Dan Katō reported that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki had joined the battle, and Makita ordered his forces to hunt Stone Ninja underground and reinforce the northern front.
• Makita’s commands improved Konoha’s defenses on three sides of Black Tail Mountain and raised the troops’ morale.
• Makita recognized that Kushina’s fight against the One-Tail and Four-Tails Jinchuriki was the battle’s decisive focus, with enemy experts likely watching nearby.

Makita and Dan Katō tracked Chiyo and Kamizuru Otto as Sand and Stone forces prepared to confront the fighting at Black Tail Mountain. Shukaku unleashed a devastating windstorm, and Minato reappeared beside Otoha after using a marker to escape being swept away.

• Makita and Dan Katō discovered that Chiyo and Kamizuru Otto were gathering with their forces.
• Chiyo and Otto agreed to attack directly and led the Sand and Stone ninja toward Black Tail Mountain.
• Shukaku unleashed an indiscriminate windstorm against Kushina and Roshi, with the gale reaching Black Tail Mountain.
• Otoha struggled to hold on as the storm swept Minato away, but Minato returned beside him using a marker.

Kushina fought Shukaku while Stone and Sand Ninja closed in, then used a water-based ambush to suppress Roshi and sent shadow clones to attack Shukaku. The battle continued as Shukaku battered the clones with a barrage of sand bullets.

• Kushina released her Four-Tails state and detected Stone and Sand Ninja approaching underground while Shukaku’s storm weakened.
• Kushina used Water Shockwave and Shadow Clones to flood the battlefield and attack the underground Roshi.
• Kushina triggered a Steam Explosion that blasted Roshi through the rock and briefly suppressed him.
• Kushina’s water-style shadow clones struck Shukaku with water dragons, forcing the restrained Tailed Beast to stagger backward.
• Shukaku unleashed a storm of sand bullets that destroyed clone after clone as Kushina roared that the fight was not over.

Kushina pushed through exhaustion to use a Shadow Clone's Water Severing Wave to cut off Shukaku's legs, bringing the giant down. As she recovered, Rasa emerged from underground and attacked her with golden sand shuriken.

• Kushina kept sending Shadow Clones toward Shukaku while Minato and Otoha watched, unable to intervene without risking their lives.
• On Black Tail Mountain, Makita fought the advancing Stone Ninja alongside Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, leaving them unable to assist Kushina.
• Kushina's leading Shadow Clone reached Shukaku and severed both of its legs with Water Release: Water Severing Wave, causing it to crash to the ground.
• Kushina collapsed from exhaustion but was caught by a Shadow Clone, which splashed water on her to revive her.
• Rasa emerged on golden sand and launched Magnet Release: Gold Sand Shuriken at Kushina, whose Shadow Clones formed Water Walls to shield her.

Rasa and Roshi attacked the exhausted Kushina, but Minato used the marked trident kunai to rescue her and teleport them away. Rasa and Roshi pursued, while another Jinchuriki raced across the water nearby.

• Otto left Rasa to fight Kushina and went after two other targets.
• Rasa recognized Kushina and attacked her with Gold Dust Spears, but her three-tailed cloak knocked them aside.
• Roshi struck Kushina with magma spheres, but a flash of golden light made the attack miss.
• Minato appeared beside Kushina, caught her as she swayed, and confirmed that her marked kunai had saved her.
• Minato teleported himself and Kushina away as Rasa and Roshi gave chase.

Rasa and Roshi realized they could draw Konoha’s forces toward Black Tail Mountain, while Chiyo revived Shukaku and the exhausted defenders prepared for another assault. Dan left to find Kushina, and Orochimaru continued fighting enemy ninja as the battle worsened.

• Roshi identified the boy’s technique as Space-Time Ninjutsu, and he and Rasa decided to keep advancing toward Black Tail Mountain to reach their target.
• Chiyo revived Shukaku with emergency treatment and a secret medicine that harmed its jinchuriki.
• Makita ordered Dan Katō to find Kushina and bring her back toward the border, and Dan replenished his chakra with Ration Pills before heading underground.
• Orochimaru summoned Manda to attack a Stone Ninja and a Sand Ninja, but they escaped using Earth Clones.

Minato and Otoha faced the collapse of Konoha’s position at Black Tail Mountain, but Dan arrived to evacuate Minato and Kushina. Just as Minato handed Kushina to an ANBU member, she sensed Katsuki approaching from the southwest.

• Otoha urged Minato to help defend Black Tail Mountain, but Minato admitted that the enemy’s numbers and Tailed Beast left them no way to turn the battle around.
• Otoha turned back toward the battlefield to help his younger sister, while he told Minato to escape with Kushina.
• Dan and six ANBU members emerged and ordered Minato to evacuate Kushina and retreat to the village.
• Minato reluctantly handed Kushina over to a female ANBU, but Kushina stood up and announced that Katsuki’s chakra was approaching from the southwest.

Kushina sensed Katsuki in the sky, prompting Dan Katō to delay their departure as thunder and lightning gathered. Meanwhile, Otoha fought Rasa in the rain, using the muddy terrain to gain an advantage before Rasa escaped the swamp.

• Kushina insisted that she had sensed Katsuki, but agreed to leave with Dan Katō and the Anbu.
• Dan Katō sensed a powerful, familiar presence in the storm and decided to wait, while Kushina identified Katsuki's chakra in the sky.
• Rasa detected Otoha approaching alone and chose to fight him, citing an old score and Otoha's awakened Sharingan.
• Otoha deflected Rasa's Gold Sand Shuriken and turned the rain-soaked ground into a vast muddy swamp that swallowed much of Rasa's golden quicksand.
• Rasa used Gold Dust Cloud to flee the swamp, then blocked Otoha's Dragon Fire Technique with Desert Wave.

Rasa and Roshi nearly killed the injured Uchiha Otoha, but Katsuki arrived in time to destroy Rasa’s final attack. Katsuki faced Rasa while Otoha moved away to recover.

• Rasa attacked Otoha with gold sand while Otoha defended himself with Earth Release and fled underground.
• Rasa detected Otoha underground, and Roshi’s magma attack forced Otoha to the surface with severe burns.
• Rasa wounded Otoha further with a shuriken barrage and prepared to crush him with Gold Sand Mountain.
• Katsuki arrived atop the Thunderclap Chariot and destroyed the Gold Sand Mountain before it hit Otoha.
• Otoha recognized Katsuki, and Katsuki greeted Rasa as the two sides prepared to face each other.

Katsuki battled Rasa and Roshi while his Shadow Clones reached Dan Katō and Kushina with news that meant they no longer needed to retreat. The chapter ended with Katsuki facing Roshi’s Great Volcano Bullet as thunder shook the heavens.

• Rasa attacked Katsuki with Gold Dust Spears, but Katsuki countered with Lightning Spears and erased the assault.
• Katsuki focused on Roshi, who cloaked himself in lava and launched his Great Volcano Bullet technique.
• Rasa retreated from the volcanic attack, and Otoha moved away because he was too injured to fight.
• Katsuki’s Shadow Clones arrived at Dan Katō’s position, where Kushina rushed to embrace one before it vanished in smoke.
• A Shadow Clone comforted Kushina while the others told Dan that Katsuki had brought news, and Dan realized the group no longer needed to retreat.